ITS EASY: To purchase tickets simply click HERE.  You will be directed to the campaign contribution page.  Simply enter all required information and then click on the red PROCESS CONTRIBUTION button at the bottom.  In order to purchase multiple tickets simultaneously, just click on 'other' and enter the total dollar amount.  Then include a note stating the number/kind of tickets desired in the designated 'send a note...' box below, just above the red button.  Your name will be held at the door (tickets will not be mailed), but you will receive an email confirmation of your purchase/contribution within 24 hrs.  All proceeds benefit the Obama for America Presidential campaign.

YOU WANT MORE: If you wish to contribute a higher amount than the sum total of your ticket price, the Obama campaign will be very grateful!  Simply donate as much as you can, and then include a note stating the number of tickets desired in the designated 'send a note...' box on the contribution page just above the red button, or email us at the address below with your ticket needs.  

TELL YOUR FRIENDS: After your contribution/ticket purchase is processed, you will be asked by the campaign website to email a pre-set invitation to your contacts asking them to contribute to the Obama campaign as well.  This is a general invitation to support Barack, but you may easily transform it into a concert invitation as well!  If you would like to use this opportunity to invite anyone to the Jazz for Obama concert in particular (and we hope you will), just be sure to include a note about the concert in your email, and most importantly include our weblink jazzforobama.com so that your friends can purchase tickets just as you did!

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1st
featuring

BILAL/ROBERT GLASPER
DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER
KURT ELLING
ROBERTA GAMBARINI
ROY HARGROVE
STEFON HARRIS
ROY HAYNES
CHARLIE HUNTER/DOUG WAMBLE DUO
HANK JONES
STANLEY JORDAN
JOE LOVANO
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE
BRAD MEHLDAU
DIANNE REEVES
   ...and special guests

OCTOBER 1 - 7:30pm
The 92nd Street Y Kaufmann Concert Hall
 Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street
(Doors open 6:30 pm)

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE OBAMA FOR AMERICA PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN TICKETS AND ALL INFORMATION AVAILABLE ONLY AT: http://www.jazzforobama.com/

Joey+Rory, along with Grammy-award winning producer Carl Jackson, have put the finishing touches on their debut album, The Life Of A Song, to be released by Vanguard/Sugar Hill Records on October 28th.  Having produced such greats as Alison Krauss and Merle Haggard, Jackson proved the perfect choice to help husband and wife team Rory Feek and Joey Martin create a traditional country album, seasoned with acoustic elements and equal doses of humor and sincerity.

"Working with Joey+Rory is a total joy for me," states Jackson.  "They are the real deal, not an act simply called 'country' whose music contradicts that label.  What makes it even more special is that I believe the only thing they love more than a great country song is each other."

Joey+Rory are nothing if not authentic; The Life Of A Song might be listened to as a soundtrack to their simple country lifestyle.  The couple resides in an 1870's farmhouse in tiny Hardison Mill, TN, where Joey helps run a nearby family restaurant called Marcy Jo's Mealhouse.  Perfectly in their element, Joey+Rory sing of scuffed cowboy boots ("Boots"), dusty rodeo arenas ("Rodeo"), and cherished vinyl records ("Sweet Emmylou").  They beg the listener to sing or dance along (the brash and buoyant "Cheater Cheater") before hushing the room with the lovely austerity of "Heart of the Wood."  Even the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic "Free Bird" is putty reinvented in the hands of this pair, as adventurous as they are respectful of country music's roots.

Together, the couple contributed their songwriting talents to seven of the album's 12 tracks, including the lead single, "Cheater Cheater."  Already an established songwriter and founding partner of Nashville publishing company Giantslayer Music, Rory has three #1 hits to his credit (Blake Shelton's "Some Beach", Clay Walker's "The Chain of Love" and Collin Raye's "Someone You Used To Know"), and has had cuts by Kenny Chesney, Randy Travis, Terri Clark, Mark Wills, Reba McEntire, Waylon Jennings, Lorrie Morgan, Buck Owens, John Michael Montgomery and Charlie Pride, among others.

Joey, who performs lead vocals for the duo, is also a veteran recording artist (previously signed to Sony Records, her debut album and single were never released). The pair only started performing as a duo for the audition of CMT's hit series Can You Duet in early 2008.  The pairing proved to be a hit with thousands of fans as well as Naomi Judd, one of the show's judges and Joey+Rory's most fervent supporter.  CMT is now home to Joey+Rory's debut video for "Cheater Cheater," currently in medium rotation.

This summer Dell Summer Rocks has been hitting the road to attend the U.S.'s biggest festivals - Lollapalooza, Virgin Mobile Fest, Outside Lands, Bumbershoot, Monolith Music Festival and now the Austin City Limits Music Festival. As one of thousands attending a summertime festival, Dell Summer Rocks adds an extra touch of personalization and self-expression to the festival going experience.

At each of these festivals you can check out the Dell Dome, a geodesic structure that houses personal style studios and creative stations where all festival attendees are welcome to visit and enhance their festival experience. This multimedia playground celebrates sharing through art, music and design.

Check it out here: http://www.delllounge.com/summerrocks/dome/

At the Dell Dome festival attendees can:
- Meet your favorite band, watch them do an interview in person and get their autograph.
- Make your own digital mixtape by building a playlist using music from the festival as well as popular artists beyond Austin City Limits' set list.
- Design custom buttons. One can use designs on hand or bring their own to stamp into creative flare.
- Get an airbrush tattoo or your hair rocked out.
- Meet Dell resident artist, Mike Ming. http://www.delllounge.com/summerrocks/mikeming/. Mike Ming created the artwork for Dell's limited edition Mike Ming Inspiron laptops and he designed the artwork on the Dell Dome.
- Make a custom tee. One can create their own style by transferring Mike Ming's artwork onto their own clothes through the hot-press t-shirt station.
- Check your email and surf the net on Dell's collection of laptops.

Participating bands who have visited and done interviews at the Dell Dome at festivals thus far include Chromeo, Girl Talk, Cadence Weapon, The Muslims, Devotchka, Del the Funky Homosapien,  Akron/Family, Shudder To Think, Taking Back Sunday, Soulwax, Kaki King, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Tapes 'N Tapes, Flosstradamus, The Octopus Project,  Franki Chan, Witchcraft, Tiny Masters of Today, The Whigs and more. Many of these interviews can be viewed at the Dell Summer Rocks website - http://www.delllounge.com/summerrocks. A list of the bands doing interviews at ACL is below:

DEL DOME INTERVIEW SCHEDULE!

FRIDAY 9/26
1:00 PM - Louis XIV
2:00 PM – Autamata
3:00 PM – The Strange Boys

SATURDAY 9/27                     
1:30 PM - Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves
2:00 PM - Electric Touch
2:30 PM - Langhorn Slim
3:00 PM – We Go To 11
4:00 PM - The Sound and the Jury Winner
4:45 PM – Roky Erickson

SUNDAY 9/28
4:00 PM - White Denim
5:00 PM - Nicole Atkins & the Sea
5:30 PM – Stars

In addition to the Dell Dome, Dell Summer Rocks handles The Sound and the Jury contest. The Sound and the Jury (S&J) is a virtual battle of the bands with the ultimate grand prize being a spot on the Dell Stage at the 2008 Austin City Limits Music Festival.  Over 700 bands uploaded their music to the contest website http://www.aclfestival.com/soundandjury to participate in the competition. Only six contenders in Round 4 remain, which ends in a live battle of the bands at Antone's, Austin's iconic music venue, tomorrow night, Wednesday, Sept. 24. For more information visit http://www.delllounge.com.

For those who can not attend the festival, they can still see exclusive festival footage, create a digital mix tape, download videos and photos and register to win ACL tickets by visiting http://www.delllounge.com/summerrocks

Guerilla Union, in association with Live Nation, has announced the European dates of ROCK THE BELLS 2008 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SERIES POWERED BY SANDISK. The new leg of the festival comes as the critically praised 10-city U.S. installment recently came to a close at The Gorge in George, WA.

The tour will kick off in Prague, Czech Republic on October 31 and continue on to stops in Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Paris. It will hit the UK on November 6 at Birmingham Academy and at Manchester's Apollo on November 12.  1Xtra the BBC's digital Black Music station will be supporting Rock The Bells and will have exclusive interviews and live music from the UK leg of the tour. Listen to 1Xtra for more details or check online at www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/events.

The European tour sees Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, The Pharcyde reunion featuring all four original members, freestyle world champion Supernatural and beat boxer Scratch (formerly of the Roots) returning to the ROCK THE BELLS stage after appearing on all of this summer's U.S. dates. The festival will feature Nas' exclusive European festival performances where he will play his classic tracks and songs from his new mega-hit album Untitled. Mos Def will also be performing new tracks from his highly anticipated new album The Ecstatic.  Joining the tour in Prague, Amsterdam and Birmingham will be legendary group EMPD.

Event organizer Chang Weisberg states, "We are thrilled that Rock The Bells is launching its inaugural series of festivals in Europe.  It is the first American hip-hop platform to do so. We appreciate the enthusiastic support of all our partners especially SanDisk, Live Nation, and all the fans who love quality live music experiences.  These initial shows represent the beginning of our long-term commitment to bring quality Hip-hop events on a more regular basis globally. Our vision includes plans to take our branded platforms into everything from small clubs and theatres to larger arenas and outdoor music festivals throughout the year."

Weisberg also calls the line-up a dream come true, "Nas and Mos Def have been a part of many historic Rock The Bells moments and I couldn't imagine a better group of artists to launch our European festivals. De La Soul, EPMD, MC Supernatural and Scratch round out a truly amazing bill that also includes the historic reunion of The Pharcyde." 

The artists share the same excitement such as headliner Nas who says, "I've been down with Rock The Bells since day one, and I'm excited to be a part of hip-hop history for the first Rock The Bells festivals in Europe. It's an honor and blessing to share the stage with so many artists that I truly love and appreciate on so many levels."  Dave, aka Plug Two from De La Soul, states, "When I first heard the line-up for Rock The Bells, all I could think was what more can anyone ask for?  If there ever was a hip-hop tour that made reminiscing more pleasant, Rock The Bells '08 was it…and now to go to Europe, can't wait!"

Guerilla Union is excited to announce that SanDisk will continue to be the title sponsor of the festival series for the international run.  "Sponsorship of these leading European music events speaks to our commitment to reach consumers where our products can make a great difference for them," said Michael Romero, Vice President, Mobile Retail Business, SanDisk.  "SanDisk's line of mobile memory cards makes the digital lifestyle more manageable by offering consumers enhanced ability to bring multiple types of digital content, especially music, with them wherever they go.  These cards provide a new level of convenience for people to store, move and play such content using their mobile phones, so we're excited to marry our promotion of our mobile memory products with the leading pop culture events."

Weisberg adds "Flash memory technology can help change the music industry. We are proud to work with SanDisk and develop better ways to empower artists and the fans that enjoy their music. Rock The Bells will host SanDisk's "Wake Up Your Phone" campaign. We are constantly amazed at how flash memory improves the functionality of everyone's cell phone. Our fans are on top of their tech game and we believe that this partnership will improve the live experience in general by incorporating these new technologies into the fan experience. Our festivals are uniquely powered by SanDisk and we thank them for all of their support."

Guerilla Union's ROCK THE BELLS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SERIES POWERED BY SANDISK has established itself as a world-class hip-hop platform by hosting legendary performances by Rage Against the Machine, NAS, A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, Lauryn Hill, Blackstar (Talib Kweli and Mos Def), Hieroglyphics, Living Legends, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, Cypress Hill and Jurassic 5.  It is recognized as a forum of unparalleled diversity and excellence by uniting the biggest names involved with urban street culture and was the top-grossing hip-hop event in the United States in 2007.

One of the past memorable moments of the Festival came at The 2004 Rock The Bells, which reunited the most influential hard core rap group ever to emerge – The Wu-Tang Clan for the first time in 10 years.  It was the last time for anyone to experience the Wu-Tang Clan as a whole, as ODB passed away a couple months after the show.  Since then, members of the Wu-Tang Clan have continued to appear on the line-up on an annual basis while paying tribute to their fallen clan member.

Rock the Bells European Dates:

31  OCT – PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – T-MOBILE ARENA –

NAS, MOS DEF, DE LA SOUL, THE PHARCYDE, EPMD, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH

1  NOV – AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND – HEINEKEN MUSIC HALL –

NAS, MOS DEF, DE LA SOUL, THE PHARCYDE, EPMD, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH

4  NOV – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – ANNEXET –

NAS, MOS DEF, DE LA SOUL, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH

6  NOV – BIRMINGHAM, UK – BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY –

NAS, MOS DEF, THE PHARCYDE, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH

10  NOV – PARIS, FRANCE – ZENITH –

NAS, MOS DEF, THE PHARCYDE, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH

12  NOV – MANCHESTER APOLLO –

NAS, MOS DEF, THE PHARCYDE, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH

The second annual WEST BEACH MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL in Santa Barbara, CA wrapped earlier this month as a huge success.  The three-day festival, which took place Friday, September 12, Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14, drew over 20,000 attendees and featured stellar performances from Ziggy Marley, Jason Mraz, Natasha Bedingfield, George Clinton featuring Lili Haydn, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Jackie Greene, The Expendables and more.  Presented by Twiin Productions in association with Jacalyn Kane Productions and sponsored by COX Media, [email protected] and The Santa Barbara Independent, it is one of the only U.S. festivals that takes place right on the beach.

Located seaside just west of Stearn's Wharf, the all-ages festival featured four stages of non-stop rock, reggae and jam bands; a DJ/electronic music oasis; arts and crafts vendors, and the "Sand Box" area produced by Tor Hyams and his company HyLo Entertainment - a specialized group that has put on other successful family event areas at festivals such as Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits - with activities oriented toward children. It catered to all types of concert-goers including those on a budget who just wished to watch the bands while sitting on the sand, to the more extravagant offering of Hawaiian-style cabanas right next to the stage with private food and drink service.

"We are extremely happy with the success and community support we have received from the festival. It is our desire to maintain the family friendly atmosphere as we build on our unique approach of letting the festival-goer enjoy world-class music, right on the beach," said twin brothers and festival organizers, Jeremy & Joshua Pemberton. "Additionally, the feedback we received from the artists performing was extremely encouraging.  Many of them voiced the thrill they received playing in front of thousands on the beach overlooking the ocean!"

Wrote Josef Woodard of the Santa Barbara News-Press (9/16) in his review, "…the festival experience is all about balancing well-coordinated planning and moments that verge on blissful chaos and cultural overload. By that classic standard, the West Beach Music and Arts Festival did its job nicely and has whetted the appetite for more of the same next year."

At long last after 2 years of editing and mixing 2b1 Multimedia Inc. is proud to announce the release of the "Chet Helms Tribal Stomp". The package consists of four DVD's and two CD's from the October 2005 concert in Golden Gate Park. Many have called it "the event of the century". The collection centers on the life of "Chet Helms" his influence on the 60's and the "Family Dog."

What: The Family Dog's "Chet Helms Tribal Stomp" Memorial concert, sneak preview screening party, Pot Luck.

When: November 7^th, 7pm to 12pm.

Where: 2b1 Multimedia Inc. 3075 17^th Street, SF (cross street Folsom)

Admission: Free (Open to the Public)

Box Set Highlights: 4 DVD's and 2 CD's covering 29 bands, 50 interviews (including people who worked at the family dog), Poster &  Photo Gallery (the family dog), history & liner notes, HD 5 camera video, digitally mastered video and audio, outtakes and much more.  Featuring: Paul Kantner and friends, Blue Cheer, Country Joe, Barry "The Fish" Melton, Lydia Pense, Vince Welnick, David LaFlamme, Canned Heat, Members of Steve Miller's band with Squid Vicious, Nick Gravenites, Annie Sampson, Zero, Quicksilver Gold, Narada Michael Walden, Wavy Gravy, The Charlatans, Terry Haggerty, Jerry Miller, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Rowan Brothers, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Roy Rogers, Natural Act, Jeff Blackburn, James Gurley, Faith Petrice, Roy Blumenfeld, Stephen Gaskin, Michael McClure, Wavy Gravy.

Guerilla Union has announced the additional European dates of the ROCK THE BELLS 2008 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SERIES POWERED BY SANDISK with new installments in Helsinki, Finland and Oslo, Norway. The tour now expands to nine shows in six countries.

As previously released, the festival series will kick off in Prague, Czech Republic on 31 October and continue on to stops in Amsterdam, Stockholm, Birmingham, Paris and concluding in Manchester, UK on 12 November.  SanDisk will continue to be the title sponsor for the entire international run and will be showcasing their "Wake Up Your Phone"™ campaign.

In association with Live Nation and TCO, a launch concert in London's Indigo2 @ the O2 Arena has been added on 9 November.  The intimate show will feature live performances from Nas and Mos Def to celebrate a surprise announcement from Guerilla Union. The announcement will include details for a spectacular event coming to London in 2009.

