Ben Sollee, Elephant Revival

Thanks to everyone who came out to make our event with Ben Sollee such a great success!

Thanks to Armadillo Music, Blisworks Bikes, The City of Davis, The Davis Dirt, The Davis Enterprise, M.O.M.S., The Sacramento News & Review, SubMerge, Sudwerk & Watermelon Music for their support.

A big thanks to our DLMC volunteers who put in the time and heart to make it happen; Amy, Christine, Danny, David, Dennis, Josh, Kelly, Kyle, Michaela, Mirabai, and Raychel.

And a super big thanks to the artists and crew who truly amazed. Bonnie, Bridget, Daniel, Dango, Sage, Sarah and Shaun of Elephant Revival; and of course Ben Sollee, Jordon Ellis, Katie and Alex. You gained a roomful of fans who can’t wait to bring you back!

Check out Landon’s preview article in the Enterprise, then re-live a few moments with Rik’s photos.

Ben Sollee for webClassically trained pop cellist and folk singer Ben Sollee is one of the most uniquely talented young artists in acoustic music today. Along with friend and drummer Jordon Ellis, Ben sings and plays the cello “with a passionate fury rarely seen” says My Morning Jacket front-man Jim James. “I never expect to see that cello in one piece after Ben gets done… He bows and beats and works it over … Ben makes it live.”

Sollee emerged in 2008 with Learning to Bend. The debut showcased Ben’s “classically influenced folk with leanings of R&B and soul.” NPR’s Morning Edition heralded Sollee as one of the “Top Ten Great Unknown Artists of 2007” while Paste Magazine listed him among their Best of What’s Next, and No Depression put the album on its top five of 2008.

Ben formed the folk ensemble Sparrow Quartet with Grammy-nominated fiddler Casey Driessen, Grammy winner and bluegrass icon Bela Fleck, and the genre defying Abigail Washburn. Then in 2010, he recorded Dear Companion with fellow Kentuckians Daniel Martin Moore and Jim James.

Sollee continues to embrace the collaborative spirit with his ambitious 2011 solo release Inclusions. The critically acclaimed album expands Ben’s fusing of sweeping pop, creative instrumentation, folk intimacy and soulful singing – connections made tangible on the album Live at the Grocery On Home released last month.

Ben’s “Ditch The Van Tour” recently earned him mention in Paste Magazine’s “2012 Exceptionally Green Bands” article. He and his band hauled their gear – cello, drums and all – across the country on bikes to engage a greater sense of community involvement. “It’s not about being green or even sustainable… we want to exploit the limitations of the bicycle to slow down and experience the rich communities and people that I’ve spent years flying-by and driving past.”

The evening will begin with Colorado’s Elephant Revival, an energetic and eclectic acoustic ensemble that uses expert playing and seamless harmonies to create a unique blend of folk, bluegrass and rock.

The concert is open to all ages and will take place Friday, July 6th at the City of Davis’ Veterans’ Memorial Theatre, 203 East Fourteenth Street, with doors opening at 7pm, music beginning at 8pm. Advance tickets are $17 at Armadillo Music, 205 F Street in Davis, or right here online. Tickets purchased at the door the night of the show will cost $20. Local brewery Sudwerk will offer beer for sale with valid ID. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of complementary bike valet service provided by Blisworks Bikes of Davis.

What others have to say:
“Delightful, thoughtful, interesting… moving” The Wall Street Journal

“Up to his neck in creativity…” Bela Fleck

“This guy has it all: the singing, the playing, the songwriting. Here’s hoping the world is wise enough to welcome his music with open arms.” Silas House, No Depression

“…he is out there… with that cello and that god-given voice… riding his bike and fighting the good fight and doing all he can to help make the world right.” Jim James, My Morning Jacket

“Ben Sollee is a cello player, which is a description that belies the range of feeling and expression he conjures on the instrument.” James Reed, The Boston Globe

“…Ben Sollee is like Andrew Bird with a little more soul, or Arthur Russell with a bit more bounce.” Lost At E Minor

“Things get pretty liberal and dear here and there, with Sollee’s social awareness ever-present… If that’s not your bag, just watch the man rock out on his cello and shut yer mouth.” Craig Hlavaty, Houston Press