Wed, 08/22/2012 - 1:39 pm

Hot off a busy summer that included dates opening for Jack White and Old Crow Medicine Show, as well as festival and club appearances across North America and Europe, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three will perform in select U.S. and Canadian markets in August and September 2012. Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three appear on Jack White's new album, Blunderbuss, on the track "I Guess I Should Go To Sleep" - Blunderbuss was released on Tuesday, April 24, 2012. Pokey LaFarge performs on vocals and mandolin, and the South City Three appears as follows: Ryan Koenig on vocals, Adam Hoskins on guitar, and Joey Glynn on upright bass.

It's hard to imagine Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three garnering more critical praise in 2011 and 2012 following the release of his latest full-length studio album, Middle of Everywhere (Free Dirt Records, July 2011), vinyl release on Jack White's Third Man Records, numerous celebrated festival appearances, and regional touring. 2011 was bookended by Jack White talking up Pokey in an interview with the New York Times at SXSW 2011, and Pokey appearing on the 19th annual Hootenanny with Jools Holland, which aired December 31, 2011 on BBC Two. Throughout the year, Pokey received standout coverage with Billboard Magazine, Paste, Blurt, Daytrotter, Design Sponge, MOJO, Sirius/XM; NPR ran an "Exclusive First Listen" for Middle of Everywhere and the band performed a "Tiny Desk Concert," and he appeared on Nashville's "Music City Roots." In May 2012, Middle of Everywhere won "Best Americana Album" at the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards.

In 2011, Pokey performed nearly 200 live shows and appeared at renowned music festivals throughout Europe and North America, including a return to Newport Folk Festival in Newport, RI and a first-time appearance at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville, TN. While in Nashville for the AMA's, he opened up for two sold-out shows for The Raconteurs. Throughout 2011 and thus far in 2012, he's shared the stage with Southern Culture on the Skids, Eilen Jewell, Frank Fairfield, Two Man Gentlemen Band, The Dirt Daubers, The Wilders, and other notable artists. Pokey has headlined some of the country’s finest venues and has appeared at Newport Folk Festival 2010/2011, Pickathon 2011, Vancouver Folk Festival and Watermelon Park Festival, among others. Check out Pokey's upcoming 2012 tour dates and festival appearances at this link:
http://www.pokeylafarge.net/tour .

Pokey LaFarge is a traditional American music purist channeling American roots, country blues, and jazz traditions of the early 20th century. Musically timeless and stylistically original, Pokey and the South City Three are helping pave the way in the growing eminence of contemporary American music spreading like wildfire across the world. Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three released Middle of Everywhere (Free Dirt Records) on July 19, 2011, and a vinyl recording via Jack White's Third Man Records' Blue Series (Vinyl 45s) featuring an original Pokey song, "Pack It Up," and a rendition of the famous Fiddlin' Arthur Smith tune, "Chittlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County;" the vinyl was released on March 24, 2011.

On Middle of Everywhere, Pokey LaFarge doesn't just pay homage to his artistic forbears - he commandeers their legacies and creates something innovative - he mashes Midwestern country blues with Western swing, sweet harmony vocals, and hints of New Orleans style horns and lap steel. LaFarge's honest, approachable songwriting chops shine through on such tracks as "Head to Toe," and "Ain't the Same," with the South City Three all the while providing an impeccable up-tempo driving rhythm. The South City Three features some fiercely talented musicians including Ryan Koenig (harmonica, washboard, vocals), Adam Hoskins (guitar and vocals) and Joey Glynn (upright bass and vocals). The musical spark between Pokey and these fine lads is undeniable. Joey Glynn walks up and down the bass like he's been playing it since the roaring '20s. Guitarist Adam Hoskins's pickin' and slide work is some of the best that's currently coming out of St. Louis, and Ryan Koenig always brings his A-game with his masterful washboard, percussion and harmonica playing.

Since the release of his studio album, Riverboat Soul (Free Dirt Records, February 2010), which won "Best Americana Album" at the 10th Annual Independent Music Awards, Pokey's earned praise from critics and fans of a wide spectrum of genres. Recorded in Nashville, TN with production by Phil Harris, Riverboat Soul features the South City Three as well as some old pals Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show), Tommy Oliviero (Bawn in the Mash) and Travis Stinson joining in on the fun. At a crossroads where Milton Brown, Jimmie Rodgers, and Blind Boy Fuller intersect, the songs on Riverboat Soul are influenced by all that Pokey admires from bygone days, yet they present a wonderfully new sound that combines authentic songwriting and explosive vocals.

Just 27 years old, Pokey LaFarge has been hitching through the countryside and whisking off to faraway lands with different projects since he was 18, including a stint playing mandolin with the Virginia-based group the Hackensaw Boys. His recording career began with the self-released Marmalade (2007), followed shortly by 2008’s Beat, Move & Shake on Big Muddy Records. Having found his sweet spot with the other members of The South City Three, in 2009 Pokey hit the road and began to tour at a mind-spinning pace, quickly winning over crowds throughout America and Europe and appearing with acts such as Old Crow Medicine Show, Hackensaw Boys, Avett Brothers, Donna the Buffalo and more. LaFarge is constantly traveling across the country and drawing inspiration from early American roots music. But it's more than his persona that's turning heads; it's the unique blend of raw talent and refined, idiosyncratic charm that's turned reviewers into poets as they attempt to label the one-of-a-kind sound of Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three.

For more information on Pokey LaFarge, please visit: http://www.pokeylafarge.net.

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 1:06 pm

Real Gone Music's first releases of Spring 2013, due out on the 2nd of April, will tickle the funny bones of all manner of collector, as the label has taken its customary eclecticism to new heights, with releases from a vocal pop legend, two guitar icons, the most popular crossover classical artist of all time and a long sought-after soundtrack in addition to a strong slate of rock-oriented releases. Perhaps the most unusual release is the first appearance on legitimate CD of Alfred Newman's life-affirming score to the George Stevens' 1959 film The Diary of Anne Frank, released in time to coincide with Passover; of particular interest to vocal pop fans are Margaret Whiting's complete London recordings, released in two volumes and licensed directly from the estate. And the Country Gentleman, Chet Atkins, makes an appearance on two releases this month; first, on his second riotous collaboration with Les Paul, Guitar Monsters, and, second, as part of a twofer featuring a pair of '60s albums from Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra.

For rock and soul fans, Real Gone has lined up the CD debut of the 1971 solo album by Memphis music legend Don Nix, featuring the Muscle Shoals rhythm section and a host of other luminaries, plus, also making its CD debut and also from 1971, the way-ahead-of-its-time soul/funk/rock/folk album from Barbara Massey and Ernie Calabria, Prelude to.... Also on tap are two albums from underappreciated singer-songwriter Tom Jans, Take Heart and Tom Jans, the former featuring Mimi Farina and the latter making its worldwide CD debut. And the label continues its long strange trip through the Grateful Dead's Dick’s Picks series with its release of Dick's Picks Vol. 24 -- Cow Palace Daly City, CA 3/23/74, a 2-CD set featuring the first-ever appearance of the band's famed Wall of Sound concert PA system.

Winner of nine Academy Awards (second only to Walt Disney) and nominated for 45 (second among composers only to John Williams), Alfred Newman ranks as one of the greatest screen composers of all time. But his score to the 1959 George Stevens film adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank" (which was nominated for an Academy Award), occupies a special place in the hearts of Newman fans, and not just because the story on screen that it accompanies is so heart-rending and enduring. Contrary to what one might expect of a movie set in The Holocaust, the music to the film is lyrical, even on occasion lighthearted; as Newman put it, "...the music would be motivated by high ideals, the tenderness and spiritual qualities inherent in their family life and their special badge of courage." Real Gone Music proudly presents the original stereo film soundtrack album for the first time on legitimate CD with the original album artwork and new liner notes by Frank DeWald.

Together with Peggy Lee, Margaret Whiting was the only female vocalist to have hits in the '40s, '50s and even in the late '60s, when the rock and roll sound sidetracked the career of most of her peers. But unlike Peggy, Margaret's '60s recordings -- made with producer Arnold Goland and released on the London label -- have remained unissued in the digital era. Now, Real Gone Music, in conjunction with the Whiting estate, is reissuing Margaret's COMPLETE London recordings in two 25-track volumes, with notes by highly esteemed music critic Will Friedwald and pictures from the Whiting family's private archive. "The Wheel of Hurt (Deluxe Edition)" features her 1966 chart-making album plus 13 rare single sides, while "Maggie Isn't Margaret Anymore / Pop Country" adds four unreleased tracks to a pair of London albums. The pop vocal find of the year.

After their 1976 smash Chester and Lester guitar duet album, Chet Atkins and Les Paul reunited in 1978 for another round of pickin' and grinnin' on "Guitar Monsters." The front cover illustration shows a couple of dragons dueling, and it's appropriate; for all the often-hilarious byplay between the two, there's no question that these two legends were friends and rivals, as each trade-off between solos just sets the bar higher. A must for guitar lovers, guitarists and/or gearheads (those are Hascal Haile, Del Vecchio and of course Gibson Les Paul and Gretsch Country Gentleman guitars they're playing), Guitar Monsters appears here for the first time on stand-alone CD with added notes by Chris Morris and a fresh remastering by Mark Wilder at Battery Studios in NYC. Then, Chet Atkins teams with Arthur Fiedler & the Boston Pops for the first of the albums on our Real Gone twofer presenting a pair of '60s releases from the crossover classical phenomenon; recorded in the mid-'60s, at the height of the Nashville Sound, "The Pops Goes Country" (which hit #62 on the 1966 charts) put the architect of that sound and his twangy Gretsch guitar in front of the Pops for a rousing set of mostly traditional country tunes. And 1968's "The Pops Goes West" took its inspiration from the ever-popular Western-themed films and TV shows of the '50s and '60s for its collection of classic Western tunes, Both albums make their CD debut here, with new liner notes by Ed Osborne and remastering by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios in NYC...a double barreled orchestral blast!

It's only a slight stretch to say that without Don Nix, there might not have been a Stax Records or a Memphis Sound. Nix started out as a saxophonist in the Mar-Keys, and, then stepped into a producer/executive role at Stax while continuing to play as a sideman on numerous sessions. Later, he befriended Leon Russell and recorded for Russell's Shelter label while continuing to produce artists like Delaney & Bonnie, Joe Cocker, Tracy Nelson, Albert King, Freddie King and others for Stax, Shelter and Memphis' Ardent Studios. This album, released in 1971, featured the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, plus Duck Dunn (a high school classmate of Nix's), and the "Shelter People" Nix brought with him from his time at the Shelter label, including Don Preston, Jeanie & Marlin Greene, Claudia Lennear and Kathi McDonald (and, to top it off, bluesman Furry Lewis as narrator)! With a line-up like that, it will come as no surprise to learn that "Living by the Days" is soul and gospel-dipped Americana (Nix's Civil War garb on the front cover is another tip-off), and springboard for the legendary Alabama State Troupers road show Nix put together with Lonnie Mack and Lewis. Our Real Gone reissue features the original gatefold artwork and new notes by Colin Escott.

Totally obscure, utterly beguiling and shockingly relevant to today's music scene, 1971's Barbara & Ernie: Prelude To..., which paired guitarist Ernie Calabria and soul singer Barbara Massey, is a good example of why reissue labels exist. Prior to this recording, Calabria had played on sessions for Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone and Anita Carter, while Massey had sung backup for Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and Cat Stevens among others. With those influences, the duo made exactly the kind of album you might expect -- a funky, folky, psychedelic soul gem graced with a stellar list of sidemen (e.g. Joe Beck and Keith Jarrett) that vanished without a trace in the more stratified world of early '70s music retail. Nowadays, of course, the record's mix-and-match blend of styles sounds amazingly current -- thanks in part to disco pioneer Eumir Deodato's orchestrations -- and its oft-sampled sound has won devotees from the jazz, soul, psych and funk factions of crate diggers worldwide. Nevertheless, this Real Gone release marks its first legitimate release on CD, with added liner notes by Pat Thomas.

With nary a single reissue of his album catalog in this country, these days Tom Jans is perhaps most famous for having had a song ("Whistle Down the Wind") dedicated to him on Tom Waits' album Bone Machine, but the body of work by this '70s folk singer-songwriter remains one well worth revisiting; this twofer presents Tom Jans' first two albums, both recorded for A&M Records. The first, 1971's "Take Heart," marked the return of Joan Baez's younger sister Mimi Farina to recording after the death of Richard Farina and the collapse of her second marriage; Jans met her in 1970 and the duo toured extensively (most notably appearing at the Big Sur Folk Festival) before recording this cult classic. The second, 1974's self-titled "Tom Jans," appears on CD here for the first time ever, and features Jans's own version of his classic "Loving Arms" (which was recorded by Elvis among many others) as well as a crack band featuring guitarist Lonnie Mack and keyboardist David Briggs. This Real Gone reissue features the original album art from both albums along with added photos and liner notes by Richie Unterberger and remastering by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios.

Boasting the first-ever appearance of the Grateful Dead's famous (or infamous, depending on which Deadhead you ask) Wall of Sound concert PA, "Dick's Picks Vol. 24 -- Cow Palace Daly City, CA 3/23/74" already ranks as one of the most historic entries in the series; add to that it also captures the first-ever performance of two songs, "Cassidy" and "Scarlet Begonias," that were to become concert staples and one would have to say it is also one of the series' most essential. A peak show from a pivotal period in the band's development, first time available at retail in years.

April 2 Releases from Real Gone Music:
The Diary of Anne Frank: Original Film Soundtrack
Margaret Whiting: The Wheel of Hurt (Deluxe Edition)
Margaret Whiting: Maggie Isn't Margaret Anymore / Pop Country
Chet Atkins & Les Paul: Guitar Monsters
Arthur Fiedler / Boston Pops / Chet Atkins: The Pops Goes Country / The Pops Goes West
Don Nix: Living by the Days
Barbara & Ernie: Prelude To...
Tom Jans & Mimi Farina: Take Heart / Tom Jans
Grateful Dead: Dick's Picks Vol. 24 -- Cow Palace Daly City, CA 3/23/74

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 4:35 pm

With titles ranging from hard rock to proto-jam band to outlaw country to modern jazz to funk-- and a classic soundtrack to boot -- Real Gone Music's April 30 releases proudly uphold the label's tradition of eclectic handpicked repertoire. Rock fans will welcome the reappearance on CD of Blue Oyster Cult's wildly ambitious Imaginos album with a brand-new remastering job and two long out-of-print albums on one CD from Sea Level, the band founded by Allman Bros. Band members Chuck Leavell, Jaimoe and Lamar Williams. And for collector types, the first appearance on CD of Chicago-based psychedelic satirists Wilderness Road's Sold for the Prevention of Disease Only will be a much anticipated and unexpected treat. For fans of the country genre, Real Gone presents its most unregenerate outlaw and its #1 hit maker of all time in the persons of David Allan Coe and Eddy Arnold, represented, appropriately enough, by a wildly obscure album and a 28-track collection of #1 hits, respectively.

Real Gone then renews its partnership with famed Chicago-based retailer Dusty Groove for a trio of soul, funk and jazz reissues. The lone album from Allspice, released on ex-Crusader Wayne Henderson's At Home imprint, is a soul-funk-jazz nugget, while one-time '50s R&B star Larry Williams ("Slow Down," "Dizzy Miss Lizzy") resurfaced in the late '70s with an album that added large doses of George Clinton and Johnny Guitar Watson to his uniquely irreverent style of R&B. And the label offers two long-lost albums from the man none other than Lionel Hampton called the greatest vibes player in the world, Johnny Lytle. Finally, Real Gone resurrects one of Henry Mancini's most beloved film scores, the soundtrack to "10" starring Julie Andrews, Dudley Moore and Bo Derek.

The tangled history of "Imaginos," Blue Oyster Cult's last (1988) album for Columbia, has passed into legend for BOC fans. The name and concept comes from late-'60s sci-fi/fantasy writings by band manager/producer Sandy Pearlman that inspired the original band name; they then became the basis for a planned trilogy of solo albums by BOC drummer/songwriter Albert Bouchard. After Bouchard was fired from the band in 1981, he recorded a 90-minute album with such sidemen as Aldo Nova and the Doors' Robbie Krieger, but this version of the album was rejected by Columbia execs in 1984. Pearlman then resurrected the idea and began production in 1986, adding vocals by BOC's Buck Dharma and Eric Bloom and guitar parts by Joe Satriani among many others. The result was -- no surprise -- BOC's most controversial album (and ironically, the first in years to feature the original line-up), probably their heaviest and most proggy outing, and an appropriately complex swan song for a complex band. Our Real Gone reissue features a new 2012 remix and new notes by BOC expert Scott Schinder, along with the original album and inner sleeve art.

Sea Level started as an Allman Brothers offshoot, boasting three members (keyboardist Chuck Leavell, percussionist Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson and bassist Lamar Williams) from the mid-'70s edition of the band, but became a major act in its own right with its tasty blend of jazz, blues and Southern rock (in other words, they would have fit nicely into today's jam band scene). These two albums both came out in 1978 but chart major changes in the group; "Cats on the Coast" saw the addition of guitarist David Causey, percussionist George Weaver and multi-instrumentalist Randall Bramblett to the line-up, while Jaimoe and Weaver left and drummer Joe English joined for "On the Edge." Despite the changing line-ups, these two records are remarkably consistent affairs featuring such signature Sea Level songs as "That's Your Secret" and "A Lotta Colada;" they have, however, both been out of print for about a decade. Our Real Gone reissue offers both records on a single, 70 minutes-plus CD, with notes by Scott Schinder.

Wilderness Road's Warren Leming and Tom Herman were satirists and fixtures on the Windy City bluegrass scene when they started the group to raise funds for the Chicago Conspiracy Trial in the aftermath of the 1968 DNC convention; after making a self-titled concept album for Columbia, they signed to Warner-Reprise and made "Sold for the Prevention of Disease Only" in 1973. Though the front cover displayed them as futuristic glam-rockers, Wilderness Road actually played a mutant hybrid of mountain music, psychedelia, rock, country and avant political satire, sort of Chicago's answer to Country Joe & the Fish and the Fugs...except they might have been funnier. For example, Sold... includes "The Gospel," a suite of songs, fake commercial and spoken word interludes pointedly parodying religious radio, while "The Authentic British Blues" is a devastating takedown of the white boy blues genre. Never before on CD, this one-of-a-kind album appears here complete with the original gatefold album art (and art from their rare, condom-festooned promo EP) and new liner notes by Richie Unterberger featuring an interview with Warren Leming.

An inmate of the state of Ohio's penal system from the age of nine until 27, David Allan Coe has charted probably the most uncompromising course of any artist in popular music, provoking charges of misogyny, indecency (e.g. his infamous X-Rated Hits) and racism (a characterization Coe strenuously denies), while at the same time recording and writing some of the most radical and personal country music ever waxed. At first glance, "Texas Moon," which was released in 1977 but recorded before Sun Records sold Coe's contract to Columbia in the mid-'70s, is the product of "bad" David-- not only does the "Moon" in the title refer to the prominently displayed naked posteriors of Coe and band (and dog) on the front cover, but the back cover displays his prison record and mug shot. But this record actually plays it straight; it's a beautiful assortment of originals and well-chosen covers (e.g. Jackson Browne's "These Days"), played with a sound and authenticity that latter-day alt-country bands would die for. Our Real Gone reissue of this long-lost album features notes by Chris Morris featuring fresh quotes from David Allan Coe and added photos.

He's the #1 country hit maker of all time. And here's the collection that proves it. "Eddy Arnold: Complete Original #1 Hits" presents all 28, count 'em, 28 chart toppers the Tennessee Plowboy notched during his storied career, as distilled a dose of '40s, '50s & '60s country hit power as you could ever find. That's the "Complete" in the title; what about the "Original?" Well, instead of the overdubbed re-records that have populated so many Arnold compilations through the years, this Real Gone retrospective features the actual versions of songs like "I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)," "There's Been a Change in Me" and "I Want to Go with You" that dominated country radio for three decades. Eddy Arnold scholar Don Cusic provides the notes.

Real Gone Music teams with Chicago retailer Dusty Groove for three releases this month that will whet the appetite of any soul, funk and modern jazz fan. Ex-Crusader Wayne Henderson produced the one and only album by Allspice for his At Home label; the 1977 self-titled release is similar to his more famous productions for Side Effect and Pleasure, but with an even deeper sound featuring sublime vocals laced with warm harmonies and a mix of male and female leads, backed by the impeccable instrumentation that is characteristic of a Henderson production. Liner notes by Bill Dahl examine the career and work of this one-off. The album title asks if it's "That Larry Williams," and indeed it is the same guy who wrote "Dizzy Miss Lizzy," "Slow Down" and "She Said Yeah." Except that on this 1978 record, his last album before his mysterious death by gunshot wound in 1980, his outrageous sense of humor and showmanship are married to funk stylings that recall George Clinton and Johnny Guitar Watson, with Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker on horny horns, and Rudy Copeland on keyboards. Gene Sculatti's notes explore the curious life and career of the R&B legend that was Larry Williams. Finally, none other than Lionel Hampton called Johnny Lytle "The greatest vibes player in the world," and our Real Gone twofer of "The Soulful Rebel/People & Love" rescues two long-lost, early '70s albums for the Milestone label from oblivion. Soulful Rebel has a great blend of Hammond and Fender Rhodes along with the vibes -- soaring out in a massively funky sextet with bass from Ron Carter and congas from Ray Barretto -- both of whom take Johnny's earlier groove into a '70s jazz funk mode. 1972's People & Love is even more impressive -- and has Lytle's vibes working with impressionistic larger arrangements -- in a style that's like Bobby Hutcherson on mid-'70s Blue Note, or Milt Jackson on CTI. Scott Yanow supplies the liner notes.

It is hard to believe that Henry Mancini's score to "10" has never been out on CD in the U.S. (and only briefly out on CD in Europe on a spotty-sounding release). This soundtrack has so much going for it -- it was written by one of the greatest soundtrack/pop composers of all time, it featured the great Julie Andrews on vocals, a beautiful piano solo from Dudley Moore, and it was a charting soundtrack to a hit movie. And Mancini fans LOVE his work on this film, counting it among his best soundtrack efforts. Our Real Gone reissue of this classic score -- which also includes the film's smash version of Ravel's "Bolero" -- features liner notes by Frank DeWald.

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:39 pm

The 12th Annual Northwest String Summit returns to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) with the finest acoustic pickers and standout electric bands from July 18 - 21, 2013. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country. A family-friendly and locally-sourced festival, Northwest String Summit caps its capacity at 4,500 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festival-goers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: www.stringsummit.com.

The 12th Annual Northwest String Summit is hosted by Colorado-based Yonder Mountain String Band; arguably the top touring neo-bluegrass band in the world. Yonder will perform three nights of music, and additional national acts at this year's festival include Leftover Salmon, Keller and The Keels, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Greensky Bluegrass, Black Prairie (featuring members of The Decemberists), Danny Barnes, Darol Anger, Deadly Gentlemen, Head for the Hills, Larry & Jenny: The Keels, Poor Man's Whiskey performing Dark Side of the Moonshine with guest artist Allie Kral of Cornmeal, Milkdrive, Polecat, Brothers Comatose, Iron Horse - Pickin' On Modest Mouse, and The Congress! Pimps of Joytime will also perform a late-night main stage set on Saturday, July 20, 2013.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians as a way to support the various thriving local communities. Celebrated Eugene, OR favorite Ninkasi Brewing Company will offer exceptional craft beers onsite for the third year-in-a-row, including an exclusive small-batch NW String Summit Festival Specialty Brew called Clusterpluck Session Ale. Made with Northwest Pale Ale and Honey malts, Clusterpluck is a light and refreshing golden ale -- the perfect accompaniment to a summertime jam session. Ninkasi will host the Northwest Local "Ninkasi Brewing" Stage @ Cascadia Acoustic Coffeehouse, which will feature some of the region's finest bands such as Scott Law & Chris Funk - The Roots of Johnny Cash, Fruition, Horse Feathers, Shook Twins, Giraffe Dodgers with Allie Kral of Cornmeal, Sugarcane, Big E's Magik Mornin' Show, and last year's band competition winner Betty and the Boy.

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about the forthcoming festival, "This year we are going into our 12th String Summit and we are delighted to refocus our programming on strings and acoustic music, the foundation of the festival. While there is plenty of pickin' and singin' at this year's Strummit, when the clock strikes midnight, there are surprises in store that will ensure a huge rockin' dance party that is sure to get the trees shaking and the peacocks howlin' along with the crowd!"

The following artisan food trucks will provide delicious food options for festival-goers: Nosh on 7th, Bunk Sandwiches, Toast, Thai Volcano Express, Solarshots, and others TBA. Northwest Local "Ninkasi Brewing" Stage @ Cascadia Acoustic Coffeehouse will serve a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, baked goods, and snacks from local favorites such as Trailhead Coffee and Voodoo Doughnuts.

Now in its 10th year, the Band Competition at Northwest String Summit reigns in some of the hottest pickers from all across the country. The competition is in line with other top festival competitions, such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and will occur on Friday, July 19, 2013. Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 - 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 21, 2013, and a paid slot at the following year's festival. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications can be submitted until April 19, 2013; for more information please visit: www.stringsummit.com/band-competition-2.

12th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
4-Day Pass ($135, until 3/14; $160, 3/15 - 5/16; $180, 5/17 - 7/17; $195 day of event)
*Festival pass prices include parking and camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.

Wed, 04/17/2013 - 10:43 am

Slightly Stoopid and Atmosphere are joining forces for one of the most anticipated summer tours of 2013. "Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013 features special guests The Budos Band, The Grouch & Eligh, and Tribal Seeds. The 28 show journey "Kickin' Up Dust" hits outdoor amphitheatres across the country starting on July 10, 2013 when the tour lands in Albuquerque, NM at the Sandia Amphitheatre and continues until August 23, 2013 when it rolls through Cocoa Beach, FL at the Cocoa Riverfront Park. Interviews and photos of Slightly Stoopid and Atmosphere are available upon request.A summer tradition for thousands of "die-hard" fans known across the nation as "Stoopidheads," Slightly Stoopid's 7th annual summer tour continues the seasonal ritual with some of music's most lauded artists; past year's have included artists such as Snoop Dogg, Stephen Marley, G. Love & Special Sauce, Cypress Hill, Sly & Robbie, and Ozomatli. For the "Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013, Stoopid enlists the renowned Minneapolis hip-hop collective, Atmosphere, supported by the heavy-hitting horns and funky rhythms of NYC's The Budos Band (Daptone), notoriously savvy Bay Area Living Legends MCs The Grouch & Eligh, and rising San Diego local Tribal Seeds. This dynamic lineup is guaranteed to create a trailblazing summer soundtrack, and a noteworthy rite of passage and tradition for summertime concert-goers across the country.Celebrated hip-hop act Atmosphere have released seven studio albums and ten EPs over their career, including the chart-topping album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, which reached #5 on Billboard's Top 200 chart. Rapper Slug (Sean Daley) and DJ/Producer Ant (Anthony Davis), tour in support of their latest album, The Family Sign. The group's most personal and intimate album to date, it is a tribute to the band's extended family, friendships and each other. With an expanding catalogue of instrumental-laced beats and well-versed rhymes, the Mid-West duo has earned critical acclaim for their undeniable artistry.MC compatriots The Grouch & Eligh complement the "Kickin' Up Dust" tour with a distinctly crisp Bay Area style. Not only are their custom-made beats unrivaled, their uplifting rhymes breakdown conventional standards. Each at the top of their game with successful solo careers, The Grouch & Eligh are hip-hop savants with a West Coast conscious approach and dynamic lyricism that serves to educate and elevate. The duo recently appeared onstage with Pretty Lights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and have two collaborations and a new video entitled "All These Lights" with Pretty Lights on their forthcoming album.Audiences are guaranteed to get down in the summer heat with San Diego's Tribal Seeds. Their humble soul-fueled, Cali style is infused throughout their latest album, Soundwaves, which landed at #2 on the Billboard Reggae Charts.Also joining the tour (on East Coast dates) are NYC afro-soul instrumentalists, The Budos Band. The 10-member collective uses high-energy horns, deep funky bass-lines and sultry rhythm sections to get crowds irresistibly sweaty and dancing ‘til they drop. The Budos Band tours in support of their latest Daptone Records release, The Budos Band III. The Budos Band will also appear alongside Primus in select markets this spring.The "Kickin' Up Dust" tour comes on the heels of Slightly Stoopid's hugely successful album, Top Of The World, and the release of the new live album recorded at Bob Weir's TRI Studios, Slightly Stoopid & Friends: Live at Roberto's TRI Studios. Detailed info on these two albums is available at SlightlyStoopid.com."Kickin' Up Dust" hits major West Coast, Midwest, East Coast, and Southern cities throughout July & August 2013. Please see the confirmed tour dates listed below - all additional dates will be announced soon. Tickets go on sale to the public beginning April 20 at SlightlyStoopid.com."Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013:July 10, 2013 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia AmphitheatreJuly 11, 2013 - Phoenix, AZ - Mesa AmphitheatreJuly 12, 2013 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless AmphitheatreJuly 13, 2013 - Las Vegas, NV - Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las VegasJuly 14, 2013 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara BowlJuly 18, 2013 - Stateline, NV - Montbleu Outdoor StageJuly 19, 2013 - Berkeley, CA - Greek TheatreJuly 20, 2013 - Chula Vista, CA - Sleep Train AmphitheaterJuly 24, 2013 - Eugene, OR - Cuthbert AmphitheatreJuly 25, 2013 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center AmphitheaterJuly 26, 2013 - Missoula, MT - Big Sky BreweryJuly 27, 2013 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Great Salt AirAugust 1, 2013 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's BallroomAugust 2, 2013 - Kansas City, MO - CrossroadsAugust 3, 2013 - Council Bluffs, IA - Stir CoveAugust 4, 2013 - Des Moines, IA - Simon Estes AmphitheaterAugust 8, 2013 - Boston, MA - Bank of America PavilionAugust 9, 2013 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony Summer StageAugust 10, 2013 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier @ Penn’s LandingAugust 11, 2013 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six PavilionAugust 14, 2013 - Richmond, VA - Pocahontas State ParkAugust 15, 2013 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of BluesAugust 16, 2013 - Raleigh, NC - Red Hat AmphitheaterAugust 17, 2013 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner Cable Uptown AmphitheatreAugust 21, 2013 - Atlanta, GA - The TabernacleAugust 22, 2013 - St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine AmphitheatreAugust 23, 2013 - Cocoa Beach, FL - Cocoa Riverfront Park

Wed, 04/17/2013 - 2:27 pm

Coming up on Saturday, April 20, 2013, legendary folk music icon Arlo Guthrie and Rising Son Records will release the Rehashed 4:20 Sampler, a collection of hilarious classic Arlo performances from the 60's and 70's. Guthrie's incomparable ability of entangling uproariously comical tales into his songs is best represented here in a hazy cloud of absurdity on one CD. Three extraordinarily engaging tracks make up the sampler, clocking in at more than an hour of non-stop entertainment. On April 20th only, the Rehashed 4:20 Sampler will be on sale for $4.20 on www.risingsonrecords.com; thereafter, the album is available for $9.99. All tracks are digitally remastered. Contact high not guaranteed, but likely."The Alice's Restaurant Rainbow Roach Affair," the first track on the sampler, is a story based on the beloved Alice's Restaurant Massacree. However, the "Rainbow Roach Affair" offers an alternative national defense for preventing World War III involving the Johnson administration, rainbow roaches, plastic baggies, missiles and some Scotch Tape™. This version is previously unreleased and is made available for the first time on this CD."The Story of Moses," according to Guthrie, is possibly the oldest song. Ever. "Mose" grew up to be a heavy-duty cat, and took a righteous stand to free the wandering dudes that were harvesting the stash for Pharaoh. An outlandish tale of biblical proportion, "The Story of Moses" puts a groovy spin on the Old Testament parable."Reuben Clamzo and his Strange Daughter in the Key of A" is a favorite from Arlo's 1978, One Night. Remastered for this compilation, "Clamzo" has never sounded better. Even the band can't keep it together when Guthrie spins a yarn of early American settlers facing aggressive, oversized bivalves. Reuben Clamzo is not, however, without weighty social merit. It is rumored that the Clamshell Alliances paralleled the anti-nuclear movement providing Zeitgeist commentary of the late 70's when recorded. As Guthrie says Pete Seeger once noted, "Folk songs are serious."Don't miss out on this hilarious opportunity to enjoy Arlo Guthrie's classic stories this April 20th and beyond!

Thu, 04/18/2013 - 2:00 pm

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Dumpstaphunk, New Orleans' heavyweight funk collective featuring Ivan Neville, Nick Daniels, Tony Hall, Ian Neville and Nikki Glaspie will showcase music from their new full-length studio album, Dirty Word (Louisiana Red Hot Records, June 2013), at several shows during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival -- including at a special "hometown album preview" in-store performance at Louisiana Music Factory on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 6 pm. Review copies of Dirty Word will be available in two weeks, and onsite at Jazz Fest.

What initially started out as a side project with some of New Orleans' buzziest players, Dumpstaphunk has become a stalwart touring act ever since they first stepped onto the Gentilly Stage as a group in 2003. Press accolades for the band have ranged from the New York Times hailing in 2007, "Dumpstaphunk is the best funk band from New Orleans right now," to Jambase saying, "Dumpstaphunk remains synonymous with New Orleans and anyone from NOLA would be proud to call this their official band."

Dumpstaphunk's third studio release since they became a full-time project in 2006, Dirty Word offers a fresh take on blues, gospel, second-line, R&B and rock n' roll, with special guest appearances by Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band, Skerik, Grooveline Horns, Art Neville, Ani DiFranco and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Dirty Word also marks the studio debut of new drummer Nikki Glaspie, a staple presence at Dumpstaphunk's live shows since she joined the ensemble in 2011.

Prior to Jazz Fest, Gambit Weekly's 25th Annual "Big Easy Awards" will present Dumpstaphunk with the "Ambassador of Entertainment" award, honoring the band for championing New Orleans music, culture and charity to new audiences nationwide. The "Big Easy Awards" ceremony will be held on Monday, April 22, 2013 at Harrah's New Orleans Hotel and Casino.

Don't miss Dumpstaphunk as they headline several premier NOLA venues during Jazz Fest! Please see the updated show schedule listed below:

*Friday, April 26 @ Howlin' Wolf (Parliament Funkadelic Cover Set)
-Set Time: 11:30 pm

*Saturday, April 27 @ Gentilly Stage (Festival Fairgrounds)
-Set Time: 3:35 pm - 4:40 pm

*Saturday, April 27 @ The Maison
-Set Time: 11 pm

*Monday, April 29 @ Tipitina's (Instruments A Comin' Benefit)
-All day event with Dumpstaphunk, Galactic, Anders Osborne, New Orleans Suspects, Big Sam's Funky Nation, and many others.

*Wednesday, May 1 @ Louisiana Music Factory
-New Album, Dirty Word, Preview Event
-Set Time: 6 pm

*Sunday, May 5 @ Tipitina's Uptown
-10th Anniversary Celebration w/ Special Guest Horns: Natalie Cressman and Jennifer Hartswick of the Trey Anastasio Band, and Skerik. Support acts will include The Pimps of Joytime and DJ Quickie Mart.
-Set Time: 11 pm

About Dumpstaphunk
A decade evolved from their debut at 2003's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Dumpstaphunk offers fans an unforgettable live experience steeped in the Big Easy tradition of a good time. The quintet features Ivan Neville on vocals, B3 and Clav, the double bass attack and soulful voices of Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III, Ian Neville on guitar, and the monster addition of Nikki Glaspie on drums and vocals.

From annual performances at New Orleans' Jazz Fest -- "The colossal low end and filthy grooves they threw down from the Gentilly Stage must have set a Jazz Fest record for baddest bass jams ever." (Bass Player Magazine, 2012) -- to music rooms and festivals across the nation (Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, All Good, High Sierra, Hangout, Jam Cruise and Outside Lands to name a few), Dumpstaphunk continues to spread an unmistakably New Orleans groove with hard-hitting performances that dare listeners not to move. "We always keep the spontaneity going, that's something I love about this band," says Ivan. "We can funk it out with the best of them, but we also like to showcase how all sorts of music can come together and push the boundaries of what funk music is."

Dumpstaphunk's summer 2013 release, Dirty Word, re-imagines their genre, holding true to the opinionated, vintage funk of Sly & the Family Stone and Parliament Funkadelic, but with a modern edge that forays into funk, gospel, blues, second-line, R&B and straight-up rock n' roll. True to New Orleans tradition, Dumpsta's friends and family Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Rebirth Brass Band, Skerik, the Grooveline Horns, Art Neville, Ani DiFranco and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers kick the Dirty Word sessions up a notch.

Ivan continues, "The whole record speaks to the righteousness of music. We're not necessarily telling a specific story, but expressing how music makes things right for everyone in their own way. Our fans can feel that vibe and let it take them wherever they need to."

"We just hope to spread the good word through funk," adds Nikki Glaspie. "If we can create an escape, give people a reason to get down and forget their problems, then we're doing what we set out to do."

For tour dates and to download two free songs from Dirty Word, please visit www.dumpstaphunk.com.

Dirty Word
Louisiana Red Hot Records
Release Date: June 2013

Track Listing:
1. Dance To The Truth
2. Dirty Word
3. I Wish You Would
4. They Don't Care
5. I Know You Know
6. If I'm in Luck
7. Water
8. Blueswave
9. Reality Of The Situation
10. Take Time
11. Raise The House

*Special Guest Appearances on Dirty Word:
"If I'm In Luck": Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
"Raise The House": Art Neville, Rebirth Brass Band, and Troy Andrews
"Dirty Word": Ani DiFranco
"I Wish You Would": Skerik and Troy Andrews
"Water" and "I Know You Know": Grooveline Horns w/ Carlos Sosa, Fernando Castillo, and Reggie Watkins

Sat, 04/20/2013 - 4:36 am

Tune in to AXS TV today, Saturday, April 20th at 6:45 pm PST to check out the LIVE broadcast of Slightly Stoopid & Cypress Hill's SOLD OUT "420 Hot Box" at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, presented by High Times & Growlife. For everyone that doesn't have access to AXS TV, B-Real TV will be offering the exclusive live webcast!With six Sold-Out headline shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre under their belt (w/ acts such as Snoop Dogg, G. Love, Sly & Robbie, Stephen Marley, 311), Slightly Stoopid will celebrate the legalization of marijuana in Colorado by headlining one of the country's biggest herbal parties at their favorite venue with longtime pot-advocates Cypress Hill supporting the bill at the "420 Hot Box" at Red Rocks this Saturday, April 20, 2013! Stoopid is thrilled to show their resounding support to area fans for voting "Yes" to their state's Amendment 64 to legalize marijuana this past November 2012.Just a reminder, tickets for the "Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013 w/ Slightly Stoopid, Atmosphere, The Budos Band, The Grouch & Eligh, and Tribal Seeds go on sale today, April 20th at 10 am on SlightlyStoopid.com! For more information, please check out the press release below.

Wed, 04/24/2013 - 1:23 pm

Punk rock...'70s country...Southern rock...jam band...and the utterly unclassifiable. Real Gone Music has once again leapfrogged all genres and eras with its June 4 line-up. Leading off are two titles from a true American original, Mason Williams, he of "Classical Gas" fame. RGM's two titles offer that famous tune along with more of Williams' ahead-of-their-time postmodern takes on pop music. Then the label vaults forward several decades and up several notches in attitude with the Surf Punks' sophomore release, Locals Only, produced with band founder Dennis Dragon's full involvement. The first two releases from legendary Southern rockers Amazing Rhythm Aces, Stacked Deck and Too Stuffed to Jump, get a sonic makeover and a bonus track. Teen rocker turned country star Dickey Lee gets his first-ever comprehensive country hits collection. Cat Mother and the All-Night Newsboys' second album, Albion Doo-Wah, a lost masterpiece of early '70s roots rock, makes its CD debut. And Real Gone's series of Dick's Picks concert collections from the Grateful Dead continues with a show from the peak year of 1972.

He won an Emmy Award as head writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and has published many books of poetry and prose. He is an accomplished visual artist, with a piece ("Bus") in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection. And he penned and performed a #1 hit instrumental ("Classical Gas"). He's Mason Williams, and that brief summation of his accomplishments doesn't begin to scratch the surface of the man's many talents. Now, Real Gone Music presents the first two solo albums Williams recorded for Warner Bros., "The Mason Williams Phonograph Record" (which features "Classical Gas") and "The Mason Williams Ear Show" (which makes its CD debut), the records that introduced America to one of its real Renaissance men. As you might expect given Williams' background, these albums are quirky, eclectic and wholly unique affairs combining pop, rock, folk, bluegrass and no shortage of whimsy; they're like having a conversation with a brilliant raconteur who also happens to be a prodigiously talented musician. Gene Sculatti provided the notes for both releases, with fresh quotes and photos from Mason Williams himself.

Surf Punks were what washed up when the late-'70s punk wave crashed on the SoCal beach scene. Formed by Dennis Dragon (son of composer Carmen, brother of Daryl of Captain & Tennille fame) and Drew Steele, the group cut their first album in 1979 on their own Day Glo label, which Epic picked up for distribution in slightly different form, then moved to Restless/Enigma in 1982 for "Locals Only." Locals Only kicks sand in the face of just about every strain of sunbleached subculture, from Valley girls to Westside rich chicks to lifeguards, and manages to be catchy at the same time; it belongs on your shelf next to (and came out the same year as) Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and it's been out of print for 15 years. Real Gone's reissue features a fresh remastering and liner notes from Dennis Dragon himself plus two bonus tracks.

With their unique blend of Memphis soul, country and pop, the Amazing Rhythm Aces have long been hailed as one of the finest country rock outfits of the '70s, and their first two albums, "Stacked Deck" and "Too Stuffed to Jump" capture them at the peak of their game. But, the availability of these two records has been spotty, as contractual reasons (the Amazing Rhythm Aces recorded for ABC but the masters ended up being controlled by Sony) delayed their release on CD, and the twofer that offered both albums has been out of print for several years. Now, Real Gone Music is giving this pair of classics a sonic makeover, as both albums appear here remastered together by Vic Anesini at Sony's own Battery Studios in NYC from the original analog master tapes for the first time. Plus, as a bonus track RGM has added the non-LP cut "Mystery Train," which was the B-side to their big hit "Third Rate Romance." '70s southern rock expert Scott Schinder supplies the notes.

He went from being a '60s teen idol to being one of the biggest stars in '70s country music, but Royden Dickey Lipscomb a.k.a. Dickey Lee has never enjoyed a collection of his original hit RCA '70s country sides worthy of the name. But here, at last, is a retrospective that breaks through the flotsam and jetsam of budget packages and re-records that's currently available: "Dickey Lee: Original Greatest Hits" presents 20 tracks, all but one of 'em a hit, and the one song that isn't a hit is Dickey's own version of "She Thinks I Still Care," which he wrote and George Jones took to the top of the charts. All beautifully remastered by Mark Wilder at Battery Studios, with notes by Bill Dahl featuring quotes from Dickey himself.

After the success of their Jimi Hendrix-produced debut album The Street Giveth...and the Street Taketh Away (also available from Real Gone) and its hit "Good Old Rock 'N' Roll," the members of Cat Mother and the All-Night Newsboys repaired to their Woodstock cabin (pictured in the album gatefold reproduced here) and started writing songs for "Albion Doo-Wah." The record had much more pastoral, country feel to it, no doubt in part due to the replacement of Charlie Chin by multi-instrumentalist folkie Jay Ungar, who also brought several songs to the group. But there was definitely something in the air in the late'-60s/early '70s Woodstock scene; Albion Doo-Wah has several scoops of that timeless, Americana-laced Basement Tapes/Music from Big Pink fairy dust. CD debut, and one long, long requested by the band's fans, with a gorgeous remastering job by Maria Triana at Battery Studios.

It's the topic of endless argument, but, bolstered by the legendary Europe '72 album and tour, consensus opinion holds that 1972 was the peak year for Grateful Dead live shows. And "Dick's Picks Vol. 23--Baltimore Civic Center Baltimore, MD 9/17/72" certainly adds to the weight of evidence in favor of that view; recorded exactly three months after Pigpen left the band due to health reasons, this beautifully recorded (by Bear, presented here in HDCD sound) show features the organic yet focused ebbs and flows and unexpected improvisational twists that are characteristic of a classic Dead show. Among the highlights (and they are many) are a sublime, exploratory reading of "Playing in the Band," a soaring "Bird Song," a potent coupling of "China Cat Sunflower" and "I Know You Rider" and a surging, emotional hour-long medley of "He's Gone"/"The Other One"/"Sing Me Back Home." Out of print for years and a real keeper.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 3:10 pm

Nationally available in stores and online today (April 30, 2013), Slightly Stoopid releases a special HD DVD + 2 CD set recorded live at TRI Studios (San Rafael, CA), featuring guest artists Bob Weir, Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, Karl Denson, Don Carlos, and a rare interview segment moderated by Tommy Chong and Weir. Slightly Stoopid & Friends: Live at Roberto's TRI Studios is on sale for $19.99, and a four-part HD download of the session is now available on slightlystoopid.com for $4.20. A portion of the DVD proceeds will benefit two charitable organizations: Save The Children and World Food Programme; to date, $10,000 has already been donated to these two organizations on the behalf of Slightly Stoopid and TRI Studios. Interviews and photos of Slightly Stoopid are available upon request.

On September 13, 2011, Slightly Stoopid partnered with Bob Weir (Grateful Dead, Furthur) and longtime Grateful Dead sound engineers Dennis "Wiz" Leonard and John Cutler for the standout live performance on TRI Studios' state-of-the-art Meyer Sound Constellation System. Utilizing advanced acoustical technology from Meyer Sound, artists are able to emulate the acoustic properties of any performance space ranging from small nightclubs to a Roman cathedral, Wembley Stadium to Madison Square Garden, or anything in between. The unprecedented innovation invites artists to truly experiment with their sound, and connect with their online fan base in new sonic ways.

James M. Wisner, Slightly Stoopid's Grammy Award-winning sound engineer, comments, "Working with the Meyer Constellation system was like stepping into a giant reverb chamber. The ability to change your perception of the room with a touch of a button takes live sound into another dimension." Wisner has been recognized with Grammy Awards and nominations for his engineering work with such artists as Jennifer Hudson, Amy Winehouse and Toots and The Maytals.

TRI Studios is a world-class live video streaming venue, where audiences experience unparalleled access to their favorite artists. Slightly Stoopid & Friends: Live at Roberto's TRI Studios features 31 live songs (acoustic and electric sets), behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, and as mentioned above, a rare interview segment with Chong and Weir.

From July 10 - August 23, 2013, Slightly Stoopid's 7th annual summer tour continues the tradition of bringing some of today's most lauded acts on the road together to appear at outdoor amphitheatres across the country. This year, Slightly Stoopid teams up with renowned Minneapolis hip-hop collective, Atmosphere, supported by the heavy-hitting horns and funky rhythms of NYC's The Budos Band (Daptone), notoriously savvy Bay Area Living Legends MCs The Grouch & Eligh, and rising San Diego local Tribal Seeds. Hitting 28 cities, the "Kickin' Up Dust" tour is guaranteed to create a trailblazing summer soundtrack, and a noteworthy rite of passage for summertime concert-goers.


The "Kickin' Up Dust" tour comes on the heels of Slightly Stoopid's hugely successful album, Top Of The World, and the release of Slightly Stoopid & Friends: Live at Roberto's TRI Studios. Stoopid will hit select West Coast, Midwest, East Coast, and Southern markets on the forthcoming Spring 2013 Tour and the "Kickin' Up Dust" Tour. Tickets are now on sale at SlightlyStoopid.com.

Please see Slightly Stoopid's upcoming tour dates listed below:

Slightly Stoopid Spring 2013 Tour Dates:
April 30, 2013 - Winston-Salem, NC - Ziggy's Rock House
May 1, 2013 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Amphitheatre
May 3, 2013 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live
May 4, 2013 - West Palm Beach, FL - Sunfest
May 7, 2013 - Blacksburg, VA - Burruss Auditorium @ Virginia Tech
May 18, 2013 - Gulf Shores, AL - Hangout Music Festival
May 25, 2013 - Monterey, CA - Cali Roots Festival @ Monterey County Fairgrounds

Slightly Stoopid July 2013 Tour Dates:
July 4, 2013 - Alta, WY - Targhee Resort (with Widespread Panic)
July 6, 2013 - George, WA - Jambase Live - Gorge Amphitheatre

"Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013 Tour Dates:
July 10, 2013 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Amphitheatre
July 11, 2013 - Phoenix, AZ - Mesa Amphitheatre
July 12, 2013 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
July 13, 2013 - Las Vegas, NV - Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
July 14, 2013 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
July 18, 2013 - Stateline, NV - Montbleu Outdoor Arena
July 19, 2013 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
July 20, 2013 - Chula Vista, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheater
July 24, 2013 - Eugene, OR - Cuthbert Amphitheatre
July 25, 2013 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheater
July 26, 2013 - Missoula, MT - Big Sky Brewery
July 27, 2013 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Great Saltair
August 1, 2013 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
August 2, 2013 - Kansas City, MO - Crossroads
August 3, 2013 - Council Bluffs, IA - Stir Cove
August 4, 2013 - Des Moines, IA - Simon Estes Amphitheater
August 8, 2013 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
August 9, 2013 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony Summer Stage
August 10, 2013 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier @ Penn's Landing
August 11, 2013 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Pavilion
August 14, 2013 - Richmond, VA - Pocahontas State Park
August 15, 2013 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues
August 16, 2013 - Raleigh, NC - Red Hat Amphitheater
August 17, 2013 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre
August 21, 2013 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
August 22, 2013 - St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine Amphitheatre
August 23, 2013 - Cocoa Beach, FL - Cocoa Beach Riverfront

Fri, 05/10/2013 - 1:12 pm

Coming up in July & August 2013, Yonder Mountain String Band will appear at select venues and music festivals across the country, including the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens (Richmond, VA; July 26), FloydFest (Floyd, VA; July 27), Bell's Brewery (Kalamazoo, MI; July 31), Penn's Peak (Jim Thorpe, PA; August 2), Saranac Brewery (Utica, NY; August 3), The Landing (Peoria , IL; August 6), Simon Estes Amphitheatre (Des Moines, IA; August 7), Crossroads (Kansas City, MO; August 8), Sumtur Amphitheater (Omaha, NE; August 9), and Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Morrison, CO; August 10). On select shows, YMSB will be joined by friends Danny Barnes, Railroad Earth, and The Devil Makes Three (specific dates are listed below). Please see the full schedule of YMSB's upcoming spring and summer tour dates listed below; additional summer dates will be announced soon.

For the second year-in-a-row, YMSB will host "Strings & Sol" from December 11 - 15, 2013 at the Now Sapphire Resort in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. Performing alongside YMSB, other epic string bands will include Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, Keller Williams w/ The Travelin' McCourys, and Greensky Bluegrass. Come spend your days swimming and lounging by pristine blue waters, participating in activities with various band members and exploring the Mayan Riviera. Each night, standout string bands will perform multiple shows on the beautiful beach at Now Sapphire. All performances, as well as all you can eat and drink are included in the cost of accommodations. For more information, please visit: www.stringsandsol.com.

It's not often you hear of a neo-bluegrass band breaking into the national spotlight with a performance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, tour dates with Dave Matthews, and selling out 9,000 seat venues (i.e. Red Rocks Amphitheater). Yonder Mountain String Band is clearly the exception to the rule, having performed in front of 250,000 fans over the past year and acquiring more than 170,000 "Likes" on their Facebook page. Now in their 14th year as a group, Yonder continues to sell-out top music venues across the country including The Fillmore (San Francisco, CA), Red Rocks Amphitheater (Denver, CO), Pepsi Center (Denver, CO), Best Buy Theater (NYC), Stubb's (Austin, TX), House of Blues (Chicago, IL) and others.


Yonder Mountain String Band is comprised of Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Jeff Austin (mandolin, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals) and Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals). With the band having one of the strongest touring bases in the industry, fans and critics alike have been drawn to both their live shows and singular studio albums. Reporting from the All Good Music Festival (2009), journalist Jarrett Bellini from CNN Showbiz Tonight notes, "The trophy for best musical set goes to Yonder Mountain String Band who, as the sun began to set, left it all on the stage for an hour and a half. The pickers from Colorado had the audience dancing and shaking, kicking up a joyful storm of dust into the cool summer sky."

Commenting on their latest studio recording The Show, Rolling Stone critic Will Hermes says, "The concept is great: liberate bluegrass' hot-shit riffing and blue-sky harmonies from its hidebound formalism and see where it flies. This Boulder, CO crew brings dazzling chops to the table." Produced by rock producer Tom Rothrock (Beck, Foo Fighters), The Show marks Yonder's second go around with Rothrock and their fifth studio album released on their independent label, Frog Pad Records. Featuring the band backed by Elvis Costello's sideman Pete Thomas on drums on six tracks, The Show includes 14 original compositions written by various band members. This spring and summer, YMSB will showcase newly written material that'll be featured on a new studio EP due out in 2013, as well as songs from The Show and their extensive catalogue.

Yonder has always played music by its own design. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences, they've come to pioneer a sound that they alone could only champion. With a traditional lineup of instruments, they may appear to be a traditional bluegrass band at first glance but they've taken the customary old-timey instrumentation (sans the fiddle) to new heights, transcending any single genre. Yonder has become a regular performer at major music festivals like the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Northwest String Summit and DelFest as well as massive multi-stage events like Austin City Limits Festival, Bonnaroo and Rothbury.

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band, please visit www.yondermountain.com.

Yonder Mountain String Band Tour Dates:
5/24 - Chillicothe, IL - Summer Camp Music Festival
5/25 - Thornville, OH - Dark Star Jubilee
5/26 - Cumberland, MD - DelFest
5/30 - Ozark, AR - Wakarusa
6/19 - Telluride, CO - Telluride Conference Center
6/21 - Telluride, CO - Sheridan Opera House
6/22 - Telluride, CO - Telluride Bluegrass Festival
7/18 - Thornville, OH - All Good Music Festival
7/19 - 7/21 - North Plains, OR - 12th Annual Northwest String Summit
7/26 - Richmond, VA - Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
7/27 - Floyd, VA - FloydFest
7/31 - Kalamazoo, MI - Bell's Brewery*
8/2 - Jim Thorpe, PA - Penn's Peak
8/3 - Utica, NY - Saranac Brewery**
8/7 - Des Moines, IA - Simon Estes Amphitheatre***
8/8 - Kansas City, MO - Crossroads***
8/9 - Omaha, NE - Sumtur Amphitheater***
8/10 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre****
12/11 - 12/15 - Puerto Morelos, MX - Strings & Sol

* w/ Danny Barnes
** w/ Railroad Earth
*** w/ The Devil Makes Three
**** w/ The Devil Makes Three, Danny Barnes

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 1:20 pm

From underground rock legends to modern jazz to smooth country pop to reggae, Real Gone Music's July 2 release slate rounds all the musical bases. Often cited as the first band to be influenced by the Velvet Underground, and the subject of countless internet posts and 'zine articles, legendary New York outfit Hackamore Brick enjoys the first-ever reissue of its classic 1970 album One Kiss Leads to Another on LP and CD. Made with an all-star cast of West Coast rockers, Association singer-songwriter Russ Giguere's 1971 solo album Hexagram 16 also sees its first-ever reissue. Real Gone's retrospective of The Browns offers the definitive hits anthology of this country-pop crossover vocal group. And the label continues its partnership with Chicago retailer Dusty Groove with three jazz releases from bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik, saxophonist George Braith and the organ-sax duo of Stan Hunter and Sonny Fortune.

Real Gone also continues its trip through the Grateful Dead's vaults with its release of Dick's Picks 22, which captures the Dead in 1968, performing all the songs from their wildly experimental album, Anthem of the Sun. And Real Gone takes its "deadication" to the band one step further with Fire on the Mountain: Reggae Celebrates the Grateful Dead Vols. 1 & 2, a 2-CD reissue of two rare mid-'90s compilations that featured such reggae greats as Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, Culture, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Mighty Diamonds, Judy Mowatt and others covering Dead tunes.

What makes a record a true cult classic? First, it must be released to a modicum of critical acclaim but zero commercial success. Second, in almost all cases the artists behind the release have to disappear immediately into obscurity. And third, over the course of decades, a dedicated core of record collectors, critics and true believers must spread the word about the album in question. Well, by those standards, New York band Hackamore Brick's 1970 LP "One Kiss Leads to Another" is the cult classic to end all cult classics (the only recent contenders might be Rodriguez's albums Cold Fact and Coming from Reality). Released on the bubblegum-centric Kama Sutra label to positive reactions from critics ranging from Richard Meltzer to Lenny Kaye, One Kiss sounded very different from anything else on the 1970 music scene; often cited as the first post-Velvet Underground album, it does indeed provoke comparison's to VU's third, self-titled record and Loaded as well as other descendants like the Modern Lovers and Television. But the country-ish harmonies of vocalists Tommy Moonlight and Chick Newman lend the record a sound not unlike any number of current alternative "beard rock" bands plying their wares, and the discursive lyrics recall the Kinks. In short, "One Kiss Leads to Another" passes the fourth and hardest test of cult classic-dom, which is to remain relevant into the present, even though Moonlight and Newman didn't record another note together as Hackamore Brick until 2009. Real Gone Music is proud to present this remarkable record on both vinyl and CD, with a bonus track, the single side "Searchin'," appearing on both formats, and two additional bonus tracks, the mono single versions of "Radio" and "I Watched You Rhumba," on the CD. Liner notes by Tony Rettman featuring quotes from Tommy Moonlight and pictures from the Hackamore Brick archive round out both the vinyl and CD releases. Remastered by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios in NYC - highly anticipated and worth the wait.

Association singer-songwriter Russ Giguere's 1971 solo album "Hexagram 16" not only sports an amazing cast of characters but also draws songs from some of the best songwriters (Judee Sill, Randy Newman, Bill Martin) the early '70s L.A scene had to offer. So why has it languished in obscurity for over 40 years? Well, Hexagram 16 is a reflection of a more innocent, carefree time in the music industry. Giguere assembled some of his best friends in the biz - Bernie Leadon, Larry Knechtel, Chris Ethridge, Judy Henske, Jerry Yester, Spooner Oldham, Herb Pedersen and co-producer John Boylan among them - and recorded an album that veers wildly from breezy, Byrds-ian country rock to heavier, almost prog rock compositions, with none of the pillow-y harmonies present that sent the Association to the top of the charts. The predictable result: "Hexagram 16" sold not a lick in its day, but has gathered quite a respectable following in the intervening years. This Real Gone release marks its CD debut, with notes by Richie Unterberger featuring quotes from Giguere about the making of the record.

The brother-and-sister trio of Jim Ed, Maxine and Bonnie Brown personified two trends in popular music at the time, the rise of the lush Nashville Sound and the national craze for folk music, and as a result they crossed over from the country charts into pop stardom. Never before had the homespun harmonies of country music sounded so smooth and downright commercial; add to that the Browns' clean-cut image and you had an act ripe for superstardom in late-50s America. The Browns: "Complete Pop & Country Hits" presents all 24 of their hits, with pictures and annotation by Grammy-winner Colin Escott. It's the most complete Browns hit collection ever compiled.

Chicago funk/jazz/soul retailer Dusty Groove and Real Gone have combined for three more off-the-beaten-path jazz releases. The first, Ahmed Abdul-Malik: "Spellbound," offers a rare treasure from Thelonious Monk's one-time bassist; a mindblowing mix of jazz and Middle Eastern influences, the appropriately dubbed Spellbound blends together percussion, bass, and oud with some soulful solo work from Seldon Powell on tenor and flute and Ray Nance on cornet. The complete 1965 release on the Status label, with notes by Scott Yanow. George Braith got his start at Blue Note in a Roland Kirk sort of style, but "Musart," his criminally neglected 1967 session for Prestige, is an altogether different breed of cat. It's a unique blend of reeds, percussion, and some sweet electric touches - sometimes augmented by voices - with a sound that's dark and complex, almost in a Cadet Records mode. Pat Thomas' notes explore this multifaceted recording. And Stan Hunter & Sonny Fortune: "Trip on the Strip" is a rare and sublime Hammond/tenor date from Prestige Records, quite different from the label's usual groove. The set marks the first appearance on record of future Miles Davis electric band mainstay Sonny Fortune - who's already quite far-reaching and spiritual in his sound - paired here with organist Stan Hunter, who has a bit of a Larry Young touch to his style. The complete 1966 release, with notes by Pat Thomas.

A rare, early, live recording of the band, Grateful Dead: "Dick's Picks Vol. 22 - Kings Beach Bowl, Kings Beach Lake Tahoe, CA 2/23 - 2/24/68" skewers those Dead detractors who dismiss the band as purveyors of pretty hippie music (and to those in search of pretty hippie music, consider this a warning). The two nights of shows include the entire set of songs from as-yet-unreleased album Anthem of the Sun, which was as experimental and raw as the band ever got, as well as a greasily lysergic 19-minute version of "Viola Lee Blues." Intense and very psychedelic; out of print for years.

It's safe to say that most record collections that include the Grateful Dead also include at least a couple of reggae albums; the audiences for the Dead and reggae share a love for easy, loping rhythms and homespun harmonies, not to mention a countercultural bent. Never, however, has the connection between the Dead and reggae been made more explicit than on "Fire on the Mountain: Reggae Celebrates the Grateful Dead Vols. 1 & 2"; produced and released by the short-lived Pow Wow label in the mid '90s, these two volumes feature a Who's Who of reggae stars including "Toots" Hibbert, Culture, Joe Higgs, Steel Pulse, Mighty Diamonds, Judy Mowatt, Dennis Brown, Michael Rose, Ras Michael, Gregory Isaacs and many others performing a variety of Dead songs and songs associated with the band. And, although the liner notes (reproduced here) claim that none of the Jamaican artists were familiar with the Dead's music prior to these recordings, the 24 performances here include some definitive interpretations. Out of print for years and a real find.

July 2, 2013 Releases from Real Gone Music

Hackamore Brick: One Kiss Leads to Another (CD & LP)
Russ Giguere: Hexagram 16 (CD)
The Browns: Complete Pop & Country Hits (CD)
Ahmed Abdul Malik: Spellbound (CD)
George Braith: Musart (CD)
Stan Hunter & Sonny Fortune: Trip on the Strip (CD)
Grateful Dead: Dick's Picks Vol. 22 - Kings Beach Bowl, Kings Beach Lake Tahoe, CA 2/23-2/24/68 (2-CD Set)
Fire on the Mountain: Reggae Celebrates the Grateful Dead Vols. 1 & 2 (2-CD Set)

Thu, 05/30/2013 - 9:58 am

Nationally available in stores and online today, Slightly Stoopid releases a special HD DVD + 2 CD set recorded live at TRI Studios (San Rafael, CA), featuring guest artists Bob Weir, Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, Karl Denson, Don Carlos, and a rare interview segment moderated by Tommy Chong and Weir. Slightly Stoopid & Friends: Live at Roberto's TRI Studios is on sale for $19.99, and a four-part HD download of the session is now available on slightlystoopid.com for $4.20. A portion of the DVD proceeds will benefit two charitable organizations: Save The Children and World Food Programme; to date, $10,000 has already been donated to these two organizations on the behalf of Slightly Stoopid and TRI Studios. Interviews and photos of Slightly Stoopid are available upon request.

On September 13, 2011, Slightly Stoopid partnered with Bob Weir (Grateful Dead, Furthur) and longtime Grateful Dead sound engineers Dennis "Wiz" Leonard and John Cutler for the standout live performance on TRI Studios' state-of-the-art Meyer Sound Constellation System. Utilizing advanced acoustical technology from Meyer Sound, artists are able to emulate the acoustic properties of any performance space ranging from small nightclubs to a Roman cathedral, Wembley Stadium to Madison Square Garden, or anything in between. The unprecedented innovation invites artists to truly experiment with their sound, and connect with their online fan base in new sonic ways.

James M. Wisner, Slightly Stoopid's Grammy Award-winning sound engineer, comments, "Working with the Meyer Constellation system was like stepping into a giant reverb chamber. The ability to change your perception of the room with a touch of a button takes live sound into another dimension." Wisner has been recognized with Grammy Awards and nominations for his engineering work with such artists as Jennifer Hudson, Amy Winehouse and Toots and The Maytals.

TRI Studios is a world-class live video streaming venue, where audiences experience unparalleled access to their favorite artists. Slightly Stoopid & Friends: Live at Roberto's TRI Studios features 31 live songs (acoustic and electric sets), behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, and as mentioned above, a rare interview segment with Chong and Weir.

From July 10 - August 24, 2013, Slightly Stoopid's 7th annual summer tour continues the tradition of bringing some of today's most lauded acts on the road together to appear at outdoor amphitheatres across the country. This year, Slightly Stoopid teams up with renowned Minneapolis hip-hop collective, Atmosphere, supported by the heavy-hitting horns and funky rhythms of NYC's The Budos Band (Daptone), notoriously savvy Bay Area Living Legends MCs The Grouch & Eligh, and rising San Diego local Tribal Seeds. Hitting 28 cities, the "Kickin' Up Dust" tour is guaranteed to create a trailblazing summer soundtrack, and a noteworthy rite of passage for summertime concert-goers.

The "Kickin' Up Dust" tour comes on the heels of Slightly Stoopid's hugely successful album, Top Of The World, and the release of Slightly Stoopid & Friends: Live at Roberto's TRI Studios. Stoopid will hit select West Coast, Midwest, East Coast, and Southern markets on the forthcoming Spring 2013 Tour and the "Kickin' Up Dust" Tour. Tickets are now on sale at SlightlyStoopid.com.

Please see Slightly Stoopid's upcoming tour dates listed below:

Slightly Stoopid Spring 2013 Tour Dates:
April 30, 2013 - Winston-Salem, NC - Ziggy's Rock House
May 1, 2013 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Amphitheatre
May 3, 2013 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live
May 4, 2013 - West Palm Beach, FL - Sunfest
May 7, 2013 - Blacksburg, VA - Burruss Auditorium @ Virginia Tech
May 18, 2013 - Gulf Shores, AL - Hangout Music Festival
May 25, 2013 - Monterey, CA - Cali Roots Festival @ Monterey County Fairgrounds

Slightly Stoopid July 2013 Tour Dates:
July 4, 2013 - Alta, WY - Targhee Resort (with Widespread Panic)
July 6, 2013 - George, WA - Jambase Live - Gorge Amphitheatre

"Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013 Tour Dates:
July 10, 2013 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Amphitheatre
July 11, 2013 - Phoenix, AZ - Mesa Amphitheatre
July 12, 2013 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
July 13, 2013 - Las Vegas, NV - Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
July 14, 2013 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
July 18, 2013 - Stateline, NV - Montbleu Outdoor Arena
July 19, 2013 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
July 20, 2013 - Chula Vista, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheater
July 24, 2013 - Eugene, OR - Cuthbert Amphitheatre
July 25, 2013 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheater
July 26, 2013 - Missoula, MT - Big Sky Brewery
July 27, 2013 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Great Saltair
August 1, 2013 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
August 2, 2013 - Kansas City, MO - Crossroads
August 3, 2013 - Council Bluffs, IA - Stir Cove
August 4, 2013 - Des Moines, IA - Simon Estes Amphitheater
August 8, 2013 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
August 9, 2013 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony Summer Stage
August 10, 2013 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier @ Penn's Landing
August 11, 2013 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Pavilion
August 14, 2013 - Richmond, VA - Pocahontas State Park
August 15, 2013 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues
August 16, 2013 - Raleigh, NC - Red Hat Amphitheater
August 17, 2013 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre
August 21, 2013 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
August 22, 2013 - St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine Amphitheatre
August 23, 2013 - Cocoa Beach, FL - Cocoa Beach Riverfront
August 24, 2013 - Boca Raton, FL - Sunset Cove Amphitheate

Thu, 05/30/2013 - 1:34 pm

A decade into the formation of Dumpstaphunk, New Orleans' all-star collective will release a new full-length studio album, Dirty Word, on Louisiana Red Hot Records/E1 Distribution on Tuesday, July 30, 2013. This summer, Dumpstaphunk -- featuring Ivan Neville (vocals, B3 and Clav), the double bass attack and soulful voices of Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III, Ian Neville on guitar, and the monster addition of Nikki Glaspie on drums and vocals -- will tour in support of Dirty Word with an album release tour and festival appearances continuing throughout 2013. All confirmed tour dates are listed below and can be viewed on www.dumpstaphunk.com, with additional August/September 2013 dates to be announced soon. Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

What initially started as an impromptu line-up of some of New Orleans' tightest players, hand-picked by Ivan Neville to accompany his 2003 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival performance, Dumpstaphunk has become a stalwart touring act since first stepping onto the Jazz Fest stage. Press accolades for the band have ranged from the New York Times hailing, in 2007, "Dumpstaphunk is the best funk band from New Orleans right now," to Jambase saying, "Dumpstaphunk remains synonymous with New Orleans and anyone from NOLA would be proud to call this their official band." Bass Player Magazine added, "The colossal low end and filthy grooves they threw down from the Gentilly Stage must have set a Jazz Fest record for baddest bass jams ever."

Dumpstaphunk's third studio release, Dirty Word offers a fresh take and a variety of funk, blues, gospel, second-line, R&B and rock 'n' roll. The album features special guest appearances by Art Neville, Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band (all on "Raise The House"), Skerik (with Trombone Shorty on "I Wish You Would"), Grooveline Horns ("Water" and "I Know You Know"), Ani DiFranco ("Dirty Word") and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers ("If I'm In Luck"). Dirty Word also marks the studio debut of new drummer and vocalist Nikki Glaspie (formerly with Beyonce's all-female band), a staple presence at Dumpstaphunk's live shows since she joined the ensemble in 2011. "We always keep the spontaneity going, that's something I love about this band," says Ivan Neville. "We can funk it out with the best of them, but we also like to showcase how all sorts of music can come together and push the boundaries of what funk music is. The whole record speaks to the righteousness of music. We're not necessarily telling a specific story, but expressing how music makes things right for everyone in their own way. Our fans can feel that vibe and let it take them wherever they need to."

"We just hope to spread the good word through funk," adds Glaspie. "If we can create an escape, give people a reason to get down and forget their problems, then we're doing what we set out to do." On Dirty Word, Dumpstaphunk re-imagines their genre, holding true to the opinionated, vintage funk of Sly & the Family Stone, The Meters, and Parliament Funkadelic, but with a modern edge.

This April, Dumpstaphunk appeared for their 11th consecutive performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, showcasing new music from Dirty Word for over 30,000 people (Gentilly Stage, 4/27). Subsequently, four members of Dumpstaphunk -- Ivan and Ian Neville, Tony Hall, and Nikki Glaspie -- joined The Nevilles in a generational "passing of the torch"-style gig on the Acura Stage to perform for 50,000 fans (4/28). Dumpstaphunk also sold-out some of NOLA's finest music venues throughout the two weeks of Jazz Fest, including Howlin' Wolf (4/26) for D-Phunk Plays P-Funk, a tribute set in full costume of all Parliament/Funkadelic material. They also sold-out a double-bill at The Maison (4/27) with original Meters bass player George Porter and Phish keyboardist Page McConnell, and two shows at Tipitina's (4/29, 5/5).

Prior to Jazz Fest on April 11, Gambit Weekly's 25th Annual "Big Easy Awards" presented Dumpstaphunk with the New Orleans "Ambassador of Entertainment" award, honoring the band for championing New Orleans music, culture and charity to new audiences nationwide.

Don't miss Dumpstaphunk as they headline premier venues across the country this summer leading up to the release of Dirty Word!

Dirty Word
Louisiana Red Hot Records

Release Date: July 30, 2013

Track Listing:
1. Dancin To The Truth
2. Dirty Word
3. I Wish You Would
4. They Don't Care
5. I Know You Know
6. If I'm In Luck
7. Water
8. Blueswave
9. Reality Of The Situation
10. Take Time
11. Raise The House

Dumpstaphunk Spring & Summer 2013 Tour Dates:
May 31 - Lyons, CO - Oskar Blues Grill & Brew
June 1 - Crystal Bay, NV - Crystal Bay Club Casino
June 2 - Garberville, CA - Summer Arts and Music Festival
June 6 - Burlington, VT - Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
June 7 - Houston, TX - Last Concert Cafe
June 8 - Austin, TX - The Belmont
June 15 - Westchester, NY - Clearwater Festival
June 21 - Cedarburg, WI - Summer Sounds
June 22 - Grand Rapids, MI - Founders Fest
June 28 - Steamboat Springs, CO - Howelsen Hill
June 29 - Murray City, OH - Family Roots Festival
July 3 - Telluride, CO - Telluride Mountain Village @ Red, White & Blues Concert
July 6 - Winter Park, CO - Winter Park Resort
July 12 - Lone Tree, IA - Camp Euforia
July 19 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
July 20 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
July 21 - Winthrop, WA - Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival
July 27 - Troutdale, OR - Annual Artful Giving Blanket
July 28 - Palmerton, PA - Pennsylvania Blues Festival
August 7 - New York, New York - Madison Square Park
August 10 - San Francisco, CA - Outside Lands
August 24 - Eugene, OR - Eugene Celebration
September 14 - Fredericton, NB, Canada - Harvest Jazz and Blues Fest

Thu, 05/30/2013 - 2:33 pm

From underground rock legends to modern jazz to smooth country pop to reggae, Real Gone Music's July 2 release slate rounds all the musical bases. Often cited as the first band to be influenced by the Velvet Underground, and the subject of countless internet posts and 'zine articles, legendary New York outfit Hackamore Brick enjoys the first-ever reissue of its classic 1970 album One Kiss Leads to Another on LP and CD. Made with an all-star cast of West Coast rockers, Association singer-songwriter Russ Giguere's 1971 solo album Hexagram 16 also sees its first-ever reissue. Real Gone's retrospective of The Browns offers the definitive hits anthology of this country-pop crossover vocal group. And the label continues its partnership with Chicago retailer Dusty Groove with three jazz releases from bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik, saxophonist George Braith and the organ-sax duo of Stan Hunter and Sonny Fortune.

Real Gone also continues its trip through the Grateful Dead's vaults with its release of Dick's Picks 22, which captures the Dead in 1968, performing all the songs from their wildly experimental album, Anthem of the Sun. And Real Gone takes its "deadication" to the band one step further with Fire on the Mountain: Reggae Celebrates the Grateful Dead Vols. 1 & 2, a 2-CD reissue of two rare mid-'90s compilations that featured such reggae greats as Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, Culture, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Mighty Diamonds, Judy Mowatt and others covering Dead tunes.

What makes a record a true cult classic? First, it must be released to a modicum of critical acclaim but zero commercial success. Second, in almost all cases the artists behind the release have to disappear immediately into obscurity. And third, over the course of decades, a dedicated core of record collectors, critics and true believers must spread the word about the album in question. Well, by those standards, New York band Hackamore Brick's 1970 LP "One Kiss Leads to Another" is the cult classic to end all cult classics (the only recent contenders might be Rodriguez's albums Cold Fact and Coming from Reality). Released on the bubblegum-centric Kama Sutra label to positive reactions from critics ranging from Richard Meltzer to Lenny Kaye, One Kiss sounded very different from anything else on the 1970 music scene; often cited as the first post-Velvet Underground album, it does indeed provoke comparison's to VU's third, self-titled record and Loaded as well as other descendants like the Modern Lovers and Television. But the country-ish harmonies of vocalists Tommy Moonlight and Chick Newman lend the record a sound not unlike any number of current alternative "beard rock" bands plying their wares, and the discursive lyrics recall the Kinks. In short, "One Kiss Leads to Another" passes the fourth and hardest test of cult classic-dom, which is to remain relevant into the present, even though Moonlight and Newman didn't record another note together as Hackamore Brick until 2009. Real Gone Music is proud to present this remarkable record on both vinyl and CD, with a bonus track, the single side "Searchin'," appearing on both formats, and two additional bonus tracks, the mono single versions of "Radio" and "I Watched You Rhumba," on the CD. Liner notes by Tony Rettman featuring quotes from Tommy Moonlight and pictures from the Hackamore Brick archive round out both the vinyl and CD releases. Remastered by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios in NYC - highly anticipated and worth the wait.

Association singer-songwriter Russ Giguere's 1971 solo album "Hexagram 16" not only sports an amazing cast of characters but also draws songs from some of the best songwriters (Judee Sill, Randy Newman, Bill Martin) the early '70s L.A scene had to offer. So why has it languished in obscurity for over 40 years? Well, Hexagram 16 is a reflection of a more innocent, carefree time in the music industry. Giguere assembled some of his best friends in the biz - Bernie Leadon, Larry Knechtel, Chris Ethridge, Judy Henske, Jerry Yester, Spooner Oldham, Herb Pedersen and co-producer John Boylan among them - and recorded an album that veers wildly from breezy, Byrds-ian country rock to heavier, almost prog rock compositions, with none of the pillow-y harmonies present that sent the Association to the top of the charts. The predictable result: "Hexagram 16" sold not a lick in its day, but has gathered quite a respectable following in the intervening years. This Real Gone release marks its CD debut, with notes by Richie Unterberger featuring quotes from Giguere about the making of the record.

The brother-and-sister trio of Jim Ed, Maxine and Bonnie Brown personified two trends in popular music at the time, the rise of the lush Nashville Sound and the national craze for folk music, and as a result they crossed over from the country charts into pop stardom. Never before had the homespun harmonies of country music sounded so smooth and downright commercial; add to that the Browns' clean-cut image and you had an act ripe for superstardom in late-50s America. The Browns: "Complete Pop & Country Hits" presents all 24 of their hits, with pictures and annotation by Grammy-winner Colin Escott. It's the most complete Browns hit collection ever compiled.

Chicago funk/jazz/soul retailer Dusty Groove and Real Gone have combined for three more off-the-beaten-path jazz releases. The first, Ahmed Abdul-Malik: "Spellbound," offers a rare treasure from Thelonious Monk's one-time bassist; a mindblowing mix of jazz and Middle Eastern influences, the appropriately dubbed Spellbound blends together percussion, bass, and oud with some soulful solo work from Seldon Powell on tenor and flute and Ray Nance on cornet. The complete 1965 release on the Status label, with notes by Scott Yanow. George Braith got his start at Blue Note in a Roland Kirk sort of style, but "Musart," his criminally neglected 1967 session for Prestige, is an altogether different breed of cat. It's a unique blend of reeds, percussion, and some sweet electric touches - sometimes augmented by voices - with a sound that's dark and complex, almost in a Cadet Records mode. Pat Thomas' notes explore this multifaceted recording. And Stan Hunter & Sonny Fortune: "Trip on the Strip" is a rare and sublime Hammond/tenor date from Prestige Records, quite different from the label's usual groove. The set marks the first appearance on record of future Miles Davis electric band mainstay Sonny Fortune - who's already quite far-reaching and spiritual in his sound - paired here with organist Stan Hunter, who has a bit of a Larry Young touch to his style. The complete 1966 release, with notes by Pat Thomas.

A rare, early, live recording of the band, Grateful Dead: "Dick's Picks Vol. 22 - Kings Beach Bowl, Kings Beach Lake Tahoe, CA 2/23 - 2/24/68" skewers those Dead detractors who dismiss the band as purveyors of pretty hippie music (and to those in search of pretty hippie music, consider this a warning). The two nights of shows include the entire set of songs from as-yet-unreleased album Anthem of the Sun, which was as experimental and raw as the band ever got, as well as a greasily lysergic 19-minute version of "Viola Lee Blues." Intense and very psychedelic; out of print for years.

It's safe to say that most record collections that include the Grateful Dead also include at least a couple of reggae albums; the audiences for the Dead and reggae share a love for easy, loping rhythms and homespun harmonies, not to mention a countercultural bent. Never, however, has the connection between the Dead and reggae been made more explicit than on "Fire on the Mountain: Reggae Celebrates the Grateful Dead Vols. 1 & 2"; produced and released by the short-lived Pow Wow label in the mid '90s, these two volumes feature a Who's Who of reggae stars including "Toots" Hibbert, Culture, Joe Higgs, Steel Pulse, Mighty Diamonds, Judy Mowatt, Dennis Brown, Michael Rose, Ras Michael, Gregory Isaacs and many others performing a variety of Dead songs and songs associated with the band. And, although the liner notes (reproduced here) claim that none of the Jamaican artists were familiar with the Dead's music prior to these recordings, the 24 performances here include some definitive interpretations. Out of print for years and a real find.

Wed, 06/12/2013 - 1:23 pm

Real Gone Music continues its puckish pursuit of all varieties of pop music with a July 30 release schedule that ranges from the foremost exponents of pop-soul to the high priestesses of intergalactic funk, with the world's largest synthesizer and the most infamous "anti-classical" album of all time in between. The long-overlooked Warner Bros. period of legendary singer Dionne Warwick receives a fresh re-examination with two collections featuring her complete singles for the label and 19 unreleased tracks including newly unearthed work with Burt Bacharach. One of soul's most celebrated couples, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., enjoys a long-overdue reissue of The Two of Us and Marilyn & Billy, the second and third albums they made after departing from the Fifth Dimension, complete with bonus tracks. And Real Gone contacts George Clinton's P-Funk Mothership for the first two albums he produced for Parlet, the girl group composed of background singers for Parliament/Funkadelic.Then, the label leaves the outer reaches of R&B behind and sets its sights on two seminal albums that straddle avant-garde, pop, electronic and classical music. Tonto's Expanding Head Band's debut album Zero Time introduced T.O.N.T.O., or The Original New Timbral Orchestra, still the largest multitimbral polyphonic analog synthesizer in the world and one that caught the ear of everyone from Stevie Wonder to Stephen Stills. And the 1974 album Portsmouth Sinfonia: Plays the Popular Classics captures the sound, as conceived by avant-garde composer Gavin Bryars and produced by Brian Eno, of untrained musicians attempting to play classical warhorses.When Dionne Warwick signed to the Warner Bros. label in 1971 (bringing her legendary songwriting and production team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David with her), success seemed preordained for probably the greatest pop-soul singer of all time. However, like so many other '60s superstars, Dionne fell prey to the changing tastes of the '70s marketplace and exited the label five years later sans her production team or any major chart hits. Now, with two separate collections of Warwick's complete Warner Bros. singles and the unreleased tracks recorded for the label, Real Gone Music is at last shining a light on a body of work that, despite its lack of commercial prowess, ranks as some of the finest this pop-soul diva's nonpareil career has to offer. Dionne Warwick: "The Complete Warner Bros. Singles" brings together for the first time ever the "A" and "B" sides of all 21 of Warwick's original Warner Brothers stereo singles, many of which have never appeared on CD -- including such tracks that hit Billboard's Hot 100, R&B and Easy Listening charts as "Once You Hit The Road" and "If We Only Have Love." The tracks not only feature a reteaming with Burt Bacharach and Hal David but also a host of other top-drawer collaborators, including former Motown kingpins Holland-Dozier-Holland, Philly soul king Thom Bell, R&B legend Jerry Ragovoy, West Coast pop-rock pioneer Steve Barri with multiple Grammy-winner Michael Omartian, and ace Gladys Knight & The Pips producer Joe Porter. Many of those same legendary producers surface on Dionne Warwick: "We Need to Go Back -- The Unissued Warner Bros. Masters", which collects 19 unreleased tracks whose rumored existence has tantalized collectors for decades. Among the recordings finally seeing the light of day on this collection are two songs recorded with Ashford & Simpson, three recorded with pop composer Randy Edelman and engineer Brooks Arthur, and -- perhaps most enticingly -- three unreleased Burt Bacharach creations penned with Neil Simon and Bobby Russell and engineered by Phil Ramone. Paul Howes supplies the notes featuring fresh quotes from Dionne herself inside both photo-festooned packages.When Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. left the Fifth Dimension in 1975 to pursue their own recording careers, success was not long in coming; in fact, each of the succeeding years saw a charting album released from the duo -- plus a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal (Duo) and their own CBS-TV series. However, while their first album, 1976's I Hope We Get to Love in Time, has been reissued two different times on compact disc, the next two albums, 1977's "The Two of Us" and 1978's "Marilyn & Billy", have never been reissued anywhere in the world. Now, Real Gone Music is releasing both of these pop-soul classics in expanded editions sporting liner notes by Mike Ragogna, photos, bonus tracks and remastering at Battery Studios in NYC. Bonus tracks include, on "The Two of Us", the non-LP singles "I'm So Glad I Found You" and "There's Got to Be a Happy Ending," and the Billy Davis, Jr. solo sides "Light a Candle" and "Three Steps from True Love," and on "Marilyn & Billy", the eztended 12" single mix of "Shine On Silver Moon." Long requested releases from one of the most celebrated couples in pop music.Of George Clinton's two girl groups, The Brides of Funkenstein commanded the lioness' share of attention, but Parlet was the funkier of the two; in Clinton put it, "sexual satisfaction guaranteed, that's what this group is all about!" Parlet's roots actually went way back in the Parliament/Funkadelic cosmology; singers Jeanette Washington and Debbie Wright were the first female members of the band, and the third member of the trio featured on their debut album "Pleasure Principle", Mallia Franklin, introduced Uncle Jam to Bootsy Collins. Franklin and Wright were gone by the time Parlet's second album, "Invasion of the Booty Snatchers", was recorded, replaced by Shirley Hayden and Janice Evans, so calling Parlet a "group" is a little bit of a misnomer. Instead, these records are production vehicles for Clinton (and, on the second album, former Invictus writer/producer Ron Dunbar) and his rotating cast of characters, including Collins, Glenn Goins, Bernie Worrell, Fred Wesley, Gary Shider and other members of the Mothership. Briefly out on CD 20 years ago and only in Japan, "Pleasure Principle" and "Invasion of the Booty Snatchers" now see their definitive reissue, with liner notes from Parliament/Funkadelic's own former Minister of Information, Tom Vickers, plus memorabilia from his archive, a fresh remastering job by Maria Triana at Battery Studios and, on Booty, a new illustration from Ronald "Stozo" Edwards, who penned the original album art.Who is Tonto? Sure, he's the Lone Ranger's sidekick...but for electronic music fans, Tonto is T.O.N.T.O., or The Original New Timbral Orchestra, still the largest multitimbral polyphonic analog synthesizer in the world. "Multitimbral" means the instrument can play simultaneous notes with different tone quality, and in the hands of synthesizer designer Malcolm Cecil and producer Robert Margouleff and their group Tonto's Expanding Head Band, Tonto was featured by Stevie Wonder on such classic '70s albums as Music of My Mind, Talking Book and Innervisions as well as on albums by Weather Report, Stephen Stills, Quincy Jones, Steve Hillage and many other artists. But the Tonto legend got started right here, on "Zero Time", the 1971 debut release from Tonto's Expanding Head Band on the Embryo label, and despite its huge influence on popular and electronic music, this reissue -- featuring Malcolm Cecil's own remastering from the original analog tapes -- marks its first domestic release on CD (a foreign release came and went in a heart beep, er, beat). Richie Unterberger's notes explore the Tonto phenomenon and legend with exclusive quotes from Cecil and photos from his private archive.Portsmouth Sinfonia was founded by British composer Gavin Bryars while he was lecturing at the Portsmouth College of Art in 1970. Bryars wanted to liberate classical music from the pomposity of the academic tradition and the concert hall audience by bringing classical music to the masses in a radical new way. His solution? To form an orchestra composed of non-musicians, or of musicians playing a totally unfamiliar instrument, and to set said orchestra loose on well-known classical warhorses that could be played by ear, as most of the "musicians" could not sight read. The result was, ironically, hailed by some in the classical establishment as a profound exploration of the nature of music, as the trained musicians kept the orchestra more or less hewing close to the melody, while the untrained players' earnest attempts to perform the compositions, and the resulting missed notes, formed atonal "clouds of sound" with a bare suggestion of the piece. Even more improbably, Portsmouth Sinfonia became a popular sensation, selling out the Royal Albert Hall and landing a recording contract. The "chance" nature of their work even attracted the attention of Brian Eno, who produced Portsmouth Sinfonia: "Plays the Popular Classics", their 1974 debut album, and -- true to the spirit of the project -- played clarinet in the orchestra! Our Real Gone release of marks the first-ever reissue of ANY of this one-of-a-kind ensemble's recordings, complete with liner notes by Tom Pickles (in addition to the original liner notes by Eno and conductor John Farley). Whether approached for laughs or as a conceptual work of art, Portsmouth Sinfonia: Plays the Popular Classics demands to be heard.July 30, 2013 Releases from Real Gone MusicDionne Warwick: The Complete Warner Bros. SinglesDionne Warwick: We Need to Go Back -- The Unissued Warner Bros. MastersMarilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.: The Two of Us (Expanded Edition)Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.: Marilyn & Billy (Expanded Edition)Parlet: Pleasure PrincipleParlet: Invasion of the Booty SnatchersTonto's Expanding Head Band: Zero TimePortsmouth Sinfonia: Plays the Popular Classics

Wed, 06/19/2013 - 12:19 pm

The 12th Annual Northwest String Summit returns to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) with the finest acoustic pickers and standout electric bands from July 18 - 21, 2013. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country. A family-friendly and locally-sourced festival, Northwest String Summit caps its capacity at 4,500 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festival-goers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: www.stringsummit.com.

The Bagdad Theater proudly presents the Portland premiere of the Northwest String Summit Documentary, Turn Left at the Peacock, on Wednesday, July 17, 2013. Come celebrate this event with Portland's own Northwest-Fried Island Bluegrass Rock band, Sugarcane, and genre-bending banjo player and String Summit regular, Danny Barnes; each will perform a set to introduce the new indie documentary. Arrive early at 5 pm to join a reception with the cast and crew, complimentary drinks and appetizers will be available; show starts at 6 pm. Tickets can be purchased for $12 via McMenamins, and please feel free to check out the trailer to Turn Left at the Peacock at this link: www.stringsummit.com/movie

Turn Left at the Peacock captures the adoration and energy of the Northwest String Summit, a standout summer music festival hosted annually by Yonder Mountain String Band at Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR: 20 miles outside of Portland). See what goes into putting on a festival of this nature, get a look behind the scenes, and find out what has drawn tens of thousands to this remarkable event over the last twelve years. From the music, to the people, and the beauty of Horning's, Turn Left at the Peacock brings the audience home to this magical experience.


The 12th Annual Northwest String Summit is hosted by Colorado-based Yonder Mountain String Band; arguably the top touring neo-bluegrass band in the world. Yonder will perform three nights of music, and additional national acts at this year's festival include Leftover Salmon, Keller and The Keels, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Greensky Bluegrass, Black Prairie (featuring members of The Decemberists), Danny Barnes, Darol Anger, Deadly Gentlemen, Head for the Hills, Larry & Jenny: The Keels, Poor Man's Whiskey performing Dark Side of the Moonshine with guest artist Allie Kral of Cornmeal, Milkdrive, Polecat, Brothers Comatose, Iron Horse - Pickin' On Modest Mouse, and The Congress! Pimps of Joytime will also perform a late-night main stage set on Saturday, July 20, 2013.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians as a way to support the various thriving local communities. Celebrated Eugene, OR favorite Ninkasi Brewing Company will offer exceptional craft beers onsite for the third year-in-a-row, including an exclusive small-batch NW String Summit Festival Specialty Brew called Clusterpluck Session Ale. Made with Northwest Pale Ale and Honey malts, Clusterpluck is a light and refreshing golden ale -- the perfect accompaniment to a summertime jam session. Ninkasi will host the Northwest Local "Ninkasi Brewing" Stage @ Cascadia Acoustic Coffeehouse, which will feature some of the region's finest bands such as Scott Law & Chris Funk - The Roots of Johnny Cash, Fruition, Horse Feathers, Shook Twins, Giraffe Dodgers with Allie Kral of Cornmeal, Sugarcane, Big E's Magik Mornin' Show, and last year's band competition winner Betty and the Boy.

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about the forthcoming festival, "This year we are going into our 12th String Summit and we are delighted to refocus our programming on strings and acoustic music, the foundation of the festival. While there is plenty of pickin' and singin' at this year's Strummit, when the clock strikes midnight, there are surprises in store that will ensure a huge rockin' dance party that is sure to get the trees shaking and the peacocks howlin' along with the crowd!"

The following artisan food trucks will provide delicious food options for festival-goers: Nosh on 7th, Bunk Sandwiches, Toast, Thai Volcano Express, Solarshots, and others TBA. Northwest Local "Ninkasi Brewing" Stage @ Cascadia Acoustic Coffeehouse will serve a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, baked goods, and snacks from local favorites such as Trailhead Coffee and Voodoo Doughnuts.

Now in its 10th year, the Band Competition at Northwest String Summit reigns in some of the hottest pickers from all across the country. The competition is in line with other top festival competitions, such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and will occur on Friday, July 19, 2013. Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 - 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 21, 2013, and a paid slot at the following year's festival. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). The application deadline has passed, but please visit www.stringsummit.com in July 2013 to see who's this year's winner!

12th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
4-Day Pass ($180, 5/17 - 7/17; $195 day of event)
*Festival pass prices include parking and camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.

Tue, 07/02/2013 - 10:43 am

Slightly Stoopid and Atmosphere are joining forces for one of the most anticipated summer tours of 2013. "Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013 features special guests The Grouch & Eligh and Tribal Seeds. The 28 show journey "Kickin' Up Dust" hits outdoor amphitheatres across the country starting on July 10, 2013 when the tour lands in Albuquerque, NM at the Sandia Casino Amphitheater and continues until August 24, 2013 when it rolls through Boca Raton, FL at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater. Interviews and photos of Slightly Stoopid and Atmosphere are available upon request.A summer tradition for thousands of "die-hard" fans known across the nation as "Stoopidheads," Slightly Stoopid's 7th annual summer tour continues the seasonal ritual with some of music's most lauded artists; past year's have included artists such as Snoop Dogg, Stephen Marley, G. Love & Special Sauce, Cypress Hill, Sly & Robbie, and Ozomatli. For the "Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013, Stoopid enlists the renowned Minneapolis hip-hop collective, Atmosphere, supported by the notoriously savvy Bay Area Living Legends MCs The Grouch & Eligh, and rising San Diego local Tribal Seeds. This dynamic lineup is guaranteed to create a trailblazing summer soundtrack, and a noteworthy rite of passage and tradition for summertime concert-goers across the country.Celebrated hip-hop act Atmosphere have released seven studio albums and ten EPs over their career, including the chart-topping album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, which reached #5 on Billboard's Top 200 chart. Rapper Slug (Sean Daley) and DJ/Producer Ant (Anthony Davis), tour in support of their latest album, The Family Sign. The group's most personal and intimate album to date, it is a tribute to the band's extended family, friendships and each other. With an expanding catalogue of instrumental-laced beats and well-versed rhymes, the Mid-West duo has earned critical acclaim for their undeniable artistry.MC compatriots The Grouch & Eligh complement the "Kickin' Up Dust" tour with a distinctly crisp Bay Area style. Not only are their custom-made beats unrivaled, their uplifting rhymes breakdown conventional standards. Each at the top of their game with successful solo careers, The Grouch & Eligh are hip-hop savants with a West Coast conscious approach and dynamic lyricism that serves to educate and elevate. The duo recently appeared onstage with Pretty Lights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and have two collaborations and a new video entitled "All These Lights" with Pretty Lights on their forthcoming album.Audiences are guaranteed to get down in the summer heat with San Diego's Tribal Seeds. Their humble soul-fueled, Cali style is infused throughout their latest album, Soundwaves, which landed at #2 on the Billboard Reggae Charts.The "Kickin' Up Dust" tour comes on the heels of Slightly Stoopid's hugely successful full-length studio album, Top Of The World, and the release of the live DVD recorded at Bob Weir's TRI Studios, Slightly Stoopid & Friends: Live at Roberto's TRI Studios. Upon the release of Top of the World, Stoopid's new album entered the Billboard Top 200 at #13, and the band went on to make their second appearance in two years on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The special TRI Studios live HD DVD + 2 CD set was just released on April 30, 2013 and features Slightly Stoopid alongside special guest artists Bob Weir, Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, Karl Denson, Don Carlos, and in a rare interview segment moderated by Tommy Chong and Weir. A free 8-song sampler highlighting music from both of these releases is available for download at slightlystoopid.com/totw_tristudios . Additional detailed album info is available at SlightlyStoopid.com."Kickin' Up Dust" hits major West Coast, Midwest, East Coast, and Southern cities throughout July & August 2013. Please see the confirmed tour dates listed below; tickets are now on sale at SlightlyStoopid.com.Slightly Stoopid: 8-Song Music SamplerTrack Listing1) Top of the World2) Don't Stop3) Anywhere I Go (TRI)4) Closer to the Sun (TRI) - featuring Karl Denson5) Devil's Door (TRI)6) Wiseman (TRI) - featuring Don Carlos7) Collie Man (TRI)8) Hiphoppablues - featuring G. Love*Free Music Sampler Available at slightlystoopid.com/totw_tristudios"Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013:July 10, 2013 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Casino AmphitheaterJuly 11, 2013 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa AmphitheatreJuly 12, 2013 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless AmphitheatreJuly 13, 2013 - Las Vegas, NV - Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las VegasJuly 14, 2013 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara BowlJuly 18, 2013 - Stateline, NV - Montbleu Outdoor ArenaJuly 19, 2013 - Berkeley, CA - Greek TheatreJuly 20, 2013 - Chula Vista, CA - Sleep Train AmphitheatreJuly 24, 2013 - Eugene, OR - Cuthbert AmphitheatreJuly 25, 2013 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center AmphitheaterJuly 26, 2013 - Missoula, MT - Big Sky Brewing CompanyJuly 27, 2013 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Great SaltairAugust 1, 2013 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's BallroomAugust 2, 2013 - Kansas City, MO - CrossroadsAugust 3, 2013 - Council Bluffs, IA - Stir CoveAugust 4, 2013 - Des Moines, IA - Simon Estes AmphitheaterAugust 8, 2013 - Boston, MA - Bank of America PavilionAugust 9, 2013 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony Summer StageAugust 10, 2013 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier @ Penn's LandingAugust 11, 2013 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six PavilionAugust 14, 2013 - Richmond, VA - Pocahontas State ParkAugust 15, 2013 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of BluesAugust 16, 2013 - Raleigh, NC - Red Hat AmphitheaterAugust 17, 2013 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner Cable Uptown AmphitheatreAugust 21, 2013 - Atlanta, GA - The TabernacleAugust 22, 2013 - St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine AmphitheatreAugust 23, 2013 - Cocoa, FL - Cocoa Riverfront ParkAugust 24, 2013 - Boca Raton, FL - Sunset Cove Amphitheater

Wed, 07/10/2013 - 3:46 pm

Slightly Stoopid and Atmosphere are joining forces for one of the most anticipated summer tours of 2013. "Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013 features special guests The Grouch & Eligh and Tribal Seeds. The 28 show journey "Kickin' Up Dust" hits outdoor amphitheatres across the country starting on July 10, 2013 when the tour lands in Albuquerque, NM at the Sandia Casino Amphitheater and continues until August 24, 2013 when it rolls through Boca Raton, FL at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater.A summer tradition for thousands of "die-hard" fans known across the nation as "Stoopidheads," Slightly Stoopid's 7th annual summer tour continues the seasonal ritual with some of music's most lauded artists; past year's have included artists such as Snoop Dogg, Stephen Marley, G. Love & Special Sauce, Cypress Hill, Sly & Robbie, and Ozomatli. For the "Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013, Stoopid enlists the renowned Minneapolis hip-hop collective, Atmosphere, supported by the notoriously savvy Bay Area Living Legends MCs The Grouch & Eligh, and rising San Diego local Tribal Seeds. This dynamic lineup is guaranteed to create a trailblazing summer soundtrack, and a noteworthy rite of passage and tradition for summertime concert-goers across the country.Celebrated hip-hop act Atmosphere have released seven studio albums and ten EPs over their career, including the chart-topping album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, which reached #5 on Billboard's Top 200 chart. Rapper Slug (Sean Daley) and DJ/Producer Ant (Anthony Davis), tour in support of their latest album, The Family Sign. The group's most personal and intimate album to date, it is a tribute to the band's extended family, friendships and each other. With an expanding catalogue of instrumental-laced beats and well-versed rhymes, the Mid-West duo has earned critical acclaim for their undeniable artistry.MC compatriots The Grouch & Eligh complement the "Kickin' Up Dust" tour with a distinctly crisp Bay Area style. Not only are their custom-made beats unrivaled, their uplifting rhymes breakdown conventional standards. Each at the top of their game with successful solo careers, The Grouch & Eligh are hip-hop savants with a West Coast conscious approach and dynamic lyricism that serves to educate and elevate. The duo recently appeared onstage with Pretty Lights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and have two collaborations and a new video entitled "All These Lights" with Pretty Lights on their forthcoming album.Audiences are guaranteed to get down in the summer heat with San Diego's Tribal Seeds. Their humble soul-fueled, Cali style is infused throughout their latest album, Soundwaves, which landed at #2 on the Billboard Reggae Charts.The "Kickin' Up Dust" tour comes on the heels of Slightly Stoopid's hugely successful full-length studio album, Top Of The World, and the release of the live DVD recorded at Bob Weir's TRI Studios, Slightly Stoopid & Friends: Live at Roberto's TRI Studios. Upon the release of Top of the World, Stoopid's new album entered the Billboard Top 200 at #13, and the band went on to make their second appearance in two years on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The special TRI Studios live HD DVD + 2 CD set was just released on April 30, 2013 and features Slightly Stoopid alongside special guest artists Bob Weir, Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, Karl Denson, Don Carlos, and in a rare interview segment moderated by Tommy Chong and Weir. A free 8-song sampler highlighting music from both of these releases is available for download at slightlystoopid.com/totw_tristudios. Additional detailed album info is available at SlightlyStoopid.com."Kickin' Up Dust" hits major West Coast, Midwest, East Coast, and Southern cities throughout July & August 2013. Please see the confirmed tour dates listed below; tickets are now on sale at SlightlyStoopid.com.Slightly Stoopid: 8-Song Music SamplerTrack Listing1) Top of the World2) Don't Stop3) Anywhere I Go (TRI)4) Closer to the Sun (TRI) - featuring Karl Denson5) Devil's Door (TRI)6) Wiseman (TRI) - featuring Don Carlos7) Collie Man (TRI)8) Hiphoppablues - featuring G. Love*Free Music Sampler Available at slightlystoopid.com/totw_tristudios"Kickin' Up Dust" Summer Tour 2013:July 10, 2013 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Casino AmphitheaterJuly 11, 2013 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa AmphitheatreJuly 12, 2013 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless AmphitheatreJuly 13, 2013 - Las Vegas, NV - Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las VegasJuly 14, 2013 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara BowlJuly 18, 2013 - Stateline, NV - Montbleu Outdoor ArenaJuly 19, 2013 - Berkeley, CA - Greek TheatreJuly 20, 2013 - Chula Vista, CA - Sleep Train AmphitheatreJuly 24, 2013 - Eugene, OR - Cuthbert AmphitheatreJuly 25, 2013 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center AmphitheaterJuly 26, 2013 - Missoula, MT - Big Sky Brewing CompanyJuly 27, 2013 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Great SaltairAugust 1, 2013 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's BallroomAugust 2, 2013 - Kansas City, MO - CrossroadsAugust 3, 2013 - Council Bluffs, IA - Stir CoveAugust 4, 2013 - Des Moines, IA - Simon Estes AmphitheaterAugust 8, 2013 - Boston, MA - Bank of America PavilionAugust 9, 2013 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony Summer StageAugust 10, 2013 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier @ Penn's LandingAugust 11, 2013 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six PavilionAugust 14, 2013 - Richmond, VA - Pocahontas State ParkAugust 15, 2013 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of BluesAugust 16, 2013 - Raleigh, NC - Red Hat AmphitheaterAugust 17, 2013 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner Cable Uptown AmphitheatreAugust 21, 2013 - Atlanta, GA - The TabernacleAugust 22, 2013 - St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine AmphitheatreAugust 23, 2013 - Cocoa, FL - Cocoa Riverfront ParkAugust 24, 2013 - Boca Raton, FL - Sunset Cove Amphitheater

Thu, 07/11/2013 - 2:07 pm

The 12th Annual Northwest String Summit returns to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) with the finest acoustic pickers and standout electric bands from July 18 - 21, 2013. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country. A family-friendly and locally-sourced festival, Northwest String Summit caps its capacity at 4,500 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festival-goers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: www.stringsummit.com.The 12th Annual Northwest String Summit is hosted by Colorado-based Yonder Mountain String Band; arguably the top touring neo-bluegrass band in the world. Yonder will perform three nights of music, and additional national acts at this year's festival include Leftover SalmonKeller and The Keels, David Grisman Bluegrass ExperienceGreensky Bluegrass, Black Prairie (featuring members of The Decemberists)Danny BarnesDarol AngerDeadly GentlemenHead for the HillsLarry & Jenny: The KeelsPoor Man's Whiskey performing Dark Side of the Moonshine with guest artist Allie Kral of CornmealMilkdrivePolecatBrothers ComatoseIron Horse - Pickin' On Modest Mouse, and The CongressPimps of Joytime will also perform a late-night main stage set on Saturday, July 20, 2013. Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians as a way to support the various thriving local communities. Celebrated Eugene, OR favorite Ninkasi Brewing Company will offer exceptional craft beers onsite for the third year-in-a-row, including an exclusive small-batch NW String Summit Festival Specialty Brew called Clusterpluck Session Ale. Made with Northwest Pale Ale and Honey malts, Clusterpluck is a light and refreshing golden ale -- the perfect accompaniment to a summertime jam session. Ninkasi will host the Northwest Local "Ninkasi Brewing" Stage @ Cascadia Acoustic Coffeehouse, which will feature some of the region's finest bands such as Scott Law & Chris Funk - The Roots of Johnny CashFruitionHorse Feathers, Shook TwinsGiraffe Dodgers with Allie Kral of CornmealSugarcaneBig E's Magik Mornin' Show, and last year's band competition winner Betty and the Boy.String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about the forthcoming festival, "This year we are going into our 12th String Summit and we are delighted to refocus our programming on strings and acoustic music, the foundation of the festival. While there is plenty of pickin' and singin' at this year's Strummit, when the clock strikes midnight, there are surprises in store that will ensure a huge rockin' dance party that is sure to get the trees shaking and the peacocks howlin' along with the crowd!"The following artisan food trucks will provide delicious food options for festival-goers: Nosh on 7thBunk SandwichesToastThai Volcano ExpressSolarshots, and others TBA. Northwest Local "Ninkasi Brewing" Stage @ Cascadia Acoustic Coffeehouse will serve a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, baked goods, and snacks from local favorites such as Trailhead Coffee and Voodoo Doughnuts.Now in its 10th year, the Band Competition at Northwest String Summit reigns in some of the hottest pickers from all across the country. The competition is in line with other top festival competitions, such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and will occur on Friday, July 19, 2013. Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 - 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 21, 2013, and a paid slot at the following year's festival. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications can be submitted until April 19, 2013; for more information please visit: www.stringsummit.com/band-competition-2.12th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information: 4-Day Pass ($135, until 3/14; $160, 3/15 - 5/16; $180, 5/17 - 7/17; $195 day of event)*Festival pass prices include parking and camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 1:39 pm

Real Gone Music continues to chart regions of unexplored musical space with its September 3 fleet of releases, which features a legendary concert by one of the biggest bands of the '70s alongside two acts improbably gaining fame 40 years after the fact, two underappreciated female singers of the '60s, a country contrarian pushing against the Nashville Sound force field and the missing piece in the late-'70s East Coast power pop and new wave scene. Jefferson Starship's July 1975 concert in New York's Central Park drew 100,000 people to hear the band on the eve of the release of its wildly successful album Red Octopus; Real Gone's double-CD includes the complete concert, long cherished by bootleggers for its incendiary performances. Soul diva Claudia Lennear won the hearts of Mick Jagger and David Bowie; now, fans won over by her performance in in the new documentary 20 Feet from Stardom can check out her only solo record, Phew! And Jackson 5 soundalikes Ponderosa Twins Plus One have improbably gained newfound fame recently from Kanye West's prominent sample of their song "Bound" on his new album Yeezus -- our release features their lone original album plus four bonus tracks, all never on CD before.

Then, Real Gone changes course for one of the label's specialties, female singers of the '60s. She could coo love songs or belt it out with the best of the female rockers; now, Jo Ann Campbell's complete Cameo recordings see their first-ever reissue, including rare singles and unreleased material. Hailed as "The Voice of the '60s" and "The Pepsi Girl," Joanie Sommers was another amazingly versatile '60s songbird; Come Alive! -- The Complete Columbia Recordings features all of the recordings she cut for the Columbia label, all new to CD. Also on Columbia, Stonewall Jackson's hardcore honky-tonk recordings of the '60s and '70s seemed positively radical in an era dominated by the smooth Nashville Sound. Real Gone's Original Greatest Hits collects 24 of his most enduring sides. And the label's September 3 slate concludes with a collection over five years in the making. The Paley Brothers: The Complete Recordings adds 11 unreleased tracks to the long-coveted album that Andy and Jonathan Paley released on the Sire label in 1978, including a track the duo recorded with Phil Spector. A power pop essential.

New York City 1975. The city is teetering on bankruptcy, mere months away from President Ford's infamous "Drop dead" speech. And over 100,000 well-lubricated fans attend a free concert by Jefferson Starship in Central Park. What could go wrong?

Actually, unless you were a tree, not much (a constant theme of the concert is threats by the police and park staff to shut down the show unless fans get out of the trees, and the Starship and the concert sponsor, WNEW-FM, had to pony up for park repairs after the event). Jefferson Starship: "Live in Central Park NYC May 12, 1975" presents the band on the eve of the release of Red Octopus, mere months away from ascending commercial heights never attained by the Airplane, and they are absolutely on fire -- there's a reason this concert ranks among the most treasured bootlegs in Airplane or Starship tape collector circles. The material ranges from songs off of their debut Dragonfly ("Ride the Tiger," "Caroline") to tunes from the forthcoming Red Octopus ("Play on Love," "Fast Buck Freddie") to Airplane faves "White Rabbit," "Somebody to Love" and "Volunteers," performed by the early Starship line-up of Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Marty Balin, David Freiberg, Craig Chaquico, Pete Sears, John Barbata and Papa John Creach. The Kantner-Slick-Balin vocal dynamics have rarely been better than on this recording, and guitarist Chaquico particularly shines; it being the '70s, there are also long drum and bass solos and a bit of the anarchic spirit of mid-'70s New York City seeps into the show as well. The scene is captured by professional photographer Allan Tannenbaum (photographer/author of New York in the '70s), who was at the gig and supplies photos (including the cover shot) for this collection, while Richie Unterberger's notes -- featuring exclusive quotes from Jefferson Starship pilot Paul Kantner -- set the stage for the band playing the biggest gig imaginable. The complete concert on two CDs.

Calling Claudia Lennear's appearance in 20 Feet from Stardom, the documentary about the great unsung backup singers in rock 'n' roll, a "star turn" may be a contradiction in terms, but if you find her riveting on screen you're in good company -- not only did she inspire Mick Jagger to write "Brown Sugar" (and David Bowie to write "Lady Grinning Soul"), but Jagger calls her "very hot" and a "beautiful girl" in the film! Claudia made her reputation singing as one of the "Shelter People" that Leon Russell used as session musicians on his Shelter label; she also sang on Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour and at George Harrison's Concert for Bangla Desh among many other projects (there was also that, ahem, photo spread in Playboy). But for those seeking a pure taste of her singular talent, her 1973 album "Phew", her only solo release, is the place to be; side one features her with members of Jim Dickinson's Dixie Flyers and Ry Cooder, side two finds her singing songs written and arranged by the great Allen Toussaint, with such legends as Jim Keltner and Spooner Oldham along for the funky ride. Our Real Gone reissue features a non-LP bonus track and notes by Pat Thomas featuring quotes from Claudia herself. CD debut and an extremely timely one.

Until Kanye West prominently used a sample of their song "Bound" on his latest album Yeezus, Ponderosa Twins Plus One had been languishing in obscurity for about 40 years, but it sure didn't seem like that was their fate back when they got started in the early '70s. Composed of two sets of identical twins (Alfred and Alvin Pelham, Keith and Kirk Gardner) and "plus one" Ricky Spicer, the Cleveland-based act caught the attention of O'Jays member Bobby Massey, who cut six sides with the group and shopped them to Sylvia Robinson, owner of All Platinum Records (later Sugar Hill). Robinson loved them, signed them to a distribution deal, and set about grooming them to be the next Jackson 5, putting them on tour with the All Platinum/Stang roster composed of the Moments, the Whatnauts, Lonnie Youngblood, Linda Jones and others. But, while their first three singles all hit the charts, and they had an exciting stage act that, with its sexual element, showed the boys to be mature beyond their years, Ponderosa Twins Plus One never took off, and all five members were out of the music business by 1975. Released in 1971, "2+2+1=Ponderosa Twins Plus One" collected the initial six tracks cut with Bobby Massey plus six more produced by All Platinum house producer Michael Burton; we've added four non-LP singles to this CD debut as bonus tracks. Liner notes by Bill Dahl explore how this prodigiously talented outfit's career went off the tracks and why latter-day artists are rediscovering their music.

Alan Freed introduced Jo Ann Campbell as "our little blonde bombshell" in his jukebox movie Go Johnny Go, but Campbell had a lot more going for her than just her good looks. Almost alone among female singers of her day, Campbell was capable of singing dreamy pop songs one moment and belting out rockers with a set of pipes that rivaled Wanda Jackson's the next. Jo Ann's Gone and ABC recordings have been anthologized, but now ABKCO Music & Records and Real Gone have teamed up to release her recordings for the Cameo label. "All the Hits -- Her Complete Cameo Recordings" includes her 1962 album All the Hits, in stereo save for her hit "(I'm the Girl from) Wolverton Mountain," plus seven mono bonus sides (five singles and two unreleased tracks), carefully assembled by Abkco's Chief Audio Engineer Teri Landi from the original analog master tapes and annotated by Ed Osborne with copious photos.

Capable of singing jazz, pop and rock 'n' roll with equal aplomb, Joanie Sommers was one of the most accomplished and versatile singers of her generation, so much so that at various times she was hailed as "The Voice of the '60s" and "The Pepsi Girl" (after contributing vocals to several jingles for the soft drink brand). However, while her work for the Warner Bros. label has been thoroughly reissued (most notably by another Real Gone release, The Complete Warner Bros. Singles), her subsequent recordings for the Columbia label have remained untouched in the digital age...until now. "Come Alive! -- the Complete Columbia Recordings" includes the complete stereo version of Joanie's 1966 album Come Alive! -- a title derived from a Pepsi ad campaign of the era -- plus nine non-LP single sides, such as her Top 10 Adult Contemporary rendition of "Alfie" and a trio of solo tunes from On The Flip Side, the Burt Bacharach-Hal David TV musical she starred in with Rick Nelson. All nine bonus tracks make their CD debut -- and four are previously unreleased. Plus there's even an original Joanie 1960s Pepsi radio jingle of "Come Alive!" Joanie's manager Alan Eichler contributes liner notes featuring quotes from the singer herself, with photos from her private archive. This was the last album Joanie recorded in the 1960s; it's a key part of her legacy.

Nothing ever came easy for Stonewall Jackson; his dad died before he was born, he ran away from home when he was 14, and finally made it to Music City in 1956 at age 24, just as the Nashville Sound was taking hold with its strings and choruses. Which, of course, was 100% opposite from the kind of hardcore, honky-tonk country that Stonewall played, but he stuck to his guns, and had a bunch of hits nonetheless, which is a real testament to how good this guy was. You'll find the top two dozen tracks on Stonewall Jackson: "Original Greatest Hits", all original Columbia recordings featuring such #1 hits as "Waterloo" and "B.J. the D.J.," together with a revealing essay by Colin Escott containing quotes from the man himself and photos. The definitive Stonewall Jackson collection, and it's not even close.

For power pop fans and aficionados of the mid-to-late-'70s Boston and downtown New York scenes, news that at last a CD is coming out containing ALL of the sides The Paley Brothers released on the Sire label would be reason enough for rejoicing. But news that said CD also contains 11 unreleased bonus tracks drawn straight from the band's archives...well, that's cause for a national holiday among certain quarters of rock 'n' roll fandom! Andy Paley was the lead singer and songwriter for the legendary Boston band the Sidewinders and played with the Modern Lovers, while Jonathan was a member of CBGB's fixture Mong before the siblings formed the Paley Brothers in 1975, and were signed to Sire Records soon thereafter. However, while the band was a favorite of Sire label owner Seymour Stein, and their good looks put them on the covers of teeny bopper magazines, the Paley Brothers only recorded one LP and several singles of sweetly harmonious power pop for Sire that have since become serious cult classics. The brothers then went their separate ways: Andy went on to produce and/or write for such acts as Madonna, k.d. lang, Brian Wilson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John, Brenda Lee, Little Richard, and SpongeBob SquarePants, and Jonathan played with and/or produced such bands as the Nervous Eaters, the Dogmatics, Band 19, Skirt, Shrapnel, Classic Ruins, and the Reflectors as well as composing for soundtracks. Now, 35 years after the release of their lone album, the Paley Brothers are back with "The Complete Recordings", a collection of 26 tracks they compiled and polished in the studio, their complete recordings including the entire 1978 self-titled release on Sire produced by Earl Mankey and the singles they recorded for the label produced by Jimmy Iovine, plus the version of "Come On Let's Go" they recorded with the Ramones that was on the Rock and Roll High School soundtrack; the song "Jacques Cousteau" they recorded under the name The Young Jacques; and 11 unreleased tracks, highlighted by two from their 1978 Madison Square Garden gig opening for Shaun Cassidy and a track they recorded for Sire, "Baby, Let's Stick Together," that was produced by none other than Phil Spector. Gene Sculatti's liner notes include copious quotes from the Paley Brothers, testimonials from such luminaries as Seymour Stein, Brian Wilson and Debbie Harry, and photos from their private archive.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 5:15 pm

British-born singer-songwriter Piers Faccini's fifth solo studio album, Between Dogs and Wolves, will be released in North America by Six Degrees Records on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 and on his newly launched Beating Drum label in Europe. An intimate suite of songs on the themes of love and desire, Between Dogs and Wolves depicts the unknowable and indefinable spaces between these themes, spirit and animal, between the wild and the tamed."In France, where I live," says Faccini, "there is an expression to describe twilight. It is called entre chien et loup, between dog and wolf. I wanted to use this metaphor for the album title, to transcribe the moment between day and night to the personal landscape of relationships, and to the stories we live, falling in and out of love.”With several albums already behind him, Faccini felt a strong calling to take his music to new places as yet unexplored. His previous album, 2011's My Wilderness -- like the self-portrait that he made for the album of cut-up maps of the world -- was, he says, about roaming in a kind of imaginary desert, a place where nothing is marked or signposted and where nothing is permanent. For Between Dogs and Wolves, Faccini chose to explore a different kind of geography, one that resides within each of us. "I tried to work with several different aspects of the immense subject of love," he explains. "Some songs deal with the search for love or the quest for unity that we play out seeking a lover, other songs concern nostalgia and memory in the context of desire. I wanted to create a large, existential tableau around the subject of love, relationships, sexuality and desire."The journey is a reflective one, a collection of soulful meditations. Faccini's low-key vocal performances -- described as "a whisper of grand mysteries" by The New York Times -- are front and center in the mix, accompanied variously by double bass, guitar, cello, harmonium, dulcimer, kora and echoes of analog electronica -- all acoustic. Faccini played and recorded all of the instruments himself, except the bass, which was played by longtime collaborator Jules Bikoko, and the cello, contributed by Dom la Nena (Faccini co-produced la Nena's latest album Ela, now out on Six Degrees Records). Both musicians also supply harmony vocals.In addition to spearheading the musical direction on the album, Faccini also created the Between Dogs and Wolves album art, as he did for My Wilderness. A skilled painter (see samples at www.piersfaccini.com/art), Faccini's singular collection of artwork leaves a substantive lasting impression and seamlessly complements his music; Faccini's gift is his ability to bring the listener into his world. There's at once an inherent familiarity with Between Dogs and Wolves and an eclectic, lived-in vibe.For Piers Faccini, the journey that would take him to Between Dogs and Wolves began in London where he was born and raised, although his family also lived for short periods in France and Italy when he was a child. He first made his mark musically in the late '90s in London with the group Charley Marlowe, but the desire for a greater level of personal expression led him to leave the band, and he released his debut solo album, Leave No Trace, in 2004. Faccini's following grew rapidly through touring with artists such as Ben Harper, Amadou & Mariam, Ballake Sissoko, and his subsequent solo albums --Tearing Sky (2006), Two Grains of Sand (2009, voted "Album of the Year" by French radio France Inter) and My Wilderness (2011) -- each widened his fan base. Faccini has also released a DVD, A New Morning, filmed in the Cevennes in southern France, where he lives with his family.At the moment though, it's the new album that best reflects his present artistic state of mind. "Between Dogs and Wolves weaves a story of a journey of emancipation from the first song to the last," Faccini says.New York's WNYC radio praised Faccini's "solid songwriting, understated guitar work, and smoky drawl," and All About Jazz has proclaimed, "Piers Faccini exudes confidence and charisma in both his singing and playing...His music is fresh and enjoyable, and is overdue for wider discovery by audiences in the United States." Between Dogs and Wolves marks a quantum leap in the artistry of Piers Faccini -- along with it, the time for that wider discovery has surely arrived.Piers Faccini Tour Dates:Sept. 12, 2013 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Café*Sept. 13, 2013 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theater*Sept. 14, 2013 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue*Sept. 15, 2013 - Chicago, IL - Park West*Sept. 17, 2013 - Cincinnati, OH - 20th Century Theater*Sept. 18, 2013 - Knoxville, TN - Bijou Theater**Supporting the Wood Brothers

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 3:38 pm

Coming up in October & November 2013, Yonder Mountain String Band appears at select venues and music festivals in the Deep South, Midwest and Northeast, including Greenfield Amphitheater (Wilmington, NC; October 9), Amos' Southend (Charlotte, NC; October 10), The Georgia Theater (Athens, GA; October 11), Track 29 (Chattanooga, TN; October 13), The Lyric (Oxford, MS; October 16), Harvest Fest (Ozark, AR; October 17-19), Turner Hall Ballroom (Milwaukee, WI; October 23), First Avenue (Minneapolis, MN; October 24), House of Blues (Chicago, IL; October 25 & 26), Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn, NY; October 29 & 30), Theatre of Living Arts (Philadelphia, PA; October 31), House of Blues (Boston, MA; November 1), and the State Theater (Portland, ME; November 2). Please see the full schedule of YMSB's upcoming tour dates listed below. YMSB is available for interviews, and hi-res photos are available upon request.

YMSB pulls out all the stops for this year's Harvest Festival (Mulberry Mountain: Ozark, Arkansas) as they host the three-day event for the fourth time, from October 17 - 19, 2013. YMSB rounds up some of today's biggest names in bluegrass, folk and Americana, an array of lauded singer-songwriters and standout festival-circuit favorites including Tedeschi Trucks Band, Les Claypool's Duo de Twang, Railroad Earth, Beats Antique, JJ Grey & MOFRO, Kacey Musgraves and Justin Townes Earle just to name a few. Home to two nationally celebrated music festivals -- Harvest Festival and Wakarusa -- Mulberry Mountain stands as one of the country's most remote and scenic live music venues. Promoters intentionally cap out the festival's attendance at 8,500 (instead of 40,000 maximum capacity) in order to maintain the intimate experience and appeal of the annual event. Harvest Fest takes place during the peak of the annual fall foliage in the lush Ozark Mountains -- the perfect setting for a mind-blowing end of season affair.

For the second year-in-a-row, YMSB hosts "Strings & Sol" from December 11 - 15, 2013 at the Now Sapphire Resort in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. Performing alongside YMSB, other epic string bands includes Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, Keller Williams w/ The Travelin' McCourys, and Greensky Bluegrass. Come spend your days swimming and lounging by pristine blue waters, participating in activities with various band members and exploring the Mayan Riviera. Each night, standout string bands perform multiple shows on the beautiful beach at Now Sapphire. All performances, as well as all you can eat and drink are included in the cost of accommodations. For more information, please visit: www.stringsandsol.com.

YMSB returns to the Boulder Theater (Boulder, CO) in December 2013 for four shows to ring in 2014. Special guests will be announced in the coming weeks, and tickets are now available for purchase through Yonder Ticketing.

It's not often you hear of a neo-bluegrass band breaking into the national spotlight with a performance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, tour dates with Dave Matthews, and selling out 9,000 seat venues (i.e. Red Rocks Amphitheater). Yonder Mountain String Band is clearly the exception to the rule, having performed in front of 250,000 fans over the past year and acquiring more than 175,000 "Likes" on their Facebook page. Now in their 14th year as a group, Yonder continues to sell-out top music venues across the country including The Fillmore (San Francisco, CA), Red Rocks Amphitheater (Denver, CO), Pepsi Center (Denver, CO), Best Buy Theater (NYC), Stubb's (Austin, TX), House of Blues (Chicago, IL) and others.


Yonder Mountain String Band is comprised of Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Jeff Austin (mandolin, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals) and Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals). With the band having one of the strongest touring bases in the industry, fans and critics alike have been drawn to both their live shows and singular studio albums. Reporting from the All Good Music Festival (2009), journalist Jarrett Bellini from CNN Showbiz Tonight notes, "The trophy for best musical set goes to Yonder Mountain String Band who, as the sun began to set, left it all on the stage for an hour and a half. The pickers from Colorado had the audience dancing and shaking, kicking up a joyful storm of dust into the cool summer sky."

Commenting on their latest studio recording The Show, Rolling Stone critic Will Hermes says, "The concept is great: liberate bluegrass' hot-shit riffing and blue-sky harmonies from its hidebound formalism and see where it flies. This Boulder, CO crew brings dazzling chops to the table." Produced by rock producer Tom Rothrock (Beck, Foo Fighters), The Show marks Yonder's second go around with Rothrock and their fifth studio album released on their independent label, Frog Pad Records. Featuring the band backed by Elvis Costello's sideman Pete Thomas on drums on six tracks, The Show includes 14 original compositions written by various band members. This fall, YMSB showcases newly written material that'll be featured on a new studio EP due out in 2013, as well as songs from The Show and their extensive catalogue.

Yonder has always played music by its own design. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences, they've come to pioneer a sound that they alone could only champion. With a traditional lineup of instruments, they may appear to be a traditional bluegrass band at first glance but they've taken the customary old-timey instrumentation (sans the fiddle) to new heights, transcending any single genre. Yonder has become a regular performer at major music festivals like the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Northwest String Summit and DelFest as well as massive multi-stage events like Austin City Limits Festival, Bonnaroo and Rothbury.

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band, please visit www.yondermountain.com.

Yonder Mountain String Band Tour Dates:
10/9 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Amphitheater
10/10 - Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend
10/11 - Athens, GA - The Georgia Theater
10/12 - Silk Hope, NC - Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
10/13 - Chattanooga, TN - Track 29
10/16 - Oxford, MS - The Lyric
10/17 - 10/19 - Ozark, AK - Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival
10/23 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom
10/24 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
10/25 & 10/26 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
10/29 & 10/30 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl
10/31 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
11/1 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
11/2 - Portland, ME - State Theater
12/11 - 12/14 - Puerto Morelos, Mexico - Strings & Sol
12/27 - 12/31 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater

Wed, 09/18/2013 - 2:10 pm

Bluegrass is a music steeped in tradition, but over the past decade and a half -- much of it spent on the road -- Yonder Mountain String Band has spearheaded a renegade movement to rewrite the definition of the genre. Alongside other neo-bluegrass friends such as Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, The Travelin' McCourys, and Railroad Earth, YMSB has thoroughly revitalized and contemporized bluegrass and introduced it to many thousands of new fans. Rolling Stone said that YMSB "liberates bluegrass' hot-shit riffing and blue-sky harmonies from its hidebound formalism," while Paste Magazine wrote, "The Yonder Mountain boys have found a formula that works: take rootsy bluegrass influences, add in some rock 'n' roll, and seek out an adventurous audience."

That adventurous audience will eagerly embrace YMSB EP '13, to be released on CD and vinyl Oct. 8, 2013 on the band's own Frog Pad Records, and October 15 digitally. Self-produced by YMSB, the four-track EP features one song written and sung by each member: "Straight Line" by Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), "Don't Worry Happy Birthday" by Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), "Rag Doll" by Jeff Austin (mandolin, vocals) and special guest songwriter Danny Barnes, and "All the Time" by Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals). The recording was cut at Electrical Audio in Chicago during a momentary break from the road, a method that seems to suit Yonder Mountain String Band's hectic pace.

"The EP is something we recorded while on the road," says Kaufmann. "We seek out studios to work in while touring, and while the juices are flowing and chops are at maximum potential, we take a couple of days to record. There are four singers and four songwriters in the band; what a perfect way for us to release studio material."

Touring is in this band's DNA, and YMSB has evolved into something of a phenomenon on the concert and festival circuit -- they are, in fact, one of the top touring bluegrass bands in the country today. Yonder Mountain has sold out Colorado's famed Red Rocks several times, and played sold-out shows with ex-Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh at his Terrapin Crossroads in August 2012. They also host three singular music festivals every year -- Northwest String Summit (now in its 12th year and hosted by YMSB every year), Harvest Music Festival (where they will host for the fourth time in October 2013), and Strings & Sol (Yonder hosts for the second year-in-a-row in Mexico in December 2013) -- and have consecutively sold out runs of shows at Telluride Bluegrass Festival year after year. In all, Yonder Mountain logs over 100 live dates per year, allowing them to polish their material -- and after hunkering down in a recording studio for a couple of days at a time, to release studio tracks at their highest level of ability.

"YMSB EP '13 is the first in a series of EPs we'll release," says Aijala. "We dropped one show per tour to head into the recording studio. Touring is such a big part of Yonder's life that recording while out on the road is an excellent new paradigm for us." Kaufmann adds, "The music world is so different these days, it's all about bite-sized chunks, so we felt a series of EPs was the best way to capture magic in the studio, and something that our fans could truly relate to. We asked ourselves, what's really feasible when you have a band with so many songwriters? When you have an EP, you can have all these connections and interrelations in four songs, it just works for YMSB."

"Yes, we will make a full-length album again," Aijala assures, "but for now our focus while out on the road is to find special recording studios, and lay down a handful of tracks at a time."

The result this first time out is a testament to the hit-and-run concept. That inter-connectedness Johnston talks about becomes apparent when the four songs are absorbed as a whole. "There's a discussion going on with all the tunes," he says. "At the core of the whole thing, there are four different voices, talking about different ways of being apart from things. The characters are examining how to relate to the circumstances unfolding around them in their lives. In 'Don't Worry,' at the heart of the song there's a guy guilty for being gone. It goes deeper than a man who has forgotten the birthday of someone he loves; it is an apology for all the things he has forgotten, missed or neglected."

"Straight Line" examines the failure of good intentions, about realizing that while it seemed easier at times to take the straight line, the narrator of the song missed a lot of growth, adventure and experiences. By being too focused on the future, one loses sight on what is happening now.

Aijala, who wrote "All the Time," says, "You can find connections if you really pay attention." But, about his own contribution, he adds, "'All the Time' didn't come from a personal place. I'm totally happy in the relationship I'm in. I felt in the mood to write a song, and it came out in a single day. Other songs are different, I mean, Ben and I have a song we started in 2002 and it's still not done."


"Rag Doll," co-written by Jeff Austin and Danny Barnes, taps back into a 25 year-old daydream. Austin notes, "This song started as a daydream I would have as a kid. I would walk around and make up songs, singing them to myself all the time. I'm capturing a kid dreaming about what can be possible in the future. I had written the first part of the chorus, and took it to Danny, who I've known for many years. The connectivity of his voice, I just love what he came up with, 'I'm a rag doll peepin' in your window shade.'"

At the core of each song, there's distance, adds Johnston. "The speakers are not in the middle of the action, they are away from the action. But every one of the speakers is trying to examine his life. I think all artists unconsciously wonder, 'How effective is what I'm doing? What difference does it make if I act good or bad?'"

For YMSB EP '13, the band dispensed with outside producers and took the studio reins themselves. "I thought that self-producing the record would provide us with an opportunity to understand our music as we saw it, not that we are averse to working with a producer," says Johnston. "Also, scheduling time to get away after a busy tour left us limited options. But it's exactly these sorts of constraints that make for creative solutions and hopefully creative music."

"These days it's about flow, for me," adds Kaufmann, who wrote his contribution, "Straight Line," about a decade ago, started playing it live with Adam in 2010, and finally brought it into the studio for the EP. "What are the things I can do to keep creativity flowing?" he asks. "And how can Yonder continue to create and produce material with ease? Yonder spends so much time on tour, performing live music, and we're at our best when we're playing live. What better time, then, to record? By integrating studio recording with touring I feel we give ourselves every opportunity to capture Yonder Mountain at our best. The new EP captures the true sound of Yonder better than any of our previous releases, in my opinion."

Adds Jeff Austin, succinctly, "It's always inspiring to try new things, so, why not?! To take some songs that people have only known live and to give them a different take, it's always interesting to hear their reactions."

In addition to the music itself, fans will surely take notice of the striking artwork that graces the cover of YMSB EP '13. It was created by Johnny Sampson, who has produced 27 different poster designs for YMSB since 2009. Describing his intent with the cover, Sampson says, "The design represents four different elements (spine, veins, tree branch, various instrument strings) intertwining to form a unified whole. Implied is the bond of the four members of the band. Separately, they each have their own distinct contrasting attributes, but together they exist as a tight-knit group of organized chaos. I like that it's an enigmatic image and tells an open-ended story, with no real right or wrong interpretation."

Says Johnston, summing up, "I'm really excited about putting out the EP because it is a step in the right direction: working under our own creative control and intuition, being motivated to record on tour, and keeping an open dialogue about what we want out of our releases. The next EP could be songs we've never performed before," he adds. "We could work with a producer. Fans can expect the unexpected!"

And that, in the end, has always been what YMSB has been about: expecting the unexpected!

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band, please visit www.yondermountain.com.

YMSB FALL TOUR DATES

10/9 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Amphitheater
10/10 - Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend
10/11 - Athens, GA - The Georgia Theater
10/12 - Silk Hope, NC – Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
10/13 - Chattanooga, TN - Track 29
10/16 - Oxford, MS - The Lyric
10/17 - 10/19 - Ozark, AK - Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival
10/23 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom
10/24 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
10/25 & 10/26 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
10/29 & 10/30 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl
10/31 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
11/1 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
11/2 - Portland, ME - State Theater
12/11 - 12/14 - Puerto Morelos, Mexico - Strings & Sol
12/27 - 12/31 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater

Tue, 11/05/2013 - 3:36 pm

Coming up in January & February 2014, Yonder Mountain String Band heads out on tour in support of their brand new EP, YMSB EP '13 (Frog Pad Records: Oct. 8, 2013), hitting select venues with The Travelin' McCourys in the Deep South, East Coast, and Midwest. Joining YMSB on stage while bandmate Jeff Austin (mandolin/vocals) welcomes his new baby girl at home (Austin will not perform on the first 17 YMSB shows of 2014; please check out the personal note from Jeff on YMSB's homepage: www.yondermountain.com) will be Ronnie McCoury and Jason Carter of The Travelin' McCourys (except in Knoxville, Indianapolis, Columbus, and Madison; special guests for these markets will be announced soon). Nothing is more important to Yonder Mountain than family, they proudly support Austin during this special time and forge forth with the new line-up in early 2014. The Travelin' McCourys are set to open shows in 13 markets. Please visit YMSB's tour page for the full list of forthcoming shows, and all the confirmed tour dates are also listed below.YMSB WINTER TOUR DATES12/11 - 12/14 - Puerto Morelos, Mexico - Strings & Sol12/27 - 12/31 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater12/30 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater - Colorado Floods Benefit Concert1/22 - Lexington, KY - Buster's*1/23 - Covington, KY - Madison Theater*1/24 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works*1/25 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle*1/29 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall*1/30 - Jacksonville, FL - Freebird Live*1/31 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution*2/1 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live*2/5 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm*2/6 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel*2/7 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel*2/8 - Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre2/11 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater*2/13 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue2/14 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion2/15 - Madison, WI - Orpheum Theater2/16 - Urbana, IL - Canopy Club** w/ The Travelin' McCourys

Thu, 11/21/2013 - 11:41 am

No post New Year's hangover for Real Gone Music -- the label is slotting four more coveted collector's items for release on 2014's first available street date, January 7. The groundbreaking jazz-rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears receives Real Gone's patented singles collection treatment with the release of the 2-CD set The Complete Columbia Singles. The complete Atlantic recordings of Southern soul diva Bettye Swann are compiled for the first time ever, with five unissued cuts, while the label offers another rare slice of '70s soul with its release of keyboardist and songwriter Samuel Jonathan Johnson's only solo album. And Real Gone breaks from its trip backwards through the Grateful Dead's Dick's Picks series to celebrate the New Year with a volume that was recorded at one of the band's end-of-year, week-long celebrations in the Bay Area.They were a pioneering jazz-rock outfit and a hit singles band (which shows how progressive pop music got in the late '60s/early '70s) that wowed fans and critics alike. They were Blood, Sweat & Tears -- and the two-CD, 32-track set, "The Complete Columbia Singles", offers not only the most comprehensive collection ever compiled of their work, but also the most appropriate lens through which to view their long and often chaotic career. Very few bands experienced the kind of turnover that Blood, Sweat & Tears did and lived to tell the tale -- the group began with the Blues Project's Steve Katz and Al Kooper as their visionary leaders, but Kooper left after their first album, to be replaced by David Clayton-Thomas as lead singer, thus launching the band's "classic" period punctuated with such hits as "You've Made Me So Very Happy," "And When I Die" and "Spinning Wheel" (here in their rare mono single mixes). After their fourth album, B. S. & T: 4, Clayton-Thomas and original members Fred Lipsius and Dick Halligan left en masse, yet the band soldiered on, winding up with only one original member -- drummer Bobby Colomby -- by the time they called it quits with Columbia. Yet, through it all, Blood, Sweat & Tears maintained a remarkably high level of musicianship and material throughout their stint with the label, and their innovative use of jazzy horn arrangements in a rock context paved the way for such bands as Chicago, Cold Blood, Chase and If. Along the way, they also integrated elements of psychedelia, R&B, folk and classical music into their jazz-rock framework to produce an eclectic mix of recordings unlike that of any other band of the era. Blood, Sweat & Tears: "The Complete Columbia Singles" follows the band through every phase and configuration, and features five single versions/mixes making their first appearance on CD. Producer Ed Osborne's notes include fresh quotes from Steve Katz, and the entire set is beautifully remastered by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios in NYC. The ultimate look at an underrated band.Soul singer Bettye Swann first came to international prominence with her now-classic 1967 No. 1 R&B hit, "Make Me Yours." Following a couple of years of recording for Capitol Records, the Louisiana-born songstress was signed to Atlantic Records where she recorded for close to five years (1972-1976). Now, for the first time ever, Bettye Swann: "The Complete Atlantic Recordings" -- compiled by noted soul music historian David Nathan for Real Gone Music and SoulMusic Records - documents her tenure with Atlantic with a 23-track collection containing everything she recorded for the label, featuring the seven singles released by Atlantic, two of which - "Victim Of A Foolish Heart" and "Today I Started Loving You Again" - became R&B chart hits. The set also features two tracks only released on UK compilations; five previously unissued cuts; and both sides of Bettye's one-off duet with noted R&B songwriter/recording artist Sam Dees. Liner notes by renowned UK music journalist Charles Waring include quotes from Bettye, who resurfaced from retirement in 2013 to perform a one-time show in Britain.He only cut this one full album in 1978 for Columbia Records, but Samuel Jonathan Johnson is an artist mentioned by '70s soul aficionados in the same breath by as jazzy R&B contemporaries like Roy Ayers or Norman Connors. "My Music" displays a wonderful blend of mellow moments and more groove-heavy tracks -- all handled with wonderful keyboards from Johnson, who gets nice and spacey at times. This reissue, released by Real Gone in their continuing partnership with Chicago retailer and tastemaker Dusty Groove, features liner notes by Johnson's daughter (and fine singer in her own right) Yolanda Johnson, with added photos and remastering by Maria Triana at Battery Studios in NYC. Very tasty, long-requested and oft-sampled '70s soul sounds.Starting with Vol. 36, Real Gone has been releasing the Dick's Picks series in reverse order, but the label is putting out Vol. 10 now to honor one of the most hallowed Grateful Dead traditions: the run of shows the band would put on in the Bay Area the last week of December leading up to the year's end. With the exception of the years 1973 - 1975, the Dead always could be found around town playing a New Year's Eve show, usually as part of a combo bill with other Bay Area bands, but starting in 1977, the year of this show, the group began to headline a series of concerts the last week of the year, a ritual they continued for 15 straight (or not-so-straight) years. And of all those concerts, this one, taking place at Winterland Arena the year before the Dead closed the venue for good on New Year's Eve, has long been regarded as the musical high water mark of the band's end-of-year festivities. Arguably the most consistent concert in the Dick's Picks series, the 3-CD set opens with one of the strongest versions of "Jack Straw" extant and doesn't look back, with the return (after three years) of "China Cat Sunflower" a clear highlight. "Dick's Picks Vol. 10 -- Winterland Arena December 29, 1977" also removes two songs, "It Must Have Been the Roses" and "Sunrise," from the 12/29 show in order to make room for a marvelous medley from the following night of "Estimated Prophet"/"Eyes of the World"/"St. Stephen"/"Sugar Magnolia;" a judicious edit indeed. There was nothing like a Grateful Dead concert -- and there was nothing like celebrating New Year's with them, either.

Fri, 12/06/2013 - 11:14 am

Yonder Mountain String Band is thrilled to announce an all-star cast of special guests joining the festivities during their hometown New Year's Eve run at the Boulder Theater. Slide guitar master Roosevelt Collier will bring his 'sacred steel' to the Front Range on December 27th. From Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, inventor, scientist, composer and innovative modern musician Futureman will join the celebration on December 28th. World-class Dobro master Jerry Douglas joins the boys on December 29th. And the "King of Telluride", multi-instrumentalist Sam Bush will help Yonder ring in 2014 on December 31st. Make sure not to miss this incredible line up throughout the NYE run, while YMSB says goodbye to 2013 and hello to a brand new year! A limited amount of 4-show passes are being released today, as well as single show tickets are on sale now via the Boulder Theater.

Bluegrass is a music steeped in tradition, but over the past decade and a half -- much of it spent on the road -- Yonder Mountain String Band has spearheaded a renegade movement to rewrite the definition of the genre. Alongside other neo-bluegrass friends such as Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, The Travelin' McCourys, and Railroad Earth, YMSB has thoroughly revitalized and contemporized bluegrass and introduced it to many thousands of new fans. Rolling Stone said that YMSB "liberates bluegrass' hot-shit riffing and blue-sky harmonies from its hidebound formalism," while Paste Magazine wrote, "The Yonder Mountain boys have found a formula that works: take rootsy bluegrass influences, add in some rock 'n' roll, and seek out an adventurous audience."

That adventurous audience will eagerly embrace YMSB EP '13, which was just released on CD and vinyl Oct. 8, 2013 on the band's own Frog Pad Records, and October 15 digitally. Self-produced by YMSB, the four-track EP features one song written and sung by each member: "Straight Line" by Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), "Don't Worry Happy Birthday" by Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), "Rag Doll" by Jeff Austin (mandolin, vocals) and special guest songwriter Danny Barnes, and "All the Time" by Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals). The recording was cut at Electrical Audio in Chicago during a momentary break from the road, a method that seems to suit Yonder Mountain String Band's hectic pace.


"The EP is something we recorded while on the road," says Kaufmann. "We seek out studios to work in while touring, and while the juices are flowing and chops are at maximum potential, we take a couple of days to record. There are four singers and four songwriters in the band; what a perfect way for us to release studio material."

Touring is in this band's DNA, and YMSB has evolved into something of a phenomenon on the concert and festival circuit -- they are, in fact, one of the top touring bluegrass bands in the country today. Yonder Mountain has sold out Colorado's famed Red Rocks several times, and played sold-out shows with ex-Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh at his Terrapin Crossroads in August 2012. They also host three singular music festivals every year -- Northwest String Summit (now in its 12th year and hosted by YMSB every year), Harvest Music Festival (where they will host for the fourth time in October 2013), and Strings & Sol (Yonder hosts for the second year-in-a-row in Mexico in December 2013) -- and have consecutively sold out runs of shows at Telluride Bluegrass Festival year after year. In all, Yonder Mountain logs over 100 live dates per year, allowing them to polish their material -- and after hunkering down in a recording studio for a couple of days at a time, to release studio tracks at their highest level of ability.

"YMSB EP '13 is the first in a series of EPs we'll release," says Aijala. "We dropped one show per tour to head into the recording studio. Touring is such a big part of Yonder's life that recording while out on the road is an excellent new paradigm for us." Kaufmann adds, "The music world is so different these days, it's all about bite-sized chunks, so we felt a series of EPs was the best way to capture magic in the studio, and something that our fans could truly relate to. We asked ourselves, what's really feasible when you have a band with so many songwriters? When you have an EP, you can have all these connections and interrelations in four songs, it just works for YMSB."

"Yes, we will make a full-length album again," Aijala assures, "but for now our focus while out on the road is to find special recording studios, and lay down a handful of tracks at a time."

The result this first time out is a testament to the hit-and-run concept. That inter-connectedness Johnston talks about becomes apparent when the four songs are absorbed as a whole. "There's a discussion going on with all the tunes," he says. "At the core of the whole thing, there are four different voices, talking about different ways of being apart from things. The characters are examining how to relate to the circumstances unfolding around them in their lives. In 'Don't Worry,' at the heart of the song there's a guy guilty for being gone. It goes deeper than a man who has forgotten the birthday of someone he loves; it is an apology for all the things he has forgotten, missed or neglected."

"Straight Line" examines the failure of good intentions, about realizing that while it seemed easier at times to take the straight line, the narrator of the song missed a lot of growth, adventure and experiences. By being too focused on the future, one loses sight on what is happening now.

Aijala, who wrote "All the Time," says, "You can find connections if you really pay attention." But, about his own contribution, he adds, "'All the Time' didn't come from a personal place. I'm totally happy in the relationship I'm in. I felt in the mood to write a song, and it came out in a single day. Other songs are different, I mean, Ben and I have a song we started in 2002 and it's still not done."

