John Sebastian To Headline Benefit Concert

For Listener-Friendly Radio Stations

John Sebastian will headline “Another Night of Woodstock in Newtown,” a benefit performance for listener-supported radio stations WPKN (89.5 FM) and WPKM (88.7 FM)  on Friday, October 27. The concert will be in the auditorium at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, beginning at 7:30 pm.

Mr Sebastian, the former leader of The Lovin’ Spoonful, returns to Newtown to lead a show that will also feature acoustic guitar and folk legend Artie Traum and Professor Louie & the Cromatix. The Crowmatix will feature special guest John Platania, the veteran guitarist who has played with Van Morrison, Randy Newman and Chip Taylor.

John Sebastian has been entertaining audiences for nearly 40 years. He first came to prominence with The Even Dozen Jug Band, which also included Maria Muldaur and Steve Katz of Blood Sweat & Tears. He later joined The Mugwumps, another jug band that included Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty, and Zal Yankovsky, who helped him to form The Lovin’ Spoonful (“Do You Believe in Magic,” “Summer In the City,” “Daydream,” “Nashville Cats,” and others).

Following the break up of the Spoonful, Mr Sebastian began a successful solo career, which has included writing the theme song for “Welcome Back Kotter” as well as studio sessions and performances with top musicians, including Tom Petty, Phoebe Snow, Willie Dixon, Bonnie Raitt, Al Kooper, NRBQ and Graham Parker.

Artie Traum is an award-winning guitarist and songwriter featured on more than 20 recordings who has produced or recorded with Mr Sebastian, The Band, Bela Fleck, Richie Havens, Patty Larkin, Pete Seeger, David Grisman and Livingston Taylor.

Professor Louie & the Cromatix are led by Aaron “Professor Louie” Hurwitz, keyboard player, singer and multi-instrumentalist who produced, engineered and performed on the last three recordings by The Band. He produced and performed on recordings by Rick Danko and Garth Hudson.

The Cromatix also includes drummer Gary Burke, vocalist Marie Spinosa, bass player Frank Campbell, and guitarist Josh Colow.

Special guest John Platania is a highly sought session player who is best known for his lead guitar work on Van Morrison’s Moondance recording session. Mr Platania was also the lead guitarist on such Van Morrison hits as “Into the Mystic,” “Domino” and “Caravan.” He also produced the highly praised “Nod to Bob” collection, a 2001 tribute to  Bob Dylan.

Tickets for “Another Night of Woodstock in Newtown” are available at Gerosa Records in Brookfield, Newtