Friends

Brooklyn represent! Our new friend Brandon immediately won us over with his unique guitar stylings, rural-tinged vocals and warm presence on-stage and off.

We're very happy to have him along for our live shows!

The Brooklyn invasion continues!

These talented rootsters bring that deep, satisfying earthy sound to harmonica-soaked originals as well choice covers from the likes of Bob Dylan, Hank Williams and others.

With an edgy electricity and tight vocal harmonies, Cadillac Dorman re-cast even the dustiest rural traditions into something to satisfy even the most discerning urban ears!

Originally from Hawai'i, Carolyn Ota is an NYC singer-songwriter performing in clubs, festivals and coffeehouses around Manhattan.

She mixes chant, life inquiry & jazzy folk-soul elements to make acoustic, spirit-searching world music.

A dedicated roots musician, and a major ingredient behind the success of popular area bands Cadillac Dorman and Shabantu, Chuck Dorman steps out as a solo artist with great power in his own right.

An earnest vocalist, pulsating rhythm guitarist and bluesy harp-blower, Chuck has thoroughly absorbed the spirit and repertoire of influences such as Bob Dylan, Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie. Whether singing traditional classics or his own originals (and you most likely won't be able to tell the difference!), Chuck is a true populist musician in the everyman tradition. We're glad to get him in any way, shape or form we can!

A life-long poet, Chuck has recently started joining his words to music and in the process has discovered (to the benefit of us all) that he also possesses an incredible singing voice and deep musicality. Toss in his familiarity with rootsy campfire instruments (folk guitar and banjo), a healthy dose of charisma and charm, and you have the makings of a natural singer-songwriter. Are you sure he hasn't been doing this for years on a secret island somewhere!?!

Chuck is an emerging artist who has helped to feed, and in turn be nurtured by, the Roomful of Sky community, and we're very proud of him as a stellar example of our homegrown talent. Chuck is one to watch!

"The evening was filled with deep meaningful music that begged to be listened to. Daniel’s songs are like poems set to music, each one captivating and enthralling. His voice gravely and strangely seductive seduces the listener making them want to hear more." --The Roots of Rock

Daniel graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, with a focus on Jazz Performance. Since then, Daniel has performed in various jazz groups in both the New York City and Boston metropolitan areas, before eventually returning to his first love: traditional American folk music.

Now, his writing style comes from many diverse sources and influences, including Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and the traditional music of the Appalachian region. An internationally touring artist, Daniel has recently released his first CD, "Such A Fine Day... and Other Days" to spectacular reviews, and performs regularly throughout some of New York's, England's and Italy's top venues.

"Dave's voice has the growl of a bluesman and the depth of a church organ: it's Van Morrison and John Lee Hooker digging for gold in the back alley. This is a guy whose voice is as big as his heart. Go ahead and Listen to the Lion."
           --Jay Schadler, ABC News correspondent

Put together a great big powerhouse soul singer with world class players... flavor liberally with roots music, class, sass,and soul, and you have Dave Rudbarg & Friends-- the awesome blues / rhythm & blues / roots rock band which has been tearing it up at every last saloon, pub, bar and roadhouse in the New York City area.

Members of Dave's outfit are true world-class musicians, having shared stages around the world with the likes of The Doors, Paul Rodgers, Sting, Joe Cocker, Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello and Same Moore. Roomful of Sky is excited to bring their whiskey-soaked brand of musical mayhem to you, right here in NYC!

"There is music in nature and nature in music. What may be most wonderful is that we can love and be immersed by both without needing to understand how the two are forever intertwined. It is enough to know that they are." -- David Rothenberg

Musician, composer, author and philosopher-naturalist David Rothenberg plays clarinet with a band of birds and crickets and writes thoughtfully on the deep connections between humans and the natural world.

His highly regarded albums and work as founding Editor of MIT Press's Terra Nova Books series, have earned him a unique place in the landscape of thoughtful creative humans wrestling with (and honoring) the kinship ties which bind us to the earth and its creatures.

