Avalon Theater Releases Upcoming Performances

Marc Scibilia, Thursday, January 23

There’s a whole lot of heart in this talented young troubadour from New York…and a whole lot of buzz around his Dylanesque songs.  His self-titled EP released in 2012 included the song “How Bad We Need Each Other,” which was featured in the hit television series Bones and climbed to the #1 spot on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart. Another single, “Something Good in This World,” was also featured on Bones earlier this year.  A humble, confident performer, Marc has performed at the MTV O Music Awards and recorded a featured session for Spotify.

Carrie Rodriguez Duo, Friday, January 24

If you’ve seen this talented artist perform in the Stoltz Listening Room before, you know that Carrie always gives her shows everything she has as a fiddler, singer, and songwriter.  And that’s exactly what she gives on her latest CD, Give Me All You Got, her first collection of largely original tunes in several years.  Of her new material, Carrie says “I’m laying out some extreme emotional highs and lows, which feels good.”  The New Yorker agrees when it praises her for creating “beautiful music that is always slyly smart, which in turn makes it more beautiful.”  Come out for a special evening with Carrie to celebrate her acclaimed new release!

Jayme Ploff & Anna Burgess, Saturday, January 25

Singer-songwriters Jayme Ploff and Anna Burgess are known around the Shore for their smooth, soulful singing and heartfelt, original songs.  If you want to support good, homegrown local talent, then you’ll join these two talented local favorites when they return to the Stoltz for an enchanting evening of soaring melodies and fresh, new tunes.

Robin Zander of Cheap Trick (Solo)Tuesday, January 28

Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander holds the distinction of being perhaps the only singer in rock history whose influence can be detected in such polar opposite musical styles as ’80s glam metal (Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil, Enuff Z’nuff’s Donnie Vie), and ’90s alternative (Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and Stone Temple Pilots’ Scott Weiland).   Along with his solo work and fronting Cheap Trick, the versatile Zander has guested on several other artists’ albums over the years as well, including Mötley Crüe’s Dr. Feelgood, the Posies’ Amazing Disgrace, and Shudder to Think’s First Love.  Join him for this special solo performance on the Avalon stage!

Tall Heights, Thursday, January 30

We’re really delighted to welcome this Boston duo back to the Stoltz for another incredible evening of soaring harmonies and intelligent, original songs that resonate deeply with the heart.  If you haven’t experienced a Tall Heights performance, or didn’t see them open for Ryan Montbleau, or weren’t able to catch their video premier last year on the Conan O’Brien Show, then check them out online for yourself and see why these critics are so blown away by these guys:  With a guitar, a cello, and two voices in sublime harmony, Tall Heights creates quiet pastoral music out of city life. Call it urban Americana. Call it simply gorgeous.” John Platt, WFUV, New York’s alternative radio

Tall Heights’s delicate melodies and gentle harmonies create a rare public space where the people can slow down, even stop, and suspend the chaos of city life in exchange for some really great music.” Megna Chakrabarti, NPR

“[Tall Heights] played with a high level of craft and a lyrical depth that defies their young faces…music that is pretty, passion-laden, and catchy as hell.” – Performer Magazine 

Guy Davis & Vance Gilbert, Friday, January 31

Two of the Stoltz’s favorite performers return for an evening of masterful folk music and blues mixed with engaging (and often hilarious) storytelling!  Throughout his career, Guy Davis has dedicated himself to reviving the traditions of acoustic blues and bringing them to as many ears as possible. In addition to appearing on programs such as “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Prairie Home Companion,” Davis has also collaborated with music legends like Bruce Springsteen and Taj Mahal, while earning critical accolades for his prolific body of work.  Since bursting onto the national singer-songwriter scene in the early 1990s after touring with Shawn Colvin, Vance Gilbert has won over legions of fans with his incredible acoustic guitar playing, his soaring angelic tenor voice, and his repertoire of classic folk standards and poignant, original compositions. Gilbert’s stage presence and smart humor always builds a warm relationship with his audience.

