July 16, 2011 - Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
July 17, 2011 - Rendezvous Chamber Orchestra
Milonga
Milonga is an 8-piece Latin band, playing original material, inspired by the many regional dialects of Musica Latina from places across Latin America, Spain, and the Carribean. Milonga fuses these traditional dance grooves with slight, and sometimes not so slight elements of more contemporary styles like jazz, funk, hiphop, rock & roll and reggae, creating an original vibe that satisfies the craving for a hot new sound, and still manages to pay homage to their ancestral homelands.
The word "Milonga" translates as "party & dance" and finds its roots in more urbanized Latin countries like Spain, Argentina and Cuba. In such a party, musicians would gather informally at someone's house or even in the streets and jam at length, attracting the local dancers who would in turn, provide inspiration for changes within the course of a tune. This gathering, while informal, quickly became tradition and commonly lasted until the wee hours of the morning, much like the rumbas & fandangos found in other regions of Latin America. This musical potluck was the spawning grounds for a popular style of dance, found more commonly in Argentine Tango, which is also called the Milonga. While many dancers would argue that "Milonga" means Tango, Milonga (the band) draws its inspiration from the cultural and musical gatherings that acted as a creatinve forum for both dancer and musician.
Milonga's tasteful mix of Latin dance styles have been compared to a Pan-Latin buffet where the best dishes from all over the Spanish-speaking empire are represented. Milonga clearly sits at the head of the table in this aspect. Mixing cumbia with merengue, bomba, reggeton, rumba, flamenco, mambo y chachacha, it becomes plainly clear that in a world of salsa, Milonga is the Whole Enchilada!
The band's original material and passionate live performances continue to create cross- cultural dialogue by breaking language barriers and including something everyone can enjoy, regardless of their ethnic background. Many press articles have applauded their ability to bring audiences together of such diverse walks of life on to one dance floor and make them all sweat together. One article describes Milonga's sound as having the power to make the listener drop all reservations, "turning the most manly men into hip-shaking Shakiras". Another article describes their lyrical content as "music for the spirit AND the flesh". Another says "Milonga does such a fine job of getting the emotion across through their music that the listener doesn't necessarily have to speak Spanish to understand". While accolades from the media are helpful, the band's appeal can most easily be seen in what it does to an audience. Whether at a packed, steamy club or an open air festival setting, nobody brings a crowd like Milonga does.
Founded in 2001 by Spokane native Nicolas Vigil (lead vocal, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter), Milonga's lineup is staffed by a stellar lineup of Northwest Musicians, including veteran conga player George De La Rosa, Greg Brandt (keys), Jessie Leek (sax), Brian Mueller (trombone), Miguel Maldonado (trumpet), Eddie Ramirez (bass) and Chris Newbury (drums, timbales). Milonga has performed at and headlined many festivals and hi-profile events throughout the Pacific NW. Milonga has shared the stage with many greats such as Poncho Sanchez, The Iguanas, Alejandro Escovedo, Quetzal, Ozomatli and most recently, Los Lobos in February at the Knitting Factory in Spokane.
Website: http://www.myspace.com/milongaband/
Opener: Taarka
http://www.taarka.com/
http://www.myspace.com/taarka/
Local Opener: Cooper Trail
Dilana
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, the girl known by age two as Dilana Smith discovered a love for music at an early age, participating in school and church choirs as an escape from an unpleasant home life. Inspired by such visceral singers as Janis Joplin and Tina Turner, she left school at sixteen to follow her own dreams and soon found herself with a promising music career in Holland, becoming one of the country’s most coveted live acts. Her 2000 album Wonderfool scored five singles, four videos and a string of touring and festival gigs throughout the region.
By way of Houston, Dilana made it to L.A. and wound up auditioning for “Rock Star Supernova.” As one publication noted, “The minute she stepped on the Mayan Theatre stage in Los Angeles in Episode One and performed Nirvana’s ‘Lithium,’ she instantly became the show’s frontrunner.” Her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence amassed legions of new fans from around the world. That acclaim has inspired Dilana to pursue her musical passion with characteristic tenacity.
Dilana has performed with rock legends Tommy Lee and Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe), Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel) and Gilby Clark (Guns N’ Roses). In 2007, she opened for Aerosmith and Beth Hart, and launched two solo tours spanning North America and Western Europe that consistently earned stellar reviews. Dilana finished 2009 touring her native South Africa.
