{"id":39186,"date":"2022-05-12T09:09:20","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T13:09:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=39186"},"modified":"2022-05-12T09:09:23","modified_gmt":"2022-05-12T13:09:23","slug":"on-stage-jefferson-berry-displays-folk-roots-in-new-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=39186","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Jefferson Berry displays folk roots in new tour"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Jefferson Berry<\/p><\/div>\n

Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) is one of those venues where music fans know there will be great music every weekend. It doesn\u2019t matter who is playing, the evening will feature top-flight acts performing in a comfortable venue with a great sound system.<\/p>\n

This weekend is no different.<\/p>\n

On May 13, Jefferson Berry will headline at Jamey\u2019s House of Music.<\/p>\n

In the past, Berry has gone out as Jefferson Berry & the Urban Acoustic Coalition with a full band.<\/p>\n

For Friday\u2019s show, it will be Jefferson Berry & the UA3, which is billed as, \u201cPennsylvania’s answer to the socially active folk groups of the 50’s and 60’s, hippied up and delivered to 2022 with great musicianship and meaningful lyrics.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be a project similar to UAC but as a folk project. It will be a three-piece featuring singer\/songwriters including Bud Burroughs on Mandolin and Mike Damora on bass.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s urban storytelling \u2013 like an acoustic UAC with three members instead of seven. Bud and I have been together forever. Mike has been on the last two albums. He\u2019s a serious pro.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jefferson\u00a0Berry\u00a0& the\u00a0UAC\u00a0released its fourth studio album,\u00a0\u201cSoon!\u201d on April 16, 2021. The LP\u2019s first single,\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ll Soon Be Together\u201d\u00a0premiered via\u00a0Americana Highways and received serious airplay.<\/p>\n

The band\u2019s previous albums were \u201cGuitar on the River\u201d (2016), \u201cThe Habit\u201d (2018) and \u201cDouble Deadbolt Logic\u201d (2020).<\/p>\n

Berry\u2019s other career was a high school economics and government teacher at the Philadelphia School District\u2019s Excel South Academy in Northeast Philly.<\/p>\n

\u201cCOVID ended my teaching career,\u201d said Berry, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. \u201cIt\u2019s been tough even keeping a band together. \u201cWe used remote software to rehearse. But a certain magic is missing when it\u2019s not face-to-face.\u00a0I did Livestream shows every week. It\u2019s been fun but it\u2019s not like playing live for an audience.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Berry surely doesn\u2019t miss having to deal with the Philadelphia School Board, he will miss parts of the educational job.<\/p>\n

\u201cI write about urban living,\u201d said Berry. \u201cI was very informed by my inner-city students. On the song \u2018Shattered Glass\u2019 on my last album \u2018Double Deadbolt Logic,\u2019 I got a lot of info from my class \u2013 like how to boost and strip a car.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of COVID, I didn\u2019t have enough time to tour in support of \u201cSoon!\u201d The song \u201cWe\u2019ll Soon Be Together\u201d received a lot of acclaim because it was about being quarantined and separated from loved ones.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new album was all pretty much written during the pandemic. There are nine songs on the album. We went into production with 14 songs \u2013 some pre-pandemic but most during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI put it into internet software called Soundtrap and then I\u2019d put it out to the band. Then, we\u2019d go into the studio with bass, drums and me.\u00a0A lot of the stuff really came together when I had them in individually.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the album at Kawari Studio in Wyncote with Matt Muir, who is a great engineer.\u00a0We started summer 2020 and wrapped up in November. Then, we got it mastered and set a release date.\u00a0In January, when we were planning the release, I picked May \u2013 Memorial Day. I figured the pandemic should be under control by then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Berry grew up in Southern California and is a graduate of University of California Santa Cruz, a school whose sports teams are nicknamed, \u201cBanana Slugs.\u201d He eventually landed in the Philadelphia area where he became part of Philly\u2019s folk\/rock\/Americana scene.<\/p>\n

Berry\u2019s website presented the history behind\u00a0UAC:<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2006, at around 3 a.m. at the Falcon Ridge Festival, Jefferson and his banjo playing brother Hank were playing a Hillbilly version of \u201cWhite Room\u201d by Cream. In fest-jam fashion, each vocal verse was separated by an instrumental-lead verse. Out and of the shadows and into the light of the campfire came this guy with a mandolin and long red hair, playing the song\u2019s iconic Clapton lead pretty much verbatim.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the sun was coming up, Jefferson asked Bud Burroughs if he wanted to start a band and Hippies and Hillbillies was born. The album Drumless America was recorded in Bud\u2019s living room: a quirky mix of covers ranging from Robert Earl Keen and Townes Van Zandt to Neil Young and U2, the show and CD was fun for some, but considered blasphemous at the bluegrass festivals the band played.<\/p>\n

