Chautauqua Series - Walter Strauss Trio with Mamadou and Vanessa

Date: June 11th, 8 pm

Tickets: $15-$30 sliding scale (on sale at the door only)

Walter Strauss (www.walterstrauss.com ) is a spellbinding finger-style guitarist whose fiery technique conjures several instruments playing a once. With roots in American music and musicality that evokes far reaches of the globe, he weaves world beat, Americana, and jazz into a brand uniquely his own. Walter’s Trio fills out with bassist Sam Bevan and drummer/percussionist Kendrick Freeman. Walter will be joined for a second set of transcultural collaboration by Mamadou and Vanessa (www.musicmali.com ).

Walter has performed throughout the US, Canada, and UK, alongside musicians ranging from Grammy nominated kora master, Mamadou Diabate, to eclectic folksters The Burns Sister and fiddle legend Vassar Clements. Bassist Sam Bevan is known for his lyrical style and his work with David Grisman, Joe Craven and other heavy hitters. And drummer/percussionist Kendrick Freeman is a versatile groovemaster who has performed with artists ranging from banjo virtuoso Allison Brown to musicians from Ghana and Haiti.

Master kamal’ngoni player, Mamadou Sidibe is from the Wassoulou region of Mali, West Africa. Not only is Mamadou a master of the kamal’ngoni, he is accomplished on several other African instruments as well. Vanessa Sidibe, originally from New York, is an accomplished Afro-Cuban and Salsa musician. She brings earthy depth and ethereal sensuality to all her vocals whether singing in English, Bambara or Spanish. In addition, her impeccable rhythm on percussion stems from her musical immersion in Havana, Cuba.