Chang Weisberg, founder of Guerilla Union, states, "Adding shows in Helsinki and Oslo embodies our vision of global expansion for Rock The Bells.  There is a big demand for great live hip-hop experiences all throughout Europe and we have the platform to deliver that.  We are also extremely proud to launch this special event surrounding our big announcement in London with SanDisk, Live Nation and TCO."

The European tour sees Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul (recently added to the Paris show), The Pharcyde reunion featuring all four original members, freestyle world champion Supernatural and beat boxer Scratch (formerly of the Roots) performing in selected dates.  Joining the tour in Prague and Amsterdam will be legendary group EPMD.  Check out www.guerillaunion.com for updates and complete details.
 
Guerilla Union's ROCK THE BELLS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SERIES POWERED BY SANDISK has established itself as a world-class hip-hop platform by hosting legendary performances by Rage Against the Machine, NAS, A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, Lauryn Hill, Blackstar (Talib Kweli and Mos Def), Hieroglyphics, Living Legends, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, Cypress Hill and Jurassic 5.  It is recognized as a forum of unparalleled diversity and excellence by uniting the biggest names involved with urban street culture and was the top-grossing hip-hop event in the United States in 2007.
 
One of the past memorable moments of the festival came at the 2004 Rock The Bells, which reunited the most influential hard-core rap group ever to emerge - The Wu-Tang Clan - for the first time in 10 years.  It was the last time for anyone to experience the Wu-Tang Clan as a whole, as ODB passed away a couple months after the show.  Since then, members of the Wu-Tang Clan have continued to appear on the line-up on an annual basis while paying tribute to their fallen clan member.

ROCK THE BELLS 2008 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SERIES POWERED BY SANDISK:
 
31  OCT – PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – T-MOBILE ARENA –
NAS, MOS DEF, DE LA SOUL, THE PHARCYDE, EPMD, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH
 
1  NOV – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – HEINEKEN MUSIC HALL –
NAS, MOS DEF, DE LA SOUL, THE PHARCYDE, EPMD, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH
 
4  NOV – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – ANNEXET –
NAS, MOS DEF, DE LA SOUL, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH
 
5  NOV – HELSINKI, FINLAND – HELSINKI ICE HALL –
NAS, MOS DEF, DE LA SOUL, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH
 
6  NOV – BIRMINGHAM, UK – BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY –
NAS, MOS DEF, THE PHARCYDE, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH
 
9  NOV – LONDON, UK – INDIGO2 @ THE O2 ARENA –
NAS, MOS DEF, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH
 
10  NOV – PARIS, FRANCE – ZENITH –
NAS, MOS DEF, DE LA SOUL, THE PHARCYDE, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH
 
11  NOV – OSLO, NORWAY – SENTRUM SCENE
MOS DEF, DE LA SOUL, THE PHARCYDE, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH
 
12  NOV – MANCHESTER, UK – MANCHESTER APOLLO
NAS, MOS DEF, THE PHARCYDE, SUPERNATURAL & SCRATCH

November 7-9, 2008, will mark the Cape May Jazz Festival's 15th year and 30th celebration presented by Bank of America. Friday night's opener kicks off with a Tribute to Maynard Ferguson featuring a 16-piece big band led by Ed Vezinho and Jim Ward.  This performance will be held in the theatre at Lower Regional High School. Jon Faddis, internationally acclaimed high-register trumpeter, will solo with the band saluting Ferguson's music. Ferguson, jazz legend and internationally famous big band leader, was one of the world's great trumpet and brass instrument players dazzling the world with his high trumpet blasts.  Ferguson, the kid, set the jazz world on its ear with his innovation and the level of musicianship of his "Birdland Dream Band" back in the 50s.

Pieces of a Dream returns by popular demand performing on Saturday night, also in the theater.  To fill out the schedule, well-known jazz vocalist Jackie Ryan will perform in the Grand Hotel Ballroom Friday, and smooth jazz saxtress Pamela Williams will lend her talents on Saturday night.  Ex-Ferguson musician Denis DiBlasio will bring his band to Carney's on Saturday night, featuring Jim McFalls on the trombone. Also included on this bill are Michael Pedicin, Frank Bey, Edgardo Cintron, Antoinette Montague, David Cole, Bob Ferguson, the Little Jazz Giants and many more plus the always-popular high energy jam sessions and complimentary workshops.

The schedule in its entirety can be found on the web at www.capemayjazz.org, the best source for all the latest on the Cape May Jazz Festival, including music bytes from your favorite artists.  For more information or to be put on the mailing list please call 609-884-7277.

For those who wish to discover all venues and performers, the new Preferred All-Event Weekend Pass gives guests an opportunity to attend 20 jazz performances, including RESERVED SEATING at any 2 concerts at the Theatre at Lower for a special $170 (saving $30 off regular ticket pricing).  The general seating All-Event Weekend Pass is also available for $150.  Individual Friday or Saturday Night All-Event Wristbands are available for $55 each.  Saturday Afternoon Jam Wristbands are available for $35 each, and Sunday Afternoon Jam Wristbands are $25 each.  Tickets go on sale September 15th by calling 1.877.CM.JAZZ.  Information including schedules, pictures, biographies, music clips and ticket order form can be found on www.CapeMayJazz.org or by calling 609.884.7277.   Complementary Festival Transportation is available between venues Friday thru Sunday.

The 30th Cape May Jazz Festival is presented by Bank of America and sponsored by Delaware River and Bay Authority, Barefoot Wines, Yamaha Concert Division, Jazz Times, WRTI Temple University Public Radio, WBGO Jazz 88 FM, WCFA 101.5 LP, WTTH the Touch, Cape May Star & Wave, Cape May Gazette, and Verizon Wireless, with generous support from New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and supported in part by the New Jersey Department of State, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission.  Visitnj.org

Maynard Ferguson - This three time Grammy nominee, consistent Downbeat and Playboy Jazz Poll award winner, was a potent force in the world of music education, making time to personally encourage young musicians. An instrument designer, a record producer, composer, arranger, symphonic guest artist, and film soundtrack artist, Maynard Ferguson was a diverse and energetic musician whose talents far surpass trumpet player.

As might be expected, Maynard's innate musical talents were exhibited at an early age. He has been performing since he first soloed as a child prodigy with the Canadian Broadcasting Co. orchestra in 1939 when Maynard was 11 years old. Born in Montreal, Quebec in May 1928, he was encouraged by his mother, a violinist and school principal, and by age four was playing piano and violin. By nine, he had enrolled in the French Conservatory of Music where he received his formal training.

Maynard Ferguson had his own jazz and dance band at 16. All the players were twice his age except his brother, Percy. By 1948, Maynard had made his debut in the U.S. in Boyd Raeburn's band and the first of three major career periods had begun. In the 50's, he played with Charlie Barnett and Jimmy Dorsey dazzling the jazz world with his high trumpet blasts in the Stan Kenton band. After Kenton, for the next three, he was first-call studio trumpeter and recorded film soundtracks for Paramount including The Ten Commandments. Guesting with symphony conductor Leonard Bernstein in 1955, Maynard Ferguson performed the "Titans" by William Russo, with the New York Philharmonic.

"I'm a person of change and I must be honest to my artistry and my creativity. That's part of the word 'jazz'....it's an adventure."  Maynard Ferguson

WHAT:  30th Cape May Jazz Festival

WHEN:  November 7-9, 2008

WHERE: Theatre at Lower Regional High School, Grand Hotel, Carney's, Cabanas, Congress Hall Boiler Room

WHO:   Tribute to Maynard Ferguson:  Jon Faddis soloing with 16 piece orchestra directed by Ed Vezinho/Jim Ward; Pieces of a Dream, Jackie Ryan, Pamela Williams, Michael Pedicin, Chembo Corniel and Grupo Chaworo; Denis DiBlasio with Jim McFalls; Antoinette Montague with Bill Easley; Frank Bey; Edgardo Cintron; David Cole and Main Street Blues; Bob Ferguson.

Ben Harper will join with Obama for America and the Colorado Campaign for Change to host early vote events in Boulder and Denver this Saturday.  He'll play a few songs in Denver at Civic Center Park at 12pm and again at UC Boulder's Mary Rippon Theatre at 2pm.  Both events are free and open to the public.

Bassnectar is back with his first proper musical offering since 2007's Underground Communication. "Heads Up" - the first single/ep from his forthcoming full length album The Other Side - available now at www.beatport.com, www.junodownload.com  and other major digital sites.

It's bombs-away-business-as-usual with this uber tear-out title track: a freakshow mix of sledgehammer dubstep, 2 step, and bass psychosis. The single features an alternative mix (California Style) of 90 beats per minute double time throb-hop that drops on your head like a John Candy body slam, as well as a third remix [West Coast Lo Fi Remix]" - a dripping melodic sound game by the upstart Bassnectar side project West Coast Lo Fi. Also included to knock this sucker out of the park, the Bassnectar remix of 'Roustabout' by Beats Antique...a twisted carnival circus anthem with - you guessed it - plenty of wobbling bass.

1. "Heads Up"

2.  Beats Antique - "Roustabout [Bassnectar Remix]"

3. "Heads Up [California Style]"

4. "Heads Up [West Coast Lo Fi Remix]"

Catch Bassnectar this fall on a 50 city tour with a cast of wandering minstrels and beatmakers such as Beats Antique (featuring members of the Yard Dogs Road Show), the inimitable Eliot Lipp and Dark Party, Govinda and Mike Relm.  

The list of fall tour dates is as follows:

October 29 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, NC w/ Beats Antique
October 30 The Pour House Charleston, SC w/ Beats Antique
October 31 Orange Peel Asheville, NC w/ Beats Antique and Mike Relm
November 1 Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte, NC w/ Beats Antique and Mike Relm
November 2 Mr. Smalls Millvale, PA
November 3 Bedrock Baltimore, MD
November 5 Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
November 6 Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA
November 7 Bowery Ballroom New York, NY
November 8 Rock and Roll Hotel Washington, D.C.
November 13 WOW Hall Eugene, OR
November 14 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR
November 15 Neumos Crystal Ball Seattle, WA
November 16 Wild Buffalo Bellingham, WA
November 22 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC w/ Z-Trip
November 28 Level Nite Club Kelowna, BC
November 29 Sugar Nightclub Victoria, BC
December 27 El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, CA
December 28 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
December 31 Sea of Dreams NYE - Concourse Exhibition Center San Francisco, CA w/ Thievery Corporation

More dates to be added.

"... one of the finest [CDs] to come out in late 2006.  Thank god I made time to listen to [the] disc among the ad nauseum cookie-cutter singer records I had to review. [The] music was a fabulous ear and brain cleaner. We dug the freshness of the approach...Truly refreshing in a world of sameness."   - - Linda Yohn, WEMU Music Director

"Todd Marcus shows a lot of promise with his exciting recording debut as a leader."  - - All Music

"[Marcus] was self taught as an arranger and player. In one respect you'd never guess this was the case, for his music is organized, balanced and mature. On the other hand, there is a fire, which resonates on this recording. His bass clarinet playing has an original sound, and his arranging has a style of his own…[The band's] energy is awesome and the ensemble has a bright future.  - - Rich Holland, Jazz Radio 247.com

"Marcus…brings a saxophonic rigor to the bass clarinet while also generating enough sonic power to front a nine-piece ensemble…With his melodic imagination and technical aptitude on an unorthodox horn, Marcus has something truly new and personal to offer."  - - David R. Adler, contributing writer, Jazz Times 

"Once you know who Todd Marcus is and what his music is you learn that you have found something special.  He writes beautiful music, and he and his orchestra have the magic touch…"  - - Music Monthly

"While the bass clarinet has been used often since Dolphy, it is typically used by a saxophonist or clarinetist as a second or third instrument…Very few performers have used the instrument exclusively, but one such performer is the Baltimore-based American musician and bandleader Todd Marcus."  - - Wikipedia

"Excellent bass clarinetist, composer."  - - Baltimore Sun

Cachaca @ 35 West 8th Street · Greenwich Village · New York, NY 10011 · 212.388.9099

Monday, November 3rd, sets at 10:30pm and midnight

Todd Marcus  (bass clarinet/compositions), 
Russell Kirk (alto), Jacob Yoffee (tenor), Lyle Link (alto/flute), 
Theljon Allen (trumpet), Alan Ferber (trombone), 
Joel Holmes (piano), Gavin Fallow (bass), McClenty Hunter (drums)

D. Rider is a new rock band founded and fronted by guitarist/singer Todd Albert Rittmann.  Founding member of U.S. Maple, Singer (both Drag City), and Robert Johnson and the Browns, T. Rittmann is also an occasional member of Cheer-Accident and has played with many other avant-music notables including cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm and Rhys Chatham.  In March of 2008 Todd recruited a 5-piece band to perform some songs he was working on.  The lineup included keyboardist/cornet player Andrea Faught, who also works with Cheer-Accident, and saxophonist/singer Noah Tabakin, who is a member of punk marching band, Mucca Pazza.  This early show the group performed was enough to convince Rittmann, Faught and Tabakin that they should continue to make music together and collaborate on some recorded material. These songs have become the album Mother of Curses, which will be released on February 17th on Tizona Records.

The album's narrative begins with a mash of rhythmic sound.  Stick clicks, tambourine, bass drum, and the sound of magic marker writing on cardboard all congeal into a coherent boogie only to be suddenly eclipsed by the driving stomp of "Arranged Marriage To No Toms".  The title is an allusion to the minimal drum set-up used throughout the album. Kick, snare, hi-hat, and crash cymbal were the foundation of every song on the record, and every song began with an improvisation on this stripped-down trap set.

The approach to the drums is reflected by the method in the studio.   All the songs were deliberately recorded using 16 tracks or less, making on-the-spot judgment an integral part of the composition process.  This strategy doesn't rule out excess, instead it forces a commitment to a sound or gesture before the end result is completely understood. Imperfection becomes advantage, and the writing of a song becomes an evolution where the last step is a direct result of the journey.

In contrast to the constraints maintained in writing and recording, the kitchen sink approach was used in every other aspect of generating and manipulating the sounds.   While modern technology is employed to a degree in the capturing of the music, much more primitive means were used in the processing.  Much of the equipment used on Mother Of Curses is at least 20 year-old technology. Cassette tape, cell phone, reel to reel, and stockpile of obsolete outboard gear were employed to capture and mutilate a variety of instrumentation from harmonica to spray paint.  But don't be mislead, this is not experimental art noise. This is rock music.

D. Rider plans to play some shows in and around their native Chicago before the release of Mother of Curses, and embark on a North American tour in the early months of 2009.  Although T. Rittmann plays drums on the album, D. Rider has enlisted the help of Theo Katsounis (A Tundra, Locks) to drum for their upcoming shows.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the GRAMMY® Award winning vocal group from South Africa that has conquered nations in its own way with a joyous and spiritually charged brand of vocal music and native choreography, pays tribute to this historical icon with their new Heads Up International release, Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu. Ilembe celebrates not only Shaka Zulu but the sense of perseverance, creativity and pride that he has inspired in generations of descendants.

For more than thirty years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo have married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music. The result is a musical and spiritual alchemy that has touched a worldwide audience representing every corner of the religious, cultural and ethnic landscape. Their musical efforts over the past three decades have garnered praise and accolades within the recording industry, but also solidified their identity as a cultural force to be reckoned with.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Maven Productions & KUVO present
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO
Wednesday, March 4
doors 7:00pm, show 8:00pm

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Boulder Theater
2032 14th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
303.786.7030

Recorded live at the Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC 12/9/92, the CD comes with a bonus DVD which features clips from Ween's first tour of Holland, and also Stache's in Columbus, OH.  As Dean Ween says; "The whole thing is so brown that it's almost black.

Upcoming Gene Ween Band Dates:

Wednesday Dec 10
Mexicali Blues 
1409 Queen Anne Rd,
Teaneck, NJ 07666
TIX: www.ticketweb.com/
doors at 6/show 9pm - 18+

Thursday Dec 11
Recher Theater
512 York Rd
Towson, MD 21204
TIX: ticketmaster.com and rechertheatre.com
doors at 8/show 9 - all ages

Friday Dec 12
Black Cat
1811 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20009   
TIX: ticketmaster.com and
the Black Cat Box Office
doors at 8/show 9pm - all ages

Saturday Dec 13
Stone Pony
913 Ocean Ave,
Asbury Park, NJ
TIX: Stone Pony box office, ticketmaster.com or livenation.com
doors at 8/show 9pm - all ages

Tuesday Dec 16
World Café Live
3025 Walnut St,
Phila. PA 19104
TIX: worldcafelive.com
doors at 7/show 8 - all ages

Wednesday Dec 17
Music Hall Williamsburg
66 North Sixth Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
TIX: ticketmaster.com and Mercury Lounge doors at 8/show 9pm - 18+

Thursday Dec 18
Highline Ballroom
431 W 16th St
New York, NY 10011
TIX: ticketweb.com
highlineballroom.com or at the Highline Ballroom Box Office
doors at 7

JFJO are just back from a tour of Europe where they hit a slew of festivals and turned on a whole new world of fans. At The Cork Festival in Ireland, they won the Guinness Award for "Best New Band," meanwhile Reed Mathis returned with a treasure trove of soundboard recordings from the tour, so we might even get a limited edition release of JFJO in Europe '08. Fingers crossed. Back in the U.S., look for JFJO to maintain a high touring profile throughout '09. Their album from earlier this year, Lil Tae Rides Again, was a musical departure, but then again isn't every JFJO album. Therein lies the beauty.

