Randy Sabien & the Fiddlehead Band
give an energetic kick off to Gem Season
Crystal Falls, MI --- Randy Sabien & the Fiddlehead Band will kick of the 2018 Gem of a Season series at Crystal Theatre on Friday, June 1, at 7:00 pm. Sabien has tapped into the tradition of the “Texas fiddle band” with his Fiddlehead Band featuring cello, piano, drums, bass, in addition to a couple fiddles. The stage will be filled with high energy and reconceived music of Duke Ellington, Grateful Dead and western swing – self-described as “Bob Wills meets Art Blakey (be-bop) meets the Allman Brothers (blues rock).” Sabien and his Fiddlehead Band pays homage to the history of American roots string playing while stretching beyond contemporary conventions.
Lead fiddler, a Wisconsin native, Sabien is one of those rare talents to be hailed as both a violinist and a fiddler. Randy Sabien is a bluesy, rockin', swingin', funky, jazz violinist. He is a strings educator, jazz master, music author and record producer. With an intensely rhythmic, vibrant and inventive style, he has captivated audiences worldwide, playing with scores of bands and musicians of all stripes.
Drummer for the Fiddleheads, Dane Richeson is recognized as one of the most versatile virtuosi in percussion. Throughout the world he has been featured in such diverse roles as solo marimbist, percussionist in contemporary music settings, world percussion specialist and jazz drummer. Richeson is a Professor of Music at Lawrence University (LU) Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he has been Director of Percussion Studies since 1984. Versatile bassist, Mark Urness, is a composer, and educator. His diverse performance experience encompasses orchestral, chamber, solo, jazz playing. Urness is an Associate Professor of Music also at LU. Pianist, Mathew Buchman, professor and director of jazz studies at UW-Stevens Point, received his M.M. in Improvisation from the University of Michigan and his B.M. in composition and theory from Lawrence University. Cellist, Ed Willet, takes cello playing beyond where it was designed to go. A Wisconsin native, Willet spent many years in Los Angeles, before returning to his native Wisconsin, working as a session musician recording music in a staggering array of styles and situations. He recorded for film and television as well as for singer/songwriters in the genres of Rock, Blues, Folk, New Age, Reggae, Latin Pop, and Metal. Sabien has brought together an ensemble of world-class musician who are energized by playing with music together.
Doors open at 6:00 pm. For additional information please contact Crystal Theatre at 906.875.3208
