OUR 2010 SEASON ARTISTS:
click an artist to jump to the show info

  • June 04 - Caravan of Thieves
  • June 11 - The Greencards
  • June 18 - Dr. Zoot
  • June 25 - The Bridge
  • July  02 - Chris Barron and The Time Bandits
  • July  09 - Dr. Draw
  • July  16 - 7 Bridges
  • July  23 - Azúcar
  • July  30 - Laurie Morvan
  • August 06 - The English Channel
  • August 13 - Bronze Radio Return
  • August 20 - Moonalice
  • August 27 - Elizabeth Cook
  • September 3 - Anthony Rankin

Caravan of Thieves

Fuzz and Carrie Sangiovanni blend their voices into melodic harmonies met by the often frenetic violin of gypsy jazz and 'Voila' (as Django might have said,) you have Caravan of Thieves.

Their first full release, Bouquet, has been favorably compared to The Decemberists, not only in the thematic completeness of the recordings, but also in the adaptation of old musical styles to a modern product. Relix magazine claims that they explore a myriad of musical types, including Django Reinhardt and The Squirrel Nut Zippers' 1930's swing. Check out their YouTube'd rendition of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody for an expansive use of acoustic guitars, violin and upright bass into a nearly symphonic rendition.

Caravan of Thieves promises an energetic and exciting introduction to our summer full of sounds.

Sponsored by Moonglow Yoga.

The Greencards

When Roseanne Cash says you "are a little island of Truth and Beauty in a sea of artifice and mediocrity," all you can do is keep on singing and playing and hoping the rest of us realize what that means.

What it means for Greensburg is that we're so lucky to have Carol Young, Kym Warner and Eamon McLoughlin (and hopefully Jedd Hughes on guitar) back for another go-round of newgrass that is the very essence of that term -- ever changing, constantly evolving music derived from all possible influences, not just limited to the strictures of traditional bluegrass. Their last visit showcased songs from Fascination, but we should expect another level of development, another set of directions, another realization of musical accomplishment brought by constant touring and writing that is their hallmark.

Carol and Kym and Eamon will certainly reward our loyalty to their sound with another great evening of music.

Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Greensburg.

Dr. Zoot

Twenty-three skiddoo! Hold on to your socks! Better yet, bring an extra pair ‘cause you’ll wear them out toe-tapping and dancing to this killer swing band. Hailing from Pittsburgh, but wailing from Hollywood to Atlantic City, these guys really cook. They cover the classics of Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway and Louis Prima with finesse yet add a clean, contemporary feel. Add in some Mambo, Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Salsa (and even a tease of rap) and you’ll see why this time-traveling group is in such great demand.

This is definitely a family event; the grandparents enjoyed this timeless music in their youth, the adults will recognize the rhythmic roots of rock, and the teens will relate it to Brian Stetzer’s swing revival a few years ago. Fedoras and two-tones optional.

Sponsored by Redstone Highlands.

The Bridge

Upon first hearing Baltimore's The Bridge, you might think... Little Feat?... wait, Marshall Tucker Band?... maybe, Gregg Allman organ?... They are all of that and more; an amalgam of 1970's southern rock bands, 1990's jam bands, and new grass vocal harmonies, and whatever other influences you might identify, resulting in a big, strong, churning sound.

Lead guitarist and primary vocalist Cris Jacobs brings a blue-eyed soulful voice to a contemporary rock band paying a lot of homage to it's various roots. Mark Brown, the band's keyboardist anchors most songs with a Hammond B-3 type throwback, while saxophonist Pat Rainey and mandolinist Kenny Liner offer interesting accents throughout.

This is a heavy-touring band that will bring a wealth of experience, festival and otherwise, to the SummerSounds stage.

Sponsored by McDowell and Associates.

Chris Barron and The Time Bandits

"On the cover of the Rolling Stone..." but where do you go from there?

The Spin Doctors, one of the greatest recording successes of the '90's, was fronted by Chris Barron, singer-songwriter-guitarist, and yes, they were on that cover that is the ubiquitous zenith of rockdom.

But Barron and his distinctive voice hit bottom, the victim of vocal chord paralysis, with a prognosis of an extended inability to speak, much less singing "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" again.

