MORGAN JAMES with Special Guest Kirk Thurmond
Powerful, Soulful, Phenomenal… All can be used to describe Morgan James’ live performances! The Kent Stage is happy to host Morgan James Live in Concert on Monday, April 10th! Broadway Star of Motown:The Musical, Godspell, and The Addams Family, the voice talent was always there. James released her first studio albums Hunter in 2014, kicking off her solo music career. Since then she has released multiple albums, and is perhaps most known for her collaborations with the Jazz collective Postmodern Jukebox. James has ammassed hundreds of thousands of followers in her short solo career, and has had over 50 Million views on her Youtube channel! Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, November 18th at 10 A.M. EST at kentstage.org.”A phenomenal talent whose feel for classic soul music is bone deep… This woman is on fire!” — The New York Times~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~KIRK THURMOND to open.More info about Kirk at [email protected]
WOODCHOPPERS BALL – 2022
Woodchopper’s Ball 2022 Edition Saturday, December 3rd at 7 P.M.! Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 11th at 10 A.M. Prices: Gold Circle $30 – Reserve $20$5.00 more at the door Nine award winning finger-style guitarist gather for one amazing night at The Kent Stage.A portion of the proceeds benefit the NEO Coalition for the Homeless. 2022 marks the 21st presentation of this eventPerformers: Michael Kelsey Mark Sganga Brian Henke The Red Door Duo (Helen Avakian and Dave Irwin) Atom Lax Jesse Smith Matt Thomas Bill Russell Peter Rowen And of course, the founder of the Woodchoppers Ball & Northeast Ohio’s finest fingerstyle guitarist – Brian Henke
An Evening with Hot Tuna
HOT TUNA(Acoustic Duo)Live at The Kent StageFriday, April 21st!Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen, formerly of Jefferson Airplane unite as HOT TUNA! The Kent Stage is very happy to host Hot Tuna “Acoustic Duo” Live at The Kent Stage on Friday, April 21st in 2023! Tickets go on sale Friday, November 11th at 10 A.M. EST at our website kentstage.org! Come see the emotion invoking performances that are often describe as “Masterful” and “Cutting Edge”! The name Hot Tuna invokes as many different moods and reactions as there are Hot Tuna fans — millions of them. To some, Hot Tuna is a reminder of some wild and happy times. To others, that name will forever be linked to their own discovery of the power and depth of American blues and roots music. To newer fans, Hot Tuna is a tight, masterful duo that is on the cutting edge of great music.All of those things are correct, and more!For more than four decades, Hot Tuna has played, toured, and recorded some of the best and most memorable acoustic and electric music ever. And Hot Tuna is still going strong – some would say stronger than ever!
Dan Tyminski featuring Gaven Largent
Dan TyminskiThroughout his 30+ year career, Dan Tyminski has left his mark in every corner of modern music. In addition to his highly successful solo career, Dan Tyminski has played guitar and mandolin for Alison Krauss and Union Station since 1994. His unmatched instrumental skills and burnished, soulful tenor voice has delivered 14 Grammy Awards from 18 nominations among numerous awards and “best of” lists. You may also know Dan of the Voice when George Clooney sings “Man of Constant Sorrow” in the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou”!Gaven LargentNo stranger to the world of bluegrass, Gaven Largent has already become a highly sought-after studio musician. It’s easy to describe his dobro playing as once-in-a-generation because it is. His note section, approach to soloing, and his soulful musicality are second to none. In addition to dobro, Gaven is accomplished on the banjo, guitar, mandolin, and a world-class vocalist. He’s also a respected luthier building under his own name: Largent.
