live shows Archive
08 Apr 2018
San Jose Winter Jazz Fest 2018
The 2018 edition of the popular San Jose Jazz Fest took place February 15-28. Here’s a rundown of some of the most interesting acts who were on the bill. Ronnie Foster Trio – Organist Foster released a string of well-regarded soul-jazz albums on Blue Note and Columbia in the 1970s. His 1972 debut, The Two
23 Mar 2018
Steep Canyon Rangers: Serving the Songs
As the 20th century approached its end, a group of college students began getting together informally to play bluegrass. None of them could have imagined that they’d still be together in 2018, performing concerts backed by members of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. In support of their 13th and latest album, Out in the Open, the
28 Feb 2018
Asheville’s Holiday Hang 2017
Calling an event “Holiday Hang” suggests a loose, informal and fun way to spend a December evening. That’s accurate, but organizers of the annual event – now in its sixth year – have set their sights much higher. True, an evening of bluegrass and country featuring a double-bill of Asheville’s Town Mountain and Amanda Anne
09 Feb 2018
Thank You, Man: Asheville’s Crop of Tribute Bands (Part Two)
Continued from Part One… Peak Hour Though the group had had hits before – most notably the 1964 single “Go Now” – the Moody Blues’ most enduring material is found on its “core seven” albums beginning with Days of Future Passed. And it’s upon that period that The Lost Chord focuses. The studio versions of
08 Feb 2018
Thank You, Man: Asheville’s Crop of Tribute Bands (Part One)
Amid its vibrant musical communities centered around artists creating original music in Americana, rock, blues, jazz and other genres, the Asheville music scene has kept a special place in its collective heart for tribute acts. More than 13 years ago, a young quartet of high-school age musicians played a sound-alike set of Beatles classics at
23 Jan 2018
Gin Blossoms: ‘New Miserable Experience’ at 25, Part One
Guitarist Scott Johnson almost missed out on a career path that saw him taking over for the lead guitarist in a band right as it broke through. Had he not taken some advice from an older musician, Johnson might not have even been playing rock ‘n’ roll. And he wouldn’t have joined Gin Blossoms as
16 Jan 2018
Jamie Laval’s Celtic Christmas 2017
Scottish fiddler Jamie Laval has earned worldwide acclaim for his lyrical and evocative musicianship, as well as his always-compelling annual Christmas-themed live shows. Ever winter since 2011, the award-winning fiddler (winner of the 2002 U.S. National Scottish fiddle Championship) has staged a fascinating and highly entertaining show built around themes of the holidays, solstice and
02 Jan 2018
The Squirrel Nut Zippers: Hot for the Holidays
Founded in Chapel Hill, N.C., the Squirrel Nut Zippers were more a summer art project than a serious band. But with the 1996 smash success of “Hell” from the group’s second album, the Zippers were catapulted into mainstream success. The group folded after releasing a holiday-themed album and 2000’s Bedlam Ballroom, but founder Jimbo Mathus
06 Dec 2017
Big as Ever: Russ Wilson’s Famous Orchestra
Asheville, North Carolina is populated with scores of hard-working, ever-busy creative people who endeavor to bring their chosen art to the public. But among those, perhaps the busiest of all is Russ Wilson. It’s difficult to keep a current tally on just how many musical projects he’s juggling at any given moment, but of late
01 Dec 2017
Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival: Local Focus, Careful Growth
Now in its 10th year, the Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival (October 12-14) is a world-class event spanning 7 venues and three days. But the festival grew from modest beginnings. BEMF co-founders Katie Longmyer and Jen Lyon began by taking over a piece of land in Gowanus and creating “a pop-up, daytime thing where there would