at First Unitarian Church of Oakland ~ 685 14th St., Oakland

Who Has Played at Utunes in the Past?

Friday, September 19, 2008 -- Utunes Opening Night with Chad Manning, Laurie Lewis, & Jody Stecher

Fiddler Chad Manning of the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience will be joined by oldtime and bluegrass stalwarts Laurie Lewis and Jody Stecher for a very special night of fiddle music with the occasional song sung by Laurie and Jody. www.chadmanning.com

Together these three will offer their unique playful and heartfelt signature to fiddle tunes as they traverse the many traditional American styles they love.

Chad performs regularly with David Grisman and has played in bands with JD Crowe, Tony Trischka, Alan Munde, Scott Nygaard, Peter Rowan, Ron Block, Curly Seckler, along with many others.

"Laurie Lewis is one of the pre-eminent bluegrass and Americana artists of our time. She spreads her talent over several genres - bluegrass, folk, country - and with the recognition she has within all those fields, I would certainly say she's one of the top five female artists of the last 30 years", according to Dan Hays, the executive director of the International Bluegrass Music Association. Laurie has won a Grammy ("True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe," 1997), and twice been named Female Vocalist of the Year by the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association). www.laurielewis.com

Jody Stecher has been a mainstay in the folk world for more than 30 years. He tours and records with his wife Kate Brislin, and has played in bands with David Grisman, David Bromberg, and Alisdair Fraser. He also writes for Fiddler magazine.  

Friday, October 10, 2008 -- Stefan and Friends Acoustic Jam  

Stefan Schneider will pull together several bands and individual performers, as only he can do, to provide a variety of acoustic music for your listening pleasure. Performers include The Duck River Band -- an eclectic acoustic experience that includes bluegrass, old time, folk, the Grateful Dead, a few originals, and more. Duck River features Stefan Schneider on guitar, Chuck Rosene on bass and harmonica, Laurel Liefert on banjo, Sharon Dolan on fiddle, and Jim Tepperman on mandolin, guitar, flute, recorder, harmonica, and kitchen sink. Everybody sings.

Also featured - Half Dozen of the Other -- who perform rich harmonies, sing folk, pop, and more. Half Dozen includes Stefan, Sharon, Laurel, sometimes Chuck, plus Claudia Morgan on guitar, Renee Witon on keyboard, and Nita Crow’s smooth vocals.

Friday, November 14, 2008 -- The KTO Project, featuring Kelly Takunda Orphan Martinez

KTO is a unique blend of original music fused with different sensibilities -- from Africa, to the Middle East, to the Americas -- this music was created to uplift your spirits and make you feel funky all at the same time. www.kellytakundaorphan.com

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~ First Unitarian Church of Oakland ~

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