Folk Fest Four

Shortly after I took this picture “Big Time” Sarah Streeter, a veteran Chicago blues singer performing her last of two tunes with Magic Slim and the Teardrops on opening night, would be whisked away to VCU Medical Center ER.  Just recovering from pneumonia before her trip to Richmond, needing oxygen and insulin, Sarah also needed some big time TLC.  She was very well cared for…the staff even looked up and enjoyed her YouTube videos.  She was well enough to be discharged by lunchtime Saturday, just in time to make her two remaining appearances with Magic Slim, with renewed vim and vinegar.  The backstory here is that my caring wife Deveron was Sarah’s artist host, one of more than 40 dedicated individuals whose task is to make sure all these performers of many cultures, speaking many languages get from hotel to stage to another stage to CD signings and back to the hotel.  And maybe shuttle them to CVS or the ABC store…generally just look after them while they’re guests in our city.  Or in Deveron’s case, without hesitation, spend a busy Friday night in the MCV Emergency Room with a woman who needed her.  We got home around 4am after quite an adventure that included a renewed respect for the police, fire and EMT crews and the hospital staff who accomplish the impossible against all odds every night of the week.  An easy segue to expressing my gratitude to all the artist hosts who ensure our RFF performers are where they need to be when, with all they need to give us their very best.  And as compensation, they get to experience moments like this as seasoned host Chuck Wrenn (right)shares some up-close inspiration with his daughters courtesy of New Orleans “Piano Prince” Davell Crawford.

Our seventh year of these riverfront revivals of music and culture was set against another glorious three days of October weather, helping us set a new attendance mark of 200,000 making RFF the largest folk festival in the country.  I’ll roll out a few of my other images in the right-hand column, but for the full visual story, check out the great work of official photographer Skip Rowland here.  Skip was everywhere, and what an eye he has.  Another very proud moment for RVA, well covered here by the Style Weekly writers.

And another compelling day of JAMinc-facilitated school outreach performances on Friday that included an intimate al fresco session with Crooked Road instrument builders/musicians Gerald Anderson and Scott Freeman at the Sabot School at Stony Point.  Thanks to Billy Rice, Andy Garrigue, Charlie & Helen Ogden, Marshall Pearsall, George Turman, Mark Pellman and the NCTA’s Dan Samuels for making this important initiative happen again this year.

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Since the Folk Festival was held a week later than usual this year out of respect for Yom Kippur, we were free to take in the 2nd annual Festy Experience October 7-9, hosted by that savvy band of promotion-minded musicians, the Infamous Stringdusters.  The setting was the Devil’s Backbone Brewery up near Wintergreen, with a kind of Telluride-east feel…the older-gentler Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding the festival grounds.  Great close-by camping (with our new Friends of Jay), beautiful weather, great sound and staging, plus a wide ranging lineup that included Railroad Earth, Toubab Krewe, David Grisman, Jim Lauderdale plus great acts we caught for the first time: Lake Street Dive, the Two Man Gentlemen Band and the Wood Brothers.  Plus of course individual and collective appearances by the Dusters all weekend long.  The host band also introduced their newest member replacing mandolin master Jesse Cobb…Berklee alumnus Dominick Leslie (left), who made an auspicious debut on the smoke-filled main stage Saturday night…to the delight of banjoist Chris Pandolfi.  There was a world class bon fire lit each night that burned ‘til morning…something taken full pyrotechnic advantage of by guitarist Larry Keel.  The main stage alternated with the smaller Southern Stage so there was no annoying sound bleedover, nor any of the stressful moments one feels at larger festivals when you’re always missing something. And the secluded workshop stage was the scene of many instructive moments like campsite coffee making, cold weather camping, and some wonderfully intimate songwriting seminars like this one featuring (below L to R) Elizabeth Foster, Julie Lee, Sarah Siskind and Jim Lauderdale.  Sarah’s latest CD Novel can be checked out here.  Jim’s new one, Reason & Rhyme, with Robert Hunter here.