T. Brad & Drew from Drink Till We’re Funny” Saturday, February 1

If you saw the “Drink Till We’re Funny” tour last fall when it hit the Stoltz with a category 5 comedic storm, you know you didn’t have to drink much at all before these comics took the stage and had you laughing to beat the band.  Two of the best comedians on that tour, T. Brad Hudson and Drew Landry, return to the Stoltz for another night of sharp, quick-witted stand-up!  In 2007, T. Brad founded “Drink Till We’re Funny”, voted Baltimore’s Best Standup Comedy Show for five years in a row. Last year, he took seven of the show’s best comics on tour with him throughout the East Coast to create a hilarious WebTV reality show that the Stoltz was part of.  Drew Landry is an up-and-coming comic working primarily in Baltimore. His comedy is a mix of peculiar thoughts and twisted observations, all delivered with an intense level of contagious energy.

Kenny Metcalf as Elton & The Early Years Band Friday, February 7

Kenny Metcalf and his band performing as Elton & The Early Years Band are the Ultimate Elton John Tribute!  They’re known for their technically accurate, Vegas-style production featuring the wildly popular music, audacious costumes, and over-the-top stage antics of Sir Elton in all his glory from the ’70s.  The entire cast skillfully re-captures the original album sounds of Elton’s classics (Bennie and the Jets, Rocket Man, Your Song, etc.) all within a live concert setting, delivering a complete audio/visual experience that is guaranteed to amaze any audience.  So if you’re in the mood to hear electric music and solid walls of sound, stick around…for this meticulously re-created experience of one of pop music’s most enduring icons!

Arty Hill , Saturday, February 8

Eastern Shore-native Arty Hill is packing bars and dance floors from Baltimore to Central Texas with his unique brand of modern honky tonk.   His songs-—marrying the soul of classic country with the wry storytelling of Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt—-have been recorded by Rockabilly Queen Bee Marti Brom, Austin’s Texas Sapphires, the Grammy-nominated Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, and award-winning Alt-Country pioneers Jason & the Scorchers.

And with his own recordings topping the FAR chart, it’s no wonder Rambles.net calls him “a country songwriter of the first order.”Some call this music modern honky tonk. Heck, this is the way country music should sound, period.” Elmore Magazine

Shenandoah Run, Thursday, February 13, 2014

Hailing from the DC area, Shenandoah Run is a nine-member classic and contemporary folk group whose musicality, vocal and instrumental talent, and strong desire to keep folk music alive and fresh is the key to the group’s success.  Blending vintage and contemporary folk music in a manner that appeals to all listeners, they present the songs and sounds of American folk music with the occasional infusion of songs from other lands and from the worlds of country and bluegrass.  From the esoteric to the toe-tappingly familiar, their arrangements are fresh, varied, and unique, all the while delivered with a chemistry that delights audiences of all ages.

Brad & Ken Kolodner, Saturday, February 15

As the son of world-renowned hammered dulcimer player and old-time fiddler Ken Kolodner, Brad Kolodner grew up rooted in the traditions of Appalachian folk music.  And now with his impressive “clawhammer” style of banjo playing, Brad represents the next generation of old-time musicians pushing the boundaries of the tradition into uncharted territory!  In this show, he’ll be joined on stage by his father for a special evening of tight, musical arrangements of original and traditional Appalachian folk music!  Performing regularly together since 2009, the father-son duo’s first recording, Otter Creek, became the most played instrumental recording on the international Folk-DJ Radio charts. Their second album, Skipping Rocks (released in September), became the fourth most-played recording on the Folk-DJ Charts.   In addition to his career as a musician and Bluegrass/Country DJ on WAMU, Brad was recently named the Strathmore Hall’s 2013-14 Artist-in-Residence.

