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A Night with John Floridis and Tom Catmull

Over two and a half decades ago, two musicians from very different parts of the country arrived in Missoula, Montana around the same general time. Tom Catmull, a transplanted Texan from Klein and John Floridis, rolling in off of interstate 90 via a long drive from Cleveland, Ohio. Two guitarist, singer songwriters with very different musical backgrounds yet connected by a passion for “the song.”

Over those same two and a half decades, both musicians have consistently traveled similar paths in Montana with plenty of variety between their journeys to keep things fresh. Tom with several hugely popular bands including The Clerics, Radio Static and Last Resort and John with The Big Ensemble, his award winning John Floridis Trio and many other musical collaborations.

Both were consistently among the top vote getters in the Missoula Independent “Best Musician” poll with Floridis winning the poll in the late 90’s and Catmull taking home top honors several times in a row in the most recent years. Both have been featured on Montana PBS’s 11th and Grant, Live From The Divide on Bozeman’s KGLT, and Tom has been a frequent guest on Montana Public Radio’s Musician’s Spotlight, a program that John hosts.

Over those same two and a half decades both Tom and John have appeared with each other on shared bills many times as solo artists including the yearly Montana Songwriter Showcase events with fellow songwriters Jenn Adams, Susan Gibson, Amy Martin, Zoe Wood, Ashly Holland and Russ Nasset. John even got in some lead guitar duties for the Clerics at one point, and Tom sat in with an early incarnation of Floridis’ Trio. Their respective groups have shared bills over the years as well.

Festivals, concert halls, brewery tap rooms, house concerts, bars, coffee houses, pubs…. Rarely could you find a venue one had played that the other hadn’t played as well, and not too infrequently played together. But with all of that history, they had never played a listening room, just the two of them, in their hometown.

On Sunday, March 24th at 7:00 p.m. MDT these two well known Missoula musicians will present an intimate evening of shared songs for the first time ever in the town that has been the venue for most of their respective musical journeys. Songs they have written for the more than a dozen recordings between them, new songs and maybe some surprises as well. $20 Suggested Donation.

Two similar paths for two Missoula music veterans converge for a first time in a warm, intimate setting in the heart of their adopted city’s backyard.

Wood Belly

Bluegrass has become a mainstay in Colorado. The music of the mountains speaks to us and we can feel it in our souls. When a band like Wood Belly comes along to channel it, the sky is the limit. Led by a pair of prolific songwriters, their songs are carefully and collectively crafted to ring out with honesty and passion.

Woodbelly is composed of Chris Weist, Craig Patterson, Chris Zink, Aaron McCloskey, and Taylor Shuck.

Wood Belly blends traditional bluegrass with modern songwriting and whether you’re spinning your partner around or hanging on every word, the result is the same. You’re left smiling and wanting more. 2018 has been an exciting year as the group released their debut album, “Solid Ground” and won the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition.

Wood Belly was born when Chris Weist (Mandolin) met Craig Patterson (Guitar) and Chris Zink (Dobro) at the Rockygrass Festival in 2015. Within a year, they had teamed up with Aaron McCloskey (Banjo) and Taylor Shuck (Bass) and the music immediately fell into place. Since then the band has played at an ever-expanding list of great venues including the Mishawaka amphitheater, the Fox Theater (Boulder), and Cervantes (Denver). Their festival resume includes the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Rapidgrass, the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, the Keystone Bluegrass and Beer Festival, The Wyoming State Bluegrass and BBQ festival, Snowygrass, Grapes and Grass, and more.

Claud Burbon


Medieval & Spanish blues
Guitar & Songs

Ready for a unique and talented take on a wide range of musical traditions? Claude Bourbon is known throughout Europe and America for amazing guitar performances that take blues, Spanish, and Middle Eastern stylings into uncharted territories.

