[May 12]
Sounding like 1928 Memphis, the five members of the Todalo Shakers play vintage jug-band party blues, old-time rags, and stomps—a rich and funky palette of vocal blends mixed with hot ragtime tunes on fiddle and mandolin, with virtuoso slap bass solos. Beer, wine and treats will be available for purchase. (Advance tickets recommended; available here or at Harvest Fort Bragg and Out of This World.)
Suzy Thompson has long been known for her bluesy fiddling and powerful vocals. She is the fiddler of choice for Jim Kweskin and Geoff Muldaur; Del Rey; and has also worked with Maria Muldaur, Dave Alvin and Peter Rowan. Eric Thompson (playing mostly mandolin in the Todalo Shakers) began exploring country blues in the 1960s with Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions (with Jerry Garcia) and more recently in his work with such artists as David Nelson, David Grisman and Jody Stecher. The Thompsons are based in Berkeley, California. Guitarist and vocalist Frannie Leopold (Mendocino) has toured and recorded the Delta Sisters and the Balkan Kafé Orchestra, and is a perennial favorite instructor at many West Coast music camps including Lark in the Morning and California Coast Music Camp. Singer/banjoist Bruce “WB” Reid (Seattle) plays a rare, vintage 6-string banjo-guitar (affectionately known as “the enforcer”), having spent part of his twenties hanging out in San Diego with bluesman Sam Chatmon of the legendary string band the Mississippi Sheiks. WB has toured and recorded with the Tallboys (Seattle’s hottest old-time string band), the Carolina Jug Stompers, and with his wife, Bonnie Zahnow. Upright bassist Matt Weiner (Seattle) boasts a distinguished resume including stints with the Asylum Street Spankers, Hot Club of Cowtown, Wayne Horvitz, Danny Barnes and Becky Kilgore. His slap bass solos are always a delight.
What exactly is a “Todalo”? First of all, it’s pronounced “TOE-dah-low.” It’s closely related to “diddy-wah-diddy”, and crops up occasionally in obscure old blues songs: “I’m satisfied, satisfied, my todalo shaker by my side” is a line from the Memphis Jug Band classic “You May Leave, But This Will Bring You Back” and references to “todalo” turn up in songs by Mississippi John Hurt, Eubie Blake, and Bessie Smith.
Sat, May 12 @ 8 - 10:30 pm, $8 - $20
Refreshments benefit Community Center of Mendocino, including a no-host beer/wine bar sponsored by North Coast Brewing Company and various local wineries, and various edible treats from local kitchens.
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