April 29, 2005

David Bromberg Quartet Kicks Off Summer Season at MASS MoCA

(North Adams, Mass.)-- Once sought out as a sideman by Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, and Chubby Checker (he's played on over 100 albums and toured with a who's who of musicians), David Bromberg rededicated himself to family in the late 1980s, performing only on special occasions. MASS MoCA will celebrate the opening of its sixth summer season with a rare David Bromberg Quartet concert on Sunday, May 29, at 8 P.M. in the Hunter Center. As The New York Times noted: "He has such control of his audience that he can, at one moment, hold it in his hand with a tender, touching yet funny anecdotal song, and then set it romping and stomping with a raucous bit of raunch. His is electrifying."

"We're keeping the galleries open until 7:30, with the concert starting at 8, in hopes that ticket-holders will take advantage of the opportunity to view MASS MoCA's newest exhibition, Becoming Animal, which will open that day," said Joseph Thompson, director of MASS MoCA. "Lickety Split will have delicious dinner for sale, the MASS MoCA bar will be open and visitors can tour the galleries, grab a bite to eat and a refreshing beverage and hear some incredible music."

Often referred to as a musician's musician, Bromberg concerts are known to run the gamut from folk, bluegrass, and country and western to blues, jazz, and rock and roll. Bromberg's own discovery, Angel Band, will open. The concert is sponsored by The Valley Advocate and The Porches Inn.

Probably best known for sharing a stage as a sideman to Bob Dylan, Jerry Jeff Walker, Tom Paxton, and Mississippi John Hurt; Bromberg began playing guitar at age 13. His skill earned him a coveted spot at Columbia University where he was intent on a career in music but quickly fell in love with Greenwich Village's flourishing coffeehouse folk music scene and left school before the end of his second year. During the late '60s and early '70s his career took off as he became one of the most sought after session musicians and sidemen. In the late 70s he became a frontman in his own right, signing his first record deal with Columbia.. Since then he's recorded for Fantasy records as well as Rounder before retreating to a reclusive life focused on his family and making and selling violins. He's returned to public concerts and short tours on occasion, reassuring his diehard fans that he is never completely gone.

Angel Band began as a family affair with Mike and Ryan O'Byrne playing guitar and mandolin and Candice and Terry O'Byrne covering vocals. Since their "discovery" by David Bromberg the band has filled out, adding Bob Taylor on bass and Nancy Josephson with additional vocals, as they've begun traveling the country and playing with Bromberg. (Bromberg himself has been known to surprise audiences coming out for a set with the opening band adding dobro, mandolin, and guitar.)

Doors open at 7 pm for food and drink before the show.

Concert tickets are $26 in advance or $30 the day of the show. MASS MoCA members get 10% off. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located on Marshall Street in North Adams from 11 am - 5 pm, closed Tuesdays. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or online anytime at www.massmoca.org. MASS MoCA's galleries will be open until 7:30 PM and ticket-holders can get reduced gallery admission.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located off Marshall Street in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org