MARDI GRAS - FEBRUARY 18, 2012
PICKIN SESSION - 4TH MONDAY OF EACH MONTH - NEXT SESSION FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Be sure to join the ROAM Pickin' Session at the beautiful Dise & Company conference room overlooking downtown Cleveland Lake Erie from its picturesque location at 20600 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 925 in Shaker Heights. The pickin' begins between 6 and 6:30 p.m. and ends around 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. Guitars, fiddles, blues harps and others are welcome. Park in the surface lot. They won't tow you.
PAST EVENTS......
WALLY BRYSON - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, BEACHLAND BALLROOM
Roots of American Music (ROAM) presents its 12th-Annual Benefit for Education on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at the Beachland Ballroom, starring Wally Bryson, founding member and lead guitarist of the internationally acclaimed Raspberries, and featuring members of his former bands, as well as a surprise guest or two. Wally is a former member of The Mods, The Choir, Fotomaker, Tattoo and The Secret. More info.
HOUSE CONCERT - SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
CAIN PARK BENEFIT FOR ROAM, SATURDAY JULY 30
Cleveland's favorite (and only) '60s-style folk group, Long Road -- featuring ROAM executive director Kevin Richards, ROAM board member David Budin, ROAM teaching musician Ray DeForest, and the other excellent musicians -- performs its annual Cain Park concert this coming Saturday, July 30.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TRIBUTE AT NIGHTTOWN
On June 1, ROAM presented the third in its series of evenings at Nighttown dedicated to raising funds to serve inner city students with roots music education. This year’s tribute was to the music of Bruce Springsteen.
A ROAM All-Star Band, all veterans of popular Cleveland bands, featured Chris Allen (guitar and vocals), Doug McKean (bass and vocals), and Brent Kirby (drums and vocals). Guest artists included Cleveland musician David Budin, a member of the original band that evolved into Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. The fun-filled evening included a delicious Nighttown dinner, cash bar, 50-50 cash raffle and hours of musical performances. Thanks to Tyler-Stone Group, all proceeds benefited Roots of American Music.
DUSTBUSTERS, JANUARY 20, 2011 - HOUSE CONCERT
ROAM is presenting the Dust Busters, an old-time string-band trio from Brooklyn, NY., that plays a wide range of ballads, fiddle tunes and jug band blues, alternating among 11 instruments.
John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers says, "They sing with the high voices that echo the sounds of young artists heard on the old 78s, evoking the spirit of the 'Golden Era' of recording." Please join us for a Potluck @ 6:30PM, CONCERT ($15 min. donation) 7:30, and a pickin' session to follow the concert.
MASTER GUITAR WORKSHOP AND CONCERT BY RORY BLOCK, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2010
MASTER CLASS GUITAR WORKSHOP AND CONCERT WITH RORY BLOCK WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 17, AT THE UNITY CENTER OF THE HEIGHTS, 2653 TAYLOR ROAD.
TICKETS FOR THE CONCERT-ONLY ($20) OR FOR THE GUITAR WORKSHOP AND CONCERT ($50).
WORKSHOP BEGINS AT 7PM. CONCERT BEGINS AT 8:30PM.
Rory Block has been called “a living landmark” by the Berkeley Express, “a national treasure” by Guitar Extra and “one of the greatest living acoustic blues artists” by Blues Revue. She has committed her life and her career to preserving the Delta blues tradition and bringing it to life for 21st century audiences around the world.
With 20 albums out and a new one on the way, Rory Block has won numerous awards including five Blues Music Awards – two for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year, two for Best Acoustic Blues Album of the Year, and one for Acoustic Album of the Year for The Lady and Mr. Johnson, a tribute to Robert Johnson. As the New York Times said: “Her playing is perfect, her singing otherworldly as she wrestles with ghosts, shadows and legends.” This is a genuinely rare opportunity to see an artist of this skill and stature in such an intimate setting.
MASTERS OF FOLK - KARLA BONOFF, NIGHTTOWN, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2010
MASTERS OF FOLK, KARLA BONOFF, NIGHTTOWN, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 7 PM, ROAM AUCTION
Nighttown call (216) 795-0550. For a readable poster in pdf format, click here.
