Featuring: Conductor – Matt Butler, Youssoupha Sidibe, The Barr Brothers (Brad Barr, Andrew Barr, Sarah Page, Andres Vial), Jamie Janover, Ivan Neville, & friends…and YOU!

Experimental / Jam Band / Rock / Community Building Improv - PORTLAND, Oregon & the World!

THE EVERYONE ORCHESTRA conductor/founder Matt Butler has taken its participants, both on stage and off, on improvisational journeys with the most diverse of lineups at festivals, theaters and philanthropic events both nationally and internationally. A laundry list of hundreds of musicians, dancers, singers, guest conductors and community organizations have embraced the experience of EO in single shots of musical adrenaline to the soul. Tuning in to his energy, the band and audience utilize The Conductor as their pivot to the set mood of each passing jam as he communicates with the musicians using hand signs, whiteboard and assorted mime suggestions.
The list of Everyone Orchestra participants is an increasingly wide and intercontinental group including members of The Grateful Dead, Phish, moe., String Cheese Incident, The Flecktones, Club d’Elf, ALO, Tea Leaf Green and Adrian Belew, Taj Mahal, Maria Muldaur, Tuvan throat singers, live painters, dancers, chanters, choirs, hula hoopers, firespinners, jugglers, stiltwalkers, storytellers, a presidential candidate and hundreds of others among a growing legion of other performers.
Marching clearly into uncharted territory, The Everyone Orchestra balances the challenges of live group improvisation with triumphant tension and release conduits of music which head deep into the soul. This unique collaborative of performance deeply encourages and requires audience interaction. The edge of your seat enthusiasm for what is next is the fuel behind the continuous musical experiment of The Everyone Orchestra.

www.everyoneorchestra.com
www.myspace.com/theeveryoneorchestra

Funk – New Orleans, Louisiana

Formed in 2003, Dumpstaphunk was initially assembled by keyboardist Ivan Neville on a whim, to perform a solo slot at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Ivan tastefully selected the unique double-bass attack of both Nick Daniels and Tony Hall on bass, enlisted his own bloodlines for the scorching guitar rhythms of cousin, Ian Neville, and most recently, added the newest member to the group, heavy-hitting female protégé Nikki Glaspie on drums, replacing original powerhouse Raymond Weber. The project has since grown from a chance side-project into what is now widely considered to be one of New Orleans’ most prestigious modern funk ensembles. An offspring with a direct lineage to their fathers in The Meters and The Neville Brothers, Dumpstaphunk is a recipe for creating a new standard for an entire genre.

Dumpstaphunk’s musicians have shared the stage with many legendary figures. Ivan and Ian‚ the sons of Neville Brothers Aaron and Art Neville respectively‚ seem to play their instruments flawlessly, and the dirty funk resonates organically from their souls as the offspring and kin of the legendary New Orleans Neville Brothers family. A conservative sample of the impressive list of bands Ivan has either recorded or performed with includes The Rolling Stones‚ Bonnie Raitt‚ The Neville Brothers, Gov’t Mule‚ John Mayer, Keith Richards and The X-pensive Winos, to name a few. Trey Anastasio and Dave Matthews have both tapped bassist extraordinaire Tony Hall for their own official side projects, and Nick Daniels, who supplements the bottom as one of two bass players in the band, boasts an impressive list of colleagues including Etta James and Boz Scaggs. Guitarist, Ian Neville has played with the likes of Funky Meters, Lettuce & Dr. Klaw with Eric Krasno of Soulive, and recently sitting in and adding some flavor to the Southern Cali reggae fusion of Slightly Stoopid. Nikki Glaspie, Dumpsta’s newest addition, has performed with Beyoncé, Cee Lo Green, Me’Shell Ndgeocello, Vernon Reid, Maceo of De La Soul, Vernon Reid of Living Colour, and numerous Jazzfest cameos with Meters bassist George Porter Jr., Karl Denson and Soulive.
Not uncommon to the festival and live touring circuit, Dumpstaphunk has unleashed notable performances at some of the nation’s largest music extravaganzas including Bonnaroo, VoodooFest, 10,000 Lakes, New Orleans Jazzfest 2005-2011, Bear Creek, Wanee, High Sierra, All Good, JamCruise 2011, Gathering of the Vibes, Ottawa Blues Festival, Dave Matthews Band Caravan and Monterey Jazz Festival. They have recently supported everyone from Widespread Panic and Slightly Stoopid to Galactic and String Cheese Incident, not to mention sit-ins with Derek Trucks, Mike Gordon from Phish and Warren Haynes, which only begin to scratch the surface.
Moving forward in 2011, the band continues to develop its sound and further push the envelope within a progressive funk sound that has arguably become the most defining in the modern genre from New Orleans. The band continues to receive accolades and awards such as “New Orleans Best Funk Band” by Offbeat Magazine and Gambit Weekly in 2007 and 2009. They also took home the trophy for Best Funk Award at the 2010 Big Easy Awards.

