elixir july 1-19

Tue, Jul 1, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm MATT MCCABE
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : Main St. White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Matt's an experienced R & B, blues, and jazz
pianist. He's performed with Stevie Ray Vaugn and
Boz Scaggs and an endless list o others. Enjoy his
sounds
at Elixir Lounge and Restaurant. 188 Main St.
White River Junction, VT. 802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jul 2, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm RICH MEIJER
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Let Rich's guitar playing entertain you,
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Thu, Jul 3, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm FRED HAAS
ORGAN TRIO WITH MICHAEL ZSOLDOS
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188 S. Main St
Freight House, White River Junction, VT Get Map
Fred Haas Organ Trio with Jason Ennis, guitar, Tim
Gilmore, drums and Michael Szoldos, sax
play straight ahead driving jazz for your
enjoyment at
Elixr Restaurant and Lounge
188 South Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009. www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

Fri, Jul 4, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm SAM MOFFATT
AND TYMPANON-- Copy
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : Main St. White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Tympanon, a trio made up of two Montreal
musicians: fiddler/guitarist Jean-Pierre Leduc ,
accordionist/singer Mireille Girard, and Sam
Moffatt on dulcimer, accordeon and voice offers
traditional reels and quadrilles from Quebec, as
well as spirited response songs and old-fashioned
waltzes--these are mixed with a repertoire of
Brazilian pieces from the 70s, French cafe songs
and waltzes, fiddle tunes from Appalachia, and
original pieces. Hear them
at Elixir Lounge and Restaurant. 188 Main St.
White River Junction, VT. 802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jul 5, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm SECOND WIND
-TERRY GOULD AND SUZI HASTINGS
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188 S Main St White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Second Wind is a duo, with Terry Gould on guitar
and Suzi Hastings on lead
vocals. Second Wind has a sound similar to the
male/female duos of the
'70s, but not often heard today on the radio or in
new music releases. Their
performing style falls into the Easy Listening
category by blending songs
from soft rock, folk, pop, country charts. Second
Wind's song list reflects
that diversity, covering songs from artists
ranging from Heart to Lyle
Lovett, Bruce Springsteen to Bob Dylan, KT
Tunstall to Kenny Chesney, and
Snow Patrol to Neil Young. Second Wind is one of
those rare duo teams that
effectively appeals to a broad age and demographic
audience. Second Wind
always brings their own style, sound and energy to
the music. Hear their debut at
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge
188 S Main St White River Junction, VT
802-281-7009Elixir

RIVERCITY BLUES FEST AT ELIXIR JULY 8-12

Tue, Jul 8, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm RICKER WINSOR
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Rick playsfinger-picking roots blues and country
blues featuring songs by Mississippi John Hurt,
Mance Lipscomb, Blind Willie McTell and many
others. He also plays Brazilian music and ballads
and sings in 3 languages. Come here him at Elixir
Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street, White
River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jul 9, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm KURTIS KING
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
Kurtis is deeply soaked in Delta Blues harmonica
playing, which he credits from" being bitten" by a
cottonmouth
at age 13 in Louisianna. His strong vocals and
soothing
guitar playing let you know, he was "poisoined"by
the blues to touch our heart and soul. Song
genre's include
folk,blues, alternative,rock,soul & funk. Hear him
debut
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009Elixir

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm SAMIRAH EVANS
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Freight House, 188
S. Main St. White River Junction, VT Get Map
Samirah Evans (vocals) with Eugene Uman (piano)
and 6:30 to 9:30pm at Elixr 7PM to 10PM. 188 South
Main Street, White River Junction. 802-281-7009.

www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

Fri, Jul 11, 2008 8:00pm - 11:00pm MICHAEL
PAYTON
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Dr. Michael Payton Who entertained packed crowds
in the late night smokey urban bars of the south
and west side of Chicago will play his style of
electrified blues at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge
188 S. Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jul 12, 2008 ALL DAY BLUES BLOWOUT
Outdoors from 1-7pm
1-2:30 Dr. Michael Payton will play his style of
electrified blues
2:30-4:00 Kilborn Alley Blues Band- all the way from Champaign, Illinois, with a
special stop in WRJ for the Rivercity Blues Fest
4:00-7:00 MAIN HEADINER JAMES MONTGOMERY will knock your socks off
and then back inside for food and beverage with
8:00pm - 11:00pm JOHNNY B AND THE GOODES playing traditional acoustic Chicago Blues

DON'T MISS THE FUN AND FESTIVITIES AT THIS SPECIAL MUSIC
BLUES BLOWOUT AT ELIXIR RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

Tue, Jul 15, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm MATT MCCABE
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : Main St. White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Matt's an experienced R & B, blues, and jazz
pianist. He's performed with Stevie Ray Vaugn and
Boz Scaggs and an endless list o others. Enjoy his
sounds
at Elixir Lounge and Restaurant. 188 Main St.
White River Junction, VT. 802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm SAM MOFFATT
AND MIKE GAREAU
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
Fiery fiddle tunes, funky Appalachian melodies,
songs and Celtic rhythms, rendered by "Fiddlin'
Mike" Gareau and well-known hammered dulcimer
player Samantha Moffatt .
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm JAZZ NIGHT
Tyra penn, vocals, Bhris Bakriges, paino and Rich
Mollin, bass
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : The Freight House,
188 S Main St White River Junction , VT Get Map
JAZZ NIGHT Tyra penn, vocals, Bhris Bakriges,
paino and Rich Mollin, bass
at Elixir Restaurant and Lounge, White River
Junction, VTElixir

Fri, Jul 18, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm TED MORTIMER
AND LINDA BEADREAU-
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : Main St. White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Ted's fine guitar playing combined with Linda's
driving vocals makes for a fine evening of music
covering all genres from rock to blues to jazz.
They are veteran performers -come hear them at
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant. 188 Main St. White
River Junction, VT. 802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jul 19, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm DRAA HOBBS DUO
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Freight House 188
S. Main St. White River Junction, VT Get Map
Enjoy the outstanding guitar work of Draa Hobbs
7:30-10:30 pm at Elixr. 188 South Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009.

