Sharon Little
2:00 - 3:00 |
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At the start of 2008, Sharon Little was working as a waitress. Less than five months later, she was appearing in concert halls throughout the country as the opening act on the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett "Raising Sand" tour. She won ovations when "Perfect Time For a Breakdown," her brilliant album of heartfelt personal songs, was release nationally. While this might seem that she's an overnight sensation, Sharon is anything but a flash in the pan.
She's a singer of intense emotional honesty and the songs she's written reveal an old soul that just happens to be within a person possessed of undeniable physical and spiritual beauty. The journey that has taken her so far in seemingly so short a time has actually been a life-long quest to find her voice, both in the literal and figurative sense.
www.sharonlittle.com |
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Maurice Brown Effect
4:00 - 5:00 |
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If your hips are swaying, fingers are snapping and heart is skipping, don't call the doctor just yet... it might be the Maurice Brown Effect. Maurice is an unpretentious, cultured soul with a strong musical backbone. Raised in south Chicago, Maurice was awarded a full music scholarship to Northern Illinois University upon graduating from Hillcrest High School. After winning first place in the esteemed National Miles Davis Trumpet Competition, Maurice found new flavor in the heart of Louisianna, where he continued his studies at Southern University--and captivated audiences weekly, headlining at New Orleans' premiere jazz club, Snug Harbor.
Maurice currently resides in New York where he is finishing his sophomore album, "The Cycle of Love," while immersed in a grittier urban setting. Expectations are high for the release, which will showcase his talents as a trumpeter, composer, and bandleader as well as the fierce, down-home melodies we love him for. Like legendary trumpeter, Clark Terry said, "Brownie is the young trumpeter to watch for sure. I see young cats all over the world and Maurice has it." And we want it.
www.mauricebrown.net |
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The Iguanas
6:00 - 7:00 |
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Hailing from New Orleans, where Latin and Caribbean music have a long and glorious history of interaction with R&B, blues and jazz, The Iguanas were formed in 1989 by guitarist/accordionist Rod Hughes and Joe Cabral, who alternates between saxophone and a traditional Mexican stringed instrument known as the bajo sexto. Within a few years, the current lineup was assembled with bassist Rene Coman and drummer Doug Garrison, and the band emerged as one of the most popular band in one of the world's most musical cities.
The pan-cultural rhythms of New Orleans' musical heritage course through the heart of The Iguanas and their music. Latin shuffles, gritty funks, dark cinematic jazz and Basin Street horns all join hands to create world music in the true sense of the term. New Orleans is the singularity of the universe that is American Music, and The Iguanas are some of its most skilled ambassadors.
www.iguanas.com |
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Karl Denson's Tiny Universe
8:00 - 10:00 |
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Like a Super Nova burning bright in the night sky comes Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. Based out of San Diego, KDTU began its journey in 1998 after bandleader Karl Denson decided to change gears five years after he helped create The Greyboy Allstars. GBA has proven themselves as the ultimate party band, spreading their "West Coast Boogaloo" style all over the world, making "Jazz" a dance term once again. Karl set out to take this formula to the next level by putting more emphasis on vocals and adding some funk, R&B and hip hop elements. It turned out to be a winning combination that set Karl Denson's Tiny Universe on the top of the heap in the touring world from 1999 through 2005. In 2005, Karl decided to get back to his roots and world in a smaller jazzier setting.
During 2006 and 2007, Karl led KD3, a trio configuration featuring sax, organ and drums. This led to the 2007 release of KD3's "Lunar Orbit," an album that was a great critical success. In 2008, Karl rejoined his former boss Lenny Kravitz and spent the year country-hopping through Europe and North America. In 2009, Karl went back into the studio and conjured up what is being hailed as the most soulful KDTU adventure yet, "Brother's Keeper," which was released in September 2009.
www.karldenson.us |
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Allen Mask
1:00 - 2:00 |
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When Allen Mask describes his own sound as electro organic hip-hop, he is quite right. On his debut solo album, "Pilot Season," Mask flawlessly blends hip-hop with a perfect touch of jazz and alternative rock.
Mask transitioned into the hip-hop emcee he is today after ascending the ranks of North Carolina slam poetry. Mask chose to stay in his hometown for college and enrolled at the University of North Carolina. Although he has taken a leave of absence from his post for his own project, Mask founded and was co-president of UNC's Vinyl Records, a student-run, non-profit record label.
www.thinkopation.com |
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Gregg Gelb Jazz Quartet
3:00 - 4:00 |
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Gregg Gelb is a recipient of the 1997 Jazz Fellowship Award from the North Carolina Arts Council. He has a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music, a Master of Music degree from the NC School of the Arts, and a DMA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He began his career in the 1980s with jazz group, Group Sax. From 1987-1991 he was a Visiting Artist in the North Carolina Community Colleges and he has taught music in universities and public schools throughout North Carolina. In addition to leading the Gregg Gelb Jazz Quartet, Gregg Gelb Swing Band and other small groups, he is founder and director of the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Society, and co-founder and player with the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra.
The Gregg Gelb Jazz Quartet consists of Steve Anderson on piano, Alex van Gils on bass, Chris Gelb on drums and Gregg Gelb on saxophone.
www.gregggelb.com |
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The Pimps of Joytime
5:00 - 6:00 |
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If you have yet to encounter the Brooklyn-based band, The Pimps of Joytime, prepare to take a funky ride! The band's diverse sound and spirited attitude is strongly influenced by the Brooklyn DJ culture and live music scene from which they emerge. Recent collaborations with legendary artists Cyril and Art Neville of the Neville Brothers and Roy Ayers have helped vitalize the band's connection to its roots.
Over the course of the past four years, The Pimps have evolved into a road tested and audience approved groove machine. They have excited crowds at over 100 club dates and festivals in 2009 alone, and are on target to exceed that volume in 2010. The exponential growth of the band's fan base can be partially attributed to an artful blend of musical styles, including elements of afrobeat, salsa, rock & roll and electronica. The classic songwriting of bandleader, Brian J and the band's undeniable swagger on stage consistently energizes dance parties wherever they appear. Their forthcoming album, "Janxta Funk!" is a new chapter in the book of the Funk and a testament to the fact that real music is alive and kicking!
www.pimpsofjoytime.com |
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Tinsley Ellis
7:00 - 8:00 |
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Over the course of 11 albums and literally thousands of live performances, Southern blues-rocker Tinsley Ellis easily ranks as one of today's most electrifying blues-rock guitarists and vocalists. He attacks his music with rock power and blues feeling, in the same tradition as his Deep South musical heroes Duane Allman and Freddie King and his old friends Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes. Atlanta Magazine declared Ellis "the most significant blues artist to emerge from Atlanta since Blind Willie McTell."
Following up on the success of his 2007 CD, "Moment of Truth," Ellis returns with "Speak No Evil." Produced by Ellis, "Speak No Evil" is the most guitar-driven album of his career. With rip-roaring songs that are both poignant and humorous, the album is as wide-ranging and inspired a recording as Ellis has ever made.
Averaging over 150 live shows a year, Ellis has played in all 50 states, as well as Canada, Europe, Australia and South America. Whether he's out with his own band or sharing stages with major artists like Buddy Guy, The Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule or Widespread Panic, he always digs deep and plays, as Guitar Player says, "... as if his life dependend on it."
www.tinsleyellis.com |
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