\u201cBud and Jefferson\u2019s next venture involved Jefferson\u2019s daughter.\u00a0 Briana Berry and her sister were raised at the summer festivals\u2014Kerrville, Falcon Ridge, XFS and Philly. The Berry\u2019s 2009 album, Fairmount Station featured songs written by Briana and her Dad. It was promoted nationally to radio by Powderfinger Promotions and charted fairly high for an independent release on the folk charts. The band played X-Fest and the Philadelphia Folk Festival that year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Urban Acoustic Coalition came to be in 2014 with the release of Guitar on the River. Again, Bud Burroughs served as the music director for a collection of Jefferson\u2019s city-themed songs. Recorded at MelodyVision by Rodney Whittenberg, the album\u2019s sessions grew the band. Jefferson Berry and the Urban Acoustic Coalition (a mouthful) played the Camp Stage at the Philadelphia Folk Festival that year with a Coalition of players from Boris Garcia, Bad Sister and Beaufort.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was an example of the \u201ccoalition\u201d aspect of the band, an ethic that allowed players to keep their other projects alive while clearing dates with the\u00a0UAC\u00a0periodically. While bass players (Billy Hyatt, Dean McNulty) and female vocalists (Irene Lambrou, Emily Drinker) have cycled in and out of the band to pursue their own projects, the core of the coalition for the past six years has been Jefferson, Bud, Marky B! Berkowitz (on harmonica), Dave Brown (on banjo, guitar, keys and anything else needed), David Rapoport (on drums).<\/p>\n

\u201cBud and Jefferson\u2019s next venture involved Jefferson\u2019s daughter.\u00a0 Briana Berry and her sister were raised at the summer festivals\u2014Kerrville, Falcon Ridge, XFS and Philly. The Berry\u2019s 2009 album, Fairmount Station featured songs written by Briana and her dad. It was promoted nationally to radio by Powderfinger Promotions and charted fairly high for an independent release on the folk charts. The band played X-Fest and the Philadelphia Folk Festival that year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Berry and his band will be returning to the Philadelphia Folk Festival this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re also playing the Xtreme Folk Festival this summer in Montgomery County at Country Creek Winery,\u201d said Berry. \u201cWe\u2019re starting to book a lot of shows for this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the show at Jamey\u2019s, I figured an all-acoustic show would be better. We\u2019re going to be doing a lot of house concerts with more intimacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Jamey\u2019s, we\u2019ll do two 50-minute sets structured around an idea \u2013 thematically where I can talk about urban living. It\u2019s acoustic rock. Basically, I\u2019m an urban storyteller.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Jefferson Berry and UAC \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/Z-AdzAbRxoo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Jamey\u2019s on May 13 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Steve Katz<\/p><\/div>\n

Berry and Steve Katz are both making return engagements at Jamey\u2019s. Just like Berry, Katz is returning to the stage with a different format.<\/p>\n

When Katz played Jamey\u2019s last November, it was with his and the Blues Project. The show this weekend will be a solo performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve played Jamey\u2019s both solo and with the Blues Project,\u201d said Katz during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from his home in Connecticut. \u201cThis time, it\u2019s solo and I\u2019m going to do it later as Blues Project in October. I\u2019m doing two or three gigs a month.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 1960s was a magical time for music in Greenwich Village in New York.<\/p>\n

Many acts who went on to be classified as all-time greats were playing in small clubs in the Village \u2013 clubs such as Gerde\u2019s Folk City, The Bitter End, Cafe Au Go Go, Cafe Wha?, The Gaslight Cafe and The Bottom Line and acts such as Bob Dylan, Tim Buckley, Dave Van Ronk, Fred Neil, Lenny Bruce, Tim Hardin, Richie Havens, The Fugs, John Hammond and Linda Ronstadt.<\/p>\n

As a part of the Greenwich Village culture during this time, Katz, along with Grossman,\u00a0Maria Muldaur,\u00a0John Sebastian\u00a0and\u00a0David Grisman\u00a0became interested in jug band music \u2013 the music of Cannon’s Jug Stompers and The Memphis Jug Band. They and other friends formed the\u00a0Even Dozen Jug Band\u00a0and recorded an album in 1964 for\u00a0Elektra Records. Katz played washboard in the band.<\/p>\n