JFJO | Tour Dates

• December 5 / The Deli / Norman, OK
• December 6 / Granada Theater / Dallas,TX (w/Stanton Moore Trio)
• December 31 / Blank Slate / Tulsa, OK

Event Producers, Noise Pop Industries, have announced the dates of the West Coast's premiere independent celebration of music, film and art - Noise Pop 2009. The 17th annual Noise Pop Festival will take place February 24 through March 1, 2009 at venues throughout San Francisco, CA.
 
Early artist confirmations include New Pornographers front man A.C. Newman, No Age, Pinback side project Goblin Cock, Dear And The Headlights, the Bay Area debut of Clues and a very special performance by Antony and the Johnsons at Davies Symphony Hall.  More confirmations will be announced very shortly.

The Noise Pop Film Festival continues its mission of focusing on films that embrace and reflect independent music and culture. Early announcements include "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison" examining the most important day in the career of an American icon, and "Agile Mobile Hostile: A Year with Andre Williams," which follows the charismatic hit songwriter (he has recorded with Berry Gordy, Ike Turner, Stevie Wonder and Jon Spencer to name a few) and his struggle with his creative vision and his addictions. Many Noise Pop Film Festival screenings will include Q&A discussions with the filmmakers.
 
Noise Pop has announced that WolfgangsVault.com returns as a presenting sponsor of the 2009 Festival showcasing emerging artists. Wolfgang's Vault is the home for the past, present and future of live music including The Bill Graham Archives, Daytrotter Sessions, King Biscuit, selections from Noise Pop 2007 and 2008 and more, all available for free streaming online and by iphone. In addition to the Concert Vault music of Wolfgang's Vault, the site also offers concert posters, rock photography, vintage t-shirts and retro t-shirts, rock gear and concert related memorabilia. Wolfgang's Vault will offer exclusive Noise Pop 2009 concerts as free streams and free downloads of the bands destined to become household names. 
 
Noise Pop Festival badges, which provide entry to all Noise Pop Festival events will be available to purchase starting at 10:00 AM on December 10, 2008. Festival badges are exclusively available from a dedicated Noise Pop 2009 Festival website, launching on December 3, 2008.

Dean Malsack started piano lessons at the age of five and began playing professionally at fourteen.  His father, also a professional pianist, was his teacher.  His mother teaches piano as well. Dean has performed all over the United States as a solo pianist and with several ensembles ranging from jazz to blues to popular show tunes and has just released his 6th solo piano recording.  Dean is a voting member of the Grammy Awards and has performed on a USO tour.  Dean's enjoyment in playing is evident in his whimsical and unique style, and appeals to a wide range of listeners.  Dean performs over 250 engagements yearly.

With twenty-five shows in four weeks, Tiësto will be giving thousands of fans an opportunity to enjoy the full unique In Search of Sunrise experience. A special party will take place on New Year's Eve at the world famous Roseland Ballroom by New York's Times Square, when Tiësto will deliver a full five hour live set that will mark the culmination of his amazing In Search of
Sunrise tour. This is going to be a special night for Tiësto, where he will pull out all the stops for the biggest celebration of the year!
 
At past performances, the master DJ has had buzz artists like Tegan & Sara, Cary Brothers and José González as well as theatrical entertainment phenomena Blue Man Group perform live while he spins. Tiësto also made a dance floor hit mix of Maroon 5's  "Not Fall Apart" that is on their upcoming Call And Response: The Remix Album.

Mon 8 Dec   Cowboys - San Antonio, TX
Tue 9 Dec   Centro de Convenciones Siglo XXI -Merida, Mexico
Wed 10 Dec  Estadio de Beisbol Aquilles Serdan - Puebla, Mexico
Thu 11 Dec  Roots - Mexico City, Mexico
Fri 12 Dec  Arena Monterrey -Monterrey, Mexico
Sat 13 Dec  Foro Alterno - Guadalajara, Mexico
Sun 14 Dec  Fex Centro de Espectaculo - Mexicall, Mexico
Mon 15 Dec  Heat Ultra Lounge - Anaheim, CA
Tue 16 Dec  Heat Ultra Lounge - Anaheim, CA
Wed 17 Dec  Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
Thu 18 Dec  Ruby Skye - San Francisco, CA
Fri 19 Dec  Peppermill Casino/Resort - Reno, NV
Sat 20 Dec  Beta - Denver, CO
Sun 21 Dec  Belly Up - Aspen, CO
Thu 25 Dec  Jet - Las Vegas, NV
Fri 26 Dec  Jet - Las Vegas, NV
Sat 27 Dec  Liv - Miami, FL
Sun 28 Dec  Hard Rock - Orlando, FL
Mon 29 Dec  Green Iguana - Tampa, FL
Wed 31 Dec  Roseland Ballroom - New York, NY
Thu 1 Jan   Bell Center – Montreal, Canada
Fri 2 Jan   UMF – Cambiorú, SC, Brazil
Sat 3 Jan   Parque Central – San Jan, Puerto Rico
Sun 4 Jan   Summer Dance Festival – Cartagena, Columbia

DONNA THE BUFFALO returns for another passionately requested encore, joined by multi-cultural ensemble PANJEA with Chris Berry & Michael Kang (String Cheese Incident), as well as the acoustic sounds of EMMITT-NERSHI BAND (with members of Leftover Salmon and String Cheese Incident) and PETE FRANCIS (of Dispatch) featuring BAREFOOT TRUTH (selected to perform at the Obama official pre-debate Rally on October 15th 2008).

Free MP3 tracks of Under-the-Radar series artists are now offered to ticket buyers through end of December, featuring Jesse Chong Band, Rooster Blues, No Strings Attached, Thousands of One, the Mantras, Electric Chameleon, Blount Harvey, and Galen Kipar Project.

The independent event production team, Across-the-Way Productions, just announced exciting additions to the already colorful initial lineup for their celebrated annual music and arts festival, FloydFest. Now in its 8th incarnation, the festival will take place July 23-26, 2009 in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. Since its inception in 2002, FloydFest organizers have prided themselves in providing a safe and welcoming ground for a global community forum, and musical showcase steeped in Appalachian roots. This year's theme Revival echoes the festival's mission to serve as a holistic plateau for the restoration and rejuvenation of our individual values, and our living culture.

"It's easy to get bogged down, spun and otherwise deflated from the hustle and bustle of life," explains Kris Hodges, the festival co-founder. "To take time out and consider these demands and still maintain one's sanity, ideals and heart - may be what the art of living is all about".

Crowned 'the best under the radar music festival' by musictoday.com in 2003, FloydFest continues to showcase performers spanning multiple genres on the cutting edge of the music scene. The 2009 initial performer lineup also includes the afro-beat globe-trotters Toubab Krewe, the extravagant cabaret of San Francisco's Yard Dogs Road Show, NYC based Brazilian thump and cool Forro in the Dark, Canadian folk hipsters The Duhks, neo-funk-soul of Outta Sight Recording artists The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker, sacred steel masters The Lee Boys, Jamaica's sweet reggae grooves of Clinton Fearon of the Gladiators, the house-jumping sounds of Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, the progressive old-time sound of The Horse Flies, New Orleans' street brass explosion Hot 8 Brass Band, disarming arrangements by Oklahoma's Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers, Toronto's Cosmic Rockers The Sadies, retro-pop and honky tonk of Mad Tea Party, soul shaking, conscious music of Laura Reed & Deep Pocket, quirky Americana Jazz of Boulder Acoustic Society, gypsy swing of The Belleville Outfit, the gospel of Ollabelle, and sure-to-get your head thinking and your feet moving sounds of Sol Driven Train, New Familiars, The Junk Yard Band, Luminescent Orchestrii, Barcelona Institute of Gospel, Stop, Drop & Roll, and Rising Appalachia - and that's just the beginning.

Also returning to the festival, and making their main stage debut in 2009, will be the 2008 Emerging Artist winner William Walter & Co., as well as this year's 'Under-the-Radar Music' series showcasing the most promising up-and-coming regional acts. FloydFest will be announcing new artists throughout the winter and spring months, culminating in a full lineup that will span 4 days and fill seven stages with top quality genre-crossing music and workshops.

The beautiful festival venue, Blue Cow Pavilion, is located at milepost 170.5 off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the 80-acre mountain plateau offers camping, a progressive 'Global Village' area of workshops and demonstrations, over one hundred artisans and crafters, food offerings ranging from pulled-pork BBQ to fresh sushi to hand-churned ice cream, a comprehensive healing arts area, and a Children's Universe, featuring stage performances geared toward children, puppetry, workshops, playground equipment and babysitting services.

Early-bird tickets for the 2009 festival offer as much as a 40% discount and are on sale now. "If the first four weeks of sales are any indication, we are looking at another record year", reports festival VP of Communications, Svetlana Nikic. "Despite rising costs of production, we restrained from price increases, and decided instead to direct our creative energies on raising the standard of the festival experience".

Early ticket purchasers benefit from significant seasonal discounts and specialty Souvenir Packages, which include on-site parking. Now through December 31st tickets are $20/Thursday, $25/Friday, $35/Saturday, $30/Sunday, $80/3-day weekend, $90/4-day weekend. Souvenir passes are $155, and RV prices are $100 and $120; these tickets have a history of selling out early. VIP tickets are $415, which include all-access for the festival, on-stage seating, full hospitality, merchandise and massage coupon.

On December 3, 2008 one of the world's great voices was stilled.  Odetta, who Martin Luther King, Jr. called "The Queen of American Folk Music", reigned for over thirty years with her rich voice and the honest, regal beauty of her presence.  The folks at Ashe Records were about to begin promotion of their online-only release of Odetta's award-winning album Christmas Spirituals when they received the news.  In tribute to Odetta, Ashe Records wishes to dedicate all proceeds from sales on this album to her favorite charity, The Jazz Foundation of America.  

This album was recorded in 1988 at White Crow Audio in Burlington, Vermont. It was the first time that Odetta had done a studio recording in over fifteen years.  She put her trust in a fledgling record producer, Rachel Faro, and brought in bassist Bill Lee to rerecord the tracks she had done almost twenty years previously for Vanguard Records (the album is often assumed to be a reissue of the old Vanguard recording but it is actually a completely new recording).  It was initially released on Alcazar Records, went on to win the INDI Award for Best Seasonal Release and has brought joy to thousands of listeners throughout the world.

Several years later Alcazar shut down and eventually the rights reverted back to Rachel Faro and her partner Helge Sasse, who in the mean time had founded a label, Ashé Records, initially distributed through Rounder Records, to produce and distribute music from the African diaspora.  Now, almost twenty years to the day, Ashé has rereleased the album online.  In honor of this great artist Ashé will donate 100% of the proceeds from sales to Odetta's most beloved charity, The Jazz Foundation of America, which helps elderly jazz musicians in times of crisis.
 
Surrounding Odetta's remarkable voice and songs are bassists Bill Lee and Lincoln Goines, with percussionist Carole Steele.  The songs are mainly traditional with originals by Odetta and new lyrics by Rachel Faro on "O Jerusalem".  The cover is a collage created by artist Colleen Patterson, depicting the Black Madonna by the River Jordan in Egypt, with the Three Kings and three shepherds from various cultures and races in attendance. It was a great honor for Ashe to work with Odetta and we still feel the power of her truth, nobility and love around us.
 
This album will be rereleased next year under the name "Beautiful Star" in order to differentiate it from the Vanguard album.  Meanwhile, please support The Jazz Foundation of America and hit the link above in order to download this beautiful album.  It is our sincere wish that these songs and Odetta's amazing and resonant voice will transport us and transcend all the bad news, bringing peace and joy to all who hear it during this holiday season.

On Friday, March 20, performing right society BMI will partner with SXSW to present new wave progenitors Devo at Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces St). The show marks the climax of BMI's focused presence at SXSW 2009: Throughout the week, the organization will also stage indie rock showcases, orchestrate film and songwriter panels, and host its annual invitation-only mixers, the details of which will be announced soon.

Devo's thorough understanding of the ability of precise, multi-faceted artistic expression to relay relevant social commentary elevated the band from quirky cult icons to mainstream players in the late 70's and 80's. Co-founders Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh dubbed the band "Devo," shorthand for their wry philosophy of the "de-evolution" of humanity they most readily observed in cultural shortcomings of the United States. Devo sought to bring attention to the crisis of individuality through a finely executed musical and visual experience that was equal parts satire and synth-beat-savvy: They paired austere uniforms capped off by signature upside-down red flower pot hats with urgently confident vocals and infectious if somewhat cantankerous rhythm. 1978's Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! ignited a devout underground following, and thanks to their smash "Whip It" and its corresponding video directed by Casale, the band emerged as early MTV heroes. Hits including "Beautiful World" and "That's Good" followed before the members splintered off into numerous creative outlets including video direction and film and television music composition. In October 2008, Devo reunited in hometown Akron, Ohio, for the band's first live show in more than 30 years.

About BMI

Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 375,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. BMI's latest financial results, $901 million for its 2008 fiscal year, are the highest performing right collections for any copyright organization in the world. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for over 65 years. The U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

About SXSW

SXSW 2009 will comprise Music, Film, and Interactive segments, taking place March 13-22, 2009 in Austin, Texas. The SXSW Music and Media Conference features a legendary festival showcasing more than 1,800 musical acts of all genres from around the globe on over eighty stages in downtown Austin. By day, the Austin Convention Center comes alive with conference registrants doing business in the Trade Show and partaking of a full agenda of informative, provocative panel discussions featuring hundreds of speakers of international stature. In its 23rd year, SXSW remains an essential event on the music industry calendar

The 10,000 Lakes Festival has announced Dave Matthews Band, two nights of Widespread Panic, and Wilco as headlining artists for four days of music and camping at the 7th annual music festival held at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota July 22 - 25.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival's artist lineup will feature over sixty acts performing on the festival's four stages. The first round of confirmed acts includes:

Dave Matthews Band
Widespread Panic (2 nights)
Wilco
Umphrey's McGee
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Railroad Earth
Tea Leaf Green (2 nights)
Junior Brown
WookieFoot
Trampled By Turtles
Cloud Cult
Everyone Orchestra
Kathleen Edwards
Pretty Lights
BoomBox
William Elliott Whitmore
& many more!
 
Located in Minnesota's beautiful North Country, the 10,000 Lakes Festival gives attendees an unmatched camping and musical experience. The Soo Pass Ranch's 500-acre grounds encompass expansive lakes and rolling forests, offering the natural beauty of over one mile of freshwater shoreline and spacious shaded camping. Numerous conveniences including over 100 hot water showers in multiple campgrounds, permanent bathroom facilities and running water stations provide an easy and enjoyable camping atmosphere.

A limited number of Tier 1 General Admission tickets are now available for $159 which includes four nights of music and camping. Upgraded VIP packages are available that offer a first-class festival experience including catered hot meals, drink tickets, two exclusive VIP Main Stage box seating areas as well as preferred camping located directly behind the Main Stage.

Children ages 6 and under are admitted at no charge with paid adults and children 6 to 11 are half price. Complete festival details including artist information, photos, campground reservations, event activities, and door to door directions are available at www.10KLF.com.

Tier 1 Festival General Admission tickets, VIP tickets and campground reservations are now available online, MusicToday Ticketing, TicketMaster.com and all TicketMaster locations.

A band, like every living thing, needs to evolve. Donna Jean Godchaux and Jeff Mattson are pleased to announce that "Donna Jean and the Tricksters" has morphed into the – Donna Jean Godchaux Band

Rock and roll and lots more, delivered with Muscle Shoals-trained soul and inspiration. Fine original material plus a nod to Donna Jean's deep roots with lots of Grateful Dead songs, too.

All things pass, but the seeds that were silent burst into bloom. Look out – this flower will thrive.

The band will be stepping out in April with a full tour, and will be widely seen on the summer festival circuit.

Donna Jean Godchaux

Born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Donna Jean was a vocalist at both Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and Fame Studios, home of the legendary "Muscle Shoals Sound," on records like Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds," Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman," and Boz Scagg's eponymous first solo album. She moved to San Francisco, married Keith Godchaux, and spent the 1970s as a vocalist in the Grateful Dead as well as the Jerry Garcia Band. After life with the Dead, she and Keith created the Heart of Gold Band with drummer Greg Anton and guitarist Steve Kimock.

Following various side trips, she resumed serious focus on her singing in the '90s, recording a new Heart of Gold Band album, At the Table, and singing with Phil & Friends and her own Donna Jean Band.

