Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Variety IS the spice!

Thanks to everyone who appeared last week - what a treat to see familiar faces!

There is more fun afoot... starting tonight! Michael Stanwood is an amazing individual, and long time friend. (See www.michaelstanwood.com) Tonight in a rare appearance of Yeahbut Shoehead we will play one of the songs that introduced Michael to me in the recording studio of Charles Sautel a few years back. This quartet, which also includes Tom Blomster (Mercury Ensemble and much more) and Ron Bland (consumate bassist and educator) does not play near enough, but tonight we will be having a blast in Estes Park!

On Thursday at the St Julien Hotel the Dexter Payne Quartet continues its series of Brazilian explorations. Bill Kopper, Francisco Marques and Raoul Rossiter join me in this immersion in the lovely sounds of Brasil.

Sunday another rare treat: George Inai plays a set at So Broadway Christian Church as part of the Denver Underground Showcase, 4 days of dozens of bands in venues all over town. George repeatedly amazes me with the depth and breadth of his writing, and he assembles a great crew, including Eric Moon, Mike Fitzmaurice, Derek Bannach, Terry Dane.

Remember: music makes the world go round!
Ill look for your friendly face at every opportunity...
- Dexter

TUE July 21, 7pm Estes Park Performance Pavilion
Michael Stanwood & Yeahbut Shoehead

THUR July 23, 6:30-9:30 St Julien Hotel (Walnut&9th, Bldr)
Dexter Payne Quartet

SUN July 26th , 8 pm South Broadway Christian Church
23 Lincoln (Lincoln & Ellsworth)
George Inai and his Curious Ghost OrquEsta
at the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Back to the Roots with the Next Generation

I so love the Brazilian music I am immersed in, but it is funny how the newest thing brings you back around to the old home place. This week finds me in the thick of that delicious mixture. Freshly home from a phenomenal week at EEFC Balkan Music Camp, an experience that words do poor service to describe, and after an inspired set with Bateria Alegria at Saturdays Tibetan celebration, I have the good fortune to visit the new and the old in one lively week of playing blues with Joe McLerran, this years winner in the solo catagory in Memphis TN at the International Blues Challenge.

And with Joe is Richard Whetstone, originally from the Electric Prunes, and Rob McLerran, who played bass with Colorado's own top forty surf band, the Astronauts. Yes, that IS Joe's dad. Some Boulder music fans will remember the Cheaters, the Beagle Boys, Gone Johnson , the Nairobi Trio with BarBQBob and Washboard Chaz and many more. I myself danced in high school to both of these illustrious gentlemen in the Astronauts and Mayfield Spinning Wheel.

But enough of "back in the day". Joe grew up around a lot of music, - seems he took a cue from BarBQ (aka Don DeBacker) and blues legend Johnny Long for his point of departure. Now he is back with high honors at the ripe old age of 26. In fact, his birthday will be celebrated at the Outlook Hotel on Thursday. And joining him Friday at the Gold Hill Inn is Lionel Young, last years winner! If you missed my dates with Joe last week at Oskar's and the Soiled Dove, don't lose out completely, come and enjoy the old style blues:
(Please note the CORRECTED days in this post)

WED July 15, 6:30-9:30 ST JULIEN HOTEL (9th&Walnut, Bldr)

THUR July 16, 7:30-10pm OUTLOOK HOTEL (28th&Baseline, Bldr)
Little Joe's Birthday Party!!!

FRI July 17, 9pm GOLD HILL INN (Gold Hill, 20 min from Boulder)
with special guest Lionel Young

Then it's off on Saturday to play some New Orleans style roots in Grand Lake with Lynnea Godfriaux & Brad Pregeant for the Buffalo Barbeque... 11:30 am!!!