The Sixth Annual
NEDERLAND MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL!!!
An Outdoor Bluegrass, Jazz & World Beat Concert
JUST 17 MILES WEST OF BOULDER COLORADO
Saturday, August 7th & Sunday, August 8th 2004
At the Jeff Guercio Memorial Baseball Park
In the mountains of Nederland, Colorado
On the shores of Barker Reservoir
SATURDAY
AUGUST 7th
Leftover
Salmon's
VINCE
HERMAN
SHANTI
GROOVE
TONY
TRISCHKA
BAND
JOE
CRAVEN
BAND
BENEVENTO
RUSSO
DUO
THE
BLUEGRACID
JAZZ ALL-STARS
featuring
Vince Herman
Rob Wasserman
Joe Craven
Tony Trischka
Bill McKay
plus more!
'Tweeners:
JOHN & BILL MCKAY
BRUCE HAYES
ARTHUR LEE
Late Night Shows
All Over Town!!
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"One of Colorado’s premier summer festivals"
- The Boulder Weekly -
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SUNDAY
AUGUST 8th
GARAJ
MAHAL
featuring
Kai Eckhardt
Fareed Haque
Alan Hertz
Eric Levy
THE
MOTET
ALBINO!
Heavy Heavy
Afrobeat!
PAPA
MALI
ROB
WASSERMAN
Solo Bass
'Tweeners:
DOUG BAKER
SAMBA DENDE
PATRICK LATELLA
CHRIS CONNOLLY
Late Night Shows
All Over Town!!
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MUSIC SCHEDULE & ARTIST DESCRIPTIONS:
SATURDAY 8/07/04
9:00 AM - FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE OPENS.
10:00 AM - GATES OPEN!!! Get here early!
11:00 AM - BENEVENTO/RUSSO DUO - Imagine this: two very talented musicians who haven’t seen each other or played with each other since eighth grade, meeting up and reacquainting in the mother of all cities, NYC. And imagine their first gig as a duo being of all things a birthday tribute for Madonna! Growing up in New Jersey, Marco Benevento & Joe Russo used to each play in the Jazz Band at their middle school. They even once played together in Russo’s basement. Ah, the beginnings of greatness. I had the chance to briefly speak with this Dynamic Duo, at Boston’s Paradise Rock Club, right before their show that evening supporting The Slip. Just for the record the night was incredible and was also somewhat historic, being that this was the first time The Slip had ever performed with a horn section. Marco Benevento first began his career in music with the Jazz Farmers, a Boston based band comprised of Berklee students, which is where Marco met some of the fellow musicians he still plays with to this day. Joe Russo’s first band was Fat Mama, originally formed in Colorado in 1995, and then transplanted to NYC in 2000. The pair actually reunited for the first time one night in Boston, technically Cambridge, at the world famous Lizard Lounge. They next saw each other in NYC, after they had both relocated there, at the Lansky Lounge, where Joe was playing with some friends of Marco’s from Berklee.
12:30 PM - 'Tweener Set: ARTHUR LEE's lifelong musical journey has led him to a rare accomplishment in the world of popular music – genuine innovation. After years of touring as both a front and side-man, he has combined diverse influences and multi-instrumental talents into a solo style that is uniquely his own: Welcome to…ARTHUR LEE LAND -- A One-Man Afrograss Folk Rock Ensemble. Using “loop” (live recording) technology, Arthur layers grooves of West African percussion, electric bass, then adds soulful vocals and masterful guitar leads. Because he draws from a repertoire of exciting originals as well as putting his unique musical signature on the occasional handpicked cover, each performance is unique. Arthur’s music moves both the rhythmic and emotional spirits of his audience. He paints his improvisational musical canvas from a broad tonal and thematic palette influenced by artists like Santana, King Sunny Ade, The Grateful Dead, David Grisman and Jackson Browne.