And there was this uplifting gospel set on Sunday afternoon hosted by Duster fiddler Jeremy Garrett and his dad Glen that featured an ever evolving cast that included the three women mentioned above and a soulful appearance by Dirty Kitchen bandleader Frank Solivan.  (L to R above: Andy Falco, Jeremy, Frank, Travis Book and Glen Garrett)  Joyful noise was made.  Much credit is due the Stringdusters for all they’ve accomplished musically and now promotionally in creating a well-conceived and executed event that’s matured beyond many festivals in two short years.  But we’ll miss Jesse.  We had a great time and only regret that it looks like it will conflict with our Richmond Folk Festival from now on.  Sigh…

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Before I shift focus forward, I want to give a shout out to my Music For Massey compadres for the past seven years, Jim Napier and Patrick McCarty for another chance to hang with the amazing west coast Waybacks and their special guest this year Jim Lauderdale on October 6th.  Moving to the rose garden at Lewis Ginter this year well past the summer’s heat was a brilliant stroke and we were blessed with a perfect night of weather and a fully-engaged lawn full of fulfilled music fans.  Hated to miss the afterparty on Friday, but what a great gathering of talented people for all the right reasons.  Thanks to the Garden’s Frank Robinson for hosting this year and to Tom Beals for his highly sought-after production expertise.  Fist bumps…

And big thanks to Sarah Masters for arranging our private concert at In Your Ear Monday night with eastern Canada’s phenomenal Acadian trio Vishten.  The good news is that you’ll be able to hear much of a magical night of music on one of our upcoming In Your Ear radio shows, airing every Saturday at 1pm on WCVE Public Radio HD.

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We first were made aware of Lenoir, NC’s Harris Brothers by Virginia Folklorist Jon Lohmann at last year’s Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion when he grabbed Dev and me and led us into the Shanghai Asian Restaurant to hear Ryan and Reggie hold court with our fast-lane friend Nate Leath sitting in on fiddle.  A major first impression was made.  Fast forward to October 27th, 2011 and with a little friendly persuasion, we’ve got the Harris Bros. coming to play our next JAMinc/In Your Ear Studio Concert with Nate Leath along for the ride.  This is going to be one for the books…make your reservations promptly please.

 

I’ve really been wanting to see and hear dear friend Jackie Frost in her acting debut as country music matriarch Sara Carter in Swift Creek Mill Playhouse’s production of “Keep On The Sunny Side.”  We’re finally going Friday and the show closes Saturday.  Just under the wire.  Better late than never Jack!  Call 748-5203 for reservations for dinner and/or theater.

 

Hohner, Inc. president and Richmond friend Clay Edwards tells me that the ukulele has astonishingly surpassed the harmonica in world wide sales for his company, so it’s fitting that the River City Ukulele Society has been formed for those wanting to make the most of their diminutive four-stringed instruments.  Previously only associated with Hawaii, Arthur Godfrey and Tiny Tim, thanks to new stars like Jake Shimabukuro, you’re seeing them in all kinds of band settings now.  Find out more about the society and their upcoming events/jams by contacting Ron Gentry:  rondgentry@gmail.com

My parting gift this time around is a link to a breathtaking first look at Yo-Yo Ma’s upcoming release The Goat Rodeo Sessions, out October 24th.  Believe me…omg…you will want to check this out.  Hope to see you at IYE on the 27th.

TT

Bristling with music…

Pretty sure this is the longest I’ve gone between journal posts which prompted a friend’s question to which I replied “no, I wasn’t dead…just busy.”  New motivation to get one out was provided by the musical overload we were in the midst of this time last week in the modern-day frontier town of Bristol, VA/TN.  Last year’s remarkable Rhythm & Roots Reunion got us hooked.  It's now on our annual must list along with MerleFest, Graves Mountain and FloydFest.  More than 150 acts on 22 stages all over downtown Bristol…big outdoor stages, comfortable indoor theaters and a bunch of intimate bar and restaurant venues for a raging river of Americana talent.  If you’ve never been there, as we hadn’t until last September, Bristol straddles the Virginia/Tennessee state line which runs down the middle of State Street, which they close down for four long blocks packed with food trucks, great festival merch and thousands of milling fans spanning generations and backgrounds but here for a common cause…great live music.  It’s a haul from Richmond, most of it on I-81 (my least favorite of Eisenhower’s Interstates) but more than worth it given the cost of admission ($40 for the whole weekend) ease of parking, incredible lineup and general great vibe.  I’ll try to compel you to join us next year with the photos that follow.

How’s this for a marquee?  Lovingly restored old theater where we enjoyed the Lonesome River Band, Red Molly and Darrell Scott.