Thankfully, he has regained his vocal abilities, and set out on a new venture backed by the Time Bandits - less rock and more roots. His latest release, Pancho and The Kid, along with his earlier work will be on full vocal and instrumental display with us this summer. Meanwhile, he's still with those Spin Doctors, so look for them soon at a slightly larger venue near you.

Oh, and those gold and platinum recordings? They're not so prominently exhibited on his bathroom wall.

Sponsored by Courtyard Marriott of Greensburg.

Dr. Draw

It's been a very long wait, but Dr. Draw will finally cross the border from Canada to Greensburg. Keep your fingers crossed.

"There is no single word that will do justice to the 26-year-old performance artist, violinist and potential rock star Eugene Draw, but 'intense' comes close," according to one Canadian music critic.

The Canadian son of Russian immigrants, Eugene Draw - better known by his stage moniker Doctor Draw - grew up in a small town in Ontario, and attended the Royal Conservatory of Music, before dropping out in favor of street performing. His dynamic performances of classical pieces and rock standards caught the ears of passers-by, and a writer for the Toronto Star newspaper who had soon written a story about this prodigiously talented 16-year old playing on sidewalks. A producer contacted Draw, and soon the recordings started coming.

His classically-based rock, electronica, jazz and eclectica sound is a soaring, spiraling, energizing aural delight.

His influences extend from Jean Luc Ponty to R.E.M. to Radiohead. His violin and the rest of his band will treat us to a whole spectrum of sounds to fill a summer evening.

This evening's show recognizes the vital and ongoing support we receive from the Greensburg Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County.

7 Bridges

BREAKING NEWS-- EAGLES NORTH AMERICAN TOUR THIS SUMMER-- TICKET PRICES THRU THE ROOF--

MORE BREAKING NEWS-- 7 BRIDGES EAGLES TRIBUTE BAND AT ST. CLAIR PARK-- NO TICKETS, NO ROOF--

"Take It Easy," "Tequila Sunrise," even Elaine's favorite "Witchy Woman"-- all The Eagles hits, plus vintage Joe Walsh, Don Henley and Glen Frey spot on for our listening pleasure. Seven Bridges, formed from several bands from Dallas and Nashville, are renowned for how closely they portray the harmonies, the ringing guitars, the energy of this iconic '70's act that was the personification of California cool. Join us for a quintessential summer sound from Seven Bridges, the sincerest form of flattery.

Sponsored by Dollar Bank.

Azúcar

Santiago, Chile's loss has been Pittsburgh's gain.

Indira Corales came to the US, CMU particularly, to major in flute performance and education, and has become a fixture as a singer and flautist in our world and Latin musical community. She has joined with 9 great jazz and Latin masters in Azúcar to create an exciting experience in all of the sub-genres and dance styles that make up this more and more popular style.

Joe Herndon is the anchor and leader of the band's sound, along with fellow trumpeter Steve McKnight, its musical director. The dynamic horn section is also joined by saxophonist Chris Hemingway (remember Papa's affinity for Cuba), and Kevin McManus on trombone.

Azúcar's rhythm section includes guitarist Eric Suseoff, whose resumé reads like the jazz section of your favorite record store. Bassist Brian Stuharski backed Maynard Ferguson these last two years, as well as laying down the beat for entities as diverse as Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra, Civic Light Opera Broadway series, the Wheeling Symphony and Michael Feinstein and Diana Schuur. George Jones on congas, Dave Glover on timbales, and Jose Moran on bongos create a propulsive percussion element that is at the very heart of Latin music. In his "spare" time, Dr. Glover is a professor in the music department at Slippery Rock.

The end result will be a great evening of music inspired by the cultures of our neighbors to the south. Put on your dancing shoes or be barefootin' to music to make you move.

Sponsored by Trib Total Media.

^ Back To Top

Laurie Morvan

Blues Revue lauds Laurie Morvan's "wiry, fiery solos and sweet soaring voice", while Guitar Player opines that "Morvan singes the strings", and Vintage Guitar calls her a "stunning California axe slinger."

Even more to the point, the original Blues Bro Dan Ackroyd says of her latest CD "It's slammin'."

