The Jonathan Scales Fourchestra - Steel Pan - at The Grey Eagle on May15th w/Special Guest Futureman

Friday, May 15,2009 at The Grey Eagle on 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville. NC
$10 adv/ $12 at the door. Doors open at 8pm, all ages, 828-232-5800 http://www.thegreyeagle.com/

http://www.jonscales.com/ and www.myspace.com/jonathanscales
www.myspace.com/futuremanmusic and http://www.futureman.com/

"...Joyously inventive..." is how Jazz Times describes the work of Asheville-based steel drummer Jonathan Scales. Mixing a traditional Caribbean instrument with a contemporary jazz attitude, Jonathan Scales' music pushes the steel pan into the realms of funk, rock, jazz, and even bluegrass while still digging into the roots of traditional world sounds such as reggae and Latin. His intricate, instrumental writing combines with metric complexities to weave seamlessly between musical styles.

The music world was introduced to Jonathan with his 2007 release, 'One-Track Mind', which brought him acclaim from steady regional press, consistent radio airplay, and a jammed schedule of live performances ranging from small clubs to packed theaters. This year ushered in the release of Jonathan's 2nd studio album 'Plot/Scheme', featuring drum guru Jeff Sipe and Grammy-award winning sax man Jeff Coffin. "Plot/Scheme is an innovative and energetic journey into what the steel pan can do in a modern jazz context,"- Bold Life.

Jonathan Scales has also performed with acts such as The Wooten Brothers Band, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Matt Butler's Everyone Orchestra, The Duhks, Jon Fishman, Toubab Krewe, and Keller Williams.

For more info visit http://www.jonscales.com/ and www.myspace.com/jonathanscales

Roy “Futureman” Wooten is an artist known for bridging the gap between the past, the present and the future. Deriving from a rich musical background, Futureman is an inventor, scientist, musician, composer and four time Grammy award winning performer with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. The Flecktones are highly regarded for their outstanding virtuosity in live performances. The group includes Bela Fleck on Banjo, Victor Wooten on Bass, Jeff Coffin on Sax and wind instruments, and Futureman on Electronic and Acoustic Drums and Percussion.

Futureman is one of the most innovative, forward thinking figures in modern music. Part of what makes Futureman such an innovative musician is the incorporation of science and invention into his work. His first invention, called the Drumitar is used extensively in the music of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, which allows him the ability to replicate the sound of an entire contemporary drum kit, with the movement of just a few fingers on a guitar shaped instrument. The great jazz drummer Max Roach said once to Futureman that after seeing him perform he knew that “that was the most creative approach to drumming he had ever seen.” His second invention, the “RoyEl,” resembles a piano but plays notes not found in the traditional western music scales. His third invention, the Dorothy Graye, also resembles a smaller piano and is dedicated to his mother Dorothy who inspired a practice method to learn the keys. This instrument is based to play off of the composer’s scriabin color to sound keys, with the universal mathematics guiding the exploration of tunings, such as the periodic table of elements and the golden ratio.

Futureman is an artist that is able to bring many gifts to his music. While widely admired for his ingenuity, imaginative spirit, and eclectic style, it is his world class musicianship and stage presence that has earned him the respect of some of the best musicians in the industry, and fans alike.