Elena is a unique channel of expression. With a firm belief that music has the ability to heal and transform, the power of emotion comes through clearly in her lyrics and delivery. An adrenaline junkie by nature, Elena writes with passion. Elena tackles her craft with maturity and wisdom and is humbly learning every day.

In addition to her own fantastic music, Roomful of Sky is also excited to have Elena onboard as one of the powerhouse members of The Bliss Jockeys!

* What tastes just like glitter mixed with Rock and Roll? *

Classical opera singer turned jazz-rock songstress, Elisa Lovelie has always had a taste for blending musical genres. Whether she's fronting her blues rock band (Elisa Lovelie & The Device) or dazzling audiences with stripped-down acoustic sets featuring her original songs backed only by cello, viola and banjo, every show holds a little surprise.

A love of vaudevillian cabaret and a flair for theatrics have become her live performance trademarks-- after all, one never knows when Miss Lovelie will put down her guitar mid-song in favor of a little belly dancing, or throw in a classical interpretation of a rock standard. We guess you'll just have to be there to find out!

Our longtime collaborator (and one of the fantastic singers from The Bliss Jockeys!), Ellen plays blues and folk-tinged originals, and accompanies her stunning vocals with some mean guitar, keyboard and harmonica-playing.

"From Shackles To Wings..."

James Ruff always packs the room and fills his shows with his charismatic and wildly energetic presence, heartfelt lyrics, and laughter. He brings to life his stories with the use of polyrhythmic, groove-stirring world rhythms, folk attitude and poetic eloquence.

At Roomful of Sky, one of our favorite features of his shows is the wonderful dancing of his partner Emily Sinnott, who unleashes a world of motion while James fills the room with his voice and guitar!

JJ Bang is a well-known pop star from Korea who tours internationally and has recently started to take over the New York market.

JJ spreads an earnest message of love and laughter through his music, and each of his 4 CD's (as well as his ringtones and published songbook!) have enjoyed great success. We're privileged to play a small part in helping JJ gain his foothold here in New York!

Fierce poly-rhythms and dramatic phrasing!

With a soundscape ranging from total free improvisations to structured tunes, this Brooklyn-based jazz ensemble performs many hard-bop and blues standards. Guest vocalist Lisa Trenary also lends her amazing voice to many of these standards, reminiscent of the stylings of Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone.

At its core, jKb is a partnership between alto saxophonist Jason Vitelli and drummer Bob Borress (Bob was previously the drummer of the Jessica Lee band). The ensemble's music has a complex rhythmic framework, often combining rock, funk, swing, and latin figures.

Dude, this guy can play.

How to describe Josh's skill-set? Imagine a prodigiously-talented jazz guitarist, trained for four years at one of the world's leading jazz academies, whose style and tastes are also informed by countless late nights spent listening to Phish and Grateful Dead bootlegs and choice Frank Zappa studio cuts. Throw in a disciple's earnest reverence for musical tradition, an open-minded willingness to learn from even the most unlikely sources, and the humble deference of a born team-player. Throw all the above in a blender, add a touch of goofy humor, and you start to get a sense of the musical world Josh inhabits with ease.

In addition to his own fantastic jazz outings, Roomful of Sky is also excited to have Josh onboard as guitarist of The Bliss Jockeys!

Julia Barry is an indie pianist, singer, and songwriter based in NY.

Knocking on trouble's door with gritty sweetness, Barry's songs describe wonder and longing across genres from jazz to funk to bossa nova. Her live sets have been described as "mesmerizing" and "haunting," and you can catch her performing solo or with a band across the U.S., especially in NYC.

A recent transplant from Texas, this bluesy firecracker is already making a splash in New York with her powerful voice, incisive songs and choice covers! Catch her while she's still playing places small enough to get a ticket...

A seasoned acoustic duo with powerful pipes and powerful guitar playing-- guaranteed to deliver some goose-bump moments every time they play!

Watch out for their amazing cover version of Hallelujah, in addition to their own amazing originals...

