Haunting, imaginative, creative—these are a few terms describing the music of the local band Gears. Featuring Ivan Kuraev on vocals, guitar, piano, recorder, and vibes; Kevin Leahy on guitar, piano, keyboard, bass and vocals; and Neil Patch on percussion and guitar, this trio is bending the boundaries of alt rock with a nod to the melodic elements that give the music an eerie quality. No “hook” built songs here—just solid, well crafted songs from a group of guys that use imagination as their hook.

With their captivating and inviting live show, and a blend of funky, roots-rock, Delhill is building a loyal family of fans all over New England. Their sound is dynamic and memorable. Comparisons have been made to the modern rock of Pearl Jam, the fearless songwriting of Revolver-era Beatles, and the adventurous harmonies of another Boston-born band, Guster. Delhill embraces this vision with a “do-it-yourself” attitude, a spirit of spontaneity, and above all, original and infectious music with an ethos that sets no creative limits. They craft exciting songs, melding rock, funk, pop and roots music, and writing lyrics delivered from genuine personal experience.

Coming off of the release of their full-length studio album Bouncing Souls, Delhill has garnered acclaim all over the northeast. From New York to New Hampshire, they have performed at premiere music venues across the region, including the Paradise, the Middle East, Harper's Ferry in Boston, Tammany Hall in Worcester, and the infamous CBGB's in New York City. From their humble origins as traveling performers in the streets of New Zealand and South America, to their latest triumphs packing venues all over New England, Delhill continues on in that spirit, capturing stories and emotions through music. DelHill was formed in the hills of an ancient land during the winter of 2004. With Andrew (Del) Delcid (guitar and vocals) and James Rockpoint, (guitar)—its founding members—and with the addition of drummer Daryl Romkey, singer/songwriter/jazzbo Tony Maiella, and bassist Freddy G in the summer of 2005, DelHill continues on as five friends making one sound. Infectious and memorable, we know you’ll enjoy Delhill and walk away humming their unforgettable original tunes.

Formed in Bill Halls' living room in August 1990, Three Toad Sloth set out to take the Boston music scene by storm and failed miserably. Instead they were content to play for free beverages and ½ price sandwiches in local cubs. Marblehead native and Songwriter Adam Antczak fronts the band because he writes everything so he already knows all the words, plus all the other positions in the band had already been filled. Mike MacIver plays guitar and keys, Bill Hall is on bass and Eric Peacock is the current drummer and philosopher, following in a long line of drummers that would make Spinal Tap proud. One thing we like about 3TS – They just rock – early afternoon 4th of July fireworks….that works for us – And, it’s only taken them seventeen to find their way to the big stage at Crocker (that’s a lot of ½ price sandwiches)…so come check out Three Toad Sloth to “rock your sloth off!.”

Vicki Genfan hears music that ordinary people do not. Luckily for us, she knows how to share her gift with people of every age. Vicki has taken a musical quantum leap, changing the way the acoustic guitar makes music, exhibiting a mastery of the instrument that borders on pure alchemy —and in fact, audiences can hardly believe she's got only two hands. An almost constant companion to her 'slapping, tapping' and use of 25 different tunings, are her pure, expressive vocals that dig deep and stir the soul. Vicki writes and beautifully sings her own brand of music and lyrics while putting her unmistakable imprint on some of our classic hits like the Beatles' Norwegian Wood and Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. As a bonus, Vicki's audiences feel that they're part of something special through her stories, her warmth and her humor.

In the past four years Vicki has been recognized among the world's greatest guitarists and musicians at festivals such as the International Montreal Jazz Festival, Germany's Open Strings Guitar Festival, Italy's Soave Guitar Festival, as well as at venues and Performing Arts Centers across the US. With 3 CDs behind her and multiple awards, Vicki continues to reach beyond musical borders and into new territory, as with her recent acquisition of a 6 string banjo and 12 string guitar.