1:00 PM - JOE CRAVEN wears many hats and plays many things; string instruments fashioned out of hospital bed pans and roasting pots, fiddles, mandolins, tenor guitars, saz, cuatro and a world of percussion instruments including animal bones, latex squeeze toys, waste cans, martini shakers and himself. His stage setup more often resembles a yard sale and Joe’s unusual approach to music making is the stuff of local legend and national acclaim. But there’s more to Craven than meets the ear. He is not only a musician but also a visual artist, former museologist (museum science), educator, storyteller, loving father, chili pepper and garlic fanatic, avid runner, and an advocate of “demystifying” art through music making as a daily ritual. Since 1989, Joe Craven has been the highly respected multi-instrumentalist with the David Grisman Quintet...yeah, Joe’s the guy with the Ralph Stanley autographed bongos and fiddle. Having played and/or recorded with Jerry Garcia, Stéphane Grappelli, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, The Persuasions, Psychograss, Tony Furtado, Darol Anger, Rob Ickes, Ken Nordine and many others, Joe’s phone rings often for studio work and he has performed music & sound effects on a wide variety of recordings including commercials, soundtracks, computer games and several Grammy nominated projects. In music, Joe is a bit like Indiana Jones; a musical archeologist going on wild adventures with his finds. More re-interpreter than composer, Joe adores the storytelling aspect of folk art and how the process of folk music works; “All those quirky, beautiful, dark, amazing tunes and songs learned through observation and imitation – shared and handed down – then embellished/altered with different versions through time ultimately creating new music altogether. When you learn other people’s music you learn about your own”, Craven says. His critically acclaimed debut release, “Camptown”, is a testimony to this folk music philosophy. When not touring with David Grisman, Joe Craven performs material from his release “Camptown” – a collection of traditional fiddle tunes set to an international panorama of world inspired rhythms and instrumentation, and “Mo’Joe” - a project of new interpretations for American folk songs. Joe performs solo, as a duo with bassist and pianist Sam Bevan and with his various groups. His long-standing trio consists of John R. Burrr on keyboards and key bass; and Kendrick Freeman on drums and percussion, both of the Alison Brown Quartet. Joe is also a festival emcee, where he began as an “after hours” host at the “Strawberry” Music Festival and, since then, has been a master of ceremonies at the “High Sierra”, “Pine Mountain” and “Live Oak” Music Festivals in California, the “Harvest Festival” in Georgia, and “Rockygrass” in Colorado. Joe began performing in rock bands on electric guitar and an amp the size of his mom’s refrigerator during his high school years. At the University of South Carolina, Joe received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Museology and Aesthetics. Tired of playing America’s most popular instrument (the guitar) Joe’s mandolin was an impulse buy. Upon completing his degree in 1979, Joe moved West. He played mandolin in blues and rock bands, acoustic string bands, even casino lounge acts, while writing grants, mounting exhibits, teaching and cleaning toilets at The Nevada Museum of Art in Reno. He later managed an art gallery and, after that, as a visual artist, exhibited his own work from San Francisco to Santa Fe. A few of his own paintings now adorn the walls of Joe’s Northern California home, along with a riot of colorful Indonesian and Tibetan masks, kachinas, large-brimmed hats of all kinds, historical string and percussion instruments, bookcases filled with tomes on art, eclectic CDs, old cowboy boots, pictures of his family of six at various ages, and other family memorabilia. Joe’s house is a virtual museum of personal, musical and multi-cultural artifacts and a visual testament to the diversity of his creative explorations. As an educator, Joe’s clinics, workshops and school presentations on music participation have captivated audiences around the country. He’s worked with students from preschool to adult in a variety of settings. He completed his first artist in residency at California State University - Chico to rave reviews and has expanded his educational outreach to museums and music camps ranging from Irish fiddle to international percussion. According to Joe, “Music is imagination, expression, therapy and living in the creative spirit. It doesn’t need labels as much as it needs opportunity. Through exploration, practice and sincereity of application, you can make music on just about anything.” And he’s proven his point by playing everything from dashboards to squeeze toys to his head. ”It’s great to just pick up things like an empty water jug, garden tools or your pet and discover their inherant musical qualities, as well as your own” he says. “It’s not the thing, but the process of how you connect with it that makes great music. Don’t throw it away – redefine it as a musical tool – teach it to a child – leave it as a gift.”
2:30 PM - ‘Tweener set: BRUCE HAYES is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, recording engineer, band leader and one man band. For years his name has been synonomous with the Colorado sound, as he has performed with and recorded on the very first String Cheese Incident and Acoustic Junction releases. He tours relentlessly, often accompanying these acts as well as Three Twins (former Subdudes) and Leftover Salmon. His last band, Ragged Mountain, was no stranger to the Colorado club scene and festival circuit. Perfoming as a solo act, a sideman, or with his bands, Hayes has given over 3,000 performances in many of America's finest music venues and at prominent music festivals. His music has taken him across the continent a dozen times, and twice around Europe. He's jammed on stage with Joe Cocker, Arlo Guthrie, New Riders; opened shows for David Bromberg, Jorma Kaukonen, Merle Sanders, Subdudes, Dave Mathews and David Lindley; and recorded in Nashville for grammy winning producer, Jon Vezner.
