Asheville Skyline Band Plays it Forward

Posted on by Aiyanna Sezak-Blatt

Two evenings of innovative musical collaboration comes to town with The Asheville Skyline Band’s upcoming performance “Playing It Forward,” designed to bring different generations of musicians, talents and musical styles together.

Described as an “ever-changing and evolving band comprised of some of the best talent around the greater Asheville area,” Skyline’s upcoming concerts feature an incredible lineup of local musicians sharing the spotlight at Diana Wortham Theatre on Thursday, July 1 and Friday, July 2. With a rotating cast of musicians, The Asheville Skyline Band offers a truly unique experience for music lovers, as no two shows will ever be the same.

Thursday night’s “Playing It Forward” performance features Col. Bruce Hampton singing and playing guitar, with Ike Stubblefield, known for sharing a stage with B.B. King, Tina Turner, Curtis Mayfield and The Jerry Garcia Band, on the Hammond B3 organ.

Jeff Sipe, who recently toured with Keller Williams, will play the drums, with Afro-Cuban musician Manny Yanes on bass, and roots/blues and Southern rocker Shane Pruitt on rhythm guitar.

Opening acts include Asheville’s own Americana/rock band Velvet Truckstop and bluegrass/Appalachian-rock outfit Big Daddy Love.

The high-energy, bluegrass and experimental band Acoustic Syndicate headlines on Friday night, delivering a “genre-defying performance” experience. County/blues band The Honeycutters and singer/songwriter Chris O’Neill will open.

As the band’s website states, the idea that started The Asheville Skyline Band was sparked in 2009, “after an inspiring trip to Muscle Shoals and Decatur, Ala. in early December, where Skyline’s executive producer Craig Hines had the tremendous opportunity to meet and spend time with legendary producer Johnny Sandlin (Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, ARU, Derek Trucks Band, and many more). [The] Playing It Forward concerts feature many musicians who have had the opportunity to work with Sandlin in the past, as well as many who have been inspired by the work of Sandlin and his friends.” The acclaimed producer and his family will be honored guests at both shows, visiting Asheville for the first time.

To fuel the festivities there will be appetizers, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages catered by The Flying Frog Café, which will be available in the lobby. Tickets are $25 or $20 for students. Performances begin at 8 p.m. each night and doors open at 7 p.m. A limited number of VIP tickets are available. Info: www.ashevilleskyline.com, www.dwtheatre.com or 257-4530.

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About Aiyanna Sezak-Blatt
Aiyanna grew up on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. She was educated at The Cambridge School of Weston, Sarah Lawrence College, and Oxford University. Aiyanna lives in Asheville, North Carolina where she proudly works for Mountain Xpress, the city’s independent local newspaper.
View all posts by Aiyanna Sezak-Blatt →

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4 thoughts on “Asheville Skyline Band Plays it Forward”

  1. Ashley Sutton

    The shows are actually Thursday and Friday, not Friday and Saturday….

  2. Jeff

    That’s an exciting lineup, but it’s summer. And these bands make me want to boogie! Reckon it’s too late to move this outside on some nice fluffy grass?

  4. James P. Fisher

    Went last night, great music but light attendance.FYI, no concessions but New French Bar is right there…TONS of great musicians, lots of interesting combos-kinda like an early Christmas Jam. I bet you can get great price on ticket if you go;)

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