Smiley LIVE! Pickle & Bean Bluegrass featuring special guest Bill Purcell. November 8, 6:30 PM at the Contemporary Club
This free public event is part of the Smiley LIVE! free concert series. It’s family-friendly, with a Q&A segment where young and old alike can ask the performers questions about their music, their performance, and anything else they may be curious about.
Bluegrass music, a lively and distinct genre deeply rooted in American folk traditions, is known for its prominent use of acoustic instruments such as the banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar. These instruments are skillfully played with fast-paced, virtuosic picking. Additionally, bluegrass is characterized by its tight vocal harmonies, storytelling lyrics, and energetic and toe-tapping sound. It has been played for nearly a century, and is a cherished and influential part of American musical heritage.
One unusual aspect of bluegrass is the practice of performing around a single microphone. This close-knit arrangement fosters the tight, cohesive sound that defines bluegrass, allowing the musicians to communicate and harmonize in real-time. It evokes the heritage of music shared at campfires, porches, and community dances, and calls back to the days of radio and traveling bands, and “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys.
About the performers:
Kentucky native Laura Bean, who grew up listening to her relatives play bluegrass in the family band, learned classical piano at an early age from her grandpa, and sang harmonies at church with her family. She spent nearly a decade performing in various bands in Northern Europe and hosted a long-running bluegrass-turned-variety night show in Berlin, Germany. A seasoned guitarist and mandolin player, she embarked on a new musical journey with the fiddle 5 years ago, embracing the challenge and possibilities of being an adult beginner.
Dylan Olds, AKA “Pickle,” is a newcomer to flat-picking guitar, but his speed and tasty licks might lead you to believe otherwise. He recently transitioned to bluegrass after a decade of playing fingerstyle blues. He brings a deep love and knowledge of the guitar, along with strong vocals and harmonies.
Eric Pittman, AKA “General Ampersand,” drawing on a lifelong harmony singing sensibility from his upbringing in an a capella singing church, anchors the ensemble with his unwavering, rock-solid bass, serving as the foundation for the entire group. With 14 years of experience in playing the upright bass, Eric made the transition to bluegrass after his notable stints with the Blackwood Jazz Combo and Spare Buttons. Beyond his musical contributions, Eric is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of bluegrass musicians, regularly laying down the bass at the Riverside Saturday morning jam in Fairmount Park, and serving as an active board member of the Southwest Bluegrass Association (SWBA).
Special guest Bill Purcell, one of the area’s best-known banjo players, is recognized for his deep knowledge of classic bluegrass tunes and melodically delightful, expertly executed solos. He is a life-long fine art photographer, musician and banjo teacher, born and raised deep in the hills of Riverside, California. He played in and recorded with countless bands throughout the years, most notably Alive and Pickin’, The Bodie Mountain Express and Blue Lightning.
Don’t miss this evening of bluegrass and folk classics performed by your favorite local bluegrass band, promising a night of musical delight!
Smiley LIVE! is a series of monthly free concerts featuring a variety of musical genres sponsored by the A.K. Smiley Public Library. The Contemporary Club is located at 173 S. Eureka Street, behind the Lincoln Memorial Shrine, just south of the Library and Smiley Park.