STELLAR LIVE MUSIC

Best of the Bay Area’s Music Scene at Mountain View Festival

KFOX Hosts Classic Rock Stage

Natasha James The Silicon Valley Houserockers The Groove Kings

Two unforgettable days of sizzlin’ rhythm and blues, classic rock ‘n roll, cool jazz, Motown soul, world-beat, Celtic folk and danceable party music transform downtown Mountain View into the Bay Area’s entertainment hot-spot during the Art & Wine Festival, September 8-9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Castro Street. Fourteen of the Bay Area’s best bands play a non-stop, wide-ranging musical mix on the Civic Center Plaza Music Stage and several street locations throughout downtown.

In a new twist, the Bay Area’s legendary classic rock station, KFOX 98.5 FM/102.1 FM, hosts the Classic Rock Stage on Saturday. One of the station’s popular deejays—Greg Kihn, Tim Jeffreys, Big Rick Stuart or Laurie Roberts—will make a surprise guest appearance to host the stage. The lineup for Saturday’s KFOX Classic Rock Stage will knock your socks off with the talented Natasha James, The Silicon Valley Houserockers and The Groove Kings on the bill.

Natasha James is known for taking Roots music styles, turning them on their head, combining them, and coming out with tunes that are completely unique and yet totally familiar. With her music compared to Van Morrison and her voice to Janis Joplin crossed with Joan Baez, James and her band get people up on their feet from rock, country, bluegrass and blues persuasions, all knocked out by the originality of the tunes and the quality of her voice.

Winner of the 2010 KFOX Last Band Standing Best Cover Band, The Silicon Valley Houserockers feature a wailing five piece horn section and rock solid rhythm section of two guitars, bass, drums and keys. This venerable rock and roll band brings the timeless classics to life like no one else. Each show brings together elements of big band swing, blues, 60's soul and R & B, and, rock and roll, and every song is performed with the passion and power of the original, with the spirit of Elvis, The Stones, Joe Cocker, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Credence, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Van Morrison present at each performance.

The Groove Kings are the masters of get down, funky town, smooth groove party music. They play all the favorites, like Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On,” and Santana’s “Smooth” just to name a few. From their soaring multi-part harmonies, virtuoso instrumental performances and taut arrangements, the Groove Kings never fail to satisfy their audience wherever they play.

Rockin' Down the Hiway The Department of Rock The RhythmShakerz Kaweh Ancient Winds Aryeh Frankfurter Heartstrings Music

Get ready for the ultimate musical road trip with Rockin’ Down the Hiway, a band that embodies the Great American Road Trip and our country’s fascination with cars, hot rods, trucks, highways, back roads and travel. The set includes the Eagles’ “Life in the Fast Lane,” the Beatles’ “Drive My Car,” “Truckin” by the Grateful Dead and, of course, the namesake Doobie Brothers classic “Rockin’ down the Highway.”

Cream of Clapton is a remarkable and utterly authentic tribute to Eric Clapton, covering the songs from his days in Cream and Derek and the Dominoes, as well as his spectacular solo career. The band has been playing together for more than 10 years –– and it shows in their tight and polished performances. “I Shot the Sheriff,” “Wonderful Tonight,” “Cocaine,” “Layla,” and an unplugged acoustic set featuring such favorites as “Tears in Heaven,” are just a few of the many songs faithfully performed in Clapton’s legendary style.

The Department of Rock is a secret organization that monitors, supports, and defends your right to party. These five secret agents exhibit extraordinary “Rock Hero” abilities to deliver the best rock music of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and beyond exactly as you remember them, with hits from Journey, Foreigner, Led Zeppelin, Ratt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty,  Alice In Chains, and many, many more.

Jeffrey Michael Bob Culbertson Emerson & The Growiser Band

Beyond the main stage, talented street musicians will be sharing their musical gifts. Shake it up with the RhythmShakerz. This group of percussionists beat a variety of West African drums to create melodic grooves and world rhythms. The RhythmShakerz have performed locally for years, developing legions of devoted fans and bringing out smiles everywhere they go. Kaweh’s rich acoustic guitar, passionate rhythms and international flair appeals audiences of all ages and walks of life. His upbeat, original tunes combine world music, jazz, and nuevo flamenco, adding a touch of Latin, Brazilian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influence. Award winning composer, new age pianist and recording artist Jeffrey Michael has performed for millions of people and has also composed original music scores for many film and TV projects. His melodies are inspiring, powerful, and enchanting, creating musical portraits in minds of his listeners. Bob Culbertson is one of the original pioneers of the Chapman Stick, a guitar-like stringed instrument designed to be tapped, not strummed or plucked. Culbertson delivers a pure and exhilarating listening experience to his audience with this unique instrument. East Bay musician Jose Cabezas of Ancient Winds will be performing traditional Ecuadorian folk music as well as his own original compositions. Cabesas plays these haunting yet uplifting melodies on guitars and his own handcrafted flutes. The Emerson Growiser Band has created its own special blend of soft jazz and rhythm and blues. Emerson is a master of the keyboard, easily playing a funky bass-line with his left hand while his right hand works big block chords and organ solos. A little cool saxophone polishes off the band’s easy groove. Renowned harper Aryeh Frankfurter has been called a “gem among the San Francisco music scene,” and his arrangements of classic Celtic folk songs are infused with lyrical warmth and a confident purity of tone and expression. Take a musical journey to old Italy with Heartstrings Music, featuring Al Fabrizio on mandolin and Hugo Wainzinger on guitar. The pair plays romantic, easy listening, Italian melodies including tarantellas, polkas and traditional ethnic heartfelt ballads.