The Dan Zanes Song Gusto Hour, Sunday, February 16

The Dan Zanes Song Gusto Hour is a chance for families and people of all ages to gather and sing at the top of their lungs with Grammy-award winning musician Dan Zanes!   The song gusto atmosphere is loose, communal, and festive. Songbooks will be made available to families in advance online and people are invited to bring their instruments.   True children’s music, but executed with such sweet (and un-gooey!) humor, casual multiculturalism, and shambling groove that you can call it your own.” The New York Times   The former lead singer of the Del Fuegos has charged to the rescue of beleaguered parents everywhere…” The Washington Post

Eric Scott. Thursday, February 20

As a touring bassist and vocalist, Scott has performed on numerous stages throughout Europe, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and the entire United States…developing legions of fans around the world.  That’s really not surprising. The DC-based artist delivers lyrically honest and thought-provoking music with fervent, emotional vocals created to get people moving, smiling, and thinking about life, love, hope, and the world we live in.  OnTap Magazine says Eric has “…a smooth, feel-good sound…poignant lyrics…Scott threads neo-soul, pop, funk, and rock effortlessly…irresistibly catchy. By weaving powerful storytelling into each song…he breathes fresh air into an era where genre preference can limit one’s capacity to experience new music.”

Shemekia Copeland, Friday, February 21

While only in her early 30s, two-time Grammy nominee Shemekia Copeland is already a force to be reckoned with in the blues.   She’s opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festival and numerous festivals around the world, and scored critics-choice awards on both sides of the Atlantic (The New York Times and The Times of London). She’s shared the stage with such luminaries as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Mick Jagger, and Eric Clapton, and has performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama.   Copeland’s passion for singing, matched with her huge, blast-furnace voice, gives her music a timeless power and a heart-pounding urgency. Her music comes from deep within her soul and from the streets where she grew up, surrounded by the everyday sounds of the city!

Marshall Crenshaw, Saturday, February 22

Marshall Crenshaw returns to the Avalon!  Over a career spanning 30 years, the pop-minded singer-songwriter noted for his offbeat, jazz-like guitar progressions has released a body of work that has received the highest marks from critics and legions of fiercely loyal fans as well.  All Music Guide describes Crenshaw’s unique songs as “melodic, hooky, and emotionally true, and he sings and plays them with an honesty and force that still finds room for humor without venom.

Kathy Mattea, Friday, February 28, 2014

Five years ago, Mattea, one of the most sure-footed country-pop song interpreters of her generation, caught everyone off guard with an album of old-timey Appalachian mining songs called Coal. She’s delved even deeper into her Appalachian heritage with last year’s Calling Me Home.  In this special night of live music, Mattea will mix material from these last two albums with fresh, acoustic reworkings of her greatest hits performed with her long-time musical director Bill Cooley on guitars, Eamonn O’Rourke’s lightning fiddle and mandolin chops from his native Ireland, and Nashville legacy David Spicher on acoustic upright bass and vocals.  “Seeing Mattea live was one of those musical highlights of life where everything comes together perfectly for a truly outstanding evening. She’s an otherworldly talent who has only aged with sincere grace and humility since her Nashville hit making days.” Concert review by My Kind of Country

Maggie Sansone Celtic Trio, Saturday, March 1

One of our favorite performers returns to the Stoltz just in time to help welcome the first signs of spring!  Maggie Sansone always brings a unique beauty and vision to her new compositions and the ancient music of the Celts. Her recordings ring with a Renaissance spirit, rich textured layers of sound, evocative flights of imagination, and virtuoso performances.   At the center of it all, there are the acclaimed percussive yet melodious sounds of Maggie’s wooden mallets dancing across the hammered dulcimer’s seventy-five strings.

