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High-resolution downloadable images of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sonny Landreth, Miró Quartet, and John Eaton 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 wraps up the month of January with a series of four world class acts, each with a distinct and revolutionary sound that continues to shape the lexicon of international music. Ladysmith Black Mambazo opens the week on Monday, January 26, with its uplifting and culturally inspired a cappella music followed by the unmatched slide guitar talents of Sonny Landreth on Thursday, January, 29. The week is brought to a close with a Wolf Trap debut performance from the high profile chamber group, Miró Quartet, on Friday, January 30 followed by D.C. favorite John Eaton, offering his Hooray for Hollywood program on Saturday, January 31.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Monday, January 26, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$35

Known for their intricate harmonies and jovial nature, the eight-member a cappella group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, returns to The Barns for a one-of-a-kind performance. Deeply rooted in and inspired by the cultural traditions and history of South Africa, Ladysmith aspires to spread a message of hope and lift the collective spirits of those in the presence of their music. Ladysmith is widely revered throughout the international music community, and have performed personally for Nelson Mandella, Pope John Paul Jones III, and Queen Elizabeth. Amongst their most formidable achievements are two Grammy Awards and recognition as the No. 1 record selling African-based group. Their collaborations with worldwide artists include Paul Simon, Ben Harper, Dolly Parton, Des’re, and Stevie Wonder. Their Wolf Trap performance is expected to draw heavily from their latest album, Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu, which was made, as the group puts it, “to honor our culture, our country, and our people.”

Sonny Landreth
Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$24

This revolutionary slide-guitarist from Louisiana returns to The Barns to perform tracks from his ninth and most recent album, From the Release. This album represents a project that Landreth has wanted to tackle for several years, featuring collaborative tracks with several of the world’s most prominent and recognizable guitar virtuosos. Guests on the album include Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, and Vince Gill. On Landreth, Eric Clapton says he is "probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also probably one of the most advanced.” Landreth has pioneered his own slide technique termed as, “fretting behind the slide,” allowing him to create a sound that diverges from other notable slide players.

Miró Quartet
The Discovery Series
Friday, January 30, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$35

Full of emotion and immense musical clarity, the Miró Quartet has been known to leave their audiences in a state of blissful musical paralysis. Since its inception in 1995, the quartet has gained widespread recognition, winning three music competitions and numerous awards, including the prestigious Naumburg Chamber Music Award. Performing in their Wolf Trap debut as a part of the Discovery Series, the program includes string quartets by Haydn and Dvořák, as well as Ives’s first quartet, “From the Salvation Army.” In addition to Miró Quartet’s heavy international touring schedule, all four members are chamber music instructors at the University of Texas at Austin. This world class quartet remains one of the top chamber groups in the U.S. and has reached high international acclaim.

John Eaton
Hooray for Hollywood!
Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
$25

John Eaton, renowned jazz pianist, vocalist, musicologist, and American Popular Song enthusiast returns to The Barns for the second of his three-part performance series at The Barns throughout 2008-2009. Hooray for Hollywood is one of Eaton’s most popular and often performed programs, highlighting classic numbers from ’30s-era Hollywood films. A testament to jazz heritage, Eaton celebrates the artistry of such American innovators as the Gershwin brothers, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Benny Goodman, instilling his passion in all who listen. Among his many accomplishments, Eaton has been the keynote speaker in the American popular music lecture series at the Smithsonian Institution for the past 12 years, is featured in nationally broadcasted lectures on radio and television, and performed a command appearance in the East Room at the White House.

Wolf Trap celebrates an honored relationship with Eaton, including a series of live recordings which delivers an inventive approach to learning through and about the arts, furthering Wolf Trap and Eaton’s commitment to widespread artistic education. The latest in this collection Blowin’ in the Wind: The ’60s Music Revolution, features Eaton, renowned songwriter Bill Danoff, co-author of “Take Me Home Country Roads” and founding members of Starland Vocal Band, and bassist Jay Leonhart in a personal and musical conversation as they examine the enduring and influential musical forms that emerged from that decade. Highlights of the new CD include the impact of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and reflections of Washington, D.C.’s revered Cellar Door music club that served as a launching pad for so many explosive musical careers.

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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.