The historic Van Valey House in Everett hosts its first concert Saturday when singer, songwriter and acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Carl Tosten performs in a benefit for KSER (90.7 FM) radio.
The 1914 home, on the Everett register of historic homes, once hosted recitals, readings and civic meetings. It’s been a day care center and was once the local Red Cross headquarters.
Tosten’s performance includes an array of alternate tunings, capos, body slaps and right-hand tappings that he’s honed in halls and homes in the United States and Europe. Last October he opened for the California Guitar Trio. He’s also a clinician for Gibson guitar’s acoustic division.
Although Tosten started with the electric guitar, playing country, rock and jazz, by 1994 he had focused on the acoustic, developing his signature fingerstyle compositions.
Soweto Gospel Choir: A program in eight languages, “Voices From Heaven,” comes to Seattle on Thursday, complete with rich harmonies and rhythms from tribal, traditional and popular African gospel. The choir will also sing “Amazing Grace,” “Paradise Road,” and music from Otis Redding and Jimmy Cliff.
Keith Urban: His solo albums have brought the country singer four No. 1 songs and eight top-five hits, some of which he’s bound to sing Wednesday in Seattle. “Be Here” is the latest from the most-played country-radio performer of 2003.
Mike Stern Band: Ex-Blood, Sweat &Tears guitarist performs with Cameroonian bass ace Richard Bona, Grammy-nominated drummer Terri Lyne Carrington (“The Arsenio Hall Show”), and saxman Bob Franceschini on Thursday through March 27 in Seattle. Stern was recruited by Miles Davis for two tours and has been named best jazz guitarist of the year in a Guitar Player magazine poll.
Keepers of the Culture: The Wednesday Seattle showcase features artists who are preserving artistic traditions. Performers are Nick Petrish, master player and builder of the Croatian lijerica, an ancient stringed instrument used for dance music; Mapathe Diop and son Thione, master musicians, singers and storytellers of the Senegalese Wolof people; and Vazzy, Canadians Suzanne LeClerc and Bryn Wilkin, with a rich repertoire of Quebecois songs, music and dance.
Paula West: The singer is drawn to songs with interesting harmonics and literate lyrics, which will be on display Tuesday and Wednesday in Seattle. She’s a jazz and blues interpreter who, in 2004, tied with Dianne Reeves for the New York Nightlife Award for outstanding female jazz vocalist.
Carl Tosten performs Saturday in Everett.
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