BRATTLEBORO — Samirah Evans invites all astrological signs to her traditional “Leo Party” celebration at the Stone Church in Brattleboro at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18.
Evans and Trailer Park have been joining forces of late and finding it to be a winning combination of infectious dance music, including New Orleans R&B, rock, blues, and originals from their respective repertoires.
Trailer Park first backed Samirah for a Mardi Gras celebration at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls, Mass., and the show's success landed them a spot at this year's Green River Festival.
“Playing with Trailer Park is so much fun and we've had great chemistry since the first rehearsal,” Evans says. “I've really appreciated how they've committed to learning my catalog, and it's felt so natural to join in on some of their tunes.”
Evans, whose own birthday is Aug. 17, began hosting Leo Parties in the 1990s, when she was an up-and-coming singer in New Orleans. In addition to the concert, Leos in attendance will be treated to birthday cake and additional surprises.
Joining Trailer Park's regular quintet of Tom Mahnken (Bass and Vocals), James Robinson (Guitar and Vocals), Joe Fitzpatrick (Drums), Greg Lauzon (Saxophones), and Rick Page (Saxophones) for this show is special guest pianist Peter Jones. The group has been together for more than 20 years, releasing six CDs and sharing stages with the likes of Los Lobos, NRBQ, Little Feat, Bo Diddley, WAR, and Rat Dog.
During Samirah Evans's career as a performer and recording artist, she has become known for her dynamic and soulful approach to music, especially in the jazz and blues genres. Her musical style is heavily influenced by the sound of New Orleans, where she was one of the city's most popular and in-demand singers for nearly 20 years.
Evans has toured North and South America, Europe and Asia, sharing stages with a multitude of New Orleans notables and legendary artists, including James Brown, B.B. King, Dr. John, Aaron and Charles Neville, Sheila Jordan, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison Jr., Poncho Sanchez, Bob Dorough, Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Trombone Shorty, Jaimoie (of the Allman Brothers), and Sam Kininger.