www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

ELIXIR presents The Organ Trio + 1 with Fred Haas, Jason Ennis, Tim Gilmore and Michael Zsoldos - Thursday, July 3

ELIXIR at The FREIGHT HOUSE presents

THE ORGAN TRIO + 1

FRED HAAS on Hammond B-3, JASON ENNIS on guitar, and TIM GILMORE on drums

PLUS - MICHAEL ZSOLDOS on saxophone

- THURSDAY, JULY 3^rd

ELIXIR at the Freight House, White River Junction’s premier destination for fine dining and live music, presents the return of the area’s hottest new collaboration – THE ORGAN TRIO + 1, featuring FRED HAAS on Hammond B-3, JASON ENNIS on guitar, and TIM GILMORE on drums, plus special guest MICHAEL ZSOLDOS on saxophone.  The group kicks off Fourth of July weekend at ELIXIR on Thursday, July 3, 2008 from 7 to 10pm.  Call ELIXIR at 802-281-7009 for reservations.  There is no cover charge for the music.

 

Fred Haas, a Dartmouth grad (’73) who teaches saxophone, jazz piano, improvisation, jazz history, and music theory at Dartmouth College, has performed throughout New England and beyond with countless artists, including Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Clark Terry, Lena Horne, Dionne Warwick, Joe Morello, Attila Zoller, and Milt Jackson, and Pat Metheny, who calls Fred “a totally world-class saxophone player.”  In 1996, he and Sabrina Brown founded Interplay Jazz Camp in Woodstock, VT, which provides an opportunity every summer for musicians of all ages to participate in a relaxed and supportive learning environment, which includes yoga and meditation, as they focus on the improvisational art of jazz with an experienced, all-star faculty.  This year’s camp featured two extraordinary musicians on the faculty: vocalist Sheila Jordan and pianist Kenny Werner.  Fred’s record label, JazzToons, has produced several jazz CDs that feature him on saxophone, including Interplay with guitarist Gene Bertoncini, Strike Up the Band and Friends with the Paul Broadnax Quartet, and I thought About You with pianist Bob Hallahan.  Fred’s most recent CD, Telling Stories, is a collection of twelve original compositions featuring Fred on sax and piano, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, and Michael Moore on bass.  For more information about Interplay Jazz Camp and JazzToons, visit www.interplayjazz.com.

 

Michael Zsoldos is a saxophonist, teacher, composer, and arranger whose stylistic influences bear strong traces of the great master saxophonists Lester Young, Don Byas, and Coleman Hawkins.  He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and a Masters in music theory and jazz studies from Michigan State University, where he studied with Branford Marsalis for three years.  Michael has performed with Peter Bernstein, Matt Wilson, Rebecca Parris, and Jerry Bergonzi, and has opened for piano legend McCoy Tyner with his group The Other Three Tenors, which includes saxophonists Fred Haas and John McKenna.  In May 2007, Michael performed at the New Orleans Jazz Festival with the Dartmouth Gospel Choir horn section, for which he is the lead arranger.  He also plays with the Discover Jazz Festival Big Band in Burlington and the Vermont Jazz Center Big Band in Brattleboro.  Michael has been the Band Director at Woodstock Union High School and Middle School for the past five years and is also Chairman of the Connecticut Valley Music Festival Association and an instructor at Interplay Jazz Camp.  As a composer, Michael wrote and performed a full-length score for the award-winning documentary “Birdsong and Coffee: A Wake-Up Call” (www.olddogdocumentaries.com), which has aired on PBS and Link-TV. 

 

Guitarist Jason Ennis is based in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and performs jazz, Brazilian and classical music throughout the Northeast.  A graduate of Middlebury College (Vermont), Jason attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  He has performed with Charles Neville (The Neville Brothers Band), The Sonya Kitchell Band (Velour Music), Todd Reynolds (Bang on a Can, Steve Reich), Joe Morton, Tessa Souter, Nós Daqui, The Ramón Ángel-Rey Trio, Los Mofos, Freddie Bryant, The Anna Borges Group, Fred Haas, and many others.  His love of Brazilian music has led him to make several trips to Brazil, including a six-month stay in Rio de Janeiro in 2006-2007, during which he played with some of the city’s top young players.  Jason is a member of the faculty of the Interplay Jazz Camp.  For more information about Jason, visit his website at www.jasonennis.com.

 

Drummer Tim Gilmore lives in Lebanon, NH and teaches at Plymouth State University, Concord Community Music Schools, Interplay Jazz Camp, and several private schools.  He is an active clinician with “Adventures with Jazz,” endorsing Yamaha drums and Istanbul Agop cymbals.  His recording/performance credits include Richie Cole, Lester Bowie, Marion McPartland, Sheila Jordan, Fred Hersch, Tower of Power, Tiger Okoshi, Warren Vache, Stanley Clark, Pete Seeger, Shawn Colvin and Catie Curtis.  He has also played percussion for the PBS documentaries “Dying to Please,” “The Dolphin Dilemma” and “Birds of Prey” and the HBO mini-series “Women in Prison” as well as the feature film “Vermont is for Lovers.”  Tim has appeared at the Cape May Jazz Festival, the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York and Ronnie Scott’s in London.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, in elementary/music education from Salem State College and pursued further study in composition and jazz performance at Berklee College of Music.

Located at The Freight House, 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT (802-281-7009), ELIXIR Restaurant and Lounge presents eclectic fare and small plates and features special martinis, local beers, an international wine list and live music nightly.  Eat, laugh & drink. 