One of the best bands from the Village in the mid-60s was the Blues Project \u2013 a band featuring Danny Kalb, Steve Katz, Andy Kulberg, Al Kooper and Roy Blumenfeld.<\/p>\n

The band dissolved in the late 60s with Katz and Kooper moving on to form another great band \u2013 Blood, Sweat & Tears.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to 2021 and you\u2019ll find the Blues Project back on the road. The current line-up still features two of the band\u2019s founding members \u2013 Steve Katz on guitar and Roy Blumenfeld on drums. The new members are Scott Petito on bass, Chris Morrison on guitar and Kenny Clark on keyboards.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s down to Roy and me,\u201d said Katz. \u201cFour of the five are still alive while Andy passed away 20 years ago. Al and Danny are unable to play because of health issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe first got together in 1965. Even since the members went separate ways back in the 60s, we\u2019ve always had reunions. We\u2019ve had reunions since 1980.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the fall of 1965, The Blues Project played alongside the likes of Big Joe Williams, Son House, Bukka White, Skip James, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Otis Spann, to name a few. It was these legendary sold-out performances at the famed Cafe Au Go Go in Greenwich Village that eventually led to the release of their phenomenal debut album,\u00a0\u201cLive at the Cafe Au Go Go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started out at the Night Owl Caf\u00e9 and then we moved to the Caf\u00e9 Au Go Go,\u201d said Katz. \u201cThere were so many great shows at the Cafe Au Go Go \u2013 so many great musicians.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe played there a lot. For a long time, we were like the house band. Caf\u00e9 Au Go Go was the first gig that started to break us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The band began\u00a0recording\u00a0its first album live at\u00a0the\u00a0Cafe Au Go Go\u00a0in late November 1965 and then the album was finished with another week of recordings in January 1966.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn our first album, our lead singer Tommy Flanders left the band after a few songs,\u201d said Katz. \u201cAfter that, the vocals were done by me, Al and Danny.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were a fabulous live band. Our recordings never showed what we could do. They never presented the band the right way. Our label Verve\/Folkways didn\u2019t care. They were awful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Straight out of New York, the Blues Project soon toured all over North America. Back then, California, was the place to be, with San Francisco and Los Angeles as the two epicenters of the new age of rock and roll. The five New Yorkers played there and conquered the West.<\/p>\n

In San Francisco, the birthplace of the hippie counterculture movement and of the psychedelic rock, they achieved the admiration of their local peers. The not-yet famous Grace Slick, for example, dreamed to be the band\u2019s new female singer after sharing the bill with them at the Avalon Ballroom when she was still a member of the Great Society.<\/p>\n

Ed Denson, manager of Country Joe and the Fish, who became an instant fan after seeing them at the Matrix, said, \u201cTheir stage presence and their performance have an authority which comes from the secure knowledge that they are one of the best groups going. For the three weeks that they were here they were indisputably the best band in the city.\u201d
\nKalb, Katz, Blumenfeld, Kulberg and Kooper were all skillful musicians who mastered their instruments. They were so talented and versatile that they set a high standard for other performers of their generation.<\/p>\n

Returning to New York, the band recorded their second album\u00a0\u201cProjections\u201d\u00a0in the fall of 1966 \u2013 a diverse set of songs that spanned genres, including blues, rock, R&B, psychedelia, jazz, folk-rock. Soon after\u00a0\u201cProjections\u201d\u00a0was completed, the band began to fall apart. Kooper left the band in the spring of 1967\u00a0and the band completed a third album,\u00a0\u201cLive At Town Hall,\u201d\u00a0without him.<\/p>\n

In 1967, at the peak of their success and after the release of their third album,\u00a0\u201cLive at Town Hall,\u201d\u00a0the band\u00a0appeared at one of their last gigs \u2014 the legendary Monterey International Pop Festival. Videos from their set at Monterey showed audience members listening with reverence \u2013 mesmerized by what they were hearing from the New York quintet\u2026. especially the Kooper-penned track, \u201cFlute Thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy solo show is a career retrospective \u2013 Even Dozen Jug Band, Blues Project, and Blood, Sweat & Tears,\u201d said Katz. \u201cI even play one song from American Flyer.\u201d<\/p>\n

American Flyer\u00a0was an American\u00a0folk-rock\u00a0supergroup in the late 1970s. It featured Craig Fuller\u00a0(Pure Prairie League), Eric Kaz\u00a0(Blues Magoos), and Doug Yule\u00a0(Velvet Underground).<\/p>\n