"Rag Doll," co-written by Jeff Austin and Danny Barnes, taps back into a 25 year-old daydream. Austin notes, "This song started as a daydream I would have as a kid. I would walk around and make up songs, singing them to myself all the time. I'm capturing a kid dreaming about what can be possible in the future. I had written the first part of the chorus, and took it to Danny, who I've known for many years. The connectivity of his voice, I just love what he came up with, 'I'm a rag doll peepin' in your window shade.'"

At the core of each song, there's distance, adds Johnston. "The speakers are not in the middle of the action, they are away from the action. But every one of the speakers is trying to examine his life. I think all artists unconsciously wonder, 'How effective is what I'm doing? What difference does it make if I act good or bad?'"

For YMSB EP '13, the band dispensed with outside producers and took the studio reins themselves. "I thought that self-producing the record would provide us with an opportunity to understand our music as we saw it, not that we are averse to working with a producer," says Johnston. "Also, scheduling time to get away after a busy tour left us limited options. But it's exactly these sorts of constraints that make for creative solutions and hopefully creative music."

"These days it's about flow, for me," adds Kaufmann, who wrote his contribution, "Straight Line," about a decade ago, started playing it live with Adam in 2010, and finally brought it into the studio for the EP. "What are the things I can do to keep creativity flowing?" he asks. "And how can Yonder continue to create and produce material with ease? Yonder spends so much time on tour, performing live music, and we're at our best when we're playing live. What better time, then, to record? By integrating studio recording with touring I feel we give ourselves every opportunity to capture Yonder Mountain at our best. The new EP captures the true sound of Yonder better than any of our previous releases, in my opinion."

Adds Jeff Austin, succinctly, "It's always inspiring to try new things, so, why not?! To take some songs that people have only known live and to give them a different take, it's always interesting to hear their reactions."

In addition to the music itself, fans will surely take notice of the striking artwork that graces the cover of YMSB EP '13. It was created by Johnny Sampson, who has produced 27 different poster designs for YMSB since 2009. Describing his intent with the cover, Sampson says, "The design represents four different elements (spine, veins, tree branch, various instrument strings) intertwining to form a unified whole. Implied is the bond of the four members of the band. Separately, they each have their own distinct contrasting attributes, but together they exist as a tight-knit group of organized chaos. I like that it's an enigmatic image and tells an open-ended story, with no real right or wrong interpretation."

Says Johnston, summing up, "I'm really excited about putting out the EP because it is a step in the right direction: working under our own creative control and intuition, being motivated to record on tour, and keeping an open dialogue about what we want out of our releases. The next EP could be songs we've never performed before," he adds. "We could work with a producer. Fans can expect the unexpected!"

And that, in the end, has always been what YMSB has been about: expecting the unexpected!

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band, please visit www.yondermountain.com.

YMSB WINTER & SPRING TOUR DATES

12/11 - 12/14 - Puerto Morelos, Mexico - Strings & Sol
12/27 - 12/31 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater
12/30 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater - Colorado Floods Benefit Concert
1/22 - Lexington, KY - Buster's*
1/23 - Covington, KY - Madison Theater*
1/24 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works*
1/25 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle*
1/29 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall*
1/30 - Jacksonville, FL - Freebird Live*
1/31 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution*
2/1 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live*
2/5 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm*
2/6 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel*
2/7 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel*
2/8 - Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre
2/11 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater*
2/13 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
2/14 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
2/15 - Madison, WI - Orpheum Theater
2/16 - Urbana, IL - Canopy Club*
3/19 - Fayetteville, AR - George's Majestic #
3/20 - Tunica, MS - Bluesville
3/21 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom #
3/22 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant #
3/23 - Springfield, MO - Gillioz Theater #
3/26 - Baton Rouge, LA - Varsity Theatre #
3/27 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues #
3/28 - Austin, TX - Stubb's BBQ #
3/29 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater #
4/1 - Flagstaff, AZ - Orpheum Theatre #
4/2 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
4/3 - Stateline, NV - Montbleu Resort
4/4 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
4/5 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
4/8 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
4/9 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theatre
4/10 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Market
4/11 - Missoula, MT - Wilma Theater
4/12 - Missoula, MT - Wilma Theater

* w/ The Travelin' McCourys
# w/ The Brothers Comatose

Wed, 01/15/2014 - 2:00 pm

Hailing from the indie music mecca of Portland, OR, the Shook Twins have enlisted Grammy Award-nominated producer Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Fleet Foxes, Brandi Carlile) for their third full-length studio album, What We Do, scheduled to be independently released on April 8, 2014; What We Do is mastered by Gavin Lurssen (Loretta Lynn, Tom Waits). Following an annual Winter Ski Tour 2014 through their native Idaho, to Wyoming and Utah, the Shook Twins make a much-anticipated three-day debut appearance at this year's Folk Alliance Conference in Kansas City, MO (Feb. 20 - 22, 2014). In April & May 2014, the Shook Twins hit the road for a national headlining tour appearing at venerable venues such as Mississippi Studios (Portland, OR: April 11), Freight & Salvage (Berkeley, CA: April 17), Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA: April 25), McDonald Theater (Eugene, OR: May 2), Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (Chico, CA: May 6), and many others. All forthcoming tour dates are listed below.

It's no wonder the twenty-something Shook Twins are gaining national attention for their haunting indie-folk sound. Since relocating to Portland in December 2009, they've performed alongside Carolina Chocolate Drops, Laura Veirs, Langhorne Slim, and even hosted The Lumineers (prior to their mega-hit, "Ho-Hey") at their singular house concerts. Wesley Schultz, co-founder of The Lumineers, says, "The Shook Twins helped us out when we were coming up, letting us crash on couches and organizing house shows. The Shook Twins have that DIY spirit..." Identical twins, Katelyn and Laurie Shook, certainly are a DIY success story; they've raised $26,734 via Kickstarter to record What We Do with Ryan Hadlock at Bear Creek Studios (Seattle, WA).

Shook Twins have garnered strong local endorsements, with the Willamette Weekly (Portland, OR) exclaiming, "Shook Twins are the most exciting local folk act I've heard in ages. Strike that word 'local' and the sentiment still stands." And, the sisters' contagious quirky vibe and impassioned songwriting reaches far beyond just the indie music scene, to stalwarts in the literary world and cult craft beer companies. New York Times best-selling author and husband of Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman notes, "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."

James Brook, VP of Marketing at Eugene, OR's Ninkasi Brewing Company, touts, "Shook Twins rule! Laurie and Katelyn basically re-defined the 'folk' genre and along with it, helped move the NW folk festival experience into the modern era. Hands down, What We Do is their best work to date -- don't miss it!"

Ambitiously retooling the American roots genre with their idiosyncratic indie-folk songcraft, lush harmonies, foot-stomping gospel/swing ballads and deep groove, the Shook Twins are set to be one of 2014's breakout bands. On their latest recording, What We Do strikes a meaningful balance between the thoughtful vulnerability of life's struggles and the fiery positivity that carries us through. The album's buoyant opener, "Thoughts All In," celebrates the survival of "the end of the world" (December 21, 2012); Shook Twins note, "the world continued to turn after all the hype of 12/21/12, and it really reminded us about the importance of being better humans, and loving our loved ones even more."

Other standout songs include the slow-burner title track, "What We Do," which embodies, "the essence of our lives; the things we honor and let go of," says the Shook Twins. Beautiful twin harmonies are enmeshed with African-style guitar riffs and campfire percussion, leading to an anthemic bridge with slugging rhythms while the sisters' repeat, "we put our troubles on the moth's wings, we open the window" -- a nod to the album's cover art, an illustration designed by their father depicting a moth in flight.

The futuristic apocalyptic gospel ballad, "Shake," tells the story of a couple who's survived a massive West Coast earthquake, only to face theft and heartache. But only remember the refrain, "the earth is gonna shake you down," and one can take comfort in the fact that those who harm will receive their retribution. "Crisper" is an ode to growing up, and the transition of kids starting to care about money. Laurie Shook recalls, "My sister and I used to spray our dollar bills with water and place them in big books to make them look crisper." On "Awhile," the twins focus on a new relationship that's seemingly very promising and moving fast. The chorus raves, "stop thinking about the end when it's just beginning, hold my hand and make your head stop spinning," only to launch into a fervorous spinning jam session.

On What We Do, the inimitable talents of Laurie and Katelyn Shook are supported by their touring band, including Niko Daoussis (mandolin, electric guitar, vocals), Kyle Volkman (bass), Anna Tivel (violin, vocals), and Russ Kleiner (drum kit, percussion). Laurie's inventive use of percussive and ambient vocal loops as well as Katelyn's repurposed telephone-microphone inflected vocals are layered atop a wide range of creative instruments (i.e. electronic drums, beat boxing, glockenspiel, ukulele, banjo drumming, and their signature golden percussive egg). The Shook Twins is clearly a family, related or otherwise, collectively ascending to dizzying heights with their undeniable charm and free spirit.

The Shook Twins' previous albums have already established them as one of recent years' pre-eminent songwriting forces. You Can Have The Rest (2008) and Window (2011; featuring Elephant Revival's Bonnie Paine and Bridget Law) both received critical praise from the press and extensive radio play, further solidifying the band's demand on the road and becoming a favorite on the festival circuit. The Shook Twins have recently appeared at Harvest Music Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, Northwest String Summit, Oregon County Fair, Sisters Folk Fest, and others.

Don't miss the Shook Twins as they tour nationally this spring in a city near you!

Shook Twins -- Winter & Spring 2014 -- US Tour Dates:

Winter Ski Tour 2014:
2/7 - 2/8 - Sun Valley, ID - River Run Lodge @ Sun Valley Resort
2/8 - Ketchum, ID - Whiskey Jacques
2/9 - Sun Valley, ID - Warm Springs @ Sun Valley Resort
2/14 - 2/ 16 - Alta, WY - Trap Bar @ Grand Targhee Resort
2/20 - 2/22 - Kansas City, MO - Folk Alliance Conference
2/28 - 3/2 - Huntsville, UT - Cinnabar Lounge @ Snowbasin Resort

What We Do CD Release Tour 2014:
4/11 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
4/12 - Bend, OR - Bend Spring Festival
4/13 - Applegate, OR - Applegate Lodge
4/16 - Felton, CA - Don Quixote's
4/17 - Berkeley, CA - Freight & Salvage
4/18 - Sebastopol, CA - Hopmonk Tavern
4/19 - Arcata, CA - Humbrews
4/24 - Bellingham, WA - Wild Buffalo
4/25 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
4/26 - Sandpoint, ID - The Hive
4/27 - Missoula, MT - Top Hat
4/30 - Boise, ID - Visual Arts Collective
5/2 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theater
5/3 - Olympia, WA - Olympia Ballroom
5/5 - Vintage Wine Bar & Restaurant - Redding, CA
5/6 - The Big Room @ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Chico, CA

Thu, 02/13/2014 - 8:04 am

Hailing from the indie music mecca of Portland, OR, the Shook Twins have enlisted Grammy Award-nominated producer Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Fleet Foxes, Brandi Carlile) for their third full-length studio album, What We Do, scheduled to be independently released on April 8, 2014; What We Do is mastered by Gavin Lurssen (Loretta Lynn, Tom Waits). Following an annual Winter Ski Tour 2014 through their native Idaho, to Wyoming and Utah, the Shook Twins make a much-anticipated three-day debut appearance at this year's Folk Alliance Conference in Kansas City, MO (Feb. 20 - 22, 2014). In April & May 2014, the Shook Twins hit the road for a national headlining tour appearing at venerable venues such as Mississippi Studios (Portland, OR: April 11), Freight & Salvage (Berkeley, CA: April 17), Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA: April 25), McDonald Theater (Eugene, OR: May 2), Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (Chico, CA: May 6), and many others. All forthcoming tour dates are listed below.

It's no wonder the twenty-something Shook Twins are gaining national attention for their haunting indie-folk sound. Since relocating to Portland in December 2009, they've performed alongside Carolina Chocolate Drops, Laura Veirs, Langhorne Slim, and even hosted The Lumineers (prior to their mega-hit, "Ho-Hey") at their singular house concerts. Wesley Schultz, co-founder of The Lumineers, says, "The Shook Twins helped us out when we were coming up, letting us crash on couches and organizing house shows. The Shook Twins have that DIY spirit..." Identical twins, Katelyn and Laurie Shook, certainly are a DIY success story; they've raised $26,734 via Kickstarter to record What We Do with Ryan Hadlock at Bear Creek Studios (Seattle, WA).

Shook Twins have garnered strong local endorsements, with the Willamette Weekly (Portland, OR) exclaiming, "Shook Twins are the most exciting local folk act I've heard in ages. Strike that word 'local' and the sentiment still stands." And, the sisters' contagious quirky vibe and impassioned songwriting reaches far beyond just the indie music scene, to stalwarts in the literary world and cult craft beer companies. New York Times best-selling author and husband of Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman notes, "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."

James Brook, VP of Marketing at Eugene, OR's Ninkasi Brewing Company, touts, "Shook Twins rule! Laurie and Katelyn basically re-defined the 'folk' genre and along with it, helped move the NW folk festival experience into the modern era. Hands down, What We Do is their best work to date -- don't miss it!"

Ambitiously retooling the American roots genre with their idiosyncratic indie-folk songcraft, lush harmonies, foot-stomping gospel/swing ballads and deep groove, the Shook Twins are set to be one of 2014's breakout bands. On their latest recording, What We Do strikes a meaningful balance between the thoughtful vulnerability of life's struggles and the fiery positivity that carries us through. The album's buoyant opener, "Thoughts All In," celebrates the survival of "the end of the world" (December 21, 2012); Shook Twins note, "the world continued to turn after all the hype of 12/21/12, and it really reminded us about the importance of being better humans, and loving our loved ones even more."

Other standout songs include the slow-burner title track, "What We Do," which embodies, "the essence of our lives; the things we honor and let go of," says the Shook Twins. Beautiful twin harmonies are enmeshed with African-style guitar riffs and campfire percussion, leading to an anthemic bridge with slugging rhythms while the sisters' repeat, "we put our troubles on the moth's wings, we open the window" -- a nod to the album's cover art, an illustration designed by their father depicting a moth in flight.

The futuristic apocalyptic gospel ballad, "Shake," tells the story of a couple who's survived a massive West Coast earthquake, only to face theft and heartache. But only remember the refrain, "the earth is gonna shake you down," and one can take comfort in the fact that those who harm will receive their retribution. "Crisper" is an ode to growing up, and the transition of kids starting to care about money. Laurie Shook recalls, "My sister and I used to spray our dollar bills with water and place them in big books to make them look crisper." On "Awhile," the twins focus on a new relationship that's seemingly very promising and moving fast. The chorus raves, "stop thinking about the end when it's just beginning, hold my hand and make your head stop spinning," only to launch into a fervorous spinning jam session.

On What We Do, the inimitable talents of Laurie and Katelyn Shook are supported by their touring band, including Niko Daoussis (mandolin, electric guitar, vocals), Kyle Volkman (bass), Anna Tivel (violin, vocals), and Russ Kleiner (drum kit, percussion). Laurie's inventive use of percussive and ambient vocal loops as well as Katelyn's repurposed telephone-microphone inflected vocals are layered atop a wide range of creative instruments (i.e. electronic drums, beat boxing, glockenspiel, ukulele, banjo drumming, and their signature golden percussive egg). The Shook Twins is clearly a family, related or otherwise, collectively ascending to dizzying heights with their undeniable charm and free spirit.

The Shook Twins' previous albums have already established them as one of recent years' pre-eminent songwriting forces. You Can Have The Rest (2008) and Window (2011; featuring Elephant Revival's Bonnie Paine and Bridget Law) both received critical praise from the press and extensive radio play, further solidifying the band's demand on the road and becoming a favorite on the festival circuit. The Shook Twins have recently appeared at Harvest Music Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, Northwest String Summit, Oregon County Fair, Sisters Folk Fest, and others.

Don't miss the Shook Twins as they tour nationally this spring in a city near you!

Shook Twins -- Winter & Spring 2014 -- US Tour Dates:

Winter Ski Tour 2014:
2/14 - 2/16 - Alta, WY - Trap Bar @ Grand Targhee Resort
2/20 - 2/22 - Kansas City, MO - Folk Alliance Conference
2/28 - 3/2 - Huntsville, UT - Cinnabar Lounge @ Snowbasin Resort

What We Do CD Release Tour 2014:
4/11 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
4/12 - Bend, OR - Bend Spring Festival
4/13 - Applegate, OR - Applegate Lodge
4/16 - Felton, CA - Don Quixote's
4/17 - Berkeley, CA - Freight & Salvage
4/18 - Sebastopol, CA - Hopmonk Tavern
4/19 - Arcata, CA - Humbrews
4/24 - Bellingham, WA - Wild Buffalo
4/25 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
4/26 - Sandpoint, ID - The Hive
4/27 - Missoula, MT - Top Hat
4/28 - Bozeman, MT - Live from the Divide @ Peach Street Studios
4/30 - Boise, ID - Visual Arts Collective
5/2 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theater
5/3 - Olympia, WA - Olympia Ballroom
5/5 - Vintage Wine Bar & Restaurant - Redding, CA
5/6 - The Big Room @ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Chico, CA

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 6:24 am

It's not an April Fool's joke -- Real Gone Music's April 1 release schedule features releases from movie and TV superstars, a legendary girl group, a Southern rock mainstay, a behind-the-scenes stalwart of '60s and '70s pop-rock, an all-time great bubblegum/garage rock band, one of the most hallowed soul singers of all time and the world's greatest jam band. Headlining the docket are two releases timed to celebrate the 90th birthday of silver screen icon Doris Day, one chock-full of rarities, the other featuring classic movie songs pulled from the Columbia vaults. Then, Real Gone turns its spotlight from the big screen to the small screen for a collection of the complete Bell recordings from one of the stars of The Carol Burnett Show, Vicki Lawrence, featuring the #1 hit "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia."

Next, Real Gone dives deep into the vaults for a 2-CD, 39-song set compiling the complete Atlantic sides of Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, with four unreleased tracks. The Duane Allman discovery Cowboy receives a long-overdue release of their debut album, and future Raider Keith Allison sees his lone solo album finally get reissued with a dozen bonus single sides. The complete Cameo recordings of the Ohio Express, one of the earliest and most essential acts helmed by the legendary bubblegum production team of Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffrey Katz, see their first ever reissue in any format, while former Temptation Eddie Kendricks' lone solo album for the Atlantic label also makes its CD debut. Finally, Real Gone once again hitches a ride on the Grateful Dead's long strange trip with another Dick's Pick volume featuring a complete live show from 1973.

For seven decades, the Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated artist Doris Day has epitomized performing excellence, setting the standard for countless female singers and actors who have attempted to follow in her path. But no other female performer has ever really come close to the level of artistry, success and worldwide devotion that the woman born Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff in Cincinnati, Ohio, has enjoyed ever since becoming a teen-aged songbird with the Les Brown Orchestra during the World War II era. She truly will forever be the ultimate "crossover" superstar. Now, Real Gone Music is proud to present a pair of releases timed to celebrate Ms. Day's momentous 90th birthday on April 3, 2014. The first, Doris Day: "Music, Movies & Memories", is a brand-new album of Day rarities spanning the 1940s through 1980s, offering tracks that have never appeared on an album or compact disc as well as several precious, recently-discovered gems. Among the previously unreleased titles are a 1947 rendition of the standard "Can't Help Lovin' That Man," a beautiful ballad from the '50s entitled "How Well I Know," and five tracks from Doris' final recording session in 1985 including an amazing, jazz-flavored outtake performance of "Everyone's Gone to the Moon." The other, Doris Day: "Sings Her Great Movie Hits", is the first ever CD reissue of the 1966 Columbia/Harmony album, expanded with 13 bonus tracks and including songs from every single Day movie from 1956 to 1967 in which she sang. Among the highlights: songs from the beloved trio of Day-Rock Hudson classics Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back and Send Me No Flowers, a pair of bouncy ditties from Day's pairings with Rod Taylor (Do Not Disturb and The Glass Bottom Boat), "Move Over Darling," a slice of "mod" Doris featuring production by son Terry Melcher and arrangements by Jack Nitzsche, and Doris' most beloved song, the original version of "Que Sera, Sera" from Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much. Liner notes to both packages feature photos and quotes from the great lady herself.

Before Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash morphed into the futuristic soul trio known as Labelle and became one of the greatest girl groups of the '70s, all three women - along with Cindy Birdsong - were members of one of the greatest girl groups of the '60s, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. Originally based in Philadelphia, the quartet enjoyed a modicum of chart recognition and sales during a two-year period (1962-64) with Newtown Records and then Parkway Records. After an appearance on a 1964 Atlantic LP, Saturday Night at the Uptown, the quartet signed with the label and recorded over thirty tracks for the label over a four-year period. Among the sides were two albums: Over the Rainbow (1965), a Top 20 R&B LP produced by Bert Berns, whose title track was also a Top 20 R&B hit single along with "All or Nothing," which also charted; and Dreamer (1967), which contained the R&B-charting singles "I'm Still Waiting" (produced by Curtis Mayfield) and "Take Me for a Little While." In 1967, with the departure of Cindy Birdsong (who joined the Supremes), the remaining trio recorded a number of singles between 1967 and 1969, with production by Jerry Williams Jr., Memphis songwriters Chips Moman & Dan Penn, Bob Gallo, Don Davis and others; however, none achieved any chart success and in 1969, the group left Atlantic. Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles: "The Complete Atlantic Sides Plus", produced and annotated by soul music historian David Nathan of SoulMusic Records and remastered by Alan Wilson at Western Star Studio (and featuring some great photos), contains all 35 sides released by Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles on Atlantic along with four previously unissued tracks recorded in 1969. A real treasure trove for '60s soul and girl group fans.

Led by Scott Boyer and Tommy Talton, the Jacksonville band Cowboy was discovered by none other than Duane Allman, who, as legend has it, banged on their door at 7 am one day and asked to hear some songs. He then recommended them to Capricorn label owner Phil Walden, who sent Allman Brothers producer Johnny Sandlin to check them out; Sandlin ended up producing several Cowboy albums for Capricorn, of which this 1970 release was the first. Cowboy: "Reach for the Sky" features some great songs from Boyer and Talton, and has a loose, informal feel with acoustic guitars and harmonies a-plenty; over the years it's become quite the cult item, with copies of its long, long out-of-print CD release trading hands for well over $100. Our Real Gone reissue features notes by Scott Schinder, the original gatefold artwork (with lyrics) and photos. Fine, soulful Southern rock, long overdue for rediscovery.

Keith Allison took listeners "where the action is" on his 1967 Columbia Records debut LP In Action, packing its grooves with tunes from Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart (including "Action, Action, Action," the theme to ABC-TV's Where the Action Is, which featured Allison), Donovan, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, and his future bandmates Paul Revere and the Raiders. On the album -- produced by California music icon Gary Usher -- Allison even introduced a future country-and-western staple in his own song "Freeborn Man," co-written with the Raiders' Mark Lindsay. Real Gone Music's first-ever compact disc reissue offers more action than before, adding twelve original mono single bonus tracks to the original eleven stereo pop nuggets. These diverse 45s -- ten rarities from the Columbia vaults and two ultra-rare tracks from Bell Records' Amy imprint -- boast productions by the likes of Mark Lindsay, Terry Melcher and Larry Marks, and songs by Bo Diddley, Joe South, Tommy Roe, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and the legendary Brill Building team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil as well as Allison himself. Taken together, the 23 tracks on Keith Allison: "In Action -- The Complete Columbia Sides and More!" show the many sides of this singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who, besides being the late-period Raiders bassist, worked with the Monkees, Ringo Starr and Alice Cooper. Joe Marchese's in-depth liner notes explore the Keith Allison legacy; Vic Anesini's remastering lets the music shine.

The tangled history of the Ohio Express is difficult to unwind, but the one constant in the band's chronology are the guiding hands of legendary bubblegum/garage producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffrey Katz, whose Super K Productions were behind hits by everybody from the Shadows of Knight to the 1910 Fruitgum Company to the Music Explosion. With regard to the Ohio Express, their first hit ("Beg, Borrow and Steal") was actually a song recorded by another band: the Rare Breed, who recorded it for Attack Records in 1966. The Cameo label then re-mixed and released the song, which went to #29 on the 1967 charts -- but they had no band to promote it, as the Rare Breed had left Super K Productions, never to record again! So, a Springfield, Ohio band named Sir Timothy & the Royals was hired to tour and to lay down more tracks under the Ohio Express name, some with them and some with a house band fronted by Royals/Express vocalist Dale Powers, with two songs ("I Find I Think of You" and the unreleased "Life Is a Mystery") written/co-written by none other than a young Joe Walsh! Now, for the first time, ABKCO and Real Gone Music have assembled ALL the tracks recorded by this legendary bubblegum band for the Cameo label on The Ohio Express: "Beg, Borrow and Steal -- The Complete Cameo Recordings", including the entire Beg, Borrow and Steal album, four single sides and two unreleased tracks. ABKCO engineer Teri Landi has lovingly compiled all 17 songs from the original analog tapes; Jim Allen provides the liner notes. A must for '60s bubblegum and garage fans.

Having recently released a quartet of albums by David Ruffin, Real Gone Music now turns its attention to Ruffin's former running mate in the Temptations, Eddie Kendricks, whose mellifluous tenor and falsetto were such an integral part of the group's sound. Kendricks began his solo journey in 1971, leaving Motown in 1977 for a two-album, two-year stint at Arista Records. In 1981, Eddie signed with Atlantic Records for the one-off LP, "Love Keys", which would be his last major label album (aside from a 1987 collaboration with fellow ex-Temptation, David Ruffin). Produced in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama by the team of Johnny Sandlin (best known for his work with Southern rock artists like the Allman Brothers, Bonnie Bramlett, Elvin Bishop, and Wet Willie) and Randy Roberts, Eddie Kendricks: "Love Keys" featured backing from the Muscle Shoals Horns and the Southern soul group the Controllers on songs written by Lou Courtney ("I'm In Need Of Love"), David Pomeranz ("Old Home Town") and Eddie's former Motown colleagues, Brian & Eddie Holland (for the track, "(Oh I) Need Your Lovin,'" a Billboard Top 50 R&B single). The album represented Eddie Kendricks' first venture into Southern soul, and was the last charting solo set for the great soul singer, who passed away in 1992. It makes its worldwide CD debut here, with notes and added photos. Brought to you by Real Gone and SoulMusic Records.

Carol Burnett wasn't the only multi-talented regular on The Carol Burnett Show. Her protégé Vicki Lawrence (a.k.a. "Eunice" and "Mama"), actually did her one better by scoring a # 1 hit with "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" on the Bell label in 1973. But Vicki's big hit wasn't the result of her talent alone. In 1972, she married the great songwriter Bobby Russell, who penned "Georgia" and hooked her up with the legendary producer "Snuff" Garrett and arranger Artie Butler. The combo clicked not just on the song but also on the album, which went to #51 on the charts. A year later, Vicki recorded another album for Bell, Ships in the Night, again with the title song penned by Russell and production by Garrett. However, financial problems at the Bell label resulted in the album being released only in Australia, and it appears here on CD for the first time. Vicki Lawrence: "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia -- The Complete Bell Recordings" also adds the non-Bell single sides "Old Home Movies" and "The Other Woman" and an unreleased track for a total of 25 songs from this enduring performer. Notes and photos accompany...remastered by Steve Massie.

The first full 1973 concert to be released, and the first concert of their uniformly excellent Fall '73 Midwest tour, Grateful Dead: "Dick's Picks Vol. 19 -- 10/19/73 Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Arena, Oklahoma City, OK" captures the Dead a matter of days after the release of Wake of the Flood, the first release on their own Grateful Dead Records label, and over half the tracks from the album appear here, highlighted by stellar (no pun intended) renditions of "Stella Blue" and "Eyes of the World." Both of those songs appear as the first encore on Disc Three, which may well be one of the finest single discs in the entire Dick's Picks canon; the disc leads off with a 15-minute "Dark Star" which segues effortlessly to "Mind Left Body Jam" leading into a truly transcendent reading of "Morning Dew." Add "Sugar Magnolia" and a show-ending "Johnny B. Goode" to the set and you know everybody went home happy. A superb sound mix on this one, too, and as always it's presented in HDCD sound. Out of print for years.

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 3:24 pm

Coming up in June & July 2014, Yonder Mountain String Band headlines premier music festivals and venues across the country, including Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival (Manchester, TN: June 12 - 15), Telluride Bluegrass Festival (Telluride, CO: June 18 - 21), Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN: July 3), Northwest String Summit (North Plains, OR: July 18 - 20), and many others! YMSB is thrilled to co-headline select Summer shows with good friends Railroad Earth: Sumtur Amphitheater (Omaha, NE: June 26), Crossroads (Kansas City, MO: June 27), Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI: July 1), Moonlite Gardens (Cincinnati, OH: July 4), LC Pavilion (Columbus, OH: July 5), Stage AE (Pittsburgh, PA: July 9), F Shed at the Market (Syracuse, NY: July 11), and Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom (Hampton Beach, NH: July 12). Yonder also headlines Simon Estes Amphitheater (Des Moines, IA: June 28) and Big Top Chautauqua (Bayfield, WI: June 29) on their Summer Tour 2014.

Bluegrass is a music steeped in tradition, but over the past decade and a half -- much of it spent on the road -- Yonder Mountain String Band has spearheaded a renegade movement to rewrite the definition of the genre. Alongside other neo-bluegrass friends such as Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, The Travelin' McCourys, and Railroad Earth, YMSB has thoroughly revitalized and contemporized bluegrass and introduced it to many thousands of new fans. Rolling Stone said that YMSB "liberates bluegrass' hot-shit riffing and blue-sky harmonies from its hidebound formalism," while Paste Magazine wrote, "The Yonder Mountain boys have found a formula that works: take rootsy bluegrass influences, add in some rock 'n' roll, and seek out an adventurous audience."

That adventurous audience eagerly embraces YMSB EP '13, which was released on CD and vinyl Oct. 8, 2013 on the band's own Frog Pad Records, and October 15 digitally. Self-produced by YMSB, the four-track EP features one song written and sung by each member: "Straight Line" by Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), "Don't Worry Happy Birthday" by Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), "Rag Doll" by Jeff Austin (mandolin, vocals) and special guest songwriter Danny Barnes, and "All the Time" by Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals). The recording was cut at Electrical Audio in Chicago during a momentary break from the road, a method that seems to suit Yonder Mountain String Band's hectic pace.

Touring is in this band's DNA, and YMSB has evolved into something of a phenomenon on the concert and festival circuit -- they are, in fact, one of the top touring bluegrass bands in the country today. Yonder Mountain has sold out Colorado's famed Red Rocks several times, and played sold-out shows with ex-Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh at his Terrapin Crossroads in August 2012. They also host three singular music festivals every year -- Northwest String Summit (now in its 13th year and hosted by YMSB every year), Harvest Music Festival (where they will host for the fifth time in October 2014), and Strings & Sol -- and have consecutively sold out runs of shows at Telluride Bluegrass Festival year after year. In all, Yonder Mountain logs over 100 live dates per year, allowing them to polish their material -- and after hunkering down in a recording studio for a couple of days at a time, to release studio tracks at their highest level of ability.

"YMSB EP '13 is the first in a series of EPs we'll release," says Aijala. "We dropped one show per tour to head into the recording studio. Touring is such a big part of Yonder's life that recording while out on the road is an excellent new paradigm for us." Kaufmann adds, "The music world is so different these days, it's all about bite-sized chunks, so we felt a series of EPs was the best way to capture magic in the studio, and something that our fans could truly relate to. We asked ourselves, what's really feasible when you have a band with so many songwriters? When you have an EP, you can have all these connections and interrelations in four songs, it just works for YMSB."

The result this first time out is a testament to the hit-and-run concept. That inter-connectedness Johnston talks about becomes apparent when the four songs are absorbed as a whole. "There's a discussion going on with all the tunes," he says. "At the core of the whole thing, there are four different voices, talking about different ways of being apart from things. The characters are examining how to relate to the circumstances unfolding around them in their lives. In 'Don't Worry,' at the heart of the song there's a guy guilty for being gone. It goes deeper than a man who has forgotten the birthday of someone he loves; it is an apology for all the things he has forgotten, missed or neglected."

"Straight Line" examines the failure of good intentions, about realizing that while it seemed easier at times to take the straight line, the narrator of the song missed a lot of growth, adventure and experiences. By being too focused on the future, one loses sight on what is happening now. "Straight Line" was initially written about a decade ago, and Kaufmann started playing it live with Adam in 2010, and he finally brought it into the studio. Kaufmann comments on the EP as a whole, "It's advantageous to integrate recording with our touring, I feel we give ourselves every opportunity to capture Yonder Mountain at our best. The EP captures the true sound of Yonder better than any of our previous releases, in my opinion."

Aijala, who wrote "All the Time," says, "You can find connections if you really pay attention." But, about his own contribution, he adds, "'All the Time' didn't come from a personal place. I'm totally happy in the relationship I'm in. I felt in the mood to write a song, and it came out in a single day. Other songs are different, I mean, Ben and I have a song we started in 2002 and it's still not done."
"Rag Doll," co-written by Jeff Austin and Danny Barnes, taps back into a 25 year-old daydream. Austin notes, "This song started as a daydream I would have as a kid. I would walk around and make up songs, singing them to myself all the time. I'm capturing a kid dreaming about what can be possible in the future. I had written the first part of the chorus, and took it to Danny, who I've known for many years. The connectivity of his voice, I just love what he came up with, 'I'm a rag doll peepin' in your window shade.'"


For YMSB EP '13, the band dispensed with outside producers and took the studio reins themselves. "I thought that self-producing the record would provide us with an opportunity to understand our music as we saw it, not that we are averse to working with a producer," says Johnston. "Also, scheduling time to get away after a busy tour left us limited options. But it's exactly these sorts of constraints that make for creative solutions and hopefully creative music."

In addition to the music itself, fans will surely take notice of the striking artwork that graces the cover of YMSB EP '13. It was created by Johnny Sampson, who has produced 27 different poster designs for YMSB since 2009.

Says Johnston, summing up, "I'm really excited about the EP because it is a step in the right direction: working under our own creative control and intuition, being motivated to record on tour, and keeping an open dialogue about what we want out of our releases. The next EP could be songs we've never performed before," he adds. "We could work with a producer. Fans can expect the unexpected!"

And that, in the end, has always been what YMSB has been about: expecting the unexpected!

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band, please visit www.yondermountain.com.

YMSB SPRING & SUMMER 2014 TOUR DATES

4/1 - Flagstaff, AZ - Orpheum Theatre
4/2 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
4/3 - Stateline, NV - Montbleu Resort
4/4 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
4/5 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
4/8 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
4/9 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theatre
4/10 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Market
4/11 - 4/12 - Missoula, MT - Wilma Theater
6/12 - 6/15 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo
6/18 - Telluride, CO - Telluride Conference Center
6/20 - Telluride, CO - Sheridan Opera House
6/21 - Telluride, CO - Telluride Bluegrass Festival
6/26 - Omaha, NE - Sumtur Amphitheater*
6/27 - Kansas City, MO - Crossroads*
6/28 - Des Moines, IA - Simon Estes Amphitheater
6/29 - Bayfield, WI - Big Top Chautauqua
7/1 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest*
7/3 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
7/4 - Cincinnati, OH - Moonlite Gardens*
7/5 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion*
7/9 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE*
7/11 - Syracuse, NY - F Shed at the Market*
7/12 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino*
7/18 - 7/20 - North Plains, OR - Northwest String Summit
*Co-bill with Railroad Earth

Tue, 04/08/2014 - 1:03 pm

The 13th Annual Northwest String Summit (NWSS) returns to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) with the finest acoustic pickers and standout electric bands from July 17 - 21, 2014. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country; NWSS is the only music offering this year taking place at Horning's Hideout. A family-friendly and locally-sourced festival, NWSS caps its capacity at 4,500 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festival-goers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: www.stringsummit.com.

The 13th Annual Northwest String Summit is hosted by Colorado-based Yonder Mountain String Band; arguably the top touring neo-bluegrass band in the world. Yonder will perform three nights of music, and additional standout acts at this year's festival include Sam Bush Band, Railroad Earth, The Wood Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Danny Barnes, Shook Twins, Wicked Messenger (Feat. Adam Aijala & Ben Kaufmann), Jeff Austin and The Here & Now, Dave Johnston's Banjo Strummit, Fruition, Darol Anger, Dead Winter Carpenters, Grant Farm, Lil Smokies, Blackberry Bushes, Scott Law w/ Sam Grisman, Tyler Grant, & Andy Thorn, Scott Law Bluegrass Dimension, Burle and the No Brainers, Allie Kral & Friends, Burle w/ Travis Book & Anders Beck, The Student Loan, The Rumpke Mountain Boys, Gipsy Moon, Pete Kartsounes, and Sugarcane. The Motet will also perform a late-night main stage set on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians as a way to support the various thriving local communities. Celebrated Eugene, OR favorite Ninkasi Brewing Company will offer exceptional craft beers onsite for the third year-in-a-row, including an exclusive small-batch NW String Summit Festival Specialty Brew called Clusterpluck Session Ale. Made with Northwest Pale Ale and Honey malts, Clusterpluck is a light and refreshing golden ale -- the perfect accompaniment to a summertime jam session. Ninkasi will host the Northwest Local "Ninkasi Brewing" Stage @ Cascadia Acoustic Coffeehouse.

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about the forthcoming festival, "This year we are going into our 13th String Summit and we are delighted to refocus our programming on strings and acoustic music, the foundation of the festival. While there is plenty of pickin' and singin' at this year's Strummit, when the clock strikes midnight, there are surprises in store that will ensure a huge rockin' dance party that is sure to get the trees shaking and the peacocks howlin' along with the crowd!"

This year, the infamous Further bus turns 50 years old, and for the third year-in-a-row, the current incarnation of the bus will be onsite at NWSS, along with bus owner Zane Kesey (son of Ken Kesey). Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Ken Kesey and The Pranksters famous road trip to the 1964 New York World's Fair with special intimate sets featuring select festival performers at the Further bus.

The following artisan food trucks will provide delicious food options for festival-goers: Bunk Sandwiches, Toast, Thai Volcano Express, Solarshots, and others TBA. Northwest Local "Ninkasi Brewing" Stage @ Cascadia Acoustic Coffeehouse will serve a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, baked goods, and snacks from local favorites such as Trailhead Coffee and Voodoo Doughnuts. Festival sponsors EcoProducts and Klean Kanteen are both on board helping reduce the overall carbon footprint of String Summit by providing reusable, compostable and recyclable cups and other tablewares and goods.

Now in its 11th year, the Band Competition at Northwest String Summit reigns in some of the hottest pickers from all across the country. The competition is in line with other top festival competitions, such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and will occur on Friday, July 18, 2014. Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 - 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 20, 2014, and a paid slot at the following year's festival. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications can be submitted until April 18, 2014; for more information please visit: www.stringsummit.com/band-competition-2.

13th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
4-Day Pass (Limited Qty of each pricing tier: $175/$195/$215)
*Festival pass prices primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2014: Parking Fee of $10 per car available in advance.

Wed, 04/16/2014 - 12:28 pm

Cloud 9 Adventures announces the return of Strings & Sol, a tropical bluegrass adventure set on the white sand beaches of Puerto Morelos in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Strings & Sol is in its third year and has proven to be one of Cloud 9 Adventures' many successful destination music events, which also features band interaction, artist hosted activities, spontaneous jam sessions, and more. Strings & Sol will take the stage on the beach set against a stunning backdrop of Caribbean waters, coastline, and Mayan mystique on December 11 - 15, 2014. This unique adventure brings together some of today's best progressive bluegrass bands for a rollicking string-music vacation like no other. Live performances during the event's four days and nights include three performances by Yonder Mountain String Band and two performances each by Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters and Greensky Bluegrass. Bands will be joined by very special guest Sam Bush for some unique performances. Visit www.stringsandsol.com for more information.The beautiful locale and luxurious accommodations at the Now Sapphire Resort brings the energy of the new American bluegrass story to new heights for Strings & Sol 2014. Located on the pristine beaches of picturesque fishing village Puerto Morelos - approximately 25 minutes south of the Cancun Airport on the Mayan Riviera - Now Sapphire is a first-class, all-inclusive resort that boasts spacious suites, an incredible on-site spa, gourmet restaurants, beachfront palapas, and of course, stunning ocean views. Strings & Sol offers music fans a genuine luxury vacation featuring days relaxing on the beach with friends and nights listening to their favorite bands perform in paradise.Event details are as follows:All packages go on sale to the general public beginning April 24 at 12:00 PM EST at www.stringsandsol.com. There will be a pre-sale for returning Strings & Sol guests on April 23.Just over 400 rooms at Now Sapphire will be available for booking. Pricing for the all-inclusive resort starts at $1,149 for triple occupancy rooms per person, $1,249 for double occupancy rooms per person, with ocean view rooms starting at $1,499 per person. A limited number of rooms are available for families who wish to bring their children.The all-inclusive luxury lodging packages for Now Sapphire are available to just over 1,000 lucky fans. Check in starts at 3pm on December 11, 2014 and the bluegrass kicks off that night.Travel services, marketing, and brand management for Strings & Sol are provided by Cloud 9 Adventures, who helps bring to fans a growing list of destination events including Jam Cruise, Holy Ship!, My Morning Jacket's One Big Holiday, Mayan Holidaze, as well as new events launching in the coming months.Look for future announcements with information on artist-hosted activities, ways of giving back to the community with Positive Legacy and more!Strings & Sol is a Cloud 9 Adventure www.cloud9adventures.com

Tue, 04/22/2014 - 11:37 am

It's a rare opportunity for fans of American roots music to experience two modern masters of the banjo and fiddle together on one stage, performing a full set of originals and classics in a duo format. From May - July 2014, GRAMMY® Award-nominated Noam Pikelny and 4-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Stuart Duncan appear at the following venues and festivals: Forest Fest (Louisville, KY: May 17), Barking Legs Theater (Chattanooga, TN: May 18), Eau Claire Regional Arts Center (Eau Claire, WI: May 20), Dakota Jazz Club (Minneapolis, MN: May 21), Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago, IL: May 22), The Melting Pot (Athens, GA: June 25), Downhome (Johnson City, TN: June 26), ROMP (Owensboro, KY: June 27), Franklin Theatre (Franklin, TN: June 28), and RockyGrass (Lyons, CO: July 25). Pikelny and Duncan again hit the road in October 2014 for a 3-week tour, which is followed by a 3-week tour featuring Pikelny and lauded vocalist Aoife O'Donovan in November 2014; tour dates to be announced in the coming months. Interviews of Pikelny and Duncan are available upon request.The sound of the fiddle and banjo in duet is one of the most compelling musical textures to emerge from American Folk Music, and through the years has most commonly been featured interstitially within the context of a larger ensemble show (i.e. when the guitar player breaks a string!). However, it is now taking center stage with these two giants of the genre hitting the road. Both Pikelny and Duncan are undeniably among the foremost players on their respective instruments, often blurring the lines of what constitutes roots music in the 21st century. Winner of the first annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass (2010), Pikelny is a founding member of the Punch Brothers -- a string ensemble hailed by the Boston Globe as "a virtuosic revelation," and which The New Yorker describes as "wide-ranging and restlessly imaginative." In 2012, his second solo release Beat The Devil and Carry A Rail received a GRAMMY® nomination for "Best Bluegrass Album." His follow-up 2013 album, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, marks the first complete banjo adaptation of Kenny Baker's 1976 seminal recording of Bill Monroe instrumentals. The New York Times describes Noam's reinvention of the classic Bluegrass canon as "a token of reverence, a feat of translation and a show of dominion."Over the last eight years with Punch Brothers, Pikelny has redefined the role of the banjo with his inimitable melodic work helping propel the instrument into mainstream music. Alongside Punch Brothers, he's collaborated with the likes of Wilco, Fiona Apple, Norah Jones, and Jon Brion for the soundtrack to This is 40, a feature song on The Hunger Games soundtrack, and a collaboration with Marcus Mumford for the Coen Brothers film, Inside Llewyn Davis. He's shared the stage with The Decemberists, Béla Fleck, Dave Douglas, Steve Martin, Marcus Mumford, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and members of the Lincoln Center Chamber Orchestra.Most notably known for his recent work on The Goat Rodeo Sessions with Yo Yo Ma, Chris Thile, and Edgar Meyer, consummate sideman Stuart Duncan has graced thousands of recording sessions over the course of his celebrated career. Duncan is a four-time GRAMMY® Award winner, a six-time Academy of Country Music award winner for "Fiddle Player of the Year," and a winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's "Fiddle Player of the Year" award for seven consecutive years. His keen ability to masterfully shift between diverse styles has garnered opportunities to record/perform with Nashville's biggest stars (Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton), bluegrass music's finest pickers (Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Béla Fleck), and today's top hit-makers (Jonas Brothers, Jewel, Brad Paisley)."Stuart Duncan is the pinnacle of the American fiddle tradition," says Pikelny. "He has so masterfully assimilated so many of the great fiddle traditions into his own singular style; he's arrived at an utterly breathtaking intersection of finesse and soul. I've been lucky enough to get Stuart to play on my last two solo records and with that I could die a happy man. But we've been looking for an opportunity to make music together live, and finally found the opportunity, and decided it would be special to play as a duo. Fans can expect to get an intimate glimpse into the pairing of these two instruments -- a real exploration of the fiddle and banjo sound."With the ever-changing landscape of the music business comes greater artistic independence, and some of today's most lauded stars are aligning themselves side-by-side with longtime sidemen. No longer are prodigious sidemen only providing that imperative backbone and shining with unforgettable prowess when in the limelight; they are now in the foreground as co-billing recording and performing partners (i.e. Vince Gill & Paul Franklin's Bakersfield). Social media platforms have also ushered in profound means and ways for eager fans to directly connect with their favorite players, bolstering the demand for sidemen to tour with their own projects. Pikelny and Duncan are of this ilk, and are ready to take the Americana music scene by storm as leaders of a new generation of exceptional bluegrass artists.Don't miss this incredible opportunity to see these two virtuosos performing across the US this spring, summer and fall!Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan 2014 Tour Dates:April 26 - Charm City Bluegrass Festival - Baltimore, MD*May 7 - Largo at the Coronet - Los Angeles, CA**May 17 - Forest Fest - Louisville, KYMay 18 - Barking Legs Theater - Chattanooga, TNMay 20 - Eau Claire Regional Arts Center - Eau Claire, WIMay 21 - Dakota Jazz Club - Minneapolis, MNMay 22 - Old Town School of Folk Music - Chicago, ILJune 25 - The Melting Pot - Athens, GAJune 26 - Downhome - Johnson City, TNJune 27 - ROMP - Owensboro, KYJune 28 - Franklin Theatre - Franklin, TNJuly 25 - RockyGrass - Lyons, CO*w/ Noam Pikelny & Friends featuring Aoife O'Donovan, Chris Eldridge, Luke Bulla, Barry Bales & Jesse Cobb**w/ Noam Pikelny & Gabe Witcher

Wed, 04/23/2014 - 6:15 pm

Yonder Mountain String Band is all about family, and through the support of our family of fans, we have been able to play music for you for the past 15 years. We couldn't be more proud about our successes and experiences performing at the best venues and festivals in the country, and for the most dedicated fans any band could ever wish to have. With this said, YMSB would like to share some news about the future of the band. Collectively, after long, heartfelt discussions, we've all decided to move forth with a newly formed line-up due to varying career goals and creative pursuits. As of today, all future YMSB shows will be performed with Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), and David Johnston (banjo, vocals). We will welcome exciting special guests throughout the rest of the year and we look forward to a new permanent line-up in 2015. YMSB fully supports Jeff Austin and his emerging solo career.Yonder Mountain String Band will perform all scheduled dates throughout 2014 with the new line up and special guests. Jeff Austin will be announcing more dates for his solo endeavors in the coming months. The band wants the fans to know that this decision did not come easily, and we'll certainly keep all of our fans up to date with the new Yonder band-member line-up information.We greatly look forward to seeing everyone out on the road this Summer and Fall!With Gratitude & Respect,Ben, Jeff, Dave & Adam

Tue, 04/29/2014 - 2:02 pm

Michael Franti & Spearhead announce today the launch of the first-ever music and yoga lifestyle tour, Soulshine, featuring special guest artists SOJA, Brett Dennen, Trevor Hall, and acclaimed yoga teachers such as Canada's Ryan Leier; additional yoga instructors TBA. Bridging daytime and evening experiences including live music, yoga, sustainable living activities and DJ performances, Soulshine is one of the most anticipated all-ages summer tours hitting 30+ outdoor amphitheatres across the country starting on June 19, 2014 in Santa Barbara, CA at the Santa Barbara Bowl and continuing until August 2, 2014 when it rolls through Nashville, TN at The Woods @ Fontanel. A bona fide family affair set at an affordable ticket price, Soulshine embodies the spirit of these performing artists' love of music, dance, yoga, the environment, and bringing the community together for a full-blown dance party! Artist interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

With more than 15 million Americans practicing yoga, the Soulshine tour promotes healthy living with on-premise pop-up "yoga villages" providing 1,000 - 2,500 mats to concert-goers (number of mats differs for each venue; minimal additional fee is required for participation); "yoga villages" turn into an evening DJ tent, art gallery and local musicians platform during the main stage performances. Soulshine incorporates yoga networks from around the nation by inviting the founders, teachers and students of renowned studios to participate in the "yoga villages" in their respective cities. Italian-rooted and Napa Valley-based winery and restaurant, Ca'Momi, sponsors the tour as they share in the philosophy of sustainability and mindful presence in both business and personal relationships. Mantra and Origin magazines are the official media partners of the Soulshine tour.

Afternoons on the Soulshine tour begin with a mass yoga and acoustic music jam with Michael Franti & Friends, led by some of today's most inspiring North American teachers. Each yoga session is designed for people of all experience levels, ages, shapes and sizes and features various artists participating side-by-side with fans. Afternoon activities then give way to four full music sets by the singular headlining acts.

Franti has been practicing yoga for over 12 years, and has graced the covers of numerous lifestyle publications including Yoga Journal, Origin, Mantra and Yoga. Celebrated yoga guru Ryan Leier heads up the daily sessions, bringing his innovative style of assimilating ancient traditions with a contemporary flow to the masses. Based in Canada, and a yoga ambassador to communities across the globe, Leier is the founder of One Yoga studios and Vinyasa Yoga for Youth, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth through the practice of yoga.

Soulshine Performing Artists Bios:

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Over the course of his acclaimed career, Michael Franti & Spearhead has earned a reputation as one of the most electrifying and ultimately unforgettable live acts in the business. Michael Franti has sold more than 2.5 million singles of his hit song "Say Hey (I Love You)", and has charted his albums on Billboard's "Top 40" along with frequent appearances on David Letterman, Leno, Conan, Oprah, Ellen and CNN. In addition to being a leading social activist, Franti has diligently created and supported numerous environmental and humanitarian causes, which speaks to the evolution of sounds featured on his latest album, All People (Boo Boo Wax/Capitol Records: July 2013). In the foreground are colossal dance beats and dizzying electronic effects, while Franti's lyrical sincerity shines bright as he sings about what moves him most.

SOJA
On Tuesday, April 29, 2014, reggae sensation SOJA releases the track "I Believe" featuring Michael Franti and Nahko on ATO Records. Co-written by Franti, "I Believe" marks the first single on SOJA's forthcoming full-length album hitting stores later this year. SOJA's non-stop touring, headlining and selling out large theaters in more than 20 countries, sharing stages with the likes of Dave Matthews Band and Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley, have helped generate over 60 million YouTube views, 3 million Facebook fans, and an almost Grateful Dead-like international fan base. Over the past few years, they've sold more than 200,000 albums, including their critically acclaimed 2012 release, Strength To Survive (ATO Records), which made an impassioned call for unity and change with universally relatable songs about faith, hope and love.

Brett Dennen
Northern California's Brett Dennen's 2013 album, Smoke and Mirrors, is the folk-pop singer-songwriter's strongest recording effort yet. Led by the cheerful, hook-heavy single "Wild Child," Dennen's fifth release shifts effortlessly from lilting, breezy pop ("You Make It Easy") to heartfelt balladry ("Only Want You"). His nostalgic "When We Were Young" urges maturing rock fans to turn up their radios and stay forever young. Dennen was named by Rolling Stone magazine as an "Artist to Watch" and, in 2008, Entertainment Weekly called him one of its eight "Guys on the Rise."

Trevor Hall
Trevor Hall's
career quickly broke through the music scene with a song placement on the Shrek the Third soundtrack, as well as Trevor joining a series of sold-out tours with artists such as Steel Pulse, The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Matisyahu, Michael Franti and Colbie Callait. Trevor's self-titled debut album peaked on Billboard's Heatseeker chart at #7 in 2009, he was named one of the "Top 20 New Artists" by Music Connection magazine, MTV named him one of the twenty emerging artists for 2010, and in 2012 CBS used his hit "Brand New Day" for the promo of their CBS This Morning show. His most recent album, Everything, Everytime, Everywhere, reached #80 on the Billboard "Top 200" chart. Trevor is scheduled to release a new album later this year.

For full tour information, including announcements regarding newly confirmed tour dates and on-sale information, please visit: www.MichaelFranti.com and www.Soulshine.com

Soulshine Summer 2014 Tour Dates:
THU 6/19/14 -- Santa Barbara, CA -- Santa Barbara Bowl
FRI 6/20/14 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Greek Theater
SAT 6/21/14 -- Berkeley, CA -- Greek Theater
SUN 6/22/14 -- San Diego, CA -- Open Air Theatre
TUE 6/24/14 -- Jacksonville, OR -- Britt Festivals
THU 6/26/14 -- Vancouver, BC -- PNE Amphitheater
FRI 6/27/14 -- Seattle, WA -- Marymoor Park
SAT 6/28/14 -- Bend, OR -- Les Schwab Amphitheater
SUN 6/29/14 -- Portland, OR -- Edgefield
TUE 7/1/14 -- Missoula, MT -- Big Sky Brewery
WED 7/2/14 -- Sun Valley, ID -- Sun Valley Center
THU 7/3/14 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- USANA
SAT 7/5/14 -- Santa Fe, NM -- The Downs at Santa Fe
SUN 7/6/14 -- Denver, CO -- Red Rocks
TUE 7/8/14 -- Kansas City, MO -- Crossroads
THU 7/10/14 -- Chicago, IL -- FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
FRI 7/11/14 -- Minneapolis, MN -- Basilica Block Party*
SAT 7/12/14 -- Des Moines, IA -- Simon Estes
SUN 7/13/14 -- Indianapolis, IN -- The Lawn @ White River State Park
TUE 7/15/14 -- Toronto, ON -- TD Echobeach
THU 7/17/14 -- Asbury Park, NJ -- Stone Pony Summer Stage
FRI 7/18/14 -- Boston, MA -- Bank of America Pavilion
SAT 7/19/14 -- Gilford, NH -- Bank of NH Pavilion
MON 7/21/14 -- New York, NY -- Pier 97
TUE 7/22/14 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Skyline Stage at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts
THU 7/24/14 -- Floyd, VA -- FloydFest*
FRI 7/25/14 -- Wilmington, NC -- Battleship Park
SAT 7/26/14 -- Portsmouth, VA -- nTelos Pavilion
SUN 7/27/14 -- Charlotte, NC -- Uptown Amphitheater at The Music Factory
TUE 7/29/14 -- Boca Raton, FL -- Sunset Cove Amphitheater
WED 7/30/14 -- St Augustine, FL -- St Augustine Amphitheater
FRI 8/1/14 -- Atlanta, GA -- Masquerade Park
SAT 8/2/14 -- Nashville, TN -- The Woods @ Fontanel
*Michael Franti & Spearhead only

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 1:13 pm

With their varied instrumentation, intimate song stylings, and poetic, allusive lyrics, The Dream Academy always stood apart from their '80s British rock brethren; that they dedicated their hit song, "Life in a Northern Town," to Nick Drake and minimalist composer Steve Reich spoke volumes as to the reach of their intellectual and artistic ambition. Indeed, though they were together for only three albums and a handful of singles, Nick Laird-Clowes, Kate St. John and Gilbert Gabriel left behind a body of work as captivating as that of any of their contemporaries, their solid songwriting, unusual arrangements and innovative production touches (thanks in part to co-producer David Gilmour of Pink Floyd) only sounding better with age.

Now, Real Gone Music and Nick Laird-Clowes have joined forces to release the definitive Dream Academy collection, a 2-CD, 24-track set entitled The Morning Lasted All Day -- A Retrospective. Due out July 29, the release not only features such hits as "Life in a Northern Town" and "The Love Parade" and key album tracks, but also is chock-full of unreleased tracks, rare nuggets and even a new track, "Sunrising." "I wanted this to be a definitive 'best of' that would also include a few key unreleased rarities for the people who really know our work," says Laird-Clowes. "I'm thrilled that I found some tracks that I think sit easily beside our best work so that any listener could enjoy the collection as a seamless whole."

Indeed, The Morning Lasted All Day features such gems as the unreleased songs "Living in a War" (with David Gilmour on guitar), "The Chosen Few" (with Gilmour playing electric and slide guitar) and "The Last Day of the War" (a lost track recorded right after "Life in a Northern Town"); the unreleased and much requested instrumental of "Power to Believe" from the John Hughes-directed film Trains, Planes & Automobiles, co-produced by Hugh Padgham; the rare B-side "Girl in a Million," and the long-lost 12-inch side "The Demonstration." What's more, careful listeners will also hear musical contributions from The Smiths' Johnny Marr, Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham, Polystyrene of X-Ray Spex and Eagles songwriter J.D. Souther, all of whose contributions are meticulously noted in Laird-Clowes' liner notes, which offer a look inside the artistic inspiration and recording process for each song as well as the stories behind the band's origins and three albums. Remastered and sequenced by Laird-Clowes, and sporting photos taken from the band's personal archive as well as from a lost session by the legendary Arthur Elgort, The Morning Lasted All Day just may be the best double-album released this year, new or old.

SONGS:

CD One

1. Life in a Northern Town
2. The Love Parade
3. The Edge of Forever
4. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
5. Johnny (New Light)
6. In Places on the Run
7. Ballad in 4/4
8. Girl In a Million (for Edie Sedgwick)
9. Power to Believe
10. This World
11. Here
12. One Dream

CD Two

1. Indian Summer
2. Lucy September
3. Hampstead Girl
4. The Demonstration
5. Living in a War
6. Love
7. Waterloo
8. The Chosen Few
9. It'll Never Happen Again
10. Power to Believe - Instrumental
11. The Last Day of the War
12. Sunrising

Tue, 07/01/2014 - 3:15 pm

Michael Franti & Spearhead continue to travel the country presenting the first-ever music and yoga tour, Soulshine, featuring special guest artists SOJA, Brett Dennen, Trevor Hall, Sonna Rele, and acclaimed yoga teachers such as Ryan Leier, Baron Baptiste, and Seane Corn. Bridging daytime and evening experiences including live music, yoga, sustainable living activities and DJ performances, Soulshine is one of the most anticipated all-ages summer tours hitting outdoor amphitheatres across the country throughout July 2014 and continuing until August 2, 2014 when the tour makes its final stop in Nashville, TN at The Woods @ Fontanel. A bona fide family affair set at an affordable ticket price, Soulshine embodies the spirit of these performing artists' love of music, dance, yoga, the environment, and bringing the community together for a full-blown dance party! Artist interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

With more than 15 million Americans practicing yoga, the Soulshine tour promotes healthy living with on-premise pop-up "yoga villages" providing 1,000 - 2,500 mats to concert-goers (number of mats differs for each venue; minimal additional fee is required for participation); "yoga villages" turn into an evening DJ tent, art gallery and local musicians platform during the main stage performances. Soulshine incorporates yoga networks from around the nation by inviting the founders, teachers and students of renowned studios to participate in the "yoga villages" in their respective cities. Italian-rooted and Napa Valley-based winery and restaurant, Ca'Momi, sponsors the tour as they share in the philosophy of sustainability and mindful presence in both business and personal relationships. Mantra and Origin magazines are the official media partners of the Soulshine tour.

Afternoons on the Soulshine tour begin with a mass yoga and acoustic music jam with Michael Franti & Friends, led by some of today's most inspiring North American teachers. Each yoga session is designed for people of all experience levels, ages, shapes and sizes and features various artists participating side-by-side with fans. Afternoon activities then give way to four full music sets by the singular headlining acts.

Franti has been practicing yoga for over 12 years, and has graced the covers of numerous lifestyle publications including Yoga Journal, Origin, Mantra and Yoga. Celebrated yoga teachers Ryan Leier, Baron Baptiste and Seane Corn head up the daily sessions. Please see the yoga teachers and performing artists' bios below for more detailed information.


Soulshine Performing Artists & Yoga Teachers Bios:

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Over the course of his acclaimed career, Michael Franti & Spearhead has earned a reputation as one of the most electrifying and ultimately unforgettable live acts in the business. Michael Franti has sold more than 2.5 million singles of his hit song "Say Hey (I Love You)", and has charted his albums on Billboard's "Top 40" along with frequent appearances on David Letterman, Leno, Conan, Oprah, Ellen and CNN. In addition to being a leading social activist, Franti has diligently created and supported numerous environmental and humanitarian causes, which speaks to the evolution of sounds featured on his latest album, All People (Boo Boo Wax/Capitol Records: July 2013). In the foreground are colossal dance beats and dizzying electronic effects, while Franti's lyrical sincerity shines bright as he sings about what moves him most.

SOJA
On Tuesday, April 29, 2014, reggae sensation SOJA releases the track "I Believe" featuring Michael Franti and Nahko on ATO Records. Co-written by Franti, "I Believe" marks the first single on SOJA's forthcoming full-length album hitting stores later this year. SOJA's non-stop touring, headlining and selling out large theaters in more than 20 countries, sharing stages with the likes of Dave Matthews Band and Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley, have helped generate over 60 million YouTube views, 3 million Facebook fans, and an almost Grateful Dead-like international fan base. Over the past few years, they've sold more than 200,000 albums, including their critically acclaimed 2012 release, Strength To Survive (ATO Records), which made an impassioned call for unity and change with universally relatable songs about faith, hope and love.

Brett Dennen
Northern California's Brett Dennen's 2013 album, Smoke and Mirrors, is the folk-pop singer-songwriter's strongest recording effort yet. Led by the cheerful, hook-heavy single "Wild Child," Dennen's fifth release shifts effortlessly from lilting, breezy pop ("You Make It Easy") to heartfelt balladry ("Only Want You"). His nostalgic "When We Were Young" urges maturing rock fans to turn up their radios and stay forever young. Dennen was named by Rolling Stone magazine as an "Artist to Watch" and, in 2008, Entertainment Weekly called him one of its eight "Guys on the Rise."

Trevor Hall
Trevor Hall's
career quickly broke through the music scene with a song placement on the Shrek the Third soundtrack, as well as Trevor joining a series of sold-out tours with artists such as Steel Pulse, The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Matisyahu, Michael Franti and Colbie Callait. Trevor's self-titled debut album peaked on Billboard's Heatseeker chart at #7 in 2009, he was named one of the "Top 20 New Artists" by Music Connection magazine, MTV named him one of the twenty emerging artists for 2010, and in 2012 CBS used his hit "Brand New Day" for the promo of their CBS This Morning show. His most recent album, Everything, Everytime, Everywhere, reached #80 on the Billboard "Top 200" chart. Trevor is scheduled to release a new album later this year.

Sonna Rele
Sonna
is a London based singer-songwriter signed to Motown by 3x Grammy Winner, NE-YO. Her musical influences point to a wise head on young shoulders with Stevie Wonder and the Beatles sitting alongside Nelly Furtado and Michael Jackson. With the inspiration of her parents, both professional musicians, never far from the surface, Sonna describes her sound as "stripped back acoustic-based songs mixed with the sound and pulse of a world-beat underneath it". Sonna has performed across the globe with acts ranging from John Legend to Maxi Priest and collaborated with such artists as Matisyahu, Wyclef Jean and Michael Franti.

Ryan Leier
Based in Canada and a yoga ambassador to communities across the globe, yoga guru Ryan Leier is the founder of One Yoga studios and Vinyasa Yoga for Youth, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth through the practice of yoga. Leier heads up the daily Soulshine sessions, bringing his innovative style of assimilating ancient traditions with a contemporary flow to the masses.

Baron Baptiste
International best-selling author/teacher Baron Baptiste is a global force transforming the face of modern yoga. Baptiste's revolutionary Baptiste Yoga methodologies have become essential parts of society's popular thinking on well-being. In addition to inspiring more than 40 Baptiste Yoga affiliated studios throughout the world, Baptiste has served as the Peak Performance Specialist for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles (for four years in the mid 90's) and currently focuses his energies toward fractured communities long plagued by poverty and violence. In 2007, along with Paige Elenson, Baron helped found the non-profit Africa Yoga Project, based in Nairobi, Kenya and dedicated to transforming the lives of impoverished youth through teaching the practices and techniques of Baptiste Yoga. Over 4,000 students attend the Africa Yoga Project courses each week, free of charge, which are delivered by 60 Kenyan teachers personally taught by Baptiste.

Seane Corn
Seane Corn is an internationally celebrated yoga teacher known for her impassioned activism and unique teaching style incorporating both the physical and mystical aspects of yoga practice. Corn integrates dynamic vinyasa flow asana (linking movement with breath) with the application of precise alignment, meditation, visualization, intention and prayer to create an inner journey towards healing and empowerment. Since she began her teaching career in 1994, many yoga, health and wellness sources have sought her insight and expertise. Corn has appeared on more than twenty magazine covers, she was a featured yoga contributor for Oprah.com's "Spirit" section and has been on The Today Show with Matt Lauer.

For full tour information, including announcements regarding newly confirmed tour dates and on-sale information, please visit: www.MichaelFranti.com and www.Soulshine.com

Soulshine Summer 2014 Tour Dates:
TUE 7/1/14 -- Missoula, MT -- Big Sky Brewery
WED 7/2/14 -- Sun Valley, ID -- Sun Valley Center
THU 7/3/14 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- USANA
SAT 7/5/14 -- Santa Fe, NM -- The Downs at Santa Fe
SUN 7/6/14 -- Denver, CO -- Red Rocks
TUE 7/8/14 -- Kansas City, MO -- Crossroads
THU 7/10/14 -- Chicago, IL -- FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
FRI 7/11/14 -- Minneapolis, MN -- Basilica Block Party*
SAT 7/12/14 -- Des Moines, IA -- Simon Estes
SUN 7/13/14 -- Indianapolis, IN -- The Lawn @ White River State Park
TUE 7/15/14 -- Toronto, ON -- TD Echobeach
THU 7/17/14 -- Asbury Park, NJ -- Stone Pony Summer Stage
FRI 7/18/14 -- Boston, MA -- Bank of America Pavilion
SAT 7/19/14 -- Gilford, NH -- Bank of NH Pavilion
MON 7/21/14 -- New York, NY -- Pier 97
TUE 7/22/14 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Skyline Stage at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts
THU 7/24/14 -- Floyd, VA -- FloydFest*
FRI 7/25/14 -- Wilmington, NC -- Battleship Park
SAT 7/26/14 -- Portsmouth, VA -- nTelos Pavilion
SUN 7/27/14 -- Charlotte, NC -- Uptown Amphitheater at The Music Factory
TUE 7/29/14 -- Boca Raton, FL -- Sunset Cove Amphitheater
WED 7/30/14 -- St Augustine, FL -- St Augustine Amphitheater
FRI 8/1/14 -- Atlanta, GA -- Masquerade Park
SAT 8/2/14 -- Nashville, TN -- The Woods @ Fontanel
*Michael Franti & Spearhead only

Wed, 07/09/2014 - 12:12 pm

It's a rare opportunity for fans of American roots music to experience two modern masters of the banjo and fiddle together on one stage, performing a full set of originals and classics in a duo format. Following their spring/summer 2014 tour, GRAMMY® Award-nominated Noam Pikelny and 4-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Stuart Duncan hit the road again this October 2014 to appear at the following venues: Red Hat Amphitheater (Raleigh, NC: Oct. 4), Altamont Theatre (Asheville, NC: Oct. 5), Rams Head On Stage (Annapolis, MD: Oct. 7), Barns at Wolftrap (Vienna, VA: Oct. 8), Harvester Performance Center (Rocky Mount, VA: Oct. 10), Ridgefield Playhouse (Ridgefield, CT: Oct. 15), Colonial Theatre (Pittsfield, PA: Oct. 16), Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center (Sugar Loaf, NY: Oct. 17), and WKCTC Clemens Fine Arts Center (Paducah, KY: Oct. 18). Pikelny and lauded vocalist Aoife O'Donovan are also set to tour in November 2014; tour dates to be announced in the coming months. Interviews of Pikelny and Duncan are available upon request.The sound of the fiddle and banjo in duet is one of the most compelling musical textures to emerge from American Folk Music, and through the years has most commonly been featured interstitially within the context of a larger ensemble show (i.e. when the guitar player breaks a string!). However, it is now taking center stage with these two giants of the genre once again touring in select markets. Both Pikelny and Duncan are undeniably among the foremost players on their respective instruments, often blurring the lines of what constitutes roots music in the 21st century. Winner of the first annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass (2010), Pikelny is a founding member of the Punch Brothers -- a string ensemble hailed by the Boston Globe as "a virtuosic revelation," and which The New Yorker describes as "wide-ranging and restlessly imaginative." In 2012, his second solo release Beat The Devil and Carry A Rail received a GRAMMY® nomination for "Best Bluegrass Album." His follow-up 2013 album, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, marks the first complete banjo adaptation of Kenny Baker's 1976 seminal recording of Bill Monroe instrumentals. The New York Times describes Noam's reinvention of the classic Bluegrass canon as "a token of reverence, a feat of translation and a show of dominion."Over the last eight years with Punch Brothers, Pikelny has redefined the role of the banjo with his inimitable melodic work helping propel the instrument into mainstream music. Alongside Punch Brothers, he's collaborated with the likes of Wilco, Fiona Apple, Norah Jones, and Jon Brion for the soundtrack to This is 40, a feature song on The Hunger Games soundtrack, and a collaboration with Marcus Mumford for the Coen Brothers film, Inside Llewyn Davis. He's shared the stage with The Decemberists, Béla Fleck, Dave Douglas, Steve Martin, Marcus Mumford, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and members of the Lincoln Center Chamber Orchestra.Most notably known for his recent work on The Goat Rodeo Sessions with Yo Yo Ma, Chris Thile, and Edgar Meyer, consummate sideman Stuart Duncan has graced thousands of recording sessions over the course of his celebrated career. Duncan is a four-time GRAMMY® Award winner, a six-time Academy of Country Music award winner for "Fiddle Player of the Year," and a winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's "Fiddle Player of the Year" award for seven consecutive years. His keen ability to masterfully shift between diverse styles has garnered opportunities to record/perform with Nashville's biggest stars (Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton), bluegrass music's finest pickers (Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Béla Fleck), and today's top hit-makers (Jonas Brothers, Jewel, Brad Paisley)."Stuart Duncan is the pinnacle of the American fiddle tradition," says Pikelny. "He has so masterfully assimilated so many of the great fiddle traditions into his own singular style; he's arrived at an utterly breathtaking intersection of finesse and soul. I've been lucky enough to get Stuart to play on my last two solo records and with that I could die a happy man. But we've been looking for an opportunity to make music together live, and finally found the opportunity, and decided it would be special to play as a duo. Fans can expect to get an intimate glimpse into the pairing of these two instruments -- a real exploration of the fiddle and banjo sound."With the ever-changing landscape of the music business comes greater artistic independence, and some of today's most lauded stars are aligning themselves side-by-side with longtime sidemen. No longer are prodigious sidemen only providing that imperative backbone and shining with unforgettable prowess when in the limelight; they are now in the foreground as co-billing recording and performing partners (i.e. Vince Gill & Paul Franklin's Bakersfield). Social media platforms have also ushered in profound means and ways for eager fans to directly connect with their favorite players, bolstering the demand for sidemen to tour with their own projects. Pikelny and Duncan are of this ilk, and are ready to take the Americana music scene by storm as leaders of a new generation of exceptional bluegrass artists.Don't miss this incredible opportunity to see these two virtuosos performing across the US this fall! For ticket, please visit noampikelny.com/tour.Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan 2014 Tour Dates:October 4 - The Red Hat Amphitheater - Raleigh, NCOctober 5 - The Altamont Theatre - Asheville, NCOctober 7 - Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis, MDOctober 8 - Barns at Wolftrap - Vienna, VAOctober 10 - Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount, VAOctober 15 - The Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CTOctober 16 - Colonial Theatre - Pittsfield, MAOctober 17 - Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center - Sugar Loaf, NYOctober 18 - WKCTC Clemens Fine Arts Center - Paducah, KY

Wed, 08/13/2014 - 2:48 pm

Coming up September - November 2014, Yonder Mountain String Band headlines premier music festivals and venues across the country on their Fall Tour 2014, including Catskill Chill Music Festival (Hancock, NY: Sept. 5 - 7), Riverwalk Revival (Augusta, GA: Oct. 23), Iron City Music Hall (Birmingham, AL: Oct. 24), Georgia Theater (Athens, GA: Oct. 25), Trustee Garden (Savannah, GA: Oct. 26), Mercury Ballroom (Louisville, KY: Oct. 29), Track 29 (Chattanooga, TN: Oct. 30), Shaftman Performance Hall @ Jefferson Center (Roanoke, VA: Oct. 31), Ziggy's (Winston-Salem, NC: Nov. 1), Turner Hall Ballroom (Milwaukee, WI: Nov. 5), First Avenue (Minneapolis, MN: Nov. 6), House of Blues (Chicago, IL: Nov. 7 & 8), Higher Ground Ballroom (Burlington, VT: Nov. 12), House of Blues (Boston, MA: Nov. 13), Theatre of Living Arts (Philadelphia, PA: Nov. 14), and Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn, NY: Nov. 15). Once again this fall and winter, YMSB hosts Kinfolk Celebration at Planet Bluegrass Ranch (Lyons, CO: Sept. 19 - 20), Mulberry Mt. Harvest Festival (Ozark, AR: Oct. 16 - 18) and Strings & Sol (Puerto Morelos, Mexico: Dec. 11 - 15). The Larry Keel Experience opens all shows from Oct. 23 - Nov. 15, 2014.

YMSB's forthcoming show at The Fillmore on August 28, 2014 will be available to watch online via the Live Nation Channel on Yahoo Screen starting at 8 pm EST. Fans will have the opportunity to watch from wherever they are through the Yahoo Screen App on iOS, Android, mobile Web, desktop and Smart TV platforms including AppleTV, Roku and Xbox 360. Don't miss this special opportunity to see YMSB perform live in the comfort of your own home! Tune into www.yahoo.com/live or download the Yahoo Screen App to watch on your mobile devices.

Bluegrass is a music steeped in tradition, but over the past decade and a half -- much of it spent on the road -- Yonder Mountain String Band has spearheaded a renegade movement to rewrite the definition of the genre. Alongside other neo-bluegrass friends such as Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, The Travelin' McCourys, and Railroad Earth, YMSB has thoroughly revitalized and contemporized bluegrass and introduced it to many thousands of new fans. Rolling Stone said that YMSB "liberates bluegrass' hot-shit riffing and blue-sky harmonies from its hidebound formalism," while Paste Magazine wrote, "The Yonder Mountain boys have found a formula that works: take rootsy bluegrass influences, add in some rock 'n' roll, and seek out an adventurous audience."

Yonder Mountain String Band is comprised of Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), and select special guest artists who will appear with the band throughout 2014. Two standout musicians regularly performing live with YMSB are Jake Jolliff (mandolin, vocals) and Allie Kral (fiddle, vocals). Jolliff is an award-winning mandolin player (First Place, National Mandolin Championship 2012, Walnut Valley Festival), and was a founding member of the disbanded Americana outfit, Joy Kills Sorrow. Kral is well-known as the former fiddle player for Cornmeal (2003 - 2013), and she's worked alongside various notable artists including moe., Railroad Earth, Warren Haynes, and others. For confirmed line-up information, please see the tour dates listed below.

With the band having one of the strongest touring bases in the industry, fans and critics alike have been drawn to both their live shows and singular studio albums. Reporting from the All Good Music Festival (2009), journalist Jarrett Bellini from CNN Showbiz Tonight notes, "The trophy for best musical set goes to Yonder Mountain String Band who, as the sun began to set, left it all on the stage for an hour and a half. The pickers from Colorado had the audience dancing and shaking, kicking up a joyful storm of dust into the cool summer sky."

YMSB has evolved into something of a phenomenon on the concert and festival circuit. The band has sold out Colorado's famed Red Rocks several times, and played sold-out shows with Grateful Dead and Furthur bassist Phil Lesh at his Terrapin Crossroads venue in August 2012. They also host three singular music festivals every year -- Northwest String Summit (now in its 13th year and hosted by YMSB every year), Harvest Music Festival (where they will host for the fifth time in October 2014), and Strings & Sol (Yonder hosts for the third year-in-a-row in Mexico in December 2014) -- and have consecutively sold out runs of shows at Telluride Bluegrass Festival year after year. Every other year, YMSB also hosts Kinfolk Festival @ Planet Bluegrass. In all, Yonder Mountain logs over 100 live dates per year.

Yonder has always played music by its own design. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences, they've come to pioneer a sound that they alone could only champion. With a traditional lineup of instruments, they may appear to be a traditional bluegrass band at first glance but they've taken the customary old-timey instrumentation to new heights, transcending any single genre. Yonder has become a regular performer at major music festivals like the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Summer Camp, and DelFest as well as massive multi-stage events like Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits Festival.

YMSB is currently working on a new full-length studio recording; fans can expect a new album to be released in early 2015.

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band, please visit www.yondermountain.com.

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND SUMMER & FALL 2014 TOUR DATES

8/21 - Jim Thorpe, PA - Penn's Peak*^#
8/22 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live! *^#
8/23 - Black Mountain, NC - Pisgah Outdoor Stage*^#
8/27 - Richmond, VA - The National*^
8/28 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore*^
8/29 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Lake Amphitheater*^
8/30 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva*
8/31 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater*^
9/5 - 9/7 - Hancock, NY - Catskill Chill Music Festival
9/19 - 9/20 - Lyons, CO - Kinfolk Celebration at Planet Bluegrass Ranch
10/16 - 10/18 - Ozark, AR - Mulberry Mt. Harvest Festival*^#
10/23 - Augusta, GA - Riverwalk Revival*^
10/24 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City Music Hall*
10/25 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theater*
10/26 - Savannah, GA - Trustee Garden*
10/29 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom*^
10/30 - Chattanooga, TN - Track 29*^
10/31 - Roanoke, VA - Shaftman Performance Hall @ Jefferson Center*^
11/1 - Winston-Salem, NC - Ziggy’s*^
11/5 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom*^
11/6 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue*^
11/7 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues*^
11/8 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues*^
11/12 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Ballroom*^
11/13 - Boston, MA - House of Blues*^
11/14 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts*^
11/15 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl*^
12/11 - 12/15 - Puerto Morelos, Mexico - Strings and Sol

Special Guest Performers:
*Jake Jolliff (mandolin, vocals)
^Allie Kral (fiddle, vocals)
#Jerry Douglas (dobro)

Fri, 08/22/2014 - 9:14 am

Stemming from a musical friendship many years in the making, two stars of American roots music, Aoife O'Donovan and Noam Pikelny, headline select venues throughout the Rockies, Southwest and Midwest in November 2014. O'Donovan, widely renowned for her work with Crooked Still and her 2013 critically-acclaimed solo album Fossils, has quickly come to the forefront as one of today's leading female vocalists. A member of prominent bluegrass outfit the Punch Brothers, banjoist Pikelny shines in the spotlight with three just-announced IBMA Award nominations (Banjo Player of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Liner Notes). On the forthcoming tour, the singular ensemble will also feature bassist Barry Bales (Alison Krauss & Union Station) and fiddler Shad Cobb (John Cowan Band). This Americana tour-de-force will appear at the following venues and festivals: Peery Egyptian Theatre (Ogden, UT: Nov. 1), Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix, AZ: Nov. 2), Fox Theatre (Boulder, CO: Nov. 3), Strings Music Festival (Steamboat Springs, CO: Nov. 4), Stoughton Opera House (Stoughton, WI: Nov. 6), Northshore Center for the Performing Arts (Skokie, IL: Nov. 7), Lincoln Theatre (Columbus, OH: Nov. 8), Buskirk-Chumley Theater (Bloomington, IN: Nov. 9), The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI: November 11), and Music Box Supper Club (Cleveland, OH: Nov. 12). Noam Pikelny and Stuart Duncan also hit the road performing select duo shows throughout October 2014. For more information, please visit noampikelny.com.

Aoife O'Donovan and Noam Pikelny have been crossing paths for more than a decade, so the magic between these virtuosos finally hitting the national stage with their own ensemble was only a matter of time. In 2012, the duo initially collaborated when Pikelny featured O'Donovan as a guest vocalist on his GRAMMY® nominated, Beat the Devil & Carry a Rail. What followed, was a dream come true, when the gifted singer appeared on his album release tour. Pikelny remembers, "I was out on the road, promoting a mostly instrumental album, but somehow was lucky enough to have my favorite singer in the world, Aoife O'Donovan, in the band." On the tour, the duo rearranged several of O'Donovan's originals as well as some old bluegrass favorites. O'Donovan praises Pikelny's musical brilliance, saying "Noam's ability as a musician goes far beyond his virtuosity as a banjoist. He's a truly keen listener and an unbelievable arranger. As a singer, there's nobody else I'd rather have backing me up."

Winner of the first annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass (2010), Pikelny is a founding member of the Punch Brothers -- a string ensemble hailed by the Boston Globe as "a virtuosic revelation," and which The New Yorker describes as "wide-ranging and restlessly imaginative." In 2012, his second solo release Beat The Devil and Carry A Rail received a GRAMMY® nomination for "Best Bluegrass Album." His follow-up 2013 album, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, marks the first complete banjo adaptation of Kenny Baker's 1976 seminal recording of Bill Monroe instrumentals. The New York Times describes Noam's reinvention of the classic Bluegrass canon as "a token of reverence, a feat of translation and a show of dominion."

Over the last eight years with Punch Brothers, Pikelny has redefined the role of the banjo with his inimitable melodic work helping propel the instrument into mainstream music. Alongside Punch Brothers, he's collaborated with the likes of Wilco, Fiona Apple, Norah Jones, and Jon Brion for the soundtrack to This is 40, a feature song on The Hunger Games soundtrack, and a collaboration with Marcus Mumford for the Coen Brothers film, Inside Llewyn Davis. He's shared the stage with The Decemberists, Béla Fleck, Dave Douglas, Steve Martin, Marcus Mumford, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and members of the Lincoln Center Chamber Orchestra.

As the lead singer/founder of Crooked Still and female folk-noir trio Sometymes Why, Aoife O'Donovan has brought her remarkable talents to the attention of some of the most esteemed performers across roots, classical, bluegrass, and jazz. She wrote the famous "Lay My Burden Down", originally featured on Alison Krauss's number one country album, Paper Airplane, and has appeared as a special guest on A Prairie Home Companion. The vocalist was even recruited to record on the 2013 GRAMMY®-winning The Goat Rodeo Sessions, alongside stalwart musicians Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, and Stuart Duncan.

Touted "a must-listen blend of bluegrass, folk and back-porch Americana" by Rolling Stone, O'Donovan's solo effort Fossils was released in 2013, and she's currently working on her highly-anticipated sophomore release due out in 2015. Produced by Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, My Morning Jacket), Fossils features ten original songs and standout contributions from friends and frequent collaborators, including Sam Amidon and Dave Douglas. Rich in songs and unexpected textures, it bears a remarkable collaboration showcasing O'Donovan and Martine's creative partnership.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to see these fine musicians on stage together this fall in select cities across the US!

Aoife O'Donovan & Noam Pikelny -- November 2014 Tour Dates:
November 1 - Peery Egyptian Theatre - Ogden, UT
November 2 - Musical Instrument Museum - Phoenix, AZ
November 3 - Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO
November 4 - Strings Music Festival - Steamboat Springs, CO
November 6 - Stoughton Opera House - Stoughton, WI
November 7 - North Shore Center for the Performing Arts - Skokie, IL
November 8 - Lincoln Theatre - Columbus, OH
November 9 - Buskirk-Chumley Theater - Bloomington, IN
November 11 - The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI
November 12 - Music Box Supper Club - Cleveland, OH

Tue, 09/02/2014 - 2:13 pm

The days are getting shorter, but Real Gone Music's release schedule sure isn't, with seven new titles set to drop on September 30. Most famous for the indelible "Brother Louie," and fronted by Ian Lloyd and ex-Left Banke leader Michael Brown, the band Stories receives its first-ever retrospective, featuring 19 tracks drawn from all versions of the band and its various offshoots. Then, the label goes soul vault spelunking for a collection of Southern soul songstress Barbara Lynn's complete recordings for the Atlantic label, 25 tracks strong with an unreleased side. And Real Gone stays in the R&B groove for a single-CD twofer sporting both albums that star soul vocalist Ronnie Dyson cut for the Cotillion label in the early '80s. Both albums make their worldwide CD debut.

Then, the label delves back into the album catalog of disco trio Faith Hope & Charity for the second album they released on the RCA label, garnished, like the first, with several bonus 12" single sides. West Coast soft rocker turned Nashville hit songwriter Kerry Chater sees the two classic, "light mellow" albums he made for Warner Bros. in the late '70s receive their first-ever reissue. And Real Gone revisits what was quite possibly the greatest year of touring the Grateful Dead ever had, 1977, for a 3-CD set featuring the first concert the band played after the release of Terrapin Station.

They had a #1 hit and one of the most enduring (and controversial) hits of the '70s in "Brother Louie" -- the groundbreaking song about an interracial love affair recently heard (in a re-recorded version) as the theme song of Louis C.K.'s hit TV series Louie -- but Stories have never had any kind of collection devoted to their work. One reason for that might be that the band had two distinct eras: the first two albums with Ian Lloyd and the Left Banke's Michael Brown as co-leaders of the band, and the third and final album with Lloyd as the sole frontman. Which we have kept in mind in putting together in this compilation, which features four single sides that have never been on CD. "Stories Untold -- The Very Best of Stories" starts with the "Two by Two (I'm Losing You)"/"Love Songs in the Night" single taken from the Ultra Violet's Hot Parts soundtrack that was purportedly recorded by the Left Banke but was credited to Steve Martin, who was a founding member of that group along with Brown. We also include the solo singles that Brown and Lloyd released on the Kama Sutra and Scotti Bros. labels, respectively. But at the heart of the collection are the songs the band released as Stories and Ian Lloyd & Stories -- the original hit single versions of "Brother Louie," "I'm Coming Home," "Darling," "Mammy Blue" and "If It Feels Good, Do It," plus key album tracks, all remastered at Sony's Battery Studios in New York. Larry Watts' notes untangle the story behind Stories, with quotes from Ian Lloyd. 19 tracks of superb progressive pop from the '70s.

Texas-born Barbara Lynn has long been considered one of the finest performers of the style known as "Southern Soul," the gritty, traditional R&B style of singing and playing associated with artists whose careers began in the '60s and early '70s. Her career began in her late teens, when Barbara turned a poem she'd written in school into #1 R&B hit, "You'll Lose A Good Thing," in the Summer of 1962, launching a career that has now spanned over five decades. Produced by Huey P. Meaux, the now-classic recording (also covered by Aretha Franklin and Freddy Fender among others) was cut for Philadelphia-based Jamie Records, for whom Barbara (a left-handed guitarist and writer of much of her own material) went on to record two albums and a number of singles, half-a-dozen of which charted. After a brief spell with producer Meaux's Tribe label, Barbara was signed to Atlantic Records in 1967, recording an entire album, Here Is Barbara Lynn, which yielded the Top 40 R&B and Top 100 pop charted single, "This Is The Thanks I Get." A popular touring artist, Barbara continued recording for the label, scoring her last Top 40 R&B hit in 1971 with "(Until Then) I'll Suffer," from her original 1967 Atlantic sessions. A one-off session with producer/songwriter and keyboardist Spooner Oldham in 1968 spawned six tracks, one of which, an upbeat version of the 1967 Box Tops' hit "Soul Deep," finally makes its appearance here as part of "The Complete Atlantic Recordings", reissued by Real Gone Music in association with SoulMusic Records. Barbara returned to working with Huey Meaux for her final Atlantic sessions in 1972, which resulted in two singles before the then-mother of three began a hiatus from recording and performing that ended with a 1984 Japanese tour. As its title implies, "The Complete Atlantic Recordings" features all 25 tracks Barbara Lynn cut for the label between 1967-72. Notes by SoulMusic.com founder David Nathan include quotes from Barbara, who remains an active live performer. Remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision...essential Southern soul.

The late Ronnie Dyson (1950-1990) began his career when he landed a lead role in the famed Broadway musical Hair, singing "Aquarius" (the song most associated with the show) at the age of eighteen. Signed to Columbia Records in 1968, Dyson continued his stage career in Salvation, achieving his first chart single with the US Top 10 with "(If You Let Me Make Love to You) Why Can't I Touch You" from the show. The young singer then cut a cover version of The Delfonics' "When You Get Right Down to It," -- produced and co-written by Thom Bell -- which became a Top 40 R&B US hit and a Top 40 UK charted single. In the wake of its success, Columbia teamed Dyson with Bell and the result was the 1973 best-selling album One Man Band, the title track for which was another pop and soul hit for the Washington, DC native. After recording a number of singles and three more albums for Columbia, Ronnie signed with Cotillion Records in 1982, teaming up with producer Bobby Eli to record "Phase 2". For the occasion, Eli used top-notch New York musicians including drummer Yogi Horton, guitarist Doc Powell, bassist Francisco Centenato and keyboardist Ray Chew, along with famed MSFB arranger/conductor Don Renaldo's strings and arrangements by Richie Rome and Eli. The album included a revival of the Gamble & Huff-penned Soul Survivors' 1967 hit, "Expressway to Your Heart," and the double-sided R&B charted single, "Heart to Heart" and "Bring It on Home." In 1983, Ronnie teamed up with another renowned Philadelphia producer, Butch Ingram, for his final Cotillion album, "Brand New Day". Recorded in Philly with members of the Ingram family, the eight-song set focused on a mix of dance-oriented material ("You Better Be Fierce"), ballads ("Tender Loving Care" and "I Gave You All of Me"), a duet with premier Philly background vocalist Barbara Ingram on "Let the Love Begin," and spawned Ronnie's final Top 30 R&B charted single, "All Over Your Face." The Real Gone Music reissue of "Phase 2/Brand New Day" in association with SoulMusic Records marks the worldwide CD debut for both albums, featuring liner notes by noted American journalist Roshod Ollison.

Piggybacking on the 2014 worldwide premiere reissue of the self-titled 1975 RCA debut album by the trio Faith Hope & Charity, Real Gone Music in association with SoulMusic Records presents the follow-up set, "Life Goes On", in an expanded edition featuring four bonus tracks also produced by the renowned producer/singer/songwriter Van McCoy. The original group (then known as The Lovelles) was from Tampa, Florida, and formed in 1966 with a line-up of Albert Bailey, Brenda Hilliard and Zulema Cusseaux. Their first hit single in 1970 was on Maxwell Records with "So Much Love," produced by McCoy who had been instrumental in securing their first record deal. After switching to Sussex Records, Cusseaux left for a solo career, and in 1975, Hilliard ('Faith') and Bailey ('Hope') were joined by Dianne Destry ('Charity') just prior to signing a new contract with RCA, reuniting with Van McCoy as their producer. Following the success of the No. 1 R&B single "To Each His Own" and their best-selling first RCA LP, McCoy brought the trio back into Media Sound Studios in New York to record a follow-up album. Imaginative in its scope and production, each track on "Life Goes On" included a short "live spiral" based on the opening "Life Goes On" overture that preceded the title cut; among the highlights are an upbeat medley of the pop classics "Cherish" and "Monday, Monday," along with the McCoy-penned ballads "I Want A Man" and "You've Gotta Tell Her" (both with additional background vocals from former original member Zulema). This expanded edition includes a shortened version of "Life Goes On" along with extended mixes of "You're My Peace Of Mind" (close to eleven minutes in length), "Gradually" and "Positive Thinking" (both in excess of seven minutes each). Liner notes are by SoulMusic Records' founder David Nathan. Another worldwide CD debut.

In between his stint as bass player and arranger for Gary Puckett & the Union Gap and his emergence as one of Nashville's leading songwriters (Lee Greenwood's "I.O.U."; George Strait's "You Look So Good in Love"; Reba McEntire's "You're the First Time I've Thought About Leaving"), Kerry Chater cut two albums for Warner Bros. that enlisted some of the West Coast's top session and producing talent and have since become minor classics of the singer-songwriter "light mellow" genre. Both "Part Time Love" (1977) and "Love on a Shoestring" (1978) were produced by the legendary Steve Barri (Grass Roots, Turtles) with assistance from fellow former ABC/Dunhill staffer Michael Omartian (co-producer of "We Are the World" with Quincy Jones), and featured both legendary jazzmen like Ernie Watts and Victor Feldman and more rock-oriented studio stars like Jeff Porcaro (Toto) and Mike Botts (Bread). Each of these records makes a long-overdue, worldwide CD debut here, with notes (featuring copious quotes from the artist) by Gene Sculatti, who was working at Warner Bros. at the time. Another pair of Real Gone finds.

1977 was a great year of touring for the Dead, and it's been the source of some of the most acclaimed live recordings the band has released (the complete set of June Winterland shows comes to mind, as do Dick's Picks Vols. 34 & 29). Grateful Dead: Dick's Picks Vol. 15 -- Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ 9/3/77 keeps the streak going, despite the fact that this was the first concert the band had played in almost three months, and that it took place in front of a crowd estimated at over 100,000! It was also the first show after the release of Terrapin Station, and several numbers (the title track, "Samson and Delilah" and "Estimated Prophet," which segues into a really unusual and stellar "Eyes of the World") surface from the album. "The Music Never Stopped," "Peggy-O," "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo" and "He's Gone" are all given what could be characterized as definitive renditions as well, and the band closes the night by playing "Truckin'" for the first time in two years before the "Terrapin Station" encore. One more miraculous night from the Grateful Dead.

September 30, 2014 Releases from Real Gone Music

Stories: Stories Untold -- The Very Best of Stories
Barbara Lynn: The Complete Atlantic Recordings
Ronnie Dyson: Phase 2/Brand New Day
Faith Hope & Charity: Life Goes On (Expanded Edition)
Kerry Chater: Part Time Love
Kerry Chater: Love on a Shoestring
Grateful Dead: Dick's Picks Vol. 15 -- Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ 9/3/77

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 2:45 pm

GRAMMY® Award-nominated banjo virtuoso Noam Pikelny's critically acclaimed album, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, has been nominated for "Album of the Year" at the 25th International Bluegrass Music Awards, coming up in Raleigh, NC on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. An extremely rare nod for an all-instrumental recording, Pikelny is also nominated for Banjo Player of the Year, and best liner notes. The International Bluegrass Music Awards recognize outstanding achievement and pioneering efforts in the genre as determined by professionals in the bluegrass music industry. Following a performance at IBMA's "Wide Open Bluegrass" festival on Oct. 4, Pikelny hits the road for two separate tours with some of today's brightest Americana stars: Stuart Duncan and Aoife O'Donovan. Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

In just two weeks, fans of Americana music will be bestowed with the exceptional opportunity of two modern masters of the banjo and fiddle together on one stage, performing a full set of originals and classics in a duo format. Hot off the heels of their spring/summer tour and recent announcement of three IBMA nominations, Pikelny and 4-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Stuart Duncan hit the road appearing at select venues across the South, East Coast and Midwest (please see the tour dates listed below). The sound of the fiddle and banjo in duet is one of the most compelling musical textures to emerge from American Folk Music, and through the years has most commonly been featured interstitially within the context of a larger ensemble show (i.e. when the guitar player breaks a string!). However, these two giants of the genre step into the limelight with their forthcoming two-week tour.

Stemming from a musical friendship many years in the making, Aoife O'Donovan and Pikelny headline venues throughout the Rockies, Southwest and Midwest in November 2014. O'Donovan, widely renowned for her work with Crooked Still and her 2013 critically-acclaimed solo album Fossils, has quickly come to the forefront as one of today's leading female vocalists. These two stars of American roots music have been crossing paths for more than a decade, so the magic between them finally hitting the national stage with their own ensemble was only a matter of time. In 2012, the duo initially collaborated when Pikelny featured O'Donovan as a guest vocalist on his GRAMMY® nominated, Beat the Devil & Carry a Rail, and they subsequently hit the road together to support the album. On the forthcoming tour, the singular Americana tour-de-force ensemble will also feature bassist Barry Bales (Alison Krauss & Union Station) and fiddler Shad Cobb (John Cowan Band).

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to see these fine musicians on stage together this fall in select cities across the US! Below you'll find bios on Pikelny, Duncan and O'Donovan, as well as all of the confirmed tour dates:

About Noam Pikelny
Winner of the first annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass (2010), Pikelny is a founding member of the Punch Brothers -- a string ensemble hailed by the Boston Globe as "a virtuosic revelation," and which The New Yorker describes as "wide-ranging and restlessly imaginative." In 2012, his second solo release Beat The Devil and Carry A Rail received a GRAMMY® nomination for "Best Bluegrass Album." His follow-up 2013 album, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, marks the first complete banjo adaptation of Kenny Baker's 1976 seminal recording of Bill Monroe instrumentals. The New York Times describes Noam's reinvention of the classic Bluegrass canon as "a token of reverence, a feat of translation and a show of dominion."

Over the last eight years with Punch Brothers, Pikelny has redefined the role of the banjo with his inimitable melodic work helping propel the instrument into mainstream music. Alongside Punch Brothers, he's collaborated with the likes of Wilco, Fiona Apple, Norah Jones, and Jon Brion for the soundtrack to This is 40, a feature song on The Hunger Games soundtrack, and a collaboration with Marcus Mumford for the Coen Brothers film, Inside Llewyn Davis. He's shared the stage with The Decemberists, Béla Fleck, Dave Douglas, Steve Martin, Marcus Mumford, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and members of the Lincoln Center Chamber Orchestra.

About Stuart Duncan
Most notably known for his recent work on The Goat Rodeo Sessions with Yo Yo Ma, Chris Thile, and Edgar Meyer, consummate sideman Stuart Duncan has graced thousands of recording sessions over the course of his celebrated career. Duncan is a four-time GRAMMY® Award winner, a six-time Academy of Country Music award winner for "Fiddle Player of the Year," and a winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's "Fiddle Player of the Year" award for seven consecutive years. His keen ability to masterfully shift between diverse styles has garnered opportunities to record/perform with Nashville's biggest stars (Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton), bluegrass music's finest pickers (Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Béla Fleck), and today's top hit-makers (Jonas Brothers, Jewel, Brad Paisley).

About Aoife O'Donovan
As the lead singer/founder of Crooked Still and female folk-noir trio Sometymes Why, Aoife O'Donovan has brought her remarkable talents to the attention of some of the most esteemed performers across roots, classical, bluegrass, and jazz. She wrote the famous "Lay My Burden Down", originally featured on Alison Krauss's number one country album, Paper Airplane, and has appeared as a special guest on A Prairie Home Companion. The vocalist was even recruited to record on the 2013 GRAMMY®-winning The Goat Rodeo Sessions, alongside stalwart musicians Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, and Stuart Duncan.

Touted "a must-listen blend of bluegrass, folk and back-porch Americana" by Rolling Stone, O'Donovan's solo effort Fossils was released in 2013, and she's currently working on her highly-anticipated sophomore release due out in 2015. Produced by Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, My Morning Jacket), Fossils features ten original songs and standout contributions from friends and frequent collaborators, including Sam Amidon and Dave Douglas. Rich in songs and unexpected textures, it bears a remarkable collaboration showcasing O'Donovan and Martine's creative partnership.

Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan Tour Dates:
Oct. 4 - The Red Hat Amphitheater - Raleigh, NC
Oct. 5 - The Altamont Theatre - Asheville, NC
Oct. 7 - Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis, MD
Oct. 8 - Barns at Wolftrap - Vienna, VA
Oct. 10 - Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount, VA
Oct. 13 & 14 - Rockwood Music Hall - New York City
Oct. 15 - The Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT
Oct. 16 - Colonial Theatre - Pittsfield, MA
Oct. 17 - Sugar Loaf PAC - Sugar Loaf, NY
Oct. 18 - WKCTC Clemens FAC - Paducah, KY

Aoife O'Donovan & Noam Pikelny Tour Dates:
Nov. 1 - Peery Egyptian Theatre - Ogden, UT
Nov. 2 - Musical Instrument Museum - Phoenix, AZ
Nov. 3 - Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO
Nov. 4 - Strings Music Festival - Steamboat Springs, CO
Nov. 6 - Stoughton Opera House - Stoughton, WI
Nov. 7 - North Shore CPA - Skokie, IL
Nov. 8 - Lincoln Theatre - Columbus, OH
Nov. 9 - Buskirk-Chumley Theater - Bloomington, IN
Nov. 11 - The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI
Nov. 12 - Music Box Supper Club - Cleveland, OH

Thu, 09/25/2014 - 5:10 pm

New Year's Eve in Boulder, CO has become a tradition for Yonder Mountain String Band. Come ring in the New Year at the Boulder Theater for a 4-night run with plenty of foot stompin' and hand clappin' as Yonder burns it down with special guest violinist Allie Kral and mandolin player Jake Jolliff; additional special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. This year, YMSB kicks off the run on Wednesday, December 31, 2014. On New Year's Day, the venue will roll out some mighty fine Bloody Marys and other libations to help fans start the year off right as YMSB keeps the party going through Saturday, January 3, 2015. Pre-sale tickets are now available via YMSB's Tour Page with the general on-sale starting this Friday, September 26, 2014 via the Boulder Theater box office and online. Leading up to the NYE run, YMSB will be on the road for their Fall Tour 2014 with headlining stops at the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival (Oct. 4: Raleigh, NC), Mulberry Mt. Harvest Festival (Oct. 16 - 18: Ozark, AR), and select venues in the South, East Coast, and Midwest. For some fun in the sun this December 11 - 15, don't miss YMSB's Strings & Sol happening in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. YMSB interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

Bluegrass is a music steeped in tradition, but over the past decade and a half -- much of it spent on the road -- Yonder Mountain String Band has spearheaded a renegade movement to rewrite the definition of the genre. Alongside other neo-bluegrass friends such as Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, The Travelin' McCourys, and Railroad Earth, YMSB has thoroughly revitalized and contemporized bluegrass and introduced it to many thousands of new fans. Rolling Stone said that YMSB "liberates bluegrass' hot-shit riffing and blue-sky harmonies from its hidebound formalism," while Paste Magazine wrote, "The Yonder Mountain boys have found a formula that works: take rootsy bluegrass influences, add in some rock 'n' roll, and seek out an adventurous audience."

Yonder Mountain String Band is comprised of Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), and select special guest artists who will appear with the band throughout 2014. Two standout musicians regularly performing live with YMSB are Jake Jolliff (mandolin, vocals) and Allie Kral (fiddle, vocals). Jolliff is an award-winning mandolin player (First Place, National Mandolin Championship 2012, Walnut Valley Festival), and was a founding member of the disbanded Americana outfit, Joy Kills Sorrow. Kral is well-known as the former fiddle player for Cornmeal (2003 - 2013), and she's worked alongside various notable artists including moe., Railroad Earth, Warren Haynes, and others. For confirmed line-up information, please see the tour dates listed below.

With the band having one of the strongest touring bases in the industry, fans and critics alike have been drawn to both their live shows and singular studio albums. Reporting from the All Good Music Festival (2009), journalist Jarrett Bellini from CNN Showbiz Tonight notes, "The trophy for best musical set goes to Yonder Mountain String Band who, as the sun began to set, left it all on the stage for an hour and a half. The pickers from Colorado had the audience dancing and shaking, kicking up a joyful storm of dust into the cool summer sky."

YMSB has evolved into something of a phenomenon on the concert and festival circuit. The band has sold out Colorado's famed Red Rocks several times, and played sold-out shows with Grateful Dead and Furthur bassist Phil Lesh at his Terrapin Crossroads venue in August 2012. They also host three singular music festivals every year -- Northwest String Summit (now in its 14th year and hosted by YMSB every year), Harvest Music Festival (where they will host for the fifth time in October 2014), and Strings & Sol (Yonder hosts for the third year-in-a-row in Mexico in December 2014) -- and have consecutively sold out runs of shows at Telluride Bluegrass Festival year after year. Every other year, YMSB also hosts Kinfolk Festival @ Planet Bluegrass. In all, Yonder Mountain logs over 100 live dates per year.

Yonder has always played music by its own design. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences, they've come to pioneer a sound that they alone could only champion. With a traditional lineup of instruments, they may appear to be a traditional bluegrass band at first glance but they've taken the customary old-timey instrumentation to new heights, transcending any single genre. Yonder has become a regular performer at major music festivals like the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Summer Camp, and DelFest as well as massive multi-stage events like Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits Festival.

YMSB is currently working on a new full-length studio recording; fans can expect a new album to be released in early 2015.

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band, please visit www.yondermountain.com.

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND FALL & WINTER 2014 TOUR DATES

10/4 - Raleigh, NC - Wide Open Bluegrass*^
10/16 - 10/18 - Ozark, AR - Mulberry Mt. Harvest Festival*^#
10/23 - Augusta, GA - Riverwalk Revival*^
10/24 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City Music Hall*
10/25 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theater*
10/26 - Savannah, GA - Trustee Garden*
10/29 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom*^
10/30 - Chattanooga, TN - Track 29*^
10/31 - Roanoke, VA - Shaftman Performance Hall @ Jefferson Center*^
11/1 - Winston-Salem, NC - Ziggy’s*^
11/5 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom*^
11/6 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue*^
11/7 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues*^
11/8 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues*^
11/12 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Ballroom*^
11/13 - Boston, MA - House of Blues*^
11/14 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts*^
11/15 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl*^
12/11 - 12/15 - Puerto Morelos, Mexico - Strings & Sol*^
12/31 - 1/3 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater*^

Special Guest Performers:
*Jake Jolliff (mandolin, vocals)
^Allie Kral (fiddle, vocals)
#Jerry Douglas (dobro)

Mon, 10/06/2014 - 11:34 am

GRAMMY® Award-nominated banjo virtuoso Noam Pikelny's critically acclaimed album, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, won "Album of the Year" at the 25th International Bluegrass Music Awards (Raleigh, NC: Oct. 2, 2014). An extremely rare nod for an all-instrumental recording, Pikelny also won the award for "Banjo Player of the Year". The International Bluegrass Music Awards recognize outstanding achievement and pioneering efforts in the genre as determined by professionals in the bluegrass music industry. Starting this week, Pikelny hits the road for two separate tours with some of today's brightest Americana stars: Stuart Duncan and Aoife O'Donovan. Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

"I'm truly honored," says Pikelny after winning "Album of the Year". "This record was a labor of love for me, and at best I was hoping to not get struck by lightning as retribution for putting my name in the same album title as Kenny Baker's and Bill Monroe's. While I've spent most of my career on the far fringes of this music, bluegrass music and its community mean the world to me, so the warm embrace from the IBMA this year is very special. To me, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe is truly a band record, so the album of the year award is shared equally between Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, Ronnie McCoury, Mike Bub, and our producer Gabe Witcher. It goes without saying that many a glass were raised after the show last night to Kenny Baker."

Beginning on Oct. 7, fans of Americana music will be bestowed with the exceptional opportunity of two modern masters of the banjo and fiddle together on one stage, performing a full set of originals and classics in a duo format. Hot off the heels of their spring/summer tour, Pikelny and 4-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Stuart Duncan hit the road appearing at select venues across the East Coast and Midwest (please see the tour dates listed below). The sound of the fiddle and banjo in duet is one of the most compelling musical textures to emerge from American Folk Music, and through the years has most commonly been featured interstitially within the context of a larger ensemble show (i.e. when the guitar player breaks a string!). However, these two giants of the genre step into the limelight with their forthcoming two-week tour.

Stemming from a musical friendship many years in the making, Aoife O'Donovan and Pikelny headline venues throughout the Rockies, Southwest and Midwest in November 2014. O'Donovan, widely renowned for her work with Crooked Still and her 2013 critically-acclaimed solo album Fossils, has quickly come to the forefront as one of today's leading female vocalists. These two stars of American roots music have been crossing paths for more than a decade, so the magic between them finally hitting the national stage with their own ensemble was only a matter of time. In 2012, the duo initially collaborated when Pikelny featured O'Donovan as a guest vocalist on his GRAMMY® nominated, Beat the Devil & Carry a Rail, and they subsequently hit the road together to support the album. On the forthcoming tour, the singular Americana tour-de-force ensemble will also feature bassist Barry Bales (Alison Krauss & Union Station) and fiddler Shad Cobb (John Cowan Band).

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to see these fine musicians on stage together this fall in select cities across the US! Below you'll find bios on Pikelny, Duncan and O'Donovan, as well as all of the confirmed tour dates:

About Noam Pikelny
Winner of the first annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass (2010), Pikelny is a founding member of the Punch Brothers -- a string ensemble hailed by the Boston Globe as "a virtuosic revelation," and which The New Yorker describes as "wide-ranging and restlessly imaginative." In 2012, his second solo release Beat The Devil and Carry A Rail received a GRAMMY® nomination for "Best Bluegrass Album." His follow-up 2013 album, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, marks the first complete banjo adaptation of Kenny Baker's 1976 seminal recording of Bill Monroe instrumentals. The New York Times describes Noam's reinvention of the classic Bluegrass canon as "a token of reverence, a feat of translation and a show of dominion."

Over the last eight years with Punch Brothers, Pikelny has redefined the role of the banjo with his inimitable melodic work helping propel the instrument into mainstream music. Alongside Punch Brothers, he's collaborated with the likes of Wilco, Fiona Apple, Norah Jones, and Jon Brion for the soundtrack to This is 40, a feature song on The Hunger Games soundtrack, and a collaboration with Marcus Mumford for the Coen Brothers film, Inside Llewyn Davis. He's shared the stage with The Decemberists, Béla Fleck, Dave Douglas, Steve Martin, Marcus Mumford, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and members of the Lincoln Center Chamber Orchestra.

About Stuart Duncan
Most notably known for his recent work on The Goat Rodeo Sessions with Yo Yo Ma, Chris Thile, and Edgar Meyer, consummate sideman Stuart Duncan has graced thousands of recording sessions over the course of his celebrated career. Duncan is a four-time GRAMMY® Award winner, a six-time Academy of Country Music award winner for "Fiddle Player of the Year," and a winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's "Fiddle Player of the Year" award for seven consecutive years. His keen ability to masterfully shift between diverse styles has garnered opportunities to record/perform with Nashville's biggest stars (Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton), bluegrass music's finest pickers (Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Béla Fleck), and today's top hit-makers (Jonas Brothers, Jewel, Brad Paisley).

About Aoife O'Donovan
As the lead singer/founder of Crooked Still and female folk-noir trio Sometymes Why, Aoife O'Donovan has brought her remarkable talents to the attention of some of the most esteemed performers across roots, classical, bluegrass, and jazz. She wrote the famous "Lay My Burden Down", originally featured on Alison Krauss's number one country album, Paper Airplane, and has appeared as a special guest on A Prairie Home Companion. The vocalist was even recruited to record on the 2013 GRAMMY®-winning The Goat Rodeo Sessions, alongside stalwart musicians Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, and Stuart Duncan.

Touted "a must-listen blend of bluegrass, folk and back-porch Americana" by Rolling Stone, O'Donovan's solo effort Fossils was released in 2013, and she's currently working on her highly-anticipated sophomore release due out in 2015. Produced by Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, My Morning Jacket), Fossils features ten original songs and standout contributions from friends and frequent collaborators, including Sam Amidon and Dave Douglas. Rich in songs and unexpected textures, it bears a remarkable collaboration showcasing O'Donovan and Martine's creative partnership.

Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan Tour Dates:
Oct. 7 - Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis, MD
Oct. 8 - Barns at Wolftrap - Vienna, VA
Oct. 10 - Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount, VA
Oct. 13 & 14 - Rockwood Music Hall - New York City
Oct. 15 - The Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT
Oct. 16 - Colonial Theatre - Pittsfield, MA
Oct. 17 - Sugar Loaf PAC - Sugar Loaf, NY
Oct. 18 - WKCTC Clemens FAC - Paducah, KY

Aoife O'Donovan & Noam Pikelny Tour Dates:
Nov. 1 - Peery Egyptian Theatre - Ogden, UT
Nov. 2 - Musical Instrument Museum - Phoenix, AZ
Nov. 3 - Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO
Nov. 4 - Strings Music Festival - Steamboat Springs, CO
Nov. 6 - Stoughton Opera House - Stoughton, WI
Nov. 7 - North Shore CPA - Skokie, IL
Nov. 8 - Lincoln Theatre - Columbus, OH
Nov. 9 - Buskirk-Chumley Theater - Bloomington, IN
Nov. 11 - The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI
Nov. 12 - Music Box Supper Club - Cleveland, OH

Tue, 10/14/2014 - 1:50 pm

Legendary folk music icon Arlo Guthrie embarks on a 18-month North American tour launching January 21, 2015 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the event that inspired the seminal song, "Alice's Restaurant Massacree". A musical monologue running more than 18 minutes, "Alice's Restaurant" has become a Thanksgiving holiday anthem to families across the globe and it all originates from Guthrie's experience on Thanksgiving in 1965. Kicking off the tour in Daytona Beach, FL (Jan. 21, 2015), Guthrie will perform his most prominent work in its entirety each night on the tour, as well as selections from every full-length studio album he's released since his debut, Alice's Restaurant (1967). The forthcoming tour dates from January - May 2015 have been announced on www.risingsonrecords.com, and all of the confirmed shows thus far are listed below; additional dates will be announced in the coming months. Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

"I didn't think I was gonna live long enough to have to learn 'Alice's Restaurant' again," Arlo Guthrie says with a smile. "It was a quirky kinda thing to begin with. Nobody writes an 18-minute monologue expecting fame and fortune. The initial success of the song really took me by surprise more than anyone else. The fact that I have contended with it for five decades either by having to learn it again or by not doing it, has been an interesting balancing act. I'm surely looking forward to adding it to the repertoire though for the 50th anniversary tour."

Folk songs enduring many decades of change only become classics when storylines remain just as relevant today as they were when originally composed. "Alice's Restaurant" is of this ilk; it's now weaved into the fabric of American society. Fans have embraced "Alice's Restaurant" as part of their annual Thanksgiving tradition, but also view it as one of the more pronounced anti-war rally songs. Every year, Arlo receives handfuls of letters from Vietnam vets and soldiers currently at war expressing their heartfelt connection to the song. Today, times are eerily similar to the mid-60's, with unpopular wars being fought far away from home, and soldiers finding ways to cope. Music is often the best thing to soothe the soul. However listeners interpret the quintessential tune, we can be rest assured that people of all different walks of life come together singing that famous chorus, "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant...".

"Alice's Restaurant's" hilarious account of actual events that precluded Arlo Guthrie from military service (1966) became a platinum selling record (1967) and full-length motion picture (1969) at the outset of his lauded career. Interestingly enough, the song's lyrics reference the number 50 several times (i.e. "...there was five police officers, and three police cars, being the biggest crime of the last 50 years... I had to pay $50 to pick up the garbage..."), and here we are 50 years later commemorating the lengthiest hit single in music history. Due of its length, Arlo has only added the complete "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" to his touring menu on the 10-year anniversaries.

For the last five decades, Arlo has carried on the Guthrie family legacy of sharing timeless stories and unforgettable classics to audiences far and wide. "The Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour" brings together an ensemble of fine musicians never to grace the stage together at one time. Arlo's deft band includes Terry Hall (drums), Bobby Sweet (guitar, vocals), Darren Todd (guitar), and his son, Abe Guthrie (keyboards). Each show is also curated with a special multi-media presentation featuring previously unseen images from the Guthrie archives. More than 75,000 photos have recently been digitized, and selections will be projected along with Peter Star's claymation film depicting Arlo's "Motorcycle Song".

For the dedicated lovers of "Alice's Restaurant", they'll be happy to know the Old Trinity Church is still around. Arlo bought it over 20 years ago and renamed it "The Guthrie Center at the Old Trinity Church". He runs his non-profit foundation from the building, and it's his hope that it'll continue to be of service to the local community.

On "Alice's Restaurant" becoming such a cultural phenomenon, Arlo says, "Well, I've always loved good stories. And I've loved telling tall tales. Why people enjoy it is beyond me. I haven't sung 'Alice' for years and people still keep coming to the gigs. 'Alice' has taken on a life of its own and become attached to Thanksgiving. If I had to guess though, maybe because it's a story about a little guy against a big world."

Don't miss Arlo Guthrie as he tours in a city near you, performing one of America's greatest musical treasures! Below is a list of the announced tour dates, and additional shows will be added soon. Stay up to date on www.risingsonrecords.com.

Arlo Guthrie Presents "The Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour":

1/21 - Daytona Beach, FL - Peabody Auditorium
1/22 - Gainesville, FL - Phillips Center
1/23 - Clearwater, FL - The Capitol Theater
1/25 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - The Parker Playhouse
1/26 & 1/27 - Stuart, FL - The Lyric Theatre
1/29 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre
1/30 - Statesboro, GA - Georgia Southern University
1/31 - Atlanta, GA - The Ferst Center
2/2 - Newberry, SC - The Newberry Opera House
2/5 - Frederick, MD - The Weinberg Center
2/6 - Manassas, VA - Hylton Performing Arts Center
2/7 & 2/8 - Alexandria, VA - The Birchmere
2/10 & 2/11 - Hampton, VA - The American Theatre
2/13 & 2/14 - Asheville, NC - Diana Worthman Theatre
2/17 & 2/18 - Nashville, TN - The City Winery
2/20 - Knoxville, TN - The Bijou Theatre
2/21 - Birmingham, AL - Alys Stephens Center
2/26 - San Antonio, TX - Tobin Center
2/27 - Richardson, TX - Eisenmann Center
3/1 - Galveston, TX - The Grand 1894 Opera House
3/4 - Lafayette, LA - The Acadiana
3/6 - Rolla, MO - The Leach Theater
3/7 - Edwardsville, IL - Morris University Center
3/28 - Avon (Beaver Creek Village), CO - Vilar Center
3/31 - Santa Fe, NM - The Lensic
4/2 - Tuscon, AZ - The Fox Theatre
4/4 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Performing Arts Center
4/6 - Los Angeles, CA - Disney Hall
4/8 - Arroyo Grande, CA - The Clark Center
4/10 & 4/11 - Irvine, CA - The Irvine Barclay Theater
4/12 - Santa Clarita, CA - Santa Clarita PAC
4/14 - Livermore, CA - The Livermore Valley
4/16 - Davis, CA - Mondavi Center
4/17 - Berkeley, CA - Zellerbach Hall
4/18 - Napa, CA - The City Winery
4/24 - Denver, CO - The Paramount Theater
4/27 - Sioux Falls, SD - Washington Pavilion
4/28 - Omaha, NE - The Holland Center
4/30 - West Bloomfield, MI - Jewish Community Center
5/1 - Indianapolis, IN - The Egyptian Room
5/2 & 5/3 - Akron, OH - E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall

Tue, 12/02/2014 - 1:47 pm

\Yonder Mountain String Band is firing on all cylinders as they announce a slew of Winter and Spring 2015 tour dates throughout the South, Midwest, and West Coast. Jake Jolliff (mandolin) and Allie Kral (fiddle) will be along for the ride on both tours. First off in January 2015 & February 2015, YMSB headlines the following venues: Lincoln Theatre (Raleigh, NC: Jan. 21), The Orange Peel (Asheville, NC: Jan. 22), Cannery Ballroom (Nashville, TN: Jan. 23), Bijou Theatre (Knoxville, TN: Jan. 24), Vogue Theatre (Indianapolis, IN: Jan. 28), Canopy Club (Urbana, IL: Jan. 29), Ann Arbor Folk Festival (Ann Arbor, MI: Jan. 30), Barrymore Theater (Madison, WI: Jan. 31), State Theatre (State College, PA: Feb. 3), House of Blues (Cleveland, OH: Feb. 4), Buster's Billiards and Backroom (Lexington, KY: Feb. 5), Variety Playhouse (Atlanta, GA: Feb. 6), The Music Farm (Columbia, SC: Feb. 7), The Music Farm (Charleston, SC: Feb. 11), The Social (Orlando, FL: Feb. 12), Jannus Live (St. Petersburg, FL: Feb. 13), Revolution Live (Fort Lauderdale, FL: Feb. 1), and Freebird Live (Jacksonville Beach, FL: Feb. 15).

In March 2015 & April 2015, YMSB hits the Pink Garter Theatre (Jackson, WY: Mar. 24), Wilma Theatre (Missoula, MT: Mar. 25), Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR: Mar. 26), The Neptune (Seattle, WA: Mar. 27), McDonald Theatre (Eugene, OR: Mar. 28), Van Duzer Theatre (Arcata, CA: Mar. 30), Park City Live (Park City, UT: Apr. 1), Whitney Peak (Reno, NV: Apr. 2), Fox Theater (Oakland, CA: Apr. 3), House of Blues (Los Angeles, CA: Apr. 4), Wareham Opera House (Manhattan, KS: Apr. 8), Cain's Ballroom (Tulsa, OK: Apr. 9), Granada Theatre (Dallas, TX: Apr. 10), Stubb's BBQ (Austin, TX: Apr. 11), George's Majestic (Fayetteville, AR: Apr. 12), Bourbon Theatre (Lincoln, NE: Apr. 15), The Gillioz Theatre (Springfield, MO: Apr. 16), and The Pageant (St. Louis, MO: Apr. 17).

Lots of fun can be had prior to Yonder's 2015 extensive touring with the band appearing at the Boulder Theater (Boulder, CO) for a 4-night NYE run with violinist Allie Kral and mandolin player Jake Jolliff. Additional special guests at the Boulder Theater include harmonica virtuoso John Popper (Jan. 1), GRAMMY®-winning instrumentalist Shawn Camp, hometown Colorado keyboardist Joey Porter and drummer Dave Watts from The Motet (Jan. 1), trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick and trombonist Natalie Cressman from the Trey Anastasio Band (Jan. 2), and dobro player Andy Hall and guitarist Andy Falco from the Infamous Stringdusters (Jan. 3). Tickets are now available via YMSB's Tour Page and the Boulder Theater box office and online. Leading up to the New Year's Eve run, YMSB hosts Strings & Sol (Puerto Morelos, Mexico) from December 11 - 15, 2014, which is now sold out.

Bluegrass is a music steeped in tradition, but over the past decade and a half -- much of it spent on the road -- Yonder Mountain String Band has spearheaded a renegade movement to rewrite the definition of the genre. Alongside other neo-bluegrass friends such as Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, The Travelin' McCourys, and Railroad Earth, YMSB has thoroughly revitalized and contemporized bluegrass and introduced it to many thousands of new fans. Rolling Stone said that YMSB "liberates bluegrass' hot-shit riffing and blue-sky harmonies from its hidebound formalism," while Paste Magazine wrote, "The Yonder Mountain boys have found a formula that works: take rootsy bluegrass influences, add in some rock 'n' roll, and seek out an adventurous audience."

Yonder Mountain String Band is comprised of Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), and select special guest artists who will appear with the band throughout 2014 & 2015. Two standout musicians regularly performing live with YMSB are Jake Jolliff (mandolin, vocals) and Allie Kral (fiddle, vocals). Jolliff is an award-winning mandolin player (First Place, National Mandolin Championship 2012, Walnut Valley Festival), and was a founding member of the disbanded Americana outfit, Joy Kills Sorrow. Kral is well-known as the former fiddle player for Cornmeal (2003 - 2013), and she's worked alongside various notable artists including moe., Railroad Earth, Warren Haynes, and others. For confirmed line-up information, please see the tour dates listed below.

With the band having one of the strongest touring bases in the industry, fans and critics alike have been drawn to both their live shows and singular studio albums. Reporting from the All Good Music Festival (2009), journalist Jarrett Bellini from CNN Showbiz Tonight notes, "The trophy for best musical set goes to Yonder Mountain String Band who, as the sun began to set, left it all on the stage for an hour and a half. The pickers from Colorado had the audience dancing and shaking, kicking up a joyful storm of dust into the cool summer sky."

YMSB has evolved into something of a phenomenon on the concert and festival circuit. The band has sold out Colorado's famed Red Rocks several times, and played sold-out shows with Grateful Dead and Furthur bassist Phil Lesh at his Terrapin Crossroads venue in August 2012. They also host three singular music festivals every year -- Northwest String Summit (now in its 14th year and hosted by YMSB every year), Harvest Music Festival (where they will host for the sixth time in October 2015), and Strings & Sol (Yonder hosts for the third year-in-a-row in Mexico in December 2014) -- and have consecutively sold out runs of shows at Telluride Bluegrass Festival year after year. Every other year, YMSB also hosts Kinfolk Festival @ Planet Bluegrass. In all, Yonder Mountain logs over 100 live dates per year.

Yonder has always played music by its own design. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences, they've come to pioneer a sound that they alone could only champion. With a traditional lineup of instruments, they may appear to be a traditional bluegrass band at first glance but they've taken the customary old-timey instrumentation to new heights, transcending any single genre. Yonder has become a regular performer at major music festivals like the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Summer Camp, and DelFest as well as massive multi-stage events like Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits Festival.

YMSB is currently working on a new full-length studio recording; fans can expect a new album to be released in 2015.

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band, please visit www.yondermountain.com.

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND WINTER & SPRING 2015 TOUR DATES

12/11 - 12/15 - Puerto Morelos, Mexico - Strings and Sol
12/31 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater*^
1/1 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater*^&
1/2 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater*^#
1/3 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater*^!
1/21 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre*^
1/22 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel*^
1/23 - Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom*^
1/24 - Knoxville, TN - Bijou Theatre*^
1/28 - Indianapolis, IN - Vogue Theatre*^
1/29 - Urbana, IL - Canopy Club*^
1/30 - Ann Arbor, MI - Ann Arbor Folk Festival*^
1/31 - Madison, WI - Barrymore Theater*^
2/3 - State College, PA - State Theatre*^
2/4 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues*^
2/5 - Lexington, KY - Buster's Billiards and Backroom*^
2/6 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse*^
2/7 - Columbia, SC - The Music Farm*^
2/11 - Charleston, SC - The Music Farm*^
2/12 - Orlando, FL - The Social*^
2/13 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live*^
2/14 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Revolution Live (Outdoor Stage)*^
2/15 - Jacksonville Beach, FL - Free Bird Live*^
3/24 - Jackson, WY - Pink Garter Theatre*^
3/25 - Missoula, MT - Wilma Theatre*^
3/26 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom*^
3/27 - Seattle, WA - The Neptune*^
3/28 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theatre*^
3/30 - Arcata, CA - Van Duzer Theatre*^
4/1 - Park City, UT - Park City Live*^
4/2 - Reno, NV - Whitney Peak*^
4/3 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater *^
4/4 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues*^
4/8 - Manhattan, KS - Wareham Opera House*^
4/9 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom*^
4/10 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theatre*^
4/11 - Austin, TX - Stubb's BBQ*^
4/12 - Fayetteville, AR - George's Majestic*^
4/15 - Lincoln, NE - Bourbon Theatre*^
4/16 - Springfield, MO - The Gillioz Theatre*^
4/16 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant*^
7/16/15 - 7/19/15 - North Plains, OR - Northwest String Summit

Special Guest Performers:
*Jake Jolliff (mandolin, vocals)
^Allie Kral (fiddle, vocals)
& John Popper (harmonica), Shawn Camp, Dave Watts (drums), & Joey Porter (keys)
# Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet) and Natalie Cressman (trombone)
! Andy Hall (dobro) and Andy Falco (guitar)

Sat, 12/13/2014 - 7:32 am

The Okee Dokee Brothers' latest full-length studio album, Through The Woods (Release Date: May 20, 2014), has been nominated for a GRAMMY® Award in the "Best Children's Album" category. This marks the second nomination for The Okee Dokee Brothers, who won a 2013 GRAMMY® in the same category for the recording, Can You Canoe?. The 57th Annual GRAMMY® Awards take place at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 8, 2015.

"Thanks to recent GRAMMY nominations and wins," say Joe and Justin of The Okee Dokee Brothers, "more and more independent artists like us have gained enough momentum to make all-ages music for a living, tour the country performing for large and captivated fan bases, and dedicate our lives toward improving the reputation of children's music."

Comprised of two childhood friends, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing, the duo's inimitable passion for the outdoors is at the heart of their singular brand of Americana music, inspiring as many people as possible to get outside to experience the natural world, their communities and themselves. Through The Woods marks the sophomore release in their Adventure Album Series, and captures their recent month-long expedition on the Appalachian Trail. The album features 15 original compositions honoring the old-time music traditions of the Appalachian Mountains with a unique contemporary take reaching a new generation of fans both young and old. An all-star cast of today's biggest names in Americana music appear on Through The Woods, including Hubby Jenkins (Carolina Chocolate Drops), four-time GRAMMY® winner David Holt (Doc Watson/O Brother, Where Art Thou?), Rosie Newton, as well as two-time GRAMMY® winners, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer.

The GRAMMY's® 2014 artist selections in the "Best Children's Music" category reflects the rejuvenated energy and excellence within the family music genre. Four of the five nominated artists are independent groups creatively producing music by their own design. In anticipation of the GRAMMY® Awards, all five nominees will perform at a special benefit concert on Feb. 7, 2015 in Los Angeles. Media partners include Sirius/XM Satellite Radio and LA Parent, and the venue and specific charity will be announced soon.

For more information regarding Through The Woods, please visit www.okeedokee.org.

Sun, 12/21/2014 - 11:25 am

Michael Franti Speaks Out for Change Between Police & Communities

*How the Song Came Together:
I was working in the studio in Miami on Saturday, December 6th when all the news of the Eric Garner grand jury decision came out and I was really shocked. Having seen the tape of the Garner killing, I could not see how no indictment was possible. When I saw Garner's family members speaking on TV, it was really emotional for me. I was oscillating between sadness, anger, and bewilderment. I couldn't help thinking what if this happened to one of my sons, my brother, my father. I was working with Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor and we were watching all the events unfold and discussing the protests, so I started to write the song. I really wanted to write something that would touch hearts, make people think and be moved to work for change in our country.

I didn't write this song as an indictment against all police officers, or police departments. I have friends, fans and family members who are in law enforcement who are honest, hard working people who go to work everyday doing a job that is far more difficult than mine and have to make decisions that are life or death, or that will put people behind bars for years at a time. But when wrong decisions are made by individuals within those departments and innocent lives are lost, then those officers should be held accountable.

When the decisions to indict police officers are repeatedly denied behind the closed doors of a grand jury and the people are not brought to justice in the public eye of a court room, it breaks all of our trust and it reinforces the idea that there is little or no accountability when it comes to the police killing of African American men and other people of color. That their lives are worth less than the lives of others. Some people may feel that it is fine to have these decisions made secretly. I do not. It is not due process, it is not just, and it is not acceptable. If that's what the law says, then I believe it's a law that should be changed.

*Easing Tensions Between Police and Civilians:
What we see today is the result of generations of mistrust in our communities. Rodney King, The Watts Riots, The Black Panther movement, The Civil Rights movement all played out with police and people in the streets. It's no secret that the police and black people haven't exactly sat down and sipped tea together.

We see incidents like killings taking place and it brings everything to the surface, but honestly it's the way police deal with individuals one-on-one on a daily basis over the years that makes or breaks the trust in the community.

So in two words respect and accountability.

The police will never develop the respect of the community if unarmed men of color continue to be killed and the cases never go to trial in a public court room.

Does it really take a dozen bullets, or a choke hold to arrest an unarmed man? They seem to manage in other countries all the time. Take England for example, where police do not carry firearms. Despite the Eric Garner decision, police wearing cameras has proven to reduce the rate of complaints against them by as much as 80% in communities that use cameras. Equally important is for police to know who they are protecting and serving, perhaps live in the communities or be from them.

As citizens, we are accountable for speaking up and insisting on justice in our society. Holding the system accountable, while doing our best to develop opportunities for all to succeed in our communities, repairing the problems of unemployment, poverty, poor schools, broken homes, drug and alcohol abuse, etc. that help to perpetuate environments in which police/community tensions thrive. We also need to understand that there are people on both sides who sincerely want change and that we need to leave our hearts and minds open to that possibility, if we want to move closer towards justice.

*How People Can Start Today and Rebuild Trust:
The first thing is people need to have an opportunity to vent their emotions in a safe way. People are hurt, and they need to be able to safely take to the streets. Cases need to be tried in court rooms and not behind doors. My goal with this song and video is to promote conversation between friends, family members, in schools, the workplace, and on social media. Today, we have an unprecedented opportunity for dialog to take place, and hopefully action that leads to substantive change. Change in the way our communities are policed, change in the way the judicial system works and perhaps change in the way our communities view and relate to the police and judicial system. It's on everyone’s minds right now, it should not be swept under the rug.

*Including Footage of Eric Garner's Video in the Music Video:
It was a very mindful decision, but not a difficult one. It's a horrible thing to see, but in order to discuss it, we have to be open to what we are actually talking about. I know some people will be offended by it, and others might be offended by the picture of the black boy hugging a white police officer. Some will not like that I show a sign that reads "black lives matter" as though I'm saying "other lives don't". Some will not like that I show signs that read "All lives matter" as if I'm diluting the message that black men are being killed by the police. Others may disagree that I say in the song that all of us have a role to play in making these changes possible. I wrote every word and selected each image to trigger dialog. I'm okay with that, because that's where substantive change can occur and healing can begin.

*Additional Thoughts:
My birth mother is Irish, French and German, and my birth Father is African American. I was raised by Finish American parents who had three kids of their own before adopting me and another African American son. A very racially mixed family. For as long as I can remember, race and the questions surrounding it have been a part of my life. My mother taught me at a very early age that I should respect law enforcement, but also to be aware that being one of the only people of color in my community that their might be some not so good officers I should be looking out for.

Today, I live in Hunter's Point San Francisco, a community that is 90% African American. I have had bullets rip through two walls of my home from shots in the community, and I have a neighbor who's unarmed son was killed by police. Last summer, I was stopped, handcuffed, and accused of a double homicide while on the way to the movies with my teenage son. I was eventually released. Being wrongly accused and handcuffed in front of my son left me enraged, but I must admit, had my son been the one who got shot in the double homicide that day, I might have been demanding the cops were at least out looking for the perpetrator.

It's easy for people to generalize and say all cops are bad, or all black youth are trouble. It makes headlines, and it makes situations like the Mike Brown tragedy easier for people on both sides to rationalize.

We all have a stake and a responsibility in bringing about these changes. We might not ever live in a society that is just, unbiased, kind and peaceful all the time, but I know for sure we can all do way better than what we are doing right now. So let's not give up trying. That is the challenge today and we've all been called to play a role in, let's start today.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 2:46 pm

The 14th Annual Northwest String Summit (NWSS) returns to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) with the finest acoustic pickers and standout electric bands from July 16 - 19, 2015. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country; NWSS is the only music offering this year taking place at Horning's Hideout. A family-friendly and locally-sourced festival, NWSS caps its capacity at 4,500 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festival-goers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: stringsummit.com.

The 14th Annual Northwest String Summit is hosted by Colorado-based Yonder Mountain String Band with Allie Kral and Jake Jolliff; arguably the top touring neo-bluegrass band in the world. Yonder will perform alongside very special guests for 3 nights of music, and additional standout acts at this year's festival include 2 Nights of Greensky Bluegrass, Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams & The Travelin McCourys, Nahko & Medicine For The People, Elephant Revival (2 Sets), Fruition (2 Nights), Rising Appalachia (2 Nights), Town Mountain, Frank Fairfield, Henhouse Prowlers, Left Coast Country, and many more acts to be announced in the coming months!

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians as a way to support the various thriving local communities. Celebrated Eugene, OR favorite Ninkasi Brewing Company will offer exceptional craft beers onsite for the fourth year-in-a-row, including an exclusive small-batch NW String Summit Festival Specialty Brew called Clusterpluck Session Ale. Made with Northwest Pale Ale and Honey malts, Clusterpluck is a light and refreshing golden ale -- the perfect accompaniment to a summertime jam session.

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about the forthcoming festival, "More pluck for your buck in 2015! This year is about giving back to our fans, so we're adding even more music and experiences! So much is in the hopper this year: This year's talent will get at the heart of String Summit unlike ever before! YMSB is a gateway to traditional Bluegrass in the contemporary music scene and has helped spawn and boost this wildly popular genre, and we're providing a lot of BOTH worlds with all of our favorites and yours with several sets each this year. Also, TONS of festival experience enhancements are in the works for our 14th Northwest String Summit. Due to the amazing growth and popularity of our second stage, we are adding another full-production stage for some very special, top-tier late night music along with daytime movies and seminars. The Cascadia zone will still be rockin' all morning and late into the night as well, but we are diversifying by refocusing the area on Pacific Northwest sourced music and refreshments."

Now in its 12th year, the Band Competition at Northwest String Summit reigns in some of the hottest pickers from all across the country. The competition is in line with other top festival competitions, such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and will occur on Friday, July 17, 2015. Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 - 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 19, 2015, and a paid slot at the following year's festival. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications can be submitted until April 17, 2015; for more information please visit: stringsummit.com/band-competition-2

14th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
4-Day Pass (Limited Qty of each pricing tier: $165/$185/$205/$225)
*Festival pass prices primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2015 Parking Fee of $10 per car available in advance.
*Thursday add-on passes and 3-Day passes are available, for more info please visit: stringsummit.com/ticketsgraph

Mon, 02/23/2015 - 11:06 am

For nearly 17 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.

With their latest album, Black Sheep (scheduled for national release on their own Frog Pad Records at Telluride Bluegrass Festival on June 16, 2015), Yonder Mountain String Band -- Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals) and Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals) -- begins a new era. The first YMSB release produced by the band itself, Black Sheep is, by any measure, a triumph, perhaps the most mesmeric of their career. For the recording, their sixth studio album overall, Yonder has recruited two standout musicians to join them in the studio (and, subsequently, on the road), violinist Allie Kral and mandolin virtuoso Jacob Jolliff. The result, says Kaufmann, is that, "This record sounds more like Yonder than any record we've ever done. I'm hoping that when people are finished listening to it, they'll just hit play and listen to it again."

Black Sheep marks the first time in Yonder's history that they're actually utilizing, throughout an entire record, the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass introduced in the 1940s: guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass. With the exception of the album's sole cover tune, "Ever Fallen In Love," originally by the late '70s British punk-rock band the Buzzcocks, each of the album's new tracks were written by the YMSB members during the past couple of years. Three of the new songs -- "Annalee," "Landfall" and the title track -- have already been road-tested on tour; others will be added to the band's live repertoire following the album's release. The majority of Black Sheep was recorded at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado, with Adam handling much of the engineering at his home studio and while on the road; the first time a band member has taken on that task.

Even on first listen, it becomes instantaneously apparent that Black Sheep is the work of a new Yonder Mountain String Band, one with a strong commitment to re-exhibiting itself, broadening its parameters following the departure of a founding member. While it's immediately recognizable as YMSB music, there's undeniably a raw aesthetic to the studio tracks -- a sense of daring is embedded in both the instrumental interaction between these five singular players and in the lyrical content of each song.

The compositions cover a wide topical swath. "Insult and Elbow," the album's opening track, is on its surface about escapism and substance abuse; "Landfall" addresses the touring life of a modern band; "Around You," explains Kaufmann, is "about the moment when you realize that you are the only common denominator in every problem you've ever had and that there is no one else that can take responsibility for anything that happens to you." The title track, centered on a wannabe renegade, suggests that nothing is really free, that even the fakes and the phonies demand a price.

"New Dusty Miller" reinterprets an old fiddle tune and was inspired by the late folk and bluegrass singer-songwriter John Hartford's efforts at taking old fiddle music and adding a contemporary spin. Other new tunes, among them "Love Before You Can't," "I'm Lost" and "Drawing a Melody," probe the ups and downs of relationships informing various points of view. With these songs, as with so much of YMSB's previous material, layers can be peeled away to reveal multiple realities harbored within. As has always been the case, ardent lead vocals and tight harmonies deliver Yonder's newest set of words.

For many longtime aficionados of this band, of course, it's the instrumental prowess that draws them in and continues to wow fans at live shows and on recordings. Aijala, Johnston and Kaufmann are all bluegrass slingers in their own right, and with Kral (the former fiddle player for Cornmeal) and Jolliff (a founding member of the now defunct Americana band Joy Kills Sorrow) contributing to the mix on Black Sheep, the band is able to go places that were simply inaccessible before. "The traditional bluegrass lineup allows us to rethink things on different levels," says Johnston, "but at the heart of it all is the same energy and drive and a freewheeling spirit. It's an exciting time for us because we have an invigorating sense of the future. At the end of the day, Yonder is a band with almost two decades of music under its belt, but we're always a bit restless. We want to move the music forward to new places, which keeps us on our musical toes."

Yonder has its roots in the year 1998, when the original quartet came together in Colorado. Through steadfast gigging in all manner of venues from small clubs to massive outdoor festivals, Yonder Mountain String Band quickly built a robust fanbase while continually experimenting to define its sound. Some of the most fervent audiences were at jam band shows and festivals, where fans took readily to YMSB's potent mix of the traditional bluegrass of Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers and Doc Watson and the improvisational sensibilities of the Grateful Dead and Phish. Also deeply ingrained in the band, albeit more subtly, was a fierce love for punk, which provided the members with seminal influences while they were growing up. "We didn't even hear bluegrass until our 20s," says Aijala. "Falling in love with the sound of bluegrass instruments, while also having all of these outside influences that had nothing to do with bluegrass -- well, what comes out isn't what we envisioned."

With the band's 17th anniversary coming this summer, and an extensive tour schedule featuring the same quintet on Black Sheep, 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 newfangled 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."

Says Johnston in conclusion, "Yonder Mountain String Band is as durable as bluegrass itself. It changes and morphs and has an open-endedness that makes anything possible."

YMSB will celebrate the national release of Black Sheep at the 42nd Telluride Bluegrass Festival (June 18 - 21, 2015), and headlines a special hometown show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre along with Greensky Bluegrass and Fruition on August 21, 2015.

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band and their forthcoming tour dates, please visit: www.yondermountain.com

Tue, 04/14/2015 - 11:24 am

The 14th Annual Northwest String Summit (NWSS) returns to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) with the finest acoustic pickers and standout electric bands from July 16 - 19, 2015. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country; NWSS is the only music offering this year taking place at Horning's Hideout. A family-friendly and locally-sourced festival, NWSS caps its capacity at 4,500 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festival-goers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: stringsummit.com.

The 14th Annual Northwest String Summit is hosted by Colorado-based Yonder Mountain String Band; arguably the top touring neo-bluegrass band in the world. Yonder will perform for 3 nights of music, and additional standout acts at this year's festival include 2 Nights of Greensky Bluegrass, Del McCoury Band, Del & Dawg feat. Del McCoury & David Grisman, 2 Nights of The Infamous Stringdusters, Keller Williams' Grateful Grass, Keller Williams & The Travelin' McCourys, The Greyboy Allstars (Late Night Main Stage), Nahko & Medicine For The People, Elephant Revival (2 Sets), Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, Fruition (2 Nights), Rising Appalachia (2 Nights), Shook Twins, Scott Law & Larry Keel (with Darol Anger, Samson Grisman and Jack Dwyer), Larry Keel, Town Mountain, Adam Aijala & Larry Keel, The California Honeydrops, Dead Winter Carpenters, Darol Anger, Shafty, Frank Fairfield, Rumpke Mountain Boys, Henhouse Prowlers, Polecat, Trout Steak Revival, Gipsy Moon, The Grant Farm, The Student Loan, Crow and the Canyon, The Good Time Travelers, Eight Dollar Mountain, Pete Kartsounes, Arthur Lee Land, Alice DiMecele, The Hill Dogs, Left Coast Country, and more acts to be announced soon!

In addition to the Main Stage, this year’s String Summit boasts a brand new late night stage, the Kinfolk Revival Tent. Due to the overwhelming popularity of last year’s late night shows down at the Cascadia Stage, full production sets (including light shows) at the Kinfolk Revival Tent will commence shortly after the Main Stage shows featuring bands such as Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Elephant Revival and Fruition. The Cascadia Stage will continue providing mellow morning entertainment running into the early afternoon, as well as late night music running concurrent with the Kinfolk Revival Tent.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians as a way to support the various thriving local communities. Celebrated Eugene, OR favorite Ninkasi Brewing Company will offer exceptional craft beers onsite for the fourth year-in-a-row, including an exclusive small-batch NW String Summit Festival Specialty Brew called Clusterpluck Session Ale. Made with Northwest Pale Ale and Honey malts, Clusterpluck is a light and refreshing golden ale -- the perfect accompaniment to a summertime jam session. Additional sponsors include Klean Kanteen, Keen, and Marley Coffee.

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about the forthcoming festival, "More pluck for your buck in 2015! This year is about giving back to our fans, so we're adding even more music and experiences! So much is in the hopper this year: This year's talent will get at the heart of String Summit unlike ever before! YMSB is a gateway to traditional Bluegrass in the contemporary music scene and has helped spawn and boost this wildly popular genre, and we're providing a lot of BOTH worlds with all of our favorites and yours with several sets each this year. Also, TONS of festival experience enhancements are in the works for our 14th Northwest String Summit. Due to the amazing growth and popularity of our second stage, we are adding another full-production stage for some very special, top-tier late night music along with daytime movies and seminars. The Cascadia zone will still be rockin' all morning and late into the night as well, but we are diversifying by refocusing the area on Pacific Northwest sourced music and refreshments."

Now in its 12th year, the Band Competition at Northwest String Summit reigns in some of the hottest pickers from all across the country. The competition is in line with other top festival competitions, such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and will occur on Friday, July 17, 2015. Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 - 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 19, 2015, and a paid slot at the following year's festival. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications can be submitted until April 17, 2015; for more information please visit: stringsummit.com/band-competition-2

14th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
4-Day Pass (Limited Qty of each pricing tier: $165/$185/$205/$225)
*Festival pass prices primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2015 Parking Fee of $10 per car available in advance.
*Thursday add-on passes and 3-Day passes are available, for more info please visit: stringsummit.com/ticketsgraph

Tue, 05/12/2015 - 10:38 am

Embarking on the June 16, 2015 release of their latest full-length studio album, Black Sheep (Frog Pad Records), Yonder Mountain String Band (YMSB) officially announces today its new band member line-up moving forward, which features the additions of violinist Allie Kral and mandolin virtuoso Jacob Jolliff. Joining founding members Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals) and Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), Kral and Jolliff have been touring with YMSB over the past year and appear on Black Sheep. Black Sheep marks the first time in Yonder's history that they're utilizing, throughout an entire record, the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass introduced in the 1940s: guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass. YMSB is available for interviews upon request.