Darrell opened with “Never Leave Harlan Alive” and encored with “Great Day to Be Alive”  Full hearts…

Steve Martin Award winner Sammy Shelor, Brandon Rickman and Randy Jones of LRB…stronger than ever.  They join Steve on Late Night with David Letterman on 11/11/11.  How cool is that for the banjo man from Meadows of Dan?

Abbie Gardner, Laurie MacAllister and Molly Venter of Red Molly cast a spell as only they can.  Their new CD Light In The Sky is out October 4th.  We’re working on getting them to Ashland Coffee & Tea.  Their repertoire and vocal blend bring chills.

 

Our festival high point may have happened as we wandered into Borderline Billiards…packed to the rafters with fans of the Nashville supergroup 18 South with guest John Oates.  We’d just seen their outdoor set on the State Street stage but had to go back for more.  Voted the band most festival goers wanted back this year, they were without Jon Randall’s wife and mother of his soon-to-be first child Jessie Alexander, but with John and reigning IBMA dobro king Rob Ickes (left), they raised the energy level to 10, maybe 11 with the substantial contributions of guitar shredder Guthrie Trapp, beloved bassman Mike Bub, superb singer/keyboardist Jimmy Wallace and acoustic music’s go-to drummer Larry Atamanuik.  You gotta hear these guys…also working on getting them to town in the proper venue.

 

 

Another revelation was provided by Austin honky-tonk hero and local favorite Dale Watson who’s been building his Richmond base for years at Poe’s Pub and Shenanigans…and at our Folk Festival.  So we’d seen him in fits and starts but never an undistracted full set…now in Bristol’s Cameo Theatre.  Flashing his million-dollar grin, Dale held court with a chipotle-hot band and rolled through a riveting set of covers and originals.  He more than validated the esteem in which he’s held by so many.  This guy OWNS the stage.  Chuck Wrenn and Brad Spivey have been trying to tell me.  Brad’s Honky Tonk Experience will play the State Fair-opening Black Tie & Boots party again this Friday and will return to Shenanigans at the end of October.  Next best thing to an evening with Dale Watson & Lone Stars.

 

Brad made made a special point of making sure we saw alt-country queen Elizabeth Cook, which we did and were genuinely taken by the combination of her aw-shucks country charm and her way with a song.  Another one to keep an eye and ear out for.

While his pappy was playing the National last weekend, Justin Townes Earle, now calling Nashville North home (NYC), was spinning his authentic Woody Guthrie/Hank Williams-inspired yarns on the Piedmont Stage, ably accompanied by Amanda Shires and Bryn Davies.  The bloodlines run true.  JTE is a new American original.

The timeless Seldom Scene were the toast of Saturday night at the Country Mural Stage as they celebrate their big fortieth anniversary this fall…and Ben Eldridge has been there for all of it.  Ronnie Simpkins, Lou Reid, Dudley Connell and Fred Travers have easlily been on board long enough to be bona fide as the most enduring lineup since the John Duffey, John Starling, Mike Auldridge, Tom Gray era.  And Ben’s still the friendly flamekeeper.  They have a big night at the Birchmere coming in November to mark the occasion with Starling, Auldridge and Gray back in the house.  Tickets on sale here.

These adorable Texas siblings were all the rage at MerleFest and Graves Mountain this year and no wonder…the Quebe Sisters and their rock solid rhythm section comprised of Joey McKenzie (right) on guitar and Drew Phelps on bass are likely the most polished and professional western-swing outfit on tour today.  Their vocal precision and triple fiddles along with their faithful respect for the genre are a joy to behold and we can only hope to get them back to our Folk Festival next year.  Hope we don’t have to wait that long.

Proof positive that this music’s in good hands comes from the Snyder Family, who I met on the Cabin Stage at MerleFest last April and who continue to hone their skills.  Siblings Samantha and Zeb Snyder who both took first place in the adult divisions on their respective instruments at Galax last August, along with their dad Bud on bass are taking the cliché out of the family band thing.  Kinda like a traditional Nickel Creek in the early days.  Zeb is, at 16, already a monster player who can hold his own with the best of today’s more familiar flat pickers.  And their secret weapon is a real showman in the making, five-year-old Owen (left) who confidently ambled on stage to render a perfectly pitched and timed Stephen Foster tune after asking, “So how y’all doin’ tonight?”  The Cameo Theater melted.