HENDERSON GUITAR MASTER CLASS
MASTER CLASS GUITAR WORKSHOP WITH WAYNE HENDERSON WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON MAY 23 . PLEASE CALL ROAM AT 216 321-9353 TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT.
COWTOWN SOLD OUT!!! THANK YOU NIGHTTOWN!
PAST EVENTS
GLASS HARP RETURNS FOR THE ROAM BENEFIT FOR EDUCATION - BEACHLAND BALLROOM, OCTOBER 9
HISTORIC CONCERT BY GLASS HARP AND WALLY BRYSON!
To support the Benefit for Education,or obtain a GLASS HARP t-shirt, please click here...
CLEVELAND INDIANS CHARITIES AND ROAM, INDIANS GAME, PROGRESSIVE FIELD, SEPTEMBER, 16
It's fun to go to games at Progressive Field -- fresh air, junk food, camaraderie, and the Indians team this year is young and (potentially) exciting. And half of the money from each of the 100 tickets we're selling goes directly to ROAM's efforts in the classrooms.
Plus, ROAM teaching artist Jenifer Maurer will be singing the National Anthem before the game, accompanied by other ROAM musicians -- and they'll also perform "God Bless America" during the 7th Inning Stretch. And the ROAM logo will be shown on the Jumbotron.
Tickets are $20 (for seats in section 309 - mezzanine, right field) and $28 (section 125 - lower deck, right field). Buy some for your friends, bring your kids. For tickets, call 216-321-9353.
MR. STRESS REUNION - SEPTEMBER 4, 2010
House concert in Cleveland Heights.
CAIN PARK - ALMA THEATER - LONG ROAD CONCERT, THURSDAY, JULY 29, 7:30 PM
This concert is called "The Power and the Glory: A Tribute to Elektra Records in the '60s." Elektra was the premiere label of the original singer-songwriter movement and we're doing songs by all of Elektra's major singer-songwriters of that era -- including Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton, Tim Buckley, Fred Neil, Bob Gibson, Hamilton Camp, Judy Collins and Tom Rush. A portion of the proceeds will benefit ROAM. Long Road is David Budin, Kevin Richards, Bob Sandham, Ray DeForest, Celia Hollander Lewis and Charlie Lewis. Cain Park reservations: 216-371-3000.
COVENTRY PEACE PARK - THURSDAY, JULY 29, 7:30 PM
ROAM Jug Band Opens for Coventry Peace Park's film showing of "Chasing Gus's Ghost"
Drive-In Style Movies Without the Cars!
Free, fun, family entertainment with live music and a special movie feature to follow. Bring a blanket, bring some food, bring some friends and enjoy this special neighborhood treat. Coventry Peace Park is located at the corner of Coventry and Euclid Heights Blvd (at the old Coventry Elementary school). Music and movies are down on the soccer field. Films start at dusk (9-ish)! See Raymond, Rockin' Robin, Jack and Kevin.
GAVI'S WINE EVENT IN WILLOUGHBY, MONDAY JUNE 21 6:30 - 9:00PM
Enjoy this music event to support ROAM's education music programs while listening to live music in the classy Gavi's Restaurant located in historic downtown Willoughby, Ohio. Tickets are $35. Raffle, wine, food. Music by the Saints! Call office to purchase tickets at 216-321-9353.
ROAM TRIO Opens for DUST BUSTERS - BEACHLAND BALLROOM, THURSDAY, MAY 27
ROAM is co-presenting the Dust Busters, an old-time string-band trio from Brooklyn, NY., that plays a wide range of ballads, fiddle tunes and jug band blues, alternating among 11 instruments.
John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers says, "They sing with the high voices that echo the sounds of young artists heard on the old 78s, evoking the spirit of the 'Golden Era' of recording." Opening for the Dust Busters is the ROAM Trio -- Kevin Richards, Ray DeForest and Jack DiAlasandro.
WAYNE HENDERSON, NIGHTTOWN, SUNDAY, MAY 23, 7 PM, ROAM AUCTION
Wayne Henderson Nighttown call (216) 795-0550.
HENDERSON GUITAR MASTER CLASS
MASTER CLASS GUITAR WORKSHOP WITH WAYNE HENDERSON WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON MAY 23 . PLEASE CALL ROAM AT 216 321-9353 TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT.
