The times they are announced! Here's the tentative schedule for Saturday and Sunday, May 26th and 27th at the
White Squirrel Festival in Brevard, North Carolina. Also scroll down to see a complete description of each band and act that will play.
Saturday May 26th, 2007
Davidson River Taiko 11:30 -12:15
Othello Jazz Quintet 12:30 - 1:15
Galan Kipar 1:30 - 2:15
Mariachi Mexico 2:30 - 3:15
Rising Appalachia 3:30 - 4:15
High Windy 4:30 - 5:30
Mark Yaxley 5:45 - 6:45
Hobex 7:00 - 8:10
Patrick Smith Band 8:30 - 10:00
Sunday May 27th, 2007
Cletus Baltimore 12:00-12:45
Moonshine Babies 1:00-1:45
Roy Chapman 2:00-2:45
Lyndsay Wojcik 3:00-3:45
Meridian 4:00-4:45
The Mad Hatter Tea Party 5:00-6:00
Shannon Whitworth 6:15-7:15
Sol Driven Train 7:30-8:30
Firecracker Jazz Band 8:45-10:15 Dates and times are subject to last minute change. Be sure to come back and visit often.
Also, John Felty of
Jupiter Coyote fame, put together this awesome lineup and supplied this little write up of each group....Saturday May 26, 2007
Saturday May 26, 2007Davidson River Taiko
Davidson River Taiko (DRT) is a Japanese drumming ensemble -- a performing group unlike any other in the Southern Appalachian region. Headed by musician and educator Bobby Fish and born of a vision to create an "alternative" music program for students at Davidson River School, DRT is an elective course and performance ensemble that offers students the opportunity to become more invested in school while growing mentally, physically, socially, and artistically.
The Othello Jazz Quintet
The group consists of Tenor saxophonist Ryan Cameron, alto saxophonist Marc Jayne, Adam Flynn on Baritone Sax, Pianist and guitarist Daniel Tompkins and Isaac Small on drums. Ryan Cameron, the top senior high tenor sax in the Western District was recently named the #1 senior high tenor saxophonist in the State of North Carolina for 2006 and is now a music student at Western Carolina Univ. Cameron’s playing ability has gained him membership in the prestigious North Carolina All State Honors Band for the last 3 years. They are great young local talent!
Galan Kipar Project
The Galen Kipar Project began as the efforts of one young Galen, former Brevard College graduate, inspired by the music of Paul Simon, Dylan, Cat Stevens, and Joni Mitchell. Through these influences he gained the ambition to teach himself how to sing, play guitar and harmonica simultaneously allowing him to begin the exploration of composition and the art of creating music. The music of the Galen Kipar Project was born out of a passion for the exploration of sound and composition. The roots of classical, jazz, blues, soul folk, and world beat are echoed within the overall chemistry of the Project's music.
www.myspace.com/galenkiparprojectMariachi Mexico
Long time favorites in Brevard, seen regularly one of our favorite local Mexican restaurants, this group of musicians brings to the Appalachians the sounds of Mariachi. While there is much controversy on the origins of Mariachi and the truth may never be discovered with absolute certainty - the word today has one meaning that is crystal clear: Mariachi means one of the most exciting and enchanting musical ensembles found anywhere in the world.
Rising AppalachiaHaving grown up hearing and playing old-time Appalachian folk music, Leah and Chloe Smith have put together an album of favorite songs that sound like they’ve had a lifetime to work out in their heads and hands. Featuring twin banjo or banjo/fiddle instrumentation and sometimes trumpet, jaw harp and djembe, there are small elements of fusion in the songs but such a deep connection to musical roots that they can’t be faulted for wanting to expand the sound of old-time music which they do with the influences of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and other world music. Leah & Chloe have put together a unique sound that deserves them the recognition for their vision of old-time music in the 21st century. www.risingappalachia.com
High WindyNorth Carolina State Bluegrass Champions, High Windy draws from a combination of contemporary and traditional bluegrass styles while adding old-time themes and an original approach. The band is lead by Ty Gilpin on
mandolin, who has spent much time presiding over NCMAMA (North Carolina Mountain Acoustic Music Association and Brevard's own Tim
Gardner on fiddle. www.highwindyband.com
Mark Yaxley Trio
Brevard’s own guitarist Mark Yaxley, plays a wide variety of styles ranging from Classical to Contemporary Jazz. Mark is a well respected performer, teacher and ambassador for music and has enriched all who have heard him play. He is joined by various musicians and it’s always a treat to see who will be joining him. Check out his CD recorded live here in Brevard at the Porter Center on the Campus of Brevard College. Mark is currently on faculty at UNC-Asheville.
HobexMixing spicy soul-funk-jazz combined with Rock and roll that'll put taste buds on your eardrums. What they've laid down here is an hour of untainted music-from-the-heart that owes as much to improvisation and intuition as it does to technique and calculation, which is to say it has soul. The North Carolina-based group has a timeless sound, which serves as the perfect contrast to those marathon instrumental jams that typically inhabit the improvisational world. Although HOBEX is comprised of stellar musicians, the band understands the concept of dynamics, rotating cast of additional players and extended improvisation, the group's most recent album, "U Ready, Man?" boasts catchy, concise arrangements inspire by the likes of Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Prince and Stevie Wonder.