Jeff Mattson

Jeff came to prominence as the lead guitarist, primary vocalist, and leader of Long Island's legendary Grateful Dead-influenced jam band, the Zen Tricksters. Over the course of thirty years, his supple, elegant playing reflected a fusion of rock, blues, bluegrass, country, jazz and folk stylings, along with a healthy dose of psychedelia. His songwriting credits include the exquisitely mournful "Shelter" (co-written with Donna Jean), as well as "Travelin' Light," (co-written with Melissa Marston), "He Said/She Said," (with Donna Jean), and "A Prisoner Says His Piece," all for Donna Jean and the Tricksters. He also contributed "Leave Me Out of This" to Phil Lesh and Friends' There and Back Again. He played with Phil Lesh and Friends in 1999.

David MacKay

David hails from Marin County, California. As part of the emerging Bay Area music scene of the 70's, he was a founding member of the popular band the "Tasmanian Devils" and recorded and toured with Michael Nesmith, playing bass on the first Grammy-winning video, "Elephant Parts." He was a member of both the original and reformed "Heart of Gold Band." Most recently, he has played bass with the Muscle Shoals-based group "The Fiddleworms."

Clint Bailey

Is a native of Huntsville, Alabama, and a well-respected member of the Muscle Shoals music scene and the band the Fiddleworms.  He has played on occasion with "Donna Jean the Tricksters" and with Jason Isbell (Drive By Truckers).  He began on piano at the age of 15, and then found the Hammond B-3 and became permanently hooked.  He is a strong songwriter, touching the Southern wellsprings of rock, soul, gospel, blues, and New Orleans styles, and contributed the title track to the Fiddleworms' Volkswagen Catfish.

Headliners Paul McCartney, The Killers and The Cure are among the 130-plus acts set for the tenth COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL at the beautiful Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA, the same grounds where the COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL debuted in 1999.  Other artists confirmed for America's most critically acclaimed music festival include Morrissey, Amy Winehouse, Franz Ferdinand, My Bloody Valentine, Leonard Cohen, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Thievery Corporation, Yeah Yeah Yeahs (the complete line-up is listed below).

This marks the first ever U.S. festival appearance for McCartney who is currently supporting his latest release ELECTRIC ARGUMENTS.

"I have heard that Coachella is one of the greatest festivals in the world.  I'm really excited to get out there and rock!"  McCartney says.

The line-up for this year's COACHELLA (as of 1/30) is as follows:

FRIDAY APRIL 17:  Paul McCartney, Morrissey, Franz Ferdinand, Leonard Cohen, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Beirut, The Black Keys, Girl Talk, Silversun Pickups, The Ting Tings, The Crystal Method, Ghostland Observatory, Crystal Castles, The Airborne Toxic Event, We Are Scientists, N.A.S.A., Patton & Rahzel, M. Ward, The Presets, The Hold Steady, A Place to Bury Strangers, Felix da Housecat, Buraka Som Sistema, Ryan Bingham, Bajofondo, Peanut Butter Wolf, Noah & the Whale, White Lies, The Bug, Alberta Cross, Los Campesinos!, Craze & Klever, Molotov, Switch, Gui Boratto, Steve Aoki, The Aggrolites, People Under the Stairs, The Courteeners, Cage the Elephant, Dear and the Headlights.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18:  The Killers, Amy Winehouse, Thievery Corporation, TV on the Radio, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, MSTRKRFT, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Atmosphere, Mastodon, TRAV$DJ-AM, Henry Rollins, Crookers, Turbonegro, Hercules and Love Affair, Superchunk, Glasvegas, Dr. Dog, Drive-By Truckers, Booker T & the DBT's, Amanda Palmer, The Bloody Beetroots, Surkin, Para One (Live), Calexico, Liars, Bob Mould Band, Zane Lowe, Electric Touch, Blitzen Trapper, James Morrison, Drop the Lime, Glass Candy, Thenewno2, Gang Gang Dance, Billy Talent, Ida Maria, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Zizek, Cloud Cult, Tinariwen.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19:  The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Throbbing Gristle, Lupe Fiasco, Paul Weller, Peter Bjorn and John, X, Antony & the Johnsons, Roni Size, Public Enemy, Jenny Lewis, Groove Armada, Paolo Nutini, Christopher Lawrence, Lykke Li, The Kills, Okkervil River, M.A.N.D.Y., Clipse, Sebastien Tellier, F*cked Up, Perry Farrell, The Horrors, Late of the Pier, K'naan, Junior Boys, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Supermayer, No Age, Vivian Girls, Shepard Fairey, Themselves, Gaslight Anthem, The Knux, Mexican Institute of Sound, The Night Marchers, Marshall Barnes.

Tickets for COACHELLA go on sale Friday, January 30 at 9:00 AM (PT) at all Ticketmaster locations.  Three-day weekend passes are $269.00 +$3 charity + $9 facility fee ($1 charity/$3 facility fee per day) and single day tickets are $99.00 +$1 charity + $3 facility fee.  The same layaway plan that Goldenvoice successfully implemented for STAGECOACH:  California's Country Music Festival will be available for weekend passes ONLY for this year's COACHELLA. Festival goers now have the option to purchase 3-day festival tickets and onsite camping tickets on a payment plan.

Layaway options (available online ONLY through February 28) are as follows.  50% down:  this payment option allows purchasers to pay a 50% deposit of the total order now, with the remaining 50% automatically deducted April 1; 3-payment plan:  purchasers initially pay 10% of the total order, with the remaining amounts automatically deducted in equal payments on March 1 and April 1.

Ever since Phish announced their reunion, our heads have been FILLED with Phishy thoughts.  We've been digging back through our collections and listening to all of the old shows with a renewed love for the music.  And though rumors abound regarding some Phish shows in Colorado this summer, nothing has been announced yet.  And we are well aware that, as lucky as a couple of us are to be going to Hampton next month, MOST folks here in Colorado didn't get so lucky and will have to miss out.  So we thought, what the hell, let's play a couple of PHIX shows here in Denver...it'll be a little warm-up for the reunion shows and the summer tour, a little Phix for those who can't be there for whatever reason.  And it'll most definitely be a blast, and a great chance to get together with all of our friends who we don't see so often these days...

We should also add that we have opening acts on both nights, both of which feature Phix bass beeyotch Brian Adams, the hardest-working bassist in Colorado.  On Friday 2/13, the band is Ethereal Plane, featuring Patrick Latella on guitar and some outstanding funky, fusiony jams.  On Sat. 2/14, the opener is Magnolia Row, a wonderful bluegrass band featuring excellent musicianship and beautiful vocal harmonies.  We think you'll really enjoy both bands, and we hope you'll get there early both nights to hear them play.  Music will get going by 9:30, if not earlier, and Phix will take the stage by 10:45 or so both evenings.

We look forward to seeing our Colorado friends and family at these shows, and we thank everyone for all the support you have given us over the years.  It'll probably be a while before you get another e-mail from us, since these are the only Phix shows we have on the calendar.  We don't know what the future holds for Phix, but we have been very thankful for the opportunities we have had to get back together over the last year or so, and it may still happen again in the future...but meanwhile, we're all looking forward to getting out to see the real deal this spring and summer, and we hope to bump into some of you at the shows.  

Walther Productions is proud to announce the 13th annual All Good Music Festival held July 10-12 at Marvin's Mountaintop in Masontown, WV.  Featuring an extended weekend of music and camping amongst the scenic West Virginia mountains, the All Good Festival continues to present fans with a showcase of the nation's best established and emerging live acts, described by Rolling Stone as one of the "coolest festivals around."

Confirmed All Good Festival 2009 performers include:

Ben Harper and Relentless7
Bob Weir & RatDog
moe.
STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9)
Les Claypool
Yonder Mountain String Band
Tea Leaf Green
Buckethead
SOJA
Bassnectar
Steve Kimock Crazy Engine
The New Mastersounds
Donna the Buffalo
Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
Todd Snider
Cornmeal
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave
Fear Nuttin' Band

Plus many more artists still to be announced.
 
The All Good Festival's eclectic artist lineup will deliver 40 hours of music on two adjacent stages in the main concert area with no overlapping sets.  This gives fans the opportunity to see every minute of every band on the bill.

Within the clear, crisp mountaintop setting, fans enjoy cool days and starry nights as the festival promises a delightful camping experience. In addition to stellar music and camping, the All Good Music Festival features a variety of microbrews, quality food and craft vendors, late night shows, interactive artisan workshops, family camping area, kids area, ADA camping and a lot more.

For those asking 'how can it get any better?' the All Good festival offers an 'Even Better VIP' package. The Even Better VIP package offers an exclusive viewing and camping area with premium site-lines, early festival entry, private air-conditioned bathrooms, exclusive All Good merchandise and much more.

With a savings of over $55 from ticket prices at the festival gate, Early-Bird Tickets are available at the recession-proof rate of $109, which include camping, music and parking from Friday through Sunday. Beginning Tuesday, February 17, tickets will be offered for a limited time through http://allgood.musictoday.com or charge by phone by at 1-800-594-TIXX.

Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free is Akron/Family's most psychedelic, compelling and focused work yet, and its a treat to see them preview this new material at such an early date. Whether it’s the three members of Akron/Family, Seth Olinsky, Miles Seaton and Dana Janssen – communicating, interacting and creating with one another onstage with something like the visceral language of the classic John Coltrane or Albert Ayler ensembles – or upwards of a dozen guest musicians joining them, their live shows are becoming a thing of legend. They are a band boiling over with ideas and over the last year that has become especially apparent in a live setting -- the ever-evolving Akron/Family live ensemble has become bigger, wilder, more powerful and communal.

Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free marks Akron/Family's first album recorded as a trio; Akron/Family became a three piece in 2007 after original member Ryan Vanderhoof left the band that fall. This is also the first time Akron/Family have self-produced an album, as well as their first recording since parting ways with their original label, Young God Records. These changes could not be more significant, and all are at the core of Akron/Family’s transformation on Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free. With limited outside assistance, this trio has made a focused, powerful and unified work. The album maintains the communal spirit of the big band that has been consistently winning audiences over throughout the world with their live shows, but it showcases Akron/Family at its core – three musicians, equals, creating music from deep within.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival has confirmed additional performers to the 7th annual music festival held at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota July 22 - 25. The festival, anchored by headliners Dave Matthews Band, two nights of Widespread Panic, and Wilco, has added artists such as Gomez, Mason Jennings, Todd Snider, North Indiana All Stars and many more.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival's artist lineup features over sixty acts performing on the festival's four stages. The new round of confirmed acts includes:

Gomez
Mason Jennings
Steve Kimock Crazy Engine
North Indiana All Stars featuring Jake Cinninger, Joel Cummins and Kris Myers (Umphrey's McGee), Willie Waldman (Banyan, Snoop Dog) and Tony Franklin (The Firm, David Gilmour)
Todd Snider
Pete Francis (from Dispatch) & Barefoot Truth
Garaj Mahal
Akron/Family
The Honeydogs
Backyard Tire Fire
Pert Near Sandstone
Tim Sparks
Zach Deputy
Harper
Joe Pug
Mifune
Paper Bird
Nathan Miller Band
Gypsy Lumberjacks

The 10,000 Lakes Festival also features live performances from:

Dave Matthews Band
Widespread Panic (2 nights)
Wilco
Umphrey's McGee
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Railroad Earth
Tea Leaf Green (2 nights)
Junior Brown
WookieFoot
Trampled By Turtles
Cloud Cult
Everyone Orchestra
Kathleen Edwards
Pretty Lights
BoomBox
William Elliott Whitmore
My Dear Disco
Kinetix
The Ragbirds
The Macpodz
Enchanted Ape
 
10KLF's 'Festival Stimulus Program' allows festival patrons to spread out ticket payment over three months without adding any additional fees for this service. By choosing the 'layaway' option via the 10KLFTickets.com check out page, patrons will able to charge one third of the cost of 10KLF tickets to a charge card now, with the remaining balance charged in two equal payments over the next two months. Complete details are available at www.10KLFTickets.com.

Located in Minnesota's beautiful North Country, the 10,000 Lakes Festival gives attendees an unmatched camping and musical experience. The Soo Pass Ranch's 500-acre grounds encompass expansive lakes and rolling forests, offering the natural beauty of over one mile of freshwater shoreline and spacious shaded camping. Numerous conveniences including over 100 hot water showers in multiple campgrounds, permanent bathroom facilities and running water stations provide an easy and enjoyable camping atmosphere.

A limited number of Tier 1 General Admission tickets are now available for $159 which includes four nights of music and camping. Upgraded VIP packages are available that offer a first-class festival experience including catered hot meals, drink tickets, two exclusive VIP Main Stage box seating areas as well as preferred camping located directly behind the Main Stage.

Children ages 6 and under are admitted at no charge with paid adults and children 6 to 11 are half price. Complete festival details including artist information, photos, campground reservations, event activities, and door to door directions (www.10klf.com/gettinghere.php) are available at www.10KLF.com.

Tier 1 Festival General Admission tickets, VIP tickets and campground reservations are now available online at www.10KLF.com, MusicToday Ticketing, TicketMaster.com and all TicketMaster locations.

Before heading out on my his second tour to Mexico BEAT KAESTLI premiers his new French Music project at Cachaça Jazz Club on MARCH 17TH, featuring PAUL MEYERS, ARIA HENDRICKS and MAGOS HERRERA. He’ll also add some great new American Standards and songs from his upcoming release “Far From Home – A Tribute to European Song”.

BEAT KAESTLI QUARTET @ CACHAÇA
feat. Paul Meyers (guitar), Aria Hendricks (voc) and Magos Herrera (voc)
TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH - 2 SETS  7:30 AND 9PM
35 W 8th St # 2
(212) 388-9099, www.cachacajazz.com
Cover: $10
Directions: A, B, C, D, E, F and V train to W 4th

Line up:
Beat Kaestli - voice
Magos Herrera - voice
Aria Hendricks - voice
Paul Meyers - guitar
Matt Wigton - bass
Luc Decker - drums

---
New Music: http://www.myspace.com/beatkaestli
http://www.beatkaestli.com
CD sales: http://www.cdbaby.com/beatkaestli2

New site improvements have already begun for the annual music and arts festival FloydFest, July 23-26, located at milepost 170.5 off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd, Virginia. One major addition to the venue in 2009 is the construction of a timber framed “front of house” structure for the Streamline Stage @ HillHoller. The structure will house sound equipment during the event, and will be designed to complement the beautiful timber framed stage, built in 2007 by event sponsors Streamline Timberworks.

In keeping with the ongoing “greening” efforts by the event and its producers, Across-the-Way Productions, the construction of the new addition will be a showcase of sustainability from start to finish, beginning with an open-to-the-public demonstration at Streamline’s production facility on Saturday March 28th, located at 997 Harvestwood Rd SE, Floyd, VA 24091. The event will be hosted by Streamline Timberworks, in conjunction with Across-the-Way Productions and Healing Harvest Forest Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to restorative forestry using horse logging and single tree selection. The event will be open to anyone interested, and will feature walk-thru demonstrations of the process of selection, felling and extraction of trees using teams of workhorses. Tour groups will be led through the forest as the process is explained and demonstrated, and tours will culminate with the trees being worked into usable timbers by local timber framers.

“We want people to grasp the concept”, says Jason Rutledge, founder of the Healing Harvest Forest Foundation, “that you can get material out of the woods without destroying the forest. This low-impact restoration forestry using draft horses is an example of how we’re going back to the future, blending the best traditions of the past with modern science. This is a great opportunity for landowners to gain insight into the process, and for those interested in becoming horse loggers to see how it’s done.”

Streamline Timberworks, a premier timber framing company based in Floyd, Virginia, has been a sponsor of FloydFest since 2007 with the erection of the Streamline Stage @ HillHoller at the FloydFest venue. Streamline Timberworks recently joined forces with Healing Harvest on a new line of “Draftwood” homes, constructing one-of-a-kind timber frame houses from sustainably harvested timbers. Open Woods Day will be a perfect opportunity to demonstrate to the public how a low-impact home can be constructed from trees sustainably harvested from a piece of property- from drafthorse to sawhorse!

For more information on timber framing or sustainable harvestry, visit streamlinetimberworks.com or draftwood.com. For information about the event, call 540-745-FEST.

About Across-the-Way Productions

Born in 2001 on the small stage of Oddfella’s Cantina in downtown Floyd Virginia, Across-the-Way Productions, Inc., has dedicated itself to becoming Southwest Virginia’s premier event production company. In a world of ever-increasing homogenization, AtWP promotes a community-based approach to event production, and prides itself in presenting sincere, family-friendly, quality, even magical events.

