Walter Parks in Concert, Bill Frey Opens

If you’re up for something a little different, this is going to be a very special show. If you don’t know Walter Parks, do yourself a favor and check him out online. He’s an extraordinary guitarist, singer, songwriter and storyteller whose music draws from blues, folk, gospel, swamp music, jazz and more. He also spent 10 years as the guitarist for the legendary Richie Havens. Walter is one of those artists who is hard to put into a box—and that’s exactly what makes this show so special. Come hear something you may not have heard before. We think you’re going to love it. Walter Parks is both entertaining and educational, presenting historic music, original music and stories that preface songs in a contemporary way. Walter toggles between hollers, spirituals, Appalachian reels, Delta blues, work songs, swamp jazz and even bits of opera all delivered with Walter’s northeast Florida swampy feel. At every show Walter tributes Woodstock legend Richie Havens with whom he served as sideman for 10 years performing worldwide in Madison Square Garden, The Glastonbury Festival and Carnegie Hall amongst other prestigious venues. Walter was recently invited by The Library of Congress/American Folklife Collection to archive his research work on the music made in southeast Georgia’s Okefinokee Swamp. Now based out of St. Louis, Walter has recently co-written with Stan Lynch, former Tom Petty drummer and has performed at various venues with R&B drum legend Bernard Purdie and at Lincoln Center with Judy Collins. Walter was a founding member of The Nudes, a popular folk duo, with cellist Stephanie Winters. waterparks.com Bill Frey, “The Blues Dr.” Bill began his musical journey in the 1960’s as a “Jersey Boy”, honing his skills on guitar and harmonica while developing his distinctive songwriting style. While drawing inspiration from Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan and Kenny Burrell, his sound remains deeply rooted in the blues embracing an eclectic range of influences from Rev. Gary Davis to Paul Butterfield. He has recorded five albums, with his latest, Lenny the Lip and the Blues Dr., “On the Street”. His alternate career as a Clinical Psychologist has provided endless hours of blues material and song-writing catharsis. He has played venues in NYC, Philadelphia, up and down the Jersey Shore, the Hamptons, Boston and across Vermont. His career has included stints with The Floyd Morgan Blues Band, The Bristol Flames and for the past 30 years leading the Deep Freyed Blues Band. Tickets for the show are available at the door. Door donations: ACMA Members/$20 General Admission/$25 The Listening Room doors open at 6:30 pm and the concert begins at 7:00 pm