Jethro Tull’s Barre gets up close and personal

OLD SAYBROOK — You could say Martin Barre knows his way around a stage — and if you grew up in a certain era, you’ve likely seen him up there before.

Barre will perform with his Martin Barre Band on Sunday at The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. But if his name — and some of the material they’ll play — sound familiar, there’s a good reason for that.

That’s because for 43 years, he prowled some of the biggest stages in the world as guitarist for one of the biggest bands in the world, Jethro Tull — playing some of the most memorable guitar licks in rock and roll.

Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are $48, available in advance at www.thekate.org or 860-510-0453. The Kate is located at 300 Main St.

For decades, Barre performed at some of the most prestigious venues on the planet and shared the stage with Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, to name a few.

That unmistakable intro to “Aqualung”? Martin Barre.

The driving guitar behind “Locomotive Breath?” Barre again.

Earlier classics such as “With You There To Help Me” and “To Cry You A Song”? Barre on guitar.

“Thick As A Brick,” “Living in the Past,” “Skating Away,” “Bungle in the Jungle” and “Too Old To Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young To Die?” You guessed it: Barre.

Barre, 71, played football stadiums and hockey rinks all over the world from 1969 and the release of Jethro Tull’s second album until the band’s dissolution in 2014.

For the past few years, it’s been a little different. Barre has toured on his own,