 

New band added to River City BluesFest @ ELIXIR featuring the JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND, July 8-12

ELIXIR at The Freight House in White River Junction presents

River City BluesFest @ ELIXIR

Tuesday - Saturday, July 8-12

featuring

THE JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND

KILBORN ALLEY BLUES BAND

PLUS - SAMIRAH EVANS, JOHNNY B and the GOODES

DR. MICHAEL PAYTON, KURTIS KINGER, RICKER WINSOR

 

ELIXIR at The Freight House, White River Junction’s premier destination for fine dining and live music, presents the River City BluesFest @ ELIXIR, five evenings and a Saturday afternoon of outstanding blues on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 8 -12, 2008. An additional band has been added to the already exciting line-up. Illinois-based KILBORN ALLEY BLUES BAND, whose 2007 Blue Bella release Tear Chicago Down garnered a 2008 Blues Music Award nomination for Best Contemporary Album, joins the Saturday afternoon event headlined by THE JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND. There is no cover charge for music inside ELIXIR Restaurant and Lounge. For Saturday afternoon’s outdoor event, there will be a cover charge of $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For tickets or reservations, call ELIXIR at 802-281-7009. A tent will be set up for Saturday afternoon’s rain-or-shine event, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Children under 12 will be admitted free with a paying adult, and face-painting and balloons will be available for kids. Beer, food and ice cream will for sale from on-site vendors.

 

River City BluesFest @ ELIXIR kicks off on Tuesday, July 8, from 7 to 10pm, with an Upper Valley favorite who’s performed his brand of blues around the world, singer-guitarist RICKER WINSOR. On Wednesday, July 9, singer-songwriter KURTIS KINGER brings his soulful originals and covers and his Delta Blues harmonica playing to ELIXIR from 7 to 10pm. Thursday, July 10 will mark the return of New Orleans jazz and blues singer SAMIRAH EVANS, who performs from 7 to 10pm with members of her blues band. Evans often has been compared to Etta James, and legendary jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan has said, “Samirah’s artistry is as spectacular as her personality…she’s magic…everyone should hear her.”

 

On Friday, July 11, the DR. MICHAEL PAYTON BAND performs electrified blues, honed in the urban bars of Chicago’s west and south sides, from 8 to 11pm.

 

Saturday afternoon, July 12, will be a blues extravaganza outside The Freight House. The festivities begin at 1pm with the DR. MICHAEL PAYTON BAND­­­, featuring Matt Getman on saxophone, Ben Butterworth on bass, and Bob Sparadeo on drums. At 2:30pm the Champaign, Illinois-based KILBORN ALLEY BLUES BAND takes the stage, performing original songs from their two critically acclaimed CDs that have climbed the blues radio charts. And from 4 to 7 pm, River City BluesFest @ ELIXIR proudly presents headliners THE JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND, with world-renowned blues harpist JAMES MONTGOMERY, guitarist George McCann, drummer Seth Pappas, and bassist David Hull, who served as Aerosmith’s bassist during Tom Hamilton’s medical leave last year.

 

And, back inside, on Saturday evening, July 12, from 8 to 11pm, JOHNNY B AND THE GOODES, featuring popular harmonica player JOHNNY BISHOP and renowned guitarist ED EASTRIDGE, perform with Bobby Gagnier on drums and Charlie Hilbert on bass.  Johnny B and the Goodes will release their first CD this summer on Big Mo Records.

 

About the musicians

Legendary blues harmonica ace and singer JAMES MONTGOMERY brings his hotter-than-ever band to the River City BluesFest after opening for Aerosmith last fall at the Tweeter Center and performing with Stephen Stills at a recent UNICEF event honoring Stills. A Detroit native, James started his first band in the 1960’s while learning the blues first-hand from John Lee Hooker, James Cotton and Junior Wells. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in English, James rose to the top of New England’s music scene, along with Aerosmith and the J.Geils Band. He signed with Capricorn Records and toured extensively with the Allman Brothers, Steve Miller, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King and others. In the ‘80s, James and Alex Taylor formed the East Coast Funkbusters, which led to an invitation to play harmonica with the Blues Brothers on tour. In the ‘90s, James continued to spread the Blues Gospel with his band and his syndicated radio program, “Backstage with the Blues,” which featured over 100 interviews with such Blues greats as Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Dr. John and Koko Taylor, and newer artists such as Keb Mo and Rod Piazza. James received a Gold Record for his recording with Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker and released the W.C. Handy Award-nominated CD, Bring It on Home. He also founded charitable organizations that assisted children with AIDS and provided medical care for blues artists. Since 2000, James has been busier than ever, touring throughout Europe and the U.S as a member of the Johnny Winter Band; opening for B.B. King at his 80^th birthday concert at Boston’s Symphony Hall; performing with Steven Tyler and Aerosmith members at fundraisers; and organizing star-studded benefit concerts to fund health care for blues musicians. In 2005, Johnny Winter’s I’m a Bluesman, which featured James on harmonica as well as songs he co-wrote with Winter, was nominated for a GRAMMY Award. The James Montgomery Band’s upcoming CD features members of Aerosmith, blues legend James Cotton, Johnny Winter and DMC. For more information, visit: www.jamesmontgomery.com. 

 

The KILBORN ALLEY BLUES BAND was formed in 2000 when two high school seniors and two friends just out of high school played their first bar gig as Kilborn Alley. Within a few months the band had played local blues festivals and set attendance records at several Champaign-Urbana, Illinois venues. In 2001 they won the Battle-of-the-Bands at the Bean Blossom Blues Festival in Indiana and the next day, on the main stage, electrified a sleepy Sunday afternoon crowd of blues lovers. At the 2002 Illinois Blues Festival in Peoria, the band performed their first double standing ovation show. In 2004 Kilborn Alley logged 163 public gigs without an agent. Their 2005 debut CD, Put It in the Alley (Blue Bella), reached #8 on the Living Blues radio chart and garnered a 2007 Blues Music Award nomination for Best New Artist Debut. The CD received five stars in Blues Revue, Blues & Rhythm, and Big City Rhythm & Blues, and the UK’s Blues Matters said Kilborn Alley had the “X-factor” (the British equivalent to “American Idol”). The band’s 2007 Blue Bella release Tear Chicago Down is receiving great airplay on blues radio, earning extravagant critical praise, finishing runner-up to Koko Taylor in the Bluescritics readers’ poll of best contemporary blues albums of 2007, and garnering a 2008 Blues Music Award nomination as Best Contemporary Album. With over nine hundred shows under their belt, Kilborn Alley has opened for Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Shemekia Copeland, T-Model Ford, Tommy Castro, and Artie “Blues Boy” White and have been on the bill with such artists as the late Little Milton, Pinetop Perkins, Sam Lay, Elvin Bishop, Lonnie Brooks, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Delbert McClinton, Magic Slim, Bob Margolin, Magic Dick, Otis Taylor, and numerous others. Kilborn Alley is singer Andy Duncanson, harmonica player Joe Asselin, guitarist Josh Stimmel, bassist Chris Breen and drummer Ed O’Hara.  For more information, visit: www.kilbornalley.com.

