| Artist Bios |
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Tracy Thornton’s (www.tracythornton.com) performing
credits include appearances with,
among many others, Phase II, Ken “Professor” Philmore, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe,
Robert Greenidge and Andy Narell. He has opened for Santana, Kenny Chesney,
Jimmy Buffet, The Original Wailers Band, The Strokes and the Ramones, to
name just a few from a very long list. He was the founder, leader,
musical director, manager and lead tenor pannist of the critically acclaimed
calypso/jazz group “Been Caught Steelin’”, and the founder of the nation’s
most exciting steel drum band “Sons of Steel” where he was the musical director,
teacher, tenor pannist, percussionist, manager, mentor, bus driver etc.…
Tracy has been featured in national publications including Spin Magazine,
Global Rhythm, Modern Drummer Online, Billboard Online, MTV.com among numerous
Online Magazines His 16 CDs include “Been Caught Steelin”, and the “Ramones
endorsed” CD “Pan for Punks”, a steel pan tribute to the music of the punk
icons. His recording “Island Dreamin’” with the Tsunami Wave Riders
was recently awarded The Hawaiian Grammy’s Single of the Year award.
Grupo Pagán (www.grupopagan.com) is the Syracuse area’s leading Latin Rock band, and they are regular performers at the city’s famous Dinosaur Barbecue. Led by Edgar Pagán, The band’s influences include artists from Santana to Sade. They have shared the stage with world class performers such as Ismael Miranda, Andy Montanez, Lou Gramm, B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Mikanic, Bela Fleck, Emedin Rivera, The Average White Band, Tom Scott, Charo, and Grammy award winning Jazz Flutist Dave Valentine. Their debut CD, Save the World, was produced by legendary jazz bassist Jimmy Haslip, and mastered by Grammy award winner Rich Breen. Grupo Pagán’s high energy mix of styles is guaranteed to move your feet, so bring your dancing shoes!
The Slow Natives (www.slownatives.com) deliver original roots reggae vibes and tight vocal harmonies that move people of all ages! Their presence is youthful and energetic which sets the mood for every occasion. This internationally known band is constantly growing every day and will continue to connect to people through mind, body and soul. Shaking earth, and providing socially conscious and inspirationally affirming music, the Slow Natives guarantee to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
Piquant!’s (www.myspace.com/piquantband) music evokes a “Bistro” atmosphere with spicy flavors from Latin dance styles such as the Tango, Rumba, Cha-cha and Samba. They also explore the sweet tones of French Musette and add a touch of swing. Piquant! is the house band for the popular dance series, Tango with Todd. Their love of playing for dancers continues to inspire Piquant! to add many original dance tunes to their repertoire keeping their music spontaneous and fun!
Todd Moe (www.ncpr.org) is the familiar voice of the morning to thousands of listeners. In addition to hosting North Country Public Radio’s morning programs every weekday, he lends his support and enthusiastic advocacy to local artists through his production and co-hosting of NCPR’s “Open Studio”. Airing on the last Thursday evening of every month the show provides opportunities for local artists to be heard and heard about through live performances, recorded feature stories and interviews. Through his “Tango with Todd” collaboration with Piquant!, he has helped to share the joy of movement with his Northern New York Community.
David Sommerstein (www.ncpr.org) is a reporter, producer and music host on North Country Public Radio. His career in radio began as a high school Spanish teacher in Buffalo, NY. While drilling verb conjugations and teaching a love for Latino culture during the day, he sat in as a late night jazz and Latin DJ at Buffalo's NPR affiliate, WBFO. His Friday afternoon music program, “The Beat Authority” provides an upbeat “adios” to the work week as it brings high energy dance music from around the world to listeners throughout Northern New York, Western Vermont, Southern Ontario, and around the world as listeners stream the broadcast live from ncpr.org.
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