3:00 PM - TONY TRISCHKA BAND provides new sonic realms for the banjo. Trischka, who was Bela Fleck's banjo teacher, is one of the world's most innovative banjo players and an absolute legend with the jam- and progressive-grass players. His band covers a broad spectrum of American music, leading some to refer to their sound as a "new blend of psycho-jazz-groove grass." Others extol its "off-road, banjo-driven urban eclecticism." Whichever mouthful you choose, know that TTB's sound is a canny composite of rock, bluegrass and jazz. Formed in 1997, the group has criss-crossed the country, playing jam, jazz and folk festivals. TTB has also performed on World Cafe and E-Town, and have toured Europe. The band rocks, consisting of mostly Berkeley graduates and/or teachers... Michael Amendola (sax), Bob Bowen (bass), Scott Neumann (drums), Rolf Sturm (guitar). They've recorded two albums for Rounder Records... 'Bend', and the current 'New Deal', which expands the territory staked out on the first project. "You think about somebody like Miles Davis or John Coltrane, people who learned everything about jazz and then digested it and it came out a new way. I think Tony's very similar; he's that kind of figure in the banjo world. Tony was ahead of his time. My springboard was Tony Trischka, and without Tony, none of what's happened with my music would have happened," says Béla Fleck, "The Tony Trischka Band is on the cutting edge of creativity. They continue to push the boundaries in their pursuit of excellence." Throughout his thirty year career, Tony has defied boundaries and explored a wide variety of genres commonly considered out-of-bounds for the banjo. Tony first broke the banjo barrier with the release of his debut album, Bluegrass Light, in 1973. Both traditional tunes and original tracks shimmered with a fresh energy: the fusion of bluegrass, jazz, rock and classical. In a flash, banjos, fiddles and mandolins were hanging out with saxes, electric guitars and synthesizers. Tony's music evolved, venturing into more sophisticated chordal territory and grabbing a bunch of people with his unexpected, anything-can-happen attitude. In the years since, Tony has continued his envelope bashing, blending his talents in the studio and on-stage with such forward thinkers as Béla Fleck, David Grisman, the Violent Femmes, members of REM, William S. Burroughs and Leftover Salmon.
4:30 PM - 'Tweener Set: ‘Tweener set: JOHN & BILL MCKAY: John has been playing guitar for over 25 yrs and has been composing his own material for nearly as long. His first instrument was piano, which he started playing at the age of 10. At the age of 11 he switched over to playing drums and at the age of 15 he picked up the bass and guitar. From then on the guitar became his main focus. Througout the years he played in various bands. In 1996 John earned a BA in classical guitar performance from the University of Colorado's School of Music. Recently he has been performing with the Wiley Cotton Band, which he put together to showcase a broader spectrum of his original material. In 1998 McKay recorded his debut CD, entitled Wiley Cotton, which is dedicated to his father; Wiley Cotton McKay. The CD is an acoustic-electric blend of eleven of his original songs. It showcases a range of bluesy folk and soulful rythm n' blues. Some of the musicians that appear on the CD include Mark Vann of Leftover Salmon, Derek Trucks, members of Runaway Truck Ramp, and his brother Bill McKay on piano and organ. John finished his second CD this year and is presently touring. This CD features John's solo style of playing. As a solo guitarist, McKay has opened for such national acts as Leftover Salmon, Hot Tuna, Dharma Bums, Zachary Richard, Sun 60, and Merl Saunders & the Rainforest Band. --- Leftover Salmon's Bill McKay grew up in Westchester County, New York, where he sang in the church choir as a young lad and began studying classical piano at around the age of 8. Throughout high school, he pursued training in jazz theory, and played in a number of bands covering rock, blues, and folk as well as beginning to write and compose. In the summer of 1987, he moved to Colorado, where he bought a beat-up 1957 Hammond L-100 and a Leslie speaker cabinet. Throughout college, he sang and played organ and keyboards in different rock and blues bands, as well as devoting time to solo piano performance and composition, the study of Native American, East Indian, African, and other world musics, and investigating electronic music. He also worked with the modern dance department as an accompanist and composer, and wrote and played the soundtrack for a friend's film project. Following college, he spent five years touring with the Colorado rock/soul/boogie outfit Band du Jour, playing, writing, and singing, and more than five years as the keyboardist and primary vocalist for the Derek Trucks Band. During that time, he had the pleasure of playing with many wonderful musicians including Gov't Mule, the Tony Furtado Band, Jimmy Herring, and Leo Nocentelli, and has shared the stage with Susan Tedeschi, Gregg Allman, and others. Bill's influences range from keyboardists such as Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Jimmy Smith to vocalists such as Bobby Bland, Freddie King, and Aretha Franklin, to the great horn players, as well as funk and traditional American roots music-folk, and bluegrass. Bill has written and played throughout his life with his brother John, a highly talented singer/guitarist/songwriter, in the Wiley Cotton Band, and continues to do so whenever possible, pursuing an ever-evolving search for new and old musical journeys.
5:00 PM - SHANTI GROOVE has developed an eclectic blend of improvisational bluegrass, jazz and original jam music guaranteed to inspire today's dance-crazed crowds as well as traditional music aficionados. The five-piece band features soulful vocal arrangements and distinctive guitar, banjo and mandolin leads over the tasty rhythms provided by upright bass and percussion. From a foundation of tight-as-nails traditional bluegrass picking, Shanti Groove breaks through the boundaries of acoustic sound into wah-wah driven psychedelic space! Shanti's groove moves along acoustical and electrical lines, combining the voice of jazz and rock with back porch bluegrass and funktified percussion. Bringing their unique sound to venues nationwide, the band provides a musical celebration of the 'groove' kind. Stepping out with a strong selection of original compositions, Shanti Groove is an amplified acoustic band focusing on live improvisation; traditional Appalachian instrumentation framed by innovative drumming. The band has shared the stage with an all-star cast of musicians including: Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band, Col. Bruce Hampton, Oteil Burbage, Ron Levy's Wild Kingdom, The Big Wu, Acoustic Syndicate, Steve Kimock, and the David Grisman Quintet. Recently recognized by the Denver Post as "a band clearly on the rise," and by Jam Base as one of the twelve bands to watch in 2004, Shanti Groove has spent the past year touring hard, performing nearly 200 sucsessful shows. Inciting high energy dancing, Shanti Groove is renowed for their candid live show which includes interplay between electric improvisation and un-plugged jams with the audience itself. Shanti Groove continues to grow as a band as it enters it's fourth year, maintaining a tour schedule that will take them all over the country.
