St. Louis-based singer/songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Pokey LaFarge will begin his solo tour at St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Pokey LaFarge incorporates elements of early jazz, ragtime, country blues, Western swing, and much more in his performances. His expansive musical vision and vivid storytelling sensibility are totally his own. Two of LaFarge’s albums have been named Best Americana Album by the Independent Music Awards.
SCMC Executive Director Cathy Holbrook says, “Pokey LaFarge charmed our audience with his band in February 2017 and due to the heartfelt welcome he received, he’ll be returning to SCMC on October 4 to begin his solo tour across the country. This is his first solo tour since he began in 2006. He’s a fabulous musician and totally engaging entertainer. This is certainly a concert not to miss.”
LaFarge is beloved by both Garrison Keillor and Jack White who have both added him to their performances in the United States. White added LaFarge to his Third Man label and included him as his opening act on his North American Tour in 2013.
Concert tickets for the Pokey LaFarge Solo Show can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.scmc-online.org. A post-concert “Meet-the-artist” party with wine and beer will be offered to all ticket-holders giving the audience the opportunity to meet Pokey LaFarge and to obtain signed CDs of his releases.
Pokey LaFarge Bio
LaFarge, a St. Louis-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist draws from a deep well of American musical traditions to create distinctively personal music that’s timeless rather than retro, transcending the confines of genre in a manner that reflects the artist’s openhearted attitude. Incorporating elements of early jazz, ragtime, country blues, Western swing, and beyond, LaFarge has created a vibrant, deeply expressive body of work that embodies an expansive musical vision and vivid storytelling sensibility that are wholly his own. He’s also earned a reputation as a tireless, uniquely charismatic live performer, winning a loyal international fan base that regularly packs his rousing, celebratory live shows. His newest album “Manic Revelations” was released in May 2017 on Rounder Records. Manic Revelations features 10 new original songs and was produced by the Southside Collective—LaFarge, Joey Glynn (bass), Ryan Koenig (harmonica, guitjo, electric guitar), Adam Hoskins (electric guitar), Matt Meyer (drums, percussion), Luc Klein (trumpet, euphonium, piano, glockenspiel), Alec Spiegelman (saxophone, piano, tubax, organ, clarinet, flute), David Beeman (tambourine, stylophone, guitar, organ)—along with additional production by Tony Hoffer. “The manic revelation is the state where artists create,” says LaFarge. “I got to the point in writing these songs where I felt like a house on fire that just kept burning.” He continues, “This album is about confronting yourself. It’s about confronting your city, its relation with the world, and all its people.”
Since his debut in 2006, LaFarge has released seven studio albums. In addition to his life as a musician, LaFarge recently made his acting debut on CMT’s new original series, “Sun Records,” playing celebrated country artist and songwriter Hank Snow. More information about the program can be found here.
Since he began recording in 2006, Pokey has maintained an indefatigable work ethic that’s yielded a wealth of compelling music. After making a grass-roots splash with his self-released debut album Marmalade and moonlighting as mandolinist with the Hackensaw Boys, he continued to gain notoriety with his widely acclaimed long players Beat, Move, and Shake, Riverboat Soul and Middle of Everywhere (the latter two were both named Best Americana Album by the Independent Music Awards) and the concert set Live In Holland.
More about Pokey LaFarge can be found on his website at www.pokeylafarge.net.
St. Cecilia Music Center’s mission is to promote the study, appreciation and
performance of music in order to enrich the lives of West Michigan residents.
The Center fulfills this mission by
presenting visiting world-class artists in concert,
providing music education for all ages through our School of Music and
preserving a historic building for musical activities and community events
###
The Rapidian, a program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Community Media Center, relies on the community’s support to help cover the cost of training reporters and publishing content.
We need your help.
If each of our readers and content creators who values this community platform help support its creation and maintenance, The Rapidian can continue to educate and facilitate a conversation around issues for years to come.
Please support The Rapidian and make a contribution today.