THE MONKEES celebrated by MICKY DOLENZ
The Monkees – Micky Dolenz was born in Los Angeles on March 8, 1945. Both of his parents had worked in entertainment; his father George starred in a number of films and as the title character in The Count of Monte Cristo (a mid-1950s syndicated television series). Micky established himself as an entertainer at age ten under the stage name of “Mickey Braddock,” starring in commercials and his first TV series, Circus Boy (which aired on NBC and then ABC from 1956-1958). In his early teens, Micky guest-starred on a number of television shows including Peyton Place. At every step, Dolenz pursued an interest in singing and playing guitar. He began touring in 1957 to promote his television work and would often sing at state fairs and parades as a part of his duties. During his late teens, he recorded and performed with such combos as Micky & The 1-Knighters and the Missing Links. In the fall of 1965, Micky was one of 400 applicants who responded to a trade ad that announced auditions for a new TV show about a rock band. He auditioned for The Monkees TV show by playing and singing Chuck Berry’s legendary rocker “Johnny B. Goode,” and wound up chosen for the show along with three other actor/musicians: Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. The Monkees’ debut single, “Last Train to Clarksville,” featuring Micky on lead vocals, hit the charts on September 10, 1966 and rocketed swiftly to #1. Two days later, The Monkees series debuted on NBC to immediate success. For two seasons, the program captured the minds of young people around the world and in 1967 garnered two Emmy awards for “Outstanding Comedy Series” and “Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy.” Micky and his fellow “TV bandmates” actually went on to become a real live rock band that first toured North America from late December 1966 to May 1967, and then began a US/UK summer 1967 tour that featured (at Micky’s invite, following the Monterey Pop Festival) none other than guitar legend Jimi Hendrix as the opening act for the first few dates. It was around this time that Micky also acquired one of the first Moog synthesizers, which he played on the Monkees’ fourth #1 album (Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.), predating use of the instrument on a recording by any popular music artist. Ultimately, the Monkees achieved their greatest success not as a TV show but as viable recording artists, selling in excess of 65 million units and achieving worldwide success. Their first four albums—The Monkees (1966); More of The Monkees (1967); Headquarters (1967); and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones, Ltd. (1967)—all reached the number-one position on the charts and launched three number-one singles: “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer” (both with lead vocals by Micky), and “Daydream Believer.” In all, the group scored fourteen Hot 100 albums and a dozen Top 40 hit singles. VIP M&G package available – It includes: one of the best seats in the house, pre-show M&G, exclusive signed and numbered Monkees photo print, and VIP laminate.
The Cream of Clapton Band
From Cocaine, Badge, Sunshine of Your Love and Layla, to Forever Man, Tearing Us Apart, Holy Mother and Bad Love. Four stellar musicians with indelible family and musical ties to the Clapton legacy, join forces to perform this inspirational new concert with an energy and flair that’s all their own.Lead guitarist and vocalist Will Johns is Eric’s Nephew; on keyboards, Noah East is son to Clapton’s longtime bassist, Nathan East. This is augmented by the prodigious talent and showmanship of Dylan Elise of Blood, Sweat & Tears, on drums, and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Steve Ball, who recently toured with The Music of Cream. The set includes not only the ‘Clapton Classics’ but rekindles hits from albums such as Behind the Sun, August and Journeyman – recordings that have particularly influenced this band and led to Eric’s record breaking 24-night residency at London’s Royal Albert Hall.Played with a sensibility that comes from being around this music their whole lives, the band also share stories about growing up in and around a musical legend who is ‘honoured and pleased’ that this project will be hitting the road in 2023 and beyond.
Neko Case
A Letter from Neko Case My name is Neko Case. I am a music producer, songwriter, and musician. I just finished a record called ‘Hell-On’ with a cast of talented musicians, techs, label folks and friends.What I want you to know about me isn’t too much, nor do I want to over talk it. What you take away on your own, as a listener is most important. I worked really hard and I was present for every second of this project. Producing a record is a huge task and there were times I was deep in the weeds, but that is normal for a record that takes a year plus. The weeds aren’t so bad. There were a lot of break-through moments, belly-laughs, sleepless nights and grubby, shiny jeans. In the end it was all worth it and I am so proud of how it turned out, and I am so grateful to have worked with such dedicated, giving artists to make it happen.There were a few challenges during the making of this record from small (scheduling difficulties, and occasional miscommunication) to large (my house burning down while I was overseas.) But none of them are the story of this recording, the songs are the story. They are my best self. They are everything I’ve worked for since I was a kid, whether I knew it or not.I write songs from a feeling of solidarity with folks who feel alone or isolated, I think I’m trying to comfort people in this way. It’s not a forceful way rather “No commitment necessary;” take it if you want it, take it as you can.My style is odd, I don’t know what genre this is. I don’t have a pretty voice or a trained voice, and I am constantly disappointed that I don’t have a “tough” voice, no matter how hard I practice, but it’s mine, and for all its loud, heavy-handed, nasal, vibrato-less qualities I accept it. The closest sound I have found to compare it to is Bulgarian Folk singing. My Eastern ancestors could have been proud of me a century ago? I could have been a droning “caller of wasps” perhaps? I just invented that job, I like the sound of it.The songs are who I believe myself to be and that will change but for now that’s how it is an I’m very satisfied with that!
