Oakhurst: Spreading jammyness all over the world, yet still connecting with the individual fans.
I first heard of Oakhurst was while in Belgium visiting a friend. These guys are not a Belgian band, but sure have kept the European audiences interested with their unique blend of musical styles. Oakhurst is actually a Denver based jamband that fuses traditional bluegrass, rock, and jazz. The band consists of AP Hill- (flat top guitar & lead vocals), Adam “Tarzano” Smith- (mandolin, electric guitar & vocals), Johnny James Qualley- (upright bass, sideways bass & vocals), and Chris “Cruller” Budin- (drums, percussion, and vocals). Their influences are heavily based in Rocky Mountain bluegrass but they take their sets far beyond the average bluegrass act expanding into genres of singer song writer to electric jam music. No one can sum up their sound better than AP Hill, the primary song writer, which he describes as-- "A musical assault on unsuspecting listeners".
Oakhurst has shared the stage with bluegrass greats Nickle Creek, Bela Fleck, Yonder Mountain String Band and many others. Their live stage energy matches up the jamband big dogs like Phish and String Cheese Incident offering the jammy kids the spontaneous improvised sets they crave. This international act takes on a dead like touring schedule often playing two shows a day. They also have been known to play shows for the people that house them making a fair trade of a private concert for some free food and lodging. Even on the concert off-days, you can probably find them out in the streets creating a new form of performance they call "gorrilla grass". These local street shows allow Oakhurst to give the crowds fast pickin’, make friends and promoting their unique sound.
Oakhurst plays cruise ships, parks, private parties, small venues, big venues, festivals, and anything else they can get their hands on. This non-discriminatory touring style allows them to connect with fans of all ages, backgrounds and musical tastes who otherwise would never known they existed. The best thing about Oakhurst is that, even with an incessant tour schedule- playing 200 shows a year, in 12 states, 7 European countries, and of course the Caribbean, they still manage to give personal contact to their followers. Keep up the great music and contact guys its rare nowadays.
Oakhurst has shared the stage with bluegrass greats Nickle Creek, Bela Fleck, Yonder Mountain String Band and many others. Their live stage energy matches up the jamband big dogs like Phish and String Cheese Incident offering the jammy kids the spontaneous improvised sets they crave. This international act takes on a dead like touring schedule often playing two shows a day. They also have been known to play shows for the people that house them making a fair trade of a private concert for some free food and lodging. Even on the concert off-days, you can probably find them out in the streets creating a new form of performance they call "gorrilla grass". These local street shows allow Oakhurst to give the crowds fast pickin’, make friends and promoting their unique sound.
Oakhurst plays cruise ships, parks, private parties, small venues, big venues, festivals, and anything else they can get their hands on. This non-discriminatory touring style allows them to connect with fans of all ages, backgrounds and musical tastes who otherwise would never known they existed. The best thing about Oakhurst is that, even with an incessant tour schedule- playing 200 shows a year, in 12 states, 7 European countries, and of course the Caribbean, they still manage to give personal contact to their followers. Keep up the great music and contact guys its rare nowadays.
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