So Many Stars In The Sky by Boulder Acoustic Society

Aaron, Brad, Kailin and Scott are accomplished multi-instrumentalists who captivate audiences with guitar, fiddle, string bass, marimba, ukulele, percussion, banjo and mandolin. Their deep respect for tradition, passion for innovation and intriguing instrumentation creates a remarkable and memorable listening experience. The music is modern and accessible, subtle yet virtuosic and serious yet light hearted.

BAS is known all over North America for their genre-blending song writing, amazing improvisation and intimate, personal vocals.

'So Many Stars In the Sky' is the exciting new Boulder Acoustic Society album, which features seven original pieces plus three noteworthy arrangements of traditional tunes, highlighting their combined performing skills and compositional talents. For more information and performance calendar please visit www.boulderacousticsociety.net.

Here is what people are saying:

"Here, for us, is the future of String Band Music on a silver platter.(assuming you buy the CD!) A multi-national, multicultural, symphonic, swingin' band of young monsters who will bring you to the rocky mountain where they live and show you around the place... And you will like this place."

- Darol Anger, violinist, fiddler, composer, Republic of Strings, Psychograss and many others.

"Very cool!"

- Mark O'Connor, violinist, Appalachia Waltz Trio and many others.

"BAS, Wow!"

-Jonathan Overby from Wisconsin Public Radio's "Higher Ground with

Jonathan Overby"

"I can vouch for the joyful spirit this group exudes. Clearly in a professional class above the others."

-Marc Shulgold, Music and Dance Critic; Rocky Mountain News

"..as pleasant and appealing a listening experience as can be imagined...it lifts the heart and sould with a dynamic energy..."

- from review of 'So Many Stars in the Sky' by Brad Weismann, Arts & Entertainment Editor; The Colorado Daily

"These guys had everything. It's so good and refreshing...great dynamics and programming."

-Lionel T. Young, violinist, leader of the Lionel Young Band.

"This is it! These guys communicate with each other every second of their performance...a well-paced and seamless performance."

- Paige Vickery, Conductor and Flutist.

"The best new acoustic group of the year! Exciting, original

and still entertaining."

-Danny Shafer of The Ramblers and The All Night Honky Tonk All Stars"

...excellent sound and group dynamic... Refreshing combination of

instruments. I really enjoy their unique arrangements."

-Paul Musso, Coordinator of Guitar Studies, UCDenver

THE BAND

Aaron Keim - Double Bass, Ukulele, Banjo, Vocals.

Aaron's love of traditional string band music and jazz brought him to Boulder in 2003 to study for his graduate degree in music history with Tom Riis at University of Colorado. As soon as Aaron rolled into town, he got a job selling folk instruments at H.B. Woodsongs, further fueling his passion for research and performance of American roots music styles.

While at Woodsongs, Aaron blossomed into a diverse multi-instrumentalist. Besides his accomplished string bass playing, Aaron specializes in old time styles for ukulele, banjo and guitar. Aaron loves to share his passion and knowledge with all who are interested, writing articles and teaching lessons and workshops about roots music.

Aaron also plays old time and folk music in Songs From A Rocking Chair. He lives in Broomfield, Colorado with his wife Nicole, who is a music teacher. Aaron enjoys reading, hiking, repairing musical instruments and learning songs from old recordings. He plays a Romanian bass made by Calin Voltur, a National resophonic ukulele, a Larrivee O-5 guitar and a OME Juniper banjo.

Brad Jones - Guitar, Ukulele, Vocals.

Brad Jones was born and raised in Montague, Michigan where he began playing guitar at age nine. He has studied with country session guitarist Dave Rudolph, and is currently earning his Bachelor's degree in jazz studies from the University of Colorado at Denver under Drew Morrell and Paul Musso.

Brad's versatility as a musician has earned him a reputation for his ability to easily jump from one genre to another. He's extended his exploration of diverse styles--jazz, rock, blues, swing--to the ukulele, an instrument he looks forward to revolutionizing. Like his Boulder Acoustic Society bandmates, Brad has several side projects, including the Claim Jumpers and the Trad Jazz All Stars.

Brad lives in Boulder with is wife Jennifer, an acupuncture student. He enjoys sunny Colorado outdoor pursuits such as climbing and biking, as well as reading, studying archeology, and teaching. Educational outreach is dear to Brad's heart, an element that he has made a permanent part of his musical vision.

Brad plays a 2005 Eastman 910CE archtop guitar through a through a 1996 Matchless Lightning 15 amplifier, a Larrivee L-10 acoustic guitar, Risa electric soprano ukulele and Risa tenor ukulele.

Scott Higgins - Marimba, Snare Drum, Percussion.

Scott is an active freelance percussionist and teacher in Denver, Colorado. Besides Boulder Acoustic Society, he frequently plays with the Colorado Symphony and Opera Colorado and is a member of the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. He also is Principal Percussionist with the Central City Opera.

Before moving to Denver to join his wife Susan, a double bassist with the Colorado Symphony, he was with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra from 1994-1999. Scott studied with Alan Abel at Temple University and Jim Atwood at Loyola University in New Orleans.

Scott is excited to bring the marimba (sometimes referred as the "banjo-phone") to the forefront of acoustic music. He uses a combination of traditional ragtime xylophone techniques from the early 20th century and modern harmonic sentiment to create a new and groovy sound.

Scott plays a Musser M-32 marimba, Deagan 924 xylophone, Sabian 10 inch HH Duo Splash, and a Black Swamp 5 inch Cherry Maple snare drum.

Kailin Yong - Violin, Mandolin, Ukulele, Vocals.

Teacher, composer and innovator of 'Chinesegrass', Kailin Yong, a native of Singapore, is an avid crossover violinist playing a colorful palette of musical styles. Before moving to the United States in 1999, he won first prize in the Singapore National Music Competition, toured the world with the Asian Youth Orchestra, and studied classical violin performance and chamber music at the Vienna Academy of Music.

Among his achievements, Kailin is honored to have been named the 2004 recipient of the Daniel Pearl memorial violin at Mark O'Connor's Strings Conference. This award was established in the journalist's name to promote understanding, friendship and harmony among people through the power of music. The violin is representative of Kailin's personal philosophy and he hopes to carry on its spirit through his explorations of the common human connections found in all folk music.

Kailin is now working on a solo album and in his free time he enjoys contemplating the Tao Te Ching and playing basketball. He recently purchased a small Victorian home in Denver where he lives with his wife Ellen. In addition to Boulder Acoustic Society, Kailin also plays with Tango Camerata, Strings of Tao and Saltanah Middle Eastern Ensemble. He counts Darol Anger and Art Lande among his musical mentors.

Kailin plays a 1951 Louis Bertrand violin and a concert fluke ukulele designed and built by Dale Webb.

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