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The venue will offer 50 free concerts Thursday, May 30, through Saturday, Sept. 21, by a list of musicians known locally, nationally and internationally for playing a range of music that includes jazz, rock, Celtic, blues, folk, R&B, choral, country, pop, hip-hop, gospel, world, bluegrass, classical and children's music.
WHO IS COMING?
Flor De Toloache, an all-female Latin band, will give the Levitt National Tour concert Friday, June 21. Dayton-bred band The Breeders will perform on Friday, Sept. 20.
Other acts include Noah Wotherspoon, Canaan Cox, The New Respects, Angela Perley, Ruthie Foster, Son Del Caribe, Sidewalk Chalk, Hannah Gill, Ernie Johnson From Detroit, Sanae-Braxton Collaborative, Vanessa Collier, Quiana Lynell, Deva Mahal, House of Hamill and Michael & the Rockness Monsters.
Grammy Award winner Keith Harrison, Dayton Funk All-Stars, Gustafer Yellowgold created by Grammy winner Morgan Taylor, Jah Soul, Eric Jerardi, the Randy Villars Band, Tonya Baker, Dave Greer's Classic Jazz Stompers, Paige Beller & Kyleen Downes, Sharon Lane & The Guilty Pleasures, The USAF Band of Flight's Spirit of Freedom, The Repeating Arms and The World House Choir are among the acts with Dayton-area ties set to give concerts.
>> Who’s playing at Levitt Pavilion this week?
↓FIND COMPLETE LIST OF 49 ACTS WITH DESCRIPTIONS AND DATES BELOW↓
Friends of Levitt Pavilion Dayton — a nonprofit that manages, programs and fundraisers for the venue — say nearly 26,000 people attended 33 free concerts at the state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater in 2018, its inaugural season. The pavilion is located at Dave Hall Plaza, 36 S. Main St. in downtown Dayton.
>> RELATED: Big surprises coming to Levitt Pavilion this year
WHEN WILL THE CONCERTS HAPPEN?
This year’s concerts will be held at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
There will be family concerts the third Sunday of each month — except Sunday, July 21 — at 4:30 p.m.
“The Greatest Showman” will be shown at the pavilion Sunday, July 21, beginning at dusk as part of the PNC Family Series
Attendees are invited to bring their own picnic blankets, chairs, food and beverages to the pavilion.
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BENEFIT CONCERTS PLANNED
A special Sept. 26 benefit concerts for the pavilion will feature Ambrosia with John Ford Coley and Peter Beckett "The Voice of Player."
Tickets for that show — the only one that has an admission cost — will go on sale Tuesday, May 30.
Proceeds from the show will be used to support the free concerts.
Credit: DAVID MOODIE
Credit: DAVID MOODIE
2019 EICHELBERGER CONCERT SEASON LINEUP
The New Respects | Thursday, May 30 | Pop/R&B
REYNA |Friday, May 31 | Pop
Son Del Caribe | Saturday, June 1 | World-Latin
Ruthie Foster |Thursday, June 6 | Blues
The Slackers | Friday, June 7 | Soul/Reggae
Canaan Cox | Saturday, June 8 | Country
AJ Croce | Thursday, June 13 | Blues/Americana
Carillon Brass | Friday, June 14 | Classical
Sidewalk Chalk | Saturday, June 15 | Hip Hop/Jazz
Okee Dokee Brothers | Sunday, June 16 | Family
Horse Feathers | Thursday, June 20 | Folk/Americana
Flor De Toloache | Friday, June 21 | World-Latin
Matt Beilis | Saturday, June 22 | Pop/Rock
The Accidentals |Thursday, June 27 | Indie Rock
Randy Villars Band | Friday, June 28 | Jazz
Dayton Funk All-Stars |Saturday, June 29 | Funk
Hannah Gill | Thursday, July 11 | Soul
Dave Greer's Classic Jazz Stompers | Friday, July 12 | Jazz
The Right Now | Saturday, July 13 | Pop
Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle | Thursday, July 18 | Bluegrass/Americana
MojoFlo | Friday, July 19 | Funk
Paige Beller & Kyleen Downes | Saturday, July 20 | Rock
PNC Family Movie Night: "The Greatest Showman – Sing Along" | Sunday, July 21 | Begins at Dusk
Socks in the Frying Pan | Thursday, July 25 | World-Celtic
Angela Perley | Friday, July 26 | Indie Rock
Kevin Burt | Saturday, July 27 | Blues/Soul
Royal Wood | Thursday, Aug. 1 | Folk/Americana
Ernie Johnson From Detroit | Friday, Aug. 2 | Jazz/Afrobeat
Keith Harrison | Saturday, Aug. 3 | Funk
Vanessa Collier | Thursday, Aug. 8 | Blues
Discover Classical Young Talent Search | Friday, Aug. 9 | Classical
Sharon Lane & The Guilty Pleasures | Saturday, Aug. 10 | Rock
House of Hamill | Aug. 15 | World-Celtic
The Repeating Arms | Aug. 16 | Bluegrass/Americana
Parsonsfield | Saturday, Aug. 17 | Folk/Americana
