It’s always cause for celebration when Humboldt’s own Jenny Scheinman puts on a hometown show. This time, as part of the Playhouse Arts 7th Annual Zero to Fierce Festival, she “leans in” to an expanded leadership role in Damn Skippy!, a collectively led quintet of very special musicians--all long-time friends, collaborators, and bandleader/composers in their own right--specializing in cinematic soundscapes, earthy grooves, lyrical counterpoint, and ravishing twin guitars.
They’re also no strangers to these parts. Scheinman probably needs no introduction, but for those who don’t know: the versatile violinist, fiddler, singer, and writer of songs with and without words has a discography that encompasses records under her own name on the Sony Masterworks, Cryptogramophone, Koch and Tzadik labels. She’s also recorded and toured with some of the most innovative jazz artists of our time, including Bill Frisell, Jason Moran, Brian Blade, Nels Cline, and Marc Ribot, as well as with American songwriting legends like Lucinda Williams, Bruce Cockburn, Rodney Crowell, Lou Reed, and Ani Difranco.
The resume of Bay Area drummer Scott Amendola—a repeat guest of both the RJA and the Arcata Playhouse—is comparably deep, comprising several discs’ worth of his own compelling music executed by regular “sidemen” such as Scheinman, Jeff Parker, Nels Cline, and Eureka native Trevor Dunn. Longtime projects include Amendola vs. Blades, the Charlie Hunter/Scott Amendola Duo, The Nels Cline Singers, The Sticklerphonics, and Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane. He can also be heard on records supporting Madeleine Peyroux, Henry Kaiser, Dave Liebman, Chris Williamson, and John Zorn.
Bassist and composer (and “Tiny Resistors” bandleader) Todd Sickafoose won a 2019 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for the broadway musical Hadestown (and a 2020 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album for his work on that show’s Original Broadway Cast Recording). For two decades, he has recorded and toured with Ani DiFranco, and he’s also worked with Andrew Bird, Trey Anastasio, and Nels Cline. A Bay Area native, Sickafoose sojourned for a time in Los Angeles, where he studied bass under the legendary Charlie Haden and composition under Mel Powell.
Guitarist and composer John Schott is a member of The Paul Dresher Ensemble (with whom he premiered contemporary classical works by Steve Mackey, Sebastian Currier and Fred Frith) and the pioneering acid-jazz band T.J. Kirk, nominated for a Grammy for their Warner Bros album If Four Was One. He has collaborated extensively with Amendola and with clarinetist Ben Goldberg, as well as the author Jonathan Lethem. Schott’s discography features albums as a leader on the Knitting Factory, Songlines, Tzadik, Nuscope, and New World Records labels and sideman appearances with Tom Waits and John Zorn.
Guitarist Will Bernard has been described by frequent collaborator Stanton Moore as “probably the most versatile guitar player I’ve ever worked with…just killing.” Bernard’s discography includes releases on Antilles/Polygram, Palmetto, and Posi-tone. His album Party Hats was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008 for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. His extensive list of credits include the Stanton Moore Trio, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Groundation, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Tom Waits, Ben Sidran, Dr John, Booker T. Jones, George Porter Jr., and Zigaboo Modeliste.
The above link will take you to a page featuring all "Zero to Fierce" festival events. On that page, look in the right-hand column and scroll down. Tickets are $20 General Admission and $15 Students and Seniors. Advance Tickets are highly recommended for this show, as IT MAY SELL OUT. The Arcata Playhouse is now a mask-optional venue, and proof of vaccination status is no longer required for admission. HOWEVER: because of the highly contagious nature of the latest strains of COVID-19, and with the increased vulnerability of over-60s and the immunocompromised in mind, the RJA strongly endorses continued masking in indoor spaces, and asks that you please stay home if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms.
Sponsors
Our return to in-person performances is happening thanks to the steadfast support of RJA members & sponsors past and present, and to the indefatigable collaborative spirit of our venue partner, Playhouse Arts. Special thanks to Bug Press, the most steadfast of jazz allies, for its abiding generosity.
Additional support for this show comes from North Coast Co-Op, Cafe Brio, Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate, and dozens of RJA members.