For 2009 the Backbeat Foundation spreads across the city presenting more than 30 shows with more than 40 acts at 4 venues:  Blue Nile (BN); Tipitina's French Quarter (TFQ); Republic NOLA (RN); and this year introducing the newest addition of the Studio at Colton (SC).  The Backbeat Jazzfest Series: Let's Be Totally Clear, will be offering music lovers and the musicians they love smoke-free environments at all shows.  The Backbeat Jazz Fest Series will provide an opportunity for Festival goers to personally and intimately experience the magic of our music while supporting a wo

Living in Colorado, the chance of an epic snowfall during the winter can be pretty good.  One such weather occurrence happened in late 2006 when three straight weekends of blizzards hit Denver and the surrounding Front Range.  The city essentially shut down those days, and holiday travels were next to impossible.  In the midst of those storms a highly anticipated two-night run of the Stephen Perkins-led project Banyan was cancelled.  As fate might have it, out of the darkness came light as a new improv group called PRAANG was born.

Recently Grateful Web's Alex Borosody had the opportunity to talk with Matt Butler, the musician and conductor behind the Everyone Orchestra, who we also discovered can add, "great orator" to his list of talents. Never one to shy away from leadership, you could say Matt conducted the interview, as he energetically and expressively weaved eloquent science and philosophy.

A 2 DVD set and 24 page hardcover book featuring Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead), Mike Gordon (Phish), Steve Kimock, Sikiru and Jen Durkin. With original material from Robert Hunter and the band, this experience is unlike any other concert. Sit back, relax and take a 72 minute magic ride through time and space.

Steve Kimock will be joining the Everyone Orchestra on August 9th, 2008 at the Great American Music Hall.  Matt Butler will conduct, with Kimock, Dan Lebowitz, Audio Angel, members of Jambay, Legendary Nigerian percussionist Sikiru Adepoju and many special guests.

Relentlessly winding upwards along Berthoud Pass, my brain lights up like a pinball machine in action and BAM my thoughts of needing to extol some elder wisdom on my co-hort becomes apparent. The event we are quickly approaching entry into, is unlike most of the "festivals" she has attended in the past.

On day 2 of my Magical Mystery Weekend I found myself somewhere I'd never been before – the shower.  Wait, I mean Owsley's Golden Road in Denver, Colorado.  Exactly what a little venue in a big city should be, Owsley's screams character from every angle.  From the broke-ass stone edifice and multiple staging areas to the comfortably lit outdoor patio and a laxity towards the rules that the DEA might not entirely approve of, Owsley's is like a little slice of Amsterdam – completely laissez-faire.  The biggest appeal to me