Michael & the Rockness Monsters | Sunday, Aug. 18 | Family
Quiana Lynell | Thursday, August 22 | Jazz
USAF Band of Flight's Spirit of Freedom | Friday, Aug. 23 | Classical
Moira / Human Cannonball | Saturday, Aug. 24 | Rock
Jah Soul | Thursday, Aug. 29 | Funk/Dance
Making Movies | Friday, Aug. 30 | World-Latin
Tonya Baker | Saturday, Aug. 31 | Gospel
Eric Jerardi | Thursday, Sept. 5 | Blues/Rock
Sanae-Braxton Collaborative | Friday, Sept. 6 | Jazz
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band | Saturday, Sept. 7 | Country/Blues
Deva Mahal | Thursday, Sept. 12 | R&B
HuDost | Friday, Sept. 13 | Rock/Pop
Casee Allen | Saturday, Sept.14 | Country
Gustafer Yellowgold | Sunday, Sept.15 | Family
Peace and Justice Concert | Thursday, Sept.19 | Choral
The Breeders | Friday, Sept. 20
Noah Wotherspoon | Saturday, Sept. 21 | Blues
Benefit Concert | Thursday, Sept 26 | Ambrosia with John Ford Coley and Peter Beckett "The Voice of Player" (this event will be ticketed)
>> What you need to know to make the most of your Levitt Pavilion experience
BAND DESCRIPTIONS
The New Respects | Thursday, May 30 | Pop/R&B
Falling into a genre of their own, The New Respects mesh pop, soul and R&B with overlays of acoustic tones. Comprised of twins Zandy and Lexi Fitzgerald, brother Darius, and their cousin Jasmine Mullen, the Nashville-based groups is a true family affair, evidencing the undeniable soul and musical legacy that flow through the roots of their family tree. The New Respects demonstrate their mental and sonic maturity by turning to sounds that have stood the test of time. The band cites Aretha Franklin, The Beatles and Led Zepplin as core influencers of their music, traces of which can be found within their catching hooks and heavy grooves.
REYNA | Friday, May 31 | Pop
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Milwaukee-by-way-of-Texas sisters Victoriah and Hannah Gabriela take the sweet indie pop they perfected as Vic and Gab and hone it to a razor edge. Immediately engaging and shimmering with infectious melodic sheen, sparking declaration that REYNA has arrived.
Son Del Caribe | Saturday, June 1 | World-Latin
The Cincinnati-based Latin music ensemble Son del Caribe is widely acknowledged by both dancers and listeners as the top salsa band in Ohio, with an exciting, energetic, eclectic and very danceable pan Caribbean sound that includes such styles salsa, merengue, cumbia, son, bomba, plena and bachata.
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Ruthie Foster |Thursday, June 6 | Blues
Hailing from the tightly knit musical community of Austin, Texas, award-winning singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster has found herself duetting with Bonnie Raitt, standing on stage with the Allman Brothers at New York's Beacon Theater, and trading verses with Susan Tedeschi. Her latest album, Joy Comes Back, described as "some folk, some blues, some soul, some rock, some gospel," illustrates Ruthie's genre-spanning talent. Ruthie has been nominated for three Grammys, and has won multiple Blues Music and Austin Music Awards, plus the Grand Prix du Disque from Académie Charles-Cros in France.
The Slackers | Friday, June 7 | Soul/Reggae
The Slackers' musical style is distinct from their contemporaries; a mix of early Jamaican music with influences from 50's and 60s Rock & Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz and Latin music. Singer Vic Ruggiero has coined the term 'Jamaican Rock-n-Roll' to describe it. He says, "The band might play a classic Jamaican style, but the vocals are distinctly American east coast, revealing the obvious connection of Jamaican music to the doo-wop of Harlem and the Bronx."
Canaan Cox | Saturday, June 8 | Country
This NC native is taking Nashville by storm. Only having lived in music city for two years, Canaan Cox has been featured on prime publications like "Whiskey Riff," "The Boot" and "Sounds Like Nashville." Cox took off after his debut single, "Lie", hit Top 20 on Music Row in 2017, then by no surprise, his self-titled EP hit Top 50 Most Downloaded Country Album on iTunes. Having opened for major artists like Justin Moore, Dylan Scott, Chuck Wicks and Craig Wayne Boyd, he's no stranger to headlining his own tours and festivals having sold out shows in the US and his own UK Tour in Fall of 2018. Declared "the next big thing", Canaan Cox isn't someone you want to miss.