\u201cI also do a slide show with my playing \u2013 like a power point presentation,\u201d said Katz. \u201cIt\u2019s an hour-and-a-half set. I\u2019ll do about 12 songs but there is also a lot of storytelling. Since I started with folk music, the first part of the show is about the beginning of my career \u2013 like getting guitar lessons from Rev. Gary Davis. I talk about being in Greenwich Village in the early 60s. Then, I play songs from Blues Project and Blood, Sweat & Tears years. It\u2019s 50\/50 talk and music.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Steve Katz — https:\/\/youtu.be\/ESLHz-P5AgI<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Jamey\u2019s on May 14 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $36 at the door.<\/p>\n

This week at Jamey\u2019s, music will start on May 12 with the \u201cTHURSDAY NIGHT JAZZ JAM\u00a0featuring the Dave Reiter Trio\u201d and conclude on May 15 with \u201cSUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM featuring the Philly Blues Kings with Maci Miller.\u201d<\/p>\n

More jazz will be provided over the next week by the Jazz Sanctuary.<\/p>\n

\"\"

The Jazz\u00a0Sanctuary<\/p><\/div>\n

The Jazz\u00a0Sanctuary\u00a0(thejazzsanctuary.com<\/a>) will be performing at Trinity Episcopal Church in Buckingham on Thursday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Bruce Kaminsky & Friends, a combo from\u00a0The Jazz\u00a0Sanctuary\u00a0led by noted bass musician Bruce Kaminsky. Admission to this event is free of charge, however, reservations are required, and can be made via e-mail at\u00a0go*******<\/span>@***<\/span>il.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

On May 15, The Alan Segal Quintet performs at\u00a0The Jazz\u00a0Sanctuary\u2019s\u00a0event at St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church in Norristown. The quintet includes James Dell\u2019Orefice (piano), Leon Jordan Sr. (drums), Randy Sutin (vibes\/percussion), Ed Etkins (saxophone) and Segal (bass). The performance, which is free of charge, begins at 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon hosts\u00a0The Jazz\u00a0Sanctuary\u00a0with another evening of \u201cJazz & Joe\u201d on Wednesday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m., with a performance by The Alan Segal Quintet featuring includes Dell\u2019Orefice (piano), Grant MacAvoy (drums), Sutin (vibes\/percussion), Etkins (saxophone) and Segal (bass). Admission to this performance is free of charge.<\/p>\n

May\u2019s performance schedule for\u00a0The Jazz\u00a0Sanctuary\u00a0concludes on Thursday, May 26\u00a0at Philadelphia\u2019s historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes\u2019) Episcopal Church with an evening of \u201cJazz & Joe\u201d featuring The Alan Segal Quintet, which includes Dell\u2019Orefice (piano), Jordan Sr. (drums), Sutin (vibes\/percussion), Etkins (saxophone) and Segal (bass). Admission to this performance, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is free of charge.<\/p>\n

The Jazz Sanctuary, Philadelphia\u2019s most innovative music organization bringing live jazz music to performing arts and events spaces throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, has begun its second decade in style with more than 30 events already on the slate for its 11th anniversary year.<\/p>\n

Since its founding in 2011 by Alan Segal, The Jazz Sanctuary has brought more than\u00a0 live performances to people throughout Philadelphia and the neighboring Pennsylvania and New Jersey suburbs. In addition, the organization brings their music to healthcare facilities, including regular performances for the Council on Brain Injury and others in the region.<\/p>\n

From its humble beginning, The Jazz Sanctuary has become a Philadelphia music institution.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just finished our 642nd\u00a0event,\u201d said\u00a0Segal, who grew up in West Philadelphia and graduated from Philly\u2019s highly acclaimed Central High School.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur group has been together longer than any other jazz group in the Philly area. This year, we\u2019ll have played more than 60 shows. The most was in 2019 when we had 88 events.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a huge repertoire. My iPad has more than 1,500 songs. We all read music and our sax player puts together the set.<\/p>\n

\u201cJazz is an extension of the blues. Gospel to blues to jazz is a straight line \u2013 no deviations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Events by The Jazz Sanctuary are always free.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do everything pro bono,\u201d said\u00a0Segal. \u201cI take no money. I\u2019m not trying to make a profit. We generate a lot of money for charitable organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for the Jazz Sanctuary \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/zLhskbzVIQQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Matt Andersen<\/p><\/div>\n

