AJ Lee and Blue Summit

AJ LEE AND BLUE SUMMIT

AJ Lee and Blue Summit made their first appearance in Santa Cruz in 2015. Led by singer, songwriter, and mandolinist, AJ Lee, the bluegrass band has performed all over the world, but finds home in California’s Bay Area.

The latest full length project, I’ll Come Back, debuted August 2021 – with national touring in support of the record ongoing. Although falling loosely under the bluegrass label, AJLBS generally plays sans banjo, with Sullivan Tuttle and Scott Gates on steel stringed acoustic guitars, AJ on mandolin, Jan Purat on fiddle, and Chad Bowen on upright bass – a configuration effectively used to create unique space and texture in the arrangements not as commonly found in the music of their peers. Drawing from influences such as country, soul, swing, rock, and jam music, the band uses the lens of bluegrass as a vessel through which to express and explore the thread that binds and unifies all great music.

81 DRIFTERS

Hailing from the scenic landscapes of Appalachia, the 81 Drifters weave a tapestry of sounds ranging from singer-songwriter originals to bluegrass, western swing, old country, and classic rock. Whether they’re playing intimate venues or taking center stage at festivals, they captivate audiences with their infectious energy, skillful musicianship, and passion for the music they create.

The band features multi-instrumentalists and songwriters Nick Colavito (Guitar/Banjo/Harmonica), Chad Brown (Mandolin/Guitar), Kristina Miller (Fiddle) and Hunter Andrus (Bass).

Find their first two singles “Moved to the City” and “Headed on my Way” on all streaming platforms.