Jolliff is an award-winning mandolinist (First Place, The National Mandolin Championship 2012, Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield, KS), and was a longtime member of the Americana band, Joy Kills Sorrow. He's performed with many of today's most distinguished mandolin players, including Ronnie McCoury, Chris Thile, Sam Bush, and David Grisman. Kral is well-known as the former fiddle player for Cornmeal (2003 - 2013), and she's worked alongside various notable artists such as Warren Haynes, moe., and Railroad Earth. With the addition of these two standout musicians, YMSB sets forth on its new path of re-exhibiting itself and broadening its parameters.

"Just months ago, we were playing music for the first time together," says Allie Kral. "We were getting to know one another and 'testing the waters' so to speak. What we found was that we have the dedication and the drive to practice all day long, the hearts to hang out together as friends, and the souls to play together on that stage. I'm equally blessed and humbled to become a member of Yonder Mountain String Band, and forever a Kinfolk."

Jacob Jolliff adds, "It's been such an honor and a privilege to perform with Yonder Mountain String Band for the last year. I'm so grateful to the band for the opportunity, and to the fans for being so welcoming. I'm excited to continue to spend time with these great people, and push each other to make better and better music!"

"Playing with Jake and Allie, working with them in the studio, and traveling with them has been a real blast," says Dave Johnston. "I couldn't have anticipated how they have simultaneously provided a host of great possibilities and potential for Yonder Mountain while at the same time fitting in with our vibe. They are truly part of our Yonder family and I welcome the days to come."

It's apparent that Black Sheep is the work of a new Yonder Mountain String Band. While it's immediately recognizable as YMSB music, there's undeniably a raw aesthetic to the studio tracks -- a sense of daring is embedded in both the instrumental interaction between these five singular musicians and in the lyrical content of each song. With the band's 17th anniversary coming this summer, YMSB continues to redefine bluegrass music as they expand the traditional acoustic genre beyond its previously established boundaries by steadily pushing the envelope into the realms of rock n' roll and improvisation.

Commencing in May 2015 and running throughout the rest of the year, YMSB performs at premier music festivals and venues, including Dear Jerry: Celebrating the Music of Jerry Garcia (May 14: Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD), Summer Camp Festival (May 22 - 24: Chillicothe, IL), Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival (May 23: Axton, VA), Blue Ox Festival (June 11 - 13: Eau Claire, WI), Telluride Bluegrass Festival (June 17 - 20: Telluride, CO), Electric Forest (June 28: Rothbury, MI), Brooklyn Bowl (July 7: Brooklyn, NY), All Good Music Festival (July 11: Summit Point, WV), Mountain Sol Festival (July 12: Felton, CA), Northwest String Summit (July 16 - 19: North Plains, OR), Hinterland Music Festival (August 1: Des Moines, IA), Red Rocks Amphitheatre (August 21: Morrison, CO), Hangtown Halloween (October 22 - 24: Placerville, CA), Strings & Sol (Dec. 10 - 14: Puerto Morelos, Mexico), and many others!

For additional information on Yonder Mountain String Band and a list of their full 2015 tour schedule, please visit: yondermountain.com

Tue, 06/16/2015 - 1:24 pm

For nearly 17 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.

With their latest album, Black Sheep (nationally released today on their own Frog Pad Records), Yonder Mountain String Band -- Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), Allie Kral (violin, vocals), and Jacob Jolliff (mandolin, vocals) -- begins a new era. The first YMSB release produced by the band itself, Black Sheep is, by any measure, a triumph, perhaps the most mesmeric of their career. The result, says Kaufmann, is that, "This record sounds more like Yonder than any record we've ever done. I'm hoping that when people are finished listening to it, they'll just hit play and listen to it again."

Black Sheep marks the first time in Yonder's history that they're actually utilizing, throughout an entire record, the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass introduced in the 1940s: guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass. With the exception of the album's sole cover tune, "Ever Fallen In Love," originally by the late '70s British punk-rock band the Buzzcocks, each of the album's new tracks were written by the YMSB members during the past couple of years. Three of the new songs -- "Annalee," "Landfall" and the title track -- have already been road-tested on tour; others will be added to the band's live repertoire following the album's release. The majority of Black Sheep was recorded at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado, with Adam handling much of the engineering at his home studio and while on the road; the first time a band member has taken on that task.

Even on first listen, it becomes instantaneously apparent that Black Sheep is the work of a new Yonder Mountain String Band, one with a strong commitment to re-exhibiting itself and broadening its parameters following the departure of a founding member. While it's immediately recognizable as YMSB music, there's undeniably a raw aesthetic to the studio tracks -- a sense of daring is embedded in both the instrumental interaction between these five singular players and in the lyrical content of each song.

The compositions cover a wide topical swath. "Insult and Elbow," the album's opening track, is on its surface about escapism and substance abuse; "Landfall" addresses the touring life of a modern band; "Around You," explains Kaufmann, is "about the moment when you realize that you are the only common denominator in every problem you've ever had and that there is no one else that can take responsibility for anything that happens to you." The title track, centered on a wannabe renegade, suggests that nothing is really free, that even the fakes and the phonies demand a price.

"New Dusty Miller" reinterprets an old fiddle tune and was inspired by the late folk and bluegrass singer-songwriter John Hartford's efforts at taking old fiddle music and adding a contemporary spin. Other new tunes, among them "Love Before You Can't," "I'm Lost" and "Drawing a Melody," probe the ups and downs of relationships informing various points of view. With these songs, as with so much of YMSB's previous material, layers can be peeled away to reveal multiple realities harbored within. As has always been the case, ardent lead vocals and tight harmonies deliver Yonder's newest set of words.

For many longtime aficionados of this band, of course, it's the instrumental prowess that draws them in and continues to wow fans at live shows and on recordings. With its new five piece line-up, the band is able to go places that were simply inaccessible before. "The traditional bluegrass lineup allows us to rethink things on different levels," says Johnston, "but at the heart of it all is the same energy and drive and a freewheeling spirit. It's an exciting time for us because we have an invigorating sense of the future. At the end of the day, Yonder is a band with almost two decades of music under its belt, but we're always a bit restless. We want to move the music forward to new places, which keeps us on our musical toes."

Yonder has its roots in the year 1998, when the original quartet came together in Colorado. Through steadfast gigging in all manner of venues from small clubs to massive outdoor festivals, Yonder Mountain String Band quickly built a robust fanbase while continually experimenting to define its sound. Some of the most fervent audiences were at jam band shows and festivals, where fans took readily to YMSB's potent mix of the traditional bluegrass of Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers and Doc Watson and the improvisational sensibilities of the Grateful Dead and Phish. Also deeply ingrained in the band, albeit more subtly, was a fierce love for punk, which provided the members with seminal influences while they were growing up. "We didn't even hear bluegrass until our 20s," says Aijala. "Falling in love with the sound of bluegrass instruments, while also having all of these outside influences that had nothing to do with bluegrass -- well, what comes out isn't what we envisioned."

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 addition of two 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."

Says Johnston in conclusion, "Yonder Mountain String Band is as durable as bluegrass itself. It changes and morphs and has an open-endedness that makes anything possible."

YMSB will celebrate the national release of Black Sheep at the 42nd Telluride Bluegrass Festival (June 18 - 21, 2015), and headlines a special hometown show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre along with Greensky Bluegrass and Fruition on August 21, 2015.

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band and their forthcoming tour dates, please visit: www.yondermountain.com

 

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND SUMMER 2015 TOUR DATES

6/17 - Telluride, CO - Telluride Conference Center
6/19 - Telluride, CO - Sheridan Opera House
6/20 - Telluride, CO - Telluride Bluegrass Festival
6/24 - Kansas City, MO - The Starlight Amphitheatre (Opening for Widespread Panic)
6/25 - Memphis, TN - Lafayette's Music Room
6/27 - Bloomington, IN - Bluebird Nightclub
6/28 - Rothbury, MI - Electric Forest
7/3 - Mt. Pocono, PA - Sherman Theater Summer Stage
7/4 - Cincinnati, OH - Moonlite Gardens
7/7 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl
7/8 - Ridgefield, CT - The Ridgefield Playhouse
7/9 - Albany, NY - Alive At Five
7/10 - Baldwinsville, NY - Paper Mill Island Amphitheater
7/11 - Summit Point, WV - All Good Music Festival
7/12 - Felton, CA - Mountain Sol Festival
7/16 - 7/19 - North Plains, OR - Northwest String Summit
8/1 - Des Moines, IA - Hinterland Music Festival
8/18 - 8/19 - Belly Up Aspen - Aspen, CO
8/21 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
10/16 - 10/18 - Ozark, AK - Phases of the Moon Music & Art Festival
10/22 - 10/25 - Placerville, CA - Hangtown Halloween
12/10 - 12/14 - Puerto Morelos, Mexico

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 11:32 am

Legendary folk music icon Arlo Guthrie continues his epic journey across North America this September 2015 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the event that inspired his seminal song, "Alice's Restaurant Massacree". A musical monologue running more than 18 minutes, "Alice's Restaurant" has become a Thanksgiving holiday anthem to families around the world and it all originates from Guthrie's experience on Thanksgiving in 1965. Kicking off the tour in Nashville, TN (City Winery: Sept. 25 - 27, 2015), Guthrie will perform his most prominent work in its entirety each night on the tour, as well as selections from various full-length studio albums he's released since his debut, Alice's Restaurant (1967).

Guthrie tours in more than 60 markets over the next eight months, and commemorates the actual 50th Anniversary with his annual headlining performance at New York City's Carnegie Hall (November 28, 2015). On the October and November 2015 shows, Arlo's daughter Sarah Lee Guthrie -- a singer-songwriter with a lauded career in her own right -- will open each concert. Please see all confirmed shows listed below and on risingsonrecords.com. Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

Folk songs enduring many decades of change only become classics when storylines remain just as relevant today as they were when originally composed. "Alice's Restaurant" is of this ilk; it's now weaved into the fabric of American society. Fans have embraced "Alice's Restaurant" as part of their annual Thanksgiving tradition, but also view it as one of the more pronounced "anti-stupid" rally songs. Every year, Arlo receives handfuls of letters from Vietnam vets and soldiers currently at war expressing their heartfelt connection to the song. Today, times are eerily similar to the mid-60's, with unpopular wars being fought far away from home, and soldiers finding ways to cope. Music is often the best medicine to soothe the soul. However listeners interpret the quintessential tune, we can be rest assured that people of all different walks of life come together singing that famous chorus, "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant...".

"I didn't think I was gonna live long enough to have to learn 'Alice's Restaurant' again," Arlo Guthrie says with a smile. "It was a quirky kinda thing to begin with. Nobody writes an 18-minute monologue expecting fame and fortune. The initial success of the song really took me by surprise more than anyone else. The fact that I have contended with it for five decades either by having to learn it again or by not doing it, has been an interesting balancing act. I'm surely looking forward to it being a centerpiece of my repertoire for the 50th anniversary tour."

"Alice's Restaurant's" hilarious account of actual events that precluded Arlo Guthrie from military service (1966) became a platinum selling record (1967) and full-length motion picture (1969) at the outset of his renowned career. As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the lengthiest hit single in music history, Arlo once again performs it live. Due to its length, Arlo has only added the complete "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" to his touring menu on the 10-year anniversaries.

For the last five decades, Arlo has carried on the Guthrie family legacy of sharing timeless stories and unforgettable classics to audiences far and wide. "The Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour" brings together an ensemble of fine musicians never to grace the stage together at one time. Arlo's deft band includes Terry Hall (drums), Bobby Sweet (guitar, vocals), Darren Todd (bass), and his son, Abe Guthrie (keyboards). Each show is curated with an awe-inspiring light show created specifically for this tour by 44 Designs, Inc., along with previously unseen images from the Guthrie archives. More than 75,000 photos have recently been digitized, and selections will be projected during the evening.

For the dedicated lovers of "Alice's Restaurant", they'll be happy to know the Old Trinity Church is still around. Arlo bought it over 20 years ago and renamed it "The Guthrie Center at the Old Trinity Church". He runs his non-profit foundation from the building, and it's his hope that it'll continue to be of service to the local community.

On "Alice's Restaurant" becoming such a cultural phenomenon, Arlo says, "Well, I've always loved good stories. And I've loved telling tall tales. Why people enjoy it is beyond me. I haven't sung 'Alice' for years and people still keep coming to the gigs. 'Alice' has taken on a life of its own and become attached to Thanksgiving. If I had to guess though, maybe because it's a story about a little guy against a big world."

Don't miss Arlo Guthrie as he tours in a city near you, performing one of America's greatest musical treasures! Below is a list of the announced tour dates, and additional shows will be added. Stay up to date on risingsonrecords.com

Arlo Guthrie Presents "The Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour":

Sept. 25 - 27, 2015 -- Nashville, TN -- The City Winery
Sept. 29, 2015 -- Gettysburg, PA -- The Majestic Theater
Oct. 1, 2015 -- Erie, PA -- The Warner Theatre
Oct. 2, 2015 -- Greensburg, PA -- The Palace Theatre
Oct. 3, 2015 -- Lorain, OH -- Lorain Palace Theater
Oct. 6, 2015 -- Rutland, VT -- The Paramount
Oct. 7, 2015 -- Burlington, VT -- Flynn Center
Oct. 9, 2015 -- Boston, MA -- Berklee Performance Center
Oct. 10, 2015 -- Keene, NH -- The Colonial Theatre
Oct. 11, 2015 -- Pittsfield, MA -- The Colonial Theatre
Oct. 14, 2015 -- Middletown, OH -- Dave Finkelman Aud.
Oct. 15, 2015 -- Newark, OH -- The Midland Theatre
Oct. 16, 2015 -- Springfield, OH -- Clark State PAC
Oct. 18, 2015 -- Overland Park, KS -- Johnson County CC
Oct. 21, 2015 -- Madison, WI -- The Union Theatre
Oct. 23, 2015 -- Milwaukee, WI -- The Pabst Theater
Oct. 24, 2015 -- Red Wing, MN -- The Sheldon Theatre
Oct. 25, 2015 -- St. Paul, MN -- The O'Shaunessey Theater
Oct. 29, 2015 -- Eau Claire, WI -- The State Theater
Oct. 30, 2015 -- St. Cloud, MN -- The Paramount
Nov. 3, 2015 -- Iowa City, IA -- Englert Theater
Nov. 4, 2015 -- Des Moines, IA -- Hoyt Sherman Place
Nov. 8, 2015 -- Chicago, IL -- The Harris Theater
Nov. 9, 2015 -- Ann Arbor, MI -- Michigan Theater
Nov. 11, 2015 -- Ithaca, NY -- The State Theatre
Nov. 13, 2015 -- New Bedford, MA -- The Zeiterion
Nov. 14, 2015 -- Tarrytown, NY -- Tarrytown Music Hall
Nov. 15, 2015 -- Patchogue, NY -- The Patchogue Theatre
Nov. 17, 2015 -- Easton, MD -- The Avalon Theatre
Nov. 19, 2015 -- Wilmington, DE -- Grand Opera House
Nov. 20, 2015 -- Princeton, NJ -- The McCarter Theatre
Nov. 21, 2015 -- Glenside, PA -- The Keswick Theatre
Nov. 28, 2015 -- New York, NY -- Carnegie Hall
Nov. 29, 2015 -- Newark, NJ -- NJ Performing Arts Center
Jan. 16, 2016 -- Coral Springs, FL -- Coral Springs Center
Jan. 17, 2016 -- Miami, FL -- South Miami-Dade Co. Arts
Jan. 19, 2016 -- Ft. Myers, FL -- Barbara Mann Hall
Jan. 20, 2016 -- Clearwater, FL -- The Capitol Theatre
Jan. 22, 2016 -- Stuart, FL -- The Lyric Theatre
Jan. 23, 2016 -- Orlando, FL -- The Plaza Live
Jan. 24, 2016 -- Melbourne, FL -- The King Center
Jan. 26, 2016 -- Charleston, SC -- Charleston Music Hall
Jan. 27, 2016 -- Newberry, SC -- Newberry Opera House
Jan. 28, 2016 -- Durham, NC -- The Carolina Theatre
Jan. 30 & 31, 2016 -- Richmond, VA -- Modlin Center
Feb. 3, 2016 -- Bethesda, MD -- Strathmore Hall
Feb. 5 & 6, 2016 -- Alexandria, VA -- The Birchmere
Feb. 8 & 9, 2016 -- Rocky Mount, VA -- Harvester
Feb. 12, 2016 -- Lawrence, KS -- Liberty Hall
Feb. 13, 2016 -- Wichita, KS -- The Orpheum
Feb. 14, 2016 -- Tulsa, OK -- The Brady Theatre
Feb. 16, 2016 -- St. Louis, MO -- Touhill Arts Center
Feb. 18, 2016 -- Fort Worth, TX -- Bass Performance Hall
Feb. 21, 2016 -- Austin, TX -- The Long Center
Feb. 24, 2016 -- Columbia, MO -- The Missouri Theatre
Feb. 25, 2016 -- Louisville, KY -- Kentucky Center
Feb. 27, 2016 -- Biloxi, MS -- IP Casino
April 1, 2016 -- Mesa, AZ -- Mesa Performing Arts Center
April 7, 2016 -- Santa Barbara, CA -- The Lobero Theatre
April 9, 2016 -- Palo Alto, CA -- The Bing Concert Hall
April 10, 2016 -- Chico, CA -- Laxon Auditorium
April 14, 2016 -- Portland, OR -- Revolution Hall
April 15, 2016 -- Olympia, WA -- Washington Center
April 16, 2016 -- Seattle, WA -- The Moore Theatre
April 21, 2016 -- Vancouver, BC, Canada -- Chan Centre
April 23, 2016 -- Spokane, WA -- The Fox Theater
May 5, 2016 -- Washington, MA -- The Guthrie Center

Mon, 09/14/2015 - 4:22 pm

For nearly 17 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.

With their latest album, Black Sheep (nationally released on their own Frog Pad Records at Telluride Bluegrass Festival on June 16, 2015), Yonder Mountain String Band -- Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), Allie Kral (violin, vocals), and Jacob Jolliff (mandolin, vocals) -- begins a new era. The first YMSB release produced by the band itself, Black Sheep is, by any measure, a triumph, perhaps the most mesmeric of their career. The result, says Kaufmann, is that, "This record sounds more like Yonder than any record we've ever done. I'm hoping that when people are finished listening to it, they'll just hit play and listen to it again."

In support of Black Sheep, YMSB continues its extensive touring to all corners of the country, including the Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, and they'll make a special Bay Area stop at Hangtown Halloween (Placerville, CA) on October 23 & 24, 2015. Henhouse Prowlers open all dates on the Fall 2015 Tour (Oct. 28 - Nov. 15, 2015; except Nov. 12), and Hot Day at the Zoo opens the Paradise Rock Club show in Boston, MA (Nov. 12). Following the Fall 2015 Tour, YMSB returns to the Boulder Theatre (Boulder, CO) to ring in 2016 with a four-night New Year's Eve run in their home state of Colorado.

Black Sheep marks the first time in Yonder's history that they're actually utilizing, throughout an entire record, the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass introduced in the 1940s: guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass. With the exception of the album's sole cover tune, "Ever Fallen In Love," originally by the late '70s British punk-rock band the Buzzcocks, each of the album's new tracks were written by the YMSB members during the past couple of years. Three of the new songs -- "Annalee," "Landfall" and the title track -- have already been road-tested on tour; others will be added to the band's live repertoire following the album's release. The majority of Black Sheep was recorded at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado, with Adam handling much of the engineering at his home studio and while on the road; the first time a band member has taken on that task.

Even on first listen, it becomes instantaneously apparent that Black Sheep is the work of a new Yonder Mountain String Band, one with a strong commitment to re-exhibiting itself, broadening its parameters following the departure of a founding member. While it's immediately recognizable as YMSB music, there's undeniably a raw aesthetic to the studio tracks -- a sense of daring is embedded in both the instrumental interaction between these five singular players and in the lyrical content of each song.

The compositions cover a wide topical swath. "Insult and Elbow," the album's opening track, is on its surface about escapism and substance abuse; "Landfall" addresses the touring life of a modern band; "Around You," explains Kaufmann, is "about the moment when you realize that you are the only common denominator in every problem you've ever had and that there is no one else that can take responsibility for anything that happens to you." The title track, centered on a wannabe renegade, suggests that nothing is really free, that even the fakes and the phonies demand a price.

"New Dusty Miller" reinterprets an old fiddle tune and was inspired by the late folk and bluegrass singer-songwriter John Hartford's efforts at taking old fiddle music and adding a contemporary spin. Other new tunes, among them "Love Before You Can't," "I'm Lost" and "Drawing a Melody," probe the ups and downs of relationships informing various points of view. With these songs, as with so much of YMSB's previous material, layers can be peeled away to reveal multiple realities harbored within. As has always been the case, ardent lead vocals and tight harmonies deliver Yonder's newest set of words.

For many longtime aficionados of this band, of course, it's the instrumental prowess that draws them in and continues to wow fans at live shows and on recordings. With its new five piece line-up, the band is able to go places that were simply inaccessible before. "The traditional bluegrass lineup allows us to rethink things on different levels," says Johnston, "but at the heart of it all is the same energy and drive and a freewheeling spirit. It's an exciting time for us because we have an invigorating sense of the future. At the end of the day, Yonder is a band with almost two decades of music under its belt, but we're always a bit restless. We want to move the music forward to new places, which keeps us on our musical toes."

Yonder has its roots in the year 1998, when the original quartet came together in Colorado. Through steadfast gigging in all manner of venues from small clubs to massive outdoor festivals, Yonder Mountain String Band quickly built a robust fanbase while continually experimenting to define its sound. Some of the most fervent audiences were at jam band shows and festivals, where fans took readily to YMSB's potent mix of the traditional bluegrass of Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers and Doc Watson and the improvisational sensibilities of the Grateful Dead and Phish. Also deeply ingrained in the band, albeit more subtly, was a fierce love for punk, which provided the members with seminal influences while they were growing up. "We didn't even hear bluegrass until our 20s," says Aijala. "Falling in love with the sound of bluegrass instruments, while also having all of these outside influences that had nothing to do with bluegrass -- well, what comes out isn't what we envisioned."

With the band's 17th anniversary coming this summer, and an extensive tour schedule featuring the same quintet on Black Sheep, 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."

Says Johnston in conclusion, "Yonder Mountain String Band is as durable as bluegrass itself. It changes and morphs and has an open-endedness that makes anything possible."

YMSB celebrates the release of Black Sheep with shows all across the country, please see their forthcoming tour dates listed below. For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band, please visit: www.yondermountain.com

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND FALL 2015 TOUR DATES

9/19 - Lyons, CO - Mabon Celebration at Planet Bluegrass featuring Adam Aijala & Ben Kaufmann
10/22 - 10/25 - Placerville, CA - Hangtown Halloween
10/28 - Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theater
10/29 - Morgantown, WV - Metropolitan Theater
10/30 - Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall
10/31 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
11/1 - Rochester, NY - Anthology
11/4 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
11/5 - Milwaukee, WI - Potawatomi Hotel and Casino
11/6 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
11/7 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
11/8 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre
11/11 - Woodstock, NY - Bearsville Theater
11/12 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
11/13 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
11/14 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
11/15 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater
12/10 - 12/14 - Qroo, Mexico - Strings & Sol
12/30 - 1/2 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater

Sat, 09/19/2015 - 9:37 am

Following recent tours with lauded singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov and bluegrass favorites Railroad Earth, Shook Twins return to select Northeast, West Coast, and Mountain markets to perform songs from their latest full-length album, What We Do. Shook Twins appear in NYC and Cambridge with Tall Heights, as well as with backing ensemble the Maine Youth Rock Orchestra (Cambridge & Maine). Shook Twins are thrilled to collaborate with the Maine Youth Rock Orchestra, which features a program in part with the Maine Academy of Modern Music that provides orchestral string students (ages 10 - 18) the opportunity to perform alongside professional artists.

Shook Twins perform at the following select venues: Beat Kitchen (Chicago, IL: Sept. 27), Mercury Lounge (New York City: Oct. 1), The Sinclair (Cambridge, MA: Oct. 4), Cervantes' Other Side (Denver, CO: Oct. 15), The State Room (Salt Lake City: Oct. 16), Neurolux (Boise, ID: Oct. 17), Soda Bar (San Diego, CA: Oct. 11), Leo's Nightclub (Oakland, CA: Nov. 14), Hopmonk Tavern (Sebastopol, CA: Nov. 18), Hi-Fi Music Hall (Eugene, OR: Nov. 20), Revolution Hall (Portland, OR: Nov. 21), and Nectar Lounge (Seattle, WA: Dec. 4). Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

Shook Twins are well on their way to gaining national attention for their haunting indie-folk sound, with appearances alongside Carolina Chocolate Drops and Laura Veirs. They've even hosted The Lumineers (prior to their mega-hit, "Ho-Hey") at their singular house concerts in Portland, OR. Wesley Schultz, co-founder of The Lumineers, says, "The Shook Twins helped us out when we were coming up, letting us crash on couches and organizing house shows. Shook Twins have that DIY spirit..." Identical twins, Katelyn and Laurie Shook, certainly are a DIY success story; they've raised $26,734 via Kickstarterto record What We Do with Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Elephant Revival, Milo Greene) at Bear Creek Studios (Seattle, WA).

Shook Twins have garnered strong local endorsements, with the Willamette Weekly (Portland, OR) exclaiming, "Shook Twins are the most exciting local folk act I've heard in ages. Strike that word 'local' and the sentiment still stands." And, the sisters' contagious quirky vibe and impassioned songwriting reaches far beyond just the indie music scene, to stalwarts in the literary world and cult craft beer companies. New York Times best-selling author and husband of Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman notes, "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."

Ambitiously retooling the American roots genre with their indie-folk songcraft, lush harmonies, foot-stomping gospel/swing ballads and deep groove, Shook Twins are set to be one of 2015's breakout bands. On their latest recording, What We Do strikes a meaningful balance between the thoughtful vulnerability of life's struggles and the fiery positivity that carries us through. The album's buoyant opener, "Thoughts All In," celebrates the survival of "the end of the world" (December 21, 2012); Shook Twins note, "the world continued to turn after all the hype of 12/21/12, and it really reminded us about the importance of being better humans, and loving our loved ones even more."

Other standout songs include the slow-burner title track, "What We Do," which embodies, "the essence of our lives; the things we honor and let go of," says Shook Twins. Beautiful twin harmonies are enmeshed with African-style guitar riffs and campfire percussion, leading to an anthemic bridge with slugging rhythms while the sisters' repeat, "we put our troubles on the moth's wings, we open the window" -- a nod to the album's cover art, an illustration designed by their father depicting a moth in flight.

The futuristic apocalyptic gospel ballad, "Shake," tells the story of a couple who's survived a massive West Coast earthquake, only to face theft and heartache. But only remember the refrain, "the earth is gonna shake you down," and one can take comfort in the fact that those who harm will receive their retribution. "Crisper" is an ode to growing up, and the transition of kids starting to care about money. Laurie Shook recalls, "My sister and I used to spray our dollar bills with water and place them in big books to make them look crisper." On "Awhile," the twins focus on a new relationship that's seemingly very promising and moving fast. The chorus raves, "stop thinking about the end when it's just beginning, hold my hand and make your head stop spinning," only to launch into a fervorous spinning jam session.

On What We Do, the inimitable talents of Laurie and Katelyn Shook are supported by their touring band, including Niko Daoussis (mandolin, electric guitar, vocals) and some of Portland’s brightest musicians. Laurie's inventive use of percussive and ambient vocal loops as well as Katelyn's repurposed telephone-microphone inflected vocals are layered atop a wide range of creative instruments (i.e. electronic drums, beat boxing, glockenspiel, ukulele, banjo drumming, and their signature golden percussive egg). Shook Twins' ensemble is clearly a family, related or otherwise, collectively ascending to dizzying heights with their undeniable charm and free spirit.

Shook Twins' previous albums have already established them as one of recent years' pre-eminent songwriting forces. You Can Have The Rest (2008) and Window (2011; featuring Elephant Revival's Bonnie Paine and Bridget Law) both received critical praise from the press and extensive radio play, further solidifying the band's demand on the road and becoming a favorite on the festival circuit. Shook Twins have recently appeared at Big Apple BBQ, Harvest Music Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, Northwest String Summit, Suwanee, Oregon County Fair, Sisters Folk Fest, MeadowGrass, Ogden Music Festival, Redwing Roots Festival, and others.

Don't miss Shook Twins as they tour nationally this Fall in a city near you!

Shook Twins - National Fall Tour 2015:

Sept. 18 & 19, 2015 -- Lotus, CA -- American River Music Festival
Sept. 25 - 26, 2015 -- Winona, MN -- Boats & Bluegrass
Sept. 27, 2015 -- Chicago, IL -- Beat Kitchen
Oct. 1, 2015 -- New York, NY -- Mercury Lounge*
Oct. 2, 2015 -- Northampton, MA -- Iron Horse Music Hall*
Oct. 3, 2015 -- Portland, ME -- Port City Music Hall*-
Oct. 4, 2015 -- Cambridge, MA -- The Sinclair*-
Oct. 7, 2015 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Milkboy*
Oct. 8, 2015 -- Vienna, VA -- Jammin Java*
Oct. 10 & 11, 2015 -- Roseland, VA -- The Festy Experience
Oct. 14, 2015 -- Gold Hill, CO -- Gold Hill Inn
Oct. 15, 2015 -- Denver, CO -- Cervantes' Other Side
Oct. 16, 2015 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- The State Room
Oct. 17, 2015 -- Boise, ID -- Neurolox
Nov. 1, 2015 -- Live Oak, FL -- Suwannee Hulaween
Nov. 6, 2015 -- Sisters, OR -- The Belfry^
Nov. 7, 2015 -- Ashland, OR -- Brickroom^
Nov. 8, 2015 -- Redding, CA -- Vintage Wine Bar & Restaurant*
Nov. 9, 2015 -- Hayfork, CA -- Northern Delights^
Nov. 11, 2015 -- San Diego, CA -- Soda Bar^
Nov. 12, 2015 -- Huntington Beach, CA -- Huntington Beach Arts Center^
Nov. 13, 2015 -- Santa Cruz, CA -- Moe's Alley+
Nov. 14, 2015 -- Oakland, CA -- Leo's Nightclub*
Nov. 18, 2015 -- Sebastopol, CA -- Hopmonk Tavern*
Nov. 19, 2015 -- Arcata, CA - Humboldt Brews*
Nov. 20, 2015 -- Eugene, OR -- Hi-Fi Music Hall*
Nov. 21, 2015 -- Portland, OR -- Revolution Hall*#
Dec. 4, 2015 -- Seattle, WA -- Nectar Lounge^

*with Tall Heights
-with Maine Youth Rock Orchestra
^with John Craigie
+with Marty O'Reilly & The Old Soul Orchestra
#with Annalisa Tornfelt & The Sound Outside

Wed, 10/28/2015 - 7:14 pm

In their almost two decades of electrifying live shows, singular studio work and relentless drive to explore the frontiers of the bluegrass sound, the only thing Yonder Mountain String Band can't seem to do is stop. Their most recent studio recording, 2015's stellar Black Sheep, has added to an already impressive collection of the band’s original compositions and is easily their most sonically varied and accessible release to date. Their true magic, however, lies onstage, as the interplay between their unique take on the traditional bluegrass instrumentation with the white hot edge of their playing styles has melded into an unmistakable blend that delights fans around the world. Never content to rest on their laurels, Yonder takes every concert, ever song, every breath with the intent of making it more powerful than their last.

Since the release of Black Sheep in June 2015, Yonder Mountain has garnered a slew of accolades: glowing national press reviews, the album hit #3 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts, #22 on the Americana Airplay Chart (Black Sheep was on the charts for 10 weeks), its acquired 25 adds at AAA radio, and upwards of 150,000 streams on Spotify (in just 60 days). Yonder is scheduled for a live-streaming event with Yahoo at the House of Blues (Chicago, IL: Nov. 7), and their show at the 9:30 Club (Washington, DC: Nov. 14) will be taped for an upcoming PBS program due out in 2016.

Coinciding with Black Sheep, the band eagerly takes their new material to the streets, continuing their vigorous march to venerable stages, much to the delight of their rabid fans. This community of fans, a dedicated army that self identifies as the family unit "Kinfolk," wait impatiently for each tour announcement, each gig, each and every note to be played. That intensity of devotion has been earned through countless hair-raising, spine-chilling moments of musical connection that YMSB evokes from their listeners. Wise enough to know that perfection is an impossible goal; the band instead dares to push the envelope of punk sensibilities intertwined with their love of stringed instrument styles as old as the mountains themselves. This choice is coupled with a dedication to giving their fans the best show possible in every aspect, from crisp sound, brilliant lighting design and a playful attitude that's made them an undeniable source of joy for fans of all ages.

Bassist/vocalist Ben Kaufmann comments, "I'll admit that I get a big thrill when I see that a band without drums can move an audience as much as any rock band." Guitarist/vocalist Adam Aijala adds, "Making music with Ben, Dave, Allie and Jake continues to be fresh and exciting."

Yonder Mountain is a sum truly greater than the elements. The foundation is set in stone by Ben Kaufmann, born with music in his blood, who brings a fascination with all forms of music to the mix, always mindful to keep the back beat steady even while taking the lead on vocals. As Kaufmann's deep bass notes thunder, mandolinist Jake Jolliff picks out lines with a speed and precision that strike like lightning, yet never fail to express the passion he feels for the art. Counterpointing the runaway train that are Jolliff's leads, Adam Aijala's calm demeanor and airy acoustic fretboard style belie the intensity of his playing, as if the act of unleashing his talents requires an absolute focus to protect us from the unleashed. While Aijala provides a dreamy tone to the sound, banjo player Dave Johnston brings a wry sense of humor, a rolling, rollicking flow to his picking style that fades back and forth as needed and a jester-like twinkle in his eye that hints at an element of madness under the sonic surface. Johnston's playfulness is easy to see thanks to the light that radiates from the fiery fiddle playing of Allie Kral, whose beautifully sustained notes seem to come from the moments when her high-speed shredding threaten to saw the instrument in twain. Like the fundamental building blocks of nature, they combine into a force capable of bringing something to life, and creating a sense of elation capable of echoing long past the final note.

Five players, combined with a lack of ego and precise cohesion that is a high testament to their mutual trust and the spirit of unity, work towards one simple goal...TO ROCK THE HOUSE! In the studio, they've grown comfortable enough in their own musical skin to produce the tracks themselves, all following a shared vision. Live, Yonder freely trades vocal duties on their own material and covers alike, to amazing effect. Vocally, the sheer variety of Kaufmann's soulful tones, Johnston's deadpan stylings, Aijala's tranquility and the blasts of pure passion from Allie Kral contrast with the traditional tenor work of Jake Jolliff, each song finds an identity all its own. In the band's earliest days, fans of a more traditional sound weren't sure how to react to this driving, modern take on their beloved songbook. No song too sacred, or silly, for these five players, the emotional range that can be felt through a single performance coupled with the dynamism of these five craftspeople leaves fans and band alike exhausted, but invigorated all at once. It's easy to imagine that playing such impassioned shows, night after night, would take a toll on anyone, no matter how much love and inspiration they were receiving from audiences. Yet, after thousands of shows, millions of miles and countless smiles, Yonder Mountain String Band shows no signs of stopping, much less slowing down, any time soon.

"I feel like we have a world of positive potential ahead of us," notes Dave Johnston. "Allie, Jake, Ben, and Adam all bring a new and renewed spirit of collaboration and I can't wait to be a part of what's happening."

Following Yonder's much-anticipated Fall Tour 2015 that kicks off this evening at the Visulite Theatre (Charlotte, NC: Oct. 28), the band will head back to their hometown for a four-night NYE run at the Boulder Theater (Boulder, CO: Dec. 30 - Jan. 2) with special guests Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Stanley Jordan. For details regarding the band's #TakeMeYonder Photo Contest in connection with the NYE shows, please visit yondermountain.com.

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND FALL 2015 TOUR DATES

10/28 - Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theatre
10/29 - Morgantown, WV - Metropolitan Theatre
10/30 - Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall
10/31 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
11/1 - Rochester, NY - Anthology
11/4 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
11/5 – Milwaukee, WI – Potawatomi Hotel and Casino
11/6 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
11/7 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
11/8 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre
11/11 – Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theater
11/12 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
11/13 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
11/14 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
11/15 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater
12/10 - 12/14 - Qroo, Mexico - Strings & Sol
12/30 - 1/2 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 9:55 am

PBS will premiere "Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Concert with Arlo Guthrie" on Thanksgiving Day 2015 (Nov. 26, 2015) on TV stations across the country (8 pm - 9:30 pm EST, please check local listings). A singular multi-media event, "Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Concert with Arlo Guthrie" features a recent live performance by legendary folk music icon and his deft band at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA (May 21, 2015). The PBS program is produced and directed by four-time Emmy Award winner Jim Brown, whose other films include 50 Years with Peter, Paul and Mary; Pete Seeger: The Power of Song; and The Weavers: Wasn't That A Time!.

"Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Concert with Arlo Guthrie" includes performances of the following songs: "The Motorcycle Song," "Chilling of the Evening," "St. James Infirmary," "Pig Meat," "Coming Into Los Angeles," "Alice's Restaurant," "I Hear You Sing Again," "City of New Orleans," "Highway In The Wind," and "My Peace." Please feel free to preview "Coming Into Los Angeles" at this link.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the event that inspired his seminal song, "Alice's Restaurant Massacree," Arlo Guthrie continues his epic journey across North America throughout the month of November 2015 and picks up the tour again in January 2016. Guthrie tours in 45 markets over the next seven months, and commemorates the actual 50th Anniversary with his annual headlining performance at New York City's Carnegie Hall (November 28, 2015). A musical monologue running more than 18 minutes, "Alice's Restaurant" has become a Thanksgiving holiday anthem to families around the world and it all originates from Guthrie's experience on Thanksgiving in 1965.

Guthrie performs his most prominent work in its entirety each night on the 50th Anniversary tour, as well as selections from various full-length studio albums he's released since his debut, Alice's Restaurant (1967). His daughter Sarah Lee Guthrie -- a singer-songwriter with a lauded career in her own right -- will open each concert in November 2015. For a list of all forthcoming 50th Anniversary shows, please see the tour dates below and visit risingsonrecords.com. Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

"I didn't think I was gonna live long enough to have to learn 'Alice's Restaurant' again," Arlo Guthrie says with a smile. "It was a quirky kinda thing to begin with. Nobody writes an 18-minute monologue expecting fame and fortune. The initial success of the song really took me by surprise more than anyone else. The fact that I have contended with it for five decades either by having to learn it again or by not doing it, has been an interesting balancing act. I'm surely looking forward to it being a centerpiece of my repertoire for the 50th anniversary tour."

"Alice's Restaurant's" hilarious account of actual events that precluded Arlo Guthrie from military service (1966) became a platinum selling record (1967) and full-length motion picture (1969) at the outset of his renowned career. As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the lengthiest hit single in music history, he once again performs it live. Due to its length, Guthrie has only added the complete "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" to his touring menu on the 10-year anniversaries.

Fans have certainly embraced "Alice's Restaurant" as part of their annual Thanksgiving tradition, but also view it as one of the more pronounced "anti-stupid" rally songs. Every year, Arlo receives handfuls of letters from Vietnam vets and soldiers currently at war expressing their heartfelt connection to the song. Today, times are eerily similar to the mid-60's, with unpopular wars being fought far away from home, and soldiers finding ways to cope. Music is often the best medicine to soothe the soul. However listeners interpret the quintessential tune, we can be rest assured that people of all different walks of life come together singing that famous chorus, "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant...".

Over the last five decades, Arlo has carried on the Guthrie family legacy of sharing timeless stories and unforgettable classics to audiences far and wide. "The Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour" brings together an ensemble of fine musicians never to grace the stage together at one time. Guthrie's band includes Terry Hall (drums), Bobby Sweet (guitar, vocals), Darren Todd (bass), and his son, Abe Guthrie (keyboards). Each show is curated with an awe-inspiring light show created specifically for this tour by 44 Designs, Inc., along with previously unseen images from the Guthrie archives. More than 75,000 photos have recently been digitized, and selections will be projected during the evening.

For the dedicated lovers of "Alice's Restaurant", they'll be happy to know the Old Trinity Church is still around. Guthrie bought it over 20 years ago and renamed it "The Guthrie Center at the Old Trinity Church". He runs his non-profit foundation from the building, and it's his hope that it'll continue to be of service to the local community.

On "Alice's Restaurant" becoming such a cultural phenomenon, Arlo says, "Well, I've always loved good stories. And I've loved telling tall tales. Why people enjoy it is beyond me. I haven't sung 'Alice' for years and people still keep coming to the gigs. 'Alice' has taken on a life of its own and become attached to Thanksgiving. If I had to guess though, maybe because it's a story about a little guy against a big world."

Don't miss Arlo Guthrie as he tours in a city near you, performing one of America's greatest musical treasures! Below is a list of confirmed tour dates, and additional shows will be added. Stay up to date on risingsonrecords.com

Arlo Guthrie Presents "The Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour":

Nov. 8, 2015 -- Chicago, IL -- The Harris Theater
Nov. 9, 2015 -- Ann Arbor, MI -- Michigan Theater
Nov. 11, 2015 -- Ithaca, NY -- The State Theatre
Nov. 13, 2015 -- New Bedford, MA -- The Zeiterion
Nov. 14, 2015 -- Tarrytown, NY -- Tarrytown Music Hall
Nov. 15, 2015 -- Patchogue, NY -- The Patchogue Theatre
Nov. 17, 2015 -- Easton, MD -- The Avalon Theatre
Nov. 19, 2015 -- Wilmington, DE -- Grand Opera House
Nov. 20, 2015 -- Princeton, NJ -- The McCarter Theatre
Nov. 21, 2015 -- Glenside, PA -- The Keswick Theatre
Nov. 28, 2015 -- New York, NY -- Carnegie Hall
Nov. 29, 2015 -- Newark, NJ -- NJ Performing Arts Center
Jan. 16, 2016 -- Coral Springs, FL -- Coral Springs Center
Jan. 17, 2016 -- Miami, FL -- South Miami-Dade Co. Arts
Jan. 19, 2016 -- Ft. Myers, FL -- Barbara Mann Hall
Jan. 20, 2016 -- Clearwater, FL -- The Capitol Theatre
Jan. 22, 2016 -- Stuart, FL -- The Lyric Theatre
Jan. 23, 2016 -- Orlando, FL -- The Plaza Live
Jan. 24, 2016 -- Melbourne, FL -- The King Center
Jan. 26, 2016 -- Charleston, SC -- Charleston Music Hall
Jan. 27, 2016 -- Newberry, SC -- Newberry Opera House
Jan. 28, 2016 -- Durham, NC -- The Carolina Theatre
Jan. 30 & 31, 2016 -- Richmond, VA -- Modlin Center
Feb. 3, 2016 -- Bethesda, MD -- Strathmore Hall
Feb. 5 & 6, 2016 -- Alexandria, VA -- The Birchmere
Feb. 8 & 9, 2016 -- Rocky Mount, VA -- Harvester
Feb. 12, 2016 -- Lawrence, KS -- Liberty Hall
Feb. 13, 2016 -- Wichita, KS -- The Orpheum
Feb. 14, 2016 -- Tulsa, OK -- The Brady Theatre
Feb. 16, 2016 -- St. Louis, MO -- Touhill Arts Center
Feb. 18, 2016 -- Fort Worth, TX -- Bass Performance Hall
Feb. 21, 2016 -- Austin, TX -- The Long Center
Feb. 24, 2016 -- Columbia, MO -- The Missouri Theatre
Feb. 25, 2016 -- Louisville, KY -- Kentucky Center
Feb. 27, 2016 -- Biloxi, MS -- IP Casino
April 1, 2016 -- Mesa, AZ -- Mesa Performing Arts Center
April 7, 2016 -- Santa Barbara, CA -- The Lobero Theatre
April 9, 2016 -- Palo Alto, CA -- The Bing Concert Hall
April 10, 2016 -- Chico, CA -- Laxon Auditorium
April 14, 2016 -- Portland, OR -- Revolution Hall
April 15, 2016 -- Olympia, WA -- Washington Center
April 16, 2016 -- Seattle, WA -- The Moore Theatre
April 21, 2016 -- Vancouver, BC, Canada -- Chan Centre
April 23, 2016 -- Spokane, WA -- The Fox Theater
May 5, 2016 -- Washington, MA -- The Guthrie Center

Tue, 11/10/2015 - 6:46 pm

Rising Son International announces today the release of author and folksinger Arlo Guthrie's fifth children's book, Monsters. In his latest book for children, Guthrie recounts the tale of seemingly real monsters lurking in and around his bedroom. His descriptive verse is wonderfully captured by longtime friend and illustrator, Kathy Garren (her third collaboration with Guthrie). The tale builds to a climax when Arlo's father, Woody Guthrie, walks into the room and helps his young son understand the nature of monsters, and how to deal with them. The fictional account will leave readers of every age comforted and ready for a good night's rest.

Monsters is available now at Rising Son Records, and for Kindle and iBooks.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 11:13 am

In the beginning days of Yonder Mountain String Band, dedicated fans helped support the emerging group by recording their shows and following Yonder on the road. Free archives of YMSB's live performances quickly spread like wild fire to music fans across the country, and what began with only a few individuals manifested into a community known at the Kinfolk. To this day, many Kinfolk still follow the band for strings of tour dates at a time. The Kinfolk have formed a close-knit fellowship with the sound of Yonder Mountain String Band being the bond that connects them all. They're a central part of the band's heritage, and they continue to play a vital role in spreading the good word about all things Yonder. YMSB currently has more than 4,500 Kinfolk on the Yonder Kinfolk Facebook Group Page where many have open forums about the shows, set lists, and the band.

To give thanks to the community that's supported Yonder Mountain all these years, the band offers a free live music compilation to their fans, entitled the Kinfolk Community Album. YMSB put together every set list from each show from their recent Fall Tour 2015 and presented it to the Kinfolk on social media so that the community themselves could vote on the top songs from each night. Completely powered by the Kinfolk, this "Best Of Fall Tour 2015" compilation is now free for download and streaming on YMSB's website.

Tue, 12/08/2015 - 12:20 pm

For nearly 17 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.

With their latest album, Black Sheep (Frog Pad Records: June 16, 2015), Yonder Mountain String Band -- Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), Allie Kral (violin, vocals), and Jacob Jolliff (Mandolin, vocals) -- begins a new era. The first YMSB release produced by the band itself, Black Sheep is, by any measure, a triumph, perhaps the most mesmeric of their career. The result, says Kaufmann, is that, "This record sounds more like Yonder than any record we've ever done. I'm hoping that when people are finished listening to it, they'll just hit play and listen to it again."

In support of Black Sheep, YMSB returns to the Boulder Theater to ring in 2016 with a four-night New Year's Eve run (Dec. 30 - Jan. 2) in their home state of Colorado with special guests Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Stanley Jordan. For details regarding the band's #TakeMeYonder Photo Contest in connection with the NYE shows, please visit yondermountain.com. YMSB will then hit the road to continue their extensive touring into the winter season with Trout Steak Revival (Winter Tour 2016: Jan. 20 - Feb. 14, 2016; except Feb. 4 & 5, 2016), and Keller & The Keels (Feb. 4 & 5, 2016). In the spring, YMSB hits the road with Polecat (March 15 - 26) and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (March 30 - April 9); the April 3rd show will be a special "An Evening With: Yonder Mountain Spring Band" at the Varsity Theatre (Baton Rouge, LA).

Since the release of Black Sheep in June 2015, Yonder Mountain has garnered a slew of accolades: glowing national press reviews, the album hit #3 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts, #22 on the Americana Airplay Chart (Black Sheep was on the charts for 10 weeks), its acquired 25 adds at AAA radio, and upwards of 150,000 streams on Spotify (in just 60 days). Yahoo recently live-streamed Yonder's concert at the House of Blues - Chicago on Nov. 7, the band performed a "Free @ Noon" live set at World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA: Nov. 13) that was broadcasted by WXPN, and their latest show at the 9:30 Club (Washington, DC: Nov. 14) was taped for an upcoming PBS program due out in 2016.

Black Sheep marks the first time in Yonder's history that they're actually utilizing, throughout an entire record, the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass introduced in the 1940s: guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass. With the exception of the album's sole cover tune, "Ever Fallen In Love," originally by the late '70s British punk-rock band the Buzzcocks, each of the album's new tracks were written by the YMSB members during the past couple of years. Three of the new songs -- "Annalee," "Landfall" and the title track -- have already been road-tested on tour; others will be added to the band's live repertoire following the album's release. The majority of Black Sheep was recorded at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado, with Adam handling much of the engineering at his home studio and while on the road; the first time a band member has taken on that task.

Even on first listen, it becomes instantaneously apparent that Black Sheep is the work of a new Yonder Mountain String Band, one with a strong commitment to re-exhibiting itself, broadening its parameters following the departure of a founding member. While it's immediately recognizable as YMSB music, there's undeniably a raw aesthetic to the studio tracks -- a sense of daring is embedded in both the instrumental interaction between these five singular players and in the lyrical content of each song.

The compositions cover a wide topical swath. "Insult and Elbow," the album's opening track, is on its surface about escapism and substance abuse; "Landfall" addresses the touring life of a modern band; "Around You," explains Kaufmann, is "about the moment when you realize that you are the only common denominator in every problem you've ever had and that there is no one else that can take responsibility for anything that happens to you." The title track, centered on a wannabe renegade, suggests that nothing is really free, that even the fakes and the phonies demand a price.

"New Dusty Miller" reinterprets an old fiddle tune and was inspired by the late folk and bluegrass singer-songwriter John Hartford's efforts at taking old fiddle music and adding a contemporary spin. Other new tunes, among them "Love Before You Can't," "I'm Lost" and "Drawing a Melody," probe the ups and downs of relationships informing various points of view. With these songs, as with so much of YMSB's previous material, layers can be peeled away to reveal multiple realities harbored within. As has always been the case, ardent lead vocals and tight harmonies deliver Yonder's newest set of words.

For many longtime aficionados of this band, of course, it's the instrumental prowess that draws them in and continues to wow fans at live shows and on recordings. With its new five piece line-up, the band is able to go places that were simply inaccessible before. "The traditional bluegrass lineup allows us to rethink things on different levels," says Johnston, "but at the heart of it all is the same energy and drive and a freewheeling spirit. It's an exciting time for us because we have an invigorating sense of the future. At the end of the day, Yonder is a band with almost two decades of music under its belt, but we're always a bit restless. We want to move the music forward to new places, which keeps us on our musical toes."

Yonder has its roots in the year 1998, when the original quartet came together in Colorado. Through steadfast gigging in all manner of venues from small clubs to massive outdoor festivals, Yonder Mountain String Band quickly built a robust fanbase while continually experimenting to define its sound. Some of the most fervent audiences were at jam band shows and festivals, where fans took readily to YMSB's potent mix of the traditional bluegrass of Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers and Doc Watson and the improvisational sensibilities of the Grateful Dead and Phish. Also deeply ingrained in the band, albeit more subtly, was a fierce love for punk, which provided the members with seminal influences while they were growing up. "We didn't even hear bluegrass until our 20s," says Aijala. "Falling in love with the sound of bluegrass instruments, while also having all of these outside influences that had nothing to do with bluegrass -- well, what comes out isn't what we envisioned."

With the band celebrating its 17th anniversary this year, and an extensive tour schedule hitting venerable venues in all corners of the country, 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 newfangled 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."

Says Johnston in conclusion, "Yonder Mountain String Band is as durable as bluegrass itself. It changes and morphs and has an open-endedness that makes anything possible."

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band and their forthcoming tour dates, please visit: www.yondermountain.com

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND WINTER & SPRING 2016 TOUR DATES

12/10 -- 12/14 - Qroo, Mexico -- Strings & Sol
12/30 -- 1/2 - Boulder, CO -- Boulder Theater
1/20 -- Lyric Theatre and Cultural Center -- Lexington, KY*
1/21 -- The Vogue -- Indianapolis, IN*
1/22 -- Canopy Club -- Urbana, IL*
1/23 -- Orpheum Theater -- Madison, WI*
1/26 -- State Theatre -- State College, PA*
1/27 -- The National -- Richmond, VA *
1/28 -- Cat's Cradle -- Carrboro, NC*
1/29 -- The Orange Peel -- Asheville, NC*
1/30 -- The International -- Knoxville, TN*
2/2 -- Druid City Music Hall -- Tuscaloosa, AL*
2/3 -- Vinyl Music Hall -- Pensacola, FL*
2/4 -- The Plaza 'LIVE' -- Orlando, FL^
2/5 -- Jannus Live -- Saint Petersburg, FL^
2/6 -- Culture Room -- Fort Lauderdale, FL*
2/9 -- Ponte Vedra Concert Hall -- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL*
2/10 & 2/11 -- Music Farm -- Columbia, SC*
2/12 & 2/13 -- The Variety Playhouse -- Atlanta, GA*
2/14 -- 3rd and Lindsley -- Nashville, TN*
3/15 -- Pink Garter Theatre -- Jackson Hole, WY#
3/16 -- Wilma Theater -- Missoula, MT#
3/17 -- Neptune Theatre -- Seattle, WA#
3/18 -- Crystal Ballroom -- Portland, OR#
3/19 -- McDonald Theatre -- Eugene, OR#
3/22 -- Van Duzer Theatre -- Arcata, CA#
3/23 -- The Catalyst -- Santa Cruz, CA#
3/24 -- The Fillmore -- San Francisco, CA#
3/25 -- Crystal Bay Casino Club -- Crystal Bay, NV#
3/26 -- Belly Up Solana Beach -- San Diego, CA#
3/30 -- George's Majestic -- Fayetteville, AR+
3/31 -- Cain's Ballroom -- Tulsa, OK+
4/1 -- Granada Theater -- Dallas, TX+
4/2 -- Stubb's BBQ -- Austin, TX+
4/3 -- Varsity Theatre -- Baton Rouge, LA
4/6 -- Wooly's -- Des Moines, IA+
4/7 -- Bourbon Theatre -- Lincoln, NE+
4/8 -- Liberty Hall -- Lawrence, KS+
4/9 -- The Pageant -- St. Louis, MO+

* w/ Trout Steak Revival
^ w/ Keller and The Keels
# w/ Polecat
+ w/ Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 6:13 am

For nearly 17 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.

With their latest album, Black Sheep (Frog Pad Records: June 16, 2015), Yonder Mountain String Band -- Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), Allie Kral (violin, vocals), and Jacob Jolliff (Mandolin, vocals) -- begins a new era. The first YMSB release produced by the band itself, Black Sheep is, by any measure, a triumph, perhaps the most mesmeric of their career. The result, says Kaufmann, is that, "This record sounds more like Yonder than any record we've ever done. I'm hoping that when people are finished listening to it, they'll just hit play and listen to it again."

In support of Black Sheep, YMSB returns to the Boulder Theater to ring in 2016 with a four-night New Year's Eve run (Dec. 30 - Jan. 2) in their home state of Colorado with special guests Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Stanley Jordan. For details regarding the band's #TakeMeYonder Photo Contest in connection with the NYE shows, please visit yondermountain.com. YMSB will then hit the road to continue their extensive touring into the winter season with Trout Steak Revival (Winter Tour 2016: Jan. 20 - Feb. 14, 2016; except Feb. 4 & 5, 2016), and Keller & The Keels (Feb. 4 & 5, 2016).

Since the release of Black Sheep in June 2015, Yonder Mountain has garnered a slew of accolades: glowing national press reviews, the album hit #3 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts, #22 on the Americana Airplay Chart (Black Sheep was on the charts for 10 weeks), its acquired 25 adds at AAA radio, and upwards of 150,000 streams on Spotify (in just 60 days). Yahoo recently live-streamed Yonder's concert at the House of Blues - Chicago on Nov. 7 (to view, please click here), the band performed a "Free @ Noon" live set at World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA: Nov. 13) that was broadcasted by WXPN, and their latest show at the 9:30 Club (Washington, DC: Nov. 14) was taped for an upcoming PBS program due out in 2016.

Black Sheep marks the first time in Yonder's history that they're actually utilizing, throughout an entire record, the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass introduced in the 1940s: guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass. With the exception of the album's sole cover tune, "Ever Fallen In Love," originally by the late '70s British punk-rock band the Buzzcocks, each of the album's new tracks were written by the YMSB members during the past couple of years. Three of the new songs -- "Annalee," "Landfall" and the title track -- have already been road-tested on tour; others will be added to the band's live repertoire following the album's release. The majority of Black Sheep was recorded at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado, with Adam handling much of the engineering at his home studio and while on the road; the first time a band member has taken on that task.

Even on first listen, it becomes instantaneously apparent that Black Sheep is the work of a new Yonder Mountain String Band, one with a strong commitment to re-exhibiting itself, broadening its parameters following the departure of a founding member. While it's immediately recognizable as YMSB music, there's undeniably a raw aesthetic to the studio tracks -- a sense of daring is embedded in both the instrumental interaction between these five singular players and in the lyrical content of each song.

The compositions cover a wide topical swath. "Insult and Elbow," the album's opening track, is on its surface about escapism and substance abuse; "Landfall" addresses the touring life of a modern band; "Around You," explains Kaufmann, is "about the moment when you realize that you are the only common denominator in every problem you've ever had and that there is no one else that can take responsibility for anything that happens to you." The title track, centered on a wannabe renegade, suggests that nothing is really free, that even the fakes and the phonies demand a price.

"New Dusty Miller" reinterprets an old fiddle tune and was inspired by the late folk and bluegrass singer-songwriter John Hartford's efforts at taking old fiddle music and adding a contemporary spin. Other new tunes, among them "Love Before You Can't," "I'm Lost" and "Drawing a Melody," probe the ups and downs of relationships informing various points of view. With these songs, as with so much of YMSB's previous material, layers can be peeled away to reveal multiple realities harbored within. As has always been the case, ardent lead vocals and tight harmonies deliver Yonder's newest set of words.

For many longtime aficionados of this band, of course, it's the instrumental prowess that draws them in and continues to wow fans at live shows and on recordings. With its new five piece line-up, the band is able to go places that were simply inaccessible before. "The traditional bluegrass lineup allows us to rethink things on different levels," says Johnston, "but at the heart of it all is the same energy and drive and a freewheeling spirit. It's an exciting time for us because we have an invigorating sense of the future. At the end of the day, Yonder is a band with almost two decades of music under its belt, but we're always a bit restless. We want to move the music forward to new places, which keeps us on our musical toes."

Yonder has its roots in the year 1998, when the original quartet came together in Colorado. Through steadfast gigging in all manner of venues from small clubs to massive outdoor festivals, Yonder Mountain String Band quickly built a robust fanbase while continually experimenting to define its sound. Some of the most fervent audiences were at jam band shows and festivals, where fans took readily to YMSB's potent mix of the traditional bluegrass of Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers and Doc Watson and the improvisational sensibilities of the Grateful Dead and Phish. Also deeply ingrained in the band, albeit more subtly, was a fierce love for punk, which provided the members with seminal influences while they were growing up. "We didn't even hear bluegrass until our 20s," says Aijala. "Falling in love with the sound of bluegrass instruments, while also having all of these outside influences that had nothing to do with bluegrass -- well, what comes out isn't what we envisioned."

With the band celebrating its 17th anniversary this year, and an extensive tour schedule hitting venerable venues in all corners of the country, 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 newfangled 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."

Says Johnston in conclusion, "Yonder Mountain String Band is as durable as bluegrass itself. It changes and morphs and has an open-endedness that makes anything possible."

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band and their forthcoming tour dates, please visit: www.yondermountain.com

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND WINTER 2015/2016 TOUR DATES

12/10 -- 12/14 - Qroo, Mexico -- Strings & Sol
12/30 -- 1/2 - Boulder, CO -- Boulder Theater
1/20 -- Lyric Theatre and Cultural Center -- Lexington, KY*
1/21 -- The Vogue -- Indianapolis, IN*
1/22 -- Canopy Club -- Urbana, IL*
1/23 -- Orpheum Theater -- Madison, WI*
1/26 -- State Theatre -- State College, PA*
1/27 -- The National -- Richmond, VA *
1/28 -- Cat's Cradle -- Carrboro, NC*
1/29 -- The Orange Peel -- Asheville, NC*
1/30 -- The International -- Knoxville, TN*
2/2 -- Druid City Music Hall -- Tuscaloosa, AL*
2/3 -- Vinyl Music Hall -- Pensacola, FL*
2/4 -- The Plaza 'LIVE' -- Orlando, FL^
2/5 -- Jannus Live -- Saint Petersburg, FL^
2/6 -- Culture Room -- Fort Lauderdale, FL*
2/9 -- Ponte Vedra Concert Hall -- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL*
2/10 & 2/11 -- Music Farm -- Columbia, SC*
2/12 & 2/13 -- The Variety Playhouse -- Atlanta, GA*
2/14 -- 3rd and Lindsley -- Nashville, TN*

* w/ Trout Steak Revival
^ w/ Keller and The Keels

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 1:56 pm

The 15th Annual Northwest String Summit (NWSS) gathers a bounty of festival favorites from over the past decade and a half for its blow-out return to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) from July 14 - 17, 2016. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country; NWSS is the only music offering this year taking place at Horning's Hideout. A family-friendly and locally sourced festival, NWSS caps its capacity at 5,000 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festivalgoers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: stringsummit.com

The 15th Annual Northwest String Summit is hosted by Colorado's Yonder Mountain String Band; YMSB will perform 3 nights of music throughout the four-day festival. Additional standout acts include 2 Nights of Greensky Bluegrass; Railroad Earth; Leftover Salmon (2 Nights); The Infamous Stringdusters (2 Nights); Keller Williams with More Than A Little; Keller Williams' Grateful Gospel; Steep Canyon Rangers; Fruition (2 Nights); Shook Twins (2 Nights); The Brothers Comatose; Polyrhythmics; Danny Barnes (2 Nights); Ben Sollee (2 Sets); John Craigie; Billy Strings (2 Nights); Wood & Wire (2 Nights); Cabinet (2 Nights); Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (2 Sets); Rabbit Wilde; The Lowest Pair; and more acts to be announced soon!

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about NWSS 2016, "This year is our 15th Anniversary and we're pulling out all the stops! Northwest String Summit at Horning's Hideout is such a special festival destination that we're inviting all our friends and core bands for the party. Many for multiple days as to properly soak it all up, and in turn, give us more magnificent musical magic morning, noon and night!"

While the Main Stage will be at full tilt, the Kinfolk Revival Tent returns with even more programming from movies and documentaries, to daytime artist workshops and late night sets. The Cascadia Stage will ramp up to provide music all day Friday - Sunday, and late night sets after Main Stage acts from Thursday - Saturday. In such a lovely and cozy nook of the woods, the Cascadia shows have proven to be some of the most memorable of the weekend.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians as a way to support the thriving local communities. Celebrated Eugene, OR favorite Ninkasi Brewing Company will offer exceptional craft beers onsite for the fifth year-in-a-row, including an exclusive small-batch NWSS Specialty Brew called Clusterpluck Session Ale. Made with Northwest Pale Ale and Honey malts, Clusterpluck is a light and refreshing golden ale -- the perfect accompaniment to a summertime jam session. Additional sponsors include Klean Kanteen and Keen.

NWSS exudes fun for the whole family. Evident in the festival's overtly family-friendly environment, NWSS has become the yearly grounds for reunions among close friends and neighbors. Several onsite enhancements are in store to make festivalgoers' experiences that much better – with or without their kiddos. In the coming months, announcements will be made regarding newly added children activities. Additionally, more artistic and interactive installations are in the works for the 15th Anniversary, thanks to the exceptional art teams of Tyler Fuqua Creations, Ghost Stag, Vestiks, among others!

Now in its 13th year, the Band Competition at Northwest String Summit reigns in some of the hottest pickers from all across the country. The competition is in line with other top festival competitions, such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and will occur on Friday, July 15, 2016. Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 - 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at The Cascadia Stage, and an offer for the following year's festival on the Main Stage. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications can be submitted until April 15, 2016; for more information please visit: stringsummit.com/band-competition-2

Leading up to the festival on July 13, 2016, Northwest String Summit proudly hosts a pre-festival "NWSS Kickoff Party" celebrating the premiere of the new film, Return of the Peacock (EPIC Creative), with a special screening at the Aladdin Theater (Portland, OR) and live performance by Fruition. The much-anticipated follow-up to the 2013 award-winning documentary Turn Left at the Peacock, Return of the Peacock showcases the incredible music coming out of NWSS, including live songs by Yonder Mountain String Band, Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Keller Williams, Elephant Revival, Fruition and others. The debut trailer for the film can be viewed at this link. To gain access to the premiere, fans are required to purchase the "Premiere 4-Day Pass Package" now available on stringsummit.com

15th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
Premiere 4-Day Pass Package -- includes admission to the “NWSS Kickoff Party” + Special Gift -- $200 -- On Sale Today
4-Day Passes, 3-Day Passes, RV Passes, Parking Passes (Pricing Varies) - On Sale February 5th at 10:00 AM PST

*Festival pass prices include primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2016: Parking Fee of $20 per car available in advance.
*Thursday add-on passes and 3-Day passes are available, for more info please visit: stringsummit.com/ticketsgraph

Tue, 02/09/2016 - 1:30 pm

Little Steven's Underground Garage & SiriusXM presents The Sonics, The Woggles, and Barrence Whitfield & The Savages for a 21-city North American tour kicking off on May 5, 2016 at Union Transfer (Philadelphia, PA) and continuing through June 4 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY). Renowned for single-handedly defining the genre of garage rock, The Sonics are set to release a new live album, Live at Easy Street (April 16, 2016), for Record Store Day in advance of the tour. The Sonics will also be joining Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters in March 2016 for shows throughout the South. Interviews and hi-res photos for all three bands are available upon request.

The Sonics are officially back as a garage rock tour-de-force with their first studio album in almost 50 years, This Is the Sonics (2015), receiving critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, MOJO, and The New Yorker, just to name a few. With what might be the longest interval between recordings in rock history -- The Sonics released the legendary Here Are the Sonics in 1965 and Boom in 1966 -- the band's 2015 follow-up album is an unflinching testament to why The Sonics have influenced countless generations of garage bands the world over. This Is the Sonics is a hard-hitting record of 12 new savage songs, produced by Jim Diamond (The White Stripes, Dirtbombs, Electric Six). As famed rock critic David Fricke of Rolling Stone notes, "The Sonics were cult heroes who influenced Nirvana -- now they've finally made another LP."

Though the band broke up in 1967 (and then reformed in 2007), The Sonics have inspired some of rock's greatest stars such as Bruce Springsteen, Kurt Cobain, Jack White, Eddie Vedder, and many others. Their song "Have Love, Will Travel" was not only covered by The Black Keys, but it was featured in a Modelo Especial beer commercial, a Land Rover TV ad, and was used as promo for the 2014 season of Anthony Bourdain's CNN Series, "Parts Unknown." An interview between the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and The Sonics' Larry Parypa was recently included in the Seattle episode of the HBO Series, "Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways."

With the release of This Is the Sonics, The Sonics' original members Jerry Roslie (keyboards and vocals), Larry Parypa (guitar and vocals), and Rob Lind (sax, harmonica and vocals) reunited and enlisted bassist Freddie Dennis (The Kingsmen, The Liverpool Five) and drummer Dusty Watson (Dick Dale, Agent Orange) to round-out the powerhouse group. Recorded for KEXP, their upcoming record Live at Easy Street is nothing short of a masterpiece with special guests Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Chris Ballew (The Presidents of the United States of America), Matt Lukin (Mudhoney), Van Conner (Screaming Trees), Ben Shepherd (Soundgarden), and others. Live at Easy Street will be released on vinyl on April 16, and subsequently digitally available via iTunes.

On their excitement for the spring 2016 tour, The Sonics comment, "We have a long relationship with Little Steven. He has joined us on stage to perform, and we spent an entire day with him prior to our last show at SXSW. Now things have come full circle. The Sonics are thrilled and honored to have been chosen to represent Little Steven and his amazing Underground Garage radio network as we set out on this tour. We're excited to bring Sonics rock and roll to many new cities and revisit some of our favorite places and people. And as The Sonics have been known to say, 'The road goes on forever and the party never ends.'"

"In the early '60s, The Sonics coupled the frenetic energy of Little Richard with their own hormone fueled adrenaline to create a sound that 50 years on remains timeless and exhilarating," says The Mighty Manfred (DJ in Little Steven's Underground Garage, lead singer for The Woggles). "For The Woggles to share a stage with them is to be in the presence of masters, to feel the glow of gods, and to gaze into the Hall Of The Immortals."

The Woggles, a four-man delivery system for 200-proof nitro-fueled rock'n'roll share a vision and blaze a trail with the same insanity as the true Wildman originators of three-chord mayhem. Their sound is a combination of '60s rock'n'roll with a fist-full of soul, a hip flask of rhythm & blues and a splash of surf. The Woggles' 2009 release, Tempo Tantrum, was ranked by Spin Magazine among the "Best of the Year" and touted the album as the "soundtrack for the best biker flick you've never seen." Their song "It's Not About What I Want (It's What You Got)," was voted the first ever "Coolest Song of the Year" by listeners of SiriusXM's Underground Garage Channel.

Barrence Whitfled and the Savages have built a strong reputation for their explosive stage performances, described as "raucous and rough, in high gear from the moment they hit the stage." Similar to Joe Louis, Howlin' Wolf, and Wilson Picket, Whitfield has what these greats all possessed, the one thing a trainer cannot teach a fighter: a lust for mayhem. The wilder, louder more insane the Savages bring it, the more Whitfield is ready to attack the mic. Upon the release of the band's third album, Call of the Wild, they've toured with many artists including Bo Diddley, Tina Turner, George Thorogood, Robert Cray and Solomon Burke.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to see The Sonics, The Woggles, and Barrence Whitfield and The Savages in a city near you this spring. The Sonics set the precedence, pace and the sound that ultimately gave every musician that followed the right to take rock to the edge of the universe!

Wed, 02/24/2016 - 12:45 pm

Today, Arlo Guthrie releases Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Massacree, a 2-CD recording of the critically acclaimed and consistently sold-out tour commemorating the events that inspired the Thanksgiving classic anti-war anthem "Alice's Restaurant Massacree." This release features the entire two sets of the performance as seen on PBS, recorded live at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA, virtually a hometown show for Guthrie. Accompanied by his son, Abe Guthrie, on keyboards, Arlo is backed by a full band including long-time drummer Terry "A La Berry" Hall, guitarist and fiddle player Bobby Sweet, and bass player Darren Todd. This incredible Alice's 50th Tour showcases what makes Arlo exceptional -- songs and stories effortlessly interwoven creating an intimate, touching and hilarious evening.

Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Massacree is now exclusively available through Rising Son Records at risingsonrecords.com. Please see the album tracking listing below:

Disc One: Motorcycle Song / Band Introduction (spoken word) / Chilling Of The Evening Mostly Dead (spoken word) / St. James Infirmary / Self-Esteem-Building (spoken word) / Me And My Goose / Tales (spoken word) / Ocean Crossing / Last Train / Pig Meat / More Tales (spoken word) Coming Into Los Angeles

Disc Two: 50th Anniversary Alice's Restaurant Massacree / Forgetting Stuff (spoken word) Clips From The Movie (spoken word) / Test Pressings – Woody Guthrie Archive (spoken word) I Hear You Sing Again / City Of New Orleans / Train Songs (spoken word) / Tales of '65 (spoken word) / Highway In The Wind / This Land Is Your Land – Where Something Happened / Here’s The Deal (spoken word) / What A Night (spoken word) / My Peace

Don't miss Arlo Guthrie as he tours in a city near you, performing one of America's greatest musical treasures! Below is a list of confirmed tour dates, and additional shows will be added. Stay up to date on risingsonrecords.com

Arlo Guthrie Presents "The Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour":

Feb. 24, 2016 -- Columbia, MO -- The Missouri Theatre
Feb. 25, 2016 -- Louisville, KY -- Kentucky Center
Feb. 27, 2016 -- Biloxi, MS -- IP Casino
April 1, 2016 -- Mesa, AZ -- Mesa Performing Arts Center
April 7, 2016 -- Santa Barbara, CA -- The Lobero Theatre
April 9, 2016 -- Palo Alto, CA -- The Bing Concert Hall
April 10, 2016 -- Chico, CA -- Laxon Auditorium
April 14, 2016 -- Portland, OR -- Revolution Hall
April 15, 2016 -- Olympia, WA -- Washington Center
April 16, 2016 -- Seattle, WA -- The Moore Theatre
April 21, 2016 -- Vancouver, BC, Canada -- Chan Centre
April 23, 2016 -- Spokane, WA -- The Fox Theater
May 1, 2016 --New Orleans, LA -- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
May 4, 2016 -- Annapolis, MD -- St. John's College
May 6, 2016 -- Albany, NY -- The Egg
May 7, 2016 -- Newton, NJ -- Newton Theater
May 8, 2016 -- Ridgefield, CT -- The Ridgefield Playhouse
May 10, 2016 - Port Washington, NY -- Landmark on Main Street
May 11, 2016 -- South Orange, NJ -- SOPAC

Fri, 03/04/2016 - 4:37 pm

The 15th Annual Northwest String Summit is thrilled to announce its second round of performing artists which include March Fourth!, Della Mae, World's Finest, Scott Law, The Lil' Smokies, Gipsy Moon, Sideboob (ft. Mimi Naja, Allie Kral, Shook Twins & more), Yak Attack & Friends and many other acts,

The 15th Annual Northwest String Summit (NWSS) gathers a bounty of festival favorites from over the past decade and a half for its blow-out return to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) from July 14 - 17, 2016. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country; NWSS is the only music offering this year taking place at Horning's Hideout. A family-friendly and locally sourced festival, NWSS caps its capacity at 5,000 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festivalgoers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: stringsummit.com

The 15th Annual Northwest String Summit is hosted by Colorado's Yonder Mountain String Band; YMSB will perform 3 nights of music throughout the four-day festival. Newly confirmed artists include: March Fourth!; Della Mae; World's Finest; Scott Law; The Lil' Smokies; Gipsy Moon; Sideboob (ft. Mimi Naja, Allie Kral, Shook Twins & more); Yak Attack & Friends; Annalisa Tornfelt & The Tornfelt Sisters; Jon Stickley Trio; Arthur Lee Land; Red Yarn; Absynth Quintet; Cascade Crescendo; Robin Jackson Band; Ragged Union; The Whizpops; Brad Parsons; King Cardinal; One Grass, Two Grass; Satsang and Joy Now Arts Project.

Additional standout acts include 2 Nights of Greensky Bluegrass; Railroad Earth; Leftover Salmon (2 Nights); The Infamous Stringdusters (2 Nights); Keller Williams with More Than A Little; Keller Williams' Grateful Gospel; Steep Canyon Rangers; Fruition (2 Nights); Shook Twins (2 Nights); The Brothers Comatose; Polyrhythmics; Danny Barnes (2 Nights); Ben Sollee (2 Sets); John Craigie; Billy Strings (2 Nights); Wood & Wire (2 Nights); Cabinet (2 Nights); Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (2 Sets); Rabbit Wilde; The Lowest Pair; and more acts to be announced soon PLUS workshops and Kid's performances!

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about NWSS 2016, "This year is our 15th Anniversary and we're pulling out all the stops! Northwest String Summit at Horning's Hideout is such a special festival destination that we're inviting all our friends and core bands for the party. Many for multiple days as to properly soak it all up, and in turn, give us more magnificent musical magic morning, noon and night!"

While the Main Stage will be at full tilt, the Kinfolk Revival Tent returns with even more programming from movies and documentaries, to daytime artist workshops and late night sets. The Cascadia Stage will ramp up to provide music all day Friday - Sunday, and late night sets after Main Stage acts from Thursday - Saturday. In such a lovely and cozy nook of the woods, the Cascadia shows have proven to be some of the most memorable of the weekend.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians as a way to support the thriving local communities. Celebrated Eugene, OR favorite Ninkasi Brewing Company will offer exceptional craft beers onsite for the fifth year-in-a-row, including an exclusive small-batch NWSS Specialty Brew called Clusterpluck Session Ale. Made with Northwest Pale Ale and Honey malts, Clusterpluck is a light and refreshing golden ale -- the perfect accompaniment to a summertime jam session. Additional sponsors include Klean Kanteen and Keen.

NWSS exudes fun for the whole family. Evident in the festival's overtly family-friendly environment, NWSS has become the yearly grounds for reunions among close friends and neighbors. Several onsite enhancements are in store to make festivalgoers' experiences that much better – with or without their kiddos. In the coming months, announcements will be made regarding newly added children activities. Additionally, more artistic and interactive installations are in the works for the 15th Anniversary, thanks to the exceptional art teams of Tyler Fuqua Creations, Ghost Stag, Vestiks, among others!

Now in its 13th year, the Band Competition at Northwest String Summit reigns in some of the hottest pickers from all across the country. The competition is in line with other top festival competitions, such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and will occur on Friday, July 15, 2016. Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 - 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at The Cascadia Stage, and an offer for the following year's festival on the Main Stage. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications can be submitted until April 15, 2016; for more information please visit: stringsummit.com/band-competition-2

Leading up to the festival on July 13, 2016, Northwest String Summit proudly hosts a pre-festival "NWSS Kickoff Party" celebrating the premiere of the new film, Return of the Peacock (EPIC Creative), with a special screening at the Aladdin Theater (Portland, OR) and live performance by Fruition. The much-anticipated follow-up to the 2013 award-winning documentary Turn Left at the Peacock, Return of the Peacock showcases the incredible music coming out of NWSS, including live songs by Yonder Mountain String Band, Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Keller Williams, Elephant Revival, Fruition and others. The debut trailer for the film can be viewed at this link. To gain access to the premiere, fans are required to purchase the "Premiere 4-Day Pass Package" now available on stringsummit.com

15th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
Premiere 4-Day Pass Package -- includes admission to the “NWSS Kickoff Party” + Special Gift -- $200 -- On Sale Today
4-Day Passes, 3-Day Passes, RV Passes, Parking Passes (Pricing Varies) - On Sale February 5th at 10:00 AM PST

*Festival pass prices include primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2016: Parking Fee of $20 per car available in advance.
*Thursday add-on passes and 3-Day passes are available, for more info please visit: stringsummit.com/ticketsgraph

Mon, 03/07/2016 - 11:59 am

Yonder Mountain String Band (YMSB) and Drive-By Truckers bring the best of bluegrass and southern rock to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 20, 2016 for a blowout summer celebration with the rich jazz tradition of New Orleans with special guests Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Pre-sale tickets via YMSB's Applauze begins Wednesday, March 9 at 10 am MST, and the public on-sale is Friday, March 11 at 10 am MST. For detailed information, please visit yondermountain.com. Drive-By Truckers will also hold a pre-sale that begins Wednesday, March 9 at 10 am MST via Drive-By Truckers ticketing.

"It's hard to beat the feeling you get when you walk across the stage at Red Rocks -- the otherworldliness of the landscape, the rush from the hometown crowd, and the sense of participating in something both unlikely and unusual, makes for a highlight without comparison," says Dave Johnston, banjoist/vocalist of YMSB. "Come celebrate with us and the Drive-By Truckers and Preservation Hall Jazz Band as we explore the many musical styles that essentially make up the fabric of American music: bluegrass, Americana, and age-old New Orleans jazz."

Yonder Mountain String Band -- Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), Allie Kral (violin, vocals), and Jacob Jolliff (mandolin, vocals) -- begins a new era with the release of Black Sheep. The first YMSB album produced by the band itself, Black Sheep is, by any measure, a triumph, perhaps the most mesmeric of their career. Black Sheep marks the first time in Yonder's history that they're actually utilizing, throughout an entire record, the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass music (guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass).

Co-founded by Patterson Hood (guitar, vocals, bass, banjo, mandolin) and Mike Cooley (guitar, vocals, bass, banjo, harmonica), the rock five-piece Drive-By Truckers also includes Brad Morgan (drums), Jay Gonzalez (keyboards, guitar, vocals, accordion, saw), and Matt Patton (bass, vocals). Their 12th studio album, English Oceans (March 2014; ATO Records), is an elegantly balanced and deeply engaged effort that finds the group refreshed and firing on all cylinders. Drive-By Truckers recently released their long awaited live album, It's Great To Be Alive: Recorded Live at The Fillmore (October 2015), which was recorded over a three-night run at the historic Fillmore in San Francisco, CA.

The New Orleans jazz band Preservation Hall Jazz Band got their name directly from the Preservation Hall venue located in the French Quarter. Preservation Hall was among the few NOLA venues that welcomed both Caucasian and African-American musicians during the early 1960s when the Jazz Band first got its start. The current line-up includes Joe Lastie Jr. (drums, backing vocals), Clint Maedgen (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, vocals), Rickie Monie (piano), Mark Braud (trumpet, backing vocals), Ronell Johnson (tuba, piano, vocals), Charlie Gabriel (clarinet, tenor saxophone, vocals) and Ben Jaffe (tuba, string bass, banjo, percussion, backing vocals). In 2013, Preservation Hall Jazz Band released their first album, That's It!, consisting of all original material written over the course of their more than 50-year career.

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band and their forthcoming tour dates, please visit: yondermountain.com

Fri, 03/25/2016 - 12:19 pm

The 15th Annual Northwest String Summit (NWSS) gathers a bounty of festival favorites from over the past decade and a half for its blow-out return to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) from July 14 - 17, 2016. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country; NWSS is the only music offering this year taking place at Horning's Hideout. A family-friendly and locally sourced festival, NWSS caps its capacity at 5,000 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festivalgoers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: stringsummit.com

The 15th Annual Northwest String Summit is hosted by Colorado's Yonder Mountain String Band; YMSB will perform 3 nights of music throughout the four-day festival. Newly confirmed artists include: March Fourth!; Della Mae; World's Finest; Scott Law; The Lil' Smokies; Gipsy Moon; Sideboob (ft. Mimi Naja, Allie Kral, Shook Twins & more); Yak Attack & Friends; Annalisa Tornfelt & The Tornfelt Sisters; Jon Stickley Trio; Arthur Lee Land; Red Yarn; Absynth Quintet; Cascade Crescendo; Robin Jackson Band; Ragged Union; The Whizpops; Brad Parsons; King Cardinal; One Grass, Two Grass; Satsang and Joy Now Arts Project.

Additional standout acts include 2 Nights of Greensky Bluegrass; Railroad Earth; Leftover Salmon (2 Nights); The Infamous Stringdusters (2 Nights); Keller Williams with More Than A Little; Keller Williams' Grateful Gospel; Steep Canyon Rangers; Fruition (2 Nights); Shook Twins (2 Nights); The Brothers Comatose; Polyrhythmics; Danny Barnes (2 Nights); Ben Sollee (2 Sets); John Craigie; Billy Strings (2 Nights); Wood & Wire (2 Nights); Cabinet (2 Nights); Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (2 Sets); Rabbit Wilde; The Lowest Pair; and more acts to be announced soon PLUS workshops and Kid's performances!

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about NWSS 2016, "This year is our 15th Anniversary and we're pulling out all the stops! Northwest String Summit at Horning's Hideout is such a special festival destination that we're inviting all our friends and core bands for the party. Many for multiple days as to properly soak it all up, and in turn, give us more magnificent musical magic morning, noon and night!"

While the Main Stage will be at full tilt, the Kinfolk Revival Tent returns with even more programming from movies and documentaries, to daytime artist workshops and late night sets. The Cascadia Stage will ramp up to provide music all day Friday - Sunday, and late night sets after Main Stage acts from Thursday - Saturday. In such a lovely and cozy nook of the woods, the Cascadia shows have proven to be some of the most memorable of the weekend.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians as a way to support the thriving local communities. Celebrated Eugene, OR favorite Ninkasi Brewing Company will offer exceptional craft beers onsite for the fifth year-in-a-row, including an exclusive small-batch NWSS Specialty Brew called Clusterpluck Session Ale. Made with Northwest Pale Ale and Honey malts, Clusterpluck is a light and refreshing golden ale -- the perfect accompaniment to a summertime jam session. Additional sponsors include Klean Kanteen and Keen.

NWSS exudes fun for the whole family. Evident in the festival's overtly family-friendly environment, NWSS has become the yearly grounds for reunions among close friends and neighbors. Several onsite enhancements are in store to make festivalgoers' experiences that much better – with or without their kiddos. In the coming months, announcements will be made regarding newly added children activities. Additionally, more artistic and interactive installations are in the works for the 15th Anniversary, thanks to the exceptional art teams of Tyler Fuqua Creations, Ghost Stag, Vestiks, among others!

Now in its 13th year, the Band Competition at Northwest String Summit reigns in some of the hottest pickers from all across the country. The competition is in line with other top festival competitions, such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and will occur on Friday, July 15, 2016. Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 - 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at The Cascadia Stage, and an offer for the following year's festival on the Main Stage. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications can be submitted until April 15, 2016; for more information please visit: stringsummit.com/band-competition-2

Leading up to the festival on July 13, 2016, Northwest String Summit proudly hosts a pre-festival "NWSS Kickoff Party" celebrating the premiere of the new film, Return of the Peacock (EPIC Creative), with a special screening at the Aladdin Theater (Portland, OR) and live performance by Fruition. The much-anticipated follow-up to the 2013 award-winning documentary Turn Left at the Peacock, Return of the Peacock showcases the incredible music coming out of NWSS, including live songs by Yonder Mountain String Band, Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Keller Williams, Elephant Revival, Fruition and others. The debut trailer for the film can be viewed at this link. To gain access to the premiere, fans are required to purchase the "Premiere 4-Day Pass Package" now available on stringsummit.com

15th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
Premiere 4-Day Pass Package -- includes admission to the “NWSS Kickoff Party” + Special Gift -- $200 -- On Sale Today
4-Day Passes, 3-Day Passes, RV Passes, Parking Passes (Pricing Varies) - On Sale February 5th at 10:00 AM PST

*Festival pass prices include primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2016: Parking Fee of $20 per car available in advance.
*Thursday add-on passes and 3-Day passes are available, for more info please visit: stringsummit.com/ticketsgraph

Mon, 04/04/2016 - 2:52 pm

On the heels of the sold-out Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour, Arlo Guthrie plunges into another musical trip certain to be a flashback inducing, mind-expanding show. For the Running Down The Road Tour, Arlo will again hit the road with his band to fully embody the best of Guthrie's catalogue from the late sixties and early seventies. Featuring the most outstanding cuts from Arlo (1968), Running Down The Road (1969), Washington County (1970) along with many others, this tour exemplifies the sound that shaped a generation. Guthrie's upcoming tour promises to take the audience back to the most remarkable, far-out era. Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

Confirmed cities for the Running Down The Road Tour include: Great Barrington, MA; Somerville, MA; Northampton, MA; Tom's River, NJ; Monmouth, NJ; Glenside, PA; Geneva, NY; Potsdam, NY; New York, NY; Fort Pierce, FL; Jacksonville, FL; St. Petersburg, FL; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Frederick, MD; Alexandria, VA; Wilmington, NC; Greensboro, NC; Atlanta, GA; Solana Beach, CA; Irvine, CA; Thousand Oaks, CA; Livermore, CA; Rohnert Park, CA; Davis, CA; Arcata, CA; Edmonds, WA; Bellingham, WA; Kirkland, WA; Tacoma, WA; Bremerton, WA; Victoria, BC Canada; Cowichan, BC Canada; and Abbotsford, BC Canada.

Arlo Guthrie's Running Down The Road Tour will begin Fall 2016 and run until Summer 2017. Additional tour details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Fri, 04/15/2016 - 9:47 am

In the day and age of instant discovery of new music on the Internet, it's easy to assume that all emerging artists utilize YouTube, Spotify, and social media as their primary ticket to stardom. It's 2016, throngs of artists have launched their careers online over the past quarter of a century. But what about those incredible gems that lie just beyond the fray, living under the radar lives on America's backroads? Akin to the pre-Internet days, these artists must be found in order to be heard. This is where Jim Pugh, founder of the non-profit record label Little Village Foundation, takes center stage. Pugh and the Little Village Foundation bring otherwise unheard of musicians from their local communities out to the world.

Jim Pugh's career as a keyboardist for the likes of B.B. King, Etta James, John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray and Van Morrison, has garnered him multiple GRAMMY® Awards, and platinum and gold records. No longer a full-time sideman, Pugh has a new dedication satiating his musical muse: tell the untold stories of American roots musicians who've gone undetected and might never be revealed to the masses.

Based out of Santa Barbara County, Pugh scours all corners of the country searching for obscure artists to sign and record. Little Village Foundation's latest round of four full-length studio recordings are set for release on July 15, 2016. Pugh focuses on artists he's discovered throughout his travels to the Central Valley of California and side streets of the San Francisco Bay Area. What Pugh has uncovered is staggering to the mind, and audible gold to the ears.

A Silicon Valley software engineer turned professional blues harmonica phenomenon, Aki Kumar was born and raised in Mumbai, India. Now a resident of San Jose, CA, Kumar introduces an unprecedented mashup of Bollywood classics with deep Chicago style blues on Aki Goes To Bollywood. Aireene Espiritu, a Filipino-American singer-songwriter based out of Oakland, CA, pays tribute to fellow Filipino-American Sugar Pie DeSanto on Back Where I Belong.

A retired roofer and migrant farmworker originally from Greenwood, MS (who now resides in Redwood City, CA), John "Blues" Boyd releases his debut album, The Real Deal, at the prime age of 71. Mariachi Mestizo hails from Delano, CA -- a Central Valley town perhaps best known as a focal point of activism on the part of César Chávez and his United Farm Workers. Comprised of elementary, middle and high school students (ranging in ages 9 - 18), Mariachi Mestizo recorded their debut release, Te Doy La Libertad, for Little Village at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

For more detailed information regarding these artists, please see their bios below.

Little Village Foundation Summer 2016 Artist Roster: Aki Kumar, Aireene Espiritu, John "Blues" Boyd, Mariachi Mestizo

Aki Kumar
Aki Kumar is no stranger to living double lives. The now professional harmonica player grew up in Mumbai, India and studied traditional Hindustani music at the age of 9 years old. When he was 18 (circ. 1998), he moved to California to attend San Jose State University and began hanging out at underground blues clubs. After college, he worked as a software engineer at a major Silicon Valley tech company for 11 years, and by night, he performed Chicago blues in local venues. 2016 marks a milestone for Aki as he's spent half his life in India and half in the United States. His debt album for Little Village, Aki Goes To Bollywood, is a true representation of his musical DNA -- classic 1950s/60s Bollywood and down-home American blues.

Though some instrumental albums and DJs have attempted to rearrange Bollywood music mixed with other genres, never before has an Indian blues musician so triumphantly recorded songs by the film industry's biggest stars such as Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, R.D. Burman, and S.D. Burman. Aki Kumar notes, "I realized that many of the Indian songs I loved had, in fact, been influenced by American blues music and I wanted to bring them together." Aki Goes To Bollywood blends sitars with Delta blues jams, Hindi vocals with ferocious harp playing. Aki has single-handedly created "Mumbai Meets Muddy," his own blues movement. For the album's cover, Aki emulates his childhood hero and mega-star, Amitabh Bachchan.

To stream Aki Goes To Bollywood, Please Visit:
littlevillagefoundation.com/aki-kumar-media

Aireene Espiritu
Jim Pugh first met Aireene Espiritu while she performed solo with just a ukulele at Folk Alliance Region West (Oakland, CA: 2014). Out of 200 acts, Pugh left the conference with a bug in his ear about Aireene. Over the next year he developed an idea way out of left field: Aireene paying tribute to fellow Filipino-American Sugar Pie DeSanto. At 80 and still performing, DeSanto signed to Chess Records in Chicago in their heyday of the '60s and built a reputation as a powerhouse performer touring with The Johnny Otis Revue and The James Brown Revue (DeSanto's biggest hits included "I Want To Know," "Soulful Dress").

Aireene's original music is reminiscent of front porch storytelling, of ghosts and the living, times of laughter and tears. When Pugh approached her about the tribute to DeSanto, Aireene was thrilled as she takes much inspiration from gospel and R&B music. Born in the Philippines, Aireene moved to the United States at the age of 10 (circ. 1980). Now living in California for more than three decades, she calls Oakland, CA home although she's a resolute traveler living out of her Toyota Prius.

Aireene says, "Music can truly translate to what a person is experiencing in life, and the fact that I live out of my car definitely helps me bring together a more complete story of who I am and where my music is. The Bay Area is so expensive, but I'm still out there producing great songs. Music has become a survival thing for me, I keep booking gigs in LA, Vegas, Portland, the Central Coast, Washington, and the Bay Area. It keeps me moving and my music alive!"

Her new album Back Where I Belong features all covers, including seven Sugar Pie DeSanto songs, three Filipino folk songs, two traditional American songs ("Down By The Riverside," "No More"), and one blues standard, "Ask Me About Nothin' But The Blues."

To Stream Back Where I Belong, Please Visit:
littlevillagefoundation.com/media-page

John "Blues" Boyd
John "Blues" Boyd earned his middle name the hard way. John's music and the man himself are throwbacks to a more difficult, but also a more honest and straightforward era. Cousins to bluesman Eddie Boyd and former Boston Red Sox pitcher Dennis Ray "Oil Can" Boyd, John was born in Greenwood, MS, in 1945 and began working the delta cotton fields at seven years of age. While working in the fields, people would hear John sing and tell him he should start a band. While he'd always had a great passion for singing, he hadn't pursued it because, "I was out there working, trying to just afford a pair of shoes. Where am I gonna get a band? I struggled for a while. After I moved to Redwood City, I didn't think anyone around here could play the low down blues until I met Kid Andersen and Jim Pugh."

A hot tar roofer since moving to the Bay Area in the 1980s, Boyd took to caring for his ailing wife Dona Mae Moore from 2004 to 2014. During this time, he met Norwegian blues guitar wizard Kid Andersen who's the owner of Greaseland Studios in San Jose, CA. When John's beloved wife of 49 years Dona Mae, passed in 2014, he naturally turned to the refuge of the blues for solace. Anderson and Pugh recorded John's debut album, The Real Deal, at Greaseland featuring all original songs written by John at the age of 71.

To Stream The Real Deal, Please Visit:
littlevillagefoundation.com/john-blues-boyd-2

Mariachi Mestizo
Mariachi Mestizo is a youth mariachi band led by ex-Mariachi Los Camperos member Juan Morales. Based in the Central Valley town of Delano, California, Mariachi Mestizo consists of 16 boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 18, all of whom sing and play their hearts out on their debut album, Te Doy La Libertad. Recorded at the famed Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, Te Doy La Libertad was recorded live featuring all first or second takes of the songs with no overdubs. The raw energy and organic, vintage sound of the studio is very much alive on the recording.

In 2015, this latest generation of Mariachi Mestizo took first place at the San Juan Capistrano Mission "Battle of the Mariachis." Mariachi Mestizo was selected as the first youth mariachi group to open for the prestigious annual Mariachi USA concert at The Hollywood Bowl last summer, and were featured artists at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

To Stream Te Doy La Libertad, Please Visit:
littlevillagefoundation.com/press/mariachi-mestizo-media

About Little Village Foundation
Little Village Foundation is a non-profit cultural producer and record label that searches out, discovers, records and produces music that otherwise would not be heard beyond the artist's family and community. Little Village supports the dreams of artists from non-traditional backgrounds. Many of these artists make music just as a part of telling their community stories. Through some detective work and the help of an extensive network from his extensive performing career, Executive Director Jim Pugh learns of great music happening in communities throughout the country, music that has deep roots in American popular and roots traditions. He then offers to record their music at no expense to the artist at all. Usually this is the very first time the artist has been recorded. Not only is there no expense to the artist, Little Village Foundation owns zero intellectual property for the music and sets up all retail accounts for the sales of CDs in the artists' names. This happens with generous public donations and grants.

Tue, 05/03/2016 - 4:38 pm

Led by 23-year-old soul sensation Ziek McCarter, San Francisco's Con Brio has mesmerized crowds with performances on some of the world's biggest stages including Austin City Limits 2015 and Byron Bay Bluesfest 2016 (Australia). Con Brio (meaning with spirit) has already graced the cover of Pollstar magazine, and the 7-piece group has premiere festival appearances forthcoming at this year's Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, North Sea Jazz (The Netherlands), Fuji Rock (Japan), Montreal Jazz Fest, Summerfest, and FloydFest; as well as upcoming tour dates with Grace Potter. Con Brio has cultivated a crazed fanbase without having released a full-length studio recording. Come July 2016, that'll change as Con Brio is set to unleash a dozen newly recorded songs into the stratosphere!

In anticipation of the band's featured 2016 festival appearances, Con Brio has teamed up with legendary producer Mario Caldato Jr. (Beastie Boys, Beck, Seu Jorge) for their debut studio album, Paradise (Release Date: July 15, 2016). Paradise is pure and simple a declaration of independence you can dance to; an assertion of what can happen when the human spirit is truly free.

The night before Con Brio headed into the studio to record their first full-length album, Ziek McCarter had a dream. In it, the singer received a visit from his father, an Army veteran who died at the hands of East Texas police in 2011. His father delivered an invitation: Come with me to paradise.

McCarter woke up with a song in his bones. "It was one of the most spiritual moments of my life," he recalls. It was up to him, he knew, to rise above injustice, and to perform in a way that lifted up those around him as well. To make Con Brio's music a place of serenity, compassion -- even euphoria -- right here on earth.

From the first primal wail of Benjamin Andrews' electric guitar on the title track, Paradise tells a story about modern life through its contradictions. "Liftoff" speaks of an urge to fly, to transcend the day-to-day with a starry, bird's-eye view. "Hard Times" brings us crashing back to earth with the struggles of city life, inequality, and a fractured society desperate for healing. "Money" is a revolution, a rejection of societal pressure to equate success with a paycheck and abandon one's dreams in the process.

"Free & Brave," the band's most overtly political anthem, is also arguably its most infectious. Over a driving R&B groove courtesy of veteran rhythm section Jonathan Kirchner and Andrew Laubacher (bass and drums), McCarter name-checks Trayvon Martin and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Clearly inspired by his own personal relationship with police brutality, the song is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful.

"'Free & Brave' is in part a response to the Black Lives Matter movement, but it was also created to serve as a reminder -- to myself and to whoever finds joy in that song -- that there is a light there. We don't have to get bogged down, we don't have to feel helpless," says McCarter. "We might not see it on a daily basis, but we are still 'the land of the free and home of the brave'...I still take pride in that, in what pieces of joy and happiness we can create here with our actions."

Of course, songs about love and passion remain Con Brio's native tongue. (At Byron Bay Bluesfest 2016 in which the band shared a bill with D'Angelo, one journalist told McCarter his sex appeal had eclipsed that of his longtime idol. McCarter continues to have no comment.) So it's a refreshing surprise that the strongest love song on Paradise, in fact, is "Honey," a sweet, spacious and vulnerable tune that allows the band's horn section, Brendan Liu and Marcus Stephens, to shine. Though the group's built a reputation on sonic bravado, it's choices like these -- moments in which the music's power flows from its subtlety -- that truly highlight where Con Brio is going.

After showcasing many of these songs live throughout the past year, Con Brio is running on adrenaline, and they're thrilled to finally put this record in people's hands. To bring old fans along for the journey, to help new fans lose themselves in a beat or a message. To spread music that, hopefully, shakes away the daily grind -- and nurtures listeners' dreams about what their version of paradise on earth might look like, even for the duration of a song.

Ziek McCarter already knows what his looks like, because Con Brio's building it. And from where he's sitting, they're well past ready for liftoff.

"We don't want to walk, we don't want to drive," he says with a laugh. "We want to fly! We want to levitate!"

Wed, 05/25/2016 - 2:42 pm

For nearly 17 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.

With their latest album, Black Sheep (Frog Pad Records: June 16, 2015), Yonder Mountain String Band -- Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), Allie Kral (violin, vocals), and Jacob Jolliff (Mandolin, vocals) -- begins a new era. The first YMSB release produced by the band itself, Black Sheep is, by any measure, a triumph, perhaps the most mesmeric of their career. The result, says Kaufmann, is that, "This record sounds more like Yonder than any record we've ever done. I'm hoping that when people are finished listening to it, they'll just hit play and listen to it again."

In support of Black Sheep, YMSB performs at select summer music festivals including DelFest (May 26 & 27), Summer Camp Music Festival (May 29), the 43rd Telluride Bluegrass Festival (June 16 - 19), Highberry Music Festival (July 2), Northwest String Summit (July 14 - 17), and a special hometown show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (August 20) with Drive-By Truckers and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. YMSB will also appear at venerable venues throughout the summer in the Midwest, East Coast and the South.

Since the release of Black Sheep, Yonder Mountain has garnered a slew of accolades: glowing national press reviews, the album hit #3 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts, #22 on the Americana Airplay Chart (Black Sheep was on the charts for 10 weeks), and its acquired 25 adds at AAA radio.

Black Sheep marks the first time in Yonder's history that they're actually utilizing, throughout an entire record, the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass introduced in the 1940s: guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass. With the exception of the album's sole cover tune, "Ever Fallen In Love," originally by the late '70s British punk-rock band the Buzzcocks, each of the album's new tracks were written by the YMSB members during the past couple of years. Three of the new songs -- "Annalee," "Landfall" and the title track -- have already been road-tested on tour; others will be added to the band's live repertoire following the album's release. The majority of Black Sheep was recorded at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado, with Adam handling much of the engineering at his home studio and while on the road; the first time a band member has taken on that task.

Even on first listen, it becomes instantaneously apparent that Black Sheep is the work of a new Yonder Mountain String Band, one with a strong commitment to re-exhibiting itself, broadening its parameters following the departure of a founding member. While it's immediately recognizable as YMSB music, there's undeniably a raw aesthetic to the studio tracks -- a sense of daring is embedded in both the instrumental interaction between these five singular players and in the lyrical content of each song.

The compositions cover a wide topical swath. "Insult and Elbow," the album's opening track, is on its surface about escapism and substance abuse; "Landfall" addresses the touring life of a modern band; "Around You," explains Kaufmann, is "about the moment when you realize that you are the only common denominator in every problem you've ever had and that there is no one else that can take responsibility for anything that happens to you." The title track, centered on a wannabe renegade, suggests that nothing is really free, that even the fakes and the phonies demand a price.

"New Dusty Miller" reinterprets an old fiddle tune and was inspired by the late folk and bluegrass singer-songwriter John Hartford's efforts at taking old fiddle music and adding a contemporary spin. Other new tunes, among them "Love Before You Can't," "I'm Lost" and "Drawing a Melody," probe the ups and downs of relationships informing various points of view. With these songs, as with so much of YMSB's previous material, layers can be peeled away to reveal multiple realities harbored within. As has always been the case, ardent lead vocals and tight harmonies deliver Yonder's newest set of words.

For many longtime aficionados of this band, of course, it's the instrumental prowess that draws them in and continues to wow fans at live shows and on recordings. With its new five piece line-up, the band is able to go places that were simply inaccessible before. "The traditional bluegrass lineup allows us to rethink things on different levels," says Johnston, "but at the heart of it all is the same energy and drive and a freewheeling spirit. It's an exciting time for us because we have an invigorating sense of the future. At the end of the day, Yonder is a band with almost two decades of music under its belt, but we're always a bit restless. We want to move the music forward to new places, which keeps us on our musical toes."

Yonder has its roots in the year 1998, when the original quartet came together in Colorado. Through steadfast gigging in all manner of venues from small clubs to massive outdoor festivals, Yonder Mountain String Band quickly built a robust fanbase while continually experimenting to define its sound. Some of the most fervent audiences were at jam band shows and festivals, where fans took readily to YMSB's potent mix of the traditional bluegrass of Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers and Doc Watson and the improvisational sensibilities of the Grateful Dead and Phish. Also deeply ingrained in the band, albeit more subtly, was a fierce love for punk, which provided the members with seminal influences while they were growing up. "We didn't even hear bluegrass until our 20s," says Aijala. "Falling in love with the sound of bluegrass instruments, while also having all of these outside influences that had nothing to do with bluegrass -- well, what comes out isn't what we envisioned."

With the band celebrating its 18th anniversary this year, and an extensive tour schedule hitting venerable venues in all corners of the country, 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 newfangled 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."

Says Johnston in conclusion, "Yonder Mountain String Band is as durable as bluegrass itself. It changes and morphs and has an open-endedness that makes anything possible."

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band and their forthcoming tour dates, please visit: yondermountain.com

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND SUMMER 2016 TOUR DATES

5/26 -- DelFest -- Cumberland, MD
5/27 -- DelFest -- Cumberland, MD
5/28 -- Legend Valley -- Thornville, OH
5/29 -- Summer Camp Music Festival -- Chillicothe, IL
6/16 -- Telluride Bluegrass -- Telluride, CO
6/17 -- Tellluride Bluegrass -- Telluride, CO
6/18 -- Telluride Bluegrass -- Telluride, CO
6/19 -- Telluride Bluegrass -- Telluride, CO
6/22 -- Bell's Beer Garden -- Kalamazoo, MI
6/23 -- The Kent Stage -- Kent, OH
6/24 -- The Warehouse -- Fairfield, CT
6/25 -- Prescott Park Arts Festival -- Portsmouth, NH
6/26 -- Penn's Peak -- Jim Thorpe, PA
6/29 -- Redstone Room -- Davenport, IA
6/30 -- 9th Street Summerfest -- Columbia, MO
7/1 -- Crossroads KC -- Kansas City, Mo
7/2 -- Highberry Music Festival -- Ozark, AR
7/3 -- New Daisy Theatre -- Memphis, TN
7/7 -- Greenfield Lake Amphitheater -- Wilmington, NC
7/8 -- Pisgah Brewing Company -- Black Mountain, NC
7/9 -- Merryland Music Festival -- Columbia, MD
7/10 -- nTelos Wireless Pavilion -- Portsmouth, VA
7/14 -- Northwest String Summit -- North Plains, OR
7/15 -- Northwest String Summit -- North Plains, OR
7/16 -- Northwest String Summitt -- North Plains, OR
7/17 -- Northwest String Summit -- North Plains, OR
8/20 -- Red Rocks Amphitheatre -- Morrison, CO
8/31 -- Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua -- Bayfield, WI
9/1 -- Bluestem Center for the Arts -- Moorhead, MN
9/2 -- Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater -- Des Moines, IA
12/9 - 12/13 -- Strings and Sol -- Qroo, Mexico

Tue, 06/07/2016 - 4:21 pm

In a city where heaps of incredible music has been written and produced, Royal Jelly Jive is a testament that San Francisco remains fertile ground where artists take inspiration from the very streets they walk. Fronted by lead singer Lauren Bjelde and keyboardist/accordionist Jesse Lemme Adams, Royal Jelly Jive pen dynamic silhouettes of everyday neighborhood characters, falling in love in nooks of the City, and ultimately standing up for who you are and what you believe in. Appropriately titled Stand Up (Release Date: June 24, 2016), the band's sophomore full-length studio album was produced by GRAMMY® Award-nominated Andre Zweers and Judy Kirschner (Santana, Joe Satriani) and recorded at the fabled Prairie Sun Recording Studios (Sonoma County, CA).

Royal Jelly Jive celebrates the release of Stand Up with a headlining performance at The Independent (San Francisco, CA) on Friday, June 24, 2016. The band will also perform at several music festivals this summer, including BottleRock Napa Valley (Napa, CA), Joshua Tree Music Festival (Joshua Tree, CA), Waterfront Blues Festival (Portland, OR), Whole Earth Festival (Davis, CA), Lost Sierra Hoedown (Graeagle, CA), Do It Ourselves Fest (Boulder Creek, CA), and venerable clubs across the country. Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

Royal Jelly Jive is the ultimate mashup of 1930s/'40s swing horns, deep rhythm and bass driven hip-hop, and powerhouse female vocals ready to knock you off your feet. Stand Up features 11 original compositions along with two covers written by lauded Bay Area artists Tom Waits ("Green Grass") and Primus ("Tommy The Cat").

A master diver and anthropologist by training, singer Lauren Bjelde might only be 5 feet 3 inches tall, but she packs a solid punch with her sultry and spitfire vocals. Lauren moved to San Francisco from a small agricultural town in the California Central Valley where her artistic creativity was rarely understood. That resistance only served to fuel her desire to bust out on her own terms. And "Bad," the album's opening track (and its unmistakable anthem) is a take-no-prisoners salute to the badass defiance sometimes needed to shatter obstacles in your way. A true chanteuse on stage, Lauren came to sing in San Francisco almost on a lark in 2010. Six years later at the age of 26, she now has a stake as one of the City's singular vocalists.

After years living in San Francisco's Lower Haight neighborhood, Lauren and the band's musical director Jesse Lemme Adams recently relocated 40 miles north to nearby Petaluma, CA. A former river town, Royal Jelly Jive's love for San Francisco's cityscape interweaves with storylines of the rustic backroads of Petaluma on Stand Up. The couple's reverence for fellow Sonoma County resident Tom Waits extends beyond the two covers on the album ("Green Grass" and "Tommy The Cat") to the original composition, "Dear Mr. Waits."

"Tom is one of these eccentric people that lives nearby and who has always done things his way," says Lauren. "You never know what musical alley he might wander down, and in the song (and our minds) we have fictionalized his character to be larger than life. Tom recorded for a decade at Prairie Sun. Some of his best albums like Mule Variations were recorded at the studio. So, when we had the chance to record there and use the iconic 'Waits Room,' we jumped at the opportunity and wanted to offer a nod to his legacy."

Stand Up portrays a bounty of narratives, including songs about the fleeting heart ("Elixir"); recovery from near-career ending injuries ("When I'm With You"); partying with friends ("Railroad Tracks"); dispelling everyday anxieties ("Ride The Wave"); how compelling pieces of music can transform oneself ("Story" featuring singer-songwriter Marty O'Reilly); and a dramatic, cinematic lullaby for a sleeping six-month old nephew ("Little One").

The album's most unabashedly delightful tune is the unexpected "Oh, Roger," a bouncy homage to a mysterious gentleman in San Francisco who placed flowers and plants on the street every week for locals to take home. "I went to his corner for years to collect house plants before I actually met Roger outside our stoop in the Lower Haight," says Lauren. "One day, he heard us jamming and walked over for a song. Immediately, Jesse started playing some chords and I chimed in with 'Oh, Roger,' and the lyrics basically wrote themselves."

The album's banger, "Top Hat," was written in a blaze of excitement live on stage on tour. It's all about feeling free, being swept by the music and just dancing. "To be honest, I feel so high during our performances," says Lauren. "Every time we play this particular song it feels so empowering, like nothing can stop us. And our chemistry as a band is crystal clear."

Lauren began writing "Chinatown" for Wild SF Walking Tours as a historical song for their tours. "While I was romanticizing about the neighborhood's rich history and places, I began to notice sparks between Jesse and I. It wasn't until we played an epic party in an underground theatre in Chinatown that I realized I never wanted to leave his side. So 'Chinatown' has dual meanings, the intriguing neighborhood and the love that Jesse and I share."

Barely two years on the road, Royal Jelly Jive has already shared stages with notable acts such as Michael Franti & Spearhead, Rebirth Brass Band, Con Brio, and The California Honeydrops (now opening for Bonnie Raitt). They've sold-out San Francisco venues The Chapel, Great American Music Hall, and Slim's. The sum of six standout musicians truly makes Royal Jelly Jive one of San Francisco's breakout bands of 2016.

One of the most in-demand musicians in the Bay Area, Jesse Lemme Adams recently scored the music for "Hi How Are You Daniel Johnston," which won a "Jury Honorable Mention for Anarchy Short" at Slamdance Film Festival 2016. Clarinetist Robby Elfman, a Los Angeles transplant, has the jazziest of all backgrounds. In addition to Royal Jelly Jive, he's a member of dozens of bands, including Jazz Punks who reached #1 on the CMJ music charts. Drummer Felix Macnee brings some New Orleans funk into the mix, and Luke Zavala studied trombone at San Francisco State University. Acoustic bassist Tyden Binsted has played with various jazz and rock legends, and spent a summer studying with Medeski Martin & Wood.

An inspired confluence of pleasing contradictions, Stand Up is both visceral and intelligent, fresh yet nostalgic. One thing is certainly clear...the latest album from Royal Jelly Jive is sure to evoke many a standing ovation!

Fri, 07/22/2016 - 11:56 am

For 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.

With their latest album, Black Sheep (Frog Pad Records: June 16, 2015), Yonder Mountain String Band -- Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), Allie Kral (violin, vocals), and Jacob Jolliff (Mandolin, vocals) -- begins a new era. The first YMSB release produced by the band itself, Black Sheep is, by any measure, a triumph, perhaps the most mesmeric of their career. The result, says Kaufmann, is that, "This record sounds more like Yonder than any record we've ever done. I'm hoping that when people are finished listening to it, they'll just hit play and listen to it again."

In support of Black Sheep, YMSB begins their Fall Tour 2016 with two shows in Birmingham, AL (Oct. 5) and Augusta, GA (Oct. 6) with good friends Fruition. Billy Strings joins the band in Charlotte, NC on Oct. 8 as YMSB makes their way through the Southeast and East Coast. Pert Near Sandstone hops aboard the train, kicking things off with a double header at the Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn, NY) on Oct. 19 & 20. Yonder then makes their way through the Midwest, with tour closing shows at the House of Blues (Chicago, IL) on Oct. 29, and The Waiting Room (Omaha, NE) on Oct. 30.

Since the release of Black Sheep, Yonder Mountain has garnered a slew of accolades: glowing national press reviews, the album hit #3 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts, #22 on the Americana Airplay Chart (Black Sheep was on the charts for 10 weeks), and its acquired 25 adds at AAA radio.

Black Sheep marks the first time in Yonder's history that they're actually utilizing, throughout an entire record, the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass introduced in the 1940s: guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass. With the exception of the album's sole cover tune, "Ever Fallen In Love," originally by the late '70s British punk-rock band the Buzzcocks, each of the album's new tracks were written by the YMSB members during the past couple of years. Three of the new songs -- "Annalee," "Landfall" and the title track -- have already been road-tested on tour; others will be added to the band's live repertoire following the album's release. The majority of Black Sheep was recorded at Coupe Studios in Boulder, Colorado, with Adam handling much of the engineering at his home studio and while on the road; the first time a band member has taken on that task.

Even on first listen, it becomes instantaneously apparent that Black Sheep is the work of a new Yonder Mountain String Band, one with a strong commitment to re-exhibiting itself, broadening its parameters following the departure of a founding member. While it's immediately recognizable as YMSB music, there's undeniably a raw aesthetic to the studio tracks -- a sense of daring is embedded in both the instrumental interaction between these five singular players and in the lyrical content of each song.

The compositions cover a wide topical swath. "Insult and Elbow," the album's opening track, is on its surface about escapism and substance abuse; "Landfall" addresses the touring life of a modern band; "Around You," explains Kaufmann, is "about the moment when you realize that you are the only common denominator in every problem you've ever had and that there is no one else that can take responsibility for anything that happens to you." The title track, centered on a wannabe renegade, suggests that nothing is really free, that even the fakes and the phonies demand a price.

"New Dusty Miller" reinterprets an old fiddle tune and was inspired by the late folk and bluegrass singer-songwriter John Hartford's efforts at taking old fiddle music and adding a contemporary spin. Other new tunes, among them "Love Before You Can't," "I'm Lost" and "Drawing a Melody," probe the ups and downs of relationships informing various points of view. With these songs, as with so much of YMSB's previous material, layers can be peeled away to reveal multiple realities harbored within. As has always been the case, ardent lead vocals and tight harmonies deliver Yonder's newest set of words.

For many longtime aficionados of this band, of course, it's the instrumental prowess that draws them in and continues to wow fans at live shows and on recordings. With its new five piece line-up, the band is able to go places that were simply inaccessible before. "The traditional bluegrass lineup allows us to rethink things on different levels," says Johnston, "but at the heart of it all is the same energy and drive and a freewheeling spirit. It's an exciting time for us because we have an invigorating sense of the future. At the end of the day, Yonder is a band with almost two decades of music under its belt, but we're always a bit restless. We want to move the music forward to new places, which keeps us on our musical toes."

Yonder has its roots in the year 1998, when the original quartet came together in Colorado. Through steadfast gigging in all manner of venues from small clubs to massive outdoor festivals, Yonder Mountain String Band quickly built a robust fanbase while continually experimenting to define its sound. Some of the most fervent audiences were at jam band shows and festivals, where fans took readily to YMSB's potent mix of the traditional bluegrass of Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers and Doc Watson and the improvisational sensibilities of the Grateful Dead and Phish. Also deeply ingrained in the band, albeit more subtly, was a fierce love for punk, which provided the members with seminal influences while they were growing up. "We didn't even hear bluegrass until our 20s," says Aijala. "Falling in love with the sound of bluegrass instruments, while also having all of these outside influences that had nothing to do with bluegrass -- well, what comes out isn't what we envisioned."

With the band celebrating its 18th anniversary this year, and an extensive tour schedule hitting venerable venues in all corners of the country, 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 newfangled 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."

Says Johnston in conclusion, "Yonder Mountain String Band is as durable as bluegrass itself. It changes and morphs and has an open-endedness that makes anything possible."

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band and their forthcoming tour dates, please visit: yondermountain.com

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND SUMMER & FALL 2016 TOUR DATES

7/29 - 7/31 -- Matrix Music Festival -- Lee, ME
7/31 -- RockyGrass Festival -- Lyons, CO
8/6 -- Beartrap Summer Festival -- Casper, WY
8/20 -- Red Rocks Amphitheatre -- Morrison, CO
8/31 -- Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua -- Bayfield, WI
9/1 -- Bluestem Center for the Arts -- Moorhead, MN
9/2 -- Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater -- Des Moines, IA
9/3 -- Party In The Holler -- New River Gorge, WV
9/4 - 9/5 -- Canton Labor Day Fest -- Canton, NC
10/5 -- Wordplay Theatre -- Birmingham, AL*
10/6 -- Jessye Norman Amphitheater -- Augusta, GA*
10/7 -- Mustang Music Festival -- Corolla, NC
10/8 -- U.S. National Whitewater Center -- Charlotte, NC^
10/9 -- Legends at Appalachian University -- Boone, NC^
10/12 -- Jefferson Center -- Roanoke, VA^
10/13 -- MainStage Morgantown -- Morgantown, WV^
10/14 -- The Jefferson Theater -- Charlottesville, VA^
10/15 -- 9:30 Club -- Washington, DC^
10/16 -- The Ardmore Music Hall -- Ardmore, PA^
10/19 - 10/20 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Brooklyn, NY+
10/21 -- Paradise Rock Club -- Boston, MA+
10/22 -- Higher Ground Ballroom -- South Burlington, VT+
10/23 -- Port City Music Hall -- Portland, ME+
10/26 -- The Ark -- Ann Arbor, MI+
10/27 -- Turner Hall Ballroom -- Milwaukee, WI+
10/28 -- First Avenue -- Minneapolis, MN+
10/29 -- House of Blues -- Chicago, IL+
10/30 -- The Waiting Room -- Omaha, NE+
12/9 - 12/13 -- Strings and Sol -- Qroo, Mexico

* with Fruition
^ with Billy Strings
+ with Pert Near Sandstone

Thu, 08/18/2016 - 12:30 pm

Yonder Mountain String Band (YMSB) and Drive-By Truckers bring the best of bluegrass and southern rock to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 20, 2016 for a blowout summer celebration with the rich jazz tradition of New Orleans with special guest Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Pre-sale tickets via YMSB's Applauze are available at this link. For additional detailed information, please visit yondermountain.com.

"It's hard to beat the feeling you get when you walk across the stage at Red Rocks -- the otherworldliness of the landscape, the rush from the hometown crowd, and the sense of participating in something both unlikely and unusual, makes for a highlight without comparison," says Dave Johnston, banjoist/vocalist of YMSB. "Come celebrate with us and the Drive-By Truckers and Preservation Hall Jazz Band as we explore the many musical styles that essentially make up the fabric of American music: bluegrass, Americana, and age-old New Orleans jazz."

Yonder Mountain String Band -- Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), Allie Kral (violin, vocals), and Jacob Jolliff (mandolin, vocals) -- begins a new era with the release of Black Sheep. The first YMSB album produced by the band itself, Black Sheep is, by any measure, a triumph, perhaps the most mesmeric of their career. Black Sheep marks the first time in Yonder's history that they're actually utilizing, throughout an entire record, the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass music (guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass).

Co-founded by Patterson Hood (guitar, vocals, bass, banjo, mandolin) and Mike Cooley (guitar, vocals, bass, banjo, harmonica), the rock five-piece Drive-By Truckers also includes Brad Morgan (drums), Jay Gonzalez (keyboards, guitar, vocals, accordion, saw), and Matt Patton (bass, vocals). Their 12th studio album, English Oceans (March 2014; ATO Records), is an elegantly balanced and deeply engaged effort that finds the group refreshed and firing on all cylinders. Drive-By Truckers recently released their long awaited live album, It's Great To Be Alive: Recorded Live at The Fillmore (October 2015), which was recorded over a three-night run at the historic Fillmore in San Francisco, CA. The band's forthcoming new album, American Band (Release Date: September 30, 2016), is now available for pre-order on drivebytruckers.com.

The New Orleans jazz band Preservation Hall Jazz Band got their name directly from the Preservation Hall venue located in the French Quarter. Preservation Hall was among the few NOLA venues that welcomed both Caucasian and African-American musicians during the early 1960s when the Jazz Band first got its start. The current line-up includes Joe Lastie Jr. (drums, backing vocals), Clint Maedgen (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, vocals), Rickie Monie (piano), Mark Braud (trumpet, backing vocals), Ronell Johnson (tuba, piano, vocals), Charlie Gabriel (clarinet, tenor saxophone, vocals) and Ben Jaffe (tuba, string bass, banjo, percussion, backing vocals). In 2013, Preservation Hall Jazz Band released their first album, That's It!, consisting of all original material written over the course of their more than 50-year career.

For more information on Yonder Mountain String Band and their forthcoming tour dates, please visit: yondermountain.com

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND SUMMER & FALL 2016 TOUR DATES

8/20 -- Red Rocks Amphitheatre -- Morrison, CO
8/31 -- Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua -- Bayfield, WI
9/1 -- Bluestem Center for the Arts -- Moorhead, MN
9/2 -- Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater -- Des Moines, IA
9/3 -- Party In The Holler -- New River Gorge, WV
9/4 - 9/5 -- Canton Labor Day Fest -- Canton, NC
10/5 -- Wordplay Theatre -- Birmingham, AL*
10/6 -- Jessye Norman Amphitheater -- Augusta, GA*
10/7 -- Mustang Music Festival -- Corolla, NC
10/8 -- U.S. National Whitewater Center -- Charlotte, NC^
10/9 -- Legends at Appalachian University -- Boone, NC^
10/12 -- Jefferson Center -- Roanoke, VA^
10/13 -- MainStage Morgantown -- Morgantown, WV^
10/14 -- The Jefferson Theater -- Charlottesville, VA^
10/15 -- 9:30 Club -- Washington, DC^
10/16 -- The Ardmore Music Hall -- Ardmore, PA^
10/19 - 10/20 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Brooklyn, NY+
10/21 -- Paradise Rock Club -- Boston, MA+
10/22 -- Higher Ground Ballroom -- South Burlington, VT+
10/23 -- Port City Music Hall -- Portland, ME+
10/26 -- The Ark -- Ann Arbor, MI+
10/27 -- Turner Hall Ballroom -- Milwaukee, WI+
10/28 -- First Avenue -- Minneapolis, MN+
10/29 -- House of Blues -- Chicago, IL+
10/30 -- The Waiting Room -- Omaha, NE+
12/9 - 12/13 -- Strings and Sol -- Qroo, Mexico

* with Fruition
^ with Billy Strings
+ with Pert Near Sandstone

Tue, 08/30/2016 - 7:59 am

Not a day sooner could Piers Faccini have penned the 10 songs featured on his latest full-length studio recording, I Dreamed An Island (Six Degrees Records; October 21, 2016). Writing in real time as history unfolds and observing the troubled world in which we live, the British songwriter living in southern France responds with a heartfelt conviction. With songs such as "Oiseau" written the day after the 2015 Paris attacks as a plea to the world to wake from its terrorist nightmare; "Drone" describing the aftermath of a Syrian drone strike on a devastated town; and "Bring Down The Wall" as a response to a U.S. presidential candidate's idea of building a wall along the US-Mexico border, Faccini sets poetry in motion with reflections on today's perplexing times.

I Dreamed An Island is a personal quest for Piers Faccini and the album describes his voyage towards an imagined haven through the storms of fear and intolerance currently brewing around the world. Sung mostly in English but in French, Italian dialects and Arabic, too, the album is an impassioned celebration of cultural diversity and pluralism. Searching for a bygone golden era when coexistence and religious tolerance once prevailed, Faccini found a model for his utopian haven in 12th Century Sicily. At the crossroads of Western, Arabic and Byzantine influence, the island briefly flourished as the most enlightened and advanced society in medieval Europe.

Faccini's latest compositions depict the unique moment of creative cohabitation between peoples and faiths. Inspired by traditions centuries old -- but firmly 21st century in its blending of languages, narratives and instrumental arrangements -- electric guitars converse across time with a Baroque viola d'amore, while an oud answers a medieval psaltery and a Moroccan guembri pulses trance-like to the drums.

Growing up in a trilingual family (English, Italian, French), I Dreamed An Island mirrors Faccini's own background. The songs resonate with the voices of his migrant ancestors -- and his island is a Mediterranean multilingual refuge, where orange groves, horseshoe arches, gold leaf, lapis lazuli and stories abound. Upon listening to the 10 original pieces on I Dreamed An Island, a sense of nostalgia lingers for Faccini's dreamed up utopia; an island that today seems more remote and more necessary than ever before.

Alongside Faccini, who plays a number of string instruments including a customized guitar with additional mini-frets to play quarter tones, I Dreamed An Island features a cast of multinational musicians including: Italian drummer/percussionist Simone Prattico; Tunisian violinist Jasser Haj Youssef; American double bassist Chris Wood (Medeski Martin & Wood); Franco-Iranian percussionist and saz player Bijan Chemirani; Cameroonian bassist Hilaire Penda; Italian Baroque guitarist Luca Tarantino; American psaltery player Bill Cooley; French world music pioneer and guembri player Loy Ehrlich (Toure Kunda, Alain Peters); and the English bassist Pat Donaldson (Fotheringay, Sandy Denny).

The stateside release of I Dreamed An Island follows Faccini's 2016 recording collaboration with Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Dawn Landes on the EP, Desert Songs (January 2016). An intimate suite of five compositions, Desert Songs is a meditative gem worthy of being at the top of indie-folk fans' playlists. In 2014, Faccini's collaborative album, Songs of Time Lost, with cellist Vincent Ségal ranked among NPR's "Top 10 World Music Albums of 2014" and Songlines' "Top 10 Albums of 2014." Faccini has toured with artists such as Ben Harper, Amadou & Mariam, Ballake Sissoko, and his recording catalogue includes several solo albums -- Leave No Trace (2004) Tearing Sky (2006), Two Grains of Sand (2009, voted "Album of the Year" by French radio France Inter), My Wilderness (2011), Between Dogs and Wolves (2013), the DVD A New Morning (2013), and the poetry book/CD, No One's Here (2016).

A poet, painter, and musician, Faccini has beautifully documented the making of I Dreamed An Island with notebooks and sketches filled with insights on the inspiration for the songs as well as artwork, stories and recording sessions all collected on his blog: idreamedanisland.com

Wed, 09/21/2016 - 10:14 am

Led by 23-year-old soul sensation Ziek McCarter, San Francisco's Con Brio has mesmerized crowds with performances on some of the world's biggest stages including Austin City Limits 2015 and Byron Bay Bluesfest 2016 (Australia). Con Brio (meaning with spirit) has already graced the cover of Pollstar magazine, and the 7-piece group recently performed at some of the world's premier festivals including this year's Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, North Sea Jazz (The Netherlands), Fuji Rock (Japan), Montreal Jazz Fest, Summerfest, and FloydFest; as well as tour dates with Grace Potter. Now with the release of their debut album, Paradise, Con Brio unleashes a dozen newly recorded songs into the stratosphere!

Con Brio has teamed up with legendary producer Mario Caldato Jr. (Beastie Boys, Beck, Seu Jorge) for their debut studio album, Paradise (Release Date: July 15, 2016). Paradise is pure and simple a declaration of independence you can dance to; an assertion of what can happen when the human spirit is truly free.

The night before Con Brio headed into the studio to record their first full-length album, Ziek McCarter had a dream. In it, the singer received a visit from his father, an Army veteran who died at the hands of East Texas police in 2011. His father delivered an invitation: Come with me to paradise.

McCarter woke up with a song in his bones. "It was one of the most spiritual moments of my life," he recalls. It was up to him, he knew, to rise above injustice, and to perform in a way that lifted up those around him as well. To make Con Brio's music a place of serenity, compassion -- even euphoria -- right here on earth.

From the first primal wail of Benjamin Andrews' electric guitar on the title track, Paradise tells a story about modern life through its contradictions. "Liftoff" speaks of an urge to fly, to transcend the day-to-day with a starry, bird's-eye view. "Hard Times" brings us crashing back to earth with the struggles of city life, inequality, and a fractured society desperate for healing. "Money" is a revolution, a rejection of societal pressure to equate success with a paycheck and abandon one's dreams in the process.

"Free & Brave," the band's most overtly political anthem, is also arguably its most infectious. Over a driving R&B groove courtesy of veteran rhythm section Jonathan Kirchner and Andrew Laubacher (bass and drums), McCarter name-checks Trayvon Martin and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Clearly inspired by his own personal relationship with police brutality, the song is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful.

"'Free & Brave' is in part a response to the Black Lives Matter movement, but it was also created to serve as a reminder -- to myself and to whoever finds joy in that song -- that there is a light there. We don't have to get bogged down, we don't have to feel helpless," says McCarter. "We might not see it on a daily basis, but we are still 'the land of the free and home of the brave'...I still take pride in that, in what pieces of joy and happiness we can create here with our actions."

Of course, songs about love and passion remain Con Brio's native tongue. (At Byron Bay Bluesfest 2016 in which the band shared a bill with D'Angelo, one journalist told McCarter his sex appeal had eclipsed that of his longtime idol. McCarter continues to have no comment.) So it's a refreshing surprise that the strongest love song on Paradise, in fact, is "Honey," a sweet, spacious and vulnerable tune that allows the band's horn section, Brendan Liu and Marcus Stephens, to shine. Though the group's built a reputation on sonic bravado, it's choices like these -- moments in which the music's power flows from its subtlety -- that truly highlight where Con Brio is going.

After showcasing many of these songs live throughout the past year, Con Brio is running on adrenaline, and they're thrilled to finally put this record in people's hands. To bring old fans along for the journey, to help new fans lose themselves in a beat or a message. To spread music that, hopefully, shakes away the daily grind -- and nurtures listeners' dreams about what their version of paradise on earth might look like, even for the duration of a song.

Ziek McCarter already knows what his looks like, because Con Brio's building it. And from where he's sitting, they're well past ready for liftoff.

"We don't want to walk, we don't want to drive," he says with a laugh. "We want to fly! We want to levitate!"

CON BRIO FALL 2016 TOUR DATES

9/22 -- The State Room -- Salt Lake City, UT
9/23 -- Left Hand Brewing Longmont Oktoberfest -- Longmont, CO
9/26 -- Lagunitas Amphitheater -- Petaluma, CA
9/30 -- Maritime Magic -- Baltimore, MD
10/14 -- UC Theatre -- Berkeley, CA
10/27 -- Suwannee Hulaween Official Pre Party -- Live Oak, FL
10/28 -- Lead With Love Retreat -- Aspen, CO
10/29 -- Harlow's Night Club -- Sacramento, CA
11/23 -- Shangri-La -- Osaka, Japan
11/24 -- Duo Music Exchange -- Tokyo, Japan
11/27 -- Doornroosje -- Nijmegen, Netherlands
11/28 -- Jazzcafe De Spieghel -- Groningen, Netherlands
11/29 -- Paradsio Upstairs -- Amsterdam, Netherlands
11/30 -- Nochtspeicher -- Hamburg, Germany
12/1 -- Muziekgieterij -- Maastricht, Netherlands
12/4 -- Yuca -- Koln, Germany
12/5 -- Maschinenhaus -- Berlin, Germany
12/6 -- Bird -- Rotterdam, Netherlands
12/7 -- Tivolivredenburg -- Utrecht, Netherlands

Fri, 09/30/2016 - 9:26 am

Even though there's more than 500 miles between Columbus, OH and New York City, the roots of Huntertones and the rapid pace its band members have skyrocketed into the national spotlight, there's a seamless musical bond between the two cities for the emerging ensemble. With pianist Theron Brown -- who depicted a young Herbie Hancock in the 2015 film, Miles Ahead (Directed By & Starring Don Cheadle) -- residing in Akron, OH, and Brooklyn-based trumpeter Jon Lampley appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as a member of Jon Batiste and Stay Human, Huntertones put it all on the table with their sophomore recording, Live (Release Date: September 30, 2016). Interviews and hi-res JPGs are available upon request.

Some of the best jazz recordings of all time were recorded live. Whether it's John Coltrane's Impressions (Village Vanguard; 1961), Miles Davis' Four & More (Philharmonic Hall of Lincoln Center; 1964) or countless others; the energy between the live musicians and the crowd is undeniable. Huntertones take to the stage for the band's first full-length recording following the Fall 2015 release of their self-titled debut EP.

Recorded at two venues crucial to Huntertones' bustling career, Natalie's (Columbus, OH) and Blu Jazz (Akron, OH), Lampley and Brown are joined by a stellar band lineup on Live, including Dan White (saxophone), Chris Ott (trombone, beatbox), Joshua Hill (guitar), Jeff Bass (bass), Adam DeAscentis (bass), and John Hubbell (drums). Live features six original compositions, and three genre-bending arrangements of Stephen Foster's "Camptown Races," a medley of Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" and Dave Matthews' "Two Step," and "Kill The Beast" from the Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast.

While feeding off of the hometown crowds at two notable Ohio venues, Ott deconstructs a riff of "Camptown Races" to create an entirely new work that combines classical elements with hip hop, and closes with a beautifully evolving solo by Brown. "Sweatin'" is a party that starts on the stage and spills into the audience lead by Lampley on the sousaphone. White's beautiful arrangement of Young's "Heart of Gold" and Matthews' "Two Step" builds to a soaring finish by guitarist Hill. During "Hip Mr. Hampton," the band breaks down into their signature, unconventional trio of sousaphone, saxophone, and beatboxing. From beginning to end, Huntertones deliver brilliant performances on Live culled from inspired improvisation and adventurous compositions melding jazz, funk, soul, hip hop, R&B, and rock.

From the band's early days performing ruckus house parties at their Hunter Avenue apartment at The Ohio State University (hence the name, Huntertones) to collaborating with acts such as Snarky Puppy, O.A.R., Red Baraat, Allen Stone, and Gary Clark Jr., Huntertones are making waves on the New York City music scene. Live wholeheartedly captures the band in its element giving fans a front row seat to what this explosive horn-led ensemble does best: perform live!

Huntertones started 2016 with a month-long tour of North America, South America, and Africa through the American Music Abroad program. The band was selected by the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs to engage international audiences, students, and artists from around the globe. Out of 240 applicants, only 10 ensembles participated in American Music Abroad. From August 18 - 29, 2016, Huntertones head to Tbilisi, Georgia for additional clinics, and to perform at One Caucasus Festival.

In support of the national release of Live, Huntertones tour in select markets this summer and fall. Please see all of Huntertones forthcoming concerts listed below:

Huntertones Fall 2016 Tour Dates:
September 30, 2016 -- Rockwood Music Hall -- New York, NY -- Official CD Release Show
October 7, 2016 -- Blu Jazz -- Akron, OH
October 9, 2016 -- Dorian Books -- Youngstown, OH
October 10, 2016 -- The Refectory -- Columbus, OH
October 11 & 12, 2016 -- Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza & Live Music -- Columbus, OH
October 14 & 15, 2016 -- Andy's Jazz Club -- Chicago, IL
October 16, 2016 -- Dakota Jazz Club -- Minneapolis, MN
October 19, 2016 -- We Always Swing Jazz Series -- Columbia, MO
October 20, 2016 -- The Washington -- Burlington, IA
October 21, 2016 --The Jazz Kitchen -- Indianapolis, IN
October 22, 2016 -- Motr Pub -- Cincinnati, OH
December 16 & 17, 2016 -- The Rex -- Toronto, ON

Wed, 11/09/2016 - 6:08 am

In the heart of the creative renaissance taking shape in Oakland, California, the T Sisters are making a name for themselves as one of the West Coast's foremost indie-Americana acts poised to break out in 2016. A follow-up to their 2014 debut release, Kindred Lines (produced by celebrated bluegrass artist Laurie Lewis), the T Sisters' new self-titled sophomore studio album was just released on Friday, October 14, 2016. T Sisters features 10 songs that, while inspired by the American folk tradition, also embody a fresh and contemporary sound with inflections of pop, R&B/soul and country. The T Sisters are available for interviews upon request.

Led by sisters Erika, Rachel and Chloe Tietjen, the T Sisters first came to national recognition with a performance on A Prairie Home Companion and a nationally broadcasted rendition of the national anthem at a San Francisco Giants game. The T Sisters' awe-inspiring harmonies have impressed many prominent artists, leading to onstage collaborations with the likes of Amos Lee, Jim Lauderdale, and The Wood Brothers, as well as supporting vocal performances for three years in a row at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival (San Francisco, CA). Quickly garnering the attention of top tastemakers, the debut single "The Road" from T Sisters is already receiving early airplay on Sirius/XM, and the second album single "Come Back Down" has aired on the venerable San Francisco radio station KFOG.

Working in tandem with lauded engineer Cian Riordan (Nickel Creek, Grace Potter), the T Sisters have taken the reigns as executive producers for the first time, shining a light on not only the sisters' compelling songwriting but also their production savviness. Backed by their touring band of Steve Height (acoustic bass), Andrew Allen Fahlander (mandolin, guitar) and Marlon Aldana (drums), the T Sisters live-tracked all of the instrumentation at John Vanderslice's Tiny Telephone Studios (San Francisco, CA) and recorded the vocals at Barefoot Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA). Special guests on T Sisters include Jan Purat (violin), Taylor Brown (lap steel), Gianni Staiano (wurlitzer, organ, grand piano), Anton Patzner (string arrangement, conduction) and Lewis Patzer (cello).

The 9 original compositions and one cover song comprising T Sisters cast a portrait of life experiences replete with love, struggle, and self-discovery. The album's opener, "Come Back Down," is inspired by "a great love, the kind that buoys you up and leaves you feeling as though you can never return to the way you lived before that love came along," says Erika. Drawing from the doo-wop influences of the late '50s, "Shadoop," in sultry vocal tones, chronicles a romance arising from an unexpected encounter. Ramping up with an energetic bluegrass feel, "Fight Song" acknowledges the importance of the struggle for change even in the face of adversity, and was scribed following Al Gore's keynote speech at the Folk Alliance International Conference where the T Sisters performed in 2014.

With intermittent theatrical piano stylings and tight 3-part chorus harmonies, "Sticks and Stones" oscillates between a vindictive love story and an earnest plea for reconciliation; the musical tone mimics these extreme shifts and achieves a dynamic as volatile as the narrator herself. "So It Goes," one of two a cappella songs on T Sisters, is inspired by Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five, and is a mystical contemplation of the non-linear facets of time and the nature of creation and destruction.

"The Road," the first single from T Sisters, is an anthem to the musical vagabond lifestyle the T Sisters live and love. "Since we quit our day jobs in 2013, we've spent a lot of time on the road. Living a nomadic life is both thrilling and challenging. We miss our families and loved ones, our pets, our homes and friends, and yet we continue on in our itinerant fashion, spreading music across the country, meeting wonderful folks and experiencing a host of bizarre and fulfilling moments."

The only non-original song on the album, "Make It Rain," is a haunting, soulful ballad written by contemporary Northern Irish songwriter Foy Vance. Though Vance's composition refers to rain in a metaphorical sense, the T Sisters were drawn to the intense cry for rain due to the longstanding California drought. T Sisters describe how "we've been calling to the rains on behalf of our dry state all along our travels." On a sassier note, "Thief" is an exploration of the illicit sides of love, the tension between giving into and holding off desire, and the pleasure of acquiescing to an inevitable force. "Sonnet #4" was inspired by the eponymous poem from Rainer Maria Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus, and expresses "the relief of unburdening ourselves of the preoccupations, whether romantic or metaphysical, that prevent us from experiencing our lives more fully," says Chloe. The album closes with a second a capella number, "I Have A Hammer." While the song references Pete Seeger's progressive anthem, "If I Had A Hammer," it focuses on ambivalence rather than protest, and how, ironically, having a hammer in the context of complex modern life often leads to inaction instead of action.

T Sisters embark on a headlining tour throughout the Western states in October and November 2016 in support of T Sisters, and are set to perform in East Coast markets during the first quarter of 2017. On October 14, T Sisters celebrate the national release of their latest recording at The Chapel in San Francisco, CA. For more information regarding T Sisters, please visit: tsisters.com

T Sisters
T Sisters

Three-headed Sounds
Release Date: October 14, 2016

Track Listing:

1. Come Back Down
2. Shadoop
3. Fight Song
4. Sticks And Stones
5. So It Goes
6. The Road
7. Make It Rain
8. Thief
9. Sonnet #4
10. I Have A Hammer

T SISTERS FALL 2016 UPCOMING TOUR DATES
November 10, 2016 --Avogadro's Number -- Fort Collins, CO
November 11, 2016 -- Gold Hill Inn -- Boulder, CO
November 12, 2016 -- The Walnut Room -- Denver, CO
November 13, 2016 -- Steve's Guitars -- Carbondale, CO
November 26, 2016 -- The Mystic Theatre -- Petaluma, CA

Mon, 11/28/2016 - 12:59 pm

Not a day sooner could Piers Faccini have penned the 10 songs featured on his latest full-length studio recording, I Dreamed An Island (Six Degrees Records; October 21, 2016). Writing in real time as history unfolds and observing the troubled world in which we live, the British songwriter living in southern France responds with a heartfelt conviction. With songs such as "Oiseau" written the day after the 2015 Paris attacks as a plea to the world to wake from its terrorist nightmare; "Drone" describing the aftermath of a Syrian drone strike on a devastated town; and "Bring Down The Wall" as a response to Donald Trump's idea of building a wall along the US-Mexico border, Faccini sets poetry in motion with reflections on today's perplexing times.

I Dreamed An Island is a personal quest for Piers Faccini and the album describes his voyage towards an imagined haven through the storms of fear and intolerance currently brewing around the world. Sung mostly in English but in French, Italian dialects and Arabic, too, the album is an impassioned celebration of cultural diversity and pluralism. Searching for a bygone golden era when coexistence and religious tolerance once prevailed, Faccini found a model for his utopian haven in 12th Century Sicily. At the crossroads of Western, Arabic and Byzantine influence, the island briefly flourished as the most enlightened and advanced society in medieval Europe.

Faccini's latest compositions depict the unique moment of creative cohabitation between peoples and faiths. Inspired by traditions centuries old -- but firmly 21st century in its blending of languages, narratives and instrumental arrangements -- electric guitars converse across time with a Baroque viola d'amore, while an oud answers a medieval psaltery and a Moroccan guembri pulses trance-like to the drums.

Growing up in a trilingual family (English, Italian, French), I Dreamed An Island mirrors Faccini's own background. The songs resonate with the voices of his migrant ancestors -- and his island is a Mediterranean multilingual refuge, where orange groves, horseshoe arches, gold leaf, lapis lazuli and stories abound. Upon listening to the 10 original pieces on I Dreamed An Island, a sense of nostalgia lingers for Faccini's dreamed up utopia; an island that today seems more remote and more necessary than ever before.

Alongside Faccini, who plays a number of string instruments including a customized guitar with additional mini-frets to play quarter tones, I Dreamed An Island features a cast of multinational musicians including: Italian drummer/percussionist Simone Prattico; Tunisian violinist Jasser Haj Youssef; American double bassist Chris Wood (Medeski Martin & Wood); Franco-Iranian percussionist and saz player Bijan Chemirani; Cameroonian bassist Hilaire Penda; Italian Baroque guitarist Luca Tarantino; American psaltery player Bill Cooley; French world music pioneer and guembri player Loy Ehrlich (Toure Kunda, Alain Peters); and the English bassist Pat Donaldson (Fotheringay, Sandy Denny).

The stateside release of I Dreamed An Island follows Faccini's 2016 recording collaboration with Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Dawn Landes on the EP, Desert Songs (January 2016). An intimate suite of five compositions, Desert Songs is a meditative gem worthy of being at the top of indie-folk fans' playlists. In 2014, Faccini's collaborative album, Songs of Time Lost, with cellist Vincent Ségal ranked among NPR's "Top 10 World Music Albums of 2014" and Songlines' "Top 10 Albums of 2014." Faccini has toured with artists such as Ben Harper, Amadou & Mariam, Ballake Sissoko, and his recording catalogue includes several solo albums -- Leave No Trace (2004) Tearing Sky (2006), Two Grains of Sand (2009, voted "Album of the Year" by French radio France Inter), My Wilderness (2011), Between Dogs and Wolves (2013), the DVD A New Morning (2013), and the poetry book/CD, No One's Here (2016).

A poet, painter, and musician, Faccini has beautifully documented the making of I Dreamed An Island with notebooks and sketches filled with insights on the inspiration for the songs as well as artwork, stories and recording sessions all collected on his blog: idreamedanisland.com 

Tue, 12/20/2016 - 6:43 pm

Celebrated American pianist George Winston will release a cancer research benefit album, Spring Carousel, on RCA Records on March 31, 2017. Spring Carousel features a collection of 15 solo piano compositions written by Winston while in recovery from a bone marrow transplant for Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) at City of Hope, in Duarte, California, near Los Angeles. Proceeds from sales of Spring Carousel will directly benefit City of Hope. George Winston is available for interviews upon request.

George Winston reminds music fans on his 14th solo piano album, Spring Carousel, that only one voice is required to be wholeheartedly inspiring. For Winston, that voice has always been solo acoustic piano. Upon hearing Winston's singular work on Spring Carousel, a depth of piano brilliance effortlessly sinks into one's soul, never leaving the listener eager for anything other than the next swirling song on the recording.

In the fall of 2012, Winston's acclaimed career spanning more than 40 years and selling 15 million albums, came to a crossroads. Following his performance on September 13, 2012, in Sand Point, Idaho, the pianist barely made it through the second half of his show, before laying down on the dressing room floor needing to go to the emergency room, and then transferring to City of Hope where he had his bone marrow transplant on November 22. As he gained strength, Winston spent his time at the piano in the hospital auditorium every night.