The list of live music offerings on May 12 also includes a blues-influenced singer\/songwriter from Canada \u2013 Matt Andersen; an Americana singer\/songwriter from Nashville \u2013 Cristina Vane; and a legendary roots band from Woodstock — Professor Louie & The\u00a0Crowmatix.<\/p>\n

Andersen, a native of Perth Andover in New Brunswick, who will play the City Winery (990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, citywinery.com\/Philadelphia<\/a>, has just started a tour in support of his new album, \u201cHouse to House,\u201d which just came out in March on Sonic Records.<\/p>\n

On the recording, the prolific singer\/songwriter shifts the raw power he has become known for in his electric live performances into a stripped-down acoustic effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe band right now is just me,\u201d said Andersen, during a phone interview Tuersday morning from a tour stop in Fairfield, Connecticut. \u201cLately, I\u2019ve been doing mostly solo stuff \u2013 just me and my guitar.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the pandemic, I couldn\u2019t tour so I built a home studio at my home in Wolfville (Nova Scotia). I recorded the album there in October. I built my own studio with ProTools \u2013 16 channels and no board. It\u2019s a great place to be creative. It\u2019s like sitting at the kitchen table. It feels good to have a space to go into.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the beginning of the pandemic, it took me six or seven months to even pick up a guitar. Then, I got back into it and had a fresh vibe. It definitely helps to have my own studio right here if I have an urge. It\u2019s also great for collaborating. I did collaborating via Zoom when I was recording the album.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHouse to House\u201d\u00a0displays a new direction for Andersen, who has earned many accolades and a dedicated fanbase in Canada. He has received numerous European Blues Awards, Maple Blues Awards and various other honors. Here he seamlessly takes his distinctive, mighty blues chops and moves into gospel, folk and softer ballads, offering a more intimate side of the performer and writer.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018House to House\u2019 came out a few months ago,\u201d said Andersen. \u201cIt was just me and my guitar and the studio. I haven\u2019t done an album like that since I first started making albums a long time ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I\u2019ve got another album with a full band in the can. We recorded it at Sonic Temple in Halifax last April. It\u2019s mixed and mastered and ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

A powerhouse performer with a giant, soul-filled voice and commanding stage presence, Andersen has built a formidable following the old-fashioned way \u2014 touring worldwide and letting his audiences spread the good word of his righteous tunes. As a result, he has amassed more than 18 million views on YouTube.<\/p>\n

In addition to headlining major festivals, clubs and theatres throughout North America, Europe and Australia, Andersen has shared the stage and toured with Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Greg Allman, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Bachman, Little Feat, Jonny Lang, Serena Ryder, and more.<\/p>\n

The Nova Scotia resident won the 2013 and 2016 European Blues Award for Best Solo\/Acoustic Act, three Maple Blues Awards in 2012, and was the first ever Canadian to take home top honors in the solo\/duo category at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything I write, I write on acoustic guitar,\u201d said Andersen. \u201cI have a band in the back of my mind, but it always starts acoustic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andersen is known as one of Canada\u2019s hardest-working musicians, averaging around 200 live performances per year. Specializing in an earthy blend of blue-collar folk, electric blues, and roots rock, the New Brunswick native began his musical career in 2002 with the group Flat Top.<\/p>\n

He issued his solo debut, \u201cSecond Time Around<\/a>,\u201d in 2007, followed in 2008 by \u201cSomething in Between<\/a>\u201d and in 2009 by \u201cPiggyback<\/a>,\u201d the latter of which was a collaboration with acclaimed harmonica player\u00a0Mike Stevens<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That same year he issued his first concert album, \u201cLive from the Phoenix Theatre<\/a>,\u201d and later his first collection of holiday music, \u201cChristmas Time<\/a>.\u201d A pair of studio albums, \u201cPush Record<\/a>\u201d (with\u00a0Mike Stevens<\/a>) and \u201cCoal Miner Blues<\/a>,\u201d followed in 2011.<\/p>\n

\u201cWeightless<\/a>,\u201d which was produced by Los Lobos\u2019 Steve Berlin, was released in 2014 and was his debut long-player for the True North label. It earned\u00a0Andersen<\/a>\u00a0a Juno nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year.<\/p>\n

