Photo of Eric Andersen, with Joni Mitchell, who will be performing solo for SLOfolks, April 20, at Coalesce Bookstore
April 21, at Castoro Cellars ,BR> His CD Blue Riverincludes harmonies by Joni Mitchell on the title track. The album is later acclaimed by the Rolling Stone Record Guide as “the best example of the ‘70s singer/songwriter movement.” Eric toured with The Byrds for six months.

SLOfolks Concerts at Coalesce Bookstore begin at 7:00pm
Ticket reservation: (805)772-2880

SLOfolks Concerts at Castoro Cellars Winery, from October to May begin at 7:30pm.

Castoro Summer concerts from June to September begin at 7:00pm
Doors open at 6:00pm for our SLOfolks Concerts.
Tickets are $22 ~ (805)238-0725

A catered dinner is offered at Castoro Cellars at 6pm (extra charge)
No outside food or beverages are allowed at any of the catered concerts.

SLOfolks would like to thank Travis Semmes for giving us the opportunity to use solar energy at our outdoor concerts.
mobilesolarpower.net

SLOFOLKS THANKS ALL OUR FRIENDS FOR MAKING OUR 2011 CONCERTS SUCH A SUCESS. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR SUCH AN ABUNDANCE OF EXCELLENT MUSICIANS AND ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC

Every year SLOfolks works very hard to book excellent musicians. We are very proud that 2012 will be no exception...Thank you so much for supporting Live Music & SLOfolks.

SLOfolks is very happy to welcome back HOUSTON JONES to the Central Coast, this time to San Luis Obispo!

Saturday, February 4, at the United Church of Christ
11245 Los Osos Valley Rd., San Luis Obispo
Tickets, $20 will be available at Boo Boo Records or at the door.
Reservation: (805)544-1373

Houston Jones is a California based hig octane American quintet. Formed in 2001, the band performs a strong original repertoire that ranges from bluegrass and folk to blues and gospel.
Houston Jones features:
Glenn Houston ~ lead guitar, Peter Tucket ~ drums and percussion, Travis Jones ~ lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Chris Kee ~ standup bass and gitar and Henry Salvia ~ keyboards and accordion.

The San Francisco Chronicle November 11, 2011:
Houston Jones: Queen of Yesterday
CD Review By David Wiegand

RATING: (WILD APPLAUSE)
"You may not think a band with traditional bluegrass instrumentation and guys who've been around the musical block more than a few times could remain fresh, much less grow even better with each new CD. But when it comes to the Bay Area band Houston Jones, think it. I first got turned on to the band with "Calico Heart" two CDs ago, but the group's new one, "Queen of Yesterday," is in a class by itself. The band includes Travis Jones on lead vocals and guitar; Glenn Houston on lead guitar and background vocals; Chris Kee on bass, guitar, cello and background vocals; Peter Tucker, percussion and background vocals; and Henry Salvia, keyboards, accordion and vocals. Houston Jones will celebrate the release of "Queen" on Saturday at Freight & Salvage. And it's a CD worth celebrating."

"What's amazing about the band is its incredible versatility, From the bluesy swing of "Angels on the Ridgepole" to the urban jazz sound of the streets of Oakland embodied in "Calamity Jane" to the gentle acoustic ballad "I Found a Heart," the electric and electrifying title track and the bar-at-closing-time sad classicism of "Lost in the Crowd," this is a confluence of sublime talent."

Houston Jones

JAYME STONE

Friday, March 2, Coalesce Bookstore, 7pm ~ $20
Saturday, March 3, Castoro Cellars, 7:30pm ~ $20



Jayme Stone (banjo) | Sandra Wong (nyckelharpa, fiddle) | Andrew Small (bass) | Nick Fraser (drums)

Two-time Juno Award-winning banjoist

Two-time Juno-winning banjoist Jayme Stone makes music inspired by folk traditions from around the world. His latest album, Room of Wonders, explores music from Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, Brazil, Italy and North America. The repertoire includes a movement from Bachʼs French Suite, a Moorish sword-fighting dance and Stoneʼs lush, edgy originals.

"The Yo-Yo Ma of the banjo"
Globe and Mail

"This is what the future of the banjo sounds like."
Songlines

"The Music is as spirited as its creator. It's hard to imagine a room large enough to contain the talent that went into its making, or the varied sounds it surveys."
Georgia Straight

His third solo recording, following the international breakout success of Africa to Appalachia, features fiddle pioneer Casey Driessen, gravity-defying guitarist Grant Gordy, former Punch Brother Greg Garrison and special guests: Nick Fraser (drums), Kevin Trucotte (trumpet), William Carn (trombone) and Olov Johansson (nyckelharpa).