AJ Croce | Thursday, June 13 | Blues/Americana
A.J. Croce's nine albums have been released via both major and independent labels, and have charted 17 Top 20 singles and all nine albums on the radio including on Top 40, Americana, Independent, Blues, and Jazz. A virtuoso piano player, he has performed at a TED Talk and gave a master class at the University of Barcelona. Croce has also performed on major talk shows and news programs including The Late Show, The Tonight Show, The Today Show, CNN, MTV, and VH1. Croce is known as a piano player and singer, but over the past 15 years he's become a proficient guitar player, in addition to playing bass, percussion, and several other instruments. While he tours the world and performs on radio and television, his desire to learn and grow remains, he says, "I still study music theory and take lessons with masters of many instruments and do my best to apply what I learn to all the instruments I play."
Carillon Brass | Friday, June 14 | Classical
The Carillon Brass consists of five talented brass players with diverse experience, significant careers and a love of brass music in a variety of forms and styles. Members of the Carillon Brass are Charles Pagnard, DPO principal trumpet; Alan Siebert, DPO second trumpet; Aaron Brant, DPO principal french horn; Chad Arnow, DPO bass trombone; and Tim Northcut, DPO principal tuba. They teach at such places as the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, University of Dayton and Cedarville University. The Carillon Brass have performed in community artist series throughout the Midwest and in major brass festivals throughout the United States and in France, Hong Kong and Australia as well. They perform numerous educational concerts, clinics and master classes each year. Their varied experience and wide-ranging concert venues speak to their ability to fit the occasion for whatever audience they entertain.
Sidewalk Chalk | Saturday, June 15 | Hip Hop/Jazz
Chicago-based ensemble Sidewalk Chalk transcends genre with a wholly original sound that blends elements of jazz, funk, hip-hop, and R&B. As The Chicago Tribune says, “While many bands strive hard for originality, it’s unlikely that any of them could best Sidewalk Chalk.” Comprised of an MC, vocalist, drummer, bassist, keys player, trombonist and trumpeter, Sidewalk Chalk is driven by an internalized, emphatic statement of purpose, evident in the music from their 2017 release, An Orchid Is Born (Ropeadope Records). This powerhouse group has audiences and critics alike abuzz with excitement, “pushing beyond musical convention to create art that will know no shelf life” (last.fm).
Okee Dokee Brothers | Sunday, June 16 | Family
Credit: Alex Johnson
Credit: Alex Johnson
As childhood friends growing up in Denver, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing were always exploring the outdoors. Now, as the Grammy Award winning Okee Dokee Brothers, they have put this passion for the outdoors at the heart of their musical collaborations. Joe and Justin record and perform family music with a goal to inspire children and their parents to get outside and experience nature. They believe this can motive kids to gain a greater respect for the natural world, their communities and themselves.
Horse Feathers | Thursday, June 20 | Folk/Americana
Horse Feathers feels like a secret you don't really want to share. More than twelve years and five albums, a passionate fan base has experienced this band as a precious commodity that they want to keep close to their hearts. One reason for this can be found in lead singer Justin Ringle's distinctive voice, at once vulnerable and piercing, and in the quality of the music: gorgeous, lush string arrangements surrounding stark, visceral lyrics whose bite makes a piquant juxtaposition to the surrounding beauty.
Flor De Toloache | Friday, June 21 | World-Latin
Levitt National Tour presents the Latin Grammy Award-winning, all-female mariachi sensation for an electrifying evening of soaring vocals, plush harmonies, and genre-busting fusions of mariachi, jazz, salsa, pop and more.
Matt Beilis |Saturday, June 22 | Pop-Rock
The songs that Matt Beilis crafts combine his singer-songwriter aesthetic with electronic beats and soaring pop hooks. The lyric video for Matt's first single, 'Dial-Tone,' caught the attention of Ryan Seacrest and his team, who decided to premier the song exclusively on his website RyanSeacrest.com. Matt's next music video 'Perfect For Me' took a different direction from the modern Electro-Pop/Rock vibe. The song is an emotional piano ballad showcasing Matt's incredible vocals and piano playing prowess, and along with its viral music video resonated with fans immediately. It was featured by PeopleMagazine.com calling it one of "the most important things on the internet" and has since racked up well over 1,000,000 spins on Spotify.
The Accidentals |Thursday, June 27 | Indie Rock
Billboard Magazine says, "The Accidentals display a genre-hopping range of influences and some smart songwriting skills to go with their abundant musical chops" and PopMatters Magazine says, you can't define them by comparison to any one band, comparing them to a mashup of influences including, "The Beatles, The Decemberists, Sufjan Stevens, Led Zeppelin, Ani Difranco, Neko Case, Brandi Carlile, etc." NPR says, "they display equal interest in the focused musical forms of indie rock and pop and the expansive potential of orchestral arrangements, jam band open-endedness and impressionistic singer-songwriter expression."
Texas Lifestyle Magazine made The Accidentals their "must-see" band of SXSW 2018, and staff writer Daniel Ramirez raves about their live show, saying, "They are defiant, young, powerful, and undaunted. You're gonna wanna say you saw them before they were everywhere".
