Media and Newsroom

• Back to Performance News
• Download PDF

High-resolution downloadable images of Vienna Teng, Ben Sollee, The Bill Frisell Trio, and Chuck Brown are available on Wolf Trap’s Web site: http://www.wolftrap.org/Media_and_Newsroom/Photos_for_Publication.aspx

Contact: Graham Binder, Manager, Public Relations
(703) 255-1917 or grahamb@wolftrap.org
 

Vienna, VA—The Barns at Wolf Trap presents three innovative acts highly acclaimed in their respective genres along with the second tribute show of The Barns’ season. The acoustic folk-pop sounds of Vienna Teng permeate The Barns on Wednesday, April 8, followed by guitar-driven jazz from The Bill Frisell Trio on Thursday, April 9. “Godfather of Go-Go,” Chuck Brown takes the stage for a high-energy general admission dance on Friday, April 10. The weekend closes with A Tribute to Allen Toussaint featuring over 25 local artists on Saturday, April 11.

Vienna Teng w/special guest Ben Sollee
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$27

Vienna Teng

Software engineer-turned-songwriter Vienna Teng has earned widespread praise for her folk-pop sounds, with Paste describing her music as “gorgeously conceived…accomplished yet understated.” Her combination of sophisticated, piano-driven pop instrumentals and intelligent lyrics infused with subtle elements of hip hop, bluegrass, and avant-garde chamber music have quickly amassed a major fan base in the U.S. and Europe. Patrons for her show at The Barns can expect a set heavy on tunes from her forthcoming release, Inland Territory, her fourth full length album. Full of complex musical layers of emotional depth, this album constitutes her most ambitious work yet as it represents a deeply reflective personal exploration through the convergence of different music styles.

Ben Sollee

Ben Sollee’s incomparable harmonies emerge from his seamless integration of the cello with jazz, bluegrass, and folk music. Emerging into the national scene as a member of the accomplished Sparrow Quartet, Sollee established his unique style by plucking strings and using percussive bow techniques. In 2007 he was named one of NPR’s Top 10 Great Unknown Artists. The acoustic folk songs on Sollee’s debut album, Learning to Bend (2008), reflect his eternal optimism as well as his belief in the inherent good in human beings. This release offers nine original songs including a captivating reworking of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” with updated, politically relevant verses.

The Bill Frisell Trio
Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$25

Boasting incredible versatility as a performer, composer, and bandleader, revered jazz guitarist Bill Frisell remains one of the most well-known jazz musicians in the world. By experimenting with intonation, delay, and reverb, Frisell has crafted a truly unique sound. Frisell further distinguishes himself from other jazz guitarists by including traces of rock, country, and bluegrass in his music. Among Frisell’s countless accomplishments are a 2005 Best Contemporary Jazz Album Grammy award for Unspeakable, the distinction of Guitarist of the Year by numerous publications over the years, the release of more than 30 albums, and performing with everyone from Elvis Costello to Loudon Wainwright III. Branching out as a film composer, Frisell’s music has appeared in such movies as Finding Forrester, Psycho, Million Dollar Hotel, and numerous HBO documentaries. Frisell is joined by master percussionist Rudy Royston and long-time bassist Tony Scherr for the ensemble’s collective Wolf Trap debut.

Chuck Brown
Friday, April 10, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$30

“Godfather of Go-Go” Chuck Brown returns to The Barns with his lively mix of ’70s old-school funk and R&B. His nonstop dance music has been a trademark of original creative music from Washington, D.C. and has greatly influenced the rap and R&B styles. By combining elements of soul and funk, Latin beats, African call and response chants, and American jazz with a continuous drumbeat, Brown created the Go-Go genre in the 1970s out of dissatisfaction with existing genres at the time—introducing a rhythmic style suited for dancing. Brown gained widespread recognition with the No. 1 national hit “Bustin’ Loose,” which remained the top R&B single for four straight weeks in 1978 while the album of the same name went gold. Still a relevant recording artist after five decades in the business, he recently had a street named after him in his hometown of Washington, D.C., is featured as the lead vocalist on a newly released Thievery Corporation track, was joined by Jamie Fox onstage at the Lincoln Theater during inauguration week, and is the forthcoming recipient of the National Award at the upcoming D.C. Hall of Fame Society Awards.

A Tribute to Allen Toussaint
Featuring: The Nighthawks, Mary Ann Redmond, the Grandsons, the Junkyard Saints, Tommy Lepson & Soul Crackers, LEA, Cathy Ponton King, Eric Scott, Bill Holland, Bill Starks, the Orioles, Jon Carroll, Caz Gardiner, El Torro Gam, Deeme Katson, Jim Clatterbuck, John Jennings, Junior Cline, Keith Grimes, Maurice Cridlin, Matt Spielman, Paul Pisciotta and others
Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
$25

Local artists take The Barns’ stage to honor New Orleans R&B legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Allen Toussaint. An acclaimed pianist, songwriter, producer, arranger, and performer, Toussaint has cemented his status as one of the most influential musicians to emerge from New Orleans during the latter half of the 20^th century. Known for bringing songs to life, Toussaint’s compelling arrangements are characterized by funky, yet elegant piano work inspired by Professor Longhair. As Toussaint was incredibly influential in shaping the sound of R&B music in 1960s and ’70s New Orleans, he has worked with a wide range of artists including Lee Dorsey, Robert Palmer, the Showmen, Etta James, Betty Wright, Solomon Burke, and Willie West. Illustrating expertise and skill Toussaint penned the enduring hits “Working in a Coalmine” and “Get Out of My Life Woman,” songs that have gone on to become R&B standards and are regularly covered by a wide variety of artists.

###

Tickets can be purchased by calling 1 (877) WOLFTRAP; or online at http://www.wolftrap.org/Purchase_Tickets.aspx

For more information, call The Barns at Wolf Trap at (703) 938-2404.