Faust (Live film score by Modern Robot)
You may not know the name “Faust”, but you do know the story. Something between a doctor, scientist, and alchemist, Dr. Faustus thirsts for what he believes is the ultimate power — knowledge. Reaching his own limits, he makes a bargain — the Faustian bargain — and sells his soul to the Devil. “Every notable historical era will have its own Faust.”—Kierkegaard In 1587, a small chapbook called “Historia von D. Johann Fausten” told stories of an actual Johann Georg Faust, who traveled around Germany in the early 1500‘s performing magic tricks, telling horoscopes, and committing various kinds of fraud. He may have died in his own alchemical experiment. Since then, his story has been superimposed with legends of a pact with the Devil and then retold in innumerable ballads, plays, novels, operas — any kind of adaptation you can imagine, including an episode of The Simpsons. In 1947, Thomas Mann re-cast the story as a talented composer reaching for greatness. By intentionally contracting syphilis, he created music of extraordinary inspiration, but also caused his own madness and demise. You may also recognize this as the story of the Mississippi bluesman Robert Johnson, who meets the Devil at the crossroads to be given mastery of the guitar, a reason I called this show “At the Crossroads” when I performed it on the Fringe circuit in 2016. Which brings us back to this show. “One of the most astonishing visual experiences the silent film has to offer.”—Dave Kehr, The New York Times Like all Modern Robot shows, this performance is a film with a live musical score, in this case the first major adaptation of Faust, released in 1926. German production company UFA hired F.W. Murnau to direct the film. Lavish sets, complicated shots, and Murnau‘s many, many takes made this a massively expensive production as well as a financial flop. But it also makes for a fantastic movie filled with effects and compositions that seem more painted than filmed. After a premier in Greensboro, Ben Singer performed the show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (five-star review by Broadway Baby), the Orlando Fringe, the San Francisco Fringe Festival (Best of the Fringe award), and the New York International Fringe Festival (Overall Excellence Award for Music Composition). The score will be performed by Ben on guitar and Tyler Monroe on drum set.
Sam Fribush and Friends (NC Folk Festival After Party|Night Two
Keyboardist Sam Fribush is on the frontlines of the Hammond organ revival. Hisdebut release, Riverboat and the Root, was produced by Charlie Hunter andrecorded over quarantine in North Carolina. In 2024, Fribush released his secondcritically acclaimed record People Please. Fribush became a member of HissGolden Messenger in 2021. Currently based in Greensboro, NC, Fribush hasbrought his fonky, soulful vibe home to the town where he was born and raised.Over the past few years, Fribush has established himself as one of the country’s hottest youngbandleaders and People Please pushes the keyboardist’s music into new and unchartedterritory, revealing a deep affinity for crispy, wah-wah driven funk, Hip-hop beats and sultryHAMMOND ballads. Says Fribush, “My intention is to take this music into the future. I’m trying toexpand the rules about what organ trio music is.” Indeed, the album places Fribush’s music notonly among the giants of soul jazz–Ronnie Foster, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Larry Young–but also in thepantheon of funkateers like Sly Stone and the Meters. Throughout the album, Fribush is joinedby frequent collaborator Charlie Hunter–a guitarist who has been an instrumental part of musicculture since the late 90s –and North Carolina allstar Calvin Napper (the drummer in Maze feat.Frankie Beverly for the past 13 years), Xavier Lynn and Nick Falk. But even among hishigh-caliber guests, keyboardist and composer Sam Fribush remains the star of the show.
