Our last (planned) concert of 2017 will be our first visit from Nathan Rivera & Jessie Andra Smith, two of our favorite "local" performers. We put "local" in quotes because Nathan & Jessie have traveled the world, playing streets and stages from New Orleans to Paris. Their music is an acoustic roots fusion of gypsy jazz and swinging folk, played on resonator guitars, accordion and clarinet, topped with tight, engaging vocal duets featuring multilingual lyrics.

We last saw Nathan & Jessie at the fall 2016 Folk Alliance Region West conference, where they thrilled a large audience with their official showcase performance. We later caught them in one of the intimate small, hotel room performances the conference is known for. As Jessie and their bassist launched into their first song, Nathan came strolling in from the hotel hallway, playing a beguiling clarinet line. Smiles broke out all around -- these guys just make us happy!

We've created a YouTube playlist to introduce you to Nathan & Jessie.

Eve Selis is one of our favorite performers, giving her all to each performance. And Eve is one of our favorite people as well, always ready to lend her support to a worthy cause. We count ourselves fortunate to be welcoming her back to frogstop this year.

"Eve is a deeply creative, caring artist who gives everything to her craft. As a live performer she is awesomely powerful, as a recording artist she is both sensitive and strong. I love her spirit and I love her music. She deserves to shine."
BBC Radio Legend Sir “Whispering Bob” Harris

"The most requested local artist in the history of our station."
Robert Hughes, Station Manager, KPRI, 102.1FM San Diego

“The Eve Selis Band erupted in an acute explosion of Americana, wailing and twanging and thundering and throbbing, conjuring demons and angels alike. Damn, that woman can sing!”
Buddy Blue - Blue Notes

“Eve Selis isn’t just a “singer” — she’s an emotion transducer who converts country, R&B, blues, folk, and rock ‘n’ roll signals into a megawatt zap that galvanizes everyone in its path. The power of Selis’s voice can arc-weld material from almost any genre into a personal manifesto.”
John D'Agostino - Taylor Guitars On Review.

Lisa Sanders has been a mainstay of the San Diego singer-songwriter music scene since the early 90's at Java Joe's. How have we not managed to have her here at frogstop yet?!? Well, it's 2017, and we're fixing that on July 15, when Lisa will appear at frogstop with her band, including Jeff Berkley; Marcia Claire; and Lisa's singing and songwriting partner, Karen "Brown Sugar" Hayes. (Nobody's promising Larry Grano, but we are keeping our fingers crossed.)

Lisa's most recent release, 2014's "Shiver" was nominated for The San Diego Music Awards "Best Pop Album". Come join us for a great evening of music, and hear for yourself why!

Did you know that Berkley Hart is doing a special concert series this year? They're calling it their "Albums Front-to-Back" Series. Each concert focuses on one of their albums. How cool is that?

We didn't manage to land one of those concerts, but here's the good news: Doing this series means they're going to be walking on stage here at frogstop with so much repertoire under their fingertips. And if you know their repertoire, you know what great news this is.

Fun fact: Since we started hosting concerts in 2008, Berkley Hart drew one of the two biggest crowds we've ever seen here. So please come join us. We know this will be one of our best evenings this year!

​Acclaimed as "one of the great contemporary folk voices of Ireland," and "a stellar guitarist," Tommy O'Sullivan has remained one of the hidden treasures of traditional Irish music for many years. He has toured throughout North America and Europe, appearing at many major venues and festivals. Tommy has always kept an active recording schedule having recorded three albums as a member of Sliabh Notes and a duet album with Bothy Band piper Paddy Keenan, as well as two solo albums.

Saundra O'Sullivan is from Houston, Texas, with Native American roots. Saundra and Tommy’s paths crossed when she attended an annual Irish music retreat in Midlothian, Texas in 2007. Saundra rekindled her love for singing once she moved to Dingle, Ireland and was submerged into the well of the traditional Irish music scene that is so much a part of the Dingle landscape. As they explored singing together they discovered her alto harmonies to be a perfect match for his tenor lead vocals, adding a fertile texture to the overall sound. She has now become a very welcomed addition to the vibrant local music scene in Dingle, Ireland, where Saundra and Tommy now live since their wedding in Houston in March 2010.

They are also the proud owners of O'Sullivan's Courthouse Pub. In the short time since opening O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub, its reputation for world class traditional Irish music has gone through the roof.  And, in 2015 “National Geographic” cited O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub as the ‘go to’ pub on Ireland’s “Wild Atlantic Way”.  Also, Sky Scanner listed the pub as number 8 in the top 10 music pubs of Ireland and TripAdvisor lists O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub as number one nightlife attraction in Dingle with a 5-star rating.