Touring on most occasions as a solo artist, for the Festival, we’ve invited Vicki to beef up her sound, and tonight she’s accompanied by:

NYC drummer John Mettam is a versatile and energetic musician and has toured extensively in the US, Canada, Europe, and Japan; and he appears on over 30 recordings. He has also worked with many jazz greats. His deep understanding of song structure and broad dynamic range have made him a natural choice for many singer/songwriters to work with. John holds a B.M. in classical percussion from the University of Maryland and an M.M. in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory of Music. (www.johnmettam.com)

Bassist Jeff Song is a New England Foundation for the Arts grant recipient and has been performing around the East Coast since 1982. Jeff is featured on over a dozen recordings. Primarily a bass guitarist, Jeff also performs and records on cello and kayagum, a Korean 12-string zither. Fluent in a variety of musical languages, Jeff has performed solo, with his own groups and with various artists at concerts and festivals throughout the United States and Europe. His recorded music has been featured on radio, television, theater, and in an exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. (www.cello.org/freepage/jeffsong.htm)

Ed Note: For many years we have seen an incredible amount of musical acts in our search to book the annual Performing Arts in Crocker Park. Very rarely do we find a performer so clearly unique that we feel like we’ve found our own musical secret, one that we can’t wait to share with you. One that we truly believe brings something wonderful to our stage, something that you’ve never seen before, something that is very, very special. Vicki Genfan is that artist! We hope after watching, listening and getting to know Vicki, you’ll feel like you’re in on the secret too! (BSW)

The Boston Horns Featuring Grace Kelly & Barrence Whitfield — Jazz/Funk/R&B & Lots-O-Dancing! (with a break for fireworks)

The Boston Horns unique style of funk music transcends genres. Founded in 1999, the six-member Boston Horns include founders Garret Savluk on trumpet and Henley Douglas Jr. on saxophone, Jeff Buckridge on guitar, Craig Weiman on bass guitar, mastermind and composer extraordinaire Ben Zecker on keyboard, and Peter MacLean on drums. These players are all masters of their instruments and combine their unbelievable talents to create groove-oriented, original instrumental and vocal music, providing a unique blend of diverse musical styles from rhythm and blues to funk, soul, and jazz. The Boston Horns find a comfortable niche between jazz artists and jam bands. In concert, they evoke the best elements of both genres. This high-octane sextet skillfully combines the playfulness and expressive power of “jam” music with jazz’s melodic surprise and experimentation.
Tonight we’re in for an extra treat as The Boston Horns welcome two unique performers to augment their powerful line-up and start the “Fireworks” on stage:

Fifteen-year old Grace Kelly is on a fast track to super stardom. Already a world traveling performer, this alto saxophone player, singer and songwriter/composer prodigy has accomplished more in her very young career than many performers do in their lifetime. Grace has shared the stage and performed with legends in the music industry like James Cotton and Phil Woods and already has recorded three CDs. She is also a multi-award winning musician and fronts her own quartet, scheduled to perform at the Marblehead Summer Jazz Series on July 21st. We urge you not miss this opportunity to see the performer that’s been dubbed “the future of jazz” featured tonight in The Boston Horns opening set. (www.gracekellymusic.com)
Barrence Whitfield started singing in a Gospel church as a young child, honing his talent and his great “pipes”. Fast forward to his years fronting The Savages, a legendary local rock n’ roll outfit, then it was off to Europe making records and building a fan base who loved his boundless energy and unique persona. It was there that Barrence opened for legendary performers like Bo Diddley, Tina Turner, George Thorogood, Robert Cray, The Reverend Solomon Burke, Los Lobos, Taj Mahal, Richard Thompson, and many more. Barrence Whitfield is a legend in his own time, and yet still one of the most untapped talents in the world. Tonight, in the second set of The Boston Horns, Barrence is ready to keep the fireworks going and pull you right up off your blanket to dance till they kick us out of Crocker! (www.barrencewhitfield.com) So there you have it…19 acts over five nights and three days. Thanks to the MFoA Board of Directors for sharing our vision and for your generous support to make it a reality! (BSW/June ‘07)