By Gary Mandell and Gary Kohatsu
Genre-spanning multi-instrumentalist and two-time National Banjo champion, Tony Furtado, combines elements of folk, blues, bluegrass, rock, and a whole lot more into a potent Americana musical blend that explores our shared musical frontiers and traditions with fearless creativity.
A prolific and adventuresome recording artist, Furtado has recorded nearly 20 critically acclaimed albums since 1990. Saturday’s show (May 5 from 8 to 10 p.m.) also celebrates the release of Tony’s new CD Cider House Sessions – Live at Reverend Nat’s showing off his versatility and wide-ranging imagination which are on full, vivid display. Furtado’s highly anticipated live acoustic release draws from all phases and periods of his career. Furtado will be joined on stage by Grammy-winning mandolinist John Reischman and two-time national fiddle champion Luke Price.
The News spoke with Furtado to gain insight into his musical genius.
1) When did you start playing and writing music, and when did you start taking it seriously (playing live, recording, etc)?
I started playing music when I was 12 years old. In 6th grade, in Pleasanton, Calif. where I grew up, we were assigned to do a report on a musical instrument and make that instrument out of household items. I chose banjo only because I knew I could make one out of a pie tin, stretch paper over it — like the method used to make model airplanes) attached a small long piece of wood for the neck and rubber bands for frets…came out pretty good! I have always liked making things with my hands (I’m also a ceramic sculptor)…ANYWAY, I found that the banjo had a pretty rich history of many types of music and its origins were in Africa. I was hooked! My folks got me a real banjo when I was 12 and I dove in! When I turned 19, I entered and won the national banjo championship and that’s when I knew I was serious. Soon after I left college (as a fine art major) and hit the road as a sideman for Laurie Lewis. Then I signed a record deal as a solo artist with Rounder Records and my career basically started. This was back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. I’ve since gone on to start my own band, add slide guitar to my arsenal, and sing and write songs. Lately (after having already released 16 or 17 albums) I’ve been recording albums for my own little record label, “Yousay Furtado Records”.
2) Who are your main influences? Ry Cooder, David Lindley, Taj Mahal, Bela Fleck, Sigur Ros, Bon Iver, Richard Thompson….I could go on for a while so I’ll stop…
3) Describe your own style: American Roots based, original songs and tunes…I strive to keep equal elements of dark and light, bitter and sweet – and let the wood in the acoustic instruments give a nice organic patina to it all.
4) Where are you based? What do you think of the local scene? I’m based in Portland Oregon. Great scene here for many types of music…especially what I do….singer/songwriter/Americana. Though it has been hard for me to really keep up with the scene ever since my wife and I had a kid 5 years ago!
5) Do you have any albums/singles available? 17 albums to date. The newest album is Cider House Sessions
6) Have you played Boulevard Music before? How did that connection happen? How did it go? Yes, twice before. Great place to play for acoustic musicians! People really listen to the music and the folks at Boulevard Music really care about the shows!
7) What can we expect from your upcoming performance? I will have two amazing musicians with me on that show. Luke Price (fiddle) is the current and a 3-time Grand National Fiddle Champion (and a Berklee grad). John Reischman is a mandolin icon to MANY…hes one of Chris Thile’s heroes! John has played and toured with many folks like Tony Rice, The Good Ole Persons, and his own band, the Jaybirds
Playing with these guys really makes the show exciting and engaging…certainly keeps it entertaining for me!!!
8) What do you have planned going forward, after this show, for 2018? More touring and writing for a new album…the usual! Also digging in more with my sculpture work.
Tickets are $17.50. For more info, visit https://www.boulevardmusic.com/