TALKIN’ ABOUT THE PHUNK
“Dumpstaphunk’s groove is a unique monster. It’s not the minimalist funk of the Meters and it’s not the relentless funk of James Brown, although it has that rhythmic drive. It’s not the psychedelic, over-the-top circus of Parliament-Funkadelic, but it often has that political slant. It’s not the party funk of the Ohio Players, but it shares the high vocals that take the pressure off the bottom. Dumpstaphunk is a whole other school of funk. If you’re under 35, you think you’ve seen funk, but you haven’t. You missed the original Meters, James Brown when he wasn’t a parody, Parliament-Funkadelic’s landing of the “Mothership”, Sly and the Family Stone before he went M.I.A and Booker T. and the M.G.s before the demise of Stax. Dumpstaphunk is as good as all that, and they’re in their prime now.” – Gambit Weekly
“Dumpstaphunk is the best funk band from New Orleans right now.” – The New York Times
“Dumpstaphunk is ready to usher in a new age of funk to the masses.” – Jambase.com
“Ivan’s so good…I play with him.” – Keith Richards

www.dumpstaphunk.com
www.myspace.com/dumpstaphunk

Dub / Reggae / Electronica / World / Breakbeak - London, England
An International favorite in the electronica-dub scene, GAUDI comes to us with his fresh chart topping 12th solo album “No Prisoners” released worldwide by Six Degrees Records. GAUDI keeps gathering thousands of fans with his infectious, innovative performance style and fat/”bass-driven” tunes. In his unique live show he plays Theremin, Moog, Vocoder, Dub sirens, Tape echoes, Percussion, Vocals and several other instruments. He celebrated his 30 years in music industry with his highly acclaimed 2011 tour in the USA, Europe and Canada where the majority of the gigs were sold out. His previous studio album “Dub Qawwali” (with Sufi legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan) reached no. 2 on iTunes USA chart, no. 1 in electronic music on Amazon.com and received a nomination for the World Music Awards. GAUDI’s unique production trademark, has kept him at the forefront of his field throughout a notable and prolific career, with about 250 studio productions, 90 remixes and 12 solo albums, has making him one of the most respected artists in the international electronic music scene.

www.gaudimusic.com
www.myspace.com/gaudimusic

Indie folk / Americana – Montreal, Quebec

Brad and Andrew Barr spent most of the 90′s criss-crossing North America, playing music with their spirited, improv-based rock trio, The Slip. In the spring of 2004, the band was playing a small club in Montreal, QC when a fire broke out in the venue. They grabbed a few guitars/drums and rushed out onto the rainy street with the rest of the concert goers. As the club’s mezzanine was swallowed by flames, Andrew offered his coat to one of the waitresses from the bar. One year later, Brad and Andrew Barr were living in Montreal. That waitress is now one of their managers.
In his first apartment in the new city, Brad shared an adjoining wall with Sarah Page, a classically trained harpist from Montreal with a propensity for the experimental. As tender and visceral as she is virtuosic, her melodies would seep through the cracks of the wall and into the music Brad was writing. From this nebulous relationship, a friendship developed and the brothers, with Sarah, began recording and performing around Montreal. Soon, their friend and multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial was brought in to lend his wide array of expertise to the outfit, playing keyboards, bass, vibes, percussion, and singing. They called themselves The Barr Brothers. With Brad’s songs setting the context for the agile imaginations of the other musicians, a unique sound was born, one reliant on interwoven string arrangements, wide open spaces, and a multitude of musical traditions.
Recorded in their makeshift studio in an old boiler room at the foot of Mount Royal, the ten song album The Barr Brothers recently finished, titled 2010, was written over the course of the brother’s time in a city full of strangers, lovers, old ghosts and new friends. It reads like a dusty journal of a traveler at the crossroads of good and evil. Hushed Americana lonesome and future-primitive delta blues clear the path for West African polyrhythms and classical motifs. Its all tied together by the commitment to the sources of the styles and their inherent connections to each other.