Randy Villars Band | Friday, June 28 | Jazz
The Randy Villars Band is a quartet of jazz musicians showcasing its leader Randy Villars on the tenor saxophone. The music the group's music consists largely of original compositions by Randy Villars along with creative arrangements of jazz standards. Randy is a classically trained clarinetist, saxophonist and pianist who became aware of improvisational music at an early age. While he has performed and recorded in many different styles, his current focus in The Randy Villars Band is post-bop jazz.
Dayton Funk All-Stars | Saturday, June 29 | Funk
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The Dayton Funk All-Stars Band is 10 members strong and was founded by guitarist Tony "Silky T" Allen and co-leader, Deron Bell instrumentalist, keyboards and Talk Box. The band consists of dynamic members and their contributions to the music industry spans over three decades. Dayton Funk All-Stars, sometimes called Dfunk, offers the best of the iconic sound of Funk: soulful with horns, sparkling vocals and plenty of flash! They have hit the stage opening for Ledisi, After 7, Mark Woods of Lakeside, The Ohio Players, Zapp and others. This musical group specialize in the Dayton sound, however, performing DFunk originals infused with R&B grooves and Funk energy, is exciting too. Dayton, which is branded The Land of Funk because of its '70s era of prolific funk hits, has allowed this group of entertainers the opportunity to celebrate all that is funk and to bring smiles to many music fans.
Hannah Gill | Thursday, July 11 | Soul
Hannah Gill, a 20-year-old vocalist & lyricist, grew up on the eastern shore of Maryland, listening to and being influenced by the likes of Nina Simone, The Beatles,\ and Otis Redding. She recently released her sophomore EP, "Lost In Words", a five-song sampler showcasing her booming voice and soulful songwriting. She has been covered by The New York Times, Teen Vogue and NPR amongst others, has toured nationally with her band, "The Hours", and her original music videos have garnered over 650K YouTube views. Hannah also tours as a guest singer with "Post Modern Jukebox", the rotating jazz music collective, since April of 2017 and has played at legendary venues like Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Olympia In Paris, and the Monte Carlo Jazz Festival. Her PMJ videos have exceeded 4.5M views, and her cover of "Take Me To Church" had Hozier saying, "Her ability is beyond her years". When not on tour with PMJ or for her solo material, you can catch her singing up a storm in New York City.
Dave Greer's Classic Jazz Stompers | Friday, July 12 | Jazz
Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers first hit the stage in the late 1980s, reintroducing the great jazz of 1920s and 1930s to eager audiences. The group quickly developed a devoted fan following in their native Dayton, while also winning over jazz and music lovers across the country and even abroad.
They’ve played major music venues, such as the Elkhart Jazz Festival and the Davenport Bix Festival, been featured at the Dayton CityFolk Festival numerous times and toured Belgium at the request of Classic Jazz Stompers’ fans. The Classic Jazz Stompers invite you to join them as they share their love of the giants of jazz and the schools and styles of New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Kansas City and San Francisco.
The Right Now | Saturday, July 13 | Pop
The Right Now's pop-meets-soul sound is more than a vehicle for Stefanie Berecz's captivating voice. The celebration of thoughtful, catchy songwriting and intricate arrangements evokes a subtle sophistication in the tradition of Quincy Jones' 70s and 80s masterpieces. Since 2008 the band has toured much of the United States and released three acclaimed albums, racking up placements in television, national commercials, and the multi-million-selling video game Watch Dogs.
Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle | Thursday, July 18 | Bluegrass/Americana
It’s hard to stay still around these boys. They’ve got that toe-tapping, knee-slapping, boot-stomping kind of sound. They get you moving and shaking. Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle—part rowdy honkytonk, part old-time pioneers—equates to a sound that sticks with your soul and leaves you singing barefoot into the star sky.
To get “hustled” is to get the full-body musical experience—that head-boppin’, hip-swaying, soul-singing with the stranger next to you. It’s the kind of music that encapsulates you into a community of sound, one that becomes familiar once you hear it, like maybe, you’ve been listening to them forever.
MojoFlo | Friday, July 19 | Funk
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Neo funk group, MojoFlo, is as known for their captivating stage performance as their infectious rhythms and catchy lyrics. Named "Best Band" (2016) by both "Columbus Monthly" and "(614) Magazine" for their dynamic live shows featuring vivacious vocalist Amber Knicole. From aerial performances and Soul Train lines to hula hoop choreography and near-cringe-inducing leaps off the drum riser in 6-inch heels this lady has a knack for leaving audiences enthralled.
In combining hard hitting horns, seductive melodies and a meticulously crafted stage show, MojoFlo has built a fiercely loyal fanbase. This self-supported band tours routinely to bring their show to a national audience.
Paige Beller & Kyleen Downes | Saturday, July 20 | Rock
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Very few musicians can deliver songs that are emotionally vulnerable and simultaneously epic. Very few activists can help organize massive events like Ladyfest Dayton but also find time to tour and juggle multiple bands. Very few people can radiate boundless creativity and power, while still maintaining their inherently friendly, humble nature. Paige Beller captures all these qualities and more in her songwriting, live performances and attitude.