6:30 PM - Leftover Salmon's VINCE HERMAN and BILL MCKAY will join SHANTI GROOVE for the final part of their set.
7:00 PM - Leftover Salmon's VINCE HERMAN has been playing music as long as he can remember. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, polka filled his ears at an early age, along with Motown, Soul and Rock and Roll. He discovered stringband music in 1977 and has been chasing it around ever since. Vince moved from West Virginia to Colorado in 1985. He played in the Left Hand String Band and the Salmonheads, before starting Leftover Salmon with Drew Emmitt in 1990. He's lived above 8,000 feet for over 15 years and is the proud father of two boys, ages 9 and 17. He loves his wife and talking politics into the early morning hours.
7:30 PM - NEDERLAND BLUEGRACID JAZZ ALL STARS
Like Nederland Acid Jazz but with bluegrass players, The "All-Stars" is simply a group of incredible musicians that Michigan Mike puts together for a one-time jam! Thus far, the line-up consists of some really great players such as Leftover Salmon's front-man & guitarist VINCE HERMAN, TONY TRISCHKA, JOE CRAVEN, ROB WASSERMAN, BILL MCKAY, members of SHANTI GROOVE and many more great players and surprises to be announced!!! Stay tuned for the official buzz...
SUNDAY 8/8/04
9:00 AM - FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE OPENS.
10:00 AM - GATES OPEN!!! Get here early!
11:00 AM - 'Tweener Set: PATRICK LATELLA
11:30 AM - ROB WASSERMAN Precious few musicians demonstrate the scope to be dubbed renaissance men, but Rob Wasserman has more than earned the title. His daunting versatility has made him one of the last two decade's most in-demand bassists -- as demonstrated by stints with Lou Reed, Van Morrison and Elvis Costello. His longtime creative partnership with Grateful Dead members Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir have yielded a trove of fertile sounds. And, last but far from least, the albums issued under his own name have won awards from sources in the jazz, pop and rock fields. That acclaim has much to do with Wasserman's unflagging devotion to artistic purity and the value of real musicianship. Trained at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he developed a style of upright bass playing that he likens to cello, more than standard bass methodology. He's put that ability to the test in a variety of contexts over the years, most notably on a series of three albums -- SOLO, DUETS, and TRIOS -- that demonstrate his unparalleled knack for making his voice heard without shouting, for allowing the collaborative process to flower to its fullest. That trilogy began with the 1983 release of SOLO, an album completed with the support of an NEA Composer's Fellowship. Although already widely respected as a player -- collaborating with artists as varied as Stephane Grappelli and Rickie Lee Jones -- Wasserman far exceeded expectations of what a solo bass album could deliver, garnering acclaim in a number of venues, including Downbeat, which voted his debut Jazz Album of the Year and voted him Bassist and Composer of the Year. On the Grammy-winning DUETS (named vocal album of the year by Billboard) Wasserman's collaborators included Aaron Neville, Lou Reed, Bobby McFerrin, and others. While that album put the bassist's interpretive skills to work on standards spanning a full half century of American music, it merely set the stage for Wasserman's 1993 release, TRIOS, an album dubbed "dazzling" by Rolling Stone and granted a rare five-star rating by Downbeat. TRIOS brought together artists like Jerry Garcia & Edie Brickell, Bruce Hornsby & Branford Marsalis, Brian & Carnie Wilson (produced by Don Was), Neil Young & Bob Weir, and the late Willie Dixon (in his last recorded appearance), to perform a set of original material. "I never considered myself a sideman, since I was always involved in the creative process says Wasserman, "My nature is that I love to play this instrument but I won't be limited by it. I don't sing much, can't play drums, can't play guitar, so I have to say everything I would say with those instruments through the bass. The latest addition to the Rob Wasserman catalog, "Space Island" (Atlantic Records) broke new barriers for him as he teamed up with master mixer/producer Dave Aron (Snoop Dogg, Prince) to create a bass groove record with a hip hop rhythm. The record features drummer Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), scratcher DJ Jam (Dr. Dre) and other special guests. Billboard called it "Exhilarating...one of the most kinetically fun albums of the year." Wasserman has consistently proven he isn't shy about stretching