HOBEX Vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Greg Humphreys, Bassist Andy Ware, Drummer Dustin Clifford, and Keyboardist Russ Betenbaugh
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Like the creation of a tantalizing dish, the entertainment and music lineup at the Taste of Durham Festival is blended and chosen to complement the activities and ambiance. These are just a few of the diverse and dynamic groups leading the musical lineup at the Festival on Saturday, May 27. Ms. Kimberly Ruskan, the founder of The Community Chest, emphasizes, "We need to bring in notable and known artist to define the scope and magnitude of our vision of The Community Chest. Simultaneously, this festival is a great opportunity to showcase new artists and give talented musicians an opportunity to reach a broader and varied audience base. There’s a lot of great talent that can bring tears to your eyes, and not enough platforms to experience their talent." Taste of Durham will also feature a fabulous diversity of dancers.
HOBEX includes Vocalist/Guitarist/Songwriter Greg Humphreys, Bassist Andy Ware, Drummer Dustin Clifford, and Keyboardist Russ Betenbaugh, a band of veteran North Carolina rockers melding classic funk'n'soul music with rock'n'roll (think Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Otis Redding, JBs jamming with the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, or Jimi Hendrix). Fans have described their sound a s "Soulternative music" - a southern rock'n'roll spirit infused with the funky soul grooves of Memphis, New Orleans, and Motown.
The Buddhahood has been playing music together for over eight years. Their style has evolved to include every aspect of music from jazz, rock, funk, reggae, calypso, blues, and world beat. This ten-piece band is about to explode onto the national music scene. The Buddhahood is a Life Force of musicians joined at the Soul, from various parts of the Universe, forming a magical experience of non-stop vibration and love. They heat up the stage with their explosive, all-original songs.
The Countdown Quartet plays jazz and old-style R&B. They do original music, some standards, and many choice not-so-standards. You might hear the influence of Professor Longhair, Ellington, the Stax Records sound, the Meters, Hank Williams Sr., the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Sonny Rollins, and James Brown. Louis Armstrong is King, Ray Charles is Prime Minister, Mingus is the jester. They are indebted to New Orleans for all kinds of inspiration, but are an original NC band, bred in the Raleigh-Chapel Hill music scene.
Solazo, hailing from Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile, is an extraordinary band now making a sixth USA tour. Solazo delivers a unique blend of Latin contemporary dance music and soulful ballads that appeal to all ages and cultures. Their music is inspired by traditional styles borrowed from Spain, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Ecuador. Layered with sensual Cuban rhythms and spiked with the unusual flavors of Andean sounds, the unique and artful arrangements move fluidly from flamenco to mambo within the course of a single song.
Jaafar is a Middle Eastern Jazz/Arabic Funk Fusion ensemble originating from the Raleigh/Durham Triangle of North Carolina. Bandleader and Bassist Robert Troy Cole embarked on a musical and spiritual journey through Egypt in 2000. While immersed in the local culture, Troy explored musical territory that combined his love of American Jazz improv. and Funk Fusion with traditional Middle Eastern musical themes.
Diane Colyer, a National Gospel Recording Artist who signed with Lamon Records out of Charlotte, is from Cary . This past year Lamon Records submitted her first national gospel release for Grammy and Dove nomination. Although Diane did not make the cut, it is quite an honor to be submitted and to be heard by major music executives across the country.
David DiGiuseppe is a nationally recognized accordionist, known for his fiery and emotive playing. His repertoire ranges from Irish jigs and reels to Parisian musettes, from Brazilian choros to original compositions.
2007 Entertainment to be announced.
Other highlights of the festival include Restaurant Food Sampling Infused with Cultural & International Food, International Wine Tasting Pavilion, International Beer Tasting Garden, Triangle Celebrity Chef Demonstrations, Ice Sculpture Carving Contest, Performance Showcase Stage, Kids Corner: International and Cultural Explorations and Fun!, Treats of Life, Art is Alive: Artist Exhibit, and Exhibitor & Displays.
