Press Release | For the Sake of a Song: A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt
June 9, New York
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For Immediate Release
For information and photos contact:
Patrick Kowalczyk, patrick@pkpr.com
Kait Smith, kait@pkpr.com
PKPR, 212.627.8098
What: For the Sake of a Song: A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt
When: July 9, 10, 17, 23, 24, 31
12:30pm
Where: Grace Plaza, 1114 Avenue of the Americas
One New York Plaza at Water and Broad Streets
Phone: (212) 417-2414
Link: www.ArtsBrookfield.com/Townes-Van-Zandt
Cost: Admission is free, no RSVP required.
Download photos at: http://imgur.com/a/EYToU
FREE (JULY 9-31): LEGENDARY TROUBADOUR TOWNES VAN ZANDT
TO BE CELEBRATED IN FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES
AT THE GRACE BUILDING & ONE NEW YORK PLAZA
Six lunchtime concerts to mark 70th birthday of the late singer-songwriter
New York, NY (June 9, 2014) – Legendary Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt, who would have turned 70 this year, will be honored with a three-week series of free outdoor concerts at the Grace Building in midtown and One New York Plaza in Lower Manhattan next month.
On six afternoons from Wednesday, July 9th through Thursday, July 31st, “For the Sake of a Song” will showcase rising singer-songwriters as they pay tribute to the influential musician, performing covers of their favorite songs from his catalog as well as original material that reflects his influence. The lunchtime series, which derives its name from Van Zandt’s 1968 debut album, is presented by Arts Brookfield with support from NewSong Music, Red Jacket Orchards, and radio station WFUV.
Townes Van Zandt, who died in 1997 at the age of 52, has been championed as one of the most brilliant songwriters in the country and folk pantheon by critics and fellow musicians alike. Steve Earle, his former protégé, ranked him as a greater songwriting talent than Bob Dylan, while The New York Times declared his best work better even than that of country-music icon Hank Williams. Renowned for marrying dark humor to transcendent beauty, Van Zandt’s songs have been covered by admirers as diverse as Robert Plant, Mudhoney, Norah Jones, Lyle Lovett, and Bob Dylan, and he maintains a cult following among fans of all ages.
Van Zandt songs confirmed to be performed during the series include: “I’ll Be Here in the Morning” performed by Amber Rubarth (July 10); “Tonight I Think I’m Gonna Go Downtown” and “Lover’s Lullaby” performed by Milton (July 31); “If I Needed You” performed by David Berkeley (July 9); and “If I Needed You” performed by The Sea The Sea (July 17th).
“Townes Van Zandt continues to leave his imprint on one generation of singer-songwriters after another,” said Debra Simon, Vice President and Artistic Director of Arts Brookfield. “He’s the ultimate musician’s musician, and we’re excited to partner with NewSong Music to honor him with a celebration showcasing the latest crop of talent to draw inspiration from his sharp wit and raw honesty.”
The six performers in “For the Sake of a Song: A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt” include:
- David Berkeley (July 9) – David Berkeley’s gift as a songwriter and storyteller is that he sees both the tragedy and comedy in life, managing to both reveal the sorrow at the heart of the human condition and the blazing joy and beauty in the same. Berkeley’s songs are at once hard and hopeful.
- Amber Rubarth (July 10) – A subtle and insightful songwriter, Amber Rubarth has toured extensively throughout the US, Europe, and Japan, sharing stages with the likes of Emmylou Harris, Kenny Loggins, Jason Mraz, and Loudon Wainwright III. A grand prize winner in NPR’s Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, she has earned enthusiastic praise from The Huffington Post, BBC Radio, and Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Norah Jones) produced her fifth album, “A Common Case of Disappearing,” (NewSong Recordings) which debuted at No. 13 on the iTunes songwriter charts and features a duet with Jason Mraz.
- The Sea The Sea (July 17) – If life is measured by leaps of faith, then singer-songwriter duo Chuck E. Costa and Mira Stanley have found a way to catch up midair as they jump headlong into the infinite abyss. Their debut album Love We Are We Love finds the duo in suspended animation, exploring moments of the unfolding future through storyline lyrics, intimate harmonies, and emotive sonic landscapes.
- Keith Everett & the Orange Morris (July 23) – The music of Keith Everett & the Orange Morris draws on jazz, country, blues, rock, and pop, culminating in solid Americana. Notable accomplishments include: finalist in Starbucks Music Makers Competition; songs licensed to television and film productions; and selection by the John Lennon Songwriting Contest to play NAMM in Austin, TX.
- Jason Myles Goss (July 24) – A native of Hopedale, MA, Jason Myles Goss released his first album, Long Way Down, in 2003, and was selected as a finalist in the Newport Folk Festival Songwriters’ Contest that same year. Since then, he has spent his time touring the country and recording subsequent albums, including his fourth and latest effort, Radio Dial. Over the years he has built a steady following, and is now one of the most buzzed-about artists in both the New York City and Boston music scenes.
- Milton (July 31) – Milton is a New York-based singer/songwriter and the leader of a lively, rootsy six-piece ensemble that plays up and down the East Coast and throughout the U.S. His songs are intimate and honest, trying to catch a good groove and tell you the story with all he’s got. He has written and recorded a lot of songs, played on TV and on radio stations around the country, and composed the score for an HBO movie.
ABOUT ARTS BROOKFIELD:
Arts Brookfield presents exciting, world-class cultural experiences to hundreds of thousands of people for free each year in both indoor and outdoor public spaces at Brookfield’s premier office properties in New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Houston, Toronto, Perth and Sydney. From concerts, theater and dance to film screenings and art exhibitions, Arts Brookfield brings public spaces to life through art.
Through December 2014, Arts Brookfield celebrates its 25th Anniversary through an interactive initiative, Art Set Free. The public is invited to submit original artworks of all kinds for digital display at Brookfield’s office properties around the globe and onwww.ArtsBrookfield25.com.
Americans for the Arts has named Brookfield and Arts Brookfield a BCA 10 2014 honoree, Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts in America.
About NewSong Music
NewSong Music is an independent music organization with the following two-fold mission: to build a supportive community of performers and songwriters across all genres of music and levels of skill, and to identify the truly exceptional artists within this community and to work closely with them to develop their careers and introduce their music to a broader, international audience. You can find out more about NewSong Music at www.newsong-music.com.
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