|
ANNIE WENZ
…”a poet on the road, blending in with the people of different lands
from South America to Ireland. Annie has stayed a spell, embraced
the people, understood their plight, shared songs and enriched
herself as much as her new found friends”...
That after her year 2000 backpacking trip around the world (written
by M Plumbley/DJ/Isle of Wight, England)
But that's just one side of Annie! "So many roads, so little time!"
Annie's newest muse-a rama has led her from backpacking jungles to
bike... Harley that is. From the Dragons Tail in the US to the
twisting switchback cliffs of the Costa Brava in Spain, Annie's
circling about with Guitar & Native American flute in one saddlebag
& Drum in another, writing about the natty characters she "shares a
few with" from hovel to hacienda... & performing at festivals &
events around the globe! (does it get ANY better? She doesn't THINK
SO!)
Her newest song "Ride" was recorded in NYC by Grammy Award winning
producer Ben Wisch (of Mark Cohn's brilliant song "Walking in
Memphis") & performed with Guitarist extraordinaire Walter Parks
(Richie Havens guitarist) & the rest of his rocking trio "Swamp
Cabbage". Jagoda as drum/percussion wizz & Matt Lindsay on throbbing
bass. The song will soon be available online for digital download.
(so stay tuned!) Annie's already planning on shaking the ground at
some throbbin biker events in the upcoming year. We'll keep you
posted!
And it was a totally different world before that... Like any true
artist, Annie dives in... & becomes other sounds & instruments... In
2006 Annie celebrating the release of her fifth independent
recording “Winds of the World”, a totally different world! "Winds"
is an instrumental “magical multi-cultural musical journey”,
featuring indigenous flutes from around the world! (AND now being
used by yoga, massage & wellness practitioners internationally!!!)
The CD has done so well, Annie plans to record another instrumental
recording. (after the biker CD;) The new recording plans to include
songs & influences from her journeys to Pakistan & India...
Annie's road to wherever all started long ago…
 Originally
from New York, NY (Queens), from a family of 7 children, Annie’s
musical career hit the scene full tilt in Northampton, MA in 1992 at
the Iron Horse Concert Hall when, after years of studying piano
composition with Hartford Conservatory’s Ray Cassarino, percussion
with conga/cuatro virtuoso Jose Gonzalez of Puerto Rico, guitar with
Viva Quetzal’s Joe Belmont, and wading through notebooks full of
songs, she finally celebrated the release of her long awaited first
CD…
She’s been on the move ever since…
At first a regular in the New England acoustic scene as a soloist &
in the world/multicultural scene with her band “Gypsy Moon”, her
passion for “dancing with the muse” led her abroad, where she found
herself collaborating & sharing her music with audiences as far away
as Auckland New Zealand’s Millennium celebration, venues in Bali,
Thailand, Sweden, Mexico, Australia & Costa Rica, and being invited
by noted Swedish Director & Playwright Carl Johan Seth to record for
the Swedish TV/theater production “Dream Woman”…
“Each song is a crafted jewel”… Annie’s songs are “remarkable both
for the lyrical insights she presents as well as for the deliciously
eclectic way in which she offers them… haunting & powerful”… like
looking through a brilliant kaleidescope. Annie sings about our
loves, passions & fears, about travel, spirit, & her own
experiences… working as a registered psychiatric nurse, bungee
jumping 150 feet off a bridge with her guitar on her back, climbing
an erupting volcano in Costa Rica, as a rafting guide, a backhoe
operator, delivering babies in Harlan County KY, running in a 100
mile relay with Penobscott Indian women to Mt. Katahdin, backpacking
around the world through Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Bali, Central
America, Australia, New Zealand, & India.
As a multi-instrumentalist with a love for American & world roots
music, & good ol classic Rock, Annie is known for her unique way of
blending textures & funky instrumentation. She accompanies herself
(and others) on guitar, percussion instruments from all over the
world, Native American & indigenous flutes, & piano. Her music has
been compared to Joni Mitchell, Richard Thompson, N.Carlos Nakai &
Led Zeppelin meets Bonnie Raitt!
Annie’s band & accompanists have included world renowned artists
such as Senegalize talking drum wizard Massamba Djop (of Baba Mal’s
band), percussionist/cuatro master Jose Gonzalez, balafon player
Tony Vacca (“Rhythm Culture”), “Viva Quetzal’s” multi talented
Eugenio Huanca, Guy DeVito (“Steppenwolf”), & most recently &
frequently in Costa Rica, London’s Robert Dean known for his work
with Sinead O’Connor as well as his own band “Japan”.
Annie’s recordings receive crossover airplay on folk, alternative,
roots, rock, world, jazz & new age stations! Her CD’s “Gypsy Moon” &
“Time is Magic” were recorded by Grammy/Emmy award winning engineer
Norman Blain, known for his work with Yusef Lateef & Steven
Schoenberg. “Time is Magic”, produced by Norman Blain also features
artists Glen Velez, Duke Levine, Brooks Williams & Annie Burns
(Burns Sisters). Her CD “Poets Dance” co-produced by Tom Prasada Rao,
is also a brilliant work of musical art & poetry... with each
instrument (over 20) played by either Annie or Tom.
