Shank Hall

Joe Stamm Band

Tomorrow October 15, 20268:00pm $20.00

Joe Stamm has a way of making seemingly minor moments feel as expansive and full as the Illinois River that runs through his central Illinois homeland. As Joe continues building a life in that same river valley, new stories continue revealing themselves to him. In the sound of the crickets on a summer night. In the smell of bonfire smoke on a mild winter day. In the taste of a cold garage beer.

After more than a decade of writing, performing, and touring, Stamm has honed his storytelling ability to such fine detail, you'd think he was there when you were getting up to no good in your hometown. Or at your dinner table when you got the bad news. Or on your porch when you got the good news. His salt-of-the-earth writing style, coupled with a voice that urges you to feel deeply...well, that's what honest music is all about.

"With uncommonly great songwriting, and a serious rock n' roll attitude...Joe Stamm Band casts a wide net of appeal that captures most anyone with any sense of taste who falls within earshot." - Trigger Coroneos for SavingCountryMusic.com

Expect a unique mix of rootsy rock and rugged country from all of Joe Stamm Band's work -- a sound they've coined Black Dirt Country Rock. This genre-bending sound flexes even further in the band's newest full-length album Little Crosses. Produced by Al Torrence, a member of Charles Wesley Godwin's right-hand band The Allegheny High, Little Crosses brings together the best parts of Midwest and Appalachian music.

Josh Meloy says Little Crosses is "like watching a movie." Read Connolly, of Zach Bryan's touring retinue, simply states, "This is American music."

With gold-record know-how, Torrence "applaud[s] JSB endlessly for taking risks, and letting the songs steer them in the direction where the music takes them."

But no matter what artistic turn they take, JSB has stayed true to what their dedicated fans have come to love from them: distinct imagery, high energy, big builds, and a voice that cuts straight through.

Joe Stamm Band is rounded out by longtime members, Bruce Moser on bass, Dave Glover on guitar (and occasional keys), and Tim Kramp on drums, all born, raised and still residing in central Illinois (except for most of the time...when they're in a Ford Transit van).

Will Dempsey, Gavin Hughes

Friday October 16, 20268:00pm $25.00

Will Dempsey didn't take the easy road to music. He took the responsible one. For almost 15 years, he worked in the chemical plant industry while the dream he'd carried since childhood sat quietly in the back of his mind. He thought he'd retire there.

Then a video of him and his son went viral. A dad and his kid, an unguarded moment that reached millions of people. He'd spent 15 years setting the dream aside -- turns out, the dream wasn't done with him.

The music comes straight out of real life. Alarm clocks and overtime. A love that costs you something. The pride and heartache of raising kids. The grief that doesn't follow a timeline. He writes about those things because he's lived them, not as metaphor, but as memory.

He'll tell you he's just a regular guy who took the long way to get here. And every mile of it ended up in the music.

Edgar Sandoval

Saturday October 17, 20265:00pm $12 advance / $15 door

Edgar Sandoval is living proof that bad decisions make great comedy.

Born and raised on the east side of Milwaukee, Edgar spent years as a television news anchor before realizing that reporting on other people's problems wasn't nearly as funny as talking about his own. Now an internationally touring stand-up comedian, he mines endless material from a 27-year marriage, four children, and the unique experience of being a second-generation Asian American.

Somehow, he's managed to stay married for nearly three decades, keep four kids alive, and convince audiences across the country to laugh at his questionable life choices. Edgar has headlined in Las Vegas and throughout Wisconsin and Illinois, and has opened on the road for Charlie Berens, Chris Kattan, April Macie, Liz Miele, Ryan Niemiller, Erica Rhodes, and many others.

You might have seen him perform at the Improv, The Laughing Tap or O'Donoghue's or back in the day at Kopp's, The Coffee Trader, Sentry on Downer and Oakland, or overnights on Channel 12.

Cash Box Kings

Friday October 23, 20268:00pm $20.00

For more than 25 years, The Cash Box Kings have been carrying the raw, rollicking spirit of classic Chicago blues into the present. Now, with a powerful new voice at the helm, the band is entering an exciting new chapter.

Founded by Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee and harmonica powerhouse Joe Nosek, The Cash Box Kings have built an international reputation for their fiercely authentic take on the music they love. Their sound draws deeply from the electrifying blues of the 1950s and '60s, while embracing jumping proto-rock 'n' roll, early New Orleans-style R&B, Retro Soul, and the band's own hard-charging hybrid of Chicago blues and Memphis rockabilly--what the Kings affectionately call "bluesabilly."