 

Johnny B and the Goodes harmonica player JOHNNY BISHOP’s roots are in the south.  His hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia, was a small college town with a hot, active music scene in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and a common stopping point for bands traveling between Atlanta, Washington, DC and New York.  Johnny received an education seeing the bands that came through town, including Muddy Waters, Charlie Musselwhite, Ronnie Earl, Bob Margolin, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Delbert McClinton and The Nighthawks.  He lived at the shows, watching, listening, learning and soaking up all he could.  Elementally moved the first time he heard the blues, he has never looked back.  Now, over 30 years later, he’s still at it.  A six-year stint working at Hohner USA in Richmond, Virginia, was a turning point.  (He is a Hohner Harmonica endorsee.)  From then on, playing music became his full-time passion, and he has been featured blowing harp with Muddy Water’s Legendary Blues Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, The Nighthawks, Bob Margolin, and Tinsley Ellis.  Johnny has opened for Delbert McClinton, Billy Price and The Keystone Rhythm Band, The Skip Castro Band, The Marshall Tucker Band and Kenny Neal.  For more information, visit: www.johnnybblues.com and www.myspace.com/johnnybgotblues.

 

Johnny B and the Goodes guitarist ED EASTRIDGE grew up in Edgewater, Maryland where he worked through the ‘70s with various bands in nearby Washington DC.  As an award-winning recording engineer and producer, Ed has worked for hundreds of the world’s premier artists, including Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Richard Thompson, Vince Gill, Linda Ronstadt and many others.  Ed presently teaches guitar and performs as an accompanist to many area musicians and as a guitar soloist specializing in Brazilian, blues, jazz and classical styles.  He is currently working on a collection of guitar music entitled “Music from the House with Four Chimneys” - the music of Erik Satie.

 

Singer SAMIRAH EVANS moved from New Orleans to Brattleboro, VT in the fall of 2006 following Hurricane Katrina. She began her career as a jazz and blues vocalist in New Orleans in the 1990s, playing French Quarter clubs with pianist Willie Metcalf, whose early students included such modern jazz luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, and Donald Harrison, Jr. Since that time she has performed regularly at the premier jazz venues in the Crescent City and has also made 14 appearances at the famed New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival as both a leader and featured vocalist. Samirah has shared stages with a multitude of legendary national artists, from B.B. King and Godfather of Soul James Brown, to New Orleans’ own Queen of Soul, Irma Thomas. Evans’ performances have featured trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers. Her debut CD, Give Me a Moment, was #5 on the New Orleans Times-Picayune’s annual music list of 2002.  She is currently working on the follow-up CD, My Little Bodhisattva, to be released soon.  For more information, visit: www.samirahevans.com and www.myspace.com/samirahevans.

 

Singer-guitarist DR. MICHAEL PAYTON has entertained packed crowds in the late-night, smoky, urban bars of Chicago’s west and south sides.  Learning his trade from a “who's who” of the blues greats, he now carries the torch in the lineage of soulful, electrified blues players. His band includes Matt Getman on saxophone, Ben Butterworth on bass, and Andy Hanscom (Friday) and Bob Sparadeo (Saturday) on drums.

 

KURTIS KINGER has been a singer/songwriter for over 25 years in the Central Vermont area.   His soulful originals and covers are genre-bending blends of folk, root blues, alternative, and rock mixed with natural-born funk and soul and a sense of humor goes straight to the funny bone.  He has co-written and produced a song for each of the films “The Helix Loaded” and “Dunsmore” with local artist/writer Rich Meijer.  Kurtis has played with John (Marmaduke) Dawson, from New Riders of the Purple Sage, and The Georgia Satellites. He is a Producer and Engineer at King Catamount Productions and had been a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) since 2004.  Kurtis is deeply soaked in Delta Blues harmonica playing, and his strong vocals and soothing guitar-playing go straight to the heart.

 

RICKER WINSOR, who, as a teenager, heard Mississippi John Hurt, Dave Van Ronk and many others in Greenwich Village, has been singing and playing finger-style country blues for 50 years.  He has been performing for twenty years, from Seattle to Europe to New York -- and as far as Bangladesh.  Ricker has recorded three CDs and is a regular performer at ELIXIR and other Upper Valley venues, including the Hopkins Center.  He was a teacher of painting and drawing for many years, and his West Wind Studio is in Bradford, Vermont.  For more information, visit: www.rickerwinsor.com.

Located at The Freight House, 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT (802-281-7009), ELIXIR Restaurant and Lounge presents eclectic fare and small plates and features special martinis, local beers, an international wine list and live music nightly.  Eat, laugh & drink.

 

 

Event List : 6/24/08 - 7/19/08

Tue, Jun 24, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm TED MORTIMER
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Ted Mortimer's extensive musical background
crosses all genres; you've heard him as a soloist
and jazz vocalist, lead guitarist and vocalist
with Dr. Burma, as well as other bands and venues.
Come hear his great talent at Elixir Restaurant &
Lounge 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jun 25, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm DAN WEINTRAUB
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Enjoy the guitar and vocal styles of Dan Weintraub
Acoustic folk, rock, blues and country. Dan plays
the songs of The
Grateful Dead, Steely Dan, Johnny Cash, Muddy
Waters, and many many more
at Elixir Restaurant and Lounge. 188 S. Main St.
White River Junction, VT
802 281 7009.Elixir