Short, succinct and sweet- that's the way critics are able to describe this blond, blue-eyed blues guitarist-singer out of LA, the winner of 2008's Blues Artist on the Rise, a worthy follow-up to Susan Tedeschi, Shemekia Copeland and Bonnie Raitt, who all have put the lie to the old blues adage "A woman's place is with the backup singers."

Laurie Morvan joins those and other blueswomen who are more interesting, talented and genuine than many male counterparts. Rock on at St. Clair!

This program underwritten in part by a grant from the Donald D. Mateer Foundation.

The English Channel

Like a living, breathing 1960's juke box, The English Channel mirrors the sounds of the British Invasion at its peak. From The Moody Blues to Petula Clark to Traffic to The Zombies (and don't forget The Beatles), they'll take us back to when we coveted pegged jeans and go-go boots and all the rest from Carnaby Street.

A preview of a possible set list from their Myspace page revels a band so tight instrumentally and vocally that you'll want to search backstage for the record player and old 45's behind our backdrop.

Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. Hi Ho Lulu, and Chad and Jeremy, Away!!!!

Sponsored by Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Bronze Radio Return
Rock
Scheduled to Perform August 13th
Hear the music: Official Website / MySpace

Except for a few icons that I have framed on the wall, my son stole all that remained of my vinyl albums. (I say all that remained because my siblings helped themselves as well over the years.) I'm an iPod kind of guy myself, but it seems that the younger generation loves the sound of the cracks and skips of Edison's invention.

Case in point, Bronze Radio Return out of the University of Hartford (CT) Hartt School of Music. These twenty-somethings are all fine handlers of their respective instruments, creating a backing that is both soul and jam. The uniqueness of BRR is in the voice of Chris Henderson, with a grit and rasp that lends large amounts of emotion to some excellent lyrics, such as those to "Digital Love" and "Lo Fi", which are references to this generation's love for the genuineness of lower tech recording.

I expect something akin to previous Summersounds acts Luce and Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers from these latest hopefuls.

Sponsored by Toyota & Scion of Greensburg.

Moonalice

One of the rites of Summersounds is the annual visit of Moonalice and The Tribe, Roger and Ann McNamee's band of experts, veterans of the travels of many great acts stretching back to the 1960's, and their followers.

We have been graced with the presence of rock legend, Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna fame, and keep our fingers crossed that he'll return this year, schedule and health permitting. We also hold out hope that Guitarist G.E. Smith returns to the fold.

The McNamees will be here, along with John Molo on drums, Barry Sless on guitar and pedal steel, and Pete Sears on keyboards and guitar. Brush off your tie-dyes, unravel your headband and get with the vibe of the Tribe with Moonalice.

Sponsored by Dollar Bank.

Elizabeth Cook

Understatement Of The Year--Elizabeth Cook's whole existence is one big country concept album or a season's worth of Dukes of Hazzard episodes.

Before her Dad met her Mom in a country music bar where both were performing, he'd done a stretch in federal prison for moonshining. Her mom wrote her songs and had her on stage at the age of four. She's played the Grand Old Opry numerous times and has her own Sirius Radio DJ gig on Outlaw Country's 'Apron Strings' show.

Her evolving sound started with country traditional a la Loretta Lynn, and has moved towards mountain soul re: Patty Loveless, with a dash of Gretchen Wilson. This summer she'll be touring, guitarist hubby Tim Carroll in tow, on the release of her latest recording, Welder, a tribute of sorts to Dad and his pre- and post-prison occupation. This latest is on the continuum developing her sound. Listen closely to her lyrics, from a very literate woman full of twang.

Sponsored by Comcast.

Anthony Rankin

Pittsburgh's Anthony Ranking played SummerSounds in 2007 to rave reviews. In the intervening 3 years, he has quietly stormed the music world with a fiery brand of soul-driven rock and roll built on his mature songwriting chops, mind-bending musicianship, and unmistakable voice.

With three albums under his belt, the Duquesne University Music School grad is poised to break out of the pack with his latest effort "Blow This House Down", an intoxicating blend of sweaty funk, effervescent pop, edgy hard rock, and vintage soul.

Rankin's new release has the press talking: Rege Behe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently wrote that Anthony "plays 99 percent of the instruments, sounding like a cross between Jamiroquai and early John Mayer, with a hint of Prince seeping into the mix".

Sponsored by Seton Hill University.