The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College has announced the addition of three shows - Squirrel Nut Zippers, The James Hunter Six and Levi Platero Band - to its spring performing arts season.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, $36/$46
Squirrel Nut Zippers is a big band/jazz/alternative rock band that rejoices at the difficulty people have pigeonholing their unmistakable sound.
A perpetually evolving, hybrid-stew of Southern roots traditions, blues and jazz, the Zippers were aptly tagged "'30s punk" by one critic, though NPR's Morning Edition might have said it best: "It's not easy to categorize the music of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, except that it's hot."
The band has always flirted with a muse most concerned with ghosts, love gone wrong, fever-dreams and stories unearthed from days past. Centered on the vocals of Ingrid Lucia, of Flying Neutrino's fame, and the anachronistic windup toy that is Jimbo Mathus, the Zippers promise to both charm and confound.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, $28/$38
A rhythm and blues singer of uncommon vitality and chops, James Hunter's buoyant spirit and magnetic stage charisma demolishes labels like "throwback" and "retro."
It's been 10 years since the Englishman James Hunter burst onto the scene with his U.S. debut People Gonna Talk, topping the Billboard Blues chart, earning a Grammy-nomination, and attracting universal acclaim from critics and his fans, including Van Morrison, Sharon Jones, and Allen Toussaint.
This year, Hunter is touring in promotion of his latest album, Hold On! featuring the driving stompers, bubbling rumbas, and the rawness and feeling to which Daptone fans have become accustomed.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, $19/$28
The Levi Platero Band is a family blues-rock power trio from Tohajilee, N.M., within the Navajo Nation.
Lead Levi Platero was only 12 years old when the band took the stage during a concert at "The Gathering of Nations," and met with a tremendous response.
Now in his 20s, Platero, on guitar/vocals, continues to lead the band that includes Douglas Platero, drums and Bronson Begay, bass guitar/vocals.
The style is a mix of Texas blues and '70s rock 'n' roll. The press has noted, "If Santana or the Los Lonely Boys had little brothers it would be the Plateros."
Tickets for all shows at the Concert Hall are online at www.durangoconcerts.com, by phone at 247-7657, or in person at the ticket office inside the Durango Welcome Center at Eighth Street and Main Avenue.