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm JAZZ NIGHT-
David Newsam, guitar, Natalia Bernal, vocals
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
A Brazilian Jazz Lover's feast of sounds from
Latin America featuring Natalia Bernal , vocals ,
and David Newsam, guitar
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Fri, Jun 27, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm JUKEJOYNT
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
JUKEJOYNT featuring Dave Clark and Jed Dickinson
and Rich Meijer play a variety of original songs
and songs you love to sing
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jun 28, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm ED EASTRIDGE
AND DIXIE EASTRIDGE-- Copy
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : 188 S. Main St.,
White River Junction, VT Get Map
Dixie's sultry vocals backed by Ed's fine guitar
style will entertain you for the evening.
Listen at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main
Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Tue, Jul 1, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm MATT MCCABE
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : Main St. White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Matt's an experienced R & B, blues, and jazz
pianist. He's performed with Stevie Ray Vaugn and
Boz Scaggs and an endless list o others. Enjoy his
sounds
at Elixir Lounge and Restaurant. 188 Main St.
White River Junction, VT. 802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jul 2, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm RICH MEIJER
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Let Rich's guitar playing entertain you,
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Thu, Jul 3, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm FRED HAAS
ORGAN TRIO WITH MICHAEL ZSOLDOS
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188 S. Main St
Freight House, White River Junction, VT Get Map
Fred Haas Organ Trio with Jason Ennis, guitar, Tim
Gilmore, drums and Michael Szoldos, sax
play straight ahead driving jazz for your
enjoyment at
Elixr Restaurant and Lounge
188 South Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009. www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

Fri, Jul 4, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm SAM MOFFATT
AND TYMPANON-- Copy
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : Main St. White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Tympanon, a trio made up of two Montreal
musicians: fiddler/guitarist Jean-Pierre Leduc ,
accordionist/singer Mireille Girard, and Sam
Moffatt on dulcimer, accordeon and voice offers
traditional reels and quadrilles from Quebec, as
well as spirited response songs and old-fashioned
waltzes--these are mixed with a repertoire of
Brazilian pieces from the 70s, French cafe songs
and waltzes, fiddle tunes from Appalachia, and
original pieces. Hear them
at Elixir Lounge and Restaurant. 188 Main St.
White River Junction, VT. 802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jul 5, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm SECOND WIND
-TERRY GOULD AND SUZI HASTINGS
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188 S Main St White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Second Wind is a duo, with Terry Gould on guitar
and Suzi Hastings on lead
vocals. Second Wind has a sound similar to the
male/female duos of the
'70s, but not often heard today on the radio or in
new music releases. Their
performing style falls into the Easy Listening
category by blending songs
from soft rock, folk, pop, country charts. Second
Wind's song list reflects
that diversity, covering songs from artists
ranging from Heart to Lyle
Lovett, Bruce Springsteen to Bob Dylan, KT
Tunstall to Kenny Chesney, and
Snow Patrol to Neil Young. Second Wind is one of
those rare duo teams that
effectively appeals to a broad age and demographic
audience. Second Wind
always brings their own style, sound and energy to
the music. Hear their debut at
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge
188 S Main St White River Junction, VT
802-281-7009Elixir

RIVERCITY BLUES FEST AT ELIXIR JULY 8-12

Tue, Jul 8, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm RICKER WINSOR
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Rick playsfinger-picking roots blues and country
blues featuring songs by Mississippi John Hurt,
Mance Lipscomb, Blind Willie McTell and many
others. He also plays Brazilian music and ballads
and sings in 3 languages. Come here him at Elixir
Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street, White
River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jul 9, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm KURTIS KING
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
Kurtis is deeply soaked in Delta Blues harmonica
playing, which he credits from" being bitten" by a
cottonmouth
at age 13 in Louisianna. His strong vocals and
soothing
guitar playing let you know, he was "poisoined"by
the blues to touch our heart and soul. Song
genre's include
folk,blues, alternative,rock,soul & funk. Hear him
debut
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009Elixir

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm SAMIRAH EVANS
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Freight House, 188
S. Main St. White River Junction, VT Get Map
Samirah Evans (vocals) with Eugene Uman (piano)
and 6:30 to 9:30pm at Elixr 7PM to 10PM. 188 South
Main Street, White River Junction. 802-281-7009.

www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

Fri, Jul 11, 2008 8:00pm - 11:00pm MICHAEL
PAYTON
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Dr. Michael Payton Who entertained packed crowds
in the late night smokey urban bars of the south
and west side of Chicago will play his style of
electrified blues at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge
188 S. Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jul 12, 2008 ALL DAY BLUES BLOWOUT
Outdoors from 1-7pm
1-2:30 Dr. Michael Payton will play his style of
electrified blues
2:30-4:00 Kilborn Alley Blues Band- all the way from Champaign, Illinois, with a
special stop in WRJ for the Rivercity Blues Fest
4:00-7:00 MAIN HEADINER JAMES MONTGOMERY will knock your socks off
and then back inside for food and beverage with
8:00pm - 11:00pm JOHNNY B AND THE GOODES playing traditional acoustic Chicago Blues

DON'T MISS THE FUN AND FESTIVITIES AT THIS SPECIAL MUSIC
BLUES BLOWOUT AT ELIXIR RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

Tue, Jul 15, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm MATT MCCABE
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : Main St. White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Matt's an experienced R & B, blues, and jazz
pianist. He's performed with Stevie Ray Vaugn and
Boz Scaggs and an endless list o others. Enjoy his
sounds
at Elixir Lounge and Restaurant. 188 Main St.
White River Junction, VT. 802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jul 16, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm SAM MOFFATT
AND MIKE GAREAU
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
Fiery fiddle tunes, funky Appalachian melodies,
songs and Celtic rhythms, rendered by "Fiddlin'
Mike" Gareau and well-known hammered dulcimer
player Samantha Moffatt .
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm JAZZ NIGHT
Tyra penn, vocals, Bhris Bakriges, paino and Rich
Mollin, bass
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : The Freight House,
188 S Main St White River Junction , VT Get Map
JAZZ NIGHT Tyra penn, vocals, Bhris Bakriges,
paino and Rich Mollin, bass
at Elixir Restaurant and Lounge, White River
Junction, VTElixir