Singer-songwriter Kyleen Downes combines effortlessly upbeat melodies and life lessons retold with subtlety. In 2016 she took her dream of recording an album and brought it into reality, releasing her debut album “Maybe Sometimes”. “Maybe Sometimes” reveals a maze of missed opportunities and hesitant hopefulness, with humor and honesty. She followed up her debut release in 2018 with the EP “FRIENDS.” It features songs that showcase her classic rock up bringing with a modern pop twist, appealing to a diverse audience of ages and influences. Kyleen is no stranger to performing, whether it is solo or with her band, her infectious pop melodies and natural ease make new fans feel like old friends.
PNC Family Movie Night: "The Greatest Showman – Sing Along" | Sunday, July 21 | Begins at Dusk
This year as part of the PNC Family Series, the Levitt Dayton will be hosting a family movie night. Just as attending a concert is cost prohibitive for many families, taking a family to the movies is out of reach for many. Bring chairs, blankets, and snacks and enjoy a free movie night with the family under the stars. The movie this year will be a sing along of “The Greatest Showman.”
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Socks in the Frying Pan | Thursday, July 25 | World-Celtic
Having gained a fan-base from four years of gigging around the west of Ireland, this exciting group have recently started branching out and have been well received for their modern traditional style and energetic approach to music. This, combined with an acoustic musical interplay, three-part harmony and an obvious love for live performance, compliments the traditional essence of both tune and songs in a fresh and entertaining way.
Angela Perley | Friday, July 26 | Indie Rock
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Angela Perley and her band have spent years playing 100+ shows annually to refine the psychedelica tinged garage rock sound that defined their first album, 2014's 'Hey Kid.' The hard work paid off on their last release, "Homemade Vision," as the group successfully focused on their two main strengths: Ms. Perley's emphatic, impassioned vocals and guitarist Chris Connor's crisp, cathartic guitar melodies and high-flying leads.
Kevin Burt | Saturday, July 27 | Blues/Soul
The Iowa based Burt’s vocals are extremely powerful, rich, warm, expressive and exploding with soul.
The all-star band features an incredible rhythm section with D'Mar Martin on drums, Jon Otis (Johnny Otis' son!) on percussion, and the bassist to the stars, Jerry Jemmott. Grammy award winning Jemmott is a true living legend, playing on so many timeless soul, blues, & jazz classics, from B.B. King's "Thrill Is Gone" to Gil Scott Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" to Aretha Franklin's "Think"- be sure to check out Jerry's unbelievably rich and varied eye-popping discography.
Royal Wood | Thursday, August 1 | Folk/Americana
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Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Royal Wood has established himself as a true musical talent. Since being proclaimed "Songwriter of the Year" by iTunes, Wood has continued to evolve and hone his musical craft – maintaining an unmistakable identity while uncovering and reinventing his sound.
Wood has two albums that have debuted in the Top 30, multiple JUNO nominations, 2-time Canadian Folk Music Award-nominee, and a #1 added song at Hot AC radio. His songs have been heard on high profile sync placements like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice." Royal completed a wildly successful and sold-out cross-country theatre tour opening for the legendary Bonnie Raitt.
Ernie Johnson From Detroit | Friday, August 2 | Jazz/Afrobeat
Debuting in December of 2015, EJFD has always embraced a DIY attitude and work ethic, self-producing and releasing two EP’s within their first two years as a band. Starting out as a 6-piece band, and quickly adding keyboards, trumpet, and percussion, EJFD has exploded onto the Cincinnati live music scene, selling out venues across the city. Their smooth blend of afrobeat, funk, and jazz has garnered them praise from critics and musicians alike, in a city known more for indie rock, folk, and bluegrass music. Clad in black jumpsuits, donned with all kinds of patches custom to each musician, they resemble a team more than just a collection of guys playing music. Their live shows are usually high-energy, infectious dance parties.
Keith Harrison | Saturday, Aug. 3 | Funk
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Keith Harrison is best known for his contributions to Faze-O and the Dazz Band. Harrison is a Grammy Award winning artist (an accomplishment which no other Dayton musician can claim) Harrison has distinguished himself as a musician, performing artist, songwriter, producer, and arranger and solo artist. His influences in the funk music landscape, showmanship, musical and vocal talents gained him much popularity and afforded him the opportunity to perform, write and record with industry greats such as Faze-O, Heatwave, the Dazz Band, the Ohio Players, Jeff Lorber, Ray Parker Jr., Buddy Miles, Lo-Key, Morris Day and The Time, Charlie Wilson, and George Clinton and The P-Funk All Stars.
