Wolf Trap Presents Guster, Jack’s Mannequin And More

Wolf Trap Presents Pop-Rock Sensations Guster and Jack's Mannequin; Classics from Chicago, Chris Botti, and Paul Anka; Worldly Beats from Flamenco Superstars Gipsy Kings; and the Annual Summer Beach Bash with America's Band, and The Beach Boys. 

Guster

Jack's Mannequin

with Special Guest Lady Danville

Monday, August 15, 2011 at 7 p.m.

$40 in-house, $32 lawn

Guster

Returning to Wolf Trap is upbeat alternative rock band Guster, fresh off the release of their latest album, Easy Wonderful (2010). Members Ryan Miller, Adam Gardner, and BrIan Rosenworcel formed the band in 1991, playing local shows in Boston and releasing their first album, Parachute, in 1994. Five years later, they released their major-label debut, Lost and Gone Forever, which included the hit single "Fa Fa." Guster continued to release catchy, rich pop music throughout the 2000s and experimented with varying vocal harmonies, strings, horns, and even bongos. The band is also appreciated for their environmental efforts-Guster is a founding member of the Green Music Group, and Gardner both created Reverb, a nonprofit that focuses on making music tours more environmentally sustainable, and sits on Wolf Trap's own National Advisory Council on the Arts and Environment. Guster's multifaceted talents will grace the Filene Center stage with co-headliners Jack's Mannequin.

Jack's Mannequin

Pop rockers Jack's Mannequin make their Wolf Trap debut, featuring lead singer/songwriter Andrew McMahon's energetic piano playing and catchy punk-flavored tunes. After fronting the alternative-rock band Something Corporate for four years, McMahon founded Jack's Mannequin in 2005. The group's debut album, Everything in Transit, broke the Billboard Top 40 that year; however, McMahon was diagnosed with leukemia soon after. Instead of taking a hiatus from his musical career, McMahon documented his recovery for the 2009 documentary Dear Jack and was touring with his band again by the summer of 2006. In 2008 they released The Glass Passenger, which Rolling Stone said "tracks McMahon's life following his 2005 leukemia diagnosis and blends sunny Beach Boys pop with stout piano rock." The band's third album, People and Things, is due out October 4.

Lady Danville

Indie pop trio Lady Danville formed in California in 2007 and describes itself as "evoking the sound of Simon and Garfunkel meets Death Cab for Cutie." Known for their well-crafted harmonies, thoughtful lyrics, and refreshing dose of energy, wit, and charm, the band features Michael Garner on keys, Matthew Frankel on percussion, and Dan Chang on the guitar. Lady Danville has been touring with Jack's Mannequin since June and is very excited to be joining Guster on the road.

Chicago

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 8 p.m.

$45 in-house, $30 lawn

With an outstanding 46 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and five No. 1 albums, Chicago is among the most successful American rock bands of all time. Since forming in 1967, the group has had 21 singles reach the Top 10, including the hits "25 or 6 to 4," "Make Me Smile," "You're the Inspiration," and "Saturday in the Park." Initially known for their brassy, jazzy numbers and emphasis on the horn section, 1976 marked a transition in the group's sound when they were awarded a GRAMMY for the ballad "If You Leave Me Now." Since then, the group has consistently released numerous acclaimed albums, including 2002's The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning, marking their impressive distinction of having an album chart in five consecutive decades. After more than 40 years, Chicago continues to live up to its name as one of America's top rock bands.

Chris Botti

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 8 p.m.

$42 in-house, $25 lawn

Chris Botti, the largest selling American jazz instrumental artist and GRAMMY Award-winning trumpeter, returns to Wolf Trap for the second year in a row. Botti began playing trumpet professionally at the age of 10 before studying in the prestigious Indiana University music program in the early '80s. Since then, he has recorded and performed with well known artists including Frank Sinatra, Sting, Josh Groban, Paul Simon, Andrea Bocelli, and more. The musician's commercial breakthrough came in 2004 with the release of When I Fall in Love, which debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Jazz charts. His latest album, Chris Botti in Boston (2009), features innovative collaborations with artists such as Steven Tyler, John Mayer, and Yo-Yo Ma. The live album was also nominated for three GRAMMYs, proving that seeing this jazz-pop trumpeter in concert is sure to be a treat.

An Evening with Paul Anka

Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 8 p.m.

$48 in-house, $25 lawn

Prolific singer/songwriter Paul Anka comes to Wolf Trap performing songs new and old which mark his 55th anniversary in the music business. Anka began performing at a young age, and with the 1957 release of the self-composed song "Diana," he was launched into teen superstardom. Before turning 18 the singer had released five Top 20 hits, including "You Are My Destiny" and "Crazy Love." Beginning in the '60s, Anka began making use of his myriad of other talents-he launched his own record label, starred in the 1962 film The Longest Day, and started composing songs for other artists, including the theme for Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, the Tom Jones classic "She's a Lady," and the lyrics to Frank Sinatra's "My Way." His 125th album, Rock Swings (2005), features swing jazz covers of rock songs such as Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and was followed by Classic Songs: My Way (2007).

Gipsy Kings

Friday, August 19, 2011 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 8 p.m.

$42 in-house, $25 lawn

Talented flamenco guitarists and singers from the Reyes and Baliardo families form the internationally renowned Gipsy Kings, returning to Wolf Trap for two evenings of Mediterranean flavored music. Since forming in southern France more than three decades ago, The Gipsy Kings have become the biggest-selling French act ever in the United States. Their music combines flamenco and rumba styles with both contemporary and traditional Middle Eastern, Latin American, and North African influences for a sound that is adored worldwide. In 1987 they released their platinum-selling eponymous debut album, which climbed the Top 10 charts in 12 European countries. The album's hit singles "Bamboleo" and "Djobi Djoba" led Gipsy Kings to climb the U.S. Billboard charts later that year as well, and the group has continued to release energetic, internationally acclaimed music ever since. With seven GRAMMY nominations, numerous television appearances, and more than 18 million album sales worldwide, The Gipsy Kings have made their unique brand of music an international sensation.

The Beach Boys

Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3 p.m.

$38 in-house, $25 lawn

The Beach Boys return for their 10th annual summer beach bash at Wolf Trap hosted by America's band. The group formed in 1961 and immediately became a sensation, charting 16 Top 40 singles within their first four years. The band continued to release albums and perform steadily over the next three decades despite numerous upheavals, including BrIan Wilson's departure. Today, founding member Mike Love and Bruce Johnston (who joined in 1965) continue to officially tour as The Beach Boys. With a remarkable 36 Top 40 hits under their belt, ranging from the 1960s California-themed singles "Surfer Girl," "I Get Around," "Surfin' USA," and "California Girls," to their rejuvenated success in the '80s with the No. 1 song "Kokomo," The Beach Boys have established themselves as America's preeminent pop group.

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