Billy Jonas - Get Real - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

A Billy Jonas performance is an explosion of energy. In singalongs, bangalongs, whisperalongs, as well as improvised songs, his primary instrument is the audience. Everyone becomes part of a performance that reaches out and '. . . touches even the most hardened of hearts.' (Fayetteville Morning News) Concerts begin with a simple 'tuning' of the audience; from there a whimsical trajectory carries listeners through stories of life, love, and triumph over 'Murphy's Law.' Jonas' original pieces are played on fanciful 'industrial re-percussion' instruments made from found objects. He sings in a clear tenor voice; his guitar work is adventurous, alternately percussive and lyrical. Jonas' heartwarming work has been enjoyed across North America since 1987. Previously a member of the highly acclaimed duo, 'The Billy's,' he has been featured at prestigious festivals and venues nationwide (see selected venues). Jonas has shared stages with some of the world's favorite acoustic artists, including Patti Larkin, Ani DiFranco, David Wilcox, Richard Thompson, and Pete Seeger. Jonas' recent CD, 'Life So Far,' sparkles with unique perspectives and found sounds. Songs filled with hope, yearning, wonder, and wisdom include special guests David Wilcox, Glen Velez, Robert Moog (on Theremin), and Zimbabwe's Black Umfolosi voice and percussion choir. Jonas also has released a video for younger audiences, entitled 'Bangin' and Sangin,' that has garnered critical acclaim, including a Parents Choice Gold Award, and inclusion on the New York Times 'Best' listing. Billy Jonas' performances will inspire, inform, and enlighten. His work is born out of respect and reverence, and seeks to honor the creative energy in everyone. Billy provides performances and workshops for adult audiences and/or family audiences. Billy is accompanied by a full ensemble of singers and re-percussionists at larger venues

Billy Jonas LIVE for adults/general audiences (recordings for families/young audiences are listed separately) Billy Jonas is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, 'industrial re-percussionist,' and a one-man-band whose primary instrument is the audience. 'Billy Jonas LIVE' is a portrait of a turn-of-the 21st century hootenanny, in the grand folk tradition, where everybody's in the band. With the exception of the bonus track, 'Billy Jonas LIVE' was recorded all during one concert on February 16, 2002, by Neale Eckstein at Fox Run, in Sudbury, MA. It features Billy solo, accompanied by a stellar 'audience orchestra' who learn their parts as they go. Special guests include Eric Schwartz (backup vocals on 'Coup d'Etat') and David Wilcox (backup vocals on the bonus track 'God is IN'). A Billy Jonas performance, and 'Billy Jonas LIVE,' is an explosion of energy, tempered with moments of lyrical introspection and mellifluous calm. In sing-alongs, bang-alongs, and whisper-alongs, everyone becomes part of a performance that reaches out and '. . . touches even the most hardened of hearts.' (Fayetteville Morning News) As with all Billy Jonas concerts, 'Billy Jonas LIVE' begins with a simple 'tuning' of the audience; from there a whimsical trajectory carries listeners through stories of life, love, and triumph over 'Murphy's Law.' Jonas' original pieces are played on fanciful 'industrial re-percussion' instruments made from found objects. He sings in a clear tenor voice; his guitar work is adventurous, alternately percussive and lyrical. Jonas' heartwarming work has been enjoyed across North America since 1987. Previously a member of the highly acclaimed duo, 'The Billys,' he has been featured at prestigious festivals and venues nationwide (see selected venues). Jonas has shared stages with some of the world's favorite acoustic artists, including Patti Larkin, Ani DiFranco, David Wilco

Build It Back Again contains 13 funky family folk songs from the Billy Jonas Band (+6 interludes) about embracing everything challenge and flow, creation and destruction, failure and success. Written and recorded with a mission To honor and empower the creativity, inherent intelligence, and desire to learn in young folks, as well as their adults; to inspire them to question and play, and to see these two things as inseparable, and as pathways to joy. Sophisticated, fun music, in the service of creating joy-filled individuals, families, and community. Also available are five previous releases from Billy and his crew of Asheville, North Carolina bandmates. InchBilly Jonas talent, wit and obvious love for children and learning make him and his music irresistible.Inch Alison Krauss.