www.thebarrbrothers.com
www.myspace.com/thebarrbrothers

Indie rock / Folk – Seattle, Washington

The Cave Singers spend a good deal of time beyond the darkened edges of Seattle, in the mist and mystic, among the wolves and redwoods. And their songs, at least on record, have always been like beautiful, faded grayscale photos of this hinterland. Now, these photos are injected with hot blood and technicolor, a ferocity and bite we’ve yet to see from the band.
By all accounts, No Witch is The Cave Singers’ rock record. Laid to tape with dark wizard producer Randall Dunn (Black Mountain, Sunn O))), Boris), No Witch is grander and more lush than The Cave Singers’ previous efforts. It’s also a nervier, scrappier affair: greasy guitars buck and rear up; Eastern-influenced blues snake through songs; gospel choirs rise up like tidal waves. There are big, grinning nods to Beggars Banquet-era Stones, the best of Mellencamp (“Clever Creatures”) and the juke joint legends of Mississippi like Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside (“Black Leaf” and “No Prosecution If We Bail”). Of course, it’s all filtered through that particular, magical Cave Singers formula: Pete Quirk’s reedy, behind-the-beat delivery and existential wordplay, Derek Fudesco’s lyrical guitar runs and drummer Marty Lund’s no nonsense rhythms.
No Witch is a newfound sheen to the aura that made The Cave Singers’ music so special to begin with. All told, there’s treasure to be found here for the biker gang weekender, the double rainbow chaser (sound familiar Starbelliers? ) and all that falls in the valley between them.

www.thecavesingers.com

www.myspace.com/thecavesingers

Folk / Children’s music – Nanaimo & Bowen Island, BC, France

B.C.s most lovable string band began their trail-blazing antics back in 1973. Rick Scott, dulcimer player, and tall handsome gurning Texan, teamed up with California blonde multi-instrumentalist Shari Ulrich, and Vancouver’s mercurial guitarist Joe Mock, to inspire a generation of folkies as THE PIED PUMKIN Strong Ensemble.
Their stage shows were renowned for off-the cuff craziness, gorgeous harmonies, and intricate, rhythmic tunes that filled the dance floor with happy gyrating fans. Pied Pumkin blazed the trail for independent record production and sales – selling over 30,000 LPs from the stage between 1973 and 1976.
When Shari moved on to The Hometown Band and a successful solo career (which included winning the 1982 Juno Award for “Most Promising Female Vocalist”), Rick and Joe continued as Pied Pear. After 8 years Joe drifted across the Pacific Ocean to live in Tokyo (and later France where he currently lives), and Rick became one of Canada’s most popular children’s entertainers.
The magic was clearly still there when the Pumkin rekindled to tour and record in 1998. To their delight, three generations of Pumkin fans were flocking to their shows.
They released a CD of those early recordings – “Plucking DeVine”, followed by a live CD of old and new songs – “Pied Alive” in 2000, and recorded their first kids CD “Pumkids” in 2007. PUMKIDS won Best Children’s Album at the 2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards, Outstanding Children’s Release in the Western Canadian Music Awards and Parents’ Choice and North American Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Honors in the US.
The band is thrilled to reconvene to perform at the legendary Starbelly Jam where they will perform a full Pied Pumkin set as well as a Pumkids set for the wee folk!

