Here is what is coming up at the Boulder Theater.

Tues, Mar 10                 A V-Day Benefit
8:00pm                       THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES
                                    GA=$25.00, Student/Senior=$15.00, VIP=$50.00 / All Ages

Wed, Mar 11                  Climbing Magazine presents
8:00pm                       2009 STONE ALLIANCE FILM TOUR
                                    GA / All Ages / $14.50

Thur, Mar 12                 Conscious Alliance & Colorado Daily present
9:00pm                       MAMA'S COOKIN'
                                    w/ Lion Vibes & DJ Buddha Bomb
                                    GA / 21+ / $12.00

Fri, Mar 13                  Radio 1190 Basementailism & Colorado Daily present
9:00pm                       THE X-ECUTIONERS
                                    ft. Roc Raida, Rob Swift, Boogie Blink, Total Eclipse & Precision
                                    w/ 3 The Hard Way & Cysko Rokwel
                                    GA / All Ages / $25.00
                               
Sat, Mar 14                  ColoradoKids.com presents
11:00am                      JUSTIN ROBERTS & THE NOT READY FOR NAPTIME PLAYERS
                                    GA Seated / $18.50 for walking humans / All Ages

Sat, Mar 14                  97.3 KBCO presents
7:30pm                               THE SUBDUDES: subdued acoustic tour
                                    w/ Clarence Bucaro
                                    Reserved=$31.50, GA=$24.00 / 21+

Sun, Mar 15                  97.3 KBCO & Colorado Daily present
7:30pm                       ADAM AIJALA & BEN KAUFMANN of YONDER MOUNTAIN
                                    ft. DAROL ANGER
                                    w/ very special guests
                                    GA / 21+ / $21.50

Tues, Mar 17                Kona and Pabst Blue Ribbon present
8:00pm                      FULL CYCLE'S ST. PATRICK'S DOWNHILL FEATURE
                                   with NEW WORLD DISORDER 9: "NEVER ENOUGH"
                                   To benefit Valmont Bike Park
                                   GA / All Ages / $12.00

Wed, Mar 18                  Radio 1190's Krewe de Louisianne presents
9:00pm                       PORTER BATISTE STOLTZ
                                    ft. KYLE HOLLINGSWORTH
                                    GA / 21+ / $18.50

Thur, Mar 19                        97.3 KBCO & Boulder Weekly present
8:00pm                      MARTIN SEXTON
                                   w/ Chris Trapper
                                   GA / 18+ / $29.50

Fri, Mar 20                 KGNU presents
9:00pm                      GREAT AMERICAN TAXI
                                   ft. Black Swan Singers & the Peak to Freak Horns
                                   w/ Kort McCumber & Mountain Standard Time
                                   GA / 21+ / $18.50

Sat, Mar 21                 AEG Live & 97.3 KBCO present
8:00pm                      MADELEINE PEYROUX
                                   w/ William Fitzsimmons
                                   Reserved=$46.50, GA=$41.00 / 21+
                               
Wed, Mar 25                 KUNC presents
7:30pm                      HAPA
                                   Reserved=$30.00, GA Seated=$24.00

Fri, Mar 27                Boulder Weekly presents An Evening with
9:00pm                     DARK STAR ORCHESTRA
                                  GA / 21+ / $29.50

Sat, Mar 28                Boulder Weekly presents An Evening with
9:00pm                     DARK STAR ORCHESTRA
                                  GA / All Ages Balcony / $29.50

Sun, Mar 29                97.3 KBCO presents
7:00pm                     E-TOWN
                                  w/ BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet & Ben Kweller                                 GA / All Ages / $18.75

Wed, April 1                KUVO Jazz Appreciation Series
8:00pm                      DR. LONNIE SMITH TRIO
                                   w/ Pianoramax
                                   Reserved=$34.50, GA=$29.00 / 21+

Fri, April 3                        KUVO presents
9:00pm                      QUEMANDO    
                                   GA / 21+ / $12.00

Sat, April 4                2009 NPC Axis Northern Colorado
9am & 5pm                   BODYBUILDING & FITNESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
                                   Championship Reserved=$19.75-$60.00, Pre-Judge GA=$19.75 / All Ages

Tues, April 7               KUVO Jazz Appreciation Series
7:30pm                      BILL FRISELL QUARTET ft. Ron Miles, Rudy Royston & Tony Scherr
                                   w/ guests
                                   Reserved=$32.00, GA=$25.00 / All Ages

Wed, April 8                Boulder Weekly Films & Radio 1190  present
8:00pm                      WILCO LIVE "ASHES OF AMERICAN FLAGS
                                   GA / All Ages / $12.00

Thur, April 9               KGNU presents
8:30pm                              HOT BUTTERED RUM & THE TRAVELIN' McCOURYS
                                   GA / 21+ / $26.00

Fri, April 10               Live Nation & 97.3 KBCO presents
8:00pm                      BB KING
                                   w/ Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real
                                   Gold Circle=$109.00, Reserved Balcony=$93.50, GA Standing=$77.50 / 21+
                                   SOLD OUT
                               
 Sat, Apr 11                     KUNC presents
8:00pm                            GEORGE WINSTON
                                    Reserved=$39.50, GA=$29.50 / All Ages

Sun, Apr 12                    ARLO GUTHRIE’S "LOST WORLD TOUR"
7:30pm                            Feat. Abe Guthrie & the Burns Sisters
                                        Reserved=$39.00, GA=$29.50 / 21+

Wed, April 15              Soda Jerk presents
9:00pm                     TECH N9NE    
                                  w/ Murs, Big Krizz Kaliko, Kutt Calhoun, Black Pegasus
                                  GA / All Ages / Advance=$27.50, DOS=$30.50

Fri, April 17               Colorado Daily presents
9:00pm                      THE MOTET
                                    w/ Euforquestra
                                   GA / 21+ / $17.50

Sat, April 18               NERSHI, MOSELEY & FRIENDS
9:00pm                      w/ Elephant Revival
                                   GA / 21+ / $18.50
                                   On Sale Friday

Sat, April 25               ColoradoKids.com presents
3:00pm                              DAN ZANES & FRIENDS
                                   GA / All Ages / $25.00 over 12, $17.50 under 12

Tues, April 28              KUVO Jazz Appreciation Series
7:30pm                      An Evening with
                                   McCOY TYNER
                                   Reserved=$38.00, GA=$29.50 / All Ages
                               
Wed, April 29                 KUVO Jazz Appreciation Series
8:00pm                      JOHN SCOFIELD'S PIETY STREET BAND
                                   ft. Donald Ramsey, Jon Cleary & Ricky Fataar
                                   w/ Kneebody
                                   GA / $34.00 / 21+

Thur, May 7                Oceanic Preservation Society presents
8:00pm                     "THE COVE"
                                   GA / All Ages / $20.00

Sat, May 16                 Marquee Magazine & Radio 1190 Route 78 West present
8:00pm                      THE FLATLANDERS
                                   ft. Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock
                                   w/ Bukka Allen
                                   GA / 21+ / $30.00
                               
Tues, June 2                 Radio 1190, KGNU & Westword present
9:00pm                       ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
                                    w/ Black Dice
                                    GA / All Ages / $25.00

Thur, Aug 6                  KGNU presents
7:30pm                       GREG BROWN
                                    Reserved=$35.00, GA=$29.00 / 21+

97.3 KBCO & Boulder Weekly present THE SAMPLES w/ guests Sunday, July 5. Show time: 8PM

Sean Kelly returns to Boulder with his latest incarnation of The Samples. The music has been described as "reggae influenced rock/pop" and a cross between The Police and the Grateful Dead. With their relaxed, slightly jazzy pop, the Samples were one of the most popular touring bands of the early '90s. Line up features Sean Kelly (Lead Singer, Guitar), Jared Johnson (Bass), Karl Dietel (Keyboards), and Billy Mulcher (Drums).

GA / 21+ / $24.00

Tickets are on sale now at The Boulder Theater Box Office. Call (303) 786-7030 for tickets by phone.

DSO sing entire shows from the Grateful Dead's 30 years of extensive touring as a launching pad, Dark Star Orchestra recreates the original song for song performance set list for an entirely new generation of, as well as old school, Deadheads. Dark Star Orchestra performs Grateful Dead classics in the same way that an orchestra interprets music of classical composers. The composer spirit is derived and channeled as the players capture the excitement and innovation of the original performances and compositions. Touring nationwide for nine years to the tune of nearly 1500 shows since forming, the band's determined commitment to "raising the Dead" has drawn national media attention.

Precision is king with DSO; the band adapts their stage positioning, vocal arrangements, specific musical equipment and instruments to fit the era of the show they are performing. Following each performance the band announces the date and venue of the original performance. Dark Star Orchestra could dip into any incarnation of the dead at any of their shows, allowing fans to experienceˇ shows that happened long before they were born.
GA / 21+ / $30.00
On Sale Jan 15!

Boulder Weekly Presents
Dark Star Orchestra
Friday, April 9 and Saturday April 10
doors 8:00pm, show 9:00pm

Tickets are on sale Jan 15 at The Boulder Theater Box Office. Call (303) 786-7030 for tickets by phone.  Tickets are also available through our website @ www.bouldertheater.com.  All tickets are subject to tax and service charge.

Back in 2005, Denver's, Polytoxic, wanted to put on a show that could showcase all the great local musicians they had been playing with for the past few years.  They decided to re-enact The Band's "The Last Waltz", a concert film by Martin Scorsese from 1978 of The Band's last performance that included all of that era's greatest musicians - Eric Clapton, Dr John, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, etc.  The show was held at Dulcinea's in Denver's Capitol Hill area on May 25, 2005, and Polytoxic planned on it being a fun little show that would garner a little bit of interest.  It sold out in minutes, surprising band and fans alike, and became the biggest show they had ever thrown.  So big, in fact, they decided to do it again in 2005, this time on the night before Thanksgiving at Cervante's Masterpiece Ballroom.

Polytoxic's "The Last Waltz Revisited" immediately went from a "fun little" idea at a small venue to their biggest event of the year.  It has become an annual event, playing to capacity crowds.  This year marks the 6^th anniversary of their "Last Waltz Revisited", and it boasts over 40 guest musicians from across Colorado, a full horn section, and over 30 songs from The Bands extensive catalog, focusing primarily on songs played at The Last Waltz.  It has become a tradition for many of those involved in the show, as well as for many of the people that come out and see the show year after year.  This year we have Buck Perigo opening the show at 9:00, performing Woody Guthrie’s entire “Alice’s Restaurant”.

To further the community aspect of the show, Tabima Enterprises (the production company that runs the show) brought in The Denver Rescue Mission as an affiliated charity, encouraging the donations of canned food for the homeless, and contributing a percentage of the ticket sales to the organization. This year we are lucky to also have the support of our sponsors Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta and The Westword.

For updates and additions continue to check out their website.

The Last Waltz Revisited featuring Polytoxic

Boulder Theater

Friday, Nov 19th

Tickets are on sale at Boulder Theater Box Office. Call (303) 786-7030 for tickets by phone.

Tickets are also available through our website

Tickets are On Sale – 10.01 @ 10:00 am.

Individual tickets are $18.75 adv / $21.50 dos.

Formed in 2003 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Crystal Castles consists of producer Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass. They are named after the lyrics "The fate of the world is safe in Crystal Castles" and "Crystal Castles, the source of all power" both from the theme song for She-Ra's fortress. They are known for their melancholic lo-fi sound and their explosive live shows. Their debut album was included in NME's "Top 50 Albums of the Decade".

Crystal Castles musical style has been described as "ferocious, asphyxiating sheets of warped two-dimensional Gameboy glitches and bruising drum bombast that pierces your skull with their sheer shrill force, burrowing deep into the brain like a fever". The band has headlined numerous tours in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Australia and have also appeared at festivals around the Globe including Ireland's Oxegen Festival, Coachella, All Points West, Leeds Festival in England and will also take part in Australia's "Big Day Out" 2011 Tour.

The music and live show of the Crystal Castles is not one to miss. As the band themselves say,

"we are crystal castles

we are 1 boy and 1 girl

we are named after She-Ra's home

we play rough"

Looks like the Boulder Theater is going into the New Year with a bumpy landing. More Info / Buy Tickets

Back in 2005, Denver's number one "jamband", Polytoxic, wanted to put on a show that could showcase all the great local musicians they had been playing with for the past few years. They decided to re-enact The Band's "The Last Waltz", a concert film by Martin Scorsese from 1978 of The Band's last performance that included all of that era's greatest musicians - Eric Clapton, Dr John, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, etc. The show was held at Dulcinea's in Denver's Capitol Hill area on May 25, 2005, and Polytoxic planned on it being a fun little show that would garner a little bit of interest. It sold out in minutes, surprising band and fans alike, and became the biggest show they had ever thrown. So big, in fact, they decided to do it again in 2005, this time on the night before Thanksgiving at Cervante's Masterpiece Ballroom.

Polytoxic's "The Last Waltz Revisited" immediately went from a "fun little" idea at a small venue to their biggest event of the year. It has become an annual event, playing to capacity crowds. This year marks the 6th anniversary of their "Last Waltz Revisited", and it boasts over 40 guest musicians from across Colorado, a full horn section, and over 30 songs from The Bands' extensive catalog, focusing primarily on songs played at The Last Waltz. It has become a tradition for many of those involved in the show, as well as for many of the people that come out and see the show year after year. This year we have Buck Perigo opening the show at 9:00, performing Woody Guthrie's entire "Alice's Restaurant".

To further the community aspect of the show, Tabima Enterprises (the production company that runs the show) brought in The Denver Rescue Mission as an affiliated charity, encouraging the donations of canned food for the homeless, and contributing a percentage of the ticket sales to the organization. This year we are lucky to also have the support of our sponsors Anthony's Pizza & Pasta and The Westword. More Info  -- Buy Tickets.

Boulder Weekly & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Acoustic Africa ft. Habib Koite, Oliver Mtukudzi & Afel Bocoum at the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, March 16^th, 2011.

The second installment of IMN’s exhilarating musical journey focuses on the richness of the African guitar tradition. The Acoustic Africa tour includes Habib Koité, the Malian superstar whose exciting concerts have endeared him to audiences worldwide, Oliver Mtukudzi, the best-selling artist in his home country of Zimbabwe, and Afel Bocoum, a guitarist, singer, and composer from Mali whose songs evoke the evolution of traditional Malian society.

One of Africa’s most exciting performers, Habib Koite plays music that reflects the diverse musical traditions of his Malian homeland. Accompanied by his band Bamada, Koite has released a number of successful and critically acclaimed albums and has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and in major magazines such as People and Rolling Stone. Over the past 10 years, Habib and his band have performed over 600 concerts for adoring audiences in far-flung locations such as Japan, Australia, Brazil and Kazakhstan. With their engaging stage presence and expert musicianship, Habib Koite and Bamada always put on a show to remember.

Lovingly called “Tuku”, Oliver Mtukudzi began recording in the mid-1970s as a member of Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Thomas Mapfumo. After Wagon Wheels rolled to fame in Southern Africa, Tuku formed Black Spirits, the band that has backed him throughout his career. Mtukudzi has been heavily influenced by chimurenga, the genre pioneered by Mapfumo that is inspired by the hypnotic rhythms of the mbira (thumb piano). His music also incorporates pop influences, South Africa mbaqanga, the energetic Zimbabwean pop style JIT, and the traditional kateke drumming of his clan, the Korekore. While Tuku’s music is undeniably contagious, it is his lyrics that have captured the hearts of his people as his songs invariably deal with social and economic issues. One of Tuku’s biggest fans is Bonnie Raitt, who has not only called Tuku “a treasure,” but has also used his music as inspiration for the song “One Belief Away” on her album Fundamental.

Afel Bocoum began his music career with his uncle Ali Farka Toure in the group Asco, a collaboration which lasted some thirty years. In the 1980s, he founded his own group named Alkibar, in which he plays the guitar, sings, and composes. Bocoum sings mainly in Sonrai, his mother tongue, but also in Tamashek, the language of the Tuareg, and in Bambara. In spite of his growing success, Bocoum remains gentle and unassuming, modestly directing the energy this recognition brings him towards the welfare of his people and the inspiration they give to his music. In 2002, Afel collaborated with the lead singer of Blur, Damon Albarn, on the extremely popular album Mali Music. The gigs they played together were well received, especially the concert at the Barbican in London in June 2003. Damon also made a guest appearance beside Afel on a larger stage at Roskilde in Denmark in front of 65,000 people. With remarkable subtlety and a sure talent, Bocoum has proved that he is a true “messenger of the great river,” and it’s certain he will actively contribute to keeping Malian music at the forefront of the international scene.

Tickets are on sale at Boulder Theater Box Office. Call (303) 786-7030 for tickets by phone.

Tickets are also available through our website @ www.bouldertheater.com.

Tickets are On Sale Saturday December 4th!

GA $34.50  /  Reserved $42.25 / All Ages

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Iron & Wine at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, June 4th, 2011.

Over the course of his ten-year career, Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam has become one of today’s greatest story tellers, crafting meticulous tales full of forlorn love, religious imagery and wistful dreams.  It’s been more than three years since his last studio effort, The Shepherd’s Dog, which was widely praised by fans and critics alike. While Beam’s early albums were sparse, intimate solo affairs, Shepherd’s introduced layered textures and poly-rhythmic sounds that allowed his lyrics to spring to life. It’s only natural then, that Beam took this sonic collage and built upon it for his new album, Kiss Each Other Clean. The result is a brighter, more focused record that retains the idiosyncratic elements that make Iron & Wine such an engaging band.

Beam continued to mine folk, African, rock, country, and Jamaican musical traditions, but switched the focus of his studio lens to 60s and 70s pop influences for the Kiss Each Other Clean sessions. Mingling memories of his parents’ record collection and hits heard between the static of scanning the car radio on family drives for inspiration, Iron & Wine is once again pushed into new territory. Multi-part vocal arrangements reminiscent of Buckingham / Nicks era Fleetwood Mac albums and classic Motown singles permeate “Half Moon” and “Godless Brother.” Electronic synthesizer sounds percolate through “Monkeys Uptown” and “Glad Man Singing” recalling the adventures of Elton John and Stevie Wonder. The horn sections on “Big Burned Hand” and “Lazarus” match the confidence of Beam’s vocal delivery and bring an entirely new dimension to Iron & Wine. Kiss Each Other Clean’s dynamics and surprises are the latest chapter in Beam’s studio collaborations.

Producer Brian Deck returned for the Kiss Each Other Clean sessions, continuing the creative partnership that he and Beam have developed over the course of three albums. The comfort level and respect found between Deck and Beam allows for a unique working relationship where they push each other to experiment, while still letting the songs naturally evolve in the studio. The Shepherd’s touring rhythm section Matt Lux, Ben Massarella (Califone), and Chad Taylor (Chicago Underground Duo) arrived early for live recording of basic tracks at Chicago’s Engine Studios and overdubs continued for about a year. Joe Adamik (Califone), Jim Becker (Califone), Thomas Bartlett (Doveman), Stuart Bogie (Antibalas), Rob Burger and Sarah Simpson round out the other musicians brought into the sessions to complement and fully realize the songs on Kiss Each Other Clean.

Kiss Each Other Clean’s profound artistic statement continues to move the listener’s expectation forward with regard to what one can expect from Iron & Wine. Beam’s masterful storytelling and musical experimentation relies on the conflict from combining the happy and the sad, the heavy and the light, and creating an ongoing narrative between the artist and the listener. It’s the blending of all of these elements that allows Kiss Each Other Clean the versatility to paint a true portrait of life.

Kiss Each Other Clean was recently released on January 25^th, 2011 on Warner Bros. Records.

For more information, visit www.ironandwine.com

Tickets are on sale at Boulder Theater Box Office. Call (303) 786-7030 for tickets by phone.

Tickets are also available through our website @ www.bouldertheater.com.

Tickets are On Sale Friday March 4th!

$32.50 adv / $35.00 dos

Can a wheel reinvent itself while it’s still rolling?

Sounds like an impossible task -- but you never want to say “impossible” to Asleep at the Wheel, the famed western-swing, boogie, and roots-music outfit that’s, amazingly, still on the upswing. That’s saying something, too, considering the group’s been around for nearly 40 years, turning out an incredible 25+ albums while playing an unrelenting schedule of one-nighters that would make a vaudevillian dizzy.

“In terms of how many people we played for, what we accomplished, and how much money we made – well, we didn’t make any money – this year was absolutely our best year ever,” says Wheel founder and front man Ray Benson with a chuckle.

And even as the Wheel rolled on, the reinvention had begun. You could see and hear it in their live shows, where new vocalist Elizabeth McQueen invited comparison with the classic female vocalists of the band’s earlier era, and fiddler-singer Jason Roberts gave the band a second male lead voice to complement Benson’s immediately identifiable baritone.

These days, the reinvented Wheel is also rolling down a couple of new avenues. One involves to the critically acclaimed musical play, A Ride With Bob, which stars Benson as himself -- encountering the ghost of Bob Wills on a tour bus – Roberts as the young Wills, and McQueen as Minnie Pearl and other famed entertainment figures, with the rest of the band members featured as well. Originally designed as a one-off celebration of Wills’ 100th birthday in ’05, A Ride With Bob quickly took on a life of its own and, notes Benson, “it’s absolutely a part of what we do now.” Another success has been the adaptation of the Wheel’s repertoire for pops symphony. Performances with Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth & Amarillo symphonies have drawn record crowds.

The Wheel’s new look is also spotlighted in several new discs – the first called, appropriately enough, Reinventing the Wheel. The 12-cut celebration of American – particularly Southwestern – music features guest appearances by gospel’s Blind Boys of Alabama (with a splendid reworking of the old Wills tune “The Devil Ain’t Lazy”) and banjoist Rolf Sieker, along with lead vocals by McQueen and Roberts as well as Benson, whose voice has been synonymous with Asleep at the Wheel for decades.

The second is 2009’s Willie and the Wheel; a collaboration with Willie Nelson that was originally envisioned by famed producer Jerry Wexler in the 1970s. Unfortunately before they had a chance to cut it, Nelson had left Atlantic Records. But over the ensuing decades Wexler kept the idea alive and even gave Ray his entire collection of western swing vinyl that included his notes on song choices and treatments. In late 2007 the idea was revived and Jerry and Ray reconnected by phone. Always the producer with a vision, Jerry was involved in every way. He insisted that some of the tracks should include horns as well as a return to traditional fiddles and lap steel guitar associated with western swing. As the sessions concluded and Willie finished his vocals the tracks were sent to Jerry. “To my delight and relief,” says Ray, “he loved them.” In fact, Wexler heard most of the finished tracks prior to his passing in August 2008. "Jerry wanted us to do this album and I'm glad we got to do it for him, “says Willie Nelson. “And that he heard it before he passed on."

The success of the Willie and the Wheel album release was quickly followed up by a tour and even a taping of the 35th anniversary of Austin City Limits for PBS (for broadcast in Fall of 2009), a fitting double-bill as Willie had taped the pilot and Asleep at the Wheel appeared in the very first regular episode of the legendary live music television program.

And now in contemplating the 40th anniversary of Asleep at the Wheel in 2010, Ray remains focused on the original concept. “I carried the load for many, many years, but I’ve always just wanted to have a band, as opposed to Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel,” Benson explains. “That’s what we had in the ‘70s – a band, a revue kind of deal, which was the whole concept. But trying to replace a Chris O’Connell was very difficult. And then Elizabeth walks up, and boom – here’s my girl singer. And then I kept pushing Jason, both through the play and through the band, saying, `Man, you’ve got talent. You can sing. You’ve got the golden ear – just apply it to your singing and songwriting.’”

Roberts, who’s been the Wheel’s full-time fiddler since early ’96, welcomed the opportunity to be a part of the revamped, revue-style Wheel. “I think everybody got a chance to put their two cents in, and bring to the table what they had, ” he adds. “God bless Ray Benson for allowing us to do that..”

Adds McQueen, “One of the things about Asleep at the Wheel is that they always have great musicians. That’s what they’re known for. So for them to ask me to join and then to keep me in the band, and to let me step out a little more and stand in the shoes of Chris O’Connell and Maryann Price, who were amazing singers – that’s an incredible honor. It’s above and beyond my greatest expectations.”

So, whether your next encounter with Asleep at the Wheel is at a dance or concert, or backing up Willie Nelson via the new disc, or at a live production of A Ride with Bob, you’ll be witnessing something very special -- a band that’s not only been entertaining audiences with its own genre-busting music for four decades, but also a group that’s never been afraid to try something new -- including a reinvention, inspired by the past, that rolls joyously toward a long and shining future.

More Info / Buy Tickets

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Date/Time: July 24, 2011, 8:00 pm

Audience: All Ages

Seating: All Seated Reserved/GA

Ticket Availability: Yes

General Admission: $32.00

Reserved Tickets: $37.50

Gold Circle: $48.50

97.3 KBCO is proud to present Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe with Anders Osborne performing Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones at the Boulder Theater Friday, October 28th, 2011 Tickets go on sale Friday, August 26th for $25.00 in advance and $30.00 day of show.

Karl Denson finishes up the summer with a run of festival plays with his own band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and as part of the legendary soul group, Greyboy Allstars, joins Slightly Stoopid as a guest star and looks forward to a special guest slot at Soulive’s Royal Family Affair. With some of the season’s greatest festivals and a handful of summer dates behind them, KDTU connected with Widespread Panic on July 15th for a gig at The Joint at The Hard Rock in Las Vegas, NV. Back on the festival circuit, KDTU hit the All Good Festival, Ottawa Blues Festival and The Hillside Festival in Ontario. Karl Denson reunited with The Greyboy Allstars for a show in their hometown of San Diego, California at America’s Finest Beer Festival on July 22^n, followed by a gig at the Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on August 13th. Also coming in August, KDTU played the 1^st Annual “Booty Shake in South Lake” at the Montbleu Resort in Lake Tahoe on August 9^th for a post-Phish show, then to the east coast for the Equifunk Festival in Equinunk, PA on August 19^th, Camp Barefoot in Bartow, WV on August 20^th, and the Eugene Celebration in Oregon on August 26^th.  On into September, the band will perform at the SteelJam Festival in Bethlehem, PA on Sept. 3^rd, and back up north to Fredericton, New Brunswick for the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival on Sept. 14^th and 15^th followed by Powellapalooza on September 24th and Colorado’s Rancho Del Gumbo Festival on September 25^th. Denson also proudly joins Slightly Stoopid as a guest star for a 7- show run from July 24^th to August 6^th and for two shows on August 17^th and 18^th, then closes out August as a special guest at Soulive’s inaugural Royal Family Affair on Stratton Mountain on August 14^th.  Looking into late fall, Denson reconnects with his Tiny Universe for Halloween in Colorado with plays at The Boulder Theater on October 28^th.

Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta and Westword are proud to present the 7^th Annual Last Waltz-Revisite featuring Polytoxic & The Denver Horns at the Boulder Theater Friday, November 18^th, 2011. Tickets will go on sale Friday, September 16th for $15.00 in advance and $17.50 day of show.

Back in 2005, Denver's “number one jamband,” Polytoxic, wanted to put on a show that could showcase all the great local musicians they had been playing with for the past few years.  They decided to re-enact The Band's "The Last Waltz," a concert film by Martin Scorsese from 1978 of The Band's last performance that included all of that era's greatest musicians - Eric Clapton, Dr John, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, etc.  The show was held at Dulcinea's in Denver's Capitol Hill area on May 25, 2005, and Polytoxic planned on it being a fun little show that would garner a little bit of interest.  It sold out in minutes, surprising the band and fans alike, and became the biggest show they had ever thrown.  So big, in fact, they decided to do it again in 2005, this time on the night before Thanksgiving at Cervante's Masterpiece Ballroom.

Polytoxic's "The Last Waltz - Revisited" immediately went from a "fun little" idea at a small venue to one of the biggest events of the year.  It has become an annual tradition, playing to sold-out capacity crowds. 

This year marks the 7^th anniversary of their "Last Waltz – Revisited", and it boasts over 40 guest musicians from across Colorado, a full horn section, and over 30 songs from The Bands extensive catalog, focusing primarily on songs played at The Last Waltz.  The concert has become a tradition for many of those involved in the show, as well as for many of the people that come out and see the show year after year.  In addition, Buck Perigo will be opening the show at 9:00, performing Woody Guthrie’s entire “Alice’s Restaurant.”

This year if our Fans bring 7 Canned Food Items for our affiliated charity, The Denver Rescue Mission, and receive a FREE Limited Edition Poster commemorating this year’s Last Waltz – Revisited (Poster artwork by Jared Hankins – Blender Design Group). As always we will be donating the food and a portion of proceeds to the Denver Rescue Mission.

So come out and enjoy this magical evening, our local musicians and our local sponsors, Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta, Yellow Dog Printing & Graphics and The Westword.

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7^th Annual Last Waltz – Revisited

ft. Polytoxic & The Denver Horns

Boulder Theater

Friday November 18^th, 2011

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show Time:  8:30 pm | 21+ only

97.3 KBCO & Colorado Daily are proud to present Matisyahu at the Boulder Theater on Thursday, December 15^th, 2011.  Tickets go on sale Saturday, September 24th for $25 in advance & $30.00 day of show. 

Few artists make an impact as complete as the one Matisyahu made with his Top 40 hit "King Without a Crown": Here was a true original, the song announced-a Hasidic Jewish musician from New York City singing reggae songs about his religious devotion. Fans responded to this one-of-a-kind voice, too, driving Youth, Matisyahu's Grammy-nominated 2006 studio disc, to the top spot on Billboard's reggae albums chart. That album, as well as Matisahu's previous recording Live at Stubb's, went Gold. True originals, though, don't stay put for long, and on his bold new album, Light, 29-year-old Matisyahu proves that there's much more to his artistry than might initially meet the eye. "As my musical tastes have grown I have been re-discovering my sound and my voice," he says.

Light is anything but safe. Produced by David Kahne (Paul McCartney, Sublime, the Strokes), the 14-track collection covers a dizzying amount of stylistic ground, from hard-edged dancehall ("Smash Lies") and ska-inflected New Wave ("We Will Walk") to laidback pop-rock ("So Hi So Lo") and acoustic folk-soul ("I Will Be the Light"). While reggae is far from absent here-see the old-school toasting in "Motivate"-Light finds Matisyahu edging away from his comfort zone into more daring territory. "Being an artist is about being sensitive to how the world resonates inside you and then being able to express it," he says. "This process is an ever-changing one."

Despite the lengthy and varied guest list, Light remains a work traceable only to Matisyahu's unique creative sensibility, an album that reflects more than two years' worth of religious study, particularly the story of the seven beggars by Reb Nachman. This is the driving spiritual force behind Light. The story is about two children who get lost in a dark forest after fleeing an invasion of their kingdom. Each night a different beggar, each of which suffers from a different ailment, approaches them with food and water. "I feel this theme, though written as a fairytale in the 1800's, is very relevant to many of the struggles that we face today," Matisyahu says. "From child soldiers to child sex slaves to everyday people trying to awaken their broken hearts."

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Matisyahu

Boulder Theater

Thursday, December 15th

Doors:  7:30 pm

Show Time:  8:30 pm

Daily Camera & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present George Winston at the Boulder Theater on Tuesday, December 20^th, 2011.  Tickets go on sale Friday, September 23rd for $25 General Admission, $35.00 Reserved & $45.00 Gold Circle.

Solo pianist George Winston, best known for his seasonally themed recordings including DECEMBER, AUTUMN, WINTER INTO SPRING, and SUMMER, will perform a solo piano concert at the Boulder Theater.

This solo piano concert will feature selections from George's melodic piano recordings, as well as R&B piano, stride piano, Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts© pieces, and more. George will also play some Hawaiian Slack Key guitar.

There will also be a food drive at the concert, we would like to encourage audience member to bring a non-perishable donation to the concert.

In 1972 George recorded his first solo piano album, BALLADS AND BLUES 1972. Since 1980 George has released nine more solo piano albums: AUTUMN (1980), WINTER INTO SPRING (1982), DECEMBER (1982), SUMMER (1991), FOREST (1994), LINUS & LUCY-THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI (1996 - which features compositions by the late jazz pianist, including Cast Your Fate to the Wind and pieces from the Peanuts TV specials); PLAINS (1999 - which was inspired by his Eastern Montana upbringing), NIGHT DIVIDES THE DAY - THE MUSIC  OF THE DOORS (2002), MONTANA – A LOVE STORY (2004) and GULF COAST BLUES & IMPRESSIONS – A HURRICANE RELIEF BENEFIT (2006). His latest release is LOVE WILL COME - THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI, VOL. 2 (2010).

Additional George Winston information online at www.georgewinston.com.

97.3 KBCO & Boulder Weekly are proud to present Bela Fleck & The Flecktones in their original line up at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, April 7^th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 8th for $35 in advance & $40 day of show.

Groundbreaking banjoist/composer/bandleader Béla Fleck has reconvened the original 'Béla Fleck & The Flecktones', the extraordinary initial line-up of his incredible combo. Rocket Science marks the first recording by the first fab four Flecktones in almost two decades, with pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy back in the fold alongside Fleck, bassist Victor Wooten, and percussionist/ Drumitarist Roy “Futureman” Wooten. The album sees the Grammy Award-winning quartet creating some of the most forward thinking music of their long, storied career. While all manners of genres come into play – from classical and jazz to bluegrass and African music to electric blues and Eastern European folk dances – the result is an impossible to pigeonhole sound all their own, a meeting of musical minds that remains utterly indescribable.

“All the different things I do come together to make a new ‘hybrid’ Béla',” Fleck says. "Everybody else in the group is doing the same things, collaborating with different people, and pursuing a wide variety of ideas, so when we come together and put all of our separate soups into one big stockpot it turns into a very diverse concoction.”

Fleck first united the Flecktones in 1988, ostensibly for a single performance on PBS’ Lonesome Pine Special. From the start, there was a special kinship between the four musicians, a bond forged in a mutual passion for creativity and artistic advancement. Three breakthrough albums and a whole lot of live dates followed before Levy decided to move on in late 1992.

All agree that Flecktones music was beckoning them home. The band, which had always maintained a warm relationship with the gifted pianist/harmonica player, recruited Levy for a 2009 tour of the US and Europe, an experience he describes as “extremely invigorating and very energizing.”  “It felt just like it did back when we first started playing together,” says Wooten. “Just with a lot less hair.”

“There were a lot of unfinished aspects to this line-up of the band,” Fleck notes, “in that it stopped right when we were peaking creatively.”  For Fleck, Levy’s return enables the Flecktones to follow through on the original concept of a band “where each person was reinventing their instruments, where every one of us was a kind of mutant.”

“We’re going to have to have this experience together and see how everybody likes it,” Fleck says. “I know that we haven’t even come close to exhausting the possibilities with this record, but we sure went deeper than we ever had before.”

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Bela Fleck & The Flecktones – The Original Lineup

Boulder Theater

Saturday, April 7th

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show Time:  8:00 pm

KGNU & Boulder Weekly are proud to present Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Boulder Theater on Thursday, January 26^th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, October 7^th for $30 General Admission, $35 Reserved & $40 Gold Circle.

For more than forty years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has 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 four decades have garnered praise and accolades within the recording industry, but also solidified their identity as a cultural force to be reckoned with.

Assembled in the early 1960s, in South Africa, by Joseph Shabalala – then a young farmboy turned factory worker – the group took the name Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Ladysmith being the name of Shabalala’s rural hometown; Black being a reference to oxen, the strongest of all farm animals; and Mambazo being the Zulu word for axe, a symbol of the group’s vocal ability to “chop down” all things in their path. Their collective voices were so tight and their harmonies so polished that they were eventually banned from competitions – although they were welcome to participate strictly as entertainers.

Shabalala says his conversion to Christianity, in the ‘60s, helped define the group’s musical identity. The path that the axe was chopping suddenly had a direction: “To bring this gospel of loving one another all over the world,” he says. However, he’s quick to point out that the message is not specific to any one religious orientation. “Without hearing the lyrics, this music gets into the blood, because it comes from the blood,” he says. “It evokes enthusiasm and excitement, regardless of what you follow spiritually.”

A radio broadcast in 1970 opened the door to their first record contract – the beginning of an ambitious discography that currently includes more than forty recordings, garnering three Grammy Awards and fifteen nominations, including one for their most recent recording Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu. Their philosophy in the studio was – and continues to be – just as much about preservation of musical heritage as it is about entertainment. The group borrows heavily from a traditional music called isicathamiya (is-cot-a-ME-Ya), which developed in the mines of South Africa, where black workers were taken by rail to work far away from their homes and their families. Poorly housed and paid worse, the mine workers would entertain themselves after a six-day week by singing songs into the wee hours on Sunday morning. When the miners returned to the homelands, this musical tradition returned with them.

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Boulder Theater

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show Time:  8:00 pm

KGNU and Daily Camera are proud to present Marcia Ball at the Boulder Theater on Sunday, December 18th, 2011.  Tickets go on sale Friday, October 7th for $20 in advance & $22.50 day of show. 

Z2 Entertainement is proud to present Big Gigantic at the Boulder Theater on Friday, January 20^th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale today, Friday October 7th for $22 advanced & $25.00 day of show. 

Big Gigantic, whose blend of mind-bending beats, thunderous bass, and frenetic melodies has developed a rabid following since forming in 2008, will take their sound to yet another dimension this October when they release 'Nocturnal.' The album, by Boulder, CO-based saxophonist/producer Dominic Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salken, solidifies Big Gigantic as a key player in the worlds of electronic, dance, and hip-hop. 

With a provocative sound that's as thoughtful as it is danceable, Big Gigantic's new songs like "Nocturnal" and "Hopscotch" weave whirling melodies into addictive beats and samples that wouldn't sound out of place on a Kanye West or LCD Soundsystem single. No genre is off-limits for Big Gigantic, whose breakthrough sound channels everything from funk and dub-step to house and hip-hop.

After graduating with a master's degree in jazz at the Manhattan School of Music, Lalli relocated to Boulder and began performing with Salken, experimenting with the idea of interpreting traditional DJ-based music with live instruments. The duo built up early hype in 2008 with local shows and one-offs around the country before releasing their debut album 'Fire It Up’ in 2009 and embarking on a full US tour. 

Already a smash on the festival circuit, Big Gigantic's transcendent live shows are a showcase of brilliant improvisation and a tightly-knit bond between Salken and Lalli, who breathlessly alternates between keys, sax and laptop, building a futuristic wall of sound that keeps the crowd on its feet. The marathon shows feature a variety of songs new, old and unreleased, as well as outside-of-the-box remixes including Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow," Aloe Blacc's 'I need a Dollar,' and Notorious B.I.G.'s "Notorious Thugs."

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Big Gigantic

Boulder Theater

Friday, January 20th

Doors:  8:00 pm | Show Time:  9:00 pm

WIN TICKETS TO TONGHT'S SOLD-OUT MOTET SHOW AT THE BOULDER THEATER!Today, October 31st, our friends at The Boulder Theater will be giving away tickets to tonight's sold-out Motet show. Tonight's show has been sold-out for a while now, so those lucky winners will be in store for a great show!In order to win tickets to the show, you'll need to login to The Boulder Theater's facebook page (www.facebook.com/bouldertheater) and "Like" their page.  If you are already a friend of the Boulder Theater, "Share" their page with your friends & have them "Like" the Boulder Theater for a chance to win tickets.The Motet is extremely excited to announce that for Halloween 2011 we will be paying tribute to the music of one of the most influential rock bands of the last 40 years: THE GRATEFUL DEAD!Yes, we know what some of you are thinking: How does the Grateful Dead’s sound fit into the energy and vibe of a Motet Halloween show?? Well, with that in mind we are taking the challenge of reworking those epic and timeless songs with the energetic afro-funk grooves that you all come to expect from The Motet’s hence the theme ‘Funk is Dead!’

With his new album Minnesota, Mason Jennings crafts a collage of love trying to survive the transition into being a grown-up in a complex world. “Love is the most important thing to me, my relationship with my wife and kids,” Mason says, adding “And music has always been as important as breathing to me. I have come to realize that to have it all, I have to take the long view when it comes to integrating all these parts of my life.” Increasingly, a sense of place and community has become important to him as well. “The album is called Minnesota because it’s a metaphor for an ever-changing landscape. More than any place I’ve ever been, things change so much here, even month-to-month. But even as things change, Minnesota is where my home is, where my center is.” His profession often takes him away from that center. Being on the road and finding the personal space to create while at home has caused him to examine how he balances his loves. He generally writes from an intensely personal point of view , but Minnesota represents a step toward the light after the darkness of Blood of Man, his last album.Musically, Mason paints from a more varied palette than ever. For instance, piano is featured more prominently than any of his previous albums. “The piano seemed to fit the emotional core of the album,” he explains. “I felt that it was important to begin and end the album with piano.” Mason played almost all of the instruments on the album, the one exception being “Well Of Love,” a Perez Prado-esque number that features his friends in The Living Room, the side project of Jack Johnson drummer/percussionist Adam Topol. Friend Jason Schwartzman adds additional piano and background vocals on “Raindrops.”Minnesota finds Mason Jennings more at home than ever: More at home in his adopted state and more at home with the integration of the self that is required to live an artistic life while enjoying the community of his friends and loved ones.More Info / Buy Tickets

For more than a decade, DeVotchKa has been melting its sweeping collection of influences into an authentic and totally original blend of rock 'n' roll. With the release of the band's fifth album, "100 Lovers" (Anti- Records, 2011), the band headed back to the romantic influences of the Arizona desert with producer Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Neko Case) to create a compendium of short stories inspired by the varied moments the band experienced since the release of A Mad & Faithful Telling (Anti-, 2007).Like many bands, DeVotchKa spent much of their early years traveling the highways and byways searching for gigs and a musical direction. As time went on, the band began to foster important musical collaborations with the unequivocal Calexico and the seminal gypsy punks Gogol Bordello. DeVotchKa's first big break happened when Nic Harcourt, former music director for KCRW, introduced his listeners to a then unknown rock band of worldly sounds on his daily radio show, "Morning Becomes Eclectic". Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, who were listening that day, stumbled upon the sound for their movie, "Little Miss Sunshine". A critical and box office hit, the film was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar and, for DeVotchKa's soundtrack, a Grammy.The little band from Denver was suddenly internationally admired, headlining large venues and performing at practically every major music festival, from Coachella to Lollapalooza. After years of toiling in obscurity, the band was selling out shows from the Fillmore in San Francisco to First Avenue in Minneapolis, with breakout performances at Bumbershoot and Austin City Limits Music Festival. The love spread to Europe, which has become a yearly destination for the band. In 2011, DeVotchKa will be playing a number of European and American festivals, including Glastonbury and a return to Bonnaroo."100 Lovers" is the album DeVotchKa had always wanted to make. "How it Ends" was recorded and mixed in only nine days. On "A Mad and Faithful Telling,” the band had more time and conducted complex arrangements and experimental recording techniques. For "100 Lovers", DeVotchKa spent over a year defining their sound, taking multiple trips to the desert studio to craft twelve new recordings. The final product is the bands strongest album to date, filled with songs fans will love, songs to draw in new listeners, and exciting numbers that fit nicely into their rousing live sets. With the new album, DeVotchKa have achieved success carving their own singular sound out of the worlds of rock, opera, theater, dance, and film.More Info / Buy Tickets

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Trace Bundy’s Holiday Concert at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, December 10th, 2011.  Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 29h for $18.50 General Admission and $24.50 Reserved.An accomplished acoustic guitar virtuoso, Trace Bundy sells out shows across nineteen countries with his rare combination of expert capo and fingerpicking techniques, unique stage banter, and jawdroppingly difficult arrangements. While his success was built upon a direct connection with his fans-- his videos are attracting over 18 million YouTube views and counting...--

Trace Bundy

Boulder Theater

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show Time:  8:00 pm

97.3 KBCO Holiday Concert Series & Z2 Entertainment are proud to presents Trevor Hall at the Boulder Theater on Thursday, December 8th, 2011.  Tickets go on sale Friday, November 4th at 10:00am for $23.50 in advance & $25.50 day of show.If Trevor Hall’s 2009 self-titled Vanguard Records debut represented the young musician’s struggle with finding himself, his follow-up, Everything Everytime Everywhere is a courageous affirmation that he has become the man he had been seeking. The warm linearity of his prior work gives way to a mature artist hitting his stride, an image that persists throughout this body of work, from the easy reggae slide of the opening “The Return” and the anthemic “Brand New Day” straight through to the momentous closing track, “The Mountain.” Hall’s signature blend of catchy pop/rock songs infused with tasteful shades of reggae has made this diverse 24-year-old one of the most lauded up-and-coming musicians on the American music scene.Hall easily exudes that rare ability to write universal songs that appeal to broad audiences in the vein of two of his heroes, Ben Harper and Bob Marley. The strong focus on love on Everything Everytime Everywhere quickly burrows itself into our minds, even though the love he discusses is more celestial than earthly. Hall continually employs poetic metaphors to represent “internal heights,” the ability of each human to recognize their highest self, as on the epic track, “The Love Wouldn’t Die.”“That song is my favorite on this record,” Hall says. “Musically it’s very different than what I usually do. It’s the second-to-last song, right before ‘The Mountain,’ which is this very triumphant journey of ascending a peak. With everything I do, that home stretch is the most difficult. The song is about living a spiritual life in a material world, of being a stranger in a strange land. At some point you get scared of being so different, and you want to conform and be like everybody else. But once you have a higher taste of spiritual life, everything else seems mundane. No matter how hard you try to fall asleep to this spiritual part of you, you can’t. That love won’t die.”Trevor Hall’s heartfelt balladry may perhaps prove more meaningful to fans than his powerful rock anthems. Trevor Hall has accomplished what great musicians do when presented with such circumstances: he created lasting art to inspire and comfort others.Everything Everytime Everywhere is the testament of an inner warrior trying to lift himself and those around him out of the everyday maladies that plague our lives. There are songs to fall asleep to, songs to wake up by, and songs to feel good about yourself. They encapsulate life and make you a part of Trevor Hall’s world, while his music becomes part of yours.-Trevor Hall w/ Special GuestBoulder TheaterThursday, December 8th, 2011Doors:  7:00 pm | Show Time:  8:00 pm

Z2 Entertainment is proud to presents Judy Collins at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, February 25th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, November 4th at 10:00am for $30.00 general admission, $35.00 reserved & $50.00 Gold Circle.Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes for more than 50 years. At 13, Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked Judy’s love of lyrics. In 1961, Judy Collins released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22 and began a thirty-five year association with Jac Holzman and Elektra Records. She interpreted the songs of fellow artists - particularly the social poets of the time such as Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs and Tom Paxton. Judy was instrumental in bringing other singer-songwriters to a wider audience including poet/musician Leonard Cohen – and musicians Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman.Judy has continued an impressive musical career throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and up to the present.  In 1999, Judy founded her own record label, Wildflower Records - a grass roots artist driven label committed to nurturing fresh talent. On July 27, 2010, Collectors’ Choice Music reissued nine CDs of Collins’ Elektra titles: Fifth Album (1965), In My Life (1966), Whales & Nightingales (1970), True Stories & Other Dreams (1973), Bread & Roses (1976), Running for My Life (1980), Times of Our Lives (1982), Home Again (1984) and Christmas at the Biltmore (1997). These albums contain newly commissioned liner notes by Ritchie Unterberger that include interviews with Collins.Judy’s two latest creative projects are a new CD, Paradise (Wildflower Records), a collection of 10 songs that include duets of Judy with the legendary Stephen Stills and Joan Baez; and Over the Rainbow(Imagine Publishing) a magnificent oversized children’s picture book and 3-song CD set, featuring artwork by renowned painter Eric Puybaret illustrating the lyrics of this #1 movie song of all-time, coupled with Judy Collins’ enchanting recording of the title song makes this destined to become a beloved classic storybook, delighting children of all ages for decades to come.Judy Collins, now 71, is still writing, performing, and nurturing fresh talent. She plays 80 to100 dates a year around the country. Judy Collins, a relentlessly creative spirit, is a modern day Renaissance woman who is also an accomplished painter, filmmaker, record label head, musical mentor, and an in-demand keynote speaker for mental health and suicide prevention. She continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart. For a full discography visit Judy’s website at: www.judycollins.com.-Judy Collins

Boulder Theater

Saturday, February 25th, 2012Doors:  6:30 pm | Show Time:  7:30 pm

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to presents Los Lobos performing a rare acoustic performance at the Boulder Theater on Friday, March 9th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, November 11th at 10:00am for $25.00 general admission, $35.00 reserved & $45.00 Gold Circle.“Los Lobos were gracious enough to provide a new version of “The Long Goodbye,” the Hidalgo/Perez co-write that’s the title song of their duo album, for David Bromberg’s new CD, ‘Use Me.’ The band also produced the track & play all instruments on it except the dobro, played by David.”More than three decades have passed since Los Lobos released their debut album, “Just Another Band from East L.A.” Since then they’ve repeatedly disproven that title—Los Lobos isn’t “just another” anything, but rather a band that has consistently evolved artistically while never losing sight of their humble roots.A rare example of longevity in a volatile music world that stresses style over substance, Los Lobos’ lineup has remained uninterrupted since 1984, when saxophonist/keyboardist Steve Berlin joined original members Pérez, Hidalgo, Rosas and Lozano, each of whom had been there since the beginning in 1973.“This is what happens when five guys create a magical sound, then stick together for 30 years to see how far it can take them,” wrote Rolling Stone, and indeed, Los Lobos is a band that continually redefines itself and expands its scope with each passing year, while never losing sight of where they came from. Through sheer camaraderie and respect for one another’s musicality, they’ve continued to explore who Los Lobos is and what they have to offer, without succumbing to the burnout that plagues so many other bands that stick it out for any considerable length of time. Their influence is vast, yet they remain humble, centered and dedicated to their craft. Each new recording they make moves Los Lobos into another new dimension while simultaneously sounding like no one else in the world but Los Lobos.“There’s this thing that still happens, this musical thing,” says Pérez. “But if you took everything away, even the music, you’d still end up with four guys who were friends and hung out and grew up in the same neighborhood. And you can’t take that friendship away from us.”   “We’re brothers and we all equally recognize that,” says Rosas. “That’s what keeps us going, knowing that we need to help each other and we need to get through this and we work well together. And we keep it real.”-Los Lobos – a rare acoustic performance

Boulder Theater

Friday, March 9th, 2012Doors:  7:00 pm | Show Time:  8:00 pm

Join eTown, as we celebrate our 20th holiday season on the airwaves with a special live radio show taping featuring seasonal music, conversation and family-friendly entertainment with Grammy Award-winning composer and violin virtuoso Mark O’Connor and Nashville-based singer/songwriter Matt Wertz.Both artists will converge on the eTown stage to share music from their recent holiday releases, as well as conversation and insights with the show’s hosts, Nick and Helen Forster, on their origins, influences and interests outside of performing. The event will also feature a holiday-themed E-Chievement Award winner story, a popular segment of the show dedicated to recognizing special listener-nominated individuals who have made a remarkable difference in their community. The evening’s combination of music, conversation and community spirit make for a one-of-a-kind live entertainment experience, perfect for kicking off the holiday season.Considered by the LA Times to be “one of the most talented and imaginative artists working in music -any music – today,” Mark O’Connor makes his stop in eTown with his band, Hot Swing!, to share music from his first holiday release, An Appalachian Christmas. The album, released on OMAC records last month, features collaborations with Alison Krauss, James Taylor, Renee Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma, among others. O’Connor was considered a child prodigy from a very early age, and later went on to win national titles on the fiddle, guitar and mandolin as a teenager. Today, O’Connor’s revered style of mixing classical and rich folk traditions has inspired and influenced a new generation of string players, thousands of whom currently practice the O’Connor Method in studios and schools nationwide and attend his annual String Camps. No stranger to the eTown stage, Mark has made several appearances on the show as a guest musician over the years. On occasion, he has also masqueraded as an honorary “Trailblazer” in Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers, the alter ego of eTown host Nick Forster’s bluegrass group – Hot Rize.Singer/songwriter Matt Wertz will also make his first stop in eTown on the heels of his latest release, a collection of holiday-inspired material entitled Snow Globe. Originally from Liberty, Missouri, Matt later moved to Nashville to pursue a music career full time. Matt has enjoyed a well-deserved rise in attention with songs that have been featured on numerous television shows and movies, including Brothers and Sisters, One Tree Hill, Employee of the Month, My Super Ex-Girlfriend and ABC Family’s Nine Lives of Chloe King. Matt’s do-it-yourself approach to recording and producing his albums is a quality shared with eTown and many of the show’s guests before him. eTown, also a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has been producing shows independently, without a host station or ownership by any media conglomerate since its inception 20 years ago.More Info / Buy Tickets

106.7 KBPI is proud to present Henry Rollins – The Long March Tour at the Boulder Theater on Monday, March 26th, 2011.  Tickets go on sale Friday November 18th for $26 General Admission & $30 Reserved. HENRY ROLLINS returns to the road, microphone in hand, for The Long March tour starting in January 2012. HENRY’s latest talking tour takes him through Europe from January 12 through mid-February before he returns stateside for, quite literally, a long March of tour dates starting March 1 at the Rialto Theatre in Tucson. HENRY will follow up the U.S. dates, which wrap March 31 at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA, with two dozen shows in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in April and May.While economic uncertainty and political upheaval define the global landscape on a broad scale, expect HENRY to bring the human (and often humorous) side to light during The Long March as he shares stories from the road less traveled – including recent visits to North Korea, Mongolia, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Tibet, Sudan, Uganda, Haiti and Cuba.HENRY’s relentless globetrotting to far-flung and often misunderstood corners of the globe is also the focus of his latest book, Occupants (Chicago Review Press), his first book of photos from his travels. Penetrating observations and incisive essays accompany the photos, as HENRY juxtaposes the disturbing legacy of war and conflict with the hope, bravery, and kindness of humans around the world; the tragic effects of hunger and poverty with the strength and beauty of those living in dire circumstances.“There are some indelible images, including a bizarre Ronald McDonald statue next to an ATM machine in Thailand, the incandescent smile of a young girl standing atop a mountain of garbage in Bangladesh, and a collection of shining skulls on display in Cambodia,” says Blogcritics.org of Occupants. “These are more than mere Polaroids, Rollins has a definite eye for photographic composition. The images have a compelling quality about them…Henry Rollins manages to have his cake and eat it too. He stands alone as a punk rock Renaissance man, and Occupants is a worthy addition to his oeuvre.”For more on HENRY ROLLINS, go to www.henryrollins.com.--

Henry Rollins – The Long March Tour

Boulder Theater

Monday, March 26th

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show Time:  8:00 pm

Mark Vann’s spirit parted company with his body on March 4, 2002. Mark consistently lived by the motto of “Go Big!”. He applied this motto to both playing music and his unending willingness to offer his time and knowledge to teach anybody who wanted to learn. He encouraged others to “Dream Big”, “Go Big”, and “Pick Big”, and personally supported their efforts to do so. The sun rose on March 5th to the task of shining light into a newly empty space in our many worlds.** The Mark Vann Foundation was created to continue the spirit of joy, gratitude, and generosity that Mark brought to our collective communities through his life and music **Our primary mission is to serve community based non-profit organizations bringing light, love and laughter into the lives of those in need through nature, music and the arts; and to provide a conduit for kindhearted people with similar values to nurture impactful positive change within their own communities.The Mark Vann Foundation is supported entirely by volunteer efforts and has no paid employees. It is managed in such a way as to maximize our ability to support beneficiaries by keeping operating costs to a minimum. We warmly welcome all who would like to participate, volunteer, or contribute, and kindly thank the many of you throughout the music community who already have.The evening will also entail an instrument drive, raffle & silent auction.Marching forth to help dreams “Go Big!”This year's event will also benefit two local Boulder chariites again, There With Care and CareConnect of Boulder Country.More Info / Buy Tickets-Full Line-Up:Great American Taxi and FriendsThe Contribution (ft. Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth, Keith Moseley of String Cheese Incident, Matt Butler of Everyone Orchestra & members of New Monsoon)Everyone OrchestraBill McKay BandAndrew McConathy and the Drunken HeartsThe BanjorchestraPlus many more special guests

