Tower of Power is the most recognized and in-demand horn section ever. This 10-piece power group melds soul, jazz, funk, and rock like no one else. Tower of Power, as a 5-piece horn section, has gained renown as its' own special entity on numerous hit albums and songs.  Artist's that have featured TOP horns on their recordings include: Little Feat, Santana, Phish, Smokey Robinson, Cat Stevens, Elton John, Heart, Eurythmics, John Lee Hooker, Rufus, Sly Stone, Rod Stewart, Mickey Hart, Huey Lewis and the News, Spyro Gyra, Lyle Lovette andAerosmith among others. They have also had their own hits  “What is Hip” , “So very hard to go”, “Monster on a Leash” and “You're still a Young Man” as well as appearances in Television and film

WHEN:

Saturday, August 6th, 8:00-9:30pm

John Jorgenson is known as one of the pioneers of the American gypsy jazz movement and has collaborated with musicians around the world. He won a Grammy in 2009 for “Best Guitar Player”, played in the Desert Rose Band, the Helcasters and six years with Elton John.  Artists ranging from David Grisman to Barbra Streisand to Bonnie Raitt to Earl Scruggs have sought out Jorgenson's guitar work. Recently, John Jorgenson was chosen to portray Django Reinhardt in the feature film Head in the Clouds. Whether playing his own accessible compositions or classic standards, John and his band make music that is equally romantic and ecstatic, played with virtuosity and soul.

WHEN:

Sunday, August 7th, 5:00-7:30pm

Eufórquestra is quickly spreading its self-proclaimed “Afro Caribbean-Barnyard-Funk;” a unique, rhythmic blend of sound, integrating such genres as Afrobeat, Reggae, Afro-Cuban, Samba, Soca, Funk, Salsa, and Dub. Eufórquestra’s music is igniting dance floors across the country, with a sound that “explodes, dances and melts in your ear with sheer bliss” (Chris M. Slawecki; AllAboutJazz.com). As percussionist and lead vocalist Matt Grundstad puts it, "we just want to make people dance.”

WHEN:

Friday,
August 5th, 8:00-10:00pm

Jaka is a 5-piece dance band, playing music of Africa and America- both traditional and original with marimbas, mbiras, djembe, drums and other percussion. JAKA was formed in 1996 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Our current band members are Dan Pauli on mbira, vocals, and percussion; Marco Topo on bass and vocals; Ansel Carpenter on chromatic marimba; Dmitri Buckler-Burtiss on drumset, and Phelan Marshall on djembe. We have a large family of musicians who join us from time to time, so the band can vary from 2 to 8 players.

WHEN:

Saturday, August 6th 6:15pm-7:30pm

A first time appearance from this hot rock Alamosa band. They play at numerous festivals and biker rally’s around the San Luis Valley, as well as clubs throughout Colorado. The band consists of guitarists Nicholas Gonzales, bassist Joe Romero, keyboardist Caleb Clark, and drummers Al Maes and Mike Morgan. Having two trap set drummers is a unique element also incorporated by the Grateful Dead. The Pistons play a variety of Rock and Roll, some of their originals and covers. They open for Euforquestra on Friday.

WHEN:

Friday,
August 5th, 7:00 pm

We always feature a hot Latin band and this year is no exception. This ensemble features legendary jazz piano player, arranger, band leader, and former music educator Neil Bridge, his wife Karen Lee on vocals, with bass, drums, congas, sax, trumpet, and trombone. The band will perform Latin Jazz in the styles of Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and Dizzy Gillespie. In addition you will hear Latin Jazz in the styles of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stan Getz, Sergio Mendez plus more! Because of his work as a former music teacher with the Denver public schools, there is a  special room dedicated to Neil at the Denver School for the Arts. Neil created the first Denver city wide high school jazz combo and he and his students received the prestigious Downbeat Award for best High School Jazz Combo in the United States...WOW! These folks will sizzle.

WHEN: Sunday, August 7th 3:45pm-5pm

The Gumbo Jets are a local Salida band, playing authentic Cajun and Creole dance music dating from the 1920's to the present, virtually all of it performed in the native Cajun French dialect.  They are led on stage by Mark Minor on Cajun accordion and fiddle along with the lovely vocals of Michele Riggio, who also serves as rhythm guitarist. Reigning queen of the Salida fiddle scene, Andrea Early-Coen, takes the role of lead fiddle and background vocals.  Providing the "beats for the feets" are Dave Bokel on drums and Rich Longberg on the  bass with Paul Houser on rub board.  Cajun music is all about dancing--come on out and raise some dust! Laissez les bon temps rouler!

