Meet Our Performers

Anna Laube

Anna Laube's (pronounced "Lau" like "how" and "be" like "to be or not to be") pan-genre folk music has been described as "Acoustic, atmospheric, wide open, and western. Dirt covered highways and the setting sun" (CDReviews.com).

Born in Iowa City, IA, Anna began taking piano lessons at the age of three. She took up saxophone, oboe and violin in secondary school, and after moving to Madison, WI, picked up the guitar at age 14.

Anna moved to California after college to pursue gainful employment but soon became restless and hit the road. She recorded her debut album, Outta My Head in Bay Area living rooms with Birger Olsen of Town Rill and Jason Quever of The Papercuts. Bass was played by Nick Moran, and the record was engineered, mixed and mastered by Mark Whitcomb and Jason Quever. Outta My Head has received both national and international airplay and is available directly from her record label, Gingko Records, at Google Checkout, => .

What the press is saying:

San Francisco Bay Guardian => byTodd Lavoie
"'Something I Can Feel,' from the recent debut release by Anna Laube, Outta My Head (Ginkgo Records), lured me from the grayness of my computer and whisked me off to better, brighter places. Fans of Jolie Holland, Dolly Parton, and Sarah Harmer, take note: this local singer-songwriter has a name you'll want to remember."

C|NET Download.com
"Centered on softly insistent vocals (somewhere between Aimee's and Emmylou's), Laube's songs layer in plucky mandolin, quavering slide, and enough good faith to keep the campfire burning late."

NPR
"Anna Laube makes intimate, heartfelt songs rooted in traditional Americana."

For more information visit www.annalaube.com

Aoede

Aoede-San Francisco-based indie pop rock band a la Aimee Mann sprinkled with Sam Phillips-is the rare breed of artist who can shatter the pre-conceived notions and prejudices of the audience, enrapturing the crowd. Aoede’s music has no pretense; it is real and tender. Aoede is San Francisco trio Lisa Sniderman, David Sands, and John Walden. Bringing pop worthy hooks together with alt rock instrumentation and smoky production, Push and Pull, Aoede’s new release (May 2008), stays with you long after the first listen (Massive Music). It is a "remarkable vulnerable-yet-tough album full of great songs that stand on their own integrity…just great songwriting, a unique and memorable voice, and tight musicianship. And what more, really, could you ask for?” (Wildy’s World) Sniderman's vocal is electrifying! (Luna Kafe magazine).

www.aoedemuse.com
http://myspace.com/aoedemuse
For booking, contact: Lisa Sniderman, booking@aoedemuse.com

Photo credit: Liz Caruana Photography

AZ SAMAD

Known for his innovative acoustic guitar style, Az has performed extensively in major festivals and music venues in Malaysia, Singapore, Austria, Britain as well as in the US including Boston, New York and San Francisco. Recently, he performed at Culturefest 2007, a music festival in West Virginia. Az also plays in The Shelley Leong Band and is the leader for Az & The Jazz Strings, a Boston-based String Ensemble. He also is part of the faculty for the Berklee College Of Music Summer Guitar Sessions.

Website link: www.sonicbids.com/azsamad

CHEYENNE

Meet the "Sweetheart of San Francisco" Teen Appalachian Clogger extraordinaire! This fresh face beauty is proud to be keeping up her families tradition as a third generation clogger. This rousing dance form set the Bluegrass Music was brought over to the West in the 1040's by her Kentucky born Great Grandmother "Dora Lee."

Cheyenne dances with authentic clogging jingle taps and performs dressed in colorful traditional attire. Children are mesmerized by her fancy footwork and parents impressed by her stage presence and personality! Cheyenne's Appalachian clogging show is a sure fire high energy crowd pleaser for all ages to enjoy!

For her Show schedule visit: www.barbarycoast.org (click to programs)

Booking Contact: Alberta 415-368-7527

Clay Bell

Born into a musical family Clay Bell first toured the United States at age 5 playing the spoons in his parents folk band. Before he could legally drive he was singing and playing guitar in nightclubs. Bell's first CD was picked up by Polygram and nationally distributed in 1995.

As a Songwriter and guitarist he has enjoyed national airplay, and placements on Mtv and Much Music. Billboard Magazine called Bell's music, "Smart Powerpop" Unsigned magazine raved about his CD 'she and i' comparing the songwriting to Bob Dylan mixed with the feel good vibe of the Monkees. In 2006 he was featured in a National print ad for Taylor Guitars.

