Graffiti

Larry Keel swings back through

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:20:53 EDT

Talking to Larry Keel on the phone you’d never get the impression his fingers move as fast as they do. With a laid back, almost lazy, southern draw, Keel’s voice could put even the most active mind at peace.

But on stage, Keel’s virtuoso finger-picking has lit up the crowd across the U.S., winning awards nearly everywhere he’s gone.

Have the Avett Brothers sold out?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:20:52 EDT

The Avett Brothers sure have come a long way since their debut way back in 2001. If you had asked me back then whether they’d be recording a Johnny Cash tribute song for the country great’s latest album, appearing on late night talk shows, on “Austin City Limits,” and on Starbucks Valentine’s Day compilations, I’d have thought you were crazy.

Bridgeport hosting winter jazzerland

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:16:59 EDT

If you’d like to warm up a cold winter weekend with some hot soul jazz, you don’t need to go to Atlanta or New Orleans. You can go to Bridgeport. If your taste in jazz runs to a downtown New York sound or some re-energized hard bop, Bridgeport will have that too. There’s no need to travel a long distance.

Commentary: Why jazz? Why here? Why now?

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:20:35 EDT

Recent publicity about the Winter Jazz Weekend event planned in Bridgeport on Jan. 28-30 by the West Virginia Jazz Society may have many people asking why all the fuss about jazz music in a place where other genres may be more well known and at a time when people are spending less on entertainment and travel.

Kathy Mattea on coal and frog gigging

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:19:25 EDT

Through all the awards, Grammy-nominations and wins, albums, chart topping hits and more, Kathy Mattea always comes back home to West Virginia.

Born in 1959 in South Charleston, Mattea went to high school and college in her home state before leaving West Virginia University early for a recording career in Nashville.