Greenwich Town Party adds Old Crow Medicine Show, Preservation Hall Jazz Band to lineup with Billy Joel

The Old Crow Medicine Show and the Robert Randolph Band will make their first appearances on the GTP main stage, while the Preservation Hall Jazz Band returns for the fourth time.

A number of local musicians will be part of the show, including Winston Rider, a 17-year-old town resident and a junior at Brunswick School, as well as local musical icon Rob Mathes.

The show will take place May 28 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, with legendary Billy Joel, multiple Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, leading the musical ticket.

In addition to Rider, six other local bands with Greenwich roots will appear on the town stage: Cover Story; road of the kings; Drew Angus; Merlin; Henry Conlo; and Mathes, Kimberlin and his friends.

“GTP is an event that brings excitement and joy to our city every summer,” said Ray Rivers, co-chair of the nonprofit GTP. “There is something special about experiencing the energy of live music all together as a community. We are so lucky to have amazing line-ups every year, including talented musicians from Greenwich who will perform on the town stage.

The annual event returns to its usual Memorial Day weekend slot this year. It was canceled in 2020 and moved to Labor Day weekend in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m. on May 28 with the Byram Veterans Association serving as color guard while The Melody Men perform the national anthem.

Throughout the day, local bands will represent Greenwich on the town stage, which the party’s founders say was “established to celebrate the talent within the Greenwich community”. It offers local musicians of all ages, backgrounds and styles “the unique opportunity to open for world-renowned artists”.

The GTP also offers food and family activities in addition to an all-day lineup of musicians.

Programming

This will be the fourth GTP appearance for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which has become an audience favorite over the years. The group is credited with holding the torch of New Orleans music for more than 50 years and “carrying it forward with enthusiasm as a reminder that the history they were founded to preserve is a life alive”. the story.”

This will be the first GTP appearance for Old Crow Medicine Show, which started in North Carolina and has risen to prominence over the past 20 years, winning two Grammy Awards and becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

The Robert Randolph Band is famous for providing the theme music for “Friday Night Knicks” on the MSG channel. Before heading out on a summer tour for The Zac Brown Band, which headlined last year’s Greenwich Town Party, the Robert Randolph Band will perform their fusion of rock, funk, soul, jazz and jam at the GTP.

Bands on the city scene already have local followers. Rider is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who has written and produced over 100 original songs and opened for Jingle Ball in New York last year.

Cover Story celebrates “hidden gems” by covering music from the 1960s to today. The group, which has played gigs across the city, includes vocalist Megan Tyre, alumni director at Greenwich Academy for more than 20 years.

Kings Highway was formed eight years ago through friendships and mutual interests in music. It includes Bas Hartong on vocals, keys and harmonica; Greg Azrak on saxophone; Gerhard Gnaedig on guitar; Philippe Hatstadt on bass; Nick Barile on drums, vocals and conga; Tammy Grimes on vocals and percussion; and Chris Zadik on backing vocals, second keys and percussion. Their style ranges from classic rock to Motown to current popular music.

Drew Angus said he draws inspiration from the music of Tom Petty, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Ben Rector, Jason Mraz and John Mayer, combining this with his own experiences, relationships and obstacles. He appeared on “Saturday Night Live” and was a finalist on “American Idol.” His performance at the event will be a homecoming for town resident Jeremy Goldsmith, who plays in the band.

Merlin is a local group founded ten years ago by local photographer Bob Capazzo and his compatriot David Bachenheimer. Its high-energy music draws inspiration from country, pop and classic rock artists with a mix of original music written by Capazzo, Bachenheimer and Kathiryn Werlinich, who is on lead vocals.

Henry Conlon, originally from Greenwich and now residing in Nashville, is an American rock artist working on his second studio album. His new song, “Die Like a Poor Man”, is about the cyclical nature of small town American life and was featured as Music City Pick of The Week by BMI.

Rob Mathes is well known for his work with major artists such as Jay-Z, Carly Simon and Sting as well as his annual Holiday Concert. He was the keynote speaker at Greenwich High School in 2019. He will share the stage with compatriot Kevin Kimberlin as part of Mathes, Kimberlin and Friends, a band that also includes Shawn Pelton on drums, Zev Katz on bass, Oz Noy on guitar, John Deley on keyboards and vocals by Genevieve Jarvis.

For more information about Greenwich Town Party, including tickets and sponsorships, visit www.greenwichtownparty.org.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com