the limits of his chosen instrument. Having worked on the designs for a number of new basses including, with guitar wizard Ned Steinberger, a revolutionary six-string electric upright bass, he's turned his attentions of late to creating new sounds on his basses with the help of the latest effects technology. Not that such endeavors have taken Wasserman's attention from his myriad of other projects. He served as a collaborator with and as a member of Lou Reed's band from 1988 to 1997. Another creative partner is dance choreographer Mark Morris who Wasserman collaborated with to develop and present "Dances to American Music" which world-premiered at Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York and then toured the U.S. and Europe. They collaborated again at BAM in Spring 2002. Wasserman has balanced such rather high-toned pursuits with projects like Ratdog, the band he and longtime partner Bob Weir assembled after touring as a successful duo for ten years. Arista Records released Weir/Wasserman Live, a collection of the duo's hottest live performances and followed that with Ratdog's debut studio recording "Evening Moods." Released in 2002 on his own label, Rare Wasserman Records, were DUA, an album of original improvisations with world master sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan, and BASSICALLY ME, a new collection of solo bass compositions. As a featured part of all Weir/Wasserman and Ratdog concerts for fifteen years, Rob has presented solo bass to enthusiastic acclaim. In 2003, he began an expanded performance schedule that featured solo bass on tour with Lou Reed, DJ Spooky, DJ Logic, and Particle among others. August 2004 will bring the release of TRILOGY (Rounder Records) - SOLO, DUETS, and TRIOS together for the first time as a three cd boxed set. The package will feature new notes and commentary by Rob and several of his collaborators, as well as 24 bit re-mastering by Joe Gastwirt. Rob is presently recording his next lp to be released in late 2004. A collaborative project with The Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archive, it features Rob in duet with an incredible cast of singers interpreting unreleased Woody Guthrie lyrics. Recorded so far are Ani di Franco, Lou Reed, Chris Whitley, Michael Franti, DJ Logic and Studs Terkel. Six more unique collaborations to be produced by Hal Willner will complete the project.
12:30 PM - 'Tweener Set: DOUG BAKER is a great guitarist!!
1:00 PM - PAPA MALI Bandleader MALCOLM WELBOURNE's personification "PAPA MALI" is a salute to his home territory of north Louisiana. Malcolm was born in Mississippi and raised in Shreveport, where absorbing the blues along Bayou Pierre was just as much a matter of course as chasing the mosquito fogging truck with friends -- and equally intoxicating. He spent his summers with grandparents in New Orleans digging that city's rhythm (and blues) and after hearing the Wild Tchoupitoulas and the Meters on the streets of New Orleans at age eleven, he developed an early and ongoing attachment to Crescent City funk. It was Burning Spear's band that gave Malcolm the nickname "Papa Mali" years ago while touring with Spear and the Killer Bees. With one critically aclaimed CD "Thunder Chicken" (produced by Dan Prothero and released on San Francisco boutique label, Fog City Records - the same team that introduced the world to Galactic, Mofro and Greyboy Allstars keyboard wiz, Robert Walters) and another Prothero produced Swampland release in the works, Papa Mali is positioned to make an impact in 2004 and beyond. Although Papa Mali is essentially a solo artist, slide guitarist, singer/songwriter and acclaimed producer, he is usually seen in the company of some of the funkiest and greasiest musicians on the planet. Recent collaborations include Cyril Neville (Neville Bros), Big Chief Monk Boudereaux of the Golden Eagles, Anders Osborne, Omar Dykes(of Howlers fame), Jesse Mae Hemphill, Lavelle White, Ruthie Foster, Kevin Russell(Gourds) and too many more to name. His current touring lineup is perhaps his best ever. Featuring the young ferocious rhythm team of Robbie Kidd (drums) and Chris Grady (bass), Mali is finally able to cover the many styles of roots, soul, swamp and slide guitar driven juke joint funk that have made him a national attraction on the club and festival circuit, while bringing a new element to the mix - a solid backing track for a new batch of 'song-oriented' originals. Insiders have already caught the vibe and begun referring to the fresh flavored lineup as "PM3" (abbr. Papa Mali Trio).
2:30 PM - 'Tweener Set: CHRIS CONNOLLY is a great guitarist and singer!
