Jatoba is a high-energy groovegrass bluegrass trio that has been captivating audiences since their formation in 2008. Hailing from Brattleboro, Vermont, the band consists of John Jamison (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Jason Scaggs (guitar, banjo, vocals), and Jeff Richardson (upright bass, vocals). Known for their unique musical connection, the members of Jatoba bring uniqueness to their songwriting and compositions and communicate seamlessly through spontaneous composition and improvisation, bringing an unpredictable and dynamic element to their performances. Influenced by their roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire, Jatoba has shared their music up and down the East Coast. They have provided direct support for celebrated acts like the Jeff Austin Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Trampled By Turtles, Rusted Root, The Kitchen Dwellers, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Leftover Salmon, and have been featured at festivals such as Northlands Music Festival and Frendly Gathering, with recent recognition from Rolling Stone. The band’s versatility is evident in the multi-instrumental talents of each member, enabling them to craft rich, layered soundscapes infused with dynamic bluegrass rhythms that distinguish them within the genre. Their signature style merges intricate, original songwriting with tight three-part harmonies, driving tempos, and even the occasional touch of beatboxing, delivering a fresh and innovative approach to bluegrass music. With over a decade and a half of performing in theaters and festivals across the Northeast, Jatoba continues to evolve and excite with their distinctive groovegrass bluegrass sound and spontaneous improvisation, winning over new fans at every turn. Hailing from Lowell, MA, Hot Day at the Zoo (HDATZ) is a genre-bending American roots string band, mixing folk, blues, ragtime and jazz with progressive bluegrass and Americana-infused rock & roll. HDATZ has pioneered their sound in a way that is reminiscent of how Johnny Cash transformed traditional country music. They have the songwriting and full-bodied sound of the Grateful Dead, the technicality and momentum of Sam Bush, the tightness and the ability to talk musically like Charles Mingus, and the cool, easy rock demeanor of Steely Dan. Fans accurately describe this sound as zoograss.” The lineup consists of Michael Dion (guitar, harmonica, vocals,) Jed Rosen (upright bass, vocals), Aaron Johnson (banjo, vocals). Dion is the band’s songwriter and offers enough stories to fill a catalogue of songs that are whole-hearted and full of sincerity. Add in Rosen, whose technical prowess allows him to hold down the beat and push the music to new heights, and Johnson, whose youthful energy and stellar musicianship fuel his strength in fulfilling each song’s missing piece. The result is a band who humbly creates something bigger than any of themselves. On hiatus since 2013, HDATZ’s return to the New England music scene in 2024 should make zoograss fans very happy indeed. https://www.facebook.com/events/1596648591228582/”
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