Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
Two rising stars playing JJ’s
The night before steel pan artist Jonathan Scales releases his new album, local fans will get hear that new music live.
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra will play tonight, Sept. 13, at JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. M.L. King Blvd., at 10 p.m. Opening will be Opposite Box. Scales is releasing the album “Pillar” on Friday, Sept. 14.
Scales is the f irst of two musicians, both rising stars in their respective genres, who will play JJ’s this weekend. Los Angeles country artist Sam Morrow is at the club Saturday, Sept. 15, at 9 p.m. There is a nominal cover charge both nights.
Scales is considered one of the most innovative steel pan musicians playing right now. He takes an instrument associated with cruise ships and beaches and challenges its boundaries to mimic the role of horns, piano or marimba.
As a student at Appa- lachian State University, Scales was inspired by Bela Fleck’s compositions, which took a similar transformative approach with the banjo. Scales would often arrive early to Flecktones concerts hoping to speak to Fleck.
That relationship has come full circle as Fleck appears on “Focus Poem,” a track from Scales’ new album.
Morrow was named to Wide Open Country’s “9 Artists to Watch” list this year.
He released third album “Concrete and Mud” in March, which cemented his place in LA’s circle of country elite.
“Concrete and Mud” shows the 27-year- old at an energetic peak. After the sad- eyed sounds of “Ephemeral” and “There Is No Map” — albums written during the early years of Morrow’s sobriety — this record is more representative of Morrow’s live shows.
For more information: 423-362-5695.