SUGAR IN THE GOURD + NETTIE ROSE & FRED SOKOLOW

Named after  a traditional foot stomping fiddle tune,  Sugar in the Gourd is every bit as edgy and fun, but  has the added depth of  beautifully constructed original songs that encompass topics from trains, to drinking, to love, redemption, all the way to  a conversation with God. The four women who comprise this delightful Americana./Roots style band,  have combined their diverse backgrounds and songwriting talents  to  form a sound that is as unique as it is captivating. You’ll hear beautiful three part vocal harmonies along with fine musicianship on violin, guitar, mandolin, upright bass and banjo. Whether they’re performing an old blues, an original swing tune or an Appalachian  style  murder ballad,
it’s all Americana…new and old at the same time, and irresistible.

Sugar in the Gourd was selected as an official showcase band for the 2012 FAR West conference, and have been playing consistently around the Los Angeles area in many of the top venues including McCabes , The Coffee Gallery ,The Echo, as well as  a four month residency  at The Witzend Live in Venice.

Lisa Salloux : vocals , mandolin, guitar (and occasional bass), was  born into an entire  family who played bluegrass. She has been an accomplished musician , songwriter and vocalist since she was a teenager.

Aubrey  Richmond : vocals and violin, has  been performing professionally since she was a young girl. She has won  numerous championships over  the years, as well as maintaining a highly successful international career  as a top studio and touring musician.  

Carly Ritter: vocals and guitar, Our newest “Gourd”is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Los Angeles. Her self-titled debut album was released in 2013 by Vanguard Records. Most recently, she recorded an album covering old cowboy and country songs (yet to be released) as a tip of the hat to her grandfather, Tex Ritter.

Lynn Shipley Sokolow : upright bass and banjo, is also a published poet and  lyricist, selling over half a million records. In addition, she is a former entertainment manager who has worked with Geffen recording artists Quarterflash and Berlin,  and has  several gold and platinum albums on her wall..

Plus on the same bill and opening the show Nettie Rose Freed who is a Santa Monica native who  paints pictures of love, renegades and vagabonds in her lyrical, folk inspired music. Her influences range from 50’s-60’s pop to Townes van Zandt and Dylan, and the Sons of the Pioneers. She learned to play guitar as a kid from renowned teacher and guitarist Fred Sokolow and soon they had completed a vast catalog of original songs. Her Straight Shooters have included Fred’s wife Lynn Shipley Sokolow on banjo or bass, Johnny “Spazz” Hatton’s stand-up bass, among other players in Nashville, TN. Nettie is the granddaughter of Disc-Jockey Alan Freed (credited for coining the phrase “Rock ‘n Roll”) and grew up around the music business in Los Angeles, in love with vintage music and the classics. Her debut LP “People I Know” is currently on iTunes and she is working on her sophomore release. Plus Fred Sokolow a master of several stringed instruments, and who has recorded countless CDs and written numerous instruction books, from rock to bluegrass to jazz. Bob Baxter  was quoted as saying, because of Fred’s mastering of so many genres of music, that “Sokolow should definitely be included with those four other guys on Mt. Rushmore.”

http://www.sugarinthegourdband.com

http://www.sokolowmusic.com