As MOJO put it, the band are "experts in classic Chicago grooves," evoking Muddy Waters and Little Walter while also delivering original songs that are "both funny and pointed." AllMusic praised their "enthusiastic celebration of Chicago blues in all of its electric forms," noting the band's combination of witty, sharp songwriting and an ability to bring tradition into the present: "The Cash Box Kings make the case that the blues can still speak forcefully and directly about contemporary life."

Featuring Nosek and Webb alongside keyboardist Lee Kanehira, bassist John W. Lauler, guitarists Billy Flynn and Andrew Diehl, and drummers Derek Hendrickson and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, the album showcases everything that has made The Cash Box Kings a singular force in contemporary blues: deep Chicago grooves, explosive harmonica, powerful vocals, sharp songwriting, jumping rhythms, and the unmistakable chemistry of a great live band.

That combination of reverence and originality has been at the heart of The Cash Box Kings since Nosek founded the group in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2001. As a teenager growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Nosek began sneaking into Chicago blues clubs to see legends including Junior Wells, James Cotton, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, and Sunnyland Slim. Those experiences inspired him to take up harmonica and develop the driving, expressive style that has become one of the band's defining sounds. After moving to Madison to attend college, he began sitting in with artists including Clyde Stubblefield and Luther Allison before assembling a group of like-minded musicians determined to play raw, rough-edged, hard-charging blues.

The Cash Box Kings released their debut, Live! At The King Club, in 2003 and quickly established themselves as one of the Midwest's most exciting live blues acts. Over the years, the band has released eleven albums, earned 25 Blues Music Award nominations--including Album of the Year, Best Traditional Album, Song of the Year, and Band of the Year--and received widespread critical acclaim. Their albums have topped the Billboard Blues, Living Blues Radio, and SiriusXM's B.B. King's Bluesville charts. In 2023, The Cash Box Kings were named Blues Band of the Year at the Blues Blast Music Awards, while their Alligator Records release Oscar's Motel became the most-played blues album worldwide that year.

The band's latest chapter began in 2026 with the departure of longtime vocalist Oscar Wilson, who left the group to pursue new endeavors. Wilson had been an important part of The Cash Box Kings' history since joining in 2007, and his commanding South Side Chicago voice and gritty songwriting helped propel the band to international acclaim. Now, rather than looking backward, the Kings are moving forward with a new generation of energy and musicianship.

Enter Cameron Webb.

Born and raised on Chicago's South Side, Webb began performing at the age of three in the Baptist church where his father served as pastor. From those early beginnings, he immersed himself in the rich traditions of Black American music, developing a powerful and highly expressive vocal style rooted in gospel, blues, soul, jazz, and R&B.

Webb is not only a powerhouse vocalist and dynamic showman but also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who performs on piano, guitar, bass, and saxophone. He has already built an impressive résumé on the blues and R&B circuit, performing and holding residencies in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York.

Webb first became part of The Cash Box Kings as a second vocalist, stepping in for Wilson during periods when Wilson was unable to perform. Those appearances quickly made clear that Webb was more than capable of holding his own alongside the band's seasoned musicians. With his remarkable voice, charisma, musicianship, and deep connection to the traditions of Black American music, he brings a fresh energy to the Kings while remaining firmly grounded in the music's roots.

Influenced by legendary vocalists including Junior Parker, B.B. King, Sam Cooke, and Magic Sam, Webb represents the next generation of blues artists, one that understands that keeping the blues alive means allowing it to grow. His arrival gives The Cash Box Kings an opportunity to honor the music's history while pushing their sound into new territory, embracing not only classic Chicago blues but also the soulful sounds of retro soul and early R&B, along with the raw, infectious energy of Sun Records-era rockabilly.

With Webb's stunning vocal power and Nosek's soaring harmonica and songwriting chops, The Cash Box Kings continue to do what they have always done best: make the blues feel immediate, alive, and joyous. They bring the music of the past roaring into the present--not as a museum piece, but as living, breathing music built to move people.

The Cash Box Kings have performed at major festivals and venues throughout the United States and Europe, including the Chicago Blues Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Moulin Blues Festival, Lucerne Blues Festival, Tampa Bay Blues Festival, Doheny Blues Festival, Baltic Blues Festival, and Edmonton Blues Festival. They have also headlined legendary Chicago clubs including Buddy Guy's Legends, Rosa's Lounge, SPACE, and Fitzgerald's.

