During this year’s Pony Penning Week, Chincoteague was treated to an afternoon of the blues when highly acclaimed guitarist Chaz DePaolo headlined the first Annual Pony Phest. DePaolo wowed the crowd in Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park with a playing style that drew influences from Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower and Stevie Ray Vaughn. His closing cover of Hendrix’s ‘Voodoo Chile’ brought the crowd to its feet!
Chaz has toured extensively in the U.S. and Canada. He has been the opening act for Leon Russell, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Johnny Winter and Hubert Sumlin and has been featured on national television on “Fox and Friends” as well as on the BBC network in England. Chaz has developed a large following in Europe - especially in England, Ireland and, surprisingly, Poland. When I asked Chaz why, he said that “Polish audiences prefer live entertainment and have a respect and affinity for American roots music.”
George Fish writing in Illinois Blues said that DePaolo’s “single-string electric picking is elegant and tasty, and he adds just enough short, occasional bursts of elaborate technique that keep it interesting, yet he never gets carried away with the flash.” Chaz merges all of his influences – from the ‘old school’ blues stylists, East Coast R&B, rock and jazz to give us what Fish calls “contemporary blues.” England’s “Blues Matters” magazine wrote that DePaolo can really develop into one of the most exciting talents in 21st century eclectic blues music.” I think he already has.
Visitors to the Eastern Shore can see for themselves what the buzz is about when Chaz DePaolo plays Little Italy restaurant in Nassawaddox on September 18 and the Sea Shell Café on Chincoteague Island September 19.
Chaz recently released his fourth CD, Bluestopia, which debuted at number 26 on the Roots Music Report. He wrote five of the nine songs on the album and is backed by a stellar band including Muddy Waters Blues Band alumnus David Maxwell on piano and saxophonist Robert Chaseman. For more information, click here.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Chincoteague Outlook Music Blog
Hello and welcome to the Chincoteague Outlook Music Blog
Chincoteague has quite a flourishing music scene. Everything from folk, blues, rock, chamber, bluegrass and Celtic music is played on the Island. The Chincoteague Cultural Alliance (CCA) is the ‘home of the arts on Chincoteague Island’ and coordinates many of the musical events. CCA sponsors six concerts each year through its Acoustic Music Series - 3 in the fall and 3 in the spring. For the first time this summer, CCA is introducing the “Chincoteague Unplugged” series beginning July 1 with a concert by singer/songwriter Bob Sima. “Chincoteague Unplugged” will be presented in the spirit of house concerts – just the musicians and the audience with minimal staging. CCA also brings you the popular Music at the Dock series – free concerts during the summer in Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the music while the sun sets over Chincoteague Bay. Click here for a complete schedule.
Chincoteague also has its share of local musicians. One of these is the multi-talented Bill Troxler. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Bill is the Music Coordinator for the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance. He also produced the Music to Read By CD, which showcases performances by twelve Island musicians and helped raise funds to expand the Island Library.
Bill has just released a new CD Spring Tide on the Tump. The CD is a collection of tunes – including four original songs – that reflect the peaceful, airy sound of Chincoteague Island. Bill plays hammered dulcimer, hammered mbira, flute, whistle, guitar and assorted percussion. One of our favorite tunes is the Lament for a Drawbridge, which memorializes the Chincoteague icon that will soon be just a memory. For more information about the CD, click here.
Jon Richstein is the owner of Sundial Books, 4073 Main St., Chincoteague, co- coordinates the CCA Music series and co-hosts The Bucket List on WCTG.fm Tuesday evenings 10pm – midnight. 757.336.5825; www.sundialbooks.net
Chincoteague has quite a flourishing music scene. Everything from folk, blues, rock, chamber, bluegrass and Celtic music is played on the Island. The Chincoteague Cultural Alliance (CCA) is the ‘home of the arts on Chincoteague Island’ and coordinates many of the musical events. CCA sponsors six concerts each year through its Acoustic Music Series - 3 in the fall and 3 in the spring. For the first time this summer, CCA is introducing the “Chincoteague Unplugged” series beginning July 1 with a concert by singer/songwriter Bob Sima. “Chincoteague Unplugged” will be presented in the spirit of house concerts – just the musicians and the audience with minimal staging. CCA also brings you the popular Music at the Dock series – free concerts during the summer in Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the music while the sun sets over Chincoteague Bay. Click here for a complete schedule.
Chincoteague also has its share of local musicians. One of these is the multi-talented Bill Troxler. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Bill is the Music Coordinator for the Chincoteague Cultural Alliance. He also produced the Music to Read By CD, which showcases performances by twelve Island musicians and helped raise funds to expand the Island Library.
Bill has just released a new CD Spring Tide on the Tump. The CD is a collection of tunes – including four original songs – that reflect the peaceful, airy sound of Chincoteague Island. Bill plays hammered dulcimer, hammered mbira, flute, whistle, guitar and assorted percussion. One of our favorite tunes is the Lament for a Drawbridge, which memorializes the Chincoteague icon that will soon be just a memory. For more information about the CD, click here.
Jon Richstein is the owner of Sundial Books, 4073 Main St., Chincoteague, co- coordinates the CCA Music series and co-hosts The Bucket List on WCTG.fm Tuesday evenings 10pm – midnight. 757.336.5825; www.sundialbooks.net
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