Clay has toured extensively through North America and has played the most prestigious music festivals including: SXSW in Austin, NXNE in Toronto, NXNW in Portland, Crossroads in Memphis, International Pop Overthrow in LA and CMJ in New Orleans. These days he prefers to stick closer to home stating, 'I love to play places like the Cannery, here the World comes to you'.

Over the years he has shared bills with Cheap Trick, Earth Wind and Fire, Colin Hay (Men at Work), Alex Chilton (Big Star), Cracker, The Posies, The Church, Berlin, Thomas Dolby,The Sugar Hill Gang, Trippin Daisy, The English Beat,The Connells, Ozomatli, Tyler Hilton, Dishwalla, Robert Randolph and The Family Band.

CURT YAGI

"Curt grew up surrounded by music his entire life and has performed at various clubs in San Francisco including the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Herbst Theater and the Red Devil Lounge. A multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, piano) in various bands, Curt decided to take the lead role in music and currently performs with his backing band "The People Standing Behind Me”. While the genre of his music is difficult to pinpoint, many say his style is something they could envision waking up to on a sunny, Sunday morning. With percussive guitar licks, breathy vocals, rhythmic beats and thoughtful lyrics, Curt's music will get you started on the right foot and keep you going for the entire day.

For more information, feel free to visit www.curtyagi.com

DAMIR

Born in Croatia, immigrated to the United States in his teenage years. Feeling the need to be accepted, he took an interest in music. Damir began playing guitar with his new-found friends and discovered his passion. His new life in America and the old life left behind gave him much material for his songwriting talents. Damir's versatility of music styles, from romantic ballads to contemporary rock, make him the popular choice with a wide variety of audiences. His song writing skills provide a unique expression for the rich, sensual quality of his voice.

WWW.DAMIRSTOSIC.COM

Drew James

Award winning songwriter Drew James, a San Francisco native, began writing and performing his own contemporary folk songs in 1996. He performs his solo act all over the west coast, primarily in the bay area, including the Bread and Roses concert series. Drew's songs have received airplay in the U.S. and Europe.
His 2007 acoustic CD release "Way Beyond the Maze" is an intimate set of songs, including the 2006 Great American Song Contest award winner "You Can Cry to Me" and the 15th Billboard World Song Contest award winner "Thicker than Blood.” In 2006 he released "The Last Second Chance,” produced by Bruce Kaphan, which was submitted for Grammy consideration. It includes the Billboard Song Contest award winner "That Old Friday Night Feeling." The CD was also featured at the Toofy Film Festival in Boulder, Colorado. He appeared on Shuteye Records' "United State of Americana” compilation CD that made it to #53 on the Americana Music Association charts in 2005. drewjames.net

EMITH

Founded in 2003 at a crossroads between Los Angeles and the infamous Inland Empire, emith ("the good life”) is an original fusion of the old and new, of humor and sadness, of the pristine and the profane. The band plays both as an acoustic duo, featuring new songwriter Carol Ann Ives on vocals and guitar, and highly respected guitarist Stevie Gurr (Dr. John, Elvin Bishop, and others) on guitar, bass and harmonica, and also as a full band supplemented by various LA favorites on bass, keyboards and drums. emith's style of music features melodic, haunting influences from rock, folk, country, blues, and Celtic genres.

Album release will be in summer of 2008.

For more information, see www.emith.com or www.myspace.com/emith.

GREG LAMBOY

"Greg Lamboy combines words of truth with impassioned music that inspire you to care, to question, to learn, and to love. A talented singer and multi-instrumentalist who's not afraid to be passionate and sensitive but retains the strength and courage to stand up for what he believes in. Greg's music is currently being heard on radio stations near and far, including KFOG's Acoustic Sunrise, Costa Rica and the UK. Weaving unforgettable melodies with raw emotion, Greg creates accessible music that wins the hearts, minds, and ears of all who listen."

http://www.greglamboy.com

JOCELLE CRUZ

JOCELLE CRUZ MUSICK is a style and type of music that is both original and mystifying. It is the type of music whose sound produces an immense power and energy which are the direct manifestations of what is deeply felt from the musicians' heart and soul; the type of music that has both crossed over and continues to transcend over many boundaries and limitations; the type of music that was played back when music was musick and was free.

www.cruzmusick.com

JUSTINE BENNETT

Justine sings like an angel, these are the words most commonly used to describe her vocal ability and her connection with audiences. She has taken San Francisco by storm and continues to warm the city with her heart felt lyrics, melodic music and small town Canadian charm. She's a country/folk girl to her core with her style is somewhere between Sarah Machlachlan, Natalie Merchant, Joni Mitchell and Emmylou Harris.

