Original new music from Paul Reisler, founder of Trapezoid and Kid Pan Alley. Joined by Howard Levy of the Flecktones, Joe Craven of the David Grisman Quintet and Amy Speace.

Paul Reisler & A Thousand Questions in Richmond on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 8:00 pm Center Stage’s Rhythm Hall. This benefit concert for Kid Pan Alley songwriting residencies in Richmond schools is sponsored by Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Statewide Artists Program and Kid Pan Alley.

They will also be performing in concert on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 8pm at the Davis Street Armory, 179 East Davis St., Culpeper, VA • Presented by State Theatre Foundation with the support of the Virginia Commission for the Arts • Tickets: www.culpepertheatre.org, 540.727.7979 

Paul Reisler & A Thousand Questions—a thousand questions, a thousand answers all hidden mysteriously in the music of their album, At Night the Roses Tango. A new band—an astonishing collaboration of artists: Paul Reisler, founder of Trapezoid and Kid Pan Alley, Howard Levy of the Flecktones, and vocalist Amy Speace. For the concert, they’ll be joined by master percussionist Joe Craven, formerly of the David Grisman Quintet.

Presenting 12 original songs and two instrumentals written by Reisler along with some of his favorite co-writers, the album is direct and emotional music that cuts across borders—combining American roots, world music eclecticism, classical precision and mysticism with the vitality and energy of contemporary pop music. Music that the Washington Post says “climbs up the Blue Ridge and down to the bayou and back up the Himalaya’s.”

The All Music Guide calls Reisler’s songs, “Pure poetry.” There’s If I Were Free, a richly lyrical love song about living the artistic life that he wrote with Angela Kaset. His I Want to Know, written with Steve Seskin, touchingly chronicles a personal story of adoption and reunion. Afraid to Fly, co- written with Grammy-winner Wendy Waldman in memory of his long-time Trapezoid collaborator Freyda Epstein. And there are his songs without words, his evocative instrumentals, White Edge of Winter, At Night the Roses Tango and a solo hammered dulcimer piece, Elegy: The Dry Leaves of Autumn.

Paul Reisler was the co-founder and leader of Trapezoid for over 25 years. He’s the founder and artistic director of the Kid Pan Alley children’s songwriting project—a program that inspires kids to be creators of their own music. He’s written over 1,700 songs with over 30,000 children. Some of those songs have been recorded by artists including Amy Grant, Delbert McClinton, Kix Brooks, Sissy Spacek, Cracker and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. He has performed in over 3,000 concerts, written thousands of songs, and recorded close to three dozen albums. www.paulreisler.com

Howard Levy’s musical adventures include journeys into jazz, pop, rock, world music, Latin, classical, folk, blues, country, theater and film. He has appeared on hundreds of CDs, won a Grammy for his work with the Flecktones and has received numerous other awards. Universally acknowledged as the world’s most advanced diatonic harmonica player, he is also an accomplished pianist and composer. www.harpkeys.com

Amy Speace is a singer/songwriter and actress from New York City. Amy tours the country performing both solo and with her band. After catching a performance at the SXSW music industry festival, Judy Collins' manager brought Speace to the attention of Collins, who signed her to her Wildflower label. Her debut for the label, Songs For Bright Street, received warm praise from critics, including those in Europe, which has enabled her to build a strong touring base there. She has recorded four albums. www.amyspeace.com

For almost 17 years, Joe Craven was the highly respected multi-instrumentalist with the David Grisman Quintet. Joe held a challenging post as Grisman’s percussionist, fiddler and sometimes swatting backbeats and trading licks on mandolin next to Grisman—and at times all within one tune—and Joe enjoyed the workout. He’s made a wide range of music with a wide range of artists including Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli, The Alison Brown Quartet, Maria Muldaur, Vassar Clements, Psychograss, Rob Ickes, The Persuasions and many others. Joe has performed music and sound effects on a wide variety of recordings including commercials, soundtracks and computer games, and made contributions to several Grammy-nominated projects.  www.joecraven.com

NBC29's Ken Slack visited the residency at Bessie Weller Elementary in Staunton, VA

Sunday, March 14 from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center
Charlottesville High School, Charlottesville, VA

Join local area children as they perform songs written in Kid Pan Alley residencies this school year, as well as songs featured on the Charlottesville-Albemarle Kid Pan Alley CD, I Used to Know the Names of All the Stars.

Get more information about the event and purchase tickets at Eventbrite. 

Every Wednesday in March, 2010, Kid Pan Alley will be receiving a percentage of the sales at Maya Restaurant in Charlottesville. Enjoy a great 'made from scratch' meal prepared with local ingredients and help Kid Pan Alley at the same time!