2011 Vasona Vibrations Schedule

featuring a wide variety of acoustic genres by local artists

Performances are held every Saturday in June and July from 5-7pm, on the lawn near the Ranger Office, and just down the hill from the pedestrian entrance at University Ave and Pepper Tree Lane.

(Click on the images below to enlarge.)

[Photo: Scott T. Miller and the Old Shoes Blues Band]

June 4th

Scott T. Miller and the Old Shoes Blues Band

» acoustic blues, really whippie guitar playin', and a lot of mostly humorous songs

Scott has been performing on and off for decades. His first performances were with the legendary lost band from Aptos "Harold Honey and the Cabbage Heads." Scott was a cabbage head. Various outfits came and went, playing a variety of music, as people did back then. And then there was an "off" period for 27 years, while Scott had something of a life, with college, jobs, and children. Several years ago, Scott, in a move typical of geezers such as himself, got back on stage with various blues bands, with which he continues to perform. More recently, Scott has been writing songs and playing to quieter audiences. He recently finished recording an acoustic CD, which is now in production.

Since Scott has been playing guitar for so long, he has figured out how to get around a fretboard pretty well. His guitar playing is influenced by many musicians, including Charlie Christian, Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, BB King, Eldon Shamblin, Frank Zappa, Sun Ra, Lonnie Johnson, and John Lee Hooker. His singing is mostly influenced by old-school R&B shouters and crooners such as Wynonie Harris, Big Joe Turner, and Dinah Washington.

Scott Miller on guitar & vocals;
Jimmy Dewrance on harmonica & vocals;
Pat Gill on string bass;
Mike Eaton on drums.

June 11th

10th Avenue Band

» big band, jump swing, swingin' Chicago-style Dixieland, and more

Combining Big Band, Swing, Chicago-style Dixieland, and specializing in both concert and swing dance performances, this dynamic five-piece group has ignited audiences worldwide for 30 years, and has been a perennial favorite at Vasona Vibrations.

With innovative arrangements that give new life to classic Jazz and Dixie standards, the 10th Avenue Band's high energy performances from Europe to Australia, from Russia to China and all points in between always leave them rocking!

Join the thousands all over the world who have become lifelong friends and fans!

Lewis Keizer on trumpet & vocals;
Marshall Root on drums;
Nancy Cassel on bass;
Ed Zimbrick on trombone & vocals;
Anthony Steinberg on piano.

June 18th

Tip of the Top

» vintage blues played with style

Since the formation of Tip of the Top in early 2009, it has grown to become one of the most talked about bands in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band's musical style is reminiscent of the 1950s and their live show contains many of the musical elements that have come to be known as American Roots Music. Tip of the Top's debut CD Depot Street Blues, which has been well received by both fans and blues music critics, is but a small sampling of the many musical styles that you will experience at a live show.

Jon Lawton ("Little Jonny") on guitar & vocals;
FP Rose on bass;
Akarsha "Aki" Kumar on harp & vocals;
Carlos Velasco on drums.

(Program note: Mr. Johnny Cat of the Terry Hank Band will be sitting in for Jon Lawton for this performance.)

June 25th

Golden State Ramblers

» classic old standards from the 20's-40's, Irish tunes, folk traditionals, novelty tunes, children's songs and more

Family friendly, classic standards from the 20s, 30s and 40s, Irish tunes, novelty tunes, children's songs and more delivered with a generous dose of humor

The Ramblers have been making music together since the early 1990s, and for many years filled the house every month at the old Espresso Garden in San Jose. Greg and Larry began playing together in 1983. Chris joined the band in 2006.

Chris Finn on bass, mandolin, & vocals;
Greg Winslow on guitar, banjo, & vocals;
Joe Edding on violin, viola, muscial saw, mandolin, & vocals;
Larry Snydal on bodhran, percussion, kazoo, & vocals.

July 2nd

Kitchen Help

» traditional and modern bluegrass featuring hot pickin' and heartfelt vocal harmonies

Formed in 2007 by Jennifer Kitchen, Kitchen Help is a high energy bluegrass band that focuses on both traditional and modern bluegrass repertoire, as well as original material. The group combines skillful picking and soulful vocal harmonies with an energetic delivery.

Kitchen Help has played many of the Northern California bluegrass festivals, as well as local venues and radio stations. Their debut CD "Kitchen Help" was released in May 2010 and contains fifteen cuts mined from the traditional bluegrass repertoire.

Jennifer Kitchen on upright bass & vocals;
Tom Cooper on banjo & vocals;
Matt Kendall on mandolin & vocals;
Avram Frankel on dobro & vocals;
Alex Mayers on guitar & vocals.