In addition to FloydFest, the 2009 AtWP roster includes the states’ largest wine festival - Vintage Virginia, the state’s oldest wine festival Virginia Wine Festival, and this year’s inauguration (slash resurrection) of Floyd Fandango, a new kind of Beer and Wine Festival set for July 4th and 5th at the beloved FloydFest site on the Parkway. For more information visit www.atwproductions.com

For 2009 the Backbeat Foundation spreads across the city presenting more than 30 shows with more than 40 acts at 4 venues:  Blue Nile (BN); Tipitina's French Quarter (TFQ); Republic NOLA (RN); and this year introducing the newest addition of the Studio at Colton (SC).  The Backbeat Jazzfest Series: Let's Be Totally Clear, will be offering music lovers and the musicians they love smoke-free environments at all shows.  The Backbeat Jazz Fest Series will provide an opportunity for Festival goers to personally and intimately experience the magic of our music while supporting a worthy cause that benefits the health of our musicians, and the music and culture of our city on the rise.  This is the 4th Annual Backbeat Jazz Fest Series and it kicks off Thursday, April 23rd and keeps the groove going through Sunday, May 3rd.

The impressive roster for 2009 includes highlights such as musical heavyweights Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Booker T at Republic NOLA on April 24th; Ghostland Observatory, at Republic NOLA on April 30th; Cyril Neville with special guests Tab Benoit and Jumpin' Johnny Sansone with The Wild Magnolias featuring Big Chief Bo Dollis and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux at Tipitina's French Quarter on April 30th;and Medeski Martin and Wood at The Studio at Colton Theater on May 2nd.

The series will host additional performances by local standouts such as Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Big Sam's Funky Nation; and national acts such as Dave Matthews Band guitarist Tim Reynolds & TR3; New York City's Soulive; San Francisco's Steve Kimock Crazy Engine; Austin's Grupo Fantasma; and a rare performance by Bustle In Your Hedgerow. Many more acts will be announced soon.  The initial line-up is listed below. The official series websites are  www.backbeatpresents.com and www.nolafunk.com/nola. Advance tickets available through Ticketweb.com and (866) 468-7619.

Backbeat Presents shows benefit The Backbeat Foundation, a Louisiana 501c3 non-profit corporation and are produced in conjunction with New York City-based independent concert promoters Creative Entertainment Group and New Orleans-based entertainment company Hypersoul, LLC.
 
When:   April 23rd - May 3rd, 2009
 
Where:   Blue Nile - 532 Frenchmen St. NOLA.
                 Tipitina's French Quarter - 233 North Peters St. NOLA.
                 Republic NOLA - 828 South Peters St. NOLA.
                 Studio at Colton Theater - 2300 Saint Claude Ave. NOLA           

                        
Ages:      All events are 18+ to enter and 21 to drink
Tickets:  Tickets are available through ticketweb.com or (866) 468-7619
 

Great American Taxi, which features Leftover Salmon frontman Vince Herman is gearing up to release their sophomore effort "Reckless Habits." With the official release date yet to be announced Taxi has decided to offer up a free download of "Unpromised Land" (labeled as "Whiskey" on a lot of Taxi bootlegs from the past couple of years) from their latest studio work, which was recorded in December of 2008 and produced by Railroad Earth's Tim Carbone. The album also boasts guest appearances by Barry Sless on pedal steel for a good chunk of the record, Carbone on fiddle for a few tracks, Matt Flinner plays banjo on the aforementioned free download, the Black Swan Gospel Singers and the Peak to Freak Horns. Phil Nicolo, multi-grammy winning engineer and producer also lent his talents to the mix and mastering of the record at his fabled Studio 4. Needless to say Taxi has swung for the fence on this one and the result is nothing short of pure Americana bliss. Taxi will be playing 3 shows on the Front Range of Colorado this weekend to celebrate the forthcoming release and will be accompanied on stage by the Black Swan Singers and the Peak to Freak horns as well as some great support acts. Thursday March 19th finds the band at Hodi's Half Note in Fort Collins, Friday March 20th is at the Boulder Theater and Saturday the 21st is at the Bluebird Theater in Denver. These are certain to be special shows and tickets are still available. Follow the link below to get a taste of what GAT has in store from their newest release.

http://www.coolmusicnetwork.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=Great+American+Taxi

More info about Great American Taxi can be found at www.GreatAmericanTaxi.com and make sure to sign up for their mailing list for updates on the official release date.

The second annual ALL POINTS WEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL returns to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey Friday, July 31, Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 with Beastie Boys, Tool and Coldplay set to headline the three-day, multi-stage music and arts festival.  ALL POINTS WEST will also feature performances from Echo & The Bunnymen, My Bloody Valentine, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, MSTRKRFT, Gogol Bordello, The Black Keys, Fleet Foxes, Neko Case, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arctic Monkeys and more than 65 artists appearing throughout the 80-acre historic location that has panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline. This year, the Queen of the Valley stage has been changed to a Coachella-like tent creating an environment that will showcase comedy, DJs, electronic acts and bands.

The ALL POINTS WEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL LINE-UP (as of 3/30) is as follows: 

Friday, July 31: Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, The National, Fleet Foxes, MSTRKRFT, Q-Tip, The Pharcyde, Organized Konfusion, The Knux, Ra Ra Riot, Seasick Steve, Telepathe, Shearwater, Heartless Bastards, Flying Lotus, College Humor Live, Arj Barker, Eugene Mirman and Bo Burnham.

Saturday, August 1: Tool, My Bloody Valentine, Gogol Bordello, Arctic Monkeys, Neko Case, The Ting Tings, Yelle, Crystal Castles, St. Vincent, Tokyo Police Club, The Cool Kids, Kool Keith, Cage the Elephant, Chairlift, White Rabbits, Electric Touch, The Postelles, Black Gold, College Humor Live, Tim & Eric, Judah Friedlander and Jim Jeffries.

Sunday, August 2: Coldplay, Echo & The Bunnymen, MGMT, The Black Keys, Elbow, Silversun Pickups, Mogwai, We Are Scientists, Ghostland Observatory, The Gaslight Anthem, Etienne De Crecy, Lykke Li, Akron/Family, Steel Train, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, College Humor Live, Janeane Garofalo, Michael Showalter and Todd Barry.

Following last year’s inaugural event, festival producers began work immediately on resolving concerns expressed by fans in attendance.  They have worked closely with their partners at NJ Transit to improve light-rail service and capacity.  As an added value for 2009, festival goers who choose to travel to the site utilizing the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line can ride for free throughout the weekend with their ALL POINTS WEST festival ticket. Additionally, based on the popularity of the ferry as a mode of transportation from lower Manhattan to Liberty State Park, the frequency and size of the ferryboats will increase at a reduced price for festival attendees.  Additional details with the ferry schedule and cost is available at the festival’s website.  The producers have also worked with their partners at Liberty State Park to improve the fan experience in the beer gardens.  This year’s areas will be larger, have shorter lines, and feature shade tents, views of the stages and food concessions.   Full details on the beer gardens can be found atwww.apwfestival.com.

Tickets for ALL POINTS WEST go on sale Friday, April 3 at 12 Noon (ET) via www.ticketmaster.com only.  Single day tix are $89 and three day passes are $199 for a limited time.   The same layaway plan that Goldenvoice successfully implemented with a variety of their festivals this year will also be available for APW.  Festival-goers now have the option to purchase 3-day festival tickets and 3-day parking passes on a payment plan.   Layaway options (available online ONLY through May 29) are as follows:  the 50% down payment option allows purchasers to pay a 50% deposit of the total order now, with the remaining 50% automatically deducted July 3; a multiple payment plan whereby purchasers initially pay 10% of the total order, with the remaining amounts automatically deducted in equal payments on May 4, June 3 and July 3.  A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit “Friends of Liberty State Park.”  The Friends of Liberty State Park is an open space advocacy volunteer organization dedicated to the park's future as a free, green and non-commercial, urban waterfront oasis.

ALL POINTS WEST is produced by Goldenvoice/AEG Live and Liberty Event in association with the HighLine Ballroom.  For up-to-the-minute information on the ALL POINTS WEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL, visit www.apwfestival.com.

With summer just around the corner, the 10,000 Lakes Festival has added Atmosphere and Ozomatli to the lineup and will host four nights of music and camping with headlining sets from Dave Matthews Band, two nights of Widespread Panic, and Wilco for the 7th annual event held at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota July 22 – 25.

The final artist lineup for the 10,000 Lakes Festival features over sixty acts performing on four stages including:

Dave Matthews Band
Widespread Panic (2 nights)
Wilco
Umphrey's McGee
Atmosphere
Ozomatli
Mason Jennings
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Gomez
Railroad Earth
Tea Leaf Green (2 nights)
Steve Kimock Crazy Engine
Cloud Cult
Kathleen Edwards
William Elliott Whitmore
Akron/Family
Todd Snider
Parlor Mob
Pete Francis (of Dispatch) featuring Barefoot Truth
Junior Brown
WookieFoot
Trampled By Turtles
Everyone Orchestra
Pretty Lights
BoomBox
William Elliott Whitmore
Backyard Tire Fire
Pert Near Sandstone
Tim Sparks
The Honeydogs
Kinetix
Harper
Joe Pug
Paper Bird
My Dear Disco
Nathan Miller Band
Gypsy Lumberjacks
Mifune
Steez
Evan Watson
The Ragbirds
The Macpodz
The Hue
Big Gigantic
Enchanted Ape
& more!
 
Located in Minnesota’s beautiful North Country, the 10,000 Lakes Festival gives attendees an unmatched camping and musical experience.  The Soo Pass Ranch’s 500-acre grounds encompass expansive lakes and rolling forests, offering the natural beauty of over one mile of freshwater shoreline and spacious shaded camping. Numerous conveniences including over 100 hot water showers in multiple campgrounds, permanent bathroom facilities and running water stations provide a premium camping atmosphere.

Tier 2 General Admission tickets are available at the reduced rate of $169 which includes four nights of music and camping. Upgraded VIP packages are available for $395 that offer a first-class festival experience including catered hot meals, drink tickets, two exclusive VIP Main Stage box seating areas as well as preferred camping located directly behind the Main Stage. 10KLF’s new payment plan option now allows patrons to spread out ticket payments over time without any additional fees. Children ages 6 and under are admitted at no charge with paid parents and children 6 to 11 are half price. Complete festival details including artist information, photos, campground reservations, event activities, and door to door directions (www.10klf.com/gettinghere.php ) are available at www.10KLF.com.

Tier 2 Festival General Admission tickets, VIP packages and campground reservations are available online at www.10KLF.com, MusicToday Ticketing ( http://10000lakestickets.musictoday.com/), TicketMaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/49313/) and all TicketMaster locations.

Noise Pop and Another Planet Entertainment are pleased to announce that the third annual Treasure Island Music Festival will take place on Saturday October 17 and Sunday October 18, 2009. Saturday will feature two stages of electronic and dance oriented acts and Sunday will feature a compelling line up of national and local indie rock artists.

This two-day boutique music festival will continue its tradition of providing a stellar and diverse musical lineup smack-dab in the middle of the San Francisco Bay on historic Treasure Island. There will also be interactive activities for the audience including a 60-foot tall Ferris Wheel, an interactive arts / vendor village featuring local designers, and an array of healthy and affordable food and beverages available.

The Treasure Island Music Festival is organized by the producers of the Noise Pop Festival, one of the nation’s longest-running independent music festivals, and Bay Area based Another Planet Entertainment, an internationally renowned independent concert producer. The Treasure Island Music Festival has been called a “full blown love affair” by SPIN.COM. The SF WEEKLY declares that the festival boasts “an impressive lineup with bands from all over the world.”  PASTE MAGAZINE proclaimed that “for the second year in a row, a 70-year-old, man-made island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay was home to some of the finest live bands in the country.”

“We’re thrilled to once again bring a pirate’s booty of musical treasures to the island in the Bay,” says Kevin Arnold, founder of Noise Pop. “The third edition of TIMF promises to be the best yet as we present another action-packed weekend of premier indie and electronic talent and myriad other diversions in what we think is the most majestic festival setting in the world.”

Full performer line-up and on-sale information will be announced early this summer… stay tuned!

For up-to-the-minute information on Treasure Island Music Festival please visit www.treasureislandfestival.com

In New York in the mid-‘80s, four veteran New York musicians united to form the Del-Lords: Scott Kempner from the Dictators, Eric Ambel from Joan Jett’s Blackhearts, future Cracker drummer Frank Funaro and thundering bassist Manny Caiati. Key songwriter Kempner said his vision “was to create a band that would feature four singers performing my songs — an East Coast Beach Boys if you will.” But rather than singing about girls and cars, the Del-Lords sang about things that mattered to them: the everyday grind of life and how it affected the band and those around them.

The Del-Lords recorded three albums that broke no sales records but helped start an American rock ’n’ roll rebirth — and helped sire the Americana movement as well. And now, after a long absence from the marketplace, the first three long-players — Frontier Days, Johnny Comes Marching Home and Based on a True Story — will be reissued on CD by American Beat Records through Collectors’ Choice Music, on May 26, 2009. Their last two albums, Lovers Who Wander and Howlin’ at the Halloween Moon, will come out later this year.

• Frontier Days: The band’s 1984 debut album showed the Del-Lords could rock as hard as the meanest punk bands of the day but also kept an ear toward the melody of the songs. Rolling Stone awarded the album four stars and Robert Christgau in the Village Voice graded it A–, his only complaint that production by Lou Whitney (Skeletons, Morells) wasn’t commercial enough to get radio airplay. And Trouser Press exclaimed, “The Del-Lords embrace rock’s basic components with such skill and verve that they outshine everyone else on the scene.” A promising start. Songs include “Burning in the Flame of Love,” ”Get Tough” and six others from the original LP, plus five never-before-heard bonus tracks and new liner notes from Kempner. First time on CD!

• Johnny Comes Marching Home: For their second album, the band switched to an unlikely producer with a proven track record for rock radio hits, Neil Geraldo (Pat Benatar’s guitarist/producer/husband.) The gamble paid off. Johnny retains the drive and grit of the first album yet the sound is brighter and more engaging. Also aiding the cause was two years of road miles under their belts when they went into the studio. The signature Link Wray echo and rockabilly swagger is still there, kicked into a new gear. Included are the songs “Heaven,” “Love Lies Dying,” “Saint Jake.” “No Waitress No More” and six others. In addition, five previously unreleased tracks are included. Another CD debut!

• Based on a True Story: This 1988 album marked the first time in the band’s career that they went into the studio with a full team in place, Geraldo returning to the producer’s chair, in a pedal-to-the-metal, show-me-what-you-got affair. This time the band had help from a few guest vocalists — Syd Straw, Mojo Nixon, Kim Shattuck (The Pandoras) and, yes, Pat Benatar. True to their guns, the band turned down a lucrative beer company sponsorship, preferring to remain a no-nonsense working man’s rock ’n’ roll band at its peak. This album was released on CD, but due to a label shakeup not many copies found their way into stores. The album contains their biggest hit, “Judas Kiss,” as well as “The Cool and the Crazy,” “Crawl in Bed,” “Cheyenne” and six others, plus, you guessed it, five previously unreleased bonus tracks. Kempner again wrote liner notes for the reissue.

Looking back a quarter of a century to the band formation, Kempner explains: “The Del-Lords were conceived as Holy Sacrament: two guitars, bass & drums, four lead singers, just the way we figured El Hombre Grande wanted it. F--- not with what is essentially perfect! However, the reverence ended there and we were more in tune with John Lennon's assessment: ‘the blues ain't a painting to look at and admire, it's a chair to sit in and use.’ They called it ‘roots-rock’ or ‘cowpunk,’ we called it rock 'n' roll. The good kind. It was firmly rooted in the great artists who came before but, we were burdened in soul and of mind with a very bad attitude. We stomped all over the blues, country, rock 'n' roll, of all kinds and twisted it into something uniquely of us. I mean, I'm a Jew from the South F---n' Bronx! Who am I kidding?

“Now, 25 years after the fact the landscape is grim once again,” he adds. “Just like 1984. Rock 'n' roll where art thou? It seems to me it's the same folks playin’ it now that was playin’ it then. Blessed are the faithful. These records we made back then sound awful good to me right now. A mighty noise. They sound necessary again. Rock'n'roll gives what it gets. Remember that! It's not a painting, it's a f---in' chair!”

Guerilla Union has announced initial details for the 2009 installment of the critically acclaimed festival series ROCK THE BELLS--North America’s only hip-hop festival. Teaming with Budweiser for this year’s ROCK THE BELLS 2009 FESTIVAL SERIES, the festival features such headliners as Nas & Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, The Roots, Big Boi and Common plus many more major hip-hop artists.

The summer trek will kick off June 27 and run on consecutive weekends through August 9 in ten cities across North America including Toronto, Washington D.C., Boston, New York, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Vancouver.  Each stop will feature 25 acts on two stages, a vendor village, surprise performances and more. Exact dates, venues and ticketing information will be unveiled at a later date.  Fans are encouraged to visit www.guerillaunion.com to sign up for their newsletter with up-to-date information on the tour, as well as visiting media partner MySpace Music at www.myspace.com/music.

