Multi-instrumentalist bluesman Otis Taylor, particularly fond of the banjo and cello, has gone back to his roots with a new recording, “Recapturing the Banjo.”
Although the banjo has long been associated with the hill country in Kentucky and North Carolina, it was originally an African instrument that arrived in America on the slave ships.
Taylor, called “one of the most relevant blues artists of our time” by Guitar Player magazine, performs two shows Tuesday in Seattle.
He can capture a 21st-century moment or take us back to a century or two with topics such as homelessness, murder and injustice.
“The banjo has become so closely associated with folk singers and bluegrass players. Over the years, the instrument has lost touch with its roots, and I’m just trying to re-establish that connection,” Taylor said.
Herbie Hancock: Fresh off winning the 2008 Grammy for Album of the Year, Hancock comes to Seattle to perform highlights from his 40-plus years in the music business, including songs from his latest album, “River: The Joni Letters.” He will be joined on stage by some of the best jazz and pop musicians around, including Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, bassist David Holland, guitarist Lionel Loueke, saxophonist Chris Potter and vocalists Sonya Kitchell and Amy Keys. Over the past 25 years, Hancock has garnered 12 Grammys in jazz and R&B in the categories of composition, performance, arrangement and, most recently, album of the year. He has composed music for television and film, and hosted PBS’ Rock School and Showtime’s Coast to Coast.
Lucy Bland: In a show that is part of the Noise for the Needy Festival (benefits Urban Rest Stop), the Seattle-based pop-indie rock band is certainly not bland but won’t shake off your socks, either. KEXP’s John Richards said, “… really really really cool debut EP.” Also performing will be Grand Hallway, Shane Tutmac and Lonesome Rhodes &the Good Company.
Karrin Allyson: Allyson has been in Seattle so often that she may be granted honorary residence. The twice-Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist is back in Seattle for seven shows. Most recently Allyson released “Imagina: Songs of Brazil.” Although she’s played in traditional jazz venues around the world, she’s also sung at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
Esperanza Spalding: The bassist, vocalist and composer is touring with her band, a prodigy-turned-pro bringing youth and chops. She chose the musical path after hearing Yo Yo Ma perform on an episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Although she played violin for a chamber music society as a teen, before long she had discovered the bass and non-classical paths opened up. She became the youngest faculty member in Berklee College of Music’s history at age 20. Catch her on the way up.
Hiromi’s Sonicbloom: The avante-garde jazz pianist earned Japan’s recording industry association’s Jazz Album of the Year in 2003, and then tacked on several more between then and now. Starting with piano lessons at age 6, she learned to use the intuitive as well as the technical.
Dr. John, Neville Brothers: Dr. John, the piano-playing signer-songwriter who delivers boogie-woogie, blues and rock ‘n’ roll, has been a regular visitor to the Seattle area. The Neville Brothers started out as a soul, R&B and jazz-playing five-brother band in 1976. Now there are four playing a funk, blues, sometimes R&B mix.
Out and about: Gypsy swing band Zazou kicks off the Summer of Fun concert series in Shoreline-Lake Forest Park (Sunday, Lake Forest Park Farmer’s Market, 17171 Bothell Way NE) … Wenatchee Valley hosts the sixth annual Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival June 20-22. Musicians include The Infamous Stringdusters and Cadillac Sky (800-572-7753) … She Wants Revenge, Be Your Own Pet, The Virgins and Switches are part of the Nylon Magazine Music Tour (Wednesday, Showbox at the Market) … Talib Kweli, Common Market, Gabriel Teodoros and Grayskull are part of Noise for the Needy (Sunday, Showbox at the Market) … Snoop Dogg’s West Fest brings together Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, Westurn Union, Warzone and Mist (Wednesday, Showbox SoDo) … The Fab Four: Ultimate Beatles Tribute brings back memories (tonight, Skagit Valley Casino, Bow) … Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger’s 604 Records made the Canadian band Theory of a Deadman its first signee (Tuesday, Moore) …
Tractor Tavern hosts Canada’s pub-rock band Clumsy Lovers (today and Saturday), Americana folk-rocker Ryan Purcell (Sunday) and indie folk-rock Sweet Dominiques (Tuesday) … Neo-soul, alt-singer-songwriter Ryan Shaw wants to revive the golden age of rhythm and blues for a new generation (Thursday, Triple Door) … 107.7 The End’s Summer Camp II brings in Flogging Molly, Pennywise, Nada Surf, Mgmt, Armor for Sleep (Saturday, Marymoor).
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