Following the release of seven singles, Dilana spent much of 2008 in the studio. She just unleashed InsideOut, a compilation of 12 original songs; her first full-length album in nine years. She began her venture into film acting in 2009. Her lead in the musical drama “Angel Camouflaged” costars James Brolin and is directed by Michael Givens. Dilana composed and performed nine songs for the soundtrack. The film and soundtrack was released in summer, 2010.
While music remains the focus of her life, Dilana is also committed to helping others, especially children. She has given her support to the Lili Claire Foundation, Milagro Foundation, Safe Passage, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, encouraging fans to donate to these causes. “Growing up in South Africa I saw a lot of pain and death. I saw babies die of AIDS. Anything I can do to help prevent that kind of suffering is worthwhile,” says Dilana, an artist who has gained respect in more ways than one.
Website: http://www.dilanarocks.com/
Opener: The Stone Foxes
http://www.thestonefoxes.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thestonefoxes/
Local Opener: Stiff Kitten
Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
Formed in 2003, Dumpstaphunk was initially assembled by keyboardist Ivan Neville on a whim to perform a solo slot at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Ivan immediately selected the unique double-bass attack of both Nick Daniels and Tony Hall on bass, handpicked rock solid local legend Raymond Weber to man the skins, and enlisted his own bloodlines for the scorching guitar rhythms of fledgling up n' comer, and younger cousin, Ian Neville, to round out a line-up of some of the Crescent City's finest and funkiest musical cohorts! Dumpstaphunk's informal performance became that of immediate legend. The project has since grown from chance side- project into what is now widely considered to be one of New Orleans' most popular and modern musical exports. With a direct lineage to The Meters and The Neville Brothers, Dumpstaphunk is a recipe for creating a new standard for an entire genre.
Dumpstaphunk was awarded "New Orleans Best Funk Band" by Offbeat Magazine and Gambit Weekly in 2007 and 2009, and most recently the trophy for Best Funk Award at the 2010 Big Easy Awards. Not uncommon to the festival circuit, Dumpstaphunk has unleashed notable performances at some of the nation's largest music extravaganzas, including Bonnaroo, VoodooFest, 10,000 Lakes, New Orleans Jazzfest, Bear Creek, Wanee, High Sierra, and Gathering of the Vibes.
Dumpstaphunk's musicians have shared the stage with many legendary figures.... Ivan and Ian‚ the sons of Neville Bros. Aaron and Art Neville respectively‚ seem to play their instruments flawlessly... and the dirty funk resonates organically from their souls as the offspring and kin of the legendary New Orleans Neville Bros family! A conservative sample of the impressive list of bands Ivan has either recorded or performed with includes The Rolling Stones‚ Bonnie Raitt‚ The Neville Bros, Gov't Mule‚ John Mayer, and Keith Richards & The X-pensive Winos to name a few. With a resume like that, it comes as no surprise that Trey Anastasio and Dave Matthews have both, in the past, tapped bassist extraordinaire Tony Hall for their own side projects, and drummer Raymond Weber who also played with Trey, originally cut his chops with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the Wild Magnolia Mardi Gras Indians, and has also sat behind the kit for Harry Connick Jr. and Joe Sample. Nick Daniels, who supplements the bottom as one of 2 bass players in Dumpsta boasts an impressive list of colleagues including Etta James and Boz Scaggs, and Ian has played with the likes of Funky Meters, Lettuce, his new outfit Dr. Klaw with Eric Krasno, and more recently sitting in and adding some flavor to the stoner fusion of Southern Cali jam stalwarts Slightly Stoopid!
It's no wonder these boys can put the Phunk in your Dumpsta, and moving forward in 2011, they continue to push the envelope of the form of a progressive funk sound that has arguably become the most defining in the modern genre of New Orleans music. With their latest release “Everbody Want Sum” starting to permeate with the single “Oughta Know Better” (co-penned by Allman Brothers / Govt. Mule Warren Haynes), featured performances at Offbeat Magazines Best of The Beat 2011, and a coveted mainstage slot at Jazzfest this year, Dumpstaphunk now stands on its own, as the legitimate torchbearer of all things funky both in The Big easy and beyond......... Who Dat!!!!
Website: http://www.dumpstaphunk.com/
Opener: The Moondoggies
http://moondoggiesmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/themoondoggies/
The Rendezvous Chamber Orchestra
Classical musicians from across the region and the country will gather to present "Classical Rendezvous in the Park", East City Park, Moscow, July 17, 2011 at 6 pm.
