The Scene: May 10th. 2003
Ab the Flagman:
Website - The Art: www.xmissamericas.com/art.html - The Music: www.xmissamericas.com/music.html
Ab has been creating art most of his life. His interest in flags was sparked at a young age at his father's military burial, igniting Ab's self-taught career of transforming found objects (mostly wood) into red, white and blue works of art.

Known as "The Flagman" for over nine years, Ab creates flags in all shapes and sizes, from three-dimensional forms to flags in the shape of the United States. His abstract vision of such an infinite symbol is what gives his pieces power. (His nickname, "Ab," is short for "Abstract.") Recently, he has taken his vision and unique style a step beyond the American flag to other commanding icons, including the eagle, Statue of Liberty and mythological Atlas.

Ab's art has dominated the outsider art scene and received several awards at
Southeastern art festivals. His works have been featured in many national and international galleries - including Art 54 Gallery in New York and Fay Gold Gallery in Atlanta (his hometown). He is also one of a select few artists chosen to decorate the House of Blues in various cities across the country.

Ab's works are enduring images of American culture. In fact, Ab - who is also a singer, songwriter, musician and filmmaker - prefers the title of "culture maker" to artist. To him, "culture exists in the arts."

A frugal, creative man who’s interesting modern-primitive folk art is often derived from discarded objects found in abandoned, once burgeoning, mills and factories, Ab the Flagman has become a nationally celebrated folk artist whose work often garners between four and five figures per piece.

His eclectic Americana styled wood-works and paintings have been the rage at New York galleries, embellished magazine covers, the New Britain Museum of American Art, House of Blues in Orlando, Texas State University, and graced a multitude of private and public shows along the east coast and mid-west. Expanding beyond the flag motif, his works have expanded to include life size Indians, eagles, intricate sculptures of American Presidents at historical significant sites, and symbolic works incorporating cityscapes and the plight of early settlers.

The Scene: June 20th. 2005
Felipe Cholua one of Atlanta's finest Brazilian and gypsy jazz guitarist - played with Ian Newberry at the Hen House.


The Scene: June 27th. 2005
Leah Calvert is a fiddler/vocalist born and bred in Atlanta..At the age of five, Leah took up the fiddle...Like many bluegrassers, Leah's introduction to the music came through her father.. She was trained in classical violin, but soon recruited into bluegrass.. During her college years in the music mecca of Athens, Ga. she began to expand her musical boundaries and has performed with many notable eclectic and bluegrass performers.

The Scene: September 14th. 2005
Yonrico Scott musician and artist.....
At an early age, Yonrico was influenced by the thriving spirit of the Detroit Motown sound and the gospel influence of his mother, Ruth N. Scott. By the time he was 7 years old, he was playing in the top gospel bands in Detroit. At age 14, he began studying with Motown drummer George Hamilton.

After high school graduation, he attended The University of Kentucky and during his freshman year was voted Drummer of the Year. He received a Bachelors degree in performance percussion from Kentucky State University and The University of Kentucky in 1978. During that time he studied with Dave Davenport, professor of percussion and principle timpanist of the Lexington Philharmonic. In 1979, he moved to Atlanta where he became the Artist in Residence at the Neighborhood Arts Center’s Department Of Cultural Affairs. He was then known as the most sought-after studio drummer in Atlanta.

For the past 25 years Yonrico has had the privilege of playing with the following people:

Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Peabo Bryson, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr., Chuck Berry, M.C. Hammer, George Howard, Freddie Hubbard, George Benson, Bruce Hampton, Mose Allison, Phillip Bailey, Anita Baker, After Seven, Tinsley Ellis, The Allman Brothers Band, Susan Tedeschi, Kansas, Sonny Stitt, Andy Gibb, Joshua Redman, John Scofield, Cecil Bridgewater, Alvin Batiste, Gary Burton, Wolfman Washington, Stephanie Mills, Urbie Green, Fiji Mariners, Andrew White, Gregg Allman, The Three Degrees, The Wiz, John Denver, Ben E. King, The Supremes, 5 Guys Named Moe, Dream Girls, The Lexington Philharmonic, Widespread Panic, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Phil Lesh, and many, many others.

Since 1995, Yonrico has been touring, recording, and writing with The Derek Trucks Band, which released its self-titled debut CD on Landslide Records in October 1997. Since then, the band has released four other CD’s: Out of the Madness, Joyful Noise, Soul Serenade, and mostly recently, Live at The Georgia Theatre. The band is consistently on tour and plays over 150 shows per year both nationally and internationally. The band has played the well-received Blues Cruise and Jam Cruise, as well as a successful tour in Japan. They’ve opened for and performed with great artists such as: Buddy Guy, Joe Satriani, John Popper, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Gregg Allman and Friends, Gov’t Mule, Leftover Salmon, Taj Mahal, Little Milton, Mavis Staples, and Otis Rush.

When Yonrico is not touring or performing with The Derek Trucks Band, he is performing with his own band, The Yonrico Scott Band, which includes Atlanta greats Kofi Burbridge and Todd Smallie. They have a debut album named Turning the Corner, which was released in January 2004.

Yonrico’s instruments of choice are: LP Percussion, Everyone’s Drumming, DW Drums, Zildjian cymbals and sticks.
www.yonricoscottband.com

The Scene: September 28th. 2005

The Mitgurds' style is a hybrid of American roots music that includes traditional folk, country, swing, and bluegrass, makes their sound powerful and distinct. While they sometimes perform with additional band members near their home in Manitou Springs, Colorado, the core of the band consists of Chris Mitguard on acoustic guitar, banjo and vocals, and Deb Mitguard on mandolin and vocals. Their original songs, framed by unique musical arrangements and raw, haunting harmonies, weave a mixture of humor and tragedy through the stories they tell.
Chris, a Colorado native, is the songwriter for the band and has been writing songs since he was a young boy in the 1960s. His songs create powerful, visual, almost cinematic images. His well crafted story lines are full of twists, turns and irony. They create the perfect backdrop for his sad, beautiful, sometimes dangerous, and undeniably human characters. His musical influences range from Hank Williams and Johnny Horton to Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Mississippi John Hurt. Chris’ strong finger picking style defines and drives The Mitguards' sound.
Deb Mitguard grew up north of Detroit where she was surrounded by a variety of musical styles and influenced by acts like Joni Mitchell, Timbuk 3, John Hartford, and the Del McCoury Band. Deb has played guitar and performed since she was a young girl but wasn’t inspired to play seriously until she discovered the mandolin in 1998. Since that time she has developed a unique and charming style of mandolin. She has a natural sense of composition and theme which adds layers of texture to The Mitguards' sound.
Unlike the nostalgic view of life taken by some Americana acts, The Mitguards cast an unflinching eye on the world around them, unafraid to address dark subject matter and equally skilled at revealing the subtle humor of everyday life. Chris and Deb are constantly expanding and stretching their material and performance style. They are dynamic performers that know how to reach a crowd. They play hard and always aim at the heart of their audience. Their spirited banter and engaging humor creates an endearing and intimate atmosphere, immediately connecting them with their audience, which is comprised of young and old alike.
The Mitguards perform regularly along the front range of Colorado and are carving a niche for themselves throughout Utah, Wyoming, and the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Don't forget to make reservations to attend the 4th of July event at Matildas... 7 pm Pot Luck Dinner.. Bring a covered dish, we do the open grill, live music, and watch the city's fireworks display...there is no better place to watch the fireworks... Check our website for details...  hats.