Check out a recent house concert performance by Tommy & Saundra.

And we've put together an O'Sullivan YouTube playlist for you.

With nearly two million viewers on YouTube and features in Bluegrass Now, Flatpicking Guitar and Acoustic Guitar magazines, Molly Tuttle is making a name for herself in the acoustic music scene. A virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and award winning songwriter with a distinctive voice, Molly has turned the heads of even the most seasoned industry professionals.
Growing up in a musical family, Molly has always been steeped in the bluegrass tradition. Through writing songs she has crafted her own sound that is unique and contemporary, but draws from bluegrass and folk influences. In recent years she has been awarded the Hazel Dickens Memorial Scholarship award from the Foundation for Bluegrass Music in Nashville, Best Female Vocalist and Best Guitar Player by the Northern California Bluegrass Society, music and composition Merit Scholarships to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and 1st place in the prestigious Merlefest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Competition.
 
Molly has been performing on stage since she was 11 and recorded her first album, The Old Apple Tree, at age 13. She has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, The Freight and Salvage, and countless other festivals and venues across the US, Canada, and Sweden. She is also a recent graduate of Berklee College of Music with an Artist Diploma in Guitar Performance.

John Mailander is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. As an accomplished performer, composer, teacher and recording artist, John has become known for his soulful voice on the fiddle, mandolin and various other stringed instruments.
 
John has shared the stage with renowned artists including the Alison Brown Quartet, Victor Wooten, Tim O'Brien and Christopher Guest. He was one of sixteen musicians selected to participate in the Savannah Music Festival's Acoustic Music Seminar in both 2012 and 13. John played fiddle in Steve Martin & Edie Brickell's musical, Bright Star, for it's premier run in New York.
 
John currently maintains a busy performance schedule with artists including Molly Tuttle, Tony Trischka & Territory, John Reischman, Laurie Lewis, Darol Anger and others.

We've put together a Molly Tuttle & John Mailander YouTube playlist for you. Enjoy, and then join us on August 29!

More on Molly Tuttle at http://mollytuttle.net/
More on John Mailander at http://johnmailander.com

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$20 (all proceeds go to the artists)

Listen

The concert will be held outdoors.

We saw the T Sisters at a house concert in the Bay Area in December, and were knocked out. They subsequently appeared on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion in January. (You can listen to that show online). So we're very excited to be hosting T Sisters here at frogstop on May 16.

California born and raised and now based in Oakland, siblings Erika, Rachel, and Chloe Tietjen of the T Sisters have been singing together their whole lives. “We sang together when we were little, making up songs and writing plays together in the attic of our grandparents’ house,” says the trio. “Our parents were dancers and our father is a musician, so rhythm and movement were a constant backdrop for our experience of music.” Staging original musical theater productions together in college inspired Erika, Rachel and Chloe to write and arrange their own music, leading to the T Sisters.

The three sisters, typically accompanied by upright bass, guitar, banjo, percussion and mandolin, captivate audiences with close harmonies, inventive arrangements, and plenty of sass.  When performing their lively set of originals and covers—sometimes in arresting a capella—they call to mind classic girl groups: from the Andrews Sisters and The Ronettes to The Roches and the Dixie Chicks. Touching on elements of folk, Americana, gospel, R&B, bluegrass and soul, the T Sisters weave evocative stories with a sound that is at once modern and timeless.

The T Sisters begin 2015 grateful for a host of accomplishments: their first full-length album, produced by Grammy-winning musician Laurie Lewis, and a new EP; a performance of the national anthem at the San Francisco Giants game; supporting vocals two years in a row at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass; and an exciting performance on Garrison Keillor’s classic live radio show ‘A Prairie Home Companion.’ They have been honored to lend their vocals to a range of musicians and musical projects: Laurie Lewis, Amos Lee, Jim Lauderdale, The Waybacks, The California Honeydrops, Elephant Revival, Everyone Orchestra, and many more.

We've put together a T Sisters YouTube playlist for you. Don't miss them at frogstop in May!

In the early to mid 1960's artists such as The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Sonny & Cher, The Byrds, The Righteous Brothers, Nancy Sinatra, and The Fifth Dimension, topped the pop charts with songs like Up, Up and Away, Little Old Lady From Pasadena, Cherish, These Boots Are Made for Walking and Good Vibrations. They were the 'Wall' in Phil Spector's 'Wall of Sound'. It was known as the West Coast Sound, and the artists who sang these songs were household names, but the musicians who performed those hits were virtually unknown to the listening public and remain so today.

