Jim McCarty and Jann Klose, and their bands create unique styles of “chamber pop.” This style uses interesting musical instruments, classical and other genre influences (blues, jazz, multi-cultural, folk, theatre) to create beautiful melodies with international overtones.
Their works, which have unintended parallels, have been critically acclaimed.
The Yardbirds’ Jim McCarty’s history is phenomenal, having been partially responsible for discovering Eric Clapton,Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and reuniting with Page in a 1980s group called Box of Frogs. He’s been making music every decade, with emphasis on creation. Jim’s current album, SITTING ON THE TOP OF TIME is a favorite with Toronto audiences, and have found live sessions on CIUT, which can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/jimmccartyandco.
Jim and the other original Yardbirds members have been inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He founded Renaissance with Yardbirds’ mate, the late Keith Relf in the late 1960s. This band was a classical rock band that was fronted for the first album by Keith’s sister Jane.
After Jane left, Jim and Keith auditioned Annie Haslam, who fronted the line-up of Renaissance that became popular in the States. Annie Haslam was one of the music business people who discovered Jann Klose, and collaborated with him and John Tout in the fall of 2008, then had him open for Renaissance’s 40th Anniversary comeback tour, Fall 2009.
Jann is currently recording the follow up to his critically-acclaimed album, REVERIE, which is slated for an early 2012 release. He has shared the stage and/or opened for Pete Seeger, the late Les Paul, Rusted Root, Shawn Phillips, The Strawbs, Marty Stuart, Roger McGuinn, Rosanne Cash, Marshall Crenshaw, Elliott Murphy, has appeared on the GRAMMY-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT, and his songs have been heard on MTV CRIBS and in Paul Sorvino’s movie, DEAD BROKE. In March 2012, Jann will be leading a master class at Liverpool Institute For the Performing Arts (the college co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney). See Jann’s music video “Doing Time” and other performances at http://www.youtube.com/jannklose
John Hawken is joining Jim and company for this show. Formerly of Renaissance and Illusion, Strawbs, and the Nashville Teens, this is a rare appearance for the keyboardist, who retired from live performing only a few years ago.
