Thursday, February 18, 2010 Amnesia 853 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA map www.amnesiathebar.com Show 9:00 pm
Nell Robinson & Red Level is one of the “hottest new bands on the San Francisco Bay Area bluegrass scene.” Named after the bandleader’s grandmother and the small Alabama town near the family farm, Nell's rollicking high energy and the band’s three-part harmonies and hot pickin' make this a show you don’t want to miss. Nell Robinson has just released her debut solo album (Nell Robinson in Loango) to critical acclaim. She is joined by John Cogdill on mandolin, Yoseff Tucker on guitar(NCBS Guitar Player of the Year), and Dave Gooding on string bass — plus friends on banjo and fiddle. Nell Robinson & Red Level has headlined three times in two years at the renowned Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, packing the house. The band has opened for Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, won the Emerging Artist Award at Plymouth, and performed at the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, as well as many of the best West Coast festivals and venues.
A long-time SFBOT performer, Kentucky girl Gayle Lynn Schmitt is best known to Bluegrass loving families in the Bay Area through her work with the Toodala Ramblers. This year she appears with her Americana group Gayle Lynn & the Hired Hands, featuring Rik Elswit on guitar, Jon Mitguard on dobro, Corey Losee on snare, and Tom Drohan on standup bass. Brenda Hough of Bluegrass Breakdown says: “Gayle's songs are like a fine Kentucky bourbon—smooth going down with a little kick at the end to make sure you didn't miss one of life's truths.” This acoustic performance by Gayle Lynn & the Hired Hands will have a touch of grass added by special guests dropping in on fiddle and banjo.
Formed in 2007 by Jennifer Kitchen, Kitchen Help is a high energy bluegrass band that delivers traditional songs and heartfelt vocal harmonies inspired by the masters, such as Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Jim and Jesse, and Jimmy Martin. Based in Redwood City, Kitchen Help has performed at most of the regional bluegrass festivals and have gigged at numerous local venues including the Atlas Cafe and the Riptide in San Francisco, McGrath's Irish Pub in Alameda, KPFA radio, and the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. Making the music in the Kitchen are Jennifer Kitchen (bass & vocals), Tom Cooper (banjo & vocals), Avram Frankel (dobro & vocals), Matt Kendall (mandolin & vocals), and Alex Mayers (guitar & vocals).