Claude’s inimitable style incorporates all five digits on each hand dancing independently but in unison, plucking, picking and strumming at such speed and precision that his fingers often seem to melt into a blur. Thousands of people in the UK, Europe and USA have enjoyed listening to this virtuoso and for the majority of his audience it is an experience that compels them to return again and again to hear and watch him play, as his fingers lightly dance over the strings of his guitar and create a unique sound that is ’Claude’.

It is very hard to describe the almost endless amalgam of different influences in Claude’s playing, all melting into each other, as he moves from classical openings, across a whole continent of cultural roots, from the Balearic’s to the Balkans, and then across to the Mississippi Delta, and shoehorned into all that is music that would not have been out of place in the courts of Emperors and Kings.

Claude Bourbon weaved his songs through the audience as if on a journey through life taking in different flavours of Europe and beyond. His Spanish medieval blues evolved into Gypsy, Eastern European, with a splash of Paco de Lucia, Delta Blues and more. Holding audience attention under a musical spell.
It’s not easy to begin to describe the breadth or mastery of the music you will hear if you are fortunate to catch one of Claude’s gigs, it is a sort of sensory experience like no other. A top master of his craft and never appearing to be rushed, he has impeccable timing and makes things that one can only marvel at seem simple.

Now based in the UK, some of this guitarists’ influences allow us a fascinating insight into this remarkable musician; Paco De Lucia: Deep Purple’s Richie Blackmore; Joaquin Rodrigo; JJ Cale; JS Bach….

Claude has played countless venues, including Glastonbury Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Colne Great British & Blues Festival, Rock O’Z Arene, Avenches, Switzerland, among others. He has shared the stage in Europe and the USA with countless musicians, Calvin Russel, Charlie Morgan (Elton John, Gary Moore), Jan Akkerman (Focus), Steve Grossman (Miles Davis), Herbie Armstrong ( Van Morisson), Jose barrense Dias and many more.

Experience an evening of exploration in the unique ambiance of the Thumb!

“ Claude Bourbon is a unique figure today… his playing is almost indescribable“ – The Hook, Charlottesville, USA

“Never heard anyone get that much beautiful sound out of a J-45”, Bob, Tucson, AZ

“A breathtaking acoustic fusion of blues, jazz, folk, classical and Spanish guitar from a stunning guitar virtuoso…”Altadena News, USA”

“…This accomplished artist offers tender, compelling performance through highly developed precision. His sound instantly creates ambience – from haunting Spanish moods to lyrical, romantic jazz, Claude Bourbon provides both a rich evening of music for lovers, and a real treat for music lovers…”, BBC, UK

“…His fingerpicking is exquisite and if I closed my eyes I could clearly hear two guitars playing. Just when I recongnised a theme he moved on with a mesmerising cascade of notes which kept on flowing. He added a driving bass, for a version of “She knows how to stretch it”. By the time he sang the first verse he had ‘stretched it’ from Spain to the Caucuses, and from the concert hall to the bar room. His forte is obviously his wonderful guitar work, but he does occasionally burst into song and what you then get is something between Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens, combined with a French accent! C’est magnifique.” Dave Baily

Claude’s official website : www.claudebourbon.org

Growling Old Men, John Lowell and Ben Winship with Sundog

The Growling Old Men don’t consider themselves old, nor do they growl very much. What they do is play acoustic music on mandolin, guitar, octave mandolin and vocals. Playing an eclectic mix of music including bluegrass, Americana, folk, swing, and original songs, these guys have made fans of their music everywhere they go.

Bluegrass  — Folk — Americana


The sundogs are a Missoula duo featuring Laurie Banks on fiddle and bass, and Fred Lerch on acoustic guitar…you’ll hear a mix of Americana and folk-grass….originals mixed with covers of artists such as Mandolin Orange, Sarah Jarosz, Stringdusters, John Hiatt, and even Missoula’s own Little Smokies.

Clinton Fearon and Kevin Kinsella Acoustic Tour

Clinton Fearon, born in Jamaica, is a composer, songwriter, singer and player of instruments since his early teens. Each song of Clinton Fearon is a strong message coming from the heart of a man who is dedicating his life to help a better world to come. With chiseled music and poetic lyrics, he opens reggae to a wider audience who simply loves his beautiful songs.