Anticipated performance highlights of this year’s festival series include: headliners Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley who will perform material off their June release Distant Relatives, promising to deliver the "soundtrack to global change" and they’ll focus on bringing attention to social issues in Africa; The Roots will break away from their “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” residency for some live dates; and, for the first time, KRS-One--known as the purveyor of the Temple of Hip Hop and his activism with the “Stop The Violence” campaign—will join MC Supernatural, Murs and Pete Rock as hosts for RTB, as well as serving as a performer. 

Also confirmed for ROCK THE BELLS is the long-awaited reunion of the Irish-influenced hip-hop trio House of Pain consisting of all the original members (Everlast, Danny Boy and DJ Lethal) featuring La Coka Nostra, who will perform material off their early 1990’s releases.  Reflection Eternal is another notable collaboration for Rock the Bells with the union of Talib Kweli and Hi Tek.  The complete list of participating artists for the tour follows below.

“On behalf of Guerilla Union and Myspace.com we are proud to announce the 2009 Rock The Bells Festival Series. Since 2003 we have committed ourselves to producing a world-class hip-hop platform dedicated to conscious, hardcore and independent movements,” states Rock the Bells founder Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union.  “Our festival has been blessed to host so many historic performances and has been the barometer for hip-hop culture every summer.  This year will be no different.  In fact, with the current state of global affairs, including the recent election of President Obama and the difficulties facing our economy, we found ourselves having to be conscious of all the social and/or economic issues our fans may be dealing with as well as the challenges facing many artists in an ever evolving music industry.  The common DNA of all these perspectives is that there is faith that things are going to change.  Change is the universal hope for all our fans and artists alike.  With that said, who better to headline this year’s Rock The Bells than Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley? Their highly anticipated album Distant Relatives is a collaboration that’s destined to be the soundtrack of people’s hopes and aspirations this summer.  Although this is a monumental combination for hip-hop, it is simply some of the most important music to be released period, regardless of genre.”

Artists confirmed for this summer’s ROCK THE BELLS 2009 FESTIVAL SERIES include:

Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley

The Roots

Common

Big Boi (Outkast)

KRS-One

House of Pain w/ all original members featuring La Coka Nostra

Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli + Hi Tek)

Tech N9ne

RZA (Wu-Tang)

Raekwon (Cuban Linx II)

Sage Francis

Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5’9,” Crooked I)

M.O.P.

Charlie 2na (Jurassic 5)

Necro

Eyedea & Abilities

Evidence

Alchemist

Psycho Realm

Mystic Jouneymen (Sunspot Jonz + Lucky I Am)

Mickey Facts

Tabi Bonney

Slum Village (T3, Baatin, Elzhi)

Buckshot

K’naan

Hosted by

KRS-One

Supernatural

Murs

Pete Rock

About ROCK THE BELLS:

ROCK THE BELLS, presented by Guerilla Union since 2003, has established itself as a world-class hip-hop platform by hosting legendary performances by Rage Against the Machine, Jay-Z, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde, Public Enemy, Lauryn Hill, Blackstar (Talib Kweli and Mos Def), Hieroglyphics, Living Legends, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, Cypress Hill and Jurassic 5 as well as reuniting Wu-Tang for their last performance with ODB in 2004.  In 2008, Rock the Bells toured internationally for the first time in Prague, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Helsinki, Paris and London.

The clock is ticking down the hours and minutes to MerleFest 2009, presented by Lowe's, which will begin its 22nd year of "Music, Moments and Memories" next Thursday, April 23, and wind up on Sunday, April 26, on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

MerleFest is a great entertainment value and an economical weekend getaway, offering four days of performances by almost 100 performing artists on 15 stages on the college campus.  Ticket purchases can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org, by calling 1-800-343-7857, or at the gate.  Ticket prices, which haven't increased in four years, range from $35-$50 per day for general admission, to $250 for 4-day admission including reserved seating at the Watson Stage.  Free parking and shuttle service to the festival entrance are provided.  Gates open on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

Opportunities still exist to volunteer at the festival.  Volunteers completing a four-hour shift receive free admission on the day they volunteer.  For further information on volunteering, visit www.merlefest.org and click on the "Volunteering" tab.

As in previous years, the list of performers fits the "traditional plus" definition offered by Doc Watson when describing the rich musical diversity that is a hallmark of the event.  Sounds of bluegrass, Americana, gospel, blues, folk, Celtic, Cajun and mariachi music will fill the air. The artist lineup and stage schedules are posted at www.merlefest.org.

Thursday, April 23, will feature performances by the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band with special guest George Shuffler, Dailey & Vincent, Scythian, Bearfoot, The Lovell Sisters, Tift Merritt, and Travis Tritt with Jerry Douglas, among others.  The MerleFest Mandolin contest will take place in Alumni Hall.  Thursday is also a day for community outreach, with several MerleFest artists visiting and performing at local schools, churches and community centers.

The schedule on Friday, April 24, includes the Welcome Home Super Jam hosted by The Duhks with Jim Lauderdale and Peter Rowan; The Dixie Bee-Liners, Ollabelle, The Grascals, The SteelDrivers, The Kruger Brothers, Mountain Heart with Tony Rice, John Cowan, Sierra Hull and Highway 111, The Del McCoury Band, and The Waybacks with special guests.  The Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Championship and the Doc Watson Guitar Championship will also take place on Friday in Alumni Hall.  Finalists in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest will compete on the Austin Stage at 2:00 p.m., followed by the announcement of the winners in each category.  Winners will perform on the Cabin Stage at 7:20 p.m.

The lineup for Saturday, April 25, includes the New Generation Super Jam hosted by The SteelDrivers and The Belleville Outfit, with The Dixie Bee-Liners, The Farewell Drifters and Cadillac Sky; The Greencards, Blue Highway, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Missy Raines and The New Hip, Sam Bush, and Emmylou Harris.  The ever-popular Hillside Album Hour hosted by The Waybacks will take place at 5:00 p.m., and a special performance by Doc Watson and Friends, beginning at 6:15 p.m., will culminate in a tribute to Merle Watson.  Winners of the instrument contests (mandolin, banjo, guitar) will perform on the Cabin Stage from 2:00-2:30 pm.  The Midnight Jam will take place in the Walker Center (separate ticket required, available only to advance 4-day ticket buyers).  Hosted by David Bromberg, with opening act The Farewell Drifters (11:30 p.m.), the jam will also feature Angel Band, Bearfoot, Cadillac Sky, The Dixie Bee-Liners, Missy Raines and The New Hip, Spring Creek Bluegrass Band, The SteelDrivers, The Belleville Outfit, and Ollabelle.

Sunday, April 26, will begin with gospel music on the Creekside Stage with Doc Watson and the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and blues on the Americana stage with Roy Book Binder and Patrick Sweany.  Featured performers throughout the day include the Carolina Chocolate Drops, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, The Gibson Brothers, Happy Traum, Pete and Joan Wernick, Bearfoot, and George Hamilton IV, among others.  The festival will close with Linda Ronstadt featuring Los Camperos De Nati Cano, performing an afternoon of Canciones de Mi Padre, "Songs of my Father."

In addition to music, MerleFest offers special activities and shopping, all in a family-friendly atmosphere.  The Shoppes at MerleFest is a centrally located shopping village featuring demonstrating artisans, vendors, convenience foods, official MerleFest memorabilia, and services such as the MerleFest Post Office, first aid, lost and found, and internet access.  The Little Pickers area offers children's activities, crafts and entertainment.  Nature walks of the gardens and forest on the WCC campus will be offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

MerleFest 2009 is grateful to 80+ sponsors for their support in making MerleFest possible.  Those sponsors include: Lowe's, Tyson, Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery, Charlotte and Greensboro Area BURGER KING® Restaurants, G & B Energy, Hardee's, Pepsi, WXII TV 12, Winston-Salem Journal,  D'Addario, GHS Strings, Gibson, Taylor Guitar, John Pearse Strings, Embarq, SE Systems, Carolina West Wireless, Sugar Hill Records, and many other fine companies.  A complete listing of all MerleFest sponsors can be found at www.merlefest.org.

MerleFest honors the memory of instrumental virtuoso Eddy Merle Watson and the contributions of Doc and the entire Watson Family to the musical traditions of the region and nation. MerleFest began in 1988 as a fundraiser for the college and remains the largest fundraiser for the institution.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) announces single day tickets will be made available for Saturday, July 25.  A limited number of single day 10KLF music-only festival tickets go on sale Friday, April 24, starting at $75 for general admission and $99 for general admission and overnight camping. Saturday’s concerts begin at noon and end at 3 AM, featuring over a full day of festivities with more than a dozen performers including Dave Matthews Band, Umphrey's McGee, Ozomatli, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Tea Leaf Green, Todd Snider and many more.

Additional single-day ticket options include $125 reserved seating music-only tickets, with a 10KLF chair in a premium reserved section at the Main Stage. VIP reserved seat music and camping tickets are $175 and includes your reserved seat, catered lunch and dinner in the VIP area and prime camping close to the Main Stage.

The best value lies in the 10,000 Lakes Festival four day music and camping pass, good for admission and camping from July 22 – 25 featuring headlining sets from Dave Matthews Band, two nights of Widespread Panic, Wilco, Ozomatli, Atmosphere, Mason Jennings, Gomez and dozens more.

The final artist lineup for the 10,000 Lakes Festival features over sixty acts performing on four stages including:

10,000 Lakes Festival Tier 2 General Admission tickets are available at the reduced rate of $169 which includes four nights of music and camping. Upgraded four-day VIP packages are available for $395 that offer a first-class festival experience including catered hot meals, drink tickets, two exclusive VIP Main Stage box seating areas as well as preferred camping located directly behind the Main Stage.

10KLF’s new payment plan option now allows patrons to spread out ticket payments over time without any additional fees. Children ages 6 and under are admitted at no charge with paid adults and children 6 to 11 are half price. Complete festival details including artist information, photos, campground reservations, event activities, and door to door directions (www.10klf.com/gettinghere.php) are available at www.10KLF.com.

Located in Minnesota’s beautiful North Country, the 10,000 Lakes Festival gives attendees an unmatched camping and musical experience.  The Soo Pass Ranch’s 500-acre grounds encompass expansive lakes and rolling forests, offering the natural beauty of over one mile of freshwater shoreline and spacious shaded camping. Numerous conveniences including over 100 hot water showers in multiple campgrounds, permanent bathroom facilities and running water stations provide a premium camping atmosphere.

Tier 2 Festival General Admission tickets, VIP packages and campground reservations are available online at www.10KLF.com, MusicToday Ticketing ( http://10000lakestickets.musictoday.com/), TicketMaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/49313/) and all TicketMaster locations.

Spring, 2009 JazzPrezzo proudly announces the release of The Blue Note Years: The Photography Of Francis Wolff and Jimmy Katz in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Blue Note Records, the most important record label in the history of jazz.

This elegant coffee table book, including two CDs of music, spans an incredible seventy years of the label, from its beginnings to the present, through the eyes of two master photographers. The images, many of them never seen before, capture the major artists in modern jazz at historic recording sessions and other contexts. In recognition of this unique collection, the Jewish Museum of Berlin plans a special exhibition of photographs from the book for the fall of 2009.

Designed by award winning designer Ingo Wolff, the book features essays by producer Michael Cuscuna,  Blue Note president Bruce Lundvall, recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder, and jazz historian Ashley Kahn.

Wolff’s Rolleiflex caught each important development from traditional and swing-era styles of the 40’s through bebop, hard bop, soul, avant-garde, and even the first sounds of fusion.

Photographs include jazz legends  Sidney Bechet and Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey and Horace Silver, Miles Davis and Clifford Brown, and Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane, breadth staggering in its historical importance.  The story continues with jazz greats Jackie McLean, Herbie Hancock, Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Grant Green, Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry, Andrew Hill, Cassandra Wilson and Joe Lovano.

Wolff’s iconic black and white photographs, intimate, relaxed, and respectful of the musicians and their craft, raised jazz players to a heroic level. His point of view endures today: musicians intensely working on their instruments, peering at sheet music or talking among themselves, playing the music with eyes gazing off into space or closed in musical rapture.

In the early nineties, Blue Note found Wolff’s spiritual descendant in Jimmy Katz whose style has its own distinctive signature. Like Wolff, Katz can catch the right moment, frame it, light it and shoot it in a fraction of a second. Their careers have run along parallel lines: both picked up the camera early, fell under the spell of jazz, and established a mature, visual signature. Like a Wolff image, a Katz portrait is instantly recognizable.

Ashley Kahn writes, “Seeing, as the saying goes, is believing. In the photography of both Wolff and Katz there is a deep, shared reverence for the music, captured in a way that makes us all fortunate witnesses to some private and truly historic moments.”  Bruce Lundvall comments, “This book is the nicest 70th Anniversary gift that Blue Note could get.”

As the last notes of music rang out over the hillside and crews began dismantling stages, preliminary estimates showed that over the festival's four days more than 70,000 music fans filled the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro for MerleFest 2009, presented by Lowe's.  The weather in western North Carolina felt more like summer than spring, with sunny days and high temperatures in the '80s.  One storm blew through on Friday evening, delaying some of the performances for just a few minutes.

Even in a tough economy, attendance on Thursday was the 5th highest on a Thursday in the festival's history.  On Friday, MerleFest experienced the 4th highest Friday attendance, while Saturday's numbers were on par with Saturday of 2008.  At the time of this release, Sunday's final numbers were not available.

"We have had an incredible weekend, with so many dedicated fans taking advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoying a wide range of musical performances," says festival director Ted Hagaman. "Reports from surveys and interviews with fans tell us that our attendees took advantage of the entertainment value that we take pride in offering every year.  With over 95 artists performing on 15 stages over the four days of the festival, in addition to a variety of activities and shopping, there was truly something for everyone.  We're grateful to the folks of Wilkes County, to everyone who works here at the college, to all of our volunteers, and of course the fans, for making our 22nd festival another one worthy of the history books."

MerleFest honors the memory of Eddy Merle Watson and the musical contributions of Doc, Merle and the entire Watson family. The event started in 1988 and is the biggest fund-raiser for the college.

Performers at MerleFest 2009 included Doc and Richard Watson, Linda Ronstadt with Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Emmylou Harris, Travis Tritt with Jerry Douglas, The Waybacks, The Del McCoury Band, Blue Highway, The Grascals, Dailey & Vincent, Mountain Heart with Tony Rice, Sam Bush, John Cowan, The Waybacks, The Greencards, The Dixie Bee-Liners, The SteelDrivers, Wayne Henderson, The Kruger Brothers, Missy Raines and the New Hip, Sierra Hull and Highway 111, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Gibson Brothers, The Duhks, Jim Lauderdale, Ollabelle, Scythian, Pete and Joan Wernick, George Hamilton IV, Polecat Creek, The Lovell Sisters, Bearfoot, The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, T. Michael Coleman, David Bromberg, Tift Merritt, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, and many more.

MerleFest is known for offering one-of-a-kind performances not seen anywhere else.  Among those special "moments" this year were musical collaborations including: The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band with special guest George Shuffler; TravisTritt and Jerry Douglas; The Welcome Home Super Jam featuring The Duhks, Jim Lauderdale and Peter Rowan; Mountain Heart with Tony Rice; Tony Rice and Peter Rowan; Wayne Henderson and Jeff Little; Donna the Buffalo with JimLauderdale; The New Generation Super Jam featuring The SteelDrivers, The Belleville Outfit, The Dixie Bee-Liners, The Farewell Drifters and Cadillac Sky; Ollabelle with Jim Lauderdale and Martha Scanlan; The Greatest Acoustic Blues Show on Earth featuring Roy Book Binder, Mitch Greenhill, Happy Traum and Pat Donohue; and the Spirit of Sunday set with Doc Watson and the Nashville Bluegrass Band.

The highly anticipated Hillside Album Hour on Saturday evening, hosted by The Waybacks, featured the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers, with Emmylou Harris turning in a surprise performance of "Wild Horses."  As usual, the hillside was packed with delighted music fans who gathered to find out the album that would be featured, which is always a closely held secret until the show begins.

The legendary Doc Watson performed throughout the weekend including the memorable Docabilly set, featuring Doc and friends applying their style to classic pop tunes. The fan-favorite My Friend Merle set included friends of Merle sharing special memories between their favorite songs.

The Midnight Jam on Saturday, hosted by David Bromberg, featured Angel Band, Bearfoot, Cadillac Sky, The Dixie Bee-Liners, Missy Raines and the New Hip, Spring Creek Bluegrass Band, The SteelDrivers, The Belleville Outfit and Ollabelle, with opening act The Farewell Drifters.

In addition to promoting "traditional-plus" music, a term coined by Doc Watson to describe the wide variety of musical genres and styles celebrated at MerleFest, the festival also featured heritage crafts demonstrations, instrument picking lessons and jam sessions, dancing, instrument contests, and the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest.  The Shoppes at MerleFest, located in the center of the festival grounds, was a popular area filled with merchandise vendors, the official MerleFest Gift Shop, concessions, and valuable services including an information tent, lost and found, overnight storage, and more. There was also an R&R tent for festival-goers who needed to take a break and escape the heat.

