The  Joe Craven / Sam Bevan  Duo

The “FOAKEE”  Show

The Joe Craven Trio

Joe,  John R. Burr,  Kendrick Freeman

The Joe Craven Trio

Roots Music with a Global Perspective and only Joe knows what else!

Joe Craven on strings and found sound and vocals, John R. Burr on keyboards, and Kendrick Freeman on drums, percussion and vocals serve an impressive banquet of jazz, blues, Latin and folk. Whether tweaking an old time fiddle tune or rendering an original composition from anyone of these three long time friends, the sound is always innovative, stretching the boundaries of musical style while paying tribute to and forwarding evolving musical traditions that captivate audiences nationwide – and beyond. Craven is a long time, jubilant ambassador for the power of “Folk Process” in the arts in general and it’s role in our lives.  Kendrick is an exceptionally versatile percussionist and vocalist and his knowledge, artistry and playfulness at the kit have made him Joe’s favorite drummer to work with.  John R. Burr is also an exceptionally gifted musician and 16 year veteran of The Alison Brown Quartet.  He has a rare ability to convincingly be both pianist and bassist in the JCT via electronic keyboards.  JCT members have played and/or with such greats as Jerry Garcia, Stephane Grappelli, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, Paul Brady, Dennis Chambers, Maria Muldaur, The Persuasions, The Alison Brown Quartet, Robben Ford, Mark O'Connor, Psychograss, Jon Hendricks, Darol Anger, Rob Ickes,  The Turtle Island String Quartet and many others.   Thier performances celebrate new work from JCT's recent recording and chestnuts from Joe’s other recordings.

joecraven.com   johnrburr.com

Take a blues, rock, folk, whirled music multi-instrumentalist and a classically trained

pianist/jazz trained bassist and composer and put them together to have their way with traditional American folk songs and beyond, you can get something like the Joe Craven / Sam Bevan collaboration called “Foakee”.  Gospel, Blues, Appalachian, Cuban, West African, Hip Hop, Brazilian and Jazz influences are combined with sound samples, and looping technology to create beats from mouth, found objects and conventional acoustic and electric string  instruments and percussion. This fun, innovative tribute to the old and the new creates a fresh cocktail of sound stretching the boundaries of musical style while paying tribute to and forwarding evolving musical traditions. 

Joe is a musical madman with anything that has strings attached or not; violin, mandolin, tin can, bedpan, cookie tin, tenor guitar, mouth bow, banjo, berimbau, balalaika, boot ‘n lace, animal bones, squeeze toys, cake pans, waste cans, umbrella stands, martini shakers and; himself.  The Los Angeles Times calls him “Virtuosic”, “Crowd pleaser” says The New York Times and Mandolin Magazine proclaims Joe, "One of the most daringly inventive musicians working today."  Educator, former museum curator, visual artist, actor/storyteller and festival emcee,  Joe has recorded and played with folks ranging from jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli to Grateful Dead Guitarist Jerry Garcia to The Persuasions. As for Sam, Guitar World’s Bass Guitar Magazine says, “Bay Area jazzman Bevan is a bassist for all occasions...”.  Jazzreview says,  “Articulate, focused and highly musical, Bevan’s sense of melody and rhythmic thrust showcase his talent.” Sam’s own recordings showcase not only his chops but his composing and arrangement abilities as well. Sam is a first call bassist, having played and/or recorded with a variety of artists including, Geoff Muldaur, The V Note Ensemble, Jim Kweskin, The Venezuelan Music Project, Mimi Fox, Adam Levy, Matt Flinner, Rumbache and many others.


Sam met Joe while filling in for bassist Jim Kerwin of the David Grisman Quintet many years ago.  Joe and Sam connected and have enjoyed playing together ever since.

joecraven.com / sambevan.com

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