Fri, Jul 18, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm TED MORTIMER
AND LINDA BEADREAU-
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : Main St. White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Ted's fine guitar playing combined with Linda's
driving vocals makes for a fine evening of music
covering all genres from rock to blues to jazz.
They are veteran performers -come hear them at
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant. 188 Main St. White
River Junction, VT. 802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jul 19, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm DRAA HOBBS DUO
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Freight House 188
S. Main St. White River Junction, VT Get Map
Enjoy the guitar work of Draa Hobbs
7:30-10:30 pm at Elixr. 188 South Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009.

www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

music june 17- july 5

Tue, Jun 17, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm PAUL RIVERS-
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Enjoy the guitar sounds of Paul Rivers at Elixir
Restaurant and Lounge.
188 S. Main St. White River Junction, VT 802 281
7009.Elixir

Wed, Jun 18, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm ED
EASTRIDGE--
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
ED EASTRIDGE plays and sings latin, jazz, rock,
and the blues
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 7:30PM to 10:30PM
188 S. Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009 www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

Thu, Jun 19, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm JAZZ NIGHT-
TONI BALLARD, VOCALS, JASON ENNIS, GUITAR, DAVID
WESTPHALEN, BASS
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Toni Ballard vocals, backed by Jason Ennis,
guitar, and David Westphalen, bass
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Fri, Jun 20, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm ADAM
ROSENBERG
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
ADAM ROSENBERG. Alternating between guitar and
piano, Musical Entertainer Adam Rosenberg sings
songs from the '50s to the present. Make requests
from song menus listing over 200 tune titles,
including vintage rock, Motown, contemporary rock,
folk and pop. There's something for everyone, of
every age
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jun 21, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm LOOSE
CANNONS--
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188. S. Main St.
White River Junction, VT Get Map
Loose Cannons Acoustic, a trio featuring Randy
Budner and John Sanchez, each
on guitar and vocals, and Dave Keeney on bass,
plays an eclectic selection
of blues, reggae, and good old-fashioned rock and
roll that will enliven any
occasion at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main
Street, White River Junction.Elixir

Tue, Jun 24, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm TED MORTIMER
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Ted Mortimer's extensive musical background
crosses all genres; you've heard him as a soloist
and jazz vocalist, lead guitarist and vocalist
with Dr. Burma, as well as other bands and venues.
Come hear his great talent at Elixir Restaurant &
Lounge 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jun 25, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm DAN WEINTRAUB
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Enjoy the guitar and vocal styles of Dan Weintraub
Acoustic folk, rock, blues and country. Dan plays
the songs of The
Grateful Dead, Steely Dan, Johnny Cash, Muddy
Waters, and many many more
at Elixir Restaurant and Lounge. 188 S. Main St.
White River Junction, VT
802 281 7009.Elixir

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm JAZZ NIGHT-
David Newsam, guitar, Natalia Bernal, vocals
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
A Brazilian Jazz Lover's feast of sounds from
Latin America featuring Natalia Bernal , vocals ,
and David Newsam, guitar
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Fri, Jun 27, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm JUKEJOYNT
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
JUKEJOYNT featuring Dave Clark and Jed Dickinson
and Rich Meijer play a variety of original songs
and songs you love to sing
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jun 28, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm ED EASTRIDGE
AND DIXIE EASTRIDGE-- Copy
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : 188 S. Main St.,
White River Junction, VT Get Map
Dixie's sultry vocals backed by Ed's fine guitar
style will entertain you for the evening.
Listen at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main
Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Tue, Jul 1, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm MATT MCCABE
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : Main St. White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Matt's an experienced R & B, blues, and jazz
pianist. He's performed with Stevie Ray Vaugn and
Boz Scaggs and an endless list o others. Enjoy his
sounds
at Elixir Lounge and Restaurant. 188 Main St.
White River Junction, VT. 802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jul 2, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm RICH MEIJER
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Let Rich's guitar playing entertain you,
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Fri, Jul 4, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm SAM MOFFATT
AND TYMPANON-- Copy
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : Main St. White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Tympanon, a trio made up of two Montreal
musicians: fiddler/guitarist Jean-Pierre Leduc ,
accordionist/singer Mireille Girard, and Sam
Moffatt on dulcimer, accordeon and voice offers
traditional reels and quadrilles from Quebec, as
well as spirited response songs and old-fashioned
waltzes--these are mixed with a repertoire of
Brazilian pieces from the 70s, French cafe songs
and waltzes, fiddle tunes from Appalachia, and
original pieces. Hear them
at Elixir Lounge and Restaurant. 188 Main St.
White River Junction, VT. 802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jul 5, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm SECOND WIND
-TERRY GOULD AND SUZI HASTINGS
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188 S Main St White
River Junction, VT Get Map
Second Wind is a duo, with Terry Gould on guitar
and Suzi Hastings on lead
vocals. Second Wind has a sound similar to the
male/female duos of the
'70s, but not often heard today on the radio or in
new music releases. Their
performing style falls into the Easy Listening
category by blending songs
from soft rock, folk, pop, country charts. Second
Wind's song list reflects
that diversity, covering songs from artists
ranging from Heart to Lyle
Lovett, Bruce Springsteen to Bob Dylan, KT
Tunstall to Kenny Chesney, and
Snow Patrol to Neil Young. Second Wind is one of
those rare duo teams that
effectively appeals to a broad age and demographic
audience. Second Wind
always brings their own style, sound and energy to
the music. Hear their debut at
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge
188 S Main St White River Junction, VT
802-281-7009Elixir

ELIXIR presents vocalist TONI BALLARD with guitarist JASON ENNIS and bassist DAVID WESTPHALEN - Thursday, June 19th

 

 

ELIXIR at The FREIGHT HOUSE

 Vocalist TONI BALLARD

with guitarist JASON ENNIS and bassist DAVID WESTPHALEN

 – THURSDAY, JUNE 19^th  

 

ELIXIR, White River Junction’s premier destination for fine dining and live music, presents an evening of jazz standards on Thursday, June 19, 2008 from 7 to 10pm.  Vocalist TONI BALLARD, a jazz and big band singer in New England for over twenty years, performs with 7-string guitarist JASON ENNIS and bassist DAVID WESTPHALEN.  Call ELIXIR at 802-281-7009 for reservations.  There is no cover charge for the music.