Vanessa Collier | Thursday, Aug. 8 | Blues
At 27 years old, master musician and multi-talented blues performer Vanessa Collier has become an in-demand artist, bringing her charismatic charm, passionate and fiery performances, soulful voice, searing saxophone solos, and witty songwriting to the stage. Over the past year, Vanessa toured through 11 countries, alternating between tour legs in Europe as a featured artist with Ruf’s Blues Caravan and back in the U.S. and Canada with her talented 5-piece band.
Discover Classical Young Talent Search | Friday, Aug. 9 | Classical
Since 2009, Dayton Public Radio/Discover Classical 88.1 & 89.9FM has conducted its annual Young Talent Search, a celebration of outstanding young classical musicians in the region. The contest is open to all classical musicians and vocalists under the age of 18 in the Miami Valley region. Through a blind audition, a panel of local judges selects a group of young artists to receive a prize package including a cash honorarium, on-air interviews, and the chance to perform at a free public concert. Over the last ten years, the station has honored almost 60 talented young musicians who have gone on to perform on some the world's biggest stages, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
Sharon Lane & The Guilty Pleasures | Saturday, Aug. 10 | Rock
Dayton musician Sharon Lane has played more gigs than she can remember. Her roots in hillbilly and rock and roll opened the doors to appreciate all music. She is an artist, musician, and a mentor to many. Canal Street Tavern opened opportunities to share the stage with musical legends as Taj Mahal, Koko Taylor, Josh White jr., John Hammond Jr. Maria Muldaur and others. Sharon Lane is a spark of bold soulfulness and tender moments. She is a storyteller with songs that can take one on a musical journey of shared emotions.
John Dubuc & The Guilty Pleasures are seasoned Dayton rockers that stir up a crafty melodic mix of pop, folk, punk, country and blues that will have the skinheads two-stepping with the cowgirls and the hippies swingin' with the hipsters.
House of Hamill |Thursday, Aug. 15 | World-Celtic
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Rose Baldino and Brian Buchanan met 10 years ago, late one night backstage at a theatre in rural Pennsylvania. Both Baldino and Buchanan are accomplished traditional fiddle players and classical violinists, with more than 25 years of writing and performance experience between them. Together, they write unusual new fiddle tunes and exciting, unpredictable original songs while breathing new life into traditional and contemporary songs. Both are confident and unique lead vocalists, and the blend of their two voices in harmony is hypnotic and irresistible.
The Repeating Arms | Aug. 16 | Bluegrass/Americana
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The Repeating Arms is a four-piece string band from Dayton. Four friends that share an unbridled love for music - Harold Hensley on vox and guitar, Max Nunery on banjo, guitar, lap steel and vox, Chip Pritchard on upright bass and vox, and Brian Spirk on mandolin.
Parsonsfield | Saturday, Aug. 17 | Folk/Americana
Parsonsfield, praised for making "the most jubilant and danceable indie roots music this side of the Carolinas" (NPR), is a folk-rock outfit known for their rich harmonies, vibrant songwriting and energetic live performances. The band draws their name from the rural Maine town that's home to the Great North Sound Society, the farmhouse-turned-recording-studio of Josh Ritter keyboardist/producer Sam Kassirer. It was there that Parsonsfield cut their outstanding debut, Poor Old Shine (2013 Signature Sounds), which established them as a roots force to be reckoned with. Their rowdy live performances only upped the ante, with The Bluegrass Situation falling for their "fun and frenzy" and No Depression raving that they'll "give you rich five-part harmonies one minute…then rock you over the head with unbearably cool and raucous Celtic rhythms."
Michael & the Rockness Monsters | Sunday, Aug. 18 | Family
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From Preschool of Rock founder Michael Napolitano comes Michael & The Rockness Monsters. An interactive, super galactic – funk inspired, rock-n-roll experience for families.
The shows and music of this act shine with creativity. The music is both silly and serious—filled with catchy melodies and thick instrumentation. Live, the band takes on new life with a full horn section, props and becomes a what New York Family calls “an odyssey of imagination”.
Quiana Lynell | Thursday, August 22 | Jazz
The 2017 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition winner, Quiana Lynell infuses her classical training with her gospel upbringing and approaches jazz as a storyteller. Her mesmerizing performances can only come about because Quiana believes every word that journeys from her soul. She hits every note with perfect timing and impeccable pitch. If Sam Cooke were alive to hear her performance of his classic, "A Change is Gonna Come," he might say, "yeah…that is what I meant."
USAF Band of Flight's Spirit of Freedom | Friday, Aug. 23 | Classical
The USAF Band of Flight's Spirit of Freedom, formerly known as Wright Brass, is a versatile and energetic brass quintet with an added percussionist. The members are all active duty musicians in the United States Air Force, stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. In addition to performing military ceremonies on and off base, the ensemble entertains public audiences throughout the state of Ohio. Spirit of Freedom is proud to represent those serving with the highest levels of professionalism and valor throughout our United States Air Force.
Moira / Human Cannonball | Saturday, Aug. 24 | Rock
MOIRA, the Cincinnati-based dream-pop trio, has been crafting meticulously layered soundscapes since their formation in 2015. Haunting vocals, hypnotic piano, and intricate rhythms sprinkled with carefully crafted electronic elements build into a whirlwind of sound that is eerily familiar, yet wholly unique.