Spring Carousel is the culmination of works composed at City of Hope during early 2013. From 59 recorded songs, 15 select works are now showcased on Winston's latest solo piano album. As with his previous recordings, including seven Platinum selling albums (Autumn, December, Forest, Summer, Winter Into Spring, Linus & Lucy - The Music of Vince Guaraldi, and Plains), Winston's studio recordings are all experienced-based. His season-themed albums come mainly from his childhood experience in Montana of the drastic difference in the seasons. And his releases Montana - A Love Story, as well as Forest and Plains, come primarily from his sense of the different topographies in Montana. Spring Carousel’s setting is City of Hope, where Winston was given a second chance at life.

During his late-night piano sessions at City of Hope, themes turned into compositions that he labeled carousels. These were pieces influenced by the spiraling motions of the planets, stars and galaxies in the universe, composer Howard Blake's piece "The Snowman's Music Box Dance" from the children's video "The Snowman," composer Steve Reich's work, and the circular motion of music boxes and carnival carousels. Spring Carousel is comprised of three types of pieces: carousels, uptempo songs called Ms Mysteries, and slower ballad-esque bouquets.

Of the many distinct tracks on Spring Carousel, "Dream 1" is the only song Winston ever actually wrote while dreaming. Upon waking and going to the piano, the exact notes worked well, with his left hand muting the strings inside the piano, and the right hand playing similar to the finger-style technique on the guitar, and inspired by the players of the Zimbabwean mbira tradition (aka thumb piano). The first of the ballads on Spring Carousel, "More Than You Know" is a tribute to all those who have inspired Winston. Sparse piano sways are connected with a sense of purpose and meaning, supported with loving reassurance. "Many Clocks (Carousel 4)" concurrently contrasts different time signatures in both the left and right hands with an aesthetic reminiscent of music boxes playing, clocks ticking and chiming.

Winston summons cupid in the song "Unrequited Love (Carousel 9)," a short but potent carousel. The piece is filled with all the potentials of love, but in the end, forgoes the experience with all of its inherent emotional risks. "Night Blooming" is a direct reflection of his time in the hospital, and how the body heals while sleeping at night. Winston says, "It was as if I composed this in the hospital room itself. My doctor, Stephen J. Forman, Chairman of the Hematology Department at City of Hope, is one of the world's four foremost authorities on hematology and bone marrow transplants, and in a lot of ways, the way we work are similar. We both often stay up all night, and we try to make sure there's food and water near us while we're working so that we remember to eat and drink. He actually had attended some of my shows some years back; he was a friend I didn't know I had."

"Fess' Carousels (Carousels 12 & 14)" is subtly based on the influence of Professor Longhair's playing on Winston's music; "Fess" was a nickname of the great New Orleans Professor Longhair (1918-1980). Another New Orleans piano legend James Booker (1939-1983) serves as the muse along with the cat Gobajie for "Pixie #13 in C (Gobajie - A Foggy Day)" -- Winston is a self-professed extreme cat lover, with over 400 cat friends across the country. Booker also lends his genius to Winston's performance on "Ms Mystery 3," a mid-tempo R&B piece.

"Rekindling Love (Carousel 21)" is all about just letting things happen, and not forcing them to take place. Winston notes, "It's a feeling of gratitude of love returning without even trying." The closing track "Requited Love (Carousel 15)" is anything but an ending. "When love fades and comes back, it reminds me of a spring day and realizing the affection for another."

Over the past couple of years, Winston has made a full recovery and has lived life primarily on the road performing in many of America's renowned concert halls and venues. Without the incredible help of City of Hope, Spring Carousel would simply not have been possible. Spring Carousel marks Winston's fourth benefit album. He's previously released Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions - A Hurricane Relief Benefit, Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions Vol. 2 - A Louisiana Wetlands Benefit, and the EP Remembrance - A Memorial Benefit for those affected by 9/11. Other critically acclaimed releases have included: Linus & Lucy - The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Love Will Come - The Music of Vince Guaraldi Vol. 2, and Night Divides The Day - The Music of the Doors. He has also recorded the solo piano soundtrack for the children's story The Velveteen Rabbit, narrated by Meryl Streep, and the solo guitar soundtrack for the story Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes, narrated by Liv Ullman.

For a comprehensive list of George Winston's forthcoming tour dates, please visit: georgewinston.com

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 1:10 pm

The 16th Annual Northwest String Summit (NWSS) presents an array of today's top live music acts for a blow-out return to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) from July 13 - 16, 2017. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country; NWSS is the only music offering this year taking place at Horning's Hideout. A family-friendly and locally sourced festival, NWSS caps its capacity at 5,000 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festivalgoers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: www.stringsummit.com

The 16th Annual Northwest String Summit is hosted by Colorado's Yonder Mountain String Band; YMSB will perform 3 nights of music throughout the four-day festival. Additional standout acts include 2 Nights of Greensky Bluegrass; Del McCoury Band; JJ Grey & Mofro; Elephant Revival (2 Nights); Fruition (2 Nights); Turkuaz (2 Nights); The Travelin' McCourys; Blitzen Trapper; Shook Twins (2 Nights); The California Honeydrops (2 Nights); Dead Man Winter featuring members of Trampled By Turtles; Chatham County Line; Danny Barnes; The Lil' Smokies; Scott Law & Ross James' Cosmic Twang; Charlie Parr; Banana Slug String Band; Slocan Ramblers; DeadPhish Orchestra; Ducky Pig; Crow & The Canyon; Cascade Crescendo; The Good Time Travelers; Pete Kartsounes; Arthur Lee Land; Brad Parsons; Kitchen Dwellers; Old Salt Union; The Last Revel; Ginstrings (2016 Band Competition Winners); and more acts to be announced soon!

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about NWSS 2017, "This is our 16th year producing String Summit and we're pulling out all the stops! Horning's Hideout is such a special festival destination, we're thrilled to invite all our friends and many core bands for the party. Several will perform on multiple days as to properly soak it all up, and in turn, give us more magnificent musical magic morning, noon and night!"

While the Main Stage will be at full tilt, the Kinfolk Revival Tent returns with daytime artist workshops and late night sets. The Cascadia Stage will ramp up to provide music all day Friday - Sunday, and late night sets after Main Stage acts from Thursday - Saturday. In such a lovely and cozy nook of the woods, the Cascadia shows have proven to be some of the most memorable of the weekend.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians as a way to support the thriving local communities. Celebrated Eugene, OR favorite Ninkasi Brewing Company will offer exceptional craft beers onsite for the sixth year-in-a-row, including an exclusive small-batch NWSS Specialty Brew called Clusterpluck Session Ale. Made with Northwest Pale Ale and Honey malts, Clusterpluck is a light and refreshing golden ale - the perfect accompaniment to a summertime jam session. Additional sponsors include Klean Kanteen and Keen.

NWSS exudes fun for the whole family. Evident in the festival's overtly family-friendly environment, NWSS has become the yearly grounds for reunions among close friends and neighbors. Several onsite enhancements are in store to make festivalgoers' experiences that much better -- with or without their kiddos. Additionally, more artistic and interactive installations are in the works for the 16th Anniversary, thanks to the exceptional art teams of Tyler Fuqua Creations, Ghost Stag, Vestiks, among others!

Now in its 14th year, the Band Competition at Northwest String Summit reigns in some of the hottest pickers from all across the country. The competition is in line with other top festival competitions, such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and will occur on Friday, July 14, 2017. Four bands/musicians will be chosen by a panel of judges including members of Yonder Mountain String Band and festival staffers to compete for the winning crown (each band will perform for 10 - 15 minutes). The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at The Cascadia Stage, and an offer for the following year's festival on the Main Stage. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications can be submitted until April 14, 2017; for more information please visit: stringsummit.com/band-competition

16th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
Early Bird Passes & RV PASSES -- SOLD OUT

Tier 2 4-Day Passes, 3-Day Passes, Parking Passes (Pricing Varies) -- On Sale NOW

*Festival pass prices include primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2017: Parking Fee of $20 per car available in advance.
*Thursday add-on passes and 3-Day passes are available, for more info please visit: stringsummit.com/2017-tickets

Thu, 02/02/2017 - 11:16 am

A week before dawning her Pink Pussy Hat and marching with millions of women from all around the world, Monica Pasqual wrote and recorded a rousing protest song "You Can't Kill Light," created a video and released it on Facebook the day of the inauguration. By the time she arrived at the Oakland Women's March on Saturday (January 22, 2017) morning, thousands of people had already watched the video and local Bay Area radio shows picked it up and played it later that day. "You Can't Kill Light" has quickly garnered over 70,000 views and 1,300 shares on Facebook in less than two weeks.

When asked about the timing, Pasqual says, "Art is inconvenient. I wish I'd written this song a couple of months ago and had the time to get it to some of the organizers of the women's march, but it didn't happen that way. On the Friday before the inauguration, I was sitting around, still feeling hurt about the way the election had gone, and suddenly the words and music started to come to me. I was tired of feeling down, and tired of feeling powerless. I wrote it fast and the next day was in the studio recording it. As soon as I played it for a few people, it was obvious that the song was resonating with them more than anything I've ever done."

Pasqual quickly produced a video to be released by the inauguration. The "You Can't Kill Light" video features archival photographs from a diverse series of protest movements across our country's history. Each verse focuses on a different group that has had to fight for equality and defend against injustice. All who are facing backlashes again: Feminists, African Americans, Immigrants, Native Americans, and LGBTQ.

Listen To The Song "You Can't Kill Light"

Please see the lyrics for "You Can't Kill Light" below:

We built a fire
The fire burns bright
You can blow hard
But you can't kill light

We come together
Sometimes we fight
You can knock us down
But you can't kill light

You Can't Kill Light
No you can't kill light

We built a railroad
Out of the past
We nailed down every tie
And we won’t go back

High in your tower
Of steel & glass
You can sign the order
But we won't go back

No we won't go back,
we won't go back

We built this house
That we could share
Now you want it for yourself
But we're still here

You think we're different
It makes you scared
So you raise a wall around you
But we're still here

We're still here,
we're still here

We lay the table
We shared our cup
Now you tell us we're not welcome
But we don't give up

We outlast hate
We rise above
You can knock us down
But you can't kill love

You can't kill love,
no you can't kill love

We built a fire
The fire burns bright
You can blow hard
But you can't kill light

We come together
We come to fight
You can knock us down
But you can't kill light

You can't kill light
No, you can't kill light

Thu, 02/02/2017 - 3:23 pm

Pimps of Joytime puts the needle in the groove with its fresh collection of 10 funk anthems ready to put a smile on faces across the globe. An intersection of Brooklyn's indie music scene, New Orleans funk and San Francisco soul, the Pimps' new studio release Third Wall Chronicles (Sugar Road Records: March 24, 2017) unites us around a common bond of Peace, Love and Music. The apex of positivity and a solace from the daily grind shines bright as the Pimps of Joytime throw the dance party of the year on Third Wall Chronicles and everyone is invited!

Akin to icons such as Prince and Stevie Wonder -- who were at the helm of studio production while laying down instrument and vocal tracks for their lauded recordings -- Pimps' lead man Brian Jay is the mastermind behind the sonic veil on Third Wall Chronicles. A Williamsburg, Brooklyn resident since debuting Pimps at Nickodemus' infamous "Turntables on the Hudson" party (The Frying Pan, NYC) in the mid-2000's, he pulls equal inspiration from simply one man singing with an acoustic guitar to infusing a Brooklyn DJ attitude with NOLA funk and the vocal stylings of the great soul singers of the '50s and '60s.

Brian Jay is no stranger to working with A-List talent in the studio as he's produced albums for a "who's who" of New Orleans heavyweights, including such stars as Cyril Neville (The Neville Brothers), James Andrews, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (The World's Most Recorded Drummer), and Corey Henry (Galactic). He's shared the stage with Art Neville, George Porter and Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters), Eddie Bo, and he's currently working on an album with GRAMMY Award-nominated blues artist Cedric Burnside (grandson of legendary blues musician R.L. Burnside). Brian Jay co-produces Third Wall Chronicles with Los Lobos' Steve Berlin. Co-writers on the album also include Anthony Cole (JJ Grey & Mofro), Nappy G (Turntables on the Hudson), DJ Black Pearl, and Chancey Yearwood.

"Brian Jay is a bit of a genius," say Steve Berlin. "It was a blast just coming in and making a few things larger and more colorful. He has the remarkable ability to get an idea, get a sound and make it real at a speed that I've never seen before."

Third Wall Chronicles is as much a personal quest as a statement about breaking down walls to unleash love, creativity, and bringing people together. The album opens up with Anthony Cole's penned "This Funk," which Brian Jay unleashed from the mound of Cole's '90s demos. Related to Nat King Cole, Anthony is a Detroit-raised "dark lord of the funk" (as Brian Jay would refer to him). Cole lends harmony vocals to half the songs featured on Third Wall Chronicles. "Play" appeared in a dream; upon awakening, Brian Jay had the pre-chorus and medley already in his head. He credits having seen UK-based band Jungle at NYC's SummerStage as the spark for the layered unison falsetto vocals on the track.

"On Tap" and "Little Bit Of Something" puts the spotlight on Brian Jay's untethered vocals. Two songs emulating the intoxication of love and the desires of holding onto a lover even when it might be time to let go. "She knows how to set me off, fire like a molotov, it's alchemy, better than cocaine, whisky, weed," sings Brian Jay on "On Tap."

"Jack Stackin" showcases Brian Jay's production style of pulling samples from his vast catalogue of recordings for base elements while layering atop, in this case, vocals through a super lo-fi mic purchased for $40 at a thrift shop. The song's groove was conceived while flying 30,000 miles high, and once back in the studio, samples of horns and the second line beat with its heavy emphasis on the 4, shape the track. The song was co-written with longtime collaborator and former Pimps band member Chancey Yearwood.

"There's a soulful G spot that I am forever trying to please with vintage tones or even a single note on the guitar," says Brian Jay. "I'm always trying to get off in a musical sense. I love a fat groove that has some stank on it, but centered around the best song I can possibly compose."

Co-written with Nappy G, "Reverend Soul" celebrates the life of a dear friend Solange a.k.a. Reverend Soul who was tragically killed in a bicycling accident in 2009. With enough time passing, Brian Jay produces this tribute track centered around a chant of her name that initiated from jam sessions following her passing.

"Mud" features a standout collaboration with keyboardist/vocalist Ivan Neville that delivers a reactive narrative to the shocking results of the recent Presidential election. Brian Jay sings, "I'm doing alright despite the dark energies that I see and feel. Don't need a doctor, maybe a shaman to see beyond the veil. Doing alright despite the static and degradation. The mind trip, amnesia, sometime before the dawn and I’m traveling through the Muddy Water."

Afrobeat and a heavy dose of Tame Impala in rotation on his latest playlists influence "Everywhere I Go," which brings forth the EDM side of the Pimps of Joytime. "Neara To Your Fire" is a pop-inflected song with all the right elements to be the feel-good jam of the spring. The finale is a collaboration with NOLA's DJ Black Pearl, "Joytime Radio," a track that summons the influence of Shuggie Otis on Brian Jay's vocal and electric guitar work.

Third Wall Chronicles is the Pimps Of Joytime's fourth full-length studio album and features standout performances by fellow Pimps band members Mayteana Morales (vocals), Kimberly Dawson (vocals), David Bailis (drums) and John Staten (guitar). Pimps of Joytime will headline venerable West Coast venues in February and March 2017 with MarchFourth before heading to the East Coast for their national album release event at The Bowery Ballroom on March 25, 2017. For a comprehensive list of all forthcoming Pimps of Joytime shows, please see below and visit pimpsofjoytime.com.

PIMPS OF JOYTIME -- SPRING 2017 TOUR DATES

2/23 -- Aggie Theatre -- Fort Collins, CO*
2/24 -- Fox Theatre -- Boulder, CO*
2/25 -- Ogden Theatre -- Denver, CO
2/28 -- Pink Garter Theatre -- Jackson Hole, WY*
3/1 -- The Top Hat -- Missoula, MT*
3/2 -- The Showbox -- Seattle, WA*
3/3 -- Crystal Ballroom -- Portland, OR*
3/4 - Volcanic Theatre Pub -- Bend, OR
3/7 -- HiFi Music Hall -- Eugene, OR*
3/8 -- Arcata Theatre -- Arcata, CA*
3/9 -- The Miners Foundry -- Nevada City, CA*
3/10 -- Crystal Bay Club Casino -- Crystal Bay, NV*
3/11 -- The Fillmore -- San Francisco, CA*
3/22 -- Gypsy Sally's -- Washington, DC
3/23 -- Ardmore Music Hall -- Ardmore, PA
3/24 -- The Wonder Bar -- Asbury Park, NJ
3/25 -- The Bowery Ballroom -- New York, NY
4/1 -- The Sinclair -- Cambridge, MA
5/20 -- VA Beach Funk Out -- Virginia Beach, VA
5/26 -- Rooster Walk -- Martinsville, VA
8/4 -- Salmonfest Music Festival -- Ninilchik, AK

* w/ MarchFourth

Fri, 02/03/2017 - 4:51 pm

Americana mavens The Brothers Comatose bring their raucous, foot-stompin' live show on the road to premier venues across the West Coast and The Rockies with their Frostbite Tour throughout February and March 2017. The Brothers Comatose tour in support of a new The Covers EP: Volume 2 featuring a genre-hopping mix of rock, pop and country classics. The San Francisco-based string band also introduces their whimsical three-part Elevator Sessions video series that rolls out over the course of the Frostbite Tour. The Brothers Comatose are available for interviews upon request.

This weekend, The Brothers Comatose kick things into high gear with two shows in support of ALO, including at The Troubadour (Los Angeles, CA: Feb. 3) and The Belly Up Tavern (San Diego, CA: Feb. 4). The band then heads to El Rey (Chico, CA: Feb. 10), Harlow's (Sacramento, CA: Feb. 11), and The Catalyst (Santa Cruz, CA: Feb. 18).

The Frostbite Tour officially begins at the State Room (Salt Lake City, UT: Feb. 23) and continues to Winter Wondergrass Festival (Steamboat Springs, CO: Feb. 24-26), Center for the Arts (Crested Butte, CO: Feb. 27), The Olympic Venue (Boise, ID: March 1), Knotty Pine (Victor, ID: March 2), Filling Station (Bozeman, MT: March 3), Top Hat (Missoula, MT: March 4), The Bartlett (Spokane, WA: March 5), Brewminatti (Prosser, WA: March 7), Green Frog (Bellingham, WA: March 8), The Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA: March 9 & 10), Revolution Hall (Portland, OR: March 11), and The UC Theatre (Berkeley, CA: March 31; Fieldwork Brewing's 2nd Anniversary Party).

Covering obscure songs is nothing new for The Brothers Comatose. In fact, that's how brothers Ben and Alex Morrison got their start after learning a mess of classic rock songs for some early garage recordings. The latest round of songs piquing the brothers' muse are as broad in range as the colors in a California coastal sunset. The Covers EP: Volume 2 opens with Alex taking the lead vocals on "To Be Young, Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High" by Ryan Adams. Ben sings lead on the remaining three barnburners, "I Want A New Drug" (Huey Lewis and The News), "Stickshifts And Safetybelts" (CAKE), and "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It" (Hank Williams). The Covers EP: Volume 2 can be purchased on stores.portmerch.com/thebrotherscomatose.

"Huey Lewis' album Sports was the first tape I owned, and I absolutely idolized him," says Ben Morrison. "I actually still have a band photo of theirs that a family friend got autographed for me - it's hung up in my room right now. I always wanted to cover 'I Want A New Drug' and our fiddle player Phil Brezina became friends with Huey's daughter. We figured we'd cut a video of the cover and send it off to him. To our surprise, Huey wrote back immediately and said the whole band loved it. I was shocked!"

The Brothers Comatose always keep their fans on the edge of their seat by sprinkling in left-field covers to their live repertoire. Sets have included bluegrass-inflected renditions of songs by The Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse, Violent Femmes, and Credence Clearwater Revival. On their headlining tours throughout the country, the string band showcases many of their latest originals from the critically-acclaimed 2016 release, City Painted Gold. The album captures the ever-evolving city of San Francisco, where the band has been based for 14 years in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.

"We wrote this album while living in SF as it was changing from a weird, art friendly mecca to a place that only super rich tech workers could afford," tells Ben. "Venues were closing down, and artist and musician friends moved away. What is San Francisco without its weirdos? That's what the song 'City Painted Gold' is about and that's why it's the name of this record."

Always a boisterous group of musicians, The Brothers Comatose produced three Elevator Sessions where the band spontaneously performs in random elevators. The first set of videos captures the band pickin' away at Westfield Mall in downtown San Francisco to unexpected crowds joining them for the elevator ride and impromptu jam sessions.

"It's been super fun seeing people's reactions to the moment the elevator doors open and there's a full band playing inside. It brings lots of smiles and laughter, which is really what we're all about."

For a comprehensive list of all forthcoming The Brothers Comatose tour dates, please see below and visit: thebrotherscomatose.com/tour

2/3 -- Troubador -- Los Angeles, CA*
2/4 -- Belly Up -- San Diego, CA*
2/10 -- El Rey Theater -- Chico, CA
2/11 -- Harlow's -- Sacrametno, CA
2/19 -- Santa Cruz Music Festival -- Santa Cruz, CA
2/23 -- State Room -- Salt Lake City, UT
2/24 -- Winter Wondergrass Festival -- Steamboat, CO
2/25 -- Winter Wondergrass Festival -- Steamboat, CO
2/26 -- Winter Wondergrass Festival -- Steamboat, CO
2/27 -- Center For The Arts -- Crested Butte, CO^
3/1 -- Olympic -- Boise, ID^
3/2 -- Knotty Pine -- Victor, ID^
3/3 -- Filling Station -- Bozeman, MT^
3/4 -- Top Hat -- Missoula, MT^
3/5 -- The Bartlett -- Spokane, WA^
3/7 -- Brewminatti -- Prosser, WA^
3/8 -- Green Frog -- Bellingham, WA^
3/9 -- Tractor Tavern -- Seattle, WA**
3/10 -- Tractor Tavern -- Seattle, WA**
3/11 -- Revolution Hall -- Portland, OR**

* w/ ALO
^ w/ Rainbow Girls
** w/ Hillstomp and Rainbow Girls

Thu, 06/22/2017 - 6:17 am

A tried and true Michigan musician, Joshua Davis is set to release a new album, The Way Back Home, on September 8, 2017. Produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, The Way Back Home is Davis' latest full-length studio album and first since his 2015 appearances as a Top 3 finalist on NBC's "The Voice" (season 8). The 11 original Americana songs featured on The Way Back Home reflect an honest, hardworking family man scribing scenes of the cycle of life through dark, broken, hopeful, and triumphant times. Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

An upbringing that occupied the urban landscapes of Detroit while spending summers in the wilderness on the southern tip of Lake Superior in Marquette, MI brings into view the backdrop of Davis' latest works. The Way Back Home follows a series of singular recordings (Fool Rooster, Magnolia Belles, A Miracle of Birds) by the prolific songwriter who has shared the stage with a "Who's Who" of American folk music icons such as Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Greg Brown, and Abigail Washburn. Recorded in East Lansing, MI by legendary engineer Glenn Brown, The Way Back Home highlights Davis' longtime collaboration with Jack White's bassist Dominic John Davis, pianist Mike Lynch (Willie Nelson, Leon Russell), and drummer Mike Shimmin (The Olllam).

Already a heavily touring/recording artist with his previous band Steppin' In It (who have released five albums) and as a solo act with five albums under his name, getting a call from "The Voice" was completely out of the blue for Davis. Unfamiliar with the show, he initially rejected the inquiry but the producers were persistent. After being convinced by his wife and allowed to skip the auditions, Davis signed up for an incredible six months in the national TV spotlight. He went on to sing high profile duets with Sheryl Crow (Live Finale: "Give It To Me") and Adam Levine (Live Finale: "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shows"), and he helped break the mold of original material being showcased on "The Voice." Davis was the first artist to sing an original on the show, which spawned the later segment, "This Week of Original Songs."

During Davis' tenure on "The Voice," the production team produced a new version of his single, "The Workingman's Hymn" (Magnolia Belles) and a companion music video. The newly recorded single landed in a Nissan car commercial, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush co-opted the song without permission during his bid for the U.S. presidency. Davis' team quickly terminated the use of the song that's well known for its hooky chorus, "I know that we can turn it around." His work with renowned vocal coach Trelawny Rose also proved to be a remarkable opportunity while on "The Voice."

Davis entered the recording sessions for The Way Back Home with a well-oiled machine of a voice primed for the collaboration with Steve Berlin. His rough-n-tumble grit mixes with an undeniable Midwesterner's charm for a soaring vocal performance on The Way Back Home. With his voice taking center stage, Davis' signature lyricism and deft acoustic guitar work is backed by a trio of Michigan's finest musicians.

"The Way Back Home is a very personal look at where I've been and who I've become," says Davis. "In my 20's, I felt like a disconnected ghost going town to town performing every night, and it just wasn't a healthy life. I've learned many valuable lessons in how to be a better person, husband and father. Home grows and changes with or without you. If you don't pull it together, it'll leave you behind. I feel very reassured to have found stable ground in life and in a career that isn't necessarily filled with security. The album takes listeners through my own trials and tribulations."

Original Compositions Featured on The Way Back Home
Destined for topping the AAA radio charts, "Just Getting By" opens up The Way Back Home with a contextual table of contents for the entire album. Davis reminisces about the nostalgia of summertime fun as a kid and the early honeymoon period of a romantic relationship with its extreme highs and lows. The piece evolves into cherishing stability in love and life; that even though you can't return to your past, you can create amazing new memories.

The standout single "Let Me In" traces broken promises, missed chances and longing for the one you love; themes that are all too common in life on the road as a touring musician. Davis belts "honey won't you let me in, I swear that I've been true. Maybe I've seen it all, but there's nothing at all like you."

Set in his 20's, "Nowhere Without You" mulls over the moments being without the one you love most and needing them close now more than ever. Alone and looking back, Davis walks in circles remembering all the things he misses about his companion. "Good Love Last" turns the page in seeking the advice of your elders; specifically family members who've had hard times, but endure and keep love alive in their marriage. The song serves as an homage to those who stick it out and stand side-by-side with the one they love.

While on a writing retreat on Mackinac Island (Michigan), Davis found himself in his hotel room when the movie Titanic came on TV. While not his favorite movie, it served as a reminder that films can spark the writing muse and he went on to pen "Change The Game." Based off of three movies Casablanca, Harold & Maude, and The Princess Bride, Davis sings of lovers stuck in the past who must keep it fresh and change it up. Each verse is a subtle reference to these films he loves.

"Shine A Light" and "Always Gonna Be Here" carries the album's narrative to his two kids with the sentiment of no matter what happens, they can always depend on him. As kids take chances and risks, knowing they have a lighthouse keeper at all times allows for them to grow and be unconditionally loved and supported by Davis and his wife. And for his wife, he wrote "The Little Things," a song about truly appreciating the nuances of marriage. Savoring the sweetness of time spent together as it's referenced in the final lyric of the song, "It's in that easy silence when there's nothing (that's all) we need to say, just a beautiful transcendental ending to a perfectly ordinary day."

The final three compositions on The Way Back Home complete the life cycle through hard times, dealings with death, and seeing people for who they really are. "Trouble" finds its way with those who seem to only walk on air; behind the veil of superiority lays difficulties that everyone faces. If challenges are not confronted, "Trouble" asserts it can ruin the soul. Penned by childhood friend Aaron Allen, the lyrics of "Rosarita" show the paradox between faith and death as the narrator struggles with the loss of his son. "The Ballad Of Lawrence Wotkyns King" is a classic folk ballad co-written by Tom Bourguignon about a couple in love, and upon the death of the woman, the man takes his own life. The heartbreaking tale exhibits the openness of joy and the inherent pain in the loss of a partner.

Joshua Davis' Non-Profit Work
While not of the road, Joshua Davis continues his work bringing Michigan musicians to Michigan students (K-12) with his non-profit On Stage 4 Kids. He appears with Earthwork Music showcases, a collective promoting original music in the state of Michigan and beyond. Davis also gave a TEDx talk following the release of A Miracle Of Birds, focusing on his experience as a Jewish-American in the Palestinian West Bank. His singular work resulting in the recording of A Miracle Of Birds was with the non-profit On the Ground for the Run Across Palestine (5-day, 129 ultra marathon) helping to raise funds in support of fair-trade olive farming communities in the West Bank.

Fri, 06/30/2017 - 6:25 am

Imagine a world where every person is temporarily transported to outer space for the sole purpose of looking back on earth to experience its sheer beauty. For a brief moment, we could all escape the greatest atrocities of our time and take in an outer-world perspective to see all of humanity living in harmonious coexistence. Brooklyn's own Afrobeat stalwarts Antibalas welcomes you aboard an enlightening cosmic voyage to witness the world in a new collective realm, and to journey off to a majestic multi-dimensional island, Where The Gods Are In Peace (Daptone Records: September 15, 2017). As depicted on Antibalas' latest album cover, the intergalactic golden island is a most desirable place waiting for your arrival!

Antibalas' new studio album, Where The Gods Are In Peace, is an epic Afro-Western Trilogy searching for solace from American political opportunism, greed and vengeance. Through its battle cry of resistance against exploitation and displacement, Antibalas' long-form compositions investigate oppression in 1800s America that eerily mirror the current state of the country. Three explosive original arrangements cultivate an urgent call to heal a broken system. Ultimately, the sonic excursion lands on an island where love is our first instinct. A new ideology is born opening our hearts to the possibilities of living as one unified people, where all gods are equal and together we prevail.

True to traditional form, Where The Gods Are In Peace pays respect to the forefathers of Afrobeat with compositions spanning nine to 15 minutes in length. With a blessing from the Fela Kuti legacy early in the band's career, Antibalas has long been revered for re-popularizing the classic Afrobeat sound while adding their distinct New York City grit to the mix. Influences of punk rock, free jazz, and hip-hop seep into their expansive works to define a truly 21st century translation of the Afrobeat genre and beyond.

Where The Gods Are In Peace unfolds with "Gold Rush," a tribute to our forgotten indigenous people. A kung-fu master by day and Afrobeat superstar by night, lead singer Duke Amayo initiates a striking narrative from the devastation of the Gold Rush era. Indigenous communities being depleted of land and resources for the profit supporting a greedy system, Amayo sings of the bloodshed and sacrifice endured by legends Black Hawk, Sun Dancer and Sitting Bull. Reparations are in order for fallen indigenous heroes and slaves who tirelessly fought for freedom.

In the historical lesson presented with "Gold Rush," Antibalas sets forth a thick interlocking groove with a backdrop of hard truths. Dancing with a higher purpose in feeling the pain of the past while ecstatic rhythms move the soul is a form of creative resistance. To engage in full body movement intersected with poignant lyrical expression bonds communities in service of helping rehabilitate the world.

"I don't see what's happening in our country and around the globe as a problem, it's an opportunity," says Amayo. "We fight the hardest when things are about to change. Our generation has the incredible ability to make things better for generations to come. We're at a critical tipping point, it's time for change."

The second composition, "Hook & Crook," is a fearless portrayal of the inherent thievery embedded in our colonial past. Amayo sings of "soaring up Kilimanjaro" to gain a broader perspective to realize he must detach from "crooked hooks." People have the power to wake up, march and dance with defiance. It's time to act now, shake up the system, and end the crooked cycle.

Comprised of three movements, "Tombstown" enters a new beginning, an island rich with gold and lush with resources where balance is restored. The opening movement sets course on being good-doers. Amayo sings, "One whose turn is up, make the world good." When it comes your turn, leaders do good, be just, and act wise.

For the second movement, Antibalas invites Zap Mama to invoke the powers of a goddess to help reshape and rebuild, to carry water to the people. Obstacles arise with an outlaw sheriff galloping to loot hearts and return people to a broken system. In the face of victory, there's always those who try to slow you down. In the final movement, people must elevate to higher ground with spiritual guidance leading them to the gates of Zion. Beyond the gates the outlaw cannot go; we move into the future with open hearts with infinite possibilities.

"There's something unique about making music during these dark times, you're really able to make a difference," says Martín Perna, baritone saxophonist and founder of Antibalas. "It's essential to respond to what's happening politically around the world, and the album title suggests that if the gods are not getting along, then how could people get along. It takes humans out of being at the center of life. Our role as musicians is to present the best art possible, which should ask more questions than it answers."

Antibalas is a force of nature celebrated by both music connoisseurs and a wide array of renowned artists alike. Since the release of the band's last full-length album, Antibalas (Daptone Records, 2012), Antibalas has served as the backing band for high profile tribute shows at Carnegie Hall, including Music of Paul Simon (2014), Music of David Byrne & Talk Heads (2015), and Music of Aretha Franklin (2017). Antibalas members have also appeared alongside some of today's biggest stars, such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Arcade Fire, Lady Antebellum, and many others. In 2012, Antibalas made their late night television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and have appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

For more information regarding Antibalas and Where The Gods Are In Peace, please visit antibalas.com, daptonerecords.com, facebook.com/antibalas, and twitter.com/Antibalas. To pre-order Where The Gods Are In Peace, please visit: http://radi.al/Antibalas

ANTIBALAS -- SUMMER & FALL 2017 TOUR DATES
Saturday, July 1, 2017 -- Festival for the Eno River -- Durham, NC
Thursday, August 3, 2017 -- Twilight Concert Series -- Salt Lake City, UT
Saturday, August 19, 2017 -- Oregon Eclipse -- Crook County, OR
Saturday, August 25, 2017 -- Lockn' Festival -- Arrington, VA
Friday, September 8, 2017 -- Mod Club -- Toronto, ON
Saturday, September 9, 2017 -- Black Swamp Arts Festival -- Bowling Green, OH
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 -- Paradise Rock Club -- Boston, MA
Saturday, September 16, 2017 -- The Meadows Music & Arts Festival -- Flushing Meadows Corona Park, NY
Friday, September 22, 2017 -- UTOPIAfest -- Utopia, TX
Saturday, September 23, 2017 -- Trees -- Dallas, TX
Wednesday, September 27, 2017 -- High Noon Saloon -- Madison, WI
Thursday, September 28, 2017 -- Fine Line -- Minneapolis, MN
Friday, September 29, 2017 -- Thalia Hall -- Chicago, IL
Wednesday, January 17 -- Monday, January 22, 2018 -- Jam Cruise -- Miami, FL

Sun, 07/16/2017 - 4:35 pm

Lauded American singer Lizz Wright's latest project, GRACE, reveals the web of deep running roots of story and song that bind together the vastly diverse traditions that are the soul of the American South. Wright summons her Southern heritage and the spirit of the earth to usher us into a nurturing space that pulses and hums with the unspoken suggestion that grace is a cornerstone of our original state of being.

Produced by acclaimed singer and songwriter Joe Henry, GRACE is a stark reflection of Wright's sense of place and belonging that's deeply woven into the cultural fabric of America. GRACE is set for national release on Concord Records on Friday, September 15, 2017. NPR Music premieres the album's first single "Seems I'm Never Tired Lovin' You" on NPR.org/music.

GRACE was tracked live on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles alongside a standout cast of musicians at United Recording Studios -- the sessions feature her nearly 20-year collaboration with Atlanta-based pianist and choir director Kenny Banks Sr., special guest guitarist Marc Ribot, bassist David Piltch, guitarists Chris Bruce and Marvin Sewell, drummer Jay Bellerose, and keyboardist Patrick Warren. An expansive collection of 10 songs and an original co-write with Maia Sharp ("All The Way Here"), GRACE is Wright's testament of devotion to speaking and embodying the fullness of her humanity through music. Her most clear statement to date, GRACE finds Wright standing center stage in the complex dialogues of coexistence and interdependence between all walks of life.

On GRACE, the warm and weathered colors of her voice speak with assurance that she is a tireless steward of freedom and change. Leaning into curated classics and contemporary covers, Wright pierces form with gentle and unfettered individuality. By virtue of the bold arrangements, Wright and the musicians depict an unencumbered enclave where grace sparks a feeling of exploration and leads to the discovery of an umbilical place of trust that must be uncovered.

The vast landscapes portrayed on GRACE are brimming with Wright's singular translations of music by Ray Charles, Allen Toussaint, Nina Simone, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, k.d. lang, Bob Dylan, Frank Perkins and Mitchell Parish, as well as emerging artists Rose Cousins and Birds of Chicago. From a body of about 70 covers collected primarily by Henry, 10 works were selected that mirror her rural upbringing and the trail of stories and songs that have brought her to the world stage. Having a strong sense of intention to speak of grace from the inception of the project, Wright forwent writing the title track after hearing "Grace" by Rose Cousins -- the first title track Wright didn't compose from her catalogue of six studio recordings.

GRACE opens with "Barley," a song penned by Birds of Chicago based on the traditional blues format of word repetition. With its sweeping march and repeating phrases, "Barley" has Wright churning an ancestral force of affirmation and encouragement.

Spanning the entire album, Wright culls inspiration from the 2015 documentary, What Happened, Miss Simone?, where Simone states in an interview segment, "It's the duty of an artist to respond to the times." With her rendition of "Seems I'm Never Tired Lovin' You," Wright renders a patient and affectionate statement to reflect her life as an American in 2017.

For the Sister Rosetta Tharpe song, "Singing In My Soul," she channels Tharpe's conviction that there's an outpouring of song that can be voiced in the world at any time and despite the times. Joe Henry's years of friendship and collaboration with Allen Toussaint brought "Southern Nights" to the pre-studio listening session. Allen's spirited trail of rural imagery made "Southern Nights" the song that felt like home.

Ray Charles' "What Would I Do" brings a swinging Georgia gospel feel to GRACE with Kenny Banks' southern church piano work and bold choir arrangements bolstering Lizz's swelling vocals. "Stars Fell on Alabama" is a romantic account of the spectacular Leonid meteor shower of 1833 and has since been covered by over 100 artists. Wright uses the standard to relish in the sentiment that it's good to take your time when you're lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.

Dylan's "Every Grain of Sand" found Wright singing through stacked frames of poetry where bliss and misery overlap to reveal the human experience in a tender light. Wright's interpretation of k.d. lang's "Wash Me Clean" is a portrayal of intimate communion, mixing the two worlds of sensuality and prayer. GRACE concludes with "All The Way Here," Wright's co-write with Maia Sharp depicting how our names carry both the meaning of who we've been and the story of what we have become.

"Lizz Wright and I have been friends for nearly fifteen years; I've hungered for the chance to stand in service to her as she sang, so powerful do I find the expression of her humanity," says Joe Henry. "It was and remains an honor to have been Lizz's scout along the journey of GRACE. And in such dark times, we are all as musicians called to answer brutality with wild and inclusive beauty. When Lizz now sings, I am allowed to feel by extension that I am doing something of my part. What a gift that has been to me; what a gift she offers all."

GRACE is a homecoming for Wright; a rite of passage that traces the landscape between her Blue Ridge Mountains home and the storied lands of her family in central and South Georgia and along the Georgia Sea Islands.

For her return, Wright and photographer Jesse Kitt set out on a seminal road trip. The two women course down rural pathways to chronicle a myriad of the kinds of places and faces that encompass the album GRACE. Kitt beautifully documented Wright's reunions with family members, neighbors, mentors and encounters with strangers. In an effort to "hear the true voice of the south at this moment" for themselves, they rambled along farmlands, back porches, sandy beaches, and the bustling Atlanta streets as Wright conversed with the people. She and Kenny Banks Sr. also recorded with a choir featuring powerful singers from Atlanta's local churches for three songs on GRACE ("Grace," "What Would I Do," "Seems I'm Never Tired Lovin' You").

GRACE is a proclamation to unearth our fundamental kindness and generosity. It sets forth a real invitation to openly contemplate our humanity. In her commitment to foster a more courageous, equal and tolerant society, Wright is plugged into several programs and endeavors that call for her engagement as a song and essay writer, a board member, and a storyteller. From the experience of the humble country dinner with her friends and neighbors in the mountains, Wright is reminded of the impact of simple acts of sharing each other's presence, without agenda. She realizes the meaningful and effective work of just being a good neighbor. Within these small and common gestures is a model of effectiveness for every large endeavor and project for social change.

"In this day it's nearly a revolutionary act to stand deep in unconditional love, to abide in fearless belonging and to embrace our inescapable tenderness," says Lizz Wright.

Lizz Wright and her band will tour in select North American and international markets in autumn of 2017, presenting a full multimedia production of photographs captured by Jesse Kitt as a backdrop to the live performance of GRACE. A comprehensive list of forthcoming tour dates can be viewed on lizzwright.net.

Lizz Wright GRACE

1) "Barley" -- Birds of Chicago
2) "Seems I'm Never Tired Lovin' You" -- Carolyn Franklin
3) "Singing In My Soul" -- Sister Rosetta Tharpe
4) "Southern Nights" -- Allen Toussaint
5) "What Would I Do" -- Ray Charles
6) "Grace" -- Rose Cousins
7) "Stars Fell on Alabama" -- Frank Perkins and Mitchell Parish
8) "Every Grain of Sand" -- Bob Dylan
9) "Wash Me Clean" -- k.d. lang
10) "All the Way Here" -- Lizz Wright & Maia Sharp

 

Mon, 07/31/2017 - 12:25 pm

"Campfire Caravan" featuring The Brothers Comatose, Mipso, and The Lil Smokies hosts three of today's foremost emerging indie Americana bands as they trek across the United States -- stopping in more than 30 cities from Sept. 26 through Nov. 18, 2017. "Campfire Caravan" swings through Nashville for a sneak peak of the 15-musician road show at the 18th Annual AMERICANAFEST 2017 (Sept. 13) prior to kicking off the tour at the Pub Station in Billings, MT. Fueled by Lagunitas, "Campfire Caravan" travels to the West Coast, The Rockies, Midwest, East Coast and South before concluding the tour at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC. A comprehensive list of tour dates is below, and interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request.

Americana, bluegrass and country music genres are in-the-midst of a renaissance. In all corners of the country, artists are making a name for themselves with remarkably refreshing takes on traditional genres; efforts that are redefining the music beyond simple categorizations. The Brothers Comatose, Mipso, and The Lil Smokies are of this ilk. Each reside in different parts of America -- The Brothers Comatose from the West Coast, Mipso from North Carolina's Triangle region, and The Lil Smokies from the Rocky Mountains. Bringing their own unique interpretations of, and inspired contributions to, the evolution of traditional American music, each act sets a new bar with their compelling live performances. Together on one stage -- music fans will be treated to charismatic singers, virtuosic string-slingers, complex and nuanced songwriting and compositions, and more.

With each band quickly rising the ranks, "Campfire Caravan" is a nod to the musicians' early days playing music, when they'd perform for friends and family in basements, living rooms, and around campfires. "Campfire Caravan" celebrates the American tradition of gathering communities around music. In an untraditional format, all three bands rotate in the lineup with no single ensemble acting as the tour headliner. A completely different show will be presented in each city with spontaneous collaborations amongst the groups taking place between sets.

"Campfire Caravan" hosts a raucous party with a wholesome spirit at premier venues across the country, including Bowery Ballroom (NYC), Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR), Ogden Theater (Denver, CO), and 9:30 Club (Washington, DC). The Brothers Comatose tour in support of a brand-new single, "Don't Make Me Get Up And Go" -- produced by indie-rock legend John Vanderslice, which is scheduled for release in advance of AMERICANAFEST 2017 (Release Date: Sept. 8, 2017). Mipso showcases their recent #3 Billboard Bluegrass Chart-ranking, Coming Down The Mountain (April 2017). The Lil Smokies release their sophomore studio album, Changing Shades, in Sept. 2017.

Artist Fan Club Tickets on sale now at www.campfirecaravan.com. General Public ticket on sale begins Friday, August 4 at 1pm EDT at www.campfirecaravan.com

"CAMPFIRE CARAVAN" FALL 2017 TOUR DATES
Tuesday, September 26 -- Billings, MT -- Pub Station
Wednesday, September 27 -- Bozeman, MT -- Emerson Center for Arts & Culture
Thursday, September 28 -- Missoula, MT -- Wilma Theater
Friday, September 29 -- Portland, OR -- McMenamin's Crystal Ballroom
Saturday, September 30 -- Seattle, WA -- Neumos
Sunday, October 1 -- Eugene, OR -- Hi-Fi Music Hall
Tuesday, October 3 -- Sacramento, CA -- Harlow's
Wednesday, October 4 -- Paso Robles, CA -- Barrelhouse Brewing Co
Thursday, October 5 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Bootleg Theater
Friday, October 6 -- TBA
Saturday, October 7 -- TBA
Tuesday, October 10 -- Boise, ID -- Neurolux
Wednesday, October 11 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- The Urban Lounge
Thursday, October 12 -- Denver, CO -- Ogden Theatre
Friday, October 13 -- Colorado Springs, CO -- Ivywild School
Saturday, October 14 -- Ft. Collins, CO -- Aggie Theater
Thursday, November 2 -- Minneapolis, MN -- Cedar Cultural Center
Friday, November 3 -- Madison, WI -- High Noon Saloon
Saturday, November 4 -- Chicago, IL -- Lincoln Hall
Sunday, November 5 -- Detroit, MI -- Otus Supply
Tuesday, November 7 -- Pittsburgh, PA -- James Street Ballroom
Thursday, November 9 -- Boston, MA -- The Sinclair
Friday, November 10 -- New York, NY -- Bowery Ballroom
Saturday, November 11 -- Ardmore, PA -- Ardmore Music Hall
Sunday, November 12 -- Washington, DC -- 9:30 Club
Tuesday, November 14 -- Charlotte, NC -- Neighborhood Theatre
Wednesday, November 15 -- Nashville, TN -- The Mercury Lounge
Thursday, November 16 -- Atlanta, GA -- Terminal West
Friday, November 17 -- Raleigh, NC -- Lincoln Theatre
Saturday, November 18 -- Asheville, NC -- The Orange Peel
*Additional dates will be announced soon.

Mon, 07/31/2017 - 2:44 pm

Imagine a world where every person is temporarily transported to outer space for the sole purpose of looking back on earth to experience its sheer beauty. For a brief moment, we could all escape the greatest atrocities of our time and take in an outer-world perspective to see all of humanity living in harmonious coexistence. Brooklyn's own Afrobeat stalwarts Antibalas welcomes you aboard an enlightening cosmic voyage to witness the world in a new collective realm, and to journey off to a majestic multi-dimensional island, Where The Gods Are In Peace (Daptone Records: September 15, 2017). As depicted on Antibalas' latest album cover, the intergalactic golden island is a most desirable place waiting for your arrival!

Consequence of Sound exclusively premieres today the opening track "Gold Rush" featured on Where The Gods Are In Peace. Martín Perna, baritone saxophonist and founder of Antibalas, comments "'Gold Rush' is a musical reckoning with a past and an imagining of what possibilities for equality and justice exist beyond conquest, domination and exploitation of natural resources." To view the premiere, please visit: https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/07/antibalas-premiere-new-sprawling-11-minute-song-gold-rush-stream

Antibalas' new studio album, Where The Gods Are In Peace, is an epic Afro-Western Trilogy searching for solace from American political opportunism, greed and vengeance. Through its battle cry of resistance against exploitation and displacement, Antibalas' long-form compositions investigate oppression in 1800s America that eerily mirror the current state of the country. Three explosive original arrangements cultivate an urgent call to heal a broken system. Ultimately, the sonic excursion lands on an island where love is our first instinct. A new ideology is born opening our hearts to the possibilities of living as one unified people, where all gods are equal and together we prevail.

True to traditional form, Where The Gods Are In Peace pays respect to the forefathers of Afrobeat with compositions spanning nine to 15 minutes in length. With a blessing from the Fela Kuti legacy early in the band's career, Antibalas has long been revered for re-popularizing the classic Afrobeat sound while adding their distinct New York City grit to the mix. Influences of punk rock, free jazz, and hip-hop seep into their expansive works to define a truly 21st century translation of the Afrobeat genre and beyond.

Where The Gods Are In Peace unfolds with "Gold Rush," a tribute to our forgotten indigenous people. A kung-fu master by day and Afrobeat superstar by night, lead singer Duke Amayo initiates a striking narrative from the devastation of the Gold Rush era. Indigenous communities being depleted of land and resources for the profit supporting a greedy system, Amayo sings of the bloodshed and sacrifice endured by legends Black Hawk, Sun Dancer and Sitting Bull. Reparations are in order for fallen indigenous heroes and slaves who tirelessly fought for freedom.

In the historical lesson presented with "Gold Rush," Antibalas sets forth a thick interlocking groove with a backdrop of hard truths. Dancing with a higher purpose in feeling the pain of the past while ecstatic rhythms move the soul is a form of creative resistance. To engage in full body movement intersected with poignant lyrical expression bonds communities in service of helping rehabilitate the world.

"I don't see what's happening in our country and around the globe as a problem, it's an opportunity," says Amayo. "We fight the hardest when things are about to change. Our generation has the incredible ability to make things better for generations to come. We're at a critical tipping point, it's time for change."

The second composition, "Hook & Crook," is a fearless portrayal of the inherent thievery embedded in our colonial past. Amayo sings of "soaring up Kilimanjaro" to gain a broader perspective to realize he must detach from "crooked hooks." People have the power to wake up, march and dance with defiance. It's time to act now, shake up the system, and end the crooked cycle.

Comprised of three movements, "Tombstown" enters a new beginning, an island rich with gold and lush with resources where balance is restored. The opening movement sets course on being good-doers. Amayo sings, "One whose turn is up, make the world good." When it comes your turn, leaders do good, be just, and act wise.

For the second movement, Antibalas invites Zap Mama to invoke the powers of a goddess to help reshape and rebuild, to carry water to the people. Obstacles arise with an outlaw sheriff galloping to loot hearts and return people to a broken system. In the face of victory, there's always those who try to slow you down. In the final movement, people must elevate to higher ground with spiritual guidance leading them to the gates of Zion. Beyond the gates the outlaw cannot go; we move into the future with open hearts with infinite possibilities.

"There's something unique about making music during these dark times, you're really able to make a difference," says Martín Perna. "It's essential to respond to what's happening politically around the world, and the album title suggests that if the gods are not getting along, then how could people get along. It takes humans out of being at the center of life. Our role as musicians is to present the best art possible, which should ask more questions than it answers."

Antibalas is a force of nature celebrated by both music connoisseurs and a wide array of renowned artists alike. Since the release of the band's last full-length album, Antibalas (Daptone Records, 2012), Antibalas has served as the backing band for high profile tribute shows at Carnegie Hall, including Music of Paul Simon (2014), Music of David Byrne & Talk Heads (2015), and Music of Aretha Franklin (2017). Antibalas members have also appeared alongside some of today's biggest stars, such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Arcade Fire, Lady Antebellum, and many others. In 2012, Antibalas made their late night television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and have appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

ANTIBALAS -- SUMMER & FALL 2017 TOUR DATES
Thursday, August 3, 2017 -- Twilight Concert Series -- Salt Lake City, UT
Saturday, August 19, 2017 -- Oregon Eclipse -- Crook County, OR
Saturday, August 25, 2017 -- Lockn' Festival -- Arrington, VA
Friday, September 8, 2017 -- Mod Club -- Toronto, ON
Saturday, September 9, 2017 -- Black Swamp Arts Festival -- Bowling Green, OH
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 -- Paradise Rock Club -- Boston, MA
Saturday, September 16, 2017 -- The Meadows Music & Arts Festival -- Flushing Meadows Corona Park, NY
Friday, September 22, 2017 -- UTOPIAfest -- Utopia, TX
Saturday, September 23, 2017 -- Trees -- Dallas, TX
Wednesday, September 27, 2017 -- High Noon Saloon -- Madison, WI
Thursday, September 28, 2017 -- Fine Line -- Minneapolis, MN
Friday, September 29, 2017 -- Thalia Hall -- Chicago, IL
Saturday, September 30, 2017 -- Founders -- Grand Rapids, MI
Sunday, October 1, 2017 -- Otus Supply -- Ferndale, MI
Thursday, October 26 & Friday, October 27, 2017 -- The New Parish -- Oakland, CA
Saturday, October 28, 2017 -- Moe's Alley -- Santa Cruz, CA
Wednesday, January 17 -- Monday, January 22, 2018 -- Jam Cruise -- Miami, FL
 

Thu, 08/10/2017 - 6:22 pm

The Brothers Comatose and (((folkYEAH!))) are thrilled to announce the special addition of the T Sisters to the Comatopia 2017 artist lineup. Following the release of their much-anticipated self-titled sophomore album in 2016, the T Sisters are making a name for themselves as one of the West Coast's foremost indie-Americana acts poised to break out in 2017. T Sisters perform at Comatopia following tours with Amos Lee and The Wood Brothers. Hillstomp will no longer perform at Comatopia.

Comatopia 2017 harkens back to the days of the Wild West with the beloved music festival heading to Bandit Town USA. Located 35 minutes from the South Entrance to Yosemite National Park in North Fork, Calif., Bandit Town USA is a one-of-a kind late 1800's-inspired concert venue ready to entertain caravanning concert-goers this summer with Comatopia 2017. Hold onto your hats and tie-up your horses at the Bandit Town USA saloon, The Brothers Comatose belly up to the bar from August 11-13, 2017 with their best Comatopia lineup to date. For more detailed information, please visit: comatopia.com

Curated and headlined by The Brothers Comatose, Comatopia 2017's artist roster features the whiskey soaked powerhouse The Sam Chase & the Untraditional, spellbinding three-part harmony singers T Sisters, troubadour/comedian/storyteller extraordinaire John Craigie, indie-folk trio Rainbow Girls, psychedelic folk rocker Marty O'Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra, master songwriter-entertainer Willy Tea Taylor, Pacific Northwest string slingers and singers Crow & the Canyon, songstress Ismay, rock 'n roller John Courage, and a special appearance by The Brothers Comatose's very own punky-tonk side project, Buck Wild and The Boss Hossers.

Following many years of performances at amazing festivals all around the country, it was time for The Brothers Comatose to take their favorite aspects of each festival and pour them into their very own creation. Encompassing the essential components that shape unforgettable festivals -- community, friends, family, the outdoors, kickball, and of course, live music -- Comatopia was born in 2015 and has become an annual darling of the summer festival circuit.

Highlights of Comatopia include featured sets by all the bands, a late-night show with a special super group, back-porch jams, friendly kickball tournaments, onsite camping, drinks at the saloon, wedding chapel, nearby swimming holes and hot springs, and the irresistible beauty of central California for all to enjoy!

The Living Room Music Party will be Comatopia's late-night Saturday show. A core super group will perform featuring Ryan Avellone (mandolin, The Brothers Comatose), Gio Benedetti (bass, The Brothers Comatose), John Courage on guitars, Jared Maddox (drums, John Courage), and Jaime Coffis (keyboards, The Coffis Brothers). Friends and family will rotate in and out on instruments and vocals, calling songs, and singing covers the way music parties, campfires, and musical hangs go -- only louder and more rockin'. The joy of The Brothers Comatose throwing their own festival is getting bands they love together with fans and friends they love -- The Living Room Music Party is the perfect way to collectively celebrate in a big, raucous, late-night music party kind of way.

Buck Wild and The Boss Hossers return for one-night-only in 2017. Other than the warrants out for his arrest, little is known of Buck. Only that he likes to rock hard, and loud, and drink even louder and harder. The Boss Hossers are infamous for their over-clocked, dimed-out, super-charged country versions of The Brothers Comatose songs. Some say it started as a challenge in a dive bar in Albuquerque. Some say The Brothers Comatose are actually playing some rather weak and watered down versions of what were originally Buck Wild and The Boss Hosser tunes. The truth is hard to discover, as the band doesn't give interviews, has no website, phone number, or mailing address. They simply ride up in their black, twin exhaust, skull-emblazoned 18-wheeler, drink copious amounts of cheap beer, play sloppy, loud, fast versions of The Brothers Comatose songs, and then disappear loudly, and with utter motor vehicle devastation, into the night. Don't miss this unforgettable set!

Comatopia also hosts a kids area with a shaded refuge for child creativity and activities. There will be projects and materials available at all times, and a posted schedule for workshops and performances. Gio Benedetti and his wife, Jen, have a family band Benedettiville that -- rumor has it -- will be melting some safely-sun screened, young faces over the weekend. Kids and families alike will not want to miss their song "Draw a Dragon," followed by a visit to the craft table to Draw a Dragon.

3-Day tickets include access to the festival with camping ($145) and without ($105). Bandit Town USA is located at 55420 Road 226, North Fork, CA 93643, and tickets are available on Eventbrite.

3rd Annual Comatopia Ticket Information:
3-Day Passes with camping are available on a limited basis until sold out.
Comatopia is a family-friendly music festival; no admission fee for children 10 and under.
 

Mon, 08/28/2017 - 6:53 pm

Whether traveling to gigs on horseback or by tour bus, Americana mavens The Brothers Comatose forge their own path with raucous West Coast renderings of traditional bluegrass, country and rock 'n' roll music. In advance of their showcase at AMERICANAFEST 2017 (Sept. 13 @ The High Watt, 10pm) and the forthcoming "Campfire Caravan" national tour with Mipso and The Lil Smokies, The Brothers Comatose release the debut song in a new series, "Don't Make Me Get Up And Go," produced by indie-rock legend John Vanderslice. Following three critically acclaimed full-length studio albums (Songs From The Stoop, Respect The Van, City Painted Gold), the five-piece string band disrupts the traditional album cycle and focuses their 2017/2018 release schedule on a series of strategically released songs.

The Brothers Comatose are anything but a traditional acoustic outfit with their fierce musicianship and rowdy live shows reminiscent of stadium rock concerts. The band kicks off the autumn season in high gear with the release of the first track, "Don't Make Me Get Up And Go," in their new song series - a composition from The Brothers Comatose's latest stint in the studio with John Vanderslice. Channeling harmony vanguards The Beach Boys, "Don't Make Me Get Up And Go" is a nod to the delicate dance between two friends and trusting fate to either bring them romantically together or not. With lyrics written by the band's tour manager Joe Pacini, lead singer Ben Morrison lends his crooning baritone to the fast-paced, feel good song.

"Going into the studio with Vanderslice was all about capturing the moment on analog tape," says Ben. "We set out to record in a way we've never previously attempted. We did it live with all of us playing in the same room as if we were performing on stage. Vanderslice really understood the sonic landscape we were going for. He's really a super producer, being a musician who has cut a lot of records of his own and produced albums by many great artists."

The Brothers Comatose entered Vanderslice's Tiny Telephone (San Francisco) studio with drafts of "Don't Make Me Get Up And Go." After working out the verses and chorus in the studio, bassist Gio Benedetti came up with the three-part harmony bridge. Vanderslice had the trio of Ben, his brother Alex Morrison, and Gio, head into the studio's echo chamber with its five-second delay, and the boys did what they do best. They sang their hearts out, and the result is sublime.

The Brothers Comatose is comprised of brothers Ben Morrison (guitar, vocals) and Alex Morrison (banjo, vocals), Gio Benedetti (bass, vocals), Philip Brezina (violin), and Ryan Avellone (mandolin). When they're not headlining The Fillmore for a sold-out show or appearing at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, the band is out on the road performing across America, Canada, Australia, and hosting their very own music festival, Comatopia (Bandit Town USA, Aug. 11-13, 2017). In 2018, The Brothers Comatose will travel to Asia for a month of cultural music exchange and education with American Music Abroad, a program directed by the State Department.

This fall, "Campfire Caravan" featuring The Brothers Comatose, Mipso, and The Lil Smokies hosts three of today's foremost emerging indie Americana bands as they trek across the United States. With each band quickly rising the ranks, "Campfire Caravan" honors the musicians' early days playing music, when they'd perform for friends and family in basements, living rooms, and around campfires. "Campfire Caravan" celebrates the American tradition of gathering communities around music.

For a comprehensive list of "Campfire Caravan" tour dates, please see below and more information is available at campfirecaravan.com and brotherscomatose.com.

"CAMPFIRE CARAVAN" FALL 2017 TOUR DATES
Wednesday, September 13 -- Nashville, TN -- The High Watt
Tuesday, September 26 -- Billings, MT -- Pub Station
Wednesday, September 27 -- Bozeman, MT -- Emerson Center for Arts & Culture
Thursday, September 28 -- Missoula, MT -- Wilma Theater
Friday, September 29 -- Portland, OR -- McMenamin's Crystal Ballroom
Saturday, September 30 -- Seattle, WA -- Neumos
Sunday, October 1 -- Eugene, OR -- Hi-Fi Music Hall
Tuesday, October 3 -- Sacramento, CA -- Harlow's
Wednesday, October 4 -- Paso Robles, CA -- Barrelhouse Brewing Co
Thursday, October 5 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Bootleg Theater
Friday, October 6 -- Great American Music Hall -- San Francisco, CA
Saturday, October 7 -- Great American Music Hall -- San Francisco, CA
Tuesday, October 10 -- Boise, ID -- Neurolux
Wednesday, October 11 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- The Urban Lounge
Thursday, October 12 -- Denver, CO -- Ogden Theatre
Friday, October 13 -- Colorado Springs, CO -- Ivywild School
Saturday, October 14 -- Ft. Collins, CO -- Aggie Theater
Thursday, November 2 -- Minneapolis, MN -- Cedar Cultural Center
Friday, November 3 -- Madison, WI -- High Noon Saloon
Saturday, November 4 -- Chicago, IL -- Lincoln Hall
Sunday, November 5 -- Detroit, MI -- Otus Supply
Tuesday, November 7 -- Pittsburgh, PA -- James Street Ballroom
Thursday, November 9 -- Boston, MA -- The Sinclair
Friday, November 10 -- New York, NY -- Bowery Ballroom
Saturday, November 11 -- Ardmore, PA -- Ardmore Music Hall
Sunday, November 12 -- Washington, DC -- 9:30 Club
Tuesday, November 14 -- Charlotte, NC -- Neighborhood Theatre
Wednesday, November 15 -- Nashville, TN -- The Mercury Lounge
Thursday, November 16 -- Atlanta, GA -- Terminal West
Friday, November 17 -- Raleigh, NC -- Lincoln Theatre
Saturday, November 18 -- Asheville, NC -- The Orange Peel
 

Tue, 08/29/2017 - 6:56 pm

Erin Chapin, Caitlin Gowdey and Vanessa May, the dynamic acoustic trio known as the Rainbow Girls, have already emerged as a much-loved live act on their California home turf, having performed in such legendary venues as the Fillmore, the Troubadour and the Great American Music Hall, as well as appearing at notable festivals including Live Oak, High Sierra, Joshua Tree Music Festival, and the digital detox getaway, Camp Grounded. In addition to other select cities across the country, New Orleans has also been graced by their music with an extended musical sojourn to the Crescent City. In September 2017, Rainbow Girls travel overseas for an expansive tour of England.

Based in the coastal town of Bodega Bay in Northern California (previously best known as the location of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds), Rainbow Girls embody both an infectious collaborative spirit and a deeply felt sense of compassion.

Rainbow Girls' discerning sensibility in regards to living in America in 2017 is acutely reflected in the powerful image of a deconstructed American flag, handmade by the group members, that's featured on the cover of their impassioned debut album as a trio, American Dream (formerly performing as both a quartet and quintet, the group has released two albums: Perceptronium was produced with the quartet; The Sound of Light with the quintet). The same inquisitive nature courses through the album's 10 indie-folk original compositions, all of which the Rainbow Girls designated with individual hashtags to inspire dialogue amongst their fans. American Dream is set for national release on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, exactly one year from the 2016 presidential election.

Standout songs "American Dream" (#TheLandSong) and "Can We Keep This Love Alive" (#Yes) explore some of the fundamental contradictions of the Rainbow Girls' homeland, while "Something I've Been Meaning to Say" (#UnionpartII) and "Do Not Go Gentle" (#IntoThatDarkNight) address the challenge of personal priorities and emotional growth. Elsewhere on the album, "The Folksinger's Contract" (#Vanlife) examines the ramifications of the artists' unconventional lifestyle choices, while "Cameron Sterling" (#BlackLivesMatter) and "Song for Standing Rock" (#Resist) confront the human cost of social injustice.

Discussing the album's title song as well as the evocative cover image, Caitlin Gowdey explains, "I was playing with this symbol, as an idea of strength, as I was writing the song. It was cathartic, ripping up this symbol and putting it back together in a different, deconstructed form. And now that we've put it back together, it's beautiful, it's intentionally torn and ragged. It's about America's ability to be creative and great, which seems really important to remember right now due to what's happening in the country."

"We've calling the album American Dream because the American dream is a thing that's been proven time and time again to be a fantasy," adds Erin Chapin. "The ideal of the American dream is this paradise that you achieve after you reach some sort of finish line. But what we're learning is that you need to find the paradise in the small moments, and find the 'dream' in your everyday truth. We often separate ourselves from our dreams, by choice and design, and we don't have to do that."

Erin Chapin, Caitlin Gowdey, and Vanessa May originally met while in school at the University of California Santa Barbara. The band formed in their living room at a popular, yet underground open mic night known as "Bean Night," which they hosted in their cooperative house every Monday night for more than two years. They began performing together at the open mic before evolving into a busking band and using their street performance as a means to travel all over Europe the following summer. Upon their return, they found a drummer to allow them to graduate from full-time street performers and help realize their desire to play fully electric. For the next four years, Rainbow Girls toured Europe and the U.S. as a rock n' roll band, before returning to their original acoustic configuration in 2016 and embarking on a perpetual house concert tour.

Self describing their music as being like "a gang of sweet angels punching you in the heart," Rainbow Girls have settled into the laid-back environs of Bodega Bay located an hour north of San Francisco, where they have lived together since 2013. Inspiration for new material is not difficult to come by with all three of their lives being so intertwined personally and musically. Spontaneously scribed material quickly becomes band repertiore when sultry vocal melodies pierce through the walls of their collective home.

"It's really like one voice," Vanessa May says of the Rainbow Girls' distinctive vocal chemistry. "Every song we sing belongs to all three of us. And, our music is a reminder to people that they're not alone, that there is someone else out there who's feeling what they’re feeling."

Indeed, American Dream makes it clear that the Rainbow Girls approach their music with an unmistakable intensity and a sense of purpose that will not be denied. With just a year in the making, the newly configured trio has made impressive strides gracing stages with the likes of Gregory Alan Isakov, Josiah Johnson (The Head and The Heart), John Craigie, The Brothers Comatose, and many other artists. Rainbow Girls are on target to perform upwards of 100 concerts in 2017, filling mainstay venues like Hotel Café (Los Angeles) and countless others with light and joy.

American Dream concludes with "Can We Keep This Love Alive," an ethos that permeates throughout the album as a whole. Erin Chapin notes, "Love for yourself, love for someone else, love within this culture, love within our lives, are all so essential. A huge reason why we're artists is the chance to affect people in finding harmony in their own lives. Our music often poses questions inwardly and outwardly, and rarely has a definitive ending or answer. We leave it to the listener to design their own observations, we just want them to know there's a loving community here for them. Our vehicle to express that is through the power of song."
 

Mon, 09/25/2017 - 2:16 pm

Infamous for the notoriety of nothing for over 40 years, the anonymous Residents are once again reinventing themselves with a crowd-sourced recording titled I AM A RESIDENT! along with Intruders, their latest studio album, both launching on PledgeMusic, Monday, September 25, 2017. The world's most obscure art-rock band opens a door on endless options by inviting die-hard fans to submit their own original versions of the band's songs and offering the possibility of appearing on the I AM A RESIDENT! album. For additional information, please visit pledgemusic.com/projects/theresidents.

By appropriating their name from junk mail, the group initially suggested a sense of values based around the creativity of everyman. A bland anonymity with no names or faces, "residents" implies a void, a space waiting to be filled, fraught with promise and free from expectations. The group has flourished within this self-imposed bubble for over four decades and now expand the illusion to include their fans. For them, anyone who contributes is also "A Resident," waiting to be enabled.

Be they bogus or concrete, the four devoted dreamers who founded The Residents will of course remain as the group's core center. Heretics in a heathen homeland, they will continue greeting the few whose eyes and ears are open, but The Residents also see creativity as a gift given to all of us at birth. And, by building upon and enabling this birthright, the band is inviting any and all to participate in their latest recording. Fans who pre-order the album and/or items listed on PledgeMusic (starting at $10 and expanding to $100,000) can submit their versions of Residents' songs with the chance of having their music featured on I AM A RESIDENT!.

Upon pre-ordering the new albums, Residents' fans will receive an instant "Access Pass" allowing exclusive glimpses into the group's surreal world. Fans will hear snippets of new songs, see murky videos of the band rehearsing, check out obscure unpublished photos, and gain little insight into the band's opaque album making process. All song submissions will be posted on Residents.com; additional rewards offered through PledgeMusic include: a limited edition of hand cut eyeball vinyl discs by Michael Dixon Vinyl Art, a box set of vinyl first pressings, t-shirts, turntable mats, pom pom hats, socks, signed posters and vinyl test pressings, Executive Producer credits, and a special video opportunity with Homer Flynn, CEO of The Cryptic Corporation.

Coinciding with the fan sourced I AM A RESIDENT!, the group is also in the studio recording their next album, Intruders. Inspired by the persistence of obsession, Intruders are seen as alternate beings stalking the corners of our consciousness. The album's 11 original songs all pivot around the unseen and the uncontrollable spirits stuck in the seams of our minds. Whether it's ghosts, angels, aliens, ex-lovers or an angry old woman with a bittersweet smile, we never know who or what will wedge itself into the darker recesses of our minds. Hated, loved, or merely tolerated, we all have Intruders.

Featuring songs titled "Voodoo Doll," "Shadows," "The Intruder," and the first single "Frank's Lament," the album will possess and obsess Residents fans worldwide immediately after its release in the spring of 2018.

For fans who can't wait until spring 2018 for their next Residents fix, the band has just released a fundraising trailer to a brand new independent film they've been hard at work on, Double Trouble. Re-contextualizing the original video for Vileness Fats -- the band's infamous unfinished film project from 1972-76, Double Trouble fast-forwards to the year 2023. In the film, Randy Rose, the group's singer has just died, and his son, Randy Junior, a Catholic priest, has come into possession of the original Vileness Fats footage, and finds that his life holds some strange parallels to that long-abandoned project. To check out the trailer, please click here.

THE RESIDENTS
Alternately seen as a rock band, an arts collective and a spirit, The Residents have been regarded as icons in the world of experimental music for over 40 years. In addition to their groundbreaking work in the areas of trance, world fusion, electronica, punk, industrial and lounge music, the group has also been credited with being among the originators of performance art and music video, with their early videos included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Their over four-decade career has also taken them into the world of film and television music, having scored numerous films and TV series as well as several projects for MTV. In addition, the group is also thriving in the world of digital media having released ten DVDs, and two internet series.

Not content to rest upon their justly lauded laurels, the group has recently reformed as a classic four-piece combo that celebrated its debut at the prestigious Blue Note jazz club in Tokyo, performing six shows from March 21-23, 2017. Currently the group is in rehearsal for their In Between Dreams tour, performing in Europe in November 2017 and the U.S. in April 2018.

The Residents launch their first crowd-funding PledgeMusic campaign in September 2017, and release two new albums in spring 2018.
 

Tue, 10/03/2017 - 2:32 pm

The Brothers Comatose have always been known to do things by their own design, and a tour on horseback is certainly an expedition the band had to encounter first-hand. In mid-October 2016, the five members of The Brothers Comatose and a trusted crew of equine experts all saddled up for a three-show tour throughout California's gold country in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. The Brothers Comatose release the second song in their new series, "Cedarwood Pines," with a stunning music video capturing the inimitable tour filled with beautiful California vistas, saloon and events center gigs, and the band of brothers loving life out on the range with their characteristic whimsical charm.

Produced by indie-rock legend John Vanderslice, "Cedarwood Pines" is released on October 6 to coincide with the "Campfire Caravan" national tour featuring The Brothers Comatose, Mipso and The Lil Smokies. Following three critically acclaimed full-length studio albums (Songs From The Stoop, Respect The Van, City Painted Gold), The Brothers Comatose disrupts the traditional album cycle and focuses their 2017/2018 release schedule on a series of strategically released songs. "Cedarwood Pines" follows the release of the debut song in the series, "Don't Make Me Get Up And Go" (Release Date: September 8, 2017).

The Brothers Comatose are anything but a traditional acoustic outfit with their fierce musicianship and rowdy live shows reminiscent of stadium rock concerts. The five-piece string band forges their own path with raucous West Coast renderings of traditional bluegrass, rock 'n' roll and with their latest song "Cedarwood Pines," they churn out an early-'70s-esque alt-country number reminiscent of a George Harrison, post-Beatles sensibility.

With John Vanderslice at the production helm, The Brothers Comatose ventured to new sonic territories in the studio. Distortion went on the acoustic rhythm guitar track, mandolin player Ryan Avellone picked up an electric guitar for slide parts, multi-layered background vocals went through the studio's echo chamber, and Alex Morrison doubled up his lead vocals. The result is a vintage, psychedelic country tune that extolls getting out of the city and into nature for one's own self-preservation.

Vocalist and banjo player Alex Morrison comments, "'Cedarwood Pines' is all about having that special place far away from the confines of city limits that you can always return to to recharge and reflect. Somewhere you can find peace, comfort and clarity staring up at the stars on a crisp night's sky, worlds away from all the hustle and bustle and ensued chaos of modern civilization. The narrative feels evermore relevant as our society becomes more dependent on technology as a crutch for survival, resulting in our waning ability to be in tune with the natural world."

Organized by the band's fiddle player Philip Brezina, the horseback tour kicked off on King Ranch, owned by retired actor Perry King in Cool, CA. Along with land donated by King Ranch for the filming of the music video (and later to be released independent film), Avery Hellman (granddaughter of the late banjo-playing Warren Hellman, founder of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival) helped with offering horses from her Petaluma ranch. Following the kick-off event for fans at King Ranch, The Brothers Comatose rode into town over to Cool Hills Ranch for their show at the Milestone Saloon. Tying up the horses at the back of the bar, the band performed a fiery set before traveling back to the ranch in the moonlight. The following day, they headed off on the world famous Tevis Trail (home to the 100 mile race from Auburn to Tahoe, CA) through the Auburn Canyon for a headlining concert at the Auburn Events Center. An extra mule was part of the crew of course as the horseback tour was Fueled by Lagunitas Brewing Company.

The Brothers Comatose is comprised of brothers Ben Morrison (guitar, vocals) and Alex Morrison (banjo, vocals), Gio Benedetti (bass, vocals), Philip Brezina (violin), and Ryan Avellone (mandolin). When they're not headlining The Fillmore for a sold-out show or appearing at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, the band is out on the road performing across America, Canada, Australia, and hosting their very own music festival, Comatopia. In 2018, The Brothers Comatose will travel to Asia for a month of cultural music exchange and education with American Music Abroad, a program directed by the State Department.

This fall, "Campfire Caravan" featuring The Brothers Comatose, Mipso, and The Lil Smokies hosts three of today's foremost emerging indie Americana bands as they trek across the United States. With each band quickly rising the ranks, "Campfire Caravan" honors the musicians' early days playing music, when they'd perform for friends and family in basements, living rooms, and around campfires. "Campfire Caravan" celebrates the American tradition of gathering communities around music.

For a comprehensive list of "Campfire Caravan" tour dates, please see below and more information is available at campfirecaravan.com and brotherscomatose.com.

"CAMPFIRE CARAVAN" FALL 2017 TOUR DATES
Wednesday, September 13 -- Nashville, TN -- The High Watt
Tuesday, September 26 -- Billings, MT -- Pub Station
Wednesday, September 27 -- Bozeman, MT -- Emerson Center for Arts & Culture
Thursday, September 28 -- Missoula, MT -- Wilma Theater
Friday, September 29 -- Portland, OR -- McMenamin's Crystal Ballroom
Saturday, September 30 -- Seattle, WA -- Neumos
Sunday, October 1 -- Eugene, OR -- Hi-Fi Music Hall
Tuesday, October 3 -- Sacramento, CA -- Harlow's
Wednesday, October 4 -- Paso Robles, CA -- Barrelhouse Brewing Co
Thursday, October 5 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Bootleg Theater
Friday, October 6 -- Great American Music Hall -- San Francisco, CA
Saturday, October 7 -- Great American Music Hall -- San Francisco, CA
Tuesday, October 10 -- Boise, ID -- Neurolux
Wednesday, October 11 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- The Urban Lounge
Thursday, October 12 -- Denver, CO -- Ogden Theatre
Friday, October 13 -- Colorado Springs, CO -- Ivywild School
Saturday, October 14 -- Ft. Collins, CO -- Aggie Theater
Thursday, November 2 -- Minneapolis, MN -- Cedar Cultural Center
Friday, November 3 -- Madison, WI -- High Noon Saloon
Saturday, November 4 -- Chicago, IL -- Lincoln Hall
Sunday, November 5 -- Detroit, MI -- Otus Supply
Tuesday, November 7 -- Pittsburgh, PA -- James Street Ballroom
Thursday, November 9 -- Boston, MA -- The Sinclair
Friday, November 10 -- New York, NY -- Bowery Ballroom
Saturday, November 11 -- Ardmore, PA -- Ardmore Music Hall
Sunday, November 12 -- Washington, DC -- 9:30 Club
Tuesday, November 14 -- Charlotte, NC -- Neighborhood Theatre
Wednesday, November 15 -- Nashville, TN -- The Mercury Lounge
Thursday, November 16 -- Atlanta, GA -- Terminal West
Friday, November 17 -- Raleigh, NC -- Lincoln Theatre
Saturday, November 18 -- Asheville, NC -- The Orange Peel

Sat, 10/14/2017 - 11:31 am

In a time when embracing the heart and soul of humanity is at a critical moment, Baltimore's Americana songstress Letitia VanSant releases a poignant collection of originals and one cover on her debut nationally distributed studio album, Gut It To The Studs (Release Date: February 2, 2018). VanSant sings of emotional empowerment, taking control of one's destiny and leading with truth in her singular compositions, while offering a standout indie-folk rendition of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth." Letitia VanSant is available for interviews, and hi-res JPGs are available upon request.

In her music as in her life, VanSant has always sought to wrestle with worthy questions and impact social change. Before her return to Baltimore, VanSant earned a concentration in Human Rights & Humanitarian Issues from Macalester College (St. Paul, MN). Afterwards she traveled to Detroit to work with the Obama campaign and then signed on with AmeriCorps for a year developing gardens at public schools. Five years of work with a progressive advocacy group landed her in Washington DC. On weekends, she reflected on the state of society through her songs, earning a regional following in coffee shops and clubs.

"We are in this political crisis in part because we have a lot of spiritual work to do," says VanSant. "This moment requires us to think deeply about our priorities, to confront our fears, to really know ourselves. We have to build the relationships and the emotional fortitude to sustain a movement."

Upon weighing the power of music to move people, she ultimately left her nine-to- five job in DC to become a musician. She hasn't looked back since, and for good reason. She's won a slew of awards with Kerrville (New Folk Winner), the Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest (Gold; Folk Category), Falcon Ridge (Emerging Artist), and Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriting Contest (1st Alternate). She's graced the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, and placed among the Top 10 listener-voted "Songs of the Year" by her local radio station WTMD.

VanSant's national debut Gut It To The Studs opens in tandem with her life as a full-time artist. To get off of the beaten path, though, one must contend with the uncertainties of uncharted territory. "Where I'm Bound" shows VanSant persevering through a "land of broken promises and streets of fool's gold" with a "map in the stars," and by following her faith.

In an effort to feel comfortable in her new skin, she looked at her emerging life and had to "Gut It To The Studs." She sings, "gotta get the wires a-running right 'fore the dry wall goes back up."

"Come Sit By My Fire," proves the potency of companionship; sometimes the most you can offer a loved one is your presence. Following the passing of a friend's mother, she sings, "...I can only stand at the edge of your sadness and let the sorrow lap against my feet. And I can't walk that lonesome valley for you, I can only sing you to sleep."

"Taking Back The Reigns" reflects the notion that insecurities will follow you wherever you roam. In order to face your demons and not allow them to swallow up your life, you have to encounter the forces unseen and look them in the eye. If you let fear drive your soul, "then left unchecked it will rule the whole world."

"Sweet Bay Magnolia" is an homage to a very underrated grief, the death of a dog. Her pitbull Champ had to suddenly be put to sleep, and VanSant laments the loss, "There's a sweet bay magnolia at the little spot we picked out for you...I wish I could be so kind to each soul who knocks at my door." Her song "Bluebird" reckons with a different kind of loss, the feeling of being on top of the world when it suddenly disappears just as quickly as a bird takes flight from a windowsill.

On "The Field," VanSant likens her inner journey to the labor of farming, as she sings, "I'll pick up my plough and I'll pick up my hoe, for the soil is rocky and dry."

The sole cover on the album, "For What It's Worth," stands the test of time as a true protest anthem. VanSant churns out a powerful Americana interpretation inspired by recent protests against police brutality. She comments, "Being in Baltimore, you can't deny the stark injustice of racial inequality. The killing of Freddie Gray woke a lot of people up. We owe so much to the people who fought for justice in decades past, particularly in the '60s when this song was first released. I recorded this song as a reminder to myself that the present moment is just as critically important to our nation's history."

"Wild Heart Roam" yearns for breaking free and being your own person. "Dandelion" echoes our generation's keen interest in building communities that are nourishing and real. VanSant sings, "In a moment of despair you looked at your feet, saw a rebel dandelion pushing through the street... I know you have sown a thousand seeds, I know they can set this hard earth free, I hope that someday we will be free."

"Sundown Town" is a biting account of VanSant's experience as a white woman in Baltimore, recognizing how perceptions of safety reinforce historical patterns of segregation. VanSant believes we can't just "let fear draw the map."

Upright bass virtuoso Alex Lacquement (Bumper Jacksons, Charm City Junction) produced the album -- VanSant says, "he has a special talent for taking the emotional content of a song and translating it into a great arrangement." The songs were co-produced, engineered and mixed by Don Godwin of Airshow Studio (Takoma Park, MD), and feature vocals and guitar from David McKindley-Ward, VanSant's long-time collaborator. The album also showcases some of the region's greatest musical talents, including Patrick McAvinue (Dailey & Vincent), Laura Wortman (Honey Dewdrops), Dan Ryan (Super City), Will McKindley-Ward (Fellow Creatures), Sam McCormally (Fellow Creatures), Dan Samuels (Bumper Jacksons), and Manny Arciniega, as well as a cameo from Charlie Rose (Elephant Revival).

Letitia VanSant will tour in select markets across the country in spring 2018. For updated information regarding all forthcoming tour dates, please visit letitiavansant.com.

Letitia VanSant
Gut It To The Studs
Release Date: February 2, 2018

1. I Know Just Where I'm Bound
2. Gut It To The Studs
3. Come Sit By My Fire
4. Taking Back the Reigns
5. Sweet Bay Magnolia
6. Bluebird
7. The Field
8. For What It's Worth
9. Wild Heart Roam
10. Dandelion
11. Sundown Town

Tue, 10/31/2017 - 6:29 pm

The Brothers Comatose follow up last year's The Metal EP with their latest annual Halloween EP, The Punk EP, featuring four pop-punk renditions of songs from their beloved catalogue. With the band growing up listening to acts such as Weezer, Green Day, NOFX, and Bad Religion, '90s punk and pop-punk music is engrained in The Brothers Comatose's DNA. For All Hallows' Eve, the five-piece string band's bassist and mastermind EP producer Gio Benedetti unveils the new punk collection: four string band tunes all dressed up, ready to rage in their punk rock costumes.

In shadowy backstages across the country while on the road with the Campfire Caravan tour, Benedetti recorded the rhythm guitars atop live drum and bass tracks he had recorded with drummer James Allen (One Armed Joey) at White Whale Recording Studio (Santa Rosa). The Brothers Comatose's mandolin player by profession but guitar slayer by destiny, Ryan Avellone unleashes the fury with sweet solos through the EP. Alex Morrison set down his banjo to channel Joey Ramone on vocals for his tune "Yohio," while Ben Morrison left his acoustic guitar at home, bringing only his most slack-jawed, don't-give-a-damn vocals to the recording studio.

"The first thing I wanted to do for this year's EP was to make things bigger and better by getting a real drummer on the tracks -- no more drum machine," says Gio Benedetti. "I saw James Allen from the Sonoma County punk band One Armed Joey perform last winter, and their new EP sounds incredible. I wanted authentic drum parts on the EP, and James brought that in spades."

The Punk EP features a NOFX-style "Pie For Breakfast:" a fast, harmonized, melodic punk blaster. "Morning Time" showcases a duet with Ben Morrison and special guest vocalist, Jennifer Benedetti (Gio's wife) who sang and toured with a geek core band in the late 90's. "Tops of Trees" dips the band's toes into the strange, murky, oft-shunned waters of late '90s, early '00s hard-rock-meets-punk-meets-nu-metal. "Yohio" captures a classic punk rocker ala The Ramones and Social Distortion.

About The Brothers Comatose
The Brothers Comatose is comprised of brothers Ben Morrison (guitar, vocals) and Alex Morrison (banjo, vocals), Gio Benedetti (bass, vocals), Philip Brezina (violin), and Ryan Avellone (mandolin). When they're not headlining The Fillmore for a sold-out show or appearing at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, the band is out on the road performing across America, Canada, Australia, and hosting their very own music festival, Comatopia. In 2018, The Brothers Comatose will travel to Asia for a month of cultural music exchange and education with American Music Abroad, a program directed by the State Department.

Following three critically acclaimed full-length studio albums (Songs From The Stoop, Respect The Van, City Painted Gold), the five-piece string band disrupts the traditional album cycle and focuses their 2017/2018 release schedule on a series of strategically released songs. Produced by indie-rock legend John Vanderslice, the first four new songs to be released in 2017 include "Don't Make Me Get Up And Go," "Cedarwood Pines," "Get Me Home," and "Joshua Tree."

"CAMPFIRE CARAVAN" FALL 2017 TOUR DATES
Thursday, November 2 -- Minneapolis, MN -- Cedar Cultural Center
Friday, November 3 -- Madison, WI -- High Noon Saloon
Saturday, November 4 -- Chicago, IL -- Lincoln Hall
Sunday, November 5 -- Detroit, MI -- Otus Supply
Tuesday, November 7 -- Pittsburgh, PA -- James Street Ballroom
Thursday, November 9 -- Boston, MA -- The Sinclair
Friday, November 10 -- New York, NY -- Bowery Ballroom
Saturday, November 11 -- Ardmore, PA -- Ardmore Music Hall
Sunday, November 12 -- Washington, DC -- 9:30 Club
Tuesday, November 14 -- Charlotte, NC -- Neighborhood Theatre
Wednesday, November 15 -- Nashville, TN -- The Mercury Lounge
Thursday, November 16 -- Atlanta, GA -- Terminal West
Friday, November 17 -- Raleigh, NC -- Lincoln Theatre
Saturday, November 18 -- Asheville, NC -- The Orange Peel
Thursday, December 28 -- Santa Cruz, CA -- The Catalyst*
Friday, December 29 & Saturday, December 30 -- Petaluma, CA -- McNear's Mystic Theatre*
Sunday, December 31 -- Berkeley, CA -- Cornerstone*

 

Mon, 11/06/2017 - 6:16 am

Paving your own way in the music industry is no easy task, but some artists are made for such endeavors, including the Bay Area's Americana mavens The Brothers Comatose. Following three critically acclaimed full-length studio albums (Songs From The Stoop, Respect The Van, City Painted Gold), The Brothers Comatose disrupts the traditional album cycle and focuses their 2017/2018 release schedule on a series of strategically released songs. Following their initial songs "Don't Make Me Get Up And Go" and "Cedarwood Pines" in their new series, the five-piece string band releases "Get Me Home" with an accompanying music video shot on location at their festival Comatopia (Bandit Town USA) located near the South Entrance to Yosemite National Park in North Fork, Calif..

Produced by indie-rock legend John Vanderslice, "Get Me Home" is released on November 3 to coincide with the "Campfire Caravan" national tour featuring The Brothers Comatose, Mipso and The Lil Smokies. "Get Me Home" follows the release of "Cedarwood Pines" (Oct. 8) and its music video capturing the band's inimitable horseback three-show tour throughout California's gold country in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. The debut song in the series, "Don't Make Me Get Up And Go" (Sept. 8), was released in advance of Americanafest 2017.

The Brothers Comatose are anything but a traditional acoustic outfit with their fierce musicianship and rowdy live shows reminiscent of stadium rock concerts. The band churns out raucous West Coast renderings of traditional bluegrass, rock 'n' roll, and alt-country, and with "Get Me Home" the band lays it on the line for all the touring artists out there fighting the good fight to stay true and grounded.

Written by vocalist and upright bass player Gio Benedetti, he comments, "'Get Me Home' reflects the struggle for commitment and fidelity in a relationship that has to survive the rigors of artists hitting the road while their partners are at home. Life as a nationally touring act has its extreme highs and lows. As the days go on with show after show, relationships must bear increasing distance, temptations, and loneliness. Despite crazy schedules and differing experiences between two lovers, 'Get Me Home' keeps the gravity of being faithful and remembering the promises made at the center of one's life while touring the world."

With John Vanderslice at the production helm, The Brothers Comatose ventured to new sonic territories in the studio. Benedetti adds, "Vanderslice listened for the energy and attitude of the tune, and we decided to go with our first take of 'Get Me Home.' He really captured the desperation and drive, and even had the idea of throwing down some delicious Hammond B3 chords on the bridge. We never would of thought of adding that B3, it's a beautiful moment and really highlights the significance of that part of 'Get Me Home.'"

The Brothers Comatose is comprised of brothers Ben Morrison (guitar, vocals) and Alex Morrison (banjo, vocals), Gio Benedetti (bass, vocals), Philip Brezina (violin), and Ryan Avellone (mandolin). When they're not headlining The Fillmore for a sold-out show or appearing at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, the band is out on the road performing across America, Canada, Australia, and hosting their very own music festival, Comatopia. In 2018, The Brothers Comatose will travel to Asia for a month of cultural music exchange and education with American Music Abroad, a program directed by the State Department.

This fall, "Campfire Caravan" featuring The Brothers Comatose, Mipso, and The Lil Smokies hosts three of today's foremost emerging indie Americana bands as they trek across the United States. With each band quickly rising the ranks, "Campfire Caravan" honors the musicians' early days playing music, when they'd perform for friends and family in basements, living rooms, and around campfires. "Campfire Caravan" celebrates the American tradition of gathering communities around music.

For a comprehensive list of "Campfire Caravan" tour dates, please see below and more information is available at campfirecaravan.com and brotherscomatose.com.

"CAMPFIRE CARAVAN" FALL 2017 TOUR DATES
Tuesday, November 7 -- Pittsburgh, PA -- James Street Ballroom
Thursday, November 9 -- Boston, MA -- The Sinclair
Friday, November 10 -- New York, NY -- Bowery Ballroom
Saturday, November 11 -- Ardmore, PA -- Ardmore Music Hall
Sunday, November 12 -- Washington, DC -- 9:30 Club
Tuesday, November 14 -- Charlotte, NC -- Neighborhood Theatre
Wednesday, November 15 -- Nashville, TN -- The Mercury Lounge
Thursday, November 16 -- Atlanta, GA -- Terminal West
Friday, November 17 -- Raleigh, NC -- Lincoln Theatre
Saturday, November 18 -- Asheville, NC -- The Orange Peel
Thursday, December 28 -- Santa Cruz, CA -- The Catalyst*
Friday, December 29 & Saturday, December 30 -- Petaluma, CA -- McNear's Mystic Theatre*
Sunday, December 31 -- Berkeley, CA -- Cornerstone*

*The Brothers Comatose (Bay Area Headlining Shows)

Wed, 11/08/2017 - 6:37 pm

A permanent fixture in the world of Rhythm and Soul, James Hunter follows up five critically acclaimed albums with his latest recording, Whatever It Takes, for New York City's venerable label, Daptone Records. At the height of his famed recording career, Hunter and Daptone co-founder and producer Bosco Mann recorded an elegantly crafted collection of 10 originals that are ever more poignant and compelling than the singer's previous works. The James Hunter Six and Mann recorded Whatever It Takes straight to tape at Daptone's Penrose Studios in Riverside, California. Whatever It Takes will be internationally released on February 2, 2018. Interviews and hi-res JPGs are available upon request.

The first Brit to sign to Daptone Records, Hunter is revered by critics both in his native UK and stateside, with MOJO touting Hunter as "The UK's greatest soul singer" and the Los Angeles Times praising his "extraordinary soul voice." Of his prior recordings, Rolling Stone called his U.S. debut People Gonna Talk, "a treat not to miss" and his second album "unbelievably awesome," while The New York Times noted of The Hard Way, Hunter's "tight, slithery groove" and "sweet growl." Hunter's accolades include milestones of reaching #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart; a GRAMMY® Award nomination for "Best Traditional Blues Album"; years as a singer touring and recording with Van Morrison; and many TV appearances on Conan, Later...with Jools Holland, and other late night TV shows.

Subsequent to his acclaim as one of today's renowned soul singers, Hunter's restless genius penning emotive and captivating works results in his best written compositions to date on Whatever It Takes. The needle drops on "I Don't Wanna Be Without You" with saxophones grabbing your collar, pulling you close and moving you over the undulating curves of a rhumba. His words curl casually into your ear alongside the coquettish bubbling of the organ. The casual confidence of a song-smith who's honed his craft beyond reproach, Hunter's effortless intimacy on the track drives a perfect synchronicity with its crooning melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. A unified devotion serving only their master's voice, his almost violently tender voice plucks lyrics off a seemingly endless vine and feeds them to the listener with the eager patience of a lover.

The mood and tempo then climb up into the swaggering backbeat of the title track. Drums then tear into the bottom of the groove with the full-throated rapture of "I Got Eyes." Hunter is egged on by complicit background singers here and there. They ease in and out of Whatever It Takes, serving harmonies like tuxedoed waiters in an expensive restaurant, offering perfect pairings for each melodic course.

"Mm-Hmm," suddenly a tender mood hits. Verses of regret cascade in delicate shapes over dancing rhythms. A word-less chorus paints a painfully detailed picture of misfortune with an eloquently barren hum. Then, a bang. "Blisters," an instrumental cigarette before you have to get up and turn the record over. Hunter's guitar work is fearless like a buck knife carving initials into the knobby bark of a Freddy King shuffle.

Take a breath. Side Two: "A tender word too few, came a half a day too late..." "I Should've Spoke Up" comes pitter-patting down a rain-soaked sidewalk, lost in sweet, soft, sentimental regret. Then come the talkings-to. "Show Her," with ostinato bass, drums and organ scrawling "actions speak louder" dutifully on the chalkboard behind Hunter's lessons. The frenetic tutorial of "Don't Let Pride Take You for a Ride" practically tears itself apart in its final cautionary refrains. "How Long" is a yarn spun out on a porch with its gospel harmonies and foot stomping. And stepping out just as he stepped in, "It Was Gonna Be You," an affectionate simplicity and sincerity that defies the quirkiness of the tim-tom clockwork over which it's delivered.

There is a common theme on Whatever It Takes. It's not a record about infidelity, shallow seductions, fleeting backdoor trysts, or any of the other common clichés of R&B. These are poetic testaments to truer love. Loyalty, devotion, humility, and the inevitable regret of those who take love for granted. Clearly inspired by his new bride, Hunter is singing about the preciousness of a love he plans to keep, Whatever It Takes.

For more information regarding The James Hunter Six and Whatever It Takes, please visit jameshuntermusic.com, daptonerecords.com, facebook.com/TheJamesHunterSix, and twitter.com/jameshuntersix. To pre-order Whatever It Takes, please visit: radi.al/JH6WhateverItTakes.

The James Hunter Six
Whatever It Takes

Track Listing:
1. I Don't Wanna Be Without You
2. Whatever It Takes
3. I Got Eyes
4. Mm-Hmm
5. Blisters
6. I Should've Spoke Up
7. Show Her
8. Don't Let Pride Take You for a Ride
9. How Long
10. It Was Gonna Be You

THE JAMES HUNTER SIX -- WINTER & SPRING 2018 TOUR DATES:
February 16 - Annapolis, MD - Ram's Head
February 17 - Fairfield, Connecticut - StageOne
February 18 - Pawling, New York - Daryl's House
February 19 - Boston, Massachusetts - City Winery
February 21 - New York - City Winery
February 22 - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania - ArtsQuest
February 23 - Maplewood, New Jersey - Rent Party
February 24 - Washington, DC - Pearl Street Warehouse
February 26 - March 2 - Miami, FL/Montego Bay, Jamaica - Keeping the Blues Alive Cruise
March 6 - London, UK - Borderline
March 8 - Paris, France - La Boule Noire
March 9 - Alencon, France - La Luciole
March 10 - Cleon, France - La Traverse
March 13 - Munchen, Germany - Ampere
March 14 - Koln, Germany - Luxor
March 15 - Hannover, Germany - Faust
March 16 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust
March 17 - Berlin, Germany - Lido
March 23 - Madrid, Spain - Secret Social Club
March 24 - Miranda de Ebro, Spain - Ebrovision event
March 25 - Badalona, Spain - Teatre Principal

Sun, 12/10/2017 - 3:01 pm

Making a name for yourself in the music industry is no easy task, but some artists are up for tackling it with creative ways to get it done. The Bay Area's Americana mavens The Brothers Comatose are of this ilk. Following three critically acclaimed full-length studio albums (Songs From The Stoop, Respect The Van, City Painted Gold), The Brothers Comatose disrupts the traditional album cycle and focuses their 2017/2018 release schedule on a series of strategically released songs. Subsequent to their initial songs "Don't Make Me Get Up And Go," "Cedarwood Pines," and "Get Me Home" in their new series, the five-piece string band releases "Joshua Tree" with an accompanying music video featuring lead singer Ben Morrison and Erika Tietjen of the T Sisters in Joshua Tree, Calif..

Produced by indie-rock legend John Vanderslice, "Joshua Tree" is released on December 8 to coincide with The Brothers Comatose's hometown New Year's Eve run at The Catalyst (Santa Cruz, CA: Dec. 28), McNear's Mystic Theatre (Petaluma, CA: Dec. 29 & 30), and Cornerstone (Berkeley, CA: Dec. 31). The first three tracks in their new song series were released in connection with the "Campfire Caravan" national tour featuring The Brothers Comatose, Mipso and The Lil Smokies.

The Brothers Comatose are anything but a traditional acoustic outfit with their fierce musicianship and rowdy live shows reminiscent of stadium rock concerts. The band churns out raucous West Coast renderings of traditional bluegrass, rock 'n' roll, and alt-country, and with the video for "Joshua Tree" the band departs from their typical whimsical charm to capture two otherworldly beings landing in the desert for a psychedelic adventure.

Beautiful acoustic guitar work and crooning baritone vocals from lead singer Ben Morrison opens up "Joshua Tree." An escapist tale for a couple weighed down by the burdens of big city life, "Joshua Tree" hones in on how simple pleasures become amplified when experienced in a magical desert world such as Joshua Tree, Calif. Running through the sand, drinking cold wine, dreaming about the sun, there isn't a worry in the world. Even with city life weighing you down, "Joshua Tree" celebrates a destination where you can leave your concerns at the door and focus on what's important.

Ben Morrison comments, "After a productive first half day at Tiny Telephone studio, the band and Vanderslice went out for a late lunch in the Mission District in San Francisco for some massive burritos. We got back to the studio and I thought we were just going to lay down one more track with just instruments, but Vanderslice wanted to cut 'Joshua Tree,' all live. Having a big belly full of burrito is pretty bad for singing, but we decided to go for it anyway. At that point, the song was only conceptualized as a vocal and guitar track. We kept it sparse and only added background vocals and bass parts toward the end of the song. Our mandolin player Ryan Avellone played an old 1938 Gibson J-35, I played my Holcomb resonator and we cut vocals and guitars all at the same time, while Gio Benedetti put down some bowed upright bass and Vanderslice added some Moog synth for extra low end. Vanderslice mixed the track in less than 20 minutes."

The Brothers Comatose is comprised of brothers Ben Morrison (guitar, vocals) and Alex Morrison (banjo, vocals), Gio Benedetti (bass, vocals), Philip Brezina (violin), and Ryan Avellone (mandolin). When they're not headlining The Fillmore for a sold-out show or appearing at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, the band is out on the road performing across America, Canada, Australia, and hosting their very own music festival, Comatopia. In 2018, The Brothers Comatose will travel to Asia for a month of cultural music exchange and education with American Music Abroad, a program directed by the State Department.

For more information regarding The Brothers Comatose, please visit: brotherscomatose.com.

THE BROTHERS COMATOSE -- NEW YEAR'S EVE 2017 SHOWS
Thursday, December 28 -- Santa Cruz, CA -- The Catalyst
Friday, December 29 & Saturday, December 30 -- Petaluma, CA -- McNear's Mystic Theatre
Sunday, December 31 -- Berkeley, CA -- Cornerstone

Wed, 01/10/2018 - 11:31 am

The 17th Annual Northwest String Summit (String Summit) is one of the top boutique live music experiences in the country and presents an array of today's leaders in the Americana, Bluegrass, Indy Rock, and Jam genres. It all happens at the iconic Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) from July 19 - 22, 2018. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout, a private family-owned reserve of old-growth trees, wild peacocks, ponds, and campsites, stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country. A family-friendly and locally sourced festival, String Summit caps its capacity at 5,000 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festivalgoers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: stringsummit.com.

The 17th Annual Northwest String Summit features many of the biggest names in Americana and beyond, including - Three Nights of Yonder Mountain String Band & Greensky Bluegrass, 2 Nights of Railroad Earth, 2 Nights of Leftover Salmon, 2 Nights of Fruition, 2 Nights of Mandolin Orange, Steep Canyon Rangers, 2 Nights of The Lil Smokies, Dustbowl Revival, Jon Stickley Trio, Front Country, Danny Barnes, Darol Anger & The Furies, Old Salt Union, World's Finest, Yak Attack, Dead Horses, The Deer, The Honey Dewdrops, Deep Fried Pickle Project, Useful Jenkins, The Lowest Pair, Talbott Brothers (2017 Band Competition Winners), and More Acts to be Announced!

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about String Summit 2018, "Horning's Hideout is such a special festival destination that we're thrilled to invite all our friends and many core bands for the party year after year. Several will perform on multiple days so they too can properly experience the vibe and, in turn, deliver more magnificent music magic morning, noon and night!"

While the Main Stage Amphitheater will be at full tilt, the 1,500 person Kinfolk Revival Tent returns with daytime artist workshops and late-night sets. The Cascadia Stage, set deep in a wooded hollow, will ramp up to provide music all day Friday - Sunday, and late-night sets after Main Stage acts from Thursday - Saturday.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians to support the thriving local communities. String Summit exudes fun and activities for the whole family seen by some as the yearly grounds for reunions among close friends and neighbors. Several onsite enhancements are in store to make festivalgoers' experiences that much better -- with or without their kiddos. The "Not For Kid's Only" Family Area provides a festival within the festival; daily kid-centric workshops, arts & crafts, and music make this place fun for all ages! There are a multitude of offerings for the mind, body and soul with several daily yoga and meditation sessions to help keep you in optimum spirits and the body limber for dancing the night away. Additionally, more artistic and interactive installations are in the works for the 17th Annual event thanks to the exceptional art teams of Tyler Fuqua Creations, Ghost Stag, among others!

Now in its 15th year, the Band Competition, held on Friday, July 20, 2018, attracts some of the hottest up-and-coming acts from across the country. Four bands, or singer/songwriters, will be chosen by a panel of judges to compete for the winning crown. The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at The Cascadia Stage, and an offer for the following year's festival on the Main Stage. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications are accepted until April 20, 2018; for more information please visit: stringsummit.com/band-competition

17th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
Early Bird Passes & RV PASSES -- SOLD OUT
Tier 2 4-Day Passes, 3-Day Passes, Parking Passes (Pricing Varies) -- On Sale NOW
NEW Peacock Club VIP Experience Passes -- On Sale NOW

*Festival pass prices include primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2018: Parking Fee starting at $29.99 per car available in advance.
*Thursday add-on passes and 3-Day passes are available, for more info please visit: stringsummit.com/2018-tickets

Sat, 01/13/2018 - 4:14 pm

A permanent fixture in the world of Rhythm and Soul, James Hunter follows up five critically acclaimed albums with his latest recording, Whatever It Takes, for New York City's venerable label, Daptone Records. At the height of his famed recording career, Hunter and Daptone co-founder and producer Bosco Mann recorded an elegantly crafted collection of 10 originals that are evermore poignant and compelling than the singer's previous works. The James Hunter Six and Mann recorded Whatever It Takes straight to tape at Daptone's Penrose Studios in Riverside, California. Whatever It Takes will be internationally released on February 2, 2018. Interviews and hi-res JPGs are available upon request.

American Songwriter Magazine premieres today the single "I Got Eyes" featured on Whatever It Takes. James Hunter notes, "On paper it's a straightforward declaration of love, but in practice it's an excuse to scream the highest notes I can manage. Some of the fadeout reminds me of the singer in the nightclub altercation scene in the John Boorman film 'Point Blank' in which Lee Marvin distinguishes himself as the first man in a Hollywood fight to punch his opponent in the orchestra stalls. While on tour, we put the horn arrangement together in a log cabin in Leavenworth WA. We had a day off, which we needed to arrange the songs before the recording session, and we were snowed in so we couldn't go out anyway." To view the premiere, please visit here. To pre-order/stream the single "I Got Eyes," please visit: http://dapt.one/IGotEyes

The James Hunter Six -- Whatever It Takes
Subsequent to his acclaim as one of today's renowned soul singers, Hunter's restless genius penning emotive and captivating works results in his best written compositions to date on Whatever It Takes. The needle drops on "I Don't Wanna Be Without You" with saxophones grabbing your collar, pulling you close and moving you over the undulating curves of a rhumba. His words curl casually into your ear alongside the coquettish bubbling of the organ. The casual confidence of a song-smith who's honed his craft beyond reproach, Hunter's effortless intimacy on the track drives a perfect synchronicity with its crooning melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. A unified devotion serving only their master's voice, his almost violently tender voice plucks lyrics off a seemingly endless vine and feeds them to the listener with the eager patience of a lover.

The mood and tempo then climb up into the swaggering backbeat of the title track. Drums then tear into the bottom of the groove with the full-throated rapture of "I Got Eyes." Hunter is egged on by complicit background singers here and there. They ease in and out of Whatever It Takes, serving harmonies like tuxedoed waiters in an expensive restaurant, offering perfect pairings for each melodic course.

"Mm-Hmm," suddenly a tender mood hits. Verses of regret cascade in delicate shapes over dancing rhythms. A word-less chorus paints a painfully detailed picture of misfortune with an eloquently barren hum. Then, a bang. "Blisters," an instrumental cigarette before you have to get up and turn the record over. Hunter's guitar work is fearless like a buck knife carving initials into the knobby bark of a Freddy King shuffle.

Take a breath. Side Two: "A tender word too few, came a half a day too late..." "I Should've Spoke Up" comes pitter-patting down a rain-soaked sidewalk, lost in sweet, soft, sentimental regret. Then come the talkings-to. "Show Her," with ostinato bass, drums and organ scrawling "actions speak louder" dutifully on the chalkboard behind Hunter's lessons. The frenetic tutorial of "Don't Let Pride Take You for a Ride" practically tears itself apart in its final cautionary refrains. "How Long" is a yarn spun out on a porch with its gospel harmonies and foot stomping. And stepping out just as he stepped in, "It Was Gonna Be You," an affectionate simplicity and sincerity that defies the quirkiness of the tim-tom clockwork over which it's delivered.

There is a common theme on Whatever It Takes. It's not a record about infidelity, shallow seductions, fleeting backdoor trysts, or any of the other common clichés of R&B. These are poetic testaments to truer love. Loyalty, devotion, humility, and the inevitable regret of those who take love for granted. Clearly inspired by his new bride, Hunter is singing about the preciousness of a love he plans to keep, Whatever It Takes.

For more information regarding The James Hunter Six and Whatever It Takes, please visit jameshuntermusic.com, daptonerecords.com, facebook.com/TheJamesHunterSix, and twitter.com/jameshuntersix. To pre-order Whatever It Takes, please visit: http://dapt.one/IGotEyes

The James Hunter Six
Whatever It Takes

Track Listing:
1. I Don't Wanna Be Without You
2. Whatever It Takes
3. I Got Eyes
4. Mm-Hmm
5. Blisters
6. I Should've Spoke Up
7. Show Her
8. Don't Let Pride Take You for a Ride
9. How Long
10. It Was Gonna Be You

THE JAMES HUNTER SIX -- WINTER & SPRING 2018 TOUR DATES:
February 17 - Fairfield, Connecticut - StageOne
February 18 - Pawling, New York - Daryl's House
February 19 - Boston, Massachusetts - City Winery
February 21 - New York - City Winery
February 22 - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania - ArtsQuest
February 23 - Maplewood, New Jersey - Rent Party
February 24 - Washington, DC - Pearl Street Warehouse
February 26 - March 2 - Miami, FL/Montego Bay, Jamaica - Keeping the Blues Alive Cruise
March 6 - London, UK - Borderline
March 8 - Paris, France - La Boule Noire
March 9 - Alencon, France - La Luciole
March 10 - Cleon, France - La Traverse
March 13 - Munchen, Germany - Ampere
March 14 - Koln, Germany - Luxor
March 15 - Hannover, Germany - Faust
March 16 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust
March 17 - Berlin, Germany - Lido
March 23 - Madrid, Spain - Secret Social Club
March 24 - Miranda de Ebro, Spain - Ebrovision event
March 25 - Badalona, Spain - Teatre Principal

Wed, 03/07/2018 - 7:20 am

Self-proclaimed the "Most Recorded Drummer in History," Bernard "Pretty" Purdie is an American musical treasure. One of few artists who's shaped the rhythm of American music for more than half a century, Purdie returns to the spotlight with an original collection of 10 compositions for his first solo studio album in nearly a decade, Cool Down. Set for national release on "Record Store Day" (April 21, 2018), Cool Down features the legendary Bernard Purdie alongside modern funk, soul and jazz masterminds Ivan Neville, Pete Shand, and Brian J. Special guests include three inimitable vocalists Cyril Neville, Anthony Cole, and Mayteana Morales. Bernard Purdie is available for interviews upon request.

Ranked among the "Top 20 Drummers of All Time" by Rolling Stone Magazine and inducted into Modern Drummer's "Hall of Fame," Purdie's idiosyncratic drum work can be heard on a staggering number of classic albums produced by artists such as The Beatles, James Brown, Nina Simone, B.B. King, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Hall & Oates, and Steely Dan. His drum patterns, a unique merger of urbane swagger and lose Southern funk, have all but defined early hip-hop. Of his many solo recordings, his debut as a leader Soul Drums (1968) and Soul Is...Pretty Purdie (1972) are highly sought-after treasure troves of beats long sampled by DJs and hip-hop producers. Purdie's extensive list of accolades includes serving for five years as Aretha Franklin's musical director, and being the drummer for the Broadway revival of Hair in 2009.

Enter the Cool Down recording sessions at Brooklyn's Vibromonk Studios to hear the leading-edge gospel music of today. No separate recording rooms, no drum isolation, no headphones, just pure musicianship at its finest. "Bernard Purdie likes things mid-tempo," says Pete Shand (The New Mastersounds), co-producer of Cool Down along with Brian J. He continues, "There's nowhere to hide within the groove and Purdie wants that openness to live on its own. Seeing him come alive in the sessions was truly amazing. The simple fact that he can still get back into that head space and bring us back to how he's always thrown it down on so many famous albums, his legacy is still being forged by new original music."

Cool Down is representative of the fact that at the age of 76, Bernard Purdie remains a prominent fixture on the contemporary music scene. Purdue's deep sonic library to cull drum tones and patterns from, Cool Down takes the metropolitan sounds of East Coast funk and intermingles it with New Orleans rhythms. At the heart of songs "Cool Down," "Elevate," and "Keep On" are grooves that fans of The Meters and Funkadelic would come to expect Purdie to record with his fresh new band. The early '70s-esque standout single "Deep In Love" featuring Brooklyn's own Mayteana Morales is destined to become an instant classic. Filled with retro emotion, the synchronicity and mid-tempo progression is the perfect soundscape defining contemporary soul music.

Cool Down keeps true to its funk roots with standout instrumental numbers, "Shand Stand," "Money Bags," "Frank Funk," and "The Golden Tie." The jazz ballad "Better Man" is the album's most intimate moment with Anthony Cole's textured baritone caressed by Brian J's ethereal background vocals and psych-funk guitar work. Ivan Neville brings the NOLA flavor in full effect on "Keep On," a song that initially caught the band by surprise when they couldn't find the one beat while listening back to an outro the group recorded to capture the groove. Once back in the recording room, the first take was all they needed to get it down on tape.

With Purdie straight on the beat and sparse as can be, "Stranded" elevates the blues tradition to historical proportions with Cyril Neville singing his heart out while Ivan Neville supports on Hammond B3.

"Pete Shand knows my music and how I play, he and the other players have brought so much depth to the album," says Bernard Purdie. "After two and half days in the studio, we laid down a dynamite recording. I can't wait for my fans to hear it."

On Cool Down, Purdie brings the same vibrancy and spontaneity that embodies the best work of his famed career. With his new core band and standout special guests abound, Cool Down marks one of 2018's singular soul & jazz albums.

Bernard Purdie & Friends
Cool Down

Track Listing:
1. Elevate
2. Cool Down
3. Shand Stand
4. Money Bags
5. Deep In Love featuring Mayteana Morales
6. Frank Funk
7. Better Man featuring Anthony Cole
8. The Golden Tie
9. Keep On
10. Stranded featuring Cyril Neville

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 3:47 pm

The 17th Annual Northwest String Summit (String Summit) is one of the top boutique live music experiences in the country and presents an array of today's leaders in the Americana, Bluegrass, Indy Rock, and Jam genres. It all happens at the iconic Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) from July 19 - 22, 2018. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout, a private family-owned reserve of old-growth trees, wild peacocks, ponds, and campsites, stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country. A family-friendly and locally sourced festival, String Summit caps its capacity at 5,000 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festivalgoers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: stringsummit.com.

The 17th Annual Northwest String Summit announces today its latest addition of electrifying live acts including 2018 GRAMMY® Award-winning The Infamous Stringdusters for 2 Nights; Leftover Salmon's Funky Brass Breakdown with the High Country Horns Featuring Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman (both of Trey Anastasio Band) as well as Seattle's Skerik; Leftover Salmon: The Music of Neil Young; Keller Williams & The Andys Featuring Andy Hall and Andy Falco (both of The Infamous Stringdusters) and Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon); Shook Twins "Total Remix Request Live" late night show; Sideboob Featuring Allie Kral (YMSB), Mimi Naja (Fruition) and Shook Twins; John Cragie; Horseshoes & Hand Grenades; Brad Parsons & Benny "Burle" Galloway; Pete Kartsounes; The Last Revel, Taylor Kingman & The Holy Know-Nothings; Arthur Lee Land Trio, Teskey Brothers, The Drunken Hearts, and Useful Jenkins.

Many of the biggest names in Americana and beyond have already been announced for the 17th Annual Northwest String Summit, including - Three Nights of Yonder Mountain String Band & Greensky Bluegrass; 2 Nights of Railroad Earth; 2 Nights of Leftover Salmon; 2 Nights of Fruition; 2 Nights of Mandolin Orange; Steep Canyon Rangers; 2 Nights of The Lil Smokies; Dustbowl Revival; Jon Stickley Trio; Front Country; Danny Barnes; Darol Anger & The Furies; Old Salt Union; World's Finest; Yak Attack; Dead Horses; The Deer; The Honey Dewdrops; Deep Fried Pickle Project; The Lowest Pair; and Talbott Brothers (2017 Band Competition Winners).

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about String Summit 2018, "Horning's Hideout is such a special festival destination that we're thrilled to invite all our friends and many core bands for the party year after year. Several will perform on multiple days so they too can properly experience the vibe and, in turn, deliver more magnificent music magic morning, noon and night!"

While the Main Stage Amphitheater will be at full tilt, the Kinfolk Revival Stage returns with daytime artist workshops and late-night sets. The Cascadia Stage, set deep in a wooded hollow, will ramp up to provide music all day Friday - Sunday, and late-night sets after Main Stage acts from Thursday - Saturday.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians to support the thriving local communities. String Summit exudes fun and activities for the whole family seen by some as the yearly grounds for reunions among close friends and neighbors. Several onsite enhancements are in store to make festivalgoers' experiences that much better -- with or without their kiddos. The "Not For Kid's Only" Family Area provides a festival within the festival; daily kid-centric workshops, arts & crafts, and music make this place fun for all ages! There are a multitude of offerings for the mind, body and soul with several daily yoga and meditation sessions to help keep you in optimum spirits and the body limber for dancing the night away. Additionally, more artistic and interactive installations are in the works for the 17th Annual event thanks to the exceptional art teams of Tyler Fuqua Creations, Ghost Stag, among others!

Now in its 15th year, the Band Competition, held on Friday, July 20, 2018, attracts some of the hottest up-and-coming acts from across the country. Four bands, or singer/songwriters, will be chosen by a panel of judges to compete for the winning crown. The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at The Cascadia Stage, and an offer for the following year's festival on the Main Stage. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications are accepted until April 20, 2018; for more information please visit: stringsummit.com/band-competition

17th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
Early Bird Passes & RV PASSES -- SOLD OUT
Tier 2 4-Day Passes, 3-Day Passes, Parking Passes (Pricing Varies) -- On Sale NOW
NEW Peacock Club VIP Experience Passes -- On Sale NOW

*Festival pass prices include primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2018: Parking Fee starting at $29.99 per car available in advance.
*Thursday add-on passes and 3-Day passes are available, for more info please visit: stringsummit.com/2018-tickets

Tue, 03/27/2018 - 1:18 pm

The Crescent City's explosive ensemble Cha Wa will release its sophomore studio album Spyboy, featuring its 21-year old lead singer Spyboy J'Wan Boudreaux, on Friday, April 27, 2018. Spyboy is an impeccable blend of traditional New Orleans street music styles transformed into a modern mix of fiery, toe-tapping sounds. The album drops in advance of the band's headlining performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on the Jazz & Heritage Stage (April 28). A collection of classic compositions, two covers ("Hey Baby" and "Soul Rebel"), and seven newly written, brass-infused songs, Spyboy was produced by Galactic's Ben Ellman and features special guests Big Chief Monk Boudreaux (The Wild Magnolias, HBO's Treme), Nigel Hall (Lettuce, Nth Power), and Danica Hart. Interviews are available upon request.

Dating back to the late 1800s, the Mardi Gras Indian tradition began when African-American men first marched in Native American dress through the streets of New Orleans on Mardi Gras day. The tradition, which includes a host of songs shared among the various tribes, has been kept alive for over a century and is as vital as ever. Over the course of the last half century, Mardi Gras Indians have influenced the biggest names in New Orleans music: The Meters, Dr. John, the Marsalis family, the Neville Brothers, Trombone Shorty and others. The most prominent Mardi Gras Indian today is Monk Boudreaux, the Big Chief of the Golden Eagles tribe, and his grandson (who holds the position of Spyboy in the tribe) J'Wan Boudreaux is stepping up to propel their culture forward. Add in healthy doses of brass band and funk music, and you have the sound of Cha Wa!

Breaking out on the inimitable NOLA music scene, Cha Wa was founded by drummer Joe Gelini after he paid his dues playing behind Monk Boudreaux and other iconic Crescent City artists. The band is unique in combining three of the major threads of New Orleans music, and the fact that its members compose original songs in that vein. With songwriting contributions to Spyboy from band members Joe Maize, Thaddeus "Peanut" Ramsey, Ari Teitel and Clifton "Spug" Smith, along with J'Wan and Gelini, Cha Wa ignites an entire new generation with contemporary anthems set ablaze by its high-flying ensemble.

Big Chief Monk Boudreaux guests on two songs. One, "Visible Means of Support," which Monk wrote along with Gelini, recalls the days of the Jim Crow South when Monk would be unlawfully stopped by the police as a young man while simply walking on the street. The cops would invoke an archaic law (which required a "visible means of support") and if Monk couldn't produce a paystub or proof of employment, he would be thrown in jail. As the lyric goes, "I used to go to jail every weekend, just because the color of my skin...if I didn't pay the bail, didn't pay the fine, I would have to do the time."

"Get On Out The Way" depicts an Indian tribe coming down the street, and emphasizes that there is only one thing to do: move. "Golden Crown" pays tribute to the patriarch of the tribe, as the Big Chief is the only one with a golden crown. The song "Geechie Boom Boom" is for two mentors: Norwood "Geechie" Johnson, who introduced the bass drum to The Wild Magnolias, and J'Wan's cousin Boom Boom, one of NOLA's most in-demand drummers.

It is common among New Orleans brass bands to cover pop songs (such as Rebirth Brass Band's "Casanova" or Hot 8 Brass Band's "Sexual Healing"). Cha Wa's rendition of "Hey Baby" is sung as a duet between J'Wan and Danica Hart. With Hart's vocals high up in the mix, Cha Wa introduces a female perspective to challenge standard gender roles. Meanwhile, J'Wan's take on the Bob Marley classic "Soul Rebel" is an act of resistance against oppression.

With a heritage that is Choctaw, Cherokee and African American, J'Wan thanks Native Americans for being the first to take in runaway slaves on his spoken-word track "J'Wan's Story." And "Chapters" is a song J'Wan wrote which reflects on his own life history.

Whereas "Cha Wa" and "Spy On Fiya" turn up the heat at the start of Spyboy, the classic track "I'll Fly Away" closes out the album in dedication to former band member Steve Malinowski, who unexpectedly and tragically passed away from an aneurysm the night of a Cha Wa concert. "I'll Fly Away" is sung acapella by Malinowski's former girlfriend.

The result of this intoxicating mix of spirit and soul is Spyboy!

Cha Wa
Spyboy

1. Cha Wa
2. Get On Out The Way
3. Hey Baby
4. Spy On Fiya
5. Visible Means Of Support
6. J'Wan's Story
7. Chapters
8. My Indian Red
9. Can't Cage A Bird
10. Soul Rebel
11. Geechie Boom Boom
12. Golden Crown
13. I’ll Fly Away

Wed, 06/13/2018 - 1:59 pm

Acclaimed sitar virtuoso and composer Anoushka Shankar returns to the United States for a special series of live performances in protest to the displacement of refugees fleeing conflict areas across the globe. Anoushka Shankar presents music from her latest GRAMMY® Award-nominated album, Land of Gold -- a recording that reflects her personal response to the trauma facing refugees in search of sanctuary. Shankar raises funds for the humanitarian relief efforts led by the singular nonprofit organization Help Refugees ( https://helprefugees.org ) at headlining U.S. concerts in July 2018, including at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever (Los Angeles, CA: July 12, two concerts), California WorldFest (Grass Valley, CA: July 13 & 14), Stern Grove Festival (San Francisco, CA: July 15), Dakota Jazz Club (Minneapolis, MN: July 16 & 17), Millennium Park (Chicago, IL: July 19), and Celebrate Brooklyn (Brooklyn, NY: July 20). Interviews are available upon request.

Touted as an Asian Hero by TIME magazine, Anoushka Shankar aligns visionary artistic pursuits with her impassioned fight for women's rights and social justice. For more than a decade, Shankar has spoken out against sexual violence, human trafficking, gender inequality, and the refugee crisis. Shankar's forthcoming U.S. tour is a call-to-action in support of people fleeing civil war, oppression, poverty and unbearable hardship, and offers an uplifting message of hope for these dark times.

Land of Gold contemplates the common thread of humanity and its power to reconnect people divided by hatred and fear. An immediate response took shape while exploring the stories of the voiceless with 11 empowering original compositions featuring foremost female activists including global hip-hop star M.I.A. ("Jump In, Cross the Line") and actress Vanessa Redgrave (reading a Pavana Reddy poem on "Remain the Sea"). German singer Alev Lenz lends an evocative vocal to the title track, and the inspirational Girls for Equality children's choir closes out the album on "Reunion."

Additional guest artists on Land of Gold include the album's co-writer and Hang and percussion virtuoso Manu Delago, eminent jazz double bassist Larry Grenadier, renowned dancer Akram Khan, cellist Caroline Dale and electronic producer Matt Robertson. An East meets West amalgamation of classical minimalism, jazz, electronica, and Indian classical styles, Land of Gold evokes feelings of disconnection and vulnerability while training a light of hope on the soul's darkest shadows.

Anoushka Shankar tours with two of the album's guest artists including Manu Delago (Björk) and master player of the Indian reed instrument the shehnai Sanjeev Shankar, who was a student of her late father Ravi Shankar. Tom Farmer is on double bass and keyboards, with Dennis Fernandez and Natalie Brown leading the sound production. Immaculately intimate and urgent, the live performance of Land of Gold contemplates the common thread of humanity and its power to connect people divided by hatred and fear. The two yearlong tour of this album has experienced unprecedented success with over 60 shows across five continents, including performances at the Copenhagen, Rabat, WOMAdelaide & Glastonbury Festivals. The forthcoming U.S. tour has been added due to the overwhelming demand from audiences to hear this album live and the continued global relevance of the refugee crisis.

"I had recently given birth to my second child in the summer of 2015, when the nightmarish trauma of the plight of refugees began to sweep across our news channels," comments Anoushka Shankar. "I was horrified by the intense contrast between my ability to provide for my children, and others who desperately wanted to provide the same security for their own children but were unable to do so due to unimaginable hardships. Land of Gold, which I was writing at the time, seemingly of its own accord became a response to the situation: a cry against injustice and a plea for empathy and connection. Although I felt overwhelmed with a sense of powerlessness to alleviate the suffering of others, I was painfully aware that, whilst I was physically remote from their harrowing experience, it was impossible for me to deny my emotional connection as a human being. My heart broke when the lifeless body of Syrian infant Aylan Kurdi washed-up on a Turkish beach, and the title song 'Land of Gold,' is a direct response to that tragedy. Since 2015, very little has changed, but fortunately there are excellent organizations like Help Refugees working to minimize the extensive suffering occurring as a result of the global refugee crisis. This summer, there will be bucket collections at my concerts in aid of this fantastic charity, thank to whom more than 722,500 people have received essential aid. It would mean the world to me if people at the shows could donate anything they are able to this cause."

"We are absolutely over the moon that Anoushka Shankar has chosen Help Refugees as charity partner for her Land of Gold USA 2018 tour," says Josie Naughton (CEO, Help Refugees). "Anoushka's support and that of her incredible fans means the world to us, and will help us provide life-saving support for people fleeing war, conflict and persecution. There are currently thousands of refugees arriving in Greece every month, and funds raised through this fantastic partnership will go a long way towards providing them with essential items including food, diapers and clean dry clothes. The media is no longer talking about the situation so now, more than ever before, we appreciate Anoushka highlighting this cause and raising desperately-needed funds."

Please join Anoushka Shankar in her support of Help Refugees' Choose Love campaign along with other outspoken celebrities such as Oprah, Toby Jones, Emma Thompson, Tom Stoppard and Florence Welch as they share this simple yet powerful message to help refugees around the world. Direct donations to Help Refugees can be made on helprefugees.org

About Anoushka Shankar
Sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar is a singular figure in the Indian classical and progressive world music scenes. Her dynamic and spiritual musicality has garnered several prestigious accolades, including six GRAMMY® Award nominations, recognition as the youngest -- and first female -- recipient of a British House of Commons Shield, credit as an Asian Hero by TIME magazine, and a Songlines "Best Artist Award." Most recently, she became one of the first five female composers to have been added to the UK A-level music syllabus.

Deeply rooted in the Indian Classical music tradition, Anoushka studied exclusively from the age of nine under her father and guru, the late Ravi Shankar, and made her professional debut as a classical sitarist at the age of thirteen. Since launching her lauded career, Anoushka has led cross-cultural collaborations with artists such as Sting, M.I.A., Herbie Hancock, Pepe Habichuela, Karsh Kale, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Joshua Bell demonstrating the versatility of the sitar across musical genres. As an international solo sitarist, Anoushka has performed to sold-out crowds on many of the world's most distinguished stages such as Carnegie Hall (NYC), Barbican Centre (London), Sydney Opera House, Philharmonie (Paris), and San Francisco Opera House.

For more information regarding Anoushka Shankar, please visit: anoushkashankar.com

Wed, 06/20/2018 - 3:31 pm

The 17th Annual Northwest String Summit (String Summit) is one of the top boutique live music experiences in the country and presents an array of today's leaders in the Americana, Bluegrass, Indy Rock, and Jam genres. It all happens at the iconic Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) from July 19 - 22, 2018. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout, a private family-owned reserve of old-growth trees, wild peacocks, ponds, and campsites, stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country. A family-friendly and locally sourced festival, String Summit caps its capacity at 5,000 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festivalgoers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: stringsummit.com.

The 17th Annual Northwest String Summit proudly presents many of the biggest names in Americana and beyond, including Three Nights of Yonder Mountain String Band & Greensky Bluegrass; 2 Nights of Railroad Earth; 2 Nights of 2018 GRAMMY® Award-winning The Infamous Stringdusters; 2 Nights of Leftover Salmon; Leftover Salmon's Funky Brass Breakdown with the High Country Horns Featuring Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman (both of Trey Anastasio Band) as well as Seattle's Skerik; Leftover Salmon: The Music of Neil Young; Keller Williams & The Andys Featuring Andy Hall and Andy Falco (both of The Infamous Stringdusters) and Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon); 2 Nights of Mandolin Orange; 2 Nights of Fruition; Steep Canyon Rangers; 2 Nights of The Lil Smokies; Shook Twins; Sideboob; Dustbowl Revival; Horseshoes & Hand Grenades; Jon Stickley Trio; Danny Barnes; Darol Anger & The Furies; John Cragie; Front Country; World's Finest; Benny "Burle" Galloway; Brad Parsons; The Last Revel; Old Salt Union; Yak Attack; Deep Fried Pickle Project; The Deer; Driftwood; The Honey Dewdrops; Pete Kartsounes; Taylor Kingman & The Holy Know-Nothings; Arthur Lee Land Trio; Teskey Brothers; The Drunken Hearts; Useful Jenkins; The Lowest Pair; Talbott Brothers (2017 Band Competition Winners); and other acts!

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about String Summit 2018, "Horning's Hideout is such a special festival destination that we're thrilled to invite all our friends and many core bands for the party year after year. Several will perform on multiple days so they too can properly experience the vibe and, in turn, deliver more magnificent music magic morning, noon and night!"

While the Main Stage Amphitheater will be at full tilt, the Kinfolk Revival Stage returns with daytime artist workshops and late-night sets. The Cascadia Stage, set deep in a wooded hollow, will ramp up to provide music all day Friday - Sunday, and late-night sets after Main Stage acts from Thursday - Saturday.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians to support the thriving local communities. String Summit exudes fun and activities for the whole family seen by some as the yearly grounds for reunions among close friends and neighbors. Several onsite enhancements are in store to make festivalgoers' experiences that much better -- with or without their kiddos. The "Not For Kid's Only" Family Area provides a festival within the festival; daily kid-centric workshops, arts & crafts, and music make this place fun for all ages! There are a multitude of offerings for the mind, body and soul with several daily yoga and meditation sessions to help keep you in optimum spirits and the body limber for dancing the night away. Additionally, more artistic and interactive installations are in the works for the 17th Annual event thanks to the exceptional art teams of Tyler Fuqua Creations, Ghost Stag, among others!

Now in its 15th year, the Band Competition, held on Friday, July 20, 2018, attracts some of the hottest up-and-coming acts from across the country. Four bands, or singer/songwriters, will be chosen by a panel of judges to compete for the winning crown. The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at The Cascadia Stage, and an offer for the following year's festival on the Main Stage. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications are no longer being accepted.

17th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
Early Bird Passes & RV PASSES -- SOLD OUT
Tier 3 4-Day Passes, 3-Day Passes, Parking Passes (Pricing Varies) -- On Sale NOW
NEW Peacock Club VIP Experience Passes -- SOLD OUT

*Festival pass prices include primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2018: Parking Fee starting at $29.99 per car available in advance.
*Thursday add-on passes and 3-Day passes are available, for more info please visit: stringsummit.com/2018-tickets

Fri, 08/03/2018 - 5:41 pm

Antibalas have recorded six studio albums, performed over 2,000 shows across five continents -- they have accomplished many goals except for their biggest one. The Brooklyn based Afrobeat group is planning to bring the entire band to Lagos, Nigeria -- the cradle of Afrobeat music -- for their very first performance in Africa.

In order to make this dream a reality, a Kickstarter has been launched in order to properly document the journey, as well as the performance and to eventually share it with all of their fans in the form of a feature film put together by the team responsible for acclaimed documentaries such as "Still Bill" and "Herbie Hancock: Possibilities." In addition to helping cover crew and travel costs, the money raised will also help to get 500 hours of archival footage edited.

The film as a whole will explore the history of Antibalas, the band whose music has always been a voice for justice in America, and will end with the highly anticipated performance in the lead singer Amayo's hometown of Lagos.

More information about the project, a video trailer and all pledge incentives can be found here: http://kck.st/2KP2odf

Mon, 08/27/2018 - 6:00 pm

Fasten your seatbelt and hold on tight. Particle is back firing on all cylinders with the release of their first studio recording in 14 years, Accelerator (Release Date: September 21, 2018). During a years-long semi-hiatus, keyboardist/vocalist Steve Molitz remained busy with stints as keyboardist for Phil Lesh & Friends, Rich Robinson Band (Black Crowes) and guitarist Robby Krieger (The Doors), filling the venerable Ray Manzarek seat. In addition to his high-level touring, Molitz has scored over a dozen soundtracks, often including the members of Particle on the recordings, for some of today's hottest, multi-million-selling video games, including: Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn, NBA Playgrounds and the upcoming World War Z. Particle is now charged to nearly light speed with nine new original compositions ready to blow the minds of their longtime fans and new ones alike.

Hailed as one of the pioneers of livetronica and an unstoppable musical force on the live music circuit, Particle is evidence of the euphoric transcending energy that emulates from a wildly synergistic band at their peak. Nearly a thousand live shows in their early years -- many of which are widely recognized as being among the most epic jam scene shows of the past 20 years (i.e. Six hour marathon continuous late night set, Bonnaroo 2003; "Also Sprach Zarathustra - 2001" featuring Phish's Trey Anastasio and GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Eumir Deodato, Hammerstein Ballroom 2005; "The Other One" with Phil Lesh, La Zona Rosa 2005) -- have readied Particle for this milestone moment and next chapter of releasing their much-anticipated follow-up studio effort to their highly influential debut album, Launchpad (produced by rock legend Tom Rothrock).

Accelerator is the consummation of a fiery rock band engulfed in a world of analog synths along with the latest digital production techniques. Initially captivating fans across the nation with inventive manipulations of exclusively live instruments, Particle in 2018 stays true to form while also incorporating cutting-edge music production software to add modern EDM layers and textural depth to their compositions. Accelerator exhibits a fierce quartet built to quash any preconceived notions of what this band is capable of with nine jaw-dropping performances. Upon hearing their latest works, fans will know that Particle is and remains the same uniquely compelling force that turned so many heads so quickly fourteen years ago.

Crisscrossing between the natural environs of Woodstock, NY, with engineer Chris Bittner at Applehead Recording (where lauded artists such as Rich Robinson, Band of Horses, and Coheed and Cambria have recorded), and the quaint town of Maplewood, NJ, at video game developer Saber Interactive, Particle evolved jams and demos into masterpieces. Virtuosic guitar performances by Mike Daum churned through amps cranked to 11 in the 30-foot ceiling barn at Applehead. Explosive drum and bass journeys were explored and captured by Kito Bovenschulte (drums) and Clay Parnell (bass) while the band lived together at the four-story multi-studio home at Saber Interactive for 'round the clock recording sessions. Molitz's signature keyboard parts boldly blast the nine compositions into a far-away galaxy, taking the listener on a blissed-out, space-funk quest.

Accelerator opens with "Wire," a high-energy, big riffs composition led by Molitz's classic Moog mojo. Bridging Launchpad-era sounds with the new incarnation of Particle is on full display with dynamic mid-tempo sections exploding into double bass drum, synth-laden crescendos. "Home Away From Home" takes its narrative from NASA's Kepler mission, which discovered the first Earth-size planet orbiting a star in the habitable zone. A sonic gateway to the multiverse, "Home Away From Home" shows the ultimate versatility of the power-quartet moving effortlessly between drum 'n' bass, beautiful piano work, jazz-inspired hits, and straight up funk.

For the first time on a studio album, Particle integrates on Accelerator tasty vocoder synth parts, reminiscent of French electronic duo Daft Punk, while blazing metalesque guitar parts soar ("All Night"). "Devil's Work" is an intergalactic anthem with infectious hooks and all-out stadium rock concert interludes. The title track, "Accelerator," kicks off with a field recording from inside the world's largest particle accelerator at CERN laboratory in Switzerland. A cinematic feast ensues with Particle laying down a hard groove on the 2s and 4s before climaxing into its pop-infused choruses. Accelerator proceeds with a slew of one-two punches with bangers "Heist," "Gustava," "Star City," and the finale "Bravo Delta" capping the album with a deep dive into heavy-hitting modern rock.

Over the course of the band's celebrated career, Particle has graced the stages of some of the most important music festivals (Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, etc.) and collaborated with a "who's who" of the jam world (including members of Phish, The Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, and others). As a testament to its myriad of climatic landmarks, Particle thrives on the undeniable chemistry within the band. On Accelerator, Particle unapologetically ventures into unprecedented territory. Whether experiencing Accelerator with your eyes wide open or closed shut, Particle aims to take you on a sonic journey through the unknown, exploring both inner and outer space, blowing your mind along the way, then safely bringing you back down to earth feeling supercharged and electrified.

To see a comprehensive list of forthcoming Particle tour dates, please visit: particlepeople.com

Particle
Accelerator

Track Listing:
1. Wire
2. All Night
3. Home Away From Home
4. Devil's Work
5. Accelerator
6. Heist
7. Gustava
8. Star City
9. Bravo Delta

Tue, 08/28/2018 - 2:07 pm

GRAMMY® Award-winning The Okee Dokee Brothers embark on an experience of a lifetime as Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing celebrate the spirit of the winter season on their latest full-length studio album, Winterland (Release Date: October 19, 2018). Following their critically-acclaimed "Adventure Album Series" featuring Can You Canoe?, Through the Woods, and Saddle Up, The Okee Dokee Brothers release an exuberant yet introspective collection of 16 original songs exploring the wonders and beauty of winter. A voyage from autumn to spring, Winterland presents secular winter music the entire family can enjoy while cozying up around the fire.

In a world where people are all too often pursuing their own individual journeys, Winterland humbly reminds us that we are all human beings living within the uncontrollable motions of Mother Nature. Embracing the cycles of loss and new life, darkness and light, bitter cold and warmth, Winterland reflects that winter is not only a season, but a feeling we carry within. As we weather the storm by looking inward, we can redefine our seasonal perspectives. In fact, with just the right outlook, winter can become our own sense of paradise, even through the warm months. Join The Okee Dokee Brothers as they welcome you to experience a refreshing, wide-eyed view of the most exciting time of year with their forthcoming album, Winterland.

Produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning Dean Jones and showcasing a cast of guest musicians from the Hudson Valley in Upstate New York (as well as Hawaii-based ukulele phenom, Paula Fuga), Winterland plants a seed for communities to band together and collectively support our beloved and endangered winters. Winter's natural evolution is vital in keeping the earth healthy and hearty for generations to come. The Okee Dokee Brothers' adventures advocate enjoying life in the great outdoors, and now with Winterland, the duo encourages fans to find their love of nature no matter the season.

The Okee Dokee Brothers -- Winterland -- 16 Original Compositions

Winterland delightfully opens with "Blankets of Snow," a song reminding us that the more you welcome the cold, the more warmth it offers you. With imperfect production inspired by The Band's Music from Big Pink album, the raucous rendition highlights that life doesn't need to be perfect to be filled with love. "Welcome Home" celebrates Joe's newborn son arriving home for the first time, and the passing down of old stories and traditions for years to come. Winter gatherings are anything but dull with wild dancing and singing parties filling the air with jubilee. "Welcome Home" radiates warmth like a home brimming with hospitality and vitality.

"Ice Fishin' Shack" brings fans to the heart of Minnesotan culture. Whether getting out on the ice to spend time with friends or to simply take a break from society, it's one of the classic outdoor activities of the North. "Keep Me Warm" is reminiscent of The Okee Dokee Brothers' travels to Ireland some winters back, and inspired by the singing of "Belle of Belfast City" and other Irish traditional songs, in a rowdy pub of course. Spawned from Justin's time in the Himalayan mountains, "The Abominable Yeti" is a hilarious children's story with an undercurrent of how people often are fearful of things they don't know much about. Once one dedicates time to hearing new perspectives, it becomes easier to collaborate, even with a yeti.

The best anyone can do, no matter what your age, is to be your true self. "You You You" celebrates this authenticity as an ode to children who exude originality. While watching Joe's family grow, Justin offers a moving tribute with "Candles." A beautiful way to illuminate a dark winter room, candles are just like children, our universal light.

"Slumberjack" is the duo's first recorded a cappella song and nods to the shanties of Canada's Maritime Provinces. Chock-filled with juxtaposition, the writing sessions for "Ukulele in a Snowstorm" were done in the middle of a Minnesota blizzard. Learning to play the ukulele is one way to keep warm while staring at piles of snow. Having Hawaii's Paula Fuga as a special guest vocalist can take you right to the beach. On the flipside, one of Winterland's standout singles "Howl" takes the duo up North to the Boundary Waters at the border of the United States and Canada. Written while dog sledding and hearing the pack howl in unison, The Okee Dokee Brothers heard a song. Living up North, both animals and humans sometimes just need to howl.

With the arrival of Joe's baby boy came a slew of blue-colored gifts. "Snowpeople" asks whether or not we have to "wear" our genders. Snow-"men" get assigned genders and identities without much thought. This song encourages us to listen to our kids because they, like Snowpeople, might have their own natural style. Sometimes life can't get much sweeter than a "Lazy Day" filled with good ol' relaxation, daydreaming, and an afternoon nap. And on a super cold day, the energy of a "North Country Dance Band" is a sure way to warm up with your community and dance the night away.

Winterland's final three compositions harness the essence of winter's role in nature's life cycle. Based on a story by The Last River Rat (Kenny Salwey), the duo's song "Great Grandmother Tree" exemplifies how death is a critical part of the cold season. When discussed with children in age appropriate ways, challenging issues such as death can prepare them for difficult life events in the future. "New Year" is filled with hope that spring is around the bend and that growth is in the air. Singing to Joe's baby, "New Year" notes that before long, it'll be our children singing these same songs.

One of the most powerful parts of winter, is winter's end. Watching the "Signs of Spring" pop up helps us to know that everything is going to be okay. The Okee Dokee Brothers complete Winterland with exuberance and the feeling that we all go through suffering in life. If we acknowledge that cold weather, darkness, and sadness are merely part of the journey, it makes life so much more enjoyable.

Climate Action

Winterland is dedicated to our endangered winters, which are warming fast as a result of climate change. To help ensure that fans of The Okee Dokee Brothers can enjoy a lifetime of snowy winter exploration, they're donating 10% of all Winterland CD sales and 10% of ticket sales from their hometown CD release concert at The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine's University (St. Paul, MN: Nov. 3) to Askov Finlayson's Keep the North Cold initiative. Keep the North Cold supports leading-edge climate solutions in the North and across the country. To learn more about Askov Finlayson's important mission, visit: askovfinlayson.com/mission. 10% of ticket sales from the Colorado CD release concert at Newman Center at Denver University (Nov. 4) will go to climate solutions at Protect Our Winters (POW).

The Okee Dokee Brothers
Winterland
(Release Date: October 19, 2018)

Track Listing:
1) Blankets of Snow
2) Welcome Home
3) Ice Fishin' Shack
4) Keep Me Warm
5) The Abominable Yeti
6) You You You
7) Candles
8) Slumberjack
9) Ukulele in a Snowstorm
10) Howl
11) Snowpeople
12) Lazy Day
13) North Country Dance Band
14) Great Grandmother Tree
15) New Year
16) Signs of Spring

Thu, 09/20/2018 - 12:31 pm

Seven-piece sound-sculptors Huntertones are having quite the year of their rising career on the Brooklyn instrumental music scene with a viral mash-up Michael Jackson tribute video hitting more than 550k views on Facebook. Obscure covers of pop songs only scratches the surface of this highly inventive, sonically fearless ensemble. Come October 5, 2018, Huntertones will nationally release Passport, the band's first studio album since moving to Brooklyn (circa. 2014). A deep dive into the endless inspiring possibilities of global collaborations, Passport is an ambitious documentation of Huntertones' tours throughout South America, Europe and Africa.

Produced by Magda Giannikou -- vocalist of the cinematic outfit Banda Magda, Passport is a reflection of unity, movement, and a diversity of cultures bonded together by the virtues of the universality of music. GRAMMY Award-winners Justin Stanton (keyboards) and Keita Ogawa (percussion) of Snarky Puppy join Huntertones on an array of Passport's original compositions, while two of Passport's standout singles are collaborations cultivated during the ensemble's extensive touring featuring Zimbabwe's Hope Masike ("Hondo") and Ireland's Fergal Scahill of We Banjo 3 ("Fergal's Tune"). Huntertones' Chris Ott contributes the impassioned composition "Change" (Track 9), which won the Herb Albert ASCAP Young Composers Award (2017). Passport is mixed by Nic Hard (GRAMMY winner for Snarky Puppy's Culcha Vulcha).

For Huntertones, transcontinental travel goes well beyond the compilation of stamps on the band members' passports. It's an opportunity to be inspired by how international artists live and approach their distinctive musical styles, and most importantly, it offers the fortuity to celebrate cultures across the globe. Through sponsored trips with the State Department, Huntertones have traversed four continents over the past 24 months bringing the Brooklyn band to perform and collaborate with artists in Togo in West Africa, Zimbabwe in southern Africa, Egypt, Georgia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Passport beautifully captures Huntertones' kaleidoscope of experiences, which fans of a multitude of genres can now enjoy.

Featured Compositions on Huntertones' New Album, Passport
Written by composer/saxophonist Dan White, "Clutch" opens the album with an afro-beat guitar rhythm intertwining with swaying three-part horns and synthesizer lead lines by Justin Stanton. White recalls, "On our first tour with the State Department, we went to Quito, Ecuador and hiked the active volcano Pichincha to 15,000 feet elevation. We climbed it too fast, and a few of us got intense altitude sickness. 'Clutch' is very much influenced by the mountainous excursion, as well as an unsettling cab ride on the way home. Our cab's engine went out with only access to first and second gear. It was a wild ride to say the least."