Twenty-five years after their formation, The Cash Box Kings remain committed to one simple proposition: the blues should sound great, feel great, and make people want to get up and move.

With Cameron Webb bringing a powerful new voice to the band, The Cash Box Kings aren't simply preserving a tradition. They're keeping it alive and thriving.

Steve Forbert

Wednesday November 4, 20268:00pm

Steve Forbert is a true American musical treasure, underscored by the new album, Daylight Savings Time. Like all his albums, it's saturated with what venerated rock journalist Robert Christgau discerned as his "omnivorously observant" songwriting, marked by Steve's gift for finding the more profound meaning and magic within everyday moments, as well as his abundant melodic and poetic enchantment.

"Like Warren Zevon, Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen, Steve Forbert has left his unmistakable imprint on the landscape of American music," says American Songwriter. As with other esteemed creative souls, his work is marked by his own distinctive qualities, and he speaks genuinely to his listeners.

As Forbert approaches the milestone of his 70th birthday, Daylight Savings Time contemplates and celebrates the proverbial 'extra hour of daylight' that comes with the time change. "Yeah, to chirping crickets and to daylight savings time!" he sings on the album's first single, "Sound Existence," "The best ain't yet to come, but you could still get by just fine."

Daylight Savings Time is Forbert's third album helmed by producer/engineer Steve Greenwell. Its core components were cut at Greenwell's studio in Asbury, NJ, with drummer Aaron Comess(Spin Doctors) and keyboard player Rob Clores (Jesse Malin, The Black Crowes, Tom Jones.) Supple bass lines were contributed by Byron House (Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Al Green, and more.) Gurf Morlix, whose guitar and production gifts were elemental in launching Lucinda Williams into the spotlight, tracked his note-perfect six-string contributions at his home studio just outside Austin, Texas.

When Steve arrived in New York City from his Meridian, Mississippi hometown in 1976, his aim was establishing a lifetime of creating, performing, and recording the songs he'd started writing at age 17 after cutting his teeth as a teen in local rock bands. He slotted seamlessly into the "new folk" revival in such Manhattan clubs as Folk City, The Bitter End, and Kenny's Castaways,yet at the same time took the stage at CBGB, ground zero of the burgeoning punk/new wave movement. He also busked on the streets of Greenwich Village and in the elegant confines of Grand Central Station.

Forbert chose his solo approach of voice, acoustic guitar, and harmonica, accented by foot stomps, to best approximate the melodic fullness and drive of a band. It inevitably caused him to be tagged as one of the numerous "new Dylans" that emerged in the 1970s. "Evoking the young Dylan has become a cliché for artists of this sort," observed The New York Times, "but, in this case, Mr. Forbert deserves the evocation." However, Steve focused on refining his singular musical voice and personality.

He quickly won a major label deal with Nemperor/CBS Records and released his heralded debut, Alive on Arrival, in 1978. His next album, Jackrabbit Slim, won similar acclaim and brought wider renown to Forbert with its #11 pop chart hit "Romeo's Tune." It provided the stature for his troubadour existence, which has kept him active ever since as "a striking performer, very much worth seeing and hearing," according to The New York Times.

Steve has released 20 studio albums featuring his songwriting gifts. His live show is markedly different and genuinely of the moment. It has yielded four live album releases on record labels, plus 14 more concert recordings available exclusively on his website. His oeuvre is further rounded out by a tribute album to his fellow Meridian native, country music founding father Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time (nominated for a Best Folk Album Grammy award), Steve's 2020 LP of interpretations of favorite songs by other talents that have inspired him, Early Morning Rain, and collections of outtakes and early recordings.

Venerable Milwaukee concert promoter Peter Jest perhaps best encapsulated Forbert's creative presence. "His ability to craft songs that capture the essence of the human spirit is nothing short of remarkable. His voice is a beacon of authenticity in a world saturated with noise."

Davy Knowles

Friday November 6, 20268:00pm $25.00

Whether playing acoustic, mandolin, national steel, or screaming electric guitar, Davy Knowles has an unmistakable style.