"Kanelos crafts tunes that sneak up on listeners - that begin harmlessly but ultimately overwhelm with the weight of their poignancy, sorrow and joy." --NPR

A Chicago native, Matt Kanelos studied classical and jazz piano at Chicago Musical College before moving to New York City. He developed his songwriting concept while studying creative writing at the City College of New York. Matt's lyrical stylings and minimalist musical aesthetic bring to mind influences like Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Will Oldham and Cat Power.

In 2008, Matt formed the band The Smooth Maria with Ben Gallina, Conor Meehan, and Kyle Sanna. The Smooth Maria have attracted a dedicated audience in New York City with their unique balance of refined musicianship and vivid poetry. They perform frequently at acclaimed New York venues like the Living Room, the Rockwood Music Hall, Pete's Candy Store, and Barbès. Their first full-length CD, "Silent Show," was released in May of 2009.

"Ravishingly melodic!" --Ani Difranco

"Here we have a homegrown, full blown young musical visionary, and a window into a part of the new San Francisco sound. This train is headed somewhere" --puremusic.com

Noe Venable is a singer-songwriter, composer, and poet. Having honed her songwriting and musicianship within the context of San Francisco’s rich experimental and jazz music scene, Venable has gone on to somewhat wider recognition through the release of five albums, as well as several national tours opening for such artists as Ani DiFranco and They Might be Giants.

Roomful of Sky artists Phil Robinson and Jessica Lee occasionally team up for this fun side-project: a duo featuring just the two of them!

Phil and Jessica have been playing in each other's bands for a while now, but like to take advantage of this one-on-one format to try out fun covers, quirky originals and new two-person arrangements of each of their songs--

It's always a night of fun surprises!

The incredibly popular guitar wizard. Plays like no one else on Earth-- needs to be seen to be believed!

"...your soul learns to sing out in scarlet..."

Scarlet Street was the name of the performance duo comprised of Phil Robinson and Jason Vitelli, which was active throughout 2006 and 2007.

The two-person format enabled both Phil and Jason to take their first steps penetrating into the NY live performance scene together, and was also a creative testing ground for each's original songs, many of which would later become more fleshed out in each's solo acts as well as in Phil's subsequent band, The Bliss Jockeys.

Although the partnership dissolved in its initial two-person format, Phil and Jason have gone on to play both together and separately in a variety of different lineups and are still frequent guests at each other's shows and in sharing gigs...

"Bob Dylan meets David Byrne; they fall in love, & have babies named XTC & Barenaked Ladies..."

Shoot The Messenger is the name used by musician/songwriter Rob Frail and his pool of talented collaborators.

Performing in music festivals and local New York City clubs since 2004, Shoot The Messenger is known for their award-winning songs, tight vocal harmonies, and socially-conscious lyrics that recall the heydey of the 60's folk movement.

For fun, next time you see Rob, ask him if he still considers the country we live in to be a democracy...

Stuart Tracte is a new friend of the label. We found him singing his heart out at a house party on New Year's Eve and immediately booked him for a spot in our music series. A passionate performer, we know you'll be as thrilled with him as we are!

(And Stuart, feel free to bring along that throng of giddy women that was singing along and swooning all over you that night...! ;-)

All the way from Astoria, Queens, the alternative duo T. Cat and Sugarcube bring their brand of emotional songwriting and excellent singing to us under their new name, Tyme for Tea.

We love their work in other current bands Cadillac Dorman and Katie Letts; it turns out that these two on their own have quite a distinctive flavor as well...

Come check them out!

Valerie's been writing and performing her own brand of blues-inflected folk/world music in New York City since the late 80's.

She's performed at The Bitter End, Jane's Cafe, The Baggot Inn, The C Note, CBGB's Gallery, Orange Bear, The Triad, Rose's Turn, Kenny's Castaways, Don't Tell Mama, and many other New York night spots. She's been on WBAI radio and performed her "Tower Song'" at a Sept. 11th fundraiser at the B'hai Center. Val sings and arranges backup vocals for many New York musicians, and has credits on many artists' CDs.

In addition to her own fantastic music, Roomful of Sky is also excited to have Valerie onboard as one of the soulful members of The Bliss Jockeys!