COWTOWN SOLD OUT!!! THANK YOU NIGHTTOWN!
"GET BACK" BEATLES TRIBUTE, THURSDAY, MARCH 25TH
Heights Rockefeller Building
3099 Mayfield Road
Cleveland Heights, OH
6:00 PM, concert at 7:00 PM
Dinner Tickets $75, Concert only $25. Call (216) 321-9353
DINNER, MUSIC, RAFFLE, AUCTION to support ROAM Music Residency Programs
FILM DEBUT AT CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Roots of American Music (ROAM), a music-based education organization headquartered in Cleveland Heights, has produced a film that will debut at this year’s Cleveland International Film Festival.
First Voice Ohio is a documentary profiling 16 roots musicians, working in many musical genres, from all around the state. The musicians, filmed in their own environments, tell their stories and perform their music in the film. First Voice Ohio was directed by ROAM founder and executive director Kevin Richards, written by Richards and Sheela Das, and filmed and edited by Tom Cummings, all Northeast Ohio residents.
The film festival will show First Voice Ohio twice – on Tuesday, March 23, at 9:15 p.m., and Friday, March 26, at 2:15 p.m. For more on the festival, including ticket sales, visit
http://clevelandfilm.org/festival/films/2010/first-voice-ohio
ROAM PRESENT CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS
Masters of Traditional Music
Beachland Ballroom
Wed, Mar 10| 8 PM (7 PM door)
Carolina Chocolate Drops
opening act: the Hiram Rapids Stumblers
The Carolina Chocolate Drops, the newest and youngest players in a line of African-American string bands, meld tradition and innovation. Their name harks back to the Tennessee Chocolate Drops, a popular band in the early 1900s, but their repertoire includes old-time interpretations of pre-WWII acoustic and old-time music with a hint of modern rhythms.
The three young African-American string band musicians play the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music in Carolina’s Piedmont region. Members Rhiannon Giddens, Dom Flemons and Justin Robinson strive to carry on the legacies of countless black musicians who have gone before them, while remaining true to their own unique style.
Each member brings something different to the table, but collectively, they draw their musical heritage from the foothills of the North and South Carolina. With their beginnings grounded under the tutelage of Joe Thompson, of Mebane, NC – said to be the last black traditional string band player – they strive to carry on the long-standing traditional music of the black and white communities. They strike a chord with the American public by keeping innovation at the front of their minds and tradition deep within their hearts.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops will be making a very rare Northern Ohio appearance on Wednesday, March 10 at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland.
WCPN BROADCAST
Check out a 2009 broadcast of ROAM on WCPN- http://www.wcpn.org/WCPN/an/28505 click on the "webcam video" of the show!
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH
A Virtuoso Gypsy Jazz House Concert for
Roots of American Music
Featuring World-Class Guitarist Frank Vignola and His Trio
Plus Special Guest Julien Labro on Accordion
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Roots of American Music’s founding board president Ed Ruch and his wife, Terry, extend a warm invitation to their Shaker Heights home for an evening of Gypsy Jazz with the virtuosic Frank Vignola Quartet. This intimate house concert will benefit ROAM. ...............photo disclaimer - "This is not Ed's house...".
Playing in styles ranging from jazz to bluegrass to rock, guitarist Frank Vignola has performed and recorded with musical luminaries including Donald Fagen, David Grisman, Les Paul, Madonna, Leon Redbone, Queen Latifah, Mark O Connor, Wynton Marsalis and Ringo Starr.
French accordionist Julien Labro, who has garnered many awards for his playing, has performed all around the world, in styles ranging from jazz to classical, and appears often with the Hot Club of Detroit.
This is an extremely rare opportunity to hear music of this caliber in such an intimate setting.
A minimum donation of $50 is requested.
A small silent auction, light snacks, and drinks will be served. Thank you Touch of Italy and Papa John's Pizza for donating the food!
