International Blues Challenge winner performing May 30: From Boulder, CO to Orange City comes the Lionel Young Band, performing for the initial Onstage Orange City event Wed., May 30 at 7 pm at OC town hall. Sponsors are OC Sanitation and the Orange City Arts Council. The event is free.
ORANGE CITY – The first double champion in the International Blues Challenge is performing for Onstage Orange City Wednesday, May 30 at 7:00 pm. The event has been moved to the Orange City town hall because of the threat of rain.
Lionel Young opens Orange City’s summer series… a high energy performer with the soul of a bluesman.
Young won the International Blues Challenge solo award in ’08 in Memphis, then his band took the IBC championship in ’11.
The classically-trained Young will bring his distinctive brand of blues on the electric violin, playing originals plus interpretations of blues classics by T Bone Walker, Willie Dixon, Freddy King, Sam Cooke, and more. The band is known for the strength and passion of Young’s playing, plus strong vocals and unique arrangements.
Born in Rochester, NY, Young began taking violin lessons at the age of six at the Eastman School of Music. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Opera-Ballet Orchestra and the National Repertory Orchestra which commissioned him to play bluegrass and blues on a tour of Japan, Taiwan, and Korea during the ’88 Summer Olympic Music Festival.
Young has won awards from the Pittsburgh Symphony, Carnegie-Mellon and the Denver Chamber Orchestra. He has had the honor of working with Count Bassie, Stevie Wonder, Doc Severenson, Linda Ronstadt and Woodie Herman.
Young’s band features Ricardo Peña, piano, organ, vocals; Andre Mali, trumpet; Dexter Payne, sax, clarinet, harmonica; Kim Stone, bass; and Jay Forrest, drums, vocals.
Of the Lionel Young Band, Blues Blast Magazine said: “Brilliant!” “Must-see and must-listen!” said Colorado Music Buzz.
Onstage Orange City is a series of shows sponsored each Wednesday this summer, in Windmill Park. Sponsor of the Lionel Young Band is OC Sanitation, in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council. There is no charge to attend.
Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.
For more information or weather-related announcements, see orangecityarts.net or facebook.com/ocArts. Young’s website is lionelyoung.net.