Bruce in the USA
Bruce in the USA Much more than just another tribute… Bruce In The USA is a high-energy, note-perfect, and visuallyaccurate musical experience of a Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band show.Matt Ryan, from the World Famous “Legends In Concert” cast, began playing the Springsteencharacter in 2000, in Legends “full scale” Las Vegas show. The great success in the famous Las Vegasshow brought him to performances across the world, eventually evolving his character into the Bruce InThe USA show.The Bruce In The USA Band consists of seasoned world class professional musicians. The show hashosted musicians from such acts/bands as Queen/Paul Rogers, Meatloaf, Blue Oyster Cult, Hall andOats, Joe Cocker, The Ojays, Aretha Franklin, David Cassidy, The Temptations, Slash… and so manymore.This high end, powerhouse, band has taken this genre of performance art to a whole new level, makingit the World’s #1 Tribute to the E Street Band’s musical legacy.To millions of die-hard fans around the world, it’s Springsteen’s marathon, party-like performances thathave elevated him to hero status. Bruce’s legendary concerts (in the largest arenas) sell-out withinhours of their announced sale. For those even lucky enough to get a ticket, there was nothing that couldfill the aching void in between Bruce’s long-awaited tours… until now!The Bruce In The USA show was born on the Las Vegas Strip in the winter of 2004, with its debut atPlanet Hollywood Resort and Casino, in the majestic “V Theatre”. The show assaulted the senses in afun-filled and exciting party atmosphere on the Vegas Strip, while suspending disbelief for even thetoughest skeptics. They’ve been met with critical acclaim, from the Stone Pony, large theaters, andPerformance Art Centers across the country, as well as corporate events spanning across the globe forover a decade. Sell out crowds are on their feet from the first song to the last.
JEFF “SKUNK” BAXTER with C J Vanston
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter is an American virtuoso Grammy winning guitarist, known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers and Spirit.With Steely DanAfter the breakup of Ultimate Spinach, Baxter relocated to Los Angeles, finding work as a session guitarist. In 1972 he became a founding member of the band Steely Dan, along with guitarist Denny Dias, bassist Walter Becker, keyboardist-vocalist Donald Fagen, drummer/vocalist Jim Hodder and vocalist David Palmer.Baxter appeared with Steely Dan on their first three albums, Can’t Buy a Thrill in 1972, Countdown to Ecstasy in 1973, and Pretzel Logic in 1974. He contributed the guitar fills and signature solo heard on the group’s highest charting hit ” Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.”With The Doobie BrothersWhile finishing work on Pretzel Logic, Baxter became aware of Becker and Fagen’s intentions to retire Steely Dan from touring and work almost exclusively with session players. With that in mind, Baxter left the band in 1974 to join The Doobie Brothers, who at the time were touring in support of their fourth album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. As a session man, he had contributed pedal steel guitar on Vices as well as “South City Midnight Lady” on its predecessor, The Captain and Me. Baxter’s first album as a full member of the group was 1975’s Stampede. He contributed an acoustic interlude (“Precis”) and significant turns on slide and pedal steel guitar.While preparing to tour in support of Stampede, Doobie Brothers founder Tom Johnston was hospitalized with a stomach ailment. To fill in for Johnston on vocals, Baxter suggested bringing in singer-keyboardist Michael McDonald, with whom Baxter had worked in Steely Dan. With Johnston still convalescing, McDonald soon was invited to join the band full-time. McDonald’s vocal and songwriting contributions, as well as Baxter’s jazzier guitar style, marked a new direction for the band. They went on to continued success with the 1976 album Takin’ It to the Streets, 1977’s Livin’ on the Fault Line, and particularly 1978’s Minute by Minute, which spent five weeks as the #1 album in the U.S. and spawned several hit singles; Baxter’s work on the album includes a performance at the end of “How Do the Fools Survive?”.In early 1979, Baxter and co-founding drummer John Hartman left the band.Later endeavorsHe has toured with those hit-packed bands as well as with Julian Lennon, Linda Rondstat and played on sessions for Ringo Starr, Joni Mitchell, Bryan Adams, Freddie Hubbard, John Cougar Mellencamp, Cher, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, Julio Iglesias, Barbara Streisand, Gene Simmons, Carly Simon, Donna Summer, and The Beach Boys, (to name a few) More recently, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Doobie Brothers in 2020. His new album “Speed of Heat” was released in June 2022 is a partnership with CJ Vanston and features Michael McDonald, Jonny Lang and Clint Black.
Blues Traveler 35th Anniversary Tour
Blues Traveler @ The Kent Stage is SOLD OUT BUT – Tix are available for 10/9 @ Robins in Warren @ www.robinstheatre.com 35 years ago, the four original members of Blues Traveler—John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, Brendan Hill, and the late Bobby Sheehan—gathered in their drummer’s parent’s basement in Princeton, NJ to jam. From these high school sessions emerged a band that would go on to release 14 studio albums and counting, four of which have gone gold, three platinum, and one six-times platinum-selling more than 10 million combined units worldwide. Over an illustrious career Blues Traveler has played over 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people, and, in “Run-Around,” had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned them a Grammy® for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Their movie credits include Blues Brothers 2000, Kingpin, Wildflowers and others. A television favorite, they have been featured on Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits, VH1’s Behind the Music and they have the record for the most appearances of any artist on The Late Show with David Letterman. Blues Traveler’s latest effort, 2021’s Traveler’s Blues, is nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Traditional Blues Album,” bringing their 35-year journey full circle.