Face is a nationally recognized all-vocal rock band bringing a new edge and attitude to the human voice. Face competed on NBC's "Sing Off", the nationally aired show featuring the country's top eight a cappella groups. Using just five singers and a vocal drummer or “beat-boxer,” Face creates a rock-music phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed. No other instruments or special effects – just six guys.More Info / Buy Tickets

In concert George Winston will be performing songs from new CD, LOVE WILL COME – THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI, VOLUME 2, as well as selections from his seasonal favorites AUTUMN, DECEMBER, WINTER INTO SPRING and SUMMER, as well as his FOREST and PLAINS recordings, played in his melodic folk piano style. He also plays some New Orleans R&B piano, stride piano, songs by The Doors and more.More Info / Buy Tickets-Date/Time:  December 20, 2011, 8:00 pmAudience:  All AgesSeating:  All Seated Reserved/GATicket Availability:  YesGeneral Admission:  $31.50Reserved Tickets:  $42.50Gold Circle:  $53.50

Maven Productions & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Ani DiFranco at the Boulder Theater on Friday, March 3rd, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday December 15th for $30 GA, $40 Reserved & $50 Gold Circle.Singer/songwriter/guitarist Ani DiFranco has announced the upcoming release of her eagerly awaited new album. ¿Which Side Are You On? arrives via the Grammy-winning artist’s own Righteous Babe Records on January 17, 2012.Which Side Are You On? marks DiFranco’s first studio album in more than three years. The collection features 11 new songs alongside a radically reworked rendition of the classic title song, famously popularized by the one and only Pete Seeger nearly five decades ago, but no less relevant today. Backing DiFranco is a remarkably diverse line-up of stellar musicians, including members of her own crack touring band as well as such guest players as Ivan and Cyril Neville (of New Orleans’ first family of funk and R&B, The Neville Brothers), avant-saxophonist Skerik (Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Bonnie Raitt, The Meters), acclaimed singer/songwriter (and Righteous Babe recording artist) Anaïs Mitchell, guitarist Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, Amos Lee), and a host of New Orleans-based horn players known for their work in such outfits as Galactic, Bonerama, and The Rebirth Brass Band.What’s more, Ani is joined on her stunning new version of “¿Which Side Are You On?” by the aforementioned Pete Seeger, whom she praises as “my elder, my forefather in folk music and political song.” DiFranco was inspired to record the famed protest anthem after being invited to perform at Seeger’s 90th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden in May 2009. She contributed her own straight-from-the headlines verses to the song and has used it to close her own live shows ever since. The newly recorded version of “¿Which Side Are You On?” is a funk-fueled epic, incorporating not just Ani’s band, but Seeger himself on banjo and vocals alongside The Rivertown Kids, a Hudson Valley-based children’s chorus, and The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders, a brass band consisting of students from The Roots of Music, a music education program for at-risk middle-school students in New Orleans.“All of my musical community, my comrades, are in there,” says Ani of the cross-generational recording.-

Ani DiFranco

Boulder Theater

Friday, March 3rd, 2012

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show Time:  8:00 pm

Big Gigantic, whose blend of mind-bending beats, thunderous bass, and frenetic melodies has developed a rabid following since forming in 2008, took their sound to yet another dimension this October when they released 'Nocturnal.' The album, by Boulder, CO-based saxophonist/producer Dominic Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salken, solidifies Big Gigantic as a key player in the worlds of electronic, dance, and hip-hop.With a provocative sound that's as thoughtful as it is danceable, Big Gigantic's new songs like "Nocturnal" and "Hopscotch" weave whirling melodies into addictive beats and samples that wouldn't sound out of place on a Kanye West or LCD Soundsystem single. No genre is off-limits for Big Gigantic, whose breakthrough sound channels everything from funk and dub-step to house and hip-hop.Already a smash on the festival circuit, Big Gigantic's transcendent live shows are a showcase of brilliant improvisation and a tightly-knit bond between Salken and Lalli, who breathlessly alternates between keys, sax and laptop, building a futuristic wall of sound that keeps the crowd on its feet. The marathon shows feature a variety of songs new, old and unreleased, as well as outside-of-the-box remixes including Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow," Aloe Blacc's 'I need a Dollar,' and Notorious B.I.G.'s "Notorious Thugs."More Info / Buy Tickets

For over forty years, the voices of Ladysmith Black Mambazo have married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of theirnative 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 four decades have garnered praise and accolades within the recording industry, but also solidified their identity as a cultural force to be reckoned with.In the mid-1980s, Paul Simon visited South Africa and incorporated Black Mambazo’s rich tenor/alto/bass harmonies into his Graceland album – a landmark 1986 recording that was considered seminal in introducing world music to mainstream audiences. "Graceland" one many awards including the Grammy Award for Best Album of the Year. A year later, Simon produced Black Mambazo’s first U.S. release, Shaka Zulu, which won the Grammy Award, in 1988,for Best Traditional Folk Album. Since then, and in total, the group has received fifteen Grammy Award Nominations and three Grammy Award wins, including one in 2009.Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been invited to perform at many special occasions. By special invitation from South African President Nelson Mandela, they performed for the Queen of England and the Royal Family at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The group has also performed at two Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies, a concert for Pope John Paul II in Rome, the South African Presidential inaugurations, the 1996 Summer Olympics and many other special events. In the summer of 2002, Black Mambazo was again asked to represent their nation in London at a celebration for Queen Elizabeth’s 50th Anniversary as Monarch. They shared the stage with Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker and Phil Collins.No, time is not slowing down for the group. As Joseph Shabalala says, "We are teachers. We travel the world spreading our message of Peace, Love and Harmony. What could be better or more important than that."More Info / Buy Tickets

Acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke was born in Athens, Georgia, but left town after a year and a half. Raised in 12 different states, he absorbed a variety of musical influences as a child, flirting with both violin and trombone, before abandoning Stravinsky for the guitar at age 11.Kottke's 1971 major-label debut, "Mudlark," positioned him somewhat uneasily in the singer/songwriter vein, despite his own wishes to remain an instrumental performer. Still, despite arguments with label heads as well as with Bruce, Kottke flourished during his tenure on Capitol, as records like 1972's "Greenhouse" and 1973's live "My Feet Are Smiling" and "Ice Water" found him branching out with guest musicians and honing his guitar technique.With 1975's Chewing Pine, Kottke reached the U.S. Top 30 for the second time; he also gained an international following thanks to his continuing tours in Europe and Australia.His collaboration with Phish bassist Mike Gordon, "Clone," caught audiences' attention in 2002. Kottke and Gordon followed with a recording in the Bahamas called "Sixty Six Steps," produced by Leo's old friend and Prince producer David Z.Kottke has been awarded two Grammy nominations; a Doctorate in Music Performance by the Peck School of Music at the U of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; and a Certificate of Significant Achievement in Not Playing the Trombone from the U of Texas at Brownsville with Texas Southmost College.More Info / Buy Tickets

Contrary to the rumored explanations that abound like urban myths about one Los Angeles collective's peculiar name, there is no 'Edward Sharpe.' Frontman Alex Ebert insists that the moniker is not an alter ego, that he's not playing a character. So it is Alex Ebert leading the Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros concerts which are more aptly described as musical love-ins- rapturous, theatrical affairs where it is sometimes hard to discern between the musicians on stage (there are, give or take, 13 of them) and the fans in the crowd, all swaying and singing in a state of joyous euphoria. And it all revolves around impossibly magnetic lead singer Ebert, a madcap rock 'n roll shaman leading his exuberant troupe through their beatific, intricately embellished psych-folk anthems.Ebert quashes the rumors that Edward Sharpe is a role he plays by explaining that when it came time to name his new band- a collective of multi-talented musicians culled from his network of friends and acquaintances in LA- his own name, Alex Ebert, felt as though it had become lost. Though Ebert's life and career had progressed, his own name was still mired in his past. It weighed him down with its associations to things from another life, among them his old band, dance-punk act Ima Robot. According to Ebert, choosing to adopt the new name was actually an avenue back toward himself, rather than an effort to become someone else.Led by a newly motivated Ebert, he collective of musicians that would become Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros came together in a remarkably organic way- everyone seemed to coincidentally know one another or to be separated by only a few degrees. That natural dynamic quickly propelled them into a year-and-a-half long recording endeavor that bore the band's breakout debut "Up From Below," in which nearly all the current members participated. The recording session took place in the Laurel Canyon home studio of Nico Agliette, an old friend of Ebert's who now plays guitar in the band and helmed production on the album (along with bassist Aaron Older and Ebert himself.) The communal writing and recording process, in stark contrast to Ebert's prior M.O. of writing and recording demos while isolated in his apartment, had a profound, bonding effect on the group.Three months into the recording session, the band took the stage at The Troubadour in their hometown of Los Angeles to play their first show. Something special happened during that virgin performance, and Ebert recalls feeling like the band was definitely on to something. Sure enough, just a few short years later, the initial buzz about Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros has risen to a fever pitch, carrying along with it the adoration of fans from around the world, and a steady showering of accolades from the press.--Edward Sharpe and the Magnectic ZerosBoulder TheaterTuesday, March 20th, 2012

Channel 93.3 is proud to present Social Distortion at the Boulder Theater on Thursday, May 10th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday January 20th for $35 General Admission.NEW ALBUM “Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes” is out now!  Social Distortion hit the road with new album and old feel!  Tickets on sale this Friday, January 20th!Now in their fourth decade, Ness and Social Distortion have officially done one of the most non-punk things possible: They've failed to burn out.  Mixing Springsteen’s factory-overalls ethic with Southern California punk energy and black leather, Social Distortion formed with Ness and high school buddy, the late Dennis Danell, in the late 1970s; the group broke in 1983 with the thrashing plate of punk and displeasure "Mommy's Little Monster." Their 1988 follow-up, "Prison Bound," hinted at a sonic change to come, and by the band's self-titled 1990 record and 1992's "Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell," their sound had solidified into the instantly recognizable brand of rock n’ roll that's defined them since.For Hard Times, Social Distortion consists of Ness and longtime guitarist Jonny Wickersham, along with bassist Brent Harding and drummer David Hidalgo, Jr.These days the band is rarely off the road for long, and continues to grip fans who have been around since "Mommy's Little Monster" while drawing new ones who discover the band through hand-shot YouTube clips. "I see people bringing their kids to shows," Ness says. "And I see kids bringing their parents."Social Distortion is a mix of potent power, appeal across all age brackets and a genuine satisfaction at reaching as many people as they have. "I write songs for myself, and I hope that other people will like them too," Ness says. "I think every record you make is showing people what you've learned over the past few years. It's showing people, 'This is what I know.'"-

Social Distortion

w/ Toadies & Lindi Ortega

Boulder Theater

Thursday, May 10th

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm 

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment is proud to present the BoDeans at the Boulder Theater on  Friday, June 1st, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $27.50 in advance & $30.00 the day of the show.Twenty five years after their T-Bone Burnett produced debut Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams led them to win a Rolling Stone reader's poll as "Best New American Band," The BoDeans are still rocking and harmonizing gracefully, touring the U.S. regularly and exposing the kids of their longtime steadfast fans to real, heartfelt and trend-free music. Best known for their mid-90's Billboard Top 20 hit anthem "Closer To Free," which became the theme song for Fox's "Party Of Five," Kurt Neumann (vocals and electric guitar) is still focused on, "writing songs that bring good things to the world." The new album, Indigo Dreams, is a salute to the working man – his dreams, his desires, his love, his responsibilities, his ethos.For the BoDeans, the fact that their music was never easily pigeonholed into a specific genre or style was more a strength than a problem as their career developed. They followed their debut with Outside Looking In (1987), Home (1989), Black and White (1991), and Go Slow Down (1993), which featured "Closer To Free" which became a massive pop and adult contemporary hit when the world heard it every week via "Party of Five."A few years after the release of the 17-song compilation The Best of BoDeans – Slash and Burn in 2001, they returned to studio recording with Resolution (2004) and then a live album and subsequent DVD called Homebrewed: Live From The Pabst (2005). Still was released in 2008, Mr. Sad Clown in 2010.Neumann sees the enduring success of the BoDeans as a byproduct of making music that creates a special connection to moments in people's lives. "It's not always this dramatic," he says, "but we do hear of stories where people are ill or dying and our songs give them a sense of joy and hope. It's always wonderful to be important to people's lives. We also saw this YouTube clip of two kids in car seats singing one of our songs on a family road trip. Their parents are playing our songs and we are a part of their world in that moment. I want to know someday that I've brought good things into this world, and this kind of fan response confirms that we have been able to do this."-

BoDeans

Boulder Theater

Friday, June 1st, 2012Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm 

KGNU & Z2 Entertainment is proud to present the Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 at the Boulder Theater on  Thursday, March 29th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $18.00 in advance & $20.00 the day of the show.With the mighty new album, From Africa With Fury: Rise, Seun Anikulapo, Kuti returns with his hybrid of Afrobeat touchstones and contemporary cues. As with his previous efforts, Seun heads up Egypt 80, the extraordinary combo first fronted by his renowned father.  The album follows Kuti’s critically praised debut, 2008’s Many Things, which was unanimously hailed for continuing Fela’s musical legacy. From Africa With Fury: Rise sees Kuti finding his own idiosyncratic voice as songwriter, singer, and band leader, its songs and sonic approach marked by provocative edge and mature self-assurance.Produced by Brian Eno, John Reynolds, and Kuti, with additional production by Godwin Logie, and mixed by John Reynolds and Tim Oliver, the album captures Seun and Egypt 80’s extraordinary power, fraught with the scorching rhythms and kinetic funk energy that has earned the band – as ever, under the leadership of alto saxophonist Lekan Animashaun – worldwide acclaim as one of today’s most incendiary live acts.  With Kuti’s booming vocal stylings at the forefront, songs like “African Soldiers” and “Mr. Big Thief” are fueled by call-and-response hooks, breakneck tempos, and combative, topical lyricism which firmly sets the classic Egypt 80 sound in the modern era.“I wanted to do something completely different,” Kuti says.  “Not different by trying to be American or European with my sound, just trying to make a very different album from my last album.  My last album, it was my first time in control, I was not as confident as in saying what I wanted.  This time, I said, ‘Okay, I can be more confident in how I express myself, I can say what I want, be as complex as I want.’”Seun Kuti is determined to speak to the new generation of young Africans born after his father’s glory days.  If he learned but one lesson from Fela, it is that that no one has greater impact on hearts and mind than the true artist.  As such, the powerhouse protest music found on From Africa With Fury: Riseserves as a kind of musical antidote to the corporate pop that he feels is polluting Africa’s airwaves, distracting its citizens from the things that truly matter.“Music has great impact on people’s feelings,” Kuti says.  “That’s what music should be.  Pop music today is all about me, me, me.  Nobody is singing about we.  But nothing can change if we don’t look out for our brothers and sisters.”-

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80

Boulder Theater

Thursday, March 29th,s 2012Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Boulder Weekly & Z2 Entertainment are proud to presents The Greyboy Allstars featuring Fred Wesley performing “West Coast Boogaloo” at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, March 31^st, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, February 3^rd at 10:00am for $25.00 general admission & $30.00 the day of the show.

When The Greyboy Allstars first formed almost 15 years ago, some of the West Coast’s visionary young musicians came together to realize the unique artistic vision of rare groove luminary DJ Greyboy:  an original sound reminiscent of ‘70’s soundtrack music.  “What Happened to Television?,” the group’s first studio album in nearly a decade, finds them reunited with DJ Greyboy, whose role as producer marks his first collaboration with the band since their seminal 1995 breakthrough “West Coast Boogaloo.”

The Greyboy Allstars team up with Fred Wesley, trombonist, composer, arranger, bandleader and author, to perform “West Coast Boogaloo” in its entirey at the Boulder Theater.  These funk masters of jazz fusion will hit the stage with full force & blow the socks off anyone within range!!  Don’t miss this show!

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The Greyboy Allstars ft. Fred Wesley performing "West Coast Boogaloo"

Boulder Theater

KGNU & Z2 Entertainment are proud to presents Explosions In The Sky at the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, April 5th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, February 10th at 10:00am for $20.00 general admission & $22.50 the day of the show.In February 1999, three longtime friends from West Texas went to a pizza place in Austin, Texas, for aprearranged meeting with a young man from Illinois. The Illinoisan had just moved to Austin, and he hadput up a flyer that caught the interest of the others. They ate pizza and discussed movies and arcana.They also decided to meet the next day with their various instruments (two guitars, bass, and drums).This happened, and over the coming months they picked a band name, then picked a better band name, then wrote and recorded an album. That album, called How Strange, Innocence, was largely out of tune, but the band members didn't really notice at the time. They optimistically printed 300 copies, and gave most of them away. It turned out they really liked playing together, so they kept doing so. A friend oftheirs sent a recording of one of their live shows to a record label in Baltimore, and that label offered toput out albums for the band. The band agreed. A year later they put out a second album (Those WhoTell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever). They began to tour often, all overthe world. In 2003 another album came (The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place), and in 2007 they put outtheir most recent, All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone. They are shocked to see that their 10-year anniversary is on the horizon.-Explosions In The SkyBoulder TheaterWednesday, April 5th, 2012

KGNU & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Trampled by Turtles at the Boulder Theater on Thursday, May 17th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, February 10th at 10:00am for $25.00 general admission & $28.00 the day of the show.

On April 10 Thirty Tigers/RED will release Trampled by Turtles’ highly anticipated album Stars and Satellites. The band’s 2010 release Palomino (Thirty Tigers) garnered critical acclaim from NPR Music who praised both the band’s “impeccable dexterity” and “charm and melody to the songs.” AOL Spinner called the record “hard-charging music…infectiously raucous,” while Paste Magazine admired the band’s “punk ethos” as well as “virtuosity and energy” while naming the band as one of the Top 25 Live Acts of 2011. The band will support the new album with a North American tour this spring.

Since forming in Duluth, Minnesota in 2003, Trampled by Turtles always felt they were able to attain an energy on stage that can’t be found in the studio. They were so comfortable playing on the road that they treated their previous albums’ recording processes like tours. For Stars and Satellites, however, Trampled by Turtles didn’t want to simply try to recreate a live show. “We wanted to make a record that breathes,” explains Dave Simonett (guitar/vocals), “musically we wanted to step out of our comfort zone.” “This record is all about going inward,” Erik Berry (mandolin, vocals) adds, “building a focused bond as players and friends, and bringing a different mindset to the sounds Trampled by Turtles can make.” With the help of engineer Tom Herbers (Low, Jayhawks) the band moved into “Soleil Pines,” a log home outside of Duluth, to record. “You know how sometimes they say ‘less is more,’” notes Berry, “that’s what Stars and Satellites is about.“

Trampled by Turtles is Dave Simonett, Tim Saxhaug (bass, vocals), Dave Carroll (banjo, vocals), Erik Berry and Ryan Young (fiddle). Within the contained music scene of Duluth, the members of the band did their own time in punk and rock bands, brandishing their electricity proudly before switching to acoustic instruments. While they never set out to be a “bluegrass” band, Trampled by Turtles employs many of the same traditional techniques of the genre, but their differences in influences, attitude and attack make for their unique sound.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present All We Are Saying:  Bill Frisell Explores the Music of John Lennon at the Boulder Theater on Friday, June 23rd, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, February 10th at 10:00am for $20.00 general admission, $30 reserved & $40 gold circle.All We Are Saying has long been in the works - one could say as far back as the first time Bill heard the Beatles at the age of 13. Says Frisell, "John Lennon's music has been with me, the band, everybody, the world...seems like forever. The songs are part of us. In our blood. There was nothing we really needed to do to prepare for this. We've been preparing our whole lives.”Songs featured on the CD include: "Across the Universe," "Revolution," "Nowhere Man,""Imagine," "Please Please Me," "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away," "Hold On," "In My Life," "Come Together," "Julia, Woman," "# 9 Dream," "Love," "Beautiful Boy," "Mother," and "Give Peace a Chance." For more information, please visit www.billfrisell.com-

All We Are Saying:  Bill Frisell Explores The Music of John Lennon

Boulder Theater

Friday, June 23rd, 2012

Doors: 7:00 pm | Show: 8:00 pm 

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Gogol Bordello at the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, March 7th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, February 16th at 10:00am for $35.00 general admission.The irresistible, anthemic "Pala Tute," explains Hutz, is "derivative of a very old gypsy song that I heard from my relatives. It sounds like a song you would hear at any pomping gypsy party, but it's not. I wrote that song and completed that song and made it what it is. Every gypsy traditionally has ambition to write a song that's going to eventually be an anonymous song: No one is going to know the fucking name of who wrote the song, it's just so good that everybody sings it. So that's my shot at it, making an addition to the standards. And guess what -- 'Pala Tute' already is performed by gypsies in Turkey, Brazil and Serbia!"Anonymity clearly won't be an issue for Gogol Bordello any time soon. With Trans-Continental Hustle, the party-starting group will be encouraging and inciting even more of the world to passionately sing along.-

Gogol Bordello

Boulder Theater

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show: 8:00 pm

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Julian Marley and the Uprising at the Boulder Theater on Friday, March 23rd, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, February 17th at 10:00am for $20.00 in advance and $22.50 day of show.Julian Marley has been around music all his life. Born in London in 1975, he has been blessed both by his father's great talent and legacy and by the unique perspective that comes with an upbringing in a multicultural community.Since recording his first song at age five at the Marley family home in Kingston, Julian has become a skillful, self-taught musician, mastering the bass, drums, and keyboards. In 1989 he released his first album, titled "Uprising" -- also the name of his new band. He moved to Jamaica in 1992 and began to work with such reggae veterans as Aston "Family Man" Barrett, Earl "Wire" Lindo, Tyrone Downie and Earl "Chinna" Smith. His most recent release, "Lion in the Morning", is the culmination of his musical development to date, a conscious effort that reflects his growing maturity and musical sophistication.Collaborating on the album with Julian was the Ghetto Youths International production team founded by siblings Stephen and Ziggy. The family connection goes further: it was recorded at the newly renovated Marley Music studio at Hope Road in Kingston, the studio where his father created some of his most important and well-known work. While clearly reflecting his roots and heritage, the album is his however his own testament. A veteran performer despite his youth, Julian has performed at Jamaica's Sumfest and Sunsplash shows, and has toured in Japan, Brazil and Mexico. He and brother Damian were also featured as part of the "Marley Magic" North American tour in 1996.His current tour will include shows throughout the United States. Catch this young Lion now at a venue near you.-

Julian Marley And The Uprising

Boulder Theater

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Doors:  8:00 pm | Show:  9:00 pm

106.7 KBPI & Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Clutch and HellYeah at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, April 29th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, February 24th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $29.50 in advance and $33.00 day of show.Maryland rockers CLUTCH are teaming up with HELLYEAH for a North American Co-Headlining Tour this Spring. Both bands will play full headlining sets. The tour kicks off April 13th in Providence, RI and runs through May 11th in Joliet, IL.  Throughout the tour there will also be dates that feature Clutch only and Hellyeah only as well as radio festivals and shows.  A list of complete dates can be found below.Hard rock supergroup HELLYEAH is touring in support of their new album Band of Brothers which is scheduled for a June 5th release in North America. The album, the band’s first effort for their new label home, Eleven Seven Music, was recorded in Dallas at drummer Vinnie Paul’s home studio, VP’s Upstairs Studio, and was produced by the band and Jeremy Parker (Godsmack, Evanessence), who also served as engineer.Having produced track after track of heavy-hitting, in-your-face, feel good rock and roll on their previous two albums (2010’s STAMPEDE and 2007’s self-titled debut), Band of Brothers sees HELLYEAH taking a slightly different musical direction. Drawing on their former bands’ collective metal roots for inspiration, the influences and style of Mudvayne, Pantera, Damageplan and Nothingface are immediately recognizable. More information regarding Hellyeah’s highly anticipated new album can be found HERE.CLUTCH is hitting the road in support of their double vinyl edition of Blast Tyrant which is being released February 28th via Weathermaker Music.  This 180+ gram expanded vinyl contains 16 songs and includes six mini-posters taken straight from Blast Tyrant’s "Atlas of the Invisible World".   Each illustrated poster is sized (8.5" x 11") and depicts one of the various characters featured within the Blast Tyrant storyline.  Prior to February 28th, the double vinyl edition of Blast Tyrant is exclusively available via www.Clutchmerch.com.  CLUTCH will also be releasing a picture disc single of the new track “Pigtown Blues” on April 24th.  This is the first new studio material from CLUTCH since 2009’s Strange Cousins From the West.-

CLUTCH & HELLYEAH

Boulder TheaterSaturday, April 29th, 2012Doors:  6:30 pm Show:  7:15 pm 

Colorado’s Octopus Nebula has recently opened up on the scene, impressing audiences far and wide with their new style of music that blends elements of electronic, ambient, downtemps, breakbeat, rock, acid jazz, and ethereal grooves.Originally formed in 2004, the current incarnation coalesced in 2008 and consists of Fleeb Thomas on bass, Robin Bloch on guitar, John Safarik on keys, and Dan Raasch on drums. These musicians have come together not only to inspire the dance floor (which they do on a regular basis), but also to spread positive vibrations through music.The rise of Octopus Nebula has been swift and complete, as was evidenced at the first show they ever played together, a sold-out gig at Colorado’s famous Mishawaka Amphitheater with musical icons from across the pond, Shpongle and Ott. In addition to these two major names, Octopus Nebula has shared the stage with such heavy-hitters as the Disco Biscuits, Random Rab, Bluetech, Lotus, David Murphy (of STS9), Ana Sia, Eskmo, Boombox, Signal Path, EOTO, and RJD2.Currently laying out the textured psychedelic grooves for their first album, Octopus Nebula shuns the formulaic in favor of a purely original sound, a gamble that has paid off in the long run for this talented quartet. The music refuses to be classified and, as a result, gives the sense that the members of Octopus Nebula are truly breaking new ground.Heyoka:  Heyoka AKA Andrei Olenev is a cosmic auditory scientist found in the Bay Area noosphere, who has been blowing minds with his sonic manipulations.
Muti Music first released Heyoka’s “Space Case EP” in 2008 and included him on their growing roster of talented artists. His albums ‘Whomp Gland & Pineal Dub’, ‘Gate Code’ and the all new ‘Marklar’ album in 2010 have shown that he is a producer consistently evolving his musical style while managing to maintain a signature sound that is distinctively ‘Heyoka’.His early influences in Downtempo, Dub and IDM combined with midtempo dancefloor genres have helped create a very unique sound that combines relentless basslines, hip hop rhythms, dub vibes, and musicality and melody, all within an atmosphere of heavy psychedelia and alien dimensions.The response to his emergence so far has been overwhelming with Heyoka developing audiences and playing festivals from US to Canada and Australia. For a mind bending experience in dub inspired Glitch Hop, keep your ear to the ground for Heyoka playing a city or festival near you.-

• Boulder Theater
• Price: $10 adv | $13 day of show
• Doors: 8:30 PM
• Show: 9:00 PM
• Age Policy: All Ages
• Sale Starts:03/09/12

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present an evening with Collective Soul performing from the album, “Dosage,” and other fan favorites at the Boulder Theater on  Wednesday, June 20th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, February 24th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $29.50 in advance and $32.50 day of show.This spring, the chart-topping rock band Collective Soul will begin a national U.S. tour to give concertgoers a much-anticipated treat: they will perform their 1999 platinum album Dosage in its entirety, a fan-favorite that includes major hits like “Heavy”, “Run”, and “Tremble For My Beloved” (which was featured in the Twilight movie and soundtrack, introducing the band to a younger generation of listeners).The tour is billed as “An Evening With Collective Soul”, and the band plans to make each night unforgettable. In addition to Dosage, they will perform other songs from a catalog that has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and produced seven #1 radio hits during their nearly 20-year career. Those in attendance can expect to hear “Shine”, “December”, “The World I Know”, “Where The River Flows”, and many others.Perhaps most notably, the band will also premiere some new, never-heard-before tunes that will be included in their forthcoming studio album, which they plan to release in the near future.

TheBluesMobile.com, 97.3 KBCO, Daily Camera & Colorado Daily are proud to present the 2nd Annual Boulder Roots & Blues Summit at the Fox Theatre & Boulder Theater Friday, May 18th through Saturday, May 19th.After a much anticipated success of the first year, the Boulder Roots & Blues Summit is bringing Boulder another great line up of Roots & Blues greatest artists for two days between two nationally renowned venues.  The initial line up are just a few of the award winning artists that will take the stage for the second annual Boulder Roots & Blues Summit, May 18-19, in historic Boulder, Colorado. Be sure to join us at the Boulder Theater each day for the early shows, and then move to the Fox Theatre for the late-night shows.The initial lineup is as follows:Friday, May 18:Taj Mahal w/ Special Guest at the Boulder TheaterDoors:  6:00 PMShow:   7:00 PMSaturday, May 19:Keb’ Mo’ w/ Special Guest at the Boulder TheaterDoors:  6:00 PMShow:  7:00 PMAnders Osborne w/ Special Guest at the Fox TheatreDoors:  9:30 PMShow:  10:30 PM

Bob Weir, Chris Robinson, and Jackie Greene have decided to embark on a very special journey together, and will no doubt be a treat for anyone lucky enough to catch this once in a lifetime performance.

With a touring history that has made him one of the most traveled road musicians of all time and a restless music personality that has kept him occupied for over 50 years, Weir knows a thing or two about staying fresh and living in the moment.

Although best known as one of the founding members of the Grateful Dead, adding Dead staples such as “Truckin’,” “Sugar Magnolia,” and “Cassidy” to the band’s catalog, Weir has sustained a long and affluent music career that is second to none, and has allowed him to do what he loves and share it with others for nearly his entire life.

Chris Robinson is a founding member and the singer of The Black Crowes since their multi-platinum debut “Shake Your MoneyMaker” in 1990. In 2010, the band celebrated their 20 year anniversary.

Robinson's first solo act, “New Earth Mud,” released their self titled debut in 2002 garnering rave reviews from both critics and fans. Their second album, “This Magnificent Distance” was released in 2004.

The newly formed Chris Robinson Brotherhood was launched in 2011 and has earned a reputation for playing remarkably inspired sets across the country. The Chris Robinson Brotherhood will release their debut recording in 2012.

In a short span of time, Jackie Greene has accomplished what many have strived decades for. Armed with a voice that turns heads and a near-mastery of several instruments, Greene has recorded seven albums of original work, an EP, DVD, and a recently released book of lyrics.

Constantly touring with his band, Jackie Greene has built a reputation for eclectic and energetic live shows, earning the respect of critics and musicians across the country. Dubbed “The Prince Of Americana” by The New York Times, Greene continues to enhance his reputation with his involvement in high profile side projects such as Phil Lesh and Friends and Trigger Hippy.

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present an intimate evening with Trevor Hall with music, stories & inspiration at the Boulder Theater on  Friday, May 11th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, March 23rd,  2012 at 10:00 am for $17.50 General Admission seating and $23.50 Reserved seating.If Trevor Hall’s 2009 self-titled Vanguard Records debut represented the young musician’s struggle with finding himself, his follow-up, Everything Everytime Everywhere (August 23rd) is a courageous affirmation that he has become the man he had been seeking. The warm linearity of his prior work gives way to a mature artist hitting his stride, an image that persists throughout this body of work, from the easy reggae slide of the opening “The Return” and the anthemic “Brand New Day” straight through to the momentous closing track, “The Mountain.” Hall’s signature blend of catchy pop/rock songs infused with tasteful shades of reggae has made this diverse 24-year-old one of the most lauded up-and-coming musicians on the American music scene.“With the last album, I was exploring more,” Hall says from his Southern California home. “I was going through a struggle with myself, and all that grittiness came out. With this one I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I had much greater conviction.”While on Trevor Hall, the singer wove Sanskrit chants into pop- and rock-laced songs, he now feels that the underlying themes of devotion and community remain while he focuses less on making them feel so apparent—he never sacrifices his music for a message. Rather, his music is the message. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the upbeat “Brand New Day,” in which he confidently casts aside his former self to welcome new possibilities.While Hall spends his days listening to Indian devotional music and Golden Era reggae from the 1960s and ‘70s, his music is modern and immediately recognizable. The eleven tracks on Everything Everytime Everywhere are guitar-driven gems that fit right at home in the catalog of his influences. Created with a host of incredible musicians, including longtime Matisyahu guitarist Aaron Dugan, bass player Brian Lang and drummer Aaron Sterling, Hall’s stellar guitar playing and distinctive voice is backed by a crew of sonic experts.Like the events in his life, each song is a complete journey itself. The ska- and calypso-influenced “Different Hunger” was inspired after touring with the legendary Jimmy Cliff, while “The Return,” a smooth and relaxed percussion-filled track reminiscent of Jack Johnson’s early work, represents getting back to his own divinity—yet in no rush to arrive. Then there’s the playful “Dr. Seuss,” the album’s most driving track, which Hall co-wrote with producer Jimmy Messer.  “I walked in one day and he had this beat going,” Hall says. “It was awesome, and I said we had to come hard lyrically on this. That became the first line of the song. Then I realized that so many people come hard with their attitude, and never step back and enjoy the variety that exists in life. So while I was developing this theme, Jimmy said he had read Dr. Seuss to his son that morning, and that became the theme to the song: not worrying about what’s better than another, but enjoying the variety of life.”Beyond his years in sound and maturity, Trevor Hall has accomplished what great musicians do when presented with such circumstances: he created lasting art to inspire and comfort others. Everything Everytime Everywhere is the testament of an inner warrior trying to lift himself and those around him out of the everyday maladies that plague our lives. There are songs to fall asleep to, songs to wake up by, and songs to feel good about yourself. They encapsulate life and make you a part of Trevor Hall’s world, while his music becomes part of yours.-

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH TREVOR HALL:  Music, Stories & Inspiration

Boulder Theater

Friday, May 11th, 2012Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present David Grisman Bluegrass Experience at the Boulder Theater on  Friday, July 13th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, March 30th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $30.00 in advance and $32.50 day of show.For the past few years, one of the best-kept secrets of the Bay Area music scene was a David Grisman Bluegrass Experience show. With lines stretching for blocks, it would be standing room only to hear this amazing band.The band includes Keith Little (Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton, the Country Gentlemen) on 5-string banjo, guitar and vocals, Jim Nunally (John Reischman & the Jaybirds) on guitar and vocals, Chad Manning on fiddle, Samson Grisman on bass and of course, David Grisman on mandolin and vocals.David Grisman has always been a pioneer. He has deeply influenced several generations of musicians through his own musical explorations, and with the continuing success of Acoustic Disc, has helped make artist-owned independent labels a viable force in the modern music business.-

DAVID GRISMAN BLUEGRASS EXPERIENCE

Boulder Theater

Friday, July 13th, 2012Doors:  7:30 pmShow:  8:30 pm

KGNU and the Boulder Weekly proudly present the 20th annual Microbreweries for the Environment benefit on Friday, April 27 at The Boulder Theater.  Since 1993, the Microbreweries for the Environment benefit has raised over $130,000 for local environmental causes.  The proceeds from this year's benefit will further the environmental initiatives of six local non-profit organizations: CU Environmental Center, Boulder Food Rescue, Tiyospaye Winyan Maka, The Koru Foundation, Communikey, and Colorado Ocean Coalition. Twenty Colorado microbreweries serve their best beers for only $2/pint.  Admission includes a commemorative pint glass.  Participants can opt to purchase a sampler glass for $12 to partake in unlimited tastings. Participating breweries are:  Asher Brewing Company, Aspen Brewing Company, Avery Brewing Company, Boulder Beer Company, Breckenridge Brewery, Bristol Brewing Company, Crabtree Brewing Company, Dillon DAM Brewery, Fort Collins Brewery, Great Divide Brewing Company, Left Hand Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewing Co., New Planet Beer Company, Odell Brewing Company, Oskar Blues Brewery, Renegade Brewing Company, Shine Brewing Co, Ska Brewing, Twisted Pine Brewery, Upslope Brewing Company.The evening's entertainment features country-disco (Cris-Co), roots-rock, booty-shakin' jam-tastic, folksy Americana music by Grant Farm, with very special guests Keith Moseley and Billy Nershi, and support acts The Mile Markers and The Drunken Hearts.The benefit is a zero-waste and carbon-neutral event.  We encourage people to walk, bike, or bus to the event.  Doors open and beer tasting starts at 8:00pm, and music will run to 1:00am.  Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 the day of show.

The Travelin McCourys are the latest incarnation of the most awarded band in the history of bluegrass – The Del McCoury Band. Keller Williams is known as one of the most innovative solo singer/songwriters of this generation. What happens when the two join forces? The live stage may never be the same. Brought together by equal parts mutual admiration and the desire to change the musical landscape while staying true to their roots, The Travelin’ McCourys and Keller Williams are a perfect – albeit unexpected – fit. The two have a lot in common after all: Their high energy, ever evolving live shows, their individual playing prowess and their strong and unique song writing skills. Fans are most used to seeing Keller sans a band – just him and a guitar with or without his signature live looping technique. For The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams, fans will see Keller playing his music with one of the best live bands on the touring circuit. McCoury fans, used to seeing the boys tour with Del in the lead, will now get to see them playing their songs with Keller on guitar. It’s a perfect marriage of instrumental virtuosos, memorable songwriting, infectious musical camaraderie, and undeniable energy. And with both acts known to bring epic and spontaneous live collaborations to theaters and festivals across American – The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams will take this collaborative spirit one step further, promising to bring something fresh and unexpected to the live stage.

2 Entertainment is proud to present Grammy winner, Esperanza Spalding’s Radio Music Society tour at the Boulder Theater on Tuesday September 25th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, April 20th at 10:00am for $40.00 general admission & reserved balcony, $65 reserved & $75 gold circle.It has not taken Esperanza Spalding long to emerge as one of the brightest lights in the musical world.  Listeners familiar with her stunning 2008 Heads Up International debut, Esperanza, and her best-selling 2010 release Chamber Music Society, were well aware that the young bassist, vocalist and composer from Portland, Oregon was the real deal, with a unique and style-spanning presence, deeply rooted in jazz yet destined to make her mark far beyond the jazz realm.  That judgment was confirmed on February 13, 2011, when Spalding became the first jazz musician to receive the GRAMMY® Award for Best New Artist.  On 20th March, 2012, Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group, gives us Spalding's latest release, Radio Music Society, her most diverse, ambitious and masterful recital yet. Each of the 12 songs are accompanied by conceptual music videos, which further express Esperanza’s inspiration and story behind each track. Shot in various locations including New York City; Barcelona, Spain; and Portland, Oregon; all videos will be available to purchasers of Radio Music Society as a digital download or a DVD on the deluxe version.Radio Music Society is a companion, rather than a sequel, to Spalding’s previous disc, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart.  “Originally I thought it would be fun to release a double album,” she explains, “One disc with an intimate, subtle exploration of chamber works and a second one in which jazz musicians explore song forms and melodies that are formatted more along the lines of what we would categorize as “pop songs.”  Those are the two things that really interest me, and it intrigues me to think about different presentation approaches while writing each kind of song.  On the pop song side, I think about listeners who aren’t into jazz, but I also think about the people within my musical community who can interpret each idea best.”

After a much anticipated success of the first year, the Boulder Roots & Blues Summit is bringing Boulder another great line up of Roots & Blues greatest artists for two days between two nationally renowned venues.  The second annual Boulder Roots & Blues Summit will take place May 18th and 19th, in historic Boulder, Colorado. Be sure to join us at the Boulder Theater each day for the early shows, and then move to the Fox Theatre for the late-night shows.The lineup is as follows:Friday, May 18: Taj Mahal Trio w/ Steady Rollin Bob Margolin Blues Band & Fredericks Brown ft.  Deva Mahal at the Boulder TheaterDoors:  6:00 PMShow:   7:00 PMTickets:  $35 General Admission |$45 Reserved | $65 Gold Circle Ladies of the Blues at the Fox TheatreFt. Treasa Levasseur, Fredericks Brown & Hope WaitsDoors:  9:30 PMShow:  10:00 PMTickets: $10 Advance | $14 Day of ShowLadies Night! Ladies get in FREE!!21+Saturday, May 19:Keb’ Mo’ w/ VERY Special Guest at the Boulder TheaterDoors:  6:00 PMShow:  7:00 PMTickets:  $30 General Admission | $40 Reserved | $50 Gold CircleAnders Osborne w/ Musketeer Gripweed at the Fox TheatreDoors:  9:30 PMShow:  10:30 PMTickets:  $15 Advance | $17 Day of ShowSTAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO!

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Victor Wooten Band with Special Guest at the Boulder Theater on Thursday, July 12th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, April 27th at 10:00am for $23.00 advance & $27.00 the day of the show. Victor has been touring with his own band since 1997 in various forms and formats all over the globe.

Four-time Grammy award-winning musician, performer and teacher Victor Lemonte Wooten has added author and philosopher to his portfolio with the release of his first book The Music Lesson. Using music to teach life's lessons, Victor takes the reader on a journey of learning and discovery. Throughout 2007 and 2008 Victor will be taking "The Music Lesson" on the road via his concerts, workshops, book signings and more.

During The Music Lesson Workshop, Victor will introduce students to a different but natural approach to music. He will explain many of the concepts from his book that can not only be applied to music but also to every day life. Recognizing a gap in standard music instruction, Victor developed a radical approach that looks at music as a language which helps us experience it from “the inside out” rather than “the outside in” -- which is the typical approach of beginning with notes, technique and theory. Victor gets to the heart of music, getting students in touch with their emotions to first feel the music within themselves, thereby facilitating the students’ understanding that they themselves make the music and that the instrument is just a tool. By directing focus on these aspects, a student can sound like a professional musician in a matter of minutes rather than years. Victor teaches that music can be taught much like a first language is taught in the home, by living it first, learning techniques and theory later and by removing much of the attention focused on the instrument itself. This allows the student to have a more natural and enjoyable musical experience. Students come away with not only a different way to approach music, but a way that can also enhance their life.

The Music Lesson Workshop will be available to art centers and other venues in conjunction with a public performance. Tailored to each venue’s specific needs, this workshop can be adjusted for all age groups, from elementary through adult and can vary in length from 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on age level and schedule. The workshop will include lecture as described above, demonstrations, student participation, and ending with a question and answer session. When the situation allows, some students may even have a chance to play with Victor’s band. 2

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Richard Thompson to the Boulder Theater on Saturday, June 16th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, May 4th at 10:00am for $22.50 general admission, $30 reserved & $40 gold circle.Richard Thompson is a critically acclaimed, prolific songwriter (Ivor Novello Award), recipient of BBC's Lifetime Achievement Award and was named one of Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 20 Guitarists of All Time for his acoustic and electric virtuosity. Robert Plant, REM, Elvis Costello, Los Lobos, David Byrne, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, and many others have recorded his work. Consistently extolled as a dazzling live performer, Thompson's live-tour CD Dream Attic received a 2011 Grammy nod.In 2010 Thompson was appointed Artistic Director of London's prestigious Meltdown Festival at South Bank Centre, received the Mojo Les Paul Award, and for his service to music - was named on the Queen's 2011 New Year Honours List as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).-

Richard Thompson

Boulder Theater

Saturday, June 16th, 2012

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Big K.R.I.T. at the Boulder Theater on Thursday, July 19th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, May 14th , 2012 at 10:00 am for $18.00 in advance and $20.00 day of show.It is rare to find an artist who has both age and wisdom on his side. At just 24 years-old, Big K.R.I.T. possesses the musical intuition of an old soul. Hailing from Meridian, Mississippi, K.R.I.T. (born Justin Scott) grew up listening to early rhythm and blues records in his Grandmother’s house and later went on to discover songs by revered soul artists like Curtis Mayfield, Willie Hutch and Bobby Womack. It’s easy to detect these artists and rap legends who have influenced the young MC like 8Ball & MJG, UGK, Scarface and OutKast in K.R.I.T.’s own music which masterfully resurrects the rich heritage of Southern hip-hop in the 1990’s.“I’m reintroducing a type of sound from the South that a lot of the newer generation doesn’t know about and reminding the older generation of what Southern hip-hop used to sound like,” explains K.R.I.T., whose stage name is an acronym for King Remembered In Time. “I was influenced by the third coast as far as Texas, Tennessee, and Atlanta so I was really trying to put all those sounds that I grew up listening to together to make a sound for myself.”Big K.R.I.T. is the sole producer of his Cinematic/Def Jam Records debut album, Live From The Underground which serves as a testament to his multifaceted musical talent and overall artistic vision. His major label debut is being released on the heels of two critically acclaimed independent releases, K.R.I.T. Wuz Here (2010) and returnof4eva (2011) which featured Ludacris, David Banner and Bun B. In addition to receiving starred reviews from Pitchfork and Complex, K.R.I.T.’s growing popularity earned him a spot on the cover of XXL’s Freshman cover in February of 2011 placing him amongst the industry’s most promising newcomers.“I feel like it’s extremely important that people get to know me on a personal level through my music,” says K.R.I.T. “This is my canvas, it’s my art and I’m really trying to paint pictures the way I see them. I’m creating compositions and not relying so much on 808s and snares. I’m really trying to make timeless music.”Confident with where he is as a man and an artist, Big K.R.I.T. is dedicated to creating songs for fans of the music he grew up loving. “I’m forever underground,” he says. “Underground for me is about being more for the people. I’m comfortable with where I’m at in my life and the music that I make. With this album, I really sat down as a producer and as an artist and constructed the best beats possible and came up with the best content possible. It just happens to be underground.”

BIG K.R.I.T

Boulder Theater

Thursday, July 19th, 2012Doors:  8:30 pm | Show:  9:00 pm 

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Lucero at the Boulder Theater on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, May 11th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $22.00 General Admission.

On the heels of their highest charting album, Lucero has sold out virtually all of their spring tour shows to date from Louisville to San Diego and beyond. Remaining tour dates below and posted here.

Upon release, Lucero's new LP 'Women & Work' reached the Top 20 in three separate Billboard charts, the mag called it "Lucero's tightest, most focused album yet," and the group appeared on the cover of the Memphis Flyer. Just this week, Esquire named the title track "the year's best ode to overconsumption" and the group performed for KEXP. Check out the Memphis Flyer cover story here.

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LUCERO

Boulder Theater

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Thurston Moore Band to the Boulder Theater on  Wednesday, June 27th , 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, May 11th , 2012 at 10:00 am for $15.00 in advance and $17.00 day of show.Thurston Moore first saw Beck way back in the early 90s when Beck was mowing lawns with an amplified hand-push ill-blade mower at a backyard BBQ on Toul Avenue in Westwood L.A., a coconut’s throw from the 405 freeway. Beck only sang a couple of songs, both about TV destruction and toxic inhalants, before he lifted a German Shepherd over his head and threw it into the crowd. I was from NYC and had never seen a real live canine fly before but I caught the beast and he licked my forehead and whispered into my ear, “Beck’s a good dude, wait until he grows into the #1 sweater anti-surf rider of Malibu and let him read your mind.”Cut to the late summer of 2010 and sitting with Beck on his back porch where I’m slowly eating a pack of basted tobacco Darks n’ Blues with honey-raw crèmes and Beck looks up from the pools of silver-jello burbling around his open-toed snoopz and exclaims, “yes. Thurston. i. will. Produce. Yr. record.” So I fly out with a paper lunchbag of tunes all written over a 2 year period of time moving between a movie screen displaying the tone-poem cinema of Robert Bresson and a cathode ray emitting the sex-diary investigations of Catherine Breillat.During a nine day span, Thurston Moore played Beck all nine songs in his bag of tricks.  Beck and I discussed many players we thought would compliment the record in all its improvisatory experimentation and focus on song-slip. We decided that Samara Lubelski (violin) and Mary Lattimore (harp) had to play and we invited them to join us. We fed them cantaloupes, raw milks, doughnuts, Zuma sushi and Lily’s fish tacos. And we threw shadows into the sun.For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/ThurstonMooreOfficial 

If you ever dug Zappa, you don't want to miss the GrandMothers of Invention. They are THE authentic live version of Zappa's music. This isn't just another comeback, this is the reincarnation of the Mothers of Invention! From Zappa's mid to late 70's Mothers bands, the GrandMothers are touring the world and keeping Zappa's music alive. The GrandMothers of Invention are the only Frank Zappa/Mothers of Invention alumni who have been consistently performing the music of the maestro since 2003. From the classic “Freak Out”, “Absolutely Free”, "We're Only In It For The Money", "Uncle Meat", and "Burnt Weeny Sandwich" - to - “Weasels Ripped My Flesh”, “Apostrophe”, "The Grand Wazoo", "Overnite Sensation", "Roxy & Elsewhere", "Bongo Fury", and "One Size Fits All" - they have performed on a very long list of classic Frank Zappa & the Mother's of Invention's albums, movies and other projects."Rare are the musicians who can even play Zappa's music, let alone make it live and breathe. So Thank the Lord for the GrandMothers of Invention." With three different Zappa eras represented, the GrandMothers have a wide palette of material to choose from. They served up vintage psychedelia - rock songs with surreal lyrics, jazz-like harmonies and melodic complexity, with flashes ofwacky satire.The GrandMothers of Invention are: NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK (with Mothers of Invention / Frank Zappa from 1974 thru 1984), on vocals, tenor saxophone, flute, suavenicity, and dancing(!) - TOM FOWLER (with Mothers of Invention / Frank Zappa from 1973 thru 1976), on bass, hats, and musical M.D. - DON PRESTON (with Mothers of Invention / Frank Zappa from 1967 thru 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1974 as a Special Guest), on keyboard synthesizers,electronics, IPOD, magic tricks(!), and vocals. Also featuring the incredible ROBBIE "SEAHAG" MANGANO  on electric guitar and vocals, and the masterful CHRISTOPHER GARCIA on drums, percussion, marimba, and vocals. The GrandMothers were formed in August of 2002, when four legendary former members of Frank Zappa's “The Mothers of Invention”, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Roy Estrada, Bunk Gardner, and Don Preston were invited to perform the music of Frank Zappa in Leipzig, Germany. It would be the first time that these esteemed “Mothers of Invention” alumni would be getting together to rehearse and perform classic Frank Zappa material. The list of dates at clubs, concert halls and festivals is long, and includes headlining the Frankfurt Jazz Festival, the Zappanalle Festival, the VancouverFolk Fest, performing classic Frank Zappa material with the Bergen Filharmonik Orkester in Bergen Norway, performing the orchestral music of Frank Zappa under the baton of Kristan Jarvi, the Ottawa Blues Fest, the Winnipeg Folk Fest, the Sarajevo Jazz Festival, the Winnipeg Jazz Festival and the Vancouver Jazz Festival.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Rob Drabkin with The Yawpers at the Boulder Theater Saturday, June 30th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, May 18th , 2012 at 10:00 am for $12.00 in advance and $14.00 day of show."I'm pretty sure no other performer at the festival had more hair on his head than Rob Drabkin. The afro-headed acoustic guitar player cuts a memorable image to people who see him perform for the first time. He busted out his trademark flip flop rock tunes to an adoring crowd. In fact, after the third song, Rob and his band were pulling in inquisitive newbies like a moth to a flame."     - Westword Magazine, Mile High Music Festival Review.Rob Drabkin is a native of Denver, CO. His Mom had him take piano lessons at 5. That only lasted for a few months. At 11, Rob got lucky and scored an electric guitar from his parents. He and his older sister would sneak Metallica and Guns N’ Roses cassettes into the house. They loved listening to this “forbidden” music and Rob learned all of the guitar parts on both cassettes note for note. Soon after, Rob found himself playing Rhythm Guitar in Jazz Band in middle school. Learning a tune like “Giant Steps” by John Coltrane was a lot different than playing Heavy Metal anthems “Welcome to The Jungle” and “Enter Sandman.” Rob loved what he was hearing though and stuck with it. Now he says, “I started to really love Jazz and especially playing with a horn section.”Rob has achieved some big wins in his career so far. He was voted Colorado's Best Singer/Songwriter by Westword Magazine 2008- 2010. He gathered enough votes to earn his turn on stage at The Mile High Music Festival with artists like The Fray, Widespread Panic, Tool, and Ben Harper. He's done national tours with Trevor Hall, Tea Leaf Green, Carbon Leaf and Davy Knowles/Back Door Slam.Rob also got a huge kick playing at Film on Red Rocks at the legendary Red Rocks amphitheater. He laughs, "Not a lot of people get to play their own music at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and we got to play to a sold out crowd before they showed The Big Lebowski which was nothing short of a dream come true. It was really cool because I grew up in Colorado and got to see so many of my favorite musicians play there."  "I'm having a great time making music and I just want to inspire others to go after what will truly make them happy. Maybe that's why I keep my hair a bit crazy. I just want to be expressive and keep creating music." 