July 9th

Red Hot Chachkas

» klezmer fusion: the next generation of Jewish music

Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, the internationally-acclaimed Red Hot Chachkas infuse the klezmer tradition of Eastern European Yiddish music with jazz, rock, oldtime, classical, and latin influences in their original compositions, arrangements, and improvisations. Their contagious musical performances inspire and transform audiences. From Toronto's Ashkenaz Festival in Toronto to SF Davies Symphony Hall, favorite clubs, theaters, galleries, community centers, schools, and Jewish congregations, as well as private parties and simchas ranging from orthodox to outlandish, their hot sound and uptempo beat has folks up dancing.

The Red Hot Cachkas are:
bandleader Julie Egger on violin;
soulful Barbara Speed on clarinet;
punk-rocker Aaron Seeman on accordion;
bluegrass Tony Phillips on mandolin;
jazzy Breck Diebel on bass;
rockin' Michael Arrow on drums.

Their latest CD "Beats Without Borders" (2010) presents all new tunes composed by band members, and follows "Spice It Up!" (2007), and "Family Album" (2002).

[Photo: The Amazing Dr. Zarcon's Breathing Machine]

July 16th

The Amazing Dr. Zarcon's Breathing Machine

» jug band music influenced by early blues, and European and American string band music

Influenced by Gus Cannon's Jug Stompers and the Memphis Jug Band and owing homage to Jim Kweskin's Jug band and the Even Dozen Jug Band The Amazing Dr. Zarcon's Breathing Machine has been performing since the late 60s.

Further influenced by African American string bands that flourished in southern cities in the 30s and 40s including the Tennessee Chocolate Drops and Martin, Bogan and Armstrong, Dr Zarcon developed a style merging these similar yet distinct genres while performing for close to 40 years.

Hailing from Western New York State the group performed at numerous Folk Festivals including The American Falls Folk Festival, University of Buffalo Folk Festival and other northeast regional festivals through the 70s. At these festivals the band had the opportunity to play on the same bill and be mentored by artists such as Leon Redbone, Red Clay Ramblers, Roosevelt Sykes and Martin, Bogan and Armstrong (featuring Howard (Louie Bluey) Armstrong.

In 1977 the current line up headed west settling in the South Bay area. During the late 70s and early 80s the band played at many local venues including the original Earthquake McGoons (as a favorite of Turk Murphy's, filling in while his band was on the road) in San Francisco, Paul's Saloon in San Francisco, Chuck's Cellar in Los Altos and Mountain Charlie's in Los Gatos and produced concerts with the Turk Murphy Jazz Band and folk singer, Kate Wolf.

Since that time the band has regularly held reunion shows in the South Bay and Santa Cruz and we are very pleased to have them at Vasona Vibrations.

John Feldmeyer on guitar, mandolin & vocals;
Charlie Gibson on washboard & drums;
Dave Williams on bass;
George Anich on violin;
Christopher Richard on mandolin;
Donna Federico, vocalist and guest juggist.

July 23rd

Jessica Johnson

» jazz standards & contemporary songs arranged with intriguing original jazz twist; smooth and soulful brand of jazz infused R&B

"San Jose native Jessica Johnson has been turning heads and ears with her smooth and soulful brand of jazz infused R&B, earning more praise and awards than most musicians twice her age receive in a lifetime. At 20 years old, what Johnson may lack in professional experience is made up for with a voice as strong and bright as a young Aretha Franklin. Her recently released debut CD, Till It Happens, is a dynamic collection of R&B treasures that span from Stevie Wonder's "You and I" to classics like "Summertime" and "Cry Me a River." With a promising start towards a brilliant career, San Jose's own Jessica Johnson might be one of the next divas of soul."

-Garrett Wheeler, Metro Newspaper

July 30th

Celtic Heart

» an engaging hybrid of traditional and contemporary Irish and American folk music

Bringing together a truly unique combination of experiences and talents, Celtic Heart is one of the rising stars on the Celtic and acoustic music scene today, performing a hybrid of traditional and contemporary Irish and American folk music. They combine and move skillfully between ancient melodies and cutting edge original songs, fiery instrumentals and pristine four part vocals, serious composition and engaging humor, all presented with a warm, approachable and friendly stage presence.

Celtic Heart consists of "authentic" Irishman Paddy Drumm on lead vocal and guitar, his wife Sheila Drumm on vocals, tin whistle, and bodhran (Irish drum), world-renowned fiddler Jerry MacMillan, and well-known singer/songwriter Steve Kritzer on mandolin, banjo, guitar and vocals.

Free Summer Concert Series
5-7pm Every Saturday
June thru July 2011

About Vasona Vibrations

2011 Vasona Vibrations Schedule