On Friday, June 1, Paul Reisler & A Thousand Questions will perform at WTA’s Gateway in Waynesboro at 8 p.m. Reisler is the founder of Trapezoid and Kid Pan Alley.
This astonishing collaboration features original songs and instrumentals by Reisler, joined by harmonica and piano virtuoso Howard Levy (of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), Amy Speace and percussionist/multi-instrumentalist Joe Craven (formerly of the David Grisman Quintet and the Jerry Garcia Band).
It’s a direct and emotional music that cuts across borders—combining American roots, world music eclecticism, classical precision and mysticism with the vitality and energy of contemporary pop music. Music that the Washington Post says “climbs up the Blue Ridge and down to the bayou and back up the Himalaya’s.” The All Music Guide calls Reisler’s songs, “Pure poetry.”
Paul Reisler was the co-founder and leader of Trapezoid for over 25 years. He’s the founder and artistic director of the Kid Pan Alley children’s songwriting project—a program that inspires kids to be creators of their own music. He’s written over 2000 songs with more than 30,000 children. Some of those songs have been recorded by artists including; Amy Grant, Delbert McClinton, Kix Brooks, Sissy Spacek, Cracker, and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. He written thousands of songs and instrumentals, Aesop’s Fables for Orchestra and Narrator, and recorded close to three-dozen albums.
Howard Levy’s musical adventures include journeys into jazz, pop, rock, world music, Latin, classical, folk, blues, country, theater, and film. He has appeared on hundreds of CDs, won two Grammys including the 2012 Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition, and has received numerous other awards. Universally acknowledged as the world’s most advanced diatonic harmonica player, he is also an accomplished pianist and composer.
Amy Speace is a singer/songwriter and actress from New York City. Amy tours the country performing both solo and with her band. After catching a performance at the SXSW music industry festival, Judy Collins’ manager brought Speace to the attention of Collins, who signed her to her Wildflower label. Her debut for the label, Songs For Bright Street, received warm praise from critics, including those in Europe, which has enabled her to build a strong touring base there. She has recorded four albums.
For almost 17 years, Joe Craven was the highly respected multi-instrumentalist with the David Grisman Quintet. Joe held a challenging post as Grisman’s percussionist, fiddler—and sometimes trading licks on mandolin with Grisman all within one tune. He’s made a wide range of music with a wide range of artists including Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli, The Alison Brown Quartet, Maria Muldaur, Vassar Clements, Psychograss, Rob Ickes, The Persuasions, and many others.
Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
For more information on the concert or to purchase tickets call: 540-943-9999 or visit www.wtagateway.com. The concert is sponsored by GK Audio, The Musicians Source, and through the generous support of the Virginia Commission for the Arts, Art Works and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
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