3:00 PM - ALBINO! Don't expect to see any musicians with congenitally deficient skin pigmentation in the band Albino! This Berkeley-based, 14-piece all-star Afrobeat ensemble honors the fiery musical legacy of renowned, late Nigerian-native Afrobeat inventor, Fela Kuti. But it does so while bringing its own broad personality to the table, drawing upon the rich amalgam of its member's varied musical backgrounds to make its rhythm-steeped point. Formed in 2003, the members of Albino! hail from such diverse acts as Fela Kuti's Africa 70, Spearhead, Sonny Okosun, and Hamsa Lila, among others. And in the short period of time that has transpired since this group's inception, fans of Word-beat & Jamband lovers alike have latched on the primary ingredient behind this band's truly broad appeal: Albino simply brings the house down every opportunity it gets! Melding tightly crafted arrangements and nuances of jazz-harmony with propulsive, high-energy grooves, for the innocent bystander, any quaint visit to an Albino! show quickly becomes an all-out booty-maneuvering experience. Among the 14 musicians comprising Albino's powerful line-up, there is lead vocalist, musical-director/arranger, and percussionist Geoffrey Omadhebo, known for his work with Nigerian Afro-Reggae great, Sonny Okosun, and Afrobeat/West African Highlife star O.J. Ekemode. Omadhebo gives the band a stamp of authenticity, filling in the group's sound with subtle polyrhythmic textures and a gritty singing style learned in his native Lagos, Nigeria. Another Nigerian-native, percussionist Friday Jumbo, is known for his work as a conga player in Afrobeat founder Fela Kuti's historic "Africa 70" ensemble. Friday brings his renowned skills to Albino's rhythm section as an essential contributor to its unrelenting, deep pocket. Albino co-founder, guitarist Bruce Buchanan, has held down the guitar chair with US-based Afrobeat acts such as Wazobia, and Kotoja. Buchanan brings his life-long dedication & passion for Afrobeat music to Albino! as it's co-founder & co-arranger. Keyboardist Bob Crawford, who is perhaps best known for a recent stint with Michael Franti's politically conscious groove-rap band, Spearhead, adds funk-flair to the rock solid grooves that propel Albino's blistering jams. On drums is Michael Pinkham, whose slinky and deeply-pocketed rhythms have been a driving force behind such acts as Electro-Brazilian-Funkateers and Ubiquity recording artists, Superbacana, as well as the Sun Masons, and his own jazz septet, the Pink Ham Ensemble, which also features G. Love & Special Sauce bandmate Jim Prescott, a.k.a. Jimi Jazz. Second guitarist, or "tenor" guitarist Cal Reichenbach, who holds down the guitar chair in the San Francisco-based funk/jazz groups Starvin Like Marvin, and Guru Garage, is also making a name for himself as a budding TV tune-smith, having recently had some of his work broadcast on the Cartoon Network. On bass is Kevin Blair, a 23 year-old groove-wunderkind & disciple of the low-end wizardry of bass titans Jaco Pastorius, & Paul Jackson of the Headhunters. Acquiring knowlege of the musical customs of the Khoisan tribe, and the Xhosa tribe (Nelson Mandela's tribal group) of South Africa, Blair has spent time studying and performing in Cape Town, and other townships within Western Cape region of that country. Percussionist/Dancers Kim Agnew & Robyn Smith bring their accomplished backgrounds in the areas of West African drumming & dance to the group's tireless groove. Under the tutelage of master drummer CK Ladzekpo, Smith has also travelled the African continent, studying the cultural intricacies of the Ewe people of Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Well-versed in Afro-Hatian, and Cuban, as well as West African folkloric dance & percussion, Agnew has also performed with West Coast ska/world-beat funkateers, the Slaptones. But any summary description of Albino's line-up cannot be made without mentioning the band's incredible four-piece horn section. These four musicians collectively share the duty of articulating the band's infectious pulse with the punchy horn lines that are as endemic to the essence of Afrobeat music as is the music's propensity to lead its listeners, body and mind, into a kind of groove-fed state of ecstatic oblivion. On tenor sax and flute is Nathan Endsley, who leads Albino's 4-piece horn section and is another Albino! co-founder. Endsley who was a one-time member of the popular pan-Arabic influenced World-Beat ensemble Hamsa Lila, brings his considerable talents to the group as co-writer & co-arranger on various Albino! compositions. On trumpet is Clyde Sutliff, a veteran who has performed with such acts as Eek-A-Mouse, Michael Rose, Charlie Hunter, and Joshua Redman. On trombone is Mike Davis, and on baritone sax is Kevin Brunetti. By bringing to the fore their positive energies, musical intuition, and a committed group-ingenuity to remain true to the Afrobeat tradition while not being confined by it, the seasoned musicians that constitute the band's line-up (including those not mentioned) get the music rolling!