Since bursting on to the scene with his band Back Door Slam's critically acclaimed album 'Roll Away' in 2007 ("I heard the spirit of Jimi Hendrix" Patrick McDonald - Seattle Times), Davy's star has only risen. His sophomore release 'Coming Up For Air' was produced by the legendary Peter Frampton ("Davy already has a recognizable style. He's definitely the gunslinger guitarist of the 21st century,''- Peter Frampton), with subsequent tours seeing him supporting and sharing the stage with acts such as Jeff Beck, The Who, Joe Bonamassa, Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Thorogood, Brian Setzer, the Sammy Hagar- fronted supergroup Chickenfoot, and guitar hero Joe Satriani who called Davy "My favorite modern Bluesman".

Knowles has several top-5 Billboard Blues charting albums under his belt, high profile TV appearances (Jimmy Kimmel Live and CBS Good Morning America among others), and has been praised with high accolades from heroes and press alike - but it's not just the music industry who has taken note. Knowles was also the very first artist in history to perform live to the International Space Station directly from mission control in Houston TX, and has had his music taken to the Space Station by two astronauts, Nicole Stott and Ron Garan, on their respective missions orbiting Earth.

Never one to be satisfied or to sit still, Knowles has explored multiple genres and styles, from the hard-hitting 70's classic rock influenced album 'Three Miles From Avalon', to the haunting acoustic delta blues of '1932', and the sweet, soul-searching folk of 2023's 'If I Should Wander'.

Whether spending an evening onstage armed with just an acoustic guitar, or wielding his well worn and trusty Telecaster while fronting his blues/rock trio - and at any point in between the two - Davy Knowles is one of the most versatile and formidable songwriters, vocalists and musicians in the world today. A true artist in every sense of the word.

Deadelijk

Sunday November 22, 20263:00pm $15 advance / $20 door

"Playing in the band" and busting out the jams!!!

Deadelijk is a group of Milwaukee based musicians who interpret Grateful Dead music and revel in the spirit of improvisation that the music inspires.

While the world may not need yet another Dead cover band, the power of this music to bring people together in celebration of life is undeniable. Our hope is to take audiences on a journey utilizing the tunes we all love so much as the vehicle. Hop on the bus and let's take this trip together!

The Ike Reilly Assassination

Tuesday November 24, 20268:00pm $25.00

Ike Reilly is a punk-poet-troubadour and the leader of the ferocious musical outfit The Ike Reilly Assassination. The former doorman and gravedigger hailing from the seemingly idyllic town of Libertyville, Illinois is the subject of the award-winning documentary Don't Turn Your Back On Friday Night. The film, from Executive Producer Tom Morello, chronicles the songs, career and proverbial life of Reilly. Like the subject matter of his music, the film deals with booze, drugs, religion, family, financial calamity and culls over 30 years of footage to reveal a complicated and formidable artist in his pursuit of both greatness and authenticity. The film is both profound and personal.

Since his 2001 major label debut, Salesmen and Racists, Reilly has been creating rebellious punk/folk/country/blues-influenced rock 'n' roll records that are both poetic and cinematic. He's written songs for and collaborated with artists like Johnny Hickman and David Lowery of the band Cracker, Shooter Jennings and Tom Morello. Critical praise for his work has been plentiful. David Carr of the New York Times said, "Ike Reilly is a kind of natural resource mined from the bedrock of music, all the values that make Rock important to people-storytelling, melody, rage, laughter are part and parcel of every Ike Reilly show I've ever seen." The Washington Post called The Ike Reilly Assassination one of the best live bands in America and author Stephen King recently said "Ike Reilly is the Rock God not enough people have heard of."

The Ike Reilly Assassination will be heading out on their AMERICAN STEAL TOUR this February and Don't Turn Your Back On Friday Night is now streaming on APPLE TV, AMAZON PRIME, YOUTUBE and all major streaming platforms. bit.ly/4hoOMAr

65 North Pickers

Thursday December 10, 20268:00pm $15 advance / $20 door

The 65 North Pickers are a high-energy, bluegrass, quartet that fuses the drive of traditional bluegrass with the exploratory spirit of jam band improvisation. Made up of Jake (mandolin), Nate (banjo), Quinton (guitar), and Tali (bass) -- they are renowned for their lightning-fast picking and impressive spontaneity. Their performances feature incredible original compositions that merge bluegrass with the nostalgic vibes of classic festival music, where the essence of the Grateful Dead meets the psychedelic flair of Jimi Hendrix. With listeners dancing out of their chairs, captivated by the music, 65 North Pickers create an unforgettable experience that keeps fans coming back for more.

