{image1}Try if you must, but Taj Mahal is a hard man to pigeonhole.

Not only is he a singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, Grammy winner, world traveler, fisherman and cigar enthusiast, but his music sports even more variety than the person. His style is closest to country blues, but includes Caribbean, Hawaiian, Latin, African and Cuban sounds mixed with jazz, blues, funk, pop soul and R&B.

"And I love hip hop," says the 63-year-old performer. "It was destined to happen."

The super-eclectic Taj Mahal performs Sunday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. at The Pabst Theatre. Tickets are $29.50.

Although his music was always well received by a large group of fans, it wasn't until the late '90s that Mahal was inducted into the mainstream music scene. In 1997 he received a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album for "Se Or Blues" and again in 2000 for "Shoutin' in Key."

According to the musician, working on independent labels is the key to his success and growth as a musician and person. He says the big labels try to put musicians in a box and, as already pointed out, Majal is a pigeon without a hole.

"There is a lot of music that people do not get to hear, and it's unfortunate. It's because of marketing and the fact that somebody (at the record company) says you won't like this. But the people who come hear me get to hear everything I know about," he says.

Mahal is on touring in support of his 36-track album "It's Essential." The record spans four decades and includes the previously unreleased "Satisfied and Tickled Too" and "Happy To Be Just Like I Am."

Mahal looks forward to his Milwaukee gig and promises a high-energy show, asking that fans "come ready to dance."

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, a young, Vermont-based band performing a blend of roots, funky blues, gospel and rock opens the show.

Call (414) 286-3663 for tickets or information.