 

I’d need to ask Tony if he’s heard Zeb Snyder play…I venture he’d be impressed.  Just like he was when he took a young Chris Eldridge under his wing many years ago.  Tony Rice and a stellar edition of the Unit (Wyatt Rice, Josh Williams, Rob Ickes, Bryn Davies and Rickie Simpkins) continued along a trail of tour dates this year that have seen Tony playing more fluidly and creatively than he ever has, while wistfully looking back and emotionally counting his blessings.  Tony just lost his stepson John in a tragic motorcycle accident in North Carolina.  The toll something like that takes was evident in the heartfelt way he embraced the songs he shared.  God bless you Tony.

A first hearing for us on the sunny Saturday Piedmont Stage was Ohio-born Jessica Lea Mayfield, a head-turning writer/singer who might fit into the same alt-country bin as a Lucinda Williams or a Shannon Whitworth.  She’s also the sister of the former Cadillac Sky sparkplug who was also slaying BRRR as the David Mayfield Parade.  They decorated each other’s energetic and intriguing sets.  Yet another example of power in the blood.

 

Jon Lohman put together another amazing roster for his Virginia Folklife Stage at Bristol (don’t miss his area at this year’s Richmond Folk Festival just three weeks away).  Lenoir, NC’s terrific Harris Brothers (Ryan and Reggie) filled the tent with fans of their varied folk/country/blues based brother duets.  We’re delighted to say they’re the next guests of our JAMinc/In Your Ear concert series on October 27th and they’ll be joined by the one and only Nate Leath on fiddle.  If you want to be part of this one, reserve your spot soon.  We WILL run out of room before you know it. 

I’ve posted a few more memories of the singular Bristol experience in the column to the top right.  Do consider making the trip in 2012 if you haven’t.  If you’re now a committed regular, I’m preaching to the choir.

 

I hope you’ve had a chance to check out our new radio show on WCVE Public Radio.  JAMinc presents In Your Ear every Saturday afternoon at one this fall at 88.9 on your FM dial or streaming at ideastations.org/radio.  If you’re footballing or otherwise occupied at that time, we hope to have the show downloadable on the IdeaStations’ website next week.  Our guest on this coming Saturday’s show are North Carolina troubadour Jonathan Byrd, harmonica monster and returning Flecktone Howard Levy and area fave Jesse Harper and Friends.  One of our best so far.

Straight ahead…Page Wilson’s veteran backup band now fittingly renamed Recklessly Abandoned, ; (l to r, Billy Lux, Jim Skelding, Charles Arthur, Jay Gillespie, Chris Fuller) will play a tribute gig at Ashland Coffee and Tea this coming Saturday, October 1st.  They’ll also sing “Virginia” and take part in a salute to our dear departed denizen of the Chickahominy Swamp on the Altria Stage at noon on Sunday, October 16 on the final day of the Folk Festival.  Handkerchiefs encouraged.

 

Don’t forget to get your tickets for the Waybacks’ triumphant return to RVA for their seventh annual Music For Massey throwdown, this year on Thursday, October 6th in the rose garden ampitheater at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with very special guest Grammy-winning musical chameleon Jim Lauderdale.  Tickets going fast here, and to find out about patron-level tickets including reserved seating and a pre-show meet&greet reception, email me:  mail@timtimberlake.com

I’ll leave you with a couple of pertinent links…one to a brand new site dedicated to the current state of bluegrass and those who make and mold it, called Bluegrass Today.  My first visit was impressive…lots of capable minds on board, sharp graphics and enough material to keep fans busy for hours. 

 

The other is a revealing NPR interview with producer T-Bone Burnett on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the groundbreaking Coen brothers film Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?  Click here to listen for details of a new CD containing 10 previously unreleased tracks from the original project.

I trust you’re all back to a comfortable normal in the wearying wake of Irene and that you’re sharing my smile that this is only the first day of fall…the best season of all.