Delvon Lamarr

Wednesday December 16, 20268:00pm $20.00

DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO--or as it is sometimes referred to, DLO3--specializes in the lost art of "feel-good music." The trio is formed by collecting a unique blend of guitarists and drummers worldwide. They leave you with a feeling of wonder caused by seeing something surprisingly beautiful and unforgettable for their fans at every show. The trio started from humble beginnings in 2015 with the goal of creating feel-good music to heal the world. Since then, the band has released several Billboard charting albums and toured the world to sold-out venues. DLO3 showcases the kind of raw, bottomless talent you have to see to believe.

The trio started from humble beginnings in 2015, but since then has released several Billboard charting albums and toured the world to sold-out venues. Not to mention, Congratulations to Delvon Lamarr on being named the Rising Star Critics Choice for Organist of the Year! Check out the 70th Annual Downbeat Critics Poll.

On The Lash

Thursday December 17, 20268:00pm $20.00

In honor of Irish traditional music, On The Lash creates timeless sounds through original voices. With new takes on classic songs and original constructions of established standards, OTL aims to explore the inherent energy and versatility of the genre. Dynamic musicality, powerful vocals, and charming authenticity are united in this group of four friends sharing the great breadth of emotion uniquely expressed in the tradition. On The Lash formed in early 2022, with their very first set of shows being a tour through PA and DE. Since then, OTL has been busy performing at festivals and concert venues across the US, as well as sharing their unique background and experience in the genre through educational workshops. Some notable festivals include the Michigan Irish Music Festival; the KVMR Celtic Fest in Grass Valley, CA; the Yachats Celtic Fest In Yachats, OR; the Long's Peak Highland Fest in Estes Park, CO; and the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, PA. During their travels, On The Lash has had the opportunity to share the stage with renowned artists such as Jeremy Kittel, Talisk, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Hass, as well as opening for Altan within their first year of performing. Their recorded work includes the 2022 single Dog in the Distance and their 2025 Debut EP Fireside.

All graduates of Western Michigan University's music program, each member of On The Lash has a unique, yet complimentary background in folk and classical styles. Elizabeth June (flute/vocals) grew up learning classical flute, but she also had the unique experience of having a large family full of passion for folk music. With her dad on the banjo, mom on upright bass, and 10 siblings covering practically every instrument in-between, she began singing and playing from a very young age with her family's bluegrass band. Going on to earn a master's degree in flute performance from the University of Michigan, OTL has allowed her to exercise fully her passions for flute, voice, and folk music. Joel Tyrone Myers (mandolin) started on fiddle as a young lad playing with the Chelsea House Orchestra, gaining a love and admiration for Irish music at the outset of his music career. Over the years, he discovered a passion for composition and songwriting, which has led to his writing and arranging a majority of the music for OTL. John Robey (fiddle/stomp) began learning classical violin around seven years old, and it wasn't until he was fourteen that he began diving into modern styles and improvisational techniques in his church's worship band. It was this development that first kindled a desire for a non-classical music career, which manifested into his current trajectory in Celtic music. Patrick Hartson (guitar/bass) started out in music playing cello not only classically, but also in fiddle club learning various styles of Irish dance tunes. He then went on to earn multiple advanced degrees in cello performance from DePaul University following his time at WMU. Along the way, he picked up guitar as a secondary instrument, opening the door to playing in bands in genres from metal to rock and ultimately back to his roots in Celtic.

Southbound

Saturday December 19, 20268:00pm $15 advance / $25 door

Join Southbound for a night dedicated to the music of the Allman Brothers Band, as they bring the classic album Eat a Peach to life on stage. This ABB tribute show pairs a "best of" set of Allman Brothers favorites with a full, start-to-finish performance of Eat a Peach -- every track, in order, the way it was meant to be heard.

Southbound is a Milwaukee-based band built on Classic Rock and Blues with a jam-fueled groove. With more than thirty years of experience bringing rock's greatest songs to the stage, Southbound honors the integrity of every song while layering in their own originality and improvisation. The band has built a devoted Midwest following, drawing large crowds to high- profile gigs and earning a fan base that spans generations of rock and roll lovers -- making them a natural fit to do Eat a Peach justice, sometimes note for note and sometimes with improvised jams.

DIO RULES: Tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio

Saturday January 9, 20278:00pm $40.00

DIO RULES is a powerful live concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of Ronnie James Dio, one of the most influential voices in the history of hard rock and heavy metal.