Clinton became the bassist, vocalist and lyricist of the mythic Gladiators at the age of 19. He was also a session musician for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s at Black Ark in the 70s, two of the main producers on the island at this time. There Clinton composed some everlasting bass lines for wellbknown artists like Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many others.

After leaving Jamaica in 1987, Clinton Fearon started a new career in Seattle. He and some of the musicians of The Gladiators took advantage of the extra time remaining on their visa, at the end of the US tour, to started a band in the Northwest: The Defnders. The band built a nice following in the area but split after five years. Clinton Fearon finally formed his own band in the mid 90s in Seattle with local musicians: Boogie Brown Band.

Clinton Fearon recorded eight albums with Boogie Brown Band and tour with them in the Pacific Northwest and Europe intensively, but also other places in the US and South America. Since 2005 and the release of Mi An Mi Guitar, Clinton is also giving magical performances in solo acoustic. In 2012, he released his second acoustic opus: Heart And Soul, which gathers 16 songs wrote between 1969-1984, while he was a strong member of the mythic Gladiators in Jamaica.

With just vocal and guitar, Clinton is playing his music all over the world, in clubs, theaters, festivals and other cultural centers.

Here is a fun interview from Musician’s Spotlight: https://www.mtpr.org/post/clinton-fearon-reggae-music-his-heart-straight-your-feet

Old Time Revue

Join us Sunday, March 3 for the Old Time Revue, an afternoon house concert featuring a host of performances from Western Montana’s finest Old Time stringbands. Musicians will play short sets, showcasing the best of their talent and skill on fiddle, banjo, and guitar.

Performances run from 4:00 to 6:00 pm with a short intermission.

Tickets to this event are at the door. Suggested donation is $10 or $20 per family.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to support the 3rd Annual Missoula Old Time Social, an all-ages celebration of old time music and dance with three days of workshops, concerts, jams, square dances, and a grand cakewalk.

Email missoulaoldtime@gmail.com with any questions.

Stringbands Include:

Schnell Brothers
Missoula Winders
The Woodhogs
Dixon Benchwarmers
Aaron Jennings
Stiff Kitty
Hardy and Rod

Claude Bourbon

Ready for a unique and talented take on a wide range of musical traditions? Claude Bourbon is known throughout Europe and America for amazing guitar performances that take blues, Spanish, and Middle Eastern stylings into uncharted territories.

Claude’s inimitable style incorporates all five digits on each hand dancing independently but in unison, plucking, picking and strumming at such speed and precision that his fingers often seem to melt into a blur. Thousands of people in the UK, Europe and USA have enjoyed listening to this virtuoso and for the majority of his audience it is an experience that compels them to return again and again to hear and watch him play, as his fingers lightly dance over the strings of his guitar and create a unique sound that is ’Claude’.

It is very hard to describe the almost endless amalgam of different influences in Claude’s playing, all melting into each other, as he moves from classical openings, across a whole continent of cultural roots, from the Balearic’s to the Balkans, and then across to the Mississippi Delta, and shoehorned into all that is music that would not have been out of place in the courts of Emperors and Kings. 

Claude Bourbon weaved his songs through the audience as if on a journey through life taking in different flavours of Europe and beyond. His Spanish medieval blues evolved into Gypsy, Eastern European, with a splash of Paco de Lucia, Delta Blues and more. Holding audience attention under a musical spell.

It’s not easy to begin to describe the breadth or mastery of the music you will hear if you are fortunate to catch one of Claude’s gigs, it is a sort of sensory experience like no other. A top master of his craft and never appearing to be rushed, he has impeccable timing and makes things that one can only marvel at seem simple.

Now based in the UK, some of this guitarist’s influences allow us a fascinating insight into this remarkable musician: Paco De Lucia; Deep Purple’s Richie Blackmore; Joaquin Rodrigo; JJ Cale; JS Bach….

