Clay Ross Celebrates His CD Release With A "Reunion Tour"

Guitarist Clay Ross Celebrates the Release of His New Album Matuto  on his 9th Annual "Reunion" Tour of the Southeast

"Clay Ross thinks like a poet, writes like a novelist, and plays the guitar like a master." - Jambase

Since 2000, Clay Ross has reunited with longtime collaborators for late December tours in the Southeast. This year, he leads his trio to six separate cities in celebration of his latest album, Matuto.

Matuto - Imagine the sound of a Brazilian Carnaval in the Appalachian Mountains. A sound where exotic percussion instruments rumble beneath blues drenched vocals, Telecaster twangs, and folksy fiddle tunes. Now, imagine these sounds in the hands of some of NYC's finest young improvisers as they light up club and festival stages world wide.

On his Ropeadope debut, Matuto, Ross offers us a peek into his diverse and dynamic musical world. Composer, singer-songwriter, and producer, this South Carolina native has become an in-demand guitarist on the NYC jazz, world, and roots music scenes. In the last four years, Ross has submerged himself in Brazilian music as a member of Cyro Baptista's world-renowned percussion ensemble "Beat the Donkey." He has completed four international tours as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador and currently performs at bluegrass festivals across North America with rising folk star April Verch.

Through the unorthodox blend of Brazilian percussion and American bluegrass, Ross has created an organic, animated sound all his own. The album features master percussionists Cyro Baptista (Paul Simon, Sting) and Ze Mauricio (YoYo Ma, Choro Ensemble), drummer Richie Barshay (Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea) and accordionist Rob Curto (Lila Downs, David Krakauer.) Mixed by Tony Maimone at Studio G, Mastered by Scott Hull. With Clay Ross - Guitars, Vocals, and Cavaquinho, Rob Hecht - Fiddle, Edward Perez - Bass, Tim Keiper - Drums, Scott Kettner - Percussion, Eduardo Guedes - Percussion, Olivier Manchon - Violins, Viola, and Vio-cello, Merideth Hite - Oboes and English Horns.

CLAY ROSS' 9th ANNUAL REUNION TOUR

Clay Ross - Guitar and Vocals
Brian Mulholland - Bass (except 12/20)
Adam Snow - Drums
*Kevin Hamilton - Bass (12/20 only)

Wednesday, Dec. 16 - Emerald Lounge
112 N. Lexington Ave. Asheville, NC
10pm show - (828) 232-4372
www.myspace.com/emeraldlounge

Friday, Dec. 18 - Philosopher's Stone Tavern
1958 E. 7th St. Charlotte, NC
11pm show - Free admission
(704) 350-1331
www.philosophersstonetavern.com/

Saturday, Dec. 19 - The White Mule
1530 D Main St. Columbia, SC
8pm show, doors at 7pm - (803) 661-8199
$6 in adv/$8 at the door
www.thewhitemule.com

Sunday, Dec. 20 - The Pour House
1977 Maybank Hwy. Charleston, SC
Double bill with The Gradual Lean
8pm Clay Ross set, doors at 7pm - Gradual Lean at 9:30pm
(843) 571-4343
$12 in adv/$15 at the door
www.charlestonpourhouse.com

9th Annual Reunion Concert
Tuesday, Dec. 22 - The Electric City Playhouse
514 N Murray Ave. Anderson, SC
Two shows 8pm & 10pm
Adults: $15 / Students $10 / only 100 seats per show
box office open M-F 9am-2pm
(864) 224-4248.
www.ecplayhouse.com

Saturday, Dec. 26 - The Purple Onion
16 Main St. Saluda, NC
8pm show - (828) 749-1179 - donation suggested
This is a solo Clay Ross performance
www.purpleonionsaluda.com