Between 1975 and 1985, Dio fronted three of rock's most legendary bands -- Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio -- creating and extraordinary decade of music that defined the genre and continues to inspire generations of fans. From Man on the Silver Mountain and Heaven and Hell to Holy Diver and Rainbow in the Dark, these songs remain staples of rock radio, film and pop culture.

Performed by an all-star lineup of world class musicians, DIO RULES delivers this iconic catalog with the power and authenticity it demands. The band features Andrew Freeman, the powerhouse vocalist personally selected by the original members of DIO to front Last in Line, alongside acclaimed guitarist Angus Clark(Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Joe Lynn Turner), and drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big, Kix).

The result is a 90-minute concert event celebrating one of rock's greatest voices and the music that defined a generation.

A portion of every ticket sold benefits the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, the charity founded in Ronnie James Dio's name to help fight the disease that took his life.

Michael McDermott

Saturday January 23, 20278:00pm $25.00

Michael McDermott's brand of rock n' roll brims with the kind of well-honed style and wisdom that can only come from a career on the road and a pedigree in the studio. Effortlessly blending natural folk sensibility, pop hooks, and honest rock, McDermott's music is as much for the outcast as the congregation. It's an exploration of the dark corners of life's journey and it resonates middle class truths through the passionate filter of a kid that grew up on Chicago's Irish South Side.

If you are a fan of Springsteen, Van Morrison, John Steinbeck, Patti Smith ... McDermott's inspirational rock is in your wheelhouse, waiting late night with a guitar, spare smokes and stories of the American heart.

Hypnotized: The Music of Fleetwood Mac

Friday January 29, 20278:00pm $20 advance / $25 door

Hypnotized is a tribute ensemble dedicated to honoring Fleetwood Mac, renowned as one of the most successful rock and roll bands in history. Capturing the essence and sound of the 1970s, Hypnotized delivers a selection of album tracks, lesser-known gems, and chart-topping favorites from iconic albums such as Rumours, Tusk, Tango In The Night, Mirage, and Mystery To Me, among others. With a solid rhythm section, impressive vocal performances, and precise guitar work reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac's legendary lineup, Hypnotized faithfully recreates the music. Prepare for an evening filled with nostalgic melodies that will transport you back in time.

The Queers, Toxic Energy

Wednesday February 24, 20278:00pm $20.00

The Queers are the greatest pop punk band in the world!!! The band has released classic records like "Love Songs for The Retarded" and "Don't Back Down" while playing around the world many times! Often times compared to the Ramones and The Beach Boys with a little Black Flag thrown in for good measure, the band plays nonstop for 40 minutes. Few other bands could play their set without stopping 20 times!

Stanley Jordan

Thursday March 18, 20278:00pm $35.00

In a career that took flight in 1985 with commercial and critical acclaim, guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan has consistently displayed a chameleonic musical persona of openness, imagination, versatility and maverick daring. Be it bold reinventions of classical masterpieces or soulful explorations through pop-rock hits, to blazing straight ahead jazz forays and ultramodern improvisational works-solo or with a group-Jordan can always be counted on to take listeners on breathless journeys into the unexpected.

Key to Jordan's fast-track acclaim was his mastery of a special technique on the guitar's fretboard. Instead of conventional strumming and picking, Jordan's innovative "touch technique" is an advanced form of two-handed tapping. While a handful of other players were using similar techniques, Stanley's fluid, multi-layered textures and sheer virtuosity raised the bar for excellence. But his technique, though impressive, is always a means to a musical end. His music is imbued with a warmth and sensitivity that has captured the imagination of listeners worldwide. A classically trained pianist before playing guitar, Jordan wanted greater freedom in voicing chords on his guitar, so he applied piano principles to do so. Jordan's touch technique allows the guitarist to play melody and chords simultaneously with an unprecedented level of independence. It also allows Jordan to play simultaneously on two different guitars, or even on guitar and piano. He says that "I think of it as a single instrument, but one with a wide range of tonal colors-that's why I do it."