Her move from British Columbia to the Bay Area has proven to be extremely successful. She has played live on KFOG (SF's favorite radio station), is a regular performer in the Fillmore Lounge and has created a fan base all over the globe with her weekly slot in Del Monte Square, at the end of Fisherman's Warf. She performed this year at the famed music festival, SxSw, in Austin, TX and has worked and recorded with some of the Bay Areas finest musicians and producers. She's a professional in every sense of the word and continues to make herself known in the San Francisco music scene.

With two albums recorded and the recent completion of a two-month college tour, Justine is one artist who deserves recognition. Check her out at the following links.

myspace.com/justinebennett

sonicbids.com/justinebennett

justinebennett.com

KEENAN WEBSTER

Keenan Webster was born in Nashville, Tennessee. His interest for music deepened as a teenager in Los Angeles, California where he began his music studies with Master Teachers from Cuba and Africa. Surrounded by a highly spiritual family, he has spent his life concentrated on his studies of religion, history, and music. His musical influences include John Coltrane, Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, El Hadj, Kouyate, Ali Farka Toure, Milt Jackson, and Keletigue Diabate. He extends his experimentation and jazz improvisation to the balafon.

Email: balafo@gmail.com

KEVIN KOOYUMJIAN

Keyboard artist Kevin Kooyumjian puts on quite a show with his KeyTar, a portable wireless keyboard you wear like a guitar, playing mostly original Smooth Jazz, Latin Jazz and even Spanish Guitar with charismatic mastery!

Starting piano at age two, music was a natural for this California native, having been born of parents both holding Master's Degrees in music. Kevin's father played French Horn, more notably for Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas and his mother played piano, organ and was a music teacher.

At 21, Kevin turned professional, touring with prominent California bands playing just about every style of music at a variety of venues. "I've always had diverse taste in music, and having the opportunity to play professionally for Jazz, Rock, Reggae, Blues, Top 40 and Country bands really helped expand my compositional skills".

In 1999 Kevin emerged as a successful solo Smooth Jazz artist, performing his mostly original music at many of the Golden State's top jazz and supper clubs.

Soon after, Kevin began a partnership with Cannery Row Company that continued through Summer 2008, performing year-round on Cannery Row for hundreds of thousands of people from around the world.

With six albums released to date, Kevin's music is receiving airplay in major radio markets as well as Apple iTunes.

http://www.LiveSmoothJazz.com

LINDA SKARPELOS

Linda is an artist from San Jose. Her Irish Harp playing is accompanied by piano and keyboard music that she composes and arranges herself while at home with her two children.

SEASON OF US

The music incorporates a madrid of musical styles such as: Light Latin Spices, Bossa Nova Blends, & Jazz Colorings. Our Infectious Grooves can't help but stimulate your spirit and touch you at a Deep Soul Level. If you allow yourself to be taken, these gentle harmonies and flowing rhythms will open your heart to experience yourself and your life in a new and different way. They travel throughout California sharing their music on a "grass roots level” at Art Shows, Farmers Markets, City Events and Private Events.

It's always difficult to categorize and label an artist's music, especially one's own. When asked to describe their music, they call it: Season of Us is a Heartfelt Musical Duo who play exclusively from a Conscious Loving Space.

TOM DUARTE

Tom Duarte's musical style is firmly based in traditional Latin music while reflecting elements of funk and jazz fusion. His playing remains beautiful and communicative throughout, reflecting a true sense of the gypsy spirit. Both his solo acoustic playing as well as his searing electric solos are played with a passion that equally captivates the listener.

Began to work professionally shortly after graduating from high school, playing rhythm and blues, funk, and other styles while touring and doing recording sessions. Began to gravitate towards Latin music during the 80's, eventually making it his main focus. He lived in England for one year, gigging there and in Europe. Recorded his first CD Leyenda, a mixture of classical, Spanish and Brazilian music. Went on to tour with ex-Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead keyboardist Merl Saunders in addition to recording with ex-Santana members Gregg Rolie and Michael Carabello. Released second CD Diamante, a Latin-centric outing that focuses on danceable Brazilian and Afro-Cuban grooves and some fiery solo Flamenco pieces.

www.duartemusic.net