“Out of the Blue” Concert
Michael Pickett -- Bluesman
EOTO -- Electronica
March 9, 7 p.m.
TIB Amphitheater $15

Michael Pickett
www.michaelpickett.com

It exists at the crossroads. Where the steamy, rural, Mississippi heat meets the stinging cold of urban Toronto; a place on the musical landscape that roots singer/songwriter Michael Pickett calls home. Pickett's unique fusion of sensibilities, driven by his thumping delta guitar rhythms, muscular harmonica and gravel and chains voice is, at once, traditional and relevant.

Never content to merely be a musical archivist, Pickett effectively deconstructs and reconstructs those seminal blues, born on the delta, to serve his own singular purpose; writing songs that are authentic both in substance and performance.

After 30 years, Michael Pickett is at a place in his career which he arrived at honestly. An acknowledged harmonica virtuoso, Pickett has led, and performed with, roots/blues bands clearly recognized for their significant contribution to a venerable musical art-form. But that was never enough for Michael.

Michael Pickett has a voice. A voice that, without the adornment of a band, ought to be heard. Raw. Honest. And dripping with sly insights. Accompanied only by his guitar, rack harmonica and sensual expression, Michael Pickett is a performer who has stripped away the frills, to arrive at a place that belongs entirely to him.

-----------------------------
Michael Picket has played with and/or shared the stage with Big Mama THORNTON . John Lee HOOKER . James COTTON . Jeff HEALEY . Bo DIDDLEY . Koko TAYLOR . Downchild Blues Band . John HAMMOND . Matt "Guitar" Murphy . Doug Kershaw . Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith . Snooky Pryor . Sunnyland SLIM . Lazy Lester . Tom RUSH . Josh WHITE Jr . Rory Block . Brooks WILLIAMS . Matt MINGLEWOOD . T.Graham BROWN . Kentucky HEADHUNTERS. Hubert SUMLIN . Taj MAHAL. Muddy WATERS . Son SEALS . Big Bill MORGANFIELD . Robert CRAY . Buddy GUY . Jon CLEARY . Tea Party . Gary NICHOLSON . The Players . Fortunate Sons . Colin LINDEN . Brian STOLTZ . George PORTER Jr .  Rev. Billy C. Wirtz . The Nighthawks . WATERMELON Slim . Lee OSKAR . Jerry PORTNOY . MAGIC Dick . and more.

EOTO
www.livedownloads.com/live-music/3,173/EOTO-mp3-flac-downloads.html

What happens when two former members of a widely successful touring band step out from behind the instruments that made them famous and embark on an entirely new musical journey? The result is the left coast breakbeat/glitch-hop/house duo, EOTO (pronounced E-oh-toe). Consisting of one third of the progressive jam sextet, The String Cheese Incident, the joint venture between Jason Hann and Michael Travis is a fresh, 100% improvised collaboration of live instrumentation and digital mixing. The duo has eagerly taken to the road to deliver a totally inimitable and unforgettable live experience.

Performing in roles completely different than the ones in SCI, Jason Hann keeps the crowds moving. Covering percussion, layering eclectic-glitchy samples, live auxiliary re-mixing, as well as the playing drum kit, Hann provides the rhythmic backbone for all things EOTO. Adding both blissful and edgy, tonal ambience is the multi-talented Michael Travis." Blending bass, guitar, keyboards and hand percussion, as well as live mixing and re-mixing, Travis creates the spacey flavor capturing the listener’s senses. With the raw power of live drums, the music is all created on the spot, recorded, and remixed live, proving no two shows are exactly alike. While completely different from SCI, life-long fans as well as new fans will be drawn to the dance frenzy and originality that is EOTO.

In the world of EOTO, nothing is pre-recorded, nothing is pre-looped and no sets are pre-planned. Each show transports the listener to a different time and a different place providing a unique sonic dance experience night in and night out. Merging hypnotic rhythms with pounding bass and mesmerizing melodies, Hann and Travis unleash their sonic assault on the masses in an unrehearsed, unscripted manner. Drawing comparisons to renowned artists such as the Beastie Boys, EOTO is at the forefront of a musical movement. Inspired by legendary DJ’s and mix artists of the world, the duo utilizes cutting-edge technology combined with live instrumental performances to create truly original and melodic dance music in the moment.

Jason Hann and Michael Travis will continue their inspiration to evolve beats, breaks, and soundscapes designed to keep the audiences grooving all night long. Crowds looking for a mind bending, ear-opening experience unlike any other touring band on the road today will appreciate the shear spontaneity and originality that is EOTO.