Utunes Coffee House - Past Performers
Previous Utunes Performers...
May 14, 2010 -- Chinyakare & The KTO Project present Voices of Zimbabwe
Under the direction of Julia Tsitsi Chigamba, the Chinyakare Ensemble (which means "deep traditions in the arts of our ancestors") performs traditional dance, mbira, drums, marimba, and song from Shona, and other tribal groups from around Zimbabwe.
The KTO Project, led by Kelly Takunda Orphan Martinez, is a unique blend of original music fused with ethnic sensibilities from Africa to the Middle East to the Americas. This music was created to uplift your spirits and feel funky all at the same time!
April 9, 2010 -- Chelle! and Friends
With drums, percussion, bass and powerful voices, CHELLE! And Friends delivers a musically rich performance of Jazz, R&B, world music and Spirituals, that transcends ethnic boundaries, uplifts, brings news, protests, motivates and honors our richness and diversity. CHELLE! and Friends, commemorates the music of Mardi Gras, New Orleans, and celebrates it’s Creole people and their remarkable music.
From the joyous mix of Spirituals, the pulsating rhythms of the Wild Magnolias' HERC JOLLY JOHN, Irma Thomas and Nina Simone, CHELLE! And Friends will take you on a musical and historically rich roller coaster ride that you won’t soon forget!
CHELLE! and Friends is made up of some of the most distinguished and accomplished musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area, including MICHELLE JACQUES, RHONDA CRANE, JAY LAMONT, BRYAN DYER, DONNA VISCUSO, SAM BEVAN, and ADAM GOODHUE on drums.
March 12, 2010 -- Emma's Revolution
Dancing on the edge of folk and pop there's a revolution: Emma’s revolution. "Bold, profound, moving, hilarious and transformative”. Emma's revolution is the duo of award-winning, activist musicians, Pat Humphries & Sandy O, who write songs that become traditions. Their songs "Peace, Salaam, Shalom" and “Keep on Moving Forward” are sung around the world.
February 12, 2010 -- Palm Wine Boys
Acoustic folk, and west African palm wine music come together to make up the mellow rhythmic sound of the Palm Wine Boys. Enjoy their rich vocal harmonizing, combined with intricate guitar interplay and lilting rhythms.
January 8, 2010 -- Circle R Boys
The Circle R Boys play traditional bluegrass music in the style of Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and the Kentucky Colonels. Bluegrass Breakdown said, “The Circle R Boys band has the professional, tightly coordinated sound provided by band members who have been performing in Bay Area bands for over twenty years.”
November 13, 2009 -- East Bay Anointed Voices
EBAV is a multi-racial, inter-denominational mix of talented vocalists and musicians of all ages under the direction of Donald Taylor and Rachelle Rogers-Ard. EBAV’s music is a mix of traditional and contemporary gospel styles, infused with jazz, Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms.
October 9, 2009 -- Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, With Chad Manning, Patrick Sauber and Andrew Conklin
Grammy award winning recording artist Laurie Lewis is one of the pre-eminent bluegrass and Americana artists of our time. Twice named Female Vocalist of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association, she is joined for this show by an all-star cast of musicians.
September 18, 2009 -- SoVoSó
SoVoSó is a highly imaginative a cappella ensemble that sings a unique, rhythmic mix of jazz, gospel, world and R&B music, all rendered in their trademark improvisational style.
June 20, 2009 -- Colibri
Special Kids’ Show!
Lichi Fuentes and Alisa Peres have been singing together as Colibri since 1993. Colibrí, Spanish for hummingbird, is a duo that presents lively, interactive musical journeys through Latin America.
Using an exciting array of traditional folk instruments, Lichi Fuentes and Alisa Peres create a bridge linking children in the U.S. with those in the Spanish-speaking world.
Their extensive repertoire includes selections from many different countries - from a Bolivian festival song about a mother dancing with her baby to a Chilean song about worms, as well as popular Mexican singalongs.
Children leave Colibrí concerts tapping a new rhythm, remembering some words in Spanish, or wondering what life might be like in faraway places.
June 5, 2009 -- Eric & Suzy Thompson
Eric & Suzy Thompson are virtuoso roots musicians who specialize in the down-home sounds of the American South. Their musical palette includes Appalachian story-songs and bluegrass breakdowns, classic country blues, Louisiana Cajun dance music, and paso dobles from Puerto Rico. Eric's flatpicking on guitar and mandolin is exceptional for its purity of tone, speed, and soulfulness; Suzy is a powerful singer, an award-winning fiddler and Cajun accordion player.
Founding members of many influential roots music groups including the Black Mountain Boys, Any Old Time, the Klezmorim, and the California Cajun Orchestra, Eric and Suzy have also worked with Jerry Garcia, Maria Muldaur, David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Darol Anger, Laurie Lewis, the Savoy Doucet Cajun Trio, and many other fine musicians.
May 15, 2009 -- West African Highlife Band
Ken Okulolo - Soji Odukogbe - Pope Flyne - Nii Armah Hammond - Lemi Barrow - Rasaki Aladokun
The West African Highlife Band is an authentic all-star group of West African music veterans. Together, they revive the "highlife" dance classics, with a fusion of African and world musics. Rich vocal harmonies, intertwining guitars, and exciting percussion make this group unbeatable.