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Ben Howard at the Boulder Theater Saturday, September 29th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, May 18th , 2012 at 10:00 am for $20.00 in advance and $23.00 day of show.The surf community proved to be a big stepping stone for Howard, who found himself playing to packed audiences long before his music spread beyond the U.K. beaches. He continued developing his style, too, adding a percussive element to his playing by learning to rap his knuckles across the guitar body between strums.A European tour with Xavier Rudd helped him build a wider audience in late 2008, as did the release of EPs like These Waters and Old Pine. By the time Howard finished recording his full- length debut, Every Kingdom, in autumn 2011, heʼd signed a major-label deal with Island Records (the same label that once released music by John Martyn) and graduated to headliner status, thanks to growing fan bases in England, Germany, France, and Holland.Now Ben hits the road for a full length Canada & United States run headlining from top to bottom.  If you haven’t seen Ben Howard hit the stage, this is a European musician, compared to Bon Iver, you don’t want to miss.  Check him out in Boulder at the historic Boulder Theater on Saturday, September 29th at 8:30 pm.-

BEN HOWARD

Boulder Theater

Saturday, September 29th, 2012Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm 

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Michal Menert at the Boulder Theater Saturday, July 14th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, May 18th , 2012 at 10:00 am for $15.00 in advance and $17.00 day of show.Colorado based Michal Menert was born in then Communist Kielce, Poland. During his childhood, Michal's father exposed him to a wide variety of Eastern and Western music, giving his son fertile soil in which to plant his musical visions early on. Coming from a musical background of playing guitar, keyboards, and dabbling in a variety of other instruments gave Michal Menert a unique approach to composing his own musical style.He grew up in Colorado with Derek Vincent Smith of Pretty Lights and together they played in several bands and challenged and inspired each other as they developed their own unique production styles. He co-produced the debut Pretty Lights album, Taking Up Your Precious Time, and has collaborated with Derek Vincent Smith a handful of tracks since then. He also performs with Paul Basic under the name Half Color.Michal Menert was the first artist signed to the record label Pretty Lights Music, with the release of his album Dreaming of a Bigger Life in the Spring of 2010. His sound combines obscure vintage samples from both Eastern European and Western vinyl with rich analog synthesis and organic hard hitting beats. It is a fusion of yesterday's elements and tomorrow's ideas. Michal's second album, the mega-LP Even If It Isn't Right dropped on April 24, 2012.-

MICHAL MENERT

Boulder Theater

Saturday, July 14th, 2012Doors:  8:30 pm | Show:  9:00 pm 

Z2 Entertainment, Sierra Nevada & Colorado Daily are proud to present Eminence Ensemble at the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, July 4th.  Tickets are now on sale for $10.00 in advance and $12.00 day of show.Eminence Ensemble is a five-piece band consisting of drums, guitar, keyboard, bass, and auxiliary percussion, and they are sure to bring a very high-energy performance. Eminence Ensemble fuses many different styles, ranging from jazz, classical, and funk to progressive rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. Eminence Ensemble has an extensive background in jazz/classical studies which has greatly aided them when it comes to onstage improvisation.Their extensive arrangements are tastefully combined with sections of improvisation that climax with powerful riffs. Maybe think of Eminence Ensemble as “PROG-TRON” due to high levels of face melting sure to make an audience pause for a moment, but followed by a deep pocket-dance party where an audience may not be able to stop dancing.-Eminence Ensemble

Boulder Theater

Wednesday, July 4th, 2012Doors:  8:30 pmShow Time:  9:00 pm

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Langhorne Slim with Jessica Lea Mayfield at the Boulder Theater on Tuesday, July 24th, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Friday, June 1st at 10:00am for $13.50 advance & $16.00 the day of the show.There he is, in porkpie hat and dandy thrift store suit, looking like a fresh-faced grifting bluesman. Langhorne Slim was born in the ‘80s but routinely refers to his lovers as “mama.” He’s a throwback to an earlier time, but yet is clearly madly in love with the 21st century. And women. And dancing. And dancing with women. Slim’s humorous story telling provided insight into the life of a lovin’, travelin’ blues man and served as a telling prelude to his next Narnack release. Sporting a backing band who becomes one with their front man, complimenting his voice and guitar with thick upright bass and soft shoe drumming, Langhorne Slim surely is a long ways from his last dance.

LANGHORNE SLIM

w/ Jessica Lea Mayfield

Boulder Theater

Tuesday, July 24, 2012Doors:  8:30 pm | Show:  9:00 pm 

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Hot Rize at the Boulder Theater Friday, September 14th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 8th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $30.00 - $40.00 for Reserved seating types and $50.00 for Gold Circle.Colorado band Hot Rize formed in 1978 with a unique and exciting style of bluegrass. Named after the secret ingredient in Martha White Flour, a longterm sponsor of bluegrass music, the band started. Hot Rize was considered both a progressive bluegrass band and a traditional bluegrass band, taking the bluegrass world by storm with their fresh, contemporary approach to traditional music. Their dynamic stage show made them stars on the major festival circuit, and their powerful original songs constantly topped radio playlists.In 1990 Hot Rize was named Entertainer of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association, the first such award ever given out by the organization. The band included Tim O'Brien (vocals, mandolin, fiddle), Pete Wernick (banjo, vocals), Charles Sawtelle (guitar, vocals), and Nick Forster (guitar, bass guitar, vocals, and the band's emcee). This lineup lasted 12 years without change.Their final studio album, Take It Home, came out in 1990; O'Brien and Wernick subsequently went on to pursue solo careers, and Nick Forster began and still hosts and co-produces the syndicated radio music program, e-town. Many Hot Rize reunion shows and festival appearances took place throughout the 90s until the untimely death of Charles Sawtelle in 1999.In 2002 a live album, So Long of a Journey, came out, with the band in top form at two 1996 shows at the Boulder Theater in Colorado. The album garnered rave reviews and the honor of Best Bluegrass Album (traditional) of 2002 by the respected County Sales.That year also saw the band re-form for several major festival appearances, with O'Brien, Wernick, Forster, along with the great Bryan Sutton on guitar.Since 2002, with the same lineup, Hot Rize has performed several shows a year, and now includes their old western music sidekicks (and alter egos) Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers. Red and the boys also had a personnel change and are back in fine form with their new bass player Swade. Devotees from past years are joined by many younger fans hearing the band for the first time, and the response has been electric.Having passed the 30-year mark since its inception, Hot Rize continues to enhance its reputation as one of the leading bluegrass bands of its day.

KUVO &  Z2 Entertainment are proud to present an evening with Ron Carter Quartet at the Boulder Theater Sunday, October 28th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 8th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $25.00 - $40.00 for Reserved seating types and $47.50 for Gold Circle.Ron Carter is among the most original, prolific, and influential bassists in jazz. With more than 2,000 albums to his credit, he has recorded with many of music's greats: Tommy Flanagan, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B.B. King, the Kronos Quartet, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery, and Bobby Timmons. In the early 1960s he performed throughout the United States in concert halls and nightclubs with Jaki Byard and Eric Dolphy. He later toured Europe with Cannonball Adderley. From 1963 to 1968, he was a member of the classic and acclaimed Miles Davis Quintet. He was named Outstanding Bassist of the Decade by the Detroit News, Jazz Bassist of the Year by Downbeat magazine, and Most Valuable Player by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.In 1993 Ron Carter earned a Grammy award for Best Jazz Instrumental Group, the Miles Davis Tribute Band and another Grammy in 1998 for Call 'Sheet Blues', an instrumental composition from the film 'Round Midnight. In addition to scoring and arranging music for many films, including some projects for Public Broadcasting System, Carter has composed music for A Gathering of Old Men, starring Lou Gosset Jr., The Passion of Beatrice directed by Bertrand Tavernier, and Blind Faith starring Courtney B. Vance. Carter shares his expertise in the series of books he authored, among which are Building Jazz Bass Lines and The Music of Ron Carter; the latter contains 130 of his published and recorded compositions.Carter earned a bachelor of music degree from the Eastman School in Rochester and a master's degree in double bass from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He has also received two honorary doctorates, from the New England Conservatory of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, and was the 2002 recipient of the prestigious Hutchinson Award from the Eastman School at the University of Rochester. Most recently he was honored by the French Minister of Culture with France's premier cultural award--the medallion and title of Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, given to those who have distinguished themselves in the domain of artistic or literary creation and for their contribution to the spread of arts and letters in France and the world.Carter has lectured, conducted, and performed at clinics and master classes, instructing jazz ensembles and teaching the business of music at numerous universities. He was Artistic Director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Studies while it was located in Boston and, after 18 years on the faculty of the Music Department of The City College of New York, he is now Distinguished Professor Emeritus although, as a performer, he remains as active as ever.

RON CARTER QUARTET

Boulder Theater

Sunday, October 28th, 2012Doors:  7:00 pm | Show Time:  8:00 pm 

Bill Frisell's exploration of the music of John Lennon came to life on his 2011 release, 'All We Are Saying.' The album has long been in the works - one could say as far back as the first time Bill heard the Beatles at the age of 13. Says Frisell, "John Lennon's music has been with me, the band, everybody, the world...seems like forever. The songs are part of us. In our blood. There was nothing we really needed to do to prepare for this. We've been preparing our whole lives.”"All We Are Saying" BILL FRISELL Explores the music of John LennonSaturday June 23rd, 2012 -- BUY TICKETS HERE

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present The Head and the Heart with Blitzen Trapper & Bryan John Appleby at the Boulder Theater on Sunday, September 23rd, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 16th , 2012 at 10:00 am for $25.00 in advance and $27.50 day of show.So many decisions in life and in the music we love can come down to a critical tug between the logic in our heads and the hot red blood beating through our hearts. Seattle's The Head and the Heart live authentically in that crux, finding joy and beauty wedged there. Their music pulses effervescently-both explosively danceable and intuitively intelligent. With Americana roots and strong vocal harmonics that swell like a river, this band finds its anchor in solid songwriting that has even the jaded humming along by the second listen.The strength of Josiah, Jon and Charity's vocal harmonies on the album makes it feel like these three were born to pour their voices together, as the band's songs revel in jaunty bass lines with ebullient handclaps peppering the best moments. A palette of orchestral elements weave their way through the album, including cello, glockenspiel, and violin, all shading in the songs' development. For all the times your toes tap while enjoying this band, often the lightness will deceptively belie the depth of ache in the lyrics when you sit down to really listen. There is magic in the music, but not magic contrived by trickery or posturing. "It seems actually that the more genuine and honest we are in the songwriting and performing, the more people relate to that transparency," Charity muses.This is an album for people who unabashedly sing and drum along on the steering wheel, and also for those who appreciate a well-crafted collection of songs that build into something wholly beautiful.There is in this music a counter-cultural optimism, with roots that grow deep and melodies that lodge themselves far into that place inside you where the head meets the heart.THE HEAD AND THE HEARTWith Blitzen Trapper & Bryan John ApplebyBoulder TheaterSunday, September 23, 2012Doors:  6:00pm | Show Time:  7:00 pm

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present M. Ward to the Boulder Theater on Friday, August 25th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 22n , 2012 at 10:00 am for $32.00 in advance and $35.00 day of show.Merge Records released M. Ward’s A Wasteland Companion, on April 10th 2012.The album, consisting of 12 stunning tracks, was made with 18 musicians and recorded in eight different studios in Portland, Omaha, New York City, Los Angeles, Austin and Bristol (UK). Ward’s honey-soaked vocals, deft finger-picking, innate sense of melody and beguiling lyrics have already cemented his reputation as one of America’s true musical treasures and A Wasteland Companion features some of the finest songwriting and most striking delivery of his career. With each and every recording Ward finds new ways to make the colors of his songwriting palate sparkle and his dexterous skills as producer, arranger, guitarist and singer seem to burst into even brighter bloom on each release.A Wasteland Companion features the talents of M Ward (piano, guitars, voice, production), Mike Coykendall (percussion, bass), Giant Sand’s Howe Gelb (piano), John Parish (percussion, marimba), Bright Eyes’ Mike Mogis (organ), Susan Sanchez (vocals), She & Him’s Zooey Deschanel (vocals), Jordan Hudson (percussion), Adam Selzer (bass), Nathan “JR” Andersen (piano), Scott McPherson (percussion), Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley (percussion), Dr Dog’s Tobey Leaman (bass), Devotchka’s Tom Hagerman (strings), Oakely Hall’s Rachel Cox (vocals), Amanda Lawrence (violin), John Graboff (pedal steel) and Tyler Tornfelt (bass). The recording utilized eight engineers, including Tom Schick (Rufus Wainwright) and John Parish (PJ Harvey).

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present The Motet plays Parliament-Funkadelic to the Boulder Theater on Halloween night, Wednesday, October 31st, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 22nd, 2012 at 10:00 am for $25.00 in advance and $30.00 day of show.  **All ages early bird ticket only $15 plus service fee, limited supply, first come, first serve.**The Motet is wildly excited to announce that for Halloween 2012 we have amassed a fourteen piece super group to perform the music of the most influential and prolific funk band in history: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC!In addition to our infamously nasty rhythm section of Dave Watts, Joey Porter, Garrett Sayers, and Ryan Jalbert, we will be featuring guest vocalist and keyboard player NIGEL HALL (Soulive, Lettuce). Nigel Hall is one of the great young funk, R&B, and soul singers on the scene today and this collaboration with The Motet is not to be missed!  We are also featuring the four piece horn section of Gabe Mervine, Matt Pitts, Serafin Sanchez, and Tom Ball.  Percussionist Matt Grunstad and guitarist Dan Schwindt will join the lineup, as will our most awesome singers Jans Ingber, Kim Dawson, and Damion Massey.  These shows will be the epitome of what Motet Halloween performances are supposed to be: a wild and raucous, psychedelic dance party of epic proportions! With this many musicians playing material that is the heart and soul of The Motet’s sound, Halloween 2012 promises to be some of the greatest and most fun and Motet concerts ever.These shows always sell out, so please don’t miss it!!

KGNU & Radio 1190 are proud to present Dr. Dog with Cotton Jones at the Boulder Theater on Tuesday, October 9th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 29th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $17.50 in advance and $20.00 day of show.Dr. Dog is a blend of DIY indie, pop, alternative folk music with a twist of the 1960’s.  Check out “Do The Trick” live at WFUV and buy your tickets this Friday, June 29thRed Rocks and Beyond!  After an incredible Red Rocks appearance w/ Wilco this past Saturday, Philadelphia-based Dr. Dog is proud to announce their fall date with Cotton Jones! 

Dr. Dog

with Cotton Jones

Boulder Theater

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012Doors:  7:30pm | Show Time:  8:30 pm

KGNU & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present two nights of Dark Star Orchestra at the Boulder Theater on Friday, October 19th & Saturday, October 20th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, July 6th , 2012 at 10:00 am for $25.00 in advance and $27.50 day of show.Dark Star Orchestra's shows are built off the extensive catalog of the Grateful Dead. On any given night the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Grateful Dead's 30 years of extensive touring or use the catalog of original songs and often played covers to create a unique set list for the show. This allows music fans both young and old to share in the experience. Dark Star Orchestra presents its critically acclaimed live show at esteemed venues from coast to coast and internationally. Grateful Dead classics are performed in the same way that an orchestra interprets music of classical composers. The composer spirit is derived and channeled as the players capture the excitement and innovation of the original performances and compositions.Touring nationwide for nearly 15 years to the tune of over 2000 shows since forming, the band's determined commitment to "raising the Dead" has drawn national media attention."Fanatical attention to detail." Rolling Stone"Dark Star Orchestra takes its act to a level of detail that befits a rock band famous for its fanatical following." Associated Press"The hottest Grateful Dead tribute act. A cover band for people who don't like cover bands." The Washington PostCritics aren't the only ones singing Dark Star Orchestra's praises. Five original members of the Grateful Dead have played alongside DSO and have had this to say:"Playing with Dark Star Orchestra is something that feels just exactly like it felt when I was playing with the Grateful Dead." Donna Jean Godchaux-McKay, Grateful Dead vocalist, frequent DSO guestPrecision is king with DSO; the band adapts their stage positioning, vocal arrangements, specific musical equipment and instruments to fit the era of the show they are performing. Following each performance the band announces the date and venue of the original performance. Dark Star Orchestra could dip into any incarnation of the dead at any of their shows, allowing fans to experience shows that happened long before they were born.’

Radio 1190 & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Ott. & The All Seeing I (Live Band) to the Boulder Theater on Saturday, October 13th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, July 13th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $22.00 in advance and $15.00 day of show.Beginning October 2012, Ott. will be returning to the United States with an entirely new live show featuring a full band of musicians performing live arrangements of songs from his three albums, 'Blumenkraft', 'Skylon', and 'Mir'.The band, consisting of Ott [electronics], Naked Nick [vocals, guitar, synths and percussion], Chris Barker [Bass], and Matt White [drums], will be embarking on a tour of the eastern US, with a west coast tour to follow shortly after. The tour dates will be announced on July 10, 2012.Naked Nick is a musician and DJ of many years standing and is responsible for guitars and vocals on many of Ott's best-loved tracks such as 'Adrift In Hilbert Space', 'The Aubergine Of The Sun', and 'The Queen Of All Everything'. In addition to performing these live he will be taking on guitar, synthesizer and percussion duties. Chris Barker is otherwise known as half of 'Umberloid', the project he started with Ott back in 2003 and with whom he released tracks on Interchill and Liquid records. He was also responsible for many of the most unforgettable bass moments on Ott and Simon Posford's seminal 'Hallucinogen In Dub' album and has contributed bass to some of your favorite Shpongle tracks. Matt White is a drummer of some 25 years experience who has toured the world with many varied artists and who first played with Ott - and Chris Barker - in their first band as teenagers way back in the late 1980s. The band has been busy working out new arrangements in Ott's newly-built studio and filming their exploits - watch for video evidence coming soon.  The live arrangements capture all the intricate glory of Ott's electronic sets, but augment them with a raw power and spontaneity which propels the songs to another level. Things have definitely shifted up a gear. http://ottsonic.net

This Saturday, July 14th, HOT 107.1, Grassroots California, and Colorado Daily are proud to present Raindance: A Benefit Performance for Mayor Hickenlooper’s Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012, featuring Michal Menert, Clicks & Whistles, OG Status (formerly Candyhunter with members of Crushendo, DYNOHUNTER, and Two Fresh), and Dnae Beats at the Boulder Theater.A silent auction will be held in the lobby of the Boulder Theater for the duration of the show and will feature donated items from Grassroots California, Jiberish, So Gnar, Meant Clothing, Never Summer, Coalatree Organics, and many more! All of the profits from the silent auction will go directly to the Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012. If you are interesting in donating an item to the silent auction please use the press contact e-mail indicated below. If you would like to donate to the fund and cannot make it to the performance, please visit MichalMenert.com and follow the link to make a PayPal donation online.Colorado-based Michal Menert comes from a musical background of playing guitar, keyboards, and dabbling in a variety of other instruments giving him a unique approach to composing his own musical style. Menert co-produced the debut Pretty Lights album, Taking Up Your Precious Time, released his first solo album, Dreaming of a Bigger Life in the Spring of 2010, and most recently dropped the mega-LP, Even If It Isn’t Right in April 2012. He also performs with Paul Basic under the moniker Half Color. His sound combines obscure vintage samples from both Eastern European and Western vinyl with rich analog synthesis and organic hard hitting beats. It is a fusion of yesterday's elements and tomorrow's ideas.Check out Michal Menert's HOT 107.1 fm's Hot Lunch Mix and interview with Dutch this Thursday, July 12th, beginning at 12 p.m. MT. HOT 107.1 will be giving away tickets all week to Saturday's Boulder Theater show, so be sure to tune in to win!

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Punch Brothers with The Milk Carton Kids to the Boulder Theater on Sunday, December 9th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, July 20th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $26.50 in advance & $29.50 the day of the showThe title of the third Punch Brothers disc for Nonesuch, borrowed from one of their new songs, is more an exhortation than a taunt. Who’s Feeling Young Now?,  produced and engineered by Jacquire King, contains some of the most exhilaratingly direct, sonically daring performances the group has ever recorded. As the five members, ranging in age from their mid-20s to early 30s, have matured together on the road and in the studio, their approach to writing and performing has, conversely, become looser, simpler, and, in a sense, more unaffectedly youthful. In fact, the title song—featuring rumbling bass, skittering violin, and wailing multi-tracked vocals—sounds like hard-charging string-band punk rock. Opening track “Movement and Location” feels like Steve Reich–inspired indie rock, with rhythmically pulsing guitar, bass, and banjo lines and the same flying-by-the-seat-of-the-pants spirit. It came together over a matter of minutes in mandolinist/singer Chris Thile’s living room. At this point, virtuosity is a given among these already prodigious players; the operative word for Who’s Feeling Young Now? is camaraderie.“I think we’re a lot more comfortable now playing to our strengths and our bluegrass roots,” says guitarist Chris Eldridge. “We kind of came around to a place where that was something we were just as willing to present to the world—it’s obviously part of who we are, always has been—but I feel we’ve been a little reticent, as if playing a simple bluegrass song wasn’t enough. We’ve gotten a lot more comfortable in our skin.”In 2006, former Nickel Creek member Thile instigated the collaboration that evolved into Punch Brothers when he recruited Eldridge, banjo player Noam Pikelny, and violinist Gabe Witcher to back him on a solo album, How to Grow a Woman; bassist Paul Kowert joined the band three years later. They officially became Punch Brothers, releasing a debut album, Punch, on Nonesuch in 2008. Since then, says Thile, “Punch Brothers has gradually evolved from a band that existed to present the ideas of one guy into a band presenting the unified idea of five guys. I had a very clear vision for The Blind Leaving the Blind and I’m very proud how that turned out, but the reason to put yourself in this kind of situation is to have the opportunity to present a real sense of community to other people. When there are five dudes up there doing something as a unit that encourages people to participate, that’s where Punch Brothers is exhibiting a lot of growth. We can actually bring a sense of real musical camaraderie, creative camaraderie, to people who come to our shows and those who listen to the records.”Kowert, who joined the group just before the 2010 sophomore disc, Antifogmatic, concurs: “We hit our stride a little more on Who’s Feeling Young Now?, finding our places and our parts a little faster. We were basically playing better as an ensemble. Part of that has to do with the writing we did beforehand, part of that is just performing together longer, being on the road for a longer time.”The quintet was able literally to see how far they’d come when they gathered in mid-2010 to review material, write new tunes, and rehearse for the upcoming sessions, returning to the same apartment building in Manhattan’s East Village where they’d first convened to tackle The Blind Leaving the Blind. As Pikelny explains, “Thile had moved to Brooklyn for two or three years but he was jones-ing for Manhattan again. He’s a creature of habit, so what does he do? He moves back into the exact same building and is in the unit right above the old one, where we have all these memories of just killing ourselves trying to learn The Blind Leaving the Blind, sleeping on the floor, being woken up by trucks at five in the morning. When we went back there, it was like being in a dream state for the first few hours; it didn’t seem possible, to be back in the building where we first looked at each other and said we wanted to do this. Five years later, we’re in practically that same room, working on our new record. With all that’s happened to the band, it felt quite triumphant. It’s a vindication in some ways that we’ve made this work. And now, instead of sleeping on floors, everyone lives in New York and could go back to their own apartments.”Joining them at Chris’s new pad was King, a veteran of productions with Tom Waits, Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon, and Josh Ritter. King helped to oversee the writing, arranging, and song selection He also nudged tunes like “Movement and Location” to fruition, urging the band to reconsider an odd mandolin fragment that Thile had previously shown them. With King’s encouragement, a new song was quickly constructed around it and that set the tone for what was to come. As Eldridge recalls, “The parts all just happened immediately, with a lot of ease. And that’s what a lot of the record ended up being like. There are obviously songs that are pretty rigorous, that we definitely put through the paces, kind of the way we always have. But ‘Movement and Location’ encapsulated the vibe we were trying to live with for this record, capturing a lot more of what we do well in a natural way.”In October, Punch Brothers arrived at Blackbird Studio, King’s home base in Nashville. Recounts Witcher, “Blackbird has the greatest selection of microphones in North America, something crazy like that. For the whole first day, all we did was test microphones. By the end of the day Jacquire had a huge list of what mics sounded good on what instruments, got a general idea of what set-up we were going to record in, got everything up and running, and by the next day we went in and got going. It was a really fluid process. We ended up recording everything through amps as well, which was pretty tricky: to get a completely acoustic sound and an electric sound coming from the same source and blend it in a believable way. We just built it little by little; maybe the mandolin part is very natural on this one, but the fiddle has some delay on it and the bass has a little bit of distortion to add some punch.”“We wanted someone who would approach the sound of this record as open-mindedly as we approach our instrumentation,” Thile adds. “We have a mandolin, bass, guitar, violin, banjo—and that’s the only limitation, the only thing we were not changing. We weren’t about to add drums or electric guitar, but everything else was open for intense re-arrangement.”Thile was clearly open to the concept of radical re-arrangement when it came to his own role, too. Though his mandolin playing was often the lead instrument in Punch Brothers’ earlier work, he relinquished solo-ing duties this time around to Pikelny on banjo and Witcher on violin. Quips Witcher, admiringly, “To a lot of people, Chris Thile is the greatest mandolin player alive, and to have him almost exclusively be part of the rhythm section—he’s never made a record like that. It wasn’t a conscious effort, it was about the songs.” Thile, however, continues to handle the bulk of the lead vocals and lyric-composing chores, though he co-wrote with Josh Ritter two particularly erudite breakup/revenge songs, “New York City” and “Hundred Dollars.” (Witcher sings lead on the latter.) Bemoans Thile, “I’ve tried to limit the ‘relationship’ writing, but to no avail. When I sit down to think about what I want to write about, that’s what tends to come out.”The band also included two covers, both of them instrumentals, on Who’s Feeling Young Now?. “Flippen” comes from the Swedish band Väsen, with whom Punch Brothers played at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. The other is an interpretation of Radiohead’s “Kid A,” well known already to fans who’ve attended Punch Brothers’ free-wheeling p-Bingo shows in New York City. As Thile notes, “I like the irony that the cover from the famous band is the most abstract thing on the record.”Each of the individual musicians crammed plenty of solo work and/or other collaborations in between Punch Brothers commitments. Pikelny released a second solo disc, Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail, produced by Witcher. Eldridge joined Pikelny on his record and, along with Witcher, on his tour; Kowert has been playing live dates in guitarist Jordan Tice’s trio with hammer dulcimer player Simon Chrisman, with which he released the album The Secret History. The peripatetic Thile recorded a Grammy–nominated duo set with Brooklyn guitar savant Michael Daves, Sleep with One Eye Open; released The Goat Rodeo Sessions, with Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Stuart Duncan; and performed live in London with jazz pianist Brad Mehldau.“Every little side project that we’ve done has helped us come back to Punch Brothers with new ideas, new energy, and a new sense of confidence—a righteous need to create stuff,” concludes Eldridge. “All of these things are fuel, they’re rejuvenating.”

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Atmosphere to the Boulder Theater on Thursday, September 20th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, July 20th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $28.00 general admission.Fresh off the 2012 Summer festival circuit Atmosphere is preparing to embark on what will be their final North American tour of the year. Having kicked off the summer touring Australia and New Zealand with labelmate Evidence and high profile performances at Summerfest, Forecastle and Camp Bisco music festivals the crew is ready to  prepare you for the approaching winter months.In addition to Atmosphere, Rhymesayers mainstay I Self Devine who's touring in support of his May release The Sound of Low Class Amerika as well as Minneapolis rapper/beatboxer Carnage join the line-up. Atmosphere will wrap up the summer with a performance in Anchorage, AK with Brother Ali and Abstract Rude, two Rock the Bells performances in San Bernardino, CA and Mountain View, CA respectively as well as Chicago's Northcoast Festival on September 1st. Atmosphere's final North American tour date of 2012 will be Atlanta's CounterPoint Festival September 28th.

ATMOSPHERE

Boulder TheaterThursday, September 20th, 2012Doors:  8:00 pm | Show:  9:00 pm 

Anthony's Pizza & Westword are proud to present The Last Waltz Revisited featuring Polytoxic & The Denver Horns to the Boulder Theater on Friday, November 16th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, August, 17th 2012 at 10:00 am for $15.00 in advance & $17.00 day of show.The Annual Last Waltz - Revisited will showcase members of Polytoxic together with 40+ musicians from across Colorado; this show has become an annual tradition, bringing the community together to kick-off the holiday season. The musicians will perform the music of The Band and recreate their historical performance, The Last Waltz.The Last Waltz - Revisited is performed both in Boulder and in Denver and with the support of sponsors Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta and The Westword, we are again reaching out and seeking to give back to the community by supporting the Denver Rescue Mission. We will donate a portion of the shows’ proceeds to the Denver Rescue Mission, and in addition the Denver performance will also have a Canned Food items and/or a Desired Hygiene items Drive.Also, any fan that brings 8 or more canned food items to the venue (on the day of the show) a FREE Special Artwork Poster.We invite you to share this special night with our musical family and participate in our efforts to help the Denver Rescue Mission to assist needy families during this Holiday Season. So get out and support the Last Waltz – Revisited.We can’t wait to see all you music fans and hope you will join us for this musical event and support a worthy cause. Please get your tickets early as the show has sold-out in the past!THE LAST WALTZ – Revisited (8th Annual)Fri., Nov. 16, 2010 | The Boulder Theater | Boulder, CO·      Culminates a canned food/desired hygiene items drive for the Denver Rescue Mission.·      FREE Special Artwork Poster with a Donation of Canned Food Items. Bring cans to the Venues Day of Show and receive the Special Poster.·      Portion of Proceeds to Benefit the Denver Rescue Mission.

Boulder Theater will have the Phish San Fran webcast on their big screen this Friday and Sunday nights!  The theater is also giving away tickets to all 3 nights of Phish's upcoming Labor Day weekend run.Cllick here to purchase tickets!  Proceeds benefit the WaterWheel Foundation. Phish Live Stream from San FranciscoBill Graham Civic AuditoriumTicket giveaways for all 3 nights of Denver Phish shows at set break!Doors at 8pm!

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Matisyahu to the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, October 15th, 2012.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, August, 24th 2012 at 10:00 am for $25.00 general admission.
Los Angeles, CA--August 20th, 2012---Grammy nominated artist Matisyahu has announced that he will be embarking on a headlining nationwide college tour this fall during the months of October and November.  As one of America’s most successful touring artists, Matisyahu has spent the summer months co-headlining with the Dirty Heads and making stops in over 50 cities to support his fourth studio album Spark Seeker, which was released to rave reviews.  "I'm looking forward to taking the show directly to college kids this fall" says Matisyahu.  "I've played a lot of these markets in past summers.  To be able to return when school is in session and kids are on campus is something I've wanted to do for a while."  Spark Seeker debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 chart, No.1 on the Reggae Chart, No.3 on the Independent Album Chart and No. 7 on the Digital Album Chart.  Also garnering well-deserved acclaim is album track, “Live Like a Warrior” which sat at No.1 on the Reggae Single Chart and “Sunshine” at No. 2 during Spark Seeker’s release week.  

On Spark Seeker, produced by Kool Kojak (Nicki Minaj, Travis Barker, Ke$ha) and released on his own label, Fallen Sparks Records via Thirty Tigers/RED on July 17th, Matisyahu has expanded his sound and made his most accessible album to date.  The album mixes ancient traditional sounds with futuristic electro beats, rapping with singing, and songs of the spirit with songs of the body. The album has a depth to it as well as a lightness, which alludes to the most essential theme of the record--that everything in life--especially music--exists in mixtures and blends.  Matisyahu explains that “Things are not as black and white as we would like to think.  Not everything can be oversimplified," which is a message the new album conveys with both energy and thoughtfulness.

MATISYAHU

Boulder Theater

Wednesday, October 15th, 2012Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present DeVotchKa to the Boulder Theater on Friday, October 26^th with March Fourth Marching Band & Saturday, October 27^th with Land Lines.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, September 28, 2012 at 10:00 am for $29.50 general admission

For more than a decade, DeVotchKa has been melting its sweeping collection of influences into an authentic and totally original blend of rock 'n' roll. With the release of the band's fifth album, "100 Lovers" (Anti- Records, 2011), the band headed back to the romantic influences of the Arizona desert with producer Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Neko Case) to create a compendium of short stories inspired by the varied moments the band experienced since the release of A Mad & Faithful Telling (Anti-, 2007).

Like many bands, DeVotchKa spent much of their early years traveling the highways and byways searching for gigs and a musical direction. As time went on, the band began to foster important musical collaborations with the unequivocal Calexico and the seminal gypsy punks Gogol Bordello. DeVotchKa's first big break happened when Nic Harcourt, former music director for KCRW, introduced his listeners to a then unknown rock band of worldly sounds on his daily radio show, "Morning Becomes Eclectic". Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, who were listening that day, stumbled upon the sound for their movie, "Little Miss Sunshine". A critical and box office hit, the film was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar and, for DeVotchKa's soundtrack, a Grammy.

The little band from Denver was suddenly internationally admired, headlining large venues and performing at practically every major music festival, from Coachella to Lollapalooza. After years of toiling in obscurity, the band was selling out shows from the Fillmore in San Francisco to First Avenue in Minneapolis, with breakout performances at Bumbershoot, Bonnaroo, and Austin City Limits Music Festival. The love spread to Europe, which has become a yearly destination for the band, including an appearance at Glastonbury in 2011.

"100 Lovers" is the album DeVotchKa had always wanted to make. "How it Ends" was recorded and mixed in only nine days. On "A Mad and Faithful Telling,” the band had more time and conducted complex arrangements and experimental recording techniques. For "100 Lovers", DeVotchKa spent over a year defining their sound, taking multiple trips to the desert studio to craft twelve new recordings. The final product is the bands strongest album to date, filled with songs fans will love, songs to draw in new listeners, and exciting numbers that fit nicely into their rousing live sets. With the new album, DeVotchKa have achieved success carving their own singular sound out of the worlds of rock, opera, theater, dance, and film.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Trace Bundy with Josh Garrels to the Boulder Theater on Friday, December 14th for a Boulder holiday tradtion.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, October 19th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $18.50 general admission and $24.50 reserved.Trace Bundy must be seen, not just heard.  His music is poetry in motion, using harmonics, looping, multiple capos, and his unique banter and stage presence to deliver an unforgettable live concert experience.  Listening to his intricate arrangements is one thing, but seeing the fan-dubbed "Acoustic Ninja" play live confounds even the most accomplished music lovers as to how one person can do all that with just two hands and ten fingers.Trace has independently sold over 70,000 albums on his record label, Honest Ninja Music, and regularly sells-out shows with standing ovations at venues across the USA and around the world, in 21 countries and counting.  Video clips circulate virally at astonishing speed, with over 25,000,000 YouTube views to date.Trace was named "Most Promising New Talent" of 2008 by Acoustic Guitar Magazine, as well as winning third place in the magazine's "Best Fingerstyle Guitarist" category the same year.  Last summer, he performed at Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre in front of a crowd of over 7,000 people, as part of The World's Largest Music Lesson.  Over the past couple of years, Trace has shared the stage with Brandi Carlile, Olivia Newton-John, Neko Case, Judy Collins, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Phil Keaggy, David Wilcox, David Knopfler (Dire Straits), Bill Nershi (String Cheese), Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney & Wings), Chris Hillman (the Byrds), Stanley Jordan, and MOFRO, among others.Dave Kirby from the Boulder Weekly says "Possessing a staggering acoustic technique, on both right and left sides, Bundy has made his reputation as a next generation solo guitarist of serious repute."Audiocast Magazine from Austin, TX agrees: "Bundy's live show is without a doubt an event that needs to be witnessed rather than told about. With such a jaw-dropping performance, Bundy's live concert is a slap in the face that would leave a palm print on the memory of everyone in the audience."Take a minute to check him out and you'll agree that Trace Bundy must be seen, not just heard.For more information, please visit www.tracebundy.com

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present West Water Outlaws & The Congress to the Boulder Theater on Friday, November 2nd.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, October 5th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $10 in advance and $12.50 the day of the show.West Water OutlawsThe Outlaws were formed in early 2010 when singer Blake Rooker accidentally walked into the wrong statistics class, hazily. He ran into a friend from freshman year at CU, Will S. Buck Esq. who had interest in forming a band. After fifteen minutes of what felt like brothers meeting for the first time, Rooker and Buck discovered each others love for down home blues and dirty rock and roll, and a band practice was scheduled for later that evening. After a few practices and some spirited writing sessions the band started playing parties in the basement of Rooker's house. Interestingly enough during the mass explosion of dj software and macbook pros, not many parties in Boulder featured live Rock & Roll bands at this point in time. The rock parties were a hit and the band began playing out at bars and local clubs for a small fee of beer and food. After adding Andrew "Monkey" Oakley on drums and Vincent "Funky" Ellwood on bass, The West Water Outlaws have managed to win the 2010 CU battle of the bands, and share the stage with national acts such as Rose Hill Drive, Dirty Sweet, The Swayback and Rival Sons. Using recording time won in the battle of the bands the Outlaws released their first official EP entitled "Crooked Angel", recorded, mixed and mastered at Coupe Studios.In June of 2011 The Outlaws booked their first regional tour ever and piled into a black F250, later known as "Black Sabbath," and headed south with only four total shows confirmed. West Water was an instant hit on their first stop in Memphis, Tennessee and was immediately offered another show the following night. By the end of the month, the band had played over twelve shows in four cities, and grown their fan base by 25%. There's no telling what The Outlaws are cooking up next but it's a guarantee that their shows will be high energy and rowdy both on and off the stage. This will be a band to watch as they strive to be the next big thing out of Boulder.The CongressEvoking emotions that you thought had long passed – the feeling of your first cigarette, or the way you feel listening to a worn vinyl as it warmly crackles against the sound of a summer night – The Congress is naturally compared to many names and styles of years gone by. But drawing such comparisons is, in many respects, a misguided endeavor. Misguided not because you’d be wrong, but because you’d be missing the beautiful point – The Congress are a natural evolution of more than 60 years of purely American music. With a spirit rooted just south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and now calling Denver – “The Queen City of the West” – their home, they’ve got enough soul, grit, and have spent enough time in the woodshed and on the road to call them pretty much whatever you want. But whatever words you think you need to describe their contribution to the American music tradition – save your breath. The Congress play Rock & Roll.

KGNU & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Femi Kuti and the Positive Force to the Boulder Theater on Tuesday, January 15th.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, October 19th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $25 general admission.Those who have followed his career and have experienced his music know this for a fact: Femi Kuti never felt just satisfied with being the King's heir. He freed himself from his father's legacy in '85 by putting together his own band, The Positive Force, and thereby working to find his own voice. He became, during the '90s, a renowned artist in his own right with a distinctive, colorful and balanced style. His records tell the story: After a short spell at Motown, he took on the Afrobeat sound with his first international album in 1998 «Shoki Shoki», before rubbing shoulders with the modern urban style of his American peers such as Mos Def and Common on the album «Fight To Win». Returning to Lagos he worked on rebuilding the new Shrine and released an unbelievable live project recorded in the heat of the moment in his own venue («Live at the Shrine», MK2 / 2004). Finally his first studio record only came about in 2008, having found inspiration in Paris. This unanimously celebrated release «Day By Day» was his most successful one.What was there left for him to accomplish from now on? To complete the cycle, Femi felt he needed to go back to his roots, to the origins of this burning feeling inside him which had fired all his work, and going back to the studio where he had produced his first recordings with his father and his solo album «Shoki Shoki».Decca Studio, soon to become Afrodisia Records in the '70s, was the experimenting ground for most Nigerian masterpieces of the time, including those of Fela. «It was a very important historical place for Afrobeat and the place have those mystical vibrations that Femi felt», recalls Sodi, his longtime travelling buddy, and Parisian producer, who made the trip to Lagos to be a part of it. «We knew the studio was in a bad state, with old mixing desks, ancient equipment, we all knew the gear would not be up to the test, but we wanted to take up the challenge. Because everyting is different in Lagos. The city is such a monster; it has an effect on the way musicians play. The trick is to capture the Lagos stress without yielding under it yourself.And Femi gives us further insight : « Between the power cuts and the dysfunctional AC, we were sweating like pigs. I was playing with Sodi, pretending to complain: We could be in a comfortable place right now, what are we doing here? It was madness, but that's what we wanted it to be». This record may be less carefully produced than the former one. However this was not unintentional, but rather a conscious artistic choice, i.e. not to polish the finishing touches and keep this afrobeat rough in its purest form..... « Aggressive is the word that Femi uses the most when talking about the album. This familiar Punk energy you hear is no surprise therefore even spiced up the African way! Here, the words echo the music perfectly. « Bad Government ». Never has Femi been so vindictive. Or his words so concise. « Nobody Beg But never has my people's condition been so serious» he justifies. As did his idols from the 60s, Coltrane, Parker, Gillespie, his militant spirit sometimes carries a jazzy jab that doesn't however lose any of its intensity. « Politics in Africa ».More than just a simple musician, the 48-year old composer has become a true African Ambassador, in its most honorable sense. Indeed the album recording had to be arranged around his busy schedule. For example, Femi was in Johannesburg to sing for Africa the opening ceremony for the Football World Cup. There he sang one of his hits « Beng Beng Beng », and took the opportunity to meet a few of the anti-Apartheid heroes. Shortly after, he was heading off to New York to see the famous and very successful Broadway musical about Fela, where he also got to appear on stage, invited by the actors at the end of the show. «It's truly extraordinary, they really understood my father's struggle and his mindset This show has got to travel the world, and come down to the Shrine», he says naturally.Will we see Femi carrying out this project throughout the world? Maybe. In the meantime, his Shrine still carries the torch week in week out, so much so it has become one of the only last dynamic temples for live African music. Erykah Badu, Damon Albarn, Hugh Masekala have recently made appearances, as have the Lagos Police, who regularly raid the place, picking up and frightening off the local crowd, as they try to close down this highly regarded resistance venue. For the Shrine's 10th anniversary, coming this winter, Femi has plans to organize there an exceptional festival, following which he will be promoting his new album on stage.For more information, please visit http://www.myspace.com/femikuti

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Here Comes the Kid….Arlo Guthrie’s Solo Tribute to Woody to the Boulder Theater on Saturday, March 30th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, November 2nd, 2012 at 10:00 am for $30 general admission seated, $40 reserved & $47.50 gold circle.Arlo pays tribute to his father, Woody Guthrie, American folk artist for his 100th birthday!Throughout his own career Arlo Guthrie has honored his father in song as well as in life. With the centennial of Woody's 100th birthday approaching, Arlo will embark on a new solo tour, Here Comes The Kid, which will begin October 2012 and run through 2013 continuing the celebration of Woody Guthrie's immeasurable contributions to the landscape of American folk music.Since childhood, Arlo was amazed by the creative genius of his father and his friends that would drop by: Leadbelly, Brownee McGee, and Cisco Houston to name a few. Not surprising, Arlo drew from those experiences and he in turn became a delineative figure for a new generation. Arlo has long paid homage to his dad with his own renditions of Woody's songs, but of equal importance - Woody's legacy is well defined in Arlo's own works: in his humor, his political and social activism, and his undeniable gift for storytelling.Join Arlo Guthrie in honoring the enduring commitment of Woody Guthrie with an unforgettable night of music and stories confirming that the folk tradition of Woody is alive and well. Arlo's exceptional solo shows are a unique and inspiring experience providing an intimacy with the audience that is unparalleled. Here Comes the Kid will run nationwide through 2013 in select venues, and will celebrate the legacy of Guthrie's father in a manner to make any parent proud: to take what his dad started, and make it his own.-

HERE COMES THE KID….ARLO GUTHRIE’S SOLO TRIBUTE TO WOODY

Boulder Theater

Saturday, March 30, 2013Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Amy Schumer to the Boulder Theater on Friday, April 26, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, November 30th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $32.50 general admission seated.Amy Schumer is quickly becoming the hottest star in the world of comedy, with her blend of wholesome, girl-next-door looks and edgy comedy. Amy is the creator, star and writer of Inside Amy, her Comedy Central television show which will premiere next year. Amy is coming off her one-hour stand-up special, Mostly Sex Stuff, which became Comedy Central’s second-highest rated special this year. She was one of the featured comedians on Comedy Central’s Roast of Roseanne, following her breakout performance on last year’s Roast of Charlie Sheen. Amy was most recently on Louie and will next be seen in Season 2 of HBO’s Girls.Amy has appeared on The Howard Stern Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  Amy was featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and as Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch this past year. She’s also written articles for Cosmo Magazine to enormous reader response.Amy recurred on Season 3 of Adult Swim’s Delocated and guest starred in the latest season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Last year she filmed the feature Seeking a Friend for the End of the World starring Steve Carrell and Kiera Knightley and Price Check, an independent feature opposite Parker Posey which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Her album Cutting placed in the top 5 of the Billboard Charts and has been included on multiple Best Comedy Albums of the Year awards’ lists.Amy made her network debut in 2007 on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and soon after co-starred on 30 Rock, had her own Comedy Central Presents special. She co- hosted Hoppus on Music with Mark Hoppus of Blink 182 on Fuse and this summer made her fourth appearance at the Montreal Comedy Festival.

AMY SCHUMER

Boulder Theater

Friday, April 26, 2013Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour to the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, December 14th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $25 general admission seated, $32 reserved & $40 gold circle.December 10, 2012; Monterey, CA; Monterey Jazz Festival, world-renowned for its artistic excellence, sophisticated informality, and longstanding mission to create and support year-round jazz education and performance programs in local, regional, national, and international venues, continues this commitment in 2013 with its thirdNorth American Tour, featuring critically-acclaimed, GRAMMY®-winning jazz artists.The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration, featuring vocalistDee Dee Bridgewater, bassist and musical director Christian McBride, pianist Benny Green, drummer Lewis Nash, saxophonist Chris Potter, and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, will perform 45 shows beginning on January 10, 2013 in Santa Cruz, Calif., and will make stops in 40 cities in 23 States across the United States, Canada, and Washington D.C. through April 28.Highlights of the nine-week tour will include a six-night run at the Blue Note in New York City, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.; the Epcor Center in Calgary, Alberta,Canada; the Chicago Symphony Center in Chicago; and Benaroya Hall in Seattle.Members of the 55th Anniversary on Tour Band have deep relationships with Monterey Jazz Festival and have a commitment to the cultivation of jazz audiences worldwide. Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater made her first appearance at the Monterey Jazz in Festival in 1973 with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra; bassist Christian McBridehas appeared at the Festival eight times since 1994, including acting as the Festival’s Artist-In-Residence in 2008; pianist Benny Green made the first of his eight performances at the Festival (as a 15-year-old in 1978) as the pianist in the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra; drummer Lewis Nash has appeared at the Festival twice since 2001; saxophonist Chris Potter made the first of his eight Festival appearances in 1997 and was a featured member of  Dave Holland’s “Monterey Quartet,” which performed and recorded at the Monterey Jazz Festival’s 50th Anniversary in 2007; and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, a two-time member of the  Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, has made four appearances at the Festival since the 1990s, including acting as Monterey’s Artist-In-Residence in 2012.“Our 55th Anniversary Celebration is shaping up to be our best tour yet,” said Tim Jackson, artistic director of Monterey Jazz Festival. “The band’s debut at the 2012 Monterey Jazz Festival was an overwhelming success and the chemistry between the artists is amazing. The music swings with ferocity and fun!”"The band's two sets at the 55th Monterey Jazz Festival this past September were the highlights of the event," said Danny Melnick, president of Absolutely Live Entertainment and producer of the 2013 tour. "They performed stunning versions of classic tunes by Horace Silver, Bobby Hutcherson, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday and even the Isley Brothers, in addition to original compositions. The audience loved the performances and I am sure the tour concerts will be stellar."The longest continuously-running jazz festival in the world, the Monterey Jazz Festival has presented nearly every major jazz star—from Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong to Esperanza Spalding and Trombone Shorty—since it was founded in 1958.All-Star bands at Monterey have been a long-standing tradition at the Monterey Jazz Festival since 1966. In recent years, the Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars (featuring Terence Blanchard, James Moody, Benny Green, Nnenna Freelon,Derrick Hodge, and Kendrick Scott) performed a ten-week tour of the United States, performing for 44,000 fans in 52 cities in 22 states in 2008. A recording by the group,Live at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival on Monterey Jazz Festival Records, won Terence Blanchard a GRAMMY.In 2010, the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour group played for over 26,000 fans on a six-week, 34-date tour through 17 states, and featured NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron on piano; violinist Regina Carter; guitarist Russell Malone; vocalist Kurt Elling; bassistKiyoshi Kitagawa; and drummer Johnathan Blake.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present EOTO with Liquid Stranger & Jantsen to the Boulder Theater on Sunday, March 16, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, December 14th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $30 general admission.As electronic influences continue to penetrate the live rock, jazz, and jam ethos, one band consistently rises to the top, bringing together fans from across the musical spectrum. EOTO crisscrosses the country blowing out basement dives, packed theaters, and stages under the stars. Check your festival schedules: this 100% improvised dubstep/breakbeat/house/drum & bass/trip-hop duo is the premier late-night party in the country.Throbbing bass and thudding beats are the signatures of this project from drummers Michael Travis and Jason Hann. Born out of their shared love of electronic dance music, EOTO’s M.O. is to take the free-wheeling party vibe of a DJ set to the next level by using organic instruments, innovative performance technology, and uncharted musical exploration. Live drums, guitars, and keys, and vocals are mixed, remixed, and sampled on the fly using cutting-edge programs. This is all done without a script, and without a net.Hann plays a hyper EQ’d drumkit, chock full of multi-touch screens and MIDI controllers, and throws a number of effects on his otherworldly vocal styles. Travis takes on subsonic frequencies, generating the band’s crushing low end with analog, digital, and software synthesizers, occasionally picking up guitar or a bass guitar and showing off his proficiency with instruments of all shapes and sizes.Hann, has been playing percussion professionally since the age of 12. Years of collaborating, touring, and recording with the likes of Youssou N’Dour, Isaac Hayes, Dr. Dre, Loreena McKinnett, SCI, and a slew of other established artists running the gamut from Latin jazz to R ‘n’ B and soul allows him to move fluidly between styles. Adding to this is his depth in African and Latin drumming traditions, allowing the futuristic EOTO sound to keep itself rooted in the past.For the last 16 years, Travis has been the drumming octopus in SCI. He morphs roles to melodic multi-instrumentalist in EOTO, providing the raw basslines and harmonic tapestry that fill out the soundscape of the duo. Both Hann and Travis have the chops and stamina for physically demanding, EOTO improvised sets, which have been known to go upwards of 4 straight hours. “When we’re playing live for 3 hours a night, it’s like playing tribal drums in a ceremony,” Hann explains. “I’m looking at one person at a time out there, and thinking ‘what can I do to make you dance?’”An EOTO set is a nebulous beast. Setlists are only broken up into tracks for the sake of posterity. In reality, changes in mood, energy, and inspiration are reflected—in real-time—by rhythmic and melodic shifts. The duo moves effortlessly from choppy dubstep to whip-smart, four-on-the-floor house to psychedelic trip-hop. It’s a dance marathon, but everyone’s in it together. The EOTO set is dependent on crowd energy and activity, effectively breaking down the wall between artist and audience.Because EOTO starts fresh every night, the band’s evolutionary progress has been thrust into hyperspeed, eclipsing standard acts who return to their dusty catalog for every performance. This is apparent when following the musical evolution of their live performances, which are recorded every night and made available to their fans. On EOTO’s first 2 studio releases--2006’s Elephants Only Talk Occasionally, and the 2008 release Razed, EOTO bounced playfully between house, trance, and breakbeat. A huge change in their sound came when Travis and Hann first saw, felt, and heard the cathartic vibes that dubstep could produce at DJ Skream’s set at Shambhala during the Summer of 2008. This influence saw the duo become the first National, live, dubstep act in the US. The wobbly, buzz-saw bass and heavy backbeat style has become a signature of their sets, as heard on their live recordings and on the 2009 studio release, Fire the Lazers!!! Newer material has the duo co-opting sounds from outside the realm of electronic music with scratchy punk riffs and fuzzy sludge metal bass.While the recording of each album is no different than the live performance—completely improvised in one take—the records are an appetizer to the live performance. Hann and Travis are consummate road dogs, playing almost 200 shows a year. EOTO has played more than seven hundred unique showcases in 48 different states in the five years since the project’s inception. Each set is recorded and released (www.livedownloads.com) so fans can capture their unique EOTO dance throwdown, reliving the experience again and again.

EOTO

with Liquid Stranger & Jantsen

Boulder Theater

Sunday, March 16, 2013Doors:  8:30 pm | Show:  9:00 pm

One of the most eclectic and prolific artists in rock music, Steven Wilson has been writing, recording, and producing music continuously since the age of 10. A native of Hemel Hempstead in England, Steven was first exposed to music at the age of eight, when he started hearing his father listening to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” and his mother to Donna Summer’s “Love to Love You Baby,” two albums that were pivotal in the development of his musical direction. His father, an electrical engineer, built him a multi-track tape machine, and he began to experiment with overdubbing and developing a repertoire of production techniques.Early demo tapes started to emerge in the mid 80’s while Steven was still at school, and at the end of the decade he created the two projects which gained him entry to the professional music world: Porcupine Tree and No Man. Porcupine Tree, which explored psychedelia, progressive music, and his love of ambitious seventies music, was initially an imaginary “band” which, in reality, Steven overdubbed all the instruments himself. This even extended to early demo tapes coming with a fictional written history of the band, and biographical info about the fictitious performers.Around the same time, Steven formed No-Man, his long-term collaboration with singer Tim Bowness. Influenced by everything from ambient music to hip-hop, their early singles and albums were a mixture of dance beats and lush orchestrations. Signing to One Little Indian in the UK, and Epic in the US in 1990, they received tremendous accolades from the music press, with Singles Of The Week in Melody Maker, Sounds and Hot Press.Steven has become known for the high standard of his production and is a sought-after mixer and producer. Artists he has worked with in this capacity include the Norwegian artist Anja Garbarek, Anathema, and Swedish progressive-metal band Opeth for whom he produced and/or mixed four albums. Other projects include Blackfield, a collaboration with Israeli megastar Aviv Geffen which has now produced two acclaimed albums, and Steven’s drone / ambient / experimental outlet Bass Communion.More recently Steven has become known for his 5.1 surround sound mixing, starting with his own projects, but since 2009 also for the remixing of several classic albums, notably the revamping of the King Crimson catalogue, on which Steven worked closely with band leader Robert Fripp, Jethro Tull, and several others yet unannounced projects.In September 2012 Steven won “Guiding Light” at the “Progressive Music Awards” 2012.Since the start of 2012 Steven has been writing and recording a third solo studio album, with the members of his touring band.  Principal sessions for the album took place in Los Angeles during September 2012, with legendary producer Alan Parsons engineering. The album will be released in February 2013, followed by an extensive tour. The current line up of the band is SW, Guthrie Govan (guitar), Adam Holzman (keyboards), Theo Travis (flute / sax), Nick Beggs (bass / stick), and Marco Minnemann (drums).

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Steep Canyon Rangers to the Boulder Theater on Saturday, March 9th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, January 11th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $17 general admission.

The past year has taken the Steep Canyon Rangers to new heights. In March 2011, the band released its first collaborative record with Steve Martin, ”Rare Bird Alert” which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Chart and at #43 on the Billboard Top 200. In 2010, the latest solo record from Steep Canyon Rangers, ”Deep In The Shade”, remained in the Bluegrass Top 10 on Billboard for 18 weeks. While headlining festivals like MerleFest and Bonnaroo alongside Steve Martin for part each year, the Rangers continue to perform alone as a quintet on stages such as Telluride, RockyGrass, and ”A Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor. Recent television appearances by Steve Martin with Steep Canyon Rangers include ”Late Night With David Letterman”, ”The Colbert Report” & ”Austin City Limits.” With smooth vocals, smart songwriting, ferocious instrumentals and jaw-dropping harmony, the Rangers are bringing Bluegrass to music lovers across the USA and around the world.

For more information, please visit http://www.steepcanyon.com

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Grant Farm feat. Keith Moseley w/ Frogs Gone Fishin’ & Gipsy Moon at the Boulder Theater Friday, February 8th. Tickets are now on sale for $13.00 in advance & $15.00 day of show.Grant Farm is a band on a mission. Tyler, Chris, Adrian and Sean are experienced players of renown in their own right, but as a unit they form a greater whole, and are working hard to grow into the best band that they can be. Former members of Leftover Salmon, The Drew Emmitt Band, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Bill Nershi's Blue Planet and Hot Soup, these fine young players have been featured on stage with the likes of The String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Motet, Head For The Hills, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brien, Dumpstaphunk, Tony Rice and many more.The seeds of Grant Farm were planted in 2009 by Tyler Grant and Andy Thorn. Tyler was fresh off the boat from Nashville, TN and Andy from Chapel Hill, NC. The duo found themselves in Boulder, CO as members of The Emmitt-Nershi Band, and were eager to showcase some of their original music. When Tyler gave his notice to ENB at the end of 2010 he was driven to make a bigger statement with his music so he dusted off his Telecaster, started a conversation with the experienced and equally driven drummer Chris Misner, plugged in, turned up, and watched the sprouts of the Grant Farm concept grow.With the help of Thorn and stellar bassist Keith Moseley of The String Cheese Incident, the electric Grant Farm started rehearsing in early 2011. With a country-disco (Cris-Co), roots-rock, booty-shakin' jam-tastic concept fully formed, Adrian Engfer and Sean Foley were brought on board to bring the band into 2012. Now, after a couple solid seasons of touring Coast-to-Coast behind their eponymous debut CD, Grant Farm, released on Grant Central Records in March 2012, audiences everywhere are a-buzz with the Roots, Rock and Cris-Co statement that Grant Farm brings to every performance.

