A Vintage Twist
Band leader/singer Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys entertain crowds with their classic harmonies and great vintage aesthetic.
While still respecting the integrity of traditional rockabilly and Western swing by using vintage instruments, including a custom-made Magnatone guitar, stand-up bass and vintage drum kit, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys transcend their genre.
They bring a unique and refreshing twist to classic sounds.
They wow audiences with their combination of rockabilly, western swing. and hillbilly boogie sounds.
The eight-week series of popular concerts is produced by Gary Mandell of Boulevard Music and presented by the Redevelopment Agency.
Here is the lineup for the rest of the summer:
Thursday, Aug. 2 at 7 Moras Modern Swingtet opens the evening with classic jazz and swing from the 1930s and 40s. Using period arrangements and transcriptions by such groups as Artie Shaws Grammercy Five, Tommy Dorseys Clambake Seven, and the John Kirby Orchestra, this seven-piece ensemble has become one of the most popular groups in the swing dance scene.
The Jonathan Stout Orchestra featuring Hilary Alexander takes the stage later in the evening, bringing back the sounds of the early 1940s riff-filled swing bands. This 15-piece ensemble, featuring the cool-toned vocals of Ms. Alexander, performs vintage songs emulating great bands of the swing era.
Thursday, Aug. 9 at 7 Los Pinguos performs an invigorating mixture of Latin rhythms, salsa, flamenco, reggae, rumba, Argentine rock, and sambas from its native Buenos Aires. The group plays a combination of Spanish guitars, a Cuban Tres, Peruvian cajon (box-drum), and is known for its tight vocal harmonies.
Thursday, Aug. 16 at 7 The John Jorgenson Quintet brings the house down with hot Gypsy Jazz. Mr. Jorgenson, one of the original Rhythm Brothers, also is known for his work as guitarist in the Desert Rose Band and the Hellecasters. He toured with Elton John for six years, playing guitar, mandolin and saxophone. He appeared as gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt in the 2005 feature, Head in the Clouds. The quintet is made up of musicians from Nashville, performing on hot viola and upright bass.
Thursday, Aug. 23 at 7 Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca return to Culver City with their dynamic Afro-Cuban style. This 20-piece World Music ensemble blends African soukous and rumba with Cuban salsa. A native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr. Lemvo sings some of his captivating vocals in Spanish and some in the African dialects of Kikongo and Lingala. Makina Loca features a dazzling array of attacking horns, mesmerizing percussion and a rolling piano that floats along.
Thursday, Aug. 30 at 7 The Carl Verheyen Band brings the Music Festival to a close with a combination of rock, blues, jazz, Cajun and country music. Guitarist Verheyen has released nine solo CDs and two DVDs. He is one of the first session players in Los Angeles, playing on hundreds of records, movie soundtracks and television shows. He has been the guitarist in Supertramp since 1985, won the Guitar Player Magazine readers poll for best studio guitarist in 1996, and he was listed in Guitar Magazines Top 10 Guitarists in the World. Including Cliff Hugo on bass, Bernie Dresel on drums, Craig Copeland on guitar and Jim Cox on keyboards, the Carl Verheyen Band features an all-star ensemble.
For information on the Music Festival, visit www.culvercity.org or call the Cultural Affairs hotline at 310.253.5716.
