Tickets on sale at: https://squidfestwest.brownpapertickets.com
The Artists
Keith Greeninger
As a singer-songwriter, Keith paints intricate portraits of the human condition with powerful melodic images, deep engaging guitar rhythms and husky, heart-wrenching vocals. His masterfully crafted tunes and powerful presence have earned him the top songwriting awards at the prestigious Telluride Blue Grass Festival, The Kerrville Folk Festival and The Napa Valley Folk Festival. Keith has toured the national Folk and Americana circuit extensively for over two decades. He’s performed at festivals and legendary venues, appeared on countless national radio shows, and shared stages with dozens of the country’s best-known artists. Keith’s records and personal appearances have garnered him a legion of devoted fans, and the respect, admiration and appreciation of music critics far and wide. A fourth generation Northern Californian, Keith grew up at the edge of a rich agricultural region, fondly known as the ‘Valley of Hearts Delight.’ The Santa Clara Valley was quilted with fruit tree orchards and vast open fields – perfect inspiration for a budding vagabond singer-songwriter.
…Silicon chips, they’re not like trees of fruit
They don’t bloom in the springtime
Bring their fruit into the fall
Rubie and Rosie tell me ‘bout it all
– Rubie and Rose
Tammi Brown
Tammi Brown with Yugi Tojo: Gospel/Jazz/Soul
Tammi Brown is currently a vocalist in the two-time Grammy Award nominated Vocal Ensemble The Cultural Heritage Choir led by the Legendary, Linda Tillery. Tammi also received an invitation by renowned Jazz guitarist, Stanley Jordan, to sing background vocals for the tune Steppin Out on his record State of Nature, which received a 51st Grammy Award nomination. In addition, she was selected to perform in the tribute to Quincy Jones at the 59th Monterey Jazz Festival and at the Hollywood Bowl backing the legendary Valerie Simpson directed by Quincy Jones and John Clayton. Tammi had the honor of singing an Opening Song for the legendary Renaissance Poet, Dr. Maya Angelou at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, then again, at The Historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, California. Blessings continued as Tammi was asked to be the opening act for prominent folk singer Joan Baez at Esalens 50th Celebration concert in Big Sur, California. In that same year, she provided vocals for Blues great, Eric Bibbs Jericho Road record.
The Coffis Brothers
The Coffis Brothers & The Mountain Men are a rootsy rock n roll band born and raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Influenced by those early surroundings, songwriters Jamie and Kellen Coffis blend of folk, blues, R&B and straight-ahead rock is evidence an upbringing spent listening to all of the right records from Tom Petty, Neil Young, and The Beatles. The Coffis Brothers mix a blend of folk, country and rock with the intensity of personal lyrics into a gritty and often tender harmony of sound a show that delivers one part Avett Brothers and one part early Neil Young for a full night of dancing and fun. Santa Cruz Weekly
William Coulter, Shelley Phillips, and Steve Coulter
Guitarist William Coulter is a renowned performer, teacher and recording artist. He has explored the world of traditional music as both a soloist and a member of ensembles including Isle of Skye, Orison, and the Coulter-Phillips Ensemble.
He began recording for Gourd Music with the release of Orison. Since then he has recorded many albums for Gourd including the best-selling Shaker music CD Simple Gifts, and the critically acclaimed Celtic Sessions.
Born in New Jersey and trained on piano and classical guitar, William’s discovery of Celtic music led him to a MA in Ethnomusicology and a celebrated career as a Celtic guitarist
Shelley Phillips (folk harp, oboe, cor anglais, and flutes) and her husband Barry (cello) have played with many professional folk musicians in America, Ireland, and the UK. She received her masters in music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has studied Irish and Scottish flute styles, shehnai, dizi, and willow flute. She plays for the Episcopal church, makes bamboo flutes with the English Pipers Guild, teaches flute making, and directs the Santa Cruz Shape Note Society. She is a member of the Coulter/Phillips Ensemble and the Anjali Quartet, and has toured the world.
Steve Coulter has played the celtic harp since 1984, traveling throughout Europe for two decades playing music on the streets with his musical partner, Harris Moore (hammer dulcimer). Steve has recorded with Northern Lights, and with many other ensembles, including the reknowned band, Isle of Skye.
Steve Palazzo
Bluegrass/Country
Steve Palazzo has been involved with music his entire life. A couple of decades ago he was making instruments. And since the early 90s, hes been a full-time guitar teacher. However, a lot of folks might know Palazzo for the bluegrass band Homefire, which was together for a quarter-century before calling it quits just a few years ago. An admirer of the Doc Watson style of finger picking, Steve has influenced several generations of guitarists.
Dan and Laurel, Plus The Dooners
Singer/Songwriter/Americana
Based in Northern California, Dan and Laurel’s third album, Between the Rain, was top ten on Canadas campus radio Roots charts for 2016. Touted for being both “lyrically refreshing and musically diverse, they have toured North America extensively, playing everything from Home Routes house concert tours of the Canadian Prairies, to headlining spots at the Listening Room Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida, BBC Radio in Liverpool, UK, Canadas definitive Winnipeg Folk Festival, and opening up for The Wailin Jennys at a sold out theater in Grass Valley, California. In 2017 they made their European debut, including concerts in Ireland, the UK, Denmark, France, and Germany. In late 2018 they released their fourth album as a duo. Spanning the range of Roots based genres, Driving By Candlelight is the consummate showcase of their unique fusion of backgrounds, perspectives, and influences with 13 new original songs pondering contemporary subject matter with vintage sensibility.
The Dooners
The Dooners feature Dan and Laurel, and their friends Steve Coulter (bass) and Rachel Anne Goodman (Vocals) playing a range of Americana, Country and Folk music, both originals and covers.
Anthony Arya
Singer/Songwriter/Finalist on The Voice
Santa Cruz teenager Anthony Arya is often described as an old soul – his original tunes appeal to all ages. His roots as a jazz guitarist shape the melodies combined with his broad musical influences spanning from the swinging jazz of the twenties to the bluesy rock of the sixties. His voice a unique tone with a natural rasp makes for captivating performances. Shortly after Arya appeared on national TV on Season 15 of NBCs The Voice, he released his debut album, Going To California. His music is best described as rock with an infusion of jazz and blues. Fans say you’re likely to walk away humming one of his tunes for days after a performance. Santa Cruz selected Anthony Arya for the Under 18 Person of the Year in the 2019 annual NEXTies awards celebrating members who most contribute to the community.
