Hummingbird, the new album from UK-based critically-acclaimed folk maestro John Smith, is out today via Commoner Records/Thirty Tigers. Hummingbird, Smith's purest, most elegant set of recordings to date, is a moving mix of modern-day folk tunes and other traditional songs that reach as far back as the 15th century. 'Some artists are a bit precious, when approaching old folk songs, not trusting the sturdiness with which they've survived hundreds of years of interpretation. Smith doesn't do that,' said Folk Alley in its premiere of the album yesterday. 'He wraps himself around them and them around him, tugging here and stretching there to make them fit his own needs, while never abandoning the heart of their matters. Two things hit the listener right away: Smith's singing and playing. He's exceedingly gifted at both,' they remarked. 'His honey voice is the raw, unfiltered sort — sweet, smooth, and healing, but with a hint of grit when you want it most.' 'Folklore must maintain an ongoing conversation between the past and present,' says PopMatters, 'and that is what we hear in the beauty and mastery of Smith's playing.'
UK-based critically-acclaimed folk/Americana maestro John Smith, who has released five albums and toured the world for almost fifteen years playing as a session guitarist and singer for the likes of Joan Baez, Lisa Hannigan, and David Gray, will release his latest album Hummingbird in the US on March 22 via Commoner Records/Thirty Tigers. Smith became a folk devotee as a teenager after hearing artists like John Renbourn for the first time; Renbourn, a major inspiration and influence on Smith's art, has since dubbed the artist 'the future of folk music.' 'The six strings of my guitar have granted me access to a sacred space between things, the unconscious interweaving sensations that allow us that gentle buzz on hearing a good folk song,' Smith explains. 'I've been immeasurably fortunate to open for and even play with some of my heroes and influences in the folk world. Their work and their generosity of spirit have been a constant reminder that I must keep playing, recording and touring, no matter the cost. There is always work to be done in the service of good music.'
The following are acts performing at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, in January. Please consider including in your upcoming calendar and cultural listings. All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-733-WINE (9463) or by visiting www.citywinery.com/chicago.
Now he throws the mask. On March 31, Peter Joback finished his triumph on Broadway, where he had the prestigious title role in 'The Phantom of the Opera' when this work celebrated for 30 years on Broadway.
National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $25 million in grants as part of the NEA's first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2018. Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $10,000 to Firehouse Theatre for the world premiere of Richmond composer Walter Braxton's opera TO DAMASCUS. This is the first direct NEA grant that Firehouse has received in its 24 year history.
Los Angeles-based artist/activist Terra Naomi is releasing the powerful Machine Age today, a reflective and resilient single marking the one year anniversary of 45's inauguration. All proceeds from Bandcamp sales of the track will go directly to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, GLAAD, Black Lives Matter, Girls Write Now and 350.org.
TO DAMASCUS builds on a range of sources including the bible story of Paul's conversion, August Strindberg's THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS, the rivalry between Lorenzo de' Medici's patronage of secular art versus Girolamo Savanarola's bonfire of the vanities and his call for an orthodox religious revival, Thomas Mann's only play FIORENZO, the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins, James Marcus Schuyler and Ezra Pound, William Carlos Williams, and the Catholic Mass. Check out photos below!
Live In The Vineyard today announced artists for the nineteenth installment of the exclusive music, food and wine festival that takes place amidst the lush scenery of boutique wineries in Napa Valley, California November 3-5.
Pennsylvania Ballet Executive Director David Gray has announced that he will be leaving the Ballet at the end of June for an opportunity on the horizon that requires his family to relocate.
Gone at 27, the Queen of Psychedelic Soul is back for one night only! After smashing sold-out shows in 2015 and 2016, singer and performer Jan Kudelka conjures and celebrates the beloved blues/rock trailblazer Janis Joplin with a 74th birthday bash on Today, January 18, 2017 at Hugh's Room (2261 Dundas St. W.). Janis Joplin's Birthday Bash is an intimate journey into the epic voice and tender heart of the Janis Joplin legend.
Gone at 27, the Queen of Psychedelic Soul is back for one night only! After smashing sold-out shows in 2015 and 2016, singer and performer Jan Kudelka conjures and celebrates the beloved blues/rock trailblazer Janis Joplin with a 74th birthday bash today, January 18, 2017 at Hugh's Room (2261 Dundas St. W.).
In the wake of the unfortunate closing of the beloved Hugh's Room, the unstoppable Jan Kudelka has announced that her third annual Janis Joplin's Birthday Bash will now take place at the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue on Wednesday, January 18 at 8:30pm, the same night and time it was originally booked.
With a goal of topping last year's record-breaking $525,000 raised in its ongoing battle against Parkinson's disease, LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2017: The Beat Goes On, presented by the Asbury Park Press, is kicking off in Montclair, NJ as LIGHT OF DAY NORTH JERSEY: Artists Up Close & Personal, an intimate concert event for the world-renowned Light of Day Foundation. The 10-day Light of Day Winterfest will bring over 150 music acts to 30 venues in three New Jersey cities, New York City, and Philadelphia, January 6-16, following holiday season tours of Europe and Canada.