To date Jordan has performed in over 60 countries on 6 continents. He has performed at many festivals, including the Kool Jazz Festival, the Concord Jazz Festival, and the Montreaux International Jazz Festival. During the 1980s he collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including performances with Art Blakey and Richie Cole and recordings with Stanley Clarke and Kenny Rogers. The track with Rogers, "Morning Desire", became America's #1 country song in 1986. Later Jordan became a frequent guest with Les Paul during Paul's legendary Monday nights at Iridium in New York. Today Jordan performs frequently as a soloist and with his band, as well as collaborating with other guitarists such as Kevin Eubanks, Sharon Isbin and Muriel Anderson. He's also a frequent guest with jam bands such as the Dave Matthews Band, the String Cheese Incident, Phil Lesh, Moe and Umphrey's McGee.

Jordan has received four Grammy nominations. His most recent album "Friends" was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Los Angeles Times jazz critic Leonard Feather wrote, "Genius is a word often tossed around in musical circles, but it has been rightfully applied to Stanley Jordan."
Stanley Jordan was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. He began his music career at age six studying piano, then shifting his focus to guitar at age eleven. He then began playing in rock and soul bands. In 1976, while still in high school, Jordan performed with Quincy Jones and tied for first place as a soloist at the Reno International Jazz Festival. In 1981 he earned a BA in music from Princeton University, where he studied theory and composition with composer Milton Babbitt and computer music with composer Paul Lansky. While still at Princeton, Jordan performed with Benny Carter and Dizzy Gillespie.

Jordan came to prominence with the release of his 1985 album Magic Touch, a revolutionary project that placed him at the forefront of re-launching legendary Blue Note Records into a contemporary entity in jazz and beyond, as also established the then-twenty-something Jordan as among the most distinctive and refreshing new voices of the electric guitar. Jordan had begun applying his unique technique to his already exemplary traditional playing ten years prior to the Magic Touch album. Though Jordan showcased the technique in a variety of musical styles from swing to rock, it was smooth jazz radio support for his singular versions of "The Lady in My Life" (first recorded by Michael Jackson) and the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" that sent Magic Touch to the top of Billboard's jazz chart for a stunning and record-breaking 51 weeks. The album became a gold-seller (over 500,000 sold in the U.S. alone) - outstanding for any jazz or instrumental CD.

Subsequent albums found Jordan ushering his audience into deeper levels of his artistry and stretching his music beyond stylistic boundaries. These projects included a solo guitar album titled Standards Volume 1 (1986) where Stanley made the bold statement that songs by the likes of Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix deserved recognition as standards just as much as older chestnuts like Hoagy Charmichael's "Georgia On My Mind." He followed that with the dance-pop album Flying Home (1988) and the especially edgy Cornucopia (1990), which spanned the gamut from straight-ahead jazz recorded live to multi-dimensional originals recorded in the studio. Still later in 1994 after a move to Arista Records (then helmed by pop music maverick Clive Davis), he recorded the bracingly eclectic Bolero album, featuring covers of Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon," Jimi Hendrix's "Drifting," his original "Plato's Blues" and the CD's centerpiece, a 17-minute arrangement of Ravel's "Bolero", which flowed seamlessly between rock, African, Latin, "groove" and "industrial" sections. During this era, Jordan also made history by creating the seminal "startup" sound for the first generation of Power Macintosh computers.

In 2002, Stanley released the album Dreams of Peace with the Italian band Novecento. It was remixed and re-released in the USA in 2004 on Steve Vai's Favored Nations label. Independently, he recorded two CDs: Ragas (a collaboration with musicians from India featuring Jay Kishor on sitar) and Relaxing Music for Difficult Situations Volume 1, an audio extension of his interest in music therapy. In 2007 Jordan signed with Mack Avenue Records and released State of Nature in 2008 and Friends in 2011. For Friends, he invited musical guests including guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli, Mike Stern, Russell Malone and Charlie Hunter; violinist Regina Carter; saxophonists Kenny Garrett and Ronnie Laws; trumpeter Nicholas Payton; bassists Christian McBride and Charnett Moffett; and drummer Kenwood Dennard. The results proved truly outstanding on numbers ranging from a Bela Bartok piece to a Katy Perry pop smash, a heady original blues and three jazz classics spanning swing, cool, samba and modern.

Jordan has been known to TV and film audiences as well. In 1987 he made a cameo appearance in the Blake Edwards movie Blind Date, starring Bruce Willis and Kim Basinger. In the tribute film, Les Paul: He Changed the Music Jordan performed with a guitar supergroup including Les Paul himself, Eddie Van Halen, BB King, Steve Miller, David Gilmour, and Brian Setzer. In 1995 Jordan created the score for the short film One Red Rose, starring Hill Harper and Victoria Rowell, directed by Charlie Jordan. In 1996 he created the score for an ABC afternoon TV special Daddy's Girl, directed by Diane Wynter. Since the mid 80s he has performed on numerous television shows, including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The David Letterman Show and the Grammy Awards. One notable appearance was a duet on the Tonight Show with the late rock superstar Robert Palmer.