"Stone's scope is far-reaching, connecting seemingly disparate cultures with a passion for music that runs through bluegrass, jazz and the grit of roots music to West Africa."
Boston Globe

"Stone combines a jazz musician's sense of timing and sureness of touch with a pop musician's brevity and directness."
The Guardian

"That rare example of a musical exploration going perfectly, a cultural summit that sounds vibrant and seamless for all the right reasons."
Explain

Jayme Stone

John McCutcheon - March 17. 8:00PM

I am happy to share with you that SLOfolks in collaboration with CAL POLY ARTS will be presenting JOHN MC CUTCHEON
Saturday, March 17 at the Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo, Spanos Theater, Cal Poly University.

Tickets: $25
student price $20
A group buy of 10+ regular priced tickets receive 10% off.

Ticket Office 765-2787

Here is a link to the CAL POLY web page:
http://www.calpolyarts.org/performances/performancedate.php?id=37

Wisconsin native John McCutcheon McCutcheon is a powerful singer/songwriter and masterful storyteller. Johnny Cash called him “the most impressive instrumentalist” he had ever heard. One of the world’s foremost performers on the beautiful hammer dulcimer and master of a dozen instruments, McCutcheon will fill this evening with pure folk artistry.

“He has an uncanny ability to breathe new life into the familiar. His storytelling has the richness of fine literature.”
Washington Post

McCutcheon is a graduate of Saint John's University in Minnesota. While in his 20s, he travelled to Appalachia and learned from some of the legendary greats of traditional folk music, such as Roscoe Holcomb, I.D. Stamper, and Tommy Hunter. His vast repertoire also includes songs from contemporary writers like Si Kahn (e.g. Gone Gonna Rise Again, Rubber Blubber Whale) as well as a large body of his own music.

http://www.calpolyarts.org/performances/performancedate.php?id=37

Links to John McCutcheon's video on YouTube

http://youtu.be/YFinPD8n1N8

http://youtu.be/8okHK5W42ig John McCutcheon

Eric Andersen

April 20, Coalesce Bookstore, 7:00PM
April 21, Castoro Cellars, 7:30PM

"Andersen is the most elegant of singers."
Rolling Stones


"A singer and songwriter of the first rank."
The New York Times

"Eric Andersen is a great ballad singer."
Bob Dylan on stage at the Oslo Forum.

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Blue River , Eric will be featuring songs from this album. He will also perform songs which span other albums including his early classics “Thirsty Boots” & “Violets Of Dawn” as well as new songs.

Eric andersen first came to prominence as a performer in Greenwich Village in the early 1960s and immediately became part of the Village Folk and songwriter scene along with Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton, Dave Van Ronk and Bob Dylan. He has co-written songs with Bob Weir, Townes Van Zandt, Rick Danko, and Lou Reed. His songs have been covered by many artists including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Judy Collins, Fairport Convention, Linda Ronstad, Peter Paul and Mary, the Blues Project, Gillian Welch and Linda Thompson.

Over the past 45 years, Eric has released over 25 CDs of original music. His first live album Blue Rain (released in 2007 on appleseed Recordings) was recorded at a concert in Oslo with members of the blues band, Spoonful of Blues.

Eric Andersen

ericandersentributepage

Fishtank Ensemble
Friday, May 25, Coalesce Bookstore, 7PM
Saturday, May 26, Castoro Cellars, 7:30PM

Fishtank Ensemble are the leaders in high-energy, cross-pollinated gypsy music. From California, they bring their unique blend of Romanian, Gypsy jazz, Flamenco, Balkan, Turkish and Tango influenced music to the world.

Fishtank Ensemble is a lively and unusual group consisting of violin, saw, accordion, shamisen, flamenco guitar, bass, percussion and voice.

They raise the bar for pretty much everybody else”
Lucid Culture

“For those in need of having their dervish whirled, the Bay Area's Fishtank Ensemble are the rompin', stompin' leaders of cross-pollinated Gypsy music. French fiddler Fabrice Martinez paid dues gigging Europe in a mule-drawn caravan, including stints in Romani villages. El Douje is the master of 21st-century flamenco guitar. Audience eyes tend to focus on Ursula Knudson, not only for her virtuosic saw playing and a voice that sings in octaves not yet invented, but also for her sensual beauty. The mix includes a ... rock-bottom upright bassist, and we have a young band that is one of the most thrilling live acts on the planet.”
Michael Simmons, LA Weekly

“It's a new era with a new band that's hot enough to blaze their own path. Woman in Sin is sinful only if you don't get a copy and listen.”
Joel Okida, Folkworks Magazine

“Fishtank Ensemble, with opener Luminescent Orchestrii was one of the best shows of the year, hands down. Fusion gypsy music, played with unbelievable virtuosity on odd acoustic instrumentation and the energy of punk and rockabilly — that’s the best I can muster in words.”
The Daily Page, Madison, Wisconsin

Fishtank Ensemble

Gilles Apap
date to be confirmed! June 9 ,Castoro Cellars, 7PM ~ $22

We are very sorry to let you know thatBAKA BEYOND had to cancel their July 28 show at Castoro Cellars due to travel expenses.

