Venezuelan Spice and More Set for August Acoustic Lounge
BMI will present four intriguing songwriters at the Monday, August 6 edition of its Acoustic Lounge showcase series at Genghis Cohen: Frank Quintero, Jacob Groten, Micah Wolf and Bryon Friedman. The Acoustic Lounge takes place the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
During a career spanning three decades, Venezuelan composer and performer Frank Quintero has released 30 records, most of them gold- and platinum-certified. Born to a musical family, Frank began playing drums at the age of ten. He studied classical music in Caracas and percussion at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, landing his first recording contract with PolyGram in 1976 at the age of 18.
Frank has created an impressive catalogue as a songwriter; artists such as Christian Castro, Gilberto Santarosa, Ricardo Montaner and Pandora have recorded over 150 of his songs. His composition “La Dama de la Ciudad” was included on keyboardist/composer/producer Don Grusin’s 2005 Grammy-nominated live CD The Hang.
Jacob Groten started playing the piano at the age of five. By ten he was writing original music, and at the ripe age of 17, Warner Chappell offered him a publishing deal. Having just turned 19, Jacob is working on his debut album with Grammy Award-winning producers Sebastian Krys and Dan Warner.
Jacob has performed on albums for Latin Grammy Award-winner and six-time Grammy nominee Obie Bermudez, has recorded with Universal Music artist Jeremias, and has been invited to write with TVT recording artist Ina. He is also an accomplished actor who helped write, produce, and act in original plays and musicals at the Lovewell Institute for the Creative Arts in Florida.
Born in Bainbridge Island, WA, Micah Wolf has led a nomadic lifestyle. His mother’s adventurous spirit found them living in numerous locations throughout North America, a coastal town in Mexico, and with a traditional Cree Indian family in Canada. They eventually became permanent fixtures in Hawaii. It was these unique experiences that helped shape Micah’s creativity and outlook on life, which he then poured into his music.
Micah recorded his self-titled debut album, Micah Wolf, in 2006. In the spirit of DIY, Micah, with the help of some friends, constructed his own studio to record and produce the music. Friends also handcrafted the guitars and stand-up bass that are featured on the album. Micah then started his own record label, Blockplane Records, to distribute the album.
Professional skier Bryon Friedman has taken some of the most beautiful yet challenging mountains in the world — while carrying his guitar the entire way. After suffering a leg injury in the 2005 World Cup downhill in Chamonix, France, Byron took a hiatus from the competitive sport to focus more on his creative side through music. The result is his debut CD, Road Sodas, which he recorded in his hometown, Park City, Utah.
“Recording this album has been a goal of mine for years but I never found the time because skiing was always my first priority,” recounts Bryon. “Since the injury, music has taken precedence — but I hope to be back on the World Cup soon!”
The Acoustic Lounge is one of many opportunities BMI offers artists to showcase their talent in front of their peers and a supportive audience. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, offering a great opportunity to network with other aspiring and working singer/songwriters. For established writers, it provides a chance to monitor new musical trends and be involved in the grass-roots/DIY musical movement.
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