Hannah Gill – 2 Shows!, Thursday, March 6

With a sound as sweet and powerful as Fiona Apple and Norah Jones, Hannah Gill is an amazing, uber-talented 16 year old singer/songwriter from right here in Easton.  If you haven’t heard her yet, you’ll want to remedy that right away by catching at least one of her Stoltz sets!   Matthew Crist of HububUK says, “There’s something excitingly refreshing about Hannah Gill’s sound – that it’s impossible to really put your finger on what it is…When it seems that every new artist wishes to be, ‘the new so-and-so,’ or ‘the next blah, blah, blah,’ it’s a revelation to hear something uniquely different. And that’s something that leaves you wanting to hear more…file Hannah Gill under: one to watch.”

Mule Train, Saturday, March 8

If you’ve seen one of MuleTrain’s many sold-out shows in the Stoltz before, or were among those dancing on Harrison Street when they performed this summer as part of the Avalon Foundation’s Free Outdoor Concert Series, then you know why these guys are one of the area’s most beloved local bands!  Fans of Wilco, The Avett Brothers, and good, old-fashioned, laid-back music will enjoy the variety of classic favorites and original tunes MuleTrain plays.

Dan Navarro, Sunday, March 9

Dan Navarro, of Lowen & Navarro, co-writer of the Pat Benatar hit “We Belong,” and voice actor in blockbuster films such as Happy Feet, The Lorax, and Ice Age, will be playing a special solo performance in the Stoltz!  As demonstrated through his original work and studio collaborations with artists like Neil Young and The Kennedys, Navarro’s songs are rich with insight and life experience, delivered straight-up, with honesty, grace, and heart, in his moving and expressive baritone voice.

Aztec Two-Step, 43rd Anniversary Party & Show, Friday, March 14

Performing “Classic Duos” – the songs of  SIMON & GARFUNKEL, THE EVERLY BROTHERS as well as their own AZTEC TWO-STEP fan favorites.  Meeting at a Boston open mic in March of 1971, Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman burst upon the scene just one year later with their 1972 Elektra Records debut. They were often reviewed as having the “east coast sensibility,”  “intellectual lyricism” and “ethereal harmonies” of their legendary predecessors Simon & Garfunkel, and as staples of progressive FM and college radio, were recognized for helping to usher the folk/rock music of the 1960’s into the 70’s and beyond.  Forty-three years later, Aztec Two-Step is one of acoustic music’s most respected and enduring acts.  Possessing a rich musical legacy of their own, few groups, if any, are more qualified to interpret and perform the timeless songs and harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel and The Everly Brothers.  In this special intimate evening celebrating Rex and Neal’s 43 years together as Aztec Two-Step, they will honor the pure poetry of the legendary S&G and the seminal songs and harmonies of the remarkable Everly Brothers.  And as the other “classic duo,” they’ll perform their own fan favorites as well. “Cult folk-rockers can still carry off their sweet, supple harmonies and bouncy acoustic pop with aplomb. Recommended.” – Billboard   “Any artist that presents themselves before an audience as a duo, whether it’s Simon & Garfunkel or Aztec Two-Step, owes a debt to Don and Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers.” –  Legendary NYC DJ and Music Historian Pete Fornatale

Bethesda, Saturday, March 15, 2014

Bethesda is an indie rock group that brings together folk roots, indie beats, crafty guitars, and soaring vocals with meaningful lyrics to build songs that move your heart and feet in equal measures.  Blending influences from seemingly unblendable musical genres, these folks paint pictures of human drama, the struggles of life, the beauty of nature, and the few truths they know to be true with poignant lyrics and musical movements that can rip you from your apathetic state and send you whirling.  With a new, fan-funded full-length album released in March, Bethesda is building an expansive fan-base through its performance at Bonnaroo and by sharing the stage with bands like the Dave Mayfield Parade and The Stave, among many other indie luminaries.   Esquire magazine likes them “”because not every band from Akron sounds like the Black Keys. Some, in fact, sound like a female-led Decemberists.”