TT

Only A Dream…

I turned on Prairie Home Companion Sunday and was blessed to hear this deeply touching song about the passage of time and losing people and places you love.  It was Mary Chapin Carpenter accompanied only by Jon Carroll’s elegant piano and my eyes moistened as they do when a song resonates in a personal way.  It reminded me what a consummate observer of life she is and what a warm and expressive voice she has.  If you need a refresher, the perfect opportunity is just a week away as she’s headed to Lewis Ginter on Thursday the 25th to close this year’s impressive Groovin’ In The Garden concert series.  The ideal venue for thoughtfully beautiful music like this.  Some tickets remain here, and there may also be a few left for this Friday’s sure-to-be enchanting evening with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.  Also in the rose garden at Lewis Ginter.  Thanks to Tom Beals and all the Haymaker folks for putting together an amazing lineup for this season.  And for offering up a couple of free tickets for the MCC show on the 25th.  Want ‘em?  Email me with the Grammy-winning group (best new artists in 1976) that Jon Carroll was in.  (mail@timtimberlake.com) Fifth correct answer wins.  Jon also put in a great performance for one of our JAMinc/In Your Ear studio concerts back February of 2010.  You’ll be hearing some of that later this fall as part of our new radio show on WCVE Public Radio that debuts at 1pm on September 3rd.  Spread the word and tune us in!  Incidentally, our first JAMinc/IYE concert of the fall features killer sax man Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update on Friday, September 16th.  Make your reservations here.  And another reminder of this year’s seventh annual benefit for the Massey Cancer Center with those wandering Waybacks from San Fran.  It’s moving to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden this year (sweet) and features Americana’s most suave and versatile leading man, Jim Lauderdale.  Grab your tix here.  And email me at the address above for details on how you can be a patron for the event with lots of cool perks including a pre-show meet and greet (and eat) party.  One more thing…I’m honored to be part of Paul, Damian and Brian Muller’s Hebron Boys for this year’s annual bluegrass gospel concert at my church, Hebron Presbyterian out in Manakin-Sabot.  We might as well fill those “benches all worn” as Hazel Dickens put it…it’s free and there’s an old-fashioned homemade ice cream social following the 5pm service.

Oh, and happy anniversary to Mekong…catch the amazing James Brown tribute band The Big Payback tonight (Thursday) and their outrageous selection of Belgian beer.  And have you heard?  Starting next week we can buy Fat Tire right here in River City!  Life is good.

Who said “Everything in moderation…except moderation?”

TT

(Mary Chapin Carpenter photo from artist website)

Layers of cool…

FloydFest really is much more than some of the most wide-ranging and compelling music to be heard anywhere.  There are so many components…pieces of the puzzle…layers of cool if you will, that add up to an eXperience that’s much more profound than any of those layers taken individually.  There’s the high-country setting just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and the elegant and permanent peg and beam stage structures by Dreaming Creek, the 60’s tie-dyed vibe seen in clothing vendors and their customers, the way beyond corn-dog-and-funnel-cake edible opportunities from Dogtown wood oven pizza to irresistible international and unpronounceable delicacies.  Visionaries Kris Hodges and Erika Johnson with their seasoned team marked the tenth FloydFest with a genre-rich mix of hundreds of musicians both established and under the radar, seasoned with crowd-pleasing extras that included trapeze artists, jugglers and fire-eating sword swallowers.  Truly something for everyone as evidenced by the all-ages, family friendly crowd comprised of well-inked rastas, holdover hippies and well-heeled geezers.  And an impossible to ignore showing of bare midriffs only occasionally to good advantage.  And did I say it was hot?  But not as hot as the Piedmont especially with a steady breeze and found shade.  Like other well-conceived and executed events, it’s just not possible to come home and tell your friends about it because things like this just have to be lived.  It’s impressive enough on paper or the Web but descriptions must fall short.  So I’ll stop trying and just let some images do the talking.  But FloydFest has evolved into a singular community built on music but offering so many more…layers of cool.  The second decade should be worth hanging around for.

Sam Bush…always the King of all he surveys

including a rapt audience at Jon Lohman’s VA Folklife Porch stage with guitarist Stephen Mougin.

Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor in an insightful Porch session describing his musical journey.

Richmond’s own FloydFest regulars DJ Williams and Todd Harrington smoked it on the Hill Holler stage.

Under the Radar artist, New England-based Jason Spooner impressed with his trio and some well-crafted original tunes…check him out.

A pleasant first-day surprise on the Porch saw Randy Cook sitting in with Linda & David Lay and Sammy Shelor

Our state folklorist Jon Lohman with wife Tori and baby boy Grayson (wanting his own laminate).  As the bluesy Jonny Clutch he and his Jam Busters will be opening for Blue Highway in Marion this weekend.  Details here.

