CrestFest 2007 Lineup - Headliners & Regional Bands

Local Bands | Schedule

Leon Russell - Saturday, August 4, 8 p.m.

Listen to Leon Russell here

Crestone Performances was proud to present Leon Russell, who was reported in Billboard Magazine in 1973 to be the top concert attraction in the world. Russell has played on, produced, arranged, and written some of rock & roll's most successful and important records. He has four gold albums, and his projects have won several Grammy awards, as well as Record of the Year in 1976 for This Masquerade. George Benson's cover of This Masquerade was the first song in music history to occupy the number one spot on the jazz, pop, and R&B charts.

Russell has produced and played on sessions with Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ike and Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, The Ventures, Bobby Darin, Wayne Newton, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis and many records with Herb Albert and Tijuana Brass. He has written and recorded many major hits and FM radio staples that became standards including: Superstar (with Delaney Bramlett), A Song for You, This Masquerade, Blues Power (with Eric Clapton), Dixie Lullaby (with Chris Stainton), I Put a Spell on You, Shoot Out on the Plantation, Delta Lady, Roll Away the Stone (with Greg Dempsey), Stranger in a Strange Land (with Don Preston), Out in the Woods, Lady Blue, Back to the Island, Bluebird, Lost Inside of You (with Barbara Streisand) for A Star is Born.

After receiving his fourth gold album for "Will O' The Wisp," which included the hit single "Lady Blue," Russell (as Hank Wilson) teamed with Willie Nelson and the dynamic duo achieved success with the "One For The Road" record. This record was honored by the Country Music Association as "Best Album of The Year."

In 2006, Russell received a Living Legend award at the Bare Bones International Film Festival, and was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

John Lee Hooker, Jr. - Sunday, August 5, 6 p.m.

Listen to John Lee Hooker, Jr. here

Blues great John Lee Hooker, Jr. was born in Detroit Motor City with Delta blues-filled blood running through his Motown veins. Touring with his father while in his teens, by the time he was 16 he had already performed in prestigious venues such as Detroit's Fox Theatre with acclaimed musicians such as Jimmy Reed. In 1972, an eighteen year-old John, Jr. was singing vocals alongside his father, John Lee Hooker, for the recording of Hooker, Sr.'s album "Live at Soledad Prison."

After struggling through years of extreme hardship and nearly losing himself to the streets, the remarkable John Lee Hooker, Jr. overcame the adversity to begin a rapid emergence into the blues spotlight. Hooker celebrated 2004 with a Grammy nomination in the Traditional Blues Album category for his CD "Blues With A Vengeance" and recently won the distinguished W.C. Handy Award for Best New Artist Debut. The California Music Awards (formerly the BAMMYS) named "Blues with a Vengeance" 2004's Outstanding Blues Album of the Year, and the Bay Area Blues Society presented him with the 2004 Comeback Artist of the Year award.

With a style he calls "two parts R&B, one part jazz, and down home blues," Hooker, Jr. is carrying on a century-old family musical heritage - that he learned from his father John, Sr. - who in turn learned from his stepfather, Will Moore, a blues singer/guitarist who most influenced his guitar style.

Loretta Thompson - Saturday, August 4, 6 p.m.

Listen to Loretta Thompson here

Loretta Thompson is a high-spirited musician and singer whose versatile performances captivate audiences everywhere. Loretta's dynamic fiddling and radiant voice echo the fervor of her Scottish-Irish and American heritage. Playing fiddle, guitar, whistles and more, Loretta magically entertains her audiences with instrumental and vocal repertoires in traditional Celtic music, American Historic and Old Time Country, Turn-of-the-century Nostalgia, as well as Classical and popular styles.

Judge Roughneck - Sunday, August 5, 4 p.m.

Listen to Judge Roughneck here

Having a loyal nationwide fan base, and repeatedly voted Denver's best ska/reggae act, Judge Roughneck has gained both commercial success and critical acclaim. Their unique brand of pop-reggae pays tribute to both the early '80's British 2-Tone movement and the original jazzlaced ska of Jamaica, while infusing a generous dose of soul and R&B. The result is a unique, high-energy dance sound that entertains a wide audience.

Shumei Institute's Taiko Drummers

Many thanks to the Shumei International Institute for bringing Taiko Drummers from Japan to our humble little town once again. It is an honor to have such a high profile international act grace our stage. They create a mesmerizing choreographed explosion of energy and beauty.

Quickdraw Homegrown Music

Listen to Quickdraw Homegrown Music here

While listening to Quickdraw Homegrown Music, one is likely to hear nontraditional things like Motown's Love Potion #9, or Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time, or Lyle Lovett's Bear Song, or even I've Just Seen A Face from the Beatles. And one decides Quickdraw Homegrown Music isn't stretching the envelope, they wadded it up and tossed it out completely. So it's best to forget about labels and just enjoy good music played well in the bluegrass style. For the record, Quickdraw Homegrown Music bills themselves as "new acoustic / homegrown alternative bluegrass." That ought to be good enough!

Little Hercules

Listen to Little Hercules here

Formed in the small Colorado railroad town of Minturn in 1998, Little Hercules has toured with Grammy-nominated Liquid Soul, as well as sharing the stage with Life Time Grammy Achievement winner, and funk pioneer, Leo Nocentelli (the Meters). Little Hercules offers a little bit of everything: sick bass lines, tight drumming, four-part harmonies, old school funky keys and nice lead guitar work. Some of front man Scott Kabel's vocal work even approaches the realm of Mike Patton occasionally, which is a very, very good thing.

Tobatana Marimba Ensemble

Listen to Tobatana here

Tobatana (toe-BAH-tah-nah) Marimba Ensemble plays marimbas based on the style of instruments designed at the Kwonongoma College in Zimbabwe. They play three sopranos, a tenor, a baritone, a bass marimba, and drums as well as "hosho" (gourd rattles). Their music is a combination of the traditional music of the Shona culture of Zimbabwe, "Township" music from South Africa and contemporary tunes. The Shona music was brought to the United States by Dumisani Maraire who came to the United States in 1967 as an artist-in-residence at the University of Washington in Seattle. He has taught and passed on this music in the oral tradition. "Tobatana" translates "We are coming together," and they are dedicated to sharing the joyous music of Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa through educational and entertaining performances. Tobatana is also our newest Youth & Community Performances act to perform in San Luis Valley schools.

Still Water Steel Drum Band

Listen to Still Water Steel Drum Band here

Another of our favorite Youth & Community Performances acts returned this year. The Still Water Steel Drum Band is an 18-piece ensemble that features bass, tenor and soprano steel drums plus keyboard, bass, electric guitar, congas, bongos, trap set and vocalists. They hail from Durango and are energetic, fun and extremely talented.

Sabroso

Listen to Sabroso here

Back by popular demand was Sabroso, a hot 10-piece authentic Cuban salsa band with an international cast that has been performing for nine years. Members' backgrounds are as diverse as New York City Latin bands and the Air Force Academy Falconnaires. Their stage show includes a horn section, percussion, piano, bass and vocals. Sabroso shows are always sizzling hot and get the same result, a lively party of dance and music.

Signe Ramstrom DanceArt with Sadaqah

Listen to Sadaqah here

A unique and soulful blend of dance, songs and music from the Near and Middle East with a flavor of Andusaia flamenco guitar. Musical group Sadaqah added artful ethnic accompaniment to the magic of Oriental dance.