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The Tim Wiedenkeller Band

Presented by Live Acoustic Venue Association (LAVA) at Abounding Grace Sanctuary

December 5, 2009

Live Acoustic Venue Association (LAVA) is proud to present a Tucson favorite, Tim Wiedenkeller Band, in an exclusive concert in the beautiful Abounding Grace Sanctuary. Acoustic multi-instrumentalist, banjo virtuoso and singer-songwriter Tim Wiedenkeller has recorded with Dave Matthews Band, performed for the Dalai Lama, and his original music is regularly featured on NPR. For the past year, Tim has been making quite a name for himself throughout the Bay Area and is very excited to return with his band for a no-boundaries production that will include classical, Americana, jazz, world music, and more. Tim's band also includes Rob Paulus, Mark Robertson-Tessi, and Porangui. You will hear heartfelt songwriting, soulful vocals and beautiful harmonies, virtuosic instrumentals on banjo, mandolin, guitars, bass, violin and a host of exotic percussion. Their concerts take audiences on an adventurous journey with improvisation and dazzling interplay between band members, epitomizing what great live music is all about. Rob Paulus is an extraordinary bassist and violinist whose playing is full of feeling and athleticism. He is a tasteful yet dazzling musician that is always an exciting addition, and audiences love him. He's a Tucson native and National and AIA award-winning architect. Mark Robertson-Tessi, who is also a member of The String Figures and Round The House, possesses extraordinary and varied talents. He performs mainly on mandolin and guitar, but also plays bouzouki, tenor banjo, piano, violin, bass, organ, drums, and vocals. Throughout his career, he has performed Baroque, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk, Surf, Industrial, Electronica, Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time, Irish, Scottish, Folk, and Gypsy Swing. While still in high school, he was awarded First Place at the Giornate Musicali classical piano competition in Italy. Mark began playing mandolin in 2000, but has already been awarded top-5 Finalist in the National Mandolin competition and 2-time winner of the Four-Corner States Mandolin competition. The Tucson Weekly magazine top musician awards (TAMMIES) has voted Mark Best in 3 categories: Multi-Instrumentalist, String Player, and Guitarist 2003-2007. Possessing additional degrees in Mathematics, Physics, and Astronomy, he is currently enrolled in the University of Arizona Ph.D. program for Applied Mathematics working on cancer research. Porangu is a force of nature with music and rhythm that just pours out of him. He has so much fire, passion, and joy in his playing and spirit that inspires and uplifts listeners. Master percussionist Porangu was raised by musician and artist parents among the three cultures of Brazil, Mexico and the U.S. From an early age he was immersed in diverse musical genres and learned to play a wide variety of musical instruments. He is accomplished on an assortment of world percussion, a variety of indigenous instruments including the didgeridoo, kalimba, and native American flute, and also guitar and voice. Porangu draws inspiration from his cross-cultural background and ethnomusicology training at Duke University in his performance and teaching. Porangu has been featured on numerous albums and soundtracks and has toured and performed with several renowned artists, from Bobby McFerrin to DJ Spooky to Barbatuques. As a teaching artist, Porangu has led countless percussion, arts therapy, and sound healing programs at Duke University, Arizona State University Dance, Global Medicine Education Foundation, Phoenix Conservatory of Music, PSA Art Awakenings, Sagrado, and Grupo Liberdade. Although he is well versed in Brasilian, Latin, African, and popular musical styles, Porangu?'s true strength lies in his versatility, musicality, and the energy he brings to his music.