Life In the City, On the Road, On Jam Cruise, and At Festivals for Turkuaz
In Dalia Jakubauskas’ amazing interview with Annabel Lukins, the queen of Jam Cruise (Women in Jam, Part I: Annabel Lukins – The Artist Whisperer), there was this exchange:
MFN: You’ve already mentioned some terrific collaborations on board ship. Can you name some of the artists whose careers you’ve help launch that you’re most proud of?
Lukins: First of all, Jam Cruise has an affect on all who experience it. So every artist that plays ends up gaining a whole new level of fans at their shows around the country. It’s not just that the jam band scene envelopes the bands they love, it’s that Jam Cruisers cheerlead for the bands they discovered on board all year long.
However, there are a few that stand out. Andy Frasco tells me every time that we talk how we helped shape his career and gave him the intro into the scene that he couldn’t find anywhere else. I am proud of that.
I am positive that Turkuaz has immense gratitude for our event. I have watched their band grow over the past three years to a different level. They just sold out the Ogden in Denver which has a capacity of 1,600!
Turkuaz already had a huge presence on the jam scene before they were provided with the opportunity to play the sailaway set on Jam Cruise 15 (2017), but that one set — and their follow-up in the Starlight Theater later in the week — helped vault them to well-deserved stardom. The nonet (yes, nine of ’em) were also asked back for Jam Cruises 16 and 17; not many bands can say that.
As my friends Pat and Janet will tell you — and perhaps you’ve seen their signs and bumper stickers — with the sentiment he coined back at Purple Hatter’s Ball some years ago:
And it’s the truth. You know there are bands in your constellation of stars you never want to miss, and you don’t want your friends to miss them, either. Turkuaz is one of those.
Dave Brandwein and company put a very special product on stage every night. Whether it’s the color coordination, the great dancing by the ladies, the outstanding songs, or the brilliant musicianship, you’re drawn in, and they simply won’t let go.
The band has already knocked out the first three March dates, with more continuing tonight at Delmar Hall in St. Louis, then on to Milwaukee, Detroit, Louisville, and Columbus. The April swing begins in the Northeast before heading south, including a stop at SweetWater 420. Turkuaz also has festival dates scheduled for Rooster Walk 11, Telluride Jazz Festival, 4848 Festival, and Mercedes-Benz Druid City Music Festival, plus a date at Red Rocks with Umphrey’s McGee.
On March 26th, members of Turkuaz will join forces with players from The Motet and Thievery Corporation for The Funk Sessions at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, and some of them will be part of a Steely Dan tribute during Jazz Fest along with members of The Motet, The Nth Power, and Snarky Puppy.
Turkuaz are: Dave Brandwein [guitar, vocals], Taylor Shell [bass], Craig Brodhead [guitar, keys], Michelangelo Carubba [drums], Chris Brouwers [trumpet, keys], Greg Sanderson [tenor sax], Josh Schwartz [baritone sax, vocals], Sammi Garett [vocals], and Shira Elias [vocals].
LIFE IN THE CITY TOUR 2019
03/08 Delmar Hall | St. Louis MO
03/09 The Miramar Theatre | Milwaukee WI
03/10 El Club | Detroit MI
03/14 Gravely Brewing Co. | Louisville KY
03/15-16 St. Fatty’s Daze Festival | Woodlands Tavern | Columbus OH
04/04 The State Theatre | State College PA
04/05 Infinity Music Hall & Bistro | Hartford CT
04/06 Brooklyn Steel | Brooklyn NY
04/11 The Haunt | Ithaca NY
04/12 9:30 Club | Washington DC
04/13 The Fillmore Charlotte | Charlotte NC
04/18 Higher Ground | South Burlington VT
04/19 Back Room Theater | Kingston NY w/
04/20 Paradise Rock Club | Boston MA
04/21 SweetWater 420 Festival | Atlanta GA
04/25 Charleston Pour House | Charleston SC
05/23-26 Rooster Walk 11 | Axton VA
06/22 Red Rocks | Morrison CO w/ Umphrey’s McGee
06/28 The Rialto | Bozeman MT
06/29 The Top Hat | Missoula MT
07/11-13 4848 Festival | Snowshoe Mountain | Snowshoe WV
08/09-11 Telluride Jazz Festival | Telluride CO
08/23-24 Mercedes-Benz Druid City Music Festival | Tuscaloosa AL
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