Photo: TJ Band. L to R Ted Kuster, David Carlson, Bert Daniel, Alice Fitzwater, and Jason Gross. (photo – Patrick Campbell)
CBA member and dogged Sonoma County bluegrass jam leader and promoter David Carlson produced the first annual Americana String Music Festival at the Arlene Francis Center in downtown Santa Rosa on April 30. The show was one of several smaller scale events that CBA sponsors around the state, which, while not as high-profile as the upcoming Father’s Day Festival, bring our music to hometown audiences. CBA-sponsored events at the Arlene Francis Center, like those at Mark Shutts’ Fabrication shop, the Crazy J Ranch, and many other smaller venues, are more intimate gatherings, which attract local bands as well as pro bands looking for a venue between larger gigs. Keep your eyes open for more of these regional happenings!
The TJ Band’s country swing and Bloomfield Bluegrass Band’s full-on trad Bluegrass bookended the Swing Fling’s gypsy/swing combo.