Osekre Among 2011 Make Music New York Lineup at Joe's Pub, 6/21

Now in its fifth year, Make Music New York, "the largest music event ever to grace Gotham" (Metro New York), is a unique festival of free concerts in public spaces throughout the five boroughs of New York City, all on June 21st, the first day of summer. MMNY takes place simultaneously with similar festivities in more than 460 cities around the world - a global celebration of music making.

From 8 in the morning to 10 at night, public spaces throughout the five boroughs - sidewalks, parks, community gardens, and more - become impromptu musical stages, dance floors, and social meeting points. Thousands of amateur musicians, in every genre, perform on sidewalks for the biggest crowds of their lives. Professional musicians perform for new audiences, who come out from under their headphones to hear unfamiliar groups risk-free. And everyone is invited to sing along and enjoy the first day of summer.

Among the over 1,000 concerts each year, MMNY includes a number of special projects: "Mass Appeal," where hundreds of musicians band together to perform massive pieces written for a single type of instrument; "Punk Island" on Governors Island; music by the great Greek composer Iannis Xenakis in Central Park; and others, listed here.

Some 4,000 musicians performed in 2010. Along with concerts by individual musicians, dozens of New York cultural institutions took part - including Carnegie Hall, Central Park Summer Stage, City Winery, the Jazz Gallery, Joe's Pub, River to River, and more. http://makemusicny.org

MAKE MUSIC NEW YORK
featuring Andrew McKenna Lee, Barmaljova, Osekre, Hawthorne, Tracy Bonham, The Bandana Splits, M.A.K.U. Sound System, Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra and The Whiskey Boys

Tuesday, June 21 from 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM; free & open to the public
Astor Place at Lafayette Street

Joe's Pub Make Music New York 2011 Lineup:

11:00 - 11:45am Andrew McKenna Lee

12noon - 12:45pm Barmaljova

1:00 - 1:45pm Osekre

2:00 - 2:45pm Hawthorne

3:00 - 3:45pm Tracy Bonham

4:00 - 4:45pm The Bandana Splits

5:00 - 5:45pm M.A.K.U Sound System

6:00 - 6:45pm Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra

Music between sets by The Whiskey Boys

Guitarist/composer Andrew McKenna Lee leads one to imagine John Fahey, Jimi Hendrix, and Domenico Scarlatti sitting down for whiskey and a smoke. With "just phenomenal" (Sequenza 21) performance chops and compositions ranging from the raunchy to the refined, Lee consistently demonstrates just how much damage he can do to out-dated expectations of nylon-string and electric guitar performance. http://www.andrewmckennalee.com/

Based in New York City, BARMALJOVA is the lovechild of the vocalist INNA BARMASH and violist/composer/arranger LEV 'LJOVA' ZHURBIN... Ljova frequently performs with his ensemble LJOVA AND THE KONTRABAND (in which Inna sings), and works on a multitude of musical projects, often involving film, theater and dance. Inna leads the New York-based Gypsy band ROMASHKA (in which Ljova also plays), and together they stroll and frolic through life. http://myspace.com/barmaljova

After arriving in New York city with 30 dollars and change in his pocket to pursue his college career, Osekre hasn't looked back. Osekre's Vibe is an unusual combination of lyricism, wit, insight and flow delivered with sweet melodic African hooks. Osekre's music is unique in that while you might catch yourself singing to a delightful African tune at his gig, you won't be completely lost in the layers of instrumentation that serve to remind every audience that New York has worn on him. Osekre's Vibe is an experience. Osekre, protégé of Kiki Djan formerly of Osibisa fame, has unlocked a global sound that has a unique local sound regardless of place and space. He performs with his band, 'The Lucky Bastards.' www.osekre.com/

Hawthorne is an acoustic project born from the mind of Nat Osborn, a staple and rising star on the New York music scene. Nat called upon dear friends and well established singer/songwriters Aimee Bayles and Lyle Divinsky, as well as world class musicians Karna Ray (cello) and Zack Nicita (percussion) to form a group that seamlessly blends acoustic styles ranging from folk rock to country to gypsy jazz. The band flows effortlessly and brings vibrant life Osborn's undeniable songs. Hawthorne is an experience not to be missed.

A native of Eugene, Oregon, Tracy Bonham began singing at age 5, playing the violin at 9, and piano at age 14. After attending The University of Southern California in violin performance and studying jazz vocals at Berklee College of Music, she started her own band and began writing songs. She proved to be a quick study; Her 1996 major label debut, The Burdens of Being Upright (Island), went gold, spawning the hit single "Mother Mother", and lead to a pair of Grammy nominations for Best Female Vocalist and Best Alternative Rock Performance. Bonham has released two subsequent LP records with two EPs and has toured the world many times. She has appeared on TV shows such as The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Late Late with Craig Fergusson, among others. Tracy has also appeared as guest vocalist / violinist with artists such as Blue Man Group, Juliana Hatfield, Ron Sexsmith, Aerosmith, Wayfaring Strangers, Latin Playboys, NoBlues from the Netherlands, Soulwax from Belgium, Mark Oliver Everet of The Eels, and Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin.

Her newest release, on deck for spring 2010, is called Masts of Manhattan. This record is self-produced, mixed by Tchad Blake (Tom Waits, Los Lobos, Lisa Germano) and features Brooklyn artist Smokey's Roundup (www.Smokeyhormel.com) as her backing band. It has a raw energy with a melodic and harmonic richness that surpasses anything she's ever done before. Her lyrics are as witty as ever, while achieving an honesty that's not unfamiliar to Bonham's previous works. http://www.myspace.com/tracybonham

Three darlings meet in Brooklyn and discover their love for harmony, lipstick, and each other! The Bandana Splits sing everywhere...in line at the deli, in elevators and rooftop BBQs! Together with the help of famous producer Mr Sam (of the band Apollo Sunshine) they've created a unique sound reminiscent of the great girl-groups of yesteryear. www.myspace.com/thebandanasplits

M.A.K.U. Sound System, the best of roots rock, mixes Afro-Colombian drumming with an eclectic variety of urban and gypsy vibes, with blaring brass and distorted guitar sounds. This 8-musician ensemble presents a show full of pure energy, explosive drumming, and Latin American flavor. www.myspace.com/makusoundsystem

Dubbed 'Best Lounge Act of 2009' by New York Magazine, Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra play an edgy brand of jazz/folk/alternative nosh with a chewy singer-songwriter center. With melancholy wit and a cockeyed worldview, sepia-toned frontman Lipton and band mates Eben Levy (guitar), Ian Riggs (bass) and Vito Dieterle(sax) deliver songs steeped in mixed-message sincerity and soul. The band has appeared at Celebrate Brooklyn, MASS MOCA, Bryant Park, the Camden Opera House, Tangier (LA), Vermont Arts Exchange, and has been featured on NPR and radio stations around the country. www.ethanlipton.com

The Whiskey Boys

An innovative traditional fiddle/guitar duo based in Boston. David Delaney's sweet powerful melodies teamed with Mark Kilianski's rich, driving rhythm have been described as producing some of New England's most creative and dynamic acoustic music today. http://www.whiskeyboys.com/

For more information, please visit: joespub.com or www.makemusicny.org