Longtime Charlotters holding free shows at Flynn Space
Longtime Charlotte resident Jimmy Sheldon-Dean is presenting “Trouble and Together,” a salute to some of the composers and artists that have been his musical influences over the years in a free show at the Flynn Space just days after the eclipse, April 12 and 13.
The music is all about the troubles that we all face, as individuals, as couples and as a society, and coming together in peace and love to overcome those troubles. Represented in the show will be influences from the 60s, 70s and beyond, from Moby Grape to Tom Waits, Jeff Beck to Frank Zappa, Miles Davis to Joni Mitchell, Paul Butterfield to The Youngbloods and more.
Jimmy’s Party of Nine includes, from left, Jeff Salisbury (drums), Jimmy Sheldon-Dean (bass and vocals), Paul Asbell (guitar) and Chuck Eller (keyboards).
Jimmy’s Party of Nine includes Sheldon-Dean on bass and vocals, Paul Asbell on guitar, Chuck Eller on keyboards, Jeff Salisbury on drums, Brian Johnson on percussion, special guest Grammy-nominated Michael Manring on bass, and on vocals will be the Crackwall Choir — Abby, Phoebe and Hannah Sheldon-Dean, with a special plus-one, Bob Butterfield on harmonica.
Manring was cited by the San Jose Mercury News as “a virtuoso electric bassist who’s almost single-handedly re-defined the outer limits of the instrument,” while The Philadelphia Inquirer called him “the hottest bassist today.”
Asbell and Eller were the core of Kilimanjaro, which was well known in Vermont and beyond, and they played on Paul Butterfield’s world tour for his last album.
Salisbury started out touring with the Albert King Blues Band as teenager.
“I saw him live at the Fillmore East in New York when I was just 17 myself. I am incredibly lucky to work with such a great, world-renowned set of artists,” Jimmy Sheldon-Dean said. “It really is the best band I have ever worked with, and I think we may put on the best show I’ve ever heard.”
Abby and Jimmy Sheldon-Dean moved to Charlotte in 1974 and have called the same place (“Crackwall”) home since 1975.
Jimmy spent eight years on Charlotte Rescue (“some of the most rewarding volunteer work I’ve ever done”) and did two terms as a selectboard member (“some of the most impossible volunteer work I’ve ever done”).
Abby served five years as editor of The Charlotte News, shepherding it through its transition from 8.5 x 14-inch mimeograph to a printed newspaper.
Their daughters, Phoebe and Hannah, grew up in Charlotte and are coming home to sing with the band.
From left, the Crackwall Choir is Phoebe, Abby and Hannah Sheldon-Dean.
“I wanted to put together a show that would honor my influences and give me a chance to play a lot of music that I had never had the opportunity to play in a band before,” Jimmy Sheldon-Dean said. “I think I was the only one in the group familiar with all of the material before we started, but I was lucky enough that everybody I asked said yes and was gung-ho and more than ready and able. It’s an impressive group and I think we’ve got a unique show.”
As for the theme “Trouble and Together,” Sheldon-Dean said, “It kind of self-selected as I chose the music I’m passionate about, but it’s timely, and I’m finding it really resonates with everyone.”
“The show is free because it’s about coming together, and I want to share this great music with everyone, I don’t want the price of a ticket to keep anyone away. If people want to contribute, we’d love a donation to the Humane Society,” he said.
Jimmy’s Party of Nine will present “Trouble and Together” at the Flynn Space in Burlington on April 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. The free tickets are available and donations may be made at the show, if desired, to the Humane Society of Chittenden County.