Natalia Zukerman and Willy PorterAn evening of inspired guitar, singing and songwriting from two of the best artists of the craft, Willy Porter and Natalia Zukerman. Each night, Willy Porter clearly showcases his mastery of the acoustic guitar in his most comfortable environment—his live show. He continues to stretch each show by morphing performance art, live audio looping, and improvisational sketch comedy into his solo whistle stops. Each tour date becomes a unique event, a musical experience much greater than just a review of past, present and future recorded work. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, recently described Porter’s musicianship this way: “Willy Porter’s music demonstrates admirably that the technical excellence of his guitar-playing will never overwhelm the essence of the song itself. In perfect symbiosis, the disciplines of performance and songwriting combine together to create the unique work for which he is admired by professional peers and audiences alike. Oh – and a damn fine singer too. Thank goodness he doesn’t play the flute.”

Slide guitarist Natalia Zukerman’s latest release Brand New Frame was produced by none other than Willy Porter and was released on Willy’s own label Weasel Records in May 2008. Musically sophisticated, intimate and irreverent all at once, this is an album about change. Zukerman challenges listeners to break out of patterns and rhythms that hold them back from reaching the truth. The title track, “Brand New Frame” is a wake up call to those who tell the same stories over and over again to anyone who will listen. “Only Trees” is a metaphor for what Zukerman’s album is all about – that things change: landscapes, ideas, music. In the song she recognizes the way we live our modern lives at breakneck speed, and invites us to slow down. Brand New Frame tells the story of valuing the past while growing new skin; the unraveling of a relationship with realism, humor and tenderness.

Willy Porter's greatest songwriting attribute lies in his quietly reverberating stories. (Billboard Magazine)

Milwaukee's Willy Porter is a dazzling acoustic guitarist with a moody baritone... (The Washington Post)

Willy plays rhythms that make me want to crawl inside his guitar and sleep there forever. (Tori Amos)

The bluesy folk-rock tunes, burnished croon (and) serious guitar chops of Massachusetts singer Natalia Zukerman demand your attention. (TimeOut New York Nov 15 2006)

Smokey-voiced songstress wisely mixes the rootsy styles on her fresh and fine Willy Porter-produced "Brand New Frame" album - from torch blues to country swing - to broaden reach and constituency. If you're a fan of Madeleine Peyroux, Bonnie Raitt or even Amy Winehouse, you'll find stuff to connect with here. (Philadelphia Daily News May 9 2008)

Tickets on sale now from Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb

$20 advance, $25 day of show

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