Eclectic singer/songwriter and his accompanying ensemble display folky, jazz, rock, and blues music through a variety of orginal songs.

12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Extended Jams, POP: Today's Top 40



Details:
Born in Columbia, Missouri, Brian Elder has been writing and performing original music for over a decade. His diverse style of music has been called everything from âfolky, jazz-inflected funkâ by the St. Louis Post Dispatch to âstriking melodies with abounding instrumentation,â by the University News at St. Louis University. A classically trained violinist since age five Elder has performed with several groups most notably a five year run as lead vocalist, guitarist, and violinist with the St. Louis jam band E. M. Grueve. The group performed extensively throughout the Mid-west and released three albums in five years together. During 2005 Elder began writing and recording his first solo album Preservation Hall set for release March 29, 2006.

A highly anticipated tour to support Preservation Hall will kick of in April 2006 including major Midwest cities, college towns, and music festivals. The new album and title track pays tribute to the famous New Orleans Jazz club and to all the musical styles that flow along the Mississippi River from Dylanâs watchtower to the Delta. Whether it is the straight ahead rock single âLet It Fallâ, the funky/blues cut âBackboard Jimmyâ, or the tender groove of âHeal Me,â Elder has crafted an album that demonstrates all of his favorite flavors of music.

A jack of all trades, Elder performs on vocals, violin, mandolin, guitar, and piano. The album Preservation Hall is just as diverse as the artist and required an extraordinary level of instrumentation including horns, percussionist, strings, guitarist, and vocalists. In order to bring his music to life, Elder enlisted 13 of the best musicians in the St. Louis music scene. âI have to give credit to all the people who came in and gave their unique style and spirit to this project,â says Elder. More details and links to all the musicians
are incorporated on Elderâs web site.

Taking his act on stage will prove most exciting for Elder. âWhen youâre up there in the moment performing itâs like the first time you came up with the composition,â says Elder. âIâm trying to recreate that experience, make it organic, real, and something tangible.â The 2006 tour will include dates with his full five piece band as well as acoustic dates. âPerforming is about connecting with people,â continues Elder. âWhether thatâs in a
large venue or an intimate club, my aim is have people relate to the music.â