Main Stage Performers
- 11 AM Le Chat Lunatique
- 12 PM Los Primos
- 1 PM Syd Masters & The Swing Riders
- 2 PM Niños Flamencos
- 3 PM Bryan Bowers
- 4 PM The Wilders
- 5 PM Mike Lopez and Richard Hardy
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Le Chat Lunatique |
Le Chat Lunatique plays a combination of Gypsy Swing, Western Swing and anything else they please! Filthy, Mangy Jazz is their forte! All of this madness came about due to John Sandlin and Muni Kulasinghe's mutual love for the great Hot Club of France, a gypsy swing group from 1940's Paris, which included the combined genius of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. Jared Putnam's western swing background has fused itself into the mix and given them a fine repertoire of classic western swing tunes. In addition, Fernando Garavito's latin background has seeped into the rhythmic palette and given them a formidable groove. Le Chat Lunatique was voted "Best Jazz Act" in the Weekly Alibi's 2007 Best of Burque issue ("the best thing about this quartet's hot, Parisian-swing-style jazz is how immensely listenable and, well, fun it is"). They also won the 2007 New Mexico Talent Showcase in the Jazz/blues/gospel division. They have opened for Asleep at the Wheel, The Hot Club of San Francisco, and The Djangomatics. For more information: www.lechatlunatique.com
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Los Primos |
Not exactly a mariachi band, even though it plays many mariachi standards, uses many mariachi instruments, and in 2006 won Albuquerque Magazine's Best of the City award in the mariachi band category, Los Primos plays a unique melding of old and new musical styles, combining Latin music that is traditional and nontraditional. For more information: www.theseranata.com
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Syd Masters & The Swing Riders |
Syd Masters and his Swing Riders are a highly talented, thoroughly funny, good time cowboy band, combining classic favorites of Western Americana with colorful songwriting. Syd's compositions and arrangements include influences of jazz, blues, classical, big band swing, gospel, and folk. His performances include his unique brand of unspoiled guitar playing intermingled with occasional saxophone, concertina, clarinet, bass, piano, or percussion feature, and usually include some energetic yodeling.
Syd's timeless melody "Under New Mexico Skies" was given the honorable title of "Official Cowboy Song of the State of New Mexico" by Governor Bill Richardson. The New Mexico Music Industry has presented him with awards for "Country Song of the Year," "Best Vocal Performance," and "Most Humorous Song." His 2007 NMMI award for "Vocalist of the Year" made him the only person to ever win it twice. On the national scene both The Western Music Association and The Academy of Western Artists have awarded or nominated Syd numerous times for Best Male Vocalist, Best Western Swing Band, Best Album, Song, Songwriter, and Entertainer.
Syd last performed at the festival in 2006, and we're pleased to have him back this year, pulling from his seemingly endless repertoire to keep folks at the festival dancing, laughing, and singing along. For more information: www.sydmasters.com
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Niños Flamencos |
Flamenco is the ancient form of artistic expression in the Spanish Gypsy culture. As an enduring oral tradition, the art and spirit of flamenco is passed from generation to generation. The song, dance and music of flamenco explore the full range of human emotion with an intense, vibrant quality that leaves audiences spellbound. Niños Flamencos is comprised of some of the most talented child students from the National Institute of Flamenco's National Conservatory of Flamenco Arts. For more information: conservatory.nationalinstituteofflamenco.org
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Bryan Bowers |
Bryan Bowers is a major artist on the traditional music circuit. He has redefined the autoharp and is also well known as a singer-songwriter. Starting out as a street singer, Bryan's creativity and talent have won him induction into Frets Magazine's First Gallery of the Greats after five years of winning the stringed instrument, open category of the magazine's readers' poll. This distinction put Bowers along side other luminaries like Chet Atkins, David Grisman, Stephan Grappelli, Itzhak Perlman, Tony Rice, Rob Wasserman and Mark O'Connor, recognized for their personal accomplishments. In 1993, Bryan was inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame to stand only with Maybelle Carter, Kilby Snow, and Sara Carter.
Bryan has a dynamic outgoing personality and an uncanny ability to enchant a crowd in practically any situation. His towering six foot four inch frame can be wild and zany on stage while playing a song like `Dixie' and five minutes later he can have the same audience singing `Will The Circle Be Unbroken' in quiet reverence and delight.
For nearly three decades, Bryan Bowers has been to the autoharp what Earl Scruggs was to the five-string banjo. He presents instrumental virtuosity combined with warmth, eloquence, expression and professionalism. For more information: bryanbowers.com
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The Wilders |
The Wilders grounds itself firmly in the early formative years of recorded country music, with classic country favorites heard in the early days of the Grand Ol' Opry radio show peppered with original country, bluegrass, hillbilly songs, and fiddle tunes. The band has burned up concerts and festivals across the nation and beyond, leaving delighted and exhausted crowds in their wake. Ike Sheldon (lead vocals, guitar), Betse Ellis (fiddle, vocals), Phil Wade (dobro, mandolin, banjo, vocals), and Nate Gawron (string bass, vocals) write and perform original songs, classic honky tonk, old time country, and fiddle tunes with engaging energy and spirit. The Wilders have gained critical acclaim and radio airplay throughout the United States and beyond. For more information: wilderscountry.com
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Native American Folk: Stories in Song with Traditional Flute
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Singer/songwriter, Mike Lopez, creates a wonderful way of telling stories through his original songs that reflect his life, family and surroundings. Mike was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, and is part native American, Chumash of the Kalawashaq Village. Mike embraces the multicultural aspects of his deep roots. His multifaceted background is clearly reflected in his songwriting. Mike Lopez has an original sound from the West Coast, with a dash of red hot chili!
Mike is accompanied by Richard Hardy, from Fraser, Colorado. Richard, part Cherokee, plays the Lakota Native American flute, alto and bamboo flute, and penny whistle. The sweet golden tone that Richard achieves with his instruments is matched only by his melodic harmonies. Richard currently resides in Los Angeles where he performs with many bands and plays flute for many movie soundtracks as well as being featured on many Imax film scores.
Mike and Richard have been performing together for over ten years. For more information: Mike Lopez and Richard Hardy