While in Zimbabwe, trumpeter/composer Jon Lampley (member of Jon Batiste and Stay Human of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) scribed the central theme of "Bird Song" based off of a melodic bird call he heard while in a courtyard at a middle school where the band was teaching a clinic.

"Togo" marks the lead single on Passport, a composition reminiscent of Huntertones' first time traveling to Africa. At the heart of White's piece are the people of Togo. Despite extreme economic challenges, Togo's artists bring an outpour of love and purpose to their music. The celebratory anthem "Togo" encapsulates the pure joy of the arts in Togo, and the composition has become a centerpiece of Huntertones' live concert repertoire.

The traditional song "Hondo" evokes the pride of Zimbabwe's people. On Passport, Huntertones bring to life a trans-Atlantic studio collaboration with master mbira player and vocalist Hope Masike. Initially performed live with Masike in Zimbabwe, she first sent the band an iPhone demo of "Hondo," which they arranged the piece around. Upon touring in France, Masike recorded her vocal parts in a studio and sent it off to Atlantic Sound Studios in Brooklyn. The track crisscrossed between NYC and France several times, resulting in a gorgeous partnership that conjures ultimate tenderness and a sense of peace.

"Star of the East" is composed by trombonist Chris Ott, an arrangement written following Huntertones' time in Cairo, Egypt. Upon witnessing the great pyramids, visiting a local mosque, hearing Egyptian music on the radio, and collaborating with a Cairo-based band, Ott pens an Eastern-leaning number filled with wonder and appreciation for the iconic city.

"Fara" (meaning happiness) results from Huntertones being pulled from a clinic at an elementary school by the Zimbabwean government and re-routed by the Cultural Affairs office to an orphanage with 5 - 17 year olds. With 15 kids sitting in a circle, Huntertones' sole goal was to bring a smile to the children's faces. It proved to be an incredibly profound milestone of all their travels.

A funky outlet for the trials and tribulations of tour life, "Bad David" takes all the pent up emotion and funnels it all into the often-cathartic experience of performance, whether live on stage or in the studio. "Change" is Chris Ott's composition that won the Herb Albert ASCAP Young Composers Award (2017). Featuring the first time Huntertones themselves sing as a group on an album, "Change" is a testament of how much each member has grown over the past four years since moving to Brooklyn.

"Fergal's Tune" might be the first recorded song in history showcasing a Billboard World Chart-topping Irish band performing with a beat-boxer (Chris Ott) and tuba player (Jon Lampley) for an epic jig. Fergal Scahill of We Banjo 3 plays a fiery fiddle part atop Ott's vocal wizardry and Lampley's bass lines on sousaphone. Huntertones shared a bill with We Banjo 3 in Northern California (2017), and Huntertones' horn section have since appeared on stage with We Banjo 3 at some of the United States' most renowned Irish festivals.

Passport closes with guitarist Joshua Hill's song "Parusha," a rhythmically pulsating dance tune with melodic horn interludes that Hill solos atop. With the song title influenced from an Eastern philosophy meaning, "the one, the many," "Parusha" takes the listener to the intersection of Europe and Asia to the country of Georgia. Hill channels Huntertones' performance at the music festival One Caucasus, which strives to foster an environment enabling commonly conflicting countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan, to unite as one. The horn parts were also written based on the band's meeting of a Senegalese vocalist in Georgia.

On the road for much of the past two years, Huntertones have appeared at many of the world's biggest festivals including Umbria Jazz (Perugia, Italy), Festival da Jazz (St. Moritz, Switzerland), and the Toronto Jazz Festival (Canada). In the United States, they've performed at the Rochester Jazz Festival (New York) and San Jose Jazz Winter Fest (California), and have shared the stage with acclaimed artists such as Blue Note's Lionel Loueke. Huntertones hit the road in support of Passport in October 2018. For a comprehensive list of forthcoming tour dates, please visit: http://www.huntertones.com

Huntertones
Passport
(Release Date: October 5, 2018)

Track Listing:
1) Clutch
2) Bird Song
3) Togo
4) Hondo
5) Star of the East
6) Fara
7) Bad David
8) Change
9) Fergal's Tune
10) Parusha

Tue, 10/09/2018 - 6:08 pm

Following the 2015 release of the critically acclaimed Fast Forward, legendary songwriter Joe Jackson has announced the release of his new studio album, Fool. The record, which is the 20th studio album of Jackson's career, was the fulfilment of a career-long dream: to finish a tour and head straight into the studio with the band firing on all cylinders. So, on July 29th, Joe wrapped up his 2018 summer tour at The Eqyptian Theater in Boise, Idaho -- and the following day set up shop at Tonic Room Studios in town.

When asked to reflect on the recording Jackson had this to offer:

"When it looked like I'd be recording in late July and mixing around my birthday, in August, it struck me that the only other occasion that had happened was while making my first album. It still took a while for it to sink in: this would be 40 years on... The road to this album is littered with the wrecks of songs and half-songs that didn't make the grade. There are eight survivors, which I think is enough. How significant the resurgence of vinyl is, I'm not sure, but I did think of this as an album, with two complementary sides of about 20 minutes each...

I never have an overall theme in mind when I start trying to write songs for an album, but sometimes one will develop. In this case it's Comedy and Tragedy, and the way they're intertwined in all our lives. The songs are about fear and anger and alienation and loss, but also about the things that still make life worth living: friendship, laughter, and music, or art, itself. I couldn't have done this in 1979. I just hadn't lived enough."

The album was co-produced by Jackson and producer Pat Dillett (David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, Glen Hansard, etc.). The band in question was the same group that Jackson has played live with ever since the release of Fast Forward: Teddy Kumpel on guitar, Doug Yowell on drums, and long-time collaborator Graham Maby on bass (Maby was on that first recording session 40 years ago as well). The Fast Forward Tour took on a life of its own and enjoyed several encores over the last three years -- with the band ultimately playing 103 shows together during that time span.

Starting February 2019, Jackson and the band will embark on a new world tour, playing shows throughout North America and Europe. In his own words: "So, here comes a big tour. We want to celebrate the fact that this is happening after 40 years -- anything else, would be like sulking in a room by yourself on your own birthday party. Looking for some way to organize a show out of 40 years' worth of material, I decided to draw on five albums, each representing a decade: Look Sharp (1979), Night And Day (1982), Laughter And Lust (1991), Rain (2008), and Fool (2019). We'll also throw in a couple of songs from other albums and some new covers. I can't wait. Let's party."

Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Friday, Oct 12th at 10am local time at JoeJackson.com. Each North American concert ticket includes a digital download of Fool.

The first new song from the album, "Fabulously Absolute" sees it premiere with an accompanying live performance video today. The video can be found on earMUSIC's official YouTube channel

LISTEN TO "FABULOUSLY ABSOLUTE" HERE

Fool is going to be released as CD Digipak, 1LP+download and Digital on January 18th, 2019 on earMUSIC.

PREORDER THE ALBUM HERE

TRACKLIST

1. Big Black Cloud
2. Fabulously Absolute
3. Dave
4. Strange Land
5. Friend Better
6. Fool
7. 32 Kisses
8. Alchemy

*********************
JOE JACKSON: FOUR DECADE TOUR -- 2019

Feb 5 / Bijou Theatre / Knoxville, TN
Feb 7 / Center Stage / Atlanta, GA
Feb 9 / Lincoln Theatre / Washington, DC
Feb 10 / The National / Richmond, VA
Feb 12 / Scottish Rite Auditorium / Collingswood, NJ
Feb 13 / Shubert Theatre / Boston, MA
Feb 15 / Town Hall / New York, NY
Feb 16 / Town Hall / New York, NY
Feb 18 / Danforth Music Hall / Toronto, ON
Feb 21 / Thalia Hall / Chicago, IL
Feb 22 / Thalia Hall / Chicago, IL
Feb 24 / Paramount Theatre / Denver, CO
Feb 27 / Aladdin Theater / Portland, OR
Feb 28 / Neptune Theatre / Seattle, WA
March 2 / The Masonic / San Francisco, CA
March 3 / Crest Theatre / Sacramento, CA
March 6 / Balboa Theatre / San Diego, CA
March 8 / Orpheum Theatre / Los Angeles, CA
March 9 / Orpheum Theater / Phoenix, AZ

March 16 / De Roma / Antwerp, Belgium
March 17 / De Oosterpoort / Groningen, The Netherlands
March 19 / Auditorium della Conciliazione / Rome, Italy
March 21 / Teatro Auditorium Manzoni / Bologna, Italy
March 22 / Teatro Dal Verme / Milan, Italy
March 23 / Teatro Colosseo / Torino, Italy
March 25 / Kaufleuten / Zurich, Switzerland
March 28 / Admiralspalast / Berlin, Germany
March 29 / Fabrik / Hamburg, Germany
March 31 / Liederhalle / Stuttgart, Germany
April 1 / Muffathalle / Munich, Germany
April 3 / Gloria / Cologne, Germany
April 4 / Theatre Sebastopol / Lille, France
April 5 / La Laiterie / Strasbourg , France
April 7 / Paradiso / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
April 8 / Paradiso / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
April 10 / Muziekcentrum / Enschede, The Netherlands
April 11 / Concertgebouw De Vereeniging / Nijmegen, The Netherlands
April 14 / Olympia / Paris, France
April 15 / Ancienne Belgique / Brussels, Belgium
April 17 / Palladium / London, UK
April 18 / O2 Birmingham Institute / Birmingham, UK
April 19 / City Halls / Glasgow, UK
April 21 / O2 Ritz / Manchester, UK
April 23 / Cork Opera House / Cork, Ireland
April 24 / Olympia Theatre / Dublin, Ireland

Thu, 10/18/2018 - 6:11 pm

To capture the sound of a city is to broadcast its pulse as a culturally vibrant mecca. Silicon Valley is a microcosm of global influences and a dynamic scene bustling with advances in technology, design, music, art, and architecture. At the heart of the evolving local arts scene, singular non-profit San Jose Jazz perseveres as a mainstay Bay Area institution presenting the most distinguished names in music while propelling San Jose's top shelf musicians to international recognition. Embarking on the 30th Anniversary of their signature Summer Fest, San Jose Jazz is steadfast in its commitment to moving the jazz art form forward with innovative initiatives engaging and entertaining the South Bay community and beyond. Today, San Jose Jazz is thrilled to announce the release of their SJZ Collective's debut EP, SJZ Collective Reimagines Monk, due out on Friday, December 14, 2018.

The brainchild of Silicon Valley drummer and DRUM! Magazine contributing editor Wally Schnalle, SJZ Collective is the outgrowth of the success of San Jose Jazz Summer Jazz Camp (https://sanjosejazz.org/summer-jazz-camp) -- Schnalle has been an integral facility member of Summer Jazz Camp for two decades and its director since 2013. In Schnalle's efforts to hire faculty that were not only superb musicians but excellent teachers, he's discovered through outreach in the greater South Bay metro area that collectively they were a standout ensemble contributing a special musical statement to the local community. Through master classes in schools and gigging at venerable venues, San Jose Jazz was keen to support Schnalle's vision of bringing SJZ Collective's music to a wider audience.

SJZ Collective Reimagines Monk debuted as a project at San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2018 featuring Silicon Valley's top tier jazz musicians celebrating the centennial of Thelonious Monk. Presenting original arrangements of many of Monk's famous songs, SJZ Collective rounds out 2018 after its ambitious follow-up gigs at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2018, Café Pink House, Impulse Room, and Cafe Stritch by releasing an inspired set of four compositions recorded at Valley Christian High School's studio in August 2018. Designed to be an ever-evolving mix of players, the 2018-19 Collective is comprised of drummer Schnalle, trumpeter/flugelhorn player John L. Worley, Jr., organist Brian Ho, guitarist Hristo Vitchev, saxophonist Oscar Pangilinan, and bassist Saúl Sierra. Each an acclaimed bandleader in their own right, SJZ Collective is a powerhouse of a sextet representing the sound of the South Bay.

As global ambassadors of San Jose Jazz and of the Silicon Valley jazz community, SJZ Collective is currently on tour in Taiwan for select concerts in October 2018. Taichung International Jazz Festival (Oct. 16: Taichung) invited SJZ Collective to perform, and club dates include appearances at Sappho Jazz Club (Oct 17: Taipei) and Blue Note (Oct 18: Taipei). The tour was spawned by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo's invitation to Taiwanese delegates to attend the annual Mayor's Jazz Brunch at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2017. Upon the delegates meeting with Brendan Rawson (Executive Director, San Jose Jazz), SJZ Collective was selected to represent Silicon Valley in Taiwan as part of a cultural exchange between the two pioneering cities.

"As an arts organization, we are looking at ways to demonstrate the spirit of Silicon Valley to people around the world," says Brendan Rawson. "This tour is an exciting step at broadening our programming with a truly international reach. And it goes both ways: we look forward to collaborating with other countries to continue to bring artists from all corners of the globe to our Summer and Winter Fests."

"Other jazz collectives scout artists from around the country, but we wanted to really focus on the wonderful talents right here in the South Bay to make up the SJZ Collective," adds Wally Schnalle. "Our mission is to spotlight local artists, but to widen our scope of influence outside the Bay Area. There's an incredible jazz scene that's developed over the past several years in San Jose. It's time to let broader audiences know what's happening in Silicon Valley, beyond the latest technologies and such. With our debut EP, we are really proud to honor one of the great American composers, Thelonious Monk."

The upcoming EP, SJZ Collective Reimagines Monk spotlights original interpretations of Monk compositions by Oscar Pangilinan ("Ask Me Now"), Brian Ho ("Blue Monk"), Wally Schnalle ("Green Chimneys"), and Hristo Vitchev ("'Round Midnight"). SJZ Collective celebrates the international release of their debut EP at Cafe Stritch in downtown San Jose on December 14, 2018.

About San Jose Jazz

Founded in 1986, San Jose Jazz is a public benefit corporation celebrating jazz as a dynamic, evolving art form and is producer of the annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and Winter Fest. With its singular music programming and innovative educational offerings, San Jose Jazz preserves the jazz tradition while actively supporting the next generation of performers within the genre and beyond. For more information, please visit sanjosejazz.org.

Tue, 11/06/2018 - 6:53 pm

Extraordinary drummer and composer Allison Miller is in a constant state of motion. Whether guesting with the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers; working as the musical director for dancer/choreographer Camille A. Brown; or performing with the likes of Natalie Merchant or Artemis (with Renee Rosnes, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Anat Cohen, and others), Miller's frenzied flow is that spark of creative energy perfectly suited for her singular band, Boom Tic Boom. Similar to a New York City subway car tussling passengers around until breaking out of a tunnel riding alongside the Brooklyn Bridge to capture a stunning sunset, Miller's latest cinematic arrangements are reflective of organized chaos with an urgency to always move the music forward while interspersing moments of introspection and sheer beauty. On her latest studio album Glitter Wolf (The Royal Potato Family, Release Date: February 1, 2019), Boom Tic Boom celebrates its 10th Anniversary as a stalwart ensemble whose kinetic chemistry is defined by years of touring and dedication to Miller's vision as a bandleader. With an unflinching devotion to progressive movement, it should come as no surprise that the majority of Glitter Wolf's 10 original compositions were scribed while in transit on the MTA subway.

Produced by Julie Wolf (Ani DiFranco, Carly Simon), Miller's fifth studio album Glitter Wolf features the all-star cast comprising Boom Tic Boom with Miller on drums alongside her bandmates violinist Jenny Scheinman, cornet player Kirk Knuffke, clarinetist Ben Goldberg, upright bassist Todd Sickafoose, and pianist Myra Melford. Front and center on Glitter Wolf are both Miller's deft drum work and compositional adeptness portraying Boom Tic Boom's raw, but refined propulsive energy. The band hit the studio for the Glitter Wolf sessions at the famed Fantasy Studios (Berkeley, CA) following a two-year stint of extensive international touring. The six-piece's live stage synergy undeniably sculpts Glitter Wolf's rapture suspending listeners to the edge of their seats as they're intensely fixated on each player's every move.

Collectively, Boom Tic Boom's strength in numbers approach to Miller's arrangements churns out works that are dynamic idiosyncratic extremes. While each musician is an acclaimed artist in their own right, Boom Tic Boom together is a riveting ensemble not easily categorized by genre as they commandeer spontaneous grooves and melodically rich compositions unlike many instrumental bands. Glitter Wolf also features a host of special guest percussionists, including John Santos ("Valley Of The Giants"), John Hatfield ("Malaga"), and David Flores ("Glitter Wolf").

Glitter Wolf is defined by the importance of self-acceptance and our collective need for community in an incredibly unpredictable time. We are faced with uncertain circumstances occurring around the world that have become a catalyst for empowering actions initiating historical progress through efforts such as the #MeToo Movement and Black Lives Matter. At the heart of Glitter Wolf's compositions are multifaceted themes of dichotomy. Whether it be erratic governmental policies inspiring rightful protests; embracing the varying degrees of the feminine and masculine from within; living a fulfilled yet challenging life; or the musical juxtapositions of space versus density in Miller's writing.

Leading up to the national release of Glitter Wolf, Miller has been in the spotlight with an array of distinguished accolades, including having the title track from her latest studio recording Otis Was A Polar Bear on NPR's venerable list of "The 200 Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women+." Miller was featured with NPR's "Jazz Night In America's" video short, "More Than Keeping Time: A Melodic Drumming Demo." Watch as Miller skillfully demonstrates the concept of "melodic drumming" -- using her drums and cymbals, Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing," and a new piece of technology. To view the video, please click here. Miller also joins bassist Derrick Hodge as "Artists-In-Residence" at Monterey Jazz Festival 2019.

For detailed information regarding the 10 original songs featured on Glitter Wolf, please see the following Track-By-Track descriptions. To view a comprehensive list of Boom Tic Boom's forthcoming tour dates, please visit: allisonmiller.com

Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom
Glitter Wolf
Release Date: February 1, 2019

Track Listing:
1. Congratulations And Condolences
2. The Ride
3. Malaga
4. Zev - The Phoenix
5. Daughter And Sun
6. White Wolf
7. Welcome Hotel
8. Vine And Vein
9. Glitter Wolf
10. Valley Of The Giants

Fri, 11/30/2018 - 10:13 am

Today, Joe Jackson reveals the second song from his upcoming studio album, "Fool." Undoubtedly musical, touchingly beautiful and lyrically powerful, "Strange Land" explores a sense of place in today's world.

"Strange Land" is accompanied by an intimate live performance video. The video can be found on earMUSIC's official YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Px1dqzlQkcI

LISTEN TO "STRANGE LAND" HERE: https://joejackson.lnk.to/StrangeLand

Fool, the 20th studio album celebrating the artist's 40th anniversary, is going to be released as CD Digipak, 1LP+download, Limited 1LP+7inch Vinyl+download (incl. 2 previously unreleased songs) and Digital on January 18th, 2019 on earMUSIC.

PREORDER THE ALBUM HERE: https://joejackson.lnk.to/fool

The album was co-produced by Jackson and producer Pat Dillett (David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, Glen Hansard, etc.) The band in question was the same group that Jackson has played live with ever since the release of Fast Forward: Teddy Kumpel on guitar, Doug Yowell on drums, and long-time collaborator Graham Maby on bass (Maby was on that first recording session 40 years ago as well).

Starting February 2019, Jackson and the band will embark on a new world tour, playing shows throughout the US and Europe and performing material drawn off five albums (Look Sharp (1979), Night And Day (1982), Laughter And Lust (1991), Rain (2008), and Fool (2019)) as well as a couple of songs from other albums and some new covers.

JOE JACKSON: FOUR DECADE TOUR -- 2019
Feb 5 / Bijou Theatre / Knoxville, TN
Feb 7 / Center Stage / Atlanta, GA / SOLD OUT
Feb 9 / Lincoln Theatre / Washington, DC
Feb 10 / The National / Richmond, VA
Feb 12 / Scottish Rite Auditorium / Collingswood, NJ
Feb 13 / Shubert Theatre / Boston, MA
Feb 15 / Town Hall / New York, NY / SOLD OUT
Feb 16 / Town Hall / New York, NY / SOLD OUT
Feb 18 / Danforth Music Hall / Toronto, ON / SOLD OUT
Feb 21 / Thalia Hall / Chicago, IL
Feb 22 / Thalia Hall / Chicago, IL / SOLD OUT
Feb 24 / Paramount Theatre / Denver, CO
Feb 27 / Aladdin Theater / Portland, OR / SOLD OUT
Feb 28 / Neptune Theatre / Seattle, WA / SOLD OUT
March 2 / The Masonic / San Francisco, CA
March 3 / Crest Theatre / Sacramento, CA
March 6 / Balboa Theatre / San Diego, CA
March 8 / Orpheum Theatre / Los Angeles, CA
March 9 / Orpheum Theater / Phoenix, AZ
March 16 / De Roma / Antwerp, Belgium / SOLD OUT
March 17 / De Oosterpoort / Groningen, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
March 19 / Auditorium della Conciliazione / Rome, Italy
March 21 / Teatro Auditorium Manzoni / Bologna, Italy
March 22 / Teatro Dal Verme / Milan, Italy
March 23 / Teatro Colosseo / Torino, Italy
March 25 / Kaufleuten / Zurich, Switzerland
March 28 / Admiralspalast / Berlin, Germany
March 29 / Fabrik / Hamburg, Germany
March 31 / Liederhalle / Stuttgart, Germany
April 1 / Muffathalle / Munich, Germany
April 3 / Gloria / Cologne, Germany / SOLD OUT
April 4 / Tivoliredenburg / Utrecht, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
April 5 / La Laiterie / Strasbourg, France
April 7 / Paradiso / Amsterdam, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
April 8 / Paradiso / Amsterdam, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
April 10 / Muziekcentrum / Enschede, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
April 11 / Concertgebouw De Vereeniging / Nijmegen, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
April 14 / Olympia / Paris, France
April 15 / Ancienne Belgique / Brussels, Belgium
April 17 / Palladium / London, UK / SOLD OUT
April 18 / O2 Birmingham Institute / Birmingham, UK
April 19 / City Halls / Glasgow, UK
April 21 / O2 Ritz / Manchester, UK
April 23 / Cork Opera House / Cork, Ireland
April 24 / Olympia Theatre / Dublin, Ireland

Thu, 12/20/2018 - 4:38 pm

Embarking on the 30th Anniversary of their signature Summer Fest, the iconic Bay Area institution San Jose Jazz kicks off 2019 with dynamic arts programming honoring the jazz tradition and ever-expanding definitions of the genre with singular concerts curated for audiences within the heart of Silicon Valley. San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2019 features some of today's most distinguished artists alongside leading-edge emerging musicians with an ambitious lineup of more than 20 concerts from February 14 - 27, 2019. The Jazz Beyond series, co-curated in partnership with San Jose Jazz and local production house Universal Grammar, presents buzzy young stars pushing the boundaries of jazz, soul and hip-hop and the Next Gen performances showcase top regional student jazz ensembles. Tickets to San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2019 are now on sale ranging in price from $15 - $38; a Fest Pass is available for $260, and an array of shows at Cafe Stritch are free admission. For detailed ticket information as well as updates on the artists and performance schedule, please visit: sanjosejazz.org/winterfest.

San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2019 encompasses the South First Street arts district in downtown San Jose as well as The Hammer Theatre and Art Boutiki. With premier performance venues, bars and restaurants joining many existing cultural institutions, Winter Fest 2019 showcases San Jose's vitality as an arts mecca.

"Winter Fest is a microcosm of our Summer Fest programming that truly represents the richness of the South Bay community," said SJZ Executive Director Brendan Rawson. "In addition to presenting jazz icons, international artists and some of today's great instrumentalists, we couldn't be more thrilled to have one of the world's most influential music tastemakers Gilles Peterson as the pinnacle artist of this year's Jazz Beyond programming, which explores how jazz is evolving in our time. Our efforts to program inspiring artists has a simple goal of bringing the community together through the power of music."

"This year's Winter Fest artist lineup is truly a cross section of internationally renowned legends such as Charles McPherson (who worked with Charles Mingus from 1960-74) and the Bay Area's brightest emerging acts Tiffany Austin and Bells Atlas," says Bruce Labadie, Artistic Director of San Jose Jazz. "Winter Fest always serves as a platform for marquee names (Gilles Peterson, Catherine Russell) and artistic gems moving the boundaries of jazz into more contemporary arenas (Anton Schwartz, Aaron Diehl). We're fortunate to have such great venues to partner with in San Jose, ones that anchor Silicon Valley's growing jazz scene. Winter Fest presents much of this year's programming at the intimate jazz club Cafe Stritch and the stellar Hammer Theatre."

San Jose Jazz proudly presents the following artists at Winter Fest 2019: Gilles Peterson (DJ Set); Catherine Russell With the SJSU Jazz Orchestra; Charles McPherson; Anton Schwartz and Kenny Washington; Aaron Diehl; Bells Atlas; La Dame Blanche; Tiffany Austin with Leon Joyce, Marcus Shelby and Adam Shulman; JC Smith Band All-Star Blues Blowout Featuring Fillmore Slim, Kid Anderson and Rick Estrin; The Rad Trads; Kathy Kosins; SJZ Collective plays Mingus; Chéjere; Richie Goods; and some of the Bay Area's foremost youth jazz ensembles.

Maintaining a focus on the future of jazz, San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2019 offers its own Next Gen Stage at Cafe Stritch, featuring five of the finest regional youth jazz ensembles. Highlighted are the SJZ U19s led by GRAMMY® Award-winning saxophonist, composer and educator Dr. Aaron Lington. Other youth ensembles include: Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band, Folsom High School Jazz Band, Berkeley High School Jazz Combo, Rio Americano and The Inner Circle.

Sponsors of San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2019 include: KCSM, DownBeat, City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs, Hammer Theatre, San José State University, and The National Endowment for the Arts.

San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2019
When: Thursday, February 14 - Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Where: Downtown San Jose, CA
Admission: Concert tickets are $15(Advance)/$18(Door) - $35(Advance)/$38 (Door); All Concert Fest Pass: $260; Next Gen student ensemble shows are free.
More Info: sanjosejazz.org/winterfest; (408) 288-7557
Ticket Info: Cash and credit accepted at door

About San Jose Jazz
Founded in 1986, San Jose Jazz is a public benefit corporation celebrating jazz as a dynamic, evolving art form and is producer of the annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and Winter Fest. With its singular music programming and innovative educational offerings, San Jose Jazz preserves the jazz tradition while actively supporting the next generation of performers within the genre and beyond. For more information, please visit sanjosejazz.org.

Wed, 01/09/2019 - 5:12 pm

Leading up to the release of Joe Jackson's new studio album Fool on January 18, the GRAMMY Award-winning artist premieres his brand new song "Friend Better" today. A straight forward toast to friendship, "Friend Better" builds on the assumption that whereas love is fleeting, friendship endures. The song stream video can be found on earMUSIC's official YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/uVEOnp-T0wU

LISTEN TO "FRIEND BETTER" HERE: https://joejackson.lnk.to/FriendBetter

Fool, the 20th studio album celebrating the artist's 40th anniversary, is going to be released as CD Digipak, 1LP+download, Limited 1LP+7inch Vinyl+download (incl. 2 previously unreleased songs) and Digital on January 18, 2019 on earMUSIC.

PREORDER THE ALBUM HERE: https://joejackson.lnk.to/fool

The album was co-produced by Jackson and producer Pat Dillett (David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, Glen Hansard, etc.) The band in question was the same group that Jackson has played live with ever since the release of Fast Forward: Teddy Kumpel on guitar, Doug Yowell on drums, and long-time collaborator Graham Maby on bass (Maby was on that first recording session 40 years ago as well).

Starting February 2019, Jackson and the band will embark on a new world tour, playing shows throughout the US and Europe and performing material drawn off five albums (Look Sharp (1979), Night And Day (1982), Laughter And Lust (1991), Rain (2008), and Fool (2019)) as well as a couple of songs from other albums and some new covers.

JOE JACKSON: FOUR DECADE TOUR -- 2019

Feb 5 / Bijou Theatre / Knoxville, TN
Feb 7 / Center Stage / Atlanta, GA / SOLD OUT
Feb 9 / Lincoln Theatre / Washington, DC
Feb 10 / The National / Richmond, VA
Feb 12 / Scottish Rite Auditorium / Collingswood, NJ / SOLD OUT
Feb 13 / Shubert Theatre / Boston, MA
Feb 15 / Town Hall / New York, NY / SOLD OUT
Feb 16 / Town Hall / New York, NY / SOLD OUT
Feb 18 / Danforth Music Hall / Toronto, ON / SOLD OUT
Feb 21 / Thalia Hall / Chicago, IL / SOLD OUT
Feb 22 / Thalia Hall / Chicago, IL / SOLD OUT
Feb 24 / Paramount Theatre / Denver, CO
Feb 27 / Aladdin Theater / Portland, OR / SOLD OUT
Feb 28 / Neptune Theatre / Seattle, WA / SOLD OUT
March 2 / The Masonic / San Francisco, CA
March 3 / Crest Theatre / Sacramento, CA / SOLD OUT
March 6 / Balboa Theatre / San Diego, CA
March 8 / Orpheum Theatre / Los Angeles, CA
March 9 / Orpheum Theater / Phoenix, AZ
March 16 / De Roma / Antwerp, Belgium / SOLD OUT
March 17 / De Oosterpoort / Groningen, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
March 19 / Auditorium della Conciliazione / Rome, Italy
March 21 / Teatro Auditorium Manzoni / Bologna, Italy
March 22 / Teatro Dal Verme / Milan, Italy
March 23 / Teatro Colosseo / Torino, Italy
March 25 / Kaufleuten / Zurich, Switzerland
March 28 / Admiralspalast / Berlin, Germany
March 29 / Fabrik / Hamburg, Germany / SOLD OUT
March 31 / Liederhalle / Stuttgart, Germany
April 1 / Muffathalle / Munich, Germany
April 3 / Gloria / Cologne, Germany / SOLD OUT
April 4 / Tivoliredenburg / Utrecht, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
April 5 / La Laiterie / Strasbourg, France
April 7 / Paradiso / Amsterdam, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
April 8 / Paradiso / Amsterdam, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
April 10 / Muziekcentrum / Enschede, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
April 11 / Concertgebouw De Vereeniging / Nijmegen, The Netherlands / SOLD OUT
April 14 / Olympia / Paris, France
April 15 / Ancienne Belgique / Brussels, Belgium / SOLD OUT
April 17 / Palladium / London, UK / SOLD OUT
April 18 / O2 Birmingham Institute / Birmingham, UK
April 19 / City Halls / Glasgow, UK
April 21 / O2 Ritz / Manchester, UK
April 23 / Cork Opera House / Cork, Ireland
April 24 / Olympia Theatre / Dublin, Ireland

Thu, 01/31/2019 - 2:13 pm

Extraordinary drummer and composer Allison Miller is in a constant state of motion. Whether guesting with the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers; working as the musical director for dancer/choreographer Camille A. Brown; or performing with the likes of Natalie Merchant or Artemis (with Renee Rosnes, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Anat Cohen, and others), Miller's frenzied flow is that spark of creative energy perfectly suited for her singular band, Boom Tic Boom. Similar to a New York City subway car tussling passengers around until breaking out of a tunnel riding alongside the Brooklyn Bridge to capture a stunning sunset, Miller's latest cinematic arrangements are reflective of organized chaos with an urgency to always move the music forward while interspersing moments of introspection and sheer beauty. On her latest studio album Glitter Wolf (The Royal Potato Family, Release Date: February 1, 2019), Boom Tic Boom celebrates its 10th Anniversary as a stalwart ensemble whose kinetic chemistry is defined by years of touring and dedication to Miller's vision as a bandleader. With an unflinching devotion to progressive movement, it should come as no surprise that the majority of Glitter Wolf's 10 original compositions were scribed while in transit on the MTA subway.

Produced by Julie Wolf (Ani DiFranco, Carly Simon), Miller's fifth studio album Glitter Wolf features the all-star cast comprising Boom Tic Boom with Miller on drums alongside her bandmates violinist Jenny Scheinman, cornet player Kirk Knuffke, clarinetist Ben Goldberg, upright bassist Todd Sickafoose, and pianist Myra Melford. Front and center on Glitter Wolf are both Miller's deft drum work and compositional adeptness portraying Boom Tic Boom's raw, but refined propulsive energy. The band hit the studio for the Glitter Wolf sessions at the famed Fantasy Studios (Berkeley, CA) following a two-year stint of extensive international touring. The six-piece's live stage synergy undeniably sculpts Glitter Wolf's rapture suspending listeners to the edge of their seats as they're intensely fixated on each player's every move.

Collectively, Boom Tic Boom's strength in numbers approach to Miller's arrangements churns out works that are dynamic idiosyncratic extremes. While each musician is an acclaimed artist in their own right, Boom Tic Boom together is a riveting ensemble not easily categorized by genre as they commandeer spontaneous grooves and melodically rich compositions unlike many instrumental bands. Glitter Wolf also features a host of special guest percussionists, including John Santos ("Valley Of The Giants"), John Hatfield ("Malaga"), and David Flores ("Glitter Wolf").

Glitter Wolf is defined by the importance of self-acceptance and our collective need for community in an incredibly unpredictable time. We are faced with uncertain circumstances occurring around the world that have become a catalyst for empowering actions initiating historical progress through efforts such as the #MeToo Movement and Black Lives Matter. At the heart of Glitter Wolf's compositions are multifaceted themes of dichotomy. Whether it be erratic governmental policies inspiring rightful protests; embracing the varying degrees of the feminine and masculine from within; living a fulfilled yet challenging life; or the musical juxtapositions of space versus density in Miller's writing.

Leading up to the national release of Glitter Wolf, Miller has been in the spotlight with an array of distinguished accolades, including having the title track from her latest studio recording Otis Was A Polar Bear on NPR's venerable list of "The 200 Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women+." Miller was featured with NPR's "Jazz Night In America's" video short, "More Than Keeping Time: A Melodic Drumming Demo." Watch as Miller skillfully demonstrates the concept of "melodic drumming" -- using her drums and cymbals, Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing," and a new piece of technology. To view the video, please click here. Miller also joins bassist Derrick Hodge as "Artists-In-Residence" at Monterey Jazz Festival 2019.

For detailed information regarding the 10 original songs featured on Glitter Wolf, please see the following Track-By-Track descriptions. To view a comprehensive list of Boom Tic Boom's forthcoming tour dates, please visit: allisonmiller.com

Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom
Glitter Wolf
Release Date: February 1, 2019

Track Listing:
1. Congratulations And Condolences
2. The Ride
3. Malaga
4. Zev - The Phoenix
5. Daughter And Sun
6. White Wolf
7. Welcome Hotel
8. Vine And Vein
9. Glitter Wolf
10. Valley Of The Giants

Thu, 03/21/2019 - 7:31 pm

Celebrated pianist George Winston will release his 15th solo piano album, Restless Wind, via Dancing Cat Records/RCA Records on May 3, 2019. The album is available for pre-order today -- click here to pre-order now. Fans who pre-order Restless Wind will receive a brand new album track "Autumn Wind (Pixie #11)," released today. The track is influenced by New Orleans pianist James Booker, who has long-served as a musical muse for Winston. Click Here to buy/stream "Autumn Wind (Pixie #11)."

By virtue of his brilliance as one of the foremost instrumental composers of our time, Restless Wind presents a stunning journey documenting George Winston's sociological observations in American history. Winston repurposes for the modern listener stunningly relevant works by musical greats such as Sam Cooke, The Doors, Stephen Stills, George & Ira Gershwin, Country Joe McDonald, and others. Restless Wind captures Winston's inimitable melodic language where piano textures and tones set the stage for vivid renderings of classic compositions.

Winston says, "Ultimately, the main reason these 11 songs were chosen was how as instrumental pieces they worked well with each other in this sequence, the same way I have worked for all the albums I've recorded."

George Winston is undeniably a household name. He's inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs for more than 40 years while selling 15 million albums. A tireless road warrior playing nearly 100 concerts annually, live performance for Winston is akin to breathing. Winston's music is evocative, offering us all a chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wander. Restless Wind is a portrayal of Winston's place in a chaotic world -- his compositions extend solace with an idiosyncratic grace.

Reflective of Winston's catalogue of famed albums, Restless Wind is the next chapter for the pianist's ambitious recordings. Winston's latest song collection exhibits his masterful artistry of adapting ensemble arrangements to solo piano with magnificent results. Winston features 10 renditions of culturally potent compositions while opening the album with a new original song available starting today (March 21) for download and streaming, "Autumn Wind (Pixie #11)."

To download comprehensive Track-By-Track Descriptions for the 11 compositions included on Restless Wind, please click here.

George Winston's classic albums, Autumn and December, are perennial favorites, along with Winter into Spring, Summer, 2017's Spring Carousel -- A Cancer Research Benefit, as well as two volumes of the compositions of Vince Guaraldi, two volumes of benefit albums for the Gulf Coast disasters, and six other solo piano albums.

Commencing on March 21, George Winston embarks on a U.S. tour to celebrate the release of Restless Wind throughout the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest. Tickets go on-sale to the general public today (March 21) at 11am EST on GeorgeWinston.com/concerts.

BUY/STREAM "AUTUMN WIND (PIXIE #11)": SMARTURL.IT/AWP11

PRE-ORDER RESTLESS WIND: SMARTURL.IT/RESTLESSWIND

Find below the track listing and upcoming tour dates.

Restless Wind Track Listing:

1. Autumn Wind (Pixie #11) by George Winston
2. Judge, Judge by George Brooks, 1927
3. A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke, 1963
4. Summertime by George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, and Dubose Edwin Heyward, 1935
5. Canción Mixteca (Immigrant's Lament) by José López Alavez, 1915
6. The Good Earth by Jimmy Wisner, 1962
7. For What It's Worth by Stephen Stills, 1967
8. Medley: Muskrat Ramble/ I Feel Like I’m Fixin' To Die Rag/ Stop The Bleeding by Edwin (Kid) Ory, 1921/ Country Joe McDonald, 1965/ George Winston
9. The Times Of Harvey Milk by Mark Isham, 1984
10. The Unknown Soldier by the Doors, 1968
11. The Wayward Wind by Stanley Lebowsky & Herb Newman, 1956

George Winston -- U.S. Tour Dates 2019

Thurs, March 21 | Shalin Liu Performance Center | Rockport, MA
Tues, March 26 | Firehouse Center for the Arts | Newburyport, MA
Thurs, March 28 | The Cultural Center of Cape Cod | South Yarmouth, ME SOLD OUT
Sat, March 30 | Chocolate Church Art Center | Bath, ME
Mon, April 1 & Tues, April 2 | The Cultural Center of Cape Cod | South Yarmouth, MA
Fri, April 5 | Carnegie Library Music Hall | Munhall, PA
Tue, April 9 | Westby Area Performing Arts Center | Westby, WI
Fri, April 12 | Central Lakes College: Chalberg Theatre | Brainerd, MN
Sun, April 14 | Washington Pavilion | Sioux Falls, SD
Tue, April 16 | Performing Arts Center of Rapid City | Rapid City, SD
Fri, April 19 | Merryman Performing Arts Center | Keaney, NE
Wed April 24 | Boulder Theater | Boulder, CO
Fri April 26 | Swallow Hill Music at Daniels Hall | Denver, CO
Tues, April 30 | Adams State University | Alamosa, CA (workshop) JUST ANNOUNCED
Wed, May 1 | Adams State University | Alamosa, CA (concert) JUST ANNOUNCED
Wed, May 8 | Moab Chamber of Commerce | Moab, UT JUST ANNOUNCED
Sat, May 11 | Sevier Valley Center | Richfield, UT JUST ANNOUNCED
Thurs, June 6 & Fri, June 7 | Montalvo Arts Center | Saratoga, CA (June 7: SOLD OUT)
Wed, July 17 | Franklin Theatre | Franklin, TN JUST ANNOUNCED
Sat, August 10 | Dance Palace Community & Cultural Center | Point Reyes, CA JUST ANNOUNCED
Fri, September 6 | Newport Performing Arts Center | Newport, OR JUST ANNOUNCED
Wed, September 11 | Aladdin Theater | Portland, OR JUST ANNOUNCED
Fri, September 13 & Sat, September 14 | Majestic Theatre | Corvallis, OR JUST ANNOUNCED
Fri, September 20 | Gesa Power House Theatre | Walla Walla, WA JUST ANNOUNCED
Sunday, September 22 | McIntyre Hall PACC | Mount Vernon, WA JUST ANNOUNCED
Fri, September 27 & Sat, September 28 | Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall | Seattle, WA JUST ANNOUNCED
Fri, November 8 | Jonathan's | Ogunquit, ME JUST ANNOUNCED
Sun, November 10 | Greenwich Odeum | East Greenwich, RI JUST ANNOUNCED
Sat, November 16 | Lynn Auditorium | Lynn, MA JUST ANNOUNCED
Tue, December 3 & Wed, December 4 | The Sheen Center | New York, NY JUST ANNOUNCED
Fri, December 6 | Landmark on Main | Port Washington, NY JUST ANNOUNCED
Wed, December 18 | The Playhouse, Overture Center | Madison, WI JUST ANNOUNCED
Wed, December 20 | South Milwaukee PAC | Milwaukee, WI JUST ANNOUNCED
Sun, December 22 | Orchestra Hall | Minneapolis, MN JUST ANNOUNCED

Wed, 03/27/2019 - 6:15 am

The 18th Annual Northwest String Summit (String Summit) is one of the top boutique live music experiences in the country and presents today's leaders in the Americana, Bluegrass, Indy Rock, and Jam genres. It all happens at the iconic Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) from July 18 - 21, 2019. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout, a private family-owned reserve of old-growth trees, wild peacocks, ponds, and campsites, is among the West's most awe-inspiring festival sites in the country. A family-friendly and locally sourced festival, String Summit caps its capacity at 5,000 attendees to ensure an intimate festival weekend for all concertgoers at an incredible ticket price. For more detailed information, please visit: stringsummit.com

The 18th Annual Northwest String Summit announces today its final artist lineup including many of today's most electrifying live Americana acts: Two Nights of Yonder Mountain String Band; Two Nights of Trampled By Turtles; Two Nights of The Infamous Stringdusters; Galactic; Dark Star Orchestra: In The Spirit of 8/27/1972; Two Nights of Fruition; Pigeons Playing Ping Pong; Two Nights of Shook Twins; The Lil Smokies; Sideboob featuring Allie Kral, Mimi Maja, Shook Twins; The Dead South; The Kitchen Dwellers; Ghost Light; Daniel Rodriguez (Elephant Revival); Trout Steak Revival; Lindsay Lou; River Whyless; Barnes, Gordy, Walsh Trio; Alya Nero; Rumpke Mountain Boys; Steve Poltz; Hawktail Featuring Brittany Haas, Paul Kowart, Jordan Tice, and Dominick Leslie; Brad Parsons; Benny "Burle" Galloway; Pete Kartsounses; Arthur Lee Land; The Good Time Travelers; Hillstomp; Dirty Revival; TK & The Holy Know-Nothings; Five Letter Word; Handmade Moments; Deep Fried Pickle Project; Warren G Hardings; Scratch Dog String Band; The Quick & Easy Boys; Kind Country; Armchair Boogie; Laney Lou & Bird Dogs; Ley Line; Sweet Lillies; Wood Belly; and more!

String Summit event promoter Skye McDonald comments about String Summit 2019, "Horning's Hideout is such a special festival destination that we're thrilled to invite all our friends and many core bands for the party year after year. Several will perform on multiple days so they too can properly experience the vibe and, in turn, deliver more magnificent music magic morning, noon and night!"

While the Main Stage Amphitheater will be at full tilt, the Kinfolk Revival Stage returns with daytime artist workshops and late-night sets. The Cascadia Stage, set deep in a wooded hollow, will ramp up to provide music all day Friday - Sunday, and late-night sets after Main Stage acts from Thursday - Saturday.

Northwest String Summit partners with singular Portland organizations, food vendors and emerging Pacific Northwest-based musicians to support the thriving local communities. String Summit exudes fun and activities for the whole family seen by some as the yearly grounds for reunions among close friends and neighbors. Several onsite enhancements are in store to make festivalgoers' experiences that much better -- with or without their kiddos. The "Not For Kid's Only" Family Area provides a festival within the festival; daily kid-centric workshops, arts & crafts, and music make this place fun for all ages! There are a multitude of offerings for the mind, body and soul with several daily yoga and meditation sessions to help keep you in optimum spirits and the body limber for dancing the night away. Additionally, more artistic and interactive installations are in the works for the 18th Annual event thanks to the exceptional art teams of Tyler Fuqua Creations, Ghost Stag, among others!

Now in its 16th year, the Band Competition, held on Friday, July 19, 2019, attracts some of the hottest up-and-coming acts from across the country. Four bands, or singer/songwriters, will be chosen by a panel of judges to compete for the winning crown. The winner is awarded an opening slot on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at The Cascadia Stage, and an offer for the following year's festival on the Main Stage. The Band Competition is a single mic only set-up, and only acoustic instruments are allowed (no DIs, no drums). Applications are accepted until April 19, 2019; for more information please visit: stringsummit.com/band-competition

In early summer 2019, Yonder Mountain String Band will announce which band it'll pay tribute to with its famed electric Saturday night headlining set. Details for the annual Strumitt Dance Party will be announced soon.

18th Annual Northwest String Summit Ticket Information:
RV PASSES -- SOLD OUT
Tier 2 4-Day Passes, 3-Day Passes, Parking Passes (Pricing Varies) -- On Sale NOW
NEW Expedition Glamping Experience & Peacock Club VIP Experience Passes -- On Sale NOW

*Festival pass prices include primitive camping, and children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
*New for 2019: Parking Fee starting at $34.99 per car available in advance.
*Thursday add-on passes and 3-Day passes are available, for more info please visit: https://stringsummit.com/2019-tickets-2

Sat, 04/06/2019 - 3:51 pm

Celebrating the grandeurs of life with an intoxicating collection of new cross-cultural anthems, Delhi 2 Dublin crafts blissful Subcontinental Pop with traces of India and Ireland on their latest studio album, We Got This (Warner Canada; Release Date: May 17, 2019). Delhi 2 Dublin breaks down walls and builds bridges for all people to unite with reassurance that better days are ahead. When the world is hyper-divided with factions perpetuating hatred and fear, empowering music is the vehicle for social change. On We Got This, Delhi 2 Dublin lets the world know there's nothing anyone can do to bring us down.

Produced by Toronto hitmaker Gavin Brown (Barenaked Ladies, Metric, Tragically Hip), We Got This opens with three rapturous singles mixed by powerhouse Robert Orton (Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey). "My People" sets the uplifting pace of We Got This with a heavy dhol drum pulsating beneath Sanjay Seran's velvety vocals consoling us all that we're in this life together as a community. Seran sings, "we are in the streets, we are in the air, my people are everywhere, listen to the drum beat, hands in the air, my people are everywhere."

The undeniable interconnected universal language that runs through Delhi 2 Dublin's music takes flight with the title track, "We Got This." Orchestral string samples brace Delhi 2 Dublin's prevailing message to never give up. "Home" tackles the global refugee crisis with open arms and affirmation that, "everywhere I go, I am home." If everyone can just for a moment stand in the shoes of an immigrant or refugee, they could experience their compassion and urgent need for solace. As children of immigrants themselves, Delhi 2 Dublin offers hope to those who are suffering. "Home" honors the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is beautifully commemorated in the song's official music video released on December 10, 2018.

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that, 'We as part of the brotherhood of humans have the right to leave any country, including our own, and to return to our country,'" says Sanjay Seran. "As a result, I, the son of an immigrant, can call the diverse city of Vancouver my home, thus ringing true that everywhere I go, I CAN be HOME. Not only is it a privilege, it is my right."

Painting an optimistic picture during dark times on We Got This, "Sunrise" offers levity with an earworm of a chorus dripping with synths and EDM beats. "L.O.V.E." embodies the best of reasons to sing out loud the letters symbolizing elated affection with its infectious backdrop of tablas, acoustic guitars, and dhol driven rhythm. "Happen" exhibits much needed encouragement that we can all use to help get through rough days with a supportive guiding light. "Wobble" takes its lyrical phrasing cues from fellow Canadian rapper Drake while inferring to those in close proximity not to push the limits and "don't step on my toes."

"Loud" delivers the straight up party vibe to We Got This, an aesthetic Delhi 2 Dublin is renowned for as they perform nearly 100 live concerts per year. We Got This closes with "Weed, Samosas, and Sriracha," bringing We Got This out with Seran repeating the mantra, "I look around, it's a good life!"

Delhi 2 Dublin's unabashed genre-hopping sonically transports the collective to the far stretches of the globe. Seran's collaboration with bandmates Tarun Nayar (tabla), Ravi Binning (drums) and Serena Eades (violin) allows ultimate freedom to traverse the electronic music landscape with traditional instrumentation of Indian classical music and Irish fiddle broadening the sound of Delhi 2 Dublin. We Got This propels Delhi 2 Dublin's socially-charged messages to the masses via Warner Canada on May 17, 2019.

For more information regarding Delhi 2 Dublin, please visit: delhi2dublin.com

Delhi 2 Dublin
We Got This

Track Listing:
1. My People
2. We Got This
3. Home
4. Sunrise
5. L.O.V.E.
6. Happen
7. Wobble
8. Loud
9. Weed, Samosas, and Sriracha

Wed, 05/01/2019 - 6:52 pm

Rebecca Pidgeon knows a thing or two about getting into character with her illustrious career as an actress with starring roles in acclaimed feature films (The Spanish Prisoner, Heist, Red), TV shows (Phil Spector, The Unit), and on stage at venerable theatres across the globe (Speed the Plow, Royal National Theatre, London; The Old Neighborhood, The Booth Theatre, Broadway). Pidgeon's prolific work as a songwriter and vocalist is akin to the self-immersion she undertakes for her mesmerizing performances on camera. Two 3-song EPs, Circus Delirium and Comfort, allure listeners to the dizzying contradictions of deeply emotive shades of characters and personal reflections on Pidgeon's latest original material. The EPs featuring lead tracks "Underwater Boys" and "Don't Lie Darling" are a preview of Pidgeon's forthcoming 20-song double full-length studio album, Sudden Exposure to Light (Toy Canteen Records), scheduled for release in summer 2019.

In advance of Rebecca Pidgeon's live concert at The Hotel Café in Los Angeles, Calif. (May 11, 7pm), Circus Delirium and Comfort will be available via all digital retailers and streaming platforms on May 10, 2019. Pidgeon showcases music from her latest EPs at The Hotel Café with her band featuring Fernando Perdomo (acoustic guitar) and Andy Studer (keyboards, viola, programming).

Produced by indie-rock darling Thomas Bartlett -- whose famed production credits include St. Vincent, Sufjan Stevens, and Yoko Ono -- Circus Delirium transports Pidgeon from a pool of darkness to the wonders of enlightenment with an avant-garde backdrop. As one can imagine, the influences of David Lynch and his 2017 series Twin Peaks: The Return seeped into the consciousness of creative types who in turn churned out new works inspired by the brilliance of its contorting narratives and visual ingenuity. Upon watching the series, Pidgeon broke free from a two-year writer's block and began composing again. The exploratory ventures on Circus Delirium emulate Pidgeon's gateway into a new life chapter overflowing with vigor for all that she loves. Comfort features material written while on tour with the venerable rock singer Marc Cohen.

Circus Delirium -- Featured Compositions
Circus Delirium opens with the breakout song "Underwater Boys," which takes its cue from director Alfonso Cuarón's Mexican drama, Y Tu Mamá También. Congruent with an array of Pidgeon's tracks on the upcoming album Sudden Exposure to Light, "Underwater Boys" is influenced by a revolutionary film that's left a lasting impression on her psyche. The odyssey of two young men's sexual encounters with an older woman as well as one another leaves much room for Pidgeon's narrative study on eroticism.

Internationally renowned female actresses serve as the muse for a host of Pidgeon songs, including Jane Fonda for her role in Barbarella ("Circus Delirium"). The title track "Sudden Exposure to Light" is the realization of a new dawn; a strength in one's life that says farewell to the past.

Comfort -- Featured Compositions
A more traditional rock format shapes Pidgeon's EP Comfort, which is the antithesis of complacency. Recorded at producer Fernando Perdomo's Reseda Ranch Studio in Los Angeles, Pidgeon's narratives traverse the painful repercussions of psychological trauma through characters suffering from unhealthy addictions and lack of self-awareness. Though basking in surreal sonic dreamscapes, the lives depicted on the EP seek sources of comfort in ultimately depleting ways.

Comfort opens with "406," a southwestern-style tremolo guitar style piece with a wayward story of a woman trapped up with her addiction in hotel room 406 rather than living a suburban life. "Don't Lie Darling" is Pidgeon's modern take on Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms." The reverb-laden rock epic "Little Death" is one of unrequited desire in a toxic relationship that one is wedded to though with fatal consequences.

Ambitious storybooks encompassing Pidgeon's meditations on life, her latest EPs exhibit a prolific artist at the apex of an acclaimed music career and serve as a precursor to the summer 2019 release of her 20-track double studio album, Sudden Exposure to Light.

For detailed information regarding Rebecca Pidgeon, please visit: rebeccapidgeonmusic.com.

Rebecca Pidgeon
Circus Delirium

1. Underwater Boys
2. Circus Delirium
3. Sudden Exposure to Light

Rebecca Pidgeon
Comfort

1. 406
2. Don't Lie Darling
3. Little Death

Wed, 05/08/2019 - 12:44 pm

When two of the indie-jazz scene's foremost instrumentalists unite for their debut co-writing collaboration that intermingles panoramic Americana-infused arrangements with a Brooklyn jazz pocket, the result is as ambitious as only violinist Jenny Scheinman and drummer Allison Miller could envision. Parlour Game, due out Aug. 2 on Royal Potato Family Records in advance of the quartet's highly anticipated Newport Jazz Festival performance (Aug. 3), features a compositional sisterhood of two innovators redefining American music. Along with pianist Carmen Staaf and acoustic bassist Tony Scherr, Parlour Game prevails as a respite from the daily chaos of the modern world. This is social music that celebrates hopefulness, humor, and the art of the game. Collectively, the three leading women jazz artists and Scherr send out a calling card for listeners to take a deep breath, and wholeheartedly enter their sonic haven for a moment of joy and solace.

After nearly two decades of working side-by-side in their own projects as bandleaders as well as with a laundry list of lauded artists, Miller and Scheinman's cosmic connectivity is akin to being of the same pedigree. At the core of Parlour Game is very much the music played amongst families in parlors. They are songs that bind, and are unapologetically beautiful. Parlour Game features 11 original compositions celebrating American musical traditions at a time when the country is on the brink of a revolution. Scheinman and Miller provide a special gathering place where all are welcome, a contemporary parlor where people can reflect and reenergize.

Parlour Game -- Featured Compositions
The venerable Chicago venue Green Mill -- a favorite among touring artists in search of a riveting audience ready for bands to stretch out and try new material -- provided the perfect backdrop for one of the quartet's initial gigs. A return to the roots of swing that Miller, Staaf and Scherr grew up listening to and performing seamlessly amalgamated with the folk music Scheinman was immersed in growing up in rural Northern California. It set the foundation of Parlour Game, and a spellbinding new band was formed.

Parlour Game opens with a hospitable greeting that uplifts the spirit on "Play Money." A simple reference to board games played amongst friends and family, the track sets the album's jubilant pace. "116th & Congress" is a salute to the diversity of freshman in the country's new Congress. A sum of all its parts, the stunning rhythmic interplay is undeniable with Scheinman's entropic shimmer leading to Staaf's commanding solo upon returning to the A section. "The Right Fit" is all about that sexy emotive mid-tempo groove that this rhythm section plays so well, and a melody that will stay with us long after the song has ended.

"Michigan," co-written by Scheinman and Miller, represents a sense of urgency and forward motion, a cycle that could easily repeat for infinity. "Fake Weather," a band favorite, is perhaps the most referential of hip-hop, combining a two measure 12-tone bass vamp with an almost-blues melody, subtle studio effects, dropped snare beats, and improvised piano reharmonizations that blow over the whole thing with the indifference of a weather pattern.

"Lead With Love" is the love song on the album; compassionate and emblematic of flowers continuously opening. "Beans & Rice" honors Miller's straight ahead swing upbringing and her admiration of Thelonious Monk. "Top Shelf" alludes to the ridiculousness of getting drunk from expensive liquor. A nod to Cannonball Adderley and Lyndsey Battle (who met several times, though only in dreams), the funk groove of "Miss Battle's Cannonball" references Go-go music which influenced Miller as a young aspiring musician coming up in Washington DC.

The album's closer "Sleep Rider" refers to Scheinman's childhood horse rides home from school, during which, especially in the winter months, she routinely fell asleep. It is a flying dream with a steady pulse, and leaves us in a state of mystical reflection, suggesting that our imaginations make anything possible.

As for the game in the album's title, each band member has equal input on how the songs manifest. With Miller and Scheinman at the helm of the compositional framework, Staaf and Scherr offer indelible feel to Parlour Game. Similar to parlor games, everyone contributes, even the audience at their live concerts. Community is the focal point of Parlour Game, and in times like these, it's more vital than ever before.

Jenny Scheinman and Allison Miller tour Parlour Game for much of 2019 hitting major and secondary markets from May - November 2019. The national release of Parlour Game follows Miller's recent guest appearances with the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Myers, a performance with Sara Bareilles on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, as well as accolades from "Fresh Air with Terry Gross" for her latest album Glitter Wolf featuring her band Boom Tic Boom, NPR's venerable list of "The 200 Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women+," and a feature with NPR's "Jazz Night In America." Miller is also a member of the super group Artemis (with Renee Rosnes, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Anat Cohen, and others). Parlour Game is Scheinman's 10th album and is subsequent to her extensive work with Bill Frisell, Lucinda Williams, Rodney Crowell, Jason Moran, Brian Blade, Nels Cline, and Ron Miles. She continues to tour her multi-media performance piece commissioned by Duke University entitled, Kannapolis: A Moving Portrait, at theaters across the country.

Jenny Scheinman & Allison Miller's PARLOUR GAME
Parlour Game
Release Date: August 2, 2019

Track Listing:

1. Play Money
2. 116th & Congress
3. The Right Fit
4. Michigan
5. Fake Weather
6. Lead With Love
7. Beans & Rice
8. Meanwhile
9. Top Shelf
10. Miss Battle's Cannonball
11. Sleep Rider

Fri, 05/10/2019 - 12:31 pm

Critically-acclaimed as one of the best albums of 2018, Orquesta Akokán's self-titled debut release for the venerable soul label Daptone Records -- the label's first Spanish language album -- is a transformative and modern mambo recording that exquisitely captures the spirit of pre-revolutionary Cuba by today's foremost Cuban musicians. The powerhouse big band collective returns to the United States for its biggest tour to date, following its recent blockbuster sets at NYC's globalFEST and a headlining performance at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. In June & July 2019, Orquesta Akokán gets audiences up on their feet for raucous dance parties at a series of venerable venues throughout the West Coast, Southwest, the Rockies, the South, and East Coast. A list of all forthcoming Orquesta Akokán tour dates is below.

Hailing straight out of Havana, Cuba, Orquesta Akokán is a fierce orchestra of deeply soulful mambo reminiscent of Benny Moré, Pérez Prado, and La Banda Gigante of the 1940's and 1950's. Orquesta Akokán boasts an all-original lineup of compositions recorded at the historic state-run Estudios Areito with a multi-generational cast of Cuba's finest players. The album is led by the inimitable singer José "Pepito" Gómez with incendiary arrangements by Michael Eckroth, and it was produced by Chulo Records' Jacob Plasse. The ferocious wind and rhythm sections of Orquesta Akokán consist of musicians from storied groups including Irakere, NG La Banda, and Los Van Van. Robust, time-tested musical architectures of son cubano and mambo are honored and contemporized through a synthesis of the rich compositional styles of Havana, New York, and beyond.

NPR hails Orquesta Akokán as harnessing, "a groove as intense as a runaway train." The blazing hot collection of originals quickly caught the attention of critics across the globe with more than a dozen "Best Albums of 2018" nods and award nominations, including a GRAMMY Award nomination for "Best Tropical Latin Album." Among the media outlets touting Orquesta Akokán on their "Best Of" lists are NPR's alt.Latino, PRI's "The World," The Sunday Times, and others. In addition to the GRAMMY's, award nominations were acknowledged by the "2019 Billboard Latin Music Awards" and "2018 Latin American Music Awards," and Orquesta Akokán won a "2019 Songlines Music Award -- Americas."

To view Orquesta Akokán's EPK, please Click Here. Please view official music videos for "Un Tabaco para Elegua" (Link) and "Mambo Rapidito" (Link), and live performance videos can be viewed on the band's You Tube channel.

For more information regarding Orquesta Akokán, please visit: orquestaakokan.com and daptonerecords.com.

Orquesta Akokán Summer 2019 Tour Dates:

Sun, June 16 | SF Jazz Center | San Francisco, CA
Tues, June 18 | Roseburg, OR
Weds, June 19 | Aladdin Theater | Portland, OR
Fri, June 21 | The Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewery | Chico, CA
Sat, June 22 | Live Oak Music Festival | San Luis Obispo, CA
Sun, June 23 | California Center for the Arts | Escondido, CA
Mon, June 24 | Mim Music Theater | Phoenix, AZ
Tues, June 25 | Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership | Taos, NM
Weds, June 26 | Sunset Concert Series | Telluride, CO
Thurs, June 27 | Snowmass Free Concert Series | Aspen, CO
Fri, June 28 | Jas Cafe Downstairs at The Nell | Aspen, CO
Sat, June 29 | Arvada Center | Arvada, CO
Mon, July 1 | Antone's Nightclub | Austin, TX
Tue, July 2 | Miller Outdoor Theatre | Houston, TX
Fri, July 5 | City Winery | Nashville, TN
Sat, July 6 | Levitt Shell | Memphis, TN
Mon, July 8 | Buffalo Iron Works | Buffalo, NY
Tue, July 9 | Mid's Park | Lake Placid, NY

Wed, 05/29/2019 - 6:27 pm

Preeminent nonprofit record label Little Village Foundation genuinely changes the lives of underground artists, who in turn, positively impact their communities in all corners of the West Coast. The significance of Little Village Foundation's grassroots work of bringing undiscovered artistic gems into the spotlight has been lauded by mainstream news outlets such as CNN, Forbes, TigerBeat, Billboard, and others, while the label announces today its most notable lineup of artists to date for its summer 2019 releases. Little Village emulates the mission of GRAMMY Award-winning keyboardist Jim Pugh who helps champion musicians' careers with an artist-first platform. For its comprehensive roster of over 20 musicians, Little Village pays all recording costs, covers the duplication of 1,000 CDs with 100% of profits going directly to the artists, and the musicians own all the intellectual property.

On August 17, 2019, Little Village Foundation releases five new full-length albums featuring an array of the West Coast's most compelling women voices fighting for change through sharing their life stories to inspire people across the globe. Little Village's summer 2019 lineup of recordings, includes Betty Reid Soskin, recently chosen as one of Glamour Magazine's "Women of the Year 2018"; Oakland rock outfit Skip The Needle featuring Vicki Randle, a percussionist/vocalist for nearly 20 years with The Tonight Show (1992-2010); 18-year-old Muslim Somali refugee Saida Dahir in collaboration with bassist Jerry Jemmott from Gil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"; acclaimed Pacific Northwest fingerstyle guitarist Mary Flower; and Harvard University-bound 18-year-old Latina singer Anaí Adina from California's Central Valley.

Supported by numerous prominent donors including the Bill Graham Foundation, The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, Hellman Foundation, Hirsch & Associates, McEvoy Foundation for the Arts, The San Diego Foundation, blues superstar Bonnie Raitt, and others, Little Village Foundation has developed in four years a prestigious board of directors and a robust staff based out of Santa Barbara County, Calif.. Little Village's renowned roster of artists have emerged from being local acts to signing independent and major label record deals, winning prestigious awards, and performing on the country's most venerable stages (Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival). Most critical though, these artists now have the community support of like-minded musicians that all propel one another's careers. Like one big extended family, Little Village provides the infrastructure for singular artists to pursue their musical dreams.

"2019 is our most diverse set of releases yet," says Jim Pugh. "From all the acts I've seen over the past 12 months as I trekked across the West Coast to various music festivals and venues, these five artists are the best representation of what's truly vital right now on the scene. Ranging in ages from 18 to 97, five stalwart women artists are the voices we want to advocate for and bolster their careers. We believe talented artists should have access to the essential tools (professional studio time, CD duplication, photo shoots, promotion campaigns) for a successful launch of an album. This is where Little Village can have a real impact. Little Village proudly brings musicians together who above all else are remarkable human beings."

Pugh's career as a keyboardist for the likes of B.B. King, Etta James, John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, and Van Morrison, has garnered him multiple GRAMMY® Awards, and platinum and gold records. No longer a full-time musician, Pugh has dedicated his career as the Executive Director of Little Village Foundation to unearth American roots and rock artists with fascinating stories and undeniable talent. In looking at the label's 2015 - 2019 releases and the critical praise they've garnered, it's proving to be a successful venture.

Little Village Foundation -- 2019 Artists

Betty Reid Soskin is a celebrated storyteller and, at the age of 97, is the oldest active Park Ranger in America at The Rosie The Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park in Richmond, CA. Soskin's reflections on living for nearly a century are a riveting commentary on her family's American narrative from the Dred Scott Decision, the Civil War, Reconstruction and through to Black Lives Matter and are at the heart of her new album, A Lifetime Being Betty. Recorded live at The Moth, Bridge Storage and Art Space, Litquake and Porchlight Storytelling, and Luna Voices, A Lifetime Being Betty exhibits the public speaker in her natural milieu sharing her truths while signaling that there is much life to live in one's final decades. In 2015, she introduced Barack Obama for the "Christmas Tree Lighting" on national television, and last year, Glamour Magazine honored Betty Reid Soskin as one of their "Women of the Year 2018." In November 2019, Soskin will perform in New York City as one of The Moth's Five Best Storytellers of the Year.

Skip The Needle features a supergroup of the Bay Area's leading women who are all acclaimed bandleaders in their own right, including guitarist/vocalist Shelley Doty (Shelley Doty X-tet, Jambay), drummer/vocalist Kofy Brown (Kofy Brown Band, Sistas in the Pit), guitarist/vocalist Katie Cash (Katie Cash Band, Year of the Fist), and national TV star percussionist/vocalist Vicki Randle (The Tonight Show). With a nearly two-decade career as a singer on The Tonight Show (1992-2010), and eight years touring with Mavis Staples behind her, Randle returns to her hard rock roots with her politically charged collective Skip The Needle for their debut studio album, We Ain't Never Going Back.

18-year-old Saida Dahir is a Muslim Somali refugee and spoken-word artist living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dahir came to national acclaimed through her piece "A Tribute To The Fallen" on Little Village Foundation's recording, Raise Your Voice, featuring students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL and youth across the country speaking out against gun violence in America. On her debut poetry album, The Walking Stereotype, Dahir collaborates on her track "Justified" with acclaimed bassist Jerry Jemmott who performed on Gil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised."

Multi-award winning Pacific Northwest's fingerstyle guitarist Mary Flower releases a new full-length studio album, Livin' with the Blues Again, showcasing her deft pickin' skills with an impressive collection of blues and ragtime originals. Flower appears on Livin' with the Blues Again alongside powerhouse soul vocalists The Sons Of The Soul Revivers and Bay Area folk legend Suzy Thompson.

A member of the premier youth ensemble Mariachi Mestizo, Latina singer/violinist Anaí Adina from California's Central Valley releases her first recording Espérame En El Cielo -- a collection of traditional Mexican love songs that serves as an ode to her family as she prepares to study pre-med at Harvard University in fall 2019. On three songs on Espérame En El Cielo, Anaí collaborates with the 19-piece Mariachi Mestizo and upwards of 11 classical youth musicians from Enriching Lives Through Music (ELM). ELM is a transformative full scholarship multi-year program providing music education, ensemble, and performance opportunities to youth. Through ELM's work with The Mariachi Studio in Delano, Calif., the program teaches children about Latino culture and traditional compositions. Juan Morales, a former member of the legendary mariachi group Los Camperos and father of Anaí (as well as the Director of The Mariachi Studio), appears on Espérame En El Cielo along with her two sisters (including Little Village artist Xochitl Morales who released her critically-acclaimed album, Descansos, in 2017). Anaí performed with Mariachi Mestizo at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (SF).

For additional detailed information regarding the five artists releasing new albums on Little Village in August 2019, please visit: littlevillagefoundation.com

About Little Village Foundation

Little Village Foundation is a non-profit cultural producer and record label that searches out, discovers, records and produces music that otherwise would not be heard beyond the artist's family and community. Little Village supports the dreams of artists from non-traditional backgrounds. Many of these artists make music just as a part of telling their community stories. Through some detective work and the help of an extensive network from his acclaimed performing career, Executive Director Jim Pugh learns of great music happening in communities throughout the country, music that has deep roots in American popular and roots traditions. He then offers to record their music at no expense to the artist at all. Usually, this is the very first time the artist has been recorded. Not only is there no expense to the artist, Little Village Foundation owns zero intellectual property for the music and sets up all retail accounts for the sales of CDs in the artists' names. This happens with generous public donations and grants.

Fri, 06/21/2019 - 12:11 pm

In a city that thrives on its diversity, sun-soaked California retro-soul band Midtown Social unites a fractured San Francisco undergoing swells of monumental change with an uplifting and outright funky new full-length studio album, Fantastic Colors, due out nationwide on Valentine's Day 2020. Midtown Social is of the fabric of San Francisco with its members representing the wide swathes of what makes the city so extraordinary. For its latest studio recording co-produced by Jeff Kolhede (Money Mark, Rayana Jay), Midtown Social writes a love letter to its hometown amid a perilous time when reverence is essential for collective healing. Drastic income disparity, sky-rocketing rents, profound homelessness, acute drug abuse, among other critical issues, are rendering the city unrecognizable. On Fantastic Colors, Midtown Social offers a compassionate reflection of its true love for San Francisco.

In anticipation of the February 14, 2020 release of Fantastic Colors, Midtown Social drops four singles "Fantastic Colors" (August 2), "Candlelit" (September 27), "Savoir Faire" (January 17), and "Play Your Game" (February 14). Midtown Social headlines The Independent (628 Divisadero St., San Francisco, CA) to celebrate the national release of the title track "Fantastic Colors" on Saturday, August 3, 2019.

A collection of 12 original songs, vocalists Kisura Nyoto and Aaron Joseph speak truths on Fantastic Colors to the empowerment that arises from bringing together communities through inclusivity, authenticity, and acceptance. With the band's unflinching pocket groove of Richard "RJ" Julia (drums), Sarah Beth (bass), Adam Rubinger (percussion) along with backing vocalist Whitney Moses as its foundation, Nyoto and Joseph deliver glass-shattering vocal performances intermixed with a sultry, chic R&B aesthetic on Fantastic Colors.

The breakout title track "Fantastic Colors" -- a co-write between Nyoto and Joseph -- has friendship at the heart of an exploration down San Francisco's city streets. A joyous snapshot of friends simply walking together discovering the intricacies of various neighborhoods, "Fantastic Colors" is a lesson in the overwhelming submission to the moment. Floating around the city with a close friend -- which are increasingly more difficult to find -- welcomes a state of euphoria. "Fantastic Colors" is an ode to the fundamental role friends play while struggling to survive while facing the ever-increasing pressures of living in San Francisco.

A writing collaboration between drummer Julia, Nyoto and Joseph, "Candlelit" is a song of hope inspired by one of downtown SF's most dire intersections at 6th Street & Natoma Street where Julia has resided for the past decade. Its lyrics ignite a message of encouragement to help fellow neighbors who are down on their luck and build towards a better future for generations to come. On the chorus, Midtown Social jointly sings the poignant line with GRAMMY Award-nominated Alphabet Rockers, "We are all one people, different from the last, working toward our future, to build a better past." Nyoto channels "The Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin for a truly standout vocal performance on "Candelit."

"Savoir Fare" calls out contemporary culture's obsession with technology and its overuse of smartphones and computers in social situations. An '80s rock-synth vibe gets an update from Midtown Social's soaring strings and programmed keyboards while Joseph advocates for club-goers to put down their phones and get up on the dance floor.

Nyoto digs in with a sassy and downright seductive telling of what it's like picking up a guy who's playing hard to get on "Play Your Game." When one's intentions and interests are disguised, Nyoto has no hesitation playing the game to allure a man.

Whether sharing the stage with Janelle Monáe or Kehlani, Midtown Social presents their electrifying live show at venerable venues and music festivals across the country. Recent shows have included standout performances at the iconic Stern Grove Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, August Hall, Bimbo's 365 Club, Paramount Theatre (Oakland), and many others. In celebration of the national release of "Candelit," Midtown Social hosts "The Love Boat" single release party aboard the yacht USS Potomac and sets sail on the San Francisco Bay with 120 lucky fans on Saturday, September 28 from 8 pm - 12 am.

To view Midtown Social's forthcoming tour schedule, please visit: midtownsocialband.com.

Midtown Social
Fantastic Colors
(Release Date: February 14, 2020)

Track Listing:
1. Believe
2. Move Your Body
3. Darte
4. Home
5. What It Is
6. Crossroads
7. Lie To Me
8. Candlelit
9. Fantastic Colors
10. Savior Faire
11. Play Your Game
12. Everybody

Fri, 06/21/2019 - 12:24 pm

A breeding ground for indie artistic ventures ranging from the latest hit movies by Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) and Daveed Diggs (Blindspotting) as well as GRAMMY Award-winning albums from musicians such as Fantastic Negrito (Please Don't Be Dead), Oakland serves as a wonderland of creative inspiration for the poignant narratives defining Sh8peshifter's thriving career. As an entrepreneur, Zakiya Harris (a.k.a. Sh8peshifter) is a visionary figure helping to advance opportunities for Oakland's under-resourced youth in the black community. By night, Sh8peshifter enchants audiences through a kaleidoscopic lens with her fusion of hip-hop and electronic beats dripping with supernatural vocals. On her latest EP, After Darkness (Release Date: September 27, 2019), Sh8peshifter leaves an indisputable impression as a force on the front lines fighting for the betterment of Oakland.

An Oakland native herself, Sh8peshifter traverses the globe in search of enlightenment within diverse genres of music and dance. From Senegal to Jamaica to New York City, her travels inform her sense of culture. Her home of East Oakland silhouette's a fierce artistic identity sculpted over the past two decades. After graduating Rutgers University (New Jersey) while working in public interest law at the World Trade Center, Sh8peshifter emerged as a performer of note in the Brooklyn club scene during the hip-hop renaissance instituted by luminaries Mos Def and Talib Kweli; the latter of which Sh8peshifter opened for at San Francisco's live music institution, Stern Grove Festival.

Upon returning from NYC to Oakland, Sh8peshifter's grassroots pursuits led to co-founding nationally lauded initiatives, including Impact Hub Oakland, Hack the Hood (winner of Google Impact Challenge grant for $500,000), and Toyota's Grind for the Green. As a speaker, Sh8peshifter has presented at Tedx Denver, The National Convention of Black Journalists, and the NAACP National Convention. With the release of her book, Sh8peshift Your Life: The Creative Entrepreneur's Guide to Self-Love, Self-Mastery & Fearless Self-Expression, Sh8peshifter leads workshops at prestigious universities across the country, including at University of California, Santa Cruz; San Francisco State; Livingstone College, and others. Sh8peshifter was named "One to Watch" by Grist.org.

While living the American dream as a happily married black woman, homeowner, and successful entrepreneur, Sh8peshifter's life was swept up in a whirlwind of change a decade ago when she lost her home to foreclosure at the height of 2009's housing crisis. A mother of a beautiful daughter, Sh8peshifter ended her marriage and was laid off while non-profit budgets diminished during the Great Recession. Following a bicycle accident that left a permanent facial scar, Sh8peshifter channeled her losses into a mantra destined for exponential growth. At this crossroads in her life, Sh8peshifter fully realized her creative impetus and took a deep dive into releasing music.

Sh8peshifter -- After Darkness -- Featured Compositions
After Darkness opens with "Abracadabrakaafrica," an empowering anthem that showcases the vigor of black women in America. Amid spellbinding beats and electric guitar work, Sh8peshifter proclaims that, "black woman is God." Sh8peshifter composed the track in memory of Sandra Bland, an African-American woman pulled over by police during the height of The Black Lives Matter Movements who was suspiciously found hanging in a jail cell in Waller County, Texas.

"For myself, my daughter, and my community, it was essential for me to pay tribute to Sandra Bland as a black woman who is God," says Sh8peshifter.

Renowned artists, musicians, choreographers and dancers united for the filming of the official music video for "Abracadabrakaafrica." Sh8peshifter notes, "It's an affirmation and right of passage to have all these powerful black women crowning me in the video." The music video features appearances by Amara Tabor-Smith (UC Berkeley Dept. of Theater and Dance), Nkei Oruche (Afro Urban Society), Karen Seneferu (Berkeley City College), Melora Greene (Community Activist), Ryan Nicole (Actress), Maddy Clifford (Poet), and Lalin St. Juste (The Seshen). To view the music video for "Abracadabrakaafrica," please click here.

"Open My Door" speaks to opening oneself up to people with self-serving personalities, and igniting one's internal capacity to let go of toxic circumstances. Sh8peshifter contemplates the impulses of going from one unhealthy relationship to the next and evaluating why one lets adversarial people into their life.

The title track "After Darkness" mirrors the metamorphosis of Sh8peshifter. All of creation starts with the dark, whether in the womb or soil. One needs to burrow to create roots to be fully grounded. Challenges will arise and with "After Darkness," Sh8peshifter transforms life's most difficult moments into her greatest gifts. "I have earned stripes through the school of hard knocks," says Sh8peshifter. "I've now come into the light, stepping into a new level of my own power as an artist. My new EP reflects my personal story, but even more so, it’s a soundtrack for those contending with life's hardships."

Co-produced with brothers Kevin and Geoff McCann (Alphabet Rockers), "Give and Take" transports Sh8peshifter into an electro-space soundscape with a vital message that when things go seemingly wrong or extremely well, it's imperative to keep a level head. "Not Today" further exemplifies the depths of explorative arrangements on After Darkness while lyrically, Sh8peshifter confirms the things she will no longer put up with by setting clear boundaries.

After Darkness concludes with an ode to 1980s-inflected punk rock on "Runaway." The uplifting narrative offers sage advice to do more than just live. Sh8peshifter encourages the listener to thrive to their greatest potential. "Sometimes when you see crazy coming down the street, you need to run away. You have a choice to leave those who are not serving you in positive ways."

Sh8peshifter celebrates After Darkness with a special headlining CD release concert in Oakland, CA in September 2019. For a comprehensive list of Sh8peshifter's forthcoming tour dates, please visit: sh8peshifter.com.

Sh8peshifter
After Darkness
(Release Date: September 27, 2019)

Track List:
1. Abracadabrakaafrica
2. Open My Door
3. After Darkness
4. Give And Take
5. Runaway
6. Not Today

Wed, 06/26/2019 - 2:46 pm

Betty Reid Soskin's Little Village Foundation release, A Lifetime of Being Betty, is a fascinating work that taps into one African-American woman's American experience, and in the process tells an important story that's intimate, expansive and inspiring. The album was produced by Rosebud Agency founder and Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Mike Kappus, whose production credits include projects that have earned four GRAMMY Awards (13 nominations overall) and included collaborations with John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Ry Cooder, Ben Harper, and many more.

97-year-old Betty Charbonnet Reid Soskin is, among other things, America's oldest active park ranger. Meanwhile, her skills as a storyteller have made her an in-demand public speaker, appearing on The Moth as well as The Today Show, and CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, among other influential radio and television programs. In 2018, she was named one of Glamour Magazine's "Women of The Year," and in 2005, she was named one of the nation's "Ten Outstanding Women" by the National Women's History Project. In 1995, she was designated a "Woman of the Year" by the California State Legislature.

Born into a Cajun/Creole African-American family in Detroit in 1921, Betty spent her earliest years in New Orleans in the era of lynchings and Jim Crow segregation. Her distinguished life has included being an author, composer and singer, social and political activist, entrepreneur, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, historian, blogger, and public speaker. Betty was instrumental in the establishment of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California, where she now gives presentations several times every week.

Betty experienced the abhorrent injustices of racism, and lived to attend the inauguration of America's first African-American president, which she addresses on the album's opening track, "Lincoln to Obama." In fact, in 2015, Betty was chosen to introduce Barack Obama at the annual "Christmas Tree Lighting" which was televised nationally on PBS.

Soskin's reflections are aided by the fact that her great grandmother, a slave herself until the age of 19, lived until Betty was in her twenties. Soskin's riveting commentary is directly informed then by over a century of her family's and her own personal experience, creating her unique perspective on the extensive arc of civil rights from slavery through the Dred Scott Decision, the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, Reconstruction and through to the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panthers and Black Lives Matter. All of this forms the heart of A Lifetime of Being Betty which was recorded live at The Moth, Bridge Storage and Arts Space, Litquake and Porchlight Storytelling, and Luna Voices.

"All the talks featured on the album speak to my greatest truths," Betty states. "Many think life ends in your 70s, but in my 70s is when I had my first job. My life signals that there can be much to live for in these final decades. I'm still productive at 97, and that fact alone indicates that maybe we retire too early. I'm offering an alternative. I'm still creative, and I'm still having first experiences at 97."

Betty's incredible life was chronicled in her acclaimed 2018 memoir and audio book, Sign My Name to Freedom. With A Lifetime of Being Betty comes a memorable portrait of a remarkable woman and of a lifetime filled with joy and pain taken directly from her powerful live presentations.

For more information regarding Betty Reid Soskin, please visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Reid_Soskin and cbreaux.blogspot.com.

Thu, 07/11/2019 - 2:59 pm

The new album, Sonocardiogram, from Daymé Arocena is a vivid return to her Havana roots. Backed once again by a killer band of fellow Cuban musicians, the visionary singer, composer and songwriter has stripped everything back to the core. Holding sessions in a simple, repurposed artist's studio in Havana, Daymé and her band produced the record themselves, with her taking the reins to make Sonocardiogram her most raw and arresting outing yet.

An important voice in Latin music, Daymé has collaborated with influential Cuban peers, like Chucho Valdés and Pedrito Martinez, and US heavyweights like Dexter Story and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. From a recent appearance at Primavera Festival, to sold out tours across Japan and the US, her spectacular live show continues to draw crowds around the world. She's been featured in The New Yorker, as part of a feature on "A New Vanguard of Women in Cuban Jazz," been profiled in gal-dem's second print edition, and featured as the cover star of Boat Magazine. Her last album, Cubafonía, was lauded by Pitchfork, The Sunday Times, The Guardian and MOJO, amongst others. She's performed on Boiler Room, on NPR's iconic Tiny Desk Concert, and been supported on the radio by Mary Ann Hobbes on BBC 6 Music, Jamie Cullum on BBC Radio 2, and Toddla T on BBC 1xtra.

The title is a reference to an echocardiogram, a heart scan; she wanted to mimic that medical procedure with her music. "We wanted to create something that was a snapshot of who we are inside," she says. "We wanted it to capture our personality, our world, how we hear the music." Recording the album outside a traditional studio, ambient noise from outside filtered into the sound of the record, and cats and dogs would pass in and out of the space. The less conventional environment was a means to getting closer to the core of what they do musically.

A jazz record bedded in Afro-Cuban rhythms, Daymé draws on the island's intertwined rituals of family, music and religion. Nodding to Cuban greats like La Lupe, those inspirations carry the sound of Cuba's sun-baked, vibrant daily existence. On "Homenaje" (which translates as "Homage"), she pieces together a collage of musical touchstones that pays tribute to some of her musical reference points: Emiliano Salvador, Lilí Martinez, Arsenio Rodriguez and Merceditas Valdés.

Elsewhere, odes to Santería deities are underscored by the sacred frequencies of the batá drum, and in the "Trilogía" suite -- the tracks "Oyá," "Oshún," and "Yemayá" -- they called on extra drummer, José Carlos Sánchez, to play on a Western drum kit. As Daymé explains, "For the 'Trilogía' we wanted to translate the language of the batá to the trap set so we called on another drummer to recreate and update the dialogue between the three drums."

Over the second half of the album, she tackles her experiences of love. The five track suite "Cinco maneras de amar" sees her survey her experience of romance, looking back from her current vantage point of being recently married. From the flourishes of lovelorn excitement to brushes with rejection, she builds to the positive note of suite closer "Not For Me," where she sings, "Living with sadness forever is not for me." As she explains, "I'm about to get married to my best friend. So no, I'm not suffering. I've learned my lessons. I'm singing to my man and telling him 'I don't want to suffer anymore, I know who I need and who I need is you.'"

Sonocardiogram is an honest, spare picture of where Daymé stands both musically and personally. "What I hope is that the listeners feel that love of life, that embracing life and wanting to succeed -- but not succeeding in the banal terms of making some money or being famous," she says. "I'm talking about being happy by being who we are, doing what we love, and staying open to whatever may come."

Tracklist

1. Nangareo
2. Oyá
3. Oshún
4. Yemayá
5. Interludio
6. Porque tú no estás
7. Para el amor: Cantar!
8. As Feridas
9. Menuet para un corazón
10. Not for Me
11. Plegaria a La Lupe
12. Homenaje

"Trilogía" suite: tracks 2 - 4
"Cinco maneras de amor" suite: tracks 6 - 10
"A difuntos presente" suite: tracks 11 - 12

Sun, 09/01/2019 - 6:25 pm

The new album, Sonocardiogram, from Daymé Arocena is a vivid return to her Havana roots. Backed once again by a killer band of fellow Cuban musicians, the visionary singer, composer and songwriter has stripped everything back to the core. Holding sessions in a simple, repurposed artist's studio in Havana, Daymé and her band produced the record themselves, with her taking the reins to make Sonocardiogram her most raw and arresting outing yet.

An important voice in Latin music, Daymé has collaborated with influential Cuban peers, like Chucho Valdés and Pedrito Martinez, and US heavyweights like Dexter Story and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. From a recent appearance at Primavera Festival, to sold out tours across Japan and the US, her spectacular live show continues to draw crowds around the world. She's been featured in The New Yorker, as part of a feature on "A New Vanguard of Women in Cuban Jazz," been profiled in gal-dem's second print edition, and featured as the cover star of Boat Magazine. Her last album, Cubafonía, was lauded by Pitchfork, The Sunday Times, The Guardian and MOJO, amongst others. She's performed on Boiler Room, on NPR's iconic Tiny Desk Concert, and been supported on the radio by Mary Ann Hobbes on BBC 6 Music, Jamie Cullum on BBC Radio 2, and Toddla T on BBC 1xtra.

The title is a reference to an echocardiogram, a heart scan; she wanted to mimic that medical procedure with her music. "We wanted to create something that was a snapshot of who we are inside," she says. "We wanted it to capture our personality, our world, how we hear the music." Recording the album outside a traditional studio, ambient noise from outside filtered into the sound of the record, and cats and dogs would pass in and out of the space. The less conventional environment was a means to getting closer to the core of what they do musically.

A jazz record bedded in Afro-Cuban rhythms, Daymé draws on the island's intertwined rituals of family, music and religion. Nodding to Cuban greats like La Lupe, those inspirations carry the sound of Cuba's sun-baked, vibrant daily existence. On "Homenaje" (which translates as "Homage"), she pieces together a collage of musical touchstones that pays tribute to some of her musical reference points: Emiliano Salvador, Lilí Martinez, Arsenio Rodriguez and Merceditas Valdés.

Elsewhere, odes to Santería deities are underscored by the sacred frequencies of the batá drum, and in the "Trilogía" suite -- the tracks "Oyá," "Oshún," and "Yemayá" -- they called on extra drummer, José Carlos Sánchez, to play on a Western drum kit. As Daymé explains, "For the 'Trilogía' we wanted to translate the language of the batá to the trap set so we called on another drummer to recreate and update the dialogue between the three drums."

Over the second half of the album, she tackles her experiences of love. The five track suite "Cinco maneras de amar" sees her survey her experience of romance, looking back from her current vantage point of being recently married. From the flourishes of lovelorn excitement to brushes with rejection, she builds to the positive note of suite closer "Not For Me," where she sings, "Living with sadness forever is not for me." As she explains, "I'm about to get married to my best friend. So no, I'm not suffering. I've learned my lessons. I'm singing to my man and telling him 'I don't want to suffer anymore, I know who I need and who I need is you.'"

Sonocardiogram is an honest, spare picture of where Daymé stands both musically and personally. "What I hope is that the listeners feel that love of life, that embracing life and wanting to succeed -- but not succeeding in the banal terms of making some money or being famous," she says. "I'm talking about being happy by being who we are, doing what we love, and staying open to whatever may come."

Tracklist

1. Nangareo
2. Oyá
3. Oshún
4. Yemayá
5. Interludio
6. Porque tú no estás
7. Para el amor: Cantar!
8. As Feridas
9. Menuet para un corazón
10. Not for Me
11. Plegaria a La Lupe
12. Homenaje

"Trilogía" suite: tracks 2 - 4
"Cinco maneras de amor" suite: tracks 6 - 10
"A difuntos presente" suite: tracks 11 - 12

Musicians

Vocals and Backing Vocals: Daymé Arocena
Piano, Keys, Vocoder and Backing Vocals: Jorge Luis Lagarza Pérez
Bass: Rafael Aldama Chiroles
Drums: Marcos Morales Valdés (2,3,4,6,7,8,9)
Drums: José Carlos Sánchez (2,3,4,10,11,12)

pre-order here.

Mon, 09/09/2019 - 12:57 pm

The dire lack of affordable housing and a sharply rising inequity gap are driving San Francisco's homeless population to numbers not seen for 15 years with more than 8,000 people living on the city streets. Statewide, California has 129,972 homeless people (2018), the largest street population of any state (source: Kevin Fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, May 16, 2019).

Joining the fight to help San Francisco's homelessness crisis are many of the city's foremost musicians banding together for the recording of a singular benefit album, Blanket The Homeless. The full-length studio album features 15 original songs (all of which have yet to be officially released by the artists; except Fantastic Negrito's "Working Poor") recorded by lauded Marin-based producer/songwriter Scott Mickelson. Blanket The Homeless includes new tracks by two-time GRAMMY Award-winning Fantastic Negrito; The Stone Foxes; Tim Bluhm (of The Mother Hips); Con Brio; Goodnight, Texas; The Brothers Comatose; Mickelson; Rainbow Girls; John Craigie; Marty O'Reilly & The Old Soul Orchestra; King Dream; The Coffis Brothers; Tobias The Owl; Ken Newman; and Whiskerman. A double LP release concert with performances by select artists on Blanket The Homeless including King Dream, Mickelson, Members of Goodnight, Texas, Ken Newman, and soon to be announced special guests will take place at The Independent (SF) on November 7, 2019 (8pm, Tickets: $15/$17).

Mickelson, a two-time GRAMMY balloted artist, finds himself in the producer's chair for another benefit recording project that's close to his heart. Blanket The Homeless follows his critically acclaimed 2017 After The Fire: Vol. 1 album that raised thousands of dollars for Creative Sonoma and Undocufund.org after the devastating Northern California wild fires. Mickelson teams up with entrepreneur Ken Newman for Blanket The Homeless -- Newman is a local musician and the co-founder of Blanket The Homeless, an organization now working in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco, a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Blanket The Homeless -- Featured Compositions
Blanket The Homeless opens with the infamous San Francisco rock band The Stone Foxes laying down a raw rendition of the brand new track, "Million Dollar Shoes." Hunkered down in the studio for two sessions, Mickelson delved into a vibey production style dripping with ethereal vocals and rock guitar-laden riffs by brothers Shannon Koehler (vocals, drums) and Spence Koehler (guitar, bass). A potent narrative for Blanket The Homeless, Shannon notes, "I was devastated when I first moved to San Francisco and walked downtown to see the amount of people struggling. When asked to be a part of Blanket The Homeless, we were absolutely in and we had a song waiting for this specific project, 'Million Dollar Shoes.'"

The sole artist to record vocals and guitar both live was renowned songwriter Tim Bluhm of The Mother Hips. A solo version of The Mother Hips song "Clean Me Up," Bluhm strips it down as he sings about a drifter asking for some help to clean up as he hopes for better days ahead.

Blanket The Homeless continues with blues powerhouse Fantastic Negrito's "Working Poor," a depiction of the extreme challenges of living in an expensive city with a very low income. "Working Poor" is one of only two tracks not recorded with Mickelson at the production helm for Blanket The Homeless. It appears on Fantastic Negrito's album, The Last Days of Oakland, which took home a GRAMMY Award for "Best Contemporary Blues Album."

In the moments where Mickelson was not fully immersed in the production of Blanket The Homeless, he was churning out an original song pointing to the fact that homeless people each have their own personal stories that must be recognized. On "Odd Man Out," Mickelson sings of someone who's always on the sidelines of the normal stream of everyday folks. Whether it's by choice or bad luck, he's able to keep a sense of humor and self-assurance.

Oakland's rock outfit Whiskerman came into the studio to record an anthem of soaring guitars amid lead singer Graham Patzner’s wailing falsetto vocals on "U.S.M.E." ("United States of Mother Earth"). Whiskerman encourages us on "U.S.M.E." to live in a more unified world and the need we have for being together in our collective pursuit of happiness. Tobias The Owl out of Seattle contributes the track "Out of Place" on Blanket The Homeless. A true survivor of himself living on the streets as a teenager, Tobias lifted his life up to become a radiologist and then a renowned songwriter. On the song "We Should Do This Again," Ken Newman chronicles a conversation with a homeless person. Newman touches home with an intimate account of love, loss and hope on his harmony vocal and piano driven track.

"There are some great organizations working to benefit the homeless whether it be politically, socially, for better housing or other needed services," says Scott Mickelson. "What makes Blanket The Homeless unique is that while these efforts are happening, the people who are surviving on the streets on a daily basis may not be directly benefitting. So many incredible artists contributed their time and heart to this great record, and we now can have that money filter directly into care packages that will be handed out to the community. It feels like a good way to have a positive affect with our music."

About Blanket The Homeless
Established in 2016, Blanket The Homeless resulted after a succession of #BeRobin events celebrating the life of Robin Williams following his tragic 2014 death. Famous comedian Margaret Cho hit the streets of her hometown of San Francisco to raise funds for those in need in tribute to Williams. Newman joined Cho at Larkin Street Youth Services in the city's Tenderloin district on August 12, 2014. Bob Mould came through to perform that day and before long, more than 200 people were crowded outside the Larkin Street facility; most of them homeless queuing up for free meals, hair cuts, clothing and other services. Regional TV camera crews covered the pop-up fundraiser and local San Francisco filmmaker Kurt Weizmann filmed the event, which would eventually become the award-winning documentary, Be Robin -- The Movie.

While Margaret Cho left the Bay Area, Newman continued to produce #BeRobin events with his associate and promoter Donna Merlino to donate money to several local homeless organizations. When Newman's friend Bronica DiCarlo suggested the idea of giving away Mylar emergency blankets, the idea of "Blanket The Homeless" was born. Now in its third year of operation, Blanket The Homeless has recently partnered with St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco (more information is available at https://svdp-sf.org). Together, they have given away more than 3,500 blankets to local homeless communities along with socks, hats, gloves, hygiene supplies, condoms, donated Clif bars, and a waterproof resource guide listing facilities in San Francisco offering free food, shelter, hygiene and other services. Additionally, all donations to Blanket The Homeless are now tax-deductible.

"Every bit as painful as hunger and cold is the feeling of becoming invisible," says Ken Newman. "This is what I've heard from people living on the streets. Many are people who have jobs and families they're trying to provide for. While we can't solve the homeless epidemic in San Francisco with Blanket The Homeless, we can offer a valuable service by distributing our care packages. The homeless deserve to be seen and heard, and I guarantee if you can get out of your comfort zone and interact with them by giving them one of these care packages, you will be moved by the experience."

Blanket The Homeless
(Release Date: November 8, 2019)

1. The Stone Foxes - "Million Dollar Shoes"
2. Tim Bluhm - "Clean Me Up"
3. Fantastic Negrito - "Working Poor"
4. Mickelson - "Odd Man Out"
5. Goodnight, Texas - "Someday, Somehow"
6. John Craigie - "Your Sailor"
7. The Brothers Comatose - "Angeline"
8. King Dream - "Many Moons Ago"
9. Whiskerman - "U.S.M.E."
10. Tobias The Owl - "Out Of Place"
11. Marty O'Reilly & The Old Soul Orchestra - "Mad Tom of Bedlam"
12. Rainbow Girls - "American Dream"
13. The Coffis Brothers - "I Ain't Living In Your World"
14. Ken Newman - "We Should Do This Again"
15. Con Brio - "Body Language" (Live in Amsterdam)

Tue, 09/17/2019 - 1:36 pm

Handmade Moments, the duo featuring multi-instrumentalists Anna Moss and Joel Ludford, release a riveting collection of covers on a new full-length studio album, Number Ones, set for national release on Friday, November 1, 2019. Number Ones follows Handmade Moments viral video success for their indie-folk take on Erykah Badu's song "Phone Down," which to date has garnered 4.5 million views on Facebook. With a lineup of rotating instruments such as sousaphone, alto sax, bass clarinet, acoustic bass, beat-boxing, guitar, and majestic vocals, Handmade Moments capture singular renditions of classics and modern songs on Number Ones. French jazz singer Cyrille Aimée guest appears on Number Ones' breakout single "Tide Is High," the 1980 hit written by Blondie.

Over the last five years since the duo's inception, Handmade Moments has lived a whirlwind life on the road from their hometown of Fayetteville (Arkansas) to laying down roots in Argentina, then off to Oakland (California) and ultimately settling down in New Orleans (Louisiana). The duo has released three beautiful studio albums -- Handmade Moments (2014), Eye in the Sky (2015), and Paw Paw Tree (2018) -- which led to tours and live concerts with Yonder Mountain String Band, Ayla Nereo, Steve Poltz, John Craigie, and many others. The duo's ingenuity behind the camera has catapulted Handmade Moments into the mainstream consciousness of music lovers across the world helping them amass a rabid fanbase.

A near fatal head-on car collision in May 2016 almost put an end to Handmade Moments' momentous rise when two vehicles struck their beloved bio-diesel bus on a two-lane highway outside of Nevada City. After Joel Ludford left the hospital's trauma center to heal from his femur breaking through his pelvis, he was wheel chair bound for three months and in recovery for an additional four months. All the band's music equipment was destroyed in the crash, and Handmade Moments was back at square one. Paw Paw Tree resulted after hard-felt writing sessions, as did their viral video of "Phone Down."

Following their current summer 2019 tour of 25 cities across Europe, Handmade Moments return to the U.S. for the national release of Number Ones featuring hook-laden, indie-Americana versions of songs by a range of artists, including Aaliyah, DRAM, Bill Withers, Erykah Badu, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Blondie, James Brown, Louis Armstrong, and The Grateful Dead. Video now being a prolific medium for artists to garner a fanatic Internet following, Handmade Moments breathes new life into this diverse set of covers while producing captivating music videos for several of the songs to be rolled out over fall/winter 2019/2020. All true hits to Handmade Moments, Number Ones showcases the duo in their natural milieu of interchanging instrumentation for impeccable arrangements of their favorite covers.

Handmade Moments -- Number Ones -- Featured Compositions
Number Ones opens with a sousaphone and beat-box backdrop with Moss' vocals soaring atop on the Bill Withers tender classic, "Grandma's Hands." Inspired by frequent stops in the Delta to visit Moss' grandma for her irresistible pecan pie, "Grandma's Hands" is a deep cut in Withers' famed catalogue, though it hits home for nostalgic musicians out on tour hungry for family connections.

The live debut of Handmade Moments covering Blondie's "The Tide Is High" was amid a workers' protest at Rainforest Café on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. As the picket line brought heightened awareness for sexual assault charges to be brought against an employer, Handmade Moments performed the song with a collective of workers singing in solidarity. For the recording, Moss and Ludford collaborated with acclaimed vocalist, Cyrille Aimée, who The New York Times touted as a "rising star in the galaxy of jazz singers."

The idea to cover Erykah Badu's "Phone Down" spawned while Handmade Moments were featured performers at Camp Grounded, a digital detox for adults where cell phones are traded in exchange for an off-the-grid weekend in the redwoods near Mendocino, California. Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody" was recorded to pay tribute to the lauded R&B star and celebrate her life at a time when the take down of R. Kelly unfolds. Juxtaposition is at the heart of covering "Cash Machine" by D.R.A.M.. Folk musicians aren't typically known for raking in lots of cash. Handmade Moments take the irony of it to new heights with a rhythmic and harmonic version of the trap song.

The first song the duo ever covered was "Tell Me Something Good," by Rufus & Chaka Khan. A dance banger during their live sets, Handmade Moments give a shout-out to one of the most famous women led bands. "Lucky Old Sun" by Louis Armstrong appears on Number Ones as it beckons back to Anna's godparents buying her Armstrong's album Satchmo In Style. The rendition also serves as an homage to their new home of New Orleans. "Ripple" is on the duo's favorite Grateful Dead album, American Beauty. After leaving Arkansas for Northern California, Anna and Joel delved into the Dead's catalogue and started performing several songs in their live repertoire.

Number Ones closes on a poignant yet celebratory note with a cover of James Brown's "I Feel Good," which Handmade Moments debuted at the first show they played in their hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas after the devastating car accident. With their bus demolished to the point of looking like no one could have survived such a crash, fans were elated when the duo hopped on stage. With the performance of "I Feel Good," the sentiment couldn't have been truer for Anna and Joel.

Handmade Moments celebrate the national release of Number Ones with a CD release concert at New Orleans' mainstay venue Tipitina's Uptown on November 1, 2019 opening for Keller Williams. Handmade Moments will also appear at Lost Sierra Hoedown (Blairsden, CA: Sept. 19) and Hillbery Music Festival (Eureka Springs, AR: Oct. 10).

For more information regarding Handmade Moments, please visit: handmademomentsmusic.net

Handmade Moments
Number Ones
(Release Date: November 1, 2019)

Track Listing:

1. Grandma's Hands (Bill Withers)
2. Tide Is High (Blondie)
3. Phone Down (Erykah Badu)
4. Are You That Somebody (Aaliyah)
5. Cash Machine (D.R.A.M.)
6. Tell Me Something Good (Rufus & Chaka Khan)
7. Lucky Old Sun (Louis Armstrong)
8. Ripple (The Grateful Dead)
9. I Feel Good (James Brown)

Wed, 10/23/2019 - 6:42 pm

The Bay Area's own legendary rock band The Mother Hips return with their special annual autumn treat for North Bay audiences with a two-night Halloween run at Sweetwater Music Hall featuring a full-band acoustic show on Wednesday, October 30 and Rock 'n Roll Halloween Bash on Thursday, October 31, 2019. Touring in support of their new studio album, Chorus (Release Date: June 2018), The Mother Hips showcase their latest works alongside music from the band's iconic recording catalog with a no-repeat song set-list over the two nights at Sweetwater Music Hall. 

25 years into a celebrated career is an unlikely time to switch things up, but the "divinely inspired" (Rolling Stone) Mother Hips have never been ones to follow convention. For their brilliant 10th album, Chorus, the California stalwarts turned their recording process on its head in order to make their most essential collection yet. The band laid down elaborate studio demos a full year before official recording sessions began. Fully realizing their music like never before, the result is an exhilarating Mother Hips album marking the beginning of what promises to be their most prolific chapter.  

"Starting with these really fleshed out studio demos was exciting because it meant we could listen back months later with fresh ears," says singer/guitarist/songwriter Tim Bluhm. "We could realize that a song might be more effective if we played it a little faster or sang it a little higher. It was like having a second chance to get everything just right."

That spontaneity has always suited The Mother Hips, a band whose lofty reputation was built on the back of their spellbinding live shows, but by pushing themselves to work in a completely new way on Chorus, they unlocked a slew of artistic rewards.  

Originally signed by Rick Rubin while still just students at Chico State, The Mother Hips have spent two-and-a-half decades at the forefront of a new breed of California rock 'n roll -- one equally informed by the breezy harmonies of The Beach Boys, the funky roots of The Band, and the psychedelic Americana of Buffalo Springfield. The Mother Hips have amassed a rabid fanbase through establishing themselves as "one of the Bay Area's most beloved live outfits" (San Francisco Guardian) with countless headline shows, massive festival appearances, and concerts with everyone from Johnny Cash and Wilco to Lucinda Williams and The Black Crowes. 

The New Yorker lauded the band's ability to "sing it sweet and play it dirty," and their latest recording Chorus is perhaps the finest example of that intoxicating dichotomy, a richly melodic album rooted in gritty rock 'n roll with the kind of evocative storytelling that The Mother Hips do best.

Don't miss the incredible opportunity to see The Mother Hips both acoustically and for an unforgettable Halloween extravaganza at Sweetwater Music Hall! 

Halloween costumes are highly encouraged for the October 31 two-set rock 'n roll show.

To watch the official fan video for The Mother Hips' new song "It's Alright," please visit:

Wed, 11/06/2019 - 3:05 pm

In the darkest of times while the world faces political and environmental uncertainties of grand proportions, the responsibility of artists to reflect on the state of the world becomes undeniable. The Stone Foxes -- with Shannon Koehler at the helm -- set a piercing depiction of greed, deception, and loss with a new collection of epic rock anthems on their upcoming EP, Gold (Release Date: February 28, 2020). While Shannon etches his name amongst rock's royalty with his idiosyncratic vocals, his writing partner and brother Spence Koehler provides the unmistakable guitar tone that has shaped their identity. The two brothers co-write The Stone Foxes' latest bout of stunners performed alongside a cast of all-star collaborators for the recording sessions of Gold.

The Stone Foxes are masterminds behind hook-laden arrangements landing upwards of 25 national sync placements with the likes of BMW, Jack Daniels, Budweiser, Levi's, Sons of Anarchy, Jansport, and the Academy Award-winning documentary film, Free Solo. On Gold, The Stone Foxes enlist composer/sound designer Jon Shamieh (Converse, Impossible Burger, The Walking Dead) for the opening track "I Want Gold" and lead single "The Death Of Me." The EP features three lauded women vocalists Oona Garthwaite, AhSa-Ti Nu Ford Tyehimba, and Kelly McFarling on the tracks "Can't Go Back" and "Running Out Of Space." Jay Pellicci (Deerhoof, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down) engineered and mixed Gold. Each song was written and recorded in tandem with the Koehler brother's mainstay partners Ben Andrews, Brian Bakalian, Vince Dewald, and Elliott Peltzman.

With more than 30 million Spotify spins from over 218,000 monthly listeners and relentless touring, The Stone Foxes bring Gold to fans worldwide with premier headlining appearances at the Adidas Rock 'n' Roll Marathon (Santiago, Chile: Nov. 9, 2019) and NoisePop 2020 (San Francisco, CA: Feb. 29, 2020).

The Stone Foxes have solidified their reputation as a commanding live act built on the musicians' dynamism and blue-collar work ethic. The band's restless spirit driving their live shows powers the songwriting and performances on Gold. Lead vocalist Shannon Koehler -- who lives with a pacemaker and has undergone 11 heart surgeries -- doesn't for a second take life for granted. Living with a no-fear attitude as an outspoken critic of the oppressive powers running the country, Shannon lays it all on the line on Gold.

The Stone Foxes -- Gold -- Featured Compositions
At the heart of Gold are songs with an inward outlook while confronting the societal turmoil bombarding us all on the daily. Gold opens with a reflection that while some people are creative souls, many just love to accumulate. "I Want Gold" channels the spirit of Italian film composer Ennio Morricone with arrangements by Jon Shamieh laying the foundation for Shannon to rip amid a cinematic backdrop.

"Can't Look Back" has Spence's lead guitar work echoing the chorus, "I got this feeling that I can't go on, but I can't go back, you know I can't go back now.” With the chorus featuring the sparkling harmonies of Oona Garthwaite, AhSa-Ti Nu Ford Tyehimba, and Kelly McFarling, Shannon leaves the initial chorus to these leading women to take home the point that there's no choice to return to the past of good old boys, the dark ages, religion, and the kitchen where no man had to listen. The Stone Foxes sound the alarm that we're at a historical moment of no return.

"The Death Of Me" brings Shannon to his knees belting, "I sent her away on the old tarmac, now I cry every night hoping she come back." When love is destined to be easy and free but turns into a storm of unsettled emotions and loss, Shannon confronts the ultimate pain of saying goodbye.

While watching an episode of the HBO series Deadwood, Shannon dropped the remote during a burial scene of crying cowboys to write "Running Out Of Space." Featuring Kelly McFarling singing in unison with Shannon on the verses, "Running Out Of Space" has McFarling, Garthwaite, and Tyehimba crooning on the choruses. In contrast to "The Death Of Me," Shannon assuringly sings, "I'm gonna take you into space on a ticket to I don't care, and I don't when and I don't know how, but we're the real thing now."

Gold concludes with the fever pitch steadily rising on "I Know Who You Are." With Shannon's vocals taking center stage while the tension of the instrumentation builds, brilliant drum work by Brian Bakalian urgently leads into Ben Andrews' wailing guitar. In a direct confrontation with his antagonist, Shannon boldly declares, "I ain't got a gun, but I won't let you slide. You can run from yourself, but you can never hide. I say you've gone too far, I know who you are."

For a comprehensive list of forthcoming The Stone Foxes tour dates, please visit: thestonefoxes.com

To pre-save The Stone Foxes' first single "The Death Of Me" featured on Gold set for release on Friday, November 8, please visit: ONErpm.lnk.to/DeathofMe

Thu, 11/21/2019 - 12:45 pm

With a globetrotting 20-year career renowned for being a voice for the people across four decades of political and societal upheaval from the late '90s to today, Antibalas celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a stark return to their Williamsburg roots on its latest Daptone Records studio album, Fu Chronicles (Release Date: February 7, 2020). Pre-gentrified Williamsburg serves as the backdrop for Fu Chronicles -- voyaging back to the early days of when Antibalas and revered soul label Daptone Records spawned out of lead singer Duke Amayo's kung fu dojo. A senior master of the Jow Ga Kung Fu School of martial arts, Duke Amayo along with Antibalas founder/baritone saxophonist Martín Perna guide listeners through an epic journey of where kung fu ingeniously intersects with Afrobeat on Fu Chronicles.

BrooklynVegan exclusively premieres the single "Fight Am Finish" featured on Fu Chronicles. Duke Amayo comments, "We have arrived at a time when we must be 'Seshat in Red Gloves' and punch throw the sand curtain of lies and deceit. We must fight for truth, sustainability, peace, our dreams, and we must Fight Am Finish and never give up, for the destiny of truth is exposure." To view the premiere, please visit: brooklynvegan.com/antibalas-releasing-fu-chronicles-touring-stream-fight-am-finish

To manifest the utopian visions of where kung fu meets Afrobeat, one must enter the world of Duke Amayo who rose from his upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria to become a prominent football kicker at Howard University, and ultimately, a kung fu master and Afrobeat superstar. At age 12, Amayo began his kung fu practice while simultaneously witnessing the spiritual leader Fela Kuti perform at his famous nightclubs the Afro-Spot and Afrika Shrine in Lagos. Living in the same neighborhood of the Afro-Spot and sneaking into the clubs to experience the force of nature that was Fela Kuti, a young Amayo was enlightened on his path destined for greatness in America.

Attracted to the cosmopolitan lifestyle of fashion, dance, martial arts, and music, Amayo moved beyond the highlights of his football career (which led to tryouts with the Washington Redskins and Montreal Concordes) to launch a singular clothing brand and open a kung fu dojo in Williamsburg, dubbed the Afro-Spot Temple. Upon opening the dojo, Daptone co-founder Gabe Roth and Martín Perna inquired about classes, and soon invited Amayo to join Antibalas. The dojo became the headquarters for the band and label with Antibalas' classic sophomore album, Talkatif (2002), being recorded onsite at the dojo's recording studio. Coming full circle, Fu Chronicles sees Gabe Roth in the producer's chair with Antibalas laying down the tracks at Daptone's House of Soul in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Antibalas -- Fu Chronicles -- Featured Compositions
Fu Chronicles transports listeners to where universal equilibrium and indefinite possibilities unite within a dream world of a child's limitless mind. The transcendent long-form Afrobeat compositions decolonize our psyches through movements traversing with melodies to realign us with a purpose of finding balance in our coexistence. The fiery Antibalas ensemble -- widely renowned as one of America's fiercest live bands -- along with an additional five musicians transform Amayo's opus into hypnotic and invigorating compositions with singular rhythms of resistance.

Fu Chronicles opens with "Amenawon," in honor of Amayo's late mother whose middle name was Amenawon (she is depicted on the cover of Fu Chronicles standing as tall as the Statue Of Liberty carrying a baby). With the literal meaning translating to "may the water you will drink, not pass you by," the composition speaks to rain water washing away pollution and the unveiling of government lies. Amayo pays homage to the Yoruba River goddess, Yomoja, whose healing powers can be accessed by invoking her name. Water is further a symbol in kung fu reflecting one's ability to adapt to any situation.

"Lai Lai" (meaning Never, or Forever) is a gate into setting intentions and following through. In tribute to the resistance of the indigenous Africans and their sustainable practices, Amayo is spearheading a green school project in Ikeja (the capitol of Lagos) featuring a rooftop garden with rainwater harvesting and solar panels.

"M.T.T.T. Pt. 1 & 2" (meaning Mother Talker Tic Toc) dives back in time to when Gabe Roth and members of Antibalas studied with Amayo at his dojo in the late '90s. Initially composed in 1999, "M.T.T.T. Pt. 1 & 2" remains a scorching centerpiece of Antibalas' live repertoire. Fu Chronicles is the first time it appears on tape. Amayo opens the track referencing the African proverb, "The Truth and the Morning, becomes Daylight with Time." "M.T.T.T. Pt. 1 & 2" is about cause and effect, and the Karmic nature of time.

A soundtrack for dreamers and activists, "Fight Am Finish" invokes the spirits of Seshat (ancient Egyptian goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and writing) and Ogun (Yoruba Pantheon of industry, technology, and war) as a means to rebuild our world with wisdom. "Fight Am Finish" prepares one for daily battles, offering encouragement to be steadfast in the dreams you have. Upon the start of "Fight Am Finish," it's on and get ready to rumble. Don't ever let go!

"Koto" focuses on resilience and how one can overcome any predicament. Upon being evicted from his space the Afro-Spot Temple due to acute gentrification in Williamsburg, Amayo brings to life the sense of falling into a hole and emerging even stronger. "Koto" further features two lovers, Otok and Regina on the run from the underworld.

"Fist Of Flowers" describes the traditional form of Jow Ga Kung Fu that Amayo teaches as a certified Kung Fu Sifu (master). The movements and shapes express ancient secrets of the Flower of Life and the laws that govern the fundamental dynamics of the energy flow in the universe, the Ying and the Yang. The Flower of Life is the sacred geometry found in all things, including the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.

An illustrator by trade, Amayo depicts Antibalas taking over a NYC building and converting it into a Solar Temple on the album cover of Fu Chronicles. The Avenue of the Americas turns into Indigenous Way with his mother towering over downtown as a symbol of the future reclaiming the indigenous right. A house of solution, Antibalas promotes the technology of tomorrow with Solar Temple teaching the ways of kung fu, indigenous dance, arts & tradition, quantum physics, universal energies, music, and more.

About Antibalas
Over the course of its lauded 20-year career, Antibalas has toured across four continents and produced eight studio albums establishing them as the premier Afrobeat band in the West. In addition to their integral role as the backing band for the Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical "Fela," Antibalas has served as the house band for several star-studded tribute shows at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater paying tribute to the music of Aretha Franklin, David Byrne, Paul Simon, and Billie Holiday, backing dozens including Allen Toussaint, Cee Lo Green, Sharon Jones, Santigold, and Angelique Kidjo. Antibalas members have appeared alongside some of today's biggest stars, such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Arcade Fire, Lady Antebellum, and many others. In 2012, Antibalas made their late night television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and have appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

For more information regarding Antibalas and Fu Chronicles, please visit antibalas.com, daptonerecords.com, facebook.com/antibalas, and twitter.com/Antibalas. To pre-order Fu Chronicles, please visit: https://daptone.ffm.to/bwav9ee.opr

ANTIBALAS -- WINTER & SPRING 2020 TOUR DATES

Tuesday, February 11 -- The Siren -- San Luis Obispo, CA
Wednesday, February 12 -- Moe's Alley -- Santa Cruz, CA
Thursday, February 13 -- The Regent -- Los Angeles, CA
Friday, February 14 -- The Independent -- San Francisco, CA
Saturday, February 15 -- The New Parish -- Oakland, CA
Sunday, February 16 -- The Independent -- San Francisco, CA
Thursday, February 20 -- Neptune Theatre -- Seattle, WA
Friday, February 21 -- Rickshaw Theater -- Vancouver, BC
Saturday, February 22 -- PDX Jazz -- Portland, OR
Sunday, February 23 -- The Olympic -- Boise, ID
Wednesday, February 26 -- Knotty Pine -- Victor ID
Thursday, February 27 -- The Commonwealth Room -- Salt Lake City, UT
Friday, February 28 -- Washington's -- Fort Collins, CO
Thursday, March 19 -- The Sinclair -- Boston, MA
Friday, March 20 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, March 21 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Brooklyn, NY
Thursday, March 26 -- Terminal West -- Atlanta, GA
Friday, March 27 -- The Grey Eagle -- Asheville, NC
Saturday, March 28 -- Cat's Cradle -- Carrboro, NC
Friday, April 3 -- Sleeping Village -- Chicago, IL
Saturday, April 4 -- SPACE -- Evanston, IL
Friday, April 10 -- Lee's Palace -- Toronto, ON
Saturday, April 11 -- Lee's Palace -- Toronto, ON
Friday, April 17 -- Theatre of The Living Arts -- Philadelphia, PA

Sat, 11/23/2019 - 11:34 am

GRAMMY® Award-winning The Okee Dokee Brothers embark on an experience of a lifetime as Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing celebrate the spirit of the winter season on their latest full-length studio album, Winterland. Following their critically-acclaimed "Adventure Album Series" featuring Can You Canoe?, Through the Woods, and Saddle Up, The Okee Dokee Brothers released an exuberant yet introspective collection of 16 original songs exploring the wonders and beauty of winter on October 19, 2018. A voyage from autumn to spring, Winterland presents secular winter music the entire family can enjoy while cozying up around the fire.

In a world where people are all too often pursuing their own individual journeys, Winterland humbly reminds us that we are all human beings living within the uncontrollable motions of Mother Nature. Embracing the cycles of loss and new life, darkness and light, bitter cold and warmth, Winterland reflects that winter is not only a season, but a feeling we carry within. As we weather the storm by looking inward, we can redefine our seasonal perspectives. In fact, with just the right outlook, winter can become our own sense of paradise, even through the warm months. Join The Okee Dokee Brothers as they welcome you to experience a refreshing, wide-eyed view of the most exciting time of year with their forthcoming album, Winterland.

Produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning Dean Jones and showcasing a cast of guest musicians from the Hudson Valley in Upstate New York (as well as Hawaii-based ukulele phenom, Paula Fuga), Winterland plants a seed for communities to band together and collectively support our beloved and endangered winters. Winter's natural evolution is vital in keeping the earth healthy and hearty for generations to come. The Okee Dokee Brothers' adventures advocate enjoying life in the great outdoors, and now with Winterland, the duo encourages fans to find their love of nature no matter the season.

The Okee Dokee Brothers -- Winterland -- 16 Original Compositions
Winterland delightfully opens with "Blankets of Snow," a song reminding us that the more you welcome the cold, the more warmth it offers you. With imperfect production inspired by The Band's Music from Big Pink album, the raucous rendition highlights that life doesn't need to be perfect to be filled with love. "Welcome Home" celebrates Joe's newborn son arriving home for the first time, and the passing down of old stories and traditions for years to come. Winter gatherings are anything but dull with wild dancing and singing parties filling the air with jubilee. "Welcome Home" radiates warmth like a home brimming with hospitality and vitality.

"Ice Fishin' Shack" brings fans to the heart of Minnesotan culture. Whether getting out on the ice to spend time with friends or to simply take a break from society, it's one of the classic outdoor activities of the North. "Keep Me Warm" is reminiscent of The Okee Dokee Brothers' travels to Ireland some winters back, and inspired by the singing of "Belle of Belfast City" and other Irish traditional songs, in a rowdy pub of course. Spawned from Justin's time in the Himalayan mountains, "The Abominable Yeti" is a hilarious children's story with an undercurrent of how people often are fearful of things they don't know much about. Once one dedicates time to hearing new perspectives, it becomes easier to collaborate, even with a yeti.

The best anyone can do, no matter what your age, is to be your true self. "You You You" celebrates this authenticity as an ode to children who exude originality. While watching Joe's family grow, Justin offers a moving tribute with "Candles." A beautiful way to illuminate a dark winter room, candles are just like children, our universal light.

"Slumberjack" is the duo's first recorded a cappella song and nods to the shanties of Canada's Maritime Provinces. Chock-filled with juxtaposition, the writing sessions for "Ukulele in a Snowstorm" were done in the middle of a Minnesota blizzard. Learning to play the ukulele is one way to keep warm while staring at piles of snow. Having Hawaii's Paula Fuga as a special guest vocalist can take you right to the beach. On the flipside, one of Winterland's standout singles "Howl" takes the duo up North to the Boundary Waters at the border of the United States and Canada. Written while dog sledding and hearing the pack howl in unison, The Okee Dokee Brothers heard a song. Living up North, both animals and humans sometimes just need to howl.

With the arrival of Joe's baby boy came a slew of blue-colored gifts. "Snowpeople" asks whether or not we have to "wear" our genders. Snow-"men" get assigned genders and identities without much thought. This song encourages us to listen to our kids because they, like Snowpeople, might have their own natural style. Sometimes life can't get much sweeter than a "Lazy Day" filled with good ol' relaxation, daydreaming, and an afternoon nap. And on a super cold day, the energy of a "North Country Dance Band" is a sure way to warm up with your community and dance the night away.

Winterland's final three compositions harness the essence of winter's role in nature's life cycle. Based on a story by The Last River Rat (Kenny Salwey), the duo's song "Great Grandmother Tree" exemplifies how death is a critical part of the cold season. When discussed with children in age-appropriate ways, challenging issues such as death can prepare them for difficult life events in the future. "New Year" is filled with hope that spring is around the bend and that growth is in the air. Singing to Joe's baby, "New Year" notes that before long, it'll be our children singing these same songs.

One of the most powerful parts of winter, is winter's end. Watching the "Signs of Spring" pop up helps us to know that everything is going to be okay. The Okee Dokee Brothers complete Winterland with exuberance and the feeling that we all go through suffering in life. If we acknowledge that cold weather, darkness, and sadness are merely part of the journey, it makes life so much more enjoyable.

Climate Action
Winterland is dedicated to our endangered winters, which are warming fast as a result of climate change. To help ensure that fans of The Okee Dokee Brothers can enjoy a lifetime of snowy winter exploration, they're donating 10% of all Winterland CD sales and 10% of ticket sales from their recent hometown CD release concert at The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine's University (St. Paul, MN: Nov. 3) to Askov Finlayson's Keep the North Cold initiative. Keep the North Cold supports leading-edge climate solutions in the North and across the country. To learn more about Askov Finlayson's important mission, visit: askovfinlayson.com/mission. 10% of ticket sales from their Colorado CD release concert at Newman Center at Denver University (Nov. 4) goes to climate solutions at Protect Our Winters (POW).

The Okee Dokee Brothers
Winterland

Track Listing:
1) Blankets of Snow
2) Welcome Home
3) Ice Fishin' Shack
4) Keep Me Warm
5) The Abominable Yeti
6) You You You
7) Candles
8) Slumberjack
9) Ukulele in a Snowstorm
10) Howl
11) Snowpeople
12) Lazy Day
13) North Country Dance Band
14) Great Grandmother Tree
15) New Year
16) Signs of Spring

Sat, 12/07/2019 - 1:35 pm

Back in the spotlight with a sublime new rhythm and blues record, James Hunter follows up six critically acclaimed albums with his latest recording, Nick of Time, set for release on Brooklyn's renowned soul label Daptone Records. Nick of Time is a shining testament of how a master songsmith continually draws fresh water from a bottomless well. Recorded and produced by Bosco Mann, Nick of Time features one of today's foremost soul singers at the top of his game performing with musicians who've backed some of the biggest contemporary music stars including Daptone artists Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley. Nick of Time will be internationally released on March 6, 2020.

BrooklynVegan premieres the lead track "I Can Change Your Mind" featured on Nick of Time. A confrontational cousin to the title track from Hunter's 2006 U.S. debut album, People Gonna Talk, "I Can Change Your Mind" has the protagonist already fighting for his love life instead of anticipating resistance. Interestingly, the narrator admits to being a "one-eyed jack" shortly before cautioning his loved one against "two-faced creeps." To view the premiere, please visit: brooklynvegan.com/the-james-hunter-six-releasing-nick-of-time-touring-stream-a-track

The first Brit to sign to Daptone Records, Hunter is revered by critics both in his native UK and stateside, with Good Morning America hailing his latest album, Whatever It Takes, as the #12 Best Album of 2018. Listed shortly after Paul McCartney and Soccer Mommy on the Top 50 album list, GMA notes, "the title-track, 'I Don't Wanna Be Without You,' 'I Got Eyes' and 'Show Her' could have all been massive hits in the early '60s, with a vintage sense of authenticity. It seems perfect that Hunter is currently signed to the famed Daptone label." Of his other recordings, Rolling Stone dubbed People Gonna Talk, "a treat not to miss" and his second album "unbelievably awesome," while The New York Times noted of The Hard Way, Hunter's "tight, slithery groove" and "sweet growl."

For Nick of Time, Hunter and Daptone co-founder Bosco Mann hunkered down in the label's Penrose Studios in Riverside, California for what certainly will be one of 2020's standout soul recordings. Unmistakably another stunning James Hunter album, Nick of Time is a voyage between beautiful, mid-tempo rumba recalling early King/Federal releases, while lush arrangements summon lost tracks from early '60s Burt Bacharach sessions. Nick of Time is steeped in an era when soul records were driven by earth-shattering vocal performances. James Hunter hands down ushers classic soul music into the 21st Century with a sense of timelessness that's rare these days.

The James Hunter Six -- Nick of Time -- Featured Compositions
Nick of Time opens with syncopated baritone sax, bass and drum parts setting the stage on "I Can Change Your Mind" for Hunter's crooning message of having a love so strong he's confident he'll convincingly change his lover's mind, even with a backdrop of untrustworthiness. "Who's Foolin Who" channels Ben E. King records produced by Leiber & Stoller. The slow roll of fingers softly plucking an acoustic guitar that dances along with piano string crescendos, Hunter pens a tearjerker dripping with honesty.

"Till I Hear From You" hints at a new artistic direction for Hunter as he delves into Dave Brubeck territory with his first go at recording a song in 3/4. Featuring his recording debut on chromatic harmonica, Hunter professes about the track, "I think I had three tunes in my head when I wrote this number, including Ray Charles' theme from The Cincinnati Kid, Lou Johnson's 'It Ain't No Use,' and Bacharach's instrumental bit from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."

Slowing things down to a simmer, "Never" catches Hunter with his guard down while Lady Luck answers all of his dreams with new love entering his life. "Missing In Action" sees a rare wartime theme in Hunter's song catalogue. Though only spending a couple months in the Sea Cadet Corps at the age of 14, Hunter recalls, "I never saw action let alone went missing in it, but walking home dressed like Popeye the Sailor past pubs bristling with squaddies ensured I was always surrounded by the enemy. I was quite pleased with The Longest Day timpani and the machine-gun phrasing of the saxophones."

The title track "Nick of Time" is a subtle nod to the widely hailed The Twilight Zone episode of a fortune-teller machine on a café table that answers yes or no questions for a penny each. Saved by love in the "nick of time," Hunter is a changed man, and seen by his close ones with a different eye.

The straightforward soul of "Brother or Other" (whose timely message is only tantamount to its groove) addresses the unjust notion of those who treat others unlike themselves with suspicion. Divide and rule is the oldest trick in the book. Hunter lends a helping hand and encourages us to extend love to all mankind.

A fear of heights and a reluctance to ascend to the celestial realm of things drives the rollicking "Ain't Goin' Up In One Of Those." Hunter follows the track by calling out those who just expect to receive love and respect, without returning it on "Take It As You Find It." "Can't Help Myself" references the infinite monkey and typewriter theorem, while "How 'Bout Now" enters with a walking baritone sax and pays tribute to a common catchphrase of Hunter's wife's Jessie.

The sparse "Paradise For One" (that finds Hunter enacting his innermost Nat King Cole) enriches Nick of Time with sounds one may not readily associate with The James Hunter Six. Nick of Time concludes with "He's Your Could've Been," a song inspired by an ex of his wife, Jessie. Upon recalling no shortcomings whatsoever of this ex, Hunter pens a grateful number with no complaints.

James Hunter is an everlasting writer of compelling narratives sung with true grit while backed by an ace band of New York City's finest musicians. Nick of Time finds Hunter in the company of Victor Axelrod (piano), Adam Scone (organ), Rudy Petschauer (drums), Myles Weeks (bass), Michael Buckley (baritone saxophone), and Freddy DeBoe (tenor saxophone). On the road for an extensive U.S., U.K., and European tour in support of Nick of Time, Matt Slocum (keyboards) takes the reins on keys for a hearty James Hunter Six ensemble ready to electrify soul music fans as they hit venerable stages in a city near you in spring 2020. For a comprehensive list of forthcoming tour dates, please see below.

For more information regarding The James Hunter Six and Nick of Time, please visit jameshuntermusic.com, daptonerecords.com, facebook.com/TheJamesHunterSix, and twitter.com/jameshuntersix. To pre-order Nick of Time, please visit: https://daptone.ffm.to/nickoftime

The James Hunter Six
Nick of Time

Track Listing:
1. I Can Change Your Mind
2. Who's Fooling Who
3. Till I Hear It From You
4. Never
5. Missing In Action
6. Nick Of Time
7. Brother Or Other
8. Ain't Goin' Up In One Of Those Things
9. Take It As You Find It
10. Can't Help Myself
11. How 'Bout Now
12. Paradise For One
13. He's Your Could've Been

THE JAMES HUNTER SIX -- SPRING 2020 TOUR DATES:
Thursday, March 26 - City Winery - Boston, MA
Friday, March 27 - Narrows Center for the Arts - Fall River, MA
Saturday, March 28 - Daryl's House - Pawling, NY
Sunday, March 29 - StageOne at FTC - Fairfield, CT
Wednesday, April 1 - City Winery - New York, NY
Thursday, April 2 - Sellersville Theater - Sellersville, PA
Friday, April 3 - City Winery - Washington DC
Saturday, April 4 - The Paramount Theater - Burlington, NC
Monday, April 6 - Neighborhood Theater - Charlotte, NC
Wednesday, April 8 - Franklin Theatre - Franklin, TN
Thursday, April 9 - City Winery - Chicago, IL
Friday, April 10 - The Dakota - Minnesota, MN
Saturday, April 11 - The Dakota - Minneapolis, MN
Monday, April 13 - Antone's - Austin, TX
Thursday, April 16 - Echo - Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, April 18 - Cornerstone - Berkeley, CA
Sunday, April 19 - Harlow's - Sacramento, CA
Friday, May 1 - Moulin Blues - Ospel, The Netherlands
Sunday, May 3 - Paradiso Noord - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tuesday, May 5 - Luxor - Koln, Germany
Wednesday, May 6 - Mojo Club - Hamburg, Germany
Thursday May 7 - Columbia Theater - Berlin, Germany
Saturday May 9 - Technikum - Munich, Germany
Monday May 11 - Zoom - Frankfurt, Germany
Wednesday May 13 - Le Café de la Danse - Paris, France
Thursday May 14 - Fuzzyon - La Roche-sur - Yon, France
Saturday May 16 - Jazz a Liege-Brasserie Sauvenière - Liege, Belgium
Tuesday May 19 - Jazz Café - London, United Kingdom

Thu, 01/09/2020 - 1:10 pm

A legend of 20th century music and an international icon of India, sitar virtuoso and singular composer Ravi Shankar (1920 - 2012) will be commemorated with a series of Ravi Shankar Centennial Concerts in May 2020 to celebrate 100 years since his birth on April 7, 1920. Ravi Shankar Centennial Concerts feature family members Norah Jones and Anoushka Shankar as well as special guest artists Philip Glass, Dhani Harrison (son of George Harrison), and an orchestra of Shankar's foremost disciples performing on venerable stages across the globe (*please see the concert listings below for which guest artists will appear at each show*). Ravi Shankar Centennial Concerts will be presented at San Diego Civic Theatre (San Diego, CA: May 16, Fundraiser for Shankar Foundation), Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, CA: May 19), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Chicago, IL: May 22), Carnegie Hall (New York, NY: May 29), and Southbank Centre (Shankar 100 Series, London, UK: January - November 2020). A centenary concert in New Delhi, India in November 2020 will be announced soon.

Ravi Shankar was an Indian classical artist of the highest rank who across nine decades spearheaded the worldwide spread of Indian music and culture. The first Indian musician to become a household name in the West, Shankar achieved international fame in the 1960s through his collaborations with George Harrison of The Beatles and unprecedented performances of Indian classical music at seminal U.S. festivals and benefit concerts, including Monterey Pop (1967), Woodstock (1969), and the Concert for Bangladesh (1971). Shankar became a hero to the counterculture and a global ambassador uniting the East and West through his mastery of a transcendental music that spoke volumes beyond words themselves. Billboard named Shankar "Artist of the Year" in 1967.

Shankar's exhaustive list of accolades exhibits his devotion to humanitarian work while tirelessly unveiling the wonders of Indian classical music to audiences at the far stretches of the globe. For his partnership with George Harrison on The Concert for Bangladesh -- a forerunner of all major benefit concerts including Live Aid -- Shankar was the recipient of UNICEF's first-ever "George Harrison Humanitarian Award" in recognition of how the event saved the lives of Bengali children. His astonishing genius for sitar performance and composition left an enduring imprint on the world's most renowned stages whereas his famed recording catalog won five GRAMMY® Awards and his score for Richard Attenborough's Gandhi was nominated for an Academy® Award.

Shankar's unrivaled command of traditional raga forms was balanced by an inimitable creative and experimental side, which led to award-winning Indian film scores, theatrical productions, opera, composing a new melody for the Indian national song ("Sare Jahan Se Accha"), and the pioneering of the first sitar concertos commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. Traversing well beyond the pop music scenes of the 1960s and 1970s, Shankar helped inspire artists towards modal jazz and spawn a new wave of minimalist composers. Among those who considered him a guiding light of musical influence were none less than John Coltrane, Philip Glass, Yehudi Menuhin, and Zubin Mehta. Coltrane named his son Ravi, in his honor.

In later years, Shankar received India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, France's Commandeur de la Légion d'Honneur, and an honorary knighthood from Britain. He also served as a member of India's upper house of parliament from 1986 to 1992. In December 2012, shortly before he died in San Diego, aged 92, he learned that he had been awarded the GRAMMY® Award for Lifetime Achievement.

In response to Shankar's ultimate passing, Mr. Manmohan Singh (Prime Minister of India, 2004 - 2014) commented, "He was a national treasure and a global ambassador of India's cultural heritage. An era has passed away with Pandit Ravi Shankar. The nation joins me to pay tributes to his unsurpassable genius, his art and his humility." On his final Los Angeles performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2011, the Los Angeles Times noted, "Legendary and iconic are terms cheapened and debased by advertising and the overeager. They should be reserved for someone like Shankar. I am among the maybe millions whose first meaningful experience with music from a distant culture was Shankar's sitar playing. He opened ears and remade sensibilities."

Once a student of uncommon powers embarking on a journey to become a world-class musician under the direction of his guru Allauddin Khan, Shankar's greatest contributions as a teacher himself was in training disciples one-to-one in the traditional Indian manner. A core ensemble of his finest disciples will perform with Shankar's two celebrated daughters the GRAMMY® Award-winning Norah Jones and the GRAMMY Award-nominated sitar player Anoushka Shankar at the forthcoming Ravi Shankar Centennial Concerts. Together, along with select special guests, they will collectively pay tribute to Shankar with a repertoire featuring his multi-genre works including Indian ragas, compositions for Indian orchestra, East-West duets, and Bollywood songs.

The Ravi Shankar Centennial Concerts includes the following disciples: Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (Mohan veena), Tarun Bhattacharya (santoor), Kartik Seshadri (sitar, only U.S.A.), Partho Sarothy (sarod), Shubhendra Rao (sitar), Gaurav Mazumdar (sitar), Barry Phillips (cello), Sanjeev Shankar (shehnai), Ashwani Shankar (shehnai), Ravichandra Kulur (flute), Bickram Ghosh (tabla), Tanmoy Bose (tabla), Pratik Shrivastava (sarod), Pirashanna Thevarajah (mridangam, ghatam, morsing), B.C. Manjunath (mridangam), Kenji Ota (tanpura), and Nick Able (tanpura).

To celebrate the centennial of Ravi Shankar, author Oliver Craske will release a biography, entitled Indian Sun: The Life and Music of Ravi Shankar (Faber Books, April 2020). Additional centenary releases will be announced in 2020.

***CONCERT LISTINGS***
Norah Jones and Anoushka Shankar will perform at Southbank Centre (April 7) and Walt Disney Concert Hall (May 19); Anoushka also performs at San Diego Civic Theatre (May 16), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (May 22), and Carnegie Hall (May 29). Philip Glass to perform at Carnegie Hall (May 29), and Dhani Harrison will perform at San Diego Civic Theatre (May 16) and Walt Disney Concert Hall (May 19).

For detailed information regarding the Ravi Shankar Centennial Concerts, please visit ravishankar.org and anoushkashankar.com.

Fri, 01/17/2020 - 3:07 pm

World-renowned guitar hero Al Di Meola welcomes a new decade with an ambitious follow-up to his 2013 studio recording All Your Life: A Tribute to the Beatles with a sophomore homage to the Beatles, entitled Across The Universe, due out on earMUSIC on March 13, 2020.

Al Di Meola's exquisite mastery of the fretboard is equal only to his appreciation of the Beatles' legacy that has inspired generations of both musicians and music fans with their famed recording catalog. A retrospective of Al Di Meola's nearly 50-year acclaimed career expressed through his virtuosic arrangements of 14 Beatles songs, Across The Universe journeys alongside one of America's foremost guitarists as he revisits classic hits and more obscure tunes written by the ingenious Fab Four who have helped define the man he is today.

Adding to his lauded recording collection of more than 30 solo albums and numerous acclaimed collaborations with the likes of Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Stanley Clarke, Paco De Lucia and many others, Across The Universe is yet another masterpiece showcasing Al Di Meola's fascination with complex rhythmic syncopation combined with provocative lyrical melodies and intricate harmonies. Beatles fans, guitar-heads, and music lovers alike can expect the unexpected upon venturing into the world put forth by Across The Universe. To commemorate the singular life of John Lennon, Al Di Meola reenacts the famous Lennon cover for his 1975 solo album Rock 'n' Roll for the artwork for Across The Universe.

Al Di Meola is a living legend celebrated for pioneering a unique style of impeccable guitar technique combined with a sophisticated global musical language that's captured the hearts of audiences across the world. A GRAMMY Award-winner, he's garnered three gold albums while selling more than six million albums in worldwide sales. His collaborations with artists such as Paul Simon, Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Page, Santana, Steve Winwood, Herbie Hancock, Frank Zappa, Luciano Pavarotti, and others have elevated Al Di Meola to become a household name. Traversing divinely across multiple genres including flamenco, Latin, fusion, jazz, rock, and world music, Al Di Meola is a vivacious tour de force always redefining the boundaries of what's possible on a six-stringed instrument. Across The Universe is no different than his most decorated recordings with his arsenal of a large ensemble bringing creative reinterpretations of Beatles songs to astounding heights.

"I really credit the Beatles for the reason why I play guitar," says Al Di Meola. "That was a major catalyst for me to want to learn music, so their impact was pretty strong."

Al Di Meola employs a wide lens on Across The Universe with lightening-speed electric guitar orchestrations balanced with lavish acoustic arrangements. The debut single Strawberry Fields Forever from Across The Universe (released today, January 17) is a fiery electric guitar-fueled stunner backed by a red-hot rock band. Epic rock 'n' roll covers are sprinkled throughout the album, including the visionary take on the album opener Here Comes The Sun, as well as a riveting Hey Jude and Golden Slumbers Medley. Al Di Meola's acoustic fingerpicking soars on Dear Prudence and Norwegian Wood, while he ventures to a jazz fusion aesthetic on Till There Was You.

Across The Universe simmers to a diverse set of mid-tempo grooves on Mother Nature's Son, Yesterday, Your Mother Should Know, I'll Follow The Sun, and Julia. Al Di Meola features a lovely solo performance on Here, There And Everywhere. Across The Universe finishes with a short, but very sweet melodic version of Octopus's Garden.

Across The Universe will be released as a CD Digipak, 2LP and Digital on March 13, 2020, on earMUSIC.

PREORDER THE ALBUM HERE: https://aldimeola.lnk.to/AcrossTheUniverse

Al Di Meola - Across The Universe

Track Listing
1. Here Comes The Sun
2. Golden Slumbers Medley
3. Dear Prudence
4. Norwegian Wood
5. Mother Nature’s Son
6. Strawberry Fields Forever
7. Yesterday
8. Your Mother Should Know
9. Hey Jude
10. I'll Follow The Sun
11. Julia
12. Till There Was You
13. Here, There And Everywhere
14. Octopus's Garden

Al Di Meola will tour in select North American cities as well as Japan and Germany from February 3 - November 6, 2020.

AL DI MEOLA – SPRING 2020 TOUR DATES
February 3, 2020 -- Billboard Live Tokyo -- Minato City, Japan
February 4, 2020 -- Billboard Live Tokyo -- Minato City, Japan
February 6, 2020 -- Billboard Live Osaka -- Osaka, Japan
February 7, 2020 -- Billboard Live Osaka -- Osaka, Japan
February 9, 2020 -- The Canyon Montclair -- Montclair, CA
February 11, 2020 -- Palace Of Fine Arts Theatre -- San Francisco, CA
February 12, 2020 -- Harris Center For The Arts -- Folsom, CA
February 13, 2020 -- Fremont Theater -- San Luis Obispo, CA
February 15, 2020 -- Talking Stick Resort -- Scottsdale, AZ
March 21, 2020 -- Newton Theatre -- Newton, NJ
March 22, 2020 -- The Warehouse at FTC -- Fairfield, CT
March 24, 2020 -- Rams Head On Stage -- Annapolis, MD
March 25, 2020 -- The Tin Pan -- Richmond, VA
March 27, 2020 -- Suffolk Theater -- Riverhead, NY
March 28, 2020 -- Center for the Arts of Homer -- Homer, NY
March 29, 2020 -- City Winery Philadelphia -- Philadelphia, PA
April 1, 2020 -- Infinity Hall Hartford -- Hartford, CT
April 3, 2020 -- Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building -- Lexington, MA
April 5, 2020 -- Shalin Liu Performance Center -- Rockport, MA
July 2, 2020 -- Place des Arts -- Montréal, Canada
April 24, 2020 -- Die Fabrik in Altona -- Hamburg, Germany
April 25, 2020 -- Eventhalle FV Wendelstein -- Wendelstein, Germany
April 26, 2020 -- Theaterhaus (am Pragsattel) -- Stuttgart, Germany
April 30, 2020 -- Alfried Krupp Saal -- Essen, Germany
July 2, 2020 -- Place des Arts -- Montréal, Canada
November 6, 2020 -- OSTRA-DOME -- Dresden, Germany

Sun, 01/26/2020 - 12:50 pm

With a globetrotting 20-year career renowned for being a voice for the people across four decades of political and societal upheaval from the late '90s to today, Antibalas celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a stark return to their Williamsburg roots on its latest Daptone Records studio album, Fu Chronicles (Release Date: February 7, 2020). Pre-gentrified Williamsburg serves as the backdrop for Fu Chronicles -- voyaging back to the early days of when Antibalas and revered soul label Daptone Records spawned out of lead singer Duke Amayo's kung fu dojo. A senior master of the Jow Ga Kung Fu School of martial arts, Duke Amayo along with Antibalas founder/baritone saxophonist Martín Perna guide listeners through an epic journey of where kung fu ingeniously intersects with Afrobeat on Fu Chronicles.

WNYC's "New Sounds" exclusively premieres today Antibalas' latest single from Fu Chronicles the opening track "Amenawon," a song in honor of Amayo's late mother whose middle name was Amenawon (she is depicted on the cover of Fu Chronicles standing as tall as the Statue Of Liberty carrying a baby). With the literal meaning translating to "may the water you will drink, not pass you by," the composition speaks to rain water washing away pollution and the unveiling of government lies. Amayo pays homage to the Yoruba River goddess, Yomoja, whose healing powers can be accessed by invoking her name. Water is further a symbol in kung fu reflecting one's ability to adapt to any situation.

To manifest the utopian visions of where kung fu meets Afrobeat, one must enter the world of Duke Amayo who rose from his upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria to become a prominent football kicker at Howard University, and ultimately, a kung fu master and Afrobeat superstar. At age 12, Amayo began his kung fu practice while simultaneously witnessing the spiritual leader Fela Kuti perform at his famous nightclubs the Afro-Spot and Afrika Shrine in Lagos. Living in the same neighborhood of the Afro-Spot and sneaking into the clubs to experience the force of nature that was Fela Kuti, a young Amayo was enlightened on his path destined for greatness in America.

Attracted to the cosmopolitan lifestyle of fashion, dance, martial arts, and music, Amayo moved beyond the highlights of his football career (which led to tryouts with the Washington Redskins and Montreal Concordes) to launch a singular clothing brand and open a kung fu dojo in Williamsburg, dubbed the Afro-Spot Temple. Upon opening the dojo, Daptone co-founder Gabe Roth and Martín Perna inquired about classes, and soon invited Amayo to join Antibalas. The dojo became the headquarters for the band and label with Antibalas' classic sophomore album, Talkatif (2002), being recorded onsite at the dojo's recording studio. Coming full circle, Fu Chronicles sees Gabe Roth in the producer's chair with Antibalas laying down the tracks at Daptone's House of Soul in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Antibalas -- Fu Chronicles -- Featured Compositions
Fu Chronicles transports listeners to where universal equilibrium and indefinite possibilities unite within a dream world of a child's limitless mind. The transcendent long-form Afrobeat compositions decolonize our psyches through movements traversing with melodies to realign us with a purpose of finding balance in our coexistence. The fiery Antibalas ensemble -- widely renowned as one of America's fiercest live bands -- along with an additional five musicians transform Amayo's opus into hypnotic and invigorating compositions with singular rhythms of resistance.

