Nilson Matta and Brazilian Voyage / www.nilsonmatta.com
Bassist Nilson Matta's Brazilian Voyage Trio delves luxuriantly into sounds of Brazil, and other climes, with verve and spirit, and a unique Brazilian take on jazz. Only loosely connected with the blues roots so important to American Jazz, it is more indebted to the fast-paced, virtuosic techniques of choro, the early Brazilian music roughly parallel to New Orleans jazz. Swinging in their own fashion, generating quick-paced melodies and sudden rhythmic accents the Brazilian Voyage player affirmed the capacity of jazz to become a global form of musical expression.
The rest of the trio features internationally acclaimed flutist Anne Drummond and Brazilian guitarist Rumero Lubambo.
Plastic Musik / http://www.plasticmusik.com
By using all plastic instruments, including a product known as “Boomwhackers,” Plastic Musik is able to put an unexpected twist on some of the most recognizable songs of our time. Imagine a complete arrangement of Mozart’s 40th, performed entirely with plastic tubes. Or maybe Beethoven is more your taste. Perhaps you prefer the soul of Motown, the classics of the 80’s, hip-hop hits, or lightning fast rudimental drumming. Whatever your musical taste, they’ve got it covered.
Razia Said / www.raziasaid.com
Singer and songwriter Razia Said’s nomadic life has taken her across Africa to France, Italy, Ibiza, Bali and New York City, but despite these wanderings, her heart and soul remains inexorably tethered to Madagascar, the land of her birth. Her musical explorations have also been wide ranging, and over the years Razia has experimented with French chanson, rock, and jazz. But it took reaching back to her cultural roots for Razia to uncover her true artistic calling as one of African music’s most promising talents. Her band includes two drummer, guitar and voices.
Razia is acutely aware of the environmental damage taking on her native island of Madagasgar as the result of unfettered slash and burn agriculture and climate change. Razia’s longing to protect and preserve the environmental and cultural heritage of her homeland permeates her music and gives it real-world significance. Thanks to an intense attention to detail, strong sense of style and unwavering devotion to the craft of Malagasy music Razia has garnered international praise.
Hog Town Hot Club
Gypsy jazz meets American swing - Four musicians who've been around for a while, playing lots of different styles, brought together by their love of swing. Inspired by how Django did it, but not obsessed with doing it the same way.
Dr. Jim Greeson, in addition to being a smoking guitar player, carries a boatload of credentials. He's a bona fide academic, published, and a Grammy Award-winning film composer.
Jim Jernigan is a multi-reed player, who's narrowed his focus to clarinet here. He can also wrangle a King Air onto runway 13 at LaGuardia without breaking a sweat. Thank goodness. Clarinet players need some way to pay the rent.
Mike Johnson is a molder of young minds--a teacher of music who's also played bass in some of the most respected jazz ensembles in northwest Arkansas. It's a big instrument, and he's a big guy.
Ed Nicholson has parlayed being able to play four good licks in a number of different genres into a respectable avocation as a guitarist. Bands like him because he doesn't mind helping carry the PA gear.
ArkanSalsa
What happens when Caribbean Salsa music meets Arkansas style Bluegrass? Conga Drums and banjos? The result is the joyous music of ArkanSalsa. Percussionist and singer Papa Rap is out in front of this all-star band featuring Darren Novtny on drums and percussion, Adams Collins on banjo, Drew Packard on bass, and Yaniv Taubenhouse on keyboards plus a killer horn section.
Annie Hickman’s Weaving the Wild / www.weavingthewild.com
A one-of-a-kind artist, Annie's vision weaves together basketry, costumes, sculpture, movement, dance, and the world of nature, which she then brings to life through graceful dance. Annie performance will involve local dancers and theater groups with all wearing her incredible larger than life handmade insect, lizard and frog costumes. They will be positioned around the four mile hike and bike trail at Lake Fayetteville near each of the five music stages. The creatures will all come together for the finale at North Shore Park.