Known for his unique blend of blues, jazz and country, LaFave’s music is strongly influenced by such legendary Oklahoma artists as Woody Guthrie, J. J. Cale, Chet Baker and Leon Russell.
LaFave was born in Texas but moved with his family to Stillwater during his high school years. Before leaving Oklahoma for Austin in 1986, he recorded independently and toured the southwest with the first version of his band, Night Tribe.
By 1990, LaFave had put together an Austin version of Night Tribe and become a perennial presence on the Austin music scene. The grassroots demand and critical acclaim for his music led to extensive touring in the United States and Europe.
LaFave’s CDs include Road Novel (1997); Trail (1999), a 15-year retrospective of bootleg tapes, live performances, radio shows and studio outtakes; Texoma (2001), which includes the popular ballad “Never Is A Moment”; Blue Nightfall (2005); and Cimarron Manifesto (2007), which spent several weeks as number one on the Americana music chart.
“The Garden as Art,” an exhibition inspired by a Roman garden, is slated to open with a reception for artist Cecil Lee at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 at the historic Santa Fe Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave.
The exhibition, presented by The Performing Arts Studio, continues through November 29. There is no admission charge.
Lee, a University of Oklahoma professor emeritus of art, has long been known for large-scale kinetic sculptures and fiber art frames. Looking for another avenue to express his creativity, he designed the garden at his Norman home as a work of art influenced by one he had admired in Rome.
“The movement from one section to another, focal points and elements of surprise were carefully calculated,” he said. “The size, shape and texture of plants eclipsed the question of specific species. The finished garden was an art statement in itself.”
“We are very excited to have John McEuen wrap up the 2009 Summer Breeze concert series,” said Summer Breeze chairman Steven White. “We have always tried to make the most out of the last show of the season, and with this performance I think we have booked something special.”
In 1966, McEuen and several fellow southern California musicians co-founded the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The group’s 30 albums included the platinum-selling Will The Circle Be Unbroken (1972), widely considered a country music milestone. Rolling Stone magazine called the LP "one of the most important recordings ever to come out of Nashville." After 21 years with the band, McEuen broadened his artistic pursuits to include television specials, film scoring and concert production. He continues to tour with the band.
"This is a book of poems that speak from a state of mind, and that state is Oklahoma," Phillips said.
After reviewing High Road, Low Road, award-winning Oklahoma author Molly Levite Griffis quoted British philosopher Frances Bacon: "Some books are to be tasted, other to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.” She added, “Joan Phillips’ High Road, Low Road causes the reader to experience all four sensations."
The book, published by Village Books Press of Cheyenne, Okla., will be available for sale at the reading.
The Norman Downtowners Association and The Performing Arts Studio will welcome Gypsy Wind to the Lunchtime Concert stage on Friday, September 11. The free concert begins at noon on the north lawn of the Norman Depot, 200 South Jones. A light lunch, compliments of Fancy That cafe’- bakery - takery & catering, will be served beginning at 11:45.