5:00 PM - THE MOTET is winning the heart and soul (and feet) of fans from coast to coast, bringing an eclectic mix of Cuban, West African, Funk, Soul, and Jazz traditions to every stage. Since its conception on Halloween of 1998, this Boulder-based outfit has been astonishing audiences with an uncanny ability to funnel bottomless musical inspiration into superbly unpredictable sets. On any given night they might take their audience into the streets of New Orleans for some "swampy" funk, to the villages of West Africa for a taste of traditional drum rhythms, to the cities of Cuba for a bit of Latin Jazz, or even to the clubs of New York City for some polished James Brown-type funk. While maintaining brilliant variability, one thing remains constant: the ability for this ensemble to excite every crowd into a dancing frenzy. Through greater than the sum of its parts, The Motet is comprised of some of Boulder’s premiere musicians. Setting the foundation is Dave Watts on the drum kit. Watts brings a seasoned resume of experience to the table having played with the likes of Shockra, Skin, Tony Furtado, Keller Williams, and The Theory of Everything. On percussion is New Orleans-based Scott Messersmith. Not only steeped in the rich styles of his hometown, Messersmith also brings his extensive study of Cuban, West African, and Brazilian drumming to The Motet’s mix. On organ, Fender Rhodes, and piano, is keyboardist Greg Raymond. With influences ranging from Herbie Hancock to Jimmy Smith and Doctor John, Raymond brings a hard-hitting jazz and fusion element to the band driving The Motet’s jams to new musical peaks. Garrett Sayers, former bassist of Miracle Orchestra, holds down the low end and then some! The band usually has a special guest or two with them at every show! If ever there was a group assembled to defy musical boundaries, challenge musical categories, and harvest endless world influences while simultaneously sending its audiences into oblivion, it is The Motet. (They are the only band that has performed at all five NedFests!) Racing with energy and thriving on evolution, The Motet is fast becoming one of the most eclectic ensembles in the ever-expanding American improv-touring band scene. Expanding horizons and shrugging off tradition, this Boulder, Colorado-based outfit continues to blow away its audiences and enthrall fans from all walks of life. The world beats and hard groove of The Motet are celestial, taking on new formations and directions with every performance. The music is amazing improvisation that awakens and stirs the soul. The Motet was born circa 1998 dedicating itself to focusing on improvisational exploration. Their unique and expanding sound defies definition, taking their music to new levels with every performance. Attempting to encapsulate and describe what comprises The Motet's sound is not only difficult, it's next to impossible. One attempt would point out the lively Latin jazz textures, well placed dirty funk grooves, stellar West African and Cuban drum rhythms, and rocking up tempo sax work. The beauty and talent of the bands' ability to shake things up when least expected catalyzes the Motet to defy boundaries. The swirled sound creates fresh tastes of everything, conjuring up cosmic sets and long lasting grooves. The variety of musical background and phenomenal talent of each artist in The Motet work together to create the whole. Dave Watts, a master of the drum kit, takes listeners above and beyond with his ethereal beats and constant changes. Watts has played with musicians such as Keller Williams, Tony Furtado, Shockra and the Theory of Everything, thus bringing a seasoned resume and stability to the group. Scott Messersmith on percussion contributes his knowledge of Brazilian, Cuban, and West African styles, adding deep-rooted New Orleans seeds to the Motet's sound. Keyboardist Greg Raymond guides the peaks and surges of the jams on the organ, piano, and Fender Rhodes. Bassist Garret Sayers formerly of Boston, grounds the low end with extraordinary skills. A founding member of the Miracle Orchestra, Garrett has been an exemplary veteran of numerous acts and styles by way of Hip-Hop, Jazz, Rock and Reggae. Mark Donovan on guitar crafts an organic blend of burning lines and guitar synthesis, exemplified in his recent exploits leading The Mark Donovan Band. He has also spent time with Andre Ward as well as The Miracle Orchestra. Dominic Lalli is a great young saxophonist currently based in New York City. Dominic has shared the stage with jazz greats Dave Liebman, Bob Mintzer, Joshua Redman, Stefon Harris, Kenny Baron, John Abercrombie, Peter Erskine, Wallace Roney and Jeff "Tain" Watts as well as funk greats Galactic, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Benevento-Russo and Jen Durkin and the Bomb Squad. Whatever the occasion, wherever the gig, The Motet is winning the hearts, souls and feet of fans all over the country, bringing their eclectic mix of Cuban, West African, Funk, Soul and Jazz traditions to every stage. One fan put it simply, "I never know what they're gonna play next, but I know it's going to be good!" You might not know what they're going to play next, but you should know when, because missing the Motet is like skipping breakfast - you're cheating your body of the essentials it needs for the day.
6:30 PM - 'Tweener Set: SAMBA DENDE was created in 2001 by Ty Hammes, who having lived in Salvador and having performed with Olodum and other blocos in Bahia, wished to recreate that sound in the local music scene. With the addition of Laura Vieira, a powerful singer from Rio de Janeiro, and Chico Meira, also carioca and the leader of Pau Brasil, Sambadendê expanded its repertoire to include samba do quintal, coco, jongo, MPB, afoxé, maracatú, forró, and other rhythms. The other members of the band include Jans Ingber, Stacey Ludlow, Jonny Rademaekers, Stephanie Ramos, Nicole Rodriguez, and Francisco Marcos.
