Beppe Gambetta

An Italian master guitarist, Gambetta has been well-known in the music world for well over two decades. Born in Genoa, Italy, he began his musical training in a classical orchestra before drawing on traditional European and American guitar techniques to develop his own original style. In 1977, he formed the acclaimed Italian bluegrass band Red Wine. Later, as a dynamic solo performer he toured Europe, America, Canada, and Australia while rediscovering, teaching and promoting flatpicking and other great, but less known, guitar forms.

Though Gambetta still lives in his native Genova, he travels to North America at least twice each year. His reputation in the U.S. and Canada is reinforced by his participation in highly respected festivals like the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, Merlefest in North Carolina, the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas and Canadian Folk Festivals in Winnipeg and Edmonton, as well as radio shows “All Things Considered” and “E-Town.” He is featured in the movie “The Primal Twang” and has performed in prestigious rooms like the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Mingo Fishtrap, an eight member band out of Austin Texas with a unique sound dancing between gutbucket soul, N'awlins grit-down funk and horn fueled Motown pop, will take the Summer Breeze stage at Andrews Park Amphitheater on Sunday, June 15.  Music begins at 7:30.  Pack up your picnic basket with refreshments, and enjoy an evening of great music, absolutely free.  

Mingo Fishtrap traces its beginnings to the mid 90s when leader, Roger Blevins, Jr. and another five of the group's eight members were attending the University of North Texas' Jazz Studies program. Originally derived as a loose, after-class jam, Mingo covered songs from Otis Redding, Tower of Power, the Neville Brothers and other soul and funk masters with no particular professional ambition.

"Obviously, there wasn't a lot of classic soul being played around campus," says Blevins. "People around the dorms just took to it and the ball started rolling. We were good friends playing music we loved; that's a good recipe."

And it's still delicious soul food that Mingo cooks up today, with the recipe all their own.  With an inspired, high-energy live show, featuring tight horn arrangements and a distinctive vocal sound, they pull the audience in. “This is the kind of band that will swallow you with their talent. The music turns and twists, it curls up inside of you, this is a band you cannot ignore.” Kristina Loye, MTV Online.

Karla Bonoff

Born and raised in Southern California, Karla Bonoff was a songwriter by the age of fifteen.  She had already fallen in love with the guitar and had studied with Frank Hamilton of the famous folk group, The Weavers.  When she was 16, she and her sister auditioned for Elektra Records and an 11 song demo had been produced, though nothing came of it.

In the 60’s, she became friends with other singer-songwriters who were creating their own unique sound.  “It was an amazing time” recalls Bonoff.  “Jackson Browne, James Taylor and Elton John were around the Troubadour in those days.”  The Troubadour, which Bonoff also frequented, was a breaking ground for many artists who went on to great success.

She met other artists there, including Kenny Edwards (who had started the Stone Poneys with Linda Ronstadt) Wendy Waldman and Andrew Gold.  Something powerful in their combined sound brought them together and the band Bryndle, one of the early songwriter groups was born. 

Kane, Welch, Kaplin

Those who attended the almost rained out concert last summer will testify to the outstanding musical experience Kane, Welch, Kaplin provided.  “It was magical.” says Summer Breeze Chair Steven White.  “They moved into the gazebo and played the entire show with the audience, who had braved the sprinkles, clustered around, spellbound."

In 2004, Kieran Kane and Fats Kaplin, well known artists in their own right, joined Oklahoma native son Kevin Welch and began recording as a band.  Their first two albums reached number one on the Americana charts.