www.piedpumkin.com
www.rickscott.ca

www.shariulrich.com
www.joemock.piedpumkin.com

Reggae / Soul - Senegal, Africa & California

The music of Youssoupha Sidibe is deeply infused with a longing for the full realization of divine love in this world. Youssoupha’s musical career began over twenty years ago in his home of Senegal, West Africa, where he was trained as a Kora player at the National Music Conservatory of Senegal. His music fuses traditional West African sounds on the Kora, with the Sufi devotional chanting of the Senegalese Baay Faal community. The angelic sounds of the Kora, an indigenous harp, soulfully carry Youssoupha’s devotional lyrics sung in Wolof, Arabic, French and English.
Since his arrival on the international music circuit, Youssoupha has recorded, performed, and/or collaborated with artists such as India Arie, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Charles Neville, Future Man, Michael Franti and Spearhead, and Matisyahu. His latest collaboration, “Shalom/Salaam”, was with artist Matisyahu, on the album entitled “Youth”. “Youth” also contains an additional track, “Ancient Lullaby”, which features Youssoupha on Kora. Rolling Stone Magazine picked “Shalom/Salaam” as one of the two “key tracks” on the album. Since it’s release, “Youth” has gone Gold, and in January 2007, the album was nominated for a Grammy award for best reggae album of the year.
Youssoupha’s music has served to invoke the divine through Sufi sound in the presence of many large and diverse groups of people. Youssoupha has performed, recorded, and led healing music workshops throughout the United States, Europe, and Africa. He has graced the stages of many notable venues such as Reggae on the River, Manhattan Center, Earthdance World Peace Festival, The Warfield Theatre, STARBELLY JAM! and many more. His music is inspiring and empowering for people of all ages. The sound of the Kora beautifully blends with the powerful human emotion and faith that Youssoupha embodies. Sacred Sound brings a new dimension to the celebration of the human experience.

www.ysidibe.com
www.myspace.com/youssouphasidibe

Electroacoustic / Electronica/ Film maker & speaker – Boulder, Colorado & Oakland, California

Jamie Janover is recognized as a true innovator. His considerable creative output includes: being a master of the ancient percussion stringed instrument called the hammered dulcimer, inventing and performing on an instrument he calls the “mini-kit” (a miniature amplified drum kit), playing pyrocussion (fire drums) and creating the RealmsMobile (a recumbent tricycle with the mini-kit attached, enabling him to ride and play drums simultaneously). Combining the innovations of modern technology with the wisdom of ancient instruments, Janover is making music that has never even been possible until very recently, achieving a creative balance between the acoustic and the electronic to create a unified field: music reflective of the polarized nature of modern times.
For many years Jamie has maintained a rigorous touring schedule, alternating between several acts including: LYNX & Janover, ZILLA (w/ Michael Travis from SCI and Aaron Holstein), PRAANG (w/ EOTO & Steve Kimock) and The Everyone Orchestra, among others. Jamie is a veteran of hundreds of collaborations and guest appearances, having recorded and or performed on stage with artists including: Phish, Bela Fleck, String Cheese Incident, G. Love, Umphrey’s McGee, Keller Williams, Beats Antique, Stanley Jordan and many others.
He is currently touring solo performing live PA set style electronic shows using his unique live rig which includes hammered dulcimer, laptop computer, mini-kit, sampler, sitar, electric kalimba and percussion.
When not playing music, you can find Janover connecting dots around the world in his extensive travels and collaborations in multiple creative realms including creating stunning images as a professional photographer, sculpture works using natural found objects and being an emissary for scientist Nassim Haramein of the Resonance Project, delivering fascinating presentations on the physics of unified field theory. Janover also produces music events including an annual electronic music festival in Colorado called SONIC BLOOM.

www.jamiejanover.com
www.myspace.com/jamiejanover

www.theresonanceproject.org

Experimental / Indie / Folk / Rock…jam on! – Idaho / Los Angeles

Jeff Crosby is a 24 year old songwriter from McCall, Idaho and front man of the band Equaleyes. He picked up a cheap guitar at the age of 14 and wore the frets off it. Got another one and did the same the following year. A friend of the festival from Sandpoint, Idaho told us that Equaleyes was “the best band in Idaho” so we did some investigating…and now we are hooked and totally excited to present Jeff Crosby and the Refugees, a side project of Jeff and Equaleyes, at Starbelly Jam 2012!!!

Formed as a power trio in early 2006, Equaleyes began touring through Idaho, Utah & Colorado with a blend of rock, reggae, funk & bluegrass. When the group brought onboard a fourth voice with keyboards and accordian in late 2007 they infused a pop-electronic sound to their already diverse repitoir. Armed with their sophomore album, While I’m Alive (7/22/08 release), Equaleyes is attracting both young & old to the dance floors each time they play. With a rapidly growing fan base Equaleyes has found opportunities to play such venues as the Knitting Factory (Boise, ID) and Fox Theatre (Boulder, CO) along with opening for larger acts like the Wailers and The Jerry Garcia Band. The foursome is currently touring throughout the west coast to fresh areas including California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Arizona. Meanwhile, they’re making moves towards the east to play shows for all the Atlantic coast fans.

www.equaleyeslive.com
www.jeffcrosbymusic.com

Fusion / Jazz / Latin – Canada, Buenos Aires, Argentina & the world!