ELECTRIC KIF
“South Florida’s destined to break out band” – Sun Sentinel “…this power quartet [will] become the “next” thing on the national scene” – Ground Up Music “Unmissable” – Miami New Times “…dreamy but melodically engaging listening experience from start to finish.’ – Live For Live Music “With a tight dynamic attack and blend, the Miami-based Electric Kif offers up the challenge of jazz fusion without the confusion. It’s high spirited and extremely high energy but doesn’t seem hell-bent on confounding as others may do.” – Rochester City Magazine
Too Phat Brass Band
Too Phat Brass Band is a high-powered second line brass band based in Greensboro, North Carolina that brings the vibrant energy and spirit of New Orleans’ second line parades and music to audiences around North Carolina and beyond. Too Phat Brass Band is a diverse group of talented musicians who share a passion for honoring and celebrating the rich cultural traditions of New Orleans. With a repertoire that spans everything from traditional brass band music to jazz, funk, and hip-hop, Too Phat Brass Band is known for their ability to get audiences up and moving. With lineups ranging from five to twelve-piece ensembles, whether performing at festivals, weddings, or corporate events, the band’s high-energy shows are always a crowd-pleaser. For booking and info, email toophatbrass@gmail.com
Sam Fribush Organ Trio (Album Release Show) featuring Charlie Hunter and Calvin Napper
Sam Fribush Organ Trio (album release show) featuring Charlie Hunter and Calvin Napper.Over the past few years, Sam Fribush has positioned himself at the forefront of organ trio music with his blend of deep, grooving funk and soul jazz. Following in the tradition of players like Jimmy Smith, Groove Holmes, and Shirley Scott, he has shown his ability to stand with the greats while propelling the genre forward with an impressive balance of soul and musicality. Today, the young bandleader has shared the first single and title track from his upcoming Sam Fribush Trio album, People Please. Set to arrive on March 15th, the album features Fribush’s frequent collaborator Charlie Hunter on guitar and drummer Calvin Napper as well as Xavier Lynn(guitar: Ghost-Note, MonoNeon) and Nick Falk (drums). All songs were composed by Sam Fribush and the album was mixed and mastered by Chris Boerner.
PLUM
An evening with PLUM!FT. ELI FRIBUSH,JULIAN SIZEMORE, JORDAN ZOMPARELLI AND SPECIAL GUESTS FROM EF EXPERIMENT
Anemoia with Eli Fribush Experiment
Anemoia is a song based, groove centered Trio made up of Armando Lopez, Andres Ferret, and Aaron Lebos. The band was born through improvisations caught on voice notes, then later transcribed into recorded song. The band in their first year has been lucky to have performed several exciting shows including: A sold out album release show (official ground up pre-party), Nudeco Ensemble’s live streamed collaborative suite of the band’s original music, and opening for legends John Medeski, Skerik, and Stanton Moore at another sold out show in Miami. They have also been remixed by Miami greats, Afrobeta.
Mike Dillon And Punkadelic featuring Nikki Glaspie and Brian Haas
A trio featuring Mike Dillon (Ricki Lee Jones, Ani DiFranco, Les Claypool) on vibraphone, marimba, Prophet 6, congas, and bongos, Brian Haas (Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey) on Fender Rhodes, piano, bass Moog and melodica and Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce, Nth Power) on drums, cymbals and vocals, Punkadelick is the unified vision of six hands creating a world that often sounds like the work of an ensemble three times the size. During 2020 and 2021, while many music venues were still shuttered, the group began touring, sweating their way through cuts Dillon and Haas had composed during quarantine writing sessions. Locking in on stage, it quickly became clear the band was functioning at a level that made the hair on their arms stand at attention—even for three live music veterans accustomed to life on the road.
Sam Fribush Organ Trio Holiday Party
Sam Fribush is bring his animal holiday show tha can’t be missed to Flat Iron! Get your tickets now!Keyboardist Sam Fribush is on the frontlines of the Hammond organ revival. His debut release, the SF Organ Trio, was produced by Charlie Hunter and recorded over quarantine in North Carolina. Fribush became a member of Hiss Golden Messenger in 2021. Currently based in Greensboro, NC, Fribush has brought his fonky, soulful vibe home to the town where he was born and raised.
Modern Robot Presents Night Of The Living Dead
A screening of Night Of The Living Dead with a live soundtrack provided by Modern Robot.