For his follow-up, he traveled to New York, working with producer\u00a0Commissioner Gordon<\/a>\u00a0(Amy Winehouse<\/a>, Joss Stone<\/a>) to record 2016\u2019s \u201cHonest Man<\/a>.\u201d The concert album \u201cLive at Olympic Hall<\/a>\u201d appeared in 2018, and featured\u00a0Andersen<\/a>\u00a0backed by his band\u00a0the Mellotones<\/a>\u00a0at the historic Halifax, Nova Scotia venue.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got into the blues just from hearing it,\u201d said Andersen. \u201cMy brother had Eric Clapton\u2019s \u2018Unplugged\u2019 album and that got me started with an interest in blues.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, I got into musicians like B.B. King, Sonny Terry and Roy Buchanan. I also liked Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Allman Brothers because they were influenced by the blues. As time went on, I got more into acoustic folk and blues. I grew up with an acoustic guitar. My parents wouldn\u2019t get me an electric guitar.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a result, Andersen is equally comfortable playing a solo acoustic set or performing with a band.<\/p>\n

Video link for Matt Andersen \u2014 https:\/\/youtu.be\/iC47rfCoIxs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at City Winery on May 12, which has Terra Lightfoot as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, $22 and $24.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming acts at City Winery are Vivian Green on May 12, Howard Hewett on May 13 and 14, Starman City on May 13, Pat McGee on May 14, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on May 15, Smokey Suarez on May 17 and Bilal City on May 18.<\/p>\n

Vane, who will be performing May 12 at 118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, www.118northwayne.com<\/a>), is a musician who, despite her young age, has world-wide life experiences and a wide variety of musical influences.<\/p>\n

Born in Italy to a Sicilian-American father and a Guatemalan mother, Vane grew up between England, France, and Italy, and was fluent in four languages by the time she moved to her father\u2019s native United States to attend Princeton University when she was 18. She graduated and promptly moved to Los Angeles to pursue music where she got a job in a guitar shop.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love learning and Princeton is a good place to do it,\u201d said Vane, during a phone interview Monday afternoon. \u201cI got my degree in comparative literature.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vane and music go way back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always loved music,\u201d said Vane. \u201cI used to sing to myself in the crib. I started studying piano in first grade. I found flute in middle school and started studying flute. I started writing songs in high school. Then, I discovered steel guitar in college through a good music teacher. After Princeton, I got into resonator. I just thought it sounded interesting. I taught myself how to play slide guitar. Then, I got into resonators and wanted to get a National Steel.\u201d<\/p>\n

After graduating from Princeton with a degree in Comparative Literature, Vane moved to Los Angeles where she worked at McCabe\u2019s Guitar Shop. She studied fingerstyle guitar with mentor Pete Steinberg and spent every free moment working on her music. Those years pushed her to explore country-blues picking and old folk guitar styles.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got my own National and started pursuing a music career,\u201d said Vane. \u201cI was living in Venice Beach and working five or six jobs to support my music career.\u201d
\nVane credits Skip James, Robert Johnson, and Blind Willie Johnson, as well as Rory Block as some of her greatest influences.\u00a0Vane is also very proficient on the clawhammer banjo and uses it to accompany herself as she sings her original bluegrass songs.<\/p>\n

Vane relocated to Nashville four years ago. Her debut release, \u201cNowhere Sounds Lovely\u201d was produced by Grammy-award-winning drummer and producer Cactus Moser. Moser also played drums on the record. The album was engineered by Rodney Dawson, and also features bass player Dow Tomlin, fiddle player Nate Leath, and pedal steel player Tommy Hannum.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a while, I was into folk music but not in the traditional sense,\u201d said Vane. \u201cI\u2019ve also played the blues for a long time. Now, I see myself more Americana because I play the clawhammer banjo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Cristina Vane \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/4lLoR7GndOk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at 118 North on May 12, which also features Arlo McKinley, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at 118 North are Arlo McKinley on May 12, The Commission on May 14, Wally Smith\u2019s Hammond Trio on May 15, Lauren Hart on May 15 and Glen David Andrews on May 18.<\/p>\n

The joint will be rockin\u2019 on May 12 when the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>) presents \u201cMusic Of The Band Performed By Professor Louie & The Crowmatix With The Woodstock Horns.\u201d<\/p>\n

Professor Louie & The\u00a0Crowmatix\u00a0began as the studio backing band for Aaron \u201cProfessor Louie\u201d Hurwitz\u2019s musical productions for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees,\u00a0The Band. Rick Danko christened him\u00a0\u201cProfessor Louie\u201d because of his work and friendship with The Band.<\/p>\n