Stanley is committed to music as an artistic, spiritual, and even health-promoting endeavor. He has been immersed for more than a decade in music therapy, towards which he is now working for a master's degree at Arizona State University. His involvement with music therapy leads him to do outreach in schools, hospitals and other venues wherever he tours. He is an artist-spokesperson for the American Music Therapy Association, and he has done numerous lectures and demonstrations on the healing applications of music.

Jordan has maintained an extensive and consistent international touring schedule. In between tour stops he is now at work on his next highly anticipated album from Mack Avenue Records, for release next year.

Jordan is currently a resident of Sedona, Arizona. He has one daughter, Julia. Julia Jordan is a singer/songwriter living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania who sometimes collaborates with her dad.

The Lemonheads

Sunday March 21, 20278:30pm $45.00

The Lemonheads return in 2025 with Love Chant (out via Fire Records, October 24th), their first studio album in nearly two decades - a bold, melodic reaffirmation of Evan Dando's singular songwriting voice. Written across continents and recorded primarily in São Paulo, Brazil, where Dando now resides, Love Chant finds the frontman reconnecting with longtime collaborators while introducing new creative voices. It's a record of fresh starts and familiar sounds - emotionally raw, melodically rich, and unmistakably Lemonheads.

The new album features contributions from J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Juliana Hatfield, Tom Morgan, Bryce Goggin, Erin Rae, and Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond. It's a diverse but coherent work - from the full-throttle hooks of "Deep End" to the spectral softness of "The Key Of Victory," and the Modern Lovers-like drive of the title track. Co-released alongside Dando's forthcoming memoir Rumours Of My Demise (via Faber, November 6th), Love Chant marks both a return and a reckoning - the sound of an artist who's lived, lost, and located the thread once again.

Formed in Boston in 1986, The Lemonheads have long thrived on that intersection between chaos and charm. With a revolving cast built around Dando's melodic instincts and ragged charisma, their early punk roots were forged across three scrappy albums on local label Taang! before signing to Atlantic Records and releasing 1990's Lovey. It was on tour for that record in Australia where Dando connected with Tom Morgan and future bandmate Nic Dalton - a meeting that reshaped the band's songwriting and sound.

Their commercial breakthrough came with 1992's It's A Shame About Ray and 1993's Come On Feel The Lemonheads, both records that married punk energy with melodic pop, and established Dando as one of alternative rock's most compelling figures. National TV appearances followed, and so did the tabloid glare - by the late '90s, the music sometimes took a backseat to Dando's unpredictable, chaotic public persona. He disbanded The Lemonheads in 1997 following a turbulent performance at Reading Festival.

In 2003, he released his acclaimed solo album Baby I'm Bored - quieter and more introspective, it hinted at a new phase. But it wasn't long before The Lemonheads were reborn. In 2006, a self-titled album marked a head-on collision of wordy '70s punk and cosmic country, followed by Varshons (2009) and Varshons 2 (2019), two mixtape-like collections of cover versions that spanned Townes Van Zandt to GG Allin, Leonard Cohen to The Bevis Frond - always with the same emotional clarity and melodic magnetism that defines Dando's output.

Over the years, The Lemonheads' shape has shifted - Descendents, Dinosaur Jr, Blake Babies and members of Fuzzy have all passed through the ranks - but at its core has always been Dando's songwriting: wry, vulnerable, catchy, and true. With Love Chant, that core burns brightly once more.

Recent years have only deepened the band's influence. Artists like Courtney Barnett, Waxahatchee, Phoebe Bridgers and MJ Lenderman cite The Lemonheads as touchstones, covering their songs and praising their emotional candor and melodic economy.

As Record Collector noted, "The Lemonheads have always been recognised as purveyors of grade-A pop punk." Or, in Rolling Stone's words: "Few bands have been able to walk the line between the angst of grunge and the warmth of folk quite as elegantly as The Lemonheads."

Home Free: Coming Home For The Holidays

Saturday November 21, 20267:30pm $64.75, $87.75

At the Meyer Theatre, Green Bay, WI