Jah Soul | Thursday, Aug. 29 | Funk/Dance
The best way to describe Jah Soul is one BIG Family who enjoys hanging out with each other, playing music, and having a good time doing it. Jah Soul's overall sound is a combination of styles - Reggae, Rock, Soul, Funk, & Disco. Mixing it up with sexy & well crafted, catchy original music to keep the party going in a funky way. The audience at a Jah Soul show is as diverse as the music they play. It's a universal language for people to come together and groove.
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Making Movies | Friday, Aug. 30 | World-Latin
Energy, mysticism, roots– it's hard to describe the music of Making Movies, a band that Rolling Stone says is "breaking down walls in the United States," with a mix of afro-latino rhythms and psychedelic rock'n'roll that makes the group's sound something unique. The connection between the Chi brothers (hailing from Santiago, Panama)– together with their Mexican bandmates, the Chaurand brothers– results in an overwhelming musical presence that takes you through landscapes festive, furious, refreshing, and dark.
Tonya Baker | Saturday, August 31 | Gospel
An anointed psalmist, gifted songwriter, author, workshop instructor, she travels extensively nationally and abroad, reaching the nations with her gift of song and imparting wisdom and knowledge through the word. Tonya has taken her musical gifts abroad on two 15-city tours to France and music festivals in Guadeloupe. Although, she travels and sings throughout the world, she's passionate about serving as worship director at Mount Pisgah Church in Dayton. Baker has release four albums. She is working on a new project.
Eric Jerardi | Thursday, Sept. 5 | Blues/Rock
Eric Jerardi began his musical career with winning a battle of the bands contest in 1989 at Ohio University. Two years later, Jerardi won another contest at OU, which secured a spot on MTV as the Midwest's Best Unsigned College Band. Over the years, he has shared the stage with Little Feat, Robin Trower and Jim Belushi at the House of Blues, Chicago and LA; played with Eric Johnson on Cape Cod; jammed with Keith Urban, Wynonna and Kenny Chesney in Nashville; and headlined B.B. Kings in Memphis, Nashville, LA, and Manhattan. He has played in countless blues festivals, major concerts, and a myriad of other shows around the country for more than 20 years.
Sanae-Braxton Collaborative | Friday, Sept. 6 | Jazz
Pacific Coast Jazz national recording artists Robert Sanae and Tom Braxton's recent release, The Sanae/Braxton Collaborative—The Other Side, is a delicious blend of contemporary, chill and smooth jazz brewed up by these two label mates. Tom, a native Texan, is noted as one of jazz's most prolific saxophonists as well as a composer/producer/keyboardist and has released nine albums, including The Sanae/Braxton Collaborative - The Other Side. Tom currently tours with jazz guitarist Earl Klugh and was the music director for the late bassist Wayman Tisdale for 17 years. Robert, a native Daytonian, multi-genre composer/producer and multi-instrumentalist, is a product of a rich musical heritage and accomplished Dayton musicians and has released three albums. Robert began his professional career as the youngest member of the R&B group Zapp featuring Roger Troutman, where he was a trumpeter, keyboardist, vocalist as well as an audio and editing engineer. During his tenure with the Troutman organization, Roberts' performance credits encompassed five albums.
>> RELATED: Funk dream lives on. Rare interview with Zapp band before rare Dayton concert
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band | Saturday, Sept. 7 | Country/Blues
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band has built its reputation the long, slow, hard way. After 12 years of playing as many as 300 shows each year, Rev. Peyton, the world's foremost country blues finger-style picker, along with the biggest little band in the country has pieced together one of the most dedicated followings out there. Peyton's blues pedigree is well established. Woodshedding since he was 12, Peyton has kept alive a tradition of finger picking pioneered by the likes of Mississippi John Hurt. However, Peyton plays with the energy and attitude of a Howlin' Wolf. Indeed if it has strings he can play it whether that's a custom-built National, a cigarbox, an axe or even a shotgun (seriously, Google it.).
Deva Mahal | Thursday, Sept. 12 | R&B
Deva Mahal was born with the blues in her blood. Becoming the genre-defying artist, powerhouse vocalist and astute songwriter that she is today could only be achieved through living a life rich with pain, joy, loss, love, heartache and experience. A soul as singular as Deva’s can only find voice through an equally unique sound, which she’s forged by growing her blues roots through the fertile soil of modern R&B, indie-pop, soul, rock and gospel.
Deva (presciently, or perhaps an example of self-fulfilling prophecy, her name is pronounced "Diva" but given a slight twist) is the daughter of blues icon Taj Mahal and Inshirah Mahal, a dancer, artist and educator who Deva refers to as "my rock." Their support and influence combined with Deva's inborn passion and soaring talents make her a formidable and inspirational artist.
