by Mike Rosso
Salida-based musician Bones has put quite a few achievements under his belt over the past 25 years. He has performed in a variety of rock bands from England to Los Angeles and was a member of the popular Afro-beat band Jaka as well as the Grateful Dead tribute band, Shakedown Street.
Bones has also studied percussion technique in Cuba, Belize and Guatemala.
Several years back he created a one-man musical performance, Bones Solo Ensemble, which has toured the Rocky Mountain region earning high praise and accolades.
Now he is venturing on a additional path and creating a new non-profit (501(c)3 pending) organization called Articipate, to bring music and art workshops and performance into schools and community centers. According to the organization’s press materials, its mission is to: foster awareness and teach the importance of the arts in improving lives and building communities through workshops, performances and educational programs for all ages.
Articipate hopes to enroll a membership of artists who will work year-round to create new and existing educational programs, workshops and events for youth and adults.
The organization also want to become a vehicle for greater collaboration between local and regional artists and organizations.
Articipate will primarily serve the residents of Chaffee County as well as some residents of neighboring Freemont and Saguache Counties.
Bones will also be celebrating the release of his new CD, Nomad, at a release party on Sept 11 at the Salida SteamPlant Theater at 7 p.m.. Joining Bones at the event will be a number of regional musicians who performed on the recording, The release party is also a benefit for Articipate. In addition to the guest performers, as well as the Salida Circus, artist Joshua Been will be creating two paintings during the event to be auctioned off.
The new CD Nomad, Bones and Friends, features all-original material recorded since November 2008 at the Dog House Studio in Salida. Bones enlisted a variety of local and regional musicians to help out, including Native American flute, saxophone, fiddle, keyboards and other instruments in combination with Bones’ vocals and a wide variety of percussion, including steel drums.
The CD explores musical traditions from around the world including Latin, Caribbean, African, East Indian and American gospel and blues, all as seen from the eyes of Bones and his wide variety of life experiences.
The disc finishes out with a Bones standard, Gaper, a self-deprecating, hilarious song that pokes fun at Colorado newcomers and Coloradans alike.
More information can be found at:
www.bonesdrums.com and
www.articipate.net (currently under construction)
