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Saturday, September 18, 8:00 p.m.
"Their
uplifting take on American folk music, combining it with Jazz, roots and a
little bit of pretty much everything else, has the ability to put a smile
on anyone's face." - Glasgow Americana Festival, May 2009
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Po'Girl The interplay between Allison Russell, Awna Teixeira, Benny Sidelinger, and Mikey "Lightning" August is truly something to behold. They are distinct voices with incredible harmonies; multiple instrumentalists who bring the perfect sound to each song and songwriters who pen poetic tunes you’ll find yourself humming. Po’Girl showcases a wide array of instruments-from gutbucket bass, accordion, clarinet, banjo, dobro, guitar, to electric bass, glockenspiel, piano, harmonica, bicycle bells, drums-- and they all frequently trade off instruments with each song. Their fluid and joyous musicality is one of the group's most endearing and irresistible features. Impossible to put this band in a tidy little box—they’re equally at home in Douala, Cameroon playing the Massao World Music Festival, as they are at the International Jazz Festival in Montreal, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, the Woodford Music Festival in Australia or just playing for fun for the people in Vondel Park, Amsterdam. Suffice to say Po'Girl makes 21st Century roots music, urban roots – never derivative, not faithfully aping a beloved tradition. Russell, Teixeira, Sidelinger, and August don't re-hash the old forms, they reshape and reinvigorate them for new ears. Like genuine gypsies, they wander and play - out on the international road bringing their unique brand of pan North Americana to a widespread audience 250 to 300 days of the year… Always restless, more often than not bone-tired, they write their flashes of sadness, their loss, their good love, their faint dreams of home into songs that matter deeply to them. Like any good art, they are little acts of self-rescue. So you should listen. You aren't much different from them, and who couldn't use a little rescuing these days? Po'Girl released their 4th studio album 'Deer in the Night' to critical acclaim in May 2009- they followed that up with ' Po'Girl Live' in July 2009 - a live album recorded at various shows over the last year - which captures some of the energy and excitement of a real time Po'Girl concert. The band spent 3 weeks in January 2010 recording their new album "Follow Your Bliss" in Chicago, Illinois with the fantastic Zach Goheen at the helm. "Follow Your Bliss" will be released in April/May 2010 in Europe and on June 8th, 2010 in North America. It will be available for digital download worldwide as of May 2010. Po'Girl are currently on the No Shame Tour throughout the USA and Canada, before heading to Europe in April for the start of the "Follow Your Bliss" album release tour. |
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The name may not work well on a marquis, as bassist Bill Uhlig was quick to point out. In fact, not one of the five would admit to coming up with it. But it stuck and is perfectly suited for their folksy, traditional, bluegrassy... well, beachgrassy sound. Ask anyone along the north coast where you can catch The Balls and they'll point you to Bill's Tavern in Cannon Beach, where they perform every Thursday night. Each of the band's five members has played there, together or individually, for years. Mandolin player Peter Siegel has since 1977, when Bill's hosted a weekly open jam. Over the years Bill's remodeled and became a little more refined, wanting an actual band. Hence, Floating Glass Balls. Their music is broad and pulls from many genres -- bluegrass, Caribbean, contemporary, country, and swing tunes-- the likes of the Stanley Brothers and the Carter Family, to name just a couple. It is reflected in what each member brings to the table. Together now for 10 years, "The Balls" can easily play four to five straight gigs without repeating a song -- a testament to the depth the group has developed throughout those years playing together. Peter Siegel ('Spud') met the others in turn playing at one spot or another. First there was dobro player Dan Conner at a jam session at Spud's brother's house 20 years ago. A retired army colonel and engineer, Dan is a combination of West Point grad and life-long bluegrass fan. A man of few words, but a glance from Dan speaks volumes. Next came Uhlig. Bill and Spud have played together in coastal staple Bond Street Blues Band since 1989. To watch Bill play is a joy. He typically has his eyes closed and a peaceful smile on his face, looking as though dancing with his favorite partner. Between beats he'll suddenly let go of his instrument and grab it up again with an accented thump. Then there was fiddler Gary Keiski, who was introduced to Spud through guest washboard player Billy Hults. The three of them were roommates for a time in the early '90s. Gary is a kind- hearted fellow with a pleasant smile and a non-judging nod for anyone. Lastly, we have the band's youngest member, the group's practical joker, guitarist Joel Marshall. He watched the others play at Bill's and at the American Legion Hall in Cannon Beach about 6 or 7 years ago. He sings most of The Balls songs. He may be the youngest, but his band mates say he is extremely responsible and wise beyond his years. These prolific fellows have been playing together as a band for three years now. |
Saturday October 9, 8:00 p.m.
Floating Glass Balls
http://www.floatingglassballs.com/
Floating Glass Balls is a band distilled from years of weekly musical gatherings at Bill's Tavern in Cannon Beach. The constantly changing faces around the table, patrons at the bar and the wishful tavern waifs peering in through the windows became a family of sorts... Through life, death, love, marriage, divorce -- and even the destruction and rebirth of the very building itself -- the music has continued.
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Saturday November 13, 8:00 p.m.
Keith
Greeninger & Dayan Kai
KEITH GREENINGER was on fire, every
chord he touched turned epic, every conviction he put forward resonated
with an incredible power." Steve Palopoli Metro Santa Cruz "Greeninger's music has a dramatic quality to it. A storyteller in song, he paints masterful portraits of humanity in both its splendor and strife." STEVEN SAWADA Eugene Weekely
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Dayan Kai - Keys, Strings, Winds & Skins; a true Multi-Instrumentalist Virtuoso with an outstanding voice to match. Born without sight but not without soul. Formally trained since the age of 2, Dayan is a Singer-Songwriter, Arranger and Producer with a lifelong commitment to music. Kai is also a stunning accompanist working with numerous notable artists from around the world in many styles and traditions. His diverse studies have included training with renowned World Music Composer Lou Harrison, Latin Percussionist Michael Strunk, Jazz Trumpeter/Arranger Ray Brown and Mandolin Master David Grisman.
Keith Greeninger
- There is no barrier between the man and his music. Keith
Greeninger is a seasoned troubadour, political activist, award-winning
songwriter, and unforgettable performer. He weaves compelling tales with a
raw, emotional power through a soulful and authentic musical landscape.
From the deep laid back grooves of a heart wrenching ballad to the
righteous intensity of a hard-driving anthem,*his rich vocal range conveys
strength tempered with vulnerability, political struggle reflected in
personal experience, and the deep connection to earth, sky, community, and
family. |
