The third annual Great Unknown Festival, October 8 and 9, is shaping up to be one of the best festivals of the
season. In a time with an abundance of festivals, most of which have quality
acts, you have to have a unique twist to make an impression. The guys at
Pipedream Productions have done an excellent job in setting the Great Unknown
Festival apart from the rest. The lineup is a diverse multi-genre mix of music--jazz, funk, bluegrass, electronic, rock, folk, reggae, and hip-hop are all represented. Acts include Stockholm Syndrome, Grease Factor, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Melvin Sparks, and Mountain of Venus.
As it outgrew the original location last year, the party this year will be held on the banks of the Kings
River outside of Eureka Springs Arkansas.
Still in the Ozark Mountains, and still less than an
hour from Fayetteville, the new
location will capture the musical allure for which these hills are renowned.
The benefits of the new location include a larger area, river access (with canoeing,
kayaking, and fishing), close proximity to the mountain retreat of Eureka
Springs, and the ability to play music until the sun comes up.
Jerry Joseph with Stockholm Syndrome
By Jake Krolick |
In true Great Unknown fashion, this
year's lineup is unique, as it includes some of today's greatest
players in slightly obscure bands. The Stockholm Syndrome will headline. A conception of Jerry Joseph and
Dave
Schools, this band has created a
lot of buzz since their first show back in May. They have proven themselves with
a worldwide tour and the release of their debut album
Holy Happy Hour.
Joining Jerry and Dave are
Eric McFadden,
Wally Ingram, and Danny
Dziuk.
Another notable band is the Grease
Factor. Jeff Sipe (aka "Apt
Q-258") fell in love with the Great Unknown Festival when he played the fist
one, and vowed to be a part of all future gatherings. This year he brings his
team of power players, billed as the Grease Factor. Not even a year old, this band has been
blowing minds across the country. Shane Theriot
(Neville Brothers), Johnny Neel (Allman
Brothers, Blue Floyd), Derek Jones (Nickel Creek), and Count M'Butu (Aquarium Rescue Unit), join Sipe
(ARU, Leftover Salmon) in creating amazing improvisational music. About 60
percent of each show is music created on the fly, and with the talent of each
player, the end result is spectacular. Col. Bruce Hampton has billed it "a deep
funk and southern soul experiment from planet jazz."
Adding to the lineup of supergroups is the Unknown Allstars. This band was put
together by Pipedream Productions and includes true world-class talent. Jeff Sipe and Count M'Butu will handle
the percussion, with Bobby Vega (Sly and the Family Stone, Tower
of Power, KVHW) bringing his bass to
solidify the rhythm section. Vega is no stranger to the hills of Northwest
Arkansas--he's been respecting this musical vortex since he
first played the area with Zero over eight years ago. The distinguished
gentleman (Grammy award winner) Leo Nocentelli
(original Meters) will be featured on the guitar and Bernie Worrell
(Parliament, Talking Heads) will round it out on the keyboards. There will also
be plenty of special guests making it a true Unknown Allstars
jam.
Emmy Award winner Jim Hinde will be the master of ceremonies, and the rest of the
lineup will include Melvin Sparks Band, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Brothers
Past, Addison Groove Project, Moonshine Still, Speakeasy, Mountain
of Venus, Eckobase,
Flipoff Pirates, Shanti
Groove, Future Rock, and Bockman's Euphio. This genre-crossing lineup will be sure to keep
your attention as the day turns to dusk, and the night turns to dawn.
Remarkable food, interesting exhibits, and late night parades will be
added bonuses.
Advance tickets can be purchased right here on JamBase, and more information can be found at http://www.greatunknownfestival.com.
Michael Saba
JamBase | Arkansas
Go See Live Music!