 

Festival Operations Manager and Blue Mule bassist John McBroom getting his propers from Kris Hodges.  The logistical complexity of FloydFest is dizzying but it’s pulled off with great aplomb by these guys and their seasoned festiveterans.

 

 

Camping taken seriously…

…and joyfully.

Hundreds of bedsheets arranged in a huge embellished Roman numeral X for a specially arranged miles-high satellite shot of the festival site, soon to be available for viewing here.

A capacity crowd of 15,000 embraced this X-rated edition of FloydFest and all its visual amenities…nobody does it better.

A young female fiddler practicing both the artistic and the practical components of being a successful musician…

Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna icon Jorma Kaukonen came a Fur Peace to play the Porch with the versatile Nate Leath…

…who also sat in to great effect with Lenoir, NC’s Harris Brothers.  We’re working on getting them to Richmond.

Jon holds court on the Porch with Peter Rowan, Wyatt Rice and Mark Schatz.

Pete later mounted the main Dreaming Creek stage with Mike Witcher and Keith Little.

RVA’s own and grown Jackass Flats fronted by Travis Rinehart rocked the Hill Holler stage with tunes from their new CD Rusty Feeling.

Tony Rice in crisp summer green entranced the mellow Sunday crowd with help from the DMB’s Jason Carter, Josh Williams, brother Wyatt and Mark Schatz (not shown)…

…and savored a sweet reunion with longtime friend and collaborator David Grisman.

And as the day-4 rain and fog settled in, Richmond’s gospel-singing treasure Maggie Ingram and her Ingramettes held church in the dance tent with their own brand of joyous spirituality.  They put it all into perfect perspective.

This by no means is meant to be a comprehensive post mortem on FloydFest…I left out way more than I included.  If you’re yearning for more, there’s a growing list of links on the Website.

Gratitude runs deep for all who played a part in this enriching stay in the mountains, especially my road-of-life navigator and game companion of 34 years.  I am blessed.

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The heat’s still on…no rest for the weary, as we welcome Frank Solivan’s great band Dirty Kitchen back to AC&T this Saturday night to be followed by another rockin’ reunion of the Robbin Thompson Band at Dogwood Dell on Sunday.

(Skip Rowland photo of the RTB)

At the strong urging of music connoisseurs Chris Bopst and Josh Kohn, Balliceaux in the Fan is the place to be to catch the “incredibly awesome” Ethiopian funk of the Debo Band with Fendika this coming Tuesday.  We must take note.  And one more reminder of the doubly fine finale of this year’s Groovin’ in the Garden series at Lewis Ginter…Friday, August 19th for Gillian Welch’s long-awaited return to Richmond with Dave Rawlings.  (And just what is he doing with his left hand on the cover of their new CD?  Hmmmm.)  And on Thursday the 25th, the engaging Mary Chapin Carpenter heads east down 64.  And a save-the-date for October 6th:  the 7th annual Music For Massey benefit concert, also at LGBG featuring the return of the Waybacks with special guest Jim Lauderdale.  The Richmond Folk Festival moves back one week this year to the following weekend, Oct. 14-16.

 

Orange County’s Jesse Harper is creatively and tirelessly gathering resources to finish his latest project One True Thing.  You can help and earn his eternal gratitude and other incentives by clicking here and chipping in.  He’s very close to goal.  It’ll be worth it.

 

We’ll wrap this post with a very exciting announcement regarding our new radio show In Your Ear, presented by JAMinc beginning Saturday, September 3rd on WCVE Public Radio.  Every Saturday at 1pm through November at 88.9 on your FM dial, we’ll be bringing you a full hour of the best performances from our seven years of JAMinc/In Your Ear Studio A concerts with artists including John Cephas, Bruce Molsky, The Kruger Brothers, Cadillac Sky, Howard Levy, Wayne Henderson, Bryan Bowers, Tony Furtado and Peter Ostroushko, plus area favorites Robbin Thompson, Bop Nation and yes, Jesse Harper.  We’re extremely grateful to Bill Miller and the staff at WCVE for this great opportunity to share some excellent live performances with a wider audience.  The program will also stream on www.ideastations.org.   Spread the word and join us.

TT

(Debo Band and Jesse Harper photos from artist websites)