 

Chicago native Toni Ballard has been singing jazz in New England for over two decades and has performed with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the White Heat Swing Orchestra, the Boston Big Band, the Silver Bullet Swing Orchestra, the Worcester Jazz Orchestra, and the Ryles Jazz Orchestra, including an appearance in 2002 at the Boston Globe Jazz and Blues Festival.  She has been featured on Boston’s WGBH radio on “Homegrown - Jazz with Eric in the Evening” and Ron Della Chiesa’s “Music America.”  In 1984, Toni was one of ten singers invited to perform in New York City at the “American Song Stylists” concert, headlined by Shirley Horn.  Her 1997 CD I'm Your Pal features guitar icon Larry Coryell, and she is currently working on a CD of big band arrangements by Jerry Seeco.  Creator, producer and host of the award-winning jazz TV show “Studio 3,” which aired on WGMC-TV3 (Worcester, MA) from 1994-2004, Toni has also served as host for several jazz television shows for BET and hosted jazz radio programs on NPR stations WICN and WGBH.

 

Guitarist Jason Ennis is based in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and performs jazz, Brazilian and classical music throughout the Northeast.  A graduate of Middlebury College (Vermont), Jason attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  He has performed with Charles Neville (The Neville Brothers Band), The Sonya Kitchell Band (Velour Music), Todd Reynolds (Bang on a Can, Steve Reich), Joe Morton, Tessa Souter, Nós Daqui, The Ramón Ángel-Rey Trio, Los Mofos, Freddie Bryant, The Anna Borges Group, Fred Haas, and many others.  His love of Brazilian music has led him to make several trips to Brazil, including a six-month stay in Rio de Janeiro in 2006-2007, during which he played with some of the city’s top young players.  Jason is a member of the faculty of the Interplay Jazz Camp.  For more information about Jason, visit his website at www.jasonennis.com.

 

David Westphalen is a well-known bassist, trombonist and bandleader in the Upper Valley.  For many years his band Swing Machine has performed at dances, Dartmouth College functions, weddings and other private events around northern New England.  After graduating with a major in music from Tufts University, he taught high school music in Vermont for two years.  David currently plays bass with a number of Vermont-based musicians, including Fred Haas, Michael Zsoldos, Bob Merrill and Dave Ellis.  He also works with several small combos, including a duo with guitarist Billy Rosen, and occasionally sings jazz standards.  David plays trombone with the Vermont Jazz Center Big Band, based in Brattleboro, as well as the seven-piece, traditional jazz band The Almost Legendary Thundering Muskrats. 

 

Located at The Freight House, 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT (802-281-7009), ELIXIR Restaurant and Lounge presents eclectic fare and small plates and features special martinis, local beers, an international wine list and live music nightly.  Eat, laugh & drink. 

 

James Montgomery headlines River City BluesFest @ ELIXIR - July 8 - 12

ELIXIR at The Freight House presents

River City BluesFest @ ELIXIR

Tuesday through Saturday, July 8 - 12

Featuring

THE JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND

PLUS  -  SAMIRAH EVANS, JOHNNY B and the GOODES,

DR. MICHAEL PAYTON, KURTIS KINGER, RICKER WINSER

 

ELIXIR at The Freight House, White River Junction, Vermont’s premier destination for fine dining and live music, will present River City BluesFest @ ELIXIR -- five evenings and a Saturday afternoon of outstanding blues on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 8 -12, 2008. The event is a follow-up to last fall’s highly successful River City JazzFest @ ELIXIR, which presented three nights of top-quality jazz. Call ELIXIR at 802-281-7009 for reservations. There is no cover charge for evening music events inside ELIXIR Restaurant and Lounge. For Saturday afternoon’s outdoor event, there will be a cover charge of $10 in advance and $12 at the door for seats and $10 at the door for standing room. Children under 12 will be admitted free with a paying adult, and there will be face-painting and balloons for the kids. Beer, food and ice cream will be available from on-site vendors.

 

River City BluesFest @ ELIXIR kicks off on Tuesday, July 8, from 7 to 10pm, with an Upper Valley favorite who’s performed his brand of blues around the world, singer-guitarist RICKER WINSER. On Wednesday, July 9, singer-songwriter KURTIS KINGER brings his soulful originals and covers and his Delta Blues harmonica playing to ELIXIR from 7 to 10pm.  And Thursday, July 10 will mark the return of New Orleans jazz and blues singer SAMIRAH EVANS, who performs from 7 to 10pm with members of her blues band. Evans has often been compared to Etta James, and legendary jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan has said, “Samirah’s artistry is as spectacular as her personality…she’s magic…everyone should hear her.”

 

On Friday, July 11, singer-guitarist DR. MICHAEL PAYTON brings his electrified blues, honed in the urban bars of Chicago’s west and south sides, to ELIXIR from 8 to 11pm with Matt Getman on saxophone, Ben Butterworth on bass, and Bob Sparadeo on drums.

 

On Saturday afternoon, July 12, there will be a blues extravaganza outside The Freight House. The festivities begin with THE DR. MICHAEL PAYTON BAND from 1 to 4pm. And from 4 to 7 pm, River City BluesFest @ ELIXIR presents headliners THE JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND, with world-renowned blues harpist James Montgomery, guitarist George McCann, drummer Seth Pappas, and bassist David Hull, who served as Aerosmith’s bassist during Tom Hamilton’s medical leave last year.

 

And, back inside, on Saturday evening, July 12, from 8 to 11pm, JOHNNY B AND THE GOODES, featuring popular harmonica player JOHNNY BISHOP and renowned guitarist ED EASTRIDGE, perform with Charlie Hilbert on bass.  Johnny B and the Goodes will release their first CD this summer on Big Mo Records.