Gabriel Palatchi was born in August 3, 1982 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the age of 8, he started his first piano lessons. He then went on to study classical music at the conservatory Manuel de Falla school in Argentina. His studies led him to a Musical Production degree. He further expanded his studies with a degree in music from the Berklee international School. During this time he studied under many great maestros of Blues, Tango, Jazz and Latin Jazz. After graduation, in 2008, he packed up his piano and started to travel to ex- pand on his musical studies and experiences. These travels continuous today. It was in Cuba where he met and studied with several maestros including the master “Chucho” Valdez. He continued his travels to Mexico, where he con- tinued to expand on his musical studies and experience. These experiences led to the composition and production of his first solo CD entitled “Diario de Viaje” (Travel Diary).
His CD was chosen as one of the best Latin Jazz CD’s of the 2010 by the JAZZ FM TORONTO Cafe Latino 91.1.

www.gabrielpalatchi.com
www.myspace.com/gabypalatchi

Hip Hop – Vancouver & the Kootenays

Junk a.k.a Ian Tonino was born in Langen, Germany to a historically rich musical family. At the age of 7 Ian and his mother moved to Nelson, British Columbia.
Having vast Hip Hop influences, Junk has created his own style combining real life poetry, metaphors and highly varying diversified rapping styles on each song. Ian began writing rhymes at the age of 13 when he acquired a taste for rap music while still learning the English language from his newly garnered friends. At the age of 13 he met aspiring poetic rapper Dayton Seifrit (Depth) in high school, who’d he later on form the group Karpediem with. Dayton was Ian’s early mentor in Hip Hop, schooling him in the essence of lyricism. Dayton then shortly after introduced Ian to Peter Payne (a competitive freestyler in that era) in Nelson. The meeting seemed to be the foundation to the beginning of Ian’s career. The three young rappers in 2000 formed Northern Images and began destroying house parties and playing shows at local pubs/clubs in Nelson. After a year or so the three added Nelson legendary Hip Hop Dj Rippel to the clan and began hosting Thursday night Hip Hop Night. By 2004 the crew toured 3 times across western Canada: Twice with Abstract Rude, Dj Drez, & Zulu (project blowed) and once with Cunninlynguists, S.O.S, Tonedeff & Mecca. Along with the touring the four also had an array of opening gigs for acts including: 2 Live Crew, Del The Funkee Homosapien, Chef Raekwon, Busdriver, Motion Man, Planet Asia, Afu Ra, Sweatshop Union, Moka Only, Josh Martinez, A Plus, Blackalicious, Masta Ace & Wordsworth, Zion I & Amp Live and DL Incognito to name a few.
In 2004 the group Karpediem (Junk & Depth) recorded IronSoulPoetry, a highly regarded local classic in Nelson produced by Rippel. The album was also marked by the female vocalist Kay Jay joining the group. By 2005 Ian had moved to Vancouver, BC. The four would all work on their own respective projects and ambitions to this date. The move to Vancouver proved crucial to Ian, musically expanding his opportunities and moving up the radar of underground Hip Hop heads. In the last five years Ian has released two solo projects: Radio Soap (2006) and the most recent Too Broke To Buy Beats Mixtape Vol.1 (2010). He also managed to squeeze another Karpediem project The Building Block EP in 2009. Teaming up with DNA6 MC Dosia, and forming Gaia Project, a duo rap group. Ian also began winning various rap battles in Vancouver therefore gaining the respect from local veterans. Open mics all across the city also started noticing Ian’s presence when he became a regular on the scene. Ian also entered the largest Canadian battle league K.O.T.D. (kingofthedot.com), a written battle league which is currently the largest urban movement in Hip Hop in Canada. In the last year Ian and Josh Hook (Aspire) battle legend in his own right have formed a live Hip Hop Band called True Colors. Ian is also the newest member to the Household Records crew out of Vancouver.

www.facebook.com/JUNK-FAN-PAGE

www.junk.bandcamp.com
www.myspace.com/junk.com

Folk / Roots & Blues – Vancouver, BC

Two amazing BC musicians joining forces on our stage…now that’s what Starbelly magic is all about!

