The Taj Mahal Trio

with Special Guests the Carolina Chocolate Drops

A JazzFest '08 Event

"In his long career, Taj Mahal has worked with bands that play reggae, New Orleans rhythm-and-blues and other African diaspora styles, but he has never moved far from the blues. The old songs sound not just ageless but spunky and sly... blues as a private reflection or a shared confidence, sometimes pained... but never forced. Taj Mahal has lived with the tradition for so long he has stopped worrying about staying close to his sources. He does better than that: he keeps the spirit of the songs." - The New York Times

"The Carolina Chocolate Drops belong to an era when music was not something to be sold but something from the soul." - AllMusic Guide

Singer, instrumentalist, composer, producer and two-time Grammy-winner Taj Mahal was the only American artist featured in The Rolling Stones' Rock & Roll Circus, a remarkable event that showcased the foremost artists in the music community, including John Lennon, Jethro Tull, The Who and Marianne Faithfull. He has appeared on countless collaborations, soundtracks and in several films.

After more than a decade of playing with larger ensembles, Taj decided he wanted to do more guitar playing with a smaller group. Now with his trio, he plays guitar, piano and banjo, with Bill Rich playing bass and Kester Smith on the drums. The Taj Mahal Trio has been playing together for more than 30 years. Together, they blend sounds of folk, jazz, zydeco, gospel, rock, pop, blues and soul to form their own sound, which is unlike any other.

His performance at Appalachian will feature bassist Bill Rich and drummer Kester Smith. The three musicians have played together for more than 30 years, and blend the sounds of folk, jazz, zydeco, gospel, rock, pop, blues and soul to form their own distinctive brand of music.

Prior to the performance by The Taj Mahal Trio, the Carolina Chocolate Drops will take the stage. A group of three young, African-American, stringband musicians, the Carolina Chocolate Drops play the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music of the Carolina piedmont region. Musicians Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Robinson and Dom Flemons draw their musical heritage from the foothills of North and South Carolina. Under the tutelage of Joe Thompson - who is said to be the last black traditional string band player - the Carolina Chocolate Drops strive to carry on the long-standing traditional music of the black and white communities.

Late seating policy applies.