HELLCRAB: Contemporary Jazz Octet

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– ALL AGES- SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLEHELLCRABHELLCRAB is an acronym, as well as the name of a contemporary jazz collective, composed of the initials of its members’ last names: Dylan Hannan (woodwinds), Joe Enright (drums), Connor Law (bass), Andrew Lawniczak (trumpet), Jason Chrisman (tenor sax and EWI), Johnathan Reilly (alto sax), Steven Alvarez (guitar), and Jacob Bruner (keys).The group began in Asheville in the summer of 2022 as an informal jam session by 8 like-minded musicians. Playing mostly original compositions and on the spot arrangements of jazz standards, they realized that the resulting musical interplay was too special to not share with a wider audience.Fronted by a four-piece horn section, and backed by a four-piece rhythm section, HELLCRAB is capable of running the gamut of musical expression and intensity. The group strives to push their own understanding of jazz music and anyone willing to take the journey with them is sure to be entertained.

The Bad Plus + Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog

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– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYTHE BAD PLUS The Bad Plus are the ultimate originals. A democratic unit with a clear vision and a refusal to conform to convention. For the past two decades they have played with spirit and adventure, made their own rules and done so with a bold sense of creativity and intent. Avoiding easy categorization, The Bad Plus has won critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide with their unique sound and flair for live performance.Now in their 21st year, The Bad Plus continues to push boundaries as founding members Reid Anderson (bass) and Dave King (drums) embark on a new piano-less incarnation of the band with Ben Monder (guitar) and Chris Speed (tenor saxophone) – instigating a new wave of excitement and anticipation within the band that is re-energizing their sound and inspiration. The Bad Plus have constantly searched to bridge genres and techniques while exploring the infinite possibilities of exceptional musicians working in perfect sync. The Bad Plus is set to release their 15th studio recording and debut self-titled album as a dynamic new quartet via Edition Records on Friday, September 30th. “Evolution is necessary for life and creativity,” say Dave King and Reid Anderson. “We’ve evolved, but we’re still The Bad Plus.”MARC RIBOT’S CERAMIC DOG“I got a right to say FUCK YOU!!!” is how the new album from veteran guitarist Marc Ribot’s trio Ceramic Dog starts off, with Ribot howling in anger at corruption, tyranny, life in general, and nothing in particular. Ribot certainly isn’t the only one piling-on, but if you’ve got a serious case of outrage fatigue, Ceramic Dog’s explosive cocktail of balls-to-the-wall abandon, chameleonic disregard for style constraints, political commentary, and absurdist humor is just the shot in the ass you might need. In fact, Ceramic Dog’s new album — titled YRU Still Here?— directed in equal parts at themselves, the commander in chief, and the listening public — arrives just in time to remind us that now is a moment when anger is not only necessary, and unavoidable, but also good for house plants . Thanks in no small part to the fire, brimstone, and dextrous facility summoned by kindred spirits Shahzad Ismaily (Secret Chiefs 3, Will Oldham, Ben Frost) on bass and drummer Ches Smith (Xiu Xiu, Secret Chiefs 3, Trevor Dunn’s Trio Convulsant), YRU Still Here? comes to the table armed with more than just sloganeering rhetoric. By way of stylistic explanation, Ribot comments: “Yes, we too are subject to the post-modern condition, but we see it as a kind of psoriasis.” Alongside his monumental career forging his peerless guitar style with the likes of Tom Waits, John Zorn, the Lounge Lizards, etc, Ribot has also worked for decades as a tenant union and artist rights activist, where he master ed the agit-prop skills used to such dazzling effect on hits such as “Fuck La Migra” and “Muslim/Jewish Resistance”. As much as it is a rallying cry, though, YRU Still Here? also further consecrates Ribot’s bond with Ismaily and Smith, referring to them as his “musical conscience” and to the band as a “family…although not always in a good way”. “After all the playing I’ve done,” Ribot explains, “there’s just something about this group that still manages to shock me.”

