Paul Simon’s farewell tour ended in 2018. Now, he’s back.

Paul Simon kicks off his Homeward Bound: The Farewell Tour in Vancouver, British Columbia. Jimmy Jeong — The Canadian Press via AP

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By George Varga

Union-Tribune

Paul Simon’s retirement from touring is officially over.

Seven years after completing his farewell tour, the legendary singer-songwriter and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee announced Tuesday morning that he will embark on an extensive North American tour that will include six Southern California dates in Long Beach and Los Angeles between July 7 and July 16. Simon’s “A Quiet Celebration Tour” will begin April 4 in New Orleans and conclude Aug. 3 in New Orleans. It will showcase the music from his Grammy-nominated 2023 album, “Seven Psalms,” along with new arrangements of some of his best-known songs.

Simon will perform at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach on July 7 and play five nights at Walt Disney Concert Hall from July 9 through July 16.

The tour announcement comes just two days after Simon, 83, and Sabrina Carpenter, 25 duetted on the Simon & Garfunkel classic “Homeward Bound” at the opening of Sunday night’s all-star “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” telecast. His return to the road is a welcome surprise for fans, not only in light of his 2018 farewell tour but because the severe hearing loss he subsequently suffered in his left ear while recording “Seven Psalms,” led him to declare he would not be able to tour again even if he wanted.

But that was then, and this is now. And Simon’s has been working hard to counter his hearing issues. His upcoming tour will feature a special stage setup to make it more comfortable for him to perform with his band. It will also be held primarily in intimate classical-music venues, such as Disney Hall on Los Angeles, that are better suited to the whisper-soft dynamics of his “Seven Psalms” songs.

The band accompanying Simon on the tour will include Mark Stewart (guitar), Caleb Burhans (viola), Jamey Haddad (percussion), Gyan Riley (guitar), Mick Rossi (piano and electric keyboards), Andy Snitzer (saxophone), Nancy Stagnita (flute) and Eugene Friesen (cello). Steve Gadd and Matt Chamberlin will alternate on drums.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. local time via sevenpsalms.paulsimon.com and Ticketmaster. A ticket pre-sale for select dates begins Thursday at 10 a.m. local time (use the code DUET).