Buckman Coe was recently voted second for Best Unsigned Band in the Georgia Straight Reader’s Choice Contest. By The Mountain’s Feet, the new album, is a collection of conscious roots rock that feels as good as the sun beating down on your face. His songs are progressive and contemporary, and convey an appreciation for life that’s seldom expressed with such genuineness and depth.

Max Serpentini’s unique blend of Percussive Acoustic Blues, Rock n’ Roots have soundtracked Film & TV shows – reaching over 100 countries across 6 continents.
Max’s live performances wow each audience with his intriguing use of the guitar & velvety vocals.

“My jaw dropped!”
- Vicky Gabereau – Canadian TV & Radio Personality

“When it came to scoring our TV show, (Word Travels) we knew the music had to appeal to a diverse audience in over 100 countries. Max’s catchy tunes, soulful rhythm and unique guitar work really shined through.”
- Robin Esrock, Creator & Co-Host of Word Travels (National Geographic / Travel Channel / OLN / CityTV)

www.buckmancoe.com

www.maxserpentini.com

Folk / Folk Rock/ Blues / Classical – Langley, BC (from Creston, BC!)

Behind the unpolished exterior of Daniel Huscroft’s bushy beard and dusty boots lies a masterful musician who cut his teeth on a piano, and picked up his first violin when he was five. He was schooled in Vivaldi concertos and old time fiddle; by 12 years old he had travelled the continent, competing nationally and performing alongside his musician father and sisters in the ‘Huscroft Family Band’.
In 2000 Daniel began playing guitar with U.S. recording artist Sarah Kelly, and went on to write for her first two major albums ‘Take Me Away’ and ‘Between the Lines’, both of which garnished Grammy nominations and further awards. During this period Daniel played and recorded with many of his heroes, including Slash, Gary Novac, Nick Lashley and Mike Clink (Guns & Roses). In 2003 Daniel returned to Canada and put together his own band in Calgary Alberta; “Strada” was a wildly popular Indie Rock band booked by Feldman, sharing tours with Switchfoot and Stabilo Tea Party, and winning numerous battle of the bands.
In 2006 Daniel began experimenting with an acoustic approach to his instrumental work, replacing the pick with his fingers. In Vancouver, BC he connected with singer/songwriters Ryan McAllister (Dakona, Maverick Records) and Barnaby McRae and recorded the ‘Cowboys & Indians’ album. His presence on the West Coast was quickly recognized, and led to session work on dozens of independent projects, including Canadian Idol, Miss Wisconsin’s album, and with producer Daniel Mendez (Dashboard Confessional, Duran Duran).
In the spring of 2010, Huscroft’s released his first solo album ‘Here is Just For Now’. Funded in part by a grant from the Canadian Council for the Arts, and co-produced by Daniel Mendez, the record is a stark departure from the electric guitar-driven rock and pop of his past. Recorded live with a fingerstyle acoustic guitar and full string section, the album abounds with what he calls “Kootenay moments”—tracks inspired by the generations of Huscroft’s who made their home and their lifeblood in the southern British Columbia, Canada hills and valleys. The result is a sense of haunting mountain solitude with unexpectedly sweet song and gruff soulful vocals that transition to serene falsetto and back again.
Even with the growing success of ‘Here Is Just For Now’, Huscroft continues to choose experience over security, and honesty over production. And out of that seeming disarray he’ll continue to produce perfectly orchestrated forest songs and mountain masterpieces.

www.danielhuscroft.com/
www.myspace.com/danielhuscroft

Funky live improvisational mashup / Glitch hop / House party dance machine – Nelson, BC

Vortex, from Nelson BC, is an Improvisational Powerhouse sculpting high energy soundscapes ranging from Old Skool Funk, Disco & House to Modern Electro Beats & Beyond. Blurring the line between Live Band Instrumentation and DJ style rhythms, Vortex uses popular & obscure vocal samples to create live remixes on the fly.
A featured band at Shambhala Music Festival, Starbelly Music Festival, Unity Music Festival. Vortex arose from a strong friendship and insatiable musical abilities of the four members. Combining the virtuosic guitar skills of Andy Parks (P.A.N.D.A, GISTO), the amazing electronic wizardry of Rahj Levinson (Wassabi Collective, P.A.N.D.A), the deep spacious bass lines of Scott Milne (Wassabi Collective, P.A.N.D.A)& the subtle ferociousness of Jimmy Lewis (Wassabi Collective, P.A.N.D.A, LINT) on Drums.
With countless hours in the studio refining their psychic musical communication skills, Vortex creates a fresh new improvisational journey every show.
Highly danceable with uplifting vibes!
Every show is a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed!

