Summer Plaza Concert Series 2010

July 2nd, 2010
Patchouli
Folk, Worldbeat Flamenco and Jazz

Nationally touring multi-instrumentalists, Julie Patchouli and master guitarist Bruce Hecksel light up the air with sparkling acoustic sounds and their powerful contagious chemistry.  Julie's crystal pure voice and dynamic percussive guitar sparkle as Bruce's fiery fingerwork coils around it in seamless alchemy. Patchouli's intertwined voices perform original compositions on acoustic guitars, bass, marimbas, and percussion with notes of folk, worldbeat, flamenco and jazz. Join us for an uplifting concert of music that will leave you uniquely inspired.

July 9th, 2010
Curtis and Loretta
Original & Traditional British & American Songs
www.curtisandloretta.com

Curtis & Loretta's music comes straight from the heart. The husband and wife duo's extraordinary harmonies and proficiency on a parade of stringed instruments create an alluring frame for their poignant original songs, and carefully chosen traditional pieces from the British Isles, America, and beyond. The current menagerie includes Celtic harp, mandocello, mandolin, guitars, clawhammer banjo, and National steel ukulele, plus a bit of kazoo, harmonica, and shakers.

July 16th, 2010
Blue in Green
Modern Jazz

Formed in 2008 with a common interest in creating spontaneous energetic jazz, Blue in Green has performed at clubs and festivals across the Midwest to the accolades of audiences and critics.  Each of the group's members brings a multifaceted perspective to the music resulting in a nimble and adaptive aesthetic.  By performing a variety of jazz standards and original compositions, the group aims to provide a varied musical canvas for each performance in order to lead  listeners across the breadth of the jazz idiom.  Members include Evan  Everist (guitar), Ryan Seaverson (drums), Andy Schuster (bass), and  Kevin Gastonguay (keyboards).

July 23rd, 2010
Tri Dimensional
Fresh Exciting Improvised Jazz Adventures

Tri-Dimensional is Hermon Mehari, Zach Beeson, and Brian Steever.  All the members of the trio are in college but the age of these outstanding musicians belie their accomplishments. Despite current record deals and associations with living legends, Tri-Dimensional has honed its sound from the most humble beginnings.  Incredibly, the group’s distinctive sound started just as some of the most historically significant music sensations have begun, on Missouri street corners.  The three, who remain consummate professionals, music scholars, and gentlemen, have no plans to stop reaching audiences in this most up-close and personal way.

July 30th, 2010
Steel Groove
Caribbean Music

Steel Groove formed in 2004 and has become the region’s most sought after steel band. Led by Darin Wadley, Director of Percussion Studies at the University of South Dakota, Steel Groove is comprised of talented past and present USD students. The group performs a wide range of music from all over the world. Being faithful to the steel drum’s origins, Steel Groove’s repertoire us based on calypsos and socas, the two most popular musical styles from Trinidad. The group also includes the sounds of Jamaican reggae, Brazilian sambas and Bossa Novas, mambos and cha-chas from Cuba, plus jazz and popular music from the United States. Steel Groove plays exclusively on steel drums built and tuned by builder-artist Cliff Alexis, a native of Trinidad.

August 6th, 2010
Art Stevenson and High Water
Traditional Bluegrass Band
www.highwatermusic.com

Art Stevenson & High Water are Wisconsin's best-known bluegrass show, and have been in demand throughout the Midwest festival circuit since 1993. The band's bluegrass sound comes from the close duet singing of husband and wife team Art and Stephanie Stevenson, along with the spirited banjo and Dobro playing of Dale Reichert, and the hard-driving mandolin picking of Bruce King. They have released six albums: “Art Stevenson & High Water” (1996), “Dusty Boxcar Wall” (1998), “Lonely Days” (2000), “The Winding Stream” (2001), “Like A River” (2004), and "New Ground" (2006). High Water's music is heard on bluegrass radio programs around the USA and has received critical acclaim in the magazines Bluegrass Unlimited and Bluegrass Now. Recording artist James King and country music historian Bill Malone agree that Art and Stephanie Stevenson rank among the best duet singers active today.

High Water's repertoire is taken from many sources: the bluegrass classics of Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers, early country music, mountain songs, and new material. Their blend of traditional bluegrass numbers, originals, contemporary songs, and instrumentals satisfies a wide range of music lovers! Art, Stephanie, and Dale have each written songs or instrumentals frequently performed by the band. The band's mission is to preserve the hard-driving traditional bluegrass sound, while including material from other musical styles. Art and Stephanie's singing, Dale's banjo instrumentals, Bruce's tasteful mandolin, and Art's harmonica tunes always bring a rousing response from the audience. Be sure to watch for Art Stevenson & High Water at the Old Courthouse Museum.

August 13th, 2010
South Dakota Jazz Orchestra
Music from the Masters of Jazz
www.sdjo.org

The South Dakota Jazz Orchestra is rapidly becoming known as one of the most consistently outstanding big band jazz ensembles around. It is revitalizing jazz repertoire through its performances of works by jazz masters such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Oliver Nelson, and Stan Kenton, while at the same time, introducing the music of new jazz composers.

It's weekly Monday night performances at Skelly’s Pub in downtown Sioux Falls provide the SDJO with a home base from which it can foster the superb talent within the group, as well as develop the chance to work with guest artists. The SDJO has backed some of the best-known jazz musicians working today. Recently featured artists include Steve Weist, jazz trombonist and composer; Dennis DiBlasio, jazz baritone saxophonist, flutist, and composer; Steve Wright, jazz trumpeter and composer; Matt Wallace, jazz tenor saxophonist; Mike Miller, jazz guitarist; and jazz multi-reed virtuoso, Chris Vadala.
If you haven’t caught up with the SDJO, plan to do so soon. You’ll be glad you did.

The non-profit South Dakota Jazz Orchestra redefines Jazz in South Dakota and throughout the midwest -- bringing to Jazz what the philharmonic gave to classical music: a modern audience, a standard of excellence and a nurturing creative community. The SDJO plays music from the masters of the art such as Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich and others as well as new compositions and arrangements.

August 20th, 2010
Dakota District Pipes and Drums
Traditional Scottish and Irish Pipe Tunes

Dakota District Pipes & Drums brings the stirring music of bagpipes and drums to listeners throughout South Dakota at events from Mount Rushmore to the Minnesota border.  Dedicated to a musical tradition that has been in existence for 500 years, the Dakota District Pipes & Drums has an extensive repertoire of traditional Irish and Scottish music and a strong piping tradition.

August 27th, 2010
Vermillion Acoustic
Vocals, Guitars & Fiddle, Covers & Originals
www.vermillionmusic.com

Vermillion is an acoustic quartet comprised of brothers, Keven and Mike Vermillion along with sister Kathy and neice Sonja.  The group formed with the intent of creating an intimate approach to music through the use of acoustic guitars and blended vocals.  With them fellow musician and close personal friend Rick Stoops. Stoops inventive fiddle style makes a perfect fit!  Their music is a fusion of folk, rock, country, and Americana creating a stirring and unique combination.