As the light rain welcomes in the daffodils and feeds the cherry blossom trees, we are reminded that the beautiful blooms of spring are just around the corner. What better time to hear two young musicians bursting with talent and energy. This Sunday, we will sit back in the pews, close our eyes, and experience the wonders of Courtney Dowe, Gary Prince, and Sitali Siyolwe. Look forward to seeing you there.

- BloomBars

CHECK OUT THE PERFORMERS

Courtney Dowe
http://www.myspace.com/courtneydowe

www.myspace.com/thecourtneydoweproject

Gary Prince

Guitarist Gary Prince is an active performer and educator in the Washington, DC area specializing in Jazz and Improvised music across genres. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Gary holds degrees in both Jazz & Contemplative Studies and Psychology. Both a performer and an educator, Gary currently holds faculty positions at the Levine School of Music, the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, and the Sheridan School, where he teaches contemporary electric and acoustic guitar styles in private lesson, class, and workshop formats. As a performer, Gary has played with groups and on recordings in styles ranging from electric blues to acoustic folk to free improvisation, and is an active composer of original material for solo guitar and small ensemble. As a member of the Creative Arts Orchestra at the University of Michigan, Gary has played with artists including Pauline Oliveros, Oliver Lake, Steve Coleman, Henry Grimes, Arthur Blythe, Nichole Mitchell, and others. An active member of the International Society for Improvising Musicians (ISIM), Gary has been a performer at the 2006, 2007, and 2008 ISIM conferences, leading his own ensemble, the KGMC Quartet, at the 2008 conference in Denver. Currently Gary can be heard in DC playing with groups including the Yamomanem Jazz Band, and the Sarah Fridrich Band. A native to the Washington, DC metro area, Gary has been living in the city since September, 2008.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S PERFORMERS

COURTNEY DOWE

Visit myspace.com/CourtneyDowe for more information.

GARY PRINCE

Guitarist Gary Prince is an active performer and educator in the Washington, DC area specializing in Jazz and Improvised music across genres. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Gary holds degrees in both Jazz & Contemplative Studies and Psychology. Both a performer and an educator, Gary currently holds faculty positions at the Levine School of Music, the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, and the Sheridan School, where he teaches contemporary electric and acoustic guitar styles in private lesson, class, and workshop formats. As a performer, Gary has played with groups and on recordings in styles ranging from electric blues to acoustic folk to free improvisation, and is an active composer of original material for solo guitar and small ensemble. As a member of the Creative Arts Orchestra at the University of Michigan, Gary has played with artists including Pauline Oliveros, Oliver Lake, Steve Coleman, Henry Grimes, Arthur Blythe, Nichole Mitchell, and others. An active member of the International Society for Improvising Musicians (ISIM), Gary has been a performer at the 2006, 2007, and 2008 ISIM conferences, leading his own ensemble, the KGMC Quartet, at the 2008 conference in Denver. Currently Gary can be heard in DC playing with groups including the Yamomanem Jazz Band, and the Sarah Fridrich Band. A native to the Washington, DC metro area, Gary has been living in the city since September, 2008.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S PERFORMER

KUKU

www.kukulive.com

KUKU moved to the US from Nigeria in 1993. In 2002 he found Bar Nun, a weekly open mic in Washington, DC’s U Street. It was there that he picked up a guitar for the first time, taught himself to play and began building a following singing in the U Street music/poetry open mic scene. As his reputation grew, he rapidly worked his way into the club, schools and café scene releasing his 2005 EP, “Love Sessions,” and his first LP “Unexpected Pleasures” in 2006. He has labeled his minimalist acoustic guitar driven sound “The Afro-soul Acoustic Experience.” Dubbed “The African Music Medicine Man,” this Yoruba, DC-based troubadour has been touring extensively since the release of his debut. In October 2007, South African guitar maestro Mongezi Ntaka (former and original guitarist for the late Lucky Dube band) joined him as he launched “The Absence of Cool” at KUKU’s third Kennedy Center appearance. The album concept asks listeners to stop enslaving themselves to the concept of “cool,” – with cool being the absence of emotion – and instead join him on a musical journey to the raw emotions deep in their souls. Happily independent, KUKU enjoys the artistic freedom that most major labels often deprive, but his biggest challenge is still getting his music heard by millions of eclectic listeners across the world without a machine. What he lacks with the backing of a machine, he makes up for as a tireless worker with a good heart. And with the digital age in full-effect, his music is reaching far more places than he has yet to visit.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S PERFORMERS

JAKE PHILLIPS

Brooklyn-based singer songwriter Jake Phillips brings a new conscience and urgency to the continuing tradition of the American troubadour. To experience Phillips timeless melodies, driving guitar rhythms, and rich and soulful baritone, is to understand why expectations are so high for this rising star.

NILA KAY

Getting outside herself by going deeper within, Nila Kay sometimes flirts with jazz, sometimes jazzes up funk, and sometimes strips down pretty pop to its quintessential bare acoustic soul. But she always keeps the electricity arcing inward where the mood is simultaneously raw and tender, vulnerable and bold. Hers is the soulful collaboration of a streetwise mother and a visionary child.

Friends,

Sunday beckons us once again with her rosy fingers to the grotto of Columbia Heights to hear the song of Nila Kay, Jake Phillips, and Sitali Siyolwe. Together we shall explore the acoustic possibilities of electrum. 

Our cause for the evening: Man Up.

Peace,

Sitali Siyolwe

For a listen:
Jake Phillips: www.myspace.com/jakephillipsnyc
Nila Kay: www.nilakaymusic.com
Sitali Siyolwe: www.myspace.com/sitali

Free In DC

BloomBars “Seed the Sound” Sunday Performance Series is back this SUN, March 8th, 7:30 pm – 9:00pm
BloomBars is at it again! Last time I was there I was thoroughly impressed, always such a great vibe in that space! Located next to Wonderland on 11th St close to Kenyon, short walk from Columbia Heights metro. BloomBars’ “Seed the Sound Sunday” will showcase musicians from a diversity of genres and will benefit various organizations.

This Sunday, March 8th will feature legendary Delta bluesman Robert Lighthouse. Amadou Kouyate (kora) and Jabari (djembe) will also be back in the line-up – a performance you don’t want to miss. The show will start promptly at 7:30pm at end at 9:00pm. Please arrive early out of respect for the artists. This event is a fundraiser so please donate as you are able. www.robertlighthouse.com.

http://freeindc.blogspot.com/2009/03/upcoming-bloombars-seed-sound-sun.html

Continuing in the BloomBars’ tradition to nurture the growth of artists who use their gift to inspire service, build community, and establish meaningful human connections, Seed the Sound Sundays with Sitali will showcase musicians from a diversity of genres.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S PERFORMERS

Read more…

Friends, Romans, Countrymen and Women,

Thank you all for braving the elements on Sunday. It was encouraging to see we still had a packed house despite the snowstorm! No doubt our first Seed the Sound will not soon leave the memories of those in attendance.

And special thanks to Courtney Dowe for filling in at the last minute for Jabari and Amadou (who got stuck in the storm). We’ll be sure to have her back real soon.

This Sunday, legendary Delta bluesman Robert Lighthouse will grace our stage.

American music is in good hands with this bloke! Amadou Kouyate (kora) and Jabari (djembe) will also be back in the line-up – a performance you don’t want to miss.

Until next time…..

Yours in Service,

Sitali,