AN EVENING WITH TOM RUSH Accompanied by Matt Nakoa, piano
“It was summer entertainment at its quintessential best, evergreen, ever-growing vet…Rush’s extraordinary stage presence captivated the audience. His distinctive baritone simply skimmed over the hushed crowd toward the open sea” BOSTON GLOBE
“Superb, triumphant” SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
“Fluid, gorgeous, ravishing, ditsy, inventive, gritty elegant. The music cast an intimate spell” BOSTON HERALD
Still magically understated and utterly mesmerizing onstage after five decades writing and playing on stages worldwide, Tom Rush still does what audiences love him for…passionately, tenderly…knitting together the musical traditions and talents of our times.
Music legend, major international talent, contemporary singer--songwriter-guitarist-storyteller and clear audience favorite, Rush began his long, celebrated career as performer at a Harvard Square Open Mic as a student in 1960s Boston. James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and Garth Brooks cite Tom as major influences. His early recordings introduced the world to the work of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor. Subsequently, he brought attention to emerging artists such as Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin.
He helped shape the folk revival in the ’60s and the renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. Not only James Taylor but Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and Garth Brooks cite Rush as major influences. Besides Joni Mitchell, his early recordings introduced the world to the work of Jackson Browne and Taylor. Over the years Rush brought attention to emerging artists such as Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin.
“Probably the only man alive who should be allowed to sing Joni Mitchell songs” CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Matt Nakoa, piano accompanist
Matt Nakoa, piano accompaniment
“On the ivories (think of) a hot-handed phenom who can go from Chopin to beer-drenched honkytonk in one set..he drops jaws” BOSTON GLOBE
Young, international touring singer/songwriter Nakoa has already appeared at The White House, throughout India, and regularly accompanies folk icon Tom Rush. A multi-instrumentalist, he is a modern troubadour who makes his home on the highways and concert stages of America. Across the board his song craft has garnered awards. He has rapidly garnered attention and praise as uniquely dynamic, garnering multiple songwriting awards, including a win at Kerrville Folk Festivalʼs new folk competition. His album Antique Dances is a critically acclaimed throwback, old world piano record.
“Matt Nakoa is musically adept, one of those well kept secrets you just can’t help but celebrate: intimate and genuine, soulful and bittersweet, a rich poetic songbook sung in praise to a complicated, emotionally present world” WASHINGTON POST