MerleFest prides itself on creating a family-friendly atmosphere, and a key part of that effort is the Little Pickers area, sponsored by Charlotte and Greensboro Area BURGER KING Restaurants®. The area included a stage with special performances for children, as well as crafts and other activities to add to their enjoyment of the festival.

A significant part of MerleFest's mission is to give back to the community.  In that spirit, the outreach program took place on Thursday, with more than 25 of the artists at MerleFest giving performances at local schools, churches and community centers.  In addition, on Friday morning, over 3,000 school children from Wilkes and surrounding counties were invited to attend the festival and flooded the event grounds.

Volunteers are integral to the success of MerleFest.  Over 500 individual volunteers, 150 volunteer stagehands, and over 35 volunteer groups, including college and community organizations, helped to make the festival a success. Also, each food vendor at MerleFest supports a local non-profit, with proceeds going to further their work and mission.  "We are grateful to all of our volunteers, many of whom have given their time each year since the festival began," says festival director Ted Hagaman.  "MerleFest wouldn't be possible without their support.

MerleFest 2009 is grateful to 75+ sponsors for their support in making MerleFest possible.  Those sponsors include; Lowe's, Tyson, Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery, Charlotte and Greensboro Area BURGER KING® Restaurants, G & B Energy, Hardee's, Carolina West Wireless, Pepsi, WXII TV 12, Winston-Salem Journal,  D'Addario Strings, GHS, Gibson, Taylor Guitar, John Pearse Strings, Embarq, SE Systems, Sugar Hill Records, and many other fine companies.  A complete listing of all MerleFest sponsors and additional information about all aspects of the festival can be found at www.merlefest.org.

ConnectForce Productions and Nippon Jazz NYC present an evening of jazz at Drom featuring New York based emerging Japanese Jazz Artists.  On May 9, Japanese vocalist, Mamiko Taira will be the featured artist performing along with Tadataka Unno on Piano, Joseph Lepore on bass, and Luca Santaniello on Drums.

Tickets can be purchased through the Drom website or at the box office, $10 in advance and $12 at the door. All the tickets purchased in advance are final and will-call pick up on the day of the event. There is no handling charge for web purchase.  Please visit www.dromnyc.com or visit directly to: http://tinyurl.com/mamiko09MAY-dromnyc

New York based Japanese jazz vocalist Mamiko Taira is known as a crowd pleaser to both audiences and musicians alike.  Some may recognize her from Jazzconnect Vocal Completion or as a member of the James McBride Group. McBride describes her as “the kind musicians love to play with and audiences love to appreciate… she is a standout..." And, according to her mentor Mark Murphy "she is a talent in the art of vocal jazz." With respect to jazz and vocal jazz tradition, she sings with power and grace.  She has performed at The Kitano New York, Sweet Rhythm, Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Blue Note New York, Birdland and many other well-known live music venues.
 

Mamiko Taira

Drom is a multi-event venue with a restaurant and lounge. With high ceilings, earthy colors and comfortable seating, Drom aims to provide a warm, inviting, sophisticated and informal atmosphere to relax and enjoy its multi-cultural and varied programming. Located in the East Village (85 Avenue A, New York NY 10009).  For reservations, call 212-777-1157

Summer is almost here and this year’s 10,000 Lakes Festival is just over a month away, taking place July 22-25 in Detroit Lakes, MN.  Leading up to this year’s event, two of the 10,000 Lakes Festival’s headliners are releasing highly anticipated new albums in June with Dave Matthews Band’s Big Whiskey and The GooGrux King out June 2 on RCA, and Wilco’s Wilco (The Album) out June 29 on Nonesuch.

David Fricke of Rolling Stone lauds Dave Matthews Band’s new albums as “a lot like a New Orleans funeral parade — mourning and zest balled into big, brawny music” and Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times declares Wilco as “one of the most creative forces in rock today, with Tweedy evoking comparisons to greats such as Bob Dylan and Neil Young.”  Both albums are available for review upon request.

Online music samples of the artists performing at 10KLF are now available via Pandora.com’s new 10,000 Lakes Festival streaming music channel available by visiting their 10KLF playlist here.

In addition to Dave Matthews Band and Wilco, the 10,000 Lakes Festival will host over sixty acts performing on four stages, including:

10KLF Saturday Single Day GA Music Only tickets are $75, where Saturday Single Day GA Music and Camping tickets are $99. 10KLF Saturday Single Day Reserved Music Only tickets are $125 which includes a 10KLF commemorative chair and parking.  10KLF Saturday Single Day Reserved Music and Camping tickets are $175 which includes two VIP catered meals, 10KLF commemorative chair & parking.

10,000 Lakes Festival General Admission tickets are available at the reduced rate of $185 which includes four nights of music and camping. Upgraded four-day VIP packages are available for $395 that offer a first-class festival experience including catered hot meals, drink tickets, two exclusive VIP Main Stage box seating areas as well as preferred camping located directly behind the Main Stage.

Children ages 6 and under are admitted at no charge with paid adults and children 6 to 11 are half price. Complete festival details including artist information, photos, campground reservations, event activities, and door to door directions are available at www.10KLF.com.

Festival General Admission tickets, VIP packages, the variety of Single Day ticketing options and campground reservations are available online, MusicToday Ticketing, TicketMaster.com and all TicketMaster locations.

Tonight at The Ridgefield Playhouse...Madeleine Peyroux --- Tonight, Tuesday, June 23rd at 8:00 p.m.  The smokey vocals of Madeleine Peyroux are coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse with her earthy new album called Bare Bones.  Peyroux has achieved critical success with her signature "postmodernist coolness" (LA Times).  The New York Times has praised Peyroux as having "a Mona Lisa voice and a personality to match....you can read whatever emotions you want in her sly, enigmatic interpretations."

Working with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Peyroux will donate $1 from each ticket sold to a local charity through the NCADV.  This is not the first time Peyroux has raised money while out on tour, having done similar fundraisers on her past 5 North American tours.

Tickets available at ridgefieldplayhouse.org or by calling 203.438.5795

And later this week...Gary Burton Quartet Revisited with Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow, Antonio Sanchez  -- Thursday, June 25th at 8:00 p.m.

In the early 70’s, 19-year old guitarist Pat Metheny began his career by taking over the guitar chair in Gary Burton group for three years, the start of a 35- year long musical friendship between the vibist and guitarist. Great partnerships only come along now and then in the jazz world and for QUARTET LIVE, several overlapping combinations of legendary musicians got together to celebrate the ground-breaking Gary Burton Quartet.  Four legendary musicians, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow and Antonio Sanchez, improvisers and composers all, each at the top of his game, bringing modern jazz history to life on QUARTET LIVE.  The Gary Burton Quartet Revisited!

Tickets available at ridgefieldplayhouse.org or by calling 203.438.5795

Also coming up….

Branford Marsalis September 25th, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall November 2nd and Chick Corea April 9th! Tickets are on sale now.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

For the first time ever, the 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) is offering single day tickets for every day of the event, held July 22-25 in Detroit Lakes, MN.  Offering smaller helpings of a big event, music fans can now sample 10KLF for as low as $85 per day, catching dozens of their favorite artists live outdoors while experiencing the Soo Pass Ranch’s pristine natural beauty without having to commit to the entire four-day event.  The wide variety of ticket options are available online at www.10KLFTickets.com.

This year’s entire 10,000 Lakes Festival schedule can be viewed at www.10klf.com/schedule.php with artists performing this year including:

Adding to the excitement around this year’s event, two of the 10,000 Lakes Festival’s headliners released highly anticipated new albums in June with Dave Matthews Band’s Big Whiskey and The GooGrux King, out June 2 on RCA, and Wilco’s Wilco (The Album), out June 30 on Nonesuch.  Both studio albums are available for review upon request.

10KLF Single Day GA Music Only tickets for Thursday, Friday and Saturday are now available in advance online for $85. Wednesday Single Day GA Music Only tickets are $50, and only available at the gate.  Saturday Single Day GA Music and Camping tickets are $99, both options require an additional $10 parking fee. 10KLF Saturday Single Day Reserved Music Only tickets are $125 which includes a 10KLF commemorative chair, special seating areas and parking.  10KLF Saturday Single Day Reserved Music and Camping tickets are $175 which includes two VIP catered meals, 10KLF commemorative chair, special seating areas and parking.

10,000 Lakes Festival Tier 3 General Admission tickets are available at the reduced rate of $185 which includes four nights of music and camping. Upgraded four-day VIP packages are available for $450 offering a first-class festival experience including catered hot meals, six drink tickets, as well as access to two exclusive VIP Main Stage box seating areas and preferred camping located directly behind the Main Stage.

Children ages 6 and under are admitted at no charge with paid adults and children 6 to 11 are half price. Complete festival details including artist information, photos, campground reservations, event activities, and door to door directions are available at www.10KLF.com.

Tier 3 Festival General Admission tickets, VIP packages, the variety of Single Day ticketing options and campground reservations are available online, MusicToday Ticketing, TicketMaster.com and all TicketMaster locations.

SONIC YOUTH, THE JESUS LIZARD,BUILT TO SPILL, THE GOSSIP, DEERHUNTER, BLACK LIPS, THE THERMALS, PELA, THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART, EARTH, MOONDOGGIES, SPINNERETTE, THE DUTCHESS AND THE DUKE, MIKA MIKO, THE BLAKES, SLEEPY EYES OF DEATH, GIRLS, HEY MARSEILLES, THE MALDIVES, TRUCKASAURUS, AKIMBO, PAST LIVES, FUTURE OF THE LEFT, MICACHU & THE SHAPES, JAPANDROIDS, THE LONELY FOREST, FENCES, STARFUCKER, FAUX PUNK, NEW FACES, D.BLACK, HOTELS, FATAL LUCCIAUNO,PICA BEATS, SPACEMAN, FLEXIONS, THE LIVE!, AWESOME COLOR, WILD ORCHID CHILDREN, SGT MAJOR III, AUDACITY, BOW + ARROW, SOL, SING SING REUNION FEAT: PRETTY TITTY AND FOURCOLOR ZACK

The Capitol Hill Block Party happens July 24-25 in Seattle's Capitol Hill Neighborhood. Presented by The Stranger in association with KEXP 90.3 FM and www.kexp.org, Caffe Vita, Miller Highlife, 107.7 The End, Urban Outfitters, Jones Soda, Jack Daniel's, EAW, Mackie, Ampeg, SEIU, The Washington Bus, and curated by Sealed with a Kiss.

Advance tickets available now. Just $23 for single day tickets or $42 for a 2 day pass, at the Neumo's box office and at Seattle Urban Outfitters or at Ticketswest.com. Get your tickets now to avoid the lines!

Chicago's favorite power-pop trio, Baby Teeth, are hitting the road with their brand of arena-ready anthems of suburban dystopia and real-world candor. Baby Teeth is comprised of songwriter, keyboardist, and singer Abraham Levitan (Bobby Conn and the Glass Gypsies, Pearly Sweets and the Platonics), who heads a piano-teaching group and composes music for underground theater, bassist Jim Cooper (Detholz!, Bobby Conn and the Glass Gypsies), a film composer and church orchestra director, and drummer Peter Andreadis (All City Affairs), a mastering engineer and live sound man for The Sea and Cake. Celebrated for their chops, songwriting and massively entertaining live shows, Baby Teeth concentrate their musical talents, literate lyrics and strong melodies into hard-hitting, brainy pop. If you'll look below in the tour dates, you'll even see that Baby Teeth will be performing at Shea Stadium, perhaps the show they were born to play?

Also, Baby Teeth are giving out a new mp3 for public consumption! Download the track "Hustle Beach" from the new record here:

You can listen to Baby Teeth's "Big Schools" here:

You can see/download a hi-res jpeg of Baby Teeth by Ben Reed here:

Tour Dates:
Fri.        July 24        Iowa City, IA @ The Mill
Fri.        July 31        Cincinnati, OH @ Cincinnati Fountain Square (Indie Summer Series)
Sat.       Aug. 1         Chicago, IL @ Schuba's w/ Mark Mallman
Sun.      Aug. 2         Pittsburgh, PA @ Your Inner Vagabond
Mon.     Aug. 3         Brooklyn, NY @ Shea Stadium
Tue.      Aug. 4         Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
Wed.     Aug. 5         Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs
Thu.      Aug. 6         Baltimore, MD @ Hexagon Space
Fri.        Aug. 7         New York, NY @ Cake Shop
Sat.       Aug. 8        Arlington, VA @ IOTA Club & Cafe
Fri.        Aug. 21      Indianapolis, IN @ The Vollrath
Sat.       Aug. 22      Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Berwery Co. w/ Total Blam Blams
Fri.        Oct. 2         Kalamazoo, MI @ The Strutt
Sat.       Oct. 3         Bay City, MI @ Hell's Half Mile Music w/ Oh My God

Trombonist/Composer Clifton Anderson brings his Quintet into the Iridium on Tuesday, August 4th in support of his new Doxy Records release, Decade.   A February gig at Dizzy’s Coca Cola introduced the CD and debuted his new group, which features Eric Wyatt on tenor, Stephen Scott on piano, Russel Blake on bass, and Steve Williams on drums, in addition to Anderson’s vibrant trombone.

Upcoming for the Bronx native is a September 29 date at Birdland, and two nights at the new East Harlem hotspot, Creole, on October 9 and 10.

Reaction to Decade has been positive with encouraging reviews and considerable airplay.  In his celebrated blog, jazzwax, Marc Myers wrote: “…Anderson demonstrates a new level of maturity and offers a warm, round and purposeful sound…his compositions are all strong and fresh, and they avoid being derivative. Best of all, they are tailor made to show off the trombonist's lyricism and powerful chops...Decade is a solid work by Anderson, who clearly has a rich musical voice, a creative vision and a comprehensive grasp of the instrument's tender purpose."

Clifton Anderson's newly revised website includes lead sheets and solo transcriptions for Decade and his debut recording as a leader, Landmarks, as well as a video overview of Decade and some performance video.

For more on Clifton Anderson, please visit here. For more info on the Clifton Anderson Quintet at The Iridium Jazz Club, and to purchase tickets, please click here.

Now in its fifth year, the Pygmalion Music Festival, happening September 16 – 19, 2009 in Champaign-Urbana, Ill., has emerged as a surprising player in what seems like an endless sea of new music festivals across the nation. Combining the ease and cred of festivals such as SXSW or CMJ, with a humble, gentle Midwestern backdrop, Pygmalion Music Festival seeks to engage a devoted group of music fans each fall by presenting both established and emerging artists in venues no bigger than a small theater. For year number five, the festival has expanded to include over 100 performers over four days in 15 different venues taking place in two different vibrant neighborhoods in Champaign-Urbana. This year's lineup features well established mainstays, including Iron and Wine, Low, Lucero, RJD2 and The Books, alongside up-and-coming acts, such as The Antlers, YACHT, Wavves, Headlights, Japandroids, Autolux, BLK JKS, My Brightest Diamond and many more.

The Pygmalion Music Festival was conceived in 2005 after determining that Champaign-Urbana could not only support such a festival, but also develop it in a fashion that it might thrive. And thrive it has, thanks to the generous support of community businesses and national sponsors, as well as the University of Illinois' Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Since its inception, the music festival has always sought to be the bridge between the thriving local music scene and the national indie rock touring scene. In each show, there are local bands present alongside some of the finest that the nation, and the world, has to offer.

All of the shows that are part of the Pygmalion Music Festival offer tremendous intimacy, and near-perfect sightlines. Lines are short, yet shows are filled and comfortable. Located just two hours south of Chicago, north of St. Louis and west of Indianapolis, Champaign-Urbana is in a great, easy-to-reach location. The campus of the University of Illinois is easily traversed by foot, with myriad lodging and culinary options, along with a music scene with a history second to none. Even multi-platinum artists including REO Speedwagon, seminal emo-punk band Braid, nineties alternative juggernauts HUM, and awesome indie labels Parasol Records and Polyvinyl Records, call Champaign-Urbana home. In the new millenium, the community is only too excited to present what has become one of the finest fall destinations for music festivals in the Midwest.

