Courtesy Atlantic Records Jason Mraz will perform tonight at 7 in Centennial Hall with Ryanhood and Dropping Daylight.

Pop rock sensation Jason Mraz will rock Centennial Hall today in part of his ongoing mission to remain a student in the eyes of his fans and critics.

As echoed in the album art of his latest album, Mr. A-Z, Mraz said he has made school and education a personal theme.

"I'm just a student at all of this. I'm not trying to teach anyone," Mraz said. "In an educational system all students are supposed to be equal. I'm just trying to be an equal."

Mraz is no stranger to Tucson either.

Mraz played here in May and was enchanted by Tucson's gems like the Casbah Tea House, 628 N. Fourth Ave., where he said he enjoyed the open-mic session and organic food.

Tucson holds an even more endearing place in his heart, Mraz said, because it is the residence of his friend "Jupiter Dave," a musician he used to play drums for. In fact, it was Dave who originally coined the play on words of Mr. A-Z.

"He was the first to break it down for me. 'Dude, you're Mr. A-Z. Alpha through omega.' I appreciate it, Jupiter Dave," Mraz said.

Ever since his hit "Remedy" shot up the charts in 2002, Mraz has been riding the pop rock wave of fame. But Mraz admits he'll never get used to being a music celebrity.

"Singing and music was my only talent. I've been blessed with this talent. I'm quite pleased with how it all came out," Mraz said.

Mraz's schedule has been pretty booked since then, including national tours, recording his latest album and recording all-American Gap ads.

The classic black-and-white ads feature artists like Joss Stone, Alanis Morissette, Brandon Boyd of Incubus and Keith Urban, who compare the feel of their favorite jeans to their favorite songs.

Mraz chose Bob Marley's "One Love," saying it was important the project had a classic feel to it.

"I didn't want to recreate an old song, like Missy (Elliot) or Madonna. The black-and-white ad has become an American tradition," Mraz said.

He also relied on classic roots when recording his new album, reverting back to his high school classical music education, Mraz said.

"I was lucky that way. I always held on to it and appreciated it," Mraz said. "The songs on this album were more personal and I really wanted to sing them."

Although Mraz said he was privileged to have extended time to record his new album, live shows are where he really gets into it.

"Playing live is a lot of fun. You get one shot," Mraz said. "But at the end of the day, it's all rock 'n' roll."

Mraz will play Centennial Hall tonight with Ryanhood and Dropping Daylights at 7. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office for $21 for students and $27 for the general public.

There are 800 tickets still available, said Ryan Patterson, ASUA special events coordinator and a third-year law student.