NASHVILLE, TN – April 24, 2012
Jalan Crossland @ 17th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival
Wyoming based singer-songwriter Jalan Crossland is journeying to Key West, having been invited to perform at the Better Angels Key West Songwriters Festival presented by BMI. The 17th annual Songwriters Festival will feature more than 100 top songwriters, staged at an array of the island’s most popular drinking holes and hot spots, bookended by full-band concerts. Informal adaptations of Nashville’s signature in-the-round acoustic showcases dominate much of the schedule, while an event-capping street concert adds an enticing Mardi Gras spirit to the mix. This year’s festival spans five days and nights, from May 2 thru 6, with over 30 free shows on 25+ stages.
While this is Jalan’s first appearance at the Key West festival, he’s no stranger to a BMI stage. In mid-April Crossland performed on the BMI Songwriter Stage at the French Quarter Festival, his second appearance at the New Orleans festival in as many years. He’s slated for three perfomances at the Key West festival:
Thursday (May 3) with Suzi Ragsdale @ Old Town Manor
Friday (May 4) with Brent Burns, Bobby Weinstein, Roger Sovine, Phoenix Mendoza, Patrice Pike, Todd Taylor and James Slater @ Smokin’ Tuna Saloon
Saturday (May 5) with Matt Ramsey, Dillon Dixon, Ben Donaher, Walker Hayes and Jeff Black @ Ibis Bay Resort
Crossland, who resides in Ten Sleep WY (population 328) has released six albums since 2000 and has developed a fiercely loyal following fueled by his musicianship (he’s a former flat-picking champion) and his talent as an entertainer. This year he’s playing all his concerts as solo performances in support of his newest release, Portrait of a Fish.
For more information contact Ted Wagner at 615-613-3292 or tedwagner@rocketmail.com.
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NASHVILLE, TN – March 30, 2012
Jalan Crossland Unveils “Portrait”
Jalan Crossland has released his sixth album, Portrait of a Fish, an enjoyable and eclectic 12 song collection. In a way, the album reflects a return to his early recording roots. Like Poorboy Shanty (his second album) and Moonshiner (his third), Portrait of a Fish is rootsy and honest, with greater emphasis on performance and less on production. Those earlier outings were more sparsely produced than his more recent full band offerings.
But Portrait of a Fish goes beyond that simple comparison. Yes, it’s a “solo project” in the truest sense – just Jalan and his guitar or banjo, performing each song in a simple no frills setting – no overdubs, no studio “hocus pocus”, no nonsense. More than that however, the album demonstrates his growth as an artist. Tracking the album, one can sense his confidence as a performer and maturity as a musician.
The album opens with the title cut, a light-hearted and clever tale of a fish in search of a painter to render his (or her – with fish how can you tell?) portrait. His banjo-loving fans will appreciate the appearance of the banjo in three of the first five songs, as well as being the featured instrument on the album’s lone instrumental, “Colored Aristocracy”. His guitar prowess is first revealed in “Joanne”, where he adeptly delivers a minute-and-a-half guitar movement. Crossland leads the listener through this set of original compositions, traditional songs, and the occasional cover tune. Not surprisingly, Crossland commences the album on a crescendo with his version of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Don Quixote” that features another extended (three-minutes-plus) guitar movement.
Portrait of a Fish embodies the core sensibilities of Jalan Crossland the artist. As a storyteller, musician and entertainer, Crossland delivers on all counts. Long time fans and first time listeners alike will appreciate the unforced grace of this album, which is perhaps his most spectacular collection to date.
For more information contact Ted Wagner at 615-613-3292 or tedwagner@rocketmail.com
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