Some of Hollywood's older and established studio musicians laughed and refused to partake
in this new musical movement. It left the door wide open for young players like drummers
Hal Blaine, Earl Palmer, guitarists Tommy Tedesco, Glen Campbell, Billy Strange, and Bass
Players like Carol Kaye, Larry Knechtel and Joe Osborne.

Soon they were given the nickname, "The Wrecking Crew". A disparaging comment given by
the older naysayers of how these guys were going to "Wreck the Music Business" playing
'that rock & roll'.

The Wrecking Crew has been reunited in a feature length documentary film that has gone
around the world in over 50 film festivals with over a dozen awards.

The film is an intimate, enlightening and often humorous remembrance of the real stories and
emotions as told from the perspective of those who lived it. We are a part of the conversation.
Interviews with the musicians and with the well known artists, producers and engineers of the
day, provide us with a unique insider's view into a special time and place. But it is the music
itself that becomes the heart and thread of The Wrecking Crew. It is the soundtrack of our
lives, yet few people realize how that sound came to be ... until now.

The Wrecking Crew is the result of a 12·year labor of love by accomplished Hollywood
Producer/Director Denny Tedesco. Tedesco recalls, "My father, Tommy Tedesco is one of the
anonymous musicians whose musical legacy will live on for many generations. As his son,
I have lived with this story my whole life". Tedesco explains, "I started this project when my
father was first diagnosed with cancer and realized how important it was to share his story
and that of his contemporaries. I was so fortunate to have filmed him before he passed away.
The greatest joy for me now is watching audiences with smiles on their faces. The greatest
compliment is they now listen to music differently after viewing the film."

A wonderful, touching and hilarious film about the unsung stars of so many records that you carry in your heart.  - Elvis Costello 

I hovered in the room near the ceiling as I watched this inspiring movie about the musicians who made the songs that continue to lift me higher than ever.  - Nancy Wilson (Heart)

If I'd known they were available, I would have used those guys on my records. 'The Wrecking Crew' is the best documentary yet about the recording scene. I loved it. - Steve Miller, Gangster of Love

I loved the film, thank you for bringing to light the story behind one of the most important musical ensembles of the modern recording era...  - Chad Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers 

More testimonials and reviews

Interview with Director, Denny Tedesco

Raised in Southern California, Christine Parker began playing piano at the early age of 4 when her parents noticed her affinity for all things music. She fell in love with songwriting as a teenager after composing her first song on the guitar, and continued to write and play music as she pursued education and a career.

After realizing music and songwriting needed to become more center stage, Christine began playing venues while living in the midwest. Drawing on such musical influences as Colbie Caillat, Ingrid Michaelson, and Brandi Carlile, Christine Parker has won over crowds with her pure and soulful vocals and engaging lyrics. Her self-released debut EP, “The Journey Home,” was released in January 2012. Her full length studio album, "Looking Glass", was released in October 2013.

George Vargas, San Diego Union-Tribune: "Drawing from folk, country, urbane pop and jazz, the 11-song 'Looking Glass' shows Parker to be an accomplished singer-songwriter whose understated music makes some of its biggest impact in its most quiet moments."

Mark Pulliam, San Diego Troubadour: "Parker draws her influences from artists as varied as Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, and Alison Krauss, but to my ear the clarity and purity of her voice most closely resemble Joni Mitchell. Looking Glass is an auspicious debut."

Christine Parker will be joined for this concert by Marc Intravaia and Rick Nash (of the Eve Selis band), both of whom backed her on "Looking Glass".

More on Christine Parker at http://www.christineparkermusic.com/

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$15 (all proceeds go to the artists)

Listen

The concert will be held outdoors.

Maia Sharp's songs have been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Keb' Mo', The Dixie Chicks, Lisa Loeb, Art Garfunkel, Trisha Yearwood, Edwin McCain, David Wilcox, Paul Carrack and many more. And her own performances are as strong as the songs. As noted by the New York Daily News, "Bonnie Raitt often covers Sharp's songs, and no wonder. She writes melodies wide enough to let singers show their range, with lyrics that cut to the bone. Here Sharp proves she has the goods to do all that on her own." And as Bonnie Raitt put it, "Maia is making some of the most innovative and soulful music around, with songs that are head and shoulders above the rest.  She has become one of my favorite artists."

As you might guess from the quotes above, there's a lot of good press about Maia Sharp. We won't copy it all here, but check it out. Her albums (including "Hardly Glamour", "Maia Sharp", "Fine Upstanding Citizen", "Eve and the Red Delicious", "Echo and Change the Ending") have all been very well received.

For those of you not already familiar with Maia, we've put together a YouTube playlist for you of live and live-in-the-studio performances, plus an interview.