WHEN:

Saturday,
August 6th, 1:30 pm

An annual favorite at the Festival, this group creates a mesmerizing choreographed explosion of energy and beauty. Many thanks go out again to the Shumei International Institute for sponsoring Crestone Kaminari Taiko. It is an honor to have such an unusual and powerful group at our show. This year's ensemble features Taiko master Koji Nakamura, winner of a 2008 Grammy award for his work on Paul Winter's CD "Crestone." Come and enjoy this earth shaking experience

WHEN:

Saturday,
August 6th, 5:00 pm

Cruising in from Oregon and featuring another Crestone prodigy, Noah Brenner, Los Bandidos del Tango plays live music for Tango dancers and Tango music lovers. Known for years in Crestone as an accomplished harpist and graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in Celtic Harp, Noah brings his Viola and Harp talents back to Crestone with his Tango buddies. Their music ranges from traditional tango music to tango Nuevo and alternative. As dancers themselves, Los Bandidos understand the music from both sides of the dance. Come and see the fruits of our community and get cultured with Los Bandidos Del Tango.

WHEN:

Saturday,
August 6th 2:30-3:30 pm

Rebbe’s OrkestraSpanning styles from Klezmer to Israeli and Middle Eastern to Sephardic, Rebbe’s Orkestra perform a lively set, infused with a respect for traditions as well as a playful sense of humor and joyousness. They incorporate the sounds and rhythms of Jewish Music from around the world. From Spain to Iraq, Poland to the Mediterranean, Rebbe’s Orkestra plays songs as widely divergent as the geography and yet with surprisingly similar themes. Instrumentation includes accordion, violin, mandolin, bass, tambura and guitar. This is a first at the festival and we are looking forward to the experience. Be sure to catch this unique, fun act!

WHEN:

Saturday, August 6th, 3:45-4:45pm

With roots in both pioneer and native cultures Leon Joseph Littlebird embodies the spirit of the mountains.  With guitar, flute and vocals Leon's music weaves a tapestry of unforgettable sound that evokes ancient Native American traditions, country folk ballads and captivating rhythms. A prolific songwriter and performer, his unique style tells tales of Colorado and the people of the west. Leon's performances shape compelling stories into a musical show that leaves audiences asking for more.

WHEN:

Sunday August 7th 10:45 am

Returning again this year is multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer Beth Quist. She began playing piano at age 2.  She was lead soprano and instrumentalist for the creation band in Cirque du Soleil's "KA", performs with the Middle Eastern band Sherefe, and sings with Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra. Her music combines influences from the Balkans, the Middle East, and India with her Western upbringing. Beth Quist & Friends will include Kailin Yong, Nathan Good, and Andy Skellenger for a set of other worldly and world inspired music.  Beth's passion is combining the music of Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, India, etc. with her Western upbringing. It may be years before Beth is able to perform for us again since she just signed a contract for a new Cirque du Soleil show that will begin in 2012. See her before she’s gone.

WHEN:

Sunday August 7th 1:15PM

Back by popular demand, the Acoustic Mining Company returns to play a unique flavor of high-energy original bluegrass. This year will include newcomer and mandolin maestro, Terry Martin. Kurt Hunsinger returns with his signature melodic banjo while Jeff Ames lays down the unexpected guitar leads and Annie Savage rocks the fiddle. Roy Fawcett holds down the groove with his upright bass and vocal addition to the 3-part harmony. Together they provide a heady blend of songwriting that sticks a distinct feather in the cap of the Colorado bluegrass scene. Don’t miss them.

WHEN:

Sunday August 7th 2:30 pm

How many prodigies can we feature in one year? Here's another in Abe Rosenberg. Son of long time and recently passed Crestone musician Ed, and our vendor and gate coordinator Robin, Abe is now spreading his own musical wings with Sweet Radish. This band plays a combination of blues, folk, bluegrass and originals which are high energy and compelling. Phenomenally popular in Alamosa, we're bringing them up-valley to wow us all.

WHEN:

Sunday August 7TH 12 Noon

Twenty five acts will perform on two stages over the three days of the festival including Balkan music, Folk, Rock, Blues, Latin Jazz, Bluegrass and more...stay tuned for the local performer updates.