Patrick Smith BandPatrick Smith’s music is heavy with tradition, beautifully well crafted, and performed. His music is full of place, bringing all that the Mississippi River melting pot has to offer with it. He deftly fuses various influences that rolled in on that mighty river to his hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi, weaving into his songs delta blues, barrelhouse rocking piano riffs, wailing jazz, underbelly soul, heart-wrenching gospel, and the funkiness of a New Orleans brass band. Patrick’s throaty, warm voice ties his sound tightly together. It easy to see why many great artists like the North Mississippi Allstars, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Jimbo Mathis have all utilized his talent. Patrick will be joined by some great musicians who reside in the area like Noel Felty on Drums, Mike Barnes on guitar and Mark McDaniel on bass. www.patricksmithband.com
Sunday May 28, 2006Moon Shine BabiesFormer Brevard resident singer/ songwriter Suzanne Schmitt is joined by brothers Jerry and Jim Trapp. Now based in Nashville, TN the group draws on life experiences for there lyrics and music. They are back in the area to bring there thoughtful songs to Brevard.
Roy Chapman & True Bluegrass
Transylvania County native Roy Chapman has been playing music all his life writing over 1000 original songs. At age 17 he was an original member of the Carolina Mountain Boys. He later joined with Charlie Moore where he had the opportunity to play with Ralph and Carter Stanley, Jim and Jesse McReynolds and the Lewis family. He is homegrown 1st generation bluegrass.
Lyndsay WojcikSinger/Songwriter and Brevard College graduate Lyndsay Wojcik decided to stay in the area after a venture to Nashville, TN to pursue her career in music. She combines a musical mixture of roots, folk, and soul. Using her savvy lyrical sense, she paints her interpretation of life. Having been raised in Atlanta, GA, she was introduced to a wide array of styles and influences anywhere from hip-hop, to folk music, bluegrass, and reggae. Lyndsay seems naturally in tune with her own soulful rhythm, allowing an intimate look into her own perception of the surrounding world. www.myspace.com/lyndsaywojcikband
Cletus Baltimore
Randy Hope-Guitar and Vocals, Shane Parreco-Drums, David Griswold-Bass This local group formed while attending Brevard College. This trio of aspiring young musicians is exploring multiple directions in rock and roll. Look for jam-improvisation, high energy and some well crafted songs.
Meridian Meridian, the band, has been touring the United States since their inception in 2000, playing a mixture of progressive bluegrass, old-time, blues and folk based out of Johnson City, TN. Music lovers are drawn in by Megan Gregory's deep and powerful vocals leading the innovative and melodic instrumentalism of Will Parsons on banjo and finger-style guitar. They've got it all, great singing, playing and songwriting. www.meridianband.com
Sol Driven TrainA blend of fiery world-beat, funk and melodic rock.
Some of the band’s extensive original repertoire is featured on three studio recordings (pictured below). The self-titled debut album was released in 2001 followed by Churning Burlward in 2003. Tajar Tracks, a children’s album recorded with pianist Debbie Debord at Camp Gwynn Valley in Brevard, NC, was released in December 2005. Feel free to dance. www.soldriventrain.com
Mad Tea PartyThis Asheville based trio has a unique blend of influences. Mad Tea Party often finds themselves between genres. They incorporate old-time jazz and early stringband styles, as well as psychedelia and vintage rock 'n' roll. The All Music Guide calls it “Americana for the modern generation. Shreds of ragtime, tatters of R&B, touches of blues, bursts of rockabilly, slivers of C&W, tinges of hillbilly hoe-downs, lashes of pop, snippets of rock, a feathering of folk, and even…the hurdy-gurdy sound of the circus.” www.themadteaparty.com
Shannon Whitworth
Shannon Whitworth currently lives in the mountains of western North Carolina, where she has spent the last ten years focusing on mountain and country-western music. Her talent as a singer and songwriter enabled her to spend the last 4 years touring the United States with a band she co-founded, The Biscuit Burners. Shannon’s compositions contributed unmistakable depth to the bands material and have helped her gain respect as a truly talented songwriter. Her songs, “Off to the sea”, “Come on Darlin’ and “Hot August Night” helped to define her style and enabled her to receive success with national radio airplay. “Shannon Whitworth has an incredible feel for bluegrass and country music. The modern-traditional songs she writes and sings are an unmistakably beautiful blend of Carolina soul, contemporary lyricism, and Appalachian roots.” Chicago tribune
Firecracker Jazz BandFor more than a year the six-piece ensemble has been shaking down venues with its ambitiously studious interpretation of early New Orleans jazz and Dixieland. While the band’s increasingly large crowds boogie the night away, they may not realize that they are also getting quite a history lesson. The origin of the music comes from Louisiana’s early years as a French colony, when armies charged down the streets of New Orleans, introducing The French military with drums and horns.
With the later introduction of African rhythms, the music of the Crescent City then evolved into the romping piano-led Dixieland of the Storyville district. Firecracker stays true to this, as well as the 1930s period pop made famous by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton.
“We stick to the early 20th century repertoire and we’re always trying to add to what we play,” says Widenhouse. “It’s just so rewarding studying the existing body of work. There’s a lot of music that Louis Armstrong and Django Reinhardt did that’s excellent material to work with, and nobody ever hears this obscure stuff.” www.firecrackerjazz.com
Labels: brevard nc, firecracker jazz band, hobex, mark yaxley, memorial day, patrick smith band, sol driven train, the mad tea party, White Squirrel Festival