Robert Cray Band, Saturday, March 22

One of our all-time favorite performers, Blues Hall-of-Famer Robert Cray, returns to the Avalon for a night of his smooth, soulful singing and distinctive blues guitar style!  Since the ‘80s, the 5-time Grammy winner has been internationally admired as a stylist whose innovations have brought new life to the blues. While few blues artists have achieved as much crossover success as Robert Cray, such punchy outings as “Chicken in the Kitchen” and “That’s What Keeps Me Rockin'” never fail to satisfy the most demanding blues fans.  Cray’s ability to blend the blues with rock and other rhythm’s has always been one of the skills that has allowed him to expose another generation of fans to the blues.” Blues Rock Review

Rory Sullivan w/ Alex & Shiloh, Friday, March 28

Two great Shore-bred musical acts return to the Stoltz for an eclectic evening of entertainment!  Rory Sullivan is a Delaware-bred musician who blends sounds ranging from the versatile guitar and songwriting of James Taylor to the husky voice of Marc Cohn and contemporary pop sensibilities of John Mayer. He just released a new single entitled “Better Now” for the motion picture “Finding Seoul” and is in the top 20 for the Durango Boots Sole Performer Contest.  Alex & Shiloh are a brother-and-sister singer/songwriter duo based in Salisbury that offers a potent blend of old and new music with rich musicianship combined with enchanting vocals and harmonies. Joined by bassist Terrell Dennis, the Alex and Shiloh play everything from oldies and classic rock to hip-hop and R&B with the occasional country standard thrown in.

Mr. Breakdown, Thursday, April 3

Mr. Breakdown throws good ol’-fashioned dance parties. That’s what they do.  The band does it by playing pop-funk…a unique style of funk, reggae, and soul steeped in the grooves of James Brown, Tower of Power, Bob Marley, and Fela Kuti. Their tight pocket sets the groove, while catchy vocals and inventive horn arrangements give the songs their distinctive pop sound.  Mr. Breakdown’s style has caught the attention of Michael Franti and they’ve shared the stage with famed bassist George Porter, Jr. of Art Neville and The Meters, funk/jazz guitarist Eric Krasno of Soulive, and award-winning R&B/soul artist Jermaine Paul.  If you’ve been feeling it’s time to funkify your life, then the only place to be will be in the Stoltz when Mr. Breakdown grooves into town!

Chris Smither, Friday, April 11, 2014

Having distilled his own signature sound of blues and folk for over 40 years, Chris Smither is truly an American original.  A profound songwriter, Chris continues to draw deeply from the blues, American folk music, and modern poets and philosophers to develop a dazzling style of guitar work, gravelly voice, and songwriting that’s all his own. Like his friend Bonnie Raitt, he has always traveled his own road, eschewing sophisticated studio tricks and staying true to his musical vision.  According to the The New York Times: “With a weary, well-traveled voice and a serenely intricate finger-picking style, Mr. Smither turns the blues into songs that accept hard-won lessons and try to make peace with fate.

Alex Martin Quartet, Saturday, April 12

Born in Brittany, the Celtic province of France, raised mostly in rural North Carolina, and a traveler through Spain and Latin America who is now living in Washington, DC, Alex has always sought to create music that expresses his unique confluence of world cultures, what he calls “New World jazz.  He leads groups like his quartet that have appeared at Blues Alley, Twins Jazz, the National Gallery of Arts Jazz in the Garden series, and many other venues around the DC area.

Dietrich Strause Trio, Thursday, April 17

Dietrich Strause is a Boston-based singer/songwriter whose work has deservedly earned him comparisons to other storytelling folk singers like Paul Simon, Josh Ritter, and Jeff Tweedy.

The songs on his latest album released last fall, ”Little Stones to Break the Giant’s Heart”,”are a comfortable and careful mix of journeys, clever literary references, and striking imagery.  He writes poignantly about romance, innocence and the opposite poles of country vs. city life…(he’s) a first-rate lyricist…” Steve Morse, former music critic at the Boston Globe

Charlie Mars, Friday, April 18, 2014 Two shows!