From their agent:
"Some of the shows planned have fallen through, and also with increased costs in airfares, both coming in country to LAX and for the needed flight after Castoro to Eugene , have made it impossible to afford to take the show. In effect the band would be at a loss to come to SLO.
In fact the band loves your program, and very much wanted to come and enjoy your hospitality again, but with the anchor fest in Eugene changing dates on us, and shows the week before just not coming through, it leaves us with the only option for the band to fly to Portland/Eugene for that fest, and then to just do Gaia fest the first weekend of Aug."

Peppino D'Agostino with special guest

Friday,August 10, Coalesce Bookstore (SOLO) 7PM $20
Saturday, August 11, Castoro Cellars 7PM $20

“Peppino’s music is deep and beautiful.”
Tommy Emmanuel

“one of the most capable composers among fingerstyle guitarists”
Acoustic Guitar

“potentially a giant of the acoustic guitar”
San Diego Times

“Peppino brings warm humanity to the acoustic.”
Adrian Legg

“…D’Agostino plays steel-string guitar with virtuosity and complexity…Influences are as far-flung as the flamenco work of Paco de Lucia and the pop sensibility of the Beatles, evident in the songs he’s written, which brim with memorable melodies.”
Chicago Tribune

“The music Peppino creates, is like him, generous, lyrical and abundant.”
Pierre Bensusan

“His sound is warm and buoyant, like the man himself, and his personality shines through.”
Escape Magazine

“Peppino D’Agostino is one of today’s greatest acoustic guitarists and one of my all time favourites.” Peter Finger

HOT BUTTERED RUM
Saturday, September 22, 7:00pm ~ Castoro Cellars ~ $22

The name of the band couldn't be more apt. Few things rejuvenate the soul like a warm fireside drink after an exhausting day in the snow. Hot Buttered Rum has that effect. Their original songs are instantly familiar and inviting, and their easygoing versions of timeless classics (the Beatles, Hank Williams) belie the intricacy of the arrangements. Flute and clarinet set the band apart from the recent surplus of old-timey bands, but so does the simple fact of the band's sheer, infectious buoyancy.
San Francisco Chronicle

With an array of influences that range from Stravinsky to Phish and from Django Reinhardt to Bill Monroe it’s no wonder that you are likely to hear buttered-up bluegrass versions of songs from George Michael’s "Faith" to Bob Marley’s "Small Axe." The band melds past and present with stunning instrumental and vocal virtuosity.
Relix Magazine

Musically, Hot Buttered Rum delivers an upbeat, melodious melange of fast picking; long, lugubrious bass; and woodwind notes. All five members sing, with twangy voices and sometimes barbershop-like harmony that complements their instruments wonderfully.
Summit Daily News, Colorado

Hot Buttered Rum

Chris Proctor and Brooks Robertson ~ Double Bill

Friday, October 26, Coalesce Bookstore, 7:00PM ~ $20
Saturday, October 27, Castoro Cellars, 7:30PM ~ $20

Chris Proctor
Chris Proctor is an acclaimed composer of original music and a wonderful arranger, whose chosen voice is the steel-string guitar.

Chris is an innovative performer and recording artist of the highest order, with a gift for comunicating tremendous musicial variety, vitality and accessibility. He coaxes sounds from his instrument which belie the guitar's "folk" or "everyman" reputation, raising it to a near-orchestral range.

"Haunting slide, spectacular writing, killer contrapuntal chops, and sensitive articulation reconfirm that Proctor's in a league with the Peter Fingers and Martin Simpsons of the world."
Guitar Magazine

"It's rich in texture, tightly, almost classically designed, and difficult in execution....Proctor is the only Baroque fingerpicker." Los Angeles Times

Chris Proctor

Brooks Robertson

Brooks utilizes his superb technical abilities to play Bass, rhythm and meloday simultaneously and surpss the borders of conventional genres. He merges hauntingly beautiful compositions, country rhythms and jazzy harmonies with funny licks into his very own art form - sometimes delivered with a punch, sometimes with a smile.

Brooks went on to play on Garrison Keillor's National Public Radio Classic " A Prairie Home Companion" where he won first place in a talent competition for 12 to 20 years old participants. Check his website to find out about his appearances at prestigious events.

"Brooks Robertson has one of the very best techniques in fingerstyle guitar. You can hear the influences of Buster B. Jones, Jerry Reed, and all the great fingerpickers past ... and he's writing some fabulous new material. An amazing guitar player who's showing the rest of us how it's done! Nobody whops Brooks Robertson!"
Richard Smith

Brooks Robertson

With Thanksgiving and Christmas so close, we have decided to skip November and take a break to prepare for the holidays.

We haven't decided whether or not we wil have a concert in December.