The Bee Eaters are Coming!

"It is a joy to hear both the exploration of this music and the grounding of it simultaneously. Also, I love the emphasis on the simple beauty of the acoustic instruments." Edgar Meyer (3 time Grammy Award Winner/Bassist/Composer)

There are a lot of extremely good musicians alive today and Edgar Meyer is in that elite group of the very best. He is also one of my favorite musicians and someone who I respect highly. So when Edgar speaks, I pay attention. Upon learning that their debut, self-titled CD was produced by Darol Anger, that sealed the deal. I had to find out what this band, named after a species of colorful birds that, yes, eat bees, is all about.

The core of the group is comprised on brother-sister duo Tristan and Tashina Clarridge. For those of you who have seen Crooked Still, you will recognize Tristan as their cellist. He now splits his time between both bands. He is also a 5-time Grand National Fiddle Champion. His talents have been sought by Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Bruce Molsky and Cape Breton fiddle phenomenon Natalie MacMaster.

Tashina is also a Grand National Fiddle Champion (2005) and has toured with Mark O'Connor, Tony Trischka and Laurie Lewis and has performed at Carnegie Hall as a part of Edgar Meyer's Young Artists program.
The Bee Eaters also feature an instrument not usually heard outside of Celtic groups, the hammered dulcimer, played by Simon Chrisman. The Bee Eaters press release describes Simon's "inventive virtuosic touch and sophisticated rhythmic sensibilities" as redefining the instrument and earning the attention of musicians the world over.

Rounding out the quartet is guitarist Courtney Hartman. Fluent on multiple instruments, she is currently attending Berklee College of Music in Boston. The Bee Eaters Colorado tour is a homecoming of sorts for Courtney who hails from Loveland.

The Bee Eaters now have two CDs to their credit; their 2009 debut mentioned above and on Sept. 6 they are releasing their newest CD, OddFellows Road.

Banjo great Tony Trischka said it best: "Their impressive ensemble work… leaves me breathless. Their music excites, heals and enriches. Listen often."

Copy by Jeff Smith

Show Details

Showtime is Friday, September 9 at 7:00p.m. Doors open at 5:30. Cost: general public $7.00, Students $5.00, BRAS Members $4.00, Children 12 - under are Free.

At the Black Forest Community Center: See the Black Rose Acoustic Society Website for more details: www.blackroseacoustic.org