www.vortexlive.ca

Americana / Bluegrass / Folk –  Creston, BC

From fiery picking to mournful lullaby, the Kootenay Special will take you on a journey through the shared Canadian/American experience of train rides, cold weather and rural life. Featuring the clean and simple songwriting of Elena Yeung (banjo, guitar), she is joined by Karl Sommerfeld (fiddle), Keith Larsen (guitar, mandolin, dobro), and Steve Jones (bass). You’ll hear Infectious melodies, haunting harmonies, and ridiculous instrumentals from this 4-piece freight train.

www.myspace.com/elenayeung
www.radio3.cbc.ca/#/artists/Elena-Yeung

Reggae / Funk - Nelson, BC

Brian Rosen & The WhatNow is a rock/reggae/funk band with a humanitarian and Earth-loving message. Performances are passionate and full of energy as they spread their positive message and deliver unstoppable, fearless rhythms. Based out of Nelson B.C, this group is quickly becoming one of the most refreshing bands to hit the Western Canadian live music scene. The WhatNow is a tight ensemble that holds down a potent groove, hypnotizing the audience. Carefully-crafted songs give way to bouts of adventurous improvisation when this band takes the stage.

Carefully selected, The WhatNow boasts a cadre of multi-talented lads, including several multi-instrumentalists, a film scorer, a DJ, singer/songwriters, recording engineers, and classically-trained players.

“They play a higher consciousness sound, with positive affirming lyrics, they are phenomenal to dance to…we danced from the beginning to the very end…every person in the room was on their feet.”

www.brianrosen.ca
www.myspace.com/brianrosenandthewhatnow

Samba / World – The East Shore (Riondel, Kootenay Bay, Crawford Bay, Gray Creek)

On the East shore of Kootenay lake, in the shadow of the Purcells, a humble bongo man notices a glint of metal in the depths. Strangely beckoned, he plunges his hand into the crystalline waters, grasping the object which is revealed to be.. the One Samba Whistle!
Gazing at it’s mystical lustre, he sees an inscription which reads:
One whistle to bring them all
One whistle to move them
One whistle to start the beat
and in the Samba, groove them
He purses his lips and, filled with anticipation.. tweets! The sound reverberates over the lake..
Answering the call, a legion of sambistas emerge from the forest.. surdos, caixas, repeniques and cuica strapped to their bodies.. mallets spinning in the breeze.
And, with a thunderous BOOM.. Samba Lago Profundo is born! Taking Samba to the next level…

Music and Fun for children, young and old! – Vancouver, BC

Come be the Super Kid that you ARE! A household name with many Canadian families, Marnie Grey puts a huge smile on the face of every child she meets and entertains. Backed by the Music with Marnie Band, and a handful of furried friends like Mumbu the Monkey, the Snicker Snakes and Milton the Mosquito, Marnie and her troupe create a theatrical and wildly entertaining show that gets the whole crowd moving and grooving. Marnie’s sparkling melodies and funky beats make her a favourite with children, parents and critics alike in her live concerts, her videos and her four recordings, most recently her Award Winning, ‘fun-ucational CD ‘Super Kids’ (Feb 2011). Marnie recognizes that every child has a special quality or special ability that makes them a Super Kid, her performance teaches children that ordinary tasks such as recycling, eating well, dancing, singing, playing and even smiling are all Super Kid traits. Marnie’s love for children and for music and movement is the driving force behind all she does, making all kids who experience her music, feel like a Super Kid. See Marnie and all her friends in action on her interactive Community Website at www.MusicwithMarnie.com
KIDS…there are fun videos and games at Marnie’s website if you click on “Marnie TV” you’ll find them.

Educational Content – Music and Movement – gross & fine motor development (most songs have actions), audience participation, visual stimulation – puppets, props, dancing monkey, songs with educational content: i.e. – environment, eating well, multiculturalism, problems solving, family, inclusion, sign language etc.

www.MusicwithMarnie.com