Charlie Mars has been a journeyman artist with high-profile gigs opening for the likes of REM, KT Tunstall, Citizen Cope, and Steve Earle, among others. With his extraordinary new release, Blackberry Light, the Mississippi-based troubadour builds upon the distinctive musical approach first mined on his 2009 breakthrough Like A Bird, Like A Plane, employing supple grooves and ambient Daniel Lanois-inspired production to enhance the elemental force of his classic songwriting influenced by the likes of Bob Marley, Bill Withers, and Dire Straits.

Live at the Fillmore – Allman Brothers Tribute Saturday, April 26, Dance Floor Open!

Live at the Fillmore captures the sound and the passion of the original Allman Brothers Band’s legendary performances at the Fillmore East Auditorium when Duane and Greg Allman, Berry Oakley, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks, and Jaimoe Johanson reigned supreme.  This tribute band’s authentic performances resonate with fans who were there during the Brothers’ glory days and saw those incredible shows as well as with those who wish they could’ve experienced them firsthand.  If you are a fan of bands that jam, then you will be a fan of LIVE AT THE FILLMORE, the ultimate Allman Brothers tribute band. These guys re-create the music of Duane and Gregg and Dickey and the rest of the original Brothers the way it’s meant to be played. They are true local treasures, not to be missed.”  WMGK, Philadelphia’s Classic Rock Station

Rob Schneider, Wednesday, April 30

You’ve seen him on TV, you love his flicks and the ones he’s done with his pal Adam Sandler.  Now see Rob Schneider fresh from his world-tour performing his stand-up comedy live on the Avalon stage!   The Emmy-nominated comedian is known for his self-deprecating humor and goofball antics on shows like Saturday Night Live, in his popular Deuce Bigalow films, and his crowd-pleasing collaborations with Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, and the late Chris Farley. And now his stand-up comedy is getting rave reviews around the world. Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of pop culture’s favorite entertainers perform in a great venue like the Avalon!  …an evening of bang-on-the-money entertainment” – The Telegraph – UK

The Hit Men, Friday, May 9

Avalon Theatre  $40 (Rows A-D, Seats 1-10: $65 Golden Circle Tickets, includes a meet-and-greet with the band!)  The Hit Men return to the Avalon for a nostalgic night of mega-hits performed by these former members of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Tommy James & the Shondells, and other definitive acts of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.  Join these incredibly talented guys for an amazing look back through rock-and-roll history with all of your favorite songs — from “Oh What a Night”, “Who Loves You”, “Sherry”, and many other memorable Four Seasons hits…to “Peace Train”, “Crocodile Rock”, “Leroy Brown”, and “Mony Mony”, among many, many others!   You’ll know every word in every song The Hit Men sing while savoring the intimate, behind-the-scenes stories they share about touring and recording with the legendary Frankie, Tommy, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, and Elton John.  Relive the glory days of rock-and-roll with The Hit Men…You’ll leave the Avalon saying, “Oh, what a night!”

Jason Myles Goss w/ Victoria Vox opening Saturday, May 31

With a hard-worn, no-shortcuts work ethic, and with years of touring behind him, Jason Myles Goss has built a steady following one song, one show, and one fan at a time to become one of the most buzzed-about artists in both the New York City and Boston music scenes.  In addition to his popular recordings, he’s also shared the stage with some of the finest songwriters and performers working today, such as: Lori Mckenna, Anais Mitchell, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Mary Gauthier, Duncan Sheik, Ellis Paul, Peter Mulvey, Slaid Cleaves, and Martha Wainwright.  Dissolver Magazine says of Jason’s act: “This one-man-show reminded everyone packed into the small venue what live acoustic performances are all about and why the up-and-coming deserve to be heard. ”

Opening for Jason is Victoria Vox, an incredible artist who has taken the artful sound of the ukulele into eclectic new directions, with a musical style ranging from upbeat and clever to honest and moving.