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E-Mail Forum – 2013 |
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Banjo Master Bill Evans, Friday, April 12
April 11, 2013 |
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Bill Evans - The Banjo In America
Point Richmond Acoustic presents banjo maestro Bill Evans and his show, The Banjo In America on Friday, April 12, at 8pm at the First Methodist Church, 201 Martina Avenue in Point Richmond. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Mokai opens the show. Tickets are $15 and available at the door. Bill's award winning show has been presented all around the world and is musical, entertaining and informative all at the same time.
Tracing the banjo from its West African roots to the New World, Evans performs musical examples from the 1700's to the present day on a variety of vintage instruments, explaining how the banjo has been at the intersection of African- and Anglo-American musical and cultural exchange for over 250 years. From an 18th century African dance tune to the music of the Civil War, and from early 20th century ragtime to folk and bluegrass banjo styles, The Banjo in America informs while it entertains, delighting audiences with over 200 years of American music.
Evans is well-known within the bluegrass music community not only as a musician, but also as a teacher, writer and scholar. Just last month, Bill was a featured guest on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” Bill’s Banjo in America concert brings together these interests in a unique presentation designed for the concert stage.
Evans is the author of Banjo For Dummies, the most popular banjo book in the world. He has performed with acoustic luminaries David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Dry Branch Fire Squad, and Jody Stecher, among many others. Last year, Bill performed with the San Francisco Symphony and toured through 19 states, Canada, Germany and a U.S. State Department tour of Russia.
Bill has a Master’s Degree in Music from the University of California, Berkeley with a specialization in American music history and he has been a scholar/artist in residence at many universities across the United States. He has served as a consultant to the National Endowment for the Arts and is the former Associate Director of the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owenboro, Kentucky.
You can learn more about Bill by visiting www.billevansbanjo.com. Watch video performances from The Banjo in America by linking to Bill’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BillEvansBanjo or link to Fretboard Journal magazine’s Vimeo video “Bill Evans Tells The History of the Banjo in 14 Minutes:” http://vimeo.com/52518992?action=share&post_id=1530885046_280816668704131#_%3D
Special guest Mokai opens the show. Mokai plays folk and blues with one foot firmly rooted in the blues of icons like Big Bill Broonzy and Dave Van Ronk, and the other towards songwriting masters like John Prine, Townes Van Zandt and more modern writers like Ani DiFranco. His blues voice complements his instrumental acumen and traditional acoustic styles and pulls it all together for a compelling solo performance.
The Pt. Richmond First Methodist Church is an intimate place for concerts, and music is an important part of its program. Built more than 100 years ago, the octagonal shaped sanctuary accentuates the up close and personal nature of the music. Pt. Richmond is a small enclave right off 580 ten minutes north of Berkeley and 10 minutes south of San Rafael.
The Point Richmond Acoustic Music series is completely non-religious. It’s a friendly no-pressure environment, and even if it’s been a few decades since you have set foot in a church, no one is going to bite you. But they might offer you a cookie or cup of coffee. It’s all about the music here!
The Point Richmond Acoustic season ends on the 2nd Friday of May with the stellar talent Chris Webster and guitarist extraordinaire Nina Gerber. Dynamic bluegrass duo Melody Walker and Jacob Groopman open.
On June 14th, the music moves down the street for the 12th annual Point Richmond Music Summer Concert series, held free in the Point Richmond downtown triangle area.
Point Richmond Acoustic is co-sponsored by Point Richmond Music, Folk Unlimited and the First Methodist Church. Visit www.pointcacoustic.org for more info or contact Pt Richmond Acoustic at folkunlimited@att.net.
Bruce Kaplan and Claudia Russell
Point Richmond Acoustic
P.S. Claudia and I will be playing a CD release concert on Wednesday, April 24, at the Freight and Salvage. We'll be sending out an announcement next week. But if you've read this far, please save the date and mark your calendars!
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