Colorado Daily and Z2 Entertainment are proud to present The Black Angels to the Boulder Theater on Friday, May 10th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, January 25th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $20 in advance & $23 day of show.Blue Horizon recording group The Black Angels have announced the upcoming release of their eagerly anticipated new album.  Indigo Meadow will arrive in stores and online on April 2nd.Indigo Meadow is heralded by the high-powered “Don’t Play With Guns.”  Penned just days before last year’s mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado, the song is streaming now exclusively via The Black Angels’ newly relented www.theblackangels.com.  In addition, the “Don’t Play With Guns” companion video clip can be viewed at the band’s’ visionary YouTube channel, The Black Angels TV, located at: www.youtube.com/embed/RoNB1NW2u0A.“Our music has always tried to shed light on issues that may be hard to deal with or confront,” says singer/multi-instrumentalist Alex Maas.  “If people think they can ignore the issues they are wrong.  Don't play with guns, don't touch a hot stove, don't give your child a poisonous snake, don't turn the cheek when artists are willing to discuss these issues.“In ‘Don't Play With Guns’ the antagonist is a female who has the power of persuasion over a man,” he continues.  “Substitute the female antagonist with a Nation, substitute the manipulated man with yourself.  Heed the warning: Don't Play With Guns.”The Black Angels’ most revelatory collection thus far, Indigo Meadow marks the Austin, Texas-based band’s fourth full-length release, following 2010’s acclaimed Phosphene Dream. Once again The Black Angels prove themselves the undisputed avatars of contemporary psychedelic rock, simultaneously exalting the genre’s kaleidoscopic past as they thrust it further into the future.  Now a four-piece – ably supported behind the board by producer/mixer John Congleton (David Byrne & St. Vincent, Explosions In The Sky, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) – the band have brought new focus to their wide-ranging songcraft, the righteous riffs and dogmatic drones gaining increased power as they fuel a more expansive emotional terrain.  The ominous organ grooves and carpet-bombing beats surely resonate with blood and fire, but songs like “Love Me Forever” and the deep blue title track also see a little light entering the Black Angels’ notorious heart of darkness.  A 21st century trip as transcendent as any in the canon, Indigo Meadow masterfully affirms the Black Angels’ full-throttle commitment to the psychedelic ethos of creativity, community and boundless experimentation.Founded in 2004, The Black Angels have been at the spearhead of the post-millennial psychedelic movement, picking up the mantle of their hometown’s long lysergic history and reinvigorating it with progressive political commentary and unrestrained creativity and ambition.  Long hailed for their monumental live sets, The Black Angels will celebrate the arrival of Indigo Meadow with a major North American tour, set to get underway April 4th at Athens, GA’s Georgia Theatre and then continue a May 26th date at San Antonio, TX’s appropriately named White Rabbit.  Support comes from a stellar line-up of lysergically like-minded artists, including Allah-Las, Elephant Stone, Hanni El Khatib, and Wall of Death (see attached itinerary).  Tickets will go on sale this Friday, January 25th – please see www.theblackangels.com for more information.Further, The Black Angels will once again have a headline role at their own annual Austin Psych Fest, set for April 26th – 28th.  Early Bird Weekend Passes are on sale now – please see www.austinpsychfest.com for details.As it enters its sixth year, Austin Psych Fest has proven the locus for today’s incredibly wide-ranging psychedelic scene, as expansive and revolutionary and exhilarating now as at any moment since its 1960s zenith.  APF has quickly become no less an institution as the Newport Folk Festival or the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, inspiring – as it was itself inspired – numerous other like-minded gatherings in such far-flung locales as Liverpool, Santiago, and Cape Town. Like ever before, psychedelia’s countless creative tendrils lead back to Austin, where in 1966, the 13th Floor Elevators were praised for their “psychedelic rock,” forever marking the city as the forward-thinking sound-and-vision’s official birthplace. The Black Angels:  Christian Bland – guitar, drone machine/organ * Alex Maas – vocals, bass, organ/drone machine * Stephanie Bailey – drums, percussion * Kyle Hunt – keyboards, percussion, bass, guitar.

Daily Camera and Z2 Entertainment are proud to present HAPA to the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, April 10th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, January 25th, 2012 at 10:00 am for $20 general admission, $25 reserved & $35 gold circle.Like the Hawaiian Islands themselves, HAPA's Pan-Polynesian music is an amalgam of infuences ranging from ancient genealogical chants to the strummed ballads of Portuguese fisherman, Spanish cowboys, and the inspired melodies and harmonies of the traditional church choirs of the early missionaries. Add to this a dose of American acoustic folk/rock, and you have what has been described as the “most exciting and beautiful contemporary Hawaiian music the world knows!” (Maui Times).These disparate ingredients blended together musically in the Pacific emotes the unique flavor of what Hawaii and HAPA music is: “beautiful, fragile, spiritual, powerful” (L.A. Times).Often encapsulated as the “Sound of Maui”, HAPA’s music evokes a place that many people at different times have referred to as heavenly. The overriding quality of their music is one of beauty and serenity, found in the majestic tones of the oli (chant), mele (song), the elegant movements of the sacred dance known as hula, and the exhilarating innovative sounds of virtuoso slack key guitar. HAPA’s self entitled debut cd released in 1993, swept the 1994 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaiiâ’s equivalent of the Grammy’s), becoming the biggest selling CD by a group or duo in the history of recorded Hawaiian music. The group’s ground breaking music has established them as the most recognized name in Hawaiian music internationally since their debut release, with sold-out shows from Tokyo to New York.For more information, please visit http://www.hapa.com/index.html

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present an evening with Michael Nesmith to the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, February 8th, 2013 at 10:00 am for $35 reserved 1, $40 reserved 2 & $50 gold circle.We are pleased to announce the spring arrival of Michael Nesmith. The singer/songwriter legend will kick off his first solo U.S. tour in over 30 years in Nashville for a rare and exclusive brace of live concerts set to take place in March and April throughout the U.S.“The shows will take a complete look at the songs I’ve recorded over the years, starting back when I was just a solo folk singer,” says Nesmith of forthcoming dates. “I have decades of music to draw from and I think I can put together something exciting, something that will make for a very full, dramatic and emotional evening.”In a career that has endured for almost 50 years, Michael Nesmith has made his mark on popular culture as a songwriter, performer, author, film-producer and actor. In the 1960s Nesmith found fame as one quarter of The Monkees. As a songwriter he has written music for such performers as Linda Rondstadt and had his songs covered by artists ranging from Run DMC to AndyWilliams. A successful film producer, his name has appeared on the credits of such pictures as the cult-classic Repo Man and the Tim Robbins movie Tapeheads. In 1980 Nesmith was one of the men behind the launch of the revolutionary television channel MTV.  But it is Michael Nesmith’s prolific body of solo work that brings him across the U.S. for this rarest of visits.The author of no fewer than 15 solo albums, Nesmith was a key pioneer in the development of country rock music, most notably with his work with The First National Band. His 1975 album Prison – A Book With A Soundtrack introduced the innovative notion of combining a written story with recorded music.His most recent solo work, Rays, was released in 2006.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Shakedown Street featuring Melvin Seals to the Boulder Theater on Friday, March 29th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, February 15th, 2013 at 10:00 am for $15 general admission.One of the longest running Grateful Dead tribute bands in the world, Shakedown Street, makes its home in and around the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Spawned from jam sessions at the Ancient Mariner bar in Manitou Springs, Colorado in 1987, Shakedown Street quickly grew in popularity, and garnered a legion of loyal fans who refer to themselves as "Shakeheads". In a few short years, throngs of "Shakeheads" could be found on the highways and byways of the Rocky Mountains, making their way to another Shakedown Street show.In the live music venues of the Rocky Mountains, there are only a few bands that are able to consistantly draw large audiences. Shakedown Street accomplishes this year after year by embodying the Grateful Dead ethos of improvisation and discovery, while maintaining an intimacy and open repoire with its audience. A whole new generation of "Shakeheads" has discovered the positive and collaborative energy found at a Shakedown Street concert. Longtime fans are thrilled to find the band sounding hotter than ever, and having the time of their lives!The band's personnel is comprised of some of the most creative musicians from some of the finest Colorado bands: Josh Rosen (Lead Guitar and Vocals) from Fort Collins; Smokey Joe Weisiger (Keyboards/Organ and Vocals) from Arvada; Edwin Hurwitz (Bass) from Boulder; Scott Swartz (Rhythm Guitar and Vocals) from Moffat; and Christian Teele (Drums and Percussion) from BoulderThroughout the years, Shakedown Street has had the privilege of sharing the stage with many iconic musicians. Some of these include former Grateful Dead members Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten, as well as Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band, and Grateful Dead technician and keyboard wizard Bob Bralove. Others include Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, The JGB Band, Hot Tuna, The David Nelson Band, NRPS, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Merl Saunders, Mitch Ryder, Spirit, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Big Brother and the Holding Company.With a working repertoire of over two hundred songs, Shakedown Street is able to perform multi night runs without repetition, drawing equally from early and modern Grateful Dead songs, and weave together unique and unforgettable performances. Believing that it is good to give back to the planet, Shakedown Street performs charity and benefit engagements on an ongoing basis to help their local and global communities.With 2012 marking the beginning of Shakedown Street’s year-long 25th Anniversary Party, big plans are in the making. The band will be performing special celebratory shows throughout the year that will feature guest appearances of many well known Colorado and national artists. Don’t be surprised to find Shakedown Street in your neighborhood soon!!!

KGNU, Boulder Weekly and Z2 Entertainment are proud to present the 21st annual Microbreweries for the Environment benefit featuring Juno What?! to the Boulder Theater on Friday, April 19th, 2013.  Tickets are on sale to the public for $22 in advance and $24 the day of the show.Since 1993, the Microbreweries for the Environment benefit has raised nearly $145,000 for local environmental causes. The proceeds from this year's benefit will further the environmental initiatives of five local non-profit organizations: CU Environmental Center, Nederland Compost and Recycling Recovery, Cottonwood Institute, Growe Foundation, and Bicycle Longmont.Twenty Colorado microbreweries serve their best beers for only $2/pint. Admission includes a commemorative pint glass. Participants can opt to purchase a sampler glass for $12 to partake in unlimited tastings.Participating breweries: Asher Brewing Company, Aspen Brewing Company, Avery Brewing Company, Boulder Beer Company, Breckenridge Brewery, Bristol Brewing Company, Dillon DAM Brewery, The Fort Collins Brewery, Great Divide Brewing Company, Left Hand Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewing Co., New Planet Beer Company, Odell Brewing Company, Oskar Blues Brewery, Prost Brewing, Shine Brewing Co, Ska Brewing, Twisted Pine Brewery, Upslope Brewing Company, West Flanders Brewing Company.Juno What?! is the evening's featured entertainment.  Juno What?! will get the crowd moving with electro-funk and high-energy disco jams.  Special guests will be announced in early April. The benefit is a zero-waste and carbon-neutral event. We encourage people to walk, bike, or bus to the event. Doors open and beer tasting starts at 8:00pm, and the opening band (tba) starts up at 8:30pm.  The event ends at 1:00am. Admission costs $22 ($24 day of show) plus service fees. Tickets are available at the Boulder Theater Box Office (303-786-7030 or bouldertheater.com). This event traditionally sells out in advance.21st Annual Microbreweries for the Environment Benefit

Boulder Theater

April 19th, 2013Doors: 8:00pm | Show Time:  8:30 pm | 21+

Boulder Weekly and Z2 Entertainment are proud to present John Scofield Uberjam Band featuring Andy Hess, Avi Bortnick and Adam Deitch to the Boulder Theater on Thursday, August 1st, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, March 15th, 2013 at 10:00 am for $27.50 in advance and $30.00 day of show.John Scofield talks about überjam:“Acidhead” This song came about when we started jamming on Jesse’s dub bass line, which anchors the entire song. Avi’s Indian samples inspired me to improvise in a faux-Eastern style. I came up with a melody and just generally let the tune evolve over months on the road. This is a true four-way collaboration. John Medeski came in to the studio and added a lot to the sound of the piece with his odd and unique Mellotron–a weird, interesting antique keyboard. “Acidhead” is played freely with a very minimal form.“Ideofunk” I wrote this in about five minutes but I thought the melody was too simplistic. After we played it for a while, I decided I liked it. Karl Denson takes an overblowing, overtoned flute solo, reminding me of Rahsaan Roland Kirk.“Jungle Fiction” This tune started out a few years ago when the younger (than me) musicians I played with started to play drum n’ bass or “jungle beat” at a rehearsal. I really wanted to explore this style because I like the fast tempos. The tonalities are very major, a departure from the minor and bluesy sounds of the rest of the album. I’m proud of this one.“I Brake For Monster Booty” Everybody brought in their own part here. We just started this jam at the beginning of a long tour and it developed over a few months. There are memorable double rhythm guitar parts between Avi and me—I love the way the two guitars work here. I think it’s the funkiest track on the record.“Animal Farm” I wrote this one. It was a “normal” tune until Medeski played in the studio with us and it developed into the barnyard cacophony that it is now. The “dying goose” sound is my guitar sampler—with apologies to geese everywhere.“Offspring” I wrote this on the first day of Spring. It’s jazz but it also rocks. What we’re doing during the guitar solo is a fine example of us playing together as a quartet—a loose, live feel. It’s all really spontaneous.“Tomorrow Land” Avi brought in this tune. It has a country-soul feel that’s very “back porch”—warm and rhythmic. This tune stands out from the other material—a rest stop in the middle of the funk.“überjam” This is the archetypal jam composition of the album. We started jamming on it about three years ago. Everybody put in their two cents and eventually “überjam” was created. It has six composers. Somehow “Blue Moon” worked its way in and became an integral part of the song. This is what puts the “jam” into this band!“Polo Towers” I wrote this while playing a week in Las Vegas—not exactly the jazz capital of the world. If there’s one thing people don’t want after a long day of gambling—it’s an evening of progressive jazz with long solos! Jesse and Adam lock in to the best hip-hop groove of the album. Karl uses a weird 1960’s electronic sax device that is totally warped.“Snap, Crackle, Pop” Adam Deitch provides the snap, crackle, and pop here. The actual composition is a little bit schizo with a lyrical melody over the super-groove. Avi’s rhythm guitar breaks demonstrate why Charlie Hunter calls him the greatest rhythm guitar player in the world. This one makes me want to dance.“Lucky For Her” This is the first song we play at our concerts and we’ve come full circle putting this at the end of überjam. It begins with a mechanical hodgepodge and my “Lucky” melody that evolves into Avi and Jesse locking into some super-funk. I love the way machines, guitars, and drums meet on this song.

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Boulder Weekly, Grateful Web and Z2 Entertainment are proud to present DeadPhish Orchestra and Private Gripweed:  A Tribute to The Dead, Phish & The Beatles to the Boulder Theater on Saturday, April 20th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, March 15th, 2013 at 10:00 am for $8.00 in advance and $10.00 day of show.

DeadPhish Orchestra:

The DeadPhish Orchestra is a quartet of Colorado musicians who, above all, are close friends who have played together for many years. They had played Grateful Dead songs together, and they had played Phish songs together. But they got to wondering what would happen if they tried to merge the music of these two bands, the Granddaddies and Daddies of the jamband scene.

While these two bands have their surface similarities, most fans realize that their actual musical styles are quite different. The Grateful Dead are an earthy, folky, bluesy band where Phish is sharper around the edges, funky and more aggressive. But both bands have an improvisational approach to their live shows, and it is in that spontaneity where the magic really happens.

The guys in DPO have posed themselves a unique challenge in merging the two styles. Setlists end up with segues that look like Divided Sky>Morning Dew>Divided Sky, or Help>Slip>Frankenstein. Or even stranger, like My Friend, My Friend of the Devil or It Must Have Been The Roses Are Free. You can see that between the vast repertoires of the two bands, the possibilities are endless.

It's just about as much fun as humans are allowed to have.

Private Gripweed:  A Beatle's Tribute

Private Gripweed was inspired by current events and the rapid transformation of his country into a fascist police state. Influenced by the musical styles of late 20th century hard rock, the music is best described as politically charged lyrics set to melodic, guitar-driven original songs. The result of one lone madman's tireless work, Private Gripweed is an ambitious project whose goal is to simultaneously entertain, enlighten and prod the sleeping masses to question their reality.

As a youth, Gripweed found the strict regimen of the state-controlled conformity factories known as public schools to be intolerable. To make matters worse, Gripweed's parents, despite their good intentions, forced him to attend church several times a week where dominator-style religion was force-fed to him like spoonfuls of foul tasting medicine. With authority figures everywhere attempting to control his mind, body, and spirit, Gripweed found escape from the monotony by retreating into imaginary worlds found in comic books. He often wished he had superpowers of his own in order to help him and others break free from tyranny and oppression.

As a teenager, Gripweed found himself totally unsatisfied with his current reality. To keep himself sane, he wallowed in the rebellious refrains of rock-n-roll, explored the depths of his mind with the aid of psychedelic drugs, and over-indulged in promiscuous activities with fatherless young women having low self-esteem. As a young adult, Gripweed tried in vain to play by the Rules of the Man. He wasted years toiling away as a miserably unhappy bureaucrat in the private sector. During these dark days, he always considered himself as just another cog in the gears of the mighty corporate machine that was America Inc.

Then, a catalyzing event took place that forever-altered the world - the attacks on mostly civilian targets in the U.S. on September 11, 2001. It did not take a genius to realize these attacks were an inside job. Gripweed's perception of his government had always been one of mistrust, but this time they had gone too far. Gripweed knew in his heart that those in power had either set the sinister plans into motion or allowed it to happen. To add salt to our collective wounds, these sick, twisted, treasonous fucks were now benefiting economically by the events of 9/11 and the subsequent infinite "war on terror." Gripweed came to learn that these staged events were all part of a coordinated effort to seize geopolitically strategic targets while simultaneously accelerating world corporatization. To his horror, Gripweed also learned that this was not the first time in recent history that the US government had put forth the idea to offer up its citizenry like sacrificial lambs. As it turns out, his country had a long, sordid history of exporting misery and Killing Hope around the world. It became painfully obvious to Gripweed that in a world of close to 7 billion people and counting, life is now a cheap commodity to be spent at will by the world's so-called elites.

At this point, Gripweed decided on a course of action. He recalled a time not so long ago when popular music had been used as a form of protest against the establishment. In the late 1960's, iconic guitarist Jimi Hendrix had used his guitar as a counter-cultural weapon. A sonic machine-gun if you will, to mow down authority. While Gripweed is certainly no Hendrix in the talent department, he planned his own version of sonic assault to help expose the corrupt establishment. To this end, Gripweed is currently hard at work on his debut album Security Index, named after the U.S. Government's secret list of citizens deemed troublemakers that are to be rounded up and placed in gulag-style internment camps in the event of a "national emergency." In addition to the sonic assault, Gripweed has established this website to help provide ammunition in the information war.

DEADPHISH ORCHESTRA & PRIVATE GRIPWEED

Boulder Theater

April 20th, 2013

Doors:  8:30pm | Show Time:  9:00 pm

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Andy McKee to the Boulder Theater on Saturday, July 20th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, February 16th, 2013 at 10:00 am for $21.50 general admission seating, $27.50 reserved and $42.50 gold circle.Andy McKee’s acoustic guitar can approximate the polyrhythmic interplay of a percussion ensemble, the harmonic sweep of a string section, the dazzling runs of a bluegrass doghouse bass-and-banjo duo, and virtually anything else his pastoral compositions and tasteful covers require. In 9 years and 5 records he’s written an oeuvre that globally inspires and intrigues music fans. His robust 200 dates-a-year tour itinerary—often spanning domestic rural to the exotically remote, from Albuquerque to Jakarta to Zurich and everything in between—and his fans-first commitment, make him a worldwide ambassador for a new era in acoustic virtuosity.Andy’s imaginative and masterful approach to the instrument and his Guitar Masters tour franchise—a tour package of edgy progressives—is helping to redefine our conception of acoustic guitar. Recently he’s garnered plum exposure playing with Prince in sold out arena shows in Australia as a featured soloist and special guest member of Prince’s extraordinary live band. He has toured two different continents with Dream Theater (where he played to 10,000 in Mexico City and to tens of thousands in South Korea, Thailand, China and Japan) and with one of his hero’s, Eric Johnson (who made a rare acoustic showing on the Guitar Masters Tour), where he’s been able to share his unique artistry with a wide and diverse audience. Fans of sophisticated holiday music had the opportunity to hear Andy on Josh Groban’s Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum Christmas album, Noël. In December 2008 Andy was awarded Acoustic Guitar Magazine’s esteemed worldwide silver medal award for his fingerstyle approach. But most fans first exposure to Andy’s guitartistry has been through his youtube presence; the Topeka Kansas native’s 150 million cumulative youtube views puts him in the top 3 most viewed subjects on the site’s storied 7-year history. Youtube, and video culture in general, tends to have a shtick-based popularity where humorous and superficial images tend to attract the most attention. That a guy with just an acoustic guitar and no fancy camera work or special effects could resonate with that many people is inspiring in that it showed there is a powerful and widespread hunger for pure and progressive musicianship.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Todd Rundgren’s Official State Visit to the Boulder Theater on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, April 5th at 10:00 am for $30.00 general admission.Todd Rundgren, Rock’s Renaissance Man, searched deep with in himself as he explored the very artists who praised his name and his influence on their own music.  The time had come for Rundgren to revisit his experimental and adventurous side with such artists as “Skrillex, Frank Ocean, David Tipper, GRiZ and Lewis Taylor” as his influences in his newest studio album, State, to be released on April 9th.Todd Rundgren begins his national tour on May 5th in Woodstock, New York and continues West to Boulder, Colorado where he will take the stage with a trio, electronics and an element of improvisation.  The night will be nothing but memorable.For more information, please visit http://www.tr-i.com

The BluesMobile.com, 97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present the 3rd annual Boulder Roots & Blues Summit featuring The James Hunter Six and Hot Tuna (acoustic) with Steve Kimock to the Boulder Theater on Friday, May 17th & Saturday, May 18th, 2013.  Tickets are on sale now!

Into the third year, the Boulder Theater is bringing another great line up of Roots & Blues to the city of Boulder. For two nights, the theater will be filled with music from legendary American blues-rock band Hot Tuna & England’s own The James Hunter Six. These artists bring the best of the blues, rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm to the stage.

For more information, please visit www.bouldertheater.com

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Boulder Roots & Blues Summit 2013

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Weird Al Yankovic at the Boulder Theater on Sunday, July 21st, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale Friday, May 3rd at 10:00am for $32.00 general admission and $40 reserved balcony.The singer-songwriter's first real brush with fame came in 1979 when he recorded "My Bolog na" (a spoof of The Knack's "My Sharona") in the bathroom across the hall from his college campus radiostatio where he had a weekly DJ shift. A devote of musical satirists Spike Jones Tom Lehrer, Allan Sherman and Stan Freberg, Yankovic's budding career took off when the song became a sensation on the nationally syndicated "Dr. Demento Show." Just a few years later, Al landed his first recording contract and has since created an extraordinary legacy of music and ground-breaking videos including hits like "Eat It," "Like A Surgeon" and "Amish Paradise."An accomplished director, Al has helmed many of his own award-winning music videos as well as clips for Ben Folds, Jeff Foxworthy,The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Hanson and The Black Crowes. His video for "Smells Like Nirvana," nominated for an MTV Video Music Award in 1992, was chosen by Rolling Stone as one of the "Top 100 Music Videos Of All Time." Al also created the critically acclaimed title sequence for the Leslie Nielsen feature film "Spy Hard."Making a successful transformation from pop music satirist to multimedia star, Al created his own television specials specials for MTV ("AL TV"), Showtime and the Disney Channel, among others. His feature film "UHF" (1989) became an instant Top Ten best-selling DVD upon its release in 2002, and his CBS network series "The Weird Al Show" reached cult-classic status and was released on DVD earlier this year.Al has been featured on numerous TV shows and specials, and his profile on VH 1's "Behind the Music" remains one of the most popular installments in the history of the series.For more information, please visit www.weirdal.com

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Madeleine Peyroux at the Boulder Theater on Friday, August 2nd, 2013. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 14th at 10am for $30.00 general admission seated, $35.00 reserved and $45.00 gold circle.New album, The Blue Room, available now….“The only thing that matters is the song.” says singer-songwriter Madeleine Peyroux. That conviction along with a ‘one of a kind’ voice, has carried the Jazz artist from busking on the streets of Paris, all the way to mainstream recognition.Through intensely distinctive renditions of old classics and modern tunes by the likes of Leonard Cohen and The Beatles, Peyroux has proved to be an uncannily insightful ‘interpreter’ with her consistently impeccable choice of material.Peyroux’s new album, The Blue Room, sees the genre-blending singer reworking some landmark musical gems, in a repeat collaboration with longtime Peyroux producer Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Walter Becker, Tracy Chapman, Herbie Hancock) The result is a sophisticated album that rather than just ‘crossing over’, seamlessly fuses musical styles together to create an entirely new sound.The Blue Room started life as Klein’s re-examination of Ray Charles’s classic, Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music, but soon moved away from being strictly an homage to that album. “Madeleine and I decided to branch out to other songs we love,” explains Klein, so alongside tunes from the original ABC Paramount project such as “Bye Bye Love,” “Born To Lose,” “You Don’t Know Me” and the anthemic “I Can’t Stop Loving You” are Randy Newman’s “Guilty,” Warren Zevon’s “Desperadoes Under The Eaves” and John Hartford’s “Gentle On My Mind.” “Ray’s ‘cultural landmark’ album has always been a part of me,” says Larry Klein, “…the project naturally came to mind with Madeleine as a part of it.”MADELEINE PEYROUXBoulder TheaterAugust 2nd, 2013Doors: 7:00 pm | Show: 8:00 pm

97.3 KBCO and Z2 Entertainment are proud to present KT Tunstall to the Boulder Theater on Monday, October 7th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 14th at 10:00 am for $20.00 general admission and $27.50 reserved.New album “Invisible Empire / Crescent Moon” in stores now!“There’s little here that doesn’t make you wonder where Tunstall has been hidin all this beauty until now.” – Guardian"Making the album felt a bit like an archaeological dig," Tunstall says. "I had to dig deep to uncover what most turns me on. The best way I can describe it is that I discovered the indigenous part of myself by going back to campfire dance music just as much as club dance music. When I grind my boot heel into the floor, it's connected to when I went clubbing in Berlin. Losing yourself in the middle of nowhere around a fire is no different to losing yourself surrounded by hundreds of people on a dancefloor."For more information, please visit www.kttunstall.comKT Tunstall Boulder Theater October 7th, 2013Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

This September, reggae legend Jimmy Cliff will visit several U.S. cities, performing in intimate theater and club settings on his “2013 Many Rivers Crossed Tour.” The 17-date tour begins September 6 at the Interlocken Music Festival in Arrington, VA and continues to other cities including New York (Webster Hall), Los Angeles (Santa Monica Pier), San Francisco (The Fillmore), Chicago (Concord Music Hall), Boston (House Of Blues), Washington, DC (The Howard Theatre), and Seattle (Neptune), before concluding in Glenside, PA (Keswick Theatre) on September 29. Jimmy Cliff Community ticket pre-sales begin tomorrow and vary by market; general on-sales for all shows begin this Friday, June 28.Join music icon Jimmy Cliff as he takes you through an evening of classic songs and the unforgettable stories behind them.Says Jimmy Cliff, "With my recent GRAMMY® win and the 40th anniversary of The Harder They Come, I want to give fans something different, a rare and intimate look at Jimmy Cliff. Through the years, I've been blessed with memorable experiences that accompany the songs I've created and I am excited to share these stories on my ‘Many Rivers Crossed Tour’."In addition to classics including “Wonderful World, Beautiful People,” “Many Rivers To Cross,” “I Can See Clearly Now,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” “The Harder They Come,” and “Breakout,” Cliff will perform songs from his acclaimed, GRAMMY®- winning (Best Reggae Album) 2012 album, REBIRTH.In conjunction with the “Many Rivers Crossed Tour,” film distributor Syndctd Entertainment (www.syndctd-entertainment.com) and International Films Management will re-release the classic film The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff, as a special, one-night-only theatrical event across North America on September 5, 2013. This year marks the film’s 40th anniversary, and to commemorate the milestone, Syndctd has invited fans from around the world to participate in a theatrical poster redesign contest. Movie theatre and contest information can be found on the film's official website, www.thehardertheycome.com.In addition, Jimmy Cliff and Talenthouse have teamed up to create a video contest for up and coming directors. Directors are invited to download green screen footage of Cliff performing his song, “Reggae Music,” and come up with their own vision for the video. The winning director will be rewarded with a five-day, all expenses paid trip to Jamaica courtesy of The Jamaican Tourist Board. For complete contest details and to enter, visit www.talenthouse.com.REBIRTH paired Jimmy Cliff with the award-winning producer and punk legend Tim Armstrong, who produced the album, as well as Cliff’s 2011 “Sacred Fire” EP. Rolling Stone magazine hailed Cliff’s hotly anticipated return to form as his “best music in decades” and named REBIRTH one of 2012’s top albums. REBIRTH debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Reggae chart and held the top position for five weeks straight.Last June, Cliff visited Los Angeles’ KCRW for a live acoustic performance of nine songs on the public radio station’s acclaimed program, “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” hosted by KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley. The recording of the live broadcast, titled The KCRW Session, will be released tomorrow (June 25) by Universal Music Enterprises.JIMMY CLIFF Boulder Theater September 17th, 2013Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present A Live One: A Phish Tribute at the Boulder Theater on Thursday, August 8th, 2013.  Tickets are go on sale to the public on Friday, July 5th at 10:00 am for $8.00 in advance and $10.00 the day of the show.Guitarist Josh Pearson and drummer Dan McGreevy met early, playing cops and robbers in St. Charles, IL as kids, but it wasn't until years later when they both landed at Colorado State in Fort Collins, CO that the basement jams would begin. Out of that partnership, the original jam band Moving Matter was born, and in August of 2003, the band made the move to Austin, TX to pursue their musical careers.In Austin, Josh and Dan decided to start a Phish tribute band around 2008, originally featuring friends Dustin & Evan Bozarth on keys and bass respectively. Due to busy schedules, it faded after a few practices and one show at Maxfest in 2010. Months later, Dan pushed the idea again, and brought in Wesley Haynes on keys - a musician they’d met months prior and knew would be a good fit. Two more bass players were auditioned to fill out the group, but the third time was the charm, when Michael Boyd responded to a Craigslist ad.With the final piece in place, the group began rehearsing December of 2010, and unveiled their sound to an eager audience in March of 2011 with a two-song teaser at Ruta Maya, sandwiched between the bands Moving Matter and Jabarvy. Their first full show came a month later on April 20, 2011 when they played to a packed house at the Umphrey’s McGee aftershow at Stubbs in Austin, TX.September of 2012 marked ALO's first tour, with shows in Dallas and Denver (including a Phish Dicks aftershow at Quixotes on Sept. 2), then through Fort Collins and several CO mountain towns. 2013 brings wind of another trip yet to be finalized, and with several 3-night runs already scheduled through Texas in spring, the band isn’t slowing down anytime soon.For more information, please visit www.aliveone.org

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Leftover Salmon at the Boulder Theater on Friday, November 29th and Saturday, November 30th, 2013. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 19th at 10am for $29.50 general admission.Looking back over the past 25 years of rootsy, string-based music, the impact of Leftover Salmon is impossible to deny. Formed in Boulder at the end of 1989, the Colorado slamgrass pioneers were one of the first bluegrass bands to add drums and tour rock & roll bars, helping Salmon become a pillar of the jam band scene and unwitting architects of the jam grass genre. Though the lineup would change through the years, the foundation of Leftover Salmon was built on the relationship between co-founders Drew Emmitt (vocals, guitar, fiddle, mandolin), Vince Herman (vocals, guitar,washboard) and Mark Vann (electric banjo). Following a decade of constant growth and constant touring, on March 4, 2002, Mark Vann lost his battle with cancer. Vann insisted that the band carry on and Salmon did so for several years leading up to an indefinite hiatus in 2005.If Leftover Salmon had never played another note after leaving the stage in 2005, the legacy would have been secure; the members’ names etched in the books of history. But today, more than two decades after Salmon first took shape, the band has a new album, Aquatic Hitchhiker, due May 22 on LoS Records, a new banjo phenom named Andy Thorn, and a new lease on an old agreement. Leftover Salmon is officially back.The 29-year-old Thorn grew up a Salmon fan in North Carolina and says the band helped him realize “this is what I want to do with my life.” Ironically, it’s his presence in the group that has given Leftover Salmon new life. “Andy’s a real young guy with a lot of great energy who plays in a way that definitely relates to Mark’s [Vann] playing and he’s a lot of fun to be around, it’s led to a real revival that just clicks on some hard to describe level” says Herman. “We’ve played with some great banjo players over the past few years, and not to say anything about them being less than great musicians, but there’s just something intangible about playing with Andy that kind of makes Drew and I look at each other and grin. This is what we’ve been missing as far as that feeling between Drew, Mark and I that used to be there.”Produced by Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin, Aquatic Hitchhiker is Leftover Salmon’s first record in eight years and first ever of all original material. “Steve [Berlin] understood where this album needed to go and how we all needed to work together as a band to make it happen” explains Emmitt. Set for release on May 22, the recording process solidified the new Salmon, cauterizing old wounds and allowing fresh ideas to grow over past scars. “The time is right for this band to come back on a lot of levels” says Emmitt. “It’s taken us a little while, but I think we’re finally there.”For more information, please visit www.leftoversalmon.com

KGNU & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present The Motet presents Mixtape 1980 a year of funk and beyond…. at the Boulder Theater on Thursday, October 31st, 2013. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 12th at 10am for $25.00 in advance and $30.00 day of show.

2012 brings a new sound to a familiar face in the national music community. With an astonishingly talented cast of musicians, The Motet has refined their sound and their vision into a dynamic and expressive improvisational force.

Founded and led by drummer Dave Watts, the group began over ten years ago and hasn’t let up since. Featuring complex compositions written and arranged by Watts himself, the music tells a story through syncopated rhythms and melodies. As music and technology evolve at an astounding rate, so too has The Motet pioneered their unique sound while continuing to defy categorization. With roots in Jazz, Afrobeat, Funk, Salsa and Samba, The Motet keeps their audiences in a dancing frenzy by layering House and Techno rhythms into a style that is uniquely their own.

With its 6th release, Dig Deep, The Motet once again proves that it is a group committed to exploring and pushing the sonic envelope, while still remaining dedicated to the musical traditions that have defined their sound. A heavy-horned Afrobeat influence countered with a textural blanket of Electronica, this album showcases the talents and strengths of the cast of characters that drummer and producer Dave Watts has assembled. Keyboardist Joey Porter lays down the funk under the coursing melodies of saxophonist Dominic Lalli in pure Motet fashion, with the ever driving beats of Watts' masterful rhythmic production pushing the music through sonic peaks and valleys that tantalize and invigorate listeners. If you've loved The Motet for years or are just tuning in, listen up. You won't be disappointed.

From years of incessant touring and with a rich legacy under their belt, The Motet’s “resolve to evolve” has made them indispensable in the East and West Coast groove circuits. Writes Dave Kirby of Boulder Magazine: “Watts' dedication and artistic integrity have created an elusive musical entity which seems to be as much fun to play in as it is to go out and hear."

The Motet is a world-class ensemble that whips audiences into a whirlwind using sheer impromptu force. The rhythms are spontaneous and textured and the beats are hard driving.

The band uses this energy to create a rapport between the audience and themselves that is rarely seen in today's world of manufactured rock. The Motet consecrates the ground on which dance music meets free-form improvisation.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present an evening with The Black Crowes to the Boulder Theater on Monday, November 11th, 2013.  Tickets are on sale now for $55.00 general admission.THE BLACK CROWES have announced a new leg of U.S. dates for their “Lay Down With Number 13″ tour!This news comes as the band is gearing up for their co- headlining tour with the Tedeschi Trucks Band.THE BLACK CROWES have sold over 35 million albums and are known as one of rock’s best live acts. They’re currently touring the U.S. on their “Lay Down With Number 13” tour, their first tour since recently ending a two-year hiatus. The in-progress tour launched with five sold-out U.K. shows and began this week in the U.S. and continues through June 2. After that, the group will return to Europe for a leg of dates June 18 to July 6, including headlining shows, festivals and two stadium concerts with Bruce Springsteen. The iconic and influential band–Chris Robinson (lead vocals, guitar), Rich Robinson (guitar, vocals), Steve Gorman (drums), Sven Pipien (bass), Adam MacDougall (keyboards) and new member Jackie Greene (guitar, vocals) are reaching deep inside their songbook and extensive catalog, performing greatly varied set lists.The band recently released WISER FOR THE TIME, which features a mammoth eight sides on four vinyl albums containing 26 songs–15 acoustic and 11 electric–from THE BLACK CROWES’ five-night, sold-out NYC performances in the fall of 2010. These never-released-before versions are also available as a double album digital download.For more information, please visit: www.blackcrowes.com-THE BLACK CROWES Boulder Theater November 11th, 2013Doors:  8:00 pm | Show:  9:00 pm

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to the Boulder Theater on Thursday, September 12th, 2013.  Tickets are on sale Friday, July 26th at 10:00 am for $20.00 general admission, $25.00 reserved balcony, $30.00 reserved and $40.00 gold circle.The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The band has traveled worldwide spreading their mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, this music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit. Under the auspices of current director, Ben Jaffe, the son of founders Allan and Sandra, Preservation Hall continues with a deep reverence and consciousness of its greatest attributes in the modern day as a venue, band, and record label.The building that houses Preservation Hall has housed many businesses over the years including a tavern during the war of 1812, a photo studio and an art gallery. It was during the years of the art gallery that then owner, Larry Borenstein, began holding informal jam sessions for his close friends. Out of these sessions grew the concept of Preservation Hall. The intimate venue, whose weathered exterior has been untouched over its history, is a living embodiment of its original vision. To this day, Preservation Hall has no drinks, air conditioning, or other typical accoutrements strictly welcoming people of all ages interested in having one of the last pure music experiences left on the earth.The PHJB began touring in 1963 and for many years there were several bands successfully touring under the name Preservation Hall. Many of the band's charter members performed with the pioneers who invented jazz in the early twentieth century including Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, and Bunk Johnson. Band leaders over the band's history include the brothers Willie and Percy Humphrey, husband and wife Billie and De De Pierce, famed pianist Sweet Emma Barrett, and in the modern day Wendall and John Brunious. These founding Sweet Emma Barrett, and in the modern day Wendall and John Brunious. These founding artists and dozens of others passed on the lessons of their music to a younger generation who now follow in their footsteps like the current lineup.For more information, please visit: http://www.preservationhall.com/band/index.aspx

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Shakedown Street performing Friday the 13th, 1987 – Greek Theatre, Berkley, California to the Boulder Theater on Friday, September 13th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, August 16th for $12.50 general admission.One of the longest running Grateful Dead tribute bands in the world, Shakedown Street, makes its home in and around the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Spawned from jam sessions at the Ancient Mariner bar in Manitou Springs, Colorado in 1987, Shakedown Street quickly grew in popularity, and garnered a legion of loyal fans who refer to themselves as "Shakeheads". In a few short years, throngs of "Shakeheads" could be found on the highways and byways of the Rocky Mountains, making their way to another Shakedown Street show.In the live music venues of the Rocky Mountains, there are only a few bands that are able to consistently draw large audiences. Shakedown Street accomplishes this year after year by embodying the Grateful Dead ethos of improvisation and discovery, while maintaining an intimacy and open repoire with its audience. A whole new generation of "Shakeheads" has discovered the positive and collaborative energy found at a Shakedown Street concert. Longtime fans are thrilled to find the band sounding hotter than ever, and having the time of their lives! The band's personnel is comprised of some of the most creative musicians from some of the finest Colorado bands: Josh Rosen (Lead Guitar and Vocals) from Fort Collins; Smokey Joe Weisiger (Keyboards/Organ and Vocals) from Arvada; Edwin Hurwitz (Bass) from Boulder; Scott Swartz (Rhythm Guitar and Vocals) from Moffat; and Christian Teele (Drums and Percussion) from Boulder.

97.3 KBCO and Z2 Entertainment are proud to present Yonder Mountain String Band to the Boulder Theater for a four night run to ring in 2014  starting December 27th, 28th, 29th & 31st, 2013.  Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, August 23rd at 10:00 am for $35.00 general admission for December, 27th, 28th & 29th and $65.00 general admission for New Year’s Eve on December 31st, 2013.

Yonder Mountain String Band has always played music by its own set of rules. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences that the band cites, Yonder has pioneered a sound of their own. With their traditional lineup of instruments, the band may look like a traditional bluegrass band at first glance but they’ve created their own music that transcends any genre. Dave Johnston points out “What could be more pure than making your own music.” Yonder’s sound cannot be classified purely as “bluegrass” or “string music” but rather it’s an original sound created from “looking at music from [their] own experiences and doing the best job.”

The Colorado-based foursome has crisscrossed the country over the past eleven years playing such varied settings as festivals, rock clubs, Red Rocks Amphitheater in the band’s home state, and recently the Democratic National Convention in Denver at Mile High Stadium opening for Barack Obama. Their loyal fanbase has been built from this diverse setting of music venues as fans latched on to their genre-defying original sound.

For more information, please visit  www.yondermountain.com

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Dr. Ralph Stanley to the Boulder Theater on Friday, January 13th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, September 6th for $25.00 general admission, $30.00 reserved balcony, $40.00 reserved and $50.00 gold circle.For over 6 decades he has become one of the most influential artists of all time. Born in 1927 in Big Spraddle VA, Ralph Stanley was the second child of Lucy Jane and Lee Stanley. In 1946 along with his older brother Carter Stanley they formed the legendary Stanley Brothers duo. The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys became one of the most popular brother acts in Country Music history. The Stanley Brothers traveled together for 20 years recording some of the most mournful mountain songs to date.Their catalog of songs includes “Angel Band”, "Rank Strangers”, “Little Maggie” and the famed “Man of Constant Sorrow”. Tragedy struck the Stanley Brothers on December 1st 1966 with the untimely passing of 41 year old Carter Stanley. Ralph was disheartened and discouraged with his brother's death but by faith in God and support of his family, friends and fans Ralph Stanley pressed on.Some of Country and Bluegrass music’s biggest stars came from Ralph Stanley’s band, including Ricky Skaggs, Larry Sparks and the late Keith Whitley. In 1976 Ralph received an honorary doctorate of music from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. In 1984 Dr. Ralph Stanley was the Recipient of the “National Heritage Award” given by President Ronald Reagan. In 1992 Ralph was inducted into the” International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor”. In 2000 he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.In 2002 Ralph Stanley received his first ever Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance of the haunting rendition of “Oh Death” that was featured in the movie and soundtrack of “O Brother Where Art Thou”. In 2006 He received the Living Legend award from the Library of Congress and National medal of arts given by President George W. Bush.Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys are still touring a 100 plus dates per year, and enjoying his time at home with his lovely wife “Jimmi” of nearly 50 years. Dr. Ralph Stanley is not only an American treasure but and international Icon.For more information please visit, www.dr.ralphstanleymusic.com

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Tea Leaf Green with Whitewater Ramble to the Boulder Theater on Thursday, October 10th, 2013.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on  Friday, August 30th for $13.00 in advance, $15.00 day of show and $50 VIP package.The longer one lives the greater the number of scars and scrapes one accumulates. It’s the same with a band, where the years build up layers one could never have expected when they set out in a van back in the day. So it is with San Francisco’s Tea Leaf Green, whose own journey began as a jam-minded party on legs in the late 1990s and now finds them some of the Bay Area’s most thoughtful, dedicated craftsmen. As sharply carved and musically robust as any rock unit today, TLG have harnessed their surefire live prowess and ability to seize an audience into a bustling, emotionally dense, ear-snagging studio form with In The Wake (in stores May 14), a complete vision that represents the great skill and open-minded invention in this quintet - Trevor Garrod (keys, vocals), Josh Clark (guitar, vocals), Scott Rager (drums), Reed Mathis (bass, vocals) and Cochrane McMillan (percussion) – placing them alongside contemporaries like Delta Spirit, Everest and Dr. Dog in marrying honesty, artistry and grit in music that hums with bruised but unbowed life.“The title In The Wake has multiple meanings for us,” explains Mathis. “First, these songs came in the wake of our own personal tragedies. Second, the album comes in the wake of our previous album Radio Tragedy (2011). Third, it’s a wake where we’re mourning some things, and celebrating the departed. And last, it’s a sign that we’re in the process of waking up. But, the song ‘In The Wake’ isn’t about any of this [laughs].”Coyote Hearing Studio, an up & coming Oakland, CA recording space co-run by TLG’s McMillan and In The Wake co-producer Jeremy Black (Apollo Sunshine), contributed to the flow and ease of making this album.“It’s really helped to have an impeccable environment to record in with multiple people capable of engineering, producing, and creating together. It’s really been a laboratory for us. The ideas were continually stringing together between us. It’s definitely the most collaborative record we’ve ever made,” says McMillan, who spent many mornings alone in the studio tinkering and fine tuning tracks, a sign of the warm push-me-pull-me creative relationship he shares with Black.“We’ve been building towards this sound and recording style for a while,” says Clark. “It’s a matter of trust to come in and know what the other guys have laid down is good and you can build on it. We trust each other to make the sounds that need to be made. It’s also nice when you bring in a song with some words and a melody but you don’t have a preconceived idea of how it sounds. We let each song takes its course.”More so than anything in their earlier catalog, In The Wake presents what the blend of the considerable collective talents in Tea Leaf Green are capable of, letting solo spotlights dim in order to illuminate the greater being that emerges when their arms are linked.“One goal with this album was to focus not on who was playing what but to do everything we could to simply make the best songs and the best record,” says McMillan. “It’s not all the individual’s ego. It’s Tea Leaf Green’s ego. We tried to tap into something larger. That’s a beautiful, poetic thing to say, but practically we all still have egos and butt heads, but what came out of this process was something we all really and truly could agree upon. We really did move as one large school of fish.”“After a while, I noticed all the songs were dealing with the same sentiment: Grieving and getting past it,” says Mathis. “Depression happens to everyone when they fall down. Chronic depression is when you can’t get back up and won’t complete the grieving process. It’s grown man shit [laughs]. We ended up with something that felt very authentic and healing. Making the record was the finale of the grieving process we’d been through privately, and we helped each other through the final phase with Jeremy at the wheel.”In The Wake, an album exactly 365 days in the making – the band received the final masters a full year to the day from when recording began – was a long road in the making, a survivor’s fortitude infusing the group’s traditional melodic charms along with an unprecedented degree of studio exploration.“All of us had our guts handed to us by life in 2011, the year preceding starting this record. The band was solid but everybody really came up against it otherwise. That’s a really powerful bonding experience, but we were all still feeling a little fragile when we came together to begin recording,” says Mathis. “We laid some ground rules on the very first day: 1) Jeremy’s in charge and 2) We weren’t going to discuss the music. We were just going to start. No one was confined to a role, and we just chipped away at it. I wasn’t just responsible for bass. I played guitar, piano, wrote some of the guitar and piano parts Josh and Trevor played, and more.”While not a concept album, In The Wake revisits certain themes – separation, loss, what comes after hard times, the perspective time brings – including an interlocked “Space Hero” trilogy from Josh Clark.“Trevor wanted to make a party record, and that’s not really what this is,” chuckles McMillan, “but the way we entertain is floating in these tracks. Ballsy, exciting and fun, that’s us at our best.” Listening to the new album, it’s clear today’s Tea Leaf Green is a far cry from the young men that wrote “Sex In The 70s” and other easygoing vehicles. That strain remains in TLG’s substrata, particularly in their always-invigorating concerts, but creatively and emotionally there’s just more heft to them now.“We love our fans and are very fan-centric, but at a certain point we have to move on and explore new sounds,” says Clark. “It’s not going to sound like it used to, but we’re really not in any kind of control over this. We don’t sit down and discuss how we’d like to sound. It just happens. This time we got to explore some softer elements, and to move outside our comfort zones. Who knows where it’s going from here.”For more information please visit, www.tealeafgreen.com 

Westword, Anthony’s Pizza and Pasta & Z2 Entertainment are proud to present The Last Waltz Revisited performed by Polytoxic at the Boulder Theater on Friday, November 22nd, 2013.  Tickets go on sale Friday, September 13th at 10:00 am for $15.00 in advance and $17.50 day of show.THE LAST WALTZ – Revisited (9th Annual)•     Culminates a canned food/desired hygiene items drive for the Denver Rescue Mission•     FREE Special Artwork Poster with a Donation of Canned Food Items. Bring cans to the Venues Day of Show and receive the Special Poster.•     Portion of Proceeds to Benefit the Denver Rescue Mission.The Ninth Annual Last Waltz - Revisited will showcase members of Polytoxic together with 40+ musicians from across Colorado; this show has become an annual tradition, bringing the community together to kick-off the holiday season. The musicians will perform the music of The Band and recreate their historical performance, The Last Waltz.The Last Waltz - Revisited is performed both in Boulder and in Denver and with the support of sponsors Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta and The Westword, we are again reaching out and seeking to give back to the community by supporting the Denver Rescue Mission. We will donate a portion of the shows’ proceeds to the Denver Rescue Mission, and in addition the Denver performance will also have a Canned Food items and/or a Desired Hygiene items Drive.Also, any fan that brings 9 or more canned food items to the venue (on the day of the show) a FREE Special Artwork Poster.We invite you to share this special night with our musical family and participate in our efforts to help the Denver Rescue Mission to assist needy families during this Holiday Season. So get out and support the Last Waltz – Revisited.We can’t wait to see all you music fans and hope you will join us for this musical event and support a worthy cause. Please get your tickets early as the show has sold-out in the past!

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Blue Sky Riders at the Boulder Theater on Sunday, January 19th, 2014.  Tickets are on sale today for $30.00 - $35.00 reserved and $45 gold circle.The creative spark that eventually evolved into Blue Sky Riders was struck when two veteran singer/songwriters worked on their first song together. When Kenny Loggins, one of the premiere voices in modern popular music, joined forces with Gary Burr, one of Nashville’s most accomplished writers, on the well received 2008 release “How About Now” they felt they sounded like brothers when they sang together. Loggins, looking for a creative step forward in his musical career, decided on the spot to form a band but wanted to add a third, female voice. Burr, who has been named Songwriter of the Year by ASCAP, Billboard and NSAI and has worked with artists such as Juice Newton, Conway Twitty and Wynonna Judd, suggested singer/songwriter Georgia Middleman, who has worked with Keith Urban, Faith Hill and Martina McBride among others. And Blue Sky Riders was born. All three veterans sing lead amid three--‐part harmonies, which makes Blue Sky Riders unique.Blue Sky Riders released their debut album, Finally Home, on their own record label, 3Dream Records, on January 29, 2013.For more information, please visit http://blueskyridersband.com

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Steep Canyon Rangers at the Boulder Theater on Friday, February 28th, 2014.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, December 6th at 12:00pm for $12 general admission.

The Steep Canyon Rangers are an American bluegrass band from Brevard, North Carolina. Formed in 2001, they have built a reputation as an engaging acoustic quintet seasoned by constant touring. Members are Woody Platt (Guitar/Lead Vocals), Mike Guggino (Mandolin/Vocals), Graham Sharp (Banjo/Vocals), Charles R. Humphrey III (Bass/Vocals) and Nicky Sanders (Fiddle/Vocals). The group has been regularly featured on the Grand Ole Opry, as well as major U.S. Bluegrass and Americana music festivals

For more information on Steep Canyon Rangers, please visit http://www.steepcanyon.com

Boulder Theater is proud to present Shakedown Street and DeadPhish Orchestra to the Boulder Theater on Friday, May 9, 2014.  Tickets are on sale now for $12.50 general admission.

Shakedown Street:  One of the longest running Grateful Dead tribute bands in the world, Shakedown Street, makes its home in and around the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Spawned from jam sessions at the Ancient Mariner bar in Manitou Springs, Colorado in 1987, Shakedown Street quickly grew in popularity, and garnered a legion of loyal fans who refer to themselves as "Shakeheads". In a few short years, throngs of "Shakeheads" could be found on the highways and byways of the Rocky Mountains, making their way to another Shakedown Street show.

In the live music venues of the Rocky Mountains, there are only a few bands that are able to consistantly draw large audiences. Shakedown Street accomplishes this year after year by embodying the Grateful Dead ethos of improvisation and discovery, while maintaining an intimacy and open repoire with its audience. A whole new generation of "Shakeheads" has discovered the positive and collaborative energy found at a Shakedown Street concert. Longtime fans are thrilled to find the band sounding hotter than ever, and having the time of their lives!

DeadPhish Orchestra:  The DeadPhish Orchestra is a quartet of Colorado musicians who, above all, are close friends who have played together for many years. They had played Grateful Dead songs together, and they had played Phish songs together. But they got to wondering what would happen if they tried to merge the music of these two bands, the Granddaddies and Daddies of the jamband scene.

While these two bands have their surface similarities, most fans realize that their actual musical styles are quite different. The Grateful Dead are an earthy, folky, bluesy band where Phish is sharper around the edges–funky and more aggressive. But both bands have an improvisational approach to their live shows, and it is in that spontaneity where the magic really happens.

The guys in DPO have posed themselves a unique challenge in merging the two styles. Setlists end up with segues that look like Divided Sky > Morning Dew > Divided Sky, or Help > Slip > Frankenstein. Or how about Mike’s Song > Stella Blue > Weekapaug Groove. Or even stranger, like My Friend, My Friend of the Devil…or It Must Have Been The Roses Are Free. You can see that between the vast repertoires of the two bands, the possibilities are endless.

For more information, please visit www.bouldertheater.com

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present EOTO at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, July 11th, 2015. Tickets are on sale April 3rd for $25 general admission.

100% ALL IMPROVISED ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC FROM MICHAEL TRAVIS AND JASON HANN OF THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT

A live band on hi-tech hyperdrive, EOTO has forged new territory in the electronic dance music movement. Locked and loaded with computers, loopers, midi controllers, routers, software, mixers, and the latest in music technology, multi-instrumentalist Michael Travis and percussionist/vocalist, Jason Hann have sent a speeding bullet through the electronic dance community due to their innovative 100% improvised approach and as a result, their exclusive sound. Not just a haphazard foray into experimental music, the duo starts their musical adventure from scratch (there are no pre-recorded loops, no backing tracks, and no pre-constructed songs in their live production) building each set, note-by-note, beat by beat, live before the audience as each show explodes into a full-scale dance party.

For more information, visit Eoto’s website at: http://eotomusic.com

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Fare Thee Well Screening – Grateful Dead (Santa Clara – The First Show & Chicago – The Last Show) at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, June 27^th & Sunday, July 5^th, 2015. Tickets are on sale now for $5 general admission.

JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF FAMILY, FRIENDS AND HISTORY AS WE HOST LIVE SCREENINGS OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD’S FINAL FARE WELL!!!