13th Annual Django Reinhardt Birthday Celebration

– ALL AGES- LIMITED SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED13TH ANNUAL DJANGO REINHARDT BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FEATURING:  Russell Welch & the Champaigniacs “Russell is not only the most sought after guitarist in New Orleans, he is also one of the finest Django style players in the world!” – Django a Gogo Festival 2022 RUSSELL WELCH is a jazz guitarist/composer based in New Orleans, and a native of Jackson, Mississippi. Russell is a New Orleans’ “Best Traditional Jazz Artist” and “Best Traditional Jazz Album” 2019 nominee. He was New Orleans’ “Best Guitarist” nominee, 2016. Russell’s first, all-original album, “Showarama Hot Trio,” was also a New Orleans’ “Best Traditional Jazz Album” 2012 nominee. Russell’s second album, “Pour Vous” featured original arrangements of traditional New Orleans jazz classics. His third, all-original album, Russell Welch Hot Quartet album “Mississippi Gipsy” (2015) was reviewed as “masterful” and a “tour de force” by Offbeat Magazine.  Russell was recently asked to teach and perform at two of the most prestigious Django festivals in North America – Django a Go Go (2022), and Django in June (2022). Russell’s fourth album, “Acetate Sessions” is a New Orleans’ “Best Traditional Jazz Album” 2019 nominee A mix of originals and classics, It was recorded using acetate masters and vintage recording equipment, to recreate vintage recording sounds, which, according to an Offbeat Magazine review, “crackle with the energy of youth discovering someplace magical…(and) sound as fresh as tomorrow.” Gustav Viehmeyer Gustav Viehmeyer Is an international Composer, musician and guitarist. Gustav has the rare gift of merging soulful pleasures through music. His playing is free spirited, wild, intensely passionate and executed with skillful precision. Gustavs guitar music is rooted in the style of Django Reinhardt, The Sinti Virtuosos and a love for film composition. Daniel Coolik & Jim Tanner Quartet A consummate musician’s musician, Daniel Coolik, originally from Atlanta, Georgia, swept into the Lafayette, LA scene in 2009 and quickly added his name to many respectable rosters, loaning his talents to such groups as Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, Les Malfecteurs, The Red Stick Ramblers, and helped found the GRAMMY nominated band The Revelers. Daniel was already an adept multi-instrumentalist in the Asheville, North Carolina scene where he focused on playing swing and jazz on guitar & mandolin as well as old time Appalachian traditional music, and has since emerged as a violoniste extraordinaire here in Acadiana. His abilities have taken him all over the globe, including Haiti, Thailand, most countries in Western Europe, and Canada. He is an in demand session musician who has played bass, guitar, mandolin, steel guitar, and fiddle on numerous recordings including the most recent release by Shovels and Rope (By Blood 2019).

Greg Ruby, Sam Farthing, Gary Rodberg, and Kevin Kehrberg

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ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE   Join us for a captivating evening of hot jazz, Django swing, and vintage acoustic sounds as four exceptional musicians unite for a rare performance: Greg Ruby, Sam Farthing, Gary Rodberg, and Kevin Kehrberg. Greg Ruby – “Greg Ruby lives and breathes jazz guitar,” says Fretboard Journal. A New York-based guitarist and composer, Greg’s playing spans acoustic swing, jazz Manouche, and even surf guitar. A co-founder of the influential group Hot Club Sandwich and former member of Pearl Django, he’s performed at major Django festivals and shared the stage with legends like Howard Alden, Frank Vignola, and John Jorgensen. His 2010 release Look Both Ways hit #1 on the Roots Music Review radio chart, and his archival project Syncopated Classic won “Northwest Jazz Recording of the Year” from Earshot Jazz. His latest album Corner Café, co-written with accordionist Steve Rice, channels mid-century Parisian swing. Greg directs Guitar Week at the Swannanoa Gathering and writes for Acoustic Guitar magazine. Sam Farthing – A rising star at just 22, Baltimore-based guitarist and songwriter Sam Farthing is making waves in the world of jazz Manouche. Mentored by masters Fapy Lafertin and Paulus Schäfer, Sam has already performed with icons like Stochelo Rosenberg, Angelo Debarre, and Samson Schmitt, gracing international stages including the Festival Django Reinhardt (France) and Djangofest Northwest. His playing is rooted in deep tradition, elevated by a clear, authentic voice and inspiring dedication to the music. Gary Rodberg – A master of the reeds, Gary brings the golden age of jazz to life on clarinet and saxophone with warmth, wit, and virtuosity. His expressive phrasing and spontaneous interplay bring swing-era tunes and spirited improvisations into sharp, joyful focus. Kevin Kehrberg – On upright bass, Kevin provides the heartbeat of the group with his grounded, groove-rich playing. With a background that spans jazz, bluegrass, and old-time traditions, Kevin’s musicianship blends rhythmic power with refined musicality — anchoring the ensemble with taste and soul. Expect fiery solos, tight ensemble work, and spontaneous magic as these four powerhouse players explore the timeless spirit of swing and early jazz. This is live acoustic music at its most engaging — joyful, expressive, and rooted in tradition.