Friday, May 16, 2025, Taffeta Music Hall presents THE DONKEY SHOW in celebration of, yep you guessed it; National Donkey Day!!! Three of New England's top jam string bands under one roof, Hot Day at the Zoo (MA), Jatoba (VT), and Rockspring (NH).
Mark your calendars, folks, National Donkey Day is right around the corner!
Hot Day at the Zoo
Hot Day at the Zoo is back on the scene! Still bending genres causing a ruckus wherever they go, HDATZ is an American roots string band, mixing folk, blues, ragtime and jazz with progressive bluegrass and Americana-infused rock & roll. The band has pioneered its 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), and Mickey Roache (mandolin, pedal steel). Dion is the band's songsmith 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. Roach is the newest addition to the band bringing a breath of fresh air to the outfit and pushing the band into uncharted territory. On hiatus since 2013, HDATZ’s return to the New England music scene in 2024 should make ZooGrass fans very happy indeed.
Jatoba
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.
Rockspring
Rockspring is a high-energy string band that has quickly gained a strong following in the New England region. Combining original songwriting with eclectic cover choices, Rockspring puts on an incredibly entertaining live show that makes people dance out of their shoes.
Bending bluegrass, rock, and various other influences, Rockspring not only appeals to bluegrass fans, but also to pop, rock, alternative folk, and country fans. It is their unique style that has enabled them to develop a large fan base in New England. Rockspring has been compared to string band heavyweights Old Crow Medicine Show and Yonder Mountain String Band because of their traditional instrumental lineup, but Chad Verbeck’s songwriting as well as the unique backgrounds of the many talented band members give Rockspring a unique voice in a crowded scene.
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