Claude has played countless venues, including Glastonbury Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Colne Great British & Blues Festival, Rock O’Z Arene, Avenches, Switzerland, among others. He has shared the stage in Europe and the USA with countless musicians, Calvin Russel, Charlie Morgan (Elton John, Gary Moore), Jan Akkerman (Focus), Steve Grossman (Miles Davis), Herbie Armstrong ( Van Morisson), Jose Barrense Dias and many more.

Masontown

MASONTOWN

A new and enchanting sound has emerged from the hotbed of the Colorado roots music scene. Masontown, a young band with a concept as timeless as the Rocky Mountains, has alighted onto a bluegrass community that has already produced some of the best that the acoustic music world has to offer. But Colorado, and the wider world of modern music, hasn’t quite heard this yet.

A lauded fiddle champion and classical violinist. A veteran bluegrass mandolin player and composer. One of Colorado’s jazz guitar greats reborn as a flatpicking sensation. An upright bassist with roots running deep in the classical and jazz traditions. These are the individual elements that come together to create Masontown.

Masontown’s sound is a exciting take on the American acoustic tradition. At once fresh and familiar, the group unites the sounds of bluegrass, old-time, folk, and new acoustic music into a sonic melting pot that hearkens back to our deep musical traditions while remaining defiantly modern in conception. Echoes of the poignant exploration of the Matt Flinner Trio blend with the fierce drive of Bill Monroe and the plaintive song-craft of Cahalen Morrison and Eli West. It’s no surprise that the members of Masontown have shared the stage with many of these musical icons that their sound evokes.

 The listening halls and dance floors of Colorado have already begun to hail the arrival of this new force in the acoustic music community. Masontown is a band on the move, driven to delight the ears, touch the hearts, and move the feet of generations of music lovers in Colorado and far beyond.   

 

Bill Mize and Ouzel

BILL MIZE

Grammy-winning guitarist Bill Mize is a son of Tennessee, and a fitting representative of his state’s rich musical heritage. His critically lauded fingerstyle compositions are fluid and intricate, and their delivery masterful. One suspects an influential teacher, and one would be right. “I received most of my musical education from a cheap Zenith radio,” says Mize, who as a child drifted off to sleep to the decidedly non-sleepy lullabies emanating from Nashville’s WLAC and WSM and Knoxville’s WNOX.

Maybe that’s why critics speak of his ability to “transport” the listener; the music itself has been transported. The links to his Tennessee roots are unmistakable, but so are the elements of the far wider musical realm he inhabits, and the mixture is as intoxicating as Tennessee moonshine. With a twist.

***************************

Bill is a past winner of the Winfield National Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, and received a GRAMMY Award for his collaboration with musician and storyteller David Holt on the recording Stellaluna. Popular acoustic guitar compilations “Windham Hill Guitar Sampler” by Windham Hill Records and “Masters of the Acoustic Guitar” by Narada Recordsincluded works. In 2009, Bill’s music appeared in the Ken Burns documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” Mel Bay Productions transcribed Mize’s second CD, “Tender Explorations,” into a songbook, and his original compositions have been transcribed for Fingerstyle Guitar and Acoustic Guitar magazines.

OUZEL

Beth Bramhall, Janet Haarvig and Beth Youngblood comprise the core of Ouzel, and perform a colorful set of original acoustic art music on violin, cello, accordion and piano. All three have performed as “side-women” for a number of other artists and ensembles; and have been heard as featured performers and in projects and live productions including concerts, film soundtracks, NPR, PBS, live theatre, and at new music festivals.

Jig Jam

UPDATE 3/12/19: The Jig Jam concert is ON! Sorry for any previous confusion and see you there!

JigJam are a multi-award winning quartet from the heart of the midlands in Ireland. Blending the best of traditional Irish music with Bluegrass and Americana in a new genre which has been branded as ‘I-Grass’ (Irish influenced Bluegrass), their onstage energy along with their virtuosic musical ability has captivated audiences throughout the world.