Seating is limited. For reservations, call 216-321-9353.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
10TH ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR EDUCATION
SPECIAL GUESTS (TBA), Beachland Ballroom. Tickets on sale in August. VIP dinner in tavern, valet parking, Meet and Greet and Artists, special concert seating is $125. Concert-only tickets are $50. Call 216-321-9353. Thanks to the Gibson Foundation for donating another guitar to the silent auction table this year!! CELEBRATE THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROAM!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
TASTE OF CLEVELAND - OHIO NATURAL GAS
Ohio Natural Gas sponsored the Taste of Cleveland this year and with the help of Barry Gabel of Live Nation, selected ROAM to provide music aboard a travelling passenger bus to promote the 4-day event. The cast of characters on the roving bus included Kevin Richards, Rob Williams and Raymond DeForest providing music, and the staff of Ohio Natural Gas including the popular “Gas Guy.” Live Nation Taste of Cleveland tickets to the event were given away as well as other ONG items to support the event. The bus travelled to numerous and well known sites around Cleveland including: Slyman’s Deli, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Museum of Art, Little Italy, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Brown’s Stadium, The Q, Progressive Field, East 4th Street, Tower City Mall, Public Square, and Playhouse Square. ROAM is proud to have Ohio Natural Gas as a sponsor in 2009!
PAST EVENTS
SATURDAY JULY 11, 2009
JOHN HAMMOND IN CONCERT, CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE EVENT!!
TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2009
LONG ROAD at Cain Park, Alma Theater
Long Road: Unbound—Tales From That Long Road. With a collective performing history of nearly 200 years among them, David Budin, Kevin Richards, Bob Sandham, Ray DeForest, Celia Hollander Lewis and Charlie Lewis will 'sit around the kitchen table' (on the Alma stage) and share colorful stories of performing with Jimi Hendrix, Doc Watson, Linda Ronstadt and many more. Long Road will perform songs that highlight their musical careers including 60s folk, originals, blues, bluegrass and even folky versions of psychedelic rock! $20 in advance - A PORTION OF PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT ROOTS OFAMERICAN MUSIC.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 8PM
DUKE ROBILLARD - Masters of Guitar Series
Roots of American Music and Nighttown Restaurant present Multi-award-winning blues guitarist, songwriter, singer, producer and session musician, has released 13 CDs and played many others, including Bob Dylan’s Time Out of Mind. He has played with Robert Gordon, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Ruth Brown, John Hammond, Pinetop Perkins, Ronnie Earl, Herb Ellis, Jimmy Witherspoon, and many others. BB King called Robillard "One of the great players." The Houston Post called him "one of God's guitarists.” And the New York Times says he is, "a soloist of stunning force and originality.” Nighttown - 12383 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, Tickets $25.
DOC WATSON, Cleveland Agora Theater - SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2009
Monday, JUNE 8, 7:30 PM
GUITAR MASTER CLASS - GYPSY JAZZ
FRANK VIGNOLA & QUARTET
SEATING LIMITED
$50 PER TICKET
CALL 321-9353 TO RESERVE A SEAT
Masters of Guitar Series, MARCH 26, 2009
The Hot Club of Detroit
Nighttown Restaurant
12387 Cedar Rd.
Cleveland Heights, OH
8:00 PM
Tickets $20 call (216) 795-0550
The Hot Club of Detroit
Their guitar work is reminiscent of Django Reinhardt. The accordion lends an air of the French musette style of gypsy jazz. The saxophone adds bop and post-bop elements. All of these influences, plus the young musicians’ virtuosity set the Hot Club of Detroit apart from the rest of the new wave of gypsy jazz-influenced groups. Opening the show is another great guitarist, Frank Vignola. Playing in styles ranging from jazz to bluegrass to rock, Vignola has performed and recorded with musical luminaries including Donald Fagen, David Grisman, Les Paul, Madonna, Leon Redbone, Queen Latifah, Mark O Connor, Wynton Marsalis and Ringo Starr.
MUSIC OF THE SUN SESSIONS RECORDINGS - JOHNNY CASH & ELVIS - MAY 14TH
FEATURING THE JACK FORDS
Nighttown Restaurant
12387 Cedar Rd.
Cleveland Heights, OH
6:00 PM
Tickets $100 call (216) 321-9353
DINNER, MUSIC, RAFFLE, AUCTION to support ROAM Music Residency Programs
LUXE Restaurant, Live Music by The SAINTS and WINE Tasting - MARCH 19, 2009
6605 Detroit Ave.
Cleveland, OH
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Tickets $35 (free valet parking, food, wine tasting & music) call (216) 321-9353
What other events should be planned for the community? Let us know your thoughts.
