Fiddling Cricket Concerts 
August 2009
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Concert Calendar |
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NEW SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
AT THE UGLY MUG CAFÉ IN SOQUEL |
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Paula Smith
Alder grew up on jazz from the age of six. A Santa Cruz resident of 30+
years, she has featured in numerous local and regional musical productions
including My Fair Lady, Cabaret, and The Club. She has appeared
at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center as well as at the Rio Theater and was part of two
all-star lineups there. Listening to Paula sing jazz standards, ballads and up
tunes, you will hear her heart and soul in each lyrical interpretation, as well
as some of her musical influences: Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Ella
Fitzgerald, Lena Horne and Barbra Streisand.
http://www.smithalder.com
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NEW SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
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Singer-songwriter Michael Gaither favors songs and stories from day to day life. His two CDs, Spotted Mule and other Tales and Dogspeed, are an Americana mix of folk, bluegrass, a little gospel, and humorous rants. He's also a journalist, producing and hosting a songwriting podcast featuring the stories behind the songs and interviews with other songwriters. http://www.michaelgaither.com |
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Michael McNevin /
Calaveras |
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Michael McNevin is a veteran of the folk scene, having logged 15 years of concerts across the U.S. from his Bay Area base, and has been a main stager at the Strawberry, Kerrville, and Philadelphia folk festivals.. He has a unique voice, is an accomplished steel string guitarist, and, above all, is known for his vivid brand of storytelling in his lyrics. He is a past winner of the Kerrville New-folk award in Texas, and a 5-time winner of the West Coast Songwriters Association "Song of The Year". He is currently recording his sixth album. Two of the new tracks are also heard in "Weekend King", an indie film shot in Niles, where Michael grew up and currently lives. He has a cameo role as a lovesick bartender who sings in the corner between drinks. Michael is also an Etch A Sketch artist of renown, delighting and dumbfounding audiences with his song illustrations on the little red toy, and also having art gallery shows! http://www.michaelmcnevin.com/ |
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Singer-songwriters Greg Beattie and Victoria Blythe, along with instrumentalist Dave Decker make up Calaveras. They combine voices and half a dozen instruments into material ranging from the roots of American traditional song forms to explorations of contemporary sounds. Like Michael they have captured the prestigious Kerrville New Folk prize and won West Coast Songwriter's Association Song of the Year honors. Their songs have been recorded by such well known artists as Joan Baez and Cheryl Wheeler. Their new album, Green Girl, is the culmination of nearly 10 years of writing, performing and dreaming since their prior release--songs that are varied but genuine representations of the many roads traveled to get here. http://www.calaverassongs.com/music.html |
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Houston
Jones |
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Houston
Jones feature the stunning, left handed, upside down, acoustic and electric
guitar playing of Glen Houston, the golden tenor of Travis Jones
(guitar), the double bass and harmony vocals of Chris Kee, the
percussion and harmony vocals of Peter Tucker, and the piano, accordion,
and vocals of Henry Salvia. Though all the band members are resident in
the Bay Area, they originate from all over the US and have about 200 years of
collective professional music experience! Describing their music as 'high
octane Americana', they sizzle through a mix of blues, folk, country,
bluegrass, Celtic, gospel and jazz, mixing original material with the best from
others. Increasingly they are featuring the songwriting of Chris Kee, as
demonstrated in their 5th CD and their 6th in the making.They have been a big
hit at every festival they have played, including Telluride and Strawberry,
where they were voted "best new discovery" and "best vocalist" .http://www.houstonjones.com/ |
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ACOUSTIC GUITAR
SUMMIT |
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Tonight’s show features
three virtuosos from diverse corners of the fingerstyle guitar universe.
Vicki Genfan, winner of the 2008 Guitar Player magazine Guitar Superstar
Competition, is a globe-trotting performer who is often compared with artists
such as Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, and Patty Larkin. Using 29
alternate tunings and a percussive technique she calls 'slap-tap,’ as well
as pure, expressive vocals, Vicki has amazed audiences at prestigious events
such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, Germany’s Open Strings festival, and
Italy’s Soave Guitar Festival. Vicki has recorded several CDs for
Acoustic Music Records, the latest being 2008’s collection of pop
cover songs, UnCovered.
http://www.vickigenfan.com
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NEW SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
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Dorian Michael, fingerstyle acoustic guitarist (also an electric blues band guitarist) has spent 40 years playing professionally in the genres of folk, blues, jazz, and rock and roll (and occasionally in orchestra pits) - so as a solo acoustic performer he describes his music as contemporary acoustic - original music reflecting interests in a variety of styles, but still original. Dorian has many CDs to his credit, the latest acoustic CD being Sycamore Creek. http://www.dorianmichael.com |
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Patti Maxine
“AceSteeler” & The Wild Cards plus Special Guests |
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Lap Steel virtuoso and vocalist; Patti Maxine deals a winning hand at Don Quixote's International Music Hall for this special evening celebrating her diverse musical journey. Stacking the deck with some of the best Santa Cruz and Bay Area musicians, Patti draws influence from Hawaiian, Western Swing, Pop and the many other styles she has explored over her extensive career. The night will feature a toe tappin’ backup band and a round robin of special guests to surprise and entertain you. Also, it’s a few days after the 40th anniversary of Woodstock and homage will be paid to that historic event. Matt Bohn, Olaf Schiappacasse, and Charlie Wallace comprise her highly versatile band, The Wild Cards. Joining Patti for a fun look at her musical history will be Marty Atkinson, Celina Gutierrez, Ellen Hoffman Sandy Frye, Tina Marzell, Stan Meidinger, Pipa Piñon, David Winters, Rhan Wilson, and Colin Alder of Cruztone guitars (http://www.cruztonesteel.com). This will be a special evening not to be missed. It’s a concert long awaited by her devoted fan base that have heard her in numerous bands, Santa Cruz Ukulele club gatherings, duets, trios, and clubs over the years. http://www.pattimaxine.com |
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NEW SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
AT THE UGLY MUG CAFÉ IN SOQUEL |
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Sherry Austin rightly calls her material pure Americana - a mixture of classic folk, country-folk, and folk-rock, and she sings only where it's comfortable - no screaming or stretching. Her compositions, and the covers she chooses, show off her warm contralto voice and fully engage the audience with her lyrical skills and clarity of delivery. This is augmented by her fine band and the soulful harmonies of her singing partner, Sharon Allen. http://www.sherry-austin.com |
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Shannon Whitworth Trio
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"Her vocals are some of
the most expressive, and sultry, that I've ever heard.” David
Royko, Chicago Tribune |
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Jimmy
Chickenpants |
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Who IS Jimmy Chickenpants? No one really knows, but the band hails from Santa Cruz (mostly) and includes Joni Matthews (guitar and lead vocals), Hide Kawatsure (mandolin), Jim Davies (string bass), Ken Clarkson (banjo and dobro), and Chojo Jacques (fiddle and mandolin). The band puts the 'hick' in 'chicken' with music that combines bluegrass, newergrass, jazzgrass, and originalgrass (otherwise known as "poultry in motion") together with some folk, blues and a bit of swing. Jimmy's influences apparently include Bill Monroe, Gillian Welch, Bela Fleck, and most significantly, Rocky the Petaluma Free Range Chicken. Jimmy has been touted as one of Santa Cruz's best kept secrets by KPIG radio, but is known to exist by the Northern California Bluegrass Society. The Pants are not on any "No Fly" lists, as far as we know, so please risk coming to see them at this Fiddling Cricket show. http://www.jimmychickenpants.com/ |
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Concert Calendar |
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Last Updated: 08/18/09