I\'m A Badass Caption: I can haz links, style or anything that is valid markup :)

Festival News: Allan Holdsworth, Secret Oyster And One Shot Fill Fusion Friday

Posted on Friday, January 19 @ 10:50:47 UTC by nightowl

Progressive Arts is proud to announce the lineup for the Friday night showcase for NEARfest Weekend. Guitar legend Allan Holdsworth with cohorts Chad Wakerman and Jimmy Johnson will headline a stellar night of international jazz rock fusion. Supporting Holdsworth will be Danish cult favorites Secret Oyster and the Magma off-shoot One Shot from France.



Allan Holdsworth is widely regarded by fans and musicians alike as one of the 20th century's most prominent guitarists. An innovator in both jazz and rock, Holdsworth's unique guitar voice and style has been pushing the limits of the electric guitar since the early '70s. An inductee of Guitar Player Magazine's Hall of Fame and five-time winner in their reader's poll, he is renowned for his work with the likes of Soft Machine, Bruford, and U.K. as well as his extensive solo catalog, exemplified by classics such as I.O.U., Metal Fatigue, Road Games, and Sand. Holdsworth will be joined by Chad Wakerman on drums and Jimmy Johnson on bass. Wakerman, a phenomenally skilled jazz and rock drummer, has amassed a remarkable body of work including a seven-year association with Frank Zappa. He has also recorded six albums and toured with Allan Holdsworth. Johnson is one of the world's most requested and busiest electric bass sessionmen, and pioneer of the five string electric bass. In addition to being a long-time collaborator of Allan Holdsworth both in the studio and on the road, Johnson has also worked with Roger Hodgson, Roger Waters, Simon Phillips and countless others.

Denmark's Secrey Oyster is a legendary jazz-rock supergroup from the '70s. The band's catalog is currently being remastered and reissued by The Laser's Edge label, which has revitalized the band to play live once again. Led by sax player Karsten Vogel, Secret Oyster were masters at walking the tightrope between jazz and rock, much like contemporaries like Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return to Forever. The band's tour de force, 1974's Sea Son, [reviewed here] features everything from dynamic counterpoint to psychedelic fury. Secret Oyster has never played in the United States until now. This once-in-a-lifetime performance is not to miss.

Originally formed for a musical one night stand, France's One Shot produces an appealling combination of Zeuhl and electric Miles Davis. Part of their influence is very apparent as bassist Philippe Buissonnet, keyboardist Emmanuel Borghi and guitarist James MacGaw all double-time with Magma. One Shot's music is full of tasty Fender Rhodes and smoky organ runs mixed together with dazzling Patrice Meyer-esque guitar work. Their latest release, Ewaz Vader, was one of last year's top fusion albums (#3 on the Gagliarchives Radio Top 100 of 2006). One Shot's high-energy set will be the perfect kick-off to a fabulous weekend of music.

Date: Friday, June 22nd, 2007
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Tickets:

NEARfest ticket buyers will be given the opportunity to buy the same seats for Progressive Arts' Fusion Friday. The Patron Program sign-up for NEARfest 2007 is from Thursday, January 18th, 2007 at noon EST and until Saturday January 20th at 6:00pm EST. Details are at http://www.nearfest.com. General ticket sales for NEARfest (June 23rd & 24th) go on sale Saturday, March 31st at 11:00ma EST.

General ticket sales for Fusion Friday begin Saturday, April 7th at 11:00am EST.

Tickets will be available through the following methods:
1. Online from Zoellner Arts Center, http://ztickets.lehigh.edu
2. By phone at 610-758-2787 using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express
3. Zoellner Arts Center Box Office, 420 East Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, PA

Price Levels
Lift $49.00
Orchestra: $44.00
Grand Tier: $39.00
Balcony: $35.00

Allan Holdsworth with Chad Wackerman and Jimmy Johnson (UK/US)

Allan Holdsworth - Guitar
Chad Wackerman - Drums
Jimmy Johnson - Bass

Secret Oyster (Denmark)

Karsten Vogel - Saxophone, Keyboards
Claus B?hling - Guitar
Ole Streenberg - Drums
Assi Roar - Bass
Christoffer Sten M?ller - Keyboards

One Shot (France)

Emmanuel Borghi - Keyboards
Philipppe Buissonnet - Bass
James MacGaw - Guitar
Daniel Jeand'heaur - Drums

Posted in Festival News