"Lai Lai" (meaning Never, or Forever) is a gate into setting intentions and following through. In tribute to the resistance of the indigenous Africans and their sustainable practices, Amayo is spearheading a green school project in Ikeja (the capitol of Lagos) featuring a rooftop garden with rainwater harvesting and solar panels.

"M.T.T.T. Pt. 1 & 2" (meaning Mother Talker Tic Toc) dives back in time to when Gabe Roth and members of Antibalas studied with Amayo at his dojo in the late '90s. Initially composed in 1999, "M.T.T.T. Pt. 1 & 2" remains a scorching centerpiece of Antibalas' live repertoire. Fu Chronicles is the first time it appears on tape. Amayo opens the track referencing the African proverb, "The Truth and the Morning, becomes Daylight with Time." "M.T.T.T. Pt. 1 & 2" is about cause and effect, and the Karmic nature of time.

A soundtrack for dreamers and activists, "Fight Am Finish" invokes the spirits of Seshat (ancient Egyptian goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and writing) and Ogun (Yoruba Pantheon of industry, technology, and war) as a means to rebuild our world with wisdom. "Fight Am Finish" prepares one for daily battles, offering encouragement to be steadfast in the dreams you have. Upon the start of "Fight Am Finish," it's on and get ready to rumble. Don't ever let go!

"Koto" focuses on resilience and how one can overcome any predicament. Upon being evicted from his space the Afro-Spot Temple due to acute gentrification in Williamsburg, Amayo brings to life the sense of falling into a hole and emerging even stronger. "Koto" further features two lovers, Otok and Regina on the run from the underworld.

"Fist Of Flowers" describes the traditional form of Jow Ga Kung Fu that Amayo teaches as a certified Kung Fu Sifu (master). The movements and shapes express ancient secrets of the Flower of Life and the laws that govern the fundamental dynamics of the energy flow in the universe, the Ying and the Yang. The Flower of Life is the sacred geometry found in all things, including the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.

An illustrator by trade, Amayo depicts Antibalas taking over a NYC building and converting it into a Solar Temple on the album cover of Fu Chronicles. The Avenue of the Americas turns into Indigenous Way with his mother towering over downtown as a symbol of the future reclaiming the indigenous right. A house of solution, Antibalas promotes the technology of tomorrow with Solar Temple teaching the ways of kung fu, indigenous dance, arts & tradition, quantum physics, universal energies, music, and more.

About Antibalas
Over the course of its lauded 20-year career, Antibalas has toured across four continents and produced eight studio albums establishing them as the premier Afrobeat band in the West. In addition to their integral role as the backing band for the Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical "Fela," Antibalas has served as the house band for several star-studded tribute shows at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater paying tribute to the music of Aretha Franklin, David Byrne, Paul Simon, and Billie Holiday, backing dozens including Allen Toussaint, Cee Lo Green, Sharon Jones, Santigold, and Angelique Kidjo. Antibalas members have appeared alongside some of today's biggest stars, such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Arcade Fire, Lady Antebellum, and many others. In 2012, Antibalas made their late night television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and have appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

For more information regarding Antibalas and Fu Chronicles, please visit antibalas.com, daptonerecords.com, facebook.com/antibalas, and twitter.com/Antibalas. To pre-order Fu Chronicles, please visit: https://daptone.ffm.to/bwav9ee.opr

ANTIBALAS -- WINTER & SPRING 2020 TOUR DATES
Tuesday, February 11 -- The Siren -- San Luis Obispo, CA
Wednesday, February 12 -- Moe's Alley -- Santa Cruz, CA
Thursday, February 13 -- The Regent -- Los Angeles, CA
Friday, February 14 -- The Independent -- San Francisco, CA
Saturday, February 15 -- The New Parish -- Oakland, CA
Sunday, February 16 -- The Independent -- San Francisco, CA
Thursday, February 20 -- Neptune Theatre -- Seattle, WA
Friday, February 21 -- Rickshaw Theater -- Vancouver, BC
Saturday, February 22 -- PDX Jazz -- Portland, OR
Sunday, February 23 -- The Olympic -- Boise, ID
Wednesday, February 26 -- Knotty Pine -- Victor ID
Thursday, February 27 -- The Commonwealth Room -- Salt Lake City, UT
Friday, February 28 -- Washington's -- Fort Collins, CO
Thursday, March 19 -- The Sinclair -- Boston, MA
Friday, March 20 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, March 21 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Brooklyn, NY
Thursday, March 26 -- Terminal West -- Atlanta, GA
Friday, March 27 -- The Grey Eagle -- Asheville, NC
Saturday, March 28 -- Cat's Cradle -- Carrboro, NC
Friday, April 3 -- Sleeping Village -- Chicago, IL
Saturday, April 4 -- SPACE -- Evanston, IL
Friday, April 10 -- Lee's Palace -- Toronto, ON
Saturday, April 11 -- Lee's Palace -- Toronto, ON
Friday, April 17 -- Theatre of The Living Arts -- Philadelphia, PA

Fri, 02/07/2020 - 12:19 pm

With a globetrotting 20-year career renowned for being a voice for the people across four decades of political and societal upheaval from the late '90s to today, Antibalas celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a stark return to their Williamsburg roots on its latest Daptone Records studio album released today, Fu Chronicles (Release Date: February 7, 2020). Pre-gentrified Williamsburg serves as the backdrop for Fu Chronicles -- voyaging back to the early days of when Antibalas and revered soul label Daptone Records spawned out of lead singer Duke Amayo's kung fu dojo. A senior master of the Jow Ga Kung Fu School of martial arts, Duke Amayo along with Antibalas founder/baritone saxophonist Martín Perna guide listeners through an epic journey of where kung fu ingeniously intersects with Afrobeat on Fu Chronicles.

To manifest the utopian visions of where kung fu meets Afrobeat, one must enter the world of Duke Amayo who rose from his upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria to become a prominent football kicker at Howard University, and ultimately, a kung fu master and Afrobeat superstar. At age 12, Amayo began his kung fu practice while simultaneously witnessing the spiritual leader Fela Kuti perform at his famous nightclubs the Afro-Spot and Afrika Shrine in Lagos. Living in the same neighborhood of the Afro-Spot and sneaking into the clubs to experience the force of nature that was Fela Kuti, a young Amayo was enlightened on his path destined for greatness in America.

Attracted to the cosmopolitan lifestyle of fashion, dance, martial arts, and music, Amayo moved beyond the highlights of his football career (which led to tryouts with the Washington Redskins and Montreal Concordes) to launch a singular clothing brand and open a kung fu dojo in Williamsburg, dubbed the Afro-Spot Temple. Upon the dojo's opening, Daptone co-founder Gabe Roth and Martín Perna attended a fashion show at the Afro-Spot Temple, and soon invited Amayo to join Antibalas. The dojo became the headquarters for the band and label with Antibalas' classic sophomore album, Talkatif (2002), being recorded onsite at the dojo's recording studio. Coming full circle, Fu Chronicles sees Gabe Roth in the producer's chair with Antibalas laying down the tracks at Daptone's House of Soul in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Antibalas -- Fu Chronicles -- Featured Compositions

Fu Chronicles transports listeners to where universal equilibrium and indefinite possibilities unite within a dream world of a child's limitless mind. The transcendent long-form Afrobeat compositions decolonize our psyches through movements traversing with melodies to realign us with a purpose of finding balance in our coexistence. The fiery Antibalas ensemble -- widely renowned as one of America's fiercest live bands -- along with an additional five musicians transform Amayo's opus into hypnotic and invigorating compositions with singular rhythms of resistance.

Fu Chronicles opens with "Amenawon," in honor of Amayo's late mother whose middle name was Amenawon (she is depicted on the cover of Fu Chronicles standing as tall as the Statue Of Liberty carrying a baby). With the literal meaning translating to "may the water you will drink, not pass you by," the composition speaks to rain water washing away pollution and the unveiling of government lies. Amayo pays homage to the Yoruba River goddess, Yomoja, whose healing powers can be accessed by invoking her name. Water is further a symbol in kung fu reflecting one's ability to adapt to any situation.

"Lai Lai" (meaning Never, or Forever) is a gate into setting intentions and following through. In tribute to the resistance of the indigenous Africans and their sustainable practices, Amayo is spearheading a green school project in Ikeja (the capitol of Lagos) featuring a rooftop garden with rainwater harvesting and solar panels.

"M.T.T.T. Pt. 1 & 2" (meaning Mother Talker Tic Toc) dives back in time to when Gabe Roth and members of Antibalas studied with Amayo at his dojo in the late '90s. Initially composed in 1999, "M.T.T.T. Pt. 1 & 2" remains a scorching centerpiece of Antibalas' live repertoire. Fu Chronicles is the first time it appears on tape. Amayo opens the track referencing the African proverb, "The Truth and the Morning, becomes Daylight with Time." "M.T.T.T. Pt. 1 & 2" is about cause and effect, and the Karmic nature of time.

A soundtrack for dreamers and activists, "Fight Am Finish" invokes the spirits of Seshat (ancient Egyptian goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and writing) and Ogun (Yoruba Pantheon of industry, technology, and war) as a means to rebuild our world with wisdom. "Fight Am Finish" prepares one for daily battles, offering encouragement to be steadfast in the dreams you have. Upon the start of "Fight Am Finish," it's on and get ready to rumble. Don't ever let go!

"Koto" focuses on resilience and how one can overcome any predicament. Upon being evicted from his space the Afro-Spot Temple due to acute gentrification in Williamsburg, Amayo brings to life the sense of falling into a hole and emerging even stronger. "Koto" further features two lovers, Otok and Regina on the run from the underworld.

"Fist Of Flowers" describes the traditional form of Jow Ga Kung Fu that Amayo teaches as a certified Kung Fu Sifu (master). The movements and shapes express ancient secrets of the Flower of Life and the laws that govern the fundamental dynamics of the energy flow in the universe, the Ying and the Yang. The Flower of Life is the sacred geometry found in all things, including the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.

An illustrator by trade, Amayo depicts Antibalas taking over a NYC building and converting it into a Solar Temple on the album cover of Fu Chronicles. The Avenue of the Americas turns into Indigenous Way with his mother towering over downtown as a symbol of the future reclaiming the indigenous right. A house of solution, Antibalas promotes the technology of tomorrow with Solar Temple teaching the ways of kung fu, indigenous dance, arts & tradition, quantum physics, universal energies, music, and more.

About Antibalas

Over the course of its lauded 20-year career, Antibalas has toured across four continents and produced eight studio albums establishing them as the premier Afrobeat band in the West. In addition to their integral role as the backing band for the Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical "Fela," Antibalas has served as the house band for several star-studded tribute shows at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater paying tribute to the music of Aretha Franklin, David Byrne, Paul Simon, and Billie Holiday, backing dozens including Allen Toussaint, Cee Lo Green, Sharon Jones, Santigold, and Angelique Kidjo. Antibalas members have appeared alongside some of today's biggest stars, such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Arcade Fire, Lady Antebellum, and many others. In 2012, Antibalas made their late night television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and have appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

For more information regarding Antibalas and Fu Chronicles, please visit antibalas.com, daptonerecords.com, facebook.com/antibalas, and twitter.com/Antibalas. To pre-order Fu Chronicles, please visit: https://daptone.ffm.to/bwav9ee.opr

ANTIBALAS -- WINTER & SPRING 2020 TOUR DATES

Tuesday, February 11 -- The Siren -- San Luis Obispo, CA
Wednesday, February 12 -- Moe's Alley -- Santa Cruz, CA
Thursday, February 13 -- The Regent -- Los Angeles, CA
Friday, February 14 -- The Independent -- San Francisco, CA
Saturday, February 15 -- The New Parish -- Oakland, CA
Sunday, February 16 -- The Independent -- San Francisco, CA
Thursday, February 20 -- Neptune Theatre -- Seattle, WA
Friday, February 21 -- Rickshaw Theater -- Vancouver, BC
Saturday, February 22 -- PDX Jazz -- Portland, OR
Sunday, February 23 -- The Olympic -- Boise, ID
Wednesday, February 26 -- Knotty Pine -- Victor ID
Thursday, February 27 -- The Commonwealth Room -- Salt Lake City, UT
Friday, February 28 -- Washington's -- Fort Collins, CO
Saturday, February 29 -- Summit Music Hall -- Denver, CO
Thursday, March 19 -- The Sinclair -- Boston, MA
Friday, March 20 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, March 21 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Brooklyn, NY
Sunday, March 22 -- Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center -- Greenfield, MA
Thursday, March 26 -- Terminal West -- Atlanta, GA
Friday, March 27 -- The Grey Eagle -- Asheville, NC
Saturday, March 28 -- Cat's Cradle -- Carrboro, NC
Tuesday, March 31 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Nashville, TN
Wednesday, April 1 -- Headliners Music Hall -- Louisville, KY
Friday, April 3 -- Sleeping Village -- Chicago, IL
Saturday, April 4 -- SPACE -- Evanston, IL
Friday, April 10 -- Lee's Palace -- Toronto, ON
Saturday, April 11 -- Lee's Palace -- Toronto, ON
Friday, April 17 -- Theatre of The Living Arts -- Philadelphia, PA

Sun, 02/16/2020 - 1:37 pm

Back in the spotlight with a sublime new rhythm and blues record, James Hunter follows up six critically acclaimed albums with his latest recording, Nick of Time, set for release on Brooklyn's renowned soul label Daptone Records. Nick of Time is a shining testament of how a master songsmith continually draws fresh water from a bottomless well. Recorded and produced by Bosco Mann, Nick of Time features one of today's foremost soul singers at the top of his game performing with musicians who've backed some of the biggest contemporary music stars including Daptone artists Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley. Nick of Time will be internationally released on March 6, 2020.

Daptone Records releases today (February 13) the third single "He's Your Could've Been" featured on Nick Of Time. "He's Your Could've Been" is inspired by an ex of his wife, Jessie. Upon recalling no shortcomings whatsoever of this ex, Hunter pens a grateful number with no complaints. To listen to "He's Your Could've Been," please visit Shindig! Magazine and YouTube (LINK).

The first Brit to sign to Daptone Records, Hunter is revered by critics both in his native UK and stateside, with Good Morning America hailing his latest album, Whatever It Takes, as the #12 Best Album of 2018. Listed shortly after Paul McCartney and Soccer Mommy on the Top 50 album list, GMA notes, "the title-track, 'I Don't Wanna Be Without You,' 'I Got Eyes' and 'Show Her' could have all been massive hits in the early '60s, with a vintage sense of authenticity. It seems perfect that Hunter is currently signed to the famed Daptone label." Of his other recordings, Rolling Stone dubbed People Gonna Talk, "a treat not to miss" and his second album "unbelievably awesome," while The New York Times noted of The Hard Way, Hunter's "tight, slithery groove" and "sweet growl."

For Nick of Time, Hunter and Daptone co-founder Bosco Mann hunkered down in the label's Penrose Studios in Riverside, California for what certainly will be one of 2020's standout soul recordings. Unmistakably another stunning James Hunter album, Nick of Time is a voyage between beautiful, mid-tempo rumba recalling early King/Federal releases, while lush arrangements summon lost tracks from early '60s Burt Bacharach sessions. Nick of Time is steeped in an era when soul records were driven by earth-shattering vocal performances. James Hunter hands down ushers classic soul music into the 21st Century with a sense of timelessness that's rare these days.

James Hunter is an everlasting writer of compelling narratives sung with true grit while backed by an ace band of New York City's finest musicians. Nick of Time finds Hunter in the company of Victor Axelrod (piano), Adam Scone (organ), Rudy Petschauer (drums), Myles Weeks (bass), Michael Buckley (baritone saxophone), and Freddy DeBoe (tenor saxophone). On the road for an extensive U.S., U.K., and European tour in support of Nick of Time, Matt Slocum (keyboards) takes the reins on keys for a hearty James Hunter Six ensemble ready to electrify soul music fans as they hit venerable stages in a city near you in spring 2020. For a comprehensive list of forthcoming tour dates, please see below.

To read comprehensive song descriptions for the 13 tracks featured on Nick of Time, please click HERE.

For more information regarding The James Hunter Six and Nick of Time, please visit jameshuntermusic.com, daptonerecords.com, facebook.com/TheJamesHunterSix, and twitter.com/jameshuntersix. To pre-order Nick of Time, please visit: https://daptone.ffm.to/nickoftime

The James Hunter Six
Nick of Time

Track Listing:
1. I Can Change Your Mind
2. Who's Fooling Who
3. Till I Hear It From You
4. Never
5. Missing In Action
6. Nick Of Time
7. Brother Or Other
8. Ain't Goin' Up In One Of Those Things
9. Take It As You Find It
10. Can't Help Myself
11. How 'Bout Now
12. Paradise For One
13. He's Your Could've Been

THE JAMES HUNTER SIX -- SPRING 2020 TOUR DATES:
Thursday, March 26 - City Winery - Boston, MA
Friday, March 27 - Narrows Center for the Arts - Fall River, MA
Saturday, March 28 - Daryl's House - Pawling, NY
Sunday, March 29 - StageOne at FTC - Fairfield, CT
Wednesday, April 1 - City Winery - New York, NY
Thursday, April 2 - Sellersville Theater - Sellersville, PA
Friday, April 3 - City Winery - Washington DC
Saturday, April 4 - The Paramount Theater - Burlington, NC
Monday, April 6 - Neighborhood Theater - Charlotte, NC
Wednesday, April 8 - Franklin Theatre - Franklin, TN
Thursday, April 9 - City Winery - Chicago, IL
Friday, April 10 - The Dakota - Minnesota, MN
Saturday, April 11 - The Dakota - Minneapolis, MN
Monday, April 13 - Antone's - Austin, TX
Thursday, April 16 - Echo - Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, April 18 - Cornerstone - Berkeley, CA
Sunday, April 19 - Harlow's - Sacramento, CA
Friday, May 1 - Moulin Blues - Ospel, The Netherlands
Sunday, May 3 - Paradiso Noord - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tuesday, May 5 - Luxor - Koln, Germany
Wednesday, May 6 - Mojo Club - Hamburg, Germany
Thursday May 7 - Columbia Theater - Berlin, Germany
Saturday May 9 - Technikum - Munich, Germany
Monday May 11 - Zoom - Frankfurt, Germany
Wednesday May 13 - Le Café de la Danse - Paris, France
Thursday May 14 - Fuzzyon - La Roche-sur - Yon, France
Saturday May 16 - Jazz a Liege-Brasserie Sauvenière - Liege, Belgium
Tuesday May 19 - Jazz Café - London, United Kingdom

Sat, 03/14/2020 - 7:04 pm

World-renowned guitar hero Al Di Meola welcomes a new decade with an ambitious follow-up to his 2013 studio recording All Your Life: A Tribute to the Beatles with a sophomore homage to the Beatles, entitled Across The Universe, now available on earMUSIC.

Al Di Meola's exquisite mastery of the fretboard is equal only to his appreciation of the Beatles' legacy that has inspired generations of both musicians and music fans with their famed recording catalog. A retrospective of Al Di Meola's nearly 50-year acclaimed career expressed through his virtuosic arrangements of 14 Beatles songs, Across The Universe journeys alongside one of America's foremost guitarists as he revisits classic hits and more obscure tunes written by the ingenious Fab Four who have helped define the man he is today.

Adding to his lauded recording collection of more than 30 solo albums and numerous acclaimed collaborations with the likes of Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Stanley Clarke, Paco De Lucia and many others, Across The Universe is yet another masterpiece showcasing Al Di Meola's fascination with complex rhythmic syncopation combined with provocative lyrical melodies and intricate harmonies. Beatles fans, guitar-heads, and music lovers alike can expect the unexpected upon venturing into the world put forth by Across The Universe. To commemorate the singular life of John Lennon, Al Di Meola reenacts the famous Lennon cover for his 1975 solo album Rock 'n' Roll for the artwork for Across The Universe.

Al Di Meola is a living legend celebrated for pioneering a unique style of impeccable guitar technique combined with a sophisticated global musical language that's captured the hearts of audiences across the world. A GRAMMY Award-winner, he's garnered three gold albums while selling more than six million albums in worldwide sales. His collaborations with artists such as Paul Simon, Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Page, Santana, Steve Winwood, Herbie Hancock, Frank Zappa, Luciano Pavarotti, and others have elevated Al Di Meola to become a household name. Traversing divinely across multiple genres including flamenco, Latin, fusion, jazz, rock, and world music, Al Di Meola is a vivacious tour de force always redefining the boundaries of what's possible on a six-stringed instrument. Across The Universe is no different than his most decorated recordings with his arsenal of a large ensemble bringing creative reinterpretations of Beatles songs to astounding heights.

"I really credit the Beatles for the reason why I play guitar," says Al Di Meola. "That was a major catalyst for me to want to learn music, so their impact was pretty strong."

Al Di Meola employs a wide lens on Across The Universe with lightening-speed electric guitar orchestrations balanced with lavish acoustic arrangements. The debut single Strawberry Fields Forever from Across The Universe (released today, January 17) is a fiery electric guitar fueled stunner backed by a red-hot rock band. Epic rock 'n' roll covers are sprinkled throughout the album, including the visionary take on the album opener Here Comes The Sun, as well as a riveting Hey Jude and Golden Slumbers Medley. Al Di Meola's acoustic fingerpicking soars on Dear Prudence and Norwegian Wood, while he ventures to a jazz fusion aesthetic on Till There Was You.

Across The Universe simmers to a diverse set of mid-tempo grooves on Mother Nature's Son, Yesterday, Your Mother Should Know, I'll Follow The Sun, and Julia. Al Di Meola features a lovely solo performance on Here, There And Everywhere. Across The Universe finishes with a short, but very sweet melodic version of Octopus's Garden.

Across The Universe is now available as a CD Digipak, 2LP and Digital on earMUSIC.

PREORDER THE ALBUM HERE: https://aldimeola.lnk.to/AcrossTheUniverse
LISTEN TO THE SINGLE "Strawberry Fields Forever": https://aldimeola.lnk.to/StrawberryFields
WATCH "Strawberry Fields Forever": https://youtu.be/__cvKFyqfiQ

Al Di Meola - Across The Universe

Track Listing
1. Here Comes The Sun
2. Golden Slumbers Medley
3. Dear Prudence
4. Norwegian Wood
5. Mother Nature’s Son
6. Strawberry Fields Forever
7. Yesterday
8. Your Mother Should Know
9. Hey Jude
10. I'll Follow The Sun
11. Julia
12. Till There Was You
13. Here, There And Everywhere
14. Octopus's Garden

Al Di Meola will tour in select North American cities as well as Europe from March 21 - November 6, 2020.

AL DI MEOLA – SPRING 2020 TOUR DATES
March 21, 2020 -- Newton Theatre -- Newton, NJ
March 22, 2020 -- The Warehouse at FTC -- Fairfield, CT
March 24, 2020 -- Rams Head On Stage -- Annapolis, MD
March 25, 2020 -- The Tin Pan -- Richmond, VA
March 27, 2020 -- Suffolk Theater -- Riverhead, NY
March 28, 2020 -- Center for the Arts of Homer -- Homer, NY
March 29, 2020 -- City Winery Philadelphia -- Philadelphia, PA
April 1, 2020 -- Infinity Hall Hartford -- Hartford, CT
April 3, 2020 -- Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building -- Lexington, MA
April 4, 2020 -- The Flying Monkey -- Plymouth, NH
April 5, 2020 -- Shalin Liu Performance Center -- Rockport, MA
April 24, 2020 -- Die Fabrik in Altona -- Hamburg, Germany
April 25, 2020 -- Eventhalle FV Wendelstein -- Wendelstein, Germany
April 26, 2020 -- Theaterhaus (am Pragsattel) -- Stuttgart, Germany
April 28, 2020 -- Alte Wollfabrik -- Schwetzingen, Germany
April 30, 2020 -- Alfried Krupp Saal -- Essen, Germany
May 7, 2020 -- Eesti Rahva Muuseum, Tartu -- Tartu, Estonia
May 9, 2020 -- Cirkus -- Stockholm, Sweden
May 16, 2020 -- Forum Karlín -- Karlín, Czech Republic
May 21, 2020 -- Impart Arts Centre -- Wroclaw, Poland
Jun 19, 2020 -- The Hamilton Live -- Washington, DC
June 20, 2020 -- The Palace Theatre -- Greensburg, PA
July 2, 2020 -- Place des Arts -- Montréal, Canada
November 6, 2020 -- OSTRA-DOME -- Dresden, Germany

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 1:57 pm

Back in the spotlight with a sublime new rhythm and blues record, James Hunter follows up six critically acclaimed albums with his latest recording, Nick of Time, set for release on Brooklyn's renowned soul label Daptone Records. Nick of Time is a shining testament of how a master songsmith continually draws fresh water from a bottomless well. Recorded and produced by Bosco Mann, Nick of Time features one of today's foremost soul singers at the top of his game performing with musicians who've backed some of the biggest contemporary music stars including Daptone artists Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley. Nick of Time is internationally released today, March 6, 2020.

A brilliantly crafted stop-motion music video directed and produced by James Hunter for the single "I Can Change Your Mind" premieres today on YouTube.

James Hunter comments, "The video for 'I Can Change Your Mind' is my first attempt at animation. I painted the backdrops and drew the action figures, while my wife Jessie operated the camera, helped with framing, edited, and of course, played the demanding role of the girlfriend in the story despite her reservations about wardrobe. I used two different types of animation. One uses jointed figures moved one frame at a time. The other is separate drawings changing position for each frame. For example, I cut out as many as 60 figures with a scalpel for a sequence lasting five seconds. The story was inspired by a real life incident of us going on the ghost train on Palace Pier and it got stuck halfway through the ride. The fictional potential of the situation was so stimulating. I've always been drawn to ghost trains. The video is partly a depiction of what the experience should be like. Homages include 'Nosferatu,' 'Son of Kong,' and Rod Serling's 'Night Gallery,' and the pathetic stuffed spider is my concession to real-life ghost trains."

The first Brit to sign to Daptone Records, Hunter is revered by critics both in his native UK and stateside, with Good Morning America hailing his latest album, Whatever It Takes, as the #12 Best Album of 2018. Listed shortly after Paul McCartney and Soccer Mommy on the Top 50 album list, GMA notes, "the title-track, 'I Don't Wanna Be Without You,' 'I Got Eyes' and 'Show Her' could have all been massive hits in the early '60s, with a vintage sense of authenticity. It seems perfect that Hunter is currently signed to the famed Daptone label." Of his other recordings, Rolling Stone dubbed People Gonna Talk, "a treat not to miss" and his second album "unbelievably awesome," while The New York Times noted of The Hard Way, Hunter's "tight, slithery groove" and "sweet growl."

For Nick of Time, Hunter and Daptone co-founder Bosco Mann hunkered down in the label's Penrose Studios in Riverside, California for what certainly will be one of 2020's standout soul recordings. Unmistakably another stunning James Hunter album, Nick of Time is a voyage between beautiful, mid-tempo rumba recalling early King/Federal releases, while lush arrangements summon lost tracks from early '60s Burt Bacharach sessions. Nick of Time is steeped in an era when soul records were driven by earth-shattering vocal performances. James Hunter hands down ushers classic soul music into the 21st Century with a sense of timelessness that's rare these days.

James Hunter is an everlasting writer of compelling narratives sung with true grit while backed by an ace band of New York City's finest musicians. Nick of Time finds Hunter in the company of Victor Axelrod (piano), Adam Scone (organ), Rudy Petschauer (drums), Myles Weeks (bass), Michael Buckley (baritone saxophone), and Freddy DeBoe (tenor saxophone). To read comprehensive song descriptions for the 13 tracks featured on Nick of Time, please click HERE.

For more information regarding The James Hunter Six and Nick of Time, please visit jameshuntermusic.com, daptonerecords.com, facebook.com/TheJamesHunterSix, and twitter.com/jameshuntersix. To pre-order Nick of Time, please visit: https://daptone.ffm.to/nickoftime

The James Hunter Six
Nick of Time

Track Listing:
1. I Can Change Your Mind
2. Who's Fooling Who
3. Till I Hear It From You
4. Never
5. Missing In Action
6. Nick Of Time
7. Brother Or Other
8. Ain't Goin' Up In One Of Those Things
9. Take It As You Find It
10. Can't Help Myself
11. How 'Bout Now
12. Paradise For One
13. He's Your Could've Been

Sat, 05/02/2020 - 3:07 pm

GRAMMY® Award-winning The Okee Dokee Brothers encourage hope with a new collection of 27 original songs on their latest 2-CD studio album, Songs for Singin', released on Friday, May 1, 2020 (two months earlier than their original release date). At a time when families are quarantined at home, Songs for Singin' draws from the age-old tradition of singing to heal the soul during difficult times. The Okee Dokee Brothers have written a slew of catchy and inclusive songs so fans can join in and belt out. In the spirit of American folk legends Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, Songs for Singin' presents timeless messages of hope and unity. The album includes an illustrated 32-page book with the lyrics and chords to every song to inspire living room sing-alongs.

Stepping away from their outdoor adventure-themed albums (Can You Canoe?, Through the Woods, Saddle Up, and Winterland), The Okee Dokee Brothers engage their fans through meaningful social conversations in the form of call and response tunes, sea shanties, church hymns, campfire songs, all-ages social songs, and protest songs. Songs for Singin' invites family members to strengthen their bonds by experiencing music together amidst the backdrop of an increasingly divided world. To capture the free-spirit and imperfections of sing-alongs, the recordings feature an array of tunes tracked live with choruses sung by kids and parents alike.

Woody Guthrie's words, humor, and life lessons are at the heart of Songs for Singin'. Homages to the revered folk icon include songs such as "Hope Machine," "One Little Heart," "Music Train," "Campin'," and "Hushabye." A special nod to Pete Seeger, the song "If You Want A Song" came about after Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing witnessed Seeger perform live in Woodstock, NY. The Okee Dokee Brothers commemorate Seeger's legacy with the filming of their latest music video for the sea shanty "Sally - O" aboard his Clearwater Sloop Sailboat on the Hudson River in New York (video is slated to be released on June 19, 2020).

At the end of the day, Songs for Singin' spans from morning (Disc 1: tracks 1-15) to night (Disc 2: tracks 16 - 27) as The Okee Dokee Brothers cover the natural rhythms carrying us through various daily routines and moods. In a time when we could all use a little more collective compassion, The Okee Dokee Brothers release yet another prolific song-cycle that's good for the heart and soul.

The Okee Dokee Brothers -- Songs for Singin' -- Featured Compositions
Songs for Singin' opens with "Hope Machine," a tribute to Woody Guthrie's journal entry entitled "New Year's Rulins" that resolves to "work more and better, wash teeth if any, and change socks." As such, "Hope Machine" is about Justin's own series of personal routine reminders he uses in order to keep his hope machine running strong. "These days you gotta be strong, so I do a push-up and sing a song," sums up the sentiment.

In the spirit of sing-alongs, Joe began hosting all-ages community jams last summer at his neighborhood creek in Minneapolis. Families bring picnics, instruments, and their voices, while Joe has books full of simple songs. These local community celebrations gather all different types of people and help unify an alienated world. "Neighborhood Band" is a jubilant number reflective of the beautifully spontaneous moments that can be created with a thrown-together community band pickin' and singin' friendly songs.

Beholding the wonder of a Pete Seeger concert, The Okee Dokee Brothers were awe-struck after seeing how Pete could command a crowd and lead a room full of singing people. The experience led the duo to write a handful of call and response tunes for their live repertoire, including "If You Want A Song." The Okee Dokee Brothers strongly believe that a family concert isn't simply about entertainment, but rather about participation and breaking down barriers between performers and the audience. Life is a conversation, a back and forth, a call and response. They learned this wholehearted lesson from Pete Seeger.

"Campin'" is for all the parents out there who have experienced the not-so-Instagram-able moments at a campsite with kids. Sung in the tradition of Woody Guthrie's talking blues style, "Campin'" uses a spelling trick to help us remember that "if you say it enough, campin' is fun."

Kids ask the darndest questions, and yet, they can also be some of the most profound. Similar to "Ask Away," Woody Guthrie wrote a kids song about children asking questions. One of his lyrics asks, "Why's there no pennies for ice cream." In this vein, Justin asks, "Why do people all grow old, why do leaves die in the cold, why are some stories never told." Sometimes it takes a kid's-eye-view to ask the biggest questions.

While balancing the pressures of having a baptism or a bris as a rite of initiation for Joe's son Hap, he and his wife elected to invite family to a small homemade ceremony down by the creek. With poetry, creek water, and a song Joe wrote for the occasion, the couple was able to capture their desire for an inclusive experience of spirituality. "Church of the Woods" emulates how Joe and his family are able to celebrate many faith traditions and root those values in the common ground of nature's grandeur.

For the song "Singin' For Me Supper," Joe returns to his Irish roots. Over the years, he's visited family and friends in Galway, Ireland and partook in many memorable late night music jams in the local pubs. On one such visit to Galway, he heard the tune "All For Me Grog" being sung to the rhythm of slamming beer mugs. Since the tune is about sacrificing your life and wife all for drinking, Joe decided to change the words and salvage a great melody that's more suitable for children. The Okee Dokee Brothers received an authentic Irish blessing of approval from Máirtín de Cógáin (from County Cork) as he joined their singing and played his bodhrán (traditional Irish drum). "Singin' For Me Supper" also features Ben Jaber (John Williams Orchestra/San Diego Symphony) on tin whistle.

Songs for Singin' covers the full day from morning (Disc 1) to night (Disc 2). Singing songs that match up with daily routines can be a life-giving ritual. Rhythmic steps on a morning stroll; syncopated raindrops in the afternoon; clanging in the kitchen; the rocking chair's lullaby. These are all times for singing, and each song is a reminder to be present through the different "Seasons in a Day."

Just as vital as empowering children and families with purposeful messages, The Okee Dokee Brothers also know that it's essential to end on a slumbersome note so everyone can get some much needed sleep. "Hushabye" is the synthesis of all their favorite dreamy tunes. From "Hobo's Lullaby" to "Brahms Lullaby," and references to sheep and shepherds, seas and sails, "Hushabye" is as much for the baby in dreamland as it is for the drifting adult.

Track Listing:
1) Hope Machine
2) Early Bird
3) Neighborhood Band
4) One Little Heart
5) Sally - O
6) If You Want A Song
7) Jubilation
8) Music Train
9) Sunnyside Up
10) Afternoon Walk
11) Colors
12) Wastin' Time
13) Grandmaderation
14) You Are The One
15) Language Of The Flowers
16) Raise A Ruckus
17) Campin'
18) In My Bones
19) Let's Throw A Party
20) Jumbo Gumbo
21) Ask Away
22) Church Of The Woods
23) Singin' For Me Supper
24) Go Slow
25) Thank You
26) Seasons In A Day
27) Hushabye

Wed, 05/13/2020 - 5:52 pm

The COVID-19 global pandemic has profoundly disrupted the lives of millions of people and communities. With elderly populations especially vulnerable to the damaging effect of social isolation and craving connection, digital media company Silver Screen Studios, in association with the nonprofit Reboot and Paper Crane Productions, announces the premiere of Dispatches from Quarantine and Coming of Age, two online video series that celebrate amazing seniors who embody the resiliency, wit and candor we all need to get through these challenging times.

DISPATCHES FROM QUARANTINE
TV legends Larry King, Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, Ellen Burstyn, Marion Ross, and Tommy Chong kick off this irreverent and inspiring look into the lives of seniors (both in and out of the public eye) as they navigate the new abnormal in these unprecedented times, talking, dancing and social distancing their way through quarantine.

"The problem with the pandemic is everyone is in the same boat," says Larry King. "We like to blame things, who you gonna blame? Republican, Democratic, Independent, Communist. No matter who you are, the Pandemic affects you -- and when you take away complaining from a Jewish Guy, what is there to talk about? We love to complain!"

King continues, "Toughest part of being 86, is friends die. I've also had every known illness to man. I don't know what it is. The Doctor said I have incredible spirit, I don't know where that comes from. I love living, I like being around, I like tuning in on things, opening up my eyes in the morning and being relevant. I've got a lot of blessings. I didn't deserve to be this happy."

Presented as both a celebration of seniors and a call to action, the show's creators are encouraging viewers to regularly check-in on their older loves using video conferencing solutions such as Zoom, Skype or FaceTime, ask prompted questions and record the interactions. User submissions can be uploaded via the company's official website at silverscreenstudios.org for possible inclusion in future episodes. Excerpts from the series will be shared via social networking platforms.

COMING OF AGE
A daring escape from Nazi occupied Austria over 80 years ago. A psychedelic journey with The Grateful Dead. A lifetime of service as one of the country's most admired senators. An epic 400th performance of Othello, 70 years in the making. These are some of the stories in Coming of Age, a series of short documentaries about amazing seniors who continue to thrive in old age. At a time of great uncertainty in our changing world their wisdom, humor and insight are a powerful model for navigating the peaks and valleys of aging. From the loss of friends and loved ones to the impact of ageism, these everyday Silver Screen Stars share personal stories that are more authentic, dramatic and entertaining than any Hollywood movie.

The premiere episode tells the story of 102-year-old Los Angeles resident Risa Igelfeld, who shares her experiences of escaping Nazi occupied Austria as a young girl and outliving her husband, boyfriend and both of her children. Even in the face of unrelenting adversity, Risa remains a force of nature who inspires everyone she meets. In reflecting on her life, she chooses to focus on the positive saying, "You must always follow the blessings -- accept whatever happens and look for blessings -- I wasn't going to go under, I was going to go on living and find the sunny side of life."

Silver Screen Studios Co-Creator Tiffany Woolf set out with a very clear goal when she initially launched the venture with PBS Producer Steve Goldbloom in 2017. "My parents died young and I was looking for senior role models to help me navigate life's milestones as I grew older," said Woolf, a publicist and media strategist based in San Francisco. "I started making short films about seniors I admired and partnered with the Jewish arts and culture non-profit organization Reboot to grow the idea into a multimedia platform creating video on demand programming that targets a largely overlooked community.

"With the launch of Dispatches from Quarantine and Coming of Age, I am thrilled to bring these new collection of stories to our platform and to give seniors a space to be seen and heard as we continue our lives under quarantine and beyond."

The premiere episode of both programs will be available at silverscreenstudios.org and on YouTube with subsequent episodes slated to be released weekly.

Thu, 06/11/2020 - 7:42 pm

Celebrated pianist George Winston is revered as one of the foremost instrumental performers and composers of our time and as we face the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Dancing Cat Records announces the official release of Winston's iconic 1996 live concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Seasons In Concert was originally filmed for PBS and is now available to worldwide audiences for free via George Winston's YouTube channel.

Renowned for his live concerts with 75 to 100 annual performances, with his merchandise sales and other fundraisers benefitting local food banks each year (DONATE), George Winston releases his legendary 1996 documentary, Seasons In Concert, as a way to offer fans an inside look into many of his lauded compositions. Seasons In Concert was initially filmed following the release of Winston's acclaimed Linus & Lucy -- The Music of Vince Guaraldi. Winston performs on solo piano several compositions from Linus & Lucy, as well as an array of albums in his acclaimed recording catalog such as December, Forest, Summer, Winter Into Spring, and Autumn. On slack key guitar, he performs in duet with Chet Akins ("Pu'u Anahulu") and Keola Beamer ("Kalena Kai"). Also, "Kalena Kai" is a song featured in the George Clooney film, The Descendants.

"My life centers around live performances, and I wanted to make this film available to listeners while we're all trying to manage," says George Winston. "My music is really a reflection of a person's experience of nature. The earth provides us with a great amount of opportunities to be present with ourselves, and to heal and have balance. Whatever music someone loves can have a positive effect on people during this unprecedented crisis while all musicians' performance schedules are on hold. Like everyone, my deepest gratitude and respect goes out to all the first responders and all the essential workers bravely helping those most in need (and who keep everything going in normal times)."

George Winston is undeniably a household name. He's inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano compositions for more than 40 years while selling 15 million albums. A tireless road warrior, again raising money for food banks from all proceeds from his merchandise sales being directly donated from every concert he plays, live performance for Winston is akin to breathing. Winston's music is simultaneously evocative and contemplative; offering us all a chance to take a step back and let our minds adventurously wonder.

Since 1986, George Winston has raised funds for local food banks, which are in need of funding now more than ever. On average, every dollar donated to food banks feeds eight people in need. If you can, please consider making a donation today to Feeding America. For detailed information regarding George Winston's food bank contributions, please visit: https://youtu.be/ow-IhCaYisY

For more information regarding George Winston, please visit: georgewinston.com

George Winston -- Seasons In Concert

Track Listing:

1. Rain
2. Cat & Mouse/Handful of Keys
3. Blossom & Meadow
4. Opihi Moemoe - (solo guitar)
5. Kalena Kai - (guitar duet with Keola Beamer)
6. The Great Pumpkin Waltz
7. You're in Love, Charlie Brown
8. M.M.'s Dunk - (solo harmonica)
9. The Cradle
10. Corrina, Corrina
11. Peppermint Patty
12. Charlie Brown's All-Stars
13. Cast Your Fate to the Wind
14. Woods
15. Pu'u Anahulu - (guitar duet with Chet Atkins)
16. Waltz for the Lonely
17. Skating
18. Thanksgiving
19. Variations on the Kanon by Pachelbel
20. High Plains Lullaby #19 - (solo guitar)

Fri, 07/10/2020 - 2:56 pm

South American and United States-based collective LADAMA release an urgent declaration to women across the globe with its electrifying sophomore studio album, OYE MUJER (Six Degrees Records, Release Date: July 10, 2020). The four women of LADAMA along with their longtime musical collaborator New York-based bassist Pat Swoboda and renowned Brazilian producer Kassin (Jorge Ben, Bebel Gilberto, Caetano Veloso) collaborate on a rapturous collection of 10 progressive anthems sung in Spanish, Portuguese and English. OYE MUJER channels female empowerment in the face of global crises, unprecedented climate destruction, and unjust immigration policies. Featured special guests on OYE MUJER include Betsayda Machado and Mesticanto (Venezuela), Spok and Lucas dos Prazeres (Brazil), and Eliot Krimsky (New York).

LADAMA is an ensemble of innovative women musicians from across the Americas, including vocalist/Bandola Llanera player Mafer Bandola (Venezuela), vocalist/drummer Lara Klaus (Brazil), vocalist/Tambor Alegre player Daniela Serna (Colombia), and vocalist/guitarist Sara Lucas (U.S.). LADAMA socially engages communities on a global scale through eclectic live performances, residencies, and all-ages workshops. LADAMA broadcasts their boundary-less compositions to fans worldwide on many of today's premier platforms such as NPR's "Tiny Desk Concert" (2019, LINK), Telemundo's "Ulta Beauty" campaign presented by NBC/Universal (2019, LINK) that's garnered over 1 million views on Facebook, TED Conference (2018, LINK), Nacion ESPN: The Latino Experience (2017, LINK), and many others. In 2020, LADAMA was scheduled to appear at Lincoln Center (NYC) for a two-week residency in October - November 2020 and curate lesson plans for Steven Van Zandt's non-profit, TeachRock; due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these opportunities have been postponed.

OYE MUJER (meaning "hey woman") devotes its platform to spotlight the human experience amidst tumultuous catastrophes such as the 2019 Venezuelan blackouts and 2019 dam collapse in Brumadinho, Brazil. The album artwork for OYE MUJER depicts the chaotic burning of the earth and its natural resources, rebirth, and that all people are connected by a collective unconscious and are part of the same community.

LADAMA further issues a direct call to women to protect themselves from the dangers of the world and to rise up. Portrayals of the misrepresentation of women and environmental downfall are balanced by messages of beauty and hope. LADAMA invites listeners to enter the world of OYE MUJER, a bold step forward as each "DAMA" has taken up new instruments, erstwhile exploring new sounds as they support each other's unique voices taking turns on lead. With their long-time musical collaborator, Pat Swoboda's flawless integration on bass, the album's production is doubly and brilliantly supported by the masterful producer, Kassin.

LADAMA -- OYE MUJER -- Featured Compositions
OYE MUJER opens with the samba reggae/reggaeton/bolero-influenced "Misterio," an ode to female sexual empowerment. LADAMA denounces the shaming of women's bodies and their sexuality, and proclaims "el placer es feminista." "Nobreza" drops an Afro-Brazilian rhythm while Lara Klaus sings in Portuguese about the strife of the working class in Brazil. She sings, "There is faith and health to earn bread. There is strength and courage for the heart." "Underground" celebrates the roots of NYC's '70s and '80s marriage of punk, Afro-Latin and disco influences. Sara Lucas highlights the disparity of inequality among classes.

"Inmigrante" finds Mafer Bandola ecstatically celebrating on the chorus with the hopeful message for immigrants to keep your head up high and be brave. "Tierra Tiembla" is an ode to Mother Earth in the form of a classic ranchera. Lucas' voice soars above the sentiment that if the earth shakes and burns, the blood in our bodies melts as mountains crumble.

"Maria" is a call to women around the world with verses featuring the Venezuelan vocal phenomena Betsayda Machado and choir Mesticanto, along with verses sung by Lucas and Mafer Bandola. "Maria" is a protest song bringing attention to the 2019 Venezuelan blackouts. Consequently, Machado and Mesticanto tracked their parts in the recording studio under extremely strenuous conditions during the blackouts with intermittent cuts to electricity and Internet access. The song poignantly positions LADAMA fighting for basic services to be provided to women most in need, which is based on news reports of a mother walking the streets with her dead daughter in her arms. "Maria" triumphantly ends with the exquisite choir of singers passionately singing, "Maria! She has her freedom. Maria! She has her soul. Maria! It's her own country."

A battle cry fronted by distorted guitars and rock drums that coalesce into a Joropo-trap, cumbia rhythm, "Mar Rojo" is for the Latinx generation. While religions position women as sacred beings, LADAMA portrays a different image. Women, the LGBT community, and other marginalized people must have intuition to protect themselves from the evils of the world. Fear must be extinguished with feminist movements in an effort for women to ultimately prevail.

Communities throughout South America are progressively adopting feminism and tactics to speak up against oppression. "Cada Uno" advocates for voicing revolutionary ideas to grow collective unity. Standing up for what you believe in is a vital vehicle for social change. Daniela Serna sings, "Each of us is an expression of the greater whole."

On "Haverá De Ser," Lara Klaus speaks truth to the tragedy of the 2019 dam collapse in Brumadinho, Brazil. Alternating verses and the chorus in Portuguese and English (sung by Lucas), Klaus brings attention to the fact that while we go about our day engaging in the simplest of things, the world around us can come crashing down. In this case, a dam disaster that caused the avoidable death of over 250 people. "Haverá De Ser" ends with an uplifting sentiment though; even despite this horrible tragedy, there remains great hope in humanity.

OYE MUJER concludes with Lucas singing atop Swoboda's bass line in both English and Spanish on "Solar Wind," which progresses into a three-part harmony connoting our connection with the universe. Lucas sings, "I was born from an explosion of the brightest comet in the sky, I resist just enough to give direction to the planets...Wake up and fly, resist and guide, enough to walk, the sidereal space."

Reimagining South American and Caribbean rhythms such as ijexá, fandango, merengue dominicano, cumbia, quitipla, and samba, and blending them with soul, R&B and pop, LADAMA creates an incredibly original sound aesthetic. Together, the four women have created something greater than the sum of its parts, melding the traditional bandola llanera from Venezuela, the tambor alegre from Colombia, and the percussion from Northeastern Brazil with electronic sounds, electric guitar and new instruments such as cavaquinho, ilú, and Swoboda's bass synth among others. OYE MUJER is the next chapter in an already vibrant career educating youth and inspiring audiences across the globe.

For more information regarding LADAMA, please visit: ladamaproject.org

LADAMA
OYE MUJER

1. Misterio
2. Nobreza
3. Underground
4. Inmigrante
5. Tierra Tiembla
6. Maria
7. Mar Rojo
8. Cada Uno
9. Haverá De Ser
10. Solar Wind

Fri, 07/24/2020 - 7:26 pm

GRAMMY Award-winning music producer and lauded field-recording trailblazer Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Zomba Prison Project, Ramblin' Jack Elliott) follows up an acclaimed recording career of over 50 albums with his latest, and most personal release yet, featuring the Sheltered Workshop Singers' debut release, "Who You Calling Slow?" (Release Date: September 18, 2020). Brennan is renowned for scouring the far stretches of the globe to document singers in an uninhibited, authentic fashion. From recordings in musically underrepresented regions such as Rwanda, Malawi, South Sudan, Karachi, Palestine, Ukerewe Island, Cambodia, and Romania, his new project brings him closest to home. For the first time, Brennan collaborates with his older sister, Jane -- who has Down syndrome -- along with her fellow workshop companions at a Bay Area adult-care facility.

In an aged strip mall tucked at the base of the foothills that stand as the final ridgeline before the enormity of the Central Valley -- though many miles beyond the Bay's basin -- resides a weekday program for dozens of adults with varying cognitive and ambulatory abilities. Sharing a parking lot with a diner, liquor store, gaming shop, and red-light massage parlor, the workshop employees spend their weekday hours leading the program. With Brennan's father on hand for this cherished experience as he battled stage-four cancer (and ultimately passed just two months after the recording was complete), an unparalleled recording session took place that the world now has the privilege to hear.

"Growing up, I'd witnessed my sister's discomfort -- eyes steered down sideways and hard, unable to contain her oversized tongue due to the shame -- too many times to not remain vigilant and braced for a lifetime," says Ian Brennan. "I had little option but to make the right choice: to always side with those marginalized. Jane was diagnosed as 'severely retarded,' just one step above the lowest denomination of catatonic and mute. Our main connection was through music -- joy expressed through dance, sadness and longing with melody. As her level of functioning has begun to diminish markedly in recent years, I knew the time was now or never to capture moments where music speaks volumes."

While Brennan enters each recording project prepared not to release it (with multiple projects shelved over the years), a miraculous epiphany transpired when the participant Janet began singing "I'm not afraid of anything" from her wheelchair. Brennan states, "It was when Janet sang of fearlessness by repeatedly declaring, 'I'm not afraid of anything,' that I felt the familiar surge during projects that is the telltale sign that what's being recorded will, in fact, result in becoming a record: tears. As she improvised those words, there was not a dry eye in the room -- not out of pity, but in admiration and awe of her courage and strength."

The instrumentation on "Who You Calling Slow?" mostly derives from the participants immediate environment -- a walker used as a bell, a yoga ball for a bass drum. A diverse group of over 20 people participated in "Who You Calling Slow?", ranging in age from early-twenties to sixties. Many were wheelchair-bound or utilized crutches, canes, and braces to walk. No one had sung before into a microphone or attempted to play a stringed instrument.

One of the great surprises came from a classmate of Brennan's sister since they were toddlers. Tom had always been a macho dude and a bit of an archetypal "bad boy" who pursued bodybuilding as a teen. But, the deep hurt that rose from inside his chest as he sang of his father was devastating. And when his peers sing of "bad memories" and heartbreak, one can only dare wonder to what interpersonal horrors they refer.

For a moment, step inside an often-misunderstood community of creators for a chance to peer into their world -- one that's immersed with passion, and melody. Listeners might just be shocked at their unbridled, emotional depth and willingness to share their hurt, love, and brave.

Fri, 07/31/2020 - 12:15 pm

Legendary folk music icon Arlo Guthrie releases today in collaboration with acclaimed solo pianist Jim Wilson a hopeful anthem for a world in crisis with a stunning rendition of the Stephen Collins Foster classic "Hard Times Come Again No More" (Release Date: Friday, July 31, 2020). A companion music video coincides with the single release featuring Guthrie performing in quarantine along with Wilson and featured special guests including vocalist Vanessa Bryan, multi-GRAMMY Award-winning bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist Andy McKee, a gospel choir, and other notable artists. "Hard Times Come Again No More" is the first release of newly recorded Guthrie material in a decade marking a poignant statement from one of America's most treasured artists. Rolling Stone premiered the music video for "Hard Times Come Again No More" on Thursday, July 30, 2020.

The state of current times with the COVID-19 global pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests offers Guthrie's restless spirit much to reflect on over his storied 50-year career. The Guthrie Family has eloquently, and candidly, captured social and political upheaval since the early 20th Century with the father of the American protest song Woody Guthrie leading the way for generations to come. Arlo Guthrie was among a cohort of 1960's protest folk singers, and he remains as prolific as ever with the release of "Hard Times Come Again No More." A song of compassion for those most suffering, Guthrie reminds us all we must stop and pay attention and help all of humanity to be equal as one.

"I grew up in a family that cared about the hardships of others," says Arlo Guthrie. "My father was well known for writing and performing songs to offer hope. 'Hard Times Come Again No More' resonates with me, and I know it did as well with Woody. Though it was first released around 1900, the message endures with the calamities of today being utterly unjustifiable. We must come together not only as a country, but all across the globe in this dire moment."

A road warrior who has built a renowned career touring North American for five decades, Guthrie is among the high-risk age group that prevents him from physically participating in the mass demonstrations due to COVID-19. One early morning in March 2020 after his 2020 touring was cancelled, Guthrie sipped his second cup of coffee at 5am and thought he must make a statement. Guthrie reached out to Jim Wilson to arrange and produce "Hard Times Come Again No More." The two had never met in person, and four months later, still have yet to meet to even shake hands. The full production of the single and video for "Hard Times Come Again No More" was recorded remotely, to incredible effect. All musicians donated their time for a just cause.

Guthrie continues, "50 years ago, I'd fly out on an airplane to Los Angeles, and I'd gather with the musicians in the studio and bang out the tune. Those days seem to be gone, at least for now. I needed to sing and have my voice offer solace to those on the front lines. Jim Wilson and so many incredible musicians came together for this project. I feel very grateful for their inimitable participation."

"Hard Times Come Again No More" features Arlo Guthrie (vocals), Vanessa Bryan (vocals), Jim Wilson (piano), Brad Cole (accordion, keyboards, master arrangement), Stanley Clarke (acoustic bass), Charlie Morgan (drums), Andy McKee (guitar), Dasha Chadwick (backing vocals), Nic Jackson (backing vocals), and additional backing vocals by Dillon O'Brian. Engineers include Abe Guthrie and Daniel McMains. Additional lyrics are by Arlo Guthrie, David Beeler, and Jim Wilson. The music video is produced by Jim Wilson, and directed by David Beeler. The gospel choir arrangement is by Vanessa Bryan. The song is written by Stephen Collins Foster.

Thu, 09/10/2020 - 2:46 pm

GRAMMY Award-nominated guitarist Will Bernard knows a thing or ten about holding down the groove with a community of instrumentalists who've defined the influential improv-based music scene of New York City. Bernard's latest power-punch of funk hits on his new album, Freelance Subversives (Ropeadope), shows a dedication to multidimensional and introspective compositions with deep pocket-rhythms at its foundation. Freelance Subversives takes its cue from the album's title with Bernard's unflinching adeptness on his six-string that easily disrupts conventional standards of jazz guitar.

Freelance Subversives returns to a full band repertoire similar to Bernard's GRAMMY-nominated Party Hats (2007), which was released on the cusp of the Berkeley, Calif. native's move to New York City in 2007. New York proved to be a welcome change that saw musical opportunities proliferate. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic slamming New York City in spring/summer 2020, Bernard had Freelance Subversives mixed and ready to be released, as well as basic tracks for two other albums. He had just performed at Winter Jazz Fest (NYC) with the project Revelator featuring Bill Laswell, Peter Apfelbaum, and Aaron Johnston; and in late 2019, he performed his debut residency at John Zorn's series at The Stone. He was set with more than a dozen spring concerts surrounding the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (an annual happening for Bernard), as well as a summer West Coast tour booked to promote Freelance Subversives. John Medeski's Mad Skillet with Will and members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band were set to tour and record their second album. All the shows and recording sessions were cancelled due to COVID-19.

The title of Freelance Subversives spotlights the nature of professional musicians living against the grain of what society expects of working individuals. For artists whose craft falls within the cracks of music industry standards, these musicians are tasked with being savvy at adaptation and amalgamating to diverse opportunities to make ends meet. The pandemic has made these circumstances ever more dire, though Bernard stays positive while delivering unstoppable grooves on Freelance Subversives.

Special guests on Freelance Subversives include an inimitable horn section of saxophonists Sherik (Garage A Trois, Critters Buggin') and Jay Rodriguez (Groove Collective, Mark Ribot). John Medeski's masterful work on organ and Wurlitzer is a natural extension of his collaboration with Bernard for the project, Mad Skillet. The deft rhythm section is comprised of drummer Eric Kalb (Sharon Jones, John Scofield), percussionist Moses Patrou (Amy Helm), keyboardists Eric Finland (Eric Krasno) and Ben Stivers (Lyle Lovett), and bassists Ben Zwerin (Angelique Kidjo) and Jeff Hanley (Morgan James).

Will Bernard -- Freelance Subversives -- Featured Compositions

The up-tempo, quasi-cajun beat of "Pusher Danish" kicks off Freelance Subversives with an unmistakably NOLA groove driven by Eric Kalb while setting the stage for a soaring Grant Green-inspired Bernard guitar solo. "Back Channel" spotlights a dirty multi-octave fuzz tone by Bernard with the fearless rhythm duo of Kalb and Patrou catapulting Bernard to oscillate between blues forms with intervallic fretboard work. The opening of "Raffle" invites the perfect hip-hop sample before twang guitar intersperses with Ben Stivers on organ and Skerik's blazin' baritone sax.

"Blue Chenille" is a dreamy cinematic number overlaid by Spaghetti Western funk, languorous slide, and wavering Rhodes piano chords by Stivers. A combo of grunge and funk, "Grunk" finds Jay Rodriguez on rapturous baritone sax while rounding it out with an adventurous tenor solo. Bernard dives into his pedalboard toolbox as the band teeters on the edge about to go off the rails. John Medeski eases into Freelance Subversives on the medium tempo gospel-tinged "Clafunj," where the band gives a subtle nod to WAR's "Low Rider."

The title track "Freelance Subversives" is a four-on-the-floor disco vamp filled out by guitar loops, analog synth explorations, and flute flurries. "Lifer" introduces elements of the 60's with twangy guitars, Farfisa organ, and film music overtones with "Sly Stone Rhythm Ace" drum machine underpinning the groove. "Garage A" harkens back to the days of Bernard's band Pleasure Drones with Jeff Hanley and Eric Kalb. The addition of John Medeski commanding the B3 in a manner only he can manifest allows for a haunting swamp jam to slowly ignite.

"Skillset" brings back Rodriguez for an anthemic A-section alongside Bernard and Eric Finland on organ. "Skillset" emulates why Rodriguez is considered one of NYC's finest. Freelance Subversives caps off with "We The People," a track Bernard wrote when he first started working with Robert Walter's 20th Congress, and with members of Galactic. "We The People" is a staple of Bernard's live repertoire and finally finds a home on record with Freelance Subversives. The hopeful vibes offer the belief that humanity will survive and prosper as we unite through inspiring music.

Along with thousands of other NYC-based artists, Will Bernard keeps his head held up high knowing that the power of music prevails and artists will again perform in music venues, at festivals, and the like. His acclaimed career of collaborating with a "Who's Who" of the jazz world and beyond with artists such as Herbie Hancock and the Head Hunters, Tom Waits, Dr. John, John Scofield, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Charlie Hunter, Booker T. Jones, Galactic, Greyboy Allstars, T.J. Kirk, and others will continue in pace with pre-COVID times. Until then, Bernard lends an uplifting soundtrack for us all to get down to while we stay safe and healthy.

Freelance Subversives was released in May 2020 at the height of the pandemic in New York City. While the world undergoes monumental changes across industries, including every aspect of the music scene, recorded music is one powerful way artists are able to continue to fill our lives with joy.

Fri, 09/25/2020 - 2:40 pm

HBO will premiere the feature music documentary FANDANGO AT THE WALL on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 (8:00-9:32 p.m. ET/PT). The film is a joint production between Tiger Turn Productions and Sony Music Latin and is directed by Varda Bar-Kar and executive produced by Quincy Jones, Andrew Young, and Carlos Santana. The film follows multi-Grammy award winning musician Arturo O'Farrill and multi-Grammy award winning producer Kabir Sehgal who journey to Veracruz, Mexico to recruit master musicians for a live album recording at the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

The film will premiere on HBO Latino and be available to stream on HBO Max.

At the heart of the film is the "Fandango Fronterizo" music festival that takes place annually on both sides of the Tijuana-San Diego border. Jorge Francisco Castillo, who founded the festival, invites Sehgal and O'Farrill to Veracruz, Mexico to meet the masters of son jarocho, which is a 300-hundred-year-old folk music that combines indigenous, Spanish, and African traditions. They travel through the scenic countryside of Veracruz recruiting the best of these musicians to join them at the upcoming border festival. With musicians on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, the festival becomes a celebration of friendship and harmony transforming the wall from an object that divides to one that unites. The film features remarkable and dynamic music that blends quintessential son jarocho songs with lush big band jazz arrangements.

FANDANGO AT THE WALL features son jarocho legends Andrés Vega, Martha Vega, Ramón Gutiérrez, Wendy Cao Romero, Tacho Utrera, Fernando Guadarrama, and Patricio Hidalgo. It also includes special appearances by multi-Grammy nominee and MacArthur Foundation fellow Regina Carter; CNN historian Douglas Brinkley; Mandy Gonzalez, who performs in Broadway's Hamilton; The Villalobos Brothers; Grammy nominee Rahim AlHaj; and Sahba Motallebi. As part of the project, Hachette and Resilience Music Alliance have published a book and album with the same title.

FANDANGO AT THE WALL recently made its theatrical debut at the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, GA. It also had its world festival premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival this month. NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) & the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will feature FANDANGO AT THE WALL on September 26, as part of the virtual NFMLA Film Festival, InFocus: Latinx & Hispanic Cinema. The film will also be presented at virtual film festivals including Cinequest, the Calgary International Film Fest, San Diego Latino Film Festival, and Port Townsend Film Festival, among others.

The film was produced in partnership with the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance.

For more information, please visit:

fandangowall.com

facebook.com/FandangoAtTheWall

instagram.com/fandangoatthewall

Sat, 10/10/2020 - 1:45 pm

Former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick will launch a new podcast series on what it means to be American in 2020 and beyond. In the weeks before the Election, where not just the character of the candidates or the parties but of the country itself is on the ballot, Patrick will step back from politics to explore today's national character in conversation with a diverse set of artists, actors, political activists, thought leaders and everyday strivers.

"In these discordant and divisive times, a lot of us feel like we don't recognize America anymore," Patrick says. "We come from every place on earth and every station in life, and yet we openly demean each other if we live or think differently. It isn't clear what unites us, what makes us American."

Patrick continues: "'Being American' is a series of conversations with people of uncommon wisdom, some you already know and some you don't know yet, about what it means or ought to mean today to be American. People are dealing with serious challenges that need specific solutions, but I also sense we need a clearer understanding of who we are, a shared set of values and objectives, if we want those solutions to last. In many ways I have been on this journey for years and I am discovering others are as well."

Season One of "Being American" features Patrick in insightful and empowering discussions with many of today's foremost innovators and tastemakers, as well as influential people who will soon have recognizable names, and everyday Americans. Special guests include Ice Cube, James Taylor, Anand Giridharadas, Meb Keflezighi, Mehrsa Baradaran, Adair Ford Boroughs, Randall L. Woodfin, Charles Booker, Brandon Wolf, and Deidre DeJear. Episodes of "Being American" will air twice a week (Tuesdays/Fridays) on all major podcast platforms starting on Friday, October 9, 2020.

The common ground between Patrick and his special guests on "Being American" is passion, compassion, a love of America, and a fervent desire to bridge the gap between our ideals and our realities as Americans. Every episode will intersperse insights from an array of communities across the country on their understanding of being American today. Topics include community building, overcoming the current hostile political environment, social and economic justice, climate change, pathways for the future, and others.

Don't miss out on Patrick's up-close and candid conversations on "Being American," as he offers a critical voice that America needs now more than ever.

Thu, 10/15/2020 - 2:13 pm

Nonprofit the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) teams up with today's foremost jazz, classical, and global artists alongside preeminent speakers for a "get out the vote" initiative, Notes 4 Votes, to be broadcasted on ALJA's Facebook page facebook.com/afrolatinjazzalliance on Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 8:30pm EST. The one-time gathering captures the spirit of the creative music community and the urgency of this moment -- when voters head to the polls for what will be the most consequential election of our lifetime, with democracy itself is at risk. Notes 4 Votes features a diverse roster of stars from the jazz community and beyond, and will be emceed by multi-GRAMMY Award winner Arturo O'Farrill, journalist and critic Larry Blumenfeld, and Tracy Hyter-Suffern, Executive Director of The National Jazz Museum of Harlem.

Notes 4 Votes will spotlight performances and/or speeches by a distinguished lineup of special guests, including Terence Blanchard, Vijay Iyer, Carla Bley, Dr. Cornel West, Oscar Hernandez, Simone Dinnerstein, Steve Swallow, Dr. Shana Redmond, Matt Shipp, The Villalobos Brothers, William Parker, Kikirikí Biquéy, Ayodele Casel, Akua Dixon, Jen Shyu, Ganavya Doraiswamy, Crystal Joseph, Tiffany Austin, Mimi Jones, Caridad "La Bruja" De La Luz, Luis Perdomo, and more!

Arturo O'Farrill comments, "Nothing, nothing, nothing is more important than getting your vote in and on time. Too many of us slept on this moment four years ago and we cannot afford to let the process for change given to us by our framers, go unused. Musicians from every genre and aesthetic are lining up to show us that we must likewise unite. Let nothing stand in the way of showing the nation and the world that we can take back our destiny as a people governed by sanity and the fair application of governance that is the basis of the social contract and the foundation of the American 'experiment!'"

Larry Blumenfeld, who writes for The Wall Street Journal and Daily Beast and hosts the "Jazz and Social Justice" series at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, states, "It all started when Arturo O'Farrill and I took the same flight home from a jazz festival in Havana shortly after Donald Trump was elected. We decided we needed to gather musicians and thinkers from our cultural community to make music, talk about ideas and issues, and showcase the connections between art and enlightened citizenship. We spent three hours on the stage of Symphony Space doing just that. Now, nearly four years later, we can't gather in a theater but we still need to commune. We want to demonstrate solidarity, share exalted sounds and urgent thoughts and, above all else, get out the vote: We all must, should, will vote. We're going to promote, aid and celebrate that act with Notes 4 Votes."

Tracy Hyter-Suffern, the Executive Director of The National Jazz Museum of Harlem, adds, "I have personally harangued every member of my family and all of my friends with reminders to vote. Emails, texts, postcards, one-eyebrow raised stares. I want every one of them to see me coming and race to register and race to the polls just to avoid me. That's my mission. I'm happy to be just that annoying. It's easy to forget every one of us stands on the shoulders of every person who never even imagined the possibility of me, of us, yet put themselves in harm's way to make sure we could all be here anyway. Be responsible for people who you can't even imagine will exist. Be your brothers' and sisters' keeper. Show up and vote."

Vijay Iyer comments, "This is the election of a lifetime. Everything we value is on the ballot. As an artist whenever I have the chance to draw an audience's attention to something important, I take that chance. I'm honored to take part in this effort to encourage everyone to exercise your right to vote, on or before November 3rd, in the safest and most reliable way you can."

Terence Blanchard adds, "Jazz has always been the perfect example of democracy. Everyone having an input on the direction of a musical statement. The key thing is, everyone having to be involved for it to work. So, let's all get involved and make our statement in November."

Dr. Cornel West says, "We are living in an unprecedented time, catastrophic times, we must heed the anthem of a great black people that says Lift Every Voice, Not echo, Lift Every voice and when you vote you lift your voice to help shape your destiny."

To access Notes 4 Votes, please visit: facebook.com/afrolatinjazzalliance.

Fri, 10/16/2020 - 12:19 pm

The Stone Foxes love their country. The beloved San Francisco rock band carries the legacy of classic rockers that have come before them and the values of the city itself as a bastion of freedom and inclusivity for all people. With vocalist and drummer Shannon Koehler at the helm, The Stone Foxes stand for protesting in the streets as the greatest form of patriotism. Koehler and his crew believe in an America where distorted guitars are turned up loud, and people speak truths for the betterment of everyone. On their latest double single Patriots (Release Date: Friday, October 16, 2020), The Stone Foxes release two piercing new tracks "Animal" as a reflection of a corrupt POTUS, and an anthem against systemic racism in the police force with "Here Come The Cops."

The fuzzed-out guitar rifts of brother Spence Koehler on "Animal" began down in the small town of Visalia along the Central Valley of California when The Stone Foxes camped out on the front lawn of a house filled with vintage gear, and no curfew. The year was 2016; before the election when Trump didn't seem to stand a chance of winning. His platform was filled with blatant racism, and his rhetoric spawned white nationalism violence. Fast forward three years into his presidency, Shannon cut the final vocal track cascading with layers of anger and frustration. With the approaching 2020 election, The Stone Foxes felt it was finally time to release "Animal."

"Trump made it very clear from the start that he doesn't care about immigrants, women, or minorities," says Shannon Koehler. "The first issue he ever championed was birtherism. He called Mexican's criminals and rapists in his first speech announcing his candidacy. He's used the military against peaceful protesters, and suppressed information on COVID-19 that could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. I tried to fit my biting anger into each line. More than anything, I wanted the lyrics to strip him of his pompous attitude and pontificating, so that we can see his heart for what it is...inhumane."

"Here Come The Cops" has been workshopped for years and initially came into focus following the killing of Eric Garner in 2014. The devastation surrounding the death of George Floyd ultimately brought Shannon to capture in his lyrics what happened to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Rayshard Brooks when the police were called. Shannon blatantly speaks out against systemic racism in American law enforcement, and the need to vote to bring better people into power, both locally and nationally, to lead us with substantial changes for a more just police system.

"The outrage at the Oakland protests following the killing of George Floyd that I attended were a huge opportunity for me as a white man playing in a band with white members to really evaluate how much we have to learn. My friend Cava Menzies, a director at the Oakland School of The Arts, was especially instrumental along with other black artists in bringing perspective on how best I could learn from all these alarming killings and channel it into our music. I needed to be very direct with my statement, and have the lyrics focus on each case," comments Shannon.

Though the music for "Here Come The Cops" was recorded in 2015, Shannon cut the vocals in summer 2020. "Here Come The Cops" and "Animal" features Spence Koehler on electric guitar, Vince Dewald on bass, Elliott Peltzman on keyboards, and Shannon on drums and vocals ("Animal" features Brian Bakalian on drums).

The Stone Foxes release "Animal" and "Here Come The Cops" on all major digital retail platforms and streaming services on Friday, October 16, 2020. To pre-save Patriots, please visit: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thestonefoxes/patriots

Fri, 11/20/2020 - 2:54 pm

GRAMMY® Award-winning Doug Beavers is of the stature of NYC's top jazz aficionados who fearlessly push the boundaries of the genre itself while honoring the legends that have paved the way. An ace trombonist for Eddie Palmieri's legendary "La Perfecta" band and the current lead trombonist for the awe-inspiring Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Beavers has humbly commemorated on his solo recordings the foremost Latin jazz arrangers (Art of the Arrangement, 2017) as well as the unsung heroes of trombone on Titanes del Trombón (2015). On his forthcoming new full-length studio album, Sol, Beavers steps into the spotlight like never before.

Sol showcases a dozen scintillating original compositions featuring special guests Joe Locke (Kenny Barron, Eddie Henderson) on vibraphone, the deeply soulful vocalist Ada Dyer (Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack), Latin jazz vocal sensation Jeremy Bosch (Spanish Harlem Orchestra), and Robby Ameen (Ruben Blades, Dizzy Gillespie) on drums. Sol is set for international release on Friday, December 4, 2020, on Circle 9, a new subscriber-supported independent record label launched by Beavers. Circle 9 is a full music production service offering end-to-end music creation including composition and arrangement, and mixing and mastering by GRAMMY® Award-winning composers, producers, and engineers.

Recorded in New York City during the COVID-19 global pandemic, Beavers sought out to produce an empowering album to help rekindle connections, build community, bridge divides, and return to values-centered around kindness and compassion. At the heart of Sol, Beavers revisits the sounds of the 1970s when addictive bass riffs, sophisticated horn arrangements, and African rhythms dominated the charts with funk/soul hits. It wouldn't be a Beavers recording though if it didn't have a powerful punch of Latin jazz and the best salsa players/singers NYC has to offer performing on the tracks. Hence, Sol dives deep into an organic alchemy of salsa, jazz, and R&B.

Inspired by the success of 2019's album Pop, a project Beavers produced and played on for the Yellow House Orchestra, he found himself on a writing retreat in the Spanish port town of Sitges. In a café facing the Balearic Sea as the sun began to fade, Beavers laid out a series of manuscripts that would eventually transpire into Sol.

"It was the vibe of the sun telling me everything is going to be OK. I just took my score paper and the music immediately started pouring out," Beavers recalls. "You know, we've all been through a lot in 2020, and I wanted to record a New York album that uplifts people and puts smiles on their faces. I know that sunshine has that natural effect on me, thus I named the album, Sol."

Doug Beavers -- Sol -- Featured Compositions

Sol opens with the bass part from "Happy Feelings," a 1977 hit from the Philadelphia funk group Maze. Sol's title track features the tranquil vocals of Jeremy Bosch that's lifted by deft horn arrangements and salsa refrains, before ending with a polished solo by guitarist Mike Ciro. As dynamic and complicated as love itself, "Mia" shifts between pensive and jubilant moments, with Carlos Cascante providing the lead vocals and earnest lyrics. "Mia" will be available on all streaming platforms and online retailers beginning on Friday, November 13, 2020.

Balancing just the right amount of pop, salsa, and R&B, "Clarity" finds vocalist Bosch surfing above an infectious melody and shuffle beat, advising us to journey through adversity without looking back. Interludes have always found their way into Beavers' work; an intentional way to space compositions with thoughtful pauses before the next musical adventure arrives. "Jillalude" combines the beats of J Dilla with a memorable melody you'd hear on a Jill Scott song while a progression of major seventh chords represents a signature Beavers hook.

"Sonic" captures the smokey, gyrating flow of intimate salsa dancing. A sultry guajira rhythm circles the solo work of renowned vibraphonist Joe Locke, slowing to a bluesy montuno as the song winds down with Bosch's effortless improvisational soneros. Mashing together period-accurate synths with the same silky vibes chords that enriched Roy Ayers' classics, "Sunshine" is Sol's anthem to summer fun. Think of an up-tempo Kool and the Gang playing "Summer Madness," but with bata drums and the husky voice of Ada Dyer -- the secret ingredient of numerous Gospel, soul, and R&B hits.

"Pasos" is a nod to the lush brass harmonies and Latin rhythms Beavers artfully arranged on Titanes del Trombón, though this time around he presents a pop sensibility supported by the crisp backing of pianist Yeissonn Villamar.

As if gently rising above the horizon, "-11" elegantly comes to light guided by gorgeous harmonies created by Beavers' perpetual mastery of horn orchestration. The composition gently eases into "Eterno," a sweet ode to the parental love and support Beavers has leaned on throughout his career.

"Quédate" (meaning "Stay") heads back to the romantic side of traditional salsa before Sol concludes with "Ride," a full-throated, mic drop moment letting listeners know exactly what Beavers is all about in 2020. Funky horn patterns and Ruben Rodriguez's driving bass punctuate a Mozambique rhythm that settles into a disco groove as Dyer tears into guitarist/songwriter Walter Park's lyrics on how to thrive in an era of social distancing.

Beavers' lauded career has garnered universal praise from outlets such as Jazzwax, who's touted his music as "absolutely hypnotic," while prestigious publications including Downbeat, JAZZIZ, and Latino magazine have provided feature highlights. Sol is the next chapter in Beavers' acclaimed tenure as one of NYC's premier composers/arrangers.

Fri, 11/20/2020 - 4:00 pm

A poignant masterpiece for the revolutionary soundtrack of 2020, "Say Their Names" (Release Date: December 11, 2020) brings together an acclaimed roster of roots creators and contemporary jazz artists for an idiosyncratic four-movement composition urgently calling for social justice. "Say Their Names" features Rastafarian vocalist Cedric Myton (singer of Jamaica's legendary roots reggae band The Congos), jazz scat vocal improvisations from Maiya Sykes (Macy Gray, Michael Bublé), pianist Ruslan Sirota (Stanley Clarke Band), saxophonist Katisse Buckingham (Dr. Dre, Herbie Hancock), bassist Benjamin Shepherd (Kendrick Lamar, Chance The Rapper), and Latin GRAMMY-winning percussionist Diego Álvarez Muñoz. Los Angeles producer Ethan Sultry composed and arranged "Say Their Names." The piece is mixed by engineer Dave O'Donnell and mastered by Paul Blakemore.

"Say Their Names" protests against the senseless police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other black men and women. The arrangement for "Say Their Names" reflects the cycle of the Black Lives Matter marches in Los Angeles (June 2020) following the death of George Floyd. The pulse of the composition emulates marching, blocking intersections while taking a knee, taking a breath of air, and marching again. "Say Their Names" ignites with the chant, "Something's not right I fear, people gone who should be here, I don't feel okay today, so I'll march and say their names."

A blast of avant-garde jazz sets into motion the three-minute stunner with roots reggae pioneer Cedric Myton and modern jazz/R&B singer Maiya Sykes interchanging vocals. Protest jazz of the 1960s and 1970s serves as a foundation for "Say Their Names" while paying respect to roots artists who've paved the way for reggae becoming an international phenomenon. At the heart of roots music is a raw sense of freedom and joy that exists amid extremely challenging circumstances. "Say Their Names" spotlights one of reggae's earliest stalwarts with Myton on lead vocals as Ethan Sultry conducts a kaleidoscope of improvisations for the all-star band to explore. Ethan is no stranger to the art form as a mainstay guitarist/vocalist on the Los Angeles jazz scene with performing/recording/producing credits to his name with the likes of Macy Gray, Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets), Munyungo Jackson (Miles Davis), Gary Novak (Chick Corea), Chano Domínguez, and others.

"I knew the composition needed a spiritual guide who held ancient truths, one who has experienced real artistic rebellion," says Ethan Sultry. "While visiting Papa Michigan at Mixing Lab Studio in Jamaica, I heard the unforgettable falsetto of Cedric Myton. He blew me away. During the LA protests, I marched downtown. Macy Gray and I had previously begun to talk about collaborating on something and so immediately I reached out to her. I was hoping she'd sing the song, but our schedules didn't align so we ultimately connected to raise awareness for her new non-profit MyGood. Subsequently, Cedric came to mind, and he recorded his takes out of Tuff Gong Studio. 'Say Their Names' really took off from there."

Macy Gray adds, "When you take a chance like Ethan and produce protest records, it's daring and risky but it's beautiful because there's been a lot of horrific things happening for a long time. It's inspiring when artists take a chance, it makes you want to do better. MyGood supports families of these tragedies by helping to cover their medical bills and costs for mental health services. It's heart-shattering what's happening, and we are here to help the families that are suffering the most."

Founded by Macy Gray in July 2020, MyGood is an effort to bring some good to families who have lost loved ones due to police violence. Regardless of the circumstances that end a life through contact with the police, the effect on the families is devastating - emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially. MyGood is NOT an anti-police organization. MyGood is here to do as much as they can for grieving families. To donate and find out more information, please visit mygood.org.

Cover artwork for "Say Their Names" is a concept by Toons One, a Los Angeles graffiti art master and original in the L.A. street mural scene. Toons One conceptualized the visual drawing in pencil, and it was then colored by Allen Passalaqua of DC comics.

"Say Their Names" can be downloaded on all major online music retailers and will be available for free on sirsultrymusic.com where a donate link will be for mygood.org starting on December 11, 2020.

Fri, 11/27/2020 - 11:03 am

Poignant songwriters carry a brilliance of capturing heart piercing stories in real-time while reflecting deep-seated emotions and a lust for life that uplifts. Nick Africano's poetic storytelling bears unflinching intimacy and releases our imaginations to dream of love's abundance of emotions. The debut single "Mirador" featured on his forthcoming full-length studio album, Gossip of Flames (June 4th, 2021), brings the sweeping views of Granada, Spain atop the Mirador de San Nicolás to Nashville's Sound Emporium Studios for an idiosyncratic post-Americana composition. Gossip of Flames is a masterpiece featuring Africano in collaboration with Nashville's rising star Lera Lynn; who serves as the producer and co-writer (7 of the 10 songs) of Gossip of Flames.

Gossip of Flames culls an identity from Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself," though the recording is rooted in the experience of a performing artist based in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn. In a bout of inspiration to record Gossip of Flames, Africano returned to his Sicilian father's art studio in the midwestern town of Normal, IL where Africano grew up playing baseball with lauded artist Pokey LaFarge. The homecoming resulted in a handful of demos that were brought back to NYC, and ultimately, sent off to various Nashville artists and producers. While on a writing retreat in Music City, Africano met with Lera Lynn and Todd Lombardo as he neared completion of the 10 songs that comprise Gossip of Flames. That chance meeting led to Lynn becoming the producer of Gossip of Flames.

An entrepreneur and expert in sherry wines, Africano journeyed to Granada, Spain as a side trek while on a trip to Jerez to develop his own portfolio of barrel-selected wines (set for national release in 2021). Atop the hillside slopes where Mirador de San Nicolás towers over the city, a vision struck for the outpouring of "Mirador." Africano flashed to some months past when his car was towed while parked outside of Church of Saint Nicholas in Brooklyn. He had left the car for a quick drink at a local bar, and upon returning, he knew a life lession would eventually be learned but was overwhelmed at the time with the disappearance of his car. Six months later, he found himself outside of Mirador de San Nicolás and the epiphany came that "Mirador" was in fact in the role of being a protector looking out for him.

"It was a beautiful moment looking out over the city of Granada, and I just had this overwhelming feeling that Mirador de San Nicolás was keeping us safe," says Africano. "It was as if Mirador de San Nicolás were a caretaker in a sense. I fastidiously dug into Saint Nicolas, and continued my love of discovering the works of Spanish writer Federico Garcia Lorca. This all brings a bit of Spain to an Americana song, "Mirador.'"

Gossip of Flames spotlights two recording sessions, the first of which includes many of Nashville's finest musicians. Lera Lynn is in the producer's chair while co-writing and singing on nearly every track. GRAMMY Award-winning Craig Alvin (Kacey Musgraves) engineered the album at Sound Emporium with Africano performing alongside Todd Lombardo (guitars, keys, slide), Robby Handley (bass), Chris Lippincott (piano, keys, pedal steel), and Jason Cheek (drums). Four songs on Gossip of Flames were engineered by Lombardo and performed/recorded with the trio of him, Africano, and Lynn.

Africano is no stranger to the stages of New York City and country/folk bars across the country as a touring artist. He's had songs in the films "Southbound" and "Four Corners Road." Africano has also written with an array of renowned songwriters including the late Felix McTeigue (Florida Georgia Line's "Anything Goes") and Alexz Johnson.

The full album announcement for Gossip of Flames is set for June 2021. For additional information regarding Nick Africano, please visit: nickafricano.com

Fri, 12/11/2020 - 4:54 pm

Celebrated pianist George Winston is revered as one of the foremost instrumental performers and composers of our time. For the 2020 holidays, Winston releases a special New Orleans/R&B-style interpretation of the Christmas classic "Silent Night" to benefit those in need with 100% of proceeds going to FEEDING AMERICA. The nationwide network of food banks with FEEDING AMERICA feeds 37 million people, including 14 million children, and leads the nation in the fight against hunger. George Winston's "Silent Night" is now available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and everywhere digital music is sold. To stream "Silent Night," please visit: https://georgewinston.streamlink.to/silentnight

Winston's riveting version of "Silent Night" is inspired by Joseph Byrd's arrangement on his 1976 album, A Christmas Yet To Come, as well as the playing of lauded New Orleans pianist, Professor Longhair (1918 -1980). Winston has shared his affinity with New Orleans style piano throughout his nearly 50-year acclaimed recording and live performance career, with nods to other Crescent City pianists such as the late James Booker and the late Henry Butler. On "Silent Night," Winston rings in the holiday spirit with an uplifting and inspiring interpretation of one of the season’s most beloved songs.

The digital-only release of "Silent Night" is an extension of the on-going work Winston has put forth since 1986 to support local food banks -- donating 100% of his concert merchandise sales and sponsoring canned food drives for local food banks at every venue he performs. Over the past three years alone, Winston's contributions to FEEDING AMERICA has culminated in funds to deliver 850,000 meals to people in need; an additional 120,000 meals have been raised through Winston's six livestreaming concerts since November 2020. Donations are essential for COVID-19 relief now more than ever. Please consider donating today to FEEDING AMERICA (DONATE LINK). For more information regarding Winston's benefit efforts, please watch the following video: https://youtu.be/ow-IhCaYisY

George Winston's legendary album December is a perennial favorite. December was inspired by the early winter season, and the follow-up to Winston's solo piano recordings, Autumn and Winter Into Spring. December is Winston's highest-selling album, having been certified triple Platinum by the RIAA. This holiday season, December offers a respite from the challenging times the world is facing amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. To stream December, please visit https://fanlink.to/GWDecember. Track descriptions for December are available at this LINK.

Winston's iconic albums also include Summer, 2017's Spring Carousel -- A Cancer Research Benefit, as well as two volumes of the compositions of Vince Guaraldi, two volumes of benefit albums for the Gulf Coast disasters, and seven other solo piano albums. He recently released his 15th solo piano album, Restless Wind, via Dancing Cat Records/RCA Records. Restless Wind is a portrayal of Winston's place in a chaotic world -- his compositions extend solace with an idiosyncratic grace. The album is available now at GeorgeWinston.com

Fri, 12/18/2020 - 12:10 pm

GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist/composer Arturo O'Farrill and nonprofit the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) announce they have reached their crowd-funding goal of $100,000 raised through the ALJA Emergency Artist Fund (GoFundMe) and "Giving Tuesday" initiative to help New York/New Jersey-based jazz musicians during the COVID-19 global pandemic. New York City's community of independent musicians have faced extreme economic challenges since March 2020. ALJA's efforts to raise funds through generous donations from the community at large hits a milestone of $100,000 going directly to artists through individual grants and fees for performance and teaching.

The ALJA Emergency Artist Fund provides immediate assistance to musicians and other performing and teaching artists who are the recipients of over 200 individual grants. The on-going work of artists will continue to be funded into 2021 to recognize their tireless work presenting master classes for youth and adults, online classes for NY Public School partners, and in-person classes for the Fat Afro Latin Jazz Cats (with strict public health protocols in partnership with Shape Shifter Lab in Brooklyn, NY). The ALJA Emergency Artist Fund is open to artists in New York and New Jersey, prioritizing the Afro Latin and Latin jazz musical communities. To donate to the ALJA Emergency Artist Fund, please visit: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/alja-emergency-artist-fund and https://afrolatinjazz.org.

"It's during challenging times like the ones we are now living in that our community excels in its strength, compassion, and ability to come together for the benefit of all," says Marietta Ulacia (Executive Director, Afro Latin Jazz Alliance). "Today, we have asked for support to help our community of musicians, teaching artists, and the artistic community. Reaching our overall goal of $100,000 is an incredible declaration of the giving spirit. These donations are making a real difference!"

The work of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance and Artist Director Arturo O'Farrill has never skipped a beat with the onslaught of the pandemic. The launch of the new ALJA Digital Village offers immediate and ongoing work for ALJA's close network of standout musicians and educators through ambitious digital music programming.

The flagship of the Digital Village is Virtual Birdland, which has featured 35 consecutive weeks of original programming with nearly 50 different musicians performing remotely in the safety of their own homes. Virtual Birdland presents an ambitious repertoire of big band arrangements with O'Farrill and his 18-piece Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra regularly performing with special guest artists such as Paquito de Rivera, Rudresh Mahathappa, Sean Jones, Ana Tijoux, Yaz Ahmed, Malika Zarra, DJ Logic, and others. Participating musicians span the globe from Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Vera Cruz, Paris, UK, Madrid, Montreal, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, Peru, and Switzerland. More than 100 newly recorded songs have been showcased on Virtual Birdland. An array of programming on Digital Village (particularly the Friday evening "La Plaza") has presented lauded artists including Dr. Cornel West, Letieres Leite and Orkestra Rumpilezz, Guy Mintus, Miguel Zenon, Samuel Torres, Sofia Rei, Telmary and Rebel Diaz, as well as partnerships with OriGen Collective, Globalquerque, HotHouse Global, La Casita BronX BandA, Philadelphia Jazz Project, WNYC Greene Space, UC San Diego, North Sea Jazz Festival, and others. Tune in to Virtual Birdland at facebook.com/BirdlandJazzClub and facebook.com/afrolatinjazzalliance.

Coinciding with the ALJA Digital Village initiative, the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance has supported 20 virtual screenings and panel discussions for the newly released independent documentary film, Fandango at the Wall, now available on HBO, HBO Max, and HBO Latino (released on September 25, 2020). From executive producers Quincy Jones, Andrew Young, Carlos Santana, producers Kabir Sehgal and Doug Davis, and director Varda Bar-Kar, Fandango at the Wall follows Arturo O'Farrill and Sehgal as they prepare to record a live album at the U.S.-Mexico border wall. For more info, please visit: fandangowall.com.

O'Farrill's acclaimed recording career has further been recognized by The Recording Academy with the nomination of two GRAMMY Awards for his latest album Four Questions (ZOHO Music: April 10, 2020) featuring Dr. Cornel West. O'Farrill is nominated in two categories, "Best Latin Jazz Album" (for Four Questions) and "Best Original Composition" (for "Baby Jack").

ALJA sets its early 2021 initiatives on the release of the live album, Virtual Birdland (ZOHO Music, spring 2021), along with a continuation of the weekly online broadcasts on the ALJA Digital Village. In spring 2021, ALJA presents in partnership with CSUN Soraya Performing Arts Center (Los Angeles, CA) a live recorded video performance of repertoire highlighting compositions in the film, Fandango at the Wall. Alongside O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, special guest artists perform including son jarocho artists from Vera Cruz, Mexico including Patricio Hidalgo, Ramón Gutiérrez Hernández, Tacho Utrera, Wendy Cao Romero, and Jorge Francisco Castillo; Mandy Gonzalez (NY); and the Villalobos Brothers (live and remote from Spain). The live material was recorded at Shape Shifter Lab in Brooklyn in November 2020 while maintaining strict public health and social distancing guidelines (including open doors in 40-degree weather).

For more information regarding the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, please visit afrolatinjazz.org

Fri, 02/12/2021 - 1:03 pm

Celebrated pianist George Winston is revered as one of the foremost instrumental performers and composers of our time. In spring 2021, fans have an opportunity to spend three Sundays enjoying his masterful compositions while supporting select non-profit organizations and music venues that are in much need of financial support due to the hardships from the COVID-19 global pandemic. This weekend for Valentine's Day (February 14, 7pm EST), Winston presents A Vince Guaraldi Tribute Concert to raise funds for FEEDING AMERICA (LINK) as he performs classics such as "You're In Love Charlie Brown," "Be My Valentine Charlie Brown," and "Time for Love." The event is free of charge, and donations can be made at helpgive.to/feedingamerica.

Winston comments on his homage to Vince Guaraldi, "I quickly became enamored by Guaraldi's music after hearing 'Cast Your Fate to the Wind,' and 'Linus and Lucy.' I was fortunate to play intermission piano for two shows of his in 1971. He was so encouraging of me to pursue my passions with solo piano. I just love his compositions and improvised solos. There always is intriguing phrases happening in his left hand playing. And his great transitions between the different parts of his pieces, it's simply beautiful piano work."

On Sunday, February 28, 2021 (7pm EST), Winston offers support for The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI), a music venue he's performed at 10 times over the course of nearly 40 years. Considered one of the top music clubs in the world, The Ark is renowned for its quality and breadth of programming performers of folk and roots music genres. Winston performs selections from his Summer Show.

On Sunday, March 21, 2021 (7pm EST), Winston performs a benefit concert for the Mitchell Gallery at St. John's University (Annapolis, MD) featuring a Q&A session focusing on the stride pianist Thomas "Fats" Waller (1904 - 1943) with Winston and Lucinda Edinberg. The Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Gallery is a hidden treasure in historic Annapolis, Maryland. The Gallery hosts a diverse array of exhibitions and programs annually, including past shows such as Shakespeare's First Folio, celebrated artists Bruegel, Rembrandt, Matisse, Miro, Rodin, and Warhol, and centuries-old illuminated manuscripts. 10% of donations from the Winston concert will go to a local food bank while the remaining funds benefit the Mitchell Gallery.

Since 1986, Winston has tirelessly supported local food banks -- donating 100% of his concert merchandise sales and sponsoring canned food drives for local food banks at every venue he performs. Over the past three years alone, Winston's contributions to FEEDING AMERICA has culminated in funds to deliver 850,000 meals to people in need; an additional 120,000 meals have been raised through Winston's livestreaming concerts since November 2020. Donations are essential for COVID-19 relief now more than ever. Please consider donating today to FEEDING AMERICA (DONATE LINK). For more information regarding Winston's benefit efforts, please watch the following video: https://youtu.be/ow-IhCaYisY.

Winston's iconic albums include Autumn, December, Winter into Spring, Summer, as well as 2017's Spring Carousel -- A Cancer Research Benefit, and two volumes of the compositions of Vince Guaraldi, two volumes of benefit albums for the Gulf Coast disasters, and seven other solo piano albums. He recently released his 15th solo piano album, Restless Wind, via Dancing Cat Records/RCA Records. Restless Wind is a portrayal of Winston's place in a chaotic world -- his compositions extend solace with an idiosyncratic grace. The album is available now at GeorgeWinston.com

Thu, 02/25/2021 - 6:25 pm

Three-time GRAMMY Award-nominated pianist Joey Alexander follows his major-label debut album, WARNA (Verve Records), with three new singles "SALT" (March 19), "Under the Sun" (April 23), and "Summer Rising" (May 28) set for global release on Verve in spring 2021. In just seven years subsequent the release of five critically-acclaimed studio albums (My Favorite Things, Countdown, Joey.Monk.Live!, Eclipse, WARNA), Alexander leads a career rarely witnessed in the jazz genre. He's garnered international acclaim from mainstream media, three nominations from The Recording Academy, and high praise from legendary jazz icons while evolving into one of today's most distinguished composers and bandleaders.

All before his 18th birthday (summer 2021), Alexander has accrued a lifetime of accolades and experiences a jazz pianist could only dream of being a reality. For Alexander, though, he's met each career highlight with great humility and letting his music speak for itself. Critics have touted Alexander as a genius; a virtuoso; and the youngest artist to reach unimaginable milestones. He's appeared on primetime TV at the 58th GRAMMY Awards (2016); performed with Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding for the Obamas at the White House (International Jazz Day, 2016); sold-out his debut at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall (2019); sold-out the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center; and was profiled by 60 Minutes. A through-line consistent across his prestige remains a steadfast dedication to his craft as a melodic composer captivating the hearts of music fans across the globe.

Alexander's first 2021 single, the track entitled "SALT" lays down a deep groove featuring the pianist on Fender Rhodes for the first time on a recording. He collaborates with his latest trio, including Daniel Winshall (electric and upright bass) and Tyson D. Jackson (drums) who debuted on stage together at the Detroit Jazz Festival 2020. Special guest Jaleel Shaw (alto saxophone) appears on "SALT" and "Summer Rising," and Gilad Hekselman (electric guitar) performs on "SALT."

Alexander comments, "Salt is essential in our lives just like blues is to jazz, and music in general. As we live in a worried world right now, we all need a bit of blues to make us feel good."

The metaphor hits home especially since all of Alexander's newly composed 2021 singles were written while living in Manhattan during the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic in summer 2020. An inspiring force beaming with hope, positivity, and promoting peace through his recordings, Alexander takes us to the roots of jazz where the blues are the key ingredient. "The blues gives us that optimistic spirit. It fills our souls with joy in the darkest hours."

"Under the Sun" reflects Alexander's improvisational dexterity and telepathic connection with his bandmates. The ensemble's interplay on "Under the Sun" is so in sync it's almost as if they're moving in unison as an unstoppable locomotion barreling down the tracks.

"Summer Rising" emulates the beauty of summer in New York City. Upon hearing the simple mention of "summer," the mind wonders to marvel in all of nature's splendor, and it's a time when music typically pours from outdoor stages throughout the world. Alexander offers a glimpse of elation in his harmonic chord changes while Jaleel Shaw and he trade off fervent solos.

Embodying a jaw-dropping mastery of jazz standards, Alexander now sets his sights beyond the break-out successes as a brilliant talent with razor-sharp focus on composing idiosyncratic original works. Alexander's latest recordings are at once highly expressive, emotional, and sincere. 2021 welcomes the thrilling pianist-composer with open arms.

Fri, 04/23/2021 - 11:42 am

Every instrument unearths a master musician who thoroughly redefines the boundaries of what's musically possible with its utility. In the same breath as the Yo-Yo Ma's of the world, virtuoso jazz harpist Edmar Castañeda fearlessly stuns audiences and critics alike with his unbridled talents as a player and composer. Castañeda follows up six albums (Cuarto de Colores; Entre Cuerdas; Double Portion; Live at the Jazz Standard; Live In Montreal; Harp vs. Harp) with his latest recording project, Family, featuring the artist in the trio format with Shlomi Cohen (soprano sax) and Rodrigo Villalon (drums) with special guest vocalist Andrea Tierra. Family is set for release on Friday, May 21, 2021.

Edmar Castañeda's unparalleled versatility on the harp has caught the attention of musical titans such as Sting, Bela Fleck, John Scofield, Ricki Lee Jones, John Patitucci, and Pedrito Martinez; all of whom Castañeda has collaborated with either on stage or in the recording studio. Upon seeing him perform live, The New York Times noted, "Edmar Castañeda completely rethought his instrument... [he] used his left hand to pluck out bass lines independently while improvising hot, jolting off-centered lines with his right." GRAMMY Award-winning clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera, comments, "Edmar is...an enormous talent, he has the versatility and the enchanting charisma of a musician who has taken his harp out of the shadow to become one of the most original musicians from the Big Apple."

On Family, Castañeda set out to capture the spirit of the world living as a unified "family." What he couldn't anticipate though during his initial Brooklyn recording sessions in late 2019 was the fact that two drastic life challenges were imminent. First and foremost, Castañeda slipped while working at home in his attic and broke two bones shattering his right wrist into tiny pieces. Doctors initially said he would need internal metal and screws, as well as exterior supports to fully heal from the injury. All of his concerts and tours were cancelled. Fortunately, he recovered in four months (instead of eight months) and was ready to perform by the end of February 2020. Then, the COVID-19 global pandemic hit.

Over the course of 2020, the compositions on Family evolved with new meanings. After a year-and-a-half of no concerts, Family has come to represent hope, resilience, faith, peace, and love. The album reflects BBQs in the backyard, sharing wine with Andrea in the evenings, dancing and singing with the kids, homeschooling their children, and saying prayers each night as a family. What was initially a music project unfolded into something with much more significance.

"It's been a difficult struggle for musicians throughout the pandemic," says Edmar Castañeda, "but I realized that we lack nothing if my family stays close and together. Life has certainly been a paradox, what could have brought us down made us stronger in love and kindness. We actually got to live what we recorded in the studio. We made it through with few material things and instead focused on the preciousness of life."

Family opens with "Battle of Faith," which encourages people to keep good faith until the end. The space of the trio gives ample time for Castañeda to take the spotlight while Shlomi Cohen traverses between sharp, punctuated hits and dreamy horn lines. "For Jaco" is a triumphant feat showcasing Castañeda's left-hand work as he tributes the great bassist Jaco Pastorius. When Cohen and Villalon join, jazz fusion band Weather Report is in the air.

The title track "Family" was named by Castañeda's son Zamir. It's full of joy, promise, and condenses Family into a single track. "At the start of the recording sessions, I saw the potential of the world coming together as one big family! I know this is still possible, and this arrangement goes through a myriad of feelings on our journey as one."

"Cancion Con Todos" is a standard of Latin American music. The narrative suites Family well as it talks about the American continent uniting together with all its richness and beauty. "Cancion Con Todos" features vocalist Andrea Tierra, and singing by their two children. Another standard is "Aqua Fresca," written by Venezuelan harpist Hugo Blanco. Castañeda says, "I learned this song when I was just a boy. I've arranged it with some twists and turns from all the musical influences I have been exposed to after all these years touring the globe."

Castañeda composed "Acts" based on a Bible verse by the Apostle Paul, "faith without works is dead." The work is an invitation to not only have faith, but to act on it. Family closes with a rendition of "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music, sung in Spanish by Andrea Tierra. "Andrea wrote a 'pajarillo' for it, which is a musical style improvised by the singer in Llanera music," says Castañeda. "We wanted to include this because during the pandemic we tried as much as possible to enjoy our favorite things and share them as a family."

Prior to his injury and the start of the pandemic, Castañeda's final show was a duet concert with Bela Fleck at Big Ears Festival 2019. Recorded by Jazz Night in America, it's an exceptional exposé on the brilliance of Edmar Castañeda (CLICK TO VIEW). The two had never performed together, nor rehearsed before the concert.

Bela Fleck says of Family, "I'm so happy to hear this new offering from the great Edmar Castañeda. It's exciting, it's warm, it's surprising, and it grooves like nobody's business!"

Fri, 04/23/2021 - 12:06 pm

Three-time GRAMMY Award-nominated pianist Joey Alexander follows his major-label debut album, WARNA (Verve Records), with three new singles "SALT" (March 19: LINK), "Under the Sun" (April 23: LINK), and "Summer Rising" (May 28) set for global release on Verve. In just seven years subsequent to the release of five critically-acclaimed albums (My Favorite Things, Countdown, Joey.Monk.Live!, Eclipse, WARNA), Alexander leads a career rarely witnessed in the jazz genre. He's garnered international acclaim from mainstream media, three nominations from The Recording Academy, and high praise from legendary jazz icons while evolving into one of today's most distinguished composers and bandleaders.

All before his 18th birthday (summer 2021), Alexander has accrued a lifetime of accolades and experiences a jazz pianist could only dream of. For Alexander, though, he's met each career highlight with great humility and lets his music speak for itself. He's appeared on primetime TV at the 58th GRAMMY Awards (2016); performed with Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding for the Obamas at the White House (International Jazz Day, 2016); sold-out his debut at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall (2019); sold-out the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center; and was profiled by 60 Minutes. A through-line consistent across his career remains a steadfast dedication to his craft as a melodic composer captivating the hearts of music fans across the globe.

Alexander's second 2021 single, the track entitled "Under the Sun" reflects Alexander's improvisational dexterity and telepathic connection with his trio, featuring bandmates Daniel Winshall (electric and upright bass) and Tyson D. Jackson (drums). Alexander wrote the composition during the summer of 2020, while witnessing the protests across the country. The piece moves from contemplative to bluesy and free and back again, with one main narrative throughout - Under the Sun we're all just human beings - nuanced and complex creatures struggling to make ends meet individually while continually striving to seek peace, love and justice for everyone.

Alexander notes, "The work has ties to the times that we live in. The pandemic really hit us badly as musicians, and then I saw people marching on the streets where I live in Union Square in New York City. A lot of things have happened during the time I composed it. But I think the positive side is that people of all colors are standing up."

An inspiring force beaming with hope and positivity through his recordings, Alexander takes us to the roots of jazz where the blues are the key ingredient. "The blues gives us that optimistic spirit. It fills our souls with joy in the darkest hours."

Released on March 19, "SALT" lays down a deep groove featuring the pianist on Fender Rhodes for the first time on a recording. His trio expands to a quintet on "SALT" with special guests Jaleel Shaw on alto saxophone (who also appears on "Summer Rising") and Gilad Hekselman on electric guitar.

"Summer Rising" emulates the beauty of summer in New York City. Upon hearing the simple mention of "summer," the mind wonders to marvel in all of nature's splendor, and it's a time when music typically pours from outdoor stages throughout the world. Alexander offers a glimpse of elation in his harmonic chord changes while he and Jaleel Shaw trade off fervent solos.

Embodying a jaw-dropping mastery of jazz standards, Alexander now sets his sights beyond the break-out successes as a brilliant talent with razor-sharp focus on composing idiosyncratic original works. Alexander's latest recordings are at once highly expressive, emotional, and sincere. 2021 welcomes the thrilling pianist-composer with open arms.

To purchase and/or stream "Under the Sun," please visit: JoeyAlexander.lnk.to/UnderTheSun

Sat, 05/01/2021 - 12:12 pm

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Bhi Bhiman doesn't need much to ignite a fury of fascinating expressions; only the simplest of recording set-ups of guitar and vocal mics plugged into his laptop. Yet, even with such simplicity, he projects a towering voice that so urgently grabs your attention, you hang onto every word he sings. Bhiman's latest recording, Substitute Preacher 2, features a new set of mesmerizing acoustic covers in a series that follows his wildly popular 2013 EP (volume 1) of the same name. Fans will be treated to Bhiman's truly original takes on classic hits such as "My Best Friend's Girl" (The Cars), "Back In Black" (AC/DC), "Magic Carpet Ride" (Steppenwolf), "Paranoid" (Black Sabbath), and "My Way" (Frank Sinatra).

Bhiman's foray into recording covers (Substitute Preacher 1) was such a hit that his rendition of "Walk of Life" by Dire Straits garnered several sync placements, including for an Apple Watch commercial starring Alice Cooper. The track further landed in a series of Xfinity commercials. The same year Substitute Preacher 1 was released (2013), Bhiman took the stage at Carnegie Hall for a tribute show hosted by The Roots to commemorate Prince; other special guests included Elvis Costello, Talib Kweli, and Chris Rock.

Bhiman's take on "When Doves Cry" was reported on by Rolling Stone, who said, "But maybe the best performance of the evening -- or at least the most memorable -- was Bhi Bhiman's solo acoustic take on 'When Doves Cry,' his vocals giving off a haunted air that left the crowd speechless." Entertainment Weekly touted, "Perhaps most astonishingly, folk guitarist Bhi Bhiman transformed 'When Doves Cry' into a foreboding murder ballad. In spinning the song in a different direction, Bhiman made a song everybody knew backwards into a wholly new thing."

Substitute Preacher 2 revisits his passion for devouring songs written by artists he loves. For Bhiman, it's not simply playing the piece just as the original artists' would. He approaches covers as if it's a standalone new song that he personally wrote himself. Bhiman reflects, "I'm still writing new original songs and will have a new album coming out, but I've always learned other people's tunes. I have an intense interest to dive into their craft and style. I end up playing all the parts, from extensive rock guitar solos to studying the intricacies of the arrangements, melodies, and rhythms. I guess you could say I’m a bit obsessed with turning these songs inside out."

Substitute Preacher 2 opens with AC/DC's "Back In Black." Bhiman goes back in time with a Johnny Cash-meets-the-Everly Brothers style on this rock anthem as if it were the original composition. The standout single "My Best Friend's Girl" by The Cars introduces syncopated West African guitar lines into a mix of Americana and Reggaeton. A country blues vibe reminiscent of Mississippi John Hurt takes over "Magic Carpet Ride" by Steppenwolf. Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" is made into a plaintive folk murder ballad, and "My Way" by Frank Sinatra might be the most rewarding risk Bhiman has taken as an artist. Substitute Preacher 2 constitutes primarily of live takes with only vocals and guitar with minimal overdubs. The EP is co-produced by Sam Kassirer.

Over the course of his career, Bhiman has developed a dedicated following after the release of four acclaimed studio albums. His 2019 album, Peace of Mind, launched as a podcast, with each episode revealing a new song, political theme, and a conversation with a lauded special guest, such as author Dave Eggers. Since its release, Bhiman has worked behind the scenes on diverse projects from acoustic versions of "Faith" by Galantis x Dolly Parton and "Unwell" by Steve Aoki x Kiiara featuring Rob Thomas. He has also worked with actor Keegan-Michael Key, rapper/director Boots Riley, and late iconic musician Chris Cornell.

To listen to Substitute Preacher 2, please click this LINK

Bhi Bhiman

Substitute Preacher 2

Track Listing:

1. Back In Black

2. My Best Friend's Girl

3. Magic Carpet Ride

4. Paranoid

5. My Way

Tue, 05/25/2021 - 2:17 pm

Echoing the '60s psychedelic happenings around Stanford University, Bert Keely has woven two remarkable careers - as a pioneering Silicon Valley computer engineer and a wonderfully versatile guitarist. During the dotcom boom, the band he co-created - the Flying Other Brothers - made some phenomenal music, worth a new listen and now collected in the new limited-edition box set Circle Back! A 20-year retrospective featuring the Flying Other Brothers, Circle Back! includes three full-length albums Skywriting, Bert's Brew, and Alive and Grateful with special guests on select tracks, including Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead, guitarist G.E. Smith, and producer T Bone Burnett.

At the start of the dotcom boom in the late '90s, Keely and his bandmates were at the epicenter of tech innovations that dramatically changed the world. While Bert worked closely with Bill Gates at Microsoft (1998 - 2008) and led the company's team to engineer the first Tablet PC prototype, Keely is also known by insiders as the engineer who convinced Steve Jobs to develop the iPad. His Silicon Valley tech community was swept up in the vast potential good of the Internet. Now more than a decade after their last flights, on tour and especially on San Francisco's live music scene, this band of techies virtually reunites on Circle Back! to celebrate the best of the Flying Other Brothers.

Founding Flying Other Brothers band members Roger McNamee (venture capitalist), Giles McNamee (investment banker), Bill Bennett (marketing/PR strategist), Tony Bove (technology author), Larry Marcus (venture capitalist), and Keely were techies to the core, fond of the Grateful Dead who had also formed in the neighborhoods around Stanford.

Keely's only time seeing Garcia live was at the Keystone in '78 with the Jerry Garcia Band; it was in the same room (previously known as The Big Beat) that the Grateful Dead played their first Acid Test under that name. In '78, Keely was a junior at Stanford studying engineering under professor Bob McKim who had conducted what became known as "engineering acid tests" to understand the creative potential of psychedelics. The next year Keely came to release his solo debut album of psychedelic folk, Take Me Home, in '79. For Keely and the Flying Other Brothers, music and technology were always a weave. The scene at Stanford proved to be fertile ground for Bert's burgeoning careers in both engineering and music.

Featuring Three Albums with Special Guests on Select Tracks Including Bob Weir, G.E. Smith & T Bone Burnett!

Circle Back! Box Set -- Featuring The Flying Other Brothers:

Circle Back! gives an inside look into the songwriting that made the Flying Other Brothers an extraordinary collective who recorded four albums of high energy music with producers such as Jack Casady (52-Week High), Stacy Parrish (Secondary), and Shauna Hall of 4 Non Blondes (IPO). Circle Back! carries their music/tech wave into 2021 with three new albums: Skywriting, Bert's Brew, and Alive and Grateful. Across the box set, Bert Keely's riveting guitar shares the spotlight with pedal steel solos by Barry Sless and electric solos by G.E. Smith, as well as standout rhythm guitar work by Bob Weir and Roger & Giles McNamee.

Skywriting:

The new album Skywriting features a collection of eight original songs written by six different brothers and sisters. Bill Bennett's "Clueless" kicks off the album with the beat popularized by Bo Diddley, with Keely workin’ his Lowell George-inspired socket wrench slide guitar technique. "Arastradero Road" is co-written by Keely and Lisa Brennan Jobs (daughter of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs), who wrote the lyrics about leaving the West Coast to attend Harvard. Lisa sang the song with the Flying Other Brothers at The Fillmore (1998), and it became a regular feature with Keely on vocals at their live shows. On "Arastradero Road," Keely and Barry Sless trade intertwining lines of pedal steel and electric guitar for a thrilling solo section.

The high sense of optimism of Roger McNamee's tune "Happy Endings" closes Skywriting with a dizzying depiction of those times. "Happy Endings" is one of the songs that convinced Pete Sears (Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship) to join the Flying Other Brothers in studio for their album 52-Week High, and to become a key member of the touring band.

Bert's Brew:

Bert's Brew includes two previously unreleased recordings of the Flying Other Brothers in the studio with T Bone Burnett, and several captured on the road with G.E. Smith. Keely's vocals are featured throughout Bert's Brew; complemented on the album's opener "Come Along Now" by Bill Bennett's baritone on the choruses and bridge. Written in 2006, during the Iraq war and in anticipation of the 40th Anniversary of the Summer of Love, Keely's anthem "Another Summer of Love" focuses on the good will that spreads when people come together peacefully, time and time again. "Road to Here" is another great Roger McNamee song, with Keely on vocals and a heavenly extended outro with guitars swirling gently atop an ethereal rhythmic bed.

Bert's Brew includes standout live covers such as "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," both on local radio favorite Sleepy John Sandidge's show on KPIG (Santa Cruz) and in an electric version recorded in Ashland with Keely and G.E. Smith trading solos. Dylan's "Forever Young" further highlights the masterful guitar work of Smith; he appears on all but two tracks on Bert's Brew.

Alive and Grateful:

Bob Weir appears on two tracks on Alive and Grateful, first on a duo version of John Lennon's "Imagine" and then again with the Flying Other Brothers backing him on a 28-minute version of "Jack Straw" > "Playin' in the Band" > "Queen Jane Approximately." "Imagine" came to light with Weir and Keely recording in the former's home studio to commemorate the life of mutual friend Richard Newton, the Dean of UC Berkeley's School of Electrical Engineering who passed away from pancreatic cancer in his mid-50s.

Keely goes furthur into Dead material on Alive and Grateful, with solo versions of "I Know You Rider" and a 24-minute loop session of "Terrapin Station" recorded during the pandemic. Bert's Brew closes with Keely singing an intimate version of "Stella Blue" from a 2019 Stanford University concert.

The Flying Other Brothers lived for the moment. Listening to Circle Back! is an invitation to ponder how things have changed in twenty years, and to try to imagine changes that lie ahead.

Sun, 06/20/2021 - 2:01 pm

Silicon Valley's premier annual music event, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2021 returns for its 31st festival season from Friday, August 13 through Sunday, August 15 in and around Plaza de César Chavez Park in downtown San Jose, Calif. From its early days as a one-stage eight-act concert to being among North America's foremost music events, San Jose Jazz returns to the live stage with a Summer Fest artist lineup just as riveting as ever before for one of the summer's first major San Francisco Bay Area outdoor music festivals. Arts and cultural programmers are the heartbeat of renewal and restoration efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic and San Jose Jazz remains a leading Bay Area institution preserving downtown San Jose as an exciting hub for arts and entertainment while adhering to all Santa Clara County COVID-19 protocols.

San Jose Jazz steps forward to help bring the city of San Jose back to life and rebuild its inclusive community through cultural collaborations with many longstanding partners of the festival. For the first time, the Fountain Blues Foundation, in collaboration with Jay Meduri of the legendary South Bay venue Poor House Bistro, will book and host a dedicated stage at SJZ Summer Fest featuring blues and New Orleans acts on the new Fountain Blues Stage located in the South portion of Plaza de César Chavez Park. San Jose Museum of Art Stage puts the spotlight on emerging talent performing throughout the three days of festivities. The historic 1936 venue Montgomery Theater brings its elegant décor and great acoustics to Summer Fest as the premier indoor concert space for national and regional artists. Additional local curatorial and performance partners include St. Joseph's Cathedral, Mosaic America, Bloco do Sol, Jazz Organ Fellowship, and Universal Grammar.

With over 45 acts across five stages, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2021 announces today its initial round of confirmed artists including Morris Day and The Time, Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra, Superblue: Kurt Elling Featuring Charlie Hunter, Judith Hill, Ozomatli, The Motet, Shamarr Allen, Butcher Brown, 7th Street Big Band, Bloco do Sol, and many more acts to be announced soon. Sobrato Organization Main Stage and Fountain Blues Stage will be located at the epicenter of SJZ Summer Fest 2021 in Plaza de César Chavez Park with additional shows presented on the Montgomery Theater Stage, San Jose Museum of Art Stage, and SJZ Break Room Stage.

"Throughout the pandemic, we initiated programs to help Bay Area artists and local youth such as our Live at Home concert series, the Backstage discussion series, Progressions educational sessions, the SJZ Jazz Aid Fund, and SJZ New Works Fest," says SJZ Executive Director Brendan Rawson. "Now, we are all in on the return of our pride and joy, SJZ Summer Fest. What's so important to us is the genuine value of the communal experience of live music. Not only will Summer Fest provide economic recovery for downtown businesses and workers, it offers much-needed healing for the Bay Area community to come together to dance, laugh, sing, and feel joy again with in-person engagement. We're honored to be among the first festivals bringing people back into parks and downtown venues."

SJZ Artistic and Festival Director Bruce Labadie adds, "Attendees of SJZ Summer Fest can expect the same experience as years past but with a reduced footprint. We're working closely with the city to ensure a safe environment for all while many of the best acts in the business perform on our stages. Live concerts will be centered around Plaza de César Chavez Park with our favorite vendors offering delicious foods and beverages, and creative crafts. We are thrilled to finally get back to in-person concerts, and have the opportunity to present acts for the first time at the Montgomery Theater and our very own SJZ Break Room with a live audience."

San Jose Jazz's state-of-the-art pop-up video recording and performance venue The SJZ Break Room will feature a live audience for the first time. Select concerts will be live streamed for music fans unable to attend this year's festivities. The SJZ Break Room is housed inside San Jose Jazz's downtown office on South 1st Street (at San Carlos) featuring a multi-media digital video wall that projection-maps live performances with Ultra-Short Throw Projectors onto high-end projection fabric mounted on motorized rollers. Sound from outdoor speakers and projections fill a 35 x 14 feet bank of floor-to-ceiling windows, providing a special multi-media concert experience for viewers, both inside the venue and outdoors. Access to the SJZ Break Room is for Priority Access and VIP ticket holders.

San Jose Jazz partners with Team San Jose and hotel concierges to feature sets by live jazz bands in lobbies across downtown from August 13 - 15. A Jazz Mass at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph will take place on Saturday, August 14 and Sunday, August 15, 2021.

Additional acts and exciting new programs for SJZ Summer Fest 2021 will be announced soon.

General Admission, Priority Access, and VIP tickets range from $35 - $190/Day; and $105 - $470/3-Day Passes. To purchase tickets, please visit: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org

Returning sponsors for the SJZ Summer Fest 2021 include The Sobrato Organization, Adobe, Heritage Bank and media partners DownBeat magazine and KCSM Jazz 91.

About San Jose Jazz

Founded in 1986, San Jose Jazz is a public benefit organization celebrating jazz as a dynamic, evolving art form and is producer of the annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and Winter Fest. San Jose Jazz innovates trend-setting initiatives to foster artistic ingenuity and preserve the jazz tradition as a forward-thinking movement. Through diverse music and educational programming, San Jose Jazz offers singular content and events by investing in the SF Bay Area ecosystem of exceptional talent for local and national audiences to enjoy.

For more information, please visit sanjosejazz.org.

Wed, 12/15/2021 - 2:07 pm

Sweetwater Music Hall presents Monophonics and the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio for a special New Year's Eve dinner and live concert with lauded Executive Chef Rick Hackett (Bocanova, Florio) curating an exquisite South American and New Orleans-inspired menu (6pm seating) pre-show at The Rock & Rye on December 31, 2021. Spirits expert Joshua Fernandez showcases an extensive collection of American, Irish, Scotch, and Japanese whiskeys at The Rock & Rye; as well as craft cocktails named in tribute to independent music venues nationwide that are persevering and reopening after the pandemic. Dinner and show are $150/person; tickets to the 6pm dinner seating are available at this LINK. Midnight countdown includes a Champagne toast!

Chef Rick Hackett's dinner menu for New Year's Eve features delicious dishes for everyone, including Crispy Wild Shrimp w/ a Peruvian black olive sauce or Crabmeat Causa w/ Yukon gold potatoes, avocado, cooked egg, chipotle aioli or Yellow Pepper Soup w/ coconut milk, winter squash, quasacaca. Second course options include: Filet Mignon w/ a Peruvian black bean sauce, mushrooms, green beans, roasted shallots or Marinated Sea Bass a la Plancha w/ pickled cucumbers, wilted lettuce, honey-miso glaze, fried sweet potato or Peruvian Vegetable Saltado w/ beets, potatoes, tomato confit, winter squash, piquillo pepper sauce. Chocolate Quinoa Pudding w/ aji amarillo sabayon is for dessert.

Monophonics: Bay Area-based psychedelic-soul band Monophonics have risen up again from their California studio Transistor Sound to offer the world a new album via indie label giants Colemine Records. Their latest upcoming recording is entitled, It's Only Us, which reflects what they see as the current direction in the world. It's Only Us is an expression that leans on the theme of humanity, that strives to speak to a wide range of listeners. Often known as a group that is keen to create a heavier version of classic soul, Monophonics are back with their trademark sound while introducing a healthy dose of new and warm textures that will saturate speakers. It's easy to hear their years of record digging and being under the influence of rare sides by Brothers of Soul, Rotary Connection or Dee Edwards.

The Rock & Rye: Chef Rick Hackett brings his admiration for South American recipes to Mill Valley that he discovered while traversing through Machu Picchu and Lima, Peru and experiencing the world-class meats of Argentina. The Creole cuisine of Crescent City further influences singular dishes at The Rock & Rye, an affinity Hackett culls from a lasting impression after witnessing an in-person cooking demo by the late great Chef Paul Prudhomme of the famous K-Paul's (New Orleans). Hyper-local ingredients are sourced from Bay Area farmers and ranchers (Allstar Organics, Marin Roots Farm, Pasternack) who Chef Hackett has longstanding relationships with at San Francisco's CUESA Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Fresh produce with roots in both South American and Creole dishes informs Hackett's menu with key ingredients such as okra, a wide variety of chili peppers, sweet potatoes, summer squash, eggplant, tomatoes, and others.

Spirits expert Joshua Fernandez curates an exceptional whiskey list with premium tequilas, mezcals, and gins rarely collected on a single menu. His craft cocktails celebrate the reopening of Sweetwater Music Hall and venues around the country who once again present live concerts by acclaimed artists for the first time in over a year and a half. The Rock & Rye cocktail menu features The Feel More (tequila reposado & mezcal infused with pineapple, lime juice, ginger syrup, jalapeño, and cilantro served w/ an aleppo chile salted rim), Great American - Melon Ball (jack daniels, melon juice, ginger syrup w/ mint and lime garnish), Red on the Rocks (rye whiskey, cherry syrup, lemon juice, egg white w/ lemon and cherry garnish), The Greek (grappa, gin, cucumber juice, lime juice, maple syrup, sea salt, parsley, olive and cucumber garnish), and Tipitini (vodka, caper berry pickle brine, lemon juice, simple syrup w/ caper berry & dill garnish).

Fernandez procures local ingredients for his cocktails' freshly squeezed juices and garnishes from Farmers Markets in Mill Valley, Ferry Plaza, and Alemany. The house wine list exclusively includes releases from family-owned and operated small production houses in California and Argentina. Craft beers focus on Northern California breweries with five taps pouring beers brewed between San Francisco and Santa Rosa. Cans and bottled beers venture further north up the coast to Fort Bragg. A variety of Agua Frescas are made daily. Fernandez strives to produce a beverage program where patrons can experience hometown brands with The Rock & Rye's efforts to support regional businesses.

Designed by Richardson Pribuss Architects, The Rock & Rye's new patio features a warm outdoor environment with pine-colored cushions resting on contemporary wood chairs and benches at two-top and four-top tables (large parties can easily be accommodated). New, year-round weather-conscious enhancements have been put in place such as a retractable fabric awning, ceiling mounted radiant heaters, glass wind and fog barriers, and cozy exterior lighting. The patio now allows for 56 covered seats. The indoor café has 18 seats with marble-top tables and banquet seating for a single large party (10 - 12 people).

A short 14 miles north of San Francisco just across the Golden Gate Bridge, The Rock & Rye at Sweetwater Music Hall welcomes diners and beverage enthusiasts to a premier destination in the picturesque town of Mill Valley. Whether out on the town for an unforgettable dining experience or taking in a show at Sweetwater Music Hall, The Rock & Rye is open seven days a week starting at 11:30am with brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays (10am - 3pm).

Fri, 12/17/2021 - 5:05 pm

Northern California's renowned non-profit arts institution San Jose Jazz welcomes 2022 with the return of its beloved 10th Annual San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2022 featuring riveting concerts curated for audiences within the heart of Silicon Valley. With the festival's epicenter as San Jose Jazz's new state-of-the-art venue SJZ Break Room, SJZ Winter Fest 2022 reaches the far corners of the South Bay region with eight venues presenting acts from Friday, February 11 - Sunday, February 27, 2022. Tickets to SJZ Winter Fest 2022 are now on sale ranging in price from $20 - $40. For detailed ticket information as well as updates on the artists and performance schedule, please visit: sanjosejazz.org/winterfest.

Artist Lineup Announcement -- 10th Annual San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2022:

an Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2022 encompasses the South First Street arts district in downtown San Jose with venues SJZ Break Room and The Continental. Premier South Bay performance venues also include Stanford University's Bing Studio, Hammer Theatre, Hammer 4, Mexican Heritage Plaza Pavilion, SJ Women’s Club, and Club Fox in Redwood City.

San Jose Jazz proudly announces today the SJZ Winter Fest 2022 artist lineup: La Santa Cecilia; The Cookers; Marquis Hill New Gospel Revisited; Harriet Tubman; An Evening of Ukulele with Danial Ho, Featuring Randy Drake and Danna Xue; Mads Tolling Trio with Kenny Washington; Jacam Manricks With Mike Clark; Sasha Berliner; SJZ Collective Plays Wayne Shorter; Joe Kye Duo; Black/Pacific: Dispatches from the Noble Savage, co-presented by Mosaic America; Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute to Dr. Lonnie Smith; 7th Street Big Band; Chris Cain; Maxx Cabello; Oscar Peñas; MNDSGN; Mason Rasavi Quartet; Chris Pierce; SJZ High School All Stars; and more!

San Jose Jazz's state-of-the-art pop-up video recording and performance venue The SJZ Break Room will feature more than a dozen live concerts during SJZ Winter Fest 2022. The SJZ Break Room is housed inside San Jose Jazz’s downtown office on South 1st Street (at San Carlos) featuring a multi-media digital video wall that projection-maps live performances with Ultra-Short Throw Projectors onto high-end projection fabric mounted on motorized rollers. Sound from outdoor speakers and projections fill a 35 x 14 feet bank of floor-to-ceiling windows, providing a special multi-media concert experience for viewers, both inside the venue and outdoors.

Mosaic America Commission, Co-Presented with San Jose Jazz

San Jose Jazz partners with Mosaic America (LINK) to present the world premiere of a new, Mosaic America-commissioned work. Mosaic America focuses on the creation of intercultural performances that redefine American art. One of five Bay Area artists receiving a total of $25,000 – with each artist representing a uniquely American experience, influenced by African, Arabic, Cambodian, European, Indian, Pacific Island, and Vietnamese cultures -- RIGHTSTARTER featuring Mosaic America fellows DEM ONE (hip-hop vocalist) and PC Muñoz (recording artist) debut their latest work Black/Pacific: Dispatches from the Noble Savage at SJZ Winter Fest 2022.

A song cycle examining the call of the West, the lure of the Pacific, and the distorted historical views of indigenous Black and Brown humanity, Black/Pacific: Dispatches from the Noble Savage brings DEM ONE, PC Muñoz, Dawn Richardson (drummer) and other musicians to be announced to the SJZ Break Room on Friday, February 25, 2022.

Additional co-presentations include Fountain Blues Foundation and Poor House Bistro partnering with San Jose Jazz for shows with Chris Pierce (Fri, Feb. 11 @ SJZ Break Room) and The Chris Cain Band with Maxx Cabello opening at Club Fox (Fri, Feb. 25). Tommy Aguilar of Universal Grammar collaborates with San Jose Jazz for the MNDSGN sets at The Continental (Weds, Feb. 23).

"Winter Fest is a microcosm of our Summer Fest programming that truly represents the richness of the South Bay community," said SJZ Executive Director Brendan Rawson. "In addition to presenting jazz icons, international artists and some of today's great instrumentalists, we couldn't be more thrilled to be back presenting live music at our new SJZ Break Room and many of our close partner venues across the region with a rich cross-section of homegrown and national talent. Our efforts to program inspiring artists has a simple goal of bringing the community together through the power of music."

"Winter Fest always serves as a platform for marquee names (La Santa Cecilia, The Cookers) and artistic gems from jazz scenes in metropolitan hot-spots across the world, including right here in the Bay Area," says Bruce Labadie, Artistic Director of San Jose Jazz. "We're fortunate to have such great venues to partner, ones that anchor Silicon Valley's growing jazz scene."

SJZ Winter Fest 2022 presenting partners include: Stanford Live!, Hammer Theatre Center, Universal Grammar, Mosaic America, Fountain Blues Foundation, and Poor House Bistro. Sponsors include: City of San José.

San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2022
When: Friday, February 11 - Sunday, February 27, 2022
Where: Downtown San Jose, CA and Throughout the South Bay
Admission: Concert tickets range from $20 - $40
More Info: sanjosejazz.org/winterfest; (408) 288-7557
Ticket Info: Cash and credit accepted at door

Fri, 02/04/2022 - 12:49 pm

Riding high from the release of their latest dance single "Lesson," Pimps of Joytime welcome 2022 with "Are You Gonna?," the second single featured on their much-anticipated new studio album, Reachin' Up, set for release on February 4, 2022 on Regime Music Group. An intersection of Brooklyn's indie music scene, New Orleans funk and San Francisco soul, the Pimps' new studio album, Reachin' Up, drops worldwide on Friday, April 15, 2022.

Akin to icons such as Prince and Stevie Wonder -- who were at the helm of studio production while laying down instrument and vocal tracks for their lauded recordings -- Pimps' lead man the GRAMMY Award-nominated producer Brian Jay is of the same vein and the mastermind behind the sonic veil on Reachin' Up. Brian Jay brings Brooklyn attitude and the swagger of the Crescent City to Reachin' Up with his '60s soul-inspired vocals, blues guitar, and Latin rhythms at the center of the mix. Sultry singer Carol C (Si*Sé) appears on Reachin' Up, who is now a permanent member of Pimps.

Pimps of Joytime

"Are You Gonna?" is heavy on the groove with a thick dub bass line, traditional blues guitar, Cuban drum rhythms, and a stellar horn section. Brian Jay's hypnotic vocal phrases add that special hook on the chorus that imprints a permanent impression that you'll be humming for days on end.

"Cuban Cha-Cha and Jamaican Ska are at the heart of 'Are You Gonna?,'" says Brian Jay. "The track goes way back to when I was putting together the first Pimps album. I had rented a cabin in the woods and moved my gear there for a month. One night in an elevated state of consciousness, I just let this groove play for an hour and out of nowhere I started singing, 'Are you gonna leave me and make me sing the blues again?' The rest of the song pretty much wrote itself. I am so happy this song finally made its way on to a Pimps of Joytime record."

The first two singles "Lesson" and "Are You Gonna?" offer fans a glimpse into Reachin' Up, which showcases Brian Jay’s underground funk and dance music multi-instrumentation. With Carol C (Si*Sé) in the band lineup and electric bassist Pete Shand (New Mastersounds) adding lots of vibe to the mix, Brian Jay reunites with old friends Chauncey Yearwood and Marcus Farrar (Antibalas) on the Reachin' Up singles, whose roots trace back to Pimps of Joytime's earliest efforts.

Brian Jay is no stranger to working with A-List talent in the studio as he's produced albums for a "who's who" of New Orleans heavyweights, including stars such as Cyril Neville (The Neville Brothers), James Andrews, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (The World's Most Recorded Drummer), and Corey Henry (Galactic). He's shared the stage with Art Neville, George Porter, Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters), and Eddie Bo; collaborated with GRAMMY Award-nominated blues artist Cedric Burnside (grandson of legendary blues musician R.L. Burnside) and Ivan Neville; and has written with jazz-funk luminary Roy Ayers, among others.

Reachin' Up is currently available for pre-order now with exclusive merchandise bundles, vinyl, CDs, and more HERE.

Pimps of Joytime -- Winter 2022 Tour Dates:

Saturday, February 19 - The Fillmore - Denver, CO
Thursday, March 24 - Starline Social Club - Oakland , CA
Friday, March 25 - The Venice West - Venice, CA
Saturday, March 26 - Mustache Bash - San Diego, CA
Friday, April 15 - Brooklyn Made - Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, April 16 - Park City Music Hall - Bridgeport, CT
Saturday, Apr 30 - The Parish - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
Saturday, May 28 - Denver Day of Rock - Denver, CO
Saturday, June 11 - Hog Farm Hideaway - Laytonville, CA

Wed, 02/16/2022 - 1:40 pm

Renowned pianist George Winston will release his 16th solo piano album, NIGHT, on RCA Records on May 6, 2022. By virtue of his brilliance as one of the foremost instrumental composers of our time, NIGHT is a vivid look into Winston's nocturnal world where life begins as the sun sets on each day. NIGHT features four original Winston compositions, as well as stunning renditions of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Allen Toussaint's "Freedom For The Stallion," plus additional standout interpretations. Two decades in the making, NIGHT turns darkness into a prism of beauty as Winston captures his quintessential performances for a full-length studio album well worth the wait.

George Winston is undeniably a household name. He's inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs selling more than 15 million albums. Winston's music is evocative, offering us all a chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wonder. NIGHT is where things truly come alive for Winston. Whether on a performance stage, in a midnight recording session, practicing late at night, driving solo through urban city spaces, or witnessing nature grow under the moonlight, Winston celebrates his renowned 50-year career with an interstellar new recording for spring 2022.

"NIGHT is a collection of songs that I've recorded at five different studios," says George Winston. "There is a natural wonder that only occurs in the evening and NIGHT basically scales the clock from midnight to 7am. With every dark hour that passes, daytime will soon occur. The sun shines down on the earth all day, it warms the oceans and the forests, and awakens the majority of earth's inhabitants, and at sundown the nocturnal animals wake up for nighttime activities, and there are feelings of solitude and uncertainty. This all translates well for inspiration for compositions and interpretations of other composers' pieces."

RCA Records releases the first single "Beverly" featured on NIGHT on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. The second single "Hana (A Flower For Your Heart)" is set for release on Tuesday, March 29, and "Hallelujah" on the street date for NIGHT on Friday, May 6, 2022.

George Winston's classic albums, Autumn and December, are perennial favorites, along with Winter into Spring, Summer, Forest, Plains, Spring Carousel -- A Cancer Research Benefit, his previous album, 2019's Restless Wind as well as two volumes of the compositions of Vince Guaraldi, two volumes of benefit albums for the Gulf Coast disasters, and four other solo piano albums.

To view a Track-By-Track Descriptions one sheet with words from George Winston for all the songs on NIGHT, please download the following PDF (CLICK HERE).

For a comprehensive list of George Winston's forthcoming tour dates and discography, please visit: georgewinston.com

George Winston - NIGHT

Track Listing:
1. Beverly
2. Freedom For The Stallion by Allen Toussaint
3. Blues For Richard Folsom by John Creger
4. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
5. Making A Way by Roderick Taylor
6. He's A Runner by Laura Nyro
7. Kai Forest
8. Wahine Hololio (Traditional Hawaiian)
9. At Midnight
10. Pua Sadinia (Not To Be Forgotten) by David Nape
11. Dawn
12. Hana (A Flower For Your Heart) by Shoukichi Kina

Sat, 03/05/2022 - 11:15 am

Riding high from the release of their latest singles "Lesson" and "Are You Gonna?," Pimps of Joytime release the third single and title track "Reachin' Up" featured on their much-anticipated new studio album, Reachin' Up, on Friday, March 4, 2022 on Regime Music Group. An intersection of Brooklyn's indie music scene, New Orleans funk and San Francisco soul, the PJT's new studio album, Reachin' Up, drops worldwide on Friday, April 15, 2022.

Akin to icons such as Prince and Stevie Wonder -- who were at the helm of studio production while laying down instrument and vocal tracks for their lauded recordings -- PJT's lead man the GRAMMY Award-nominated producer Brian J is of the same vein and the mastermind behind Reachin' Up. Brian J brings Brooklyn attitude and the swagger of the Crescent City to Reachin' Up with his '60s soul-inspired vocals, blues guitar, and classic disco ethos at the center of the mix. Sultry singer Carol C (Si*Sé) appears on Reachin' Up, who is now a permanent member of Pimps of Joytime.

The latest single "Reachin' Up" features Antibalas' shekere player and vocalist Marcus Farrar and singer Carol C (Si*Sé) for a funk and soul track sure to put smiles on people's faces all spring long. Brian J comments, "'Reachin' Up' originated from a batch of instrumentals I created in a two-week studio bender in 2019. I hit up old friend and early PJT collaborator Marcus Farrar to come work on one of the tracks. Marcus pretty quickly came up with great melody and lyric ideas. I had the lyric 'Reachin' Up' kickin' around for a few years and it fit perfectly. I hit record and Marcus did his thing with a stellar vocal performance. Carol C of Si*Sé and Pete Shand of New Mastersounds were the missing puzzle pieces who graced this track with an incredible vibe."

Farrar adds, "Collaborating with the Pimps of Joytime is like cooking a beautiful meal in a big kitchen with family, but instead of being high with delicious dishes, our table is full of melodic ideas and grooves. I'm extremely proud of this positive jam and ready for the world to take a bite."

The first three singles "Lesson," "Are You Gonna?" and "Reachin' Up" offer fans a glimpse into Reachin' Up, which showcases Brian J's underground funk and dance music multi-instrumentation. With Carol C (Si*Sé) in the band lineup and electric bassist Pete Shand (New Mastersounds) adding lots of vibe to the mix, Brian J reunites with old friends Chauncey Yearwood and Marcus Farrar (Antibalas) on the Reachin' Up singles, whose roots trace back to Pimps of Joytime's earliest efforts.

Brian J is no stranger to working with A-List talent in the studio as he's produced albums for a "who's who" of New Orleans heavyweights, including stars such as Cyril Neville (The Neville Brothers), James Andrews, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (The World's Most Recorded Drummer), and Corey Henry (Galactic). He's shared the stage with Art Neville, George Porter, Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters), and Eddie Bo; collaborated with GRAMMY Award-nominated blues artist Cedric Burnside (grandson of legendary blues musician R.L. Burnside) and Ivan Neville; and has written with jazz-funk luminary Roy Ayers, among others.

Reachin' Up is currently available for pre-order now with exclusive merchandise bundles, vinyl, CDs, and more HERE.

Pimps of Joytime -- Winter 2022 Tour Dates:
Wednesday, March 23 - Miners Foundry Cultural Center - Nevada City, CA
Thursday, March 24 - Starline Social Club - Oakland , CA
Friday, March 25 - The Venice West - Venice, CA
Saturday, March 26 - Mustache Bash - San Diego, CA
Friday, April 15 - Brooklyn Made - Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, April 16 - Park City Music Hall - Bridgeport, CT
Saturday, Apr 30 - The Parish - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
Saturday, May 28 - Denver Day of Rock - Denver, CO
Saturday, June 11 - Hog Farm Hideaway - Laytonville, CA

Fri, 03/11/2022 - 2:21 pm

Singer and fingerstyle guitarist Adam Weinberg -- who's most notably known on the live music circuit as Matisyahu's guitarist on his worldwide acoustic duo tours for over five years -- releases today his debut single "Ways of Man" featured on his new album, Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope (Release Date: May 13, 2022). The album includes a 32-page companion book and album cover artwork (pictured above) designed by the late Mel Marcelo, a legendary San Diego digital illustrator. Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope features bassist Marc Friedman (The Slip) on multiple instruments (bass, electronics, keyboards, percussion) as well as the mixing engineer. DJ Le Spam (Spam Allstars) engineered the recording sessions.

Weinberg's first lyrical record, Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope, is as the album title suggests: an internal meditation of personal loss, healing, and genuine reflections of finding happiness. While he studied jazz, composition, and cognitive psychology at Washington University (St. Louis) and has performed alongside greats such as percussionist Cyro Baptista (Paul Simon, Trey Anastasio, John Zorn), Weinberg's latest tracks run across the genres of Americana, Leo Kottke-inspired instrumentals, reggae, as well as diving into family music on two songs (Weinberg is the father of three kids). The introspective nature of Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope is the result of what Weinberg calls, "a catastrophic 5-week period in my life in 2019."

Weinberg adds, "Sometimes in life, you are faced with the unexpected. Unfortunately, in summer 2019 within a short period of time, my son experienced a seizure disorder, my mom went into the ICU, and my brother-in-law died after a long struggle with substance abuse and sobriety. With my therapist's recommendation, I started playing guitar again after a stint of not picking it up for a while. She suggested playing for just five minutes a day, and recording everything. It really helped pull me out of a really dark place. I engrossed myself in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and writing songs, and honestly, at the end of that really tough time, I had enough material for three albums and Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope was born."

"Ways of Man" is a lush folk song with stellar acoustic guitar pickin' and dreamy pedal steel, creating a beautiful sonic bed for Weinberg's warm vocals. The song's message, Weinberg says, "shines a light on how easy it is to give ourselves credit while failing to give the benefit of the doubt to others. We're all dealt a random lottery ticket in life, and we need to make opportunity as equitable as possible. We are too quick to blame others. I'm speaking to myself in this song as much as to anyone else. We need work against these tendencies, and believe in both ourselves and others."

Leading up to the May 13 street date of Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope, Weinberg releases follow-up singles "Quiet" (April 8), and "Drifting Through" (April 29).

To pre-order Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope, please click HERE.

Wed, 03/23/2022 - 2:06 pm

Silicon Valley's premier annual music event, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 returns for its 32nd festival season from Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14 in and around Plaza de César Chavez Park in downtown San Jose, Calif. Renowned as one of North America's foremost music events with its dynamic multi-day programming, San Jose Jazz presents a riveting artist lineup for one of the summer's major San Francisco Bay Area outdoor music festivals. SJZ Summer Fest 2022 features nearly 100 acts across more than eight stages with acclaimed headliners CeeLo Green, Ledisi and others soon to be announced performing on The Sobrato Organization Main Stage. SJZ Summer Fest 2022 serves as a platform honoring the vibrancy of the jazz art form with marquee performances by lauded artists as well as influential trendsetters pushing the genre into new territories within today's popular music. Limited three-day festival passes are now on sale at Early Bird prices at summerfest.sanjosejazz.org.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 is thrilled to officially announce today its initial round of confirmed artists including CeeLo Green; Ledisi; Judith Hill; Javon Jackson's "Charlie Parker at 100," Ft. Gary Bartz, Charles McPherson & Donald Harrison; The Brubeck Brothers; Telmary & Friends; Joel Ross; Takuya Kuroda Quintet; Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, Jeremy Pelt, Cyrus Chestnut & Victor Jones; Lemon Bucket Orkestra; New Orleans Suspects with Erika Falls; Tribute to Clifford Coulter; Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute to Tony Monaco; Jazz Organ Foundation Celebrates Dr. Lonnie Smith; Diunna Greenleaf; Aki Kumar; Memphissippi Sound; 7th Street Big Band; Tribal Gold; Silvana Astrada; Erica Falls; ADG7, and many more acts to be announced soon!

"San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 will greater reflect the trajectory of our flagship annual music event as we climb out of the pandemic and return to the look and feel of SJZ Summer Fest that music fans have come to love," says San Jose Jazz's Executive Director Brendan Rawson. "For 2022, we've looked closely at our role as a cultural organization and the responsibility we have to the residents of the South Bay. We are very passionate about providing top tier programming that's both global in scope as well as reflective of San Jose. We greatly look forward to welcoming back patrons to a larger footprint than in 2021 with over eight stages of exciting outdoor and indoor concerts."

Artistic Director Bruce Labadie, one of the event's founders, programs the artists for SJZ Summer Fest with the help of locally based co-curators.

Labadie comments, "Attendees of SJZ Summer Fest 2022 can expect the same experience as years past with a wide variety of outstanding artists set to perform on our stages. We're working closely with the city to ensure a safe environment for all while many of today's best acts perform throughout downtown. Live concerts will be centered around Plaza de César Chavez Park with our favorite vendors offering delicious foods and beverages, and creative crafts. With three outdoor stages and five indoor stages, there is excellent programming that will appeal to an array of music fans."

San Jose Jazz steps forward to help bring the city of San Jose back to life and rebuild its inclusive community through cultural collaborations with many longstanding partners of the festival. While The Sobrato Organization Main Stage ignites with GRAMMY Award-winning artists, the Blues/Big Easy Stage in partnership with Jay Meduri of the legendary South Bay venue Poor House Bistro features blues and New Orleans acts in the South portion of Plaza de César Chavez Park. San Jose Museum of Art Stage puts the spotlight on emerging youth talent performing free shows on Saturday, Aug. 13 and Sunday, Aug. 14. The historic 1936 venue Montgomery Theater brings its elegant décor and great acoustics to SJZ Summer Fest as one of four premier indoor concert spaces for national and regional artists. Additional indoor venues include the Hammer Theatre, Hammer4, and SJZ Break Room. Local curatorial and performance partners also include Mosaic America, Bloco do Sol, Jazz Organ Fellowship, Little Village Foundation, and Universal Grammar.

Supported by Abierto Funds from the City of San José, the Latin Tropical Stage will be a free, community venue this year. It remains a pillar of San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 with Latin and salsa music lovers traveling to downtown San Jose from the far stretches of the West Coast for a chance to dance to incredible acts performing timba, son, mambo, and Jíbaro. San Jose Jazz Latin Music Coordinator and Latin Tropical Stage curator Betto Arcos is an expert on Latin American and global music, and is celebrated for his reporting on NPR, PRI "The World," and the BBC. Arcos curates the finest Latin and salsa acts with free shows on August 13 & 14, 2022 (salsa lineup will be announced in the coming weeks).

Housed on South 1st Street inside San Jose Jazz's downtown office with a multi-media digital video wall featuring the latest in HD technology, The SJZ Break Room hosts three days of indoor shows with all live performances projection-mapped with Ultra-Short Throw Projectors onto high-end projection fabric mounted on motorized rollers. Sound from outdoor speakers and projections fill a 35 x 14 feet bank of floor to ceiling windows, providing a unique outdoor concert experience on San Carlos Street in addition to the wristband-accessed live indoor shows (100-person capacity venue).