HuDost | Friday, Sept. 13 | Rock/Pop
The music of HuDost weaves a seamless tapestry of Folk, World, and Rock that renders tears and laughter in listeners, cultivating the nameless longing that abides somewhere in all our hearts and invoking total celebration. HuDost's core musicians are Moksha Sommer, from Montréal and Jemal Wade Hines from Kentucky. Having toured the U.S., Canada, and Europe constantly since April 2006, HuDost has grown and expanded, traveled rocky and glorious terrain and marveled at all they can learn and explore. Moksha and Jemal Wade in this time have grown as artists, as seekers, as a couple and as a family. Since 2015 they have also been highly engaged activists, doing advocacy work as KY Congressional District Representatives for ONE (a non-profit organization working to end extreme poverty and, specifically, the sexism of poverty).
Casee Allen | Saturday, Sept.14 | Country
Despite growing up in the small country town of Coshocton, Allen carries an eclectic variety of musical influences like Def Leppard, Garth Brooks, Justin Timberlake, Goo Goo Dolls and Neal McCoy but truly has his family's musical history to thank for his uniquely edgy, country infused sound.
After opening for Kip Moore, the chart-topping Country rocker gave Allen the advice, "Quit everything you're doing, move to Nashville and write you're a** off," and Allen did exactly that. The very next day the hopeful singer-songwriter packed his things to seek out Music City for himself and within weeks was calling Nashville home. Allen continues to captivate audiences across the country with his high energy performance and charismatic spirit
Gustafer Yellowgold | Sunday, Sept.15 | Family
Since his creation by Morgan Taylor in 2005, Gustafer Yellowgold has become an international phenomenon, acclaimed by The New York Times as “A cross between ‘Yellow Submarine’ and Dr. Seuss.” Entertainment Weekly praised “…The most infectious original songs. It’s like tapping into some pleasure center in the brain—both adult and kid… absurdly appealing.”
Gustafer Yellowgold’s Show is a funny and touching multimedia performance of live music, colored-pencil animations and storytelling. With its unique crossover appeal, the show has been the wild-card opening act for Wilco and The Polyphonic Spree. Gustafer has appeared off-Broadway in his own productions of Gustafer Yellowgold shows and across the U.S. with 60 piece symphony orchestras. Gustafer the character is a friendly creature who came to Earth from the sun and is living out an explorer’s life in a slightly psychedelic version of the Minnesota woods.
>> Daytonian of the Week: Grammy nominee Morgan Taylor
Peace and Justice Concert with The World House Choir | Thursday, Sept.19 | Choral
The World House Choir’s mission is to perform music that motivates and inspires our communities toward justice, diversity, and equality as we strive for peace and create our web of mutuality. They are associated with “Arts for Peace and Justice,” a non-profit association in Yellow Springs created to promote and unite progressive arts movements for peace justice and social change with an emphasis on the choral arts and people’s music. The name “World House Choir” is rooted in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s metaphor that we must create a “world house” in which we all live together in peace and justice.
>> RELATED: World House Choir promotes justice
The Breeders | Friday, Sept. 20
Formed in 1989 as a side-project for Dayton original, Kim Deal, while her other band, Pixies, were on a hiatus, The Breeders quickly became a household name. With 1990’s “Pod” and 1993’s “Last Splash,” the Breeders became icons of the era’s alternative rock explosion.
>> The Breeders added to Levitt Pavilion summer lineup
Noah Wotherspoon | Saturday, Sept. 21 | Blues
The Noah Wotherspoon Band hails from Cincinnati. Wotherspoon has been immersed in the blues and mesmerizing audiences with his soulful guitar playing since he was a teenager. At 16, he headlined the Best Buy stage at the Chicago Blues Fest; soon after he recorded the album "Buzz Me" on APO Records that featured blues legend Hubert Sumlin on two tracks. In 2015, Wotherspoon received the Best Guitarist Award at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and the band placed second in the Finals. Since the competition, they have been playing festivals and venues around the world, from the Mt. Baker Blues Festival in Washington State to Iceland, to an Eastern European Tour in 2017. Over the years, Noah has worked with and opened for a wide range of well-known artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Johnny Lang, Chris Isaak, Boz Skaggs, Leon Russell to name a few.
Benefit Concert | Thursday, Sept 26 | Ambrosia with John Ford Coley and Peter Beckett "The Voice of Player"
Tickets on sale to the general public on May 30.
This will be the Levitt Pavilion Dayton’s first ticketed benefit concert. All proceeds raised from this fundraiser help support 50 free concerts a summer.
In the year 1970, four young musicians from the South Bay of Los Angeles, came together to create a new invigorating style of music. Today the band is more alive than ever. The band recently rocked the Jimmy Fallon show with accolades from Jimmy himself ("that's how you do it!") and has shown its musical versatility with the ability to play a set of music with Yes and Genesis or glide into their pop hits "How Much I Feel" and "Biggest Part of Me" with a romantic soul.
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