7:00 PM - GARAJ MAHAL has certainly created a serious buzz on the jamband frontier. Born amidst the thriving Bay Area jamband scene, they quickly separated themselves from the pack. Their shows on the west coast have become legendary, and music related e-mail lists are constantly seeing posts from music fans gushing about how they had just been blown away by their first Garaj Mahal show. This rabid fanaticism can be partially attributed to the virtuoso level of musicianship each member of this band possesses. Fareed Haque on guitar (Dizzy Gillespie, Sting, Tony Williams, Joe Zawinul) and Kai Eckhardt on bass (John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu) are world-class musicians who have been dazzling audiences with their uncanny abilities for years. The band was formed when Eckhardt and Haque combined forces with young prodigies Alan Hertz on drums (KVHW) and Eric Levy on Hammond B-3 Organ to play psychedelic improvisational rock comprised of hard-hitting funky beats, deep modal explorations, and astonishing solos. Their unique blend of funk, jazz, R&B and blues with a tasty world music flare makes any Garaj Mahal show something to see. Four world-class musicians, each with their own flair for improvisation and spiritual passion. Known collectively as Garaj Mahal, the members fuse their disparate musical styles and engaging passionate improvisation with an organic, groove saturated sound. Garaj Mahal is: Kai Eckhardt, one of the world’s most innovative bass players best known for his work in the John Mclaughlin Trio; Fareed Haque, international BlueNote recording guitarist that effortlessly moves from classical to jazz styles; one of the most sought after musicians in the Bay Area, drummer Alan Hertz; and the Chicago area’s premier keyboardist, Eric Levy. Without a doubt, this is an extraordinary quartet that performs an extraordinary show. Together, Garaj Mahal is receiving industry praise and audience attention for their mind blowing, "shut up and listen" live performance.
OTHER MUSIC AROUND TOWN:
In addition to two great, full days of music at the Festival, Nederland will be hosting great live music all around town during the weekend and for several days before and after the event. The following is what's happening:
MONDAY, JULY 26th 2004
10:00 PM - THE EIGHT YEAR BIRTHDAY BASH OF NEDERLAND ACID JAZZ at Whistler's Cafe'
Who would have guessed when it began in July of 1996 that Nederland Acid Jazz would explode into the unique cultural tradition that it has? 'The NAJ' has influenced both musicians and audiences alike. Many great bands have formed as a result of it... creativity and improvisation have been openly explored and expanded... and a lot good times have been had because of it! Come join us for what is sure to be a grandiose celebration at Whistler's Cafe'as 'the NAJ' turns eight!!!
MONDAY, AUGUST 2nd 2004
10:00 PM - NEDERLAND ACID JAZZ at Whistler's Cafe'
This eight-year Colorado tradition is a live, improvisational jazz performance in which the roster of musicians changes from week to week. The players usually do not know with whom they will be performing until they show up, and often they have never performed with one and other ever before. At times they have not even met until just before the gig... hence the acid in this acid jazz! You never know what you're going to get, but this always-evolving cast of extremely high-caliber musicians forces a fresh spark and creates a brand-new sound every Monday night. Shows are 100% FREE and things get going at about 10:00 PM (jazz time). Visit www.michiganmike.com/najbase.shtml#anchor1 each week for the current line-up!
MONDAY, AUGUST 9th, 2004
10:00 PM - NEDERLAND ACID JAZZ at the Whistler's Cafe'
Michigan Mike's 36th Birthday Bash... and Jerry Garcia's 9-year memorial.
An ever changing rotation of the best jazz and funk players from Colorado’s Front Range and beyond.
DAVE WATTS - ROSS MARTIN - AARON HOLSTEIN - EDWIN HURWITZ - IAN DUNCAN
** This will be a re-creation of the first-ever NAJ session!!!
NEDFEST 2004 IS SPONSORED BY:
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KGNU Radio
88.5 FM
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Twisted Pine
Brewing Company
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Redstone
Meadery
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The Marquee
Magazine
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Planetmind Internetworks
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The Mountain-Ear
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FedEx-Kinko's
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Relix Magazine
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DayO Knight
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Pagan Apparel
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Cage Free Records
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Izze Beverage Company
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Back Country Pizza
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Damn Liquor
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Dr. Fix It's
Second Street Garage
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DenverBoulderMusic.com
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Colorado Triathlete
Magazine
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Town Of
Nederland
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Citizens for
Open Government
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Nederland Chamber
Of Commerce
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Teens, Inc.
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Rocky Mountain Bullhorn
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Nederland Music
Association
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NederNet
Indian Peaks Natural Spring Water - Cork Broker
Judson C. Hite, Attorney PC - Lynn Hanna
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Leftover Salmon's Vince Herman
NedFest 2004
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Joe Craven Band
NedFest 2004
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Rob Wasserman
NedFest 2004
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Tony Trischka Band
NedFest 2004
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Shanti Groove
NedFest 2004
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Benevento-Russo Duo
NedFest 2004
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Bruce Hayes
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Bill McKay
w/ brother John
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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John McKay
w/ brother Bill
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Patrick Latella
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Arthur Lee
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Chris Connolly
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Doug Baker
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Samba Dende
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Leftover Salmon's Vince Herman
NedFest 2004
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Joe Craven Band
NedFest 2004
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Rob Wasserman
NedFest 2004
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Tony Trischka Band
NedFest 2004
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Shanti Groove
NedFest 2004
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Benevento-Russo Duo
NedFest 2004
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Bruce Hayes
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Bill McKay
w/ brother John
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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John McKay
w/ brother Bill
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Patrick Latella
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Arthur Lee
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Chris Connolly
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Doug Baker
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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Samba Dende
NedFest 2004
'Tweener Set
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