Headliner Highlights -- The Sobrato Organization Main Stage

CeeLo Green (Friday, August 12 @ 9:30pm)
Five-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter-producer, TV personality, actor, and pop culture icon CeeLo Green is a certified gold artist for his 2011 single "Forget You" (AKA "F---K You") and his hit single "Crazy" with Gnarls Barkley (with Danger Mouse) reached #1 on various music charts worldwide. CeeLo Green initially rose to fame as a member of the southern hip-hop group Goodie Mob. In 2015, CeeLo released his critically-acclaimed solo album, Heart Blanche, and in 2020, he collaborated with Dan Auerbach (of The Black Keys) for his 6th solo album, CeeLo Green is Thomas Callaway. CeeLo has also completed four seasons as a coach on NBC's hit show "The Voice," and is the author of his memoir "Everybody's Brother."

Ledisi (Sunday, August 14 @ 6pm)
2021 GRAMMY-Award winner Ledisi is a 14-time GRAMMY nominated powerhouse vocalist who has garnered three Soul Train Music Awards, an NAACP Theater Award and thirteen NAACP Image Award nominations. Most recently, Ledisi received two LA Alliance Ovation Award nominations, one for "Best Featured Actress in a Musical." Born in New Orleans and raised in Oakland, CA, Ledisi has truly earned a place in the pantheon of the greatest singers of her generation.

Ledisi is a favorite of former President Obama as well as a long list of icons including the late-Prince, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, and many more. No stranger to the film and television world, Ledisi landed a role in her first feature in 2008, singing in the George Clooney directed film, Leatherheads. In 2015, she portrayed the great Mahalia Jackson in the Oscar-nominated movie, Selma and had a notable performance in Gabourney Sidibe's Shatterbox Anthology film, The Tale Of Four. Ledisi secured her first television role playing the legendary Patti LaBelle on the hit BET series, American Soul. She also starred in the BET+ drama, Twice Bitten. In 2021, Ledisi landed the starring role in the film Remember Me: The Story of Mahalia Jackson. To cap off an amazing year, she will also portray the incomparable Gladys Knight in the long-awaited film based on Neil Bogart's career, Spinning Gold, the story of Casablanca Records.

Lemon Bucket Orkestra (Friday, August 12 -- Montgomery Theater @ 9pm)
Lemon Bucket Orkestra performs music from their latest album, IIHTS, which draws from a myriad of folk traditions across Eastern Europe. IIHTS is a song cycle inspired by a century old Slavic prison ballad that tells the story of a young rebel coming home after laying it all on the line. The group's work draws emotional weight from the band's personal experiences with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and also highlights the dozen-strong ensemble's party-punk roots and attitude, which has developed since their formative days busking on the streets of Toronto.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 -- General Information
Arts and cultural programmers are the heartbeat of renewal and restoration efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic. San Jose Jazz remains a leading Bay Area institution upholding downtown San Jose as an exciting hub for arts and entertainment while adhering to all Santa Clara County COVID-19 protocols for large events.

San Jose Jazz partners with Team San Jose and hotel concierges to feature sets by live jazz bands in lobbies across downtown from August 12 - 14.

Returning sponsors for the SJZ Summer Fest 2021 include The Sobrato Organization and media partners DownBeat Magazine and KCSM Jazz 91.

Additional acts and exciting new programs for SJZ Summer Fest 2022 will be announced soon.

32nd Annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022
When: August 12 - 14, 2022
Where: Plaza de César Chavez Park, San Jose, CA
Admission: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/buy-now
More info: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org; 408.288.7557

Artist Lineup (Friday, August 12 - Sunday, August 14)
CeeLo Green; Ledisi; Judith Hill; Javon Jackson's Charlie Parker at 100, Ft. Gary Bartz, Charles McPherson & Donald Harrison; The Brubeck Brothers; Telmary & Friends; Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, Jeremy Pelt, Cyrus Chestnut & Victor Jones; New Orleans Suspects with Erika Falls; Tribute to Clifford Coulter; Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute to Tony Monaco; Jazz Organ Foundation Celebrates Dr. Lonnie Smith; Diunna Greenleaf; Aki Kumar; Memphissippi Sound; 7th Street Big Band; Lemon Bucket Orkestra; Tribal Gold; Silvana Astrada; Erica Falls; Joel Ross; Takuya Kuroda Quintet; ADG7, and many more acts to be announced soon!

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 -- Ticket Information
3-Day Pass Adult VIP ($400 early bird; $430 advance; $495 gate)
Includes access to all stages and Premium Seating Area at the Sobrato Organization Main Stage. Unlimited access to the VIP Pavilion near the Main Stage with two drink tickets and a packaged snack on Friday, and four drink tickets and two boxed meals per day, Saturday & Sunday. Drink tickets may be redeemed for alcoholic beverages in the VIP Pavilion only. Drink tickets may also be used for water and soft drinks at any Fest beverage booth. Water and soft drinks are free and unlimited in the VIP Pavilion. VIP ticketholders also have Priority, "first-in" access to indoor stages, 15 minutes before downbeat. If the venue is full, VIP and Priority Access ticketholders will be in line first to get in when seats become available.

3-Day Pass Adult PRIORITY ACCESS ($235 early bird; $260 advance; $285 gate)
Access to all stages, Fri-Sun, Aug. 12-14 as well as access to a special seating area near the Main Stage. Plus "first-in" access to indoor stages, 15 minutes before downbeat. If the venue is full, Priority Access and VIP ticketholders will be the first to get in when seats become available. $20 in beverage coupons.

3-Day Pass Adult ALL STAGES ($120 early bird; $135 advance; $150 gate)
Basic access to all Indoor Fest Venues, Fri-Sun, Aug. 12-14. Access to indoor stages after Priority Access and VIP ticket holders are seated and may be limited.

3-Day Pass Adult GENERAL ADMISSION (GA) ($75 early bird; $85 advance; $105 gate)
Basic access to the Main Stage and all other outdoor stages

3-Day Pass Child ($30)
Admission for one child aged 5-12, with access to stages and hospitality areas at SJZ Summer Fest according to the access level of an accompanying adult. This low-priced ticket is designed to allow families to affordably enjoy the Fest and is not discounted from the Gate Price.

About San Jose Jazz
Founded in 1986, San Jose Jazz is a public benefit organization celebrating jazz as a dynamic, evolving art form and is producer of the annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and Winter Fest. San Jose Jazz innovates trend-setting initiatives to foster artistic ingenuity and preserve the jazz tradition as a forward-thinking movement. Through diverse music and educational programming, San Jose Jazz offers singular content and events by investing in the SF Bay Area ecosystem of exceptional talent for local and national audiences to enjoy.

Tue, 03/29/2022 - 2:08 pm

Renowned pianist George Winston will release his 16th solo piano album, NIGHT, on RCA Records on May 6, 2022. By virtue of his brilliance as one of the foremost instrumental composers of our time, NIGHT is a vivid look into Winston's nocturnal world where life begins as the sun sets on each day. NIGHT features four original Winston compositions, as well as stunning renditions of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Allen Toussaint's "Freedom For The Stallion," plus additional standout interpretations. Two decades in the making, NIGHT turns darkness into a prism of beauty as Winston captures his quintessential performances for a full-length studio album well worth the wait.

George Winston is undeniably a household name. He's inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs selling more than 15 million albums. Winston's music is evocative, offering us all a chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wonder. NIGHT is where things truly come alive for Winston. Whether on a performance stage, in a midnight recording session, practicing late at night, driving solo through urban city spaces, or witnessing nature grow under the moonlight, Winston celebrates his renowned 50-year career with an interstellar new recording for spring 2022.

"NIGHT is a collection of songs that I've recorded at five different studios," says George Winston. "There is a natural wonder that only occurs in the evening and NIGHT basically scales the clock from midnight to 7am. With every dark hour that passes, daytime will soon occur. The sun shines down on the earth all day, it warms the oceans and the forests, and awakens the majority of earth's inhabitants, and at sundown the nocturnal animals wake up for nighttime activities, and there are feelings of solitude and uncertainty. This all translates well for inspiration for compositions and interpretations of other composers' pieces."

RCA Records released the first single "Beverly" featured on NIGHT on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. The second single "Hana (A Flower For Your Heart)" is released today, Tuesday, March 29. The single "Hallelujah" will be out on the street date for NIGHT on Friday, May 6, 2022.

George Winston's classic albums, Autumn and December, are perennial favorites, along with Winter into Spring, Summer, Forest, Plains, Spring Carousel -- A Cancer Research Benefit, his previous album, 2019's Restless Wind as well as two volumes of the compositions of Vince Guaraldi, two volumes of benefit albums for the Gulf Coast disasters, and four other solo piano albums.

Rolling Stone magazine noted of Winston's music, "Using only a solo piano, and without descending into sentiment, the guy (Winston) can set off dormant synapses in your brain that most musicians cannot hit even with lyrics...It seems to flow from the deepest part of Winston's mind, unimpeded by conscious considerations."

To view a Track-By-Track Descriptions one sheet with words from George Winston for all the songs on NIGHT, please download the following PDF (CLICK HERE).

For a comprehensive list of George Winston's forthcoming tour dates and discography, please visit: georgewinston.com

George Winston - NIGHT

Track Listing:
1. Beverly
2. Freedom For The Stallion by Allen Toussaint
3. Blues For Richard Folsom by John Creger
4. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
5. Making A Way by Roderick Taylor
6. He's A Runner by Laura Nyro
7. Kai Forest
8. Wahine Hololio (Traditional Hawaiian)
9. At Midnight
10. Pua Sadinia (Not To Be Forgotten) by David Nape
11. Dawn
12. Hana (A Flower For Your Heart) by Shoukichi Kina

Fri, 04/08/2022 - 1:34 am

Singer and fingerstyle guitarist Adam Weinberg -- who's most notably known on the live music circuit as Matisyahu's guitarist on his worldwide acoustic duo tours for over five years -- releases a new single "Quiet" featured on his latest album, Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope (Release Date: May 13, 2022). The album includes a 32-page companion book and album cover artwork (pictured above) designed by the late Mel Marcelo, a legendary San Diego digital illustrator. Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope features bassist Marc Friedman (The Slip) on multiple instruments (bass, electronics, keyboards, percussion) as well as the mixing engineer. DJ Le Spam (Spam Allstars) engineered the recording sessions.

The swaying odd-metered folk-rock song "Quiet" propels forward while slowing down life with a poignant message of battling the noises in our head fueled by anxiety. Marc Friedman performs bass and effects on "Quiet." Weinberg says of the song, "In order to beat debilitating anxiety, I've found it's best to learn how to live with it. I'm more accepting of these feelings now and let the sticky thoughts hang around for a while. They tend to then go away, instead of trying to fight the feeling. That never seems to work. I face it head on, it's definitely a learning process."

Weinberg's first lyrical record, Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope, is as the album title suggests: an internal meditation of personal loss, healing, and genuine reflections of finding happiness. While he studied jazz, composition, and cognitive psychology at Washington University (St. Louis) and has performed alongside greats such as percussionist Cyro Baptista (Paul Simon, Trey Anastasio, John Zorn), Weinberg's latest tracks run across the genres of Americana, Leo Kottke-inspired instrumentals, reggae, as well as diving into family music on two songs (Weinberg is the father of three kids). The introspective nature of Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope is the result of what Weinberg calls, "a catastrophic 5-week period in my life in 2019."

Weinberg adds, "Sometimes in life, you are faced with the unexpected. Unfortunately, in summer 2019 within a short period of time, my son experienced a seizure disorder, my mom went into the ICU, and my brother-in-law died after a long struggle with substance abuse and sobriety. With my therapist's recommendation, I started playing guitar again after a stint of not picking it up for a while. She suggested playing for just five minutes a day, and recording everything. It really helped pull me out of a really dark place. I engrossed myself in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and writing songs, and honestly, at the end of that really tough time, I had enough material for three albums and Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope was born."

Leading up to the May 13 street date of Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope, Weinberg will release the final single "Drifting Through" on April 29.

Wed, 04/13/2022 - 2:24 pm

Riding high from the release of their latest singles "Lesson," "Are You Gonna?" and "Reachin' Up," Pimps of Joytime announce they will join George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic as an opening act on their summer tour 2022 following the release of PJT's much-anticipated new studio album, Reachin' Up. An intersection of Brooklyn's indie music scene, New Orleans funk and San Francisco soul, the PJT's new studio album, Reachin' Up, drops worldwide on Regime Music Group on Friday, April 15, 2022.

Akin to icons such as Prince and Stevie Wonder -- who were at the helm of studio production while laying down instrument and vocal tracks for their lauded recordings -- PJT's lead man the GRAMMY Award-nominated producer Brian J is of the same vein and the mastermind behind Reachin' Up. Brian J brings Brooklyn attitude and the swagger of the Crescent City to Reachin' Up with his '60s soul-inspired vocals, blues guitar, and classic disco ethos at the center of the mix. Sultry singer Carol C (Si*Sé) appears on Reachin' Up, who is now a permanent member of Pimps of Joytime.

The latest single "Reachin' Up" features Antibalas' shekere player and vocalist Marcus Farrar and singer Carol C (Si*Sé) for a funk and soul track sure to put smiles on people's faces all spring long. Brian J comments, "'Reachin' Up' originated from a batch of instrumentals I created in a two-week studio bender in 2019. I hit up old friend and early PJT collaborator Marcus Farrar to come work on one of the tracks. Marcus pretty quickly came up with great melody and lyric ideas. I had the lyric 'Reachin' Up' kickin' around for a few years and it fit perfectly. I hit record and Marcus did his thing with a stellar vocal performance. Carol C of Si*Sé and Pete Shand of New Mastersounds were the missing puzzle pieces who graced this track with an incredible vibe."

Farrar adds, "Collaborating with the Pimps of Joytime is like cooking a beautiful meal in a big kitchen with family, but instead of being high with delicious dishes, our table is full of melodic ideas and grooves. I'm extremely proud of this positive jam and ready for the world to take a bite."

The first three singles "Lesson," "Are You Gonna?" and "Reachin' Up" offer fans a glimpse into Reachin' Up, which showcases Brian J's underground funk and dance music multi-instrumentation. With Carol C (Si*Sé) in the band lineup and electric bassist Pete Shand (New Mastersounds) adding lots of vibe to the mix, Brian J reunites with old friends Chauncey Yearwood and Marcus Farrar (Antibalas) on the Reachin' Up singles, whose roots trace back to Pimps of Joytime's earliest efforts.

Brian J is no stranger to working with A-List talent in the studio as he's produced albums for a "who's who" of New Orleans heavyweights, including stars such as Cyril Neville (The Neville Brothers), James Andrews, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (The World's Most Recorded Drummer), and Corey Henry (Galactic). He's shared the stage with Art Neville, George Porter, Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters), and Eddie Bo; collaborated with GRAMMY Award-nominated blues artist Cedric Burnside (grandson of legendary blues musician R.L. Burnside) and Ivan Neville; and has written with jazz-funk luminary Roy Ayers, among others.

Reachin' Up is currently available for pre-order now with exclusive merchandise bundles, vinyl, CDs, and more HERE.

Pimps of Joytime -- Spring & Summer 2022 Tour Dates:
Friday, April 15 - Brooklyn Made - Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, April 16 - Park City Music Hall - Bridgeport, CT
Saturday, Apr 30 - The Parish - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
Sunday, May 8 - Pisgah Brewing Company - Black Mountain, NC
Thursday, June 9 - Hopmonk Tavern - Sebastopol, CA
Friday, June 10 - Hog Farm Hideaway - Laytonville, CA
Saturday, June 18 - College Street Music Hall - New Haven, CT
Sunday, June 19 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA *
Friday, June 24 - Piere's - Ft. Wayne, IN *
Saturday, June 25 - Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University - Indianapolis, IN *
Sunday, June 26 - Riverfront Live - Cincinnati, OH *
Thursday, June 30 - Salvage Station - Asheville, NC *
Saturday, July 2 - The Caverns - Pelham, TN *
Thursday, July 7 - The Mann Center for the Performing Arts - Philadelphia, PA *
Friday, July 22 - Wild Acre Live - Fort Worth, TX *
Saturday, July 23 - Haute Spot - Cedar Park, TX *
Thursday, July 28 - Woodland Park Zoo - Seattle, WA *
Friday, July 29 - Pioneer Courthouse Square - Portland, OR *

*Opening for George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

Tue, 04/19/2022 - 6:50 pm

San Jose Jazz announces today the SJZ New Works Fest 2022 featuring World Premieres of commissioned works from nine standout SF Bay Area artist grantees of the SJZ Jazz Aid Fund. In March 2022, San Jose Jazz provided a new round of funding in the form of $27,000 in individual grants ($1,000/artist) to 27 local musicians. The SJZ Jazz Aid Fund initiative helps to offset the tremendous financial hardships the SF Bay Area arts community has faced due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To celebrate local artistry at the highest level and the annual International Jazz Day (April 30), the SJZ New Works Fest 2022 takes center stage at San Joe Jazz's state-of-the-art downtown San Jose performance venue, The SJZ Break Room, from April 21 - May 8, 2022.

SJZ New Works Fest 2022 spotlights the latest generation of exciting SF Bay Area jazz artists with a premier platform for their commissioned compositions over the course of two weeks of live concert programming on South 1st Street. In the heart of downtown San Jose, the SoFA District has thrived as an entertainment hub for two decades. The SoFA District has kept music alive and thriving as a pivotal locale for arts and culture at more than 20 nightclubs throughout the years with the SJZ Break Room being among its latest additions.

The SJZ New Works Fest 2022 lineup includes several San Jose artists as well as musicians residing in the far stretches of the SF Bay Area. The SJZ New Works Fest 2022 features live concerts by Kim Nalley with Tammy Hall; ASTU; Sylvia Cuenca Group; Mike Blankenship with Spooky Fox, Sy Smith, BLACKLONDON & Dame Drummer; Cava Menzies; David Lechuga; Kristen Strom Quartet; Michael "Tiny" Lindsey; and Brian Sheu and Huney Knuckles. General admission tickets are $10 for the live shows, and free live streams of each concert will be available on Facebook and YouTube.

SJZ Executive Director Brendan Rawson comments, "An extension of our SJZ Jazz Aid Fund, the SJZ New Works Fest offers the opportunity for San Jose Jazz to provide $1,000 grants as well as additional performance fees to the nine artists we've selected to showcase. It brings their commissioned works alive in a great performance setting for the community to experience and appreciate. Our role as a cultural ambassador in the South Bay is to inspire the discovery of new artists among music fans across the region and our SJZ New Works Fest serves that purpose."

The Break Room Project Manager Scott Fulton adds, "The SJZ Break Room is a vibrant, vibey space that parallels the best jazz clubs around. We're really excited to bring dynamic performances to the live stage as well as offer each show for people to watch virtually. This year's lineup is evidence of the vitality of the live music community, many of whom go on to perform at our Winter and Summer Fests. This year's lineup is a real cross-section of what's hot on the scene right now."

Housed inside San Jose Jazz's downtown office with a multi-media digital video wall featuring the latest in HD technology, The SJZ Break Room hosts nine leading-edge jazz artists on stage while all performances are projection-mapped with Ultra-Short Throw Projectors onto high-end projection fabric mounted on motorized rollers. Sound from outdoor speakers and projections fill a 35 x 14 feet bank of floor to ceiling windows, providing a unique outdoor concert experience on San Carlos Street and an immersive quality to the live indoor shows (100-person capacity).

Immediately following the SJZ New Works Fest 2022, San Jose Jazz will stream (via Facebook & YouTube) a two-hour concert special with highlights from each week of the Fest. On May 13, 20-minute live performance excerpts will feature Brian Sheu and Huney Knuckles, ASTU, and Michael "Tiny" Lindsey. On May 14, the stream will include 20-minute excerpts from Mike Blankenship with Spooky Fox, Sy Smith, BLACKLONDON and Dame Drummer; Kim Nalley with Tammy Hall; and Sylvia Cuenca Group. On May 15, the stream will include 20-minute excerpts from Kristen Strom Quartet, Cava Menzies and David Lechuga.

On Wednesday, April 20 (10pm-12am), radio host Greg Bridges leads a special KCSM broadcast of highlights from the SJZ New Works Fest 2021 on his "Beyond the Oasis" show on 91.1FM.

SJZ Summer Fest 2022 -- Kickoff Fundraiser Alert
This Friday, April 15, San Jose Jazz will open ticket sales for its 2022 fundraising event for SJZ Summer Fest 2022 taking place at downtown San Jose's premier event space, Blanco Urban Venue (12 N San Pedro Street, San Jose, Calif.). Located in the historic downtown San Pedro Square neighborhood of San Jose, Blanco Urban Venue will transform its 12,000 square feet of immaculate design into a special benefit event raising money for the SJZ Jazz Aid Fund. San Jose Jazz curates the event in place of its annual SJZ Gala. The SJZ fundraiser will have silent and live auctions, four-star food and drinks from Homestead Catering (who catered the Summer Fest 2021 VIP section), performances from the SJZ High School All Stars U19s and 2022 Jazz Aid Fund grantee Bennett Roth-Newell, and a reveal of newly confirmed acts for SJZ Summer Fest 2022. Tickets are $75 (GA) and $150 (VIP: includes early entry with dedicated food station, reserved seating, exclusive meet-and-greet with Jazz Aid Fund artists, and additional drink tickets). For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: sanjosejazz.org/sjzkickoff.

Fri, 04/29/2022 - 1:47 pm

Singer and fingerstyle guitarist Adam Weinberg -- who's most notably known on the live music circuit as Matisyahu's guitarist on his worldwide acoustic duo tours for over five years -- releases on Friday, April 29 a new single "Drifting Through" featured on his latest album, Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope (Release Date: May 13, 2022). The album includes a 32-page companion book and album cover artwork (pictured above) designed by the late Mel Marcelo, a legendary San Diego digital illustrator. Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope features bassist Marc Friedman (The Slip) on multiple instruments (bass, electronics, keyboards, percussion) as well as the mixing engineer. DJ Le Spam (Spam Allstars) engineered the recording sessions.

The island reggae vibes of "Drifting Through" closes out Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope with an uplifting feel leaving listeners with smiles on their faces. Tight, syncopated horns coalesce with Weinberg's deft acoustic guitar work for the perfect soundtrack to summer. Weinberg says of the song, "The track is about self-acceptance and being on the other side of tough emotions. I wanted to end the album on a very positive note. Whatever the challenges are that people are going through, I'm hopeful that they can see that things are going to be alright. I've found in order to get through struggle, I need to embrace the good, bad, and suffering. Once I welcome all of this in, I'm able to feel a bit of elation."

Weinberg's first lyrical record, Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope, is as the album title suggests: an internal meditation of personal loss, healing, and genuine reflections of finding happiness. While he studied jazz, composition, and cognitive psychology at Washington University (St. Louis) and has performed alongside greats such as percussionist Cyro Baptista (Paul Simon, Trey Anastasio, John Zorn), Weinberg's latest tracks run across the genres of Americana, Leo Kottke-inspired instrumentals, reggae, as well as diving into family music on two songs (Weinberg is the father of three kids). The introspective nature of Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope is the result of what Weinberg calls, "a catastrophic 5-week period in my life in 2019."

Weinberg adds, "Sometimes in life, you are faced with the unexpected. Unfortunately, in summer 2019 within a short period of time, my son experienced a seizure disorder, my mom went into the ICU, and my brother-in-law died after a long struggle with substance abuse and sobriety. I completely lost it. With my therapist's recommendation, I started playing guitar again after a stint of not picking it up for a while. She suggested playing for just five minutes a day, and recording everything. It really helped pull me out of a really dark place. I engrossed myself in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and writing songs, and honestly, at the end of that really tough time, I had enough material for three albums and Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope was born."

Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope will be available worldwide on Friday, May 13, 2022.

To pre-order Laugh, Cry, Grief, Hope, please click HERE.

Fri, 05/06/2022 - 10:03 am

Renowned pianist George Winston will release his 16th solo piano album, NIGHT, on RCA Records today, May 6, 2022. By virtue of his brilliance as one of the foremost instrumental composers of our time, NIGHT is a vivid look into Winston's nocturnal world where life begins as the sun sets on each day. NIGHT features four original Winston compositions, as well as stunning renditions of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Allen Toussaint's "Freedom For The Stallion," plus additional standout interpretations. Two decades in the making, NIGHT turns darkness into a prism of beauty as Winston captures his quintessential performances for a full-length studio album well worth the wait.

George Winston is undeniably a household name. He's inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs selling more than 15 million albums. Winston's music is evocative, offering us all a chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wonder. NIGHT is where things truly come alive for Winston. Whether on a performance stage, in a midnight recording session, practicing late at night, driving solo through urban city spaces, or witnessing nature grow under the moonlight, Winston celebrates his renowned 50-year career with an interstellar new recording for spring 2022.

"NIGHT is a collection of songs that I've recorded at five different studios," says George Winston. "There is a natural wonder that only occurs in the evening and NIGHT basically scales the clock from midnight to 7am. With every dark hour that passes, daytime will soon occur. The sun shines down on the earth all day, it warms the oceans and the forests, and awakens the majority of earth's inhabitants, and at sundown the nocturnal animals wake up for nighttime activities, and there are feelings of solitude and uncertainty. This all translates well for inspiration for compositions and interpretations of other composers' pieces."

RCA Records releases the single "Hallelujah" today, Friday, May 6, 2022. To view a visualizer for "Hallelujah," please visit: georgewinston.lnk.to/Hallelujah. To purchase/stream NIGHT, please visit: georgewinston.lnk.to/NIGHT.

George Winston's classic albums, Autumn and December, are perennial favorites, along with Winter into Spring, Summer, Forest, Plains, Spring Carousel -- A Cancer Research Benefit, his previous album, 2019's Restless Wind as well as two volumes of the compositions of Vince Guaraldi, two volumes of benefit albums for the Gulf Coast disasters, and four other solo piano albums.

Rolling Stone magazine noted of Winston's music, "Using only a solo piano, and without descending into sentiment, the guy (Winston) can set off dormant synapses in your brain that most musicians cannot hit even with lyrics...It seems to flow from the deepest part of Winston's mind, unimpeded by conscious considerations."

To view a Track-By-Track Descriptions one sheet with words from George Winston for all the songs on NIGHT, please download the following PDF (CLICK HERE).

For a comprehensive list of George Winston's forthcoming tour dates and discography, please visit: georgewinston.com

George Winston - NIGHT

Track Listing:
1. Beverly
2. Freedom For The Stallion by Allen Toussaint
3. Blues For Richard Folsom by John Creger
4. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
5. Making A Way by Roderick Taylor
6. He's A Runner by Laura Nyro
7. Kai Forest
8. Wahine Hololio (Traditional Hawaiian)
9. At Midnight
10. Pua Sadinia (Not To Be Forgotten) by David Nape
11. Dawn
12. Hana (A Flower For Your Heart) by Shoukichi Kina

Thu, 05/19/2022 - 11:49 am

Silicon Valley's premier annual music event, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 returns for its 32nd festival season from Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14 in and around Plaza de César Chavez Park in downtown San Jose, Calif. Renowned as one of North America's foremost music events with its dynamic multi-day programming, San Jose Jazz presents a riveting artist lineup for one of the summer's major SF Bay Area outdoor music festivals. SJZ Summer Fest 2022 features nearly 100 acts across 10 stages with acclaimed headliners Ledisi, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Durand Jones & The Indications, Stanley Clarke, and others to be announced performing on The Sobrato Organization Main Stage. SJZ Summer Fest 2022 honors the vibrancy of the jazz art form with marquee performances by lauded artists as well as influential trendsetters pushing the genre into new territories within today's popular music. Three-day festival passes and single tickets are now on sale at Advance prices at summerfest.sanjosejazz.org.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 is thrilled to officially announce today its second round of confirmed artists including Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Raul Midón and Alex Cuba; Keyon Harrold; Cameron Graves; Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos; Isaiah Sharkey; Nellie McKay; Urban Renewal Project; Mosaic America Presents Rightstarter; Kim Nalley Quartet; LMR Jazz Orchestra Featuring Tierney Sutton; Nicole Henry; Kid Anderson; Peter Bernstein & Bruce Forman; Adrien Brandeis; JC Smith Band; Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones Blues Band; Alabama Mike & The Mighty Revelators; Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble; Marina Crouse Band Featuring Garth Webber; Joel Ross; Caroline Chung; Takuya Kuroda Quintet; Cheflee; MK Double Trio; Oddity; U-19's; Amy D. and more acts to be announced soon.

Confirmed artists for San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 also include Ledisi; Judith Hill; Javon Jackson's "Charlie Parker at 100," Ft. Gary Bartz, Charles McPherson & Donald Harrison; The Brubeck Brothers; Telmary & Friends; Joel Ross; Takuya Kuroda Quintet; Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, Cyrus Chestnut & Victor Jones; Lemon Bucket Orkestra; New Orleans Suspects with Erica Falls; Tribute to Clifford Coulter; Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute to Tony Monaco; Jazz Organ Foundation Celebrates Dr. Lonnie Smith; Diunna Greenleaf; Aki Kumar; Memphissippi Sound; 7th Street Big Band; Tribal Gold; Silvana Estrada; Erica Falls and ADG7.

"San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 brings our flagship annual summer music event back to the look and feel of SJZ Summer Fest that Bay Area music fans have come to love," says San Jose Jazz's Executive Director Brendan Rawson. "We are very passionate about providing top tier programming that's both global in scope as well as reflective of the Bay. We greatly look forward to welcoming back patrons with 10 stages of exciting outdoor and indoor concerts."

Artistic Director Bruce Labadie, one of the event's founders, programs the artists for SJZ Summer Fest with the help of locally based co-curators.

Labadie comments, "Attendees of SJZ Summer Fest 2022 can expect a wide variety of outstanding artists across numerous genres. We're working closely with the city to ensure a safe environment for all while many of today's best acts perform throughout downtown. Live concerts will be centered around Plaza de César Chavez Park with our favorite vendors offering delicious foods and beverages, and creative crafts. With four outdoor stages and seven indoor stages, there is excellent programming that will appeal to an array of music fans."

San Jose Jazz brings the city of San Jose back to life through cultural collaborations with many longstanding partners of SJZ Summer Fest. While The Sobrato Organization Main Stage ignites with GRAMMY Award-winning artists, the Blues/Big Easy Stage in partnership with Jay Meduri of the legendary South Bay venue Poor House Bistro features blues and New Orleans acts in the South portion of Plaza de César Chavez Park. SJMA Next Gen Stage puts the spotlight on emerging youth talent (free shows on Aug. 13 & Aug. 14). The historic 1936 venue Montgomery Theater brings its elegant décor and standout acoustics to SJZ Summer Fest as one of seven premier indoor concert spaces for national and regional artists. Additional indoor venues include the Hammer Theatre, Hammer4, Tabard Theater, and SJZ Break Room. Local curatorial and performance partners also include Mosaic America, Bloco do Sol, Jazz Organ Fellowship, and Little Village Foundation.

Housed on South 1st Street inside San Jose Jazz's downtown office with a multi-media digital video wall featuring the latest in HD technology, The SJZ Break Room is among the core indoor venues. SJZ Break Room hosts three days of indoor shows with all live performances projection-mapped with Ultra-Short Throw Projectors onto high-end projection fabric mounted on motorized rollers. Sound from outdoor speakers and projections fill a 35 x 14 feet bank of floor to ceiling windows, providing a unique outdoor concert experience on San Carlos Street in addition to the wristband-accessed live indoor shows (100-person capacity venue).

Latin jazz remains a pillar of San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 with Latin and salsa music lovers traveling to downtown San Jose from the far stretches of the West Coast for a chance to dance to many of today's most distinguished acts. From artists such as Telmary & Friends, Silvana Estrada, Omar Sosa and his Quarteto Americanos project, and Alex Cuba, San Jose Jazz is just getting started with its Latin programming as the full lineup for the outdoor Latin Tropical Stage will be announced in June 2022. International music and artists hailing from across the globe have always flourished among many stages at SJZ Summer Fest. For 2022, San Jose Jazz proudly presented Ladysmith Black Mambazo from South Africa, Adrien Brandeis from Paris, among others.

In the mood for a Staycation? Signia by Hilton (LINK) is the Official Hotel Partner for SJZ Summer Fest 2022 and has a front row view of the festival located on Plaza de César Chavez Park. Signia by Hilton is a dynamic new brand offering a premier full-service hotel option to travelers at the heart of all the action. Come for the richness of jazz music and stay for standout culinary experiences and its outdoor rooftop pool. San Jose Jazz partners with Signia by Hilton, as well as Team San Jose and numerous hotel concierges to feature sets by live jazz bands in lobbies across downtown from August 12 - 14.

For exclusive hotel deals close to the festival grounds, please check out these great rates at Signia by Hilton, AC Hotel by Marriott, DoubleTree by Hilton, Four Points by Sheraton, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hotel Clariana, Hotel De Anza, Hyatt Place, San Jose Marriott, and Westin. Book your reservations now at this LINK.

SJZ Summer Fest 2022 -- Kickoff Fundraiser Alert
Tickets are now on sale for San Jose Jazz's fundraising event for SJZ Summer Fest 2022 taking place at downtown San Jose's premier event space, Blanco Urban Venue (12 N San Pedro Street, San Jose, Calif.). Located in the historic downtown San Pedro Square neighborhood of San Jose, Blanco Urban Venue will transform its 12,000 square feet of immaculate design into a special benefit event raising money for the SJZ Jazz Aid Fund. San Jose Jazz curates the event in place of its annual SJZ Gala. The SJZ fundraiser will have silent and live auctions, four-star food and drinks from Homestead Catering (who catered the Summer Fest 2021 VIP section), performances from the SJZ High School All Stars U19s and 2022 Jazz Aid Fund grantee Bennett Roth-Newell, and a reveal of newly confirmed acts for SJZ Summer Fest 2022. Tickets are $75 (GA) and $150 (VIP: includes early entry with dedicated food station, reserved seating, exclusive meet-and-greet with Jazz Aid Fund artists, and additional drink tickets). For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: sanjosejazz.org/sjzkickoff.

The SJZ Jazz Aid Fund commissioning program started in 2020 in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic with artists being among those most adversely effected with the unprecedented cancelation of live concerts, tours, and limited income-generating activities. San Jose Jazz donated $33,000 through 33 individual grants during the initial 2020 funding round, and 27 standout musicians received $1,000 grants in March 2022 with new funding for SF Bay Area artists. Additional performance fees have been given to an array of Jazz Aid grantees for their participation in the SJZ New Works Fest 2021/2022 and forthcoming SJZ Summer Fest 2022. The Kickoff Fundraiser is an essential source of revenue to keep the SJZ Jazz Aid Fund alive.

SJZ Jazz Aid Fund commission grantees Kim Nalley, Amy D., and Kid Anderson will perform at SJZ Summer Fest 2022.

Thu, 06/02/2022 - 12:09 pm

One of today's foremost Sacred Steel players DaShawn Hickman channels the blues-gospel traditions of the Pentecostal-Holiness churches of the 1930s on his debut album, Drums, Roots & Steel, released today (June 2) by Little Village Foundation. Produced by guitar-phenom Charlie Hunter, Hickman draws a through-line to Southern black church music dating back to nearly a century before he put his own sound down in the studio with Drums, Roots & Steel. Hickman shines bright on Sacred Steel with Hunter on bass, as well as two West African percussionists, Atiba Rorie and Brevan Hampden, and singer Wendy Hickman.

While Hickman grew up with the pedal steel taking the lead in the House of God church that his family attended in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, most of the American black churches had the organ front-and-center. He harkens back to a time when trap drums were utilized in the '30s with just a bass drum, tambourine, washboard, and cowbell alongside the lap steel (and then later the pedal steel in the '70s) singing the melodies. The turn-of-the-century arrangements paralleled West African music with its use of the shekere, djembe, bongos, tambourine, and cowbell. The church evolved over the decades to incorporate a snare drum, full drum kit, rhythm guitar, steel pedal, bass guitar, and keyboard and/or organ.

Drums, Roots & Steel is unproven ground in modern music. Hickman defies decades of pedal steel tradition in country music, Hawaiian music, rock, and gospel, which all have western music rhythmic foundations. Hickman reforms how the pedal steel moves around the music; honing in on the djembe as the kick drum, bongos as a snare, and cowbell as a high-hat. All the while, his pedal steel slices through genres for a cutting display of jaw-dropping slide work.

"Sacred Steel can be so bombastic, with heavy gospel drums and loud instruments, that you lose a lot of the beauty of the pedal steel," Charlie Hunter explains. "It's kind of like with vibes -- when you hear people playing vibes alone, it's astonishing how it just takes over; but the second the band starts playing, you lose so much of it. This record is about the steel guitar having that entire area to itself, and it's rare to find two percussionists that are deep into West African music, Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms, who also grew up in the South. This is all a continuum of the influence of African drumming and how it authentically roots different musical styles together."

DaShawn Hickman adds, "From an early age when I would hear my mom singing and rehearsing for Sunday service at our church, I'd be in my room learning the melodies on a single string on the pedal steel. I was always interested in voice and pedal steel, but it wasn't until Charlie proposed the idea of the pedal steel having much more presence in the arrangement, that the idea stuck and we took it into the studio."

In 2019, Hunter moderated a panel discussion at the National Folk Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina with Hickman, Merle Haggard's guitar player Redd Volkaert, and Hawaiian slack-key guitar player Leward Kapana. Hunter and Hickman hit it off and he soon started sitting in on Hunter's recording sessions including his project with Lucy Woodward for her album, Stranger Blues, which is also produced by Hunter.

Drums, Roots & Steel returns Hickman to his heritage; to a time long before he was born. The collection of seven songs feature classic spirituals such as "Wade in the Water," "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," "I'm Going Home on the Morning Train," and "Precious Lord." On "Shout," Hickman's wife and vocalist/tambourine player Wendy Hickman soulfully sings as DaShawn plays lead lines and comps away along with Hunter's pocket bass groove. Wendy also appears on "Morning Train" and in a vocal duet with DaShawn on "Don't Let The Devil Ride."

"My playing on the record is unorthodox to the point of what the pedal steel was originally used for, it was a country instrument," says Hickman. "In church, we didn't do the sweeps and swells of the volume pedal, and we didn't have the chord progressions. We learned single-string melodies until you could learn how to play more strings, then you would graduate to the second string for the harmony, then to the octave strings. It’s not what you typically hear. My generation is taking the traditional style and adding our own thing to it."

The legendary Henry Nelson was a pioneering pedal steel player in Hickman's church. Hickman grew up surrounded by Nelson and Tommy Gerald's old-time bluegrass music. His early days were in a bluegrass band and he soon formed a Sacred Steel group originally named Mabel's Boys, who found greater fame as The Allen Boys (North Carolina's only touring Sacred Steel band). In more recent years, he's gone on to perform with singer/songwriter Laurelyn Dossett, singer/multi-instrumentalist Alice Gerrard, banjo player Riley Baugus, guitarist Eric Gales, and Graham Sharp of the Steep Canyon Rangers.

On pedal steel players who have helped pave the way for Hickman to perform Sacred Steel outside of the church, he notes, "I give Robert Randolph a lot of credit, as well as The Campbell Brothers. Robert took our style of music and reached the masses. I give him all the respect in the world. And even though they play the same instrument, Roosevelt Collier's style is so different than Robert's and I just love what he's doing. I always jam with Roosevelt when he comes to town!"

Jim Pugh and Little Village Foundation will present an album release concert for Drums, Roots & Steel at The Freight & Salvage (Berkeley, Calif.) on Thursday, June 2, 2022 (LINK).

For more information regarding DaShawn Hickman and Drums, Roots & Steel, please visit: instagram.com/dashawnhickman_steelguitar.

Tue, 06/14/2022 - 6:52 pm

Silicon Valley's premier annual music event, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 announces today two Saturday, August 13 headliners on The Sobrato Organization Main Stage including Gap Band front-man and R&B icon Charlie Wilson and Soul Train Music Awards/NAACP Image Awards winner R&B/soul vocalist Leela James. One of today's most highly sought-after entertainers, Charlie Wilson brings his sold-out coast-to-coast arena tour show "In It To Win It" to SJZ Summer Fest 2022. "Uncle Charlie" (a nickname bestowed by the one-and-only Snoop Dogg) carries a lauded career reigning supreme at the top of the Adult R&B and Hot Gospel charts with ten #1 singles, 13 GRAMMY Award nominations, and a New York Times bestselling memoir.

"Uncle Charlie" pulls out all the stops on his latest album, In It To Win It, with special guests Pitbull, Wiz Khalifa, Robin Thicke, Lalah Hathaway, and rapper T.I. The album has two #1 singles including "Chills" (#1 - Billboard's Adult R&B Chart) and "I'm Blessed" featuring T.I. which sat in the Top 5 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart for 65 weeks. Wilson lays down a duet with powerhouse vocalist Lalah Hathaway on the song "Made for Love," which garnered a 2019 GRAMMY nomination for "Best Traditional R&B Performance." In It To Win It also features a reunion with Snoop Dogg for the sexy romp "Gold Rush." Wilson's decades of success throughout the '70s & '80s with the Gap Band have led to a standout solo career as one of today's "must-see" acts.

The undeniable star Leela James has stunned audiences ever since the release of her debut album, A Change Is Gonna Come, and her follow-up releases My Soul (#7 - Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart/#37 - Billboard 200 Chart) and Fall For You (Top 15 - Urban AC Charts). Fans easily identify with the American soul singer with her raw talent on full display while tackling topics ranging from self-doubt to self-confidence. James has collaborated with and/or toured alongside Raphael Saadiq, Kanye West, Wyclef Jean, The Roots, Jamie Foxx, Robert Randolph and Moby, among others.

Renowned as one of North America's foremost music events, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest presents a riveting artist lineup with 100+ acts across 12 stages for one of the summer's major SF Bay Area outdoor music festivals. Three days of dynamic programming bring live music roaring back to downtown San Jose from Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14 in and around Plaza de César Chavez Park. Acclaimed headliners Charlie Wilson and Leela James join an illustrious lineup that includes Ledisi; Lee Fields; Durand Jones & The Indications; Stanley Clarke; Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Raul Midón and Alex Cuba; Telmary & Friends; Judith Hill; Javon Jackson's "Charlie Parker at 100," Ft. Gary Bartz, Charles McPherson & Donald Harrison; The Brubeck Brothers; Bobby Watson & Curtis Lundy Quartet, with Cyrus Chestnut and Victor Jones; Keyon Harrold; Cameron Graves; Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos; Isaiah Sharkey; Nellie McKay; New Orleans Suspects with Tribal Gold & Erica Falls; Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute to Tony Monaco; Jazz Organ Foundation Celebrates Dr. Lonnie Smith; and so many others!

12 Stages of Live Music @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022
San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 honors the vibrancy of the jazz art form with marquee performances by lauded artists as well as influential trendsetters pushing the genre into new territories within today's popular music. An array of new stages are announced today with the much-anticipated return of the wildly popular Latin Tropical Stage, Jazz Beyond Stage, Silicon Valley Stage, Tech Interactive Stage, Next Gen Stage, and Swing Stage.

Latin jazz remains a pillar of San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 with Latin and salsa music lovers traveling to downtown San Jose from the far stretches of the West Coast for a chance to dance to many of today's most distinguished acts. From artists such as Telmary & Friends, Silvana Estrada, Omar Sosa and his Quarteto Americanos project, and Alex Cuba, San Jose Jazz is proud to present seven additional Latin and salsa acts set to appear on the free community Latin Tropical Stage. San Jose Jazz Latin Music Coordinator and Latin Tropical Stage curator Betto Arcos is an expert on Latin American and global music renowned for his reporting on NPR, PRI "The World," and the BBC. For San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022, Arcos has selected the finest Latin artists: Son Habana, Clave Dura, Sabor de mi Cuba, Orquesta Taino, Mario y su Timbeko, Orquesta Latin Heat, and Orquesta Borinquen. Artist bios are listed below.

The Swing Stage kicks off with Lemon Bucket Orkestra, an act composed of many Ukrainian artists whose work draws emotional weight from the band’s personal experiences with the Russian invasion of Ukraine set within the context of the dozen-strong ensemble's party-punk roots and attitude in a wristband-only set open to those with All Stages tickets and above. On Saturday and Sunday, the Swing Stage is a free, community stage featuring Silicon Valley's most active big bands including SOJ Band, The Serenaders, Synchronicity, Top Shelf, Footnotes Big Band, Navy Band Southwest, Full Spectrum Jazz Band, Los Gatos-Saratoga Band, Swing Solution, and the Ames Jazz Band.

The SJMA Next Gen Stage showcases the top youth ensembles across California at the San Jose Museum of Art. Acts include Michael Webster Quartet, Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble, Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Band, Latin Youth Jazz Ensemble of San Francisco, SJZ High School All Stars, and The Flannels.

Additional stages, with artists to be announced are the Jazz Beyond Stage, co-curated by longtime Fest collaborator Universal Grammar and featuring artists pushing the boundaries of jazz, soul and hip-hop on the former Gordon Biersch Restaurant Patio; the Tech Interactive Stage on Saturday only, with educational activities focused on music and tech; and the Silicon Valley Stage, which returns to its old "Club Regent" space in the newly-opened Signia by Hilton San Jose, Summer Fest 2022's Official Hotel Partner.

In the mood for a Staycation? Signia by Hilton San Jose (LINK) has a front-row view of the festival located on Plaza de César Chavez Park. Signia by Hilton is a new brand offering a premier full-service hotel option to travelers at the heart of all the action. Come for the richness of jazz music and stay for standout culinary experiences and its outdoor rooftop pool. San Jose Jazz partners with Signia by Hilton San Jose, as well as Team San Jose and hotels adjacent to the festival grounds to feature sets by live jazz bands in lobbies across downtown from August 12 - 14.

"We are thrilled to once again welcome San Jose Jazz Summer Fest just steps from our front door. For three decades this property has brought together locals and visitors alike through its support of the community's cultural events and offering a respite to gather and celebrate," said Jimmy Sarfraz, general manager of Signia by Hilton San Jose. "Our partnership with San Jose Jazz is a great kickoff to reestablishing our commitment to the local arts community and we look forward to welcoming attendees during Summer Fest for an intermission to enjoy our completely reimagined lobby area and new AJI Bar & Robata."

For exclusive hotel deals close to the festival grounds, please check out these great rates at Signia by Hilton San Jose, AC Hotel by Marriott, DoubleTree by Hilton, Four Points by Sheraton, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hotel Clariana, Hotel De Anza, Hyatt Place, San Jose Marriott, and Westin. Book your reservations now at this LINK.

Inflation Beating Ticket Prices!
San Jose Jazz offers one of the most affordable ticket prices out of the major SF Bay Area music festivals. For a $30 ticket for Friday night, audiences can see all the Fest’s biggest acts. For an extra $15, they have access to the Montgomery Theater Stage, SJZ Break Room, Swing Stage at Tabard Theatre, and Silicon Valley Stage at the Club Regent at Signia by Hilton San Jose. For $85, fans can see an incredible lineup of all Main Stage artists across all three days of the Fest, as well as artists performing on Blues/Big Easy Stage at the South end of Plaza de César Chavez Park. Beer & wine are competitively priced, and for an overnight stay, the Marriot Hotel has rooms for just $143/night.

Three-day advance festival passes and single tickets are now on sale at summerfest.sanjosejazz.org. Prices rise on August 1.

Wed, 07/27/2022 - 1:48 pm

Silicon Valley's premier annual music event, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 returns for its 32nd festival season from Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14 in and around Plaza de César Chavez Park in downtown San Jose, Calif. Renowned as one of North America's foremost music events with its dynamic multi-day programming, San Jose Jazz presents a riveting artist lineup for one of the summer's major SF Bay Area outdoor music festivals. SJZ Summer Fest 2022 features nearly 100 acts across 12 stages with acclaimed artists performing an eclectic mix of genres from jazz, funk, R&B, Latin, soul, hip-hop, blues, swing, zydeco, and global music. This year's Jazz Beyond Stage puts the spotlight on artists redefining the contemporary jazz genre in forms that future generations will carry forward to collectively embrace the timeless tradition of jazz. Co-curated by Tommy Aguilar of buzzy production house Universal Grammar, the Jazz Beyond Stage ignites with three days (Friday, Aug. 12 - Sunday, Aug. 14) of leading-edge programming for festival regulars and younger music fans at The Continental Bar.

San Jose Jazz's dedication to jazz beyond artists is representative of the premier non-profit's work as a global trendsetter. Over the past decade, San Jose Jazz and Universal Grammar have teamed up to present more than 50 artists working at the intersection of jazz, soul, and hip-hop. From past festival legends such as Robert Glasper, Thundercat, Jose James, Gilles Peterson, and Kamasi Washington, to San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022, music fans are always treated to an incredible lineup of artists pushing the edges of jazz.

Jazz Beyond Stage -- Artist Highlights:
Founder of tastemaker Stones Throw Records, Peanut Butter Wolf returns to his hometown of San Jose for a not-to-be-missed festival pre-party as he headlines "Wax Wednesday" at Camino Brewing on August 10. Acclaimed for his staggering record collection, themed vinyl sets, and his unique VJ sets, Peanut Butter Wolf’s show is a special homecoming for one of San Jose's most talked about artists.

Natasha Diggs is celebrated as one of the top DJs in the world. Her reputation hit A-List star status when she was designated the "The 45 Queen" by way of her signature all 7" vinyl sets at downtown NYC parties including her weekly "Mobile Monday's." Ms. Diggs has collaborated with hip-hip and reggae royalty. She has toured with GRAMMY Award-winning singer Lauryn Hill; DJ'ed for Damian Marley's inaugural "Welcome to Jamrock" Cruise; hosted a NYC residency with Q-Tip at Output Club; and has shared the stage with Erykah Badu, Bruno Mars, Maxwell, and Questlove, among others. Ms. Diggs is a trusted vibe-setter for the likes of Pharrell, Spike Lee, Jay-Z, and the hottest brands (Adidas, Samsung, Grey Goose) calling on her to get the party started right at their events.

Brooklyn, NY-based Melanie Charles is among a few artists whose sound captures the sentiments of a generation. In 2021, she appeared on NPR's "Tiny Desk" stunning listeners with her dynamic performances intermixing jazz, soul, and R&B. Charles quickly made a name for herself with notable fans such as Wynton Marsalis, SZA, Mach-Hommy, Gorillaz, and The Roots. Make Jazz Trill Again, a project Charles launched in 2016, demonstrates her allegiance to everyday people, especially today's youth while she is determined to take jazz from museums to the streets. The album, Y'all Don't (Really) Care About Black Women, is reflective of Charles' tremendous versatility and imagination as an artist, but of also her deep care for community.

Dynamic duo producer ESTA Featuring Mack Keane tours in support of their debut collaborative EP, Intersections, now available on Soulection Records (Release Date: April 6, 2022). Temecula-bred producer ESTA is among the moving forces in the Los Angeles beat scene. He initially gained attention for his remixes of '90s R&B records. ESTA is among the founders of Soulection, an independent radio show on Apple Music 1, as well as an indie music label, festival, world-touring concert, and clothing line.

R&B singer Mack Keane is gaining a national following for his silky neo-soul and R&B-infused pop music. Keane first hit the national scene with his 2016 single "Model Behavior" before defining an intimate style with a trilogy of EPs: 2019's Donna Ave and Aquanetta Dr, and 2020's Dry Creek Rd. In 2022, he began collaborating with ESTA on the EP, Intersections, which has garnered highlights from VIBE, UPROXX, Rated R&B, and others.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 presents three days of dynamic programming bringing live music roaring back to downtown San Jose. In addition to the Jazz Beyond Stage, lauded headliners across 12 stages include Charlie Wilson; Ledisi; Leela James; Lee Fields; Durand Jones & The Indications; Stanley Clarke; Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Raul Midón and Alex Cuba; Telmary & Friends; Judith Hill; Javon Jackson's "Charlie Parker at 100," Ft. Gary Bartz, Charles McPherson & Donald Harrison; The Brubeck Brothers; Bobby Watson & Curtis Lundy Quartet with Cyrus Chestnut and Victor Jones; Keyon Harrold; Isaiah Sharkey; and so much more!

To view the full artist line-up for San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022, please visit: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org.

New Attractions @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022:
Culture Night Market (CNM) brings an exciting array of local artists, craft vendors, musicians, and entrepreneurs to South First Street (@ San Carlos Street) for a special two-day marketplace (Aug. 13 & 14). Now going strong for two years, Culture Night Market grew out of a need for creatives (who worked out of the local arts organization Local Color) to have a reliable and sustainable location to sell their works while celebrating the diverse cultures that represent downtown San Jose. During SJZ Summer Fest 2022, CNM will also host a dedicated music stage for local artists including Saturday performers Barley Funktional, Los Eastsiders, Peace & Rhythm Orchestra, and Kamiko & The Good Things. On Sunday, live entertainment will include Nicole Chambers & Marcus Rodriguez, lan Santillano, Lemo Live, EYA, Thatfool Al Trio, Sutro, and Philythy Drones, playing in between sets at the nearby Latin Tropical Stage.

Exclusively on Saturday, August 13, The Tech Interactive Stage presents for the first time throughout SJZ Summer Fest new educational and interactive activities focused on music and tech. "Summer Fest is an incredible tradition for Downtown San José, and we're all very excited to be featured as a stage for this year's event," said Katrina Stevens, president and CEO of The Tech Interactive. "Music, technology and education are natural partners."

Beginning at 10am and narrated by Morgan Freeman, the visually-stunning film, America's Musical Journey, is screened on the largest IMAX dome screen in the West inside The Tech Interactive. America's Musical Journey is a cross-country adventure through the musical heritage of America and the cultural cities where America's music was born. At 11am & 1pm, get hands-on with music creation with Marcos Zambrano (Music Coordinator, SJZ's Progressions School-Based Education Program). Zambrano performs violin with the Tech's interactive Reactable exhibit, and speaks about his experience with the Music Technology Group in Barcelona.

At noon, hear stories behind some of Summer Fest's most enduring shots with Fest photographer Robert Birnbach in conversation with KCSM radio host Greg Bridges. At 3pm, Cuban rapper and urban music artist Telmary Díaz shares her personal and musical story with music critic, reporter, and author Betto Arcos, before she hits the Sobrato Organization Main Stage. At 4pm, Juan Moreno & Junior Guzmán of Clave Dura speak on their musical experience with Betto Arcos, before their performance on the Latin Tropical Stage. The 12pm - 4pm programming takes place at The Tech Interactive's New Venture Hall.

Wanna party into the wee hours of the night? San Jose Jazz has you covered with their Friday and Saturday nights SJZ Club Crawl. Hotels, restaurants and bars within walking distances will host great live music all over downtown from mid-evening until midnight with no cover charges. Mama Kin (the former Café Stritch at 374 South First Street, San Jose) presents Darryl Anders/AgapeSoul (Fri., 9pm-12:30am), PHILTHYDRONEZ (Sat., 8pm - 2am), and Sazon Libre (Sun. 3pm - 7pm).

SJZ Summer Fest's official hotel partner, the newly opened Signia by Hilton San Jose brings live shows during the Fest to their Club Regent as well as the Club Crawl. During the day, the PG&E Silicon Valley Stage electrifies the Club Regent with singular local talents: Brian Andres Quartet with Sandra Aaran, Jazz Mafia Featuring Adam Theis, Aaron Germain Chance Quartet, The Howard Wiley Show, Jeff Denson Quartet Featuring Paul McCandless, Ray Obiedo and Latin Jazz Project Featuring Peter Michael Escovedo, Kenya Moses' Bossa E Bossa, Tim Lin Quartet Featuring Billy Drummond, and others. Club Crawl shows at Club Regent will be announced soon on summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/lineup/club-crawl.

The United Lowrider Council of San Jose will showcase classic cars and lowriders at the South end of Plaza de Cesar Chavez during SJZ Summer Fest 2022. From 1940's Bombs to late 1950's and early 1960's Chevy Impalas, the fully restored cars will be on display for concertgoers to enjoy on Friday night only; the perfect accompaniment to the old-school soul of Lee Fields and new-school sound of Duran Jones & The Indications.

In the mood for a Staycation? Signia by Hilton San Jose (LINK) has a front-row view of the festival located on Plaza de César Chavez Park. Signia by Hilton San Jose, Summer Fest's Official Hotel Partner, offers a premier full-service hotel option to travelers at the heart of all the action. Come for the richness of jazz music and stay for standout culinary experiences and its outdoor rooftop pool. San Jose Jazz partners with Signia by Hilton San Jose, as well as Team San Jose and hotels adjacent to the festival grounds to feature sets by live jazz bands in lobbies across downtown from August 12 - 14.

ACT NOW! Exclusive hotel deals close to the festival grounds are still available but are selling fast. Check out these great rates at Signia by Hilton San Jose, AC Hotel by Marriott, DoubleTree by Hilton, Four Points by Sheraton, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hotel Clariana, Hotel De Anza, Hyatt Place, San Jose Marriott, and Westin. Book your reservations now at this LINK.

Inflation Beating Ticket Prices!
San Jose Jazz offers one of the most affordable ticket prices out of the major SF Bay Area music festivals. For a $30 ticket for Friday night, audiences can see all the Fest's biggest acts. For an extra $15, they have access to the Jay Paul Company Montgomery Theater Stage, UA Local 393 Break Room Stage, Tabard Theatre Swing Stage at Tabard Theatre, and PG&E Silicon Valley Stage at the Club Regent at Signia by Hilton San Jose. For $85, fans can see an incredible lineup of all Sobrato Organization Main Stage artists across all three days of the Fest, as well as artists performing on Blues/Big Easy Stage at the South end of Plaza de César Chavez Park. Beer & wine are competitively priced, and for an overnight stay, the Marriot Hotel has rooms for just $143/night.

Three-day advance festival passes and single tickets are now on sale at summerfest.sanjosejazz.org. Prices rise on August 1.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022 -- General Information
Arts and cultural programmers are the heartbeat of renewal and restoration efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic. San Jose Jazz remains a leading Bay Area institution upholding downtown San Jose as an exciting hub for arts and entertainment while adhering to all Santa Clara County COVID-19 protocols for large events.

Returning sponsors for the SJZ Summer Fest 2022 include The Sobrato Organization, Jay Paul Company, AARP, Adobe, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, UA Local 393, CEFCU, Heritage Bank, Google, Gordon Biersch, and Urban Catalyst. New sponsors include Signia by Hilton San Jose, PG&E, Casino M8trix, Schnitzer Steel, Boston Properties, and Ayaba Wines. Media partners DownBeat Magazine, Metro and KCSM Jazz 91.

32nd Annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2022
When: August 12 - 14, 2022
Where: Plaza de César Chavez Park, San Jose, CA
Admission: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/buy-now
More info: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org; 408.288.7557

Artist Lineup (Friday, August 12 - Sunday, August 14)
Ledisi; Charlie Wilson; Leela James; Lee Fields; Durand Jones & The Indications; Stanley Clarke; Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Raul Midón; Judith Hill; Javon Jackson's Charlie Parker at 100, Ft. Gary Bartz, Charles McPherson & Donald Harrison; Keyon Harrold; Cameron Graves; Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos; Isaiah Sharkey; Peanut Butter Wolf; Natasha Diggs; Nellie McKay; The Brubeck Brothers; Telmary & Friends; Bobby Watson & Curtis Lundy Quartet, with Cyrus Chestnut and Victor Jones; New Orleans Suspects with Erica Falls; LMR Jazz Orchestra Featuring Tierney Sutton; Tribute to Clifford Coulter; Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute to Tony Monaco; Jazz Organ Foundation Celebrates Dr. Lonnie Smith; Melanie Charles; Urban Renewal Project; Mosaic America Presents Rightstarter; Kim Nalley Quartet; Nicole Henry; ESTA Featuring Mack Keane; Kid Anderson; Peter Bernstein/Bruce Forman Duo; Adrien Brandeis; JC Smith Band; Diunna Greenleaf; Aki Kumar; Memphissippi Sounds; 7th Street Big Band; Lemon Bucket Orkestra; Tribal Gold; Silvana Estrada; Erica Falls; Joel Ross; Takuya Kuroda Quintet; ADG7; Chris Cain; Alabama Mike & The Mighty Revelators; Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble; Marina Crouse Band Featuring Garth Webber; Joel Ross; Caroline Chung & Citizens Jazz; Lionmilk Quartet; Mikailo Kasha's Double Trio; Danie; Amy D; Son Habana; Clave Dura; Sabor de mi Cuba; Orquesta Taino; Mario y su Timbeko; Orquesta Latin Heat; Orquesta Borinquen; Michael Webster Quartet; Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble; Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Band; Latin Youth Jazz Ensemble of San Francisco; SJZ High School All Stars U19s; The Flannels; Cheflee; Oddity; SOJ Band; The Serenaders; Synchronicity; Top Shelf; Footnotes Big Band; Navy Band Southwest; Full Spectrum Jazz Band; Los Gatos-Saratoga Band; Swing Solution; and more!

Wed, 07/27/2022 - 5:24 pm

Chef Presents and Earthdance Global announce an unprecedented U.S. global music event Word.Sound.Power to Celebrate Soundsystem Culture with an epic block party in Northeast Minneapolis at 56 Brewing (3055 NE Columbia Avenue) on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Akin to Jamaican soundsystem events of the 1950s, Word.Sound.Power unites the Minneapolis community with a one-day urban festival for essential cultural healing. Five separate soundsystems will fill the streets with an array of Jamaica's biggest stars sharing the stage with premier U.S. hip-hop artists and DJs from noon to 10pm. Tickets can be purchased at theticketing.co.

Word.Sound.Power presents a collective of international artists spanning generations, genres, and geographical borders. Seminal headlining artists include Black Uhuru vocalist Mykal Rose, master turntablist Cut Chemist, Jurassic 5 emcee Chali 2Na, dancehall sensation Turbulence, reggae legend Johnny Osbourne, jungle pioneer DJ Soul Slinger and innovators such as Up Bustle & Out and Kush Arora, plus local Minneapolis mainstays Prince Jabba and Truth Maze, among many others. Dub originator and King Tubby protégé, The Scientist, will perform live and serve as the acting sound engineer for Word.Sound.Power.

Scott Stanley Moore, presenter of Word.Sound.Power, says, "Soundsystem culture has always been about community, bringing people together in the middle of town and having a big dance party. After the last few years in Minneapolis with COVID-19, the civil unrest, and the polarization of our country, we all need to heal together through the power of music and dance."

Originating out of the ska music of mid-20th century Jamaica, soundsystem culture evolved into Hip-Hop in the Bronx, Electronic Dance Music in the U.K., and traveled all across the globe. Word is sound and sound is power is the Rastafarian proverb that inspired Patrick Scott Stanley Moore to produce an essential event for the Minneapolis community, Word.Sound.Power.

Headliner Highlights @ Word.Sound.Power:

Mykal Rose + Subatomic Soundsystem:
Veteran superstar Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru is set to propel his iconic vocal style into the future in a new collaboration with NYC's Subatomic Sound System, set to headline Word.Sound.Power on August 13 in Minneapolis. While heavy on bass and drums for the new millennium, they will also preserve the roots and foundation of reggae with horns and percussion as exemplified in Subatomic's decade long tenure as a hybrid live and electronic band backing dub reggae pioneer Lee "Scratch" Perry. Winner of the first ever reggae GRAMMY Award back in 1985, Mykal Rose's style has resonated across generations of reggae. Mykal's latest single "The Weed," a collaboration with Vybz Kartel, debuted in February 2022 at #1 in Jamaica.

Chali 2na & Cut Chemist:
Inseparable for 35 years, legendary hip-hop emcee Chali 2na and master turntablist Cut Chemist feature a special blend of hip-hop gold. It all started in 1987 when they formed their first group UNITY Committee, and in 1994, they combined forces with local rap group Rebels Of Rhythm to form Jurassic 5. With J5 in full swing, Chali and Cut became founding members of the fusion Latin group Ozomatli in 1995. Since then, the two hip-hop heavyweights also found time to pursue solo projects.

Cut Chemist went on to do remixes and features for such acts as DJ Shadow, Less Than Jake and Blackalicious. Chali collaborated with Roots Manuva, Lyrics Born, Slightly Stoopid, Galactic, and others. Separately, they've landed deals with Interscope and Warner Brothers. Since 2019, the two have presented special collaborative performances that spotlights their musical lives together.

Turbulence:
Discovered by Philip "Fatis" Burrell, Turbulence (aka Sheldon Campbell) blends hip-hop, R&B, and deft DJ skills to great effect which has distinguished himself on the reggae scene. Raised in Jamaica's Mannings Hill Road section, Turbulence released his debut single, "Keep It Going," in 1997 on the Sky Hi label before coming to the attention of Burrell, who then included his song "Word Wid It" on the 1999 Xterminator compilation, The Herbalist. Turbulence's self-titled, full-length debut followed in early 2000.

Fast forward to 2022, now with several critically-acclaimed albums and singles, Turbulence celebrates life with his latest album, The Remedy. His empowering voice touches upon a variety of topics such as change, love, and hope. The album released by Neva Stop Booking under exclusive license to Ineffable Records features 12 stellar songs as a follow up his 2020 album, Jah Jah.

The Scientist + Johnny Osborn & Junior Dread
A truly outstanding practitioner who thrives on innovation, Scientist helped dub reach some of its greatest heights as one of Jamaica's most sought-after engineers. Scientist rose up in tandem with the Roots Radics in the late 70s and early 80s. With his singular work as an apprentice engineer at King Tubby's Dromilly Road studio and work with seminal labels/studios Greensleeves, Channel One and Tuff Gong, many dub fans consider Scientist to be the last of the classical Jamaican dub mixers.

Over a decades-long career, Johnny Osbourne moved from soulful reggae to a massive dancehall catalog. His warm voice filled with conviction and yearning, he's one of the Jamaica's best, especially on standards like "Ice Cream Love," "Water Pumping," and countless rub-a-dub singles.

Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Carlos Almeida Jr. "aka" Junior Dread, represents the new generation of conscious reggae music. His music brings the positive message of love and "overstanding" to the world. He has toured worldwide spreading the "Word Sound Power" culture.

For additional biographical information for artists appearing at Word.Sound.Power, please visit: @wordsoundpowerfestival

The Full Lineup for the Word.Sound.Power Festival Includes:

*Mykal Rose + Subatomic Soundsystem (Jamaica)
*CHALI 2NA & Cut Chemist (US)
*Turbulence (Jamaica)
*The Scientist (Jamaica) + Johnny Osborn (Jamaica) & Junior Dread (Brazil)
*DJ SOUL SLINGER (NYC, US)
*Up Bustle & Out (Bristol)
*Joe Nice (MD, US)
*DJ Madd (MI, US)
*Lost City (LA, US)
*Surya Dub with Maneesh the Twister & Kush Arora (SF, US)
*EDICA+ (TX, US)
*Tribe Steppaz (London)
*Distinct Motive (Canada)
*Reggae Rajahs featuring Diggy Dang & General Zooz
*Green Lion Crew (ME, US)
*Sgt. Remo (Mexico)
*McPullish (TX, US)
*Kelly Dean (LA, US)
*Red Peak Sound (CO, US)
*Prince Jabba & The Hi Grade (MPLS, US)
*Prizefighters (MPLS, US)
*Necromancer (MPLS, US)
*Jen Symmetry & Nick Merchant, B2B (MPLS, US)
*Nick Twist (MPLS, US)
*Ray Azucar (Uruguay / US)
*Truth Maze (MPLS, US)
*Moonlit Mushroom (MPLS, US)
*Arion Lee (MPLS, US)
*MC Hyde (MPLS, US)
*DJ I Roach (MPLS, US)
*Bhump Takeover - Verum, Wndow, Eylxr, Blighten, Hith (US)
*Culminate Takeover - Buxaplenty, Kandor, MORTL (US)
*Head Inna Bin Takeover - Batty Tesla, Beargod, Jeeves, & Lazyrobot (US)
*Low & High Takeover - mixedmind, Badman, Trip B, aиtithesis (MPLS, US)

Sound Provided By:
*Champion Sound (MPLS, US)
*Dem Deya sound System (Denver, US)
*Head Inna Bin (MPLS, US)
*Headway hiFi (Madison, US)
*Pomegranate Sounds (Denver, US)

Additional details about the Word.Sound.Power festival are available on Facebook and Instagram.

Mon, 09/12/2022 - 4:46 pm

Alphabet Rockers have captured the attention of families and the music industry with their authentic voices for change since the influential group's first GRAMMY Award nomination in 2018. Alphabet Rockers raises the bar - and ante up for big moves - with their fifth album, The Movement (Release Date: September 9, 2022), featuring the children of Alphabet Rockers as songwriters, lead vocalists and the compelling voices of our times. Building on their mission to produce music that creates change, Alphabet Rockers crafted 13 new songs with a clear message - we have the power in our community to build a world of justice and belonging. Alphabet Rockers will tour The Movement in selection markets across the country, including an appearance at Austin City Limits in October 2022.

When the world shut down in March 2020, the Rockers were coming off their second GRAMMY-nomination for "Best Children's Album," and persisted with their intergenerational anti-racism work online through free community workshops, curriculum (We Got Work To Do), and virtual creative sessions with their core group of youth artists. The seminal work caught the eye of CBS Mornings who ran two national features on the significant positive impact the Alphabet Rockers had on children during these challenging times. The COVID-19 global pandemic was a racial reckoning across all industries, including children’s music and the GRAMMYs; Alphabet Rockers worked to transform family music by centering Black voices into the conversation and dismantling racial bias within the industry as co-founders of Family Music Forward. 1 Tribe Collective, a Black artist collective, emerged from this work and recorded the album All One Tribe, bringing Alphabet Rockers their 3rd GRAMMY nomination.

Alphabet Rockers utilize important questions to drive its creative process, including how to create justice in a country facing its racist truths – this led the group to an artist fellowship at the Othering & Belonging Institute at U.C. Berkeley supporting their early development of The Movement. The collective of children and adults asked questions, as simply as "when do you feel powerful, and when do you feel powerless?" and as complex as the tween writers asking, "how can people see that someone has changed?" and "how can the government use its resources to support the people, not just its systems?" The songs that came from this creative process on The Movement are bops -- with a depth that serves their intended audience - children wanting for everyone to be treated fairly and feel loved.

The Movement opens with an invitation to "connect the head and heart" as "when people connect -- that's how we find unity." The songwriters reflect on real moments from their lives, and lean on the conversations and interviews they conducted with restorative justice practitioners from Oakland and leaders like Angela Y. Davis. As writer Maya Fleming says in her song, "Our Turn": "I've got a voice and I'm using it /And its way past time that you're hearing it /You can find a lot when you listen up." The voices of Alphabet Rockers are the balm for the reckoning of 2020. The Movement helps the whole family to understand their power, break biases, disrupt systems of oppression, and find community care. And "When it's all said and done - the word is LOVE."

The Movement will be released on all platforms on Friday, September 9.

Tue, 09/27/2022 - 4:22 pm

One of Venezuela's musical treasures, Latin GRAMMY Award-winner and GRAMMY Award-nominated cuatro virtuoso Jorge Glem and American accordionist/pianist/composer Sam Reider intertwine folk music traditions of their respective countries on their debut duo studio album, Brooklyn-Cumaná (Guataca Foundation, Release Date: November 4, 2022). Brooklyn-Cumaná features acclaimed special guests including saxophone/clarinet legend Paquito D'Rivera, GRAMMY-nominated Latinx vocalist Gaby Moreno, and members of the lauded Americana band Human Hands, including saxophonist Eddie Barbash (Jon Batiste, Cory Wong), violinist Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings, Live From Here), and mandolinist Dominick Leslie (Molly Tuttle). The album release event for Brooklyn-Cumaná will be at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center in New York City on Weds., Nov. 9, 2022.

Unlike any other Venezuelan and American cultural collaborations, Glem and Reider beautifully capture a truly New York story on Brooklyn-Cumaná. Traversing between their apartments in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and the South Bronx on the 2/3 or 4/5 subway trains, intricate rhythmic languages are the centripetal force at play between two artists who can only communicate through brilliant musical forms as instrumentalists. Hailing from Cumaná, the capital city of Venezuela's Sucre State, Glem speaks Spanish while Reider only speaks English. Knowledge of the other’s native languages are limited, though their vivacious curiosities to discover Venezuelan and American folk music and how they are interconnected loom large.

"Rhythm is the common ground that connects us," says Sam Reider. "We've learned how to communicate across linguistic barriers ever since we met in 2016 at a party on the Upper West Side while bottles of rum and maracas were passed around. From the day Jorge moved to New York City and he brought his cuatro to that dinner party, we've shared this music together in our homes and we're very excited for the world to finally hear our compositions."

Jorge Glem adds, "Similar to how it was essential for me to showcase and make music from the eastern part of Venezuela, Sam has been doing the same with his band Human Hands for American roots music, and his jazz projects. Sam appreciates how music has no perimeters. We are all from this Earth and there should be no boundaries between countries, just the earth that connects us."

Brooklyn-Cumaná opens with legendary old-time folk musician John Hartford's tune, "Homer the Roamer," which has an Irish sensibility. To perform the song on accordion and cuatro, Reider admits, "it's an act of hilariously complex cultural layering." A second half of the piece "Sabana Blanca" reflects Spain's musical heritage in Venezuela. With its swift tempo and heartfelt harmony, the piece is an improvisational masterpiece.

Originally written for Human Hands, "Del Boca Vista" is a take on a Brazilian choro, partly inspired by the music of singer-songwriter Joao Bosco. Brazilian percussionist Fernando Saci gives it an upbeat groove with layered instrumentation by Barbash, Hargreaves, and Leslie. "Malagueña Cumanesa" featuring singer Gaby Moreno carries a sense of nostalgia with musical influences originating in the south of Spain en route to Venezuela. Glem wrote the piece upon arriving in NYC and longing for his home of Cumaná.

"Amarilis" is a wonderful traditional waltz composed by Daniel Maíz, a composer/mandolinist from the state of Sucre that became one of the first songs Glem introduced to Reider. Composed by José Julian Villafranca -- a great maestro and cultivator of arts and culture from Cumanoacoa (where Glem's father was born), "Matapalo y Fuga" is a fast joropo featuring just cuatro, accordion, and Glem on vocals as they play their hearts out to a city Glem spent much of his childhood.

Reider wrote a lullaby for his dog "Huckleberry's Dream" with the complex rhythmic techniques employed in traditional Venezuelan folk music. Another joropo, they effortlessly go back and forth between 3/4 and 6/8 time-signatures. On "Skeleton Rag," the pace quickens with elements of ragtime, choro, and Klezmer. Paquito D'Rivera plays a smokin' solo atop the fierce comping of chords.

Channeling the parallels of Baroque music and traditional folk music of Latin America, "Ciaconna Caribe" finds throughlines of the Spanish colonial period between the lute, guitar and cuatro. With common chord progressions, joropo is undeniably related to flamenco and/or Baroque forms. "Coroticos" is a Venezuelan merengue in 5/8 and was composed by Glem for his niece and nephew who he lovingly calls "coroticos" (meaning "my little things").

Also, among the first songs they played together, "Crucigrama" was initially introduced to Reider and the Human Hands and they sped things up with a fast waltz feel. "Moonlight Merengue" closes out Brooklyn-Cumaná with a swaying 5/8 rhythm. Reider admits, "Often when I'm struggling to figure out a rhythm, writing a composition using that specific technique is the best way to understand it. I wrote this slow Merengue, using a simple 5-note motif." The only song on Brooklyn-Cumaná with Reider on piano, he channels the great Cuban legend Rubén Gonzáles.

Glem and Reider release Brooklyn-Cumaná in November 2022 following milestones for their respective careers. Glem just performed with renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic on July 28, 2022. Glem performed a premiere Solo Concerto for Cuatro entitled "Odisea" (composed by Venezuelan composer Gonzalo Grau for the Los Angeles Philharmonic), which received a standing ovation. Glem also just performed in Jon Batiste's much-anticipated "American Symphony" Concert at Carnegie Hall on September 22, 2022.

Reider released in July 2022 his first record of solo piano music, Petrichor. The title refers to the smell of the earth after a first rain and the eight original compositions on Petrichor form a musical reflection on Reider's recent homecoming to San Francisco after 10 years in New York City. Petrichor has received critical praise, and is described by Associated Press reviewer Steven Wine as "delightfully distinctive" and by the San Francisco Chronicle as "Destined to spark your creativity, imagination and wanderlust for the natural world."

For additional detailed information, please visit: samreidermusic.com/brooklyn-cumana

Mon, 10/03/2022 - 6:02 pm

A remarkable journey through Afro Latin music and the 400-year-old regional folk music son jarocho of Veracruz, Mexico, Fandango at the Wall in New York (TigerTurn, Release Date: September 29, 2022) is the next chapter for multi-GRAMMY Award-winning composer, pianist, bandleader, educator, and activist Arturo O'Farrill and his mission to unite people through the power of profoundly moving compositions. O'Farrill's latest cross-cultural collaboration, Fandango at the Wall in New York, brings his award-winning 18-piece big band the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra together with special guests The Conga Patria Son Jarocho Collective featuring artists Patricio Hidalgo, Ramón Gutiérrez Hernández, Tacho Utrera, Wendy Cao Romero, Fernando Guadarrama, and Jorge Francisco Castillo (Founder, Fandango Fronterizo). Villalobos Brothers also perform on Fandango at the Wall in New York.

Fandango at the Wall in New York is the next installment of a rich multimedia project that encompasses the critically-acclaimed 2018 album, Fandango at the Wall: A Soundtrack for the United States, Mexico, and Beyond (Resilience, 2018); a book Fandango at the Wall: Creating Harmony Between the United States and Mexico (Grand Central, 2018); and a documentary film, Fandango at the Wall (HBO, 2020; Televisa, 2021). The Fandango at the Wall project has performed riveting live shows on the U.S./Mexico border as part of the Fandango Fronterizo Festival (2018) as well as concert halls across the country, including most recently to a New York City crowd of more than 5,000 people at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 1 (July 2022) -- see The New Yorker's advance "Night Life" Concert Preview (LINK). Fandango at the Wall in New York was recorded partly live in New York.

"Fandango at the Wall In New York is especially important now, when so many things are going wrong and such horrible violence is wreaking havoc on our nation," says Arturo O'Farrill. "It's more important than ever to state that borders don't exist -- they're manmade. I wanted to bring the Fandango at the Wall project full circle for me. It was born in Mexico with the son jaracho tradition, just as I was born in Mexico City. As a New Yorker for the greater part of my life, I wanted to capture the spirit of New York both live and in the studio and celebrate diversity in all the wonderful ways that New Yorkers know how to do. We collectively celebrate humanity, togetherness, and peace through the music of son jarocho."

As the founder of the non-profit Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, O'Farrill has dedicated his life to not only crossing artificial borders but to erasing them in his wake. With his latest project, Fandango at the Wall In New York, O'Farrill has created a stunningly ambitious work that showcases the rich fruits that can grow from common ground. Fandango at the Wall In New York brings together brilliant voices from a variety of cultural and musical traditions to tear down a variety of walls that isolate us -- physical, musical, or cultural. Fandango at the Wall In New York is an intensely joyous celebration that exults in the universal language of music.

A bestselling author, investment banker, and military veteran, Kabir Sehgal is Executive Producer of Fandango at the Wall In New York and appears alongside O'Farrill in the spectacular film, Fandango at the Wall (HBO Max).

"Fandango at the Wall is ultimately a project of convergence," Sehgal writes. "I hope that as you listen to this music, you'll hear the possibilities of what the relationship between the United States and Mexico can become. And that we as artists and activists continue to create the world in which we want to live."

For more information, please visit: fandangowall.com.

About Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
GRAMMY Award-winning pianist, composer, and educator Arturo O'Farrill -- leader of the "first family of Afro-Cuban Jazz" (New York Times) -- was born in Mexico and grew up in New York City. Son of the late, great composer Chico O'Farrill, Arturo played piano in Carla Bley's Big Band from 1979 through 1983 and earned a reputation as a soloist in groups led by Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Bowie, Wynton Marsalis, and Harry Belafonte. In 2002, he established the GRAMMY Award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) to bring the vital musical traditions of Afro Latin jazz to a wider general audience, and to greatly expand the contemporary Latin jazz big band repertoire through commissions to artists across a wide stylistic and geographic range. In March 2021, O'Farrill and the ALJO won their 7th GRAMMY for Four Questions, with Cornel West as guest orator. In September 2018, O'Farrill released his album, Fandango at the Wall: A Soundtrack for the United States, Mexico, and Beyond, which was also released as a documentary for HBO MAX. In 2019, O'Farrill was appointed Professor at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in the Global Jazz Studies department and is currently the Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. O'Farrill's debut recording with Blue Note Records ...dreaming in lions... is nominated for a 2022 GRAMMY Award in the "Best Instrumental Composition" category, and his album, Virtual Birdland (ZOHO), is nominated for "Best Latin Jazz Album." O'Farrill is a Steinway Artist and records for Blue Note Records.

Afro Latin Jazz Alliance
The non-profit Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) was established by Arturo O'Farrill in 2007 to promote Afro Latin Jazz through a comprehensive array of performance and education programs. ALJA's mission is to perform, educate about, and preserve the music of all of the Americas, emanating from African and indigenous roots, through the entry point of jazz. ALJA embraces its mission with a commitment to social justice, equity, inclusion, and the equality of all cultures worldwide. ALJA produces the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra's annual performance season in New York, and maintains a weekly engagement for the Orchestra at the famed jazz club Birdland. The Alliance also maintains a world-class collection of Latin jazz musical scores and recordings. ALJA's education programs include the Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music (ALJAM), an in-school residency program serving public schools citywide with instrumental and ensemble instruction, the pre-professional youth orchestra; the Fat Afro Latin Jazz Cats, which prepares the next generation of musicians, and the Global Rhythms in Our Tribe (G.R.I.O.T.); a community music program that engages underserved youth in anti-violence activities. The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance maintains administrative offices in Harlem.

Sat, 10/29/2022 - 11:00 am

One of Venezuela's musical treasures, Latin GRAMMY Award-winner and GRAMMY Award-nominated cuatro virtuoso Jorge Glem and American accordionist/pianist/composer Sam Reider intertwine folk music traditions of their respective countries on their debut duo studio album, Brooklyn-Cumaná (Guataca Foundation, Release Date: November 4, 2022). Brooklyn-Cumaná features acclaimed special guests including saxophone/clarinet legend Paquito D'Rivera, GRAMMY-nominated Latinx vocalist Gaby Moreno, and members of the lauded Americana band Human Hands, including saxophonist Eddie Barbash (Jon Batiste, Cory Wong), violinist Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings, Live From Here), and mandolinist Dominick Leslie (Molly Tuttle). The album release event for Brooklyn-Cumaná will be at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center in New York City on Weds., Nov. 9, 2022.

Unlike any other Venezuelan and American cultural collaborations, Glem and Reider beautifully capture a truly New York story on Brooklyn-Cumaná. Traversing between their apartments in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and the South Bronx on the 2/3 or 4/5 subway trains, intricate rhythmic languages are the centripetal force at play between two artists who can only communicate through brilliant musical forms as instrumentalists. Hailing from Cumaná, the capital city of Venezuela's Sucre State, Glem speaks Spanish while Reider only speaks English. Knowledge of the other’s native languages are limited, though their vivacious curiosities to discover Venezuelan and American folk music and how they are interconnected loom large.

"Rhythm is the common ground that connects us," says Sam Reider. "We've learned how to communicate across linguistic barriers ever since we met in 2016 at a party on the Upper West Side while bottles of rum and maracas were passed around. From the day Jorge moved to New York City and he brought his cuatro to that dinner party, we've shared this music together in our homes and we're very excited for the world to finally hear our compositions."

Jorge Glem adds, "Similar to how it was essential for me to showcase and make music from the eastern part of Venezuela, Sam has been doing the same with his band Human Hands for American roots music, and his jazz projects. Sam appreciates how music has no perimeters. We are all from this Earth and there should be no boundaries between countries, just the earth that connects us."

Brooklyn-Cumaná opens with legendary old-time folk musician John Hartford's tune, "Homer the Roamer," which has an Irish sensibility. To perform the song on accordion and cuatro, Reider admits, "it's an act of hilariously complex cultural layering." A second half of the piece "Sabana Blanca" reflects Spain's musical heritage in Venezuela. With its swift tempo and heartfelt harmony, the piece is an improvisational masterpiece.

Originally written for Human Hands, "Del Boca Vista" is a take on a Brazilian choro, partly inspired by the music of singer-songwriter Joao Bosco. Brazilian percussionist Fernando Saci gives it an upbeat groove with layered instrumentation by Barbash, Hargreaves, and Leslie. "Malagueña Cumanesa" featuring singer Gaby Moreno carries a sense of nostalgia with musical influences originating in the south of Spain en route to Venezuela. Glem wrote the piece upon arriving in NYC and longing for his home of Cumaná.

"Amarilis" is a wonderful traditional waltz composed by Daniel Maíz, a composer/mandolinist from the state of Sucre that became one of the first songs Glem introduced to Reider. Composed by José Julian Villafranca -- a great maestro and cultivator of arts and culture from Cumanoacoa (where Glem's father was born), "Matapalo y Fuga" is a fast joropo featuring just cuatro, accordion, and Glem on vocals as they play their hearts out to a city Glem spent much of his childhood.

Reider wrote a lullaby for his dog "Huckleberry's Dream" with the complex rhythmic techniques employed in traditional Venezuelan folk music. Another joropo, they effortlessly go back and forth between 3/4 and 6/8 time-signatures. On "Skeleton Rag," the pace quickens with elements of ragtime, choro, and Klezmer. Paquito D'Rivera plays a smokin' solo atop the fierce comping of chords.

Channeling the parallels of Baroque music and traditional folk music of Latin America, "Ciaconna Caribe" finds throughlines of the Spanish colonial period between the lute, guitar and cuatro. With common chord progressions, joropo is undeniably related to flamenco and/or Baroque forms. "Coroticos" is a Venezuelan merengue in 5/8 and was composed by Glem for his niece and nephew who he lovingly calls "coroticos" (meaning "my little things").

Also, among the first songs they played together, "Crucigrama" was initially introduced to Reider and the Human Hands and they sped things up with a fast waltz feel. "Moonlight Merengue" closes out Brooklyn-Cumaná with a swaying 5/8 rhythm. Reider admits, "Often when I'm struggling to figure out a rhythm, writing a composition using that specific technique is the best way to understand it. I wrote this slow Merengue, using a simple 5-note motif." The only song on Brooklyn-Cumaná with Reider on piano, he channels the great Cuban legend Rubén Gonzáles.

Glem and Reider release Brooklyn-Cumaná in November 2022 following milestones for their respective careers. Glem just performed with renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic on July 28, 2022. Glem performed a premiere Solo Concerto for Cuatro entitled "Odisea" (composed by Venezuelan composer Gonzalo Grau for the Los Angeles Philharmonic), which received a standing ovation. Glem will perform in Jon Batiste's much-anticipated "American Symphony" Concert at Carnegie Hall on September 22, 2022.

Reider released in July 2022 his first record of solo piano music, Petrichor. The title refers to the smell of the earth after a first rain and the eight original compositions on Petrichor form a musical reflection on Reider's recent homecoming to San Francisco after 10 years in New York City. Petrichor has received critical praise, and is described by Associated Press reviewer Steven Wine as "delightfully distinctive" and by the San Francisco Chronicle as "Destined to spark your creativity, imagination and wanderlust for the natural world."

For additional detailed information, please visit: samreidermusic.com/brooklyn-cumana

Tue, 11/15/2022 - 2:23 pm

Gut3 Productions announces legendary folk music icon Arlo Guthrie's much-anticipated return to the stage with a new series, Arlo Guthrie - What's Left Of Me - A Conversation With Bob Santelli, following three years of retirement from the road. What's Left Of Me debuts at The Schubert Theater in Boston on April 1, 2023 and will be presented at The Egg (Albany, NY: April 21), The Pollak Theatre @ Monmouth University (West Long Branch, NJ: April 28), and The Spruce Peak PAC (Stowe, VT: May 27). The four-part series What's Left Of Me unveils never-heard-before stories and wildly entertaining tales from one of America's most beloved storytellers: Arlo Guthrie.

As the oldest son of Woody Guthrie and Marjorie Guthrie, Arlo made his first appearance onstage at age 13 and built a renowned career touring North American for six decades. In October 2020, Guthrie announced his retirement from the road amid the onslaught of the Coronavirus pandemic. Two years later, he's had enough of retirement and launched a new company Gut3 Productions with his wife Marti Ladd (see The New York Times story) to present the new "In Conversation with Arlo Guthrie" four-part series. Ladd is the Director of Set Design for the series and has created a beautifully intimate setting with a backdrop of Arlo's heroes and mentors hanging within a living room environment.

What's Left Of Me features Arlo in conversation with Bob Santelli (Executive Director, GRAMMY Museum) and includes rarely seen video footage along with an audience Q&A. Unscripted, unrehearsed, and under no illusions but his own, Arlo Guthrie returns to venerable venues as a man who has seen it all, and lived to tell the story after 60 years on the road.

For more detailed information regarding What's Left Of Me and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.gut3.me

Fri, 12/02/2022 - 11:49 am

Record producer and electric bassist Dan Horne returns to his Lone Palm a.k.a. Liberty Hair Farm studio in Echo Park, Los Angeles for his debut full-length studio album, Count The Clouds, due out in April 2023; he released his solo debut EP, The Motorcycle Song, in November 2020. Recorded in 2020 - 2021 before his touring schedule kicked back into high gear with Circles Around the Sun and Grateful Shred, Horne is ready to unveil his latest musings as a solo artist to great effect. A flashback to mid-1960s psychedelic folk, multi-instrumentalist Horne is a tone-master vibin' out on all the guitars, drums, pedal steel, and keys on Count The Clouds. Tracks feature special guest artists such as singer Ny Oh from Harry Styles' band (on the track "Pieces"), among others.

A first taste of Count The Clouds is "Hedgehog's Song," a whimsical Horne cover of the hit British folk act Incredible String Band from their lauded album, The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion. Horne enlists keyboardist Frank LoCrasto for "Hedgehog's Song," a player known for collaborations with Fruit Bats, Greg Osby, and Pat Martino. The track eases into a companion dreamscape piece with epic solos and Horne's thick bass lines driving an epic jam on the original composition, "Hedgehog's Dream." Fans will be stoked to know this is just a sample of what's to come as Horne releases a series of singles leading up to the full album drop in April 2023; the double singles are released today, Friday, December 2, 2022.

Horne is gaining recognition on the Echo Park scene as a producer at Lone Palm a.k.a. Liberty Hair Farm working with artists Mapache, Cass McCombs, Chapin Sisters, Pacific Range, Allah-Las, and others. On the national live music circuit, he's a founding member of Circles Around the Sun, the Dead tribute band Grateful Shred (who's selling out venues all across the country), and a key player with bandleaders Jonathan Wilson, Ben Kweller, Beachwood Sparks, and Conor Oberst.

For more information regarding Dan Horne and the Lone Palm a.k.a. Liberty Hair Farm studio, please visit: danhorne.net and lonepalmstudio.com. Dan Horne will tour as a solo act in spring 2023.

Thu, 12/15/2022 - 2:18 pm

Gut3 Productions announces legendary folk music icon Arlo Guthrie's much-anticipated return to the stage with a new series, Arlo Guthrie - What's Left Of Me - A Conversation With Bob Santelli, following three years of retirement from the road. What's Left Of Me debuts at The Schubert Theater in Boston on April 1, 2023 and will be presented at The Egg (Albany, NY: April 21), The Pollak Theatre @ Monmouth University (West Long Branch, NJ: April 28), and The Spruce Peak PAC (Stowe, VT: May 27). The four-part series What's Left Of Me unveils never-heard-before stories and wildly entertaining tales from one of America's most beloved storytellers: Arlo Guthrie.

As the oldest son of Woody Guthrie and Marjorie Guthrie, Arlo made his first appearance onstage at age 13 and built a renowned career touring North American for six decades. In October 2020, Guthrie announced his retirement from the road amid the onslaught of the Coronavirus pandemic. Two years later, he's had enough of retirement and launched a new company Gut3 Productions with his wife Marti Ladd (see The New York Times story) to present the new "In Conversation with Arlo Guthrie" four-part series. Ladd is the Director of Set Design for the series and has created a beautifully intimate setting with a backdrop of Arlo's heroes and mentors hanging within a living room environment.

What's Left Of Me features Arlo in conversation with Bob Santelli (Executive Director, GRAMMY Museum) and includes rarely seen video footage along with an audience Q&A. Unscripted, unrehearsed, and under no illusions but his own, Arlo Guthrie returns to venerable venues as a man who has seen it all, and lived to tell the story after 60 years on the road.

For more detailed information regarding What's Left Of Me and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.gut3.me

Thu, 01/19/2023 - 2:39 pm

Northern California's renowned non-profit arts institution San Jose Jazz announces today its 2023 WINTER FEST, February 16 - March 3, co-curated by Am I Jazz? Festival, the leading-edge jazz programmer in Kyiv, Ukraine, presented in downtown San Jose, Calif. For this initiative, COUNTERPOINT WITH UKRAINE, San Jose Jazz and Olga Bekenshtein (Founder, Am I Jazz? Festival) celebrate the rich Ukrainian culture that the Russian war on Ukraine seeks to eliminate with an arts festival unlike any other ever presented before. To mark the devastating one-year milestone of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine (February 24, 2023), the co-curators program for the first-time a true cross-cultural collaboration between Ukraine-based artists performing alongside many of today's lauded American jazz artists for a multi-media festival shining the light on the best of improvisational music, Ukrainian fine art, independent films, and dance. COUNTERPOINT WITH UKRAINE exposes the intimate stories of Ukrainian artists fighting to keep their cultural identity intact for generations to come while the Russian war in Ukraine seeks to erase their past 300 years of existence.

SAN JOSE JAZZ WINTER FEST: COUNTERPOINT WITH UKRAINE explores our interconnected pasts and interdependent future as we collectively share in the humanity and well-being of all people. Through the power of the arts, the more than two-week SJZ WINTER FEST unveils the incredible artistry of musicians currently living in war-time Ukraine including Borys Mohylevskyi (saxophonist), Dennis Adu (trumpeter), and Yakiv Tsvietinskyi (trumpeter), as well as Ukrainian artists Alina Sokulska (dancer), Igor Osypov (guitarist), Olesya Zdorovetska (vocalist), DJs Karine and Shakolin, and U.S.-based Vadim Neselovsky (pianist). The American artists performing include Jazzmeia Horn with the Marcus Shelby Orchestra, Ambrose Akinmusire & Rafiq Bhatia, Madison McFerrin, GEORGE Featuring a solo by Dancer Alina Sokulska, the SJZ High School All-Stars playing arrangements of John Hollenbeck, Kassa Overall, Orrin Evans, Marcus Shelby Orchestra, Mark Guiliana, Vân-Ánh Võ, and the SJZ Collective.

Commissioned projects set for premiere at COUNTERPOINT WITH UKRAINE include feature artists Ambrose Akinmusire & Rafiq Bhatia, Vân-Ánh Võ & Olesya Zdorovetska, Igor Osypov, SJZ High School All-Stars playing arrangements of John Hollenbeck, and SJZ Collective & Yakiv Tsvietinskyi Play the Music of Roy Hargrove.

Initial Artist Lineup:
Jazzmeia Horn with the Marcus Shelby Orchestra, Ambrose Akinmusire & Rafiq Bhatia, Madison McFerrin, GEORGE Featuring Dancer Alina Sokulska, SJZ High School All Stars Play John Hollenbeck, Kassa Overall, Orrin Evans, Marcus Shelby Orchestra, Vadim Neselovskyi: Odesa, Dennis Adu Quintet, Mark Guiliana, Vân-Ánh Võ & Olesya Zdorovetska, SJZ Collective & Yakiv Tsvietinskyi Play the Music of Roy Hargrove, Karine (DJ Set), Shakolin (DJ Set), and More!

Sun, 01/29/2023 - 12:45 pm

Superstars of Malian music with an illustrious career spanning more than 40 years, Amadou & Mariam headline venerable U.S. venues such as Miner Auditorium @ SF JAZZ, Le Poisson Rouge (NYC), 9:30 Club (Wash. DC), and others from March 14 - 25, 2023. The prolific blind African duo will tour in support of their new live album, Eclipse (Because Music, Release Date: December 9, 2022), which marks the 10th Anniversary of their legendary concert performed completely in the dark (for musicians and audiences alike) at the Manchester International Festival (2012). For a full list of forthcoming Amadou & Mariam tour dates, please see below and visit: amadou-mariam.com.

Amadou & Mariam are beloved West African music ambassadors who break through musical and cultural barriers while inspiring millions of fans along the way. 2021/2022 was an ambitious two years for two of Africa's most revered artists. While the duo has been working in the studio on their much-anticipated ninth full-length album (due out in autumn 2023), Amadou & Mariam toured with gospel royalty The Blind Boys of Alabama and cut two dance crossover singles. Mainstays on dance floors around the world, their collaboration with Sofi Tukker on the track and music video for "Mon Cheri" (from Red Hot + Free, July 2021) now has over 1 million views on YouTube. A deep house remix of "Sete" (March 2022) by Blond:ish and Haitian producer Francis Mercier revisits one of the earliest hits from Amadou & Mariam's acclaimed recording catalog (view music video on YouTube) -- "Sete" ranked #8 on Billboard's "Best Dance Songs of 2022."

Following eight critically-acclaimed studio albums, including the gold and platinum certified Dimanche à Bamako (Sunday in Bamako) produced by Manu Chao and the GRAMMY Award-nominated, Welcome to Mali featuring Damon Albarn and Sabali, Amadou & Mariam released Eclipse to bring their fans into a fully immersive experience unlike any other. During the taped concert at Manchester International Festival (2012), the crowd settled in and the lights went dark allowing listeners to hear and feel the music similar to Amadou & Mariam. Aromas and sounds filled the air to create an elevated sensory journey into their incredible life story. The English version of Eclipse is narrated by actor Isaach de Bankolé (Casino Royale, Black Panther I & II, Godfather of Harlem, and an array of films by Jim Jarmusch). To listen, please click HERE.

"There are always a lot of questions on how we live and how we feel about music," says Amadou & Mariam. "Eclipse is a way for us to be on an equal footing with the audience so that they can understand our lives. In the dark, we listen in a new way. Beyond our vision, we can imagine, we can pretend, we can take in the space around us through our hearing, and therefore, get a real sense of what's our experience. Maybe by not seeing, we can feel the music in a different way."

Amadou & Mariam preserve a legacy of being one of the most heartwarming stories of modern music -- a love affair that propelled two grandparents from Mali into topping charts across the globe and raising awareness of the challenges of living in one of the world's poorest countries. Amadou & Mariam have performed at the world's most lauded music festivals, from Coachella to Glastonbury; they've opened for U2, Coldplay, and the Scissor Sisters; recorded with Damon Albarn of Blur, Santigold, TV On The Radio, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs; and DJs/producers Jamie XX, Four Tet, and Mike Snow have all either remixed their songs or mixed Afro and electrico sounds based on their love of Amadou & Mariam's music.

There's not much that Amadou & Mariam haven't done in the music industry. Even with all of their career accolades though, one thing remains true: their love for one another and that of their craft will always be of the highest order on their mission to bring African music to the masses.

Amadou & Mariam's upcoming U.S. tour includes live performances by an award-winning quartet featuring many of their classic and latest hits, as well as songs from Eclipse.

Amadou & Mariam -- U.S. Tour Dates -- Spring 2023:

Tuesday, March 14 -- "Afro Roots Fest" @ Miami Beach Bandshell -- Miami, FL
Thursday, March 16 -- Sunday, March 19 -- Miner Auditorium @ SF JAZZ -- San Francisco, CA
Monday, March 20 -- Rio Theatre -- Santa Cruz, CA
Wednesday, March 22 -- 9:30 Club -- Washington, DC
Thursday, March 23 -- Bailey Hall -- Ithaca, NY
Friday, March 24 -- Bardavon 1869 Opera House -- Poughkeepsie, NY
Saturday, March 25 -- Le Poisson Rouge -- New York City

Wed, 02/01/2023 - 2:49 pm

Northern California's renowned non-profit arts institution San Jose Jazz presents its 2023 Winter Fest, February 16 - March 3, co-curated by Am I Jazz? Festival, the leading-edge jazz programmer in Kyiv, Ukraine, in downtown San Jose, Calif. San Jose Jazz and Olga Bekenshtein (Founder, Am I Jazz? Festival) celebrate the rich Ukrainian culture that the Russian war on Ukraine seeks to eliminate with arts programming unlike any other ever presented before. To mark the devastating one-year milestone of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine (February 24, 2023), the co-curators program for the first-time a cross-cultural collaboration between many of today's lauded American jazz artists and Ukraine-based artists for a multi-media festival shining the light on the best of improvisational music, fine art, independent films, and dance. San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2023 highlights the intimate stories of Ukrainian artists fighting to keep their cultural identity intact for generations to come.

San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2023 explores our interconnected pasts and interdependent future as we collectively share in the humanity and well-being of all people. The American artists performing include Jazzmeia Horn with the Marcus Shelby Orchestra, Ambrose Akinmusire & Rafiq Bhatia, Madison McFerrin, GEORGE Featuring a solo by Dancer Alina Sokulska, the SJZ High School All-Stars playing arrangements of John Hollenbeck, Kassa Overall, Orrin Evans, Marcus Shelby Orchestra, Mark Guiliana, Vân-Ánh Võ, and the SJZ Collective. Ukrainian artists include Borys Mohylevskyi (saxophonist), Dennis Adu (trumpeter), Yakiv Tsvietinskyi (trumpeter), Alina Sokulska (dancer), Igor Osypov (guitarist), Olesya Zdorovetska (vocalist), DJs Karine and Shakolin, and U.S.-based Vadim Neselovsky (pianist).

Commissioned projects set for premiere include feature artists Ambrose Akinmusire & Rafiq Bhatia, Vân-Ánh Võ & Olesya Zdorovetska, Igor Osypov, SJZ High School All-Stars playing arrangements of John Hollenbeck, and SJZ Collective & Yakiv Tsvietinskyi Play the Music of Roy Hargrove.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ARTISTS @ SAN JOSE JAZZ WINTER FEST 2023

A winner of both the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and the Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition, Jazzmeia Horn is one of the premiere vocal talents in modern jazz. Horn will perform big band arrangements from her debut big-band album, Dear Love, accompanied by the Marcus Shelby Orchestra at the Mayer Theatre (Santa Clara University) to open SJZ Winter Fest on Thursday, February 16, 2023 (7:30pm). The New York Times praises, "Horn is among the most exciting young vocalists in jazz, with a proud traditionalism that keeps her tightly linked to the sound of classic figures like Nancy Wilson and Betty Carter, but a vivacity of spirit and conviction that places her firmly in the present." Shelby is a renowned composer, bassist, bandleader, and educator who focuses on the history, present, and future of African American lives, social movements and music education. The Marcus Shelby Orchestra has released five albums - The Lights Suite, Port Chicago, Harriet Tubman, Soul of the Movement: Meditations on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Transitions.

Following its U.S. debut at Big Ears Festival 2022, renowned NYC drummer John Hollenbeck brings his project "GEORGE" to the Tabard Theatre at SJZ Winter Fest on Friday, February 24. "GEORGE" includes Hollenbeck alongside Anna Webber (tenor sax/flute), Aurora Nealand (voice/sax/keyboards), and Chiquita Magic (keyboards/voice). Prior to the Russian war in Ukraine, Olga Bekenshtein approached Hollenbeck to develop big band arrangements of Ukrainian folk music in Kyiv. The war prevented the actualization of the arrangements being presented in Ukraine, but Hollenbeck insisted on working on a few pieces, which will be among his works presented at SJZ WINTER FEST along with their standard repertoire for "GEORGE." The evening will include guitar work from Igor Osypov, guest vocals by Olesya Zdorovetska, trumpet by Yakiv Tvietinskyi, and a special appearance by dancer Alina Sokulska, who has created several solo pieces to his music.

Hollenbeck further worked directly with pianist Jeremy Darrow and guitarist Ryota Sato of the SJZ High School All Stars (SJZ HSAS). Over the course of several virtual sessions, Hollenbeck instructed the artists his Ukrainian folk music arrangements that will be performed by the SJZ HSAS as well as original student works, under the direction of conductor Oscar Pangilinan along with students in SJZ’s Progressions school-based youth music program to the open the February 24 concert.

Ambrose Akinmusire & Rafiq Bhatia perform an entirely improvised duo show of trumpet and guitar. The New York Times notes of Rafiq, "His transient approach, combined with his obsession of assiduously studying the past in order to break cleanly from it, makes him one of the most intriguing figures in music today." His latest release, Standards Vol. 1, transforms cornerstone works by Duke Ellington, Ornette Coleman and more into immersive, otherworldly realms of sound that are uniquely his own.

During his 15-year career, Ambrose Akinmusire has paradoxically situated himself in both the center and the periphery of jazz, most recently emerging in classical and hip hop circles. He's on a perpetual quest for new paradigms, masterfully weaving inspiration from other genres, arts, and life in general into compositions that are as poetic and graceful as they are bold and unflinching. His unorthodox approach to sound and composition make him a regular on critics' polls and have earned him earned him grants and commissions from the Doris Duke Foundation, the MAP Fund, the Kennedy Center, The Berlin Jazz Festival, and the Monterey Jazz Festival.

The New York Times states that Rafiq Bhatia "treats his guitar, synthesizers, drum machines, and electronic effects as architectural elements -- sound becomes contour; music becomes something to step into rather than merely follow." Since 2014, Rafiq has been a member of the post rock trio Son Lux; together, they have released several critically-acclaimed albums and given hundreds of performances internationally. Rafiq's 2020 EP, Standards Vol. 1 (Anti-), renders repertoire from the American songbook "completely deconstructed, infused with brand new textures and electronic effects, dreamlike and beautiful," says the BBC.

Throughout her independent career, spanning three EPs and multiple collaborations, Madison McFerrin has earned accolades from The New York Times, NPR, The FADER, and Pitchfork, who named her a Rising Artist in 2018. Her genre-bending work has led to Questlove dubbing her early sound "soul-appella." She has appeared Lincoln Center, Central Park SummerStage and in 2021, McFerrin co-curated programming for the BRIC Jazz Festival. Most recently, Madison has performed at the Saint Joseph's Art Society in San Francisco and Joe’s Pub in New York City to support fundraisers benefiting the National Network of Abortion Funds.

Following Madison McFerrin's solo performance at The Continental Bar on Thursday, March 2, Ukrainian DJs Karine and Shakolin will spin special sets on the back patio starting at 10:30pm. Karine is a rising star on the dance scene and is a resident DJ at Closer, the most celebrated nightclub in Eastern Europe. She doubles as the venue's booker, and locates talent for festivals such as Strichka and Brave! Factory in Kyiv. Shakolin is one of the most respected young DJs in Ukraine and also spins at Closer. Currently based in Berlin, he plays sets around the globe, from ReSolute parties in New York to Berlin’s Club Der Visionaere and underground spots in Seoul, South Korea.

Kassa Overall is a jazz musician, emcee, singer, producer and drummer, a product of New York City's jazz scene who melds avant-garde experimentation with hip-hop production techniques to tilt the nexus of jazz and hip-hop in unmapped directions. He's been working at the forefront of jazz for two decades, touring and recording as a sideman drummer with artists as varied as Geri Allen, Steve Coleman, Francis and the Lights, and Yoko Ono. His work as a producer can be heard on albums by Theo Croker (Escape Velocity), Arto Lindsay (Cuidado Madame), and Das Racist (Sit Down, Man). He's also featured as an emcee and DJ on drummer Terri Lyne Carrington's Social Science. At SJZ WINTER FEST, he brings his fiery quartet for some of the best future-jazz on the scene.

Hammer4 concludes its Black Cab Jazz series curated by San Jose Jazz on a high note with pianist Orrin Evans on February 22. Across 20 albums as bandleader, pianist Orrin Evans is a deft tune deconstructor, he traverses a broad timeline of the vocabularies of swinging, blues-infused hardcore jazz and spiritual jazz/avant-garde jazz traditions, as well as the Euro-canon, with the intuitive spontaneity of an ear player. Luques Curtis and drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr. -- who played on #knowingishalfthebattle and The Intangible Between -- are Evans' partners in his working trio.

Drummer, composer, and band leader Mark Guiliana is admired and in demand across the musical spectrum for his rhythmic sophistication, creative impulse and individual sound. JazzTimes raves "Guiliana, a technical master with a rare sense of musicality, has over the past decade become one of the most influential drummers of his generation." The acoustic Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet will be featured at SJZ WINTER FEST. Guiliana's unique soundprint led Modern Drummer to declare him "at the forefront of an exciting new style of drummer," while The New York Times pointed out how he has become "a drummer around whom a cult of admiration has formed."

Dennis Adu is one of the most in-demand trumpet players on the Ukrainian improvised scene. Adu's SJZ Winter Fest performance with his quartet will be his first in front of an American audience, and features saxophonist Borys Mohylevskyi, as well as bassist and composer Marcus Shelby. Borys Mohylevskyi is a classically trained violinist who turned to sax due to a love of jazz music. He is a prominent representative of the Kyiv music scene.

Vadim Neselovskyi creates music that is truly inspired, which explains why his work has been played by jazz greats like Randy Brecker, Antonio Sanchez, Julian Lage, and Gary Burton, as well as classical artists and symphony orchestras stateside and in Europe. His great musical breadth and deft touch will be showcased during an intimate solo performance of his 2022 album, Odesa. PBS NewsHour ran a feature on Neselovskyi to highlight the release of Odesa. PBS News Hour notes, "...we take a musical journey to Odesa, Ukraine's historic port city on the Black Sea. It is a personal vision of a Ukrainian-born pianist, Vadim Neselovskyi, who teaches at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. But it is also a deeper look at the city's past and present amid war."

Vân-Ánh Võ is a fearless musical explorer who takes her Vietnamese traditional 16-String dàn tranh (zither) to dazzling heights with a distinctly jazz sensibility along with vocalist Olesya Zdorovetska. As an international soloist and collaborator, Olesya works in the fields of improvised music, Afro-Caribbean, contemporary classical, traditional Ukrainian and Sephardic music, as well as theatre and film. She is the founder of the Ukrainian-Irish Cultural Platform and co-curator and producer of Phonica, a platform for new music and poetry in Dublin.

The SJZ Collective is the brainchild of drummer/composer Wally Schnalle, and his bandmates each contribute arrangements of compositions by jazz luminaries. In previous years they have reimagined the music of Monk, Mingus, Weather Report, and Chick Corea. For SJZ Winter Fest 2023, they collaborate with Lviv, Ukraine-based trumpeter Yakiv Tsvietinskyi to play the music of Roy Hargrove. After receiving a Fulbright grant to study at Western Michigan University, Yakiv returned to his hometown of Dnipro, Ukraine and reformed the jazz education program at the M. Glinka Academy of Music, released his latest record, Minimalist, debuted new music at the Am I Jazz? Festival, and was accepted into the Focusyear program led by Wolfgang Muthspiel in Basel, Switzerland. Despite the war, he teaches at music academies in Dnipro, Lviv, and Kyiv, and performs charity concerts.

Yakiv's project "Mykola" is dedicated to his cousin Mykola, who protected Ukraine in the war with Russia since 2014. He was killed in action on May 8, 2022. It's also dedicated "to all the soldiers who have given their lives for the freedom of Ukraine during all its history."

"I cannot express how grateful I am to have this opportunity to represent my country at San Jose Jazz Winter Fest," says Yakiv Tsvietinskyi. "Despite the horrific experience that Ukrainians are going through, we never felt so supported, and so connected with the whole world. For me, playing at the festival is an opportunity to spread the message about the value of freedom and to express gratitude to the people of the country that has played a key role in supporting Ukraine."

Fri, 02/03/2023 - 9:40 am

GRAMMY Award-winning music producer and lauded field-recording trailblazer Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Zomba Prison Project, Ustad Saami) continues his acclaimed recording career of over 50 releases with the first album ever made featuring the wisdom and voices of those over 100 years old. The Oldest Voice in the World (Azerbaijan) "Thank you for bringing me back to the sky" (Six Degrees Records, Release Date: April 7, 2023) takes Brennan and his wife, Italian-Rwandan filmmaker and photographer Marilena Umuhoza Delli to the remote villages of the "long-livers" just miles from the Iran border. 22 pieces comprise the album with five bonus tracks featuring artists that Brennan has collaborated with over his acclaimed career: The Kronos Quartet, Tinariwen, Malawi Mouse Boys, Yuka Honda, and The Good Ones (Rwanda).

The Conception of The Oldest Voice in the World (Azerbaijan) "Thank you for bringing me back to the sky" In late 2021, Brennan and Delli traveled to the southern mountains of Azerbaijan, where legend has it that the world's oldest man hailed from there -- having survived to age 168. Brennan and Delli made the ambitious excursion amid a coincidental deluge of social media trends going public on the best practices for "staying young." Visiting rural villages to capture the heart of the under-represented population of the oldest people on earth, the centenarians' stories eloquently came to life and serve as an anti-ageism antidote.

Upon their arrival in Azerbaijan, villagers had been ravaged by COVID-19 and most residents over 100 had sadly died in recent months, including the oldest known woman in the country. Traversing from village to village, they came to discover centenarian after centenarian living without indoor plumbing, sleeping on floor-bound mattresses, and what seemed to Brennan, that they were almost anticipating their arrival with such a warm reception by the Talysh people.

Brennan is renowned for scouring the far stretches of the globe to document singers in an uninhibited, authentic fashion. From recordings in regions such as Rwanda, Malawi, South Sudan, Karachi, Comoros, Palestine, Ukerewe Island, Cambodia, and Romania, this latest project brings him to a region where no outsiders ever wander. The villages were so remote, Brennan's Azerbaijani speaking companion from the city advised that the locals’ words were completely unintelligible. And even the Talysh speaker from the valley below could only make out less than 80% of what was being said in the remote mountain villages.

As they began meeting the centenarians, one theme was ever-present once they sang. Most would sing of their mother, and their secret to life was simple, "I was loved." Voices were recorded in their natural living environments. For instrumentation along with their voices, Brennan used the wood-burning furnace providing heat for the house, a walker, their own footsteps, a broken bedroom door, or the farm flour grinder.

"The texture of their singing was as if they had voices featuring distortion boxes built by time," says Ian Brennan. "While recording, I removed my headphones more than once thinking there was some malfunction in the machinery, only to realize that what I was hearing was the singer's pure tone. This project was a rare instance in music where the majority of people did not make the cut due to being too young -- a mere ninety or eighty-six failed to impress."

Brennan and Delli experienced raw emotion from the centenarians. A former shepherd was singing and became overcome and shakily stood up to leave the room after having sung a song that his mother used to sing. Brennan recalls, "We feared our visit had caused him unnecessary upset. But when he returned, he beamed, grabbed my hand and kissed it repeatedly, and said 'Thank you for bringing me back to the sky.'"

About Ian Brennan

Ian Brennan is a GRAMMY Award-winning music producer (Zomba Prison Project, Tinariwen) and author of six books. Since 1993 he has taught violence prevention for such prestigious organizations as the University of London, UC Berkeley, and the National Accademia of Science (Rome). His latest and seventh book is Muse-$ick: a music manifesto in fifty-nine notes [PM Press, 2021]. He has worked with artists as diverse as Fugazi, country legend Merle Haggard, Sleater-Kinney, and filmmaker John Waters. In the past decade, Brennan has produced 38 records by international artists from three continents (Africa, Europe, Asia), which have resulted in the first widely-released original music albums from many nations, among them Rwanda, Malawi, Romania, Comoros, South Sudan, and Vietnam. His work has been featured on the front-page of The New York Times, PBS television, and in an Emmy Award-winning segment of 60 Minutes with reporter Anderson Cooper.

The Oldest Voice in the World (Azerbaijan) "Thank you for bringing me back to the sky"
Six Degrees Records (April 7, 2023)

Track Listing:

1. My Life Is Good, It Is Like a Flower
2. Mother, Why Did You Leave Me So Soon?
3. Son, Don't Go There, the Road Is Dangerous
4. My Mother Lived to Be 110
5. Bulbul (Nightingale)
6. Mother, When Will You Come for Me?
7. The Young Men are Sent to Die in the Rich Man's Wars
8. After My Grandson's Death, I Can No Longer Play the Flute
9. You Are a Flower Yet To Grow
10. Shepherd Song
11. Memory
12. Desolation
13. The Secret to Life: I Worked Hard & Ate Butter
14. Lullaby
15. The Secret to Life: I Was Loved
16. Pepe, Pepe (Donkey Song)
17. Screaming from the Mountaintop for My Son to Return
18. Since My Son Has Died the Loss Has Been Too Much to Bear
19. There Was Very Little to Eat During the War
20. The Secret to Life: Eat Lots of Butter
21. My Life Is as Long as a Tree, Like a Stone in the River
22. Memories of My Mother
Bonus 1: Talysh Mountain Border, The Oldest Voice with Kronos Quartet
Bonus 2: Prayers Overheard, The Oldest Voice with Yuka Honda
Bonus 3: Ghosts, The Oldest Voice with Tinariwen
Bonus 4: A Lifetime Still, The Oldest Voice with The Good Ones (Rwanda)
Bonus 5: Not Goodbye, The Oldest Voice with Malawi Mouse Boys

Produced, engineered & mixed by Ian Brennan
All photos, video & executive producer: Marilena Umuhoza Delli
Mastered by John Golden
Recorded 100% live and without overdubs

Fri, 02/17/2023 - 12:29 pm

Record producer and electric bassist Dan Horne returns to his Lone Palm a.k.a. Liberty Hair Farm studio in Echo Park, Los Angeles for his debut full-length studio album, Count The Clouds, due out on April 7, 2023. Recorded in 2020 - 2021 before his touring schedule kicked back into high gear with Circles Around the Sun and Grateful Shred, Horne unveils Count The Clouds featuring eight original songs with the multi-instrumentalist vibin' out on all the guitars, drums, pedal steel, and keys. A flashback to mid-1960s psychedelic folk, Count The Clouds includes special guests Ny Oh from Harry Styles' band, Raze Regal (Once & Future Band), Adam MacDougall (Circles Around the Sun), Clay Finch (Mapache), and Frank LoCrasto (Kolombo).

Count The Clouds opens with "Leave The Light On," a floaty hook-laden song with a hopeful theme of leaving the light on even when your dreams are broken and you feel left behind. "Dontcha Know" was stuck in Horne's head for years before he finally laid it down in the studio. "I love how this single is at the top of the album," says Horne. "I don't think people who know my music will expect this kinda sound from me. At the core, the track is about moving on from relationships and not being bitter about it."

"Hedgehog's Song" is a whimsical Horne cover of the hit British folk act Incredible String Band from their lauded album, The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion. He enlists keyboardist Frank LoCrasto for "Hedgehog's Song," a player known for collaborations with Fruit Bats, Greg Osby, and Pat Martino. The track eases into a companion dreamscape piece with epic solos and Horne's thick bass lines driving an epic jam on "Hedgehog's Dream."

"Bicycle Rider" was written while riding his bike down by the LA river and through Elysian Park enroute to his studio. His daily bike rides have become "clear my head" rituals. Guitarist Raze Regal (Once & Future Band) and keyboardist Adam MacDougall (Circles Around the Sun) guest on the song. At the heart of "Pieces," Horne brings the ethos of "peace" back into people's consciousness with a synth-laden track featuring guest vocalist Ny Oh (Harry Styles). With all the modern talk about politics and the world's problems, Horne reflects on the biggest thing missing, "dialogue about peace and how central that was in the 1960s."

Originally written to be played by another band as the Dan Horne Band walks on stage and exits after their set, "Hair Farm Blues" is now a staple encore for their live shows and features guest guitarist Clay Finch (Mapache) on the track. "Ode to the Road" is a trip down memory lane from all the tours Horne's been on. The stories are all true as he reminisces about everyone he's met and hung out with along the way. Luke Clebsch guests on harmonica.

Dan Horne

Horne is gaining recognition on the Echo Park scene as a producer at Lone Palm a.k.a. Liberty Hair Farm (LINK) working with artists Mapache, Cass McCombs, Skiffle Players (Cass McCombs' supergroup), Chapin Sisters, Pacific Range, Allah-Las, and others. On the national live music circuit, he's a founding member of Circles Around the Sun, the Dead tribute band Grateful Shred (who's selling out venues all across the country), and a key player with bandleaders Jonathan Wilson, Ben Kweller, Beachwood Sparks, and Conor Oberst.

For more information regarding Dan Horne and the Lone Palm a.k.a. Liberty Hair Farm studio, please visit: danhorne.net and lonepalmstudio.com. Dan Horne will tour as a solo act in spring 2023.

Dan Horne Band -- U.S. Tour Dates
February 24 & 25 -- Charleston Pour House -- Charleston, SC
March 6 -- The Sultan Room -- Brooklyn, NY
April 21 -- Great American Music Hall -- San Francisco, CA
May 18 -- The Chapel -- San Francisco, CA

*Additional tour dates to be announced soon.

Tue, 02/21/2023 - 5:18 pm

Alphabet Rockers are GRAMMY Award winners at the Recording Academy's 2023 ceremony with their latest album, The Movement, winning the "Best Children's Music Album" category on Sunday, February 5, 2023 in Los Angeles, Calif. The four-time GRAMMY nominees have captured the attention of families and the music industry with their authentic voices for change across five award-winning albums. On The Movement, Alphabet Rockers raises the bar featuring the three youth artists (freshman at Oakland School for the Arts) as songwriters, lead vocalists and the compelling voices of our times. Alphabet Rockers crafted 13 new songs with a clear message - we have the power in our community to build a world of justice and belonging. The Recording Academy has responded with the ultimate sign of recognition for their change-making work with Alphabet Rockers winning their first GRAMMY Award. Alphabet Rocker's Maya Fleming and Kali de Jesus are among the youngest GRAMMY Winners (age 14), in line with Leanne Rimes and Walter Russell III (2023, Best Opera Recording). Tommy Shepherd III (age 15) marks the second time a parent and child have won the same GRAMMY Award, along with Blue Ivy and Beyonce in 2021.

"This feels like history in the making for Alphabet Rockers," says Kaitlin McGaw and Tommy Soulati Shepherd. "We've always made songs truly from our heart that reflect the ultimate truth of our community. This is a moment of history as future, and not history as repetition. We are building a new path for people to land at being better and doing better. There are many lanes, but we have created another one because we need a lot of ways to do the right thing as being good is actually such a hard thing to do."

Alphabet Rockers has been featured by CBS Mornings, who ran two national features on the significant positive impact the Alphabet Rockers had on children during the COVID-19 global pandemic. America faced a racial reckoning across all industries during the pandemic in 2020, including children's music and the GRAMMYs. Alphabet Rockers worked hard to transform family music by centering Black voices into the conversation and dismantling racial bias within the industry as co-founders of Family Music Forward. 1 Tribe Collective, a Black artist collective, emerged from this work and recorded the album, All One Tribe, bringing Alphabet Rockers their 3rd GRAMMY nomination before The Movement moved into the spotlight in 2023.

Alphabet Rockers utilize important questions to drive its creative process, including how to create justice in a country facing its racist truths -- this led the group to an artist fellowship at the Othering & Belonging Institute at U.C. Berkeley supporting their early development of The Movement. The collective of children and adults asked questions, as simply as "when do you feel powerful, and when do you feel powerless?" and as complex as the tween writers asking, "how can people see that someone has changed?" and "how can the government use its resources to support the people, not just its systems?" The songs that came from this creative process on The Movement are bops -- with a depth that serves their intended audience - children wanting for everyone to be treated fairly and feel loved. They write their music with joy at the center, extending a call to all ages to join the movement.

The Movement opens with an invitation to "connect the head and heart" as "when people connect -- that's how we find unity." The songwriters reflect on real moments from their lives, and lean on the conversations and interviews they conducted with restorative justice practitioners from Oakland and leaders like Angela Y. Davis. As writer Maya Fleming says in her song, "Our Turn": "I've got a voice and I'm using it /And its way past time that you're hearing it /You can find a lot when you listen up." The voices of Alphabet Rockers are the balm for the reckoning of 2020. The Movement helps the whole family to understand their power, break biases, disrupt systems of oppression, and find community care. And "When it's all said and done - the word is LOVE."

The Movement was released on Friday, September 9, 2022.

Fri, 02/24/2023 - 6:15 am

Legendary art-rock group The Residents officially announce FACELESS FOREVER, their 50th Anniversary Tour kicking off at the Wonder Ballroom (Portland, OR) on March 16 and hitting 22 cities before culminating in a three-night run at the Great American Music Hall (San Francisco, Calif.) from April 17 - 19, 2023. Gloriously celebrating their odd and improbable 50 years of existence, The Residents perform selections from their iconic 1978 DUCK STAB! album as well as spotlight music from the recent release METAL, MEAT & BONE along with an eclectic collection of fan favorites. Always unpredictable, The Residents unveil to live audiences nationwide their debut feature film, Triple Trouble, at every music venue on the FACELESS FOREVERtour. Triple Trouble will be screened at 8pm with the concert showtime at 9:30pm.

Following its New York theatrical premiere on March 7, Triple Trouble will stream on MoMA's (NYC) member-only Virtual Cinema platform March 9 through 23, 2023 (CLICK to become a member).

For detailed information regarding DUCK STAB!; METAL, MEAT & BONE; and Triple Trouble, please see below:

DUCK STAB!
Released in 1978, DUCK STAB! was an EP featuring seven songs sung clearly, with understandable (if nonsensical) lyrics -- a first for The Residents. The EP was a runaway success. Quickly selling out of the first pressing, The Cryptic Corporation soon did a second pressing. Unfortunately, the sound quality of the EP was poor because The Residents had tried to squeeze sixteen minutes of music onto the record. The band decided to re-release the songs in an album in order to improve the sound. They took a similar, unreleased EP called Buster & Glen and made it into side two of the new album. DUCK STAB! / Buster & Glen was released the following November, and was later renamed as simply DUCK STAB. The album was a big critical success thanks to the accessibility of the music and the clever, Lewis Carroll-flavored lyrics (not to mention Snakefinger's amazing guitar work).

To get a sneak peek into the DUCK STAB! live set, view The Residents' exclusive performance of DUCK STAB! ALIVE! directed by renowned video artist John Sanborn: https://vimeo.com/557609428/b6c4031145 (MEDIA USE ONLY, DO NOT POST). Rolling Stone reported on DUCK STAB! ALIVE! (LINK).

METAL, MEAT & BONE
The Residents released a new double disc recording, METAL, MEAT & BONE, based on newly discovered recordings of Alvin Snow (a.k.a. Dyin' Dog). METAL, MEAT & BONE features 10 Dyin' Dog Demos, 10 interpretations of the demos by The Residents, and six new works inspired by Dyin' Dog. Black Francis of the Pixies is featured on the track "DIE! DIE! DIE!". Rolling Stone premiered the music video for "DIE! DIE! DIE!", which can be viewed HERE.

For more information regarding Alvin Snow a.k.a. Dyin' Dog, please visit: youtube.com/watch?v=trE_SmrngbM&feature=youtu.be

Triple Trouble:
Written and directed by Homer Flynn and The Residents and produced by Starr Sutherland, Triple Trouble premiered at the Chicago Underground Film Festival 2022 and went on to appear at the 45th Mill Valley Film Festival as well as other renowned festivals. Triple Trouble takes place in the near future, following the death of Randy Rose, former lead singer of The Residents. His son Randy Juniordiscovers that his father's ashes have been stolen and listed for sale on eBay by a mysterious culprit. While investigating, Junior discovers the footage for the group's unfinished feature film, Vileness Fats, in a foot locker in his mother's basement. Vileness Fats was left uncompleted following its initial filming in the 1970s -- and never released due to its format on half inch "industrial" video tape. The Residents resurrect Vileness Fats with a rewritten screenplay for Triple Trouble and feature an all-star cast of independent actors including Dustin York, Gerri Lawlor, Isabelle Ellingson, and Isabelle Barbier.

Triple Trouble Synopsis:
A former priest who lost faith in the church, Randall "Junior" Rose has become a plumber and instead of the simple life he envisioned, Junior's new occupation reveals an unexpected danger: a foreign fungus plugging sinks all over the city. Convinced that the fungus is a threat to humanity, Junior records a series of reports detailing the emergence of the strange white growth. Accompanied by his only companion Cherry, an AI enhanced drone, the plumber slowly gathers evidence to support his bizarre theory: an epidemic of white vans, a repeated pattern of black and white sidewalk drawings, a pervasive communications tower, and a massive increase in stopped-up drains. He's further provoked by news of a "white flu" infiltrating the culture.

The death of his mother and a recent divorce have left Junior emotionally isolated, a victim of his own deeply rooted anxiety, but despite the cautions received from Cherry and Suzi, his ex-wife, his obsession continues to swell at an alarming rate. Encouraged by the ghost of his father, Junior spirals out of control while being plagued by a mysterious figure menacing the edges of his solitary world. Panic-stricken, the plumber retreats to his apartment and begins to drink.

Drunk and unhinged, Junior staggers around his apartment, neurotically craving the company of his dead mother. Desperate for a breath of fresh air, he opens his patio door just as an ominous figure bursts in. It's Al Gump, the former custodian of the crematory where Junior's father was incinerated. Five years earlier, Gump and his brother Ollie had kidnapped his ex-wife Suzi; in the ensuing aftermath, Junior's mom shot and killed Ollie and the raging Al is demanding revenge. But with the brute's fingers tightening around the hapless plumber's neck, Gump suddenly gurgles, snorts, and lurches around the room, falling to the floor with a massive thud as a foamy white substance ripples and oozes from his mouth.

Staring in amazement, Junior can utter but one word, "FUNGUS!."

About The Residents
The Residents (band, writers, artists; they/them) are an American art collective best known for creating avant-garde music and multimedia works. Since their first official release, Santa Dog (1972), the group has released over sixty albums, numerous music videos and short films, three CD-ROM projects, and ten DVDs. They have undertaken ten major tours and scored multiple films. Pioneers in exploring the potential of CD-ROM and similar technologies, the Residents have won several awards for their multimedia projects. Ralph Records, a record label focusing on avant-garde music, was started by the band. Throughout the group's existence, the individual members have ostensibly attempted to operate under anonymity, preferring instead to have attention focused on their art output. Much outside speculation and rumor has focused on this aspect of the group. In public, the group appears silent and costumed, often wearing eyeball helmets, top hats and tails -- a long-lasting costume now recognized as its signature iconography. Its albums generally fall into two categories: deconstructions of Western popular music, and complex conceptual pieces composed around a theme, theory, or plot. The group is noted for surrealistic lyrics and sound, disregard for conventional music composition, and the over-the-top theatrical spectacle of their live performances. In addition to their groundbreaking work in the areas of trance, world fusion, electronica, punk, industrial and lounge music, the group has also been credited with being among the originators of performance art and music video. Two of their videos are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art and their Freak Show CD- ROM has recently been featured in MoMA's "Looking at Music 3.0" exhibition. The Theory of Obscurity, a documentary about The Residents, premiered at SXSW in 2015.

In January, 2020, resurrecting their widely acclaimed 1988 album, God in 3 Persons, The Residents, in collaboration with noted video artist John Sanborn, created a major multimedia performance at the Museum of Modern Art. In addition, based on the newly discovered recordings of Alvin Snow, aka Dyin' Dog, the group completed their 49th studio album, METAL, MEAT & BONE. In August, 2021, featuring the music of Snow, The Residents performed select concerts revisiting The Third Reich 'n' Roll and Duck Stab, two quintessential Residents albums. In winter/spring 2023, The Residents embark on their FACELESS FOREVER 50th Anniversary Tour throughout Europe and North America. residents.com

The Residents -- FACELESS FOREVER -- 50th Anniversary Tour 2023

Thu. 03/16/23 -- Portland, OR -- Wonder Ballroom
Fri. 03/17/23 -- Seattle, WA -- Fremont Abbey Arts Center
Sat. 03/18/23 -- Vancouver, BC -- Hollywood Theatre
Mon. 03/20/23 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- Urban Lounge
Tue. 03/21/23 -- Denver, CO -- Bluebird Theater
Thu. 03/23/23 -- Minneapolis, MN -- The Cedar
Fri. 03/24/23 -- Chicago, IL -- Lincoln Hall
Sat. 03/25/23 -- Detroit, MI -- Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
Mon. 03/27/23 -- South Burlington -- Higher Ground
Tue. 03/28/23 -- Cambridge, MA -- The Sinclair
Thu. 03/30/23 -- New York, NY -- (Le) Poisson Rouge
Fri. 03/31/23 -- Philadelphia, PA -- The Foundry at the Fillmore
Sat. 04/01/23 -- Baltimore, MD -- Ottobar
Sun. 04/02/23 -- Carrboro, NC -- Cat's Cradle
Mon. 04/03/23 -- Atlanta, GA -- Variety Playhouse
Wed. 04/05/23 -- New Orleans, LA -- The Broadside
Fri. 04/07/23 -- Dallas, TX -- The Kessler
Sat. 04/08/23 -- Houston, TX -- The Heights Theater
Sun. 04/09/23 -- Austin, TX -- The Parish
Wed. 04/12/23 -- Tucson, AZ -- 191 Toole
Sat. 04/15/23 -- Santa Cruz, CA -- Rio Theatre
Mon. 04/17/23 -- San Francisco -- Great American Music Hall
Tue. 04/18/23 -- San Francisco -- Great American Music Hall
Wed. 04/19/23 -- San Francisco -- Great American Music Hall

Wed, 03/08/2023 - 2:08 pm

Superstars of Malian music with an illustrious career spanning more than 40 years, Amadou & Mariam headline venerable U.S. venues such as Miner Auditorium @ SF JAZZ, Le Poisson Rouge (NYC), 9:30 Club (Wash. DC), and others from March 14 - 25, 2023. The prolific blind African duo will tour in support of their new live album, Eclipse (Because Music, Release Date: December 9, 2022), which marks the 10th Anniversary of their legendary concert performed completely in the dark (for musicians and audiences alike) at the Manchester International Festival (2012). For a full list of forthcoming Amadou & Mariam tour dates, please see below and visit: amadou-mariam.com.

Amadou & Mariam are beloved West African music ambassadors who break through musical and cultural barriers while inspiring millions of fans along the way. 2021/2022 was an ambitious two years for two of Africa's most revered artists. While the duo has been working in the studio on their much-anticipated ninth full-length album (due out in autumn 2023), Amadou & Mariam toured with gospel royalty The Blind Boys of Alabama and cut two dance crossover singles. Mainstays on dance floors around the world, their collaboration with Sofi Tukker on the track and music video for "Mon Cheri" (from Red Hot + Free, July 2021) now has over 1 million views on YouTube. A deep house remix of "Sete" (March 2022) by Blond:ish and Haitian producer Francis Mercier revisits one of the earliest hits from Amadou & Mariam's acclaimed recording catalog (view music video on YouTube) -- "Sete" ranked #8 on Billboard's "Best Dance Songs of 2022."

Following eight critically-acclaimed studio albums, including the gold and platinum certified Dimanche à Bamako (Sunday in Bamako) produced by Manu Chao and the GRAMMY Award-nominated, Welcome to Mali featuring Damon Albarn and Sabali, Amadou & Mariam released Eclipse to bring their fans into a fully immersive experience unlike any other. During the taped concert at Manchester International Festival (2012), the crowd settled in and the lights went dark allowing listeners to hear and feel the music similar to Amadou & Mariam. Aromas and sounds filled the air to create an elevated sensory journey into their incredible life story. The English version of Eclipse is narrated by actor Isaach de Bankolé (Casino Royale, Black Panther I & II, Godfather of Harlem, and an array of films by Jim Jarmusch). To listen, please click HERE.

"There are always a lot of questions on how we live and how we feel about music," says Amadou & Mariam. "Eclipse is a way for us to be on an equal footing with the audience so that they can understand our lives. In the dark, we listen in a new way. Beyond our vision, we can imagine, we can pretend, we can take in the space around us through our hearing, and therefore, get a real sense of what's our experience. Maybe by not seeing, we can feel the music in a different way."

Amadou & Mariam preserve a legacy of being one of the most heartwarming stories of modern music -- a love affair that propelled two grandparents from Mali into topping charts across the globe and raising awareness of the challenges of living in one of the world's poorest countries. Amadou & Mariam have performed at the world's most lauded music festivals, from Coachella to Glastonbury; they've opened for U2, Coldplay, and the Scissor Sisters; recorded with Damon Albarn of Blur, Santigold, TV On The Radio, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs; and DJs/producers Jamie XX, Four Tet, and Mike Snow have all either remixed their songs or mixed Afro and electrico sounds based on their love of Amadou & Mariam's music.

There's not much that Amadou & Mariam haven't done in the music industry. Even with all of their career accolades though, one thing remains true: their love for one another and that of their craft will always be of the highest order on their mission to bring African music to the masses.

Amadou & Mariam's upcoming U.S. tour includes live performances by an award-winning quartet featuring many of their classic and latest hits, as well as songs from Eclipse.

Amadou & Mariam -- U.S. Tour Dates -- Spring 2023:

Tuesday, March 14 -- "Afro Roots Fest" @ Miami Beach Bandshell -- Miami, FL
Thursday, March 16 -- Sunday, March 19 -- Miner Auditorium @ SF JAZZ -- San Francisco, CA
Monday, March 20 -- Rio Theatre -- Santa Cruz, CA
Wednesday, March 22 -- 9:30 Club -- Washington, DC
Thursday, March 23 -- Bailey Hall -- Ithaca, NY
Friday, March 24 -- Bardavon 1869 Opera House -- Poughkeepsie, NY
Saturday, March 25 -- Le Poisson Rouge -- New York City

Mon, 03/20/2023 - 12:30 pm

Motéma Music, now celebrating its 20th year as one of the world's premier jazz/world labels, will release FlamenKora, a self-titled debut album from a new trio that unites West African Mande music with authentic Spanish flamenco guitar and American and Euro jazz trumpet to create a transglobal collaboration unlike any other. FlamenKora features German-born, New York-based trumpeter Volker Goetze, Senegalese born, Paris-based kora master and vocalist Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko, with the rising Madrid flamenco guitar sensation, Alejandro Moreno. Following a series of sold-out shows in Europe, FlamenKora will introduce their cross-genre global music to the masses with their Motéma release on Friday, June 9, 2023.

FlamenKora first took root during Pandemic lock-down times, when renowned trumpet player and composer Volker Goetze immersed himself in writing sessions while studying virtually with the esteemed Madrid flamenco maestro Enrique Vargas (Les Paul, Paco De Lucia). Goetze had met Alejandro Moreno at the Theatro Flamenco Madrid in 2018 and the two later performed together in Salzburg, Austria during the "Zwischenräume" Festival (2020). "Studying deeply with Vargas, flamenco became an obsession," Volker explains.

In 2021, Volker struck up a collaboration with Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko and they recorded together as a duo in Paris (that fine album is slated for release on Motéma in 2024). It was during those Paris sessions that the trumpeter first explored incorporating flamenco scales and phrasing derived from the Arabic maqam tradition into his sound. Delighting in how well the Mande and Flamenco traditions effortlessly and beautifully danced together, Volker invited Alejandro to join the duo for a residency at the Jazz & The City festival (Salzburg), where they played to sold-out houses with ovations, and the programmers of the Budapest Music Center discovered the ensemble and booked them for a concert the following year. As the magic of their collaboration was clear, the group found time to record FlamenKora in Cologne in March 2022.

Volker, who manages, produces and recorded the group, relates, "from touring the world for 12 years with kora master Ablaye Cissoko, recording our three duo albums and directing GRIOT (a film I produced about Ablaye's life), I discovered so many subtleties in Mande music which I recently realized also includes some of the deepest African roots of flamenco." He explains further that, "these music traditions have evolved separately for centuries until legendary artists Miles Davis, Paco De Lucia, and Chick Corea introduced the styles to American jazz. This debut is a very special moment for us as, through FlamenKora, we are having an opportunity to extend the work of these jazz masters. It’s the beginning of a grand new adventure."

Volker's decades-long investigation into Mande music via his film (GRIOT), his successful albums with Ablaye Cissoko (Sira, Amanki Dionti, Djalya), and via transposing West African Fulani Flute melodies to the trumpet along with his recent dive into flamenco, led him to look beyond the constructs of traditional music and develop a sound that's entirely new with FlamenKora. The group pays respect to the origins of the 16th century kora, while fueling it with the fiery passion of flamenco, and refining it with the sophistication of jazz. At its core, FlamenKora is a sound of love, relaxation, and spirituality that is pure joy for listeners' ears.

"FlamenKora opens up possibilities for future generations," says trio member Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko. "For Africa, Europe, the Americas...this is a new departure for the kora. Tradition remains, but we are free to explore and create." Guitarist Alejandro Moreno adds, "FlamenKora has an original character. Ali's voice and kora bring a strong energy charge while the warmth of the guitar and power of the trumpet create a great contrast that gracefully coalesces together." The album drops June 9 with singles "Wa Sant Yalla" out on April 14 and "Sadier" on May 12. Tour dates t.b.a. Find further band bio information below.

Volker Goetze
Artist, composer and trumpeter Volker Goetze is renowned for his work bringing folkloric cultures into the jazz idiom. Goetze has extensively toured and recorded with Senegalese Griot and kora master Ablaye Cissoko and directed a feature-length documentary GRIOT about the life of Cissoko. GRIOT received rave reviews from The Globe and Mail UK (“Stunningly Beautiful”) and African News ("A Must-See Film"). Volker's albums with Ablaye have garnered over 20 million streams worldwide and international acclaim with PRI "The World" naming Amanke Dionti "Best World Music Album (2012)." Volker also produced New York City's first Sound Sculpture Walk (Sonic Gates). For more info, please visit volkergoetze.com.

Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko
Paris-based Mande Griot Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko is said to have been born "with the kora in his hands." A native of Dakar, Senegal, he is a nephew of Soundioulou Cissokho "The King of the Kora." Ali Boulo Santo's magical playing and singing have attracted collaborations with luminaries such as Tony Allen, Omar Sosa, Piers Faccini, Trilok Gurtu, and many others. He co-composed the musical "Kirikou and Karaba" with Youssou N'dour, Angélique Kijo, and Tété. Ali Boulo Santo is acclaimed for combining Mandingo music with Senegalese and Western influences.

Alejandro Moreno
Born in Madrid, Alejandro Moreno is a disciple of flamenco maestro Enrique Vargas. Alejandro began his professional career at the age of 16 in the various flamenco tablaos, colmaos, concert halls, and theaters of the Madrid capital. He collaborates with artists including Marco Flores, Manuel Reyes, Karen Lugo, Mariana Collado, Hugo López, Luis Peña, and Pedro Córdoba. Alejandro is currently among the most influential tablaos in Madrid such as Villa Rosa, Casa Patas, Las Carboneras, Torres Bermejas, and Teatro Flamenco de Madrid.

Wed, 03/22/2023 - 12:29 pm

San Jose Jazz announces today the SJZ New Works Fest 2023 featuring World Premieres of commissioned works from six standout SF Bay Area artist grantees of the SJZ Jazz Aid Fund. In December 2022, San Jose Jazz provided a new round of funding in the form of $20,000 in individual grants ($1,000/artist) to 20 local musicians. The SJZ Jazz Aid Fund initiative helps to offset the tremendous financial hardships the SF Bay Area arts community has faced due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To celebrate local artistry at the highest level and the annual International Jazz Day (April 30), the SJZ New Works Fest 2023 takes center stage at San Joe Jazz's state-of-the-art downtown San Jose performance venue, The SJZ Break Room, from April 14 - 29, 2023.

SJZ New Works Fest 2023 spotlights the latest generation of exciting SF Bay Area jazz artists with a premier platform for their commissioned compositions over the course of two weeks of live concert programming on South 1st Street. In the heart of downtown San Jose, the SoFA District has thrived as an entertainment hub for two decades. The SoFA District has kept music alive and thriving as a pivotal locale for arts and culture at more than 20 nightclubs throughout the years with the SJZ Break Room being among its latest additions.

The SJZ New Works Fest 2023 lineup includes musicians residing in the far stretches of the SF Bay Area. The SJZ New Works Fest 2023 features live concerts by B. Deveaux, Destiny Muhammad, Frunkyman, Kira Hooks, Oddity, and Tony Peebles. General admission tickets are $10 for the live shows, and free live streams of each concert will be available on Facebook and YouTube.

SJZ Executive Director Brendan Rawson comments, "An extension of our SJZ Jazz Aid Fund, the SJZ New Works Fest offers the opportunity for San Jose Jazz to provide $1,000 grants as well as additional performance fees to the six artists we've selected to showcase. It brings their commissioned works alive in a great performance setting for the community to experience and appreciate. Our role as a cultural ambassador in the South Bay is to inspire the discovery of new artists among music fans across the region and our SJZ New Works Fest serves that purpose."

The Break Room Project Manager Scott Fulton adds, "The SJZ Break Room parallels the best jazz clubs around. We're really excited to present dynamic performances on a vibrant live stage as well as offer each show for people to watch virtually. This year's lineup is evidence of the vitality of the live music community, many of whom go on to perform at our Winter and Summer Fests. This year's lineup is a real cross-section of what's hot on the scene right now."

Housed inside San Jose Jazz's downtown office with a multi-media digital video wall featuring the latest in HD technology, The SJZ Break Room hosts nine leading-edge jazz artists on stage while all performances are projection-mapped with Ultra-Short Throw Projectors onto high-end projection fabric mounted on motorized rollers. Sound from outdoor speakers and projections fill a 35 x 14 feet bank of floor to ceiling windows, providing a unique outdoor concert experience on San Carlos Street and an immersive quality to the live indoor shows (100-person capacity).

For detailed information regarding the artists performing at the SJZ New Works Fest 2023, please see the artist bios listed below.

Artist Bios:

Tony Peebles (Fri, Apr 14, 8pm)
A founding member of Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Oakland-based Tony Peebles is a multi-genre and explosive saxophonist in the jazz and fusion idiom. Peebles performs on every track of PMO's 2014 GRAMMY Award-winning ("Best Tropical Latin Album") debut album, including a solo on the composition "Muevete Con Prisa." Peebles has performed with Fred Wesley, Karl Denson, John Lee Hooker Jr., Wil Blades, Kenny Washington, and many others. In addition to touring Europe, Africa, and North and South America with reggae legend Don Carlos, he's currently touring New Zealand with the band Katchafire.

B. Deveaux (Sat, Apr 15, 8pm)
A 21-year-old non-binary, queer, Oakland native and rising singer B. Deveaux trained at Oakland School for the Arts and has gone on to perform with the likes of Daveed Diggs, Ledisi, Kehlani, and many more. They use their music to voice the issues that the Black community faces and to portray their experience in this world. They held the top spot in OSA's premier ensemble, Vocal Rush (International Competition for High School Acapella, 4x champions).

