The Barns At Wolf Trap Announces Their Upcoming Performances
By: Gabrielle Sierra Oct. 30, 2009
The Barns at Wolf Trap Hosts A Pair of Bluegrass Super Groups, the 2009 Van Cliburn Competition Gold Medalist, and a Cabaret Legend
Works Progress Administration w/ Special Guest Spring Standards
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$20
Works Progress Administration
Comprised of eight members, five of whom will perform at Wolf Trap, Works Progress Administration is somewhat of a super group with a collection of highly recognizable rock, pop, and bluegrass musicians. Despite having three lead singers and strong instrumentals, the band keeps its focus on its songs and wholly embraces an experimental, communal workshop-like approach to song-writing and performance.
Most will remember the early to mid '90s college-rock outfit Toad the Wet Sprocket and the emotionally charged tenor vocals from front man Glen Phillips. Phillips penned the widely recognizable singles "Walk on the Ocean," "Something's Always Wrong," and "All I Want." Sean Watkins was known predominantly as part of pop-bluegrass group Nickel Creek, a band quite often named in conjunction with the term "virtuosity." A giant in the tightly knit Nashville bluegrass scene, acclaimed fiddler and member of the Jerry Douglas Band, Luke Bulla rounds out the three founding and full-time members of WPA.
Spring Standards
An energetic force of three-part harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash, the Spring Standards perform rock 'n' roll mixed with a hint of old-country. Performing together since they were teenagers, the trio are skilled as multi-instrumentalists, sharing bass, guitar, keyboard glockenspiel, and drums. Their full-length debut will be released this winter, but currently offer an EP produced by Old 97's front man Rhett Miller.
Mountain Heart
Tim Finch & The Eastman String Band
Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$22
Mountain Heart
Formed in 1998 by members of seasoned bluegrass group Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Mountain Heart aims to push the genre forward by incorporating elements of rock, gospel, jazz, R&B, and blues. Mountain Heart, or members of the band, have either won or been nominated for multiple Grammy, Country Music Association, and International Bluegrass Music Association Awards. Known for their dynamic stage presence, the band has also performed with such music greats as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, Tony Rice, Alison Krauss, and Travis Tritt. Together for just over a decade, Mountain Heart has released four studio albums and one live recording, continuously shifting their exceptional sound with the intention of paving the way for a new extension of contemporary bluegrass.
Tim Finch & the Eastman String Band
Sharing the evening's bill with Mountain Heart, alt-grass/Americana outfit Tim Finch and the Eastman String Band offers selections from its 2008 debut and forthcoming 2009 studio releases. Although appearing for the first time at The Barns, Finch and company are no strangers to live performance, having appeared at national festivals, concert halls, XM Radio, and NPR. Sponsored by Eastman Strings, the Eastman String Band is comprised of both up-and-coming and established musicians, whose collaborative credits include Alison Krauss, B.B. King, Doc Watson, Nashville Bluegrass Band, and Del McCoury, among others. The group incorporates a touch of Celtic music into their Americana sound, with harmonic melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and infectious vocals.
Haochen Zhang
2009 Van Cliburn Competition Gold Medalist
The Discovery Series
Friday, November 13, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
$35
Just four days after celebrating his nineteenth birthday, Haochen Zhang was awarded a Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Gold Medal at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The youngest participant at the world renowned competition, Zhang's victory propelled him into a new echelon of contemporary classical pianists, and positioned him for a rigorous 2009-2010 touring schedule with summer festival debuts in Aspen and Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and Ruidoso, New Mexico. Additional engagements include performances with the Colorado, Hartford, Jacksonville, Pacific, and San Francisco Symphonies. Poised for a more intimate recital during his Barns at Wolf Trap debut, Zhang is sure to leave an indelible imprint on those lucky enough to secure a ticket. Mr. Zhang's complete Cliburn Competition performances are available for viewing at www.cliburn.tv.
Amanda McBroom
Cabaret Series
Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
$25
A frequent performer at The Barns, Amanda McBroom is a cabaret master, presenting a high-energy evening rich with show tunes, humorous songs, and heartfelt ballads. She was catapulted to mainstream success in 1979 with her original song "The Rose," which was covered by Bette Midler, exposing the masses to McBroom's songwriting talent. She performed the song at the Grammys, The Tonight Show, and the Golden Globes-where she won Best Original Song. She wisely used the song's success to launch her own songwriting and singing career, penning songs for other big acts including Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, LeAnn Rimes, and Donny Osmond. Her most recent release, Chanson (2009), is a tribute to one of her inspirations, '60s balladeer Jacques Brel. McBroom also pursued a career on Broadway, performing in Sweeney Todd, A Litle Night Music, and Mame, among others.
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