Professor Louie & The\u00a0Crowmatix are touring in support of their new album \u201cStrike Up The Band,\u201d which was released on January 7, 2022. The album has nine songs written by Professor Louie and one co-written with Miss Marie and John Platania \u2014 songs that reflect a unique vision of relationships and thoughts about this tumultuous world and the times we live in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new CD is hitting the charts,\u201d said Hurwitz, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from his home in Woodstock, New York. \u201cIt\u2019s our 16th studio album in 22 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an all-original album \u2013 not a covers album or a concept album. L love playing new stuff because it\u2019s fresh for the band \u2013 and fans get to hear new stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Such was not the case with the band\u2019s previous album release.<\/p>\n

When Professor Louie & The\u00a0Crowmatix released their previous album, the timing of the music was impeccable \u2014 Professor Louie is a master in the recording studio \u2013 but the timing of the LP\u2019s release was not so good.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiles of Blues,\u201d\u00a0the 15th release from Professor Louie & The\u00a0Crowmatix, dropped in August 2019. Plans were for the Woodstock, NY-based band to tour extensively across the United States and Canada in support of the new disc. Then, COVID-19 came along and disrupted everybody\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Miles of Blues\u2019 was our last blues record and it did well,\u201d said Hurwitz. \u201cBefore the calamity hit, we had scheduled six-to-seven months of shows. We were going to be driving across the country to South Dakota and then to western Canada for the Salmon River Blues Festival in British Columbia. We have a lot of fans in that part of North America.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead, we just played the East Coast and New England for most of last year. We tried to stay three-to-four hours from home. We went down to South Carolina and North Carolina. We\u2019re just trying to keep the band going.\u201d<\/p>\n

Professor Louie has been more than successful at keeping the band going. The blues-based group is now entering its third decade.<\/p>\n

Professor Louie\u00a0has emerged over his five decades in the music industry as the torch bearer of the true spirit of American Roots music. Seasoned live performer, prolific recording artist and versatile multi-instrumentalist (Hammond B3 organ, piano\/keyboards, accordion, vocals), Professor Louie also is an award-winning recording producer and engineer, capturing the talents of some of the world\u2019s premier musicians including\u00a0The Band.<\/p>\n

This Grammy-Nominated band usually plays 150 shows a year in the US and worldwide. They have performed at the Thunder Bay, London & Windsor Festivals in Canada, The Tondor Festival, Falcon Ridge Festival, The Sellersville Theater, BB Kings in NYC, The House of Blues in LA and The Bearsville Theater in Woodstock.<\/p>\n

Professor Louie & The\u00a0Crowmatix\u00a0have a repertoire that is steeped in rock-and-roll, blues, gospel and American roots music. They have\u00a0a huge discography that features 15 studio albums\u00a0on The Woodstock Records label.<\/p>\n

The band\u2019s lineup features Professor Louie\u00a0(Keys, Accordion, Vocals), John Platania\u00a0(Guitar, Vocals), Gary Burke\u00a0(Drums), Miss Marie\u00a0(Vocals, Percussionist, Keys) and Frank Campbell\u00a0(Bass, Vocals).<\/p>\n

Professor Louie\u00a0collaborated with The Band\u00a0for more than 16 years and produced the group\u2019s three comeback albums in the 90\u2019s \u2013 \u201cJericho.\u201d \u201cHigh on The Hog\u201d and \u201cJubilation.\u201d Louie has produced and performed with such artists as Graham Parker, Commander Cody, Guy Davis, Buckwheat Zydeco, and New Riders of The Purple Sage.<\/p>\n

Platania\u00a0is a session musician, guitarist and record producer known for his work with Van Morrison for more than 30 years. He also has performed and recorded with Chip Taylor, Randy Neuman, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Merchant, Don Mc Lean, and Judy Collins. Burke\u00a0is a drummer and percussionist with The Radio City Music Hall Orchestra He has performed with\u00a0Bob Dylan\u2019s\u00a0The Rolling Thunder Review and recorded and toured extensively with\u00a0Joe Jackson.<\/p>\n

Miss Marie\u00a0has performed and recorded with Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and The Commander Cody Band and was an integral part of\u00a0Mercury Rev\u2019s\u00a0gold album \u201cDeserters Song.\u201d Campbell\u00a0(Bass-Vocals) was Levon Helm\u2019s\u00a0Music Director with the Woodstock All-Stars. He also has performed and recorded with\u00a0Steve Forbert.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe current lineup has been the same for the last 16 years,\u201d said Louie. \u201cWe\u2019ve had the nucleus of the same five for quite a while. We\u2019re also a good recording band. So, people use us a lot when they record. They hire us to be their studio musicians.\u201d<\/p>\n