We are thrilled to announce, “Fare Thee Well – Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead” – to the Dead community.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir will reunite at Chicago’s Soldier Field, nearly 20 years to the day of the last-ever Grateful Dead concert, which took place at the same venue. “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead” will take place over five nights – June 27th, 28th & July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2015 – and mark the original members’ last-ever performance together. The band will be joined by Trey Anastasio (Guitar), Jeff Chimenti (Keyboards) and Bruce Hornsby (Piano), and will perform two sets of music each night.

For more information, visit the Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well website at: http://www.dead50.com

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FARE THEE WELL SCREENING – GRATEFUL DEAD (SANTA CLARA – THE FIRST SHOW & CHICAGO – THE LAST SHOW)

Boulder Theater

June 27th & July 5th, 2015

6/27 Doors:  7:00 pm | 6/27 Show:  8:00 pm

7/05 Doors:  5:00 pm | 7/05 Show:   6:00 pm

On April 25, 2015, a deadly earthquake left Nepal devastated, claiming more than 8,000 lives. In an effort to give back, ZEAL Optics is hosting an evening of films and firsthand accounts from mountaineers Chris Davenport, Eric Larsen, Ryan Waters, Jon Kedrowski and Nepal Country Director for the dZi Foundation, Ben Ayer. Each explorer has spent a great deal of time exploring Nepal;  Waters, Kedrowski and Ayers witnessed the earthquake and subsequent avalanche firsthand. The team will also be premiering footage from Camp 4 Collective’s #NepaliLoveYou: The Roof of the World’s Past, Present & Future — a film created around the quakes. All of the proceeds raised will go directly towards relief efforts via the dZi Foundation.

Join Zeal Optics at the Boulder Theatre accompanied by legendary mountaineers Chris Davenport , Polar Explorer Eric Larsen, Ryan Waters and Jon Kedrowski as they share first-hand tales from the deadly earthquake and subsequent avalanche at #Everest basecamp. We will also be hosting the premiere of Camp4 Collective new film #NEPALiLOVEYOU as we rally the Front Range community to help bring Nepal back.

All proceeds from the evening, including a raffle and silent auction, will go to the dZi Foundation to help support their rural community development programs.

Learn more here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/649281355203825/

http://www.bouldertheater.com/event/zeal-optics

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Yonder Mountain String Band with Special Guests at the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, December 30^th, 2015. Tickets are on sale August 29^th for $35 GA, $65 New Years Eve or $160 4-Day Pass.

"YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND IS AS DURABLE AS BLUEGRASS ITSELF. IT CHANGES AND MORPHS AND HAS AN OPEN-ENDEDNESS THAT MAKES ANYTHING POSSIBLE." – JOHNSTON OF YMSB

With the band's 17th anniversary coming this summer, and an extensive tour schedule running throughout the year, a revitalized Yonder Mountain takes delight in the fact that they are still reaching new fans while simultaneously retaining the characteristics that brought their greater community together in the first place. The loss of one member and the subsequent invitation for some of today's top pickers to help shape their evolving sound brings intriguing opportunities to the table; ones that set YMSB on its new path. Black Sheep is a bold statement, meant to passionately get fans up on their feet and ecstatically dancing, but it's also about embracing the moment. Essential changes are a healthy step in keeping the music alive and well.

"We've been growing over the years and I feel like we really don't have any limitations," says Aijala. "It doesn't feel like work when you get to hang out with people that you care about and play music."

Adds Kaufmann, "It's not just bluegrass -- it's progressive. Everything Yonder has ever tried to do, we're doing in this record. It's gonna take some time for fans to get acquainted with the new Yonder. When you make a big change like we did, it's a huge thing. But the band is a force, and the album is such a perfect example of our new direction."

For more information, visit Yonder Mountain String Band’s website at: http://www.yondermountain.com/

For nearly 18 years, Yonder Mountain String Band has redefined bluegrass music, expanding the traditional acoustic genre beyond its previously established boundaries by steadily pushing the envelope into the realms of rock n’ roll and improvisation. YMSB has always played music of their own design, in the process attracting a devout coterie of fans that often resembles a tight knit family on an epic musical journey as Yonder traverses the country with an ever-rigorous tour schedule. Yonder is a quintessential ensemble honing its craft night after night on the road, and the fans are there to experience it in real time. The result is music that doesn’t stand still, it’s always progressing and breaking unprecedented ground.

For more information, visit Yonder Mountain String Band’s website at: http://www.yondermountain.com/

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND

Boulder Theater

December 30th & 31st

, 2016

Doors: 7:00 pm & 8:00 PM | Show: 8:00 pm & 9:00 PM

Tickets on sale 9.09 - $35 / $65 GA | $90 2-Day Pass

The Colorado Haiti Project is partnering with rural Haitian communities through holistic development programs. They strive to achieve Sustainable progress towards ending extreme Poverty. All proceeds from this evening will benefit our brothers and sisters in Haiti as they rebuild after Hurricane Matthew.  The event features The Meditations, Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon), Judge Roughneck, Selasee, Intuit & The Plates.

COLORADO HAITI PROJECT & UJAMA NEWS PRESENTS

AFTER THE STORM: A BENEFIT FOR HAITI

THE MEDITATIONS, VINCE HERMAN (LEFTOVER SALMON), JUDGE ROUGHNECK, SELASEE, INTUIT & THE PLATES

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, November 4, 2016

Doors:  6:00 pm | Show:  7:00 pm

Tickets on sale NOW at bouldertheater.com

$20 GA | $25.00 DOS

Iration is an alternative/reggae group of musicians formed in Isla Vista, CA. A deep-rooted reggae influence is fused with elements of rock and pop to create smooth original sounds – “We’re all about luv”, states the band. The group is made up of members Joseph Dickens (Drums), Joseph King (Engineer), Cayson Peterson (Keyboard/Synth), Micah Pueschel (Guitar/Lead Vocals), Adam Taylor (Bass), and Micah Brown (Guitar/Vocals). All of the members of Iration met while growing up in Hawaii but formed the band after reconnecting in Santa Barbara, CA - the exception being Micah Brown who officially joined the group in 2014.

The group released their Hotting Up album in summer of 2015. The album's lead single "Reelin" debuted at #1 on the iTunes reggae singles chart. Iration has been touring nationally since 2008, performing at national festivals like Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Hangout, and many others. These Hawaiian-bred musicians look forward to spreading their original sound and Aloha spirit all the while never forgetting to get a surf in when possible.

LOST & FOUND WINTER TOUR

IRATION

with PROTOJE

Boulder Theater

February 6^th, 2017

Doors:  6:30 pm | Show:  7:30 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 18^th, 2016, at bouldertheater.com

$22.50 ADV | $25.00 DOS

Foundation of Funk is the newest project from the legendary Original Meters’ rhythm section, Zigaboo Modeliste & George Porter Jr. The new project will see the influential duo team with select players who have carried on the funk and jam tradition to pay homage to The Meters catalog in a unique collaborative form.

Each round of Foundation of Funk shows will feature a different cast of special guests alongside Zig and George diving into the extensive catalog of Meters’ tunes to create a truly unique Meters experience from show to show.

The band debuted in 2015 with two very well received shows featuring Ivan Neville and Tony Hall of Dumpstaphunk, New Year’s Eve in New Orleans for a special performance with The New Mastersounds. In 2016, House of Blues hosted another Foundation of Funk with Ivan and Tony and then on to a Northeast tour of the Foundation of Funk with Eric Krasno and Neal Evans.

GEORGE PORTER JR., ZIGABOO MODELISTE, JOHN MEDESKI & EDDIE ROBERTS

BOULDER THEATER

February 9, 2017

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, November 18, 2016 at bouldertheater.com

$28 ADV | $32 DOS

Matisyahu first made a name for himself with his album 'Live at Stubbs,' and 'Youth' quickly followed. Both albums subsequently went Gold and 'Youth' was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. 2009's 'Light' reached #1 on the Reggae Albums chart and stayed in the top spot for 34 weeks. His fourth studio album, 'Spark Seeker,' also debuted at #1 on the Reggae chart, marked his relocation from Brooklyn to Los Angeles and found him working with Dr. Luke protégé KoOoL Kojak. 

'Akeda' (out June 3, 2014), Matisyahu's fifth studio album, was recorded in Brooklyn¹s Studio G and produced by Dub Trio's Stu Brooks. The material for the album was written both in Matisyahu's Los Angeles home and while on tour. Matisyahu states, "This record and period of my life deal with madness, listening for and following the inner intuitive voice, a small still sound. This record deals with love, with feelings of brokenness and humility, with humanity, struggle, and sacrifice."

MATISYAHU

BOULDER THEATER

March 19, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, January 13, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

$25.00 ADV | $27.50 DOS

Legendary singer-songwriter and social justice activist David Crosby is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, inducted as a member of both the iconic folk-rock band The Byrds — with whom he first rose to stardom — and the iconic Woodstock era-defining group Crosby, Stills & Nash.

A native Californian-and son of an Academy Award-winning cinematographer-Crosby originally intended to be an actor when he moved from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles in 1960. Music prevailed, however, and Crosby began his career as a folksinger, playing clubs and coffeehouses nationwide. Back in L.A. in '63, Crosby formed The Byrds with Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, Gene Clark and Michael Clarke, winning widespread recognition for his songwriting and charismatic presence. Driven by hits including "Eight Miles High," "Turn! Turn! Turn!," and a cover of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man," The Byrds' signature electric folk-rock influenced countless musicians to come.

Crosby left The Byrds in 1967 to embark on a lifelong collaboration with Graham Nash and Stephen Stills. Renowned for vocal harmonies, stellar musicianship and timeless songs, Crosby, Stills, & Nash (CSN) have been called "the voice of a generation," and were GRAMMY-honored in 1969 as Best New Artist. The trio's self-titled debut album introduced classics including the Crosby-penned tracks "Guinnevere" and "Wooden Ships"—today, it is included on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Crosby continues to tour and record with CSN, as well as with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and as a duo with Graham Nash.

As a solo artist, Crosby debuted with the 1971 masterpiece If Only I Could Remember My Name, recently reissued as a two-disc set featuring a 5.1 mix, video footage, and other bonuses. David Crosby also performs and records with CPR, the jazz-flavored trio he formed in 1995 with his son James Raymond and Jeff Pevar.

2014’s Croz, was his first solo album of studio material in 20 years. Featuring 11 new original songs, Croz was released on Blue Castle Records, the label Crosby co-founded with Graham Nash in 2011. It entered the Billboard Charts in five different categories: Top 200 Chart - #36, Top Independent Album Chart - #6,  Top Folk Album Chart - #2, Top Internet Sales Chart - #7, and Top Digital Album Sales Chart - #72. David Crosby, James Raymond, and Daniel Garcia produced Croz; and, Crosby and Raymond (David Crosby’s son) co-wrote a number of the songs together. In addition to Crosby’s band, the album features guest players including Wynton Marsalis (“Holding On To Nothing”), Mark Knopfler (“What’s Broken”), Leland Sklar (“Find A Heart”) and Steve Tavaglione (“Morning Falling,” “Find A Heart”).

David's most recent release, Lighthouse is an intimate, stripped-down set that highlights Crosby’s instantly recognizable voice, incisive songwriting, and incomparable guitar work. The palpable joy in the 9-song collection captures the iconic artist in an unexpected burst of inspiration. For Lighthouse, Crosby received an able assist from Michael League, the bandleader/bassist for Snarky Puppy who executive produced and co-wrote much of the album with Crosby. Lighthouse features a rare economy of sound, filled primarily by Crosby’s voice and guitars, and League’s bass. There’s a sparse, unvarnished quality to the tracks that allows the songs breathing room and for the full emotional weight of the lyrics to emerge, unencumbered by extraneous instrumentation. 

On album opener, “Things We Do For Love,” written for his wife Jan, Crosby’s vocals reflect a poetic tenderness. On “Paint You A Picture,” a cinematic tale of romantic regret co-written with Marc Cohn (“Walking In Memphis”), they are filled with remorseful resignation. The longtime social activist lands his political punches as he bitingly condemns the craven politicians who send other people’s children to war on “Somebody Other Than You,” and compassionately reminds us that we are all the same on “Look In Their Eyes,” a poignant tale about the Syrian refugee crisis. 

Particularly striking on Lighthouse is Crosby’s piquant guitar playing, which is as inventive as always, but never flashy.  By turns gentle and caustic, his work here surprised even him as he discovered new tones. 

Crosby is also the author of three books including Stand and Be Counted: Making Music, Making History/The Dramatic Story of the Artists and Causes That Changed America, which underscores his commitment to social activism, and belief that artists and musicians are potent agents for change. Crosby's two autobiographical volumes are Long Time Gone and Since Then: How I Survived Everything And Lived To Tell About It. The latter, per Entertainment Weekly, chronicles, "A fascinating life worthy of a sequel.

Tickets are on sale at Boulder Theater Box Office, by phone at (303)-786-7030 or online at www.bouldertheater.com

AN EVENING WITH DAVID CROSBY & FRIENDS

BOULDER THEATER

May 7, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, February 3, 2017 at bouldertheater.com. 

$50.00 - $55.00 RES

Proud to be firmly installed in the new-funk movement, KUNG FU is quickly popularizing their unique sonic contribution, blurring the line between intense electro-fusion, and blistering dance arrangements.  Making fusion music "cool" again, the band draws on influences such as early Headhunters and Weather Report, and merges those ideas with a contemporary EDM informed sensibility.  Imagine 70's funk-fusion meets a modern dance party!

Although the ensemble cast enjoys a seasoned pedigree that reads like a late-night summer festival all-star jam, this fledgling "nu-sion" project is growing a unique and rabid following by commanding audiences at theaters, clubs, and major national festivals since 2012.

Kung Fu features Tim Palmieri (guitar & vocals), Robert Somerville (tenor sax & vocals), Beau Sasser (keyboards & vocals), Chris DeAngelis (bass guitar & vocals), and Adrian Tramontano (drums/percussion).  The powerhouse quintet's live show has been described by critics and fans alike as "lethal funk", "explosive", "jaw dropping", and "musically mesmerizing".  For the uninitiated, the experience is typically shocking yet the focus is simple: just sit back and enjoy the ride!

KUNG FU

ONE ORIGINAL SET | ONE STEELY DAN SET

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

FREE EVENT before 9:00 pm, just $5 after

Z2 Entertainment is thrilled to announced the 25th Annual Microbreweries for the Environment feat. The Brothers Comatose with special guests The Drunken Hearts, plus Chain Station on Friday, April 28th. Tickets are on sale 10 a.m. this Friday at bouldertheater.com. This is an all-you-can-responsibly-drink, 21+ event, and sampling is included in the $25.00 ticket price. Friends of Red Rocks, Colorado Community Rights Network, and Falling Fruit are this year’s benefiting charities. Participating breweries are listed below – more to be announced!

4 Noses Brewing Co.
Avery Brewing Co.
Boulder Beer
FATE Brewing Co.
Left Hand Brewing Co.
Odell Brewing Co.
Odd13 Brewery
Oskar Blues Brewery
Sanitas Brewing Co.
Shine Brewing Co.
Ska Brewing Co.
Twisted Pin Brewing Co.
Upslope Brewing Co.
West Flanders Brewing
Wibby Brewing

25TH ANNUAL MICROBREWERIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
THE BROTHERS COMATOSE with special guests THE DRUNKEN HEARTS & CHAIN STATION

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, April 28, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, February 10, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

Richard Dawkins, world renown evolutionary biologist, and bestselling author, will be in conversation to discuss science, secularism and current events followed by a Q&A and signing.

Richard Dawkins was the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University from 1995-2008. He is an internationally best-selling author. Among his books are The Ancestor’s Tale, The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable, Unweaving the Rainbow, A Devil’s Chaplain, The God Delusion, The Greatest Show on Earth, The Magic of Reality, and An Appetite for Wonder. His most recent book is the second part of his autobiography, A Brief Candle in the Dark. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Royal Society of Literature. His around-the-world speaking tour is the focus of a recent documentary The Unbelievers which also features appearances by Woody Allen, Stephen Colbert, Cameron Diaz, Ian McEwan, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Hawking, Eddie Izzard, Bill Pullman, and Sarah Silverman.

Richard Dawkins

BOULDER THEATER

May 22, 2017

Doors:  6:00 pm | Show:  7:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at www.bouldertheater.com

GA $29.00  | RES VIP $250.00

Understanding the virtuosity of Reckless Kelly requires the perspective of where the band has been. Cody and Willy Braun grew up in the White Cloud Mountains of Idaho. They moved to Bend, Oregon, and then migrated to that great musical fountainhead, Austin, Texas.

The band’s co-founders and frontmen toured the country as part of their father’s band, Muzzie Braun and the Boys, as children. They performed on The Tonight Show twice. Their father taught his four sons a professional ethic – integrity, persistence, hard work and professionalism – honed over three generations. They overcame hardships, struggled for recognition, and learned the lessons of the trial and error that defined them.

In one sense, it’s remarkable in the way of any musician, athlete, or businessperson who bucks the odds.

In another, though, it’s utterly natural that Reckless Kelly, born in the dreams of the two Braun brothers and their heritage but nurtured in the bumpy road of maturity, became the very essence of Americana music in all its far-flung glory.

“We came along in that second wave of the movement,” Cody Braun says. “Son Volt’s album Trace had a major effect on us. People like Joe Ely, Ray Kennedy and Robert Earl Keen were always big supporters. Our goal was to make music that had a country vibe but a solid rock edge.”

In the end, all the recipe required was to just add water. Water facilitates life. It enriches the soul.

As Music Row magazine proclaimed, “In my perfect world, this is what country radio would sound like.”

RECKLESS KELLY

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday June 24, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2017,  at bouldertheater.com.

$20.00 ADV | $25.00 DOS plus applicable service charges

It’s 8:40 p.m. on a Friday evening, five minutes before the O’Connor Band is slated to make their Grand Ole Opry debut. Fiddle legend Mark O’Connor is standing just offstage, wearing his trademark Fedora hat, smiling at the sight of the crowd, the lights, and his old friends in the Opry house band.

“It’s amazing to come full circle and return here,” says O’Connor. “I first performed on this stage when I was 12. Even though it was more than 40 years ago, I’ll always vividly remember Roy Acuff introducing me to the crowd. But this performance might be even more special, because I get to have my family out there on stage with me.”

As if on cue, Mark’s son, Forrest, walks up in earnest.

“Dad, we may have a slight problem,” says the younger O’Connor, wielding a mandolin in his left hand and a pick in his right. “I just realized that both our songs are in [the key of] E. Is that okay, or do we need to swap one of them out?”

“Whoops,” says Mark. “Well, at this point, let’s stick with what we decided, because I think the songs are different enough. I bet the audience will love ‘em!”

Within minutes, the full six-piece O’Connor Band is out on stage, launching into a cover of the old Osborne Brothers hit, “Ruby, Are You Mad At Your Man?” Forrest’s fiancée, Kate Lee (vocals, fiddle), is singing lead, and Mark’s wife, Maggie (vocals, fiddle), is chopping rhythm on the fiddle hard enough that, if you weren’t looking, you might think she was playing a snare drum. Joe Smart (guitar) and Geoff Saunders (bass) are also holding down a tight groove despite the breakneck pace. After a virtuosic vocal performance from Kate and blistering solos from father and son O’Connor, the song ends abruptly, and the audience erupts in what seems to be the loudest applause of the entire evening.

AN EVENING WITH

MARK O’CONNOR FEAT. THE O’CONNOR BAND

BOULDER THEATER

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2017,  at bouldertheater.com.

Sierra Hull, the singer, mandolinist and former child prodigy who signed with Rounder at age 13 and distinguished herself by becoming the first bluegrass musician to receive a Presidential Scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music, released 'Weighted Mind,' her first new album in five years, on January 29, 2016.

15-time Grammy winner Béla Fleck produced the recording, which features eleven compelling new compositions written or co-written by Hull, and one traditional tune for which she and Fleck provided a new arrangement. While Hull’s ethereal voice and fluid playing take center stage here, she receives ample support from bass marvel Ethan Jodziewicz. Béla Fleck’s banjo adorns the elegant “Queen of Hearts/Royal Tea,” and Alison Krauss, Abigail Washburn, and Rhiannon Giddens add enchanting harmonies.

Though she is best known for her work as a mandolin player, Hull reveals in these songs her abundant gifts as a composer and lyricist. Themes of loss and restoration run through the album, starting with the muscular opening number, “Stranded,” and continue on the stirring “Compass,” on which she declares, “I’ve thrown away my compass, done with the chart... I’ll just step out, throw my doubt into the sea, for what’s meant to be will be.” The gentle, dissonant title track ponders existential questions, while the haunting “Birthday” and “Fallen Man” offer somber reflections on strained relationships and impossible choices. The album closes on an optimistic note, with the sweetly assertive “I’ll Be Fine,” and the uplifting, philosophical closer, “Black River.” Fleck, Giddens, Krauss, and Washburn all guest on this track, on which Hull reflects, “A thousand years is but a day, and maybe in a thousand years, I’ll find my way.”

SIERRA HULL

BOULDER THEATER

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2017, at bouldertheater.com.

While Pixies have been acclaimed as the most influential, pioneering band of the late 80s alt/rock movement, having blazed the trail for artists from Nirvana to Radiohead to Pearl Jam, today, a whole new generation of music fans are discovering their iconic "loudquietloud" signature sound. After five genre-defining studio albums, Pixies disbanded in 1993, and then launched their reunion tour in April 2004, playing to sell-out crowds all over the globe for seven years, a longer period of time than they were a band originally. But writing, recording and releasing new music was something that the band had been wanting to do for a long time, so they secretly booked studio time in Wales for the fall of 2012. Six days into the recording, founding bassist Kim Deal decided to leave the band; Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering made the decision to carry on, working with a variety of touring bassists, something they'd never done.

The band surprised everyone with "Bagboy" (June 28, 2013) and then, 10 months after, with Indie Cindy (April 29, 2014), their first new album in more than twenty years. Over that time period, the band also released three EPs, as well as 10 music videos, racking up nearly 5-million views. Since they kicked off their 2013 - 2015 global tour in September, 2013, the band has played 120 shows across four continents, and still have lots of touring ahead of them.

As the UK's DIY wrote about the new music, "They're back. They're still brilliant. God save the Pixies."

PIXIES

Mitski

BOULDER THEATER

October 17, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, March 24, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

$55.00 GA / $65.00 RES plus applicable service charges

Internationally acclaimed Mexican acoustic rock guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela are back on the road again, celebrating their 10th anniversary and bringing their unique instrumental blend of metal, jazz and world music to audiences all over the US. Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero have been playing together for more than fifteen years. First as young thrash metal fans in their native Mexico City, then as innocents abroad and street musicians in Dublin, Ireland at the turn of the millennium, and finally as the globe-straddling, film-scoring, record-breaking artists they are today.  Known for exhilarating live shows, Rodrigo y Gabriela have won the hearts of music lovers from the haciendas of Cuba to the Hollywood Bowl and festival fields of Europe, as they continue to weave their unique six-string magic. The extraordinary interplay between Sanchez's fiery lead lines and Quintero's phenomenal rhythmic battery is truly universal. The duo has reloaded their arsenal following the April 2014 worldwide release of "9 Dead Alive", their first studio album in five years. The new songs are intimate, the playing intuitive, and the results are spectacular, bursting with melodic energy and rhythmic invention. Recorded at their Pacific Coast hideaway in late summer, the album captures the warmth and spontaneity of two great musicians riffing and jamming together, perfectly distilled into 9 new songs teeming with desire, elegance and gusto. With career sales in excess of 1.5 million albums, blockbuster movie scores, and sold out tours worldwide, Rodrigo y Gabriela have certainly made their mark. Their appeal is boundless, their scope limitless, and the music timeless; clearly, we have only begun to see what this duo is capable of.

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA

TENTH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

BOULDER THEATER

May 31, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, March 31, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

One of Canada’s finest artists, Bruce Cockburn has enjoyed an illustrious career shaped by politics, spirituality, and musical diversity. His remarkable journey has seen him embrace folk, jazz, rock, and worldbeat styles while travelling to such far-flung places as Guatemala, Mali, Mozambique, and Nepal, and writing memorable songs about his ever-expanding world of wonders. “My job,” he explains, “is to try and trap the spirit of things in the scratches of pen on paper and the pulling of notes out of metal.”

That scratching and pulling has earned Cockburn high praise as an exceptional songwriter and a revered guitarist. His songs of romance, protest, and spiritual discovery are among the best to have emerged from Canada over the last 40 years. His guitar playing, both acoustic and electric, has placed him in the company of the world’s top instrumentalists. And he remains deeply respected for his activism on issues from native rights and land mines to the environment and Third World debt, working for organizations such as Oxfam, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, and Friends of the Earth.

Throughout his career, Cockburn has deftly captured the joy, pain, fear, and faith of human experience in song. Whether singing about retreating to the country or going up against chaos, tackling imperialist lies or embracing ecclesiastical truths, he has always expressed a tough yet hopeful stance: to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight. “We can’t settle for things as they are,” he once warned. “If you don’t tackle the problems, they’re going to get worse.”

For his many achievements, the Ottawa-born artist has been honoured with 12 Juno Awards, an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, and has been made an Officer of the Order of Canada. But he never rests on his laurels. “I’d rather think about what I’m going to do next,” says Cockburn. “My models for graceful aging are guys like John Lee Hooker and Mississippi John Hurt, who never stop working till they drop, as I fully expect to be doing, and just getting better as musicians and as human beings.

His commitment to growth has made Bruce Cockburn both an exemplary citizen and a legendary artist whose prized songbook will be celebrated for many years to come.

BRUCE COCKBURN

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, February 16, 2018

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, April 7, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

Few albums have the creation myth of Interludes For The Dead by Neal Casal's Circles Around The Sun. The 10 instrumental jams that encompass the release were commissioned by Justin Kreutzmann, the filmmaker son of Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, to accompany the biographical visuals he was compiling to be shown during set break at the "Fare Thee Well" concerts the living members of the Dead played in the summer of 2015.

As guitarist in the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and a sometime participant in Dead bassist Phil Lesh's Phil & Friends jam sessions, Casal was a natural for the project; he, in turn, brought on Brotherhood keyboardist Adam MacDougall, bassist Dan Horne and drummer Mark Levy. At the shows, their music was a smash sensation: deeply familiar to the reunited Deadheads in how it tonally, rhythmically and melodically mimicked the Dead's songs, yet possessing its own weirdo majesty. Some pieces were explicit in their reverence, while others applied the Dead's freewheeling modus operandi and took their own course.

At more than 20 minutes, "Kasey's Bones" is most certainly one of the latter. From the opening electric-piano-plus-guitar squall/lurch, there's a Bitches Brew vibe to the proceedings. If most of the track's first 10 or so minutes clip along at a shuffling pace Deadheads will recognize (and haters will cite as primary evidence), the latter half is a unique explosion. It begins around the 10th minute, when MacDougall's switch to a spacey-sounding Juno synth serves as a prompt, and then they're off. MacDougall is on a clavinet creating stabbing funk patterns, while Casal weaves lines around him, the pair mimicking the early-'70s interplay between Jerry Garcia and his non-Dead keyboard partners, Merl Saunders and Howard Wales. 

Soon, though, Casal hits a turbo-charge of pure lead-guitar shredding, and the rhythm section supports him with equally intense playing that crackles continually for three or four minutes with zero let-up. When it comes out the other side, everyone takes a breath: Levy keeps a steady pocket with Horne on dubby support, while MacDougall and Casal drift slowly toward an ambient space before devolving into an electronic-music black hole. If you know the Dead's trajectory, it's a perfect distillation of the group's fusion-filled 1973-74 jams. If you don't, it's a wonderfully evocative soundtrack for posterity, as it was for five thrilling summer nights.

CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN

A DEAD LATE NIGHT PARTY

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, June 9, 2017

Doors:  10:30 pm | Show:  11:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, April 7, 2017,  at bouldertheater.com

Fresh from touring the world with Joe Henry and galvanized by ‘events’, not least the worrying rise of popularism, Billy Bragg is dealing with it in the best way he knows how, by strapping on his electric guitar and heading out on tour across the US in October, under the title ‘Bridges Not Walls’.  Billy, in one-man Clash mode, will perform songs from his 30+ year career, some pertinent covers by his heroes and mentors and some freshly minted songs about the state of the world.
 
Billy Bragg has been a fearless recording artist, tireless live performer and peerless political campaigner for over 30 years. Among the former Saturday boy’s albums are his punk-charged debut Life’s a Riot With Spy Vs Spy, the more love-infused Workers Playtime, pop classic Don’t Try This At Home, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee-timed treatise on national identity England, Half-English, and his stripped-down tenth, Tooth & Nail, his most successful since the early 90s. The intervening three decades have been marked by a number one hit single, having a street named after him, being the subject of a South Bank Show, appearing onstage at Wembley Stadium, curating Left Field at Glastonbury, sharing spotted dick with a Cabinet minister in the House of Commons cafeteria, being mentioned in Bob Dylan’s memoir and meeting the Queen. At their best, Billy’s songs present ‘the perfect Venn diagram between the political and the personal’ (the Guardian).

BILLY BRAGG

BOULDER THEATER

October 12, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, April 14, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

About Sarah Jarosz: With her fourth album, Undercurrent, Sarah Jarosz makes a studied departure from her previous records, shifting the emphasis from her skills as a multi-instrumentalist to her songwriting and vocal performance. Undercurrent accentuates the growth and maturity that Jarosz, now 25, has achieved since graduating from New England Conservatory and moving to New York City. The change in approach garnered Jarosz two Grammy Awards in 2017-for Best Folk Album Year for Undercurrent and for Best American Roots Performance for "House Of Mercy". She also picked up the award for 2017 Folk Album of the Year from Folk Alliance International for Undercurrent.

On Undercurrent, Jarosz delivers a set of all-original songs, centered around four solo pieces that set the tone of the record. Uncut Magazine describes it as "an enthralling journey from source to mouth," and goes on to say "These are songs about the choices we make, the paths we take and the things we leave behind, a deep meditation on the invisible currents that guide us." The Wall Street Journal notes "This economical approach brings the listener closer to Ms. Jarosz than on any of her previous recordings, and it suits the lyrical theme of passion that, mostly, is forbidden and unrequited."

The Austin Chronicle's Jim Caligiuri declared "For Austinites who've followed her since her early teens, the fact that Wimberley native Sarah Jarosz blossomed into one of the most stirring musicians of her generation comes as absolutely no surprise," while Consequence of Sound''s Michelle Geslani noted the "startling sense of insight" in Jarosz's compositions. NPR's Katie Presley made note of Jarosz's newfound maturity, praising her "uncharacteristically (and deliciously) unyielding" vocal carriage.

About James McMurtry: James McMurtry spins stories with a poet’s pen (“Long Island Sound”) and a painter’s precision (“She Loves Me”). Proof: The acclaimed songwriter’s newComplicated Game. McMurtry’s first collection in six years spotlights a craftsman in absolutely peak form as he turns from political toward personal (“These Things I’ve Come to Know,” “You Got to Me”). “The lyrical theme is mostly about relationships,” McMurtry says. “It’s also a little about the big old world verses the poor little farmer or fisherman. I never make a conscious decision about what to write about.”

Complicated Game delivers McMurtry’s trademark story songs time and again (“Copper Canteen,” “Deaver’s Crossing”), but the record brings a new (and certainly no less energetic) sonic approach. First, recall blistering beats and gnashing guitars from his magnum opus Just Us Kids (2008). Now, unplug. “The label head wanted more acoustic,” McMurtry explains. “We built everything as we went so we ended up with more acoustic guitar as we went. We just played whatever sounded right for a given song, but we weren’t necessarily saying this is an acoustic record.”

Exhibit A: “How’m I Gonna Find You Now.” The record’s lead single boasts buoyant banjos and driving drums as endlessly energetic as anything electrified. Whiplash vocals further frenzy the beat. “I've got a cup of black coffee so I don't get lazy/I've got a rattle in the dashboard driving me crazy,” McMurtry effectively raps. “If I hit it with my fist, it’ll quit for a little while/Gonna have to stop to smoke in another mile/Headed into town gonna meet you at the mercantile/Take you to the Sonic get you grinning like a crocodile.”

 Such vibrant vignettes consistently turn heads. They have for a quarter century now. Clearly, he’s only improving with time. “James McMurtry is one of my very few favorite songwriters on Earth and these days he's working at the top of his game,” says Americana all-star Jason Isbell. “He has that rare gift of being able to make a listener laugh out loud at one line and choke up at the next. I don’t think anybody writes better lyrics.” “James writes like he's lived a lifetime,” echoes iconic roots rocker John Mellencamp. Yes. Spin “South Dakota.” You’ll hear.

 Further evidence: McMurtry’s Just Us Kids (2008) and Childish Things (2005). The former earned his highest Billboard 200 chart position in nearly two decades and notched Americana Music Award nominations. Meanwhile, Childish Things scored endless critical praise and spent six full weeks topping the Americana Music Radio chart in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, Childish Things won the Americana Music Association’s Album of the Year and “We Can’t Make It Here” was named the rapidly rising organization's Song of the Year.

 Of course, Complicated Game doubles down on literate storytelling longtime enthusiasts expect. Recall high watermarks past: “Childish Things,” “Choctaw Bingo,” “Peter Pan,” “Levelland,” and “Out Here in the Middle” only begin the list. (Yes, Robert Earl Keen covered those last two, “Levelland” remaining a live staple.) Just Us Kidsalone includes fan favorites “Hurricane Party,” “Ruby and Carlos” and “You’d a Thought.” High watermarks deliver equal measures depth and breadth and pierce hearts with sharp sociopolitical commentary (“Fireline Road”).

More history: McMurtry critically lauded first album Too Long in the Wasteland (1989) was produced by John Mellencamp and marked the beginning of a series of acclaimed projects for Columbia and Sugar Hill Records. In 1996, McMurtry received a Grammy nomination for Long Form Music Video for Where'd You Hide the Body. Additionally, It Had to Happen (1997) received the American Indie Award for Best Americana Album.

 In 2004, McMurtry released the universally lauded Live in Aught-Three on Compadre Records. The following year, Childish Things notched arguably his most critical praise, spending six weeks at No. 1 on the Americana Music Radio Chart in 2005 and 2006. In September 2006, Childish Things and “We Can’t Make It Here” won the Americana Music Awards for Album and Song of the Year, respectively. McMurtry received more Americana Music Award nominations for 2008’s Just Us Kids. This album marked his highest Billboard 200 chart position in more than nearly two decades.

In 2009, Live in Europe was released, capturing the McMurtry band’s first European tour and extraordinary live set. Along with seasoned band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, the disc features special guests Ian McLagan (The Faces) and Jon Dee Graham (True Believers, Skunks). Also, for the first time ever, video of the James McMurtry Band’s live performance is available on the included DVD.

The poignant lyrics of his immense catalog still ring true today. In 2011, “We Can’t Make It Here” was cited among The Nation’s “Best Protest Songs Ever.” “‘We Can’t Make It Here,’” Bob Lefsetz wrote, “has stood the test of time because of its unmitigated truth.”

McMurtry tours year round and consistently throws down unparalleled powerhouse performances. The Washington Post notes: “Much attention is paid to James McMurtry’s lyrics and rightfully so: He creates a novel’s worth of emotion and experience in four minutes of blisteringly stark couplets. What gets overlooked, however, is that he’s an accomplished rock guitar player ... serious stuff, imparted by a singularly serious band.”

SARAH JAROSZ + JAMES MCMURTRY

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, July 21, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, April 14, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

Ghostland Observatory’s entire approach to music – sonically, aesthetically, conceptually – is essentially a melding of the two distinctly different personalities of its two members, Thomas Ross Turner and Aaron Behrens. Whereas Turner, the producer/drummer/keyboardist of the duo, finds solace in the minimal, bleak cable-patch squawks of Karlheinz Stockhausen and the analog-disco-thump of Giorgio Moroder, Behrens’ interests lie more along the lines of psychedelia, rock and various country and blues artists.

The result is a shimmering, pulsing pop music that is at once kinetically alive with Behrens’ striking vocals and driving guitar work but also anchored firmly by Turner’s percussive beats and Moog-generated melodies and hooks. Common descriptions include “electro-dance rock,” “synth-funk” and “Freddie Mercury-helms-Daft Punk.”

Deciding to produce a style of music that as yet existed only in their collective consciousnesses; Behrens and Turner formed Ghostland Observatory in Austin in 2003 and haen’t looked back since. They now sell out prominent venues across the country, have played at Lollapalooza, Bonaroo, Coachella and the Austin City Limits music festival, which they headlined, and continue to play at various music festivals and venues around the globe to an ever increasing fan base, thanks to their now-famous live shows.

The duo has released four albums to date, all on Turner’s label, Trashy Moped Recordings: Delete.Delete.I.Eat.Meat..., Paparrazi Lightning, Robotique Majestique and their latest offering, Codename: Rondo, which was recorded in Turner’s Austin studio.

The ten-track Codename: Rondo is equal parts psyechedelia, minimal electronic, rock, funk and soul. It was recorded with what Turner calls a more “linear approach” in mind. Rather than layering sound upon sound to fill out a track, the band sought to use fewer sounds while striving to make each of them count.

Highlights on the new album include the first track, “Glitter,” with its loping, fuzzed-out bassline, tremolo-tweaked vocals and Spaghetti Western guitar break. “That’s Right” is a Cars-meet-ZZ Top ripper with the former’s signature synth breaks skipping across the latter’s overdriven, chugging guitar riffs. Another standout, “Miracles,” finds Behrens haltingly phrasing his lyrics in perfect syncopation with Turner’s raw keyboard melody before exploding into an irresistible, hand-clapping chorus that is soon chased by running swells of disco strings. “Codename: Rondo,” the album’s title track, is a perfect example of the band’s efforts toward minimal maximization: a surreal narrative recalling a series of nebulous incidents in Newark, New Jersey spoken over nothing more than a steady kick and some faint electronic warbling while, during the breakdown, deep space satellite transmissions blip intermittently over a loop of what seems to be a robot with hiccups and poor phone reception attempting to leave a voicemail.

With Codename: Rondo, Ghostland Observatory has taken a step in a new direction, both creatively and technically, while still maintaining the essential elements of their unmistakable sound: “sweaty, raw-boned, and direct from the future; committed to electronics, stuck on big beats, yet unmistakably powered by rock ‘n’ roll.”

GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY

BOULDER THEATER

September 24, 2017

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, April 14, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

Multi-Grammy Award winner Delbert McClinton is “One of the Fortunate Few,” who has managed to live his dreams for more than six decades. The stars have aligned for Delbert. Those stars may have leaned toward the blues, but Delbert has managed to keep them on the bright side.

I’ve Got Dreams To Remember: The Early Years
He was born four years after Buddy Holly in the musically fertile grounds of Lubbock, Texas. He cut his teeth on Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys at Lubbock’s legendary Cotton Club.  When he was 12, Delbert’s family moved to Fort Worth so his father could work on the Rock Island Railroad.

As a teenager, Delbert had a backstage and front row seat to learn from the masters as his teenage band grew into the house band at Fort Worth’s Jack's Place on the Jacksboro Highway, backing blues legends like Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf, Freddie King, Albert Collins, and Gatemouth Brown.

Startin’ A Rumor: Delbert and Lennon 
His reputation grew, and when he was 22, he traveled with Bruce Channel to England to tour in support of Channel’s hit “Hey Baby,” on which he played harmonica.    Delbert and John Lennon spent time over a period of several days. The two 22-year old young musician/singers had a lot in common.  

Delbert explains,  “The Beatles were opening for us on the tour.  They would open the show, then I would play three songs or so, and then Bruce (Channel) would come out and we would do the headliner set.  John wanted me to give him some tips on harmonica. The story’s been romanticized. I didn’t really teach him. I showed him what I did. When to suck and when to blow.  Nothing really more than that. Although it was a moment in time.”

Livin’ It Down: Back to Texas
Delbert returned to Texas and continued playing with legendary blues musicians, hitting the road when he could.  During the 1960s, he married and had a son, Monty, before the marriage crashed.   He continued playing in and around Fort Worth until he took up with a female friend who had just gotten divorced. She talked him into heading to Los Angeles.  

Two More Bottles of Wine: The Los Angeles Years
So McClinton moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s to record with his songwriter partner, Glen Clark. The duo, under the name Delbert & Glen, released two albums with Atlantic Records.  The relationship with the divorcee didn’t last long, but the day she left, he sat on the mattress  in a dank rent house, and wrote a song about sweeping out a warehouse in West Los Angeles that became the first megahit for Emmylou Harris, “Two More Bottles of Wine.” And thus, began his series of “it’s all right” themes.

Ain’t Lost Nothin’: Texas and Tennessee
McClinton went home to Texas, met his second wife, and had his second son, Clay.  They moved to Nashville, and he signed with ABC Records. In 1975, he released his first solo project, Victim of Life’s Circumstances.  For the rest of the decade, McClinton released a string of successful albums and songs, including 1980’s Top 10 hit, “Givin’ It Up For Your Love.”

Changes in tax laws and liberal tax advisors caused Delbert and his friend, Willie Nelson to wind up in the same tax shelter boat in the early 1980s, a time that has often been called Delbert’s “Lost Years.”

“No. I wasn’t lost. I know where I was,” Delbert says, “ I was working for the IRS. They decided that I owed them several hundred thousand dollars. So I was playing for $700 a night and traveling with a loyal band, with the mattress I was born on under a camper shell in the back of the pickup   Sometimes the feds would show up at the gig and want all of our money. But we managed to get to the next gig.”

Pledging My Love: The Good Life
Along the way, he met his forever wife, Wendy Goldstein, a news producer for NBC, who agreed to a date after he played Saturday Night Live. A whirlwind romance followed. (She admits that the network held a position for her for 18 months, just in case she changed her mind.)  Nearly 30 years later, she is still on board.  And thanks to Wendy, Delbert got straight with the IRS, and has celebrated the greatest successes of his career, including his third child, a daughter, Delaney.  

McClinton earned his first Grammy nomination in 1989 for Live from Austin and his first win in 1991 for his duet with Bonnie Raitt on “Good Man, Good Woman.” The following year, McClinton collaborated on projects with Melissa Etheridge, Tom Petty, and Tanya Tucker, with whom he partnered on the popular, “Tell Me About It.”

McClinton earned two more Grammys and topped the Billboard Blues chart with a series of albums in the 2000s, including Nothing Personal, Cost of Living and Acquired Taste. He teamed up with Clark again for his most recent release, Blind, Crippled and Crazy.

Delbert is driven by the lessons of his mentors, and shares what he has learned with those who follow the path.

Giving It Up For Your Love: What’s Next
Delbert McClinton has big plans up his sleeve. This is a big year for the multi-Grammy award winner and legendary musician.  In November, Delbert  turns 75. Live shows have been his focus and bread-and-butter throughout his career. 

He will be kicking off the yearlong Diamond Jubilee tour with more rocking energy than ever before. And it’s time.  Last year was a turning point.
2014 was a rough year. In March, his son, Austin musician Clay McClinton, was in a car accident and suffered a head injury. Delbert and Wendy got the call in Nashville in the early morning hours from oldest son Monty, and flew to Austin to stay by Clay’s side in the hospital for several weeks.

Delbert said, “That’s when I met me. That’s when I met who I was. And life has changed a great deal since then.”

 As Clay began to show signs of improvement, Delbert headed out to Florida for a show.   He recalls, “We got to the venue.  I thought I was having heartburn.  It got worse. I knew something was not right. They called EMS. They checked me out and told me that I was okay now, but should probably go to the hospital and find out if I had a heart attack.  I didn’t go with them, but had the promoter take me to the hospital, and  found out that yeah, I had a little “nudge,” they called it. They did a heart cath the next day and found that I had 95% blockage in the main artery. A Widow Maker, they call it.”

Today, Clay has almost completely recovered from his head injury and is also playing shows again. “He’s grateful,” Delbert says. “His wife, Brandy, said, ‘Clay has really taken advantage of his second chance.’”

The same can be said for Delbert. He has also made an incredible recovery.  Delbert returned to the stage two months after  his April, 2014 heart surgery.  “I didn’t know if I could sing. I didn’t know if I could be me,” he said, “but I found that I had so much more energy and more stamina. From 95% blockage to open road.  It made a big difference.”

Everything Will Be Rosy: The Future
And now Delbert has taken to that open road, full speed ahead.  He is playing in legendary, historic, and top venues from New York to California. He is planning his 22nd Annual Sandy Beaches Caribbean Cruise in January of 2016.  He’s working on a new album, and plans to have it ready to go in time for the Diamond Jubilee Celebration. He has one of the hottest bands he has ever toured with. And he is writing like never before.

The music for the new album is new and fresh, and maintains that Delbert McClinton signature. He easily describes what some struggle to define:  “Call it blues or country rock or American roots or whatever, but one of the most important things about my songs continues to be that there is always a way out.  Nothing I write spirals into the abyss. It’s all ‘I’ll be all right.’  The music is mostly so positive, in that ‘I’ll be okay’… ‘and maybe if’… ‘I’m hoping that’ frame of mind…. I always want to have an uplifting draft in the breeze of the song.”

So what keeps the energy in more than 60 years of music?  His incredible musical versatility has been a blessing and a curse. He has managed to stay ahead of the curve – rather than just riding the wave  of musical popularity. He has paddled out and caught the wave as it is forming  as an innovator in American music.

Delbert has found more than a million friends on the road, on the Sandy Beaches Cruises and on stages around the world.  His new album project includes a signature song that is easily his soundtrack for this year.

DELBERT MCCLINTON

BOULDER THEATER

September 13, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

$35.00 Reserved Floor | $40.00 Reserved Balcony | $45.00 Gold Circle plus applicable service charges

Conor Oberst joined his first band at the age of 13 and has been releasing music since 1993. Over the next two plus decades, he’s released cassette-only recordings, split 7-inches, and a dozen albums of uncommon insight, detail, and political awareness with his band Bright Eyes, under his own name, as a member of Desaparecidos, as leader of the The Mystic Valley Band, and with the Monsters of Folk supergroup.

In Fall of 2015, and after more than a decade of living in New York City, Oberst returned to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, somewhat unexpectedly. Like John Lennon so famously said: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” After canceling a tour with Desaparecidos due to serious health issues, Oberst returned home to recuperate. The musician was unexpectedly back home at loose ends and faced with some long, cold, claustrophobic winter nights, with nothing really to do. Such conditions were the same as those that contributed to the very early songs he penned in his boyhood bedroom. This resulted in the anxious poetry, heightened self-awareness, and revealing confessionals that catalogued his doubts, demons, and nightmares.

“It wasn’t premeditated at all. I don’t know if you know what Omaha is like in the winter, but it’s just paralyzing. You’re stranded in the house. Every night I was staying up late, making a point to play the new piano I had just bought and watching the snow fall outside the house. Everybody would be asleep and I would just go into this one room, make a fire, and play all night. In November I had a whole pick-up truck full of firewood delivered and I thought, ‘I’m never going to run out of it.’ Before I knew I had gone through half of the firewood and I had five songs. By February I had burned through it all, and I had 15 songs. I had just spent the whole winter making fires and playing music.”

Making and playing music has always been a healing balm for the sometimes troubled musician. And this time it especially seemed important. It was if he was writing himself back to sanity. Back to understanding what is really important and has meaning for him. And in the same kind of immediacy with which the songs were written, Oberst realized he needed to record them right away, in order to capture the kind of raw intensity and rough magic behind them. When Oberst wrote and recorded the songs, with just voice, piano, guitar and harmonica – he intended to ultimately record them with a full band. In the midst of putting together that band – upstate New York’s The Felice Brothers plus the legendary drummer Jim Keltner (Neil Young, Jackson Browne, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and many more) – the passionate responses Oberst was getting to those first solo recordings, from friends and colleagues, encouraged him to release the songs as-is, in their original sparse form, released in October 2016 as Ruminations. Pitchfork called it “a record like none other in Oberst’s catalog, stunning for how utterly alone he sounds,” and the UK’s Sunday Times called it, “The rawest album yet from the forever troubled one-time voice of a generation. Political and very, very personal,” saying Oberst is “one of the best songwriters around.”

Meanwhile, Oberst simultaneously moved ahead with his plans to record with the band, heading to the famed Shangri-la Studios in Malibu to record Salutations – co-produced with Keltner and engineered by long-time musical compadre Andy LeMaster. Guest contributions come courtesy of Jim James, Blake Mills, Maria Taylor, M Ward, Gillian Welch, Gus Seyffert, Pearl Charles, Nathaniel Walcott, and Jonathan Wilson.

Salutations includes full band versions of the ten songs from Ruminations, plus seven additional songs, some from an additional session at Five Star Studios in Echo Park in fall 2016. Oberst says of the Salutations sessions: “Jim (Keltner) was really the captain of the ship and the spiritual leader of the project. We leaned heavy on his fifty-plus years of musical insight to get us to where we needed to be. He brought such depth and dignity to the proceedings that made everyone else involved rise to the occasion. It was a true stroke of luck that he got involved when he did.”

CONOR OBERST

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

$31.00 Adv | $35.00 DOS plus applicable service charges

Almost twenty years ago, Steve Earle and I took a ride through South Nashville. It was down those mean streets that Steve had spent his famous “hiatus” in the early 1990’s mostly shooting dope. It was a crazy, unprecedented thing. Here was a guy – the supposed “new face” of outlaw country – who had already put out a near unbroken string of instant classics, including chart hits like “Guitar Town,” “Someday,” and the immortal “Copperhead Road.” And he just up and disappears, drops from sight for four years, making no records, playing no shows. Many thought he was dead. By the time we met, Steve was on the way back, through his sixty-day stint in the Davidson County Jail, firmly in recovery. He’d already released a couple new discs, the masterly acoustic Train A Comin’ and the defiantly electric I Feel Alright. But you could tell, he wasn’t all the way back. Clean and sober can be a transitory thing, the ghosts of the old days are far from fully vanquished, if they ever will be. Steve wasn’t sure he wanted any more of South Nashville, but being Steve, which is to be an adventurer and a sport, he agreed to take the tour.

“This is Lewis Street,” Steve said as we turned right off Fain. The neighborhood hadn’t changed all that much since Steve holed up there, listening to Dr. Dre’s The Chronic on a near permanent loop. A number of local denizens were killing time on the corner, craning their heads to see if these particular white boys were buyers or cops. But I was already familiar with Lewis Street from the tune “South Nashville Blues,” which appears on I Feel Alright.

“The Devil lives on Lewis Street, I swear, I seen him rocking in his rocking chair,” the song goes, prefaced by one of the hundred or so all-time great Steve Earle lines, “I took my pistol and a hundred dollar bill, I had everything I needed to get me killed.” A bit of old-timey shuffle, “South Nashville Blues” was very definitely a blues song. This was a little unusual, Steve told me back in 1996. “Because I don’t play a lot of blues tunes. I don’t think I’m really that good at them.”

This is a perhaps not so roundabout way to getting to Steve Earle’s newest collection of songs, the sixteenth studio album of his singular career. It is called Terraplane, and as those familiar with the Robert Johnson song should know, it is very much a blues album, a very good, typically heartfelt blues album.

“I’ve gotten a lot better at playing blues since then,” Steve told me the other day, as we sat in the Greenwich Village apartment where he’s lived for the past several years since moving to New York. He had to get better, Steve said, because if you grew up in Texas during the 1960’s and 70’s playing blues is a serious matter. The bar, Steve said, “is very high.”

It is always fun to sit around and talk about music with Steve Earle. You may need a crowbar to get a word in edgewise once SE gets rolling, but he does tend to say some interesting stuff. In this case he explained that, as far as he knew from his own travels and such compatriots as his great inspiration Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and 1,000 bar room pickers, there were two epicenters of Texas blues in the pre-Led Zep days.

“There was Fort Worth where the model was Freddy King, and there was the Houston scene which was dominated by Lightnin’ Hopkins. Two very different styles,” Steve reported. Steve saw both of these giants, but mostly received their message as channeled through the soul of some of the most formidable synthesizers in pop history. “Johnny Winter, Jimmy and Stevie Vaughn, Canned Heat. Billy Gibbons.

Billy fucking Gibbons. He’s a monster, always was. He’d do Lightnin’ but really loud.” Steve said. “These were people we heard at that time and there was no doubt it was the real thing – you can never tell me Bob Hite was not a bluesman.” This was all well and good, especially since Steve’s guitar player, Chris Masterson, raised on that same Texas soil, can really kick the shit out of the stuff. But the question was, why now? Why was Steve making a blues record now?

Steve twirled at the fringes of his beard. He got that sort of cramped accusative tone and asked, “you saying I made a blues record because I’m getting divorced?”

“Well, that’s what everyone is going to think.” Steve’s voice rose. “I know that’s what they’ll think! And they won’t be wrong…but it is a little more complicated than that.”

This was, of course quite true. When you’ve been married seven different times to six different women, that’s some Chinese math right there. The odd thing is that out of the dozens of tremendous tunes Steve Earle has written over the past 35 years very few have been break-up songs. Asked about it, Steve couldn’t even think of one himself. “I don’t want to waste songs on girls that are going. I’d rather save them for girls that are coming,” he said.

In matters of the heart, Steve Earle has always been an optimist. There are several better-known tunes on the “Guitar Town” album, but when it comes to young(er) love all you really need is “Fearless Heart.” With Whitmanesque exaltation of his own resiliency, the singer sings: “I got me a fearless heart/ strong enough to get you through the scary part/ its been broken many times before/ a fearless heart just comes back for more.” Whatever happens, he’ll bounce back; all previous failures are only recon so as to guide

His Own True Love Of the Moment across the “scary part.” Back then, Steve had faith in his ability to fall in love again, no matter what. It was a strange dichotomy. With an unmatched talent to describe the heartbreaking (as with the doomed Billy Austin, “twenty-nine years old, quarter Cherokee I’m told”) the singer largely avoided his own heartbreak.

So what’s different now? Why have we suddenly been given a sardonic if playful kiss-off number like “Go Go Boots Are Back Again,” which might be Steve’s “Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat." The same question could be asked about an elegiac shuffle like “Best Lover I Ever Had,” with its sexually-charged lament, “never had another kiss taste like that/you’re the best lover I ever had.” And what can be made of

“Better Off Alone,” a mournful cry of the newly adrift that Steve says represents “completely unchartered territory for me, and probably the best song on the record partially for that reason.”

“Everyone talks about how many times I’ve been married. They don’t talk about how many times I’ve been divorced, maybe that’s what this record is about,” Steve remarked.

“I mean, I thought I had it pretty much licked. I had a little bit of money in the bank for the first in my life. I’d been married for longer than I ever had been. Allison (his last wife, singer Allison Moorer) and I were together for eight and a half years. None of my other marriages had lasted more than three or four.

We had this great little kid. I thought, okay this is how it is supposed to be. It was the only time I’d ever married when I was sober. Those other marriages were in the 80’s when I was using. After that, I lived with people but I didn’t marry them. I didn’t think I was ready. Then, I thought I was and it didn’t work out.”

“I knew I’d make a blues record back when I was doing the Low Highway. Fucking weird, doing the sessions of that record – Allison’s on it but we were really coming apart. After that, I spent a long time on the road, a lot of time by myself. I wrote a third of Terraplane on tour in Europe, five weeks traveling around alone with just a guitar, a mandolin and backpack. I needed to be by myself and I needed to see if I could do it. Songs like `Better Off Alone’ came out of that.”