 

About the musicians

Legendary blues harmonica ace and singer JAMES MONTGOMERY brings his hotter-than-ever band to the River City BluesFest after opening for Aerosmith last fall at the Tweeter Center and performing with Stephen Stills at a recent UNICEF event honoring Stills. A Detroit native, James started his first band in the 1960’s while learning the blues first-hand from John Lee Hooker, James Cotton and Junior Wells. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in English, James rose to the top of New England’s music scene, along with Aerosmith and the J.Geils Band. He signed with Capricorn Records and toured extensively with the Allman Brothers, Steve Miller, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King and others. In the ‘80s, James and Alex Taylor formed the East Coast Funkbusters, which led to an invitation to play harmonica with the Blues Brothers on tour. In the ‘90s, James continued to spread the Blues Gospel with his band and his syndicated radio program, “Backstage with the Blues,” which featured over 100 interviews with such Blues greats as Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Dr. John and Koko Taylor, and newer artists such as Keb Mo and Rod Piazza. James received a Gold Record for his recording with Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker and released the W.C. Handy Award-nominated CD, Bring It on Home. He also founded charitable organizations that assisted children with AIDS and provided medical care for blues artists. Since 2000, James has been busier than ever, touring throughout Europe and the U.S as a member of the Johnny Winter Band; opening for B.B. King at his 80^th birthday concert at Boston’s Symphony Hall; performing with Steven Tyler and Aerosmith members at fundraisers; and organizing star-studded benefit concerts to fund health care for blues musicians. In 2005, Johnny Winter’s I’m a Bluesman, which featured James on harmonica as well as songs he co-wrote with Winter, was nominated for a GRAMMY Award. The James Montgomery Band’s upcoming CD features members of Aerosmith, blues legend James Cotton, Johnny Winter and DMC. For more information, visit: www.jamesmontgomery.com. 

 

Johnny B and the Goodes harmonica player JOHNNY BISHOP has his roots in the south. His hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia, a small college town, had a hot, active music scene in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s and was a common stopping point for bands traveling between Atlanta, Washington, DC and New York City. Johnny received an education seeing the bands that came through town, including Muddy Waters, Charlie Musselwhite, Ronnie Earl, Bob Margolin, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Delbert McClinton and The Nighthawks.  He lived at the shows, watching, listening, learning and soaking up all he could.  Profoundly moved the first time he heard the blues, he has never looked back. Now, over 30 years later, he’s still at it.  A six-year stint working at Hohner USA in Richmond, Virginia, was a turning point.  (He is a Hohner Harmonica endorsee.)  From then on, playing music became his full-time passion, and he has been featured blowing harp with Muddy Water’s Legendary Blues Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, The Nighthawks, Bob Margolin, and Tinsley Ellis.  Johnny has opened for Delbert McClinton, Billy Price and The Keystone Rhythm Band, The Skip Castro Band, The Marshall Tucker Band and Kenny Neal.  For more information, visit:  www.johnnybblues.com and www.myspace.com/johnnybgotblues.

 

Johnny B and the Goodes guitarist ED EASTRIDGE grew up in Edgewater, Maryland, where he worked through the ‘70s with various bands in nearby Washington DC. As an award-winning recording engineer and producer, Ed has worked for hundreds of the world’s premier artists, including Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Richard Thompson, Vince Gill, Linda Ronstadt and many others. Ed presently teaches guitar and performs as an accompanist to many area musicians and as a guitar soloist specializing in Brazilian, blues, jazz and classical styles. He is currently working on a collection of guitar music entitled “Music from the House with Four Chimneys - the Music of Erik Satie.”

 

Singer SAMIRAH EVANS moved from New Orleans to Brattleboro, VT in the fall of 2006 following Hurricane Katrina. She began her career as a jazz and blues vocalist in New Orleans in the 1990s, playing French Quarter clubs with pianist Willie Metcalf, whose early students included such modern jazz luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, and Donald Harrison, Jr. Since that time she has performed regularly at the premier jazz venues in the Crescent City and has also made 14 appearances at the famed New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival as both a leader and featured vocalist. Samirah has shared stages with a multitude of legendary national artists, from B.B. King and Godfather of Soul James Brown, to New Orleans’ own Queen of Soul, Irma Thomas. Evans’ performances have featured trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers. Her debut CD, Give Me a Moment, was #5 on the New Orleans Times-Picayune’s annual music list of 2002.  She is currently working on the follow-up CD, My Little Bodhisattva, to be released soon.  For more information, visit: www.samirahevans.com or www.myspace.com/samirahevans.

 

Singer-guitarist DR. MICHAEL PAYTON has entertained packed crowds in the late-night, smoky, urban bars of Chicago’s west and south sides.  Learning his trade from a “who's who” of the blues greats, he now carries the torch in the lineage of soulful, electrified blues players. His band includes Berklee College of Music alumni Matt Getman on saxophone and Bob Sparadeo on drums, and Ben Butterworth on bass.

 

KURTIS KINGER has been a singer/songwriter for over 25 years in the Central Vermont area. His soulful originals and covers are genre-bending blends of folk, root blues, alternative, and rock mixed with natural-born funk and soul and a sense of humor goes straight to the funny bone. With local artist/writer Rich Meijer, he has co-written and produced songs for the films “The Helix Loaded” and “Dunsmore.” Kurtis has played with John (Marmaduke) Dawson, from New Riders of the Purple Sage, and The Georgia Satellites. He is a producer and engineer at King Catamount Productions and had been a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) since 2004. Kurtis is deeply soaked in Delta Blues harmonica playing, and his strong vocals and soothing guitar-playing go straight to the heart.

 

RICKER WINSOR, who, as a teenager, heard Mississippi John Hurt, Dave Van Ronk and many others in Greenwich Village, has been singing and playing finger-style country blues for 50 years. He has been performing for twenty years, from Seattle to New York to Europe -- and as far as Bangladesh. Ricker has recorded three CDs and is a regular performer at ELIXIR and other Upper Valley venues, including the Hopkins Center. He was a teacher of painting and drawing for many years, and his West Wind Studio is in Bradford, Vermont.  For more information, visit www.rickerwinsor.com.

Located at The Freight House, 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT (802-281-7009), ELIXIR Restaurant and Lounge presents eclectic fare and small plates and features special martinis, local beers, an international wine list and live music nightly.  Eat, laugh & drink.