Kira Hooks (Fri, Apr 21, 8pm)
SF Bay Area-based Kira Hooks is a Filipina-Caucasian singer/songwriter. As a child growing up in the U.S., The Netherlands, Nigeria, Scotland, and China, Hooks developed a multifaceted notion of home and is reflected in her fluid blend of jazz, contemporary R&B, and folk. Hooks' harmonic arrangements reflect a sense of romantic idealism while her voice and gentle acoustic guitar work create a comfy living room atmosphere in any venue she performs in. Hooks has been highlighted in The New York Times, Insider, and Shout Out LA.

Frunkyman (Sat, Apr 22, 8pm)
Bassist/composer Frunkyman is a graduate from SJSU's Jazz Studies Masters program and has worked as a studio musician for several series including Genius: Picasso, FIFA 2018, Drifting Dragons, and the Video Game Awards 2018. He has performed at the Blues and Brews Festival, San Jose Museum Of Art, and San Jose Jazz Summer Fest.

Destiny Muhammad (Fri, Apr 28, 8pm)
Harpist Destiny Muhammad has curated concerts for Grace Cathedral's Christmas Concert Series, SFJAZZ
s Tribute to jazz harp legend Alice Coltrane, SF Symphony's SOUNDBOX Series, and has shared the stage with Jazz Masters Denise Perrier, Omar Sosa, and Blue Note Artist Ambrose Akinmusire. In 2022, Destiny was named the "Artist in Residence" at the Healdsburg Jazz Festival.

Oddity (Sat, Apr 29, 8pm)
Hailing from the East Bay, Oddity is a sonic storyteller seeking refuge in the intersections of jazz, hip-hop and neo-soul. A transgender woman of color, Oddity's story is one of resiliency and rebirth where she/her discovers beauty and cultivates peace by centering love, against all odds.

About San Jose Jazz
Founded in 1986, San Jose Jazz is a public benefit organization celebrating jazz as a dynamic, evolving art form and is producer of the annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and Winter Fest. San Jose Jazz innovates trend-setting initiatives to foster artistic ingenuity and preserve the jazz tradition as a forward-thinking movement. Through diverse music and educational programming, San Jose Jazz offers singular content and events by investing in the SF Bay Area ecosystem of exceptional talent for local and national audiences to enjoy.

For more information, please visit sanjosejazz.org.

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 10:18 am

Pickathon has just released the full lineup of bands for the 2023 Festival, coming August 3-6 to Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Oregon (16 miles outside of Portland, OR). Music fans will recognize indie roots powerhouses Watchhouse, or old-school soul icon Lee Fields, and folks in the know will be happy about alt-glam band Dehd, indie-folk superstar Madison Cunningham, and Zambian psych rockers W.I.T.C.H. But beyond these names, the Pickathon 2023 lineup is stocked with surprises, deep cuts, and rapidly rising artists from across the globe, as befits a festival known for its curation and its ability to spot the next breakout bands across all genres.

Some bands coming to Pickathon this year are from red-hot local scenes, like Thee Sinseers and The Altons who represent Los Angeles' new wave of soul music, or Imarhan and Vieux Farka Touré from the wide desert expanses of Sub-Saharan West Africa. Others are spectacular examples of unprecedented cultural collaborations, like the bluegrass banjo and Venezuelan harp combo Larry & Joe, or Orchestra Gold, which melds Malian song with SF Bay Area psych rock. Still others present brand-new genres of music being invented in the moment, like the post-internet jazz of MonoNeon, or the Native American powwow + electronic Bon Iver soundscapes of Joe Rainey, or the lo-fi memeology of the hugely popular Yot Club.

Latine music is an exceptional highlight at Pickathon this year with the likes of Colombian psych trad band Meridian Brothers, Peruvian electronica group Novalima, and Mexican punk rockers Sgt. Papers -- as is cutting edge hip-hop from Canadian rapper TOBi, Tampa experimentalists They Hate Change, and jazz geniuses Butcher Brown. Country and honky-tonk remain strong with the likes of Nick Shoulders, The Kernal, and Courtney Marie Andrews, and Pickathon's rep in indie-rock is unchallenged with fast rising artists Wednesday, MJ Lenderman, and Florist. With 50+ artists to discover at Pickathon 2023, these artists are just the tip of the iceberg!

Pickathon redefines the music festival experience as an immersive choose-your-own-adventure, where fans discover music, arts, and culture fantastically integrated into the natural wonders of Pendarvis Farm (16 miles outside of Portland, OR). Music at Pickathon is highly curated, bringing together the deep cuts and rising stars of every genre alongside groundbreaking lineups in body & wellness, comedy, visual art, literature, family programming, artisanal food, craft beer, spirits, and more. Pickathon pioneered the zero-waste, green festival and continually sets new standards of sustainability. If you know, you know. If you've never been, you'll understand the minute you set foot on the Farm. Pickathon is where we go to fall in love, every year, all over again.

"Reinventing Pickathon last year around the concept of integrating music, arts, and culture into the natural settings of Pendarvis Farm was an incredible endeavor," says Pickathon founder Zale Schoenborn. "2023 not only presents our best lineup ever, but now we understand the new Pickathon Neighborhoods even better, and we're excited to refine all the details to make this year our most immersive experience to date. I can't wait for everyone to join us at Pendarvis Farm!"

Early Bird Tickets for Pickathon 2023 are on sale now and will only last a little while longer before prices go up! Get them now, don't delay! Camping, parking, shuttles, everything else is on sale now too!

PICKATHON 2023 -- FULL ARTIST LINEUP

Watchouse
Lee Fields
Dehd
Madison Cunningham
Vieux Farka Touré
Florist
W.I.T.C.H.
Wednesday
MonoNeon
Ocie Elliott
Butcher Brown
Yot Club
Courtney Marie Andrews
Imarhan
Say She She
MJ Lenderman
Madison McFerrin
The Po' Ramblin' Boys
They Hate Change
Andrew Marlin
Pachyman
Wine Lips
Nikki Nair
GA-20
Nick Shoulders
Wayne Graham
Mike Dillon's Punkadelic!
Rich Ruth
The Altons
Thee Sinseers
Novalima
Logan Ledger
Meridian Brothers
TOBi
Emily Nenni
Mikaela Davis
Joe Rainey
Riddy Arman
The Mountain Grass Unit
The Kernal
Larry & Joe
Hooveriii
Gel
Jackie Venson
Nat Myers
Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves
Sgt. Papers
Orchestra Gold
WHIMZ
Sprig of That
The Shivas
MØTRIK

Tue, 03/28/2023 - 10:04 am

Renowned pianist George Winston releases his 16th solo piano album, NIGHT, limited-edition vinyl by RCA Records on May 5, 2023 (PRE-ORDER LINK). By virtue of his brilliance as one of the foremost instrumental composers of our time, NIGHT is a vivid look into Winston's nocturnal world where life begins as the sun sets on each day. NIGHT features four original Winston compositions, as well as stunning renditions of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Allen Toussaint's "Freedom For The Stallion," plus additional standout interpretations. Two decades in the making, NIGHT turns darkness into a prism of beauty as Winston captures his quintessential performances for a full-length studio album well worth the wait. Fans can now have a hi-def experience of NIGHT with the vinyl release in May 2023.

George Winston is undeniably a household name. He's inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs selling more than 15 million albums. Winston's music is evocative, offering us all a chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wonder. NIGHT is where things truly come alive for Winston. Whether on a performance stage, in a midnight recording session, practicing late at night, driving solo through urban city spaces, or witnessing nature grow under the moonlight, Winston celebrates his renowned 50-year career with an interstellar recording soon to be available on vinyl in spring 2023.

"NIGHT is a collection of songs that I've recorded at five different studios," says George Winston. "There is a natural wonder that only occurs in the evening and NIGHT basically scales the clock from midnight to 7am. With every dark hour that passes, daytime will soon occur. The sun shines down on the earth all day, it warms the oceans and the forests, and awakens the majority of earth's inhabitants, and at sundown the nocturnal animals wake up for nighttime activities, and there are feelings of solitude and uncertainty. This all translates well for inspiration for compositions and interpretations of other composers' pieces."

RCA Records releases the vinyl edition with a pre-order now available:
https://georgewinston.lnk.to/NightVinyl

George Winston's classic albums, Autumn and December, are perennial favorites, along with Winter into Spring, Summer, Forest, Plains, Spring Carousel -- A Cancer Research Benefit, his previous album, 2019's Restless Wind as well as two volumes of the compositions of Vince Guaraldi, two volumes of benefit albums for the Gulf Coast disasters, and four other solo piano albums.

Rolling Stone magazine noted of Winston's music, "Using only a solo piano, and without descending into sentiment, the guy (Winston) can set off dormant synapses in your brain that most musicians cannot hit even with lyrics...It seems to flow from the deepest part of Winston's mind, unimpeded by conscious considerations."

To view a Track-By-Track Descriptions one sheet with words from George Winston for all the songs on NIGHT, please download the following PDF (CLICK HERE).

For more information regarding George Winston, please visit: georgewinston.com

George Winston - NIGHT

Track Listing:
1. Beverly
2. Freedom For The Stallion by Allen Toussaint
3. Blues For Richard Folsom by John Creger
4. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
5. Making A Way by Roderick Taylor
6. He's A Runner by Laura Nyro
7. Kai Forest
8. Wahine Hololio (Traditional Hawaiian)
9. At Midnight
10. Pua Sadinia (Not To Be Forgotten) by David Nape
11. Dawn
12. Hana (A Flower For Your Heart) by Shoukichi Kina

Thu, 04/13/2023 - 5:41 pm

Silicon Valley's premier annual music event, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023 returns for its 33rd festival season from Friday, August 11 through Sunday, August 13 in and around Plaza de César Chavez Park in downtown San Jose, Calif. Renowned as one of North America's foremost music events with its dynamic three-day programming, San Jose Jazz presents a thrilling artist lineup for one of the summer's major San Francisco Bay Area outdoor music festivals. SJZ Summer Fest 2023 features 100 acts across eight indoor and outdoor stages with acclaimed headliners on The Sobrato Organization Main Stage including multi-GRAMMY Award-winner and Blue Note Records recording jazz artist Gregory Porterbringing his bone-deep baritone voice to San Jose for an incredible Main Stage Closing Night set as he performs music from his critically-acclaimed new album, All Rise. Renowned funk/jazz bassist and a UNESCO Artist for Peace, Marcus Miller graces the main stage on Saturday evening before GRAMMY-winner and platinum-selling Anthony Hamilton lays down a fiery R&B set as the Saturday night headliner. Friday night puts the spotlight on one of the most talked about bands on the live music circuit today, W.I.T.C.H., who are wowing audiences with their rock n' roll-inspired traditional African music. Eight-member brass sensation out of the Crescent City, The Soul Rebels take the stage for an unforgettable Friday night of powerhouse NOLA horn action. Additional main stage headliners will be announced soon.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023 also officially announces today additional confirmed festival artists including The Bad Plus, Grace Kelly, Veronica Swift, Marcus Shelby New Orchestra Featuring Tiffany Austin, Shayna Steele, Sunny War, Vanessa Collier, Patrice Rushen, Billy Childs, Vocal Gents of Jazz with Kenny Washington, Nicolas Bearde & Jamie Davis, Gabi Hartmann, Luca Stricagnoli, Halie Loren, Ronit Widmann-Levy & Angel Romero, Benny Benack III, Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few, Soul Message Band, Maraca & Orquesta La Moderna Tradición, Lalin St. Juste, Basivibe, Stimulator Jones, Ian Santillano, Ensemble Contratiemple Afrovenezuelan Jazz, Journey Through Multicultural Jazz and Dance, Mr. Clifford's Young Jazz All Stars, and many more acts.

SJZ Summer Fest 2023 serves as a platform honoring the vibrancy of the jazz art form. For over three decades, the beloved festival has been celebrated for presenting marquee performances by lauded artists, as well as musicians on the verge of breaking into the mainstream, international artists from across the globe, regional gems including SJZ Jazz Aid Fund artists, and influential trendsetters pushing the genre into new territories. SJZ Summer Fest 2023 has something for everyone with its unbelievable value for a relatively low-ticket price. Three-day festival passes are now on sale at Advance Purchase prices at summerfest.sanjosejazz.org at four levels of access. The Priority Access level offers special seating with comfortable folding chairs at the front of the Main Stage with an exclusive attached bar, access to skipping lines at indoor venues and access to special events to be announced. VIP experiences are better than everwith up-close seating, exceptional food and drinks, shady viewing areas, exclusive bar and entrance gate, and "first-in" venue access. More info is available at summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/ticket-levels.

"San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023 reflects the heart of our flagship annual music event with some of today's best performers in jazz, R&B, Latin, salsa, global music, and beyond appearing on stages throughout downtown San Jose," says San Jose Jazz's Executive Director Brendan Rawson. "For 2023, we've looked closely at our role as a cultural organization and the responsibility we have to the residents of the greater South Bay. We are very passionate about providing top tier programming that's both international in scope as well as reflective of San Jose. We greatly look forward to presenting a Fest with all the elements music fans have come to love."

Artistic Director Bruce Labadie, one of the event's founders, programs the artists for SJZ Summer Fest with the help of locally based co-curators.

Labadie comments, "Attendees of SJZ Summer Fest 2023 can expect the same amazing experience as years past with a diverse array of outstanding artists performing across the three days. Live concerts will be centered around Plaza de César Chavez Park with our favorite vendors offering delicious foods and beverages, and creative crafts. With three outdoor stages and five indoor stages, there is excellent programming that will appeal to a wide variety of music fans."

San Jose Jazz's cultural collaborations with many longstanding partners of the festival continue in full force this year with The Sobrato Organization Main Stage presenting GRAMMY Award-winning artists and the Blues/Big Easy Stage in partnership with Jay Meduri of the Poor House Bistro featuring blues and New Orleans acts in the South portion of Plaza de César Chavez Park. SJMA Next Gen Stage puts the spotlight on emerging youth talent performing free shows on Saturday, Aug. 12 and Sunday, Aug. 13. The historic 1936 venue Montgomery Theater brings its elegant décor and great acoustics to SJZ Summer Fest as one of four premier indoor concert spaces for national and regional artists. Additional indoor venues include the Hammer Theatre, Tabard Theatre, and SJZ Break Room. Local curatorial and performance partners also include Mosaic America and others.

The Latin Tropical Stage remains a pillar of San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023 with Latin and salsa music lovers traveling to downtown San Jose from the far stretches of the West Coast for a chance to dance to incredible acts performing timba, son, mambo, and Jíbaro. San Jose Jazz Latin Music Coordinator and Latin Tropical Stage curator Betto Arcos is an expert on Latin American and global music, and is celebrated for his reporting on NPR, PRI "The World," and the BBC. Arcos curates the finest Latin and salsa acts with shows on August 12 & 13, 2023 (Latin Tropical Stage lineup will be announced in the coming weeks).

Housed on South 1st Street inside San Jose Jazz's downtown office with a multi-media digital video wall featuring the latest in HD technology, The SJZ Break Room hosts three days of indoor shows with all live performances projection-mapped with Ultra-Short Throw Projectors onto high-end projection fabric. The dynamic, immersive experience allows for attendees to see immensely talented artists on stage while also simultaneously witnessing creative details of the performance on screen.

Headliner Highlights @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023
Multi-GRAMMY Award-winner Gregory Porter fills the San Jose summer air with his bone-deep baritone voice for an unforgettable Sunday night Sobrato Organization Main Stage performance as he performs music from his latest for Blue Note Records, All Rise. His sixth studio album, All Rise, marks a return to Porter's beloved original songwriting -- heart-on-sleeve lyrics imbued with everyday philosophy and real-life detail, set to a stirring mix of jazz, soul, blues, and gospel. Produced by Troy Miller (Laura Mvula, Jamie Cullum, Emili Sandé), the album also represents the evolution of Porter's art to something even more emphatic, emotive, intimate, and universal. In the spirit of the ethos that music is medicine, All Rise brims with songs about irrepressible love, along with a little protest...because the road to healing is bumpy.

With dozens of movie scores and over 500 recording credits to his name, UNESCO Artist for Peace Marcus Miller continues to be a changemaker with his music and social justice projects. In 2020, Marcus created, musically produced, and posted the Lift Every Voice get out the vote event, which brought together political leaders and musical legends to encourage political participation. Miller is set to release his funk/R&B collaborative album, "Basement Party," in summer 2023 and he'll feature the return of Black Movie Music at the Hollywood Bowl, the fourth installment of the successful series (which he co-created, co-produces, arranges, and musically directs) that catalogs the rich history of music in Black film. Of note, Miller composed the score for the documentary film SIDNEY for Apple TV+, produced by Oprah Winfrey, which told the story of legendary actor, filmmaker and iconic civil rights activist, Sidney Poitier.

GRAMMY Award-winner Anthony Hamilton rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From (2003), which featured the title track single "Comin' from Where I'm From" and the follow-up "Charlene." Nominated for 17 GRAMMY Awards and winning "Best Traditional R&B Performance" for "You've Got The Love I Need," Hamilton is renowned for the song "Freedom" from the soundtrack album of Django Unchained, co-written and sung as a duo with indie soul singer Elayna Boynton. In 2016, he released his sixth studio album What I'm Feelin' featuring guitarists Gary Clark, Jr. and Vince Gill. After one week, the album ranked #2 on the Billboard R&B chart, representing his highest career debut. Hamilton has been featured alongside D'Angelo, Jadakiss, RH Factor, Angie Stone, Buddy Guy, Robert Randolph, Dave Chappelle, Jill Scott, Nas, and Gorillaz, and has performed at the White House for former president Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. In 2020, Hamilton released his single "Back Together" featuring the late Rick James and is the first single off his 2021 album, Love is the New Black.

Brass sensation The Soul Rebels are riding high in 2023 after receiving national attention following the release of their latest album, Poetry In Motion. The eight-member collective appeared on Def Jam artist Dave East and Nas' "Godfather 4" single, Big Freedia and Icona Pop's "Pipe That", and reached fans with original singles "Greatness" featured as ESPN's official College Hoops theme anthem, and "Good Time" featured on Netflix's #BlackAF and Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! The Soul Rebels have impressed national audiences with two performances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a concert from NPR's Tiny Desk series with Wu Tang Clan frontman GZA, a headliner spot at the global TED Conference, and their appearance on the official soundtrack for Universal Pictures' hit comedy Girls Trip. On the heels of their new supergroup with The Wu Tang Clan, The Soul Rebels are wowing crowds with their eclectic live show that harnesses the power of horns and drums in a deep pocket funk party-like atmosphere.

W.I.T.C.H. (We Intend To Cause Havoc) was the biggest rock band in Zambia in the 1970s and spearheaded a new genre dubbed Zamrock, fusing influences of the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath and James Brown and mixing them with traditional African rhythms and bush village songs. At the peak of their popularity, the band often needed police to keep fans at bay while their lead singer Jagari - whose name is an Africanisation of Mick Jagger's - riled up crowds by stage diving from balconies and dancing manically as the W.I.T.C.H.'s blend of psychedelic rock and African rhythms permeated the surrounding atmosphere. Jagari is the charismatic sole surviving original member of the band. Largely unknown outside of Africa, W.I.T.C.H. finally got the exposure they deserved when Now Again Records reissued their entire discography in 2012. This allowed Jagari to play outside Africa for the first time and a new generation of fans to discover his music. In 2016, W.I.T.C.H. started touring with Dutch musicians Jacco Gardner and Nic Mauskoviç, becoming one of the most talked about bands on the live music circuit.

The Bad Plus are the ultimate originals, a democratic unit with a clear vision and a refusal to conform to convention. For the past two decades the group has played with spirit and adventure, made its own rules, and done so with a bold sense of creativity and intent. Avoiding easy categorization, The Bad Plus has won critical acclaim and continues to push boundaries as founding members Reid Anderson (bass) and Dave King (drums) embark on a new piano-less incarnation of the band with Ben Monder (guitar) and Chris Speed (tenor saxophone) -- instigating a new wave of excitement and anticipation within the band that is re-energizing their sound and inspiration. The Bad Plus has constantly searched to bridge genres and techniques while exploring the infinite possibilities of exceptional musicians working in perfect sync. The Bad Plus is set to release their 15th studio recording and debut self-titled album as a dynamic new quartet via Edition Records on Friday, September 30th.

An unequivocal musical prodigy, singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer and band leader Grace Kelly has rocked the jazz world with sold-out concerts, 14 acclaimed albums and a resume that includes performing at the Hollywood Bowl and as part of the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert -- all before reaching her mid-twenties. Coming in 2023, Grace's next project, inspired by Charlie Parker with Strings, will be At The Movies: Grace Kelly with Strings. Grace will reimagine music from favorite classic and current movies with fresh arrangements and fully merge it into her young sound. The New York Timesnotes of Grace, her "...broad tone and tenacious flow on the alto saxophone, clearly in possession of virtuoso talents... impressive singing voice, flitting among a range of styles."

Veronica Swift is a Mack Avenue recording artist whose debut album, Confessions, was released in 2019. Her second release, This Bitter Earth (2021), earned her a five-star review in DownBeat magazine including the front cover on their November 2021 issue, the JazzTimes December cover, and L'academie du Jazz "Best Vocal Album" award in 2021. Having made her mark on the international jazz scene as one of the star vocalists of her era, Veronica Swift has now expanded her style, establishing herself as a skilled rock and soul singer as well as a dynamic performer. Her third album, TransGenre (2023), will venture into mixing jazz and classical with rock, soul, and funk paying homage to greats like Janis Joplin, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Duke Ellington. Veronica's ability to transcend different styles, and fully embody them with authenticity to tell a story makes her one of the most skillful singers in any genre, and displays her theatrical approach as a performer and artist. The Wall Street Journal says, "She has a miraculous voice, musical ability and technique, as well as an innate gift for entertaining a crowd."

Shayna Steele brings new meaning to diversity and grass-roots talent. Her natural ability to traverse musical genres has kept her on the A-List of in-demand singers in the industry. Shayna's effortless execution of both soul and jazz has grabbed the attention of audiences at venues globally such as the Vancouver Jazz Festival, the Blue Note or as a guest vocalist with the biggest symphonies throughout North America. Set to release her fourth studio album, Gold Dust, on April 21, 2023 on Ropeadope Records, Shayna's creative abilities explode with her original signature sound. Produced by David Cook (Billboard #1 Jazz album, Spectrum by Shoshana Bean), Gold Dust embodies a sound that has taken Shayna 20 years to perfect. The album features a fresh new cover of Cole Porter's "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" featuring GRAMMY Award-nominated saxophonist Donny McCaslin. The album also highlights brand new original material such as the inspiring anthem "The Bloodline" celebrating her ancestors and the sultry, yet intimate "Behind Closed Doors" with jazz crooner Sachal Vasandani, but it's her explosive new arrangement of Stevie Nick's "Gold Dust Woman" that will leave every listener in awe of her remarkable vocals.

It's no secret that great art comes from the margins; from those who are either pushed to create from inner forces, or who create to show they deserve to be recognized. Los Angeles-based street singer, guitarist, and roots music revolutionary Sunny War has always been an outsider, feeling the drive to define her place in the world through music and songwriting. Her restless spirit, a byproduct of growing up semi-nomadic with a single mother, led her to Venice Beach, California, where she's been grinding the pavement for many years, making a name for her prodigious guitar work and incisive songwriting, which touches on everything from police violence to alcoholism to love found and lost. Rolling Stone touts, "Sunny War Is One of the Best New Voices in Roots Music."

Sponsors @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023
San Jose Jazz is excited to announce its season-long collaboration with Hunger at Home, a San Jose-based nonprofit organization delivering leading-edge solutions that build food security and self-sufficiency, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable Silicon Valley. San Jose Jazz partners with Hunger at Home and their Full Circle Catering & Events for delicious foods to be provided in SJZ Summer Fest’s VIP area and for the Summer Fest Kickoff Fundraiser in June 2023, as well as for meals and snacks for students at SJZ Summer Jazz Camp and Progressions Summer Camp.

Amidst the alarming reality that tens of thousands of pounds of excess food and surplus goods are discarded daily into our landfills in Silicon Valley, Hunger at Home was created to connect this food and goods to those in need. Hunger at Home runs Full Circle Catering & Events (FCCE), a social enterprise catering program directing all the earned revenue back into supporting Hunger at Home’s impactful work. FCCE is the official catering sponsor at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023.

"We are incredibly excited to collaborate with San Jose Jazz Summer Fest in our mutual pursuit of a better, more sustainable community," says Michael Miller, Board President & Chair, Hunger at Home. "Our partnership will enable us to recover surplus food from each day of the event and redistribute it among the 36 nonprofit partners that we support. We also have the opportunity to showcase the amazing culinary talent of our team in the VIP area of the festival. This collaboration exhibits our goal for zero food waste at SJZ Summer Fest, and ultimately, puts food into the hands of the food insecure individuals and families in our community. This is truly a win-win for all!"

"Collaborating with Hunger at Home and Full Circle Catering is a perfect fit for us," says San Jose Jazz's Executive Director Brendan Rawson. "On multiple fronts the partnership just makes a ton of good sense. We will be able to support Hunger at Home's mission to improve food security and sustainability for families in our region and at the same time spotlight the tremendous food service of Full Circle Catering."

Additional sponsors for the SJZ Summer Fest 2023 include The Sobrato Organization, DownBeatMagazine, Urban Catalyst (sponsoring District 3 Opening Night Happy Hour), CEFCU (Club Crawl Sponsor), Visit San Jose, Gordon Biersch Brewery, City of San José Office of Cultural Affairs, and Castellano Family Foundation.

ACT NOW! Exclusive hotel deals close to the festival grounds are now available. Check out these great rates at Signia by Hilton San Jose, AC Hotel by Marriott, DoubleTree by Hilton, Four Points by Sheraton, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hotel Clariana, Hotel De Anza, Hyatt Place, San Jose Marriott, and Westin. Book your reservations now at this LINK.

Additional acts and exciting new programs for SJZ Summer Fest 2023 will be announced soon.

33rd Annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023
When: August 11 - 13, 2023
Where: Plaza de César Chavez Park, San Jose, CA
Admission: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/buy-now
More info: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org; 408.288.7557
Artist Lineup (Friday, August 11 - Sunday, August 13)

Gregory Porter, Marcus Miller, Anthony Hamilton, The Soul Rebels, W.I.T.C.H., The Bad Plus, Grace Kelly, Veronica Swift, Marcus Shelby New Orchestra Featuring Tiffany Austin, Shayna Steele, Sunny War, Vanessa Collier, Patrice Rushen, Billy Childs, Vocal Gents of Jazz with Kenny Washington, Nicolas Bearde & Jamie Davis, Gabi Hartmann, Luca Stricagnoli, Halie Loren, Ronit Widmann-Levy & Angel Romero, Benny Benack III, Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few, Soul Message Band, Maraca & Orquesta La Moderna Tradición, Lalin St. Juste, Basivibe, Stimulator Jones, Ian Santillano, Ensemble Contratiemple Afrovenezuelan Jazz, Mosaic America: Journey Through Multicultural Jazz and Dance, Mr. Clifford's Young Jazz All Stars, and many more acts to be announced soon!

Thu, 05/18/2023 - 10:10 am

If you're ever in need of a friend, simply put on the new studio album, Everybody's Buddy, by Mexican-American musician Nic Clark and let his uplifting and honest songs pass through those tough life moments. Produced by guitar-phenom Charlie Hunter in his new hometown of Greensboro, NC and set for release on Little Village (Release Date: June 16, 2023), Everybody's Buddy is a reflection of an everyday Generation Z kid trying his best while facing unsurmountable challenges that most Americans deal with daily. Nic Clark pours his emotions out on Everybody's Buddy, and there's a dose of humanity every step of the way. Charlie Hunter (guitar/bass) and George Sluppick (drums/Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Morgan James) dig into each track with Clark for deep in-the-pocket grooves, punchy pop numbers, and percussive vamps. Nic Clark celebrates the release of Everybody's Buddy with special performances on eTown on April 30 and Waterfront Blues Festival during July 4th weekend.

Nic Clark learned early on in the recording of Everybody's Buddy to not count himself out, which turned out to be the name of one of the tracks ("Don't Count Yourself Out"). He's lived a hard life battling an eating disorder since he was a young kid. In his teens and '20s, Clark weighed upwards of 400 pounds. It's a daily struggle for Clark, though he admits that his life is not all that different from many Americans.

Clark notes, "My experience is very common in America. I work an Amazon warehouse job, and I'm really ashamed of it. As a working musician, I need to make ends meet. Take one shift at an Amazon warehouse and you'll understand how everyone has the same problems as you. People are in recovery, supporting multi-generational families, etc. I'm just so grateful I have my music to keep me out of trouble."

Everybody's Buddy resonates across generations and musical genres with Clark's stories of relationship breakups, seeking Grandma's advice, getting in car crashes, having panic attacks, drinking way too much black coffee, unpaid medical bills, middle school struggles, and on and on. Everybody's Buddy opens with a Keb Mo-inflected track, "Laughing In The Rain," with a poppy-hook-ladened chorus. Clark admits he's a bit "of a space cadet, but I try to not feel bad about it. Whenever I can find a way to not come down on my myself, it's a triumph." It's a welcoming sound with the notes of his fiery harmonica and dobro inviting listeners into his world.

After traversing between Northern California and his home state of Colorado for two years, Clark's travels came to an abrupt halt when he ran out of cash in August 2022. Soon enough, he found himself driving his uncle to daily dialysis appointments during a time when his uncle mourned his mother's death after caretaking for her for 14 years. The passing of Clark's grandma was devastating and he wrote "It'll Be Alright" to cope.

The lead single "Try To Understand" on Everybody's Buddy is so infectious it's hard to believe it was written as the result of totaling two cars when he was 21 and 23 years-old. "It's all about moving on and living life with compassion for yourself, otherwise a self-hating voice will take over," says Clark. "The first accident happened during a down pour, while the other was on the way to the airport to see the farewell tour of Daniel Johnston in Portland. I made it to the show; one of the best concerts of my life."

"Good Advice" is the only cover song on the album, written by J.B. Lenoir. Before his grandma passed, Clark was walking to her house when he was 386 pounds and his girlfriend had just broken-up with him. After a four-hour conversation with Grandma, he began his weight-loss journey and continues to this day to be in a 12-step program for his eating disorder. He wrote the rendition of "Good Advice," but the loss of his grandma came to soon. He was never able to play it for her. Having it on Everybody's Buddy is his tribute to her.

Nearly every tune on Everybody's Buddy is dedicated to a dear friend of Clark's. It goes to show how much friendship means to the songwriter. "Hurricanes" is one of the oldest songs on the album and goes out to his buddy, Gino Matteo. While Clark was dealing with the devastations of being overweight and the relentless mockery in middle and high school (and skipping school to play music festivals by the age of 13), he talked to Gino about depression. "Gino told me when I reach out that everything I was talking about, he experienced 15 years prior. When things get dark as they do for musicians working for a living, Gino was there for me to keep things going."

"She's A Fighter" recalls a married couple (a nutritionist and musician) who've really helped Clark with his weight-loss. The wife was diagnosed with lime disease and the medical bills for the chronic disease were a constant struggle. As Clark watched them go through storm after storm, he wrote "She's A Fighter."

While addiction issues run in the family, Clark was unaware that his copious amounts of daily coffee during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic were boosting his anxiety. It turns out that two nitro cold brews, two venti black coffees, and a tall coffee to end every day was the fuel he didn't need, as he sings on "Anxiety Blues."

"How I Met The Blues" takes a darker turn on the album, a song he wrote when he was a mere 11-years-old. The sudden death of his 13-year-old cousin turned the first day of summer break into a living hell. Thankfully, he leaned heavily into the harmonica to express emotions he couldn't get out any other way. Clark notes, "I was really hesitant to play this one for Charlie and George. We had just met and my trust just wasn't there yet. Well, we started playing it, and I couldn't stop shaking. I hit a really vulnerable spot. If you are going to sing the blues, there's an obligation to not hold back and just do it."

"Flying Blind" dives back into struggles with middle school. This time around it was his niece's struggles. Clark's large family meant they all helped out in various ways, and Clark helped raise his niece and nephew. He's never performed the song for her. Sacred pedal steel player DaShawn Hickman appears on the track with Clark.

The namesake song "Everybody's Buddy" is Clark's theme song as such a positive spirit in this world. A combination of his favorite songwriters Ray Bonneville and Jon Snodgrass, Clark sings praises to "all his friends." The final track "Breathe Slow" calls on a friend who had a panic attack while driving on the highway. When Clark heard this happened, it seriously messed him up and he wrote "Breathe Slow." Sometime after writing the song, Clark himself experienced a panic attack on highway 85 in California, and luckily, he was close to an off-ramp, and he got himself safely into a Walmart parking lot to settle down.

"I know how terrible and sad life can be, and these songs are trying to get you out of these moments when you think everything is hopeless," says Nic Clark. "When I'm really down and can't see the brighter side, I put on Mavis Staples and instantly get back to it."

Clark lends his inspiring music to those in need by leading harmonica workshops and live performances at Denver Children's hospitals, the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Bayview Opera House Covid-19 testing vaccination site in San Francisco as part of an outreach program with Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and virtual performances for various detention centers through the non-profit Bread & Roses.

About Little Village
Little Village is a non-profit cultural producer and record label that searches out, discovers, records and produces music that otherwise would not be heard beyond the artist's family and community. Little Village supports the dreams of artists from non-traditional backgrounds. Many of these artists make music just as a part of telling their community stories. Through some detective work and the help of an extensive network from his acclaimed performing career, Executive Director Jim Pugh learns of great music happening in communities throughout the country, music that has deep roots in American popular and roots traditions. He then offers to record their music at no expense to the artist at all. Usually, this is the very first time the artist has been recorded. Not only is there no expense to the artist, Little Village owns zero intellectual property for the music and sets up all retail accounts for the sales of CDs in the artists' names. This happens with generous public donations and grants.

For more information on Little Village, please visit: littlevillagefoundation.com

Thu, 05/25/2023 - 4:07 pm

Latin GRAMMY Award-nominated and virtuoso jazz harpist Edmar Castañeda releases his latest studio album, Viento Sur, featuring his World Ensemble on Friday, May 5, 2023. Castañeda follows up seven albums (Cuarto de Colores; Entre Cuerdas; Double Portion; Live at the Jazz Standard; Live In Montreal; Harp vs. Harp, Family) with his latest recording project, Viento Sur, with a nine-person ensemble of acclaimed global musicians from Switzerland, Brazil, Cuba, Israel, Chile, USA, Argentina, and Colombia. An array of compositions on Viento Sur are commissioned by American Chamber Music from the "New Jazz Works Grant."

Edmar Castañeda World Ensemble includes Castañeda on harp and his wife, the renowned Colombian singer Andrea Tierra on vocals, as well as Itai Kriss (flute, Israel), Helio Alves (piano, Brazil), Gregoire Maret (harmonica, Switzerland), Ryan Reberle (trombone, U.S.A.), Felipe Lamoglia (saxophone, Cuba), Rodrigo Villalon (drums, Chile), and Marcelo Woloski (percussion, Argentina). A true global collaboration inspired by traditional Latin America rhythms (Samba, Joropo, Chacarera, Tango, Landó, Latin Jazz) from a collective of jazz artists spanning the globe, Viento Sur, brings together nine musicians who musically tackle themes of racism, depression, love, and reasons to live a flourishing life. Andrea Tierra lends her powerful vocals to four compositions while Edmar leads his ensemble in an eclectic orchestration of his singular original works.

Viento Sur begins with "Tá Bom," which is a Portuguese expression for "Everything Is OK" in Brazil, Castañeda opens Viento Sur with a reassuring sentiment that we are going to be alright. "Eclesiastés 9" is inspired by a Bible verse, "Enjoy life with your loved one, as this is what is left for everyone." The lyrics invite us to think about the real meaning of life.

An Argentinean zamba written by the great Atahualpa Yupanqui, "Piedra y Camino" is a love song Castañeda and his wife adore because of its profound lyrics. "Arpaquito" is a grooving song dedicated to Castañeda's dearest friend, the Cuban-American saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera.

Meaning "strong wind" in Spanish, "Ventarrón" is inspired by the Argentinean tango and features a poem inviting us to be united in peace. "Sanar" (meaning "Healing") is a rhythm of the Argentinean dance, Chacarera. The lyrics encourage listeners to let go of the things that hurt us most. It dives into the topic of depression, and the need of trusting and loving ourselves just as we are. A song of celebration and the revelry of music and love, "La Vie en Chandé" is a rhythm "Chandé" from the coast of Colombia. "Raza" defends the rights of our African heritage.

"I firmly believe there is strength in unity and this is essential to my music," says Edmar Castañeda. "I like the madness of arranging instruments that are not commonly performed together, such as the harp and harmonica. On Viento Sur, the union of these nine musicians creates a message of joy, highlighting the beauty of Latin American rhythms and the infinite power of jazz."

Edmar Castañeda's unparalleled versatility on the harp has caught the attention of musical titans such as Sting, Bela Fleck, John Scofield, Ricki Lee Jones, John Patitucci, and Pedrito Martinez; all of whom Castañeda has collaborated with either on stage or in the recording studio. Upon seeing him perform live, The New York Times noted, "Edmar Castañeda completely rethought his instrument... [he] used his left hand to pluck out bass lines independently while improvising hot, jolting off-centered lines with his right."

On April 14 & 15, 2023, Edmar Castañeda appeared with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis at Frederick P. Rose Hall. The album release concert for Viento Sur was on May 1 at Blue Note New York.

To learn more about Edmar Castañeda, please visit: edmarcastaneda.com

Edmar Castañeda World Ensemble
Viento Sur

1. Tá Bom
2. Eclesiastés 9
3. Piedra y Camino
4. Arpaquito
5. Ventarrón
6. Sanar
7. La Vie en Chandé
8. Raza

Fri, 05/26/2023 - 9:39 am

Pickathon has announced both the full Comedy Lineup and the Vinyl DJ Lineup, plus three new artists for the Music Lineup including rising acts Brittany Davis, Small Paul, and Cat Clyde. Seattle artist Brittany Davis broke out just recently with a powerful NPR "Tiny Desk at Home." They're wide-ranging musical perspective has been a revelation in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Another Seattle artist, Small Paul features members of The Moondoggies and Chris King & The Gutterballs. Indie roots artist Cat Clyde rounds out the new additions, hot off her much-loved GemsonVHS videos. More info is available at this LINK.

Pickathon Comedy Lineup Announced, Curated by Shain Brenden

Fridays and Saturdays at Pickathon's Lucky Barn are for the laughs! Each year, the festival brings together some of the best comedians for a raucous night of stand-up comedy. It's a Pickathon tradition that's seen the rise of comics like Kyle Kinane, Ian Karmel, Amy Miller, and more! This year, Portland's own Shain Brenden has curated the comedy lineup. Shain's a fixture of the PDX Comedy scene, a husband, father, and military veteran who uses his life experiences and knack for storytelling to paint a picture of a man 'just trying his best with what he has.' He also co-hosts a weekly podcast called ASSVILLE!

Shain's bringing along fellow Portland comics like Imani Denae. Denae's a big rising name in NW comedy, creator of the podcast Rap Dumba$$ and IDKComedy greeting cards. Denae has an excellent spot here talking about training up her white friends like Pokemon. LaughsPDX.com (the go-to website for all things Portland comedy) founder Brent Lowery is also joining the Pickathon Comedy Lineup, as is Jaren George, voted one of Portland Mercury's "Undisputable Geniuses of Comedy for 2023" (Shain is one too!). Comedian, actor, and professional roaster (and headliner!) Alex Hooper is another highlight, blending dark humor with silly positivity through a variety of personal stories. He once took on the judging panel of America's Got Talent in a roast, so he'll be bringing some spice to Pickathon. Local comic Cameron Peloso rounds out this year's comedy lineup after being recently voted Willamette Week's "Funniest Person" In Portland! More is at this LINK.

Pickathon Announces Vinyl DJ Lineup, DJs to Spin Between Sets and At Dance Parties

Pickathon is known for featuring some of the best vinyl DJs in the Northwest and beyond. These DJs are real deal vinyl connoisseurs and every DJ spinning at Pickathon is spinning new and vintage vinyl records. And vinyl from all genres of music. Older reggae and dancehall, Cumbia and Latin dance music, country and soul, indie and punk... The intimacy and warmth of vinyl is the perfect fit for Pickathon's aesthetic.

Last year, Pickathon expanded the DJ program even more, focusing on creating DJ dance parties at select Pickathon spots (and designing awesome backdrops for these DJ excursions). In 2023, they're expanding again, bringing in an even more diverse crew of DJs curated by Portland's own Rachel Good, aka DJ Stonebunny. "Portland has a really cool vinyl DJ scene," she says, "and this feels like a celebration of Portland's music community in general."

Here are a few highlights of Pickathon's Vinyl DJ Lineup:

-- Wayward Girls Soul Club -- a collective of female DJs and collectors of rare soul and R&B based in Portland OR.

-- Bri Dennon -- Portland DJ, avid vinyl collector and host of Day Dreaming on Portland's Jazz Radio, KMHD

-- The Country Co-Op -- Portland's premier country music DJ outfit

-- MoodyTwoShoes -- From the psychedelic garage to new wave and left field underground disco and punk, Moody leans into traveling the sounds of vintage rebel hearts with a sprinkle of more modern misfit gems too

-- DJ Aquaman -- best known for his legendary night- SOUL STEW Fridays at The Goodfoot, and drumming in the THE DANDY WARHOLS. His DJ sets range from dance floor 60's soul/funk and disco, to obscure bluegrass + country 45's

-- DJ Queen Amygdala -- DJ Queen Amygdala is a Portland based all-vinyl DJ and synth musician in local bands The Black Doors and Nate Wey & the Infinite Drifters. Her sets are fueled by energy and passion for danceable synthy sounds across genres such as Italo, new wave, dark wave, goth, industrial, post-punk, EBM, Hi-NRG, synth pop, electro, disco, and more.

-- DJ Maaxa -- DJ Maaxa is a Portland-based turntablist, writer, radio host, and music anthropologist. Invested in intergenerational music-making, she is joined by her ten-year-old son, Serene, who will be making his debut at Pickathon this year.

Sat, 06/10/2023 - 10:16 am

Silicon Valley's premier annual music event, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023 returns for its 33rd festival season from Friday, August 11 through Sunday, August 13 in and around Plaza de César Chavez Park in downtown San Jose, Calif. Renowned as one of North America's foremost music events with its dynamic three-day programming, San Jose Jazz presents a thrilling artist lineup for one of the summer's major San Francisco Bay Area outdoor music festivals. SJZ Summer Fest 2023 features 100 acts across eight indoor and outdoor stages with acclaimed headliners on The Sobrato Organization Main Stage including just announced acts the Afro-Cuban Rockstar Cimafunk and his nine-person Havana-based band La Tribu and legendary '90s conscious hip-hop super producer Pete Rock & The Soul Brothers. Cimafunk and Pete Rock join a star-studded Sobrato Organization Main Stage roster featuring multi-GRAMMY Award-winner and Blue Note Records recording jazz artist Gregory Porter, renowned funk/jazz bassist and a UNESCO Artist for Peace Marcus Miller, GRAMMY-winner and platinum-selling Anthony Hamilton Featuring The Ton3s, buzzy rock-inspired traditional African music group W.I.T.C.H., and eight-member NOLA brass sensation The Soul Rebels.

Grammy Award-nominated Afro-Cuban rockstar Cimafunk (Erik Iglesias Rodriguez) takes the funk of James Brown, George Clinton and Prince, the soul of Al Green and Bill Withers, and incorporates his native Cuban "Trova" and "Songo" to present one of the best live performances currently touring at SJZ Summer Fest 2023 on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 4pm. The name Cimafunk refers to his heritage as a "cimarrón," a Cuban of African descent who resisted and escaped slavery. Along with his nine-person band La Tribu, Cimafunk celebrates with a dynamic live performance overflowing with grooves that's redefine contemporary Cuban music, Afro-Latin identity and the fusion of black cultures. Following years in bands such as Los Boys and the Hermanos Saiz Association, Cimafunk began an illustrious solo career with his latest album, El Alimento, receiving a nomination at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards for "Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album."

Widely recognized as one of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time, Pete Rock headlines the Sobrato Organization Main Stage on Friday night (Aug. 11 @ 9:30pm) with his group The Soul Brothers for a raucous throwback to the conscious '90s hip-hop scene. Rock's Midas touch as a super producer has garnered a whopping 25 million in global album sales and billions of streams for tracks and albums he's produced. In the early '90s, Rock rose to prominence as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Rolling Stone ranks their 1991 hit, "They Reminisce Over You," among its 500 greatest songs. Along with groups such as Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest and The Roots, Rock played a major role in the merging of jazz into hip-hop music. Rock is often mentioned alongside DJ Premier, RZA, and Q-Tip as one of the mainstays of '90s East Coast hip-hop production.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023 also officially announces today its second round of artists including Latin Tropical Stage artists Telmary & Friends, VibraSon, Chika Di, Óskar Ly & Rumbalú, Gabriel Gonzalez Y La Verdad, Club Mambi, San Miguel, as well as other festival performers on various stages: Connie Han Trio, Blaque Dynamite, MAE.SUN, Bee Taylor, DK Harrell, Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s, The Blues Defenders with Mz. Dee & Willy Jordan, Noah & The Arkiteks, Marcel Smith, Chicken Bone Slim & The Biscuits featuring Laura Chavez, Maxx Cabello Jr., Billy Iuso, Yvonne Flores, and Malachi Whitson. Artists appearing on the SJMA Next Gen Stage and Tabard Theatre Swing Stage are listed below.

The latest announced artists at SJZ Summer Fest 2023 are additions to its stellar lineup featuring acts such as The Bad Plus, Grace Kelly, Veronica Swift, Marcus Shelby New Orchestra Featuring Tiffany Austin, Shayna Steele, Sunny War, Vanessa Collier, Patrice Rushen, Billy Childs, Vocal Gents of Jazz with Kenny Washington, Nicolas Bearde & Jamie Davis, Luca Stricagnoli, Halie Loren, Ronit Widmann-Levy & Angel Romero, Benny Benack III, Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few, Soul Message Band, Orquesta La Moderna Tradición & Orlando "Maraca" Valle, Lalin St. Juste, Basi Vibe, Ian Santillano, Ensemble Contratiemple Afrovenezuelan Jazz, Mr. Clifford's Young Jazz All Stars, among other exciting artists.

SJZ Summer Fest 2023 serves as a platform honoring the vibrancy of the jazz art form. For over three decades, the beloved festival has been celebrated for presenting marquee performances by lauded artists, as well as musicians on the verge of breaking into the mainstream, international artists from across the globe, regional gems including SJZ Jazz Aid Fund artists (SJZ has commissioned local musicians for singular new works with over $100,000 being granted over the last three years), and influential trendsetters pushing the genre into new territories. SJZ Summer Fest 2023 has something for everyone with its unbelievable value for a low-ticket price. Three-day festival passes are now on sale at Advance Purchase prices at summerfest.sanjosejazz.org at four levels of access. The Priority Access level offers special seating with comfortable folding chairs at the front of the Main Stage with an exclusive attached bar, access to skipping lines at indoor venues and access to special events to be announced. VIP experiences are better than ever with up-close seating, exceptional food and drinks, shady viewing areas, exclusive bar and entrance gate, and "first-in" venue access. More info is available at summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/ticket-levels.

Free Community Latin Tropical Stage @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023

Latin jazz remains a pillar of San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2023 with Latin and salsa music lovers traveling to downtown San Jose from the far stretches of the West Coast for a chance to dance to many of today's most distinguished acts. For 2023, the Latin Tropical Stage is once again in the hands of curator and radio journalist Betto Arcos -- who can be heard on NPR, BBC Radio 3, KCRW’s Global Beat Mexico and through his book, Music Stories from the Cosmic Barrio (Fogra Editorial). Whether it's the traditional sounds of San Miguel's Cuban son quintet; the modern timba stylings of Club Mambí or the forward-thinking, infectious music of Telmary & Friends, Arcos has San Jose Jazz Summer Fest patrons covered for the most-anticipated epic Latin dance party of the year. And, it’s free for the community to enjoy!

A woman led-band opens the Latin Tropical Stage and a woman-powered band will close out the stage on Sunday. On Saturday, SJZ Summer Fest presents the debut of singer Chika Di, whose innovative blend of Cumbia, electronic, Afro, pop and Colombian flavors will get people movin' and groovin' on Saturday afternoon. SJZ Summer Fest sees the return of beloved Bay Area group VibraSon (who also performs a separate Latin jazz set at Montgomery Theater Stage on Saturday) as well as the premiere of popular Bay Area salsa band Oskar Li & Rumbalú. Bringing down the house on Saturday night is one of Los Angeles' top salsa bands, Gabriel Gonzalez & La Verdad.

Sunday is exclusively showcasing an array of Cuban music with three smokin' bands: Club Mambí, San Miguel, and Telmary & Friends. Club Mambí is led by trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Onier Bacallao who ignites the stage with blistering Cuban timba sounds. One of Cuba's top Tres players (tres is the Cuban lead guitar played in traditional music), San Miguel performs Cuban dance music from all over the island. To close out Sunday night, Telmary & Friends returns to SJZ Summer Fest with a nine-piece band powered by five women, shares their modern, eclectic mix of Cuban dance music.

Sat, 07/01/2023 - 10:49 am

Acclaimed sitar virtuoso, producer and composer Anoushka Shankar officially announces a new mini-album, Chapter I: Forever, For Now, and three-week North American tour from October 3 - 22, 2023. Released by LEITER, the label run by Nils Frahm and Felix Grimm, Chapter I: Forever, For Now will be available on vinyl and via all digital platforms from October 6, 2023. Her first release since December 2022's standalone single, "In Her Name," which commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 2012 gang rape in Delhi of Jyoti Singh Pandey, the mini-album also follows Between Us..., her live album for LEITER earlier the same year, recorded with Jules Buckley and the Metropole Orkest and nominated for a GRAMMY Award for "Best Global Album" in 2023. Forever, For Now will be preceded by the digital release of its first single "Stolen Moments" on June 30, 2023.

Recorded at LEITER's studio in Berlin's celebrated Funkhaus complex, the four new tracks make up the first chapter in a trilogy of mini-albums Shankar will write and release as an evolving story between tours. Featuring guest appearances by Nils Frahm (piano, glass harmonica, harmonium, slit drum), Gal Maestro (bass) and Magda Giannikou (accordion), Forever, For Now was produced by Arooj Aftab, with whom Shankar had previously collaborated on "Udhero Na," from the deluxe edition of Aftab's Vulture Prince album. This, too, was nominated for a 2023 GRAMMY Award, this time for "Best Global Music Performance" -- bringing to nine Shankar's tally of GRAMMY nominations to date -- and their creative reunion for Chapter I proved especially liberating. "I wanted recordings that express moments," the sitarist says, "not my analysis of those moments from a future vantage point, which often happens when working on albums over a longer period."

Forever, For Now's dominant mood is set by the bewitching stillness of the opening "Daydreaming" (featuring Nils Frahm), a fresh take on a traditional Karnatik lullaby. "I remember my mother and grandmother singing it to me as a child," Shankar reminisces, "and one day last summer, while I was in the garden with my two sons and my sitar, I was strumming when one of my sons got tired and lay down in my lap. As I started finding this melody from my childhood, he fell asleep, and I remember trying to savour the beauty of the moment. This song is a snapshot of afternoon sun through leaves, roses in bloom, a child dozing on his mother's lap, the preciousness of a single moment fully lived and witnessed. This whole chapter, in fact, is about that feeling, being completely in the fullness and transience of a single moment, coming to forever -- for now."

Right from the outset, Shankar's intention over the three releases was to work with a different producer on each mini-album, and Aftab was an obvious candidate for these inaugural sessions. "I'd always thought she was brilliant," Shankar recalls, "and working together on 'Udhero Na' confirmed our collaborative chemistry. I love the genre-fluid world she creates with thoughtful arrangements and sonic spaces. It's something I also value in my own work, but she does it differently. I was really drawn to that different voice, that different colour."

For Aftab, too, this was an opportunity to enlarge upon their earlier collaboration, except this time in greater depth and, of course, together. "I was ecstatic when Anoushka asked me to produce her new material," she says. "I wanted to be sure that we created a minimal ambience that was both composed but very space-giving and free, one that felt without time but not without pulse. Anoushka tells us an unhurried story on each song, and we hear beautiful characters coming and going, like Nils on glass harmonica, or fluttering Magda Giannikou on accordion. Juxtaposing Gal Maestro's flamenco bass timing sensibilities against Anoushka's own classical sense of timing without making them actually meet in the middle, or one person follow the other, resulted in a really stunning musical dialogue."

Shankar had already visited LEITER's studio once, discovering its famed acoustics for herself while jamming with Frahm. "There's a romance to a room with that kind of recording history and scale," she enthuses, and the stars aligned when she and Aftab agreed it was also the most convenient venue to reunite for a week during their endless travels. They began with a blank slate, aside from "little half ideas and unformed melodies," and it took just two days to rough out three of the four songs. "In the months before we met in Berlin," Shankar continues, "we had talked extensively about what we hadn't heard in my work before, and that was really formative in how I approached my playing. Once in the studio Arooj was a clear, warm and generous producer, and the creative process instantly flowed."

Also, on hand those first two days was Frahm, whose role, Shankar elaborates, "was subtle but magical. He was so present and open, moving around his instruments in a way that was very inspiring." In particular, he joined Aftab in coaxing the exquisitely paced, delicately arranged 'Stolen Moments' from Shankar's original, haunting melody. "Exploring space and silence is not something that's always been comfortable for me, and I allowed myself to hold back and not just play notes for the sake of it. It felt like a recording that came from truly listening and responding to the moment."

Frahm can be detected on two further tracks, his piano softly underpinning the soothing opener, "Daydreaming," his glass harmonica and slit drum providing a foundation for the remarkable "What Will We Remember?" during whose nine minutes -- which are based upon "Madhuvanti," a Hindustani evening raga -- Shankar gently explores a graceful alaap, unfurling increasingly energetic flurries of sitar notes to create an astonishing, hypnotic mirage. The mini album concludes with "Sleeping Flowers (Awaken Every Spring)," a showcase for her fluid, lavish dexterity, but always at Forever, For Now's heart lies the memory of that enchanting afternoon in Shankar's garden, her son drowsy in her lap, the sun moving at its own sleepy pace towards sunset, one of those seemingly insignificant yet unforgettable moments that, like her music, mysteriously transcends transience. Where Chapter II will take us remains unwritten.

For more information regarding Anoushka Shankar, please visit: anoushkashankar.com

ANOUSHKA SHANKAR
CHAPTER I: FOREVER, FOR NOW

Track List:
1. DAYDREAMING (feat. Nils Frahm)
2. STOLEN MOMENTS
3. WHAT WILL WE REMEMBER?
4. SLEEPING FLOWERS (AWAKEN EVERY SPRING)

Label: LEITER
Release Date: OCTOBER 6, 2023 Catalogue No: LTR027
Format: VINYL / DIGITAL
Listen: LEITER.LNK.TO/FOREVERFORNOW Visit: LEITER-VERLAG.COM

Anoushka Shankar -- North American Tour (Autumn 2023):
October 3, 2023 -- Storrs CT -- Jorgensen Center
October 5, 2023 -- Ridgefield, CT -- Ridgefield Playhouse
October 6, 2023 -- Bethesda, MD -- Strathmore Music Center
October 7, 2023 -- New York, NY -- Pioneer Works
October 8, 2023 -- Boston, MA -- Berklee Performance Center
October 10, 2023 -- Montreal, QC -- Place Des Arts, Theatre Maisonneuve
October 11, 2023 -- Ottawa, ON -- National Arts Center, Southam Hall
October 13, 2023 -- Chicago, IL -- CSO Symphony Center
October 14, 2023 -- Toronto, ON -- Koerner Hall
October 15, 2023 -- Vancouver, BC -- Chan Shun Concert Hall
October 17, 2023 -- Seattle, WA -- Moore Theater
October 18, 2023 -- San Francisco, CA -- Herbst Theater
October 20, 2023 -- Santa Fe, NM -- Lensic Center
October 21, 2023 -- Orange, CA -- Musco Center for the Arts
October 22, 2023 -- Northridge, CA -- Great Hall at The Soraya

Fri, 07/14/2023 - 11:55 am

A hero's journey tracing two brothers who started the one-hit wonder '60s band PEOPLE!, the new full-length documentary, Brothers Broken, spotlights how two boomers compromised their acclaimed music careers to join Scientology, which in turn nearly destroyed their lives. Rock 'n' roll brothers Geoff Levin and Robbie Levin suffered almost 50 years of Scientology trauma. Geoff shunned his brother for 28 years because Robbie left scientology.

Brothers Broken chronicles the devastating effects the cult had on their band, their personal lives and their families. The film is a heartwarming yet shocking saga featuring their rise to fame with PEOPLE!'s hit 1968 single "I Love You" (Capitol Records), then decades of brainwashing, and ultimate redemption. Brothers Broken is set for its "U.S. Premiere" at Cinequest Film Festival (LINK) on Sunday, August 20 (Hammer Theatre Center) and Saturday, August 26 (Mt. View ShowPlace ICON Theatre & Kitchen) in San Jose and Mountain View, California.

Synopsis:

"It's harder to get out of prison than to leave Scientology." - Mike Rinder

The story starts by bringing us into the cult mentality and then follows the chronological journey of the brothers' childhood in the '50s in San Jose, Calif. and landing them in the middle of the '60s Bay Area music revolution. Geoff and Robbie Levin led a charmed life growing up with then-unknown musicians Jerry Garcia, Janice Joplin, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, and Grace Slick. In 1968, when the brothers joined Scientology, the magic stopped and the strange cultish odyssey began. In 1984, Geoff shunned his brother Robbie because he left the cult. This separation lasted for 28 years.

Separately, they led Forest Gump like lives. Geoff helped launch Apple's first Macintosh with his score and songs and founded the Billboard charting storytelling group Celestial Navigations with actor Geoffrey Lewis. Robbie invented the stationary bike phenomenon Spinning and co-founded the multi-million-dollar women’s clothing company EZ Sportswear, which became Melrose Clothing.

Decades later this rift culminated in Geoff’s breakdown and depression lasting three years while Robbie stood by helpless to do anything for his brother because of Scientology disconnection. This unique story that includes L. Ron Hubbard's church is different than all the other movies and series about the organization. It’s a rock doc meets a cult horror show and a personal journey that continues to evolve as the brothers reconnect to band members, family, and friends. The universal theme of love and kindred spirits is woven throughout the film.

To learn more about Brothers Broken, please visit: brothersbroken.com

Mission Statement:

Brothers Broken is a film about redemption. Geoff Levin's 46-year dedication to the cult since 1968 made him an insider working directly with L. Ron Hubbard, many of Scientology's top executives, performing at over 600 Scientology events and in close contact with the cult’s celebrities. Geoff feels responsible for helping to bring thousands of unsuspecting people into Hubbard’s fraudulent church. By telling this story, the brothers hope to expose the toxic practices Scientology has of breaking up families and separating friends.

Mon, 07/24/2023 - 4:38 pm

Pickathon has released the full lineup of bands for the 2023 Festival, coming August 3-6 to Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Oregon (16 miles outside of Portland, OR). Music fans will recognize indie roots powerhouses Watchhouse, or old-school soul icon Lee Fields, and folks in the know will be happy about alt-glam band Dehd, indie-folk superstar Madison Cunningham, and Zambian psych rockers W.I.T.C.H. But beyond these names, the Pickathon 2023 lineup is stocked with surprises, deep cuts, and rapidly rising artists from across the globe, as befits a festival known for its curation and its ability to spot the next breakout bands across all genres.

Some bands coming to Pickathon this year are from red-hot local scenes, like Thee Sinseers and The Altons who represent Los Angeles' new wave of soul music, or Imarhan and Vieux Farka Touré from the wide desert expanses of Sub-Saharan West Africa. Others are spectacular examples of unprecedented cultural collaborations, like the bluegrass banjo and Venezuelan harp combo Larry & Joe, or Orchestra Gold, which melds Malian song with SF Bay Area psych rock. Still others present brand-new genres of music being invented in the moment, like the post-internet jazz of MonoNeon, or the Native American powwow + electronic Bon Iver soundscapes of Joe Rainey, or the lo-fi memeology of the hugely popular Yot Club.

Latine music is an exceptional highlight at Pickathon this year with the likes of Colombian psych trad band Meridian Brothers, Peruvian electronica group Novalima, and Mexican punk rockers Sgt. Papers -- as is Tampa experimentalists They Hate Change, and jazz geniuses Butcher Brown. Country and honky-tonk remain strong with the likes of Nick Shoulders, The Kernal, and Courtney Marie Andrews, and Pickathon's rep in indie-rock is unchallenged with fast rising artists Wednesday, MJ Lenderman, and Florist. With 50+ artists to discover at Pickathon 2023, these artists are just the tip of the iceberg!

Pickathon redefines the music festival experience as an immersive choose-your-own-adventure, where fans discover music, arts, and culture fantastically integrated into the natural wonders of Pendarvis Farm(16 miles outside of Portland, OR). Music at Pickathon is highly curated, bringing together the deep cuts and rising stars of every genre alongside groundbreaking lineups in body & wellness, comedy, visual art, literature, family programming, artisanal food, craft beer, spirits, and more. Pickathon pioneered the zero-waste, green festival and continually sets new standards of sustainability. If you know, you know. If you've never been, you'll understand the minute you set foot on the Farm. Pickathon is where we go to fall in love, every year, all over again.

"Reinventing Pickathon last year around the concept of integrating music, arts, and culture into the natural settings of Pendarvis Farm was an incredible endeavor," says Pickathon founder Zale Schoenborn. "2023 not only presents our best lineup ever, but now we understand the new Pickathon Neighborhoods even better, and we're excited to refine all the details to make this year our most immersive experience to date. I can't wait for everyone to join us at Pendarvis Farm!"

Early Bird Tickets for Pickathon 2023 are on sale now and will only last a little while longer before prices go up! Get them now, don't delay! Camping, parking, shuttles, everything else is on sale now too!

PICKATHON 2023 -- FULL ARTIST LINEUP
Watchouse
Lee Fields
Dehd
Madison Cunningham
Vieux Farka Touré
Florist
W.I.T.C.H.
Wednesday
MonoNeon
Ocie Elliott
Butcher Brown
Yot Club
Courtney Marie Andrews
Imarhan
Say She She
MJ Lenderman
Madison McFerrin
The Po' Ramblin' Boys
They Hate Change
Andrew Marlin
Pachyman
Wine Lips
Nikki Nair
GA-20
Nick Shoulders
Wayne Graham
Mike Dillon's Punkadelic!
Rich Ruth
The Altons
Thee Sinseers
Novalima
Logan Ledger
Meridian Brothers
Emily Nenni
Mikaela Davis
Joe Rainey
Riddy Arman
The Mountain Grass Unit
The Kernal
Larry & Joe
Hooveriii
Gel
Jackie Venson
Nat Myers
Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves
Sgt. Papers
Orchestra Gold
WHIMZ
Sprig of That
The Shivas
MØTRIK
Brittany Davis
Small Paul
Cat Clyde

Wed, 07/26/2023 - 4:16 pm

A music festival globally renowned for its environmental sustainability practices, Pickathon announces a huge step towards the future of a truly Zero Emissions festival. Partnering with Toyota Racing Development (TRD USA) and the Pacific Northwest Toyota Dealers Association (PNTDA), Pickathon 2023 will be the first ever music festival to use a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator to power stages.

Based on Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology developed for the Toyota Mirai road car, this one-of-a-kind generator will make its music festival debut at Pickathon, powering multiple stages and equipment with the only emissions being clean air and pure water. Created by TRD USA with the support of Toyota's Fuel Cell Solutions Group, the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator utilizes nothing other than hydrogen gas and oxygen from the surrounding air and outputs no harmful emissions, a major revolution in clean power generation. It is a key part of Pickathon's innovative efforts to create a Zero Waste, Zero Emissions ethos for all music festivals.

TRD USA's Hydrogen Generator is a bold move away from fossil fuels and carbon emissions for portable, on-site power generation. The machine makes virtually no noise and emits no smoke, vibration, combustion, or hot exhaust into the atmosphere. The 50KW generator is a sustainable power solution replacing noisy and polluting diesel generators and is part of Toyota's ongoing efforts of providing clean power.

"We've been excited about Zero Waste and Zero Emissions for years now," says Zale Schoenborn, Pickathon's founder. "Zero emissions is a much harder goal because of the extensive power needs of a major festival. With the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator, we now have the technology needed to make festivals zero emissions events. We're demonstrating this for the first time for a music festival ever and are incredibly proud of this partnership."

Pickathon was hand-selected by TRD USA as the first music festival to premiere the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator because of the festival's reputation for developing internationally adopted green festival practices. Since 2010, Pickathon has been pushing towards a Zero Waste, Zero Emissions ethos for the festival, initiating key practices that have been widely adopted by other festivals. To achieve Zero Waste, Pickathon has nearly eliminated plastic and all single use dishware in favor of reusable and rewashable cups and dishes. To achieve Zero Emissions, Pickathon incentivizes biking or taking mass transit to the festival, uses solar power on select stages, and redesigned the entire festival last year to incorporate stages into the natural cycles of the day, greatly reducing emissions from set-up, breakdown, and equipment installation. This year, TRD USA's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator is a revolutionary step towards achieving the dream of a Zero Emission music festival.

"It's amazing to collaborate with Pickathon to make this year more sustainable than ever and help set the precedent for future music festivals and events," says Russ Humberston, President of the Pacific Northwest Toyota Dealers Association. "Toyota is dedicated to making the community a better place for all, and having the opportunity to power this beloved Oregon music festival with clean power is an honor."

The event falls within the geographic boundaries of the Pacific Northwest Toyota Dealers Association, which consists of all 23 dealers within the Southern Washington area and state of Oregon.

Fri, 09/01/2023 - 7:51 am

Joining the fight to help preserve America's democracy, GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter Joanie Leeds ("Best Children's Album" 2020 -- All The Ladies) protests against the controversial banned books movement with the national release of her latest studio album, FREADOM (Tiger Turn/Release Date: September 15, 2023). Along with other influential public figures taking a stand against banned books, Leeds couldn't stay silent while radical organizations campaign to remove and restrict access to books in grade schools and libraries across the country. Leeds and her all-star Book Band celebrate many of the banned children's books with a new collection of eight original songs that joyously amplify messages of love and inclusion. Slated for release on September 15, 2023, FREADOM illustrates the melodic power of solidarity, resistance, and diversity.

As an early childhood educator, mother, and children's musician for nearly 20 years, Leeds understands the developmental benefits that culminate from challenging a child's perspective through music and literature. 2022 saw the highest number of book bans and attempts to remove or restrict materials since the American Library Association started compiling data 20 years ago. Millions of children are currently losing access to important literature due to a growing movement led by conservative advocacy groups. Book banners largely target stories by and about people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and exploring Jewish themes. Freedom of expression and the right to access information are fundamental pillars of America's democracy and FREADOM is Leeds' message to the world in support of everyone's First Amendment Rights.

Joanie Leeds, says, "When the political landscape seems too divisive to make change, I ask myself as a children's musician, "What can I do?" My frustration and grief often become the catalyst for new music. FREADOM lifts up some of our favorite banned titles and causes some 'good trouble' as I reimagine the stories in song form and perform alongside some of the best musicians I know. Please take a stand and join me fighting book bans and protecting the personal freedoms of ALL Americans. We will not be banned!"

FREADOM features Leeds with a world-class cast of musicians, including GRAMMY Award-nominated and McArthur Fellow violinist Regina Carter, three GRAMMY-nominated instrumentalists including guitarist/vocalist Saul Paul, bassist/vocalist Divinity Roxx, pianist/vocalist Cheryl B. Engelhardt; and multi-reed player Oran Etkin. They're joined by an equally impressive array of guest artists, such as two-time GRAMMY winner Lucy Kalantari, Aaron Nigel Smith, and Robin Tucker on vocals, trumpeter Syreeta Thompson, Rob Dietz (vocal arranger/coach on NBC's The Sing-Off) on beatbox and vocals, among others. In much the same way that the challenged books speak to the humanity our diverse nation, FREADOM -- which is executive produced by Jonathan Alter, Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl, A.J. Jacobs, Valerie Rockefeller Wayne, and Kasey Meehan (Pen America) -- encompasses a multifarious chorus that represents America at its best.

Motivated to write music in allyship with underrepresented and discriminated groups, Leeds says the rising tide of book bans hit particularly close to home. "As a mother of an 8-year-old daughter who loves picture books, we've been following this story very closely as many of our favorite titles have been removed from schools and libraries, particularly in my home state of Florida."

Her daughter's voice opens FREADOM with a heartfelt protest, introducing the powerful anthem "Banned." It's the song that sets the thrumming emotional tone for the album, boldly facing down the dystopian impulse to suppress disfavored views and identities. "Block Party" distills the celebratory tableau portrayed in Patricia Polacco's In Our Mothers' House; specifically about capturing a scene where neighbors "share food from different cultures, creating different games and offering kindness and protection for the beautiful family with three adopted children and two mothers," says Leeds.

And Tango Makes Three, the picture book detailing the Central Park Zoo's beloved penguin family, inspired Leeds' beguiling "Tango," which recounts "the story of two male penguins coupling off and raising a baby together," she says. As a Jewish woman, it was essential for Leeds to bring attention to the fact that books about the Holocaust (Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl and Art Spiegelman's Maus) are being banned. Mara Rockliff's and Kyrsten Brooker's Chik Chak Shabbat, an uplifting story about a diverse cast of neighbors rallying to help an ailing Jewish woman observe Shabbat, inspired the incantatory "Cholent Time."

A tribute to Junot Diaz's Islandborn, the Caribbean-tinged "Inside Your Heart" honors the children of immigrants who learn about their ancestral homeland from stories passed down by their families -- the song has lead vocals by Lucy Kalantari and translated Spanish lyrics (and background vocals) by Flor Bromley. The irresistible soaring anthem and a cappella song "Rainbow Flag" (arranged by NBC's The Sing-Off's Rob Dietz ), is sparked by Rob Sanders' and Steven Salerno's oft-targeted Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag.

"Sing it Out" is Leeds' homage to Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations, Kelly Starling Lyons' and Keith Mallett's moving book about the NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson hymn often described as the Black National Anthem. Co-written with GRAMMY Award-nominated Aaron Nigel Smith, the track features fellow GRAMMY nominees Saul Paul and Divinity Roxx rapping and singing, with additional vocals by Kymberly Stewart.

FREADOM closes with "Born That Way," a sweetly crooning ode to gender diversity and following one's dreams inspired by Marcus Ewert's and Rex Ray's 10,000 Dresses.

For a comprehensive list of Joanie Leeds' forthcoming concerts, including at The Cutting Room (NYC: Sept. 27), the Jewish Museum (NYC: Oct. 15), the Children's Museum of Manhattan (NYC: Dec. 2 & 3), among other shows, please visit: joanieleeds.com.

About Joanie Leeds:
A leading progressive voice in children's music, the New York City-based Leeds is a national touring artist, early childhood educator and activist. Since the 2003 release of her album, Soul from My Footsteps, her witty, heartfelt, and righteous body of work has earned numerous awards, including 1st place in the USA Songwriting Competition, the International Songwriting Competition, the Independent Music Awards, Gold Parents' Choice Awards, NAPPA Gold Awards, and Family Choice Awards. Her 2020 gender equality album for families, All the Ladies, won a GRAMMY Award for "Best Children's Album." With FREADOM, Leeds is once again bringing her music to the frontlines, offering support and inspiring music to push back against those seeking to diminish the all-inclusive American songbook.

Wed, 09/06/2023 - 3:01 pm

A hero’s journey tracing two brothers who started the one-hit wonder ‘60s band PEOPLE!, the new full-length documentary, Brothers Broken, spotlights how two boomers compromised their acclaimed music careers to join Scientology, which in turn nearly destroyed their lives. Rock ‘n’ roll brothers Geoff Levin and Robbie Levin suffered almost 50 years of Scientology trauma. Geoff shunned his brother for 28 years because Robbie left scientology.

Brothers Broken chronicles the devastating effects the cult had on their band, their personal lives and their families. The film is a heartwarming yet shocking saga featuring their rise to fame with PEOPLE!’s hit 1968 single “I Love You” (Capitol Records), then decades of brainwashing, and ultimate redemption. Brothers Broken recently premiered at Cinequest Film Festival (LINK) on Sunday, August 20 (Hammer Theatre Center) and Saturday, August 26 (Mt. View ShowPlace ICON Theatre & Kitchen) in San Jose and Mountain View, California.

Synopsis:

 “It’s harder to get out of prison than to leave Scientology.” - Mike Rinder

The story starts by bringing us into the cult mentality and then follows the chronological journey of the brothers’ childhood in the ‘50s in San Jose, Calif. and landing them in the middle of the ‘60s Bay Area music revolution. Geoff and Robbie Levin led a charmed life growing up with then unknown musicians Jerry Garcia, Janice Joplin, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, and Grace Slick. In 1968, when the brothers joined Scientology, the magic stopped and the strange cultish odyssey began. In 1984, Geoff shunned his brother Robbie because he left the cult. This separation lasted for 28 years.

Separately, they led Forest Gump like lives. Geoff helped launch Apple’s first Macintosh with his score and songs and founded the Billboard charting storytelling group Celestial Navigations with actor Geoffrey Lewis. Robbie invented the stationary bike phenomenon Spinning and co-founded the multi-million-dollar women’s clothing company EZ Sportswear, which became Melrose Clothing.

Decades later this rift culminated in Geoff’s breakdown and depression lasting three years while Robbie stood by helpless to do anything for his brother because of Scientology disconnection. This unique story that includes L. Ron Hubbard’schurch is different than all the other movies and series about the organization. It’s a rock doc meets a cult horror show and a personal journey that continues to evolve as the brothers reconnect to band members, family, and friends. The universal theme of love and kindred spirits is woven throughout the film.

To learn more about Brothers Broken, please visit: brothersbroken.com

Mission Statement:

Brothers Broken is a film about redemption. Geoff Levin’s 46-year dedication to the cult since 1968 made him an insider working directly with L. Ron Hubbard, many of Scientology’s top executives, performing at over 600 Scientology events and in close contact with the cult’s celebrities. Geoff feels responsible for helping to bring thousands of unsuspecting people into Hubbard’s fraudulent church. By telling this story, the brothers hope to expose the toxic practices Scientology has of breaking up families and separating friends. 

Tue, 09/19/2023 - 6:26 pm

A lauded drummer who's mastered a vast array of musical settings -- such as guesting on late night TV, keeping time for some of today's most beloved singer-songwriters (such as Brandi Carlile), and being a renowned bandleader/composer in her own right -- Allison Miller is always at the heart of the music. Her latest album, Rivers In Our Veins (Royal Potato Family, Release Date: October 6, 2023, ALBUM PRE-ORDER), is a song cycle embracing the concept of flow and renewal, and dedicated to our nation's crucial rivers, watersheds and the organizations devoted to reviving and protecting them. Commissioned by Mid Atlantic Arts Organization and Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Rivers In Our Veins is the studio manifestation from an ambitious live multimedia production with original music composed by Miller featuring an all-star cast of improvisers, tap and contemporary dancers, and real-time video projection by Todd Winkler. Three of Miller's singles will be released in advance of the full album, including "Hudson" on July 20, "Of Two Rivers (Part 2)" on August 16, "Fierce" on September 19, 2023, and her Brooklyn, NY album release concert on Saturday, November 25 will be at Roulette (TOUR DATES).

Rivers In Our Veins spotlights Miller alongside longtime collaborators, including violinist Jenny Scheinman, Ben Goldberg on contra-alto and Bb clarinets, pianist Carmen Staaf, trumpeter Jason Palmer, bassist Todd Sickafoose, and tap dancers Claudia Rahardjanoto, Michelle Dorrance, Elizabeth Burke, Byron Tittle, and Orlando Hernández. Rivers In Our Veins draws inspiration from what acclaimed writer Rebecca Solnit calls "human geography." It's a perspective that encompasses indigenous communities who depend on rivers and the vital role waterways play for survival throughout America's often torrid history of forced migration for marginalized people, as well as the conservation movement dedicated to reclaiming historic rivers from pollution. Miller culls inspiration from the cultural histories of five East Coast rivers that have been polluted nearly beyond repair through industrialism and commercialism, she focuses on the James, Delaware, Potomac, Hudson, and Susquehanna.

From the start, Miller built Rivers around "the sound, tone and approach" of Carmen Staaf, the deft pianist in her and Scheinman's quartet Parlour Game. "Carmen was the musician I was connecting with the most while writing Rivers. She would bring my compositional ideas to life. Once the compositions began to blossom, I knew Jenny Scheinman would be a perfect addition, ushering in an American folk sound that evokes the history of culture and migration along American rivers. Todd Sickafoose was the next natural collaborator, with his huge sound and elastic sense of time. These are all master improvisational storytellers, which is vital to this aural exploration of rivers."

Like Scheinman and Sickafoose, Goldberg is a member of Miller's Boom Tic Boom, a near-legendary improvisor whose liquid Bb clarinet and gravelly ol'-man-river contra-alto provide textures both aqueous and gritty. Trumpeter Jason Palmer is a more recent addition to Miller's world, but proves to be a foundational element whose expansive palette shapes the music's sonic scope.

Miller always cast a wide creative net so it's no surprise she's leading such a multifarious project. Her career includes extensive work with Toshi Reagon, Ani DiFranco, Natalie Merchant, Brandi Carlile, and Erin McKeown. She's also forged creative alliances with pianist Myra Melford, guitarist Wendy Eisenberg, bassist Scott Colley, and saxophonist Dayna Stephens. She toured and recorded widely with Hammond B-3 legend Dr. Lonnie Smith and bassist Ben Allison, and composed music for Showtime's cult series, The L Word. On top of releasing more than a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, she's the engine powering the acclaimed Blue Note recording group Artemis.

Rivers In Our Veins brings together many of Miller's primary passions. The production offers festivity and opportunity. "What's your local river?" she said. "What can you do for it? This project is about raising awareness and consciousness of our local waterways. It's about highlighting the grassroots conservation organizations who are working tirelessly to clean up our rivers. Not only are they making environmental policy change at the state and federal level, they are literally wading through the rivers picking up trash. For every live performance, we team up with local river keeper organizations, providing them an opportunity to widen their network and raise money for their efforts. Rivers is about essential conservation and celebrating diversity and biodiversity. It's about water and music, which is to say, life."

For detailed song descriptions for the compositions featured on Rivers In Our Veins, please click the following link for a PDF of a Track-By-Track One Sheet.

Wed, 09/27/2023 - 3:33 pm

Renowned musician and producer Joe Jackson unveils his latest artistic endeavour 'What A Racket!' -- a new album reviving the songs of enigmatic early 20th-century English Music Hall artist Max Champion.

Music Hall (along with its American cousin, Vaudeville) was the first form of mass entertainment created by the working classes. Its raw beginnings were in the pubs and streets of mid-19th century London, and while never really considered 'respectable', it was, by 1900, performed in opulent theatres to huge audiences drawn from all walks of life. Prostitutes and princes alike sang along with superstar performers, many of whom are now legendary, and whose songs are still known in the UK.

Those songs, depicting everyday life in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, were most often humorous or satirical, though some were sentimental or patriotic, and others dealt with darker themes such as jealousy and murder. Many were also blatantly sexual, though always expressed in clever euphemisms and double entendres.

One of the most fascinating of the later Music Hall performers was Max Champion. Little is known about him, except that he was born in 1882 in London's East End, and is thought to have been related to the great Victorian entertainer Harry Champion. As an up-and-coming performer he shared the stage with big stars such as Gus Ellen and Vesta Tilley, but his career (much like the Music Hall era itself) was cut short by the First World War, and his songs faded into obscurity. That is, until 2014, when Max Champion sheet music started to surface: first in Malta, then in England, and, intriguingly, in Belgium, where Max probably met his end in the trenches. By 2019, enough songs had been recovered for Joe Jackson to resurrect them with a 12-piece orchestra.

'What A Racket!' presents eleven of Max Champion's songs for the first time in more than a century. According to producer Joe Jackson, "These were wonderful songs in their time, but they're surprisingly modern, too. Sometimes it's almost as if Max is speaking, from his London of the early 20th century, directly to us in the early 21st. A good example is 'Health and Safety,' released today."

The album "Mr. Joe Jackson presents: Max Champion in 'What A Racket!'" will be released via earMUSIC on November 24th, 2023, as CD-Digipak and 1LP Black Vinyl, Download and Streaming.

Plans are also underway to present this project as a live show in Spring 2024. More details soon!

ACCESS THE ALBUM -- LISTEN TO THE SONG

TRACK LISTING
1. (Overture): Why, Why, Why?
2. The Sporting Life
3. Dear Old Mum -- A London-Irish Lament
4. Monty Mundy (Is Maltese)!
5. The Shades Of Night
6. What A Racket!
7. The Bishop And The Actress
8. Think Of The Show! -- A Thespian's Lament
9. Never So Nice In The Morning
10. Health & Safety
11. Worse Things Happen At Sea

Vinyl Split:
Side A: Tracks 1-5
Side B: Tracks 6-11

Wed, 10/25/2023 - 2:16 pm

Celebrated musician and producer Joe Jackson releases the highly anticipated second single, "What A Racket!", reviving the genius of long-lost artist Max Champion and offering a candid and catchy take on the urban cacophony that we all know and love or hate.

"What A Racket!" presents a satirical and humorous exploration of the daily urban grind from the perspective of Max Champion. This lively track captures the essence of city living in the early 20th century in a way that is both relatable and entertaining, highlighting the smog, soot, and chaos around the noise of city life.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Max Champion was born in 1882 in London's East End and is thought to have been related to the great Victorian entertainer Harry Champion. As an up-and-coming performer he shared the stage with big stars such as Gus Ellen and Vesta Tilley, but his career (much like the Music Hall era itself) was cut short by the First World War, and his songs faded into obscurity. That is, until 2014, when Max Champion sheet music started to surface: first in Malta, then in England, and, intriguingly, in Belgium, where Max probably met his end in the trenches. By 2019, enough songs had been recovered for Joe Jackson to resurrect them with a 12-piece orchestra.

 LISTEN TO THE SONG HERE

The album "Mr. Joe Jackson presents: Max Champion in 'What A Racket!'" will be released via earMUSIC on November 24th, 2023, as CD-Digipak and 1LP Black Vinyl, Download and Streaming.

Plans are also underway to present this project as a live show in Spring 2024. More details soon!

ACCESS THE ALBUM HERE

Music Hall originated in 19th-century London, transitioning from pubs and street performances to grand theaters by 1900. It attracted a diverse audience, spanning from commoners to aristocrats. The songs in this genre depicted life in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, often infused with humor, satire, sentimentality, patriotism, and occasionally darker themes like jealousy and murder. Some songs were also risqué but cleverly expressed.

TRACK LISTING
1. (Overture): Why, Why, Why?
2. The Sporting Life
3. Dear Old Mum -- A London-Irish Lament
4. Monty Mundy (Is Maltese)!
5. The Shades Of Night
6. What A Racket!
7. The Bishop And The Actress
8. Think Of The Show! -- A Thespian's Lament
9. Never So Nice In The Morning
10. Health & Safety
11. Worse Things Happen At Sea

Vinyl Split: Side A: Tracks 1-5 Side B: Tracks 6-11

Fri, 11/24/2023 - 3:48 pm

Today, celebrated musician and producer Joe Jackson releases his latest artistic endeavour 'What A Racket!' via earMUSIC. The album is a vibrant revival of long-lost artist Max Champion and transports listeners to the lively world of Music Hall tradition.

Fans, captivated by the enigmatic Max Champion, have been speculating and researching for weeks since the album's announcement. A newly released documentary now finally sheds light on the early 20th century artist from England.

WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT MAX CHAMPION

'What A Racket!' presents eleven of Max Champion's songs for the first time in more than a century. According to producer Joe Jackson, "These were wonderful songs in their time, but they're surprisingly modern, too. Sometimes it's almost as if Max is speaking, from his London of the early 20th century, directly to us in the early 21st."

The album "Mr. Joe Jackson presents: Max Champion in 'What A Racket!'" is available in various formats, including CD-Digipak, 1LP Black Vinyl, Download, and Streaming.

Plans are also underway to present this project as a live show in 2024. More details soon!

ACCESS THE ALBUM

Music Hall originated in 19th-century London, evolving from pubs and street performances to grand theatres by 1900. It attracted a diverse audience, from commoners to aristocrats, and portrayed life in the Victorian and Edwardian eras with humor, satire, sentimentality, patriotism, and occasional darker themes. Some songs were also risqué but cleverly expressed.

TRACK LISTING
1. (Overture): Why, Why, Why?
2. The Sporting Life
3. Dear Old Mum -- A London-Irish Lament
4. Monty Mundy (Is Maltese)!
5. The Shades Of Night
6. What A Racket!
7. The Bishop And The Actress
8. Think Of The Show! -- A Thespian's Lament
9. Never So Nice In The Morning
10. Health & Safety
11. Worse Things Happen At Sea

Vinyl Split: Side A: Tracks 1-5 Side B: Tracks 6-11

Mon, 12/04/2023 - 4:47 pm

Following the newly released album by earMUSIC, Mr. Joe Jackson presents: Max Champion in 'What A Racket!' -- reviving the songs of enigmatic early 20th-century English Music Hall artist Max Champion -- renowned musician and producer Joe Jackson announces "The Two Rounds Of Racket Tour" appearing in 19 cities across the U.S. in summer 2024. Kicking off at Tarrytown Music Hall (Tarrytown, NY) on June 1, 2024, Joe Jackson takes his nine-piece band across the East Coast, Midwest, The Rockies, and West Coast for a full month before the tour hits its final stop at The Moore Theatre (Seattle, WA) on July 1, 2024. Additional dates to be confirmed, including Europe. Fan pre-sale tickets will be available starting Tuesday, December 5 at 10 am LOCAL at www.joejackson.com, and the official on-sale for tickets will begin on Friday, December 8 at 10am LOCAL.

"The Two Rounds Of Racket Tour" promises to be festive, fun, and unlike anything else music fans will see next (or any other) year. The show will be in two parts: a solo set by Joe Jackson of his original songs, and a set based on the album What A Racket! -- the first performance in more than 100 years of the songs of forgotten Music Hall genius Max Champion, with Joe and a nine-piece band.

Max Champion was born in 1882 in London's East End and is thought to have been related to the great Victorian entertainer Harry Champion. As an up-and-coming performer he shared the stage with big stars such as Gus Ellen and Vesta Tilley, but his career (much like the Music Hall era itself) was cut short by the First World War, and his songs faded into obscurity. That is, until 2014, when Max Champion sheet music started to surface: first in Malta, then in England, and, intriguingly, in Belgium, where Max probably met his end in the trenches. By 2019, enough songs had been recovered for Joe Jackson to resurrect them with a 12-piece orchestra.

According to producer Joe Jackson, "These were wonderful songs in their time, but they're surprisingly modern, too. Sometimes it's almost as if Max is speaking, from his London of the early 20th century, directly to us in the early 21st."

A newly released documentary now sheds light on the early 20th-century artist from England.

WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT MAX CHAMPION

Music Hall originated in 19th-century London, transitioning from pubs and street performances to grand theaters by 1900. It attracted a diverse audience, spanning from commoners to aristocrats. The songs in this genre depicted life in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, often infused with humor, satire, sentimentality, patriotism, and occasionally darker themes like jealousy and murder. Some songs were also risqué but cleverly expressed.

ACCESS THE ALBUM

Mr. Joe Jackson presents: Max Champion in 'What A Racket!'
(Release Date: earMUSIC, November 24, 2023)

TRACK LISTING
1. (Overture): Why, Why, Why?
2. The Sporting Life
3. Dear Old Mum -- A London-Irish Lament
4. Monty Mundy (Is Maltese)!
5. The Shades Of Night
6. What A Racket!
7. The Bishop And The Actress
8. Think Of The Show! -- A Thespian's Lament
9. Never So Nice In The Morning
10. Health & Safety
11. Worse Things Happen At Sea

JOE JACKSON -- "THE TWO ROUNDS OF RACKET TOUR"

Sat, June 1, 2024 -- Tarrytown, NY -- Tarrytown Music Hall
Mon, June 3, 2024 -- Portsmouth, NH -- The Music Hall
Tue, June 4, 2024 -- Boston, MA -- The Wilbur
Fri, June 7, 2024 -- New York, NY -- Apollo Theatre
Sat, June 8, 2024 -- New York, NY -- Apollo Theatre
Mon, June 10, 2024 -- Washington, DC -- Lincoln Theatre
Tue, June 11, 2024 -- Virginia Beach, VA -- Sandler Center
Thu, June 13, 2024 -- Red Bank, NJ -- Count Basie Center for the Arts
Fri, June 14, 2024 -- Wilmington, DE -- The Grand Opera House
Sun, June 16, 2024 -- Evanston, IL -- Cahn Auditorium
Mon, June 17, 2024 -- Milwaukee, WI -- The Pabst Theater
Wed, June 19, 2024 -- Minneapolis, MN -- Uptown Theatre
Fri, June 21, 2024 -- Denver, CO -- Paramount Theatre
Sat, June 22, 2024 -- Santa Fe, NM -- The Lensic
Mon, June 24, 2024 -- Phoenix, AZ -- Celebrity Theatre
Tue, June 25, 2024 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Orpheum Theatre
Thu, June 27, 2024 -- El Cajon, CA -- The Magnolia
Fri, June 28, 2024 -- San Francisco, CA -- Curran Theatre
Sun, June 30, 2024 -- Portland, OR -- Revolution Hall
Mon, July 1, 2024 -- Seattle, WA -- The Moore Theatre

Mon, 01/22/2024 - 2:14 pm

Lauded vocalist Lizz Wright encapsulates an illustrious 20-year career as one of the great modern American singers with the studio debut album, Shadow, on her label Blues & Greens Records (with licensing/distribution through Lightyear Entertainment/Virgin Music), set for release on April 12, 2024. Giving fans a taste of what's to come on Shadow, Wright releases Shadow's second single "Your Love" featuring Meshell Ndegeocello and Brandee Younger on Friday, February 2, 2024. "Your Love" follows Wright's recent October 2023 release of the first single "Sweet Feeling" on Shadow (watch music video HERE). To stream "Your Love," please click HERE.

On Shadow, Wright pens five originals with special guests Angelique Kidjo appearing on "Sparrow," and Meshell Ndegeocello and harpist Brandee Younger on "Your Love." Renowned for her singular writing style across six critically-acclaimed studio albums, Wright also beautifully weaves into her recordings unforgettable renditions of songs by artists she loves. Shadow's producer and longtime collaborator/music director Chris Bruce (Seal, Bettye LaVette, Sheryl Crow) arranged "Your Love," an empowering new song co-written by Wright and Jack DeBoe (Tyler the Creator, Jon Batiste).

"Your Love" embodies the pure joy of dancing to summon and embrace the grief of loved ones lost. A propulsive drum beat by Deantoni Parks underlines Ndegeocello's nuanced bass groove. In layered vocals, Wright sings "all day, walk around singing...wake me up!" "Your Love" is a moment of ancestral recall with moving references to the faith of Wright's upbringing.

The much-anticipated full album release of Shadow by Blues & Greens Records is slated for April 12, 2024. Blues & Greens Records is Wright's innovative label venture designed to position artists to build sustainable and wholesome careers. Blues & Greens Records seeks to create a healthy ecosystem for artists as it uplifts and centralizes humanity in the music business with wellness offerings and sound business practices at the forefront.

About Lizz Wright:
Acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Lizz Wright sings a soaring reflection of the cultural fabric of America. She lies beneath the script of history, transcending social divides with an offer of love and deep sense of humanity. Her music accepts the beauty of reality and creates a collective experience of belonging for the listener. Wright's songs embody a tradition that allows us to always feel at home.

Wright culls inspiration from her Southern upbringing in Georgia where she was the musical director of a small church in which her father was the pastor. The call and response singing with the church congregation was her first brush with music. Soon she would traverse the Great American Songbook on her path to becoming a beloved international treasure.

At the age of 22, Wright first made a name for herself nationally as a vocalist with a touring concert tribute to Billie Holiday. At 23, she signed with Verve Records for the release of Salt, which topped Billboard's contemporary jazz charts. She went on to record for Universal Music Group and released the albums Dreaming Wide Awake (2005), The Orchard (2008), and Fellowship (2010). On Concord, Wright released Freedom & Surrender (2016) -- featuring the single "Lean In," which landed on President Obama's Summer 2016 playlist -- and Grace (2017). Wright's (2022) release of Holding Space (a live recording of a concert in Berlin at the Columbia Theater) was her debut live album on Blues and Greens Records.

Wed, 03/06/2024 - 3:20 pm

"One of the world's great urban jazz festivals" (DownBeat Magazine), San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, returns to Plaza de César Chávez from Friday, August 9 - Sunday, August 11, 2024, turning the heart of downtown San Jose into an immersive cultural mecca. With nine indoor and outdoor venues featuring more than 80 artists representing the best in jazz, R&B, Latin jazz, salsa, soul, funk, bossa nova, blues, and a myriad of other idioms, SJZ Summer Fest 2024 also proudly presents the most stylistically diverse Latin music event on the West Coast. San Jose Jazz's eclectic programming reflects the city's longtime role as the epicenter of Latin culture in Northern California, while highlighting the deep rhythmic currents connecting California to the Caribbean and Central and South America.

SJZ Summer Fest 2024 reaches new heights by presenting piano/keyboard legend Herbie Hancock (Main Stage Headliner -- Sat. Aug. 10), whose trailblazing role introducing synthesizers and new audio technologies to jazz and funk make him a perfect fit for Silicon Valley. Hancock marks the highest profile artist yet to grace the Main Stage at SJZ Summer Fest over the festival's 34-year history. One of the most influential musicians in jazz history, the 14-time GRAMMY Award-winner Hancock has been in the creative vanguard throughout his six-decade career, from his 1960s tenure in the Miles Davis Quintet and his epochal jazz/funk band Headhunters through his groundbreaking 1983 jazz/hip-hop hit "Rockit." SF Bay Area music fans will be ecstatic with his high-energy live performance transcending the limits of jazz and funk.

The soul/funk group Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly is another exhilarating Main Stage headliner with hit singles such as "Joy and Pain" and "Before I Let Go" propelling them to legacy status as contemporaries to greats such as Marvin Gaye. Their acclaim continues to this day with superstar Beyoncé covering "Before I Let Go" as a bonus track on her fifth live album, Homecoming: The Live Album. A special tribute to Frankie Beverly takes place at Summer Fest as he passes the vocal-torch to SF Bay Area favorite Tony Lindsay who will officially be the new lead singer of Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly.

Main Stage headliners also include gospel/jazz organ prodigy Cory Henry, funk stalwarts The Family Stone, two hot New Orleans acts: the trumpet sensation Shamar Allen and next generation second line group New Breed Brass Band, and vocal powerhouse from 20 Feet From Stardom fame Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton. Additional acts at SJZ Summer Fest 2024 on its array of nine stages, also includes Jahari Stampley Trio, Eddie 9V, Nico Segal, Sean Mason Quartet, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Jane Monheit, Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini, NIKARA Presents Black Wall Street, Jorge Luis Pacheco Trio, Roberta Gambarini Quartet, Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso, Ken Okada Group Featuring YOYOKA, Andrey Chmut with the Dave Burns Quintet, Groover Quartet with Mike LeDonne, Se:um, Alexis & La Original, Agua Pura, The JuJu Exchange, Janet Evra: Meet Me In Paris, The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol & Charles Haynes, Cabanijazz Project, Pascal Bokar, Huney Knuckles, Alejandro Brittes Trio, Dolphin Hyperspace, Karl Perazzo & Mike Spiro Y Su Conjunto Karabali, Baycoin Beats, Michael Davis Hip Bone Big Band, San Jose Jazz High School All Stars, and Many More to be Announced!

Internationally-renowned as the cradle of digital culture, San Jose is the nation's 12th largest city and its role as an arts catalyst is evolving into national notoriety, led by the efforts of San Jose Jazz. San Jose is leading an impressive recovery from the pandemic, earning a reputation as the rare SF Bay Area city with empowering civic leadership successfully tackling many of today’s biggest challenges while prioritizing the arts. SJZ Summer Fest exemplifies how San Jose knows the way to a sustainable future infused with public art for the people.

"San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024 is gearing up to be an incredible time for SF Bay Area music fans," says San Jose Jazz's Executive Director Brendan Rawson. "While people are still getting back on their feet after several years of setbacks with rising inflation and a myriad of other challenges, we've closely looked at how we can provide an unrivaled experience at a price point that best meets our community. This year, we have an additional price tier that helps support attendees who purchase tickets early, and our 3-Day ticket packages are amongst the best value for any festival out there. We're greatly looking forward to Summer Fest exhibiting the breadth of the jazz tradition as it moves into the future, and providing an inclusive atmosphere where all people are celebrated."

Artistic Director Bruce Labadie, one of the event's founders, programs the artists for SJZ Summer Fest with the help of locally based co-curators.

Labadie comments, "It's been a dream of ours to present the acclaimed jazz visionary Herbie Hancock, and we couldn't be more excited to see him and his all-star band headlining on Saturday night on the Main Stage. Maze featuring Frankie Beverly's performance will be a historic moment with longtime SJZ Summer Fest performer Tony Lindsay taking the reins of Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly. Many fantastic live performers will take the Summer Fest stage like Cory Henry, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, The Family Stone, Lisa Fischer, and others. We have unbelievable emerging talent like piano prodigy Jahari Stampley -- who won first place in the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute International Competition. With the global music community always on our minds, we are presenting artists from Africa, Korea, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, and the United Kingdom."

Ensuring SJZ Summer Fest's accessibility to the widest audience possible, San Jose Jazz has lowered 3-Day Pass prices on most access levels this year. The region's best entertainment value accompanies a major upgrade of Plaza de César Chávez, which unveils a complete refresh of the park this month including a re-sodding of the green spaces (with special events in mind), planting colorful mixes of flowers, and the addition of Adirondack chairs, corn hole, ping pong tables, and large orange California poppy-style umbrellas. The park is the center of fun at SJZ Summer Fest 2024 with live concerts throughout Plaza de César Chavez alongside artisanal vendors offering delicious foods and beverages, and creative crafts.

This year, Plaza de César Chavez is also home to the popular Latin Tropical Stage, which is now located on the ticketed festival grounds on Park Avenue, adjacent to the Main Stage -- a General Admission ticket offers access to the Latin Tropical Stage. An electrifying magnet for dancers with incredible headliners such as the famed Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the Latin Tropical Stage features a large outdoor stage with copious room for salsa dancers to show off their moves just a few steps away from the headliners. The booking of the Latin Tropical Stage is once again in the hands of curator and radio journalist Betto Arcos -- who can be heard on NPR, BBC Radio 3, KCRW's Global Beat Mexico and through his book, Music Stories from the Cosmic Barrio (Fogra Editorial). Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning salsa and Latin jazz band Spanish Harlem Orchestra led by Oscar Hernández headlines on Saturday night with daytime/evening sets by Karl Perazzo & Mike Spiro Y Su Conjunto Karabali, Cabanijazz Project, and Agua Pura (Aug. 10). Sunday features Alexis & La Original, as well as acts to be announced soon. At the same location on Friday night (Aug. 9), SJZ Summer Fest 2024 kicks off with one-night of programming on the Park Avenue Stage with Bay Area funk band Huney Knuckles featuring three San Jose Jazz "Jazz Aid Fund" artists Kevin Wong, Brian Sheu, and Tony Peebles.

Activating the city scene, SJZ Summer Fest's profusion of music transforms a major metropolitan downtown into a huge street party closer to NOLA Jazz Fest and Detroit Jazz Festival than to anything else on tap in the SF Bay Area. It’s a highlight of the Bay Area’s summer season, and a not-to-be-missed celebration.

Highlights of Confirmed Artists @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024

Herbie Hancock
Now in the seventh decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. Still at the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music, he has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960s. Throughout his explorations, Hancock has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice. With an illustrious career that has earned him 14 Grammy Awards, including the 2008 Album of the Year for River: The Joni Letters -- only the second time that a jazz album has won the coveted award -- he continues to amaze audiences across the globe.

Hancock first came into prominence as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet during the 1960s and through his early solo recordings for Blue Note Records. His work in the '70s -- including influential albums such as Headhunters and Mwandishi -- combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music. The hit single "Rockit" and album Future Shock in the '80s marked Hancock's foray into electronic dance sounds. Today, Hancock serves as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and as Institute Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. In 2011, Hancock was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and in December 2013, he received a Kennedy Center Honor. He is currently in the studio at work on a new album.

Cory Henry
Cory Henry is a pianist, organist, composer and producer who draws from myriad influences, including jazz, gospel, soul, hip-hop and funk. A former member of the worldwide jazz/funk phenomenon Snarky Puppy, he has released eight albums as a leader in the past decade. In 2021, Henry's album Something to Say was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album. Prior to that, he received three Grammys for his work with Snarky Puppy. It was also during his tenure with that band that Henry performed a Hammond B-3 organ solo on the tune "Lingus (We Like it Here))," during a live performance in the Netherlands, that has racked up more than 30 million YouTube views.

Henry's latest release, Operation Funk, has garnered attention from fans all over the world. He has performed sold-out shows in Israel, Spain, Amsterdam, Australia and throughout the United States. He performs at Summer Fest with the Funk Apostles, a band consisting of musicians he met while touring. "There's a great sense of camaraderie from the giant personalities onstage," said Jazzwise magazine and described the group's music as a "very big, shiny and compelling sound." Adds regular guitarist Sharay Reed, "We keep the asses shakin', the heads noddin', and the hearts full." Henry sums it up a different way "All through my life, I've always been trying to do my thing. I've always made music the way I want to."

Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Now into their third decade, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the three-time GRAMMY Award-winning salsa and Latin jazz band, sets the gold standard for excellence in authentic, danceable, New York-style, hardcore salsa. With an unwavering respect for the music's storied history, the ensemble’s 13 world-class musicians and vocalists come together to create an unparalleled musical experience.

With eight albums and five GRAMMY Award nominations, this powerhouse collective continually pushes itself into new musical areas. Their 2018 release, Anniversary, won the Grammy for Best Tropical Album. On their latest release, 2022's Imágenes Latinas, SHO -- as their fans often call them -- stays true to their purpose with a fresh slate of new songs and arrangements dedicated to the memory of the iconic New York salsa and Latin jazz group, Conjunto Libre, and its individual members.

Formed by bandleader Oscar Hernández and producer Aaron Levinson, SHO released their debut album, Un Gran Dia en el Barrio, in 2002. It scored a Grammy nomination for Best Salsa Album and a Latin Billboard Award for Salsa Album of the Year. Since then, SHO has continued to explore, their music characterized by the raw, organic and vintage sound defined by the genre. Grounded in the past, while focused on the future, SHO strives to keep the music relevant, creating a unique and fresh approach.

The Family Stone
Performing timeless hits like "Hot Fun in the Summertime," "Dance to the Music," "I Want to Take You Higher" and more, The Family Stone carries on the funky legacy of Sly and the Family Stone and takes their relentlessly danceable groove into the future. Original keyboardist Jerry Martini and Phunne Stone (daughter of Sly Stone and co-founder Cynthia Robinson), joined by Swang Stewart on vocals, Nate Wingfield on guitar, Jimi McKinney on keys, Frank Klepacki on drums and Blaise Sison on bass, reimagine the music of the first interracial, inter-gender, major mainstream band in rock history.

The Family Stone keeps alive the songs that provided a soundtrack to the '60s and '70s: legendary anthems like "Everyday People," "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)," "Family Affair," "Sing a Simple Song" and many other instantly recognizable tunes from their vast discography. Their catalog also includes the optimistic, rousing "Stand," which has been preserved in the Library of Congress and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Keeping the legacy to its original sound and raw groove intact, The Family Stone will deliver an unforgettable musical experience. This is the music that got the half-million-strong crowd at Woodstock on their feet and wowed millions more from Madison Square Garden to Tokyo. Join The Family Stone as they continue to spread the roots of funk that sparked a funk revolution.

Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton
Ms. Lisa Fischer built her stellar reputation as a background singer with such giants as the Rolling Stones, Sting, Tina Turner and Luther Vandross. Now, accompanied by the band Grand Baton, Ms. Fischer -- featured in the Oscar-winning 2013 documentary Twenty Feet from Stardom -- is stepping out front. Originally from Brooklyn, Ms. Fischer's range is legendary, but her greatest gift is the ability to connect, to reach the hearts of her listeners. She emerged from New York's fervent studio scene in the early 1980s, and joined the Stones for their 1989 Steel Wheels tour, continuing to grace their stage for the next 26 years. Along with her studio and live work with other artists, she released her debut solo album, So Intense, in 1991, earning the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Grammy for the single "How Can I Ease The Pain."

Now, with her co-conspirators JC Maillard and Grand Baton, Ms. Fischer reinvents classic songs in an organic fusion of Caribbean psychedelic soul and jazzy progressive rock. The group's music has ignited Ms. Fischer's flexibility and freedom of expression, awakening her lifelong desire to make music that heals but still rocks the house. Said the Minneapolis Star Tribune, "Every performance is so enriching, so exciting, so transcendent that you want more."

New Breed Brass Band
New Orleans is a roiling creative cauldron, and the New Breed Brass Band is one of the latest combos to forge a 21st century spin on the city's essential polyphonic tradition. Though steeped in second-line culture, the NBBB delivers a dance-inducing sound in conversation with Caribbean music, No Limit Records hip-hop, and modern R&B in the vein of Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak. NBB has toured/opened for The Fray, Blackalicious, Dr. John, and eventually Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.

The NBBB's roots are undeniable. The band is led by drummer Jenard Andrews, son of Tremé trumpet legend James Andrews and nephew of New Orleans scene lynchpin Trombone Shorty. Jenard credits his uncle with pushing the band to develop its own style after hearing them mimicking the seminal Rebirth Brass Band in rehearsal. Under Trombone Shorty's tutelage a new sound was born, steeped in the rhythmic versatility of the local jazz and funk scenes and New Orleans hip-hop from Cash Money to bounce, fused with second-line culture.

Audiences took notice. The NBBB has toured North America and Europe and opened for The Fray, Blackalicious, Dr. John, and eventually Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. With the band debut album, 2023's Made In New Orleans, New Breed is hewing a new path for 21st century second lines, and everyone's invited to join the procession. It's music for and by the Crescent City's next generation, joyful, vital and unstoppable.

Shamarr Allen
It takes a lot to stand out as a trumpeter in New Orleans, and Shamarr Allen has earned a spot on the top tier with a rollicking blend of jazz, hip-hop, funk and even country music. The full package, he delivers 1000-watt performances as the frontman in his band Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs. A soulful vocalist, composer, writer, and producer who hails from the Lower 9th Ward, Allen has been spreading Crescent City grooves around world both as a solo act and via collaborations with renowned artists such as Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle, Lenny Kravitz, and homies Galactic and Harrick Connick Jr, to name a few. After several years in Atlanta following Hurricane Katrina he moved back to New Orleans, settling in the Upper Ninth Ward in Musicians' Village, a community conceived by Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis and built by New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.

Allen released his third album last year, True Orleans 2, a bold statement that reflects his broad spectrum approach to the New Orleans tradition. He wrote, recorded, produced and mastered the songs himself in a studio he built during the pandemic. Capturing the sounds in his ear immediately and with complete control, he took a major step in defining the vibe of his ever-evolving city.

Jahari Stampley
Jahari Stampley was on top of the world in 2023 and the young piano phenomenon is just getting started. A standout player since high school, the Chicago native won first place in the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition, inspiring Hancock himself to hail Stampley as a bold new voice. A jazz prophet honored at home, he was also dubbed 2023 Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz and given the 2023 Chicago Youth Symphony Alumni Award, the first non-classical musician to receive the honor. Stampley's debut album, Still Listening, hit No. 1 on Apple iTunes upon its release, and his original compositions from the project have been arranged for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Rather than coming as a surprise, the pianist's rapid ascendance has been widely foretold. By the age of 18 he'd made ardent fans of Yebba Smith, Jill Scott, Robert Glasper, Cory Henry, and Jacob Collier. Bass legend Stanley Clarke took him on the road, and bass star Derrick Hodge featured Stampley on his 2020 Blue Note Records album Color of Noise. Stampley's trio features Miguel Russell, a 21-year-old drummer/producer from South Florida, and Chicago saxophonist and bassist D-Erania Stampley, a revered educator and highly regarded improviser who is also the pianist's mother.

Dominique Fils-Aimé
The Montreal-based JUNO award-winning singer-songwriter Dominique Fils-Aimé puts the history of African-American musical culture into the heart of her work. Her music reflects on the social realities that influenced the genres of blues, jazz and soul.

Her first three albums, beginning with 2018's blues-tinged Nameless -- which focused on confronting historical silences and sorrows -- comprised a trilogy that was inspired by soul icons such as Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Etta James. Her followup, Stay Tuned!, served as a call for revolution. The album won the 2020 JUNO for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year and the Félix prize for Best Jazz Album, was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize and was featured among the 19 best Canadian albums of 2019 by CBC. In 2021, Fils-Aimé closed the trilogy with Three Little Words, a call for reconciliation. The recording received rave reviews in prestigious publications and also made the Polaris shortlist.

Fils-Aimé's fourth and newest album, Our Roots Run Deep, framed in a loose, dreamlike narrative structure, tells a story of growth. For Fils-Aimé, nature acts as an anchor, a source of inspiration that provides her with metaphors to express the unique but interconnected journey of a human being. On stage, including a recent performance at the sold-out NYC Winter Jazzfest, Fils-Aimé's magnetic presence captivates audiences, leading them on a transcendent journey.

NIKARA Presents Black Wall Street
Vibraphonist, composer and arranger NIKARA's debut album, Black Wall Street, is a convergence of hip-hop, jazz, neo-soul, Afro-Latin and more. Granddaughter of Kenny Barron, she has played at the Kennedy Center, the SFJazz Center and, most recently, at NYC's 20th Anniversary Winter Jazz Fest.

Nikara Warren is a true Brooklynite. Born and bred in the eclectic and electric enclave, she is taking vibes to the people with her infectious compositional sense, her post-modern patchwork of influences and cultural signposts and her fearless musicality. Her musical ambitions are informed but not limited by the vibraphone lineage, and it's not just jazz or hip-hop -- it's dance music as well. Her vision is cohesive but eclectic -- just like how people's identities are a product of their various heritages and associations. Music Critic Kira Grunenberg says, "Black Wall Street doesn't project its versatility and creative range through scholarly jazz arrangements or covers chasing perfectionism. Instead, it offers original music converged around a stylistically fluid foundation."

For additional artist bios, please visit: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org

34th Annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024
When: August 9 - 11, 2024
Where: Plaza de César Chavez Park, San Jose, CA
Admission: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/buy-now
More info: summerfest.sanjosejazz.org; 408.288.7557

Artist Lineup (Friday, August 9 - Sunday, August 11, 2024)
Herbie Hancock, Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly, With a Guest Appearance by Frankie Beverly, Cory Henry, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, The Family Stone, Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton, New Breed Brass Band, Shamarr Allen, Jahari Stampley Trio, Nico Segal, Sean Mason Quartet, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Jane Monheit, Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini, NIKARA Presents Black Wall Street, Jorge Luis Pacheco Trio, Roberta Gambarini Quartet, Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso, Michael Davis Hip Bone Big Band, Eddie 9V, Ken Okada Group Featuring YOYOKA, Andrey Chmut with the Dave Burns Quintet, Groover Quartet with Mike LeDonne, Se:um, Alexis & La Original, Agua Pura, The JuJu Exchange, Janet Evra: Meet Me In Paris, The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol with Charles Haynes, Cabanijazz Project, Alejandro Brittes Trio, Pascal Bokar AfroBlueGrazz Band, Huney Knuckles, Dolphin Hyperspace, Karl Perazzo & Mike Spiro Y Su Conjunto Karabali, Baycoin Beats, and Many More to be Announced!

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024 -- Ticket Information
3-Day Pass Adult VIP ($550 Early Bird; $580 Advance (starting May 21); $680 Gate)
Includes access to all stages, Fri-Sun, Aug 9-11 and access to VIP seating Area at the Main Stage on Fri-Sun. Also, unlimited access to the VIP Pavilion near the Main Stage with one complimentary gourmet meal, a snack and two alcoholic drinks per day; as well as "first-in" access to indoor stages, 15 minutes before downbeat. If the venue is full, you'll be the first to get in when seats become available.

3-Day Pass Adult PRIORITY ACCESS ($310 Early Bird; $325 Advance; $380 Gate)
Access to all stages, Fri-Sun, Aug 9-11 and to Priority Seating area in front of the Main Stage with an exclusive attached bar plus Priority, "first-in" access to indoor stages, 15 minutes before downbeat. If the venue is full when you arrive, you'll be the first to get in when seats are available.

3-Day Pass Adult ALL STAGES ($125 Early Bird; $140 Advance; $170 Gate)
Basic access to all stages, Fri-Sun, Aug 9-11. Access to indoor stages after Priority Access and VIP ticket holders are seated

3-Day Pass Adult GENERAL ADMISSION (GA) ($105 Early Bird; $110 Advance; $130 Gate)
Basic access all outdoor stages, including the Main Stage, Aug 9-11

3-Day Pass Child ($30)
Admission to SJZ Summer Fest, Fri-Sun, Aug 9-11 for children aged 5-12. Children must be accompanied by a ticketed adult, and access will match that of the adult.

About San Jose Jazz
Founded in 1986, San Jose Jazz is a public benefit organization celebrating jazz as a dynamic, evolving art form and is producer of the annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, Winter Fest, SJZ New Works Fest, among other events. San Jose Jazz innovates leading-edge initiatives to foster artistic ingenuity and preserve the jazz tradition as a forward-thinking movement. Through diverse music and educational programming, San Jose Jazz offers singular content and events by investing in the SF Bay Area ecosystem of exceptional talent for local and national audiences to enjoy.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is among the lexicon of trend-setting Northern California festivals featuring the most distinguished artists across a multitude of genres. For 34 years, SJZ Summer Fest has presented GRAMMY® Award-winning artists, the hottest salsa and Latin bands in the world, classic jazz legends, global music stars, the top SF Bay Area emerging musicians, and pioneering hip-hop, R&B, and soul artists. Past performers have included: Herbie Hancock, Common, En Vogue, Chris Botti, Michael Bublé, Ledisi, The O'Jays, Kool and the Gang, Kamasi Washington, Dianne Reeves, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, Big Daddy Kane, Sergio Mendes, Ozomatli, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Gregory Porter, Stanley Clarke, Robert Glasper Experiment, Domi & JD Beck, among many others.

For more information, please visit sanjosejazz.org.

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 2:55 pm

East Los Angeles' lauded band Las Cafeteras produces their third full-length studio album, A Night In Nepantla, featuring a synth-laden fusion of traditional Mexican folk and electronic dance beats for fans of Latinx music to enjoy. Las Cafeteras enlists an array of celebrated collaborators and producers to masterfully share their stories of longing and love while putting the spotlight on pressing issues affecting their communities. A Night In Nepantla features Las Cafeteras alongside David Garza (Fiona Apple), Moises Baquero (Los Abandoned), Sergio Mendoza (Natalia LaFourcade, Calexico, Mexican Institute of Sound) and LA-based DJ/Producer David Cardena.

Garnering global acclaim throughout their electrifying live performances across more than 40 states and accolades from NPR, Latino USA, GRAMMY.com, PBS, LA Times, and Democracy Now!, Las Cafeteras' original members Hector Flores, Denise Carlos, and Jose Cano lock arms and hearts on A Night In Nepantla by inviting audiences to explore the concept of "Nepantla," a Nahuatl word meaning "in-between" or "in the middle." Las Cafeteras dives into themes of cultural hybridity and identity from the writings of Gloria Anzaldúa and her book, The Borderlands (LINK). "Nepantla" serves as a metaphor for the lived experiences of people who exist at the intersections of multiple, often-conflicting cultural, ethnic, and social identities.

Frontman and singer Hector Flores, says, "As a band, we deeply resonate with the land of 'Nepantla' and feel that we live in the middle of multiple worlds, sounds and identities, and this album brings people together to sonically join us in our joy, grief, struggle, and liberation in Nepantla."

Denise Carlos reflects, "We welcome our fans into a different world, and it's a profound experience for all of us. We create a space where we can connect, share, and celebrate our common humanity."

Las Cafeteras' lead single, "Cumbia de Mi Barrio," from A Night In Nepantla (Release Date: March 1, 2024) is a hybrid of electro-pop, Afro-Colombian beats, and Peruvian Huayno-inspired Cumbia for an explosion of sounds, stories and memories that defines the eclectic soundscapes of their new album. From hypnotic dance rhythms of "Caravana," which explores the humanity of migration, to the soulful melodies of "Esta Noche," an offering of peace amidst the chaos of social justice work, each track on A Night In Nepantla is authentically personal. "Morena Morena" pays homage to Mother Earth with an electronic feel mixed with rich traditional sounds, while "Tía Lucha" blends protest chants and ecstatic electro-pop vibes.

Rounding out the album are "Vivas Nos Queremos," a poignant anthem addressing the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous, Latina, and Trans women, and the explosive final track, "Cumbia de Mi Barrio." As Las Cafeteras prepare to embark on a three-month national tour in support of A Night in Nepantla, audiences will discover the boundaries of tradition and innovation, forging new connections in the spaces between worlds.

Flores comments, "After 10 years, I think we finally made a beautiful album that aligns with our ethos, energy on stage and what we want to see in the world...it took some time, but I think it was well worth the wait!"

For a comprehensive list of Las Cafeteras' forthcoming tour dates, please visit: lascafeteras.com.

Tue, 03/12/2024 - 2:18 pm

Internationally acclaimed guitarist, composer and yes, living music legend, Al Di Meola captivates audiences with a brand-new single, "Fandango." This electrifying musical piece showcases Di Meola's virtuosity and innovation, cementing his status as a pioneering figure in the world of contemporary jazz and fusion.

"Fandango" takes listeners on a mesmerizing journey filled with intricate melodies, dynamic rhythms and spellbinding improvisation. Di Meola's technical prowess and emotive expression shines brightly in this exhilarating composition, leaving a lasting impression on all who experience its sonic tapestry.

Drawing inspiration from flamenco music, "Fandango" fuses traditional elements with modern jazz sensibilities, resulting in a truly unique and captivating listening experience. This is a true testament to Al Di Meoloa's boundless creativity and unwavering commitment to pushing musical boundaries.

Listen to the new single here: Fandango (lnk.to)

Al Di Meola's Twentyfour, is a testament to creativity. Conceived during the tumultuous times of the pandemic, what started as a simple acoustic project evolved into something much grander. Al's initial intention to craft a reflective acoustic album on the challenges of the time expanded exponentially as he found himself unable to resist the allure of boundless musical exploration.

Over the span of four years, Twentyfour blossomed into a masterpiece, brimming with intricately woven melodies, diverse instrumentation, and captivating highlights. It's a journey through Al's musical evolution, showcasing his virtuosity. Each track is a moment within these four years and a contemporary witness to the events.

Pre-order the new album here: Twentyfour (lnk.to)

Al Di Meola on tour in Europe and USA:

March 2 - Utrecht, Netherlands
March 4 - Dresden, Germany
March 6 - Kaiserslautern, Germany
March 8 - Duisburg, Germany
March 9 - Kassel, Germany
March 12 - Mulhouse, France
March 13 - München, Germany
March 15 - Zürich, Switzerland
March 16 - Budapest, Hungary
April 5 - Nashua Center for the Arts, Nashua, NH
April 6 - The Cabot, Beverly, MA
April 7 - The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, Plymouth, NH
April 9 - Carnegie of Homestead, Munhall, PA
April 11 - Sony Hall, New York, NY
April 12 - Sony Hall, New York, NY
April 13 - SHU Community Theatre, Fairfield, CT
April 16 - Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
April 18 - Dakota, Minneapolis, MN
April 19 - Dakota, Minneapolis, MN
April 20 - Arcada Theatre, St Charles, IL
April 28 - Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, Patchogue, NY
April 30 - Egyptian Room at Old National Centre, Indianapolis, IN
May 1 - The Athenaeum Theatre, Columbus, OH
May 3 - Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
May 4 - The Strand Theater, Hudson Falls, NY
May 5 - Greenwich Odeum, East Greenwich, RI
May 7 - Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD
May 8 - Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD
May 10 - Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA
May 11 - Center for the Arts of Homer, Homer, NY
May 31 - Kaserne - Open Air, Saarburg, Germany
June 2 - Opera Nova Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
June 20 - Memorial Hall, Cincinnati, OH
June 21 - The Kent Stage, Kent, OH
June 22 - Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI
June 25 - Koerner Hall, Toronto, Canada
July 21 - Jazz Open Stuttgart, Germany

Mon, 03/18/2024 - 3:50 pm

Acclaimed vocalist Lizz Wright embraces her newfound freedom with a classic recording that encapsulates an illustrious 20-year career since the release of her debut album, Salt (Verve, 2003). Wright's studio debut on her label Blues & Greens Records (with licensing/distribution through Lightyear Entertainment/Virgin Music), the forthcoming album, Shadow, solidifies Wright as one of the great modern American singers. Wright celebrates intimacy, loss, community, and healing.

On Shadow Wright pens five originals including "Root of Mercy," "Circling," "This Way," "Sparrow" which features Angelique Kidjo and "Your Love" with Meshell Ndegeocello. She showcases along with her own works singular renditions of songs by Cole Porter, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Sandy Denny, Candi Staton, Toshi Reagon, and Caitlin Canty.

Wright invited her musical family to Chicago to record with renowned engineer Ryan Freeland (he recorded her latest studio album, Grace) -- who recently engineered Bonnie Raitt's GRAMMY Award-winner, Just Like That. Shadow was produced by longtime collaborator/music director Chris Bruce (Seal, Bettye LaVette, Sheryl Crow) and was executive produced by Lizz Wright. Other performers and collaborators include Adam Levy, Lynne Earls, Justin Hicks, Morley Kamen, Jack DeBoe, Ben Zwerin, Kenny Banks Sr., Glenn Patscha, Deantoni Parks, and Rashaan Carter. Featured contributions also include violinist Trina Basu and Carnatic violinist Arun Ramamurthy, harpist Brandee Younger, composer Hanna Benn, and Chicago-based string players.

Without A&R reps and the pressures that inherently come from record labels wanting artists to fit into a specific genre, Wright makes the album she's always wanted to record. Anchored by acoustic guitar and bare emotion, Shadow presents Wright in a gentle and triumphant light.

Wright says of Shadow, "It finally came to be my turn to lose a defining love in my life, my grandmother Martha. Something about the way she loved me gave me the backbone to stand and sing in front of rooms of strangers all these years and never feel alone. She made the world seem small and warm. Watching her long transition made me think about the impression that her love has left on me and what I was going to do with it. Shadow is the result of patiently feeling and exploring grief while also celebrating the kind of love that becomes more apparent and powerful in the presence of loss and uncertainty."

Chris Bruce comments, "Shadow is a new chapter for Lizz Wright and we're very clearly articulating her vision with diverse layers of music threaded together on the album. She's an innovator that carries a much-needed spirit of humanity and energy in her music. People really respond to the calm and joy she brings. Lizz will always be able to reinvent herself in the best ways and this truly is among her greatest gifts."

For the photoshoot supporting Shadow, Wright enlists Hollis King (former VP and Creative Director at Verve Music Group) to be the photographer. King notes, "Lizz Wright is unapologetic, bold, and full of courage. Our photoshoot was deeply personal, and it was an honor to be behind the camera. Lizz is an artist who peers into the future. She sings with a maturity of love and a softness to let us all in." The Shadow album cover features Wright in a sleeveless patched and hooded dress by German designer Sabine von Oettingen, gold earrings by Elementality (Asheville, NC), necklace with gold pendant by Milagros Mundo (Amsterdam, NL), and jewelry by BURKINDY.

Wright nurtures a sound and feel of America that is solely her own. Shadow exposes an unbridled confidence and courage in Wright. Music fans will be delighted to hear singles such as "Sweet Feeling," "Root of Mercy," and "Your Love" set for release throughout autumn 2023 and early 2024 as Wright leads up to the much-anticipated full album release by Blues & Greens Records in April 2024. To read detailed descriptions for all the songs featured on Shadow, please download this PDF (Lizz Wright -- Shadow -- Track-By-Track Descriptions -- One Sheet).

Blues & Greens Records is Wright's innovative label venture designed to position artists to build sustainable and wholesome careers. Blues & Greens Records seeks to create a healthy ecosystem for artists as it uplifts and centralizes humanity in the music business with wellness offerings and sound business practices at the forefront.

About Lizz Wright:
Renowned vocalist and songwriter Lizz Wright sings a soaring reflection of the cultural fabric of America. She lies beneath the script of history, transcending social divides with an offer of love and deep sense of humanity. Her music accepts the beauty of reality and creates a collective experience of belonging for the listener. Wright's songs embody a tradition that allows us to always feel at home.

Wright culls inspiration from her Southern upbringing in Georgia where she was the musical director of a small church in which her father was the pastor. The call and response singing with the church congregation was her first brush with music. Soon she would traverse the Great American Songbook on her path to becoming a beloved international treasure.

At the age of 22, Wright first made a name for herself nationally as a vocalist with a touring concert tribute to Billie Holiday. At 23, she signed with Verve Records for the release of Salt, which topped Billboard's contemporary jazz charts. She went on to record for Universal Music Group and released the albums Dreaming Wide Awake (2005), The Orchard (2008), and Fellowship (2010). On Concord, Wright released Freedom & Surrender (2016) -- featuring the single "Lean In," which landed on President Obama's Summer 2016 playlist -- and Grace (2017). Wright's (2022) release of Holding Space (a live recording of a concert in Berlin at the Columbia Theater) was her debut live album on Blues and Greens Records.

Lizz Wright – North American Spring 2024 Tour Dates
April 5 - 7, 2024 -- Brennan's Bar & The Carlyle Room -- Washington, DC
April 10, 2024 -- City Winery -- Philadelphia, PA
April 11, 2024 -- Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club -- Portsmouth, NH
April 12, 2024 -- City Winery -- Boston, MA
April 14, 2024 -- City Winery -- New York City
April 27, 2024 -- Koerner Hall -- Toronto, ON
April 28, 2024 -- Space -- Evanston, IL

*Additional tour dates will be announced soon on LizzWright.net

Tue, 03/19/2024 - 11:47 am

Presenting an array of the world’s greatest jazz artists in the South Bay, the Stanford Jazz Festival 2024 celebrates the breadth of the contemporary jazz scene, building on a half-century legacy of jazz preservation and perseverance in the heart of Northern California. With dozens of electrifying concerts on the Stanford University campus from June 20 through Aug. 3, the West Coast’s second longest-running jazz festival features a multi-generational cast of state-of-the-art improvisers encompassing veteran masters of the genre, the buzziest stalwarts, and rising players making their mark. Concerts will be held at Bing Concert Hall, Dinkelspiel Auditorium, and Campbell Recital Hall, as well as one show at Frost Amphitheater.

Kicking off the weekend of June 21 with Oakland-raised trumpet great Ambrose Akinmusire’s sonically expansive Owl Song trio with guitar maestro Bill Frisell and New Orleans drum poet Herlin Riley, Stanford Jazz Festival brings a depth of jazz that spotlights musical explorations often overlooked by other jazz presenters. Berkeley saxophonist George Brooks, who has forged deep relationships with the world’s greatest Hindustani and Carnatic classical musicians, returns to the SJF on June 23 for the 10th iteration of his Indian Jazz Journey showcase. The concert reprises his Indo-jazz collaboration with superstar vocalist Mahesh Kale, winner of India’s coveted National Film Award as the Best Playback Singer.

Thinking globally while also highlighting local talent, the SJF presents Bay Area tenor sax powerhouse Richard Howell on June 28 interpreting John Coltrane’s spiritually charged masterwork, “A Love Supreme.” Embodying the festival’s commitment to gender equality, the SJF’s flagship, gender-balanced 50/50 Orchestra is joined by the brilliant singer and composer Ann Hampton Callaway on June 29.

Featuring its recently expanded personnel, The Bad Plus, a lauded ensemble that has vastly multiplied the audience for jazz in the 21st century with anthemic original compositions, returns to the SJF on July 13 with the founding tandem of drummer Dave King and bassist Reid Anderson joined by guitarist Ben Monder and tenor saxophonist Chris Speed, all prolific players at the center of the New York scene for more than three decades.

The enthralling Israeli reed star Anat Cohen, an SJF mainstay for the past decade, returns on July 20 with her Brazilian-inflected Quartetinho featuring Rio-born pianist/accordionist Vitor Gonçalves. The July 23 SJF debut of Cuban piano maestro Aldo López-Gavilán brings the internationally renowned performer to the South Bay who has garnered international attention in both classical and jazz settings as a recitalist, concerto soloist, chamber-music collaborator, and bandleader of his rhythmically-charged jazz compositions.

The SJF also features two of jazz’s most formidable trumpeters with the July 27 SJF return of Chicago’s Marquis Hill, who’s become a creative force in the decade since winning the 2014 Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition, and the July 31 return of Dave Douglas, a rare Bay Area appearance by the celebrated horn player who over the past two decades has developed a beloved jazz label, Greenleaf Music. Douglas is an esteemed educator who will perform music from his latest album, Gifts, along with his week-long teaching at the Stanford Jazz Workshop.

Charismatic vocalist Carmen Lundy, a gifted songwriter responsible for several contemporary standards, closes the festival on Aug. 3, continuing the SJF’s longstanding practice of illuminating the finest artists upholding the jazz tradition.

Founded in 1972 by saxophonist, arranger, and educator Jim Nadel, the SJF is conjoined with the Stanford Jazz Workshop, an intensive summer education program staffed with acclaimed musicians who are also many of the SJF’s featured performers. The synergy between the Workshop and the SJF manifests at every concert, as all the students enrolled in a session receive complimentary tickets, bringing an infusion of youth to the venues.

Workshop students aren’t the only new blood circulating at Stanford Jazz. The appointment of bassist/composer Cory Combs as Executive Director last August 2023 was part of a generational sea change that has touched just about every major jazz institution in the region, from the Monterey Jazz Festival to SFJAZZ. Combs brings a wealth of experience to the organization, including his pivotal role as SFJAZZ’s Director of Education (2007-2011), when he was part of the leadership team that designed, planned, and launched the $60 million SFJAZZ Center.

After six years as the founding director of outreach at the Nueva School in San Mateo, where he directed the K-12 music program and led the jazz ensemble, Combs took over as Executive Director of InterMusic SF (2016-2023), developing and curating six annual SF Music Day festivals at the San Francisco War Memorial. Under his direction, InterMusic SF provided more than $1 million in project grant funding for hundreds of professional musicians throughout the Bay Area, including numerous commissions, premieres, recordings, and performances. During the first years of the pandemic, he administered a relief fund along with Theater Bay Area and Dancers Group that provided over $500,000 in aid to out-of-work arts workers.

“I am thrilled to be joining Stanford Jazz Workshop, an organization I have known and admired for decades,” says Cory Combs. “Over the last 50 years, Jim Nadel has developed one of the leading institutions for jazz education in the country and I am inspired by the opportunity to honor Jim’s legacy, seek opportunities for continued organizational growth, and deepen my dedication to the expansive jazz community of students, performers, and audiences.”

Stanford Jazz Festival – Artist Highlights

Ambrose Akinmusire Owl Song featuring Bill Frisell and Herlin Riley
Ambrose Akinmusire is obsessed with beauty. The trumpeter, composer, and ever-evolving sonic explorer is known for seeking out new musical frontiers, and his Owl Song trio has become one of his primary vehicles for investigation. Featuring guitar legend Bill Frisell and New Orleans drum poet Herlin Riley, the stripped-down ensemble ranges across a broad expanse of American music guided by an unhurried conversational ethic. A standout player since his years at Berkeley High, Akinmusire has distinguished himself at every step, from winning the Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition in 2007 to delivering critically hailed commissioned works for the world’s most august stages, including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Berlin Jazz Festival, and the Kennedy Center.

Long enthralled with Frisell’s music, he’s sought out several opportunities to collaborate as a duo, starting in 2014 when Akinmusire was artist-in-residence at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. “What I love about Bill is his curiosity,” Akinmusire says. “He’s still questioning and pushing.” A few weeks before the pandemic shuttered New York City he and Frisell did a four-night duo run at the Blue Note playing each other’s tunes. They added Riley into the mix in 2022, debuting Owl Song at the SFJAZZ Center. One of two albums he released last year on Nonesuch (along with Beauty Is Enough, a striking solo trumpet session), Owl Song earned glowing reviews, and the music has taken startling new shapes since the recording. Don’t miss this singular ensemble, a group that knows how to make silence sing.

The Bad Plus
A little bit of addition has radically reconfigured The Bad Plus. Emerging from the New York jazz scene at the turn of the century with a repertoire encompassing original compositions and elaborately arranged rock and pop anthems, the collective trio became one of jazz’s most popular, influential, and long-running bands. Founded by drummer Dave King and bassist Reid Anderson, who grew up together in Minneapolis, and Wisconsin-reared pianist Ethan Iverson, the group underwent a major change when the highly respected Philadelphia pianist Orrin Evans took over from Iverson in late 2017. But with the pandemic hiatus, Evans subtracted himself from the equation to focus on his own projects. Instead of maintaining the trio format King and Anderson recruited tenor saxophonist Chris Speed and guitarist Ben Monder, brilliant, prolific, and well-traveled players who should be far better known.

“One thing we wanted to do was get away from piano,” Anderson says. “But more importantly, both of those guys are really interesting musicians with very personal approaches.” Like Speed, Monder is best known as a collaborator who brings a jolt of creative energy into any musical situation. While still strongly associated with dramatic interpretations of songs such as Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” Blondie’s “Heart of Glass,” and Radiohead’s “Karma Police,” The Bad Plus primarily serves as a vehicle for Reid’s and King’s writing. Rock and pop covers don’t figure much in the band’s book anymore. What hasn’t changed is the tidal force of Anderson’s and King’s whisper-to-a-scream dynamics.

Tommy Igoe and the Groove Conspiracy: the Music of Steely Dan
With his long, lanky frame and imposing wingspan, Tommy Igoe cuts a mesmerizing figure behind the drum kit as his swirling motion telegraphs every rhythmic nuance. Returning to the festival with his 15-piece Groove Conspiracy after a six-year absence, he’s bringing a book of finely honed arrangements focusing on the sardonic and voluptuously hook-laden songbook of Steely Dan. Joining his talent-laden crew is guitarist Drew Zingg, who played a key role in Walter Becker and Donald Fagen relaunching Steely Dan in the early ‘90s after a 15-year hiatus. With a repertoire that includes hits like “Aja,” “Bodhisattva,” “Josie,” “My Old School,” “Peg” and “Babylon Sisters,” Igoe evokes the music’s studio-polished sheen while foregrounding Becker’s and Fagen’s abiding love of jazz.

For Igoe, putting his stamp on iconic drum parts created by studio legends like Bernard Purdie, Steve Gadd, and Jeff Porcaro is the best kind of challenge. A supremely versatile player who spent years touring with rock and pop acts, Igoe became an international force in 1997 by creating the drum book for Disney’s hugely popular Broadway production, The Lion King. But his first love was jazz, a relationship that started at home. The son of the revered jazz and studio drummer Sonny Igoe (who toured with Benny Goodman and Woody Herman when he wasn’t playing studio dates), Tommy grew up in a nexus of top-shelf jazz talent. Featuring some of the region’s most formidable improvisers, his Groove Conspiracy has become an extension of his extroverted persona.

Anat Cohen Quartetinho
Everything in Anat Cohen’s musical world is connected, though her high-flying career extends across three continents like a tripod with a foot each in New York City, Rio de Janeiro, and Tel Aviv. Possessing a rich, creamy-toned tenor sax tone and a startlingly lustrous sound on clarinet, the Israeli-born reed master has created a capacious and cosmopolitan body of work ranging across jazz idioms and hybrid styles. A festival favorite since her 2015 Dinkelspiel debut, she’s often brought her abiding passion for Brazilian music to Stanford, and this concert features the latest vehicle for extending her Brazilian jazz reach.

With players gleaned from her acclaimed Tentet, Cohen’s Quartetinho features Rio-born keyboard maestro Vitor Gonçalves on piano, accordion, and Fender Rhodes, Israeli bassist Tal Mashiach doubling on guitar, and James Shipp on vibes, percussion, and some electronics. Cohen focuses on bass clarinet in the group, which she created “to explore more intimate, chamber jazz sounds,” she says. “We played our first show on March 7, 2020, and the next day everything shut down. It’s a group I’ve been trying to play with ever since. I love these guys. It’s a different space. Everyone contributes some original music, and everyone has an affinity for Brazilian music, but with open space for improvisation and more folkloric sounds.” With ravishing tunes by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Egberto Gismonti thrown into the mix, the Quartetinho delivers an embracing blast of beauty with every performance.

Marquis Hill
A trumpeter and flugelhornist possessing enviable poise and a far-reaching vision, Marquis Hill is an intensely eloquent improviser who embraces a broad spectrum of Black American music. Based in New York City for the past decade, he’s a Chicago-reared master, and he absorbed the city’s independent ethic. Making his festival return, Hill arrives at Stanford at the age of 37 having long embraced his role as a guiding force for younger players, much like he was mentored by Bobby Broom, Willie Pickens, Tito Carrillo, and other Chicago greats through the Ravinia Jazz Scholars program. Winning a series of prestigious awards, culminating with the 2014 Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition, catapulted Hill into national prominence. Recording prolifically, mostly for his own Black Unlimited Music Group label, he’s documented his encompassing musical world, forging a highly personal synthesis of modern and contemporary jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, and neo-soul.

For Hill the various styles are essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s determined to champion. “It all comes from the same tree,” he says. “They simply blossomed from different branches.” His latest release, 2023’s Rituals + Routines, features his potent working band and special guests like vibraphonist Joel Ross and saxophonist Braxton Cook on a program that seamlessly blends jazz interplay, hip-hop-infused rhythms, and socially conscious spoken-word passages. No matter what idiom he’s drawing on in the moment, his tone evokes trumpet history, touching on Miles’ canny use of silence, Woody Shaw’s intervallic leaps, and Lee Morgan’s bluesy swagger.
 
Ann Hampton Callaway with the 50/50 Jazz Orchestra
Ann Hampton Callaway doesn’t just interpret the American Songbook, she’s added a few pages of her own. Though best known as a sumptuously gifted vocalist equally at home scatting in a jazz club or revealing a familiar standard’s unexpected drama in a cabaret, she’s also an exceptionally gifted songwriter. Over the past four decades, her music and lyrics have been recorded and performed by Karrin Allyson, Barbara Carroll, Blossom Dearie, Barbra Streisand, Michael Feinstein, Patti LuPone, and Lillias White, among many other vocal luminaries. Callaway’s 1992 debut album featured her original musical setting for an unrecorded lyric by Cole Porter, “I Gaze in Your Eyes,” a project authorized by his estate. Now that’s a big entrance! It’s not surprising that she’s been drawn to a vocal legend whose star power often overshadowed her tremendous talent as a tunesmith.

Her latest album is 2023’s Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration (Palmetto). Equally at home performing solo accompanying herself at the piano or backed by a symphony orchestra, Callaway has thrived in just about every type of musical setting. But she’s never performed with an ensemble quite like the SJW 50/50 Jazz Orchestra. Directed by trumpeter Fred Berry, an eminent educator, the 16-piece band features a stellar cast divided equally between men and women. It’s a manifestation of the SJW’s commitment to gender equality, a struggle embodied by players like 50/50 altoist Mary Fettig, who in 1973 became the first woman to join the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

Carmen Lundy
Carmen Lundy wants to make sure there are new songs to sing. The Los Angeles jazz vocalist, songwriter, arranger, bandleader, actor, and painter has spent the past two decades carefully designing just about every facet of her music. An artist fully in command of her materials, she’s released a series of acclaimed albums on her Afrasia label focusing on her finely wrought originals. While she’s earned multiple awards and honors over the years, the most telling distinctions have come from her peers. Drum great Terri Lyne Carrington recruited Lundy for her 2011 Grammy Award-winning Mosaic Project, an album that features Lundy’s composition “Show Me A Sign.” The late, revered pianist Geri Allen featured her on the spiritually charged 2006 album Timeless Portraits and Dreams. They collaborated again on a 2016 Kennedy Center production of  Farah Jasmine Griffin’s play “A Conversation with Mary Lou Williams” directed by the Golden Globe and Emmy Award–winning S. Epatha Merkerson.

A Miami native from a highly musical family–her younger brother is acclaimed bassist Curtis Lundy–she made a powerful impression on the late ‘70s New York scene performing with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra at the Village Vanguard. When a deal with Columbia Records fell through, she connected with the esteemed educator and producer Dr. Herb Wong and he released her 1985 debut album Good Morning Kiss on his Palo Alto-based Blackhawk label. In other words, Lundy’s concert is a long overdue Stanford debut.

Stanford Jazz Festival (June 20 — August 3, 2024)
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - Jazz Inside Out with Jim Nadel and Friends – Campbell Recital Hall
Friday, June 21, 2024 – Ambrose Akinmusire Owl Song Featuring Bill Frisell & Herlin Riley – Bing Concert Hall
Saturday, June 22, 2024 – Tommy Igoe and the Groove Conspiracy, “Music of Steely Dan” – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Sunday, June 23, 2024 – Indian Jazz Journey Featuring George Brooks – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Friday, June 28, 2024 – Richard Howell: A Love Supreme - Tribute to John Coltrane – Campbell Recital Hall
Saturday, June 29, 2024 – Ann Hampton Callaway with the SJW 50/50 Jazz Orchestra – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Sunday, June 30, 2024 – Nicolas Bearde: The Music of Nat King Cole – Campbell Recital Hall
Sunday, July 07, 2024 – Destiny Muhammad Quartet – Campbell Recital Hall
Friday, July 12, 2024 – Tierney Sutton w/ Tamir Hendelman – Campbell Recital Hall
Saturday, July 13, 2024 – The Bad Plus – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Sunday, July 14, 2024 – Jazz Mafia: Grateful Brass the Music of the Grateful Dead – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Monday, July 15, 2024 – Natalie John featuring Allison Miller: the Great American Songbook Reimagined
– Campbell Recital Hall
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 – Mikailo Kasha Trio – Campbell Recital Hall
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 – Joe Louis Walker – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Thursday, July 18, 2024 – Adi Meyerson's Dark Matter / Emily Kuhn Quintet – Campbell Recital Hall
Saturday, July 20, 2024 – Anat Cohen: Quartetinho – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Monday, July 22, 2024 – Tiffany Austin Featuring Roy McCurdy – Campbell Recital Hall
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 – Aldo López-Gavilán – Campbell Recital Hall
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 – Sam Reider with Anat Cohen: American Panoramas – Campbell Recital Hall
Thursday, July 25, 2024 – Victor Lin: Music from Anime + Studio Ghibli – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Saturday, July 27, 2024 – Marquis Hill – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Sunday, July 28, 2024 – Marcus Shelby Quintet – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Monday, July 29, 2024 – Caroline Davis Portals – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – George Cables Trio – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 – Dave Douglas: Gifts – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Thursday, August 01, 2024 – Taylor Eigsti & Friends – Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Friday, August 02, 2024 – SJW All-Star Jam - Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Saturday, August 03, 2024 – Carmen Lundy – Dinkelspiel Auditorium

A complete list of the Stanford Jazz Festival concerts and events can be found at stanfordjazz.org/stanford-jazz-festival-2024.

About Stanford Jazz Festival
Over the past 52 years, the Stanford Jazz Festival has consistently presented the finest performers on the scene. Audiences have heard legendary performances by Dizzy Gilespie, McCoy Tyner, and Stan Getz, along with virtuosic modern masters like Joshua Redman, Terence Blanchard, and Taylor Eigsti. The Festival is unique and adventurous, presenting over 30 celebrated artists and bands over seven weeks. From family-friendly matinees to groundbreaking premieres, the Stanford Jazz Festival proudly keeps the torch of live jazz burning bright. 

Wed, 03/20/2024 - 3:47 pm

Pickathon announces the full lineup of bands for the 2024 Festival, coming August 1-4 to Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Oregon (12 miles outside of Portland, OR). The festival brings a renewed focus on major headliners, starting with Australian indie rock icon Courtney Barnett. Pickathon has headlining slots with folk group Elephant Revival, soul revivalist Durand Jones, country rock mainstay Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and "Australia's greatest boy band," Vacations.

As always, Pickathon stacks its lineups with an array of artistic gems including fast-rising folk songstress Jess Williamson, "New York's Next Great Band" (Variety), Geese and folk-pop bad boy Chance Peña. The festival's dedication to presenting eclectic artists performing a multitude of genres across the four days, music fans will be thrilled this year with the inclusion of lo-fi's Joanna Sternberg, New Orleans brass ensemble The Soul Rebels, and folktronica duo CocoRosie.

Americana has always been well-represented at Pickathon with its 2024 festival being no exception. Portland's own indie star Searows, Texas' country frontman Vincent Neil Emerson, and thermo-tinged Ratboys are folk highlights on this year's roster. With 50+ artists to discover at Pickathon 2024, these acts are just the tip of the iceberg! See below for the full 2024 lineup.

Pickathon redefines the music festival experience as an immersive choose-your-own-adventure, where fans discover music, arts, and culture fantastically integrated into the natural wonders of Pendarvis Farm (12 miles outside of Portland, OR). Music at Pickathon is highly curated, bringing together the deep cuts and rising stars of every genre alongside groundbreaking lineups in body & wellness, comedy, visual art, literature, family programming, artisanal food, craft beer, spirits, and more. Pickathon pioneered the zero-waste, green festival and continually sets new standards of sustainability. If you know, you know. If you've never been, you'll understand the minute you set foot on the Farm. Pickathon is where we go to fall in love, every year, all over again.

Early Bird Tickets for Pickathon 2024 are on sale now and will only last a little while longer before prices increase. Get 'em now, don't delay! Camping, parking, shuttles, everything else is on sale now too.

PICKATHON 2024 -- FULL ARTIST LINEUP
Courtney Barnett
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Durand Jones
Elephant Revival
Vacations
Cocorosie
Adi Oasis
Vincent Neil Emerson
Geese
The Soul Rebels
Chance Peña
Billie Marten
LA LOM
Searows
Irreversible Entanglements
Florry
Jess Williamson
BCUC
Jake Kohn
JJUUJJUUJJUU
Daniel Villarreal
Melissa Carper
water from your eyes
Ratboys
Erin Rae
Joanna Sternberg
packs
Two Runner
Logan Halstead
Fust
MSPaint
Mitchum Yacoub
Dean Johnson
Theo Lawrence
Greg Freeman
Sluice
Jeffrey Martin
Sami Braman
John Haywood