Professor Louie & The\u00a0Crowmatix\u00a0have established a truly international reputation.<\/p>\n

In 2007, they recorded their song \u201cMelody of Peace\u201d with the Czech Symphony in Prague that was released on the 2007 ERM Media CD \u201cHolidays of The New Era Vol.2\u201d. Professor Louie\u2019s documentary \u201cWoodstock \u2013 Siberia Blues Express\u201d was\u00a0filmed in Russia and featured in the Woodstock Film Festival in 2007.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a good following in Russia,\u201d said Louie. \u201cWe\u2019ve toured there seven times. We\u2019ve played a lot of shows in Novosibirsk and other Siberian cities.\u201d<\/p>\n

For now, Russia and Ukraine appear to be good countries to omit from any upcoming international tour itineraries.<\/p>\n

Video link for Professor Louie & The\u00a0Crowmatix\u00a0\u2014\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/nqkwgv3jzNY<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Sellersville Theater on May 12 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $21.50-$30.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>) are John Cafferty on May 13, John Cassidy on May 14, Chris Smither on May 14, Leo Kottke on May 15, and Texas Hill on May 16.<\/p>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) is hosting Beyond the Pale on May 14.<\/p>\n

The Kimmel Cultural Campus (Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333, www.kimmelculturalcampus.org<\/a>) will present<\/p>\n

Neil Gaiman on May 12, Daniel Tiger Neighborhood on May 14, \u201cHairspray\u201d from May 17-22, Ryan Adams on May 17, and Philly Jazz Divas on May 18.<\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) will present Van Halen Nation on May 12, Kermit Ruffins on May 13, Victor Wooten on May 14, Kurt Elling on May 15, Brett Young on May17 and 18 Eric Gales on May 18.<\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) will host Jesse James Decker on May 12, Ace Frehley on May 12, and Joan Osborne and Madeleine Peyroux on May 14.<\/p>\n

Brooklyn Bowl (1009 Canal Street, Philadelphia, www.brooklynbowl.com\/philadelphia<\/a>) will present Agnostic Front on May 12, Eric Krasno on May 13, and Sinkane on May 18.<\/p>\n

PhilaMOCA (531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, 267-519-9651, www.philamoca.org<\/a>) will present Snoozer on May 12, Tomberlin on May 14, The Sloppy Boys on May 15, Sascha & the Valentines on May 17 and Izzy True on May 18.<\/p>\n

The Queen (500 North Market Street, Wilmington, 202-730-3331, www.thequeenwilmington.com<\/a>) will have Evolfo on May 12, Mystery Skulls on May 13, Ace Frehley on May 14 and The Waterboys on May 15.<\/p>\n

The Met (858 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, http:\/\/themetphilly.com<\/a>) will host Interpol on May 13 and Deftones on May 18.<\/p>\n

Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http:\/\/www.lnphilly.com<\/a>) will present Gang of Youths on May 12, Don Broco on May 13, Bakar. on May 16, Fivio Foreign on May 17 and 070 Shake on May 18.<\/p>\n

Johnny Brenda\u2019s (1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-739-9684,<\/p>\n

www.johnnybrendas.com<\/a>) will host Sadurn on May 12, Papooz on May 13, Cosmic Cult on May 14, Golden Apples on May 15, High Pulp on May 16, Bob Log III on May 17 and Alex Cameron on May 18 and 19.<\/p>\n

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, 215-232-2100, www.utphilly.com<\/a>) will present Lotus on May 13 and 14, Dean Lewis on May 16 and Kikagaku Moyo on May 18.<\/p>\n

Franklin Music Hall (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, http:\/\/franklin.musichallphiladelphia.org\/<\/a>) presents The Menzingers on May 14 and The Dollops on May 15.<\/p>\n

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215- 925-6455, www.milkboyphilly.com<\/a>) will present G-nome Project on May 12,<\/p>\n

Corey Bernhard on May 13, Donovan Melero on May 15, Joe Sumner on May 16, Great Blue on May 17 and Joe Kaplow on May 18.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) is one of those venues where music fans know there will be great music every weekend. It doesn\u2019t matter who is playing, the evening will feature top-flight acts performing in a comfortable venue with a great sound […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39182,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[6518,13593,11276,13594,13572],"class_list":["post-39186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-jefferson-berry","tag-matt-andersen","tag-steve-katz","tag-the-jazz-sanctuary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39186"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39187,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39186\/revisions\/39187"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/39182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}