Scene and Heard

Guitar Legend Johnny Winters to release new album, “Roots”

Posted in Entertainment by sceneandheardblog on September 1, 2011
‘Johnny Winter’s new album ‘Roots’ (Sept 27th / Megaforce) pays homage to his old blues heroes, and features appearances by Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Vince Gill, Warren Haynes, John Medeski, and more.
Things You Might Not Know About Johnny
 
• He was good friends with Jimi Hendrix and often performed with him at the Scene Club in New York City.
Jimi would usually switch to bass.
• His pal John Lennon wrote “Rock and Roll People” for him.
• He dated Janis Joplin.
• A touchbearer for the blues, Johnny revived the careers of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker by producing Grammy-winning comeback albums.
• He’s been sober for the past 6 years, and continues to perform over 120 dates / year.
• He was friends with Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.  He spent time at the Factory.
• He has an action figure, sort of like a bobble-head.
• …and crafted / sells his own ‘Screamin’ Demon’ hot sauce.
• He performed at Woodstock, with only one album released.
• His Gibson Firebird signature model is the company’s fastest-selling guitar.
• Johnny’s record deal with Columbia Records in the late 60s was considered the largest of its time.
• He appears on the new William Shatner and Sly Stone albums.
• Johnny was recently invited to perform with Eric Clapton (Crossroads Festival) and the Allman Brothers (40th Anniversary at the Beacon Theater).
www.johnnywinter.net

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Béla Fleck Unveils Concerto for Banjo and Orchestra with Nashville Symphony

Posted in Entertainment by sceneandheardblog on September 1, 2011
 Béla Fleck will present the world premiere of his Concerto for Banjo and Orchestra — one of the first ever written for the instrument — with the Nashville Symphony on September 22-24 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. To be performed by Fleck on his vintage 1937 mahogany Gibson Mastertone banjo, the Concerto marks a significant new departure for Fleck, who calls the piece “a liberating experience for my efforts as a composer and hopefully for the banjo as well.” Commissioned by the Nashville Symphony, Concerto for Banjo and Orchestra will be the centerpiece of the orchestra’s opening concerts in the 2011/12 SunTrust Classical Series.
Given the names Béla (for Bartók), Anton (for Webern) and Leoš (for Janáčék), Fleck seems to have been destined to play classical music. Having launched a prolific and wildly successful career as a genre-melding instrumentalist, first with the New Grass Revival and later with the Flecktones, he made the classical connection with his 2001 solo album Perpetual Motion. Released on Sony Classical, the recording went on to win a pair of GRAMMYs®, including Best Classical Crossover Album. Fleck has won a total of 14 GRAMMYs®, and, with 30 nominations, he has been nominated in more different categories than anyone in GRAMMY® history.
Fleck dedicates his new Concerto to pioneering banjoist Earl Scruggs, who first inspired him to take up the instrument. The composer says that the piece reflects the dual influences of classical music and bluegrass. “You can hear an evolution in my own writing of the piece as it goes on,” he observes, noting that he wanted to “explore the new possibilities of the banjo as a member or the orchestra, while respecting its roots in bluegrass and jazz.”
Concerto for Banjo and Orchestra is perfectly matched at the Nashville Symphony concerts with Aaron Copland’s famous Appalachian Spring, which celebrates the American spirit with music of breathtaking beauty and directness. Concluding the performance is Tchaikovsky’s larger-than-life Fourth Symphony, the Russian composer’s favorite piece, which sweeps the audience with an emotional palette that ranges from melancholy to exuberance. The Thursday, September 22, performance will be webcast live via the Nashville Symphony’s website.
For more information about the concert or to purchase tickets, please call 615.687.6400 or visit NashvilleSymphony.org.
The GRAMMY® Award-winning Nashville Symphony has earned an international reputation for its recordings and innovative programming. With 140 performances annually, the 84-member orchestra offers a broad range of classical, pops and jazz, children’s concerts and community engagement programs. As a national and international ambassador for Tennessee, the Nashville Symphony has received far-reaching acclaim for its 19 recordings on Naxos, making the ensemble one of the most active recording orchestras in the country. These recordings have received a total of 13 GRAMMY® nominations and six GRAMMY® Awards. On May 12, 2012, the Nashville Symphony will perform at Carnegie Hall as part of the Spring for Music festival, which recognizes orchestras for adventuresome, original programming.
www.belafleck.com

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JON DRAKE & THE SHAKES / TUNESMITHS – SEPT. 16 @ DERBY CITY ESPRESSO

Posted in Entertainment by sceneandheardblog on September 1, 2011

Jon Drake & the Shakes to make their first visit to Louisville, playing with local bands The Tunesmiths and Jack Holiday & the Westerners

Presented by Grape Juice Records and Derby City Espresso

…

Doors at 7pm

 

JON DRAKE & THE SHAKES: [http://www.facebook.com/jondrakeandtheshakes]

Download the EP Side A: [http://jondrakeandtheshakes.bandcamp.com/]

The ambitious eight-member pop outfit includes trombone, trumpet, cello, violin, guitar, organ, upright bass and drums. The smart music with lyrics about everyday adventures is a pool of Beatnik energy. Drake’s songwriting recalls the Beatles’ obscure tracks and the group gracefully moves through “wall of sound” alt-country with intensity and roaring musicality. This powerhouse of fun music is playing with a full deck. Their debut LP The Declaration of Ulysses will be released on Grape Juice Records this winter.

TUNESMITHS: [http://www.myspace.com/thetunesmiths]

These four craftsmen have made a name for themselves with high energy performances and creating unforgettable music at an incredible pace. Their genre-bending, timeless material combines the raw energy and power of rock n’ roll guitar, the smooth vocals of R&B, and the catchy rhythms of Soul. This group is a “must see” for music-goers looking for a great show and inventive music.

JACK HOLIDAY & THE WESTERNERS [http://www.facebook.com/BecomeAWesterner]

Incorporating strings and horns into the traditional rock format, Jack Holiday & the Westerners have developed an expansive sound that is reflective of their Louisville upbringing.

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