April 10, 2009 -- Teslim
Teslim (TesLEEM) means both 'commit' and 'surrender' in Turkish and features Bay Area musicians, violinist Kaila Flexer and Gari Hegedus on oud, Turkish saz, Greek lauoto and other (mostly plucked) stringed instruments. This potent duo performs Greek, Turkish and Sephardic music. In addition, both Flexer and Hegedus are composers whose original music is based on these fertile traditions. Both seasoned performers and recording artists, Teslim released its debut (self-titled) CD in March of 2008.
March 13, 2009 -- The Stairwell Sisters
San Francisco’s all-gal old-time teardown plays a deep and rowdy repertoire of timeless tunes plus a solid standing of smart, original material that is winning praise on a national level. The Stairwell Sisters lay down concerts and square dances for counter-culturalists everywhere, infusing the old music with intoxicating energy and soul.
The Stairwell Sisters was chosen “Best String Band” by the East Bay Express in 2008.
February 13, 2009 -- The Jazz Professor -- Bill Bell Trio
Bill Bell, jazz pianist, composer, arranger has earned the title "Jazz Professor" for completing over 30 years of successful University and College jazz teaching. Recently retired from teaching, Mr. Bell still holds adjunct professor positions in jazz at both Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Bill Bell's performance career as a pianist is equally distinguished. He has toured as musical director and piano accompanist for legendary jazz singer Carmen McRae. He has also worked with Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Anita Oday, Dianne Reeves, Lou Rawls and the Supremes. His credits also include work with instrumentalists Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell, Louie Bellson, Benny Carter, and Clark Terry. Bill Bell is also the featured pianist on the Art Farmer CD "Live at Stanford".
His current CD entitled "Just Swing Baby" has hit the San Francisco bay area jazz scene with a blast of long awaited freshness. Bill is accompanied by swing masters Eddie Marshall on drums and Jeff Chambers on bass. Guitarist Brad Buethe, bassist John Shifflet, and drummer Jason Lewis perform on the featured composition "Charisma". Stellar tenor Saxophonist David Ellis is special guests on three tracks. "Just Swing Baby " is currently number 15 on jazz radio playing list.
January 9, 2009 -- Slammin’ All Body Band
Slammin’ is a powerhouse sextet from Oakland performing a fresh mix of a cappella singing, beatboxing and body music. Deeply rooted in Jazz, Funk, R&B and World Music grooves, this ferociously talented ensemble creates soulful sounds infused with infectious harmonies and lightening-fast improvisations, percussively punctuated by beatboxing and body music -- the kinetic component that sets SLAMMIN apart and on the cutting edge of a cappella performance.
November 14, 2008 -- The KTO Project, featuring Kelly Takunda Orphan Martinez
KTO is a unique blend of original music fused with different sensibilities -- from Africa, to the Middle East, to the Americas -- this music was created to uplift your spirits and make you feel funky all at the same time.
October 10, 2008 -- Stefan and Friends Acoustic Jam
Stefan Schneider will pull together several bands and individual performers, as only he can do, to provide a variety of acoustic music for your listening pleasure. Performers include The Duck River Band -- an eclectic acoustic experience that includes bluegrass, old time, folk, the Grateful Dead, a few originals, and more. Duck River features Stefan Schneider on guitar, Chuck Rosene on bass and harmonica, Laurel Liefert on banjo, Sharon Dolan on fiddle, and Jim Tepperman on mandolin, guitar, flute, recorder, harmonica, and kitchen sink. Everybody sings.
Also featured - Half Dozen of the Other -- who perform rich harmonies, sing folk, pop, and more. Half Dozen includes Stefan, Sharon, Laurel, sometimes Chuck, plus Claudia Morgan on guitar, Renee Witon on keyboard, and Nita Crow’s smooth vocals.
September 19, 2008 -- Utunes Opening Night with Chad Manning, Laurie Lewis, & Jody Stecher
Fiddler Chad Manning of the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience will be joined by oldtime and bluegrass stalwarts Laurie Lewis and Jody Stecher for a very special night of fiddle music with the occasional song sung by Laurie and Jody.
Together these three will offer their unique playful and heartfelt signature to fiddle tunes as they traverse the many traditional American styles they love.
Chad performs regularly with David Grisman and has played in bands with JD Crowe, Tony Trischka, Alan Munde, Scott Nygaard, Peter Rowan, Ron Block, Curly Seckler, along with many others.
"Laurie Lewis is one of the pre-eminent bluegrass and Americana artists of our time. She spreads her talent over several genres - bluegrass, folk, country - and with the recognition she has within all those fields, I would certainly say she's one of the top five female artists of the last 30 years", according to Dan Hays, the executive director of the International Bluegrass Music Association. Laurie has won a Grammy ("True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe," 1997), and twice been named Female Vocalist of the Year by the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association). www.laurielewis.com
Jody Stecher has been a mainstay in the folk world for more than 30 years. He tours and records with his wife Kate Brislin, and has played in bands with David Grisman, David Bromberg, and Alisdair Fraser. He also writes for Fiddler magazine.