The 2012 Lotus World Music & Arts Festival officially kicks off with a fine night of acoustic Americana.
After more than twenty years on the scene, Chris Smither has a place in the pantheon of American folk and blues, with his dazzling acoustic blues guitar and rich, gravelly voice. He’s got a new CD out this summer, Hundred Dollar Valentine. The New Orleans native has described his style as “one-third Lightnin’ Hopkins, one-third Mississippi John Hurt, and one-third me.” He is also a gifted songwriter, with a knack for matter-of-fact yet poetic turns of phrase.
Ben Sollee is a young cellist, composer, and songwriter whose music is a unique mix of folk, R&B, jazz, and bluegrass influences. After his 2008 debut CD Learning to Bend, NPR’s Morning Edition included Ben in its list of “Top Ten Great Unknown Artists.” Since then, Ben has been steadily gaining a wider audience, through innovative and sometimes experimental collaborations with other artists. “A genre-bending cellist and songwriter who combines classical artistry with bluegrass and pop, Sollee has created a unique and infectious take on folk music” (NPR, Tiny Desk Concert).
Ben Sollee performs first, 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Mallor Grodner LLP
Thursday, Sept. 20
7:30 pm (doors open 7 pm) / Buskirk-Chumley Theater
$15 in advance (day of show $20)
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