Pygmalion Music Festival passes are $60 currently. To purchase tickets and find out more information, visit http://2009.pygmalionmusicfestival.com/

Also, follow festival news at the Pygmalion blog: http://blog.pygmalionmusicfestival.com/

Pygmalion Music Festival 2009 Schedule:

WEDNESDAY

Canopy Club:
  8:30 PM — Common Loon  
  9:30 PM — Mt. St. Helen's Vietnam Band
10:00 PM — Owen
11:00 PM — Japandroids
12:00 AM — Headlights
  1:00 AM — Physical Challenge DJs

THURSDAY
 
Blues:
11:45 AM — Liesel Booth
12:30 PM — Pamela Machala

Sandella's:
12:45 PM — Tracey and Tricia
  1:30 PM — Stanton McConnell
  2:15 PM — Cara Maurizi

Red Herring:
  6:00 PM — Morgan Orion and The Constellations
  7:00 PM — My Dear Alan Andrews
  8:00 PM — Post Historic
  9:00 PM — Early Day Miners
10:00 PM — World's First Flying Machine

Krannert Art Museum:
  6:40 PM — Liz Janes
  7:20 PM — Brooke Wagonner
  8:00 PM — Denison Witmer
  8:45 PM — My Brightest Diamond
  9:45 PM — William Fitzsimmons
10:45 PM — Bob Nanna

Courtyard Cafe:
  7:30 PM — Butterfly Assassins
  8:30 PM — TBD
  9:30 PM — Starfucker

Canopy Club:
  6:20 PM — Ohtis
  7:00 PM — Santa
  7:40 PM — Mason Proper
  8:20 PM — Company of Thieves
  9:00 PM — Elsinore
  9:40 PM — Joe Pug
10:30 PM — Decibully
11:10 PM — Margot and The Nuclear So and So's
12:10 AM — Maserati
  1:00 AM — Lucero

The Highdive:
  9:00 PM — DJ Substr8
10:00 PM — DJ Belly
11:00 PM — DJ Mertz
12:00 AM — Skream

FRIDAY

Blues:
11:30 AM — Girls Next Door
12:00 PM — Ryan Groff
12:45 PM — William Fitzsimmons
  7:00 PM — The Jips
  8:00 PM — Empires
  9:00 PM — jigGsaw
10:00 PM — So Many Dynamos
11:00 PM — So Long Forgotten

Sandella's:
12:45 PM — Final Pygmalion Effect
  1:30 PM — Matt Wagemann
  2:15 PM — Kilroy et al 

Channing-Murray:
  6:30 PM — You and Yourn
  7:15 PM — Hathaways
  8:00 PM — Good Night and Good Morning
  9:00 PM — Low

Red Herring:
10:30 PM — Comedians: Jon Hansen, Pat Deane, Devin Bockrath, Collin Bullock, Trey Mowder, Billi Casey, The Tuttle Brothers.

Canopy Club:
  6:20 PM — Zach May and The Maps
  7:00 PM — Ganglians
  7:40 PM — Phantogram
  8:20 PM — BLK JKS
  9:00 PM — Jookabox
  9:40 PM — Maps & Atlases
10:30 PM — Pomegranates
11:10 PM — The Antlers
12:10 AM — Autolux
  1:00 AM — Wavves

Courtyard Cafe:
  7:30 PM — Pet Lions
  8:30 PM — Oceans
  9:30 PM — Solid Gold

Cowboy Monkey:
10:00 PM — Angie Heaton
11:00 PM — Mazes
12:00 AM — Cameron McGill
  1:00 AM — The 1900s 

Mike N' Molly's:
  5:15 PM — The Delta Kings
  6:15 PM — The Duke of Uke
  7:15 PM — The Number One Sons 
  8:15 PM — Tina Sparkle
  9:15 PM — Gentleman Auction House
10:15 PM — Light Pollution
11:15 PM — Neoga Blacksmith

Bentley's:
  9:30 PM — Village 
10:30 PM — The Horns of Happiness
11:30 PM — Alpha Mile
12:30 AM — Golden Quality

SATURDAY

Parasol Records:
TBD Afternoon Sets

Exile on Main St.:
TBD Afternoon Sets

Courtyard Cafe:
  5:00 PM — The Daredevil Christopher Wright
  6:00 PM — Lymbyc Systym
  7:00 PM — Brighton, MA

Krannert Center:
  7:30 PM — The Books
  8:45 PM — Iron and Wine
10:00 PM — Princeton
11:00 PM — Ra Ra Riot

Canopy Club:
  9:00 PM — Physical Challenge DJs
10:45 PM — YACHT
11:30 PM — The Hood Internet
12:30 AM — RJD2

Red Herring:
10:00 PM — On Again Off Again
11:00 PM — Now Now Every Children
12:00 AM — Drew Danburry
  1:00 AM — Sunset Stallion

Cowboy Monkey:
10:00 PM — Lonely Trailer
11:00 PM — The Horse's Ha
12:00 AM — Gazelle
  1:00 AM — New Ruins

Mike N' Molly's:
10:15 PM — Tyson and The Friction
11:15 PM — Steel Eater
12:15 AM — Scurvine
  1:15 AM — The Life and Times

Bentley's:
10:30 PM — Take Care
11:30 PM — Marmoset
12:30 AM — Mordechai in the Mirror

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey have announced a 34-city North American tour in September and October to support their new EP, One Day In Brooklyn. The band will begin the trek in their home state of Oklahoma before hitting Texas for two nights and then heading west where they'll work their way up the left coast to Seattle. After one night back in Tulsa for a release party and performance, they'll immediately join Phish bassist Mike Gordon as opening support on seven shows. From there, JFJO thoroughly covers the Northeast and then wraps the tour with a handful of dates in the Midwest, including Halloween in Kansas City.

One Day In Brooklyn will be released September 1 on JFJO's own label Kinnara Records through a partnership with The Royal Potato Family. It's the band's first release since pianist Brian Haas and drummer Josh Raymer expanded the line-up to a quartet with the addition of lap steel guitarist Chris Combs and upright bassist Matt Hayes. Recorded in one day at 58NS Studios in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, JFJO feature two original tunes ("Country Girl" and "Drethoven") along with interpretations of songs by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Abdullah Ibrahim, The Beatles and Thelonious Monk.

The upcoming JFJO tour dates are:

September 2 | The Deli | Norman, OK (w/ Annie Ellicott)
September 3 | Granada Theater | Dallas, TX (w/ Annie Ellicott)
September 4 | The Parish Room | Austin, TX (w/ Annie Ellicott)
September 5 | Arts Festival Oklahoma | Oklahoma City, OK (w/ Annie Ellicott)
September 8 | Lou's Records | San Diego, CA (5pm In-Store)
September 8 | Winston's | San Diego, CA (w/ Heavy Guilt)
September 9 | Catalina Jazz Club | Hollywood, CA (w/ Eartha Austria Trio)
September 10 | Kuumbwa Jazz Center | Santa Cruz, CA
September 11 | Cafe Du Nord | San Francisco, CA (w/ The Last Ambassadors)
September 12 | Red Fox | Humboldt, CA (w/ Eskmo & Welder)
September 17 | The Dojo @ Well Springs | Ashland, OR
September 19 | Music Millennium | Portland, OR (3PM In-Store)
September 19 | Jimmy Mak's | Portland, OR
September 20 | High Dive | Seattle, WA
September 25 | The Marquee | Tulsa, OK (w/ Annie Ellicott)
September 26 | Barrymore Theatre | Madison, WI (opening for Mike Gordon)
September 28 | 20th Century Theater | Cincinnati, OH (opening for Mike Gordon)
September 29 | Blind Pig | Ann Arbor, MI (opening for Mike Gordon)
September 30 | Mr. Small's Theater | Millvale, PA (opening for Mike Gordon)
October 2 | The Mod Club | Toronto, Canada (opening for Mike Gordon)
October 3 | Town Ballroom | Buffalo, NY (opening for Mike Gordon)
October 4 | Pure Pop | Burlington, VT (2PM In-Store)
October 4 | Higher Ground | Burlington, VT (opening for Mike Gordon)
October 6 | La Salla Rossa | Montreal, QC
October 7 | Gemstones | Lowell, MA
October 8 | Narrows Center For The Arts | Fall River, MA
October 9 | Le Poisson Rouge | New York, NY (w/ Moodswing Orchestra)
October 10 | Tritone | Philadelphia, PA (w/ Jason Fraticelli & the Wet Dreams)
October 13 | Mill Hill Saloon | Trenton, NJ
October 15 | Red Square | Albany, NY
October 16 | Downright Music & Art | Collinsville, CT
October 17 | The Lizard Lounge | Boston, MA
October 21 | Iowa City Yacht Club | Iowa City, IA
October 22 | The Encore | Stevens Point, WI (90-FM Jazz Fest)
October 23 | Cranky Pat's | Neenah, WI
October 24 | Kinetic Playground | Chicago, IL
October 31 | Jardine's | Kansas City, MO (w/ special guest Mark Southerland)

The virtual airwaves are heating up this fall as "Eagles Radio Hosted by Joe Walsh" kicks off an incredible series of features that can only be found on the band's official Artist Personal Experience online radio station.  As traditional radio segues into their yearly Labor Day countdowns of songs, the Eagles promise-and deliver-something new and exciting.  Beginning September 4th, A.P.E. Radio will begin to air guitar hero Walsh's down-to-earth conversations with his friends and fellow rock stars including Ringo Starr, AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson and Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + the Mechanics).
 
The channel that has brought "Our Stories, Our Friends, Our Favorite Music" since its launch on July 31 will continue to roll out interviews throughout the season from the aforementioned artists as well as many more of Walsh's contemporaries and influences, making up a list that reads like a who's-who of rock n' roll.  While guests such as Starr, Johnson and Rutherford are bona fide rock stars, they're also personal friends of Walsh, making for spontaneous and organic interviews with details that won't be heard anywhere else.
 
The Eagles themselves will direct the programming of their 24-hour channel, with the band members choosing and frequently updating the thousand-plus song playlist and all other creative concepts for their fans and music lovers in general.  In addition to the upcoming all-star interviews, "Eagles Radio Hosted by Joe Walsh" is set to include the station host and band guitarist offering personal anecdotes in his own affable style.  Music from the Eagles themselves will also be featured on occasion, accompanied by behind-the-scenes stories about the songs.  Walsh has also selected tracks from the above artists, plus other favorites including the Allman Brothers Band, Kings of Leon, Wilco, Sly and the Family Stone and more to air throughout the programming day.

 
"Eagles Radio Hosted by Joe Walsh" - along with "Christina Aguilera Radio" and "Radio Weezer," - are distributed across Clear Channel Radio's"iheartradio" network (www.iheartradio.com), which includes hundreds of local radio websites; the popular iheartradio mobile app, which has been downloaded by 2.8 million people in just 10 months; embeddable widgets; and each artist's site, Eaglesband.com, Christina Aguilera.com and www.Weezer.com. Just like the other A.P.E. stations, fans can participate in "Eagles Radio Hosted by Joe Walsh" by emailing their comments to [email protected] or calling 1-866-686-1010.  Walsh is already known as one of the most approachable and fan-friendly artists in rock, as he has previously taken an active role in answering the mountains of fan mail and messages that the band often receives.

The Eagles have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, earning five #1 U.S. singles. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the best-selling U.S. album of all time, exceeding sales of 29 million units.  The band's Hotel California and Their Greatest Hits Volume 2 have sold more than 16 and 11 million albums, respectively. The Eagles have also received six GRAMMY Awards, and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

The 5th annual Pygmalion Music Festival, held in the twin towns of Champaign-Urbana, Ill., kicks off next week on Wednesday, September 16th and runs until Saturday, September 19th. With festival passes sold out, single tickets going quickly, and a sold out headlining performance from Iron and Wine and The Books, plus massive indie rock showcases with artists including RJD2, Lucero, YACHT, The Antlers, Japandroids, Headlights, Wavves, Autolux, Low, BLK JKS, My Brightest Diamond and many more, this self-proclaimed "intimate festival" promises to be an overwhelming success.

Though festival passes are now sold out, the festival can still be attended with ease by purchasing single tickets to individual shows at the door of the show one wants to attend, or by buying in advance for the performances at Canopy Club at http://2009.pygmalionmusicfestival.com/.

Also, rumors of after-parties are coming to fruition, as well. The Pygmalion Music Festival wanted to ensure some of these artists had opportunities to perform elsewhere, just in case some people were caught making a tough decision between multiple artists performing at once.

The festival schedule has undergone a few adjustments in recent weeks. Saturday's day parties are scheduled and Solid Gold has canceled. An updated schedule is below.

For more information, visit: http://2009.pygmalionmusicfestival.com/ and http://blog.pygmalionmusicfestival.com/.

Pygmalion Music Festival 2009 Schedule:
WEDNESDAY
Canopy Club:
8:30 PM — Common Loon  
9:30 PM — Mt. St. Helen's Vietnam Band
10:00 PM — Owen
11:00 PM — Japandroids
12:00 AM — Headlights
1:00 AM — Physical Challenge DJs

THURSDAY
Blues:
11:45 AM — Liesel Booth
12:30 PM — Pamela Machala

Sandella's:
12:45 PM — Tracey and Tricia
1:30 PM — Stanton McConnell
2:15 PM — Cara Maurizi

Red Herring:
6:00 PM — Morgan Orion and The Constellations
7:00 PM — My Dear Alan Andrews
8:00 PM — Post Historic
9:00 PM —  Early Day Miners
10:00 PM — World's First Flying Machine

Krannert Art Museum:
6:40 PM — Liz Janes
7:20 PM — Brooke Wagonner
8:00 PM — Denison Witmer
8:45 PM — My Brightest Diamond
9:45 PM — William Fitzsimmons
10:45 PM — Bob Nanna

Courtyard Cafe:
7:30 PM — Butterfly Assassins
8:30 PM — Deelay Ceelay
9:30 PM — Starfucker

Canopy Club:
6:20 PM — Ohtis
7:00 PM — Santa
7:40 PM — Mason Proper
8:20 PM — Company of Thieves
9:00 PM — Elsinore
9:40 PM — Joe Pug
10:30 PM — Decibully
11:10 PM — Maserati
12:10 AM — Margot and The Nuclear So and So's
1:00 AM — Lucero

The Highdive:
9:00 PM — Geist
10:00 PM — DJ Belly
11:00 PM — DJ Mertz
12:00 AM — Skream

FRIDAY
Blues:
11:30 AM — Girls Next Door
12:00 PM — Ryan Groff
12:45 PM — William Fitzsimmons
7:00 PM — The Jips
8:00 PM — Empires
9:00 PM — jigGsaw
10:00 PM — So Many Dynamos
11:00 PM — So Long Forgotten

Sandella's:
12:45 PM — Final Pygmalion Effect
1:30 PM — Matt Wagemann
2:15 PM — Kilroy et al 

Channing-Murray:
6:30 PM — You and Yourn
7:15 PM — Hathaways
8:00 PM — Good Night and Good Morning
9:00 PM — Low

Red Herring:
10:30 PM — Oceans
11:30 PM — Pet Lions
12:30 AM — TBD

Canopy Club:
6:20 PM — Zach May and The Maps
7:00 PM — Ganglians
7:40 PM — Phantogram
8:20 PM — BLK JKS
9:00 PM — Jookabox
9:40 PM — Maps & Atlases
10:30 PM — Pomegranates
11:10 PM — The Antlers
12:10 AM — Autolux
1:00 AM — Wavves

Cowboy Monkey:
10:00 PM — Angie Heaton
11:00 PM — Mazes
12:00 AM — Cameron McGill and What Army
1:00 AM — The 1900s 

Mike N' Molly's:
5:15 PM — The Delta Kings
6:15 PM — The Duke of Uke
7:15 PM — The Number One Sons 
8:15 PM — Tina Sparkle
9:15 PM — Gentleman Auction House
10:15 PM — Light Pollution
11:15 PM — Neoga Blacksmith

Bentley's:
9:30 PM — Village 
10:30 PM — The Horns of Happiness
11:30 PM — Alpha Mile
12:30 AM — Golden Quality

SATURDAY
Parasol Records:
12:00 PM — Tim Stephens
12:40 PM — Morgan Orion and The Constellations
1:10 PM — Cameron McGill and What Army
1:40 PM — Peninsula
2:10 PM — Boston Fleener (of The Jips)
2:40 PM — Drew Danburry (acoustic)
3:10 PM — You and Yourn
3:40 PM — New Ruins (acoustic)
4:40 PM — The Horse's Ha (acoustic)

Exile on Main St.:
1:30 PM — Elsinore
2:30 PM — Zach May and The Maps
3:30 PM — Santa
4:30 PM — The Curses

Courtyard Cafe:
5:00 PM — The Daredevil Christopher Wright
6:00 PM — Lymbyc Systym
7:00 PM — Brighton, MA

Krannert Center:
7:30 PM — The Books
8:45 PM — Iron and Wine
10:00 PM — Princeton
11:00 PM — Ra Ra Riot

Canopy Club:
9:00 PM — Physical Challenge DJs
9:45 PM — Porno Galactica
10:45 PM — YACHT
11:45 PM — The Hood Internet
12:45 AM — RJD2

Red Herring:
10:00 PM — On Again Off Again
11:00 PM — Now Now Every Children
12:00 AM — Drew Danburry
1:00 AM — Sunset Stallion

Cowboy Monkey:
10:00 PM — Lonely Trailer
11:00 PM — The Horse's Ha
12:00 AM — Gazelle
1:00 AM — New Ruins

Mike N' Molly's:
8:15 PM — Tyson and The Friction
9:15 PM — Steel Eater
10:15 PM — Scurvine
11:15 PM — The Life and Times

Bentley's:
10:30 PM — Take Care
11:30 PM — Marmoset
12:30 AM — Mordechai in the Mirro