Annie has had numerous appearances at Florida’s Suwannee Springfest
& Magnoliafest, Earth Day (Dia Mundial de Ambiente)- Montezuma Costa
Rica; Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, as well as teaching regularly at
the prestigious Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Song School. She was
honored to be a participating artist in the international
collaboration between German & American roots artists, the DAFT
Tour, http://www.daft-tour.com/ ,performing at The Kennedy Center in
honor of Veterans Day in November of 2004, and throughout Germany in
September/October of 2005!
In June of 2006 Annie was invited to the earthquake zone in Pakistan
as guest of M. Suumro (acting president at the time & now Premier)
to perform & teach about therapeutic music & post traumatic stress
for victims of Oct 2005 devastating earthquake. It was the
experience of a lifetime & eventually led to Annie performing with
Pakistani multi million record selling artist Salman Ahmad of "Junoon"
& tabla master Jerry Leake!
Annie has been a radio guest & shared stages with award winning
Civil War maritime historical novelist Robert N. Macomber for her
song “Onward & Upward Bound” written about Robert’s character Peter
Wake.
She's also co written with her dear friend & party sister Dr Jerri
Nielsen of the book & movie "Ice Bound", about Jerri's saga & battle
for survival in the south pole!
As an activist and a teacher, Annie has been awarded various grants
from the National Endowment For The Arts & numerous Arts Councils
for her diversity & educational programs, performance & percussion
workshops which focus on bringing people together using
multicultural music & rhythms as a medium. Annie’s wellness
workshops draw on her background as a nurse & alternative medicine
practitioner, assisting artists in finding balance on & off the
road.
Annie has also been a frequent featured artist in concerts
"Remembering Phil Ochs" throughout the US, hosted by the late great
activist/artist's DJ sister Sonny Ochs. http://www.sonnyochs.com/
She is sponsored by Elixir Guitar Strings by Gore,
http://www.elixirstrings.com/ , by Island Flutes http://www.islandflutes.com/
and
"Rocky Mountain Slides" http://www.rockymountainslides.com/
When Annie's not on the road performing, she rides her Harley,
kayaks, plants bananas… hibiscus… & dreams… on a small island in
Southwest Florida.
MARTY STOKES AND THE
CAPTIVA BAND
Marty Stokes; guitarist,
vocalist, and song-writer, is originally from Sanibel, his two
children make it eight generations . His Dad Lamar Sr. was born in
St.James City and was also raised on Sanibel . Well travelled as a
Military brat, Stokes lived in Wiesbaden during the late 60’s and
was exposed to a lot of Blues players while yet a teen. He played
in several top acts over the years, however focused on raising his
family, until the last 5 years. During this time his association
with many of the area’s best players, served well in production of
the long-awaited CD, ‘Hear You Callin’.
Jim Burns, drummer and
percussionist, grew up around the Baltimore, MD. Area, and was
influenced largely in jazz musical ensembles and a variety of rock
style bands during college. His association with Stokes began
nearly 5 years ago, after arriving on Sanibel Island with his
family. Band members affectionately address Burns as ‘Click-Track’
due to his uncanny sense of timing.
Todd Haut joined with the
Captiva Band about one year ago, after playing with the Trouble
Starters, The Hamborg Band, and other locally recognized
musicians. He has earned the name ‘Mr. Fatback’ due to his solid
style of Bass playing. It’s this bass style, charisma, and vocal
harmony ability that has added such an important feature to the
Captiva band’s sound and entertaining abilities.
Lisa George has been with Marty
for about 3 years and has contributed to the band greatly with her
sassy vocals and positive stage presentation. Her roots are in the
Rochester / Syracuse area and she has toured worldwide with her own
jazz venues. Her vocal rendition on the new CD’s ‘The Thrill Is
Gone’ backed by the searing Stokes guitar, should make BB proud.
Summer Kilgore is a favorite
vocalist locally, with all who have heard her sing. Her association
with Stokes over the past four years , and during regular club
performances, led to her being a major contributor vocally on the
new CD. She absolutely ‘stuns’ the senses, on the old Lonnie Mack
tune ‘Stop’, and performs a sultry version of ‘Can’t Let Go’,
originally done by Lucinda William. Her back-up harmonies are
perfect as well, and still in her twenties, and more than a few
will tell you, “ Summer is destined for both National and
International recognition”.
Donavan Christenson is the most
recent band member, having replaced the band’s keyboardist, as
guitarist and backup vocalist. Donavan previously played with the
John Q.Public Band, and with expert command of his instrument, has
contributed in a major way to the sound currently enjoyed by the
Captiva band.
Captiva Band’s first CD,
entitled ‘Hear You Callin’ ,is still in the early stage of release.
The reviews by those who have purchased the CD, and others who have
heard it, are outstanding. Currently gaining radio play in France
and other European countries, Stokes expects to ‘turn up’ the level
of exposure soon. Meanwhile the Captiva band continues to provide
great entertainment in top local venues, including Berts at
Matlacha, Buckingham Blues Bar, Jacaranda on Sanibel, Crows Nest
on Captiva, Sneaky Petes in Bonita, various Blues Festivals, and
other events---the latest being Mango Mania.
THE
BOMBALEROS
From Matlacha comes The Bombaleros, a party band, playing the best
of the old Rock & Roll specializing in that classic surf sound made
famous by great acts such as the Ventures. Along with other vintage
hits for all occasions.Having played together in other bands for
over 15 years Joe, Brett, And Seth set out 3 years ago to polish up
setlist full of songs close to your heart.
For Booking Contact Joe Harley @ 239-443-7412
or Seth Ford @ 239-997-6667 |
