A series of four performances is presented by the Labyrinth Walk Coffee House at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff, 3839 W. Kiest Blvd., Dallas. Weather permitting, the performances will be held outdoors in the Gazebo. Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs and may bring food and beverages (beer and wine allowed). Tickets are $10 and are available on line or at the gate. Starting time is 7:30. For more information, please see http://www.labyrinthwalkcoffeehouse.com
May 3: Shoot Low Sheriff - Formed in 2008 in Dallas, this Western Swing band consisting of vocalist Erik Swanson (formerly of Cowboys & Indians and the Texas Gypsies), Brandon Lusk (trumpet), Dustin Ballard (fiddle/electric mandolin), Jessica Munn (guitar), Larry Reed (bass), Geoff Vinton (drums), and Wayne Glasson, current pianist for the Texas Playboys and Red Steagall.
The band combines strings, horns and piano, recapturing the sound of the Southern dancehalls of the ‘30s and ‘40s. Heavily influenced by western swing pioneers Bob Wills and Milton Brown, their music includes a combination of swing standards and original compositions, as well as New Orleans jazz, ragtime and jump blues.
“We're carrying on the traditions started by Bob Wills and Milton Brown in the 1930s,” they note.
In 2009, their song "Old Alton Rag" was featured in a television commercial for Jack Daniels and in 2012, the band was named "Western Swing Group of the Year" by the Academy of Western Artists.
http://www.shootlowsheriff.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxC72kj3Acc
May 17: E-Flat Porch Band - A small band with a big sound, it named for the porch in McKinney where the band first practiced and which resonated to the key of e-flat. Their music is played on acoustic instruments with guitar playing styles include finger picking and slide guitar. Other instruments include the acoustic bass, harmonica, cymbal, and a drum-like instrument of their own design. The music pays homage to our varied Texas musical roots and is influenced by Country Blues, Texas folk music, Jazz and swing standards, and Depression Era country songwriters..
On the Touring Artist Roster of the Texas Commission on the Arts, they offer workshops and performances for a variety of age groups, including school and library performances. They have been playing together for over 15 years, and have three CDs, Porch Music, Pork Chop Night, and No Unauthorized Play.
Rudy Littrell is a self-proclaimed "recovering percussionist," Rudy has the coordination to play 4 instruments at one time--acoustic bass, high hat, harmonica, and a wooden soda pop box. Duane Brown has been making music since he was a kid, when he strummed the broom (today it’s a guitar and harmonica) and sang Roger Miller songs for the neighbors. Through their original songs, they carry on a tradition of creativity in its musical form. Their website is www.eflatporchband.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U9FJ4h5t0M
May 24: Lady Diamond - She will sparkle with her incredible vocal performance. This incredibly multi-talented woman gives vocal performances with a jazz style leaves her audience wanting more. With 10 years of classical piano in her background, hers is an act that is a fusion of jazz, classic and soul. One could arguably say her style is a mixture of Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald and Diane Krall.
Lady Diamond has performed throughout the Dallas area and has been a requested and a featured performer at many events. She sung background for Michael Bolton, Andrae Crouch and many more and is the emcee of the World Famous House of Blues Sunday Gospel and appears there regularly as a jazz artist.
She has appeared in commercials, movies, produced a TV show and was featured on Channel 8 DayBreak, Fox 4 Good Day Texas, NBC5, Channel 21, Insights and has made numerous other television appearances. Kertrina has starred in several plays most notable the popular play "The Night I Fell In Love."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8YSrgAzBXk&feature=youtu.be https://www.facebook.com/pages/Singer-Lady-Diamond/232696413436383
May 31: Freddie Jones - He is an amazing, energetic musical talent who has played his trumpet throughout the southwest, performing in hot spots from Austin’s The Elephant Room to Little Rock’s Riverfront Auditorium to numerous festivals in the Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex, Oklahoma City, and everywhere in between. He is the trumpet behind the National Anthem at the Dallas Cowboy home games and has entertained abroad in Paris, the Hague, and Rotterdam.
A very popular jazz trumpet player and composer in the DFW area, he kicks up the energy and thrills a jazz lovers soul with the sound he coaxes from his horns. His performances at the Labyrinth Walk Coffee House are always a huge hit. Jones is great trumpet player and songwriter. He sets the mood and keeps you in the moment.
He is as generous with his time and he is with his talent and is the founder of the non-profit “Trumpets for Kids.” He has a jazz studies degree from the University of North Texas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODu6WWRSk-4 http://freddiejones.net/