“I’m still alone, so I’m thinking maybe that’s just the way its gonna be for me. I’m still an optimist but like I don’t have a lot of optimism about current politics, maybe I have less about relationships. That’s what I’m telling myself right now, anyway. I’m feeling pressed for time. I’m going to be sixty years old.

I’ve got a four-year-old son. I have no idea how things are going to turn out for him. I have to make sure he’s kind of set up. My father died when he was 74. I’ll probably outlive him but you know, you just want to make it all count.”

“I’m patient, but I’m focused. There’s a lot to do. I’d like to write a musical, I’m working on a country record. I think a lot people this age feel like this. And if there’s one thing I know about songwriting, it doesn’t matter if it’s a love song, a song for my kid, or about an issue, something I saw on TV – people don’t give a fuck what I think about it, what they do give a fuck about is what experiences we have in common. As a songwriter, that’s where I want to go, to touch that place between me and you.”

Then, simply because Steve has too much hellraiser in him to leave it like that, he invoked the name of Willie Dixon, writer of some of the greatest modern blues songs, tunes like “Back Door Man,” “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Spoonful,” “You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover,” which were recorded by people like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Bo Diddley. Asked why he wrote and played the blues, Dixon, three hundred pounds and crusty sharp, reputedly said, “money and women, what else is there?”

This was as good an answer as any, Steve remarked with a laugh. Because when it comes down to it – and to the great benefit of Steve Earle’s many admirers – it’s only so long that an honest man can avoid playing the blues.

– Mark Jacobson, Brooklyn, NY

-------

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES

THE MASTERSONS

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, August 4, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale NOW at bouldertheater.com.

$25.00 ADV / $30.00 DOS plus applicable service charges

About Joshua Radin: Love and the complications surrounding it have long proven to be Joshua Radin's songwriting forte. Though he never intended to be a live performer, there was little choice when the first song he ever wrote, "Winter," was featured on an episode of "Scrubs." The resulting fervor around the song soon led to a record deal, and over the last decade, Radin has toured the world countless times, sold hundreds of thousands of records and topped the iTunes charts, earned raves from Rolling Stone to The Guardian, performed on "The Tonight Show," "Conan," and more, played Ellen DeGeneres' wedding at her personal request, and had his songs featured in more than 150 different films, commercials, and TV shows.

Radin, born in Cleveland and now living in Los Angeles, will be releasing a double live CD featuring all of his most popular songs. The recordings will be released in April 2016.

About Rachael Yamagata "Finally the heir to Bonnie Raitt." - Ann Powers, NPR Music

"Restoring female pop's good name." - Philadelphia Inquirer

"Rachael's voice is so soulful that it could inspire a tiger to chuff, an elephant to trumpet and whales to sing." - Gregory Colbert

Rachael Yamagata is not your ordinary singer/songwriter. Yes, she has released numerous albums; had record label deals; toured the world multiple times with sell-out concerts; built a loyal and ever-growing fan base; earned her place as a media 'darling'; made appearances on Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Carson Daly, "30 Rock," "One Life to Live" and "The O.C."; been an NPR profiled artist; made a cameo appearance as herself in Sony Pictures' To Write Love on Her Arms; had song placements in hit TV shows including "NCIS: New Orleans," "Vampire Diaries," "Grey's Anatomy," "Alias," "How I Met Your Mother," and in and Hollywood movies including "Hope Springs," "Prime," "Monster-in-Law," and "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"; been nominated Best Female Vocal by the Chicago Music Awards (2012); opened for artists including Patti Smith, David Gray, and Pete Townsend; and performed at venues including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, SXSW, Austin City Limits, Glastonbury, and Bonnaroo.

But there's so much more...

Rachael has performed with Bette Midler and Sheryl Crow at Senator Harry Reid's 2008 fundraiser for President Obama; at the White House Cherry Blossom Festival for First Lady Michelle Obama; twice at Deepak Chopra's Sages and Scientists Symposium; as part of the R.E.M. tribute concert; with Steve Earle and Allen Toussaint for the Woodie Guthrie tribute; collaborated with artists including Toots and the Maytals, Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne, Conor Oberst, Jason Mraz, and Katherine McPhee; and Australia's "The Voice" winner Karise Eden reached #1 with Rachael's song "You Won't Let Me." She's toured with many of said artists, as well as The Swell Season, Sara Bareilles, Amos Lee, Liz Phair, and more. Rachael was invited by the White House to take part in its Official White House 'Tweet Up' in the West Wing with fans, and was one of Chopra's music playlist selections featured on Oprah Winfrey's website.

Artist/filmmaker/photographer Gregory Colbert, best known for his acclaimed project "Ashes and Snow" which, to date, is the most attended solo exhibition by any living artist in history, asked Rachael to be a guest vocalist on his upcoming project.

Rachael and John Medeski (Medeski Martin & Wood) covered director Robert Altman song "Let's Begin Again" featured in the opening scene and end credits of the documentary, "Altman" (2014). Medeski said, "Rachael blew my mind with her performance. She's a natural jazz singer."

Fans span the spectrum from 14-year-old girls to 65-year-old men, from spiritual healers, helicopter pilots, and military women, to hostage negotiators, heads of television networks, and single mothers. Rachael continually hears from fans that her music helped them through something in their life. Famed Korean photographer Jungman Kim calls Rachael 'his muse' and writer/journalist/ broadcaster Katherine Lanpher cites Rachael as the only twice invited guest of the Barnes & Nobel series, "Upstairs at the Square" (with novelist Alaa-Al-Aswany, "The Yacoubian Building" and Bill Clegg, "Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man" and "90 Days").

On the business front, Rachael was a guest speaker at 2013 Chicago Ideas Week, and profiled in two separate Topspin Berklee School of Music marketing classes with her Pledge Music DIY campaigns being used as part of the course curriculum.

Rachael breaks the mold of the singer/songwriter stereotype, and the DIY indie-artist model as, for the past four years she has be working without management representation.

CD releases to date include "Heavyweight" EP (2012), "Noisetrade Mixtape" (2012), "Chesapeake" (2011), "Elephants" (2008), "Loose Ends" EP (2007), "Live at the Loft" (2005), "Happenstance" (2004), and "Rachael Yamagata: EP" (2001).

Her latest album, currently titled "Tightrope Walker," is slated for a fall 2015 release. It showcases her calling card ability to articulate humanity's struggles within relationships and the freedom that comes from celebrating that which we face alone and head on. The production is riskier and cinematic -- think Tom Waits meets Roberta Flack, Nick Cave hanging with Rufus Wainwright. Rachael confounds a labeled genre and instead embraces the production that serves the story. The paradox of her art mirrors that of her career and proves that we are never simplistic, but always full of surprises.

COFFEE HOUSE PRESENTS: JOSHUA RADIN + RACHAEL YAMAGATA

BRANDON JENNER

BOULDER THEATER

  July 25, 2017

Doors:  6:30 pm | Show:  7:30 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, May 5, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

The most celebrated Grateful Dead show in history is finally getting its official release! The forces aligned for the Dead on May 8, 1977, at Barton Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; for what many hail the pinnacle performance of their 30-year career. So revered is the performance, that an audience recording of this show joined Prince’s Purple Rain and Dolly Parton’s Coat Of Many Colors as 2012’s inductees into the National Recording Registry of the U.S. Library Of Congress, an honor bestowed upon music/songs that "are culturally, historically, or aesthetically important."

Cornell 5/8/77 was recorded live directly from the soundboards by Betty Cantor-Jackson. After several years the master tapes were seemingly lost for good, but that all changed at the end of 2016. The lost tapes, or lost “Betty boards” as they are commonly known, finally made their way back home to the Grateful Dead vault, making it possible to officially bring the world this legendary show just in time for its 40th Anniversary. The complete live show has been Plangentized by Plangent Processes and remastered by GRAMMY ® award winning sound engineer, Jeffrey Norman.

About The Lounge at the Boulder Theater The Lounge is the cozy, intimate restaurant/bar space right next to the theater, formerly The Ghost Barbeque. When the private partnership between the Boulder Theater and The Ghost expired, Z2 Entertainment took the opportunity to create a seamless experience between the event space at the historic Boulder Theater and the restaurant-bar space next door.

Step into the lucky horseshoe-shaped room blanketed in glowing light to find any number of little nooks to cozy in to, from the front window bays to the darkened back corners and the fireside tables to, of course, the bar. All of the seating rests beneath the watchful eyes of some of the Boulder Theater’s most storied performers, captured eloquently by local house photographer Lisa Siciliano.  The small plates and robust wine, microbrew and spirits menu perfectly match the mood.

GRATEFUL DEAD’S CORNELL 5/8/77 LISTENING PARTY
40TH ANNIVERSARY

THE LOUNGE AT THE BOULDER THEATER

For Paper Bird, their new album marks a milestone. More importantly, it provides them with a new beginning, a new chapter in their trajectory that sees them redefining their direction, a change in their musical sensibility while maintaining their trademark upbeat attitude. The band’ s self titled album, available September 9th on Thirty Tigers Records/ Sons of Thunder Records, introduces vocalist Carleigh Aikins to the line-up, whose previous credits include extended stints with the critically acclaimed bands Bahamas and Fox Jaws. Her addition to the band adds an extra edge, highlighting a clear sonic evolution. A shift in the band’ s line-up has opened up new possibilities, swapping electric guitars and amped up instrumentation for the laid back, folk-flavored sound they favored in the past. “In truth this is an entirely new band,” bassist Caleb Summeril explains. “With Carleigh coming on board, we’ ve literally made a fresh start.”Guitarist Paul DeHaven first met Aikins at a concert on Willie Nelson’ s ranch during South by Southwest in 2012. The two hit it off, and before long Aikins and the rest of the band began collaborating long distance via email. “It was serendipitous that we could join forces so seamlessly,” says Aikins. “We created an instant bond and a new sound we can all stand proudly behind; which merges our respective influences from the Canadian and American music we were raised with. Everyone’ s input is welcome here and everyone has their moment to shine, in the true democratic sense and tradition of a band." Paper Bird has always made a point of encouraging each of its members to share the spotlight. The group features singers Sarah Anderson and Carleigh Aikins, who blend their voices in seamless harmonies. The instrumental duties are shared by Summeril, DeHaven, and drummer Mark Anderson. Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Paper Bird first emerged from the same environs that launched such outfits as Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats and the Lumineers. The group has toured extensively throughout the U.S., sharing bills with the aforementioned bands, as well as Daryl Hall & John Oates, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and Shakey Graves.

On Paper Bird, the band collaborates with world-renowned musician, singer and songwriter John Oates, who co-produced the album with Aikins’ fellow Canadian David Kalmusky. The album was recorded and mixed at Addiction Sound Studios in Nashville, and for his part, Oates couldn’ t be more delighted. “Paper Bird is a band that possesses a sound that’ s more than the sum of its parts,”Oates effuses. “It has... distinctly unique female lead singers whose harmonies blend together as one...united with an inventive, cohesive rhythm section trio. I loved their sound from the first time I heard them and they just keep getting better. They are a true musical family united by a unique and pure artistic vision...a rare quality in this day and age of so much disposable and less than original music.”Paper Birdhas a sound that blends the engaging vocal harmonies of Fleet Foxes and The Lone Bellow with the classic ‘ 70s stylings of bands like Heart and Fleetwood Mac without imitating or emulating any one of them in particular. Indeed, the new music is rugged, resilient and flush with enthusiasm. It conveys the essence of inspired Americana, while still staying true to its riveting rock regimen. The album starts with the soulful strut of“To The Light,” and heads into desire and yearning with the single “Don’ t Want Half.” With its playful harmonies and rhythms, “I Don’ t Mind” captures the ephemeral feelings of love, as “it’ s not easy to be a dreamer, when you’ re sleeping with the wind.” Paper Bird merge the musical past with the present on “Sunday,” conjuring up doo-wop, rock and groove sounds. “This is definitely the start of something exciting,” Summeril suggests. “We’ re at a point in our career where we feel we’ re ready to take on the world."

About Shook Twins: “I love the harmonies of the Shook Twins, the dreamlike songs that seem somehow permeated by the American Folk tradition, without actually being part of it. They make music that twines through your soul the way vines cover an abandoned shack in the woods.” – Neil Gaiman, New York Times – Best-Selling Author

“The Portland, Ore., folk group is ready to rattle the music world with its ‘What We Do’ album.” – USA Today

“The Shooks will Shake you. These ladies have been keepin’ it real since the day they were born and that was only seconds apart from one another I think. Do yourself a favor and check ’em out. I do declare, ya won’t be sorry.” – Langhorne Slim

“The Shook Twins put on a heck of a show. Keep your eyes on these folks. I’m excited to hear what they do next.” – Tucker Martine

“A unique, personal music that lights up the stage with its joy and enthusiasm.” – Mason Jennings

Born and raised in Sandpoint Idaho, Shook Twins are an Indie folk-pop band hailing from Portland, Oregon. Identical twins, Katelyn and Laurie are the main songwriters, but they also back up their band member Niko Slice (electric guitar, mandolin and vocals) adding his uniquely compelling songs to the mix. Barra Brown is on Drums, vocals and Drum Pad, and Josh Simon is on Bass, vocals, Electric guitar, and synth. Central to Shook Twins’ sound is their wide range of instrumentation: banjo, acoustic and electric guitars, electric bass, mandolin, electronic drums, face drum (beat-box), glockenspiel, ukulele, banjo-head drumming and their signature Golden Egg. Beautiful twin harmonies, layered upon acoustic and electric instrumentation, coupled with Laurie’s inventive use of percussive and ambient vocal loops, and Katelyn’s re-purposed telephone microphone, set their sound apart, creating a unique and eccentric blend of folk, roots, groove and soul.

Their eclectic style fluctuates from song to song; drawing from their life experience they write about being potters’ daughters, the sway of the subconscious, imagined superpowers and a chicken friend named ‘Rose.’ Shook Twins also pull out unexpected covers on classic hits as well as their friends’ songs. After releasing their first album You Can Have the Rest, the twin sisters moved to Portland where they released Window (featuring Bonnie Paine and Bridget Law of Elephant Revival). Both albums were recorded and produced in Santa Cruz, California, at InDigital Studios with Brody Bergholz and Mason Rothchild.  Shook Twins recorded their third album, What We Do, with Grammy nominated producer Ryan Hadlock at Bear Creek Studios. They are currently recording new music at Hallowed Halls in Portland, OR with Justin Phelps.

After releasing their first album You Can Have the Rest, the twin sisters moved to Portland where they released Window (featuring Bonnie Paine and Bridget Law of Elephant Revival). Both albums were recorded and produced in Santa Cruz, California, at InDigital Studios with Brody Bergholz and Mason Rothchild.  Shook Twins recorded their third album, What We Do, with Grammy nominated producer Ryan Hadlock at Bear Creek Studios. They are currently recording new music at Hallowed Halls in Portland, OR with Justin Phelps.

Shook Twins have shared the stage with artists including: Ryan Adams, Gregory Alan Isakov, Greensky Bluegrass, Mason Jennings, Blitzen Trapper, Railroad Earth, Keller Williams, David Grisman, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sarah Jarosz, Laura Veirs, The Fruit Bats, Jonathan Brooke, JJ Grey and MoFro, The Indigo Girls, Crooked Still, Jason Webley, The BoDeans, Elephant Revival and more.

Spanning the spectrum from distinctive and genuine to amusing and whimsical, Shook Twins’ laid-back and fun stage presence draws the listener in, allowing them to take the audience on an adventure. 2016 saw the band opening up for Greensky Bluegrass on a 13 show tour, supporting Keller Williams for several shows in Northern California, and playing Red Rocks Amphitheater with Gregory Alan Isakov and Ani Difranco. The band also embarked on a  Spring tour to Europe where they played two festivals in Germany and six shows in the UK.  Festivals for this year included WinterWonderGrass Tahoe (CA), Huckleberry Jam (ID), Safety Harbor Fest (FL), Apple Jam Music Festival (OR), Beaverstock (CA), Summer Camp Music Festival (IL), Revival Fest (MN), Northwest String Summit (OR), Fayetteville Roots Festival (AR), Summer Meltdown (WA), Oregon Country Fair (OR), Suwannee Roots Revival (FL) and more!

Shook Twins have never been sonically confined to the indie-folk world in which they’ve become well-known artists. Always harnessing an adventurous spirit, Shook Twins are never shy to incorporate beat boxing, banjo-head drumming, vocals using a re-purposed telephone microphone, and other ambient sources within their arrangements. On their latest single, “Call Me Out” (Release Date: August 19, 2016), Shook Twins once again take another leap from the acoustic music scene with a vibey, pop-infused soundscape with a poignant message ready to be embraced by the masses. Lush harmonies, delayed banjo pickin’, deep drums, and multi-layered lead vocals draw the listener into this intimate breakout summer 2016 single.

PAPER BIRD + SHOOK TWINS

KATIE GRAY

BOULDER THEATER

  Saturday, June 17, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale NOW at bouldertheater.com.

Sixteen years ago, at the age of 16, Jonny Lang found incredible success with the release of his major label debut album Lie To Me.  Fame does not seem to have impacted him from being the same country farm boy from Fargo, ND who got his start in the local clubs of Minneapolis.  He survived the passage of youth to adulthood, fell in love, began a family, and in the process passed through the life lessons we all endure.  He has a keen sense of what he aims to achieve creatively, what music means to him, and is focused on the impact that his songs bring to the lives of those that encounter his repertoire.  For Lang, with the release of Fight For My Soul, he is entering a chapter wherein he has found his true voice.

When asked what he would tell his younger self if he was afforded the opportunity to share advise, he wisely answers, “I would say all of those voices steering you away from questionable decisions, listen to them.  They are right.”  He has encountered many in the public eye through his career that approaches two decades.  With those experiences, and the personality traits he has witnessed, he has a clarity of how he wants to be, and how he wants to treat others.

This sense of who he wants to be is the core of the album.  Lang shares, “The inspiration for the songs on the record vary widely.  Some are about personal struggles, some are focused on injustices I have seen.  Some are random fictional stories that hopefully can relate to people in some way that is a blessing to them.  I’ve wanted to make this album for a long time.  Creatively, I think there is a lot more going on inside of me than I’ve been sharing on recordings.”

The album defies categorization by a single genre.  The textured arrangements, broad worldview, gorgeous vocal melodies, and expressive guitar playing are what defines Fight For My Soul.  It is unequivocally what Lang aimed to achieve over the long period he has been working on reaching a realized vision.  He offers, “Much of what I’ve experienced through music and life in general is in these songs.  I really like reaching out and connecting with people.  For me, this is what it’s all about.  It keeps it fresh with different experiences every day.”

JonnyLang_2757RealaLang has been working on the release for three years with Producer Tommy Sims, who co-wrote Eric Clapton’s Grammy winning “Change the World.”  The duo collaborated on the project from the ground up. The first step was fine-tuning the soulful numbers Lang demo’d at home.  He relates, “Sometimes I write music that I could never imagine putting on a record, and thanks to Tommy’s ability to see the continuity in these songs, where I might not have, they are on the album”.   Sims also brought in one number, the acoustic-electric soul-rocker “Blew Up (The House),” and played several instruments the album that include resonator guitar on that tune, and contributing world class bass guitar performances on select others.

This grass roots approach was new to Lang, whose four earlier studio albums were written and crafted under the watch of his previous record labels.  It was a welcome change. After Lang released his Grammy winning Turn Around in 2007, he made the decision to forego the major label route and became an independent artist. The first result was 2009’s Live At the Ryman, but Fight For My Soul, by its nature, is his first fully realized artistic achievement through his own label SayRai Music, featuring his own touring band: drummer Barry Alexander, bassist James Anton, rhythm guitarist Akil Thompson, keyboardist Dwan Hill and background vocalist Missi Hale.  “Recording with the band for the first time was really gratifying,” says Lang. “They’re all amazing musicians and we’ve grown together musically and personally by playing hundreds of live shows.”  This served us well in the making of Fight For My Soul.  Because of them, I have grown musically in ways I never thought I could, and it really is an honor to have them on this record.”

JonnyLang_2386FujiRealaLang’s full touring schedule as well as making his family a priority in his life, are the primary cause for the length of commitment it took to deliver this album.  He reflects, “Between being with my family, and being out on the road touring, the last thing you want to do when home is to go and make a record.  We have had to pick our spots to fit in recording time.  In the last year, we’ve been able to work on it more consistently, and to finally wrap this thing up.” And with the delivery to label partners Mascot in Europe and Concord for North America, he achieved what he set out to deliver offering, “I’m really happy with the body of work we have for this one.  It’s kind of hard to be excited and know what the record was going to be like when the process is extended over such a long period of time.  Today sitting here I am really proud of the recordings.”

As an artist he has evolved since he began the writing process.  The sound of that evolution is all over Fight For My Soul. “What You’re Looking For” carefully layers banjo, guitars, spacey keyboards and a percussion sample to create a sonic dreamscape for its story of searching for life’s essentials — faith, love, hope. The arrangement of “We Are the Same” evokes the freewheeling spirit of Motown’s Psychedelic Shack era.

Jonny_Lang_2715The path Lang has been on has brought him the opportunity to interact with some of the most respected legends in music.  On the way up, he shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, B.B. King, Aerosmith, Sting, and Buddy Guy, who he continues to tour with today.  As a 12-year-old, he began a journey in Fargo, ND that has brought him to points across the Globe, and as he looks on the upcoming near-term future, he shares, “With this album, I really look forward to bringing our music to people in places where I’ve never been before.  Music is one of the greatest conveyers of ideas and emotions, and in a sense that doesn’t have as much to do with the individual performing, but the power of the connection.  One of my goals is the music can be a blessing to the people listening to it in some way.  And if Fight For My Soul can help somebody by making them feel better or that they’re not alone, that’s my idea of success for this album.”

JONNY LANG

BOULDER THEATER

  Saturday, September 9, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017 at bouldertheater.com.

Beth Hart is on fire. Right now, the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter is riding a creative tidal wave, firing out acclaimed albums, hooking up with the biggest names in music and rocking the house each night with that celebrated burnt-honey voice. The headline news is Beth’s latest album, Fire On The Floor, a release that even this fiercely self-critical artist describes as “pretty frickin’ good.” But let’s not forget the backstory that brought her here...

The Blues Magazine once dubbed Beth Hart “the ultimate female rock star”, and there’s no doubt that her two-decade career is the ultimate thrill-ride. Born in Los Angeles, she released a fistful of hit albums through the ’90s, then reignited in the post-millennium as both a solo artist and the head-turning vocalist for guitar heroes like Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Beck and Slash. “Extraordinary,” wrote The Times of her once-a-generation voice box, while The Guardian praised her “daring, brooding and angry” performances.

But it’s in recent times that Beth has truly blossomed. In April 2015, she released Better Than Home, a critical and commercial smash that topped the iTunes Blues Chart and was crowned #4 Best Blues Album Of The Year by Mojo magazine. The release also reached #1 in the Dutch charts and helped Beth to fill Amsterdam’s Heineken Music Hall with 5,500 fans (her largest club show to date). “Oh, that was so good, man,” she reflects. “I love Holland. They’ve been really good to me.”

The US market has embraced her, too, with Beth packing ever-larger venues in major cities on the Better Than Home tour – including Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium – and receiving a nomination from the American Blues Foundation in the category of Contemporary Blues Female Artist.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, Beth’s rocketing UK profile has never been higher. Recent years have seen auspicious headline sets at the Royal Albert Hall and the Barbican (not to mention the historic Hampton Court Palace with Joe Bonamassa), and in December 2015, she chalked up another first with a spot on Jools Holland’s legendary annual Hootenanny.

Bringing in the New Year with a soulful take on Tell Her You Belong To Me and Nutbush City Limits alongside long-time collaborator Jeff Beck, it spoke volumes that the pair’s performance rapidly became the Hootenanny’s most-watched clip on the BBC’s official YouTube channel (even overtaking heavyweights like Tom Jones and Paul Weller).

For now, though, Beth’s focus is Fire On The Floor: a new studio album sure to build on her breakneck momentum. As the singer explains, this latest record gave her an emotional release following the bitter-sweet sessions for Better Than Home. If there’s a theme that ties these twelve songs together, it’s a sense of escapism following the hardest of times.

Grateful Web is throwing a party at The Lounge at The Boulder Theater! Join us every Tuesday leading up to Dead & Company at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO to enjoy specially curated shows in their entirety. In celebration of the Dead & Company shows, The Fox Theatre and Boulder Theater are hosting events from June 7th through June 11th – click here for more details! The Lounge will be giving away tickets to all of these shows as well as tickets to Dead & Company at these listening parties!

Featured Grateful Dead Shows:
Tuesday, May 23: Grateful Dead Live at Folsom Field, 1972-09-03
Tuesday, May 30: Grateful Dead Live at Folsom Field, 1980-06-07
Tuesday, June 6: Grateful Dead Live at Folsom Field, 1980-06-08
 

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original Grateful Dead documentary, The Grateful Dead Movie. Co-directed by Jerry Garcia and Leon Gast, this concert film features live performances from the October 1974 5-night run at San Francisco’s iconic Winterland held during the band’s so-called “retirement” prior to taking a two-year sabbatical. Performances include “U.S. Blues,” “One More Saturday Night,” “Casey Jones,” “Playing in the Band” and “Sugar Magnolia,” among other Dead classics. Before the show, audiences will get exclusive access to a special mini-documentary featuring fans reminiscing about the most famous Grateful Dead show of all time, which took place 40 years ago, on May 8, 1977, at Barton Hall at Cornell University.

BOULDER THEATER MOVIE NIGHT

GRATEFUL DEAD MOVIE - 40TH ANNIVERSARY

BOULDER THEATER

  Friday, July 7, 2017

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale now at bouldertheater.com.

Join Grateful Web and the Boulder Theater on Tuesday, June 13th for the start of Boulder Theater's weekly series Tuesday Blues: Grateful Dead Nights at The Lounge with a screening of “Downhill From Here, Alpine Valley.”

About Downhill From Here: This title includes a composite of two performances -- July 17 and 19, 1989, at the Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, WI -- and is available on both the VHS and DVD home video formats. The somewhat cryptic title is a geographical reference to the distinct incline in the general admission [read: festival seating] section of the venue. The summer of 1989 saw the Grateful Dead commencing one of the final epic zeniths in terms of consistently brilliant performances. They were able to ride this wave through the summer of 1990 -- which was sadly capped by the untimely passing of Brent Mydland(keyboards). This era was equally notable for the incorporation of concurrently new material from their soon-to-be-released 21st and final studio effort, Built to Last. Included here are both the title track as well as “Standing on the Moon” -- two of the better Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter compositions from the album. A majority of the video is taken from the show on the 17th, with the exception of the last three tracks during the “first set:” “West L.A. Fadeaway,” “Desolation Row,” and one of the undisputed highlights of the entire 1989 summer tour, “Deal,” featuring a blistering guitar solo from Garcia. Other not-to-be-missed performances include a majority of the second set -- which begins with a uniformly inspiring “China Cat Sunflower”/“I Know You Rider” pairing.

BOULDER WEEKLY & GRATEFUL WEB PRESENT

TUESDAY BLUES: GRATEFUL DEAD NIGHTS AT THE LOUNGE

SCREENING: “DOWNHILL FROM HERE ALPINE VALLEY”

THE LOUNGE AT THE BOULDER THEATER

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

7:00 pm

FREE EVENT

21+

Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1549372108438151

The Bad Plus came together at the end of the 20th century and has avoided easy categorization ever since, winning critical hosannas and a legion of fans worldwide with their creativity, unique sound and flair for live performance. Based in New York City, the intensely collaborative trio has constantly searched for rules to break and boundaries to cross, bridging genres and techniques while exploring the infinite possibilities of three exceptional musicians working in perfect sync.
 
The Bad Plus have cemented their place as an original music ensemble. Except for their interpretation of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring — their last four albums focused almost exclusively on original compositions. It’s Hard, however, will mark The Bad Plus’ return to an aspect of their roots, the very thing that first made The Bad Plus famous: the deconstruction of songs from the Pop/Rock and R&B worlds.
 
Among the tightest, hardest-working bands in the world — and there has not been a line-up change or substitution in 17 years — this is a band in their prime, returning to early form, which is an event not to be missed!

How to Get Tickets

Tickets available at Boulder Theater Box Office, by phone at (303)-786-7030 or online at http://www.bouldertheater.com. 

Sign up for Z2 Entertainment emails to stay informed of all upcoming show announcements, presales and on sales!

The Wailin’ Jennys are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse three distinct voices that together make an achingly perfect vocal sound.

Starting as a happy accident of solo singer/songwriters getting together for a one-time-only performance at a tiny guitar shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, The Wailin’ Jennys have grown over the years into one of today’s most beloved international folk acts. Founding members Moody and Mehta along with New York-based Masse continue to create some of the most exciting music on the folk-roots scene, stepping up their musical game with each critically lauded recording and thrilling audiences with their renowned live performances.

In 2004, The Wailin’ Jennys released their first full-length album 40 Days to great critical acclaim, netting a 2005 Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. Bolstered by their frequent appearances on Garrison Keillor’s public radio show A Prairie Home Companion, The Jennys exploded onto the roots music scene, performing at packed venues across the Canada, the U.S. and throughout the world.

The Jennys’ sophomore album, 2006’s Firecracker, served as a powerful follow-up to their career-making debut. Artistically, the record found The Jennys stepping out of the folk realm and into the world of alt-country, pop and rock. Garnering much attention, it was nominated for a Juno Award and won a 2007 Folk Alliance Award for Contemporary Release of the Year. Firecracker had legs, spending over 56 weeks on the Billboard charts.

The trio’s 2009 release, Live at Mauch Chunk Opera House, also spent over a year on the Billboard bluegrass charts. That landmark live album bottled the lightning of The Jennys’ live performances with show-stopping harmonies, impressive instrumental prowess, breathtaking songs and, of course, witty stage banter.

For their latest album, 2011’s Juno-winning Bright Morning Stars, The Wailin’ Jennys joined the ranks of Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris and recorded with award-winning producer Mark Howard. Co-produced by frequent Jennys collaborator and Juno Award-nominated David Travers-Smith, the album combines fresh and innovative sounds with the band’s signature harmonies — a perfect mix of Americana, pop and traditional folk that is destined to be a modern classic.

Although known primarily as an acoustic outfit, The Wailin’ Jennys have a diverse musical background that has shaped their musical sensibilities. Soprano Ruth Moody (vocals, guitar, accordion, banjo, bodhrán) is a classically trained vocalist and pianist with a burgeoning solo career. She made a splash in 2010 with the Juno-nominated The Garden which was followed up with 2013’s gorgeous These Wilder Things. She’s  an accomplished, versatile singer of traditional and Celtic music and as the former lead singer of Juno-nominated roots band Scruj MacDuhk. Mezzo Nicky Mehta (vocals, guitar, harmonica, drums, ukulele), a classically trained dancer raised on ’70s a.m. radio and heavily influenced by alternative pop, was nominated for a Canadian Indie Music Award for her  striking debut solo album, 2002’s Weather Vane. In July 2009 she became the proud mother to twin boys, Beck and Finn. Alto Heather Masse (vocals, upright bass) is a Jazz Voice graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, who has performed in Mark O’Connor’s Hot Swing, Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings and is a regular guest on A Prairie Home Companion. She has also toured with her own band, supporting her 2009 Red House release Bird Song. Her latest, 2013’s Lock My Heart, is is an inspired album of jazz standards and originals with legendary pianist Dick Hyman.

With their varying backgrounds, each of the Jennys is unique in their individual expression. Together they forge a unified folk-pop sound — all delivered with the irresistible vocal power of three.

THE WAILIN’ JENNYS

BOULDER THEATER

  Sunday, November 19, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Phish bassist Mike Gordon returns to the road with his band this fall. Unlike previous projects, the goal was to put together a band that would be in it for the long haul. Guitarist and longtime collaborator Scott Murawski and Mike searched the nooks and crannies of this land for players to complete the outfit. Scott can rip guitar to no end, and he belts out with the kind of voice that at once sounds like your best friend and like the deep backwoods soul and grit of a true American hobo hero, too cool to talk in normal small-talk.

The band also includes organ and synth-master Robert Walter (from The Greyboy Allstars), sharp-shooter John Kimock on drums and percussion/n'goni/programmer Craig Myers. Mike jumps up and down a lot with this band. Maybe too much, but: a lot. There is a lot of smiling. And frowning, but more the latter. The band's new repertoire will be augmented by secret synesthetic mad scientist gadgetry on and around the stage.

AN EVENING WITH

MIKE GORDON

BOULDER THEATER

 Friday, October 13, and Saturday, October 14, 2017

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Tickets on sale 10:00am Friday, July 14th, at bouldertheater.com.

Due to illness, moe. must cancel their Friday, August 11th & Saturday, August 12th performances at the Boulder Theater. Because these shows were part of a ticket bundle that included the Sunday, August 13th performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, all ticket bundles will be refunded at point of purchase. Please allow up to 72 hours for the reimbursement to appear on your credit card statement. Twiddle will be honoring the dates with performances at the Boulder Theater on Friday, August 11th with Kitchen Dwellers and Saturday, August 12th with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Tickets for those shows are on sale now at bouldertheater.com.

From Twiddle: We are thrilled to announce we're playing two nights at the Boulder Theater on August 11 and 12 with two very special guests, Kitchen Dwellers and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. 

On August 11, please join us for a Kitchen Dwellers opening set, followed by a huge Twiddle set, and then a very special Twiddle Kitchen Dwellers Bluegrass set to close the night!

On August 12, we have an opening set by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, followed by a huge Twiddle set and we finish the weekend off with a rare Twiddle X Pigeons collab set!

Tickets are on sale now > Buy Tickets Here

Please see this direct message from moe.: We will play our remaining 2 shows in July (7/21 NYC, 7/28 Huckleberry Jam), as well as our Lockn' Festival appearance with Phil Lesh.  Other than these 3 shows, we will be closing our doors until further notice.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, moe. will be going on indefinite hiatus effective August 1st, 2017.

More info for the Summer Tour with Railroad Earth will be forthcoming in the next few days.  Please give us some time to sort out the details.

Thank you all for your love & support.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  We look forward to seeing you down the road.

Love,

Rob, Chuck, Al, Jim, & Vinnie

Back in 2005, Denver's “number one jamband,” Polytoxic, wanted to put on a show that could showcase all the great local musicians they had been playing with for the past few years. They decided to re-enact The Band's "The Last Waltz," a concert film by Martin Scorsese of The Band's last performance that included all of that era's greatest musicians - Eric Clapton, Dr John, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, etc. The show was held at Dulcinea's in Denver's Capitol Hill area on May 25, 2005, and Polytoxic planned on it being a fun little show that would garner a little bit of interest. It sold out in minutes, surprising the band and fans alike, and became the biggest show they had ever thrown. So big, in fact, they decided to do it again in 2005, this time on the night before Thanksgiving at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom.
 
Polytoxic's "The Last Waltz - Revisited" immediately went from a "fun little" idea at a small venue to one of the biggest events of the year. It has become an annual tradition, playing to sold-out capacity crowds.
 
This year marks the 41st  Anniversary of the Last Waltz and the 13th anniversary of Polytoxic’s "Last Waltz – Revisited", and it boasts over 50 guest musicians from across Colorado, a full horn section, and over 30 songs from The Bands extensive catalog, focusing primarily on songs played at The Last Waltz. The concert has become a tradition for many of those involved in the show, as well as for many of the people that come out and see the show year after year.  To celebrate the last 13 years, we have added special guests and additional songs from years past. In addition Colorado favorites Oakhurst will be opening the show at 7:45pm, performing their originals, covers and a medley of Waltz snippets to get the crowd ready for the Last Waltz - Revisited.
This year if our fans bring Canned Food Items for our affiliated charity, The Denver Rescue Mission, they receive a FREE Limited Edition Poster commemorating this year’s Last Waltz – Revisited (Poster artwork by Diana Azab – Publicist/Graphic Designer @ Cervantes’). As always we will be donating the food and a portion of proceeds to the Denver Rescue Mission.
 
So come out and enjoy this magical evening, our local musicians and our local sponsors, Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta, Boyer’s Coffee, YellowDog Printing & Graphics, KBCO and The Westword.

BENEFITTING DENVER RESCUE MISSION

THE LAST WALTZ - REVISITED XIII

POLYTOXIC, THE DENVER HORNS AND 50+ GUEST MUSICIANS

OAKHURST

BOULDER THEATER

 Friday, November 17, 2017 - 9:00pm

Tickets on sale 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2017, at bouldertheater.com.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong brings end-of-the-world enthusiasm to their high-energy psychedelic funk. Their infectious electro-funk grooves, undeniable live energy and contagious smiles have their rabid fanbase “the Flock” growing exponentially. Based out of Baltimore, MD, this animated quartet has been scorching up the country with their explosive performances and danceable peaks... and they're loving every minute of it.

PIGEONS PLAYING PING PONG

AMORAMORA

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, October 6, 2017

Tickets on sale 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 18th, 2017, at bouldertheater.com.

$15.00 Early-bird | $18.00 ADV | $20.00 DOS | $40.00 VIP plus applicable service charges

ABOUT TRACE BUNDY Internationally-acclaimed guitar virtuoso Trace Bundy must be seen to be believed, using harmonics, looping, and multiple capos to confound even the most accomplished music lovers as to how one person can do all that with just two hands and ten fingers. Trace's witty banter and stage presence delivers an unforgettable live concert experience.

Bundy's unique career has brought him across the world, with sold-out concerts in 26 countries and counting — from high-tech performance halls in South Korea and Italy, to remote villages in Zimbabwe and Guatemala. He has independently sold over 110,000 albums on his record label, Honest Ninja Music. His video clips circulate virally at astonishing speed, with over 36,000,000 YouTube views to date.

Audiocast Magazine from Austin, TX writes: "Bundy's live show is without a doubt an event that needs to be witnessed rather than told about. With such a jaw-dropping performance, Bundy's live concert is a slap in the face that would leave a palm print on the memory of everyone in the audience."

ABOUT ANDY MCKEE Andy McKee is among the world’s finest acoustic guitarists. His youthful energy and attention to song structure and melodic content elevates him above the rest. He entertains both the eye and the ear as he magically transforms the steel string guitar into a full orchestra via his use of altered tunings, tapping, partial capos, percussive hits and a signature two-handed technique.

McKee’s crossover success has helped him to achieve millions upon millions of YouTube viewers, underscoring his emergence as one of today’s most unique and influential artists. He has been featured as a cover story in both Acoustic Guitar Magazine in the U.S. and Acoustic Magazine in the UK, and is also the figurehead of the unique Guitar Masters tours. McKee’s tour dates have taken him through Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, including tours with legendary acts including Prince and Dream Theater.

Live performances of Andy’s have become a point of fascination with his loyal followers. So, in late 2015, Andy decided it was time to release a live album. Featuring tracks from his entire catalog, Live Book was recorded live in December 2015 at The Melting Point in Athens, GA, the Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth, GA, and Workplay in Birmingham, AL. McKee went through the recordings from all three shows and selected the finest takes of each set. Reflecting on the song choices, he looks to provide current fans the chance to relive their favorite shows, and hopes that he can showcase the energy he creates for those who haven’t been able to attend a show and new fans alike.

“I’ve always wanted to do a live album; for quite a few years I’ve felt it’s something that has been missing from my collection of releases,” says McKee. “This album will feature some of my YouTube hits like ‘Drifting’ and ‘Rylynn’, some songs from my 2014 EP Mythmaker, and a cover of a Michael Hedges song called ‘Because It’s There’ played on harp guitar that I haven’t released yet.”

McKee is the first artist to be signed CGP Sounds, the record label founded by fellow guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.

“I’m honored to be a part of his label. I heard Tommy 15 years ago at a festival in Kansas and was blown away by his playing and performing, and I still am,” Mckee stated. “To be the first person on his label is surreal, and I’m excited and proud to be a part of it.”

Live Book released worldwide on April 22. The album, McKee’s first live record, was released through CGP Sounds. In support of the new album, McKee is now embarking on “The Next Chapter Tour” throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States.

TRACE BUNDY’S ACOUSTIC HOLIDAY - 9th ANNUAL

TRACE BUNDY + ANDY MCKEE

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, December 16, 2017 - 8:00pm

Tickets on sale 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2017,  at bouldertheater.com.

$20.00-$28.50 Reserved Seating plus applicable service charges

A haunting sound, at once evocative and mysterious, ushers in Petals, the latest album by Elephant Revival. Notes rise and suffuse the silence; are joined by a deep bass drone, a quiet pulse of cello and a percussive tick: daybreak made music.

That first sound on the lead track, “Hello You Who,” is a steel guitar, and its cinematic swell foreshadows the exploration of new territory by this beloved Rocky Mountain ensemble. A new band member and the introduction of instruments like the pedal steel and the cello into their already impressive treasure trove of strings and percussion are just the beginning. Petals embodies a deepening, as the musicians dive into themes of loss and rebirth, time and memory, love unbound by body or farewell. “Hello you who moves with me in a dance/Hello you who moves me like the sea/…Who loves me Love loves me just to be.” This hello is both a celebration of unconditional love and an invitation to join Elephant Revival in its wayfaring.

The death of a close friend having left its indelible mark on the band, many of the songs on Petals represent what guitarist Daniel Rodriguez calls “an honoring and a coping.” But this is not an album about despair or darkness; it’s a thanksgiving and a prayer for what endures and returns. “She thanks the sky, and she walks the earth/…To the broken-hearted, to the burdened, too/To everyone, peace tonight” (“Peace Tonight”). This idea is embodied in the very name Elephant Revival: moved by the separation and subsequent death of three elephants at the Chicago zoo, bass and mandolin player Dango Rose was inspired to busk in front of what was once their enclosure. Not just a gesture, but a true endeavor to create meaning and grace from loss. Petals, the band’s fourth album, is, in fact, a revival.

As ever, Nature is both a real and metaphorical touchstone in Elephant Revival’s work, from the petals pressed into the book of memory in the title track (“These petals intended for giving release”), to the seasons spinning through death and rebirth in “Season Song.” There are intimations too, of the ominous vulnerability of Nature to our darker impulses. In “Raindrops,” Bonnie Paine sings, “Raindrops on the rooftops he said/Just stop and listen/Constant as the earthquakes.” She is both warning of the real effects of fracking and reminding us that a remedy may lie in deep listening—to each other and to the earth itself. The band’s commitment to community and the environment remains at the core of their music.

Elephant Revival’s music maintains its roots in American and Celtic songcraft, but on Petals, they achieve a compositional maturity that in moments can evoke the modern classical ensemble. Spare, almost conversational strings punctuate the rhythmic momentum in songs like the title track and the almost archetypically stark Celtic narrative, “Furthest Shore,” a continuation of the story told in the song “Currach” from their first 2008 self-titled release. The icy drama of the North Sea inhabits those percussive strings and resounding drums. This kind of intensity recurs in other songs, like “When I Fall,” a Dango Rose-penned shout-out for transcendence through trial, whose unison power chorus brings to mind Pink Floyd’s The Wall.

Passion arises from compassion on this album; tenderness and wildness go hand in hand. Dan Rodriguez’s voice on wholehearted folk songs like “On and On” and “Home In Your Heart” is a gentle counterpoint to Paine’s vocal intensity, and the songwriting overall describes a wide arc. Just follow Bridget Law’s expressive fiddle through the course of the album to hear the moan of the blues, the lyricism of the folk ballad, the elegant bones of the chamber piece, the bluegrass punch. All the earthy rhythms, eclectic influences and the rich instrumental brew that Elephant Revival fans cherish are here. But eclecticism, though a key feature of their sound, has never been the point. For these multi-instrumentalists, these singers and writers, sound and song serve one another: the play between instrumentation, composition, emotion and restraint is an organic unfolding.

Paine, for example, has never recorded or performed on the cello before this album, but she’s written songs on it for years, so if her throaty cello somehow sounds like a deep extension of her voice, it is. And if new band member Charlie Rose’s magnetic pedal steel conjures ghosts—of love, of landscapes—it’s because Petals is haunted by those things.

Elephant Revival’s is the music of connection—kin-folk—and the message of Petals, their most intimate album to date, is not how life is about loss, but rather how much life there is in loss, how much potency, how much love. The ghost of the beloved in the final track “Close As Can Be” is not, after all, far away. “…I feel you near/You’re lifting the leaves/Saying to me/We’ll be close as can be.” The hello of the first song has gone on a musical odyssey and found in the end, in goodbye, its mirror image: the promise once more of unending and unconditional love.

ELEPHANT REVIVAL

THE DEER

BOULDER THEATER

November 30, 2017 

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale at 10:00am Friday, September 8th  at www.bouldertheater.com.

The relief show lineup includes: Anders Osborne, Dave Watts, Ryan Jalbert, Joey Porter, Garrett Sayers, Gabriel Mervine, Drew Sayers, Lyle Divinsky (of The Motet), Andy Hall, Chris Pandolfi, and Jeremy Garrett (of the Infamous Stringdusters), Kevin Donohue, Josh Fairman, and Chris Anderson (of Sunsquabi), Eddie Roberts (New Mastersounds), One Flew West.

BOULDER THEATER

September 12, 2017  

Doors:  6:30 pm | Show:  7:30 pm

Tickets on sale NOW  at www.bouldertheater.com.

$20.00 ADV | $25.00 DOS plus applicable service charges

Ages: 21+

All proceeds benefit CAN’d Aid’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to provide canned drinking water and on the ground rebuilding efforts.

• Anders Osborne

• Dave Watts, Ryan Jalbert, Joey Porter, Garrett Sayers, Gabriel Mervine, Drew Sayers, Lyle Divinsky (of The Motet)

• Andy Hall, Chris Pandolfi, and Jeremy Garrett (of the Infamous Stringdusters)

• Kevin Donohue, Josh Fairman, and Chris Anderson (of Sunsquabi)

• Eddie Roberts (New Mastersounds)

• One Flew West

For the past quarter-century, Colorado’s Leftover Salmon has established itself as one of the great purveyors of Americana music, digging deep into the well that supplies its influences; rock ‘n’ roll, folk, bluegrass, Cajun, soul, zydeco, jazz and blues. They are firmly settled in the long lineage of bands that defy simple categorization, instead setting their own musical agenda. They are the direct descendants of bands like Little Feat, New Grass Revival, Grateful Dead and The Band, born of the heart and soul of America itself, playing music that reflects the sounds emanating from the Appalachian hills, the streets of New Orleans, the clubs of Chicago, the plains of Texas, and the mountains of Colorado.

During Leftover Salmon’s twenty-five plus years as a band they have headlined shows and festivals from coast to coast, released nine albums, and maintained a vibrant, relevant and influential voice in the music world. Over that time, Leftover Salmon’s sound has grown and evolved while staying true to the roots and guiding spirit of the band’s founding members - mandolinist/singer Drew Emmitt and guitarist/singer Vince Herman.

The evolution of Leftover Salmon’s music is influenced by Emmitt and Herman’s keen musical instincts, and follows a musical path that adheres to the deep tradition the duo started when they first formed the group along with deceased banjo player Mark Vann. The addition of new band members over the years has nurtured an unmistakable evolution and freshness in Leftover Salmon’s sound, and has added an edge to the long-lasting power of the band’s music. Today, Leftover Salmon endures as a vital and significant presence and holds an unequivocal stature as a truly legendary band.

Now fueled by the rhythm section of drummer Alwyn Robinson, keyboardist Erik Deustch and long time bassist Greg Garrison, the band is currently enjoying a creative renaissance. The front line trio of Emmitt, Herman and prodigious banjo player Andy Thorn are continually challenged and pushed in new directions as the band collectively searches for new spaces and sounds within their extensive catalog of songs.

Leftover Salmon’s greatness cannot simply be measured through album and concert ticket sales. For a band as unique as Leftover Salmon, that measure is found in their impact on the music world as whole. With their unpredictable approach in a live setting, their willingness to take chances by fusing disparate musical styles together and their incorporation of non-traditional bluegrass covers into their repertoire, Leftover Salmon has pushed that progressive bluegrass sound they were originally influenced by to the next level.

Leftover Salmon are considered to be the architects of what has become known as Jamgrass - where bands clearly schooled in the traditional rules of bluegrass break free of those rules through non-traditional instrumentation and an innate ability to push songs in new psychedelic directions live. This has created an altogether new dimension for bands such as The String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters and countless others to inhabit. Leftover Salmon’s willingness to never be boxed in by “normal” music standards has given the bands that have followed in their wake the license to do and try what they want.

The history of Leftover Salmon begins in 1989 when members of Herman’s Salmon Heads could not make a New Year’s Eve gig at the Eldorado Cafe in Crested Butte, Colorado. Herman called on his buddy, fellow Boulder picker Emmitt, to help supply a few players from his band, the Left Hand String Band, to fill out the lineup for the evening. The energy that night was unmistakable and Emmitt immediately realized, “this could be something really cool.” Emmitt and Herman soon shelved their respective bands and focused all their energy into the new one - which they named Leftover Salmon.

This set the stage for a long career that has relied as much on spontaneous improvisation as it has on practiced skill. With the combination of the Left Hand String Band’s bluegrass tendencies and the Salmon Heads’ old-timey, Cajun and zydeco-inspired insanity, it is easy to step back and see Leftover Salmon as the natural evolution of progressive bluegrass; the rebellious child of Hot Rize and New Grass Revival with a healthy side of Beausoleil thrown in for good measure. However, only seeing them in that light devalues their widely divergent style and broad appeal.

Leftover Salmon’s distinctively quirky and original musical personality quickly took shape around mandolin/guitar/fiddle player Emmitt and his dynamic style and Herman’s front-man persona that allows him to lead each show like a crazed, joyous pied-piper. The addition of innovative banjo powerhouse Vann, who had played with Emmitt in the Left Hand String Band, allowed Leftover Salmon’s unique and uncommonly compelling style to coalesce around the three-headed monster of Herman, Emmitt, and Vann.

Early on, the band dug deep into the bluegrass and old-timey cannon and discovered something interesting. “We found that the older the song we played, the more old-timey bluegrass it was, the rowdier the crowd would get,” says Herman. “The slam dancing that took place was just out of hand. People were just flailing across the room. We would look at each on stage like, ‘Whoa,’ we could be onto something here.” This discovery, combined with the band’s willingness to incorporate everything from Cajun music to calypso, rock, ska, and whatever else struck their fancy at that moment. This led them to label their music “Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass”; this label still fits today, but the sound has also continued to evolve in more modern, adventurous directions.

As the band began to make an impact in the first half of the 1990s with the widespread reception of their first two albums (1993’s Bridges to Bert and 1995’s live Ask the Fish), Leftover Salmon found themselves comfortably aligned with a new crop of similarly cutting-edge artists. These bands - Phish, Widespread Panic, Blues Traveler, the Dave Matthews Band and the Aquarium Rescue Unit among others - took a decidedly grass roots approach to the music business. Defined by their widely differing musical styles and approaches and united by their always-evolving “go-for-broke” live shows, they gathered under the loose title of “jam bands”. This identified them as bands that toured relentlessly, encouraging their fans to freely trade tapes of their live shows, and characterized them as units who were willing to investigate a combination of musical styles that seemed misplaced anywhere else. While at first outside of the public eye and the mainstream, these bands soon found a home on the highly influential H.O.R.D.E. tour (which Leftover Salmon was a part of in 1997), broke down music business barriers, and created a musical revolution that Leftover Salmon was at the forefront of.

Leftover Salmons’s 1997 major label debut Euphoria, released on Hollywood records, was a raucous celebration of Leftover Salmon’s signature slamgrass style. Their follow up, 1999’s groundbreaking Nashville Sessions, pushed the bar even higher while exploring what could be accomplished by a band that was not afraid to break free of traditional labels. The album pulled together an army of A-list musicians from all walks-of-life including Waylon Jennings, Earl Scruggs, Del McCoury, Taj Mahal, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Lucinda Williams, and John Bell who teamed with Leftover Salmon to create a truly grand celebration of American music.

In 2002, founding member Vann lost his battle with cancer. Before his death, he implored the band to continue after he was gone. The band’s legacy was already well secure, but they heeded his advice and continued touring with the help of a cadre of banjo-playing friends including Jeff Mosier, Scott Vestal, Tony Furtado, and Matt Flinner. Leftover Salmon released a live tribute album to Vann in 2002, entitled Live, which featured the last lineup that Vann was a part of. This was followed by another groundbreaking collaboration, 2003’s O’Cracker Where Art Thou?, which found the band backing up David Lowery and Johnny Hickman from the alternative rock band Cracker. The album re-imagined Cracker tunes in ways not thought possible before. The following year brought the self titled Leftover Salmon - the band’s first studio album since Vann’s passing. Over the ensuing years, the band continued to tour non-stop as they had always done before.

In 2005 after fifteen years together, the band took a break from the road in order to focus on other projects and individually regroup from the impact Vann’s passing had on the band. However, the power of Leftover Salmon was just too much to contain, and in 2007 the band returned in full force. Since then the line-up has solidified around Emmitt, Herman, Garrison, Robinson, Thorn, and newest member Deutsch.

Leftover Salmon has released two studio albums since their return; 2012’s Aquatic Hitchhiker, and 2014’s High Country, both produced by Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin. The band celebrated their 25th Anniversary in 2015 with the release of the live album 25, which complied performances from the previous two years and the band’s collaborations with Little Feat keyboardist Bill Payne. Leftover Salmon continues to deliver powerful performances on stages and at festivals across the country, reaffirming their presence as one of the most engaging and charismatic bands to ever hit the touring circuit.

For Emmitt, looking back on over twenty-five plus years in Leftover Salmon, he is proud of their humble beginnings, their lengthy list of accomplishments, and the lasting impact they have. “I never would have dreamed that I would have been in a band that furthered that musical tradition I looked up to growing up,” says Emmitt. “To be able to take the influences I had, and go even further with it, with Leftover Salmon. Making it more of a rock ‘n’ roll thing, but still playing bluegrass - that was the vision. Going from the campground to the main stage, that has been like a fairy tale for us.”

LEFTOVER SALMON

GRANT FARM (11/24), THE DRUNKEN HEARTS (11/25)

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, November 24, and Saturday, November 25, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

The world premiere of the 13th annual Adventure Film Festival & Street Fair at the Boulder Theater is two weeks away! Presented by Intrepid Travel and Patagonia, this three-day, community-driven event showcases a diverse collection of the year’s most groundbreaking independent films from serious exploration to environmental heroism to gripping tales from the edge of the believable. Plus, live performances, interactive art, educational workshops, and insightful speakers that inspire activism through adventure. Get ready to embark on a transformative journey!

Please see the attached Festival Program for the complete schedule, film collection, and more details. Here are some highlights you don’t want to miss!

• Adventure Film Festival Kick-Off at the Great Avery Boulder FLOCKTOBERFEST with live music, film previews, beer garden and street tacos (Friday, 10/6, 5-9:30pm @ Street Fair, 14th St. & Pearl Street Mall)

• 25+ short and feature length films that manifest the spirit of adventure and empower positive change. These adventures are where dreams are born and legends are made. (Saturday & Sunday, 10/7-8)

• First-ever, live on-stage Google Tilt Brush performance with Jeremy Collins. Watch as the Boulder Theater stage transforms into a canvas while Jeremy paints with 3D strokes.

• Special guest appearances by world record-breaking highlliner Faith Dickey, cultural/conservation photographer Jason Houston, Sierra Club Director/adventurer/veteran Stacy Bear, journalist/media producer James Edward Mills, TV host/cyclist/filmmaker Ryan Van Duzer, climber/speaker/disabled veteran Chad Jukes, and Shelma Jun, founder of Flash Foxy, the Women’s Climbing Festival and Never Not Collective. And many more surprises… 

• Family & Kid’s Show with Boulder’s beloved Jeff & Paige, short films, Jeremy Collins art, live performances, and mega raffle prizes. After the show the fun continues at the Street Fair with stilt walkers, slacklining, cooking classes, climbing wall, arts and crafts, virtual reality for kids, and interactive games. (Sunday, 10/8, 11am-1pm. FREE admission) 

• At the Street Fair, enjoy Avery craft beer and gourmet food pairing at the Intrepid Travel Beer Garden. Explore the eclectic vendor village with the Adventure Art Experience, Patagonia Provisions’ tasting bar, free limited edition AFF/Klean Kanteen pint cups, Flatirons Subarus, Zeal Optics Airstream pop-up shop, Weston’s tiny house and snowcat, Rainbow Sandals and corn hole competition, ShutterBus’ vintage VW photo booth, Sherpa’s Tibetan lounge, NativesOutdoors multi-media experience, outdoor gear pioneers, and much more. (Saturday, 10/7 2-7pm; Sun.10/8 noon-7pm. Live music and Beer Garden until 10pm)

• Go on an adventure, VR style! Deepen the immersion with this cutting-edge form of engaging, experiential and educational storytelling. Explore the magical landscape of Utah’s Bears Ears, climb splitter sandstone desert cracks, come face-to-face with wild animals, and much more. In collaboration with Google, Reality Garage, Patagonia, and visionary artists and filmmakers. (Saturday & Sunday @ Street Fair)

• Live music at the Street Fair by Neon Sines, Dechan Hawk, Paul Kimbiris, Von Disco, El Javi, DJ Tomas, Intuit, Bella Duro, and more local artists. (Saturday & Sunday)

• Yoga & Mimosas with surf legend Gerry Lopez and pro climber Olivia Hsu. Meet at the Zeal Airstream. Followed by mimosas at the Boulder Theater Lounge, and autographs by Gerry Lopez from 1-4pm at the Rainbow booth. (Sunday, 10/8, Gerry Lopez 10-11am; Olivia Hsu 11-12pm)

• Walk & Draw with artist, storyteller, activist and adventurer Jeremy Collins. Register at [email protected]. Walk-ins accepted! (Sunday, 10/8, 9-10:30am @ Boulder Adventure Lodge)

• Outdoor Afro Hike: Black History with writer, speaker and OA Colorado Leader Kriste Peoples. (Sunday, 10/8, 9-10:30am @ Boulder Adventure Lodge) Only 20 spots available. Email info@adventurefilm.org to sign up!

• Renowned expedition chef, writer and guide Kieran Creevy is traveling from Ireland to teach hands-on Backcountry Gourmet Cooking Workshops that combine athletic nutrition advice with flavors from the Himalayas, Andes, North Africa, and Middle East. Register at [email protected] or walk-on in! (Saturday & Sunday @ Street Fair)

• Adventure Film School’s two-day interactive Adventure Filmmaker’s Workshop with industry leaders and world-class adventurers – Shelma Jun, Jason Houston, Gabriel Rovick, Juliana Broste, and Ryan Van Duzer. Register now! https://adventurefilmschool.com/ (Saturday & Sunday, 10/7-8)  

• Opening Night Afterparty and free concert with LA-based Indie Pop band BEGINNERS and special appearances by Earth Guardians’ Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Mike Wird, and Namaste. (10/7 @ 10pm. Free concert)

• Mega raffle with over $10,000 worth of outdoor gear. Enter NOW for your chance to win a $2,000 Intrepid Travel voucher and choose your own adventure. Intrepid Sweepstakes: http://escape.intrepidtravel.com/AFF 

• Tickets are available at the Boulder Theater

Tired of looking over your shoulder before telling a funny story that might upset grandpa? Or are you still rebounding from that joke he told at your wedding? Why stress!? Let The Second City take all the risk while you sit back and laugh at our latest sketch comedy and improv revue, LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE TALKING, coming to the Boulder Theater. We’ll put our signature spin on the things you wish you could bring up in mixed company--just be careful who you share them with when you head back to the office!

Edgy, thought-provoking and always spectacularly funny , The Second City is celebrating nearly six decades of producing cutting-edge satirical revues and launching the careers of generation after generation of comedy’s best and brightest.

About The Second City: The Second City opened its doors on a snowy Chicago night in December of 1959. No one could have guessed that this small cabaret theatre would become the most influential and prolific comedy theatre in the world.

With its roots in the improvisational games of Viola Spolin, The Second City developed an entirely unique way of creating and performing comedy. Founded by Spolin’s son, Paul Sills, along with Howard Alk and Bernie Sahlins, The Second City was experimental and unconventional in its approach to both theatre and comedy. At a time when mother-in-law jokes were more the fashion, The Second City railed against the conformist culture with scenes that spoke to a younger generation.

The Broadway success of Mike Nichols and Elaine May – members of The Second City’s predecessor, The Compass Players – put attention on the fledgling company. Soon, alumni of The Second City – such as Alan Arkin, Barbara Harris, Robert Klein, David Steinberg and Fred Willard – began to cement the theater’s reputation for developing the finest comedic voices of each and every generation. With the debut of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, populated by Second City Alums John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and Gilda Radner, the theatre became internationally known for its ever increasing roster of comedy superstars.

Soon, Second City’s sister-theater in Canada developed its own sketch comedy series, SCTV, hailed as one of the greatest comedy series of all time and featuring an all-star cast that included Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Joe Flaherty and Rick Moranis.

By the 1980’s, The Second City had become much more than a small cabaret theater on Chicago’s north side. In the middle of the decade, The Second City would begin a new era as Second City Toronto proprietors Andrew Alexander and Len Stuart would buy out Bernie Sahlins’ interest in The Second City Chicago and set in motion a new era of innovation for the company.

Today, The Second City continues to produce the premiere comic talent in the industry. From Mike Myers to Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert to Tina Fey – The Second City imprint is felt across every entertainment medium. Additionally, The Second City has grown well beyond a single stage to become a diversified entertainment company. Second City Training Centers in Chicago, Toronto, and Los Angeles teach thousands of students every week; four touring companies perform Second City revues all over North America and abroad; Second City Communications has become an industry leader in bringing improv-based methodologies to the corporate sector; and Second City continues to create unique media in television, film and the digital realm.

Tickets available at Boulder Theater Box Office, by phone at (303)-786-7030 or online at http://www.bouldertheater.com. 

Leftover Salmon @ Boulder Theater | 11/24/17 & 11/25/17

Elephant Revival @ Boulder Theater

About Shakedown Street: One of the longest running Grateful Dead tribute bands in the world, Shakedown Street, makes its home in and around the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Spawned from jam sessions at the Ancient Mariner bar in Manitou Springs, Colorado in 1987, Shakedown Street quickly grew in popularity, and garnered a legion of loyal fans who refer to themselves as "Shakeheads". In a few short years, throngs of "Shakeheads" could be found on the highways and byways of the Rocky Mountains, making their way to another Shakedown Street show.

In the live music venues of the Rocky Mountains, there are only a few bands that are able to consistantly draw large audiences. Shakedown Street accomplishes this year after year by embodying the Grateful Dead ethos of improvisation and discovery, while maintaining an intimacy and open repoire with its audience. A whole new generation of "Shakeheads" has discovered the positive and collaborative energy found at a Shakedown Street concert. Longtime fans are thrilled to find the band sounding hotter than ever, and having the time of their lives!

Throughout the years, Shakedown Street has had the privilege of sharing the stage with many iconic musicians. Some of these include former Grateful Dead members Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten, as well as Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band. Others include Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, The JGB Band, Hot Tuna, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Merl Saunders, Jerry Jeff Walker, Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, and many others.

With a working repertoire of over two hundred songs, Shakedown Street is able to perform multi night runs without repetition, drawing equally from early and modern Grateful Dead songs, and weave together unique and unforgettable performances. Believing that it is good to give back to the planet, Shakedown Street performs charity and benefit engagements on an ongoing basis to help their local and global communities.

About Dead Floyd: Dancing Bears? Flying Pigs? Who is Dead Floyd and why do they keep following me around? Dead Floyd is a celebration of the music of two of rock and roll’s greatest bands, The Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, mashed together into one high-energy, unpredictable show. Drawing from both extensive catalogs of music, the Dead Floyd performances include early rarities to modern classics and everything in between. The love of the music of both bands inspires Dead Floyd to uniquely interpret the songs in a way that allows the music to timelessly live on and the legacy of both bands to stay alive to the next generation of fans.  The excitement, creativity, and improvisation that went into both bands live shows of so many years is brought back for old and new fans to enjoy today.

Because the number of songs available from both bands is so large, the question that is heard at every Dead Floyd show is “What will they play next?”  The unpredictability of the set list and the modern translation of classic, beloved songs bring an element of surprise to every Dead Floyd show.  That is what has kept fans captivated and why their legacy as a tribute band continues to grow.

Dead Floyd is based out of Fort Collins, Colorado and, since forming in summer 2009, they have performed at renowned venues such as The Fox Theatre, The Aggie Theatre, Mishawaka Amphitheatre, Owsleys, Quixotes, Ullr’s Tavern, and more.

The members of the band draw on their roots in jazz, funk, and rock to bring a high level of musicianship to the music and close attention to detail. The band is made up of Charlie Humphreys (guitar, vocals), Josh Miller (bass, vocals), Stu Crair (drums, vocals), and Matt Goldberg (keys, synth).   This group of players has combined to perform over 1000 shows across the country in various original projects including The Grippe, Hot Gazpacho, The Maji, Wooleye, Holy Moses and the High Rollers, Orooni, and many more.

The audience response to Dead Floyd has been overwhelming for everyone involved and the fans’ love of the music pushes this project to new heights.  Come to the next show and find out why...

How to Get Tickets

Tickets available at Boulder Theater Box Office, by phone at (303)-786-7030 or online at http://www.bouldertheater.com.

Little Seeds, the electrifying New West Records bow by Shovels and Rope, finds the award-winning South Carolina duo of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst exploring fresh dimensions in their sound with a brace of bold, candid, highly personal new songs.

The 12-song collection, produced by Trent at the couple’s home studio in Charleston, succeeds 2014’s Swimmin’ Time and 2012’s O’ Be Joyful; the latter title garnered the twosome Americana Music Awards for Song of the Year (for “Birmingham”) and Emerging Artist of the Year. Last year’s Busted Jukebox, Volume 1 was a collaborative collection of covers featuring such top talents as the Milk Carton Kids, Lucius, JD McPherson and Butch Walker.

On the new release, Trent and Hearst as ever play all the instruments and penned the material, which range from stomping rockers to delicate acoustic-based numbers. Many of Little Seeds’ finely crafted and reflective new songs – completed in the late summer of 2015 — are drawn from tumultuous events experienced by the couple over the course of the last two years.

“There were two major changes that happened at the same time,” Hearst says. “We found out we were pregnant, and at the same time Michael’s parents had been living with us, because his father is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Those two things, having the baby and facing the reality that our parents were aging, made this weird, awesome circle of humanity that really just took us out. I guess we were in the crosshairs of human existence.” Trent continues, “We started putting this record together right after the baby was born. Every spare moment I had I was in the studio doing my best to work around the cries, and Cary would have to sneak up and do her parts when the baby was asleep. It’s a funny thing trying to make a rock n roll record with a sleeping baby in the house.”

Hearst adds, “As we were finishing the record and making the final decisions about what to include in it, our good friend Eric was killed here in town. We ended up dedicating the record to his memory. The beginning of ‘This Ride’ is actually Eric’s mother telling the true story of how he had been born in the back of a police car. With her blessing, we added that to frame ‘This Ride.’”

“Invisible Man” and “Mourning Song,” were directly inspired by the debilitating illness faced by Trent’s father. Hearst says of the former song, “The disease is preventing him from being able to mentally wrap his mind around it. I wanted to speak for him. I wanted to express what it would be like for a man like him, a capable, funny dude. I wanted to put that in an up-tempo pop song, because it’s always interesting for dark material to be presented that way.”

Of “Mourning Song,” Trent says, “I was envisioning what it was going to be like for my mother after he wasn’t around anymore. It’s weird, maybe, to write a song about the death of your father who hasn’t died yet. It seemed like something he would do – write a tune to comfort my mother after he’s gone.

The hushed, moving spoken word “BWYR”, a song of unity at a time when some try to divide, is torn from an event close to home: the mass shootings at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in June 2015.

“The night we heard about it, we were in Denver and approaching the end of ‘touring while pregnant’, which was pretty intense,” Trent says. “We flew to Chicago, our show was cancelled – it was rained out – and we were stuck in the hotel, and that’s where it was written. We were talking to our friends and texting, and we wanted to be home so bad, to be with our people. These mass shootings seemed to be happening every weekend, and the thought of bringing a child into the world was overwhelming and scary.”

“Buffalo Nickel” takes on the most personal of all subjects: Trent and Hearst’s relationship as a married couple who also collaborate creatively. Only as the song developed did they begin to understand its topic. “We were trying to figure out what the story was about,” Trent says, “and the more we wrote on it, we said, ‘Are we talking about us here? Are we airing some things here?’” Without a beat, Hearst adds with a laugh, “And we were.”

Little Seeds also contains songs that deploy Shovels and Rope’s widely admired talents as storytellers: the thrashing “I Know,” a wryly observed description of intra-band backbiting, and “Botched Execution,” a darkly funny tale of a convict on the run in the manner of Southern gothic writer Flannery O’Connor. Inspired by a concise history written by Hearst’s father, “Missionary Ridge” looks back at the decisive 1863 Civil War battle.

The album also tips a hat to the group’s Americana forebears. “The Last Hawk” pays homage to Garth Hudson, the master keyboardist of the Band, who Hearst calls “a quiet genius, this weird, wonderful creature who can do anything with music.” Trent recalls, “There was an article in Rolling Stone that was one of the first things you’d ever seen where it was just Garth, explaining things from his take. We read it on an airplane, and I looked over at Cary, and she was crying – it really moved her.”

Both Trent and Hearst acknowledge that making Little Seeds took the band into previously unexplored and even unimagined creative terrain.

“It was cathartic,” says Trent. “There were some songs we had trouble getting through because it was too emotional for us. That’s not really how we had approached songwriting in the past — we got really into writing character-based songs on Swimmin’ Time. For Little Seeds, this is what was going on, and it was all consuming, physically and emotionally, and I feel like we couldn’t help but to be very raw and honest.”

Hearst says, “At a certain point in your relationship, professional or personal, you think it’s maybe run its course – ‘We can’t possibly write more together than we have in the past. We can’t possibly live closer than we have in the past. We can’t possibly understand each other more.’ But in the last couple of years, that has happened. We have become even more intimate as writing partners, and in life, collaboratively. It showed me that there were new depths to conquer in our creative life and our personal life and our family life. It’s all deeper and wider than I could ever have imagined it. Which is great.” 

Big Head Todd and the Monsters are not that big on anniversaries, so there won’t be any big hoopla over the fact that the band is officially crossing the three-decade mark this year. Thirty years would seem like something to commemorate, especially with the same core lineup, an achievement few other name-brand bands can boast of. Yet right now they’re less about celebrating stability than volatility, in the form of their eleventh studio album, New World Arisin’, which makes good on its forward-facing title with what might be the brashest rock and roll of their career. The old world can’t rest on any laurels, and neither will they.

“We’re in a real exciting part of our career right now,” says co-founder Todd Park Mohr. “We’re a viable band with a great audience and we’re able to work at a very high level. It’s a career that’s getting more and more interesting, rather than less, which is remarkable,” he says, chuckling at the unlikelihood of anyone being this cheerfully all-in, this far in. “I mean, 30 years into it, I really feel like: Wow, this is getting fun. I’m learning more about music and about my instrument, and it’s just really engaging in every way. We also dovetail well with the times, I think; I feel like we have something to say.”

That desire to communicate and connect is very much reflected in a new album that explores a variety of subgenres, from the funky (“Trip”) to the unexpectedly punky (“Detonator”), with stops along the way for raging country-rock (“Damaged One”), expansive storytelling in the Van Morrison/early Springsteen mode (“Wipeout Turn”), a Jimi Hendrix cover (“Room Full of Mirrors”), and, in the title track, “New World Arisin’,” a Charley Patton-inspired tune that ended up having what Mohr describes as “a heavy metal/gospel feel.” He doesn’t feel these musical zigzags will give fans musical whiplash. “The fact is, most people, like myself, listen to multiple genres of music, so I don’t think people have a problem with variety. I love it.”

But if there’s a dominant musical motif to New World Arisin’, it’s “straight-up rock-pop,” says Mohr. That contemporary approach might come as a slight surprise to hardcore fans that saw the Monsters take a seriously rootsy turn or two in the last 10 years. The band embarked on a side project, dubbed Big Head Blues Club, that saw them paying homage to Robert Johnson and bringing in venerable guest collaborators like Charlie Musselwhite and the late B.B. King. The heavy blues influence that dominated their alter-ego band carried over some into the last actual Big Head Todd and the Monsters album, 2014’s Black Beehive. That element isn’t altogether missing in New World Arisin’; you’ll certainly hear it recur in “Long Coal Train.” But this time the blues take a definite back seat to the unapologetically mainstream instincts that had Big Head Todd going platinum in the mid-’90s with the album Sister Sweetly, which spawned the rock radio hits “Broken Hearted Savior,” “Bittersweet,” and “Circle.”

“Commercial success is still a goal for me and for our band,” Mohr says, “as far as the sense of communicating to, or striking a chord with a large number of people. We feel like we have something to say and something to offer the culture.” Plus, a true confession: “I’m interested in the pop song! And I think ‘Damaged One,’ for one, is a classic pop song. Our label would have killed for that song, back then,” in the wake of those mainstream radio hits that established the band. “They begged me to write it! So there’s a lot of irony in our coming back to that.”

The history of the group actually stretches farther back from the 1987 point at which they took their name. The core members came together at such an early age that it’s hard to know exactly how many candles to put on their collective cake. “It’s murky,” Mohr says, “because I’ve been playing with Brian (Nevin, their drummer) since junior high school, so the two of us go back to 1982. Brian and I played a talent show with Rob (Squires, the bass player) in 1983, and then we continued to plug at it, at a kids’ pace,” he laughs. They began playing original music in earnest in a nascent Colorado music scene that then consisted almost entirely of cover bands. A debut album, Another Mayberry, arrived in 1989, though it would be another four years before Sister Sweetly made them a national phenomenon. The only personnel change in these three decades has been the addition of a fourth member, putative “new guy” Jeremy Lawton, in 2004.

While they enjoy a robust fan base around the country, their success is outsized in Colorado, where they’re practically the unofficial state band. That’s evident in their ability to sell out Red Rocks, the most revered amphitheater in the nation, where they’ve headlined 19 times. It also comes into play when the band gets asked to be a part of commemorative moments: Mohr recently sang the national anthem at a Rockies game, and the entire band took part in the parade through Denver after the Broncos took the Super Bowl.

Their honors extend beyond their home state and even home country… into space. In 2005, they released the single “Blue Sky,” a tribute to the space program, written at the behest of crew members taking to the heavens aboard the space shuttle Discovery; it was performed years later as a live wake-up call to the astronauts on the shuttle. The song had enough appeal back on earth, too, that it was picked up by the Hillary Clinton campaign in 2008 and used to introduce her keynote speech to the Democratic convention.

That campaign usage didn’t come about as a result of any desire on Mohr’s part to take the band in a political direction. He’s not so interested in getting Big Head Todd and the Monsters caught up in that particular fray as looking at the smaller and bigger pictures, wanting to keep the material topical in some far deeper fashion.

“Our audience is America, and I’m guessing it breaks down to the same percentages the country itself has,” he says. “We’ve never gotten in the business of polarizing people politically. But at the same time, as artists, it’s our job to observe and to hopefully find some insight. I’ve always been interested in the human condition more than politics. Politics are a part of it, but I always look at conflict as personal before it’s political. And I would consider conflict my dominant lyrical theme now— how people are trapped in it, and how conflict relates to intimacy and pleasure.” A Big Head Todd show, in any case, is a place where those conflicts might resolve, or dissolve. “In talking about our apolitical-ness, I think unity is an important thing,” Mohr says. “Being a human being, you have a lot in common with other human beings, and why not maximize those things? Music has an incredible capacity to convey other cultures and times, and to create a lot of empathy and togetherness. There’s harmony in it, and it implies oneness — the root.”

There’s an economy to the songs on the new album, most of which clock in around four minutes, and sometimes even closer to three. You’d think this would make Big Head Todd and the Monsters the farthest thing from a jam band. Yet they have a fervent following among that subset of rock fans, lack of noodling notwithstanding. Maybe it’s because of the changing nature of their set lists, since the Monsters are known to take requests, both in person and online.

“Our focus has always been on serving the song,” Mohr says. “We haven’t historically been that jammy. Which isn’t to say that we don’t have an occasional six-minute number -- we do. But having said that, I have a great respect for that audience, which I think is just a music-loving audience. You know, one year I got invited to the Jammies at Carnegie Hall, and I got in a discussion with somebody: ‘Well, how do you define a jam band?’ And he told me, ‘A jam band doesn’t repeat a song for three shows in a row.’ That was the only way that he would define it. I could almost follow that rule, except there are probably four songs I have to play every night. So I guess those four songs are what’s keeping us from ever being a jam band,” he laughs.

What’s clear is that Big Head Todd is one multi-headed rock monster, easily traversing the most accessible hooks and the heaviest grooves. It’s not surprising that they would appeal to any audience or sub-audience that values durability over flavors of the moment. But Mohr has to laugh when he thinks about how little the possibility of long-term perseverance was on the members’ minds 30 years ago.

“When you form, I think your goal is to make it through the party on Saturday night,” he points out. “In art, longevity isn’t the goal. It’s a happy accident if it happens, and I think ours was one of those convenient accidents that led to a happy marriage. But we happen to get along really well and love being with each other and playing music for a living.” Simple as it may sound, that’s a profound recipe for endurance in both the old world and the new.

BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Tickets on sale at 10:00am on Friday, October 20th at www.bouldertheater.com.  

Hot Rize, one of the most influential bands in any genre to come out of Colorado, is kicking off their 40th anniversary with a celebration at the Boulder Theater, and they’re inviting some of their friends to come along.
 
In 1978, when Pete Wernick, Tim O’Brien, Nick Forster and Charles Sawtelle started playing music together, they discovered a rare chemistry that allowed them to literally take bluegrass music in a new direction, one that showcased their collective talents as instrumentalists, songwriters, and innovators. They all respected the tradition and were students and fans of artists like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers, but their musical tastes covered a lot more ground as well. They started out in the bars and clubs, but shortly after they got together, they played on Prairie Home Companion, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Grand Ol Opry. The world was ready for their brand of bluegrass.
 
Their original songs are part of the bluegrass cannon, their showmanship earned them the first-ever Entertainer of the year award from the IBMA, and their “partnership” with Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers is the stuff of legend. There is no other band like Hot Rize, and the Colorado bands that followed in their wake all cite Hot Rize as a major influence.
 
After Charles Sawtelle died of leukemia, the band brought on legendary North Carolina flat picker, Bryan Sutton. For more than 15 years, Bryan has been a member of this remarkable group of all-stars, and is featured on their latest release, When I’m Free.
 
Don’t miss this rare chance to celebrate the incredible musical legacy of one of Colorado’s most revered bands. They’ll be joined by a few of their friends, including Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Del McCoury and more to be announced soon. Warm up your winter with two amazingly hot nights at the Boulder Theater with Hot Rize.

HOT RIZE – 40TH ANNIVERSARY BASH

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS DEL MCCOURY, SAM BUSH, STUART DUNCAN, JERRY DOUGLAS AND MORE

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, January 12, and Saturday, January 13, 2018

For Chris Isaak, first comes the song. And for First Comes The Night -- Isaak’s stunning first album of new material in six years -- this gifted singer-songwriter and bandleader is bringing us a bumper crop of strong and intriguing songs from which to choose. “There was no mission for this album other than to follow the songs,” Chris Isaak explains, and in terms of songwriting, the floodgates really opened this time. “My last release was Beyond The Sun -- my tribute to Sun Records with a lot of covers -- so this time around I had a lot of new material that I was thrilled to record. My manager always tells me, `We need more songs.’ This time, even she realized she’s creating a songwriting monster, and had to beg me to stop.”

First Comes The Night fittingly represents a number of firsts for Chris Isaak, who recently signed on to become a judge for the first time on The X Factor Australia. Of his new television gig Down Under, Isaak explains, “I love Australia, and if you’re going to look for stars, I can’t think of a more beautiful place on Earth to start looking.” As for First Comes The Night, this is the first time that Isaak has written and recorded so much in Nashville, Tennessee, a change in location he explored partly upon the suggestion of his friend Stevie Nicks. ”Somehow even I had some misconceptions about Nashville,” confesses Isaak. “You’d think a music guy who’s been in the business as long as I have would know better. I’m a huge fan of country music since I grew up listening to Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and Buck Owens, and I know my country history well, but even I somehow forgot Nashville is --- and always been -- about more than just country.”

Indeed, in Nashville, Isaak found himself working with a number of new producers who helped show him how exciting a place to make music Nashville could be. “I worked on the album in Los Angeles along with Mark Needham who’s done great work with me over the years. Then I took some time to write and record in Nashville. I had the misconception that a producer in Nashville would be bringing in banjos and asking me what songs I had that were pure country. The truth is that great producers are great producers, and Nashville is so full of brilliantly talented people. I worked with Paul Worley who is a great producer, period, and he can go anywhere in the world and make great records like he’s done with the Dixie Chicks or Lady Antebellum.  The same was true when I worked with Dave Cobb who’s been doing amazing work lately with Jason Isbell and many others. Their backgrounds are so deep and they’re into so much music, there was no reference I could make they would not know and respond to in a heartbeat.”

Similarly, in the Nashville tradition, Isaak also did more co-writing than usual, including working with some of the town’s talented songwriters. Before long, Isaak fell in love with the tremendous musical energy of Nashville. “It’s Music City – not just country city,” Isaak says.  “At first you think of all the classic country artists, at least I do, but then you realize how many great records Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers made there too. Great Rock & Roll came out of Nashville and great Soul music too. I think I bumped into more musicians in Nashville of every kind than anyplace else ever, and that gives you the feeling that music is alive and well.  In Nashville, people are still excited to be playing and making records, as they should be. Literally, my cab driver was a drummer. The guy who sold me a shirt at Macy’s was a singer-songwriter. The guy at the health food store was a bass player. And I went to breakfast one morning, and saw Robert Plant. Everywhere you look is another potential bandmate.”

Yet for all this exciting collaboration, First Comes The Night is very much a great Chris Isaak album that features him at his best. For all the firsts, there’s a strong through-line that continues from Isaak’s earlier triumphs like Silvertone (1985), Chris Isaak (1986), Heart Shaped World (1989), San Francisco Days (1993), Forever Blue (1995) and Always Got Tonight (2002).  “I guess you can make a drink with many ingredients, but if one is very strong, that’s what you taste,” says Isaak with a laugh. “For better or worse, I have a tendency to dominate because I have a big voice and some twisted ideas.”

For Isaak continuing to write and record is one of his best and least twisted ideas.
“People who love music still get excited for a great new song or a performance that connects,” he explains. “Making this album wasn’t a contractual obligation – it was a thrill and a privilege to be making music with so many great people. I know the business is tough and some people say it’s not a time to make records now, but I’m hooked. I love music so much. I don’t think, “I’m going to sell 40 million records.” I think, “How I’m going to make a hell of a record even if it’s for 40 people who just listen to it a million times. I think about it this way -- I’ve worked my whole life and never missed a gig in 30 something years. I want to do this, and for me, the thrill is not gone.”

In part because of his new position on The X Factor Australia, Isaak finds himself thinking back to his own path to stardom and the musicians who made that journey more meaningful. “When you’re 20, you just want to be in a band to make it,” says Isaak. “All these years later, I’ve never missed a tour or a date. And only now in the past ten years, I’ve realized the real prize isn’t how much money you make or the gold records. The real prize is the people you work with. That sounds like a Hallmark Card, and that might sound crazy to a 20 year old who just wants to get famous, but it ends up being true. I’ve seen tons of bands I know who make tons of money and they’re very unhappy people who don’t have a friend in the world when they’re on the road. I’ve always gone out on the road with people who I love and respect as musicians and as people. I don’t want to be onstage with anyone who I don’t like. I’m not that good an actor, and I have the movies to prove it. I feel lucky to play with my band. You’d think we’d be blasé by now, but the guys are excited to have a new record. We love playing together and we’re still trying to get it right.”

CHRIS ISAAK

BOULDER THEATER

November 26, 2017

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale at 10:00am on Friday, November 3rd  at www.bouldertheater.com.

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood are on the road in 2017 supporting their fourth studio album, 'Anyway You Love, We Know How You Feel,' and its follow up companion EP, 'If You Lived Here, You Would Be Home By Now,' both out via Robinson's Silver Arrow Records. Tracks have already been laid for another new studio album and 'Betty's Blends, Vol. 3' live release later this year.

Gathering in northern California on the side of a mountain overlooking the foggy Pacific Ocean to capture what would become their latest studio offerings, the band channeled the natural majesty of their surroundings into the recordings. Having spent the prior two years touring relentlessly, the CRB were road-tested and in peak form to capture their kinetic chemistry and immersive sound, which Uncut Magazine called "a celebration of how American musical traditions can be at once honored and psychedelically expanded."

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood emerged in 2011 by playing close to 50 shows over nine weeks in California before ever leaving the Golden State or officially releasing music. Their introduction on the national stage came in 2012 when they'd release not one, but two acclaimed full-length albums within a few months of each other. Critics hailed their sprawling debut, 'Big Moon Ritual,' as a revelation, with The Independent raving that Robinson had "finally found the ideal vehicle to indulge his taste for 'Cosmic California Music.'" The reviews were similarly ecstatic for its immediate follow-up, 'The Magic Door,' which was praised by Relix as "classic rock in the finest sense." The band's epic tour schedule brought their shimmering acid-Americana around the world for a staggering 118-date tour, firmly establishing the CRB as the new standard-bearers of the psychedelic roots torch. In 2014, they returned to the studio for 'Phosphorescent Harvest,' a masterful collection that showcased the blossoming songwriting partnership between Robinson and Neal Casal. Rolling Stone raved that the album was "electrifying...boast[ing] a vintage rock vibe that's at once quirky, trippy, soulful and downright magnetic," and Guitar World called it "a treasure trove of soul that advances the band's bluesy, kaleidoscopic sound."

Writing, recording and creating at a compelling clip, while performing an ever growing number of sold out shows across the U.S., Robinson is as energized as he's ever been in what's already been a long and historic career as one of rock music's most prolific and successful songwriters and frontmen. Joined by guitarist Neal Casal, keyboardist Adam MacDougall, bassist Jeff Hill and drummer Tony Leone, The CRB (as they are affectionally known to fans), are on the verge of their most inspired and prolific year yet.

AN EVENING WITH

CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Tickets on sale at 10:00am Friday, November 3rd at www.bouldertheater.com.

The last four years have brought dramatic changes for Snarky Puppy. After a decade of relentless touring and recording in all but complete obscurity, the Texas-bred/New York-based quasi-collective suddenly found itself held up by the press and public as one of the major figures in the jazz world. But as the category names for all three of the band’s Grammy® awards would indicate (Best R&B Performance in 2014, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2016 and 2017), Snarky Puppy isn’t exactly a jazz band. It’s not a fusion band, and it’s definitely not a jam band. It’s probably best to take Nate Chinen of the New York Times’ advice, as stated in an online discussion about the group, to “take them for what they are, rather than judge them for what they’re not.”

Snarky Puppy is a collective of sorts with as many as 25 members in regular rotation. They each maintain busy schedules as sidemen (with such artists as Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and D’Angelo), producers (for Kirk Franklin, David Crosby, and Salif Keïta), and solo artists (many of whom are on the band’s indy label, GroundUP Music). At its core, the band represents the convergence of both black and white American music culture with various accents from around the world. Japan, Argentina, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico all have representation in the group’s membership. But more than the cultural diversity of the individual players, the defining characteristic of Snarky Puppy’s music is the joy of performing together in the perpetual push to grow creatively.

The band was formed by bassist and primary composer Michael League in 2003, starting inconspicuously enough as a group of college friends at the University of North Texas’ Jazz Studies program. Three years later, a serendipitous intersection with the Dallas gospel and R&B community in Dallas transformed the music into something funkier, more direct, and more visceral. It was at this time that the group absorbed musicians like Robert “Sput” Searight (drums), Shaun Martin (keyboards), and Bobby Sparks (keyboards), and were heavily influenced by legendary keyboardist Bernard Wright (Miles Davis, Chaka Khan, Marcus Miller).

SNARKY PUPPY

SIRINTIP

BOULDER THEATER

February 20, 2018

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Tickets on sale at 10:00am on Friday, November 10th  at www.bouldertheater.com.  

Based in San Diego, rock-reggae band Tribal Seeds come at their music from a different angle, more influenced by bands like Steel Pulse and Aswad than the common touchstone of Sublime. Formed in 2005 by the Jacobo brothers, singer Steven and producer Tony-Ray, the group issued its debut album, Youth Rebellion, that same year. The album was the first of many to be released on the group's own label, including a self-titled album in 2008 plus The Harvest from 2009. The Soundwaves EP followed in 2011, while 2014's Representing cracked the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album featured guest appearances from Don Carlos, Mykal Rose, and Midnite's Vaughn Benjamin.

In March 2017, Tribal Seeds won the San Diego Music Award for Artist of the Year. A new single followed, entitled "Rude Girl" which debuted among iTunes Hot Singles in the Reggae genre. The band is currently recording their fifth full length album, schedule for release in early 2018.

Tribal Seeds have toured throughout the United States, and have also performed in Mexico, Aruba, Tahiti & Peru. They have shared the stage with artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Jack White, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane's Addiction, Skrillex, MGMT, Cee Lo Green, Jason Mraz, Matisyahu, Sublime with Rome, Taking Back Sunday, O.A.R., Pretty Lights, Steel Pulse, The Wailers, Julian Marley, Stephen Marley, Gregory Isaacs, SOJA, Rebelution, Pepper, and many more.

TRIBAL SEEDS – ROOTS PARTY

THE EXPANDERS

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Tickets on sale at 10:00am on Friday, November 10th  at www.bouldertheater.com

Critically acclaimed musical virtuosos, The Dixie Dregs, or The Dregs, have announced they will perform a limited number of concerts in select U.S. cities on the east coast beginning in March and will stop in Boudler, CO at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Tickets are available at www.bouldertheater.com.

“This tour is the result of the overwhelming requests we’ve received from a loyal audience of diehard Dregheads, and new fans who have never seen us perform live, but discovered the band for the first time through Steve’s membership in Deep Purple, or Rod as the drummer for Winger,” said Dreg’s bassist, Andy West. “We can’t wait to play for them all,” adds West.

For guitar aficionados, Steve Morse needs no introduction, and his place in the pantheon of guitar greats is certain. But in fact, his career started with the Dixie Dregs.

The band traces its true beginnings to the band Dixie Grit, which started in a Georgia high school with Steve on guitar and Andy West on bass. Dixie Grit morphed into the Dixie Dregs at the University of Miami School of Music, where Allen Sloan (violin) and Rod Morgenstein (drums) joined up with Steve and Andy, who were the “dregs” of Dixie Grit. The members of the Dixie Dregs remained committed to attending the University of Miami School of Music, which hosted a lively and talented musical community during their tenure, including future greats Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, T Lavitz, and Bruce Hornsby, among many others. In 1975, the group's demo album, The Great Spectacular, was recorded at the University of Miami and then re- released on CD in 1997.

After graduation, the band moved back to Augusta where Steve Davidowski (keyboards) completed the band that would eventually emerge and become known simply as The Dregs. The band paid its dues and honed its skills playing in bars and venues throughout the South in the mid-70's. They established themselves in the firmament of American instrumental music, seamlessly fusing rock with progressive and jazz elements to create a uniquely instrumental-driven style that has stood the test of time.

Based on a short demo and a tip from former Allman Brothers keyboardist Chuck Leavell along with legendary Allman/Dregs tour manager Twiggs Lyndon, Capricorn Records signed the Dixie Dregs to record Free Fall (1977). The success and critical acclaim of Free Fall announced the Dixie Dregs to the world, and after its release, they would become a cult favorite band that would have a lasting influence on much of modern rock.

Tickets go on sale to the public beginning November 10th at 10:00am at www.bouldertheater.com. General information about the Dawn of The Dregs Tour is available at http://dixiedregs.com

About The Dregs:
Over the course of 40 years, the Dixie Dregs have released eleven commercial albums of original material, and a number of compilations, reissues, and countless live bootlegs also exist. Along the way, they have garnered six (6) Grammy® nominations. The band has played with several well-known additional alumni and guests -- among others, Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra) Alex Ligertwood (Santana) and Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) -- and its original band members have played and recorded on well over 300 releases (including Deep Purple/Kansas (Steve Morse) and Winger/Jelly Jam (Rod Morgenstein).

AN EVENING WITH

DIXIE DREGS

DAWN OF THE DREGS TOUR – THE COMPLETE ORIGINAL LINEUP

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale at 10:00am on Friday, November 10th  at www.bouldertheater.com.

A band of extraordinary chemistry and exquisite musicianship, I’m With Her features Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan. Collectively, the multi-Grammy-Award-winners have released seven solo efforts, co-founded two seminal bands (Nickel Creek and Crooked Still), and contributed to critically acclaimed albums from a host of esteemed artists. But from its very first moments, their full-length debut See You Around reveals the commitment to creating a wholly unified band sound. With each track born from close songwriting collaboration, I’m With Her builds an ineffable magic from their finespun narratives and breathtaking harmonies. The result is an album both emotionally raw and intricate, revealing layers of meaning and insight within even the most starkly adorned track.

Co-produced by Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Laura Marling, Paul McCartney) and the band and recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in a tiny English village near Bath, See You Around delivers a warmly textured yet stripped-down sound that proves both fresh and timeless. To achieve the album’s intimate feel, I’m With Her recorded live in the tight confines of the Wood Room, all three members performing in the same room without monitors or headphones. With its piercingly lyricism, See You Around also finds I’m With Her showing the uncompromising honesty of their songwriting. That intensity is heightened by the band’s effortless harmonizing, which the New York Times has praised as “sweetly ethereal, or as tightly in tandem as country sibling teams like the Everly Brothers, or as hearty as mountain gospel.”

Layered with lush guitar tones and crystalline harmonies, See You Around’s title track opens the album with a breakup ballad of rare nuance (“It’s about coming to the end of a long relationship where you both run in the same circles, and that melancholy feeling of knowing you’re going to have to keep seeing that person again and again,” Jarosz explains). A bittersweet mood endures for songs like “Ain’t That Fine,” a wistful meditation on existential ups and downs that ultimately discovers solace in its reflection and reckoning (sample lyric: “I can’t believe the things I put my mother through/But it’s alright, I guess we all deserve our turn to be a fool”).

From track to track, I’m With Her infuses their sonic palette with so many unexpected and subtly captivating elements: the jagged guitar lines and chanteuse-like delivery of “I-89,” the percussive vocal phrasing of “Game to Lose,” the ghostly harmonies and eerie atmospherics of “Wild One.” At the same time, the band’s finely wrought lyrics gently shift from the darkly charged storytelling of “Pangaea” to the sleepy sensuality of “Ryland (Under the Apple Tree)” to the romantic travel tale of “Overland.” And on the Gillian Welch-penned “Hundred Miles”—a gorgeously understated track, and the album’s only song written outside the band—See You Around closes out with a world-weary but potent message of hope.

All through See You Around, I’m With Her exhibit a refined musicality that reflects their deep musical roots. After years of crossing paths in their intersecting scenes, the three musicians came together by happenstance for an off-the-cuff performance at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in summer 2014. The very same day, a mutual friend texted them with a last-minute request to open a show that night at the Sheridan Opera House. “We had two hours to prepare for a 30-minute set and we said, ‘Let’s do it, let’s skip margaritas and rehearse,’” O’Donovan recalls. “We worked up six or seven songs in the bathroom, and then went on to this crazy-energetic crowd at one in the morning. I’ll never forget how amazing that felt.”

Later that year, Watkins, O’Donovan, and Jarosz met up in New York to prep for a series of European shows in early 2015, carefully crafting their own arrangements of songs by artists ranging from Jim Croce to Nina Simone. “When you’re arranging a song, you’re communicating in ways that sometimes can be really inefficient,” says Watkins. “But with us it felt like we were all in a similar rhythm.” As their chemistry continued to deepen, the trio soon founded I’m With Her and transformed the project into a fully realized band. “Once you decide it’s a band, you can put it higher on your priority list and give it more attention,” says O’Donovan. “The bar gets raised when something has an air of permanence about it, and that’s definitely been the case for us.”

Although I’m With Her spent most of 2015 performing at festivals around the world, the band also holed up for their first-ever writing session that summer in L.A. “By that point it had started to solidify that we travel well together, play well together, eat well together—it felt like we’d tested our compatibility in all these different zones,” says Watkins. And after just four days of writing, it was clear that their compatibility extended to the art of songcraft. “I loved the songs, we all loved the songs,” says Jarosz of that first batch of tracks penned in L.A. “I think that really sparked the flame for us to make a full record together.”

When it came time to get working on the record, I’m With Her convened at a borrowed farmhouse in Vermont and spent over a week carving out new material, leaving only to replenish their supply of Heady Topper beer. “We were completely on lockdown and didn’t interact with another human being for eight days,” says O’Donovan. “If you can get through that and, at the end, still be so excited about what you’re doing, then that says a lot about the whole creative flow as a band.” Jarosz adds: “A lot of times you approach songwriting as a solitary act, or maybe choose to write with one other person you feel comfortable with. It’s a whole other beast to have three people writing together, juggling all these different ideas and personalities. But somehow for us, all of the songwriting was just so seamless.”

In Vermont, the band settled into their creative stride, but when the additional voice of producer Ethan Johns was added to the process in the studio, they found themselves starting another round of learning and growth.  “Going into the recording, there were a lot of unknowns and a lot of questions,” says Jarosz. “It was a challenge for us to figure out how to make our vision and Ethan’s vision come together in a way that worked for everyone, and there was definitely some friction at times, but about halfway through we started to work it out.” With each member playing guitar and handling various aspects of the instrumentation— including fiddle and ukulele for Watkins, mandolin and banjo for Jarosz, piano and synth for O’Donovan—the band cut most of the album live and under exceptionally close-knit conditions. “Ethan had the studio so that we played all in the same room and facing each other,” Jarosz says. “There was really no separation between us at all.”

In looking back on the making of See You Around, I’m With Her note that a sense of unity has sustained in every step—including the moments when one member’s song idea failed to fly with the others. “If an idea doesn’t get accepted, it’s not like, ‘I’m a failure, this will never be heard,’” says Watkins. “You just move on to the next thing and put that idea aside for something else. We don’t have to be as precious with things, which really helps that forward-motion of creativity.” It’s exactly that dynamic spirit that, despite the album’s many moments of graceful restraint, imbues so much of See You Around with a powerful urgency—or, as O’Donovan, puts it: “In this band, there’s no time to get bogged down in what doesn’t happen. It’s all about what is happening.”

I’M WITH HER:

SARA WATKINS, SARAH JAROSZ, AOIFE O’DONOVAN

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, April 12, 2018

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 17th  at www.bouldertheater.com. 

Hot Rize, one of the most influential bands in any genre to come out of Colorado, is kicking off their 40th anniversary with a celebration at the Boulder Theater, and they’re inviting some of their friends to come along.
 
In 1978, when Pete Wernick, Tim O’Brien, Nick Forster and Charles Sawtelle started playing music together, they discovered a rare chemistry that allowed them to literally take bluegrass music in a new direction, one that showcased their collective talents as instrumentalists, songwriters, and innovators. They all respected the tradition and were students and fans of artists like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers, but their musical tastes covered a lot more ground as well. They started out in the bars and clubs, but shortly after they got together, they played on Prairie Home Companion, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Grand Ol Opry. The world was ready for their brand of bluegrass.
 
Their original songs are part of the bluegrass cannon, their showmanship earned them the first-ever Entertainer of the year award from the IBMA, and their “partnership” with Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers is the stuff of legend. There is no other band like Hot Rize, and the Colorado bands that followed in their wake all cite Hot Rize as a major influence.
 
After Charles Sawtelle died of leukemia, the band brought on legendary North Carolina flat picker, Bryan Sutton. For more than 15 years, Bryan has been a member of this remarkable group of all-stars, and is featured on their latest release, When I’m Free.
 
Don’t miss this rare chance to celebrate the incredible musical legacy of one of Colorado’s most revered bands. They’ll be joined by a few of their friends, including Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Del McCoury and more to be announced soon. Warm up your winter with two amazingly hot nights at the Boulder Theater with Hot Rize.

HOT RIZE – 40TH ANNIVERSARY BASH

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS SAM BUSH, JERRY DOUGLAS, STUART DUNCAN, PLUS MORE VERY SPECIAL GUESTS

BOULDER THEATER

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Doors:  6:30 pm | Show:  7:30 pm

We’re a Mexican American band, and no word describes America like immigrant. Most of us are children of immigrants, so it’s perhaps natural that the songs we create celebrate America in this way.” So says Louie Perez, the “poet laureate” and primary wordsmith of Los Lobos, when describing the songs on the band’s new album, Gates of Gold.

The stories on Gates of Gold are snapshots of experiences that Perez and his band mates have had, based on where they are emotionally and how they respond to evolving life circumstances. “We live out loud most of the time and share our life this way, but then there are more intrinsic things that happen, and our songs are part of the way we react to them. We sit down and basically tell people what has happened. We certainly didn’t start this project with aspirations to create the musical equivalent to great American literary works.”

After celebrating their 40th anniversary with the cleverly titled 2013 live album Disconnected In New York City, the hard working, constantly touring band – David Hidalgo, Louie Perez, Cesar Rosas, Conrad Lozano and Steve Berlin – leaps headfirst into their fifth decade with an invitation to join them as they open fresh and exciting new Gates of Gold, their first full length studio album since 2010’s Tin Can Trust (a Grammy nominee for Best Americana Album) and second with Savoy/429 Records.

The dynamic songwriting, deeply poetic lyrics, thoughtful romantic and spiritual themes and eclectic blend of styles on the 11 track collection has resulted in an American saga in the rich literary tradition of legendary authors John Steinbeck and William Faulkner. Yet true to form, these typically humble musical wolves started in on the project without any grand vision or musical roadmap. Over 30 years after Los Lobos’ major label breakthrough How Will The Wolf Survive? - their 1984 album that ranks #30 on Rolling Stones list of the 100 greatest albums of the 1980s – their main challenge when they get off the road and head back into the studio is, as Berlin says, “trying not to do stuff we’ve already done. To a certain extent, we are always drawing from the same multi-faceted paint box, and we sound like what we sound like. We’re proud of what we feel is an honest body of work. We just want to keep finding new ways to say things.”

In the band’s early recording days - those years just before and after “La Bamba,” their worldwide crossover hit from the 1987 film which reached #1 on the U.S. and UK singles chart - they prepared for album recording sessions with top producers like T-Bone Burnett with pre- production that included multiple rehearsals and “outlining” what the project was going to be.

The more spontaneous approach to writing and recording that they took on their 1992 Mitchell Froom co-produced set Kiko still exists today; Rosas says, “When I listen to our catalog, doing things more spontaneously in the studio has led to some of our best work.” Unlike many bands that write, gather and catalog material between studio releases, Los Lobos prefers to create their magic on the fly when they decide it’s time to record. Perez says, “We never come in with a cache of 20 songs. Our thing is to write as we’re recording. It’s like starting with a blank canvass every time.”

The journey to Gates of Gold began with Hidalgo bringing in a batch of ideas, outlines and chord progressions with no lyrics. As he and Perez began fleshing things out, developing grooves, melodies and lyrical themes, Hidalgo, his son, drummer David, Jr. and bassist Lozano began tracking those tunes. The collection opens with the reflective, mid-tempo rocker “Made To Break Your Heart,” featuring female vocalist Syd Straw, whose vibe was partially inspired by Hidalgo’s love for Manassas, the early 70s blues-country-rock band created by Stephen Stills.

The moody, atmospheric rocker “When We Were Free,” whose lyrics of what Berlin calls “beautiful melancholy memories” are underscored with the increasing drama of booming drums and distorted electric guitars. Filled with hypnotic sound effects and cool vocal and guitar distortion (created via an eight track analog Cascam cassette recorder!), the soulful, reflective “There I Go” touches on the universal search for what Perez calls “something meaningful, though we’re not always sure what it is.”

Further Hidalgo/Perez collaborations include “Too Small Heart,” a raw and raucous nod to both Los Lobos garage band roots and the wild abandon of Jimi Hendrix; the easy grooving folk- rocker “Song of the Sun,” which taps into the elements of life (water, fire, earth) and creation myths while touching on the way we choose to live in the present; the slow burning blues/rocker “Magdalena,” inspired by the Biblical Mary Magdalene and visions of flowing robes; and the folk-influenced, image rich rocker title track “Gates of Gold,” whose lyrical abstractions allow for multiple earthly and spiritual interpretations.

Perez says, “When I first started listening to the original demo Dave had, the music spoke to me of rural America. The impression the lyrics give could refer to the afterlife, i.e. the “pearly gates,” but I also was thinking about the immigrant experience, the promise of a new life as one travels across borders, all the thoughts a person making that daring move might have connected to the dream of what America is. Our parents all wondered what lay beyond those gates. On a personal level, it’s a reflection of where my band mates and I are in our lives. We’re all over 60 now and looking towards the horizon at our own mortality. We think often about what we’ve contributed and what’s left. I don’t know who the protagonist of the song is, but he’s looking at those gates from a distance because what lies beyond is a mystery.”

As Hidalgo and Perez began collaborating on their songs, Rosas, as per his trademark “lone wolf” songwriting approach, took his basic tracks to his home studio to complete the handful of tunes that flesh out the set. The singer, guitarist and mandolin player’s pieces include the raucous and bluesy, garage band fired jam “Mis-Treater Boogie Blues,” the swampy folk-rock blues lament “I Believed You So” and the swaying, sensual Latin Cumbia-styled “Poquito Para Aqui.” The sole cover on Gates of Gold is the other Spanish language tune, “La Tumba,” an accordion laced folk piece connected to the Mexican Norteno tradition (related to polka and corrodes) whose theme, says Perez, is very dark, “about following your lover to the tomb.” It’s very familiar to fans as a frequent staple of Los Lobos’ live performances.

Back in 2003, when Los Lobos was celebrating the 30th Anniversary of their humble beginnings as a garage band in East L.A., Rolling Stone summed up their distinctive, diverse, freewheeling fusion of rock, blues, soul and Mexican folk music: “This is what happens when five guys create a magical sound, then stick together…to see how far it can take them.” Originally called Los Lobos del Este (de Los Angeles), a play on a popular norteno band called Los Lobos del Norte, the group originally came together from three separate units. Lead vocalist/guitarist Hidalgo, whose arsenal includes accordion, percussion, bass, keyboards, melodic, drums, violin and banjo,

met Perez at Garfield High in East LA and started a garage band. Rosas, who had his own group, and Lozano launched a power trio. “But we all hung out because we were friends and making music was just the natural progression of things,” says Perez, the band’s drummer. “Like if you hang around a barbershop long enough, you’re going to get a haircut.”

Berlin is Los Lobos’ saxophonist, flutist and harmonica player who met the band while still with seminal L.A. rockers The Blasters. He joined the group after performing on and co-producing (with T-Bone Burnett) their breakthrough 1983 EP …And A Time To Dance. Los Lobos were already East L.A. neighborhood legends, Sunset Strip regulars and a Grammy winning band (Best Mexican American/Tejano Music Performance) by the time they recorded How Will the Wolf Survive? Although the album’s name and title song were inspired by a National Geographic article about real life wolves in the wild, the band saw obvious parallels with their struggle to gain mainstream rock success while maintaining their Mexican roots.

Perez, once called their powerhouse mix of rock, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues and traditional Spanish and Mexican music “the soundtrack of the barrio.” Three decades, two more Grammys, the global success of “La Bamba” and thousands of rollicking performances across the globe later, Los Lobos is surviving quite well -- and still jamming with the same raw intensity as they had when they began in that garage in 1973. They don’t get in the studio as often as they did a few decades ago – Tin Can Trust came four years after their previous album of all originals, The Town and the City – but when they do, the results are every bit as culturally rich, musically rocking and lyrically provocative as they were back in the day.

“It’s not always the easiest thing finding time away from our touring schedule and families to find time to make an album,” says Berlin, “but recording Gates of Gold, I have to say it’s great to be back in the proverbial saddle again. It reminds us of the fun we have had making new music over the years, and it’s nice to have the opportunity to create something of value.”

Perez adds, “I find that the most interesting part of songwriting and tracking a new album is the differential between the way a song sounds to you at 2 a.m. and the way it may hit you when it’s 11 a.m. and it reaches the light of day. We may love it just as much or we may realize we can do better. It’s always a process of discovering more about ourselves and the music we love to make. It’s not always easy getting started again, but I love that moment in the process when the songs start to take on their own life and we can let the kid, so to speak, run out onto the street and start figuring things out for himself. The way songs reveal themselves to us during these periods of writing and recording is my favorite part of the Los Lobos recording experience.”

LOS LOBOS

TAYLOR SCOTT TRIO

BOULDER THEATER

March 4, 2018

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale at 10:00am on Friday, December 8th  at www.bouldertheater.com.  

One of the longest running Grateful Dead tribute bands in the world, Shakedown Street, makes its home in and around the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Spawned from jam sessions at the Ancient Mariner bar in Manitou Springs, Colorado in 1987, Shakedown Street quickly grew in popularity, and garnered a legion of loyal fans who refer to themselves as "Shakeheads". In a few short years, throngs of "Shakeheads" could be found on the highways and byways of the Rocky Mountains, making their way to another Shakedown Street show.

In the live music venues of the Rocky Mountains, there are only a few bands that are able to consistantly draw large audiences. Shakedown Street accomplishes this year after year by embodying the Grateful Dead ethos of improvisation and discovery, while maintaining an intimacy and open repoire with its audience. A whole new generation of "Shakeheads" has discovered the positive and collaborative energy found at a Shakedown Street concert. Longtime fans are thrilled to find the band sounding hotter than ever, and having the time of their lives!

Throughout the years, Shakedown Street has had the privilege of sharing the stage with many iconic musicians. Some of these include former Grateful Dead members Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten, as well as Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band. Others include Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, The JGB Band, Hot Tuna, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Merl Saunders, Jerry Jeff Walker, Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, and many others.

With a working repertoire of over two hundred songs, Shakedown Street is able to perform multi night runs without repetition, drawing equally from early and modern Grateful Dead songs, and weave together unique and unforgettable performances. Believing that it is good to give back to the planet, Shakedown Street performs charity and benefit engagements on an ongoing basis to help their local and global communities.

FREE BEFORE 9PM

SHAKEDOWN STREET

PHOUR POINT O

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, January 26, 2018

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Info  at www.bouldertheater.com.   

Greg Brown was born in the Hacklebarney section of southeastern Iowa and raised by a family that made words and music a way of life. His seasoned songwriting, storytelling, and music are deeply rooted in that place. He moves audiences with warmth, humor, a thundering voice and his unpretentious musical vision.

His mother played the electric guitar, his grandfather played the banjo, his grandmother was a poet, and his father was a Pentecostal preacher. Greg’s youth was spread across a map of the Midwest as they moved between churches (and even denominations), but music was always a staple. Gospel and hymns, classical, hillbilly, early rock and roll, country, and blues coalesced into a simmering stew of sound. Greg studied classical voice and piano as a child and also sang with choirs and in state competitions. At six he took up the pump organ and at twelve he learned the basics of guitar from his mother (who was also an English teacher—so books and poetry were always around the house.

At 18, Greg won a contest to play an opening set for singer Eric Andersen in Iowa City, who then encouraged him to head east. Moving to New York, Greg landed a job at Gerdes Folk City in the Village running hootenannies. Next he tried Portland, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, but after a few years he moved back to Iowa. He recorded a couple of albums on his own (44 & 66 and The Iowa Waltz), then began working on the renowned national radio show A Prairie Home Companion and touring nationally. After Greg teamed up with Bob Feldman in 1983, they re-released Greg’s first two albums under the name Red House Records -- the beginning of the now legendary folk/roots label that has released nearly all of Greg’s 27 albums.

In 1985 Greg released In the Dark With You, an acoustic classic. In 1986, he set poems of William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience to music on a critically acclaimed album of the same name. One Big Town (1989) learned Greg his first Indie Award for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year, as well as a rave review in Rolling Stone. Dream Café (1992) was also a huge critical success. The Washington Post called it an “unassuming triumph,” and in the opinion of Z Magazine, it rivaled Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks.

Following Dream Café, Brown recorded Friend of Mine with Bill Morrissey, which earned him his first Grammy nomination, and he also released a children’s album, Bath Tub Blues. 1994’s The Poet Game saw significant international radio play (charting on AAA and topping The Gavin Report’s Americana chart) and earned not only critical raves, but also the Indie award for singer-songwriter Album of the Year. The Live One (1995) proved to be a fan favorite capturing the humor, warmth, insights, and spirit of his legendary live shows. His 1996 release, Further In, topped them all: critics called it a masterpiece and it received a four-star review in Rolling Stone. Greg’s 1997 release — Slant 6 Mind — received more of the same and earned Greg his second Grammy nomination. 1999 brought the re-release of One Night, a live concert recording originally released on the Coffeehouse Extempore label. Two releases followed in 2000: Over and Under (Trailer Records) and the critically acclaimed Covenant, which won the Association for Independent Music’s award for Best Contemporary Folk Album of 2000.

The year 2002 brought two albums – Milk of the Moon and Going Driftless: An Artist’s Tribute to Greg Brown. The latter, features some of today’s best female songwriters including Lucinda Williams, Ani DiFranco, Iris Dement, Gillian Welch, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Greg Brown’s three daughters and more. These artists joined forces to record a beautiful tribute album — each selecting their own favorite song by Brown to cover for a special CD benefiting The Breast Cancer Fund. In September of 2003, Greg released If I Had Known – Essential Recordings, 1980-1996 (Red House), a retrospective w/DVD highlighting the body of Greg’s work through 1996. Honey in the Lions Head, was released shortly thereafter (Trailer Records) and is an album of folk standards from the public domain. Also in 2004, he released In the Hills of California: Live From the Kate Wolf Festival 1997-2003, a collection of live performances recorded at the Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival featuring guest appearances by Nina Gerber, Shawn Colvin, Garnet Rogers, Dave Moore and others.

In 2006, Greg released The Evening Call, his first new studio album in over four years, which charted high on Americana and folk radio, earned him five stars in Mojo and garnered rave reviews in No Depression, Acoustic Guitar and The Washington Post. The 2-disc collection Dream City: Essential Recordings Vol 2, 1997-2006 features some of these new Americana classics along with other fan favorites from his last six studio albums and some previously unreleased material and live tracks.

AN EVENING WITH

GREG BROWN

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, June 22, 2018

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale at 10:00am Friday, December 15th  at www.bouldertheater.com

Thirty years ago, Kyle Hollingsworth set out on a career in music. With a wealth of desire and an abundance of ability, Hollingsworth has established himself as a formidable and versatile music talent deftly able to contribute, collaborate, compose, and communicate on a number of levels and within a vast spectrum of musical environments. Today, as a member of acclaimed jam masters The String Cheese Incident, Hollingsworth is revered by both peers and fans for his ability to write and perform in a mosaic of styles, from rock to classical, ragtime to bebop. Playing in SCI has allowed him unrestricted access to the world of music, and has bestowed on him the kind of fearlessness a composer needs to flirt with such disparate genres. Those who’ve seen SCI know that they can jerk from funk to bluegrass on a chord change. "In the jam world, where there are no set ways of doing things, we’re not afraid to move in and out of genres," he says, "and because of that I’ve learned to be creative, not only onstage but in the studio. I can get on board with something pretty quickly. You have to."

His most recent release, titled Then There’s Now, finds the musician coming in to his own. With solid song material and a slamming new band, Kyle is making his mark in the new, always-evolving music scene. Then There’s Now delivers a blend of vocal and instrumental tunes and seamlessly displays his growth as a musician and as a songwriter.

MOUNTAIN SUN PRESENTS: KYLE’S 50TH BIRTHDAY & ALBUM RELEASE PARTY

KYLE HOLLINGSWORTH BAND

feat. MICHAEL KANG, JENNIFER HARTSWICK & THE MOTET HORNS

plus a special birthday set with KYLE & FRIENDS

with very special guests HOT BUTTERED RUM

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Doors:  8:00 pm | Show:  9:00 pm

If joy were a person, he'd bring both peace and frenzy. He'd be full of music, light, and energy that soothes even as it stirs us up. Eyes closed, wire-rim glasses in place, mandolin pressed against his ribs, joy would be Sam Bush on a stage.

"I feel fortunate that when it's time to play, no matter how I feel physically or mentally, once the downbeat starts, my mind goes to a place that's all music," says Bush. "The joy of the music comes to me and overtakes me sometimes -- I just become part of the music."

That rapt merging of life and art fills Bush's new album Storyman, a freewheeling collection that gleefully picks and chooses from jazz, folk, blues, reggae, country swing, and bluegrass to create a jubilant noise only classifiable as the Sam Bush sound. Many of the songs are stories -- several of them true -- and the legendary mandolin player co-wrote every one of them with friends including Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Jon Randall Stewart, Jeff Black, and others.

"I'm hoping it just kind of flows for people and makes them go, 'Hey! It's a Sam record. It sounds like Sam and the band,'" Bush says. "But for the first time ever, I also find myself thinking, 'I hope you enjoy the stories.' It's my singer-songwriter record."

The Father of Newgrass and King of Telluride has long since established himself as roots royalty, revered for both his solo and sideman work, which includes time with Harris, Lyle Lovett, and Béla Fleck. But instead of kicking back and soaking up honors such as an Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award and suite of Grammys and International Bluegrass Music Association trophies, Bush still strives relentlessly to create something new.

Raised on a farm just outside of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Bush grew up plowing tobacco fields in the Southern summer heat alongside his family. He started playing mandolin when he was 11 years old. "I believe growing up on a farm probably helped me channel my energy into learning music and being so interested in it," Bush says. "Me and my sisters, we all loved it. I've often wondered if that's because growing up on a farm, you couldn't go ride your bike all over town and horse around like the other kids."

For Bush, a lifetime of channeling his energy has led to stylistic innovations that have changed the course of bluegrass and roots music alike.

Bush took about four years to record the latest installment in that legacy. "It's still important to me that all of the songs fit together on an album," he says. "I'm well aware that people buy individual tracks digitally, and that's good. But I still think of it as an album -- a body of work. And I'm really satisfied with these songs. It's taken a while, but I sure am happy with them."

Recorded partially at Neptone Recording Studios in Destin, Florida, and Bush's longtime go-to the Sound Emporium in Nashville, Storyman sounds like the best of friends swapping tales and jamming for the sake of jamming because that's exactly what it is. Bush's voice, which sounds strong and familiar throughout Storyman, is often overlooked because of the sheer ferocity of his playing -- an omission that actually points to the brilliant suppleness, ease, and warmth of his vocals, which instead of drawing attention to themselves are always fully in service of the song.

Written with Jeff Black, "Transcendental Meditation Blues" recounts a long 1978 ride Bush took on a sweltering, broken-down Greyhound to see a girl named Lynn in Louisville. Today, Lynn and Bush have been married for 31 years, and the glimpse into their early courtship -- layered over rolling strings -- is relatable, toe-tapping, and sweet. "When I finally got to Louisville, there was Lynn, sitting in her little orange VW waiting for me," Bush says. "You know you're in love when you ride the Greyhound bus."

Humanistic optimism punctuates the entire album. "Play by Your Own Rules," co-penned with Sam Bush Band guitarist Stephen Mougin, rowdily encourages listeners to be themselves, "favor kindness over wealth," and live fully in the moment. Written with Deborah Holland, "Everything is Possible" offers open-armed hope wrapped in reggae-infused instrumentation that matches the positivity of the lyrics' messages.

The wryly funny "Hand Mics Killed Country Music" brings Emmylou Harris and Bush together again. Harris contributes harmony vocals on the song, which the two co-wrote. It's a straight-ahead honky tonk shuffle -- the first that Bush has ever recorded on one of his solo albums -- complete with steel guitar and a trio of fiddles. "I thought the song really needed that great, old-time piano, like Pig Robbins. Then I thought, 'Well, call Pig Robbins! Not a younger player who can sound try like him!'" The iconic session player accepted the gig and guided the bluegrass- and jazz-trained musicians through the art of creating a shuffle.

"Carcinoma Blues" has co-writer Guy Clark's fingerprints all over its lean lines and inimitable combination of cleverness and heart. Clark and Bush have both had their bouts with cancer, and Bush wanted to write about the experience, directly and holistically. "We wrote it from the points of view of both the patient and of the loved one, who's watching the patient go through it," Bush says. Echoes of Jimmie Rodgers' "TB Blues," which Bush says "scared him as a kid" reverberate throughout the track.

Bush and Steven Brines wrote "Lefty's Song" by letter correspondence in the 70s: The two mailed lyrics and music back and forth between Barren County and Lexington. Brines died in the 80s, and Bush lost the tape capturing the song for almost 40 years. "I couldn't believe I found it!" he says, obviously thrilled. The true tale of a small-town newspaperman who falls in love with a traveling actress but can't leave his deaf and mute brother behind, the song features guest vocals from Alison Krauss and a happy twist at the end.

The entire Sam Bush Band co-wrote instrumental "It's Not What You Think," which got its title from a disagreement about the location of the one beat. Co-penned with banjo player Scott Vestal, "Greenbrier" grew from a phrase that Bush woke up with at 4 a.m. one morning. Jon Randall Stewart started strings-soaked throwback "Bowling Green" on his own then took it to Bush because of the subject matter. "Jon Randall came over to my house and said, 'Man, I got a song -- it's kind of about your dad,'" Bush remembers. "He played what he had, and he teared me right up. I said, 'Come on, now!'" The finished product is an autobiographical ode to Bush's upbringing and his father's love of the fiddle.

Slow-burning "Where is My Love," written with John Pennell, proves Bush should compose and play the blues more often. It's a growling experiment in perspective and audience -- Is the song's protagonist wondering what's wrong with him or where his lover has gone? Hint: probably both.

"I Just Wanna Feel Something" -- also written with Jon Randall -- explores the urge to chase love's high before it's too late. "Really, it's about playing the groove and digging playing together," Bush says. "If there is a love in it, it's the love of playing music together."

For Bush, that's a love that will never die. "When we play live on stage, if people can feel the joy we're feeling, then we have succeeded," Bush says. "That's the goal to me of playing music: Did the audience feel something?"

SAM BUSH

PRESENTED BY BOULDER BEER CO.

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale at NOW  at www.bouldertheater.com 

Joshua Redman is one of the most acclaimed and charismatic jazz artists to have emerged in the decade of the 1990s. Born in Berkeley, California, he is the son of legendary saxophonist Dewey Redman and dancer Renee Shedroff. He was exposed at an early age to a variety of musics (jazz, classical, rock, soul, Indian, Indonesian, Middle-Eastern, African) and instruments (recorder, piano, guitar, gatham, gamelan), and began playing clarinet at age nine before switching to what became his primary instrument, the tenor saxophone, one year later. The early influences of John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Cannonball Adderley and his father, Dewey Redman, as well as The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Earth, Wind and Fire, Prince, The Police and Led Zeppelin drew Joshua more deeply into music. But although Joshua loved playing the saxophone and was a dedicated member of the award-winning Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble and Combo from 1983-86, academics were always his first priority, and he never seriously considered becoming a professional musician.

In 1991 Redman graduated from Harvard College summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Social Studies. He had already been accepted by Yale Law School, but deferred entrance for what he believed was only going to be one year. Some of his friends (former students at the Berklee College of Music whom Joshua had met while in Boston) had recently relocated to Brooklyn, and they were looking for another housemate to help with the rent. Redman accepted their invitation to move in, and almost immediately he found himself immersed in the New York jazz scene. He began jamming and gigging regularly with some of the leading jazz musicians of his generation: Peter Bernstein, Larry Goldings, Kevin Hays, Roy Hargrove, Geoff Keezer, Leon Parker, Jorge Rossy and Mark Turner (to name just a few). In November of that year, five months after moving to New York, Redman was named the winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition. This was only one of the more visible highlights from a year that saw Redman beginning to tour and record with jazz masters such as his father, Jack DeJohnette, Charlie Haden, Elvin Jones, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Paul Motian, and Clark Terry. For Joshua, this was a period of tremendous growth, invaluable experience and endless inspiration.

Now fully committed to a life in music, Redman was quickly signed by Warner Bros. Records and issued his first, self-titled album in the spring of 1993, which subsequently earned Redman his first Grammy nomination. That fall saw the release of Wish, where Joshua was joined by the all-star cast of Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins. He toured extensively with Metheny throughout the latter half of that year. His next recording, MoodSwing, was released in 1994, and it introduced his first permanent band, which included three other young musicians who have gone on to become some of the most important and influential artists in modern jazz: pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade. A later edition of this ensemble included guitarist Peter Bernstein, pianist Peter Martin, bassist Chris Thomas and Blade. Over a series of celebrated recordings including Spirit of the Moment/Live at the Village Vanguard, Freedom in the Groove and Timeless Tales (for Changing Times), Redman established himself as one of the music’s most consistent and successful bandleaders, and added soprano and alto saxophones to his instrumental arsenal. Joshua’s second acclaimed quartet, featuring pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Gregory Hutchinson, was formed in 1998 and made its recorded debut on the 2000 album Beyond. The dynamic interplay and uncommon rapport of this group inspired Redman to write and record his first long-form composition, Passage of Time, which was released in 2001.

A year later, Redman began to channel his jazz sensibilities through new instrumentation and formed The Elastic Band, a flexible, electrified, groove-based trio built on an ongoing collaboration with keyboardist Sam Yahel and drummer Brian Blade. The band debuted on the 2002 releases yaya3 and Elastic. Drummer Jeff Ballard began to play regularly with the Elastic Band later that year, and he (along with Blade and Yahel) played a central role in their next recording, the Grammy-nominated Momentum, which was released in 2005 to inaugurate Redman’s affiliation with Nonesuch Records, and featured a diverse and exciting lineup of special guests.

In 2000, Redman was named Artistic Director for the Spring Season of the non-profit jazz-presenting organization SFJAZZ. Redman and SFJAZZ Executive Director Randall Kline had an idea that The New York Times called a “eureka moment”; the creation of the SFJAZZ Collective, an ensemble distinguished both by the creativity of its members and a unique primary emphasis on composition. Inaugurated in 2004, the eight-piece band consists of a multi-generational cast of accomplished musicians. The Collective’s repertoire features both commissioned works and new arrangements of the work of great modern jazz composers. In March 2007, Redman announced that he was taking a hiatus from both the SFJAZZ Artistic Directorship and the SFJAZZ Collective in order to focus on new projects.

The following month, Nonesuch released Redman’s first ever piano-less trio record, Back East, featuring Joshua alongside three stellar bass and drum rhythm sections (Larry Grenadier & Ali Jackson, Christian McBride & Brian Blade, Reuben Rogers & Eric Harland) and three very special guest saxophonists (Chris Cheek, Joe Lovano and Dewey Redman). On Compass, released in January 2009 (Nonesuch), Joshua continues to explore the expansive trio format, and with a group of collaborators as intrepid as he is – bassists Larry Grenadier and Reuben Rogers, and drummers Brian Blade and Gregory Hutchinson – Redman literally and figuratively stretches the shape of the trio approach; on the most audacious of these tunes, he performs with the entire lineup in a double-trio setting.

Starting in late 2009, Joshua began performing with a new collaborative band called James Farm featuring pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland. The band infuses traditional acoustic jazz quartet instrumentation with a progressive attitude and modern sound. The band’s performances and two albums have been met with rave reviews across the globe.

In May 2013, Redman released Walking Shadows (Nonesuch), a collection of vintage and contemporary ballads produced by his friend and frequent collaborator Brad Mehldau. This is Redman’s first recording to include an orchestral ensemble and includes a core ensemble of Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass, and Brian Blade on drums. About Walking Shadows, the New York Times says “there hasn’t been a more sublimely lyrical gesture in his 20-year recording career.”

Released in June 2014, Redman’s newest album, Trios Live (Nonesuch), was recorded at New York City’s Jazz Standard and Washington, DC’s Blues Alley during stands with two different trios – Redman and drummer Gregory Hutchinson with bassist Matt Penman (Jazz Standard) and Redman and Hutchinson with bassist Reuben Rogers (Blues Alley). Trios Live features four original tunes by Redman and interpretations of three additional songs.

After their first partnership during 2011 performances at the Blue Note in New York at the invitation of The Bad Plus, and intermittent performances together over the years, Redman and the tight-knit trio released their first studio album titled The Bad Plus Joshua Redman in May 2015 on Nonesuch. Redman explains the draw of this unique collaboration: “Playing with The Bad Plus has allowed me to explore a part of my playing, and my musical heritage, that I’ve never before accessed in quite the same way with any other group. The adventure with The Bad Plus pushes me toward the fringes and draws me into the core.” Redman was nominated for Best Improvised Jazz Solo on the track “Friend or Foe” from this debut recording collaboration.

In addition to his own projects, Redman has recorded and performed with musicians such as Brian Blade, Ray Brown, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, The Dave Matthews Band, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell, Aaron Goldberg, Larry Goldings, Charlie Haden, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Roy Haynes, Billie Higgins, Milt Jackson, Elvin Jones, Quincy Jones, Big Daddy Kane, Geoff Keezer, B.B. King, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, DJ Logic, Joe Lovano, Yo Yo Ma, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, John Medeski, Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Marcus Miller, Paul Motian, MeShell Ndegeocello, Leon Parker, Nicholas Payton, John Psathas, Simon Rattle, Dewey Redman, Dianne Reeves, Melvin Rhyne, The Rolling Stones, The Roots, Kurt Rosenwinkel, John Scofield, Soulive, String Cheese Incident, Clark Terry, Toots Thielemans, The Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Mark Turner, McCoy Tyner, Umphrey’s McGee, US3, Bugge Wesseltoft, Cedar Walton, Stevie Wonder, Sam Yahel, and Patrick Zimmerli. Joshua Redman has been nominated for 3 Grammys and has garnered top honors in critics and readers polls of DownBeat, Jazz Times, The Village Voice and Rolling Stone. He wrote and performed the music for Louis Malle’s final film Vanya on 42nd Street, and is both seen and heard in the Robert Altman film Kansas City.

JOSHUA REDMAN QUARTET

BOULDER THEATER

June 24, 2018

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale at Friday, January 12th at 10:00am  at www.bouldertheater.com.  

Cellist and composer Zoë Keating is a one-woman orchestra. She uses a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to record layer upon layer of cello, creating intricate, haunting and compelling music. Zoë is known for both her use of technology – which she uses to sample her cello onstage – and for her DIY approach, releasing her music online without the help of a record label.

A cellist since the age of eight, Zoë pursued electronic music and contemporary composition as part of her Liberal Arts studies at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. After graduation she moved to San Francisco and fell in love with the startup culture of the late 1990’s, finding a career as an information architect and data analyst while moonlighting as a cellist. Zoë eventually combined her love of music and technology, using a computer to live-layer her cello and performing for late-night crowds in her San Francisco warehome.

Now, Zoë has a devoted, global audience. Her self-released albums have several times reached #1 on the iTunes classical chart, she has over 1 million followers on Twitter and her grassroots approach and artists’ advocacy has garnered her much public attention and press. She serves as a governor for the San Francisco chapter of the Recording Academy, was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and serves on the boards of the Magik Magik Orchestra and CASH Music, a nonprofit organization that builds open source digital tools for musicians and labels. She is a trustee of the World Economic Forum’s Future of the Internet Initiative.

Zoë has played and recorded with a wide range of artists, including Imogen Heap, Amanda Palmer, Tears for Fears, DJ Shadow, Dan Hicks, Thomas Dolby, John Vanderslice, Rasputina, Pomplamoose and Paolo Nutini. She has composed music for ballet, theater, film, and radio and lends her music regularly to film, tv, dance productions, and commercials. In 2014 she began composing for television, working on the scores for the A&E series “The Returned” and for “Manhattan”, a drama about the making of the atomic bomb. She is currently writing music for a pilot on Showtime.

In 2014, Zoë’s husband Jeffrey Rusch was diagnosed with stage IV non-smoker’s lung cancer. While she halted her music career to care for him and their four-year-old son, their struggles with health care and insurance became the new subject of her blog. Jeff died in 2015 and Zoë continues to advocate on his behalf for patients, data portability, and the simplification of medical insurance.

ZOË KEATING

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, April 6, 2018

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale at Friday, January 12th at 10:00am  at www.bouldertheater.com.

There’s a great scene in The Last Waltz – the documentary about The Band’s final concert – where director Martin Scorsese is discussing music with drummer/singer/mandolin player Levon Helm. Helm says, “If it mixes with rhythm, and if it dances, then you’ve got a great combination of all those different kinds of music: country, bluegrass, blues music, show music...

To which Scorsese, the inquisitive interviewer, asks, “What’s it called, then?” “Rock & roll!”

Clearly looking for a more specific answer, but realizing that he isn’t going to get one, Marty laughs. “Rock & roll…”

Well, that’s the way it is sometimes: musicians play music, and don’t necessarily worry about where it gets filed. It’s the writers, record labels, managers, etc., who tend to fret about what “kind” of music it is.

And like The Band, the members of Railroad Earth aren’t losing sleep about what “kind” of music they play – they just play it. When they started out in 2001, they were a bunch of guys interested in playing acoustic instruments together. As Railroad Earth violin/vocalist Tim Carbone recalls, “All of us had been playing in various projects for years, and many of us had played together in different projects. But this time, we found ourselves all available at the same time.”

Songwriter/lead vocalist Todd Sheaffer continues, “When we started, we only loosely had the idea of getting together and playing some music. It started that informally; just getting together and doing some picking and playing. Over a couple of month period, we started working on some original songs, as well as playing some covers that we thought would be fun to play.”

Shortly thereafter, they took five songs from their budding repertoire into a studio and knocked out a demo in just two days. Their soon-to-be manager sent that demo to a few festivals, and – to the band’s surprise – they were booked at the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival before they’d even played their first gig. This prompted them to quickly go in and record five more songs; the ten combined tracks of which made up their debut album, “The Black Bear Sessions.”

That was the beginning of Railroad Earth’s journey: since those early days, they’ve gone on to release five more critically acclaimed studio albums and one hugely popular live one called, “Elko.” They’ve also amassed a huge and loyal fanbase who turn up to support them in every corner of the country, and often take advantage of the band’s liberal taping and photo policy. But Railroad Earth bristle at the notion of being lumped into any one “scene.” Not out of animosity for any other artists: it’s just that they don’t find the labels very useful. As Carbone points out, “We use unique acoustic instrumentation, but we’re definitely not a bluegrass or country band, which sometimes leaves music writers confused as to how to categorize us. We’re essentially playing rock on acoustic instruments.”

Ultimately, Railroad Earth’s music is driven by the remarkable songs of front-man, Todd Sheaffer, and is delivered with seamless arrangements and superb musicianship courtesy of all six band members. As mandolin/bouzouki player John Skehan points out, “Our M.O. has always been that we can improvise all day long, but we only do it in service to the song. There are a lot of songs that, when we play them live, we adhere to the arrangement from the record. And other songs, in the nature and the spirit of the song, everyone knows we can kind of take flight on them.” Sheaffer continues: “The songs are our focus, our focal point; it all starts right there. Anything else just comments on the songs and gives them color. Some songs are more open than others. They ‘want’ to be approached that way – where we can explore and trade musical ideas and open them up to different territories. But sometimes it is what the song is about.”

So: they can jam with the best of them and they have some bluegrass influences, but they use drums and amplifiers (somewhat taboo in the bluegrass world). What kind of music is it then? Mandolin/vocalist John Skehan offers this semi-descriptive term: “I always describe it as a string band, but an amplified string band with drums.” Tim Carbone takes a swing: “We’re a Country & Eastern band! ” Todd Sheaffer offers “A souped-up string band? I don’t know. I’m not good at this.” Or, as a great drummer/singer/mandolin player with an appreciation for Americana once said: “Rock & roll!”

RAILROAD EARTH

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, August 17, 2018

Doors:  8:00 pm | Show:  9:00 pm

Tickets on sale on NOW  at www.bouldertheater.com

The Man in the Mirror

The contradictions in John Butler are evident, and, despite his magnificently successful career (with number one albums in Australia and sell-out tours) his is a troubled soul. One of the most successful recording artists Australia has ever produced and a musician whose reputation has begun to rock the waters of both Europe and America, Butler is nevertheless a man on the edge, poised like a beautiful suicide. Where will he go next? Up or down? Despite the tensions within the man and his music the new album makes his future trajectory abundantly clear.

An independent role model, founder of Australia’s Jarrah Records, family man and proud skateboard aficionado, JB, in spite of his matey public persona, remains an enigma. He is from everywhere and nowhere, an Australian/American, Everyman/Nowhere Man, and his music mixes rootedness and rootlessness, pain and celebration in a way that is utterly beguiling. He is the consummate rebel-refugee whose songs chart disenchantment with the corporate world and show a yearning for truth along with an ongoing struggle for a sense of locus. The songs’ off-centre grooves have always been their charm, and yet now there is a sense, in the new album at least, of resolution and peace after years of being against the world and what it offered. Maybe the man on the brink will not jump after all?

The Past

Born in California and of mixed Australian, Greek and Bulgarian ancestry, Butler began his musical career in classic if tentative style. The narrative arc is well-known Down Under. An art-school dropout, he was ‘discovered’ busking in 1996, bystanders marvelling at ‘the sweat flying off his brow’ and ‘the holy madness in his eyes’. The tape of these early compositional soundscapes Searching for Heritage gave an inkling of where Butler was going, reaching as it did both forwards and backwards in time, conversant with all genres and yet somehow defining its own. The sound had, and still has, elements of folk, funk, reggae and rock all drizzled through the 90s Seattle sensibility. Behind all that there was a wistful Celtic ambience surreally counterpointed by a Jamaican roots/rudeboy vibe. What could have been a mess somehow made perfect sense, with the bluegrass fingerpicking, hip hop beats and psychedelic wig-outs proving not uneasy bedfellows but perfect complements.

Now

On Flesh & Blood it goes even further, yet with a restraint that bespeaks a deepening maturity. There are dirty Stevie Wonder-style boogies, ghostly refrains that could come from Simon and Garfunkel, sonic poltergeists which seem, at times, to resemble lost rock classics. In the hands of a lesser man this would be mere thievery dressed up as ‘eclecticism’. But Butler is a maestro - he takes his influences and transcends them. He creates a sound that is as ancient as aboriginal bone-art and yet as modern as your Twitter feed. He has been hailed as one of the world’s greatest guitarists, a musician’s musician, one whose sound offers not three chords and the truth but a thousand. His prestidigitation is astounding. An old song like “Ocean,” for example, has chalked up 30 million Youtube hits, and not just with guitar freaks studying his technique. The new album has songs that are less expansive and more ‘reined in’, but the playing is all the more impressive for being more tightly corralled. Less sometimes really is more.

Flesh & Blood may be his best yet. In parts it is simply overwhelming. The album has captured that elusive thing: soul. Butler has spoken in interviews of his songs being like ‘wild horses, wild beasts’ and you can see what he means. Songs, he says, come from the ‘ether’, from a savage hinterland: they must be caught without breaking their spirit. A ‘song-capturer’, Butler’s job has been not to tame those horses but to present their wildness. His myth of composition evokes the timeless expanse of both the Aussie Outback and the American West, and he and his fellow band members have been at pains to honour the songs as independent things that belong to no one, least of all themselves.

Arising from a series of agenda-free jams in Butler’s studio ‘The Compound’ in Fremantle, (Australia) the album took a mere 20 days to record and, though beautifully structured in sonic terms, there is a rawness and honesty to the album that reflects the brevity of its laying down. The songs have a wide-open, semi-improvised feel. The crisp and beautifully spare production of Jan Skubiszewski accentuates the sense of limitless space: the drums (courtesy of the aptly named Nicky Bomba) kick with dub explosions, while the bass (‘Lord’ Byron Luiters) goes on inspired transient walkabouts. Butler’s voice, free of the ‘anger’ that has dogged him for so long, now soars with both melancholy and plangent purity. “Wings are Wide” evokes rainforests: it is drenched in dizzying guitar loops in which the listener is enmeshed and lifted timelessly elsewhere. “Spring to Come” could be a classic, Butler’s acrylic fingernails plucking more of their extraordinary patterns. “Blame it on Me” is a cocky peacock-strut juxtaposed with dark references to apocalyptic ‘heavy times’. “Young and Wild” has the simple beauty of a song - a down home-country feel offset by the gorgeous shadowing of female vocalist Ainslie Wills. “How You Sleep at Night” is a hypnotically anthemic piece featuring the ferocious drumming of new man Grant Gerathy; Bomba having jumped ship (albeit amicably) to front his own Melbourne Ska Orchestra. The synth-anchored “You’re Free” sounds like its title: it is as if the composer, haunted by righteous ire, has taken flight, escaping earthly confines but not flying too close to the sun. New single “Only One” shows a new maturity in pop craftsmanship. The quiet/loud dynamic is beautifully exploited yet again. A simple three note refrain and rolling storm-cloud drums establishes a minor key mood: a place of ‘castles built out of sand’ and ‘something haunting’ the protagonist. But then the chorus erupts with steel drum euphoria transporting the listener to what sounds like Africa — a third world of ecstatic being. That is the JB trick par excellence: the shift from fireside ballad to communal dance, from private to public, from doubt to assertion.

Home Again

With Flesh & Blood, Butler has come full circle. Searching for Heritage led ultimately to April Uprising, an album that delved into Butler’s family history, one in which ethnic Bulgarians (Butler’s kin) rose up in 1876 against the tyrannical Ottoman Empire that had suppressed them. John’s own name derives from his paternal grandfather, a forestry worker who died fighting a bushfire in Nannup, Oz. From these historical titbits we glean some inkling of the artist. He is a man fighting for justice, a man fighting fires — those of love gone bad, of corporate greed, or simply of his own angry soul. As Butler has confessed in a recent interview, “I thought my anger was my strongest asset and that’s what made me powerful, but it was actually my weakest link. My vulnerability, my honesty and patience and trust are my strongest attributes.” The album bears this out. As Butler has matured the anger has been sublimated in poetry, and his voice, on the tender love songs especially, has become his outstanding instrument.

Flesh & Blood is a testament to his talent, and to a man who has finally found himself. On some songs he sounds simply reborn. “I wanted the songs to be a lot more guttural and fleshier,” says a newly humble JB. “I wanted to smell it and feel it a bit more. And I wanted my voice, now and always, to be more convincing.” If it’s authenticity he was seeking he has surely found it.

If he has been a ‘man on the edge’ he is certainly not going to jump and end it all. He now has the wisdom and the courage to take a step back - and enjoy the view.

John Butler is no pie-in-the-sky hippy. He has dirt beneath his feet: red dirt. He is well-known Down Under for his environmental and political commitment. His white Rasta look once suggested a teleported Bob Marley - but that has gone. The more recent barbered image makes him look like a handsome American from the Civil War era. His stare is hypnotic. Who will draw first, you or him? He is not, however, all gun and no trousers. He has put his money where his mouth is, fronting a campaign that helped stop a vast gas plant from despoiling the natural beauty of the Kimberley area in NW Australia. He has also set up a charitable trust that has enabled many aspiring artists to find an outlet. He is a man who cares about the world he is in and one who has tried, in his own way, to set in right.

JOHN BUTLER TRIO

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale on Tuesday, January 30th at 8:00 a.m.  at www.bouldertheater.com.  

Z2 Entertainment is thrilled to announce the 26th Annual Microbreweries for the Environment feat. Amoramora, Intuit with The Sweet Lillies on Friday, April 27th at the Boulder Theater. Tickets are on sale 10 a.m. this Friday at bouldertheater.com. This is an all-you-can-responsibly-drink, 21+ event, and sampling is included in the $25.00 ticket price. This year's event benefits Girls on Rock, Inland Ocean Movement, and Can'd Aid Foundation. Participating breweries are listed below – more to be announced!

Breweries: 4 Noses Brewing, Asher Organic Brewing, Avery Brewing, Bakers' Brewery, Bootstrap Brewing, Boulder Beer, Breckenridge Brewery, Colorado Cider Co., FATE Brewing, Holidaily Brewing Company, Left Hand Brewing, Lumpy Ridge, Odell Brewing, ODD13 Brewery, Oskar Blues, Sanitas Brewing, Ska Brewing, Twisted Pine Brewing, Upslope Brewing, West Flanders Brewing, Wibby Brewing.

About Amoramora: Amoramora has been saving the world with rock’n’roll since 2016. Every live show is guaranteed to blast you off into a cosmic dance party and features an ever-changing blend of psychedelic jams, funk, bluegrass, african highlife and beyond. Fueled by high-energy improvisation, the undeniable joy this quartet shares onstage and offstage is reflected by their devout and growing fanbase, the Amorons. Based out of Boulder, CO, the band has a commitment to consistently changing setlists, expanding their already extensive catalog of original material, and stirring the musical gumbo. Along with the deep instrumental blend of guitar, keyboard, trumpet, EWI, bass & drums, all four members are also vocalists. Their astronomic compositions take the listener on an engaging journey while whimsical and captivating lyrics fuel the fire of musical imagery. The quartet, two of which have music degrees from the University of Colorado and University of Miami (FL), create a refreshing experience every night to keep their audience and listeners on their toes.

After selling out their first headlining play at the The Fox Theatre in May of 2017 the band released “S’moramora Volume 2” on all major listening/streaming platforms and has been touring the US extensively while expanding their rapidly growing audience.

About Intuit: Intuit formed in 2011 in Boulder, CO and began to shape their sound and intentions together on the campus of Naropa University. With roots in reggae, funk, jazz, blues, folk, hip-hop and world music, the band has developed a distinguishable sound of their own, with songwriting that crosses genres, and a rich improvisational component that keeps a fresh live energy to their wide repertoire of original music. With heart-warming lulls, climactic peaks, and endless stylistic shape–shifting, Intuit delivers a captivating groove that all can enjoy. Inspired by their shared love for the earth and her creatures, as well as a dedication to building community and growing together, each song has a message inviting us to go beyond the surface into a deeper sense of knowing. Let the music lift you up and take you in.

26TH ANNUAL

MICROBREWERIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

AMORAMORA + INTUIT

THE SWEET LILLIES 

BOULDER THEATER

Friday, April 27, 2018

Doors:  7:00 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

One of the longest running Grateful Dead tribute bands in the world, Shakedown Street, makes its home in and around the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Spawned from jam sessions at the Ancient Mariner bar in Manitou Springs, Colorado in 1987, Shakedown Street quickly grew in popularity, and garnered a legion of loyal fans who refer to themselves as "Shakeheads". In a few short years, throngs of "Shakeheads" could be found on the highways and byways of the Rocky Mountains, making their way to another Shakedown Street show.

In the live music venues of the Rocky Mountains, there are only a few bands that are able to consistently draw large audiences. Shakedown Street accomplishes this year after year by embodying the Grateful Dead ethos of improvisation and discovery, while maintaining an intimacy and open repoire with its audience. A whole new generation of "Shakeheads" has discovered the positive and collaborative energy found at a Shakedown Street concert. Longtime fans are thrilled to find the band sounding hotter than ever, and having the time of their lives!

Throughout the years, Shakedown Street has had the privilege of sharing the stage with many iconic musicians. Some of these include former Grateful Dead members Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten, as well as Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band. Others include Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, The JGB Band, Hot Tuna, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Merl Saunders, Jerry Jeff Walker, Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, and many others.

With a working repertoire of over two hundred songs, Shakedown Street is able to perform multi night runs without repetition, drawing equally from early and modern Grateful Dead songs, and weave together unique and unforgettable performances. Believing that it is good to give back to the planet, Shakedown Street performs charity and benefit engagements on an ongoing basis to help their local and global communities.

SHAKEDOWN STREET

THE WORKSHY

BOULDER THEATER

Saturday, March 31, 2018

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:30 pm

Tickets on sale NOW  at www.bouldertheater.com.  

Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and composer Rufus Wainwright will embark on a highly anticipated North American tour to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of his eponymous debut which first burst him onto the music scene. Immediately beloved and critically acclaimed, both Rufus and the record were widely hailed as a breakthrough. It influenced many artists that came after him and set the path for his illustrious career ever since.

Wainwright will hit the road with his band and perform material from both Rufus Wainwright (1998) and Poses (2001). “20 years, what can I say?” states Wainwright. “In life, one stands the test of time but in music, thankfully, one reaps the rewards. Come savor a very fine vintage of songs, those were some pretty good years!"

The tour will come on the heels of the debut of his second opera, Hadrian, set to premiere on October 13th at the Canadian Opera Company (Toronto). Hadrian was inspired by the Roman Emperor Hadrian and his love for Antinous. The opera is composed by Rufus and award-winning Canadian actor, director and playwright Daniel MacIvor.

Artist pre-sale tickets and VIP Packages begin on Wednesday, April 11th at 10am local time, and tickets available to the public will be on sale on Friday, April 13th at 10am local time. For further information regarding tickets and VIP packages, please visit rufuswainwright.com.

Rufus Wainwright - ALL THESE POSES Anniversary Tour 2018 Dates:                          

Fri November 9 Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum Theatre

Sat November 10 San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic

Mon November 12 Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater

Tue November 13 Eugene, OR @ The Shedd Institute

Sat November 17 Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater

Tue November 20 Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre                                      

Thu November 22 Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Tue December 4 New York, NY @ Beacon Theater

Wed December 5 Boston, MA @ Venue TBA

Fri December 7 Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre                              

Sat December 8 Bethesda, MD @ Strathmore

Mon December 10 Charlottesville, VA @ The Paramount Theatre

Tue December 11 Nashville, TN @ The CMA Theater

Wed December 12 Atlanta, GA @ Atlanta Symphony Hall

Continuing the 120-year-old tradition of bringing music, oration and the arts to the Boulder community, the Colorado Chautauqua Association, steward of Boulder’s cultural and historical gem the Colorado Chautauqua National Historic Landmark, is pleased to announce its 2018 Summer Concert Series. From Amos Lee and Andrew Bird, to Graham Nash, Ziggy Marley and Mary Chapin Carpenter, this year’s lineup presents a diverse mix of performers across genres that appeal to every music fan. Laughter also returns to the stage with comedian Paula Poundstone and Boulder’s own poet and activist Andrea Gibson.

In addition to the concert line up, the Chautauqua summer series features something for everyone, including six weeks of classical music with the Colorado Music Festival, the 33rd annual Silent Film Series with live musical accompaniment, documentary film “Symbols of Resistance,” TEDxBoulder and Ignite Boulder, hiking plays and more. For a complete list of upcoming events, please visit chautauqua.com.

2018 CHAUTAUQUA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES LINEUP:

LEO KOTTKE & JAMES MCMURTRY

Thursday, June 14. 7:30 PM.

Tickets: $28.00 - $43.00 ($25.00 - $40.00 Concert Member)

In a most exceptional pairing, world-renowned singer-songwriters Leo Kottke and James McMurtry take the historic Auditorium stage to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Famed acoustic player Leo Kottke is known for a fingerpicking style that draws on blues, jazz and folk music, and for syncopated, polyphonic melodies. In concert, Kottke intersperses humorous and often bizarre monologues with vocal and instrumental selections from throughout his career, played solo on his 6 and 12-string guitars.

James McMurtry’s vibrant vignettes have turned heads for more than a quarter-century now. His music has earned the respect of fans everywhere, including Stephen King, who proclaimed, “James McMurtry may be the truest, fiercest songwriter of his generation.”

PAULA POUNDSTONE

Saturday, June 16. 7:30 PM

Tickets: $28.00 - $58.00 ($25.00 - $55.00 Concert Member)

With smart, observational humor and a legendary spontaneous interaction with the crowd, Paula Poundstone is one of our country’s pre-eminent comedians. She improvises with a crowd like a jazz musician, swinging in unexpected directions without a plan, without a net. There's a disarming ease in her craft, an immediate sense that she's so quick on her feet you need never worry about the possibility of something going wrong.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER

Saturday, June 23. 7:30 PM

Tickets: $43.00 - $58.00 ($40.00 - $55.00 Concert Member)

Five-time Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Mary Chapin Carpenter returns to the Chautauqua Auditorium. Her newest album, “Sometimes Just the Sky,” released March 30, 2018, is a celebration of her acclaimed 30-year recording career. The landmark record features new versions of some of Carpenter's most beloved songs, as well as one newly written song, which became the title track.

BÉLA FLECK AND THE FLECKTONES

Tuesday, July 10. 7:30 PM

Tickets: $45.00 - $60.00 ($42.00 - $57.00 Concert Member)

Groundbreaking banjoist, composer and bandleader Béla Fleck has reconvened the original Béla Fleck & the Flecktones, the extraordinary initial line-up of his incredible combo. “There’s a special thing that happens when the four of us get together and play,” notes Howard Levy. “We all have the same attitude of trying to do things that we haven’t done before and coincidentally, no one else has either.” One thing is certain, however, the ‘original’ Flecktones’ reunion is not rooted in nostalgia.

AMOS LEE

Tuesday, July 31. 7:30 PM

Tickets: $60.00 - $75.00 ($57.00 - $72.00 Concert Member)

Over the course of more than a dozen years and six studio albums, Amos Lee has continued to evolve, develop and challenge himself as a musician. With his most recent album, “Spirit,” he makes his biggest creative leap yet. Most notably, for the first time, Lee acts as his own producer. For Amos Lee, this album is the fulfillment of dreams and aspirations – musical, personal and professional. “All you can ask for as an artist is the chance to create what you hear and feel inside of yourself,” notes Lee.

THE WEEPIES with Mipso

Monday, August 6. 7:30 PM

Tickets: $23.00 - $38.00 ($20.00 - $35.00 Concert Member)

Singer-songwriters Deb Talan & Steve Tannen began writing together the night they met, and soon formed indie band The Weepies. On the strength of their simple yet insightful songwriting and distinctive harmonies, they quietly sold more than 1.5 million records with over 54 million streams on Spotify, 25+ million views on YouTube, and more than 110k social media followers. Mipso will open tonight’s show.

BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS

Tuesday, August 7. 7:30 PM

Tickets: $43.00 - $60.50 ($40.00 - $57.50 Concert Member)

Thirty-one years after winning a Best New Artist Grammy and launching one of contemporary music's most diverse and collaborative careers, Bruce Hornsby is still making joyful noise—and finding clever, expansive ways to chronicle the dynamic musical snapshots along the journey. His longtime band, The Noisemakers, captures a unique type of playful, freewheeling spirit and chemistry.

ANDREW BIRD with Neyla Pekarek of The Lumineers

Friday, August 10 and Saturday, August 11. 7:30 PM
Tickets: $39.00 - $59.00 ($36.00 – $56.00 Concert Member)

Since beginning his recording career in 1997, Bird has released 13 albums and performed several hundred concerts worldwide. He has recorded with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, appeared as "Dr. Stringz" on "Jack's Big Music Show," and headlined concerts at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, and festivals worldwide. Mojo Magazine declared him "simply incredible live." Neyla Pekarek of The Lumineers will open both shows.

THE GIPSY KINGS featuring Nicolas Reyes & Tonino Baliardo

Tuesday, August 14. 7:30 PM

Tickets: $62.50 - $80.50 ($59.50 - $77.50 Concert Member)

Back by popular demand, the Grammy-winning band behind “Bamboléo” returns to the historic Chautauqua Auditorium stage to celebrate 25+ years of flamenco, salsa and pop fusion perfection in the party-starting spirit of the south of France. Uniting the family Reyes and the family Baliardo, the band continues a tradition that has drawn famous fans such as Picasso, Cocteau, Dali and Chaplin.

ZIGGY MARLEY: Rebellion Rises Tour 2018

Wednesday, August 22. 7:30 PM

Tickets: $44.00 - $59.00 ($41.00 - $56.00 Concert Member)

Throughout the course of his three-decade career and 16 albums, Ziggy has built a music legacy worthy of his legendary family name. Eight-time Grammy award-winning musician and reggae icon Ziggy Marley will release his seventh full-length solo studio album, “Rebellion Rises,” on May 18th through Tuff Gong Worldwide. Fully written, recorded and produced by Marley, this passionate and indelible new collection of music encourages people to stand together in activism through love.

MANDOLIN ORANGE

Sunday, August 26. 7:30 PM
Tickets: $23.00 - $38.00 ($20.00 - $35.00 Concert Member)

Lean in to Mandolin Orange’s album, “Blindfaller,” and it’s bound to happen. You’ll suddenly pick up on the power and devastation lurking in its quietude, the doom hiding beneath its unvarnished beauty. You’ll hear the way it magnifies the intimacy at the heart of the North Carolina duo’s music, as if they created their own musical language as they recorded it. “Blindfaller” builds on the acclaim of Mandolin Orange’s breakthrough debut on the label.

BOZ SCAGGS

Saturday, September 1. 7:30 PM

Tickets: $50.00 - $65.00 ($47.00 - $62.00 Concert Member)

Fans who have followed the remarkable career of blues-rock singer Boz Scaggs recognize his solo triumphs - with classic albums like “Silk Degrees” (1976), which sold five million copies, and “Middle Man” (1980), reaching number 8 on the Billboard 200 album chart. His late-period high points like “Some Change” (1994) and “A Fool to Care” (2005) are instant reminders of his characteristically deft touch as a blues-rock singer. His soul is effortless and deeply felt, never making a show of itself, but unmistakably evident in every lyric he delivers.

ANDREA GIBSON

Saturday, September 8. 7:30 PM

Tickets: $25.00 - $40.00 ($22.00 - $37.00 Concert Member)

One of the most celebrated and successful poets in the field, Andrea Gibson’s career began in 1999 with a break-up poem at an open mic in Boulder and won the first ever Woman of the World Poetry Slam. Author of three collections of poetry and currently working on an illustrated collection of most memorable quotes for Penguin (winter 2018), Andrea (they/them/their) has also released seven full-length albums.

An intimate evening of songs and stories with GRAHAM NASH

Sunday, September 23. 7:30 PM
Tickets: $43.00 - $58.00 ($40.00 - $55.00 Concert Member)

Legendary artist Graham Nash is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee - with Crosby, Stills, and Nash and with The Hollies. He was also inducted twice into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, as a solo artist and with CSN, and he is a Grammy Award-winner. In September 2013, Nash released his long-awaited autobiography “Wild Tales,” which delivers an engrossing, no-holds-barred look back at his remarkable career and the music that defined a generation. The book landed him on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

TICKET INFORMATION:

·       All events take place in the historic Chautauqua Auditorium (b.1898)

·       Member Presale and General Public on sale info:

o   Chautauqua Concert Member Presale begins Monday, April 23 at 10:00 a.m. online only at tickets.chautauqua.com

o   General Public: Friday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m. online only at tickets.chautauqua.com  

·       The Chautauqua Box Office is now located just north of the Chautauqua Community House in cottage 200. Hours: Monday through Friday from 12 - 5 p.m. 303.440.7666.

·       The Chautauqua Box Office Kiosk opens May 7 for phone and walk-up sales. Hours: 12 - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 12 - 8 p.m. on Auditorium event days. 303.440.7666.

·       Chautauqua Concert Members receive a discount on select tickets and advance purchase privileges.

o   The public is welcome to join as members at any time to take advantage of early purchase privileges and discounts.

·       All tickets are subject to a service fee.

·       The free HOP 2 Chautauqua shuttle is available for all Auditorium concerts. See individual event listing at chautauqua.com for schedule details.

Groundbreaking artist Kamasi Washington’s highly anticipated sophomore album Heaven and Earth is set for release June 22 via Young Turks. Two songs from the double album debut today, listen to Earth’s “Fists of Fury” here and Heaven’s “The Space Travelers Lullaby” here.  

The long-awaited follow up to Washington’s debut The Epic, Heaven and Earth is comprised of two halves, which find Washington confronting quotidian realities with cosmic themes. A further investigation of Washington’s world building ideas, the new album explores his reckoning with current global chaos and his vision for the future.

“Fists of Fury” and “The Space Travelers Lullaby” debut today alongside a pair of accompanying scenes created by acclaimed British artist and director Jenn Nkiru. The visual pieces are inspired by a more expansive collaborative Heaven and Earth film project that is due for release later in the year.

Washington convened his band, The Next Step, as well as members of the long running collective The West Coast Get Down at Henson Studios in Los Angeles to record the 16 tracks on Heaven and Earth. The music was composed, written and arranged by Washington, with new arrangements of jazz and bebop legend Freddie Hubbard’s “Hubtones” and iconic kung fu film theme “Fists of Fury,” as well as one song by bandmate Ryan Porter. Thundercat, Terrace Martin, Ronald Bruner, Jr., Cameron Graves, Brandon Coleman, Miles Mosley, Patrice Quinn, Tony Austin and many more contribute to the album.

Heaven and Earth, over two and a half hours of music, will be available on double deluxe CD and a four piece vinyl housed in bespoke double gatefold sleeve, in addition to all digital services. The album is available to pre-order via http://y-t-r.co/heavenandearth

To celebrate the release of Heaven and Earth, Washington will tour globally with stops in London, Paris, Berlin, New York, Tokyo and beyond. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets for select dates before the general public beginning April 18 at 10 A.M. local through Thursday April 19 at 10 P.M. local.

Kamasi Washington is a multi-instrumentalist and producer born and raised in Los Angeles. He grew up playing jazz in the city’s storied Leimert Park neighborhood under the tutelage of his father, Rickey Washington. Forming his first band, the Young Jazz Giants, with Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner, Ronald Bruner, Jr. and Cameron Graves in high school, Washington went on to study ethnomusicology at UCLA and play with Snoop Dogg, Raphael Saadiq and more. His debut album, The Epic, was released in 2015 to rapturous critical reception, universally embraced as one of the best of the year and awarded the inaugural American Music Prize. Heaven and Earth follows The Epic as well as Washington’s 2017 EP Harmony of Difference, an exploration of the musical concept of counterpoint that debuted as an original work for the 2017 Whitney Museum of Art Biennial.

KAMASI WASHINGTON—HEAVEN AND EARTH

I. EARTH

1. Fists of Fury

2. Can You Hear Him

3. Hubtones

4. Connections

5. Tiffakonkae

6. The Invincible Youth

7. Testify

8. One of One

II. HEAVEN

9. The Space Travelers Lullaby

10. Vi Lua Vi Sol

11. Street Fighter Mas

12. Song for the Fallen

13. Journey

14. The Psalmnist

15. Show Us the Way

16. Will You Sing

KAMASI WASHINGTON LIVE

April 15                             Indio, CA                                          Coachella Music and Arts Festival

April 22                             Indio, CA                                          Coachella Music and Arts Festival

April 27                          Morrison, CO                                                   Red Rocks Amphitheater*

May 2                             London, U.K.                                                                          Roundhouse

May 4                          Manchester, U.K.                                                                        Albert Hall

May 5                            Glasgow, U.K.                                                                                   QMU

May 6                          Cheltenham, U.K.                                                 Cheltenham Jazz Festival

May 8                             Lyon, France                                 Nuits Sonores @ Auditorium de Lyon

May 9                              Paris, France                                                                                 Bataclan

May 11                       Coutances, France                 Jazz Sous les Pommiers @ Salle Marcel Hélie

May 12                       St Gaudens, France       Festival Jazz a Comminges @ Parc des Expositions

May 13                           Madrid, Spain                                                                                  Riviera

May 14                         Barcelona, Spain                                                                        Razzmatazz

May 16                            Milan, Italy                                                                Santeria Social Club

May 17                      Zurich, Switzerland                                                            Kaufleuten Zurich

May 18                       Munich, Germany                                                                    Theaterfabrik

May 19                          Vienna, Austria                                                           Wiener Konzerthaus

 May 20                      Diersbach, Austria                                                       INNtone JazzFestival

May 22                         Krakow, Poland                                                                                  Studio

May 23                   Prague, Czech Republic                                                               Arhca Theatre

May 24                         Warsaw, Poland                                                                                Stodola

May 25                         Berlin, Germany                                                                                   Astra

May 27                      Cologne, Germany                                                                Live Music Hall

May 28                       Nijmegen, Holland                                                                      Doornroosje

May 29                      The Hague, Holland                                                                                Paard

May 30                        Brussels, Belgium                                                       Salle De La Madeleine

June 1                        Amsterdam, Holland                                                                           Paradiso

June 2                         Hamburg, Germany                                                               Elbjazz Festival

June 3                       Copenhagen, Denmark                                                                   Pumpehuset

June 15                           New York, NY                                                          Forest Hills Stadium†

June 16                        Minneapolis, MN                                                               Rock the Garden

June 23                            Pasadena, CA                                                                         Arroyo Seco

June 24                          Vancouver, BC                                                     Queen Elizabeth Theatre

June 25                           Saskatoon, SK                                                 Saskatchewan Jazz Festival

June 29                           Waitsfield, VT                                                               Friendly Gathering

June 30                        Montreal, Quebec                       Festival International de Jazz de Montreal

July 12                            Berkeley, CA                                                                     Greek Theater‡

July 25                              Detroit, MI                                                      Chene Park Amphitheater

August 4                        Dublin, Ireland                                                                 Beatyard Festival

August 5                      Oxfordshire, U.K.                                                           Wilderness Festival

August 7                       Mainz, Germany                      Frankfurter Hof Mainz @ Zitadelle Mainz

August 9                      Antwerp, Belgium                                                              Jazz Middelheim

August 10                Copenhagen, Denmark                                                                         HAVEN

August 11                  Gothenburg, Sweden                                                                Way Out West

August 12                     Helsinki, Finland                                                                                FLOW

August 17-19                  Tokyo, Japan                                                         Summer Sonic Festival

October 17                       Seattle, WA                                                                         The Showbox