ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Mapumba

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MAPUMBA performs on the Sundance Power Tent stage on Saturday May 10th @ 845AM EST. (See full schedule HERE)

THE STORY: Born Dieu Merci Mapumba Cilombo in a small town of Kolwezi in DR Congo, Mapumba’s childhood was one filled with political and social instability. Around the age of thirteen when a deadly tribal conflict broke out, Mapumba was sent to Zambia by his family where he finished his higher education. With such an uncertain life Mapumba found refuge in music by teaching himself in voice, guitar and piano through out high school and college. Eventually Mapumba embarked on a quest to find a place that could let him make music his career And so in the year 2000 mapumba arrived in the city of Cape town South Africa with a guitar as his only companion. Here Mapumba exposed himself to various styles of music and performances to learn as much as he could in becoming an inspiring singer, song writer, composer, producer and a multi instrumentalist whose creativity evolves with every single performance. Singing in French, English, Chiluba and Swahili, Mapumba has one well selling debut album entitled Mapumba, which the Cape Times describes as... " a brilliantly self produced and self composed album with a fantastic combination of beautiful ballads and some groovy upbeat African themes. All Diversely blended by his rich soothing velvet voice. A sound that can only be simply called world music...!"


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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Nuevo Montuno

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NUEVO MONTUNO performs on the Eden Hall stage on Saturday May 10th @ 115AM EST. (See full schedule HERE)

THE STORY: NUEVO MONTUNO is a 9 piece Salsa Orchestra that draws inspiration from 1970's New York Salsa. Although based in Asheville NC, the group has Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, and American roots. Formed in 2005, Nuevo Montuno has been gigging around the Southeast, and pushing the Salsa movement forward wherever they go. Lush trombones, a superb rhythm section(conga, timbales, bongos, bass, piano), and clever improvisations by singer Manuela Soler give the group its infectious, tropical sound. Irresitably danceable!
* sonic bids


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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Akira Satake

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AKIRA SATAKE performs on the Lakeside stage on Saturday May 10th @ 1140pm EST. (See full schedule HERE)

THE STORY: AKIRA SATAKE first discovered the banjo through his older brother 's Flatt and Scruggs recordings while growing up in Osaka, Japan. After relocating to New York City in his early 20's he spent two decades honing his innovative banjo style in venues from Village clubs to Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. He went on to master the shamisen (Japanese banjo) in his own original style, and has made it an important part of his repertory. Satake garnered international attention with his collection of original compositions, "Cooler Heads Prevail," and shared the 1998 German Music Critics ' Award for Best World Music Recording with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He has performed and/or recorded with such artists as Shawn Colvin, Jim Lauderdale, Hazel Dickens, Andy Statman, and Tony Trischka. He's produced award-winning CDs for Tim O 'Brien, Mamadou Diabate, Johnny Cunningham, and flamenco guitarist Gerardo Nunez. American banjo virtuoso Tony Trischka calls Satake "a brilliant banjoist with a split-level passion for the fiery breakdowns of southern Appalachia and the kaleidoscopic rhythms and melodies of World Music.


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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys

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BIG SANDY & HIS FLY RIGHT BAND performs on the Eden Hall stage on Friday May 9th @ 1130pm EST. (See full schedule HERE)

THE STORY: Since forming in 1988, BIG SANDY AND HIS FLY RIGHT BOYS have emerged as one of the world's most respected practitioners of American roots music, western swing, rockabilly, and traditional country. They play it like they invented it. They've played the Grand Ole Opry and Late Night With Conan O'Brien and now we're excited that they'll be bringing their great old time rock and roll to LEAF. "I think of us as just a rock and roll band. A rock and roll band that's letting the roots show," says bandleader Big Sandy. The group ascribes to a vintage aesthetic from Kingsman's 1957 custom Magnatone guitar to Jeff West's stand up bass and Trimble's vintage kit, these guys play instruments that were used when this style of music was just coming into existence. Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys transcend their genre the same way all iconic artists do by creating music so good, songs that are so well written, that the genre is simply a launching pad for the integrity of the art. This music is timeless.


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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Steep Canyon Rangers

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STEP CANYON RANGERS performs on the Lakeside stage on Sunday May 11th @ 245pm EST. (See full schedule HERE)

THE STORY: The STEP CANYON RANGERS have carved out a special spot in the world of bluegrass music, creating a sound that looks forward and backwards at the same time. First formed in the stairwells and kitchens of Chapel Hill, NC, the Rangers arrive from varied musical backgrounds. On stage and in the studio, Woody Platt, Mike Guggino, Charles Humphrey, Nicky Sanders, and Graham Sharp have perfected their ensemble approach using fierce dynamics and seamless harmonies. The Rangers base their sound around a stunning catalogue of original songs, drawing on the sounds of early bluegrass, honky tonk, and blues. In 2006 the International Bluegrass Music Association voted Steep Canyon Rangers the Emerging Artist of the Year.


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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

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SECRET AGENT 23 SKIDOO performs on the Lakeside stage on Friday May 9th @ 530pm EST. (See full schedule HERE)

THE STORY: "Secret Agent 23 Skidoo" is a seasoned musician who has performed nationally with a live hip hop band for over ten years. He has created a buzz amongst our LEAF staff and indeed with the Western North Carolina community for his fun vibe and positive message. His performances combine hip hop beats, reggae, bluegrass, funk, and blues with inventive word play aimed directly at a child's mind.


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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Latter Day Lizards

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LATER DAY LIZARDS performs on the Brookside stage on Friday May 9th @ 430pm EST. (See full schedule HERE)

THE STORY: The LATER DAY LIZARDS are a New England based dance band featuring a trio of musicians fervent with the desire and talent to ignite flames under dancing feet. With a wide ranging and hopelessly eclectic repertoire including everything from Irish and Scottish traditional jigs and reels to Balkan, blues and swing tunes (often juxtaposed next to each other) the Latter Day Lizards bring excellent musicianship, playfulness, drama and unrelentingly infectious rhythm to their dance performances. With Peter Barnes on piano, guitar and flute, Bill Tomczak on clarinet, sax and drum and Dave Langford on guitar and fiddle, they blend swing, rock-and-roll and jazz influences with traditional foot-stomping dance music to make an innovative, spontaneous and rhythmically inflammatory sound.


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