JALAN CROSSLAND TO PERFORM AT BASIN CITY ARTS CENTER SATURDAY APRIL 28
The Basin City Arts Center presents Jalan Crossland in concert on Saturday, April 28 at 7 p.m.
Jalan Crossland is widely acclaimed by audiences, critics, and his musical peers as one of country’s premier guitarists. He is a talented vocalist, banjo player, songwriter and an engaging showman.
Born in San Francisco Jalan grew up in the tiny ranching town of Ten Sleep, Wyoming in the shadow of the Big Horn Mountains and considers himself a hybrid of the two cultures. Jalan’s music is as culturally diverse as he is, drawing on traditional folk and bluegrass as well as relatively contemporary genres of rock and jazz. Live and on recordings he adds dazzling guitar and banjo fingerpicking to his kanky tales of hobos, tires, “mobile homes”, motorcycles, trucks, cars, and vice presidents. Jalan’s lyrics travel in a musical vehicle more akin to a rusty, hopped-up '66' Ford (with 3-on-the-tree) than an air-conditioned Prius. The sound glides along on the wheels of a country music clearly not to be mistaken for mainstream. Old-time and bluegrass are present, but treated to the creative freedom of rock-n-roll.Jalan placed 2nd at the Winfield, KS. National Fingerstyle Guitar competition in 1997, and 1st in the state flatpicking contest of his Wyoming home. These added to dozens of regional championship awards, attest that his playing is"...so dexterous that when he stops at the end of a song, you realize you forgot to breathe"--The Weekly News, Rapid City SD. Crossland's songs are vivid, firsthand accounts of life in the small towns and backcountry of 21st century America. Like the people they portray, the songs are tough and honest. They also reflect the tremendous heart and soul of their colorful characters. Even where the warp and weave is of hardship or heartbreak, the songs are threaded with strings of optimism and humor.
"More than just a great picker, Crossland's performances feature graceful delivery and genuine character"--Planet Jackson Hole, Jackson WY. On stage, he is as comfortable as he would be pickin’ on his own front porch. This relaxed demeanor disarms the coolest of audiences, pulling everyone onto that porch alongside him with a paper plates full of hot-wings.
Crossland has recorded six albums: Jalan Crossland, Poorboy Shanty, Moonshiner, Trailer Park Fire & Other Tragedies, Driftwood Souls, Portrait Of A Fish. He has toured throughout the U.S., sharing concert and festival stages with many of the biggest musical acts in the nation. He has also has appeared on television, radio, and in dozens of magazines including The New York Times, No Depression, and Fingerstyle Guitar. His latest release, Portrait Of A Fish, is a true “solo” project and features performances of 12 songs with Jalan accompanying himself on guitar or banjo with the only the harmonica being overdubbed.
Jalan has spent the late fall of 2011 and winter of 2012 on a sailboat in and around the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean busily working on his nautical skills, banjo licks and suntan.
Jalan's concerts are energetic, upbeat and fun! Join Jalan at the BCAC on Saturday, April 28 at 7 p.m. All tickets are $10 and will be available at the door starting at 6:30 p.m. For advance tickets or more information contact Wendy @568-2915.
Basin City Arts Center located at 121 S. 4th Street across from the IGA in Basin, Wyoming is a non-profit organization developing and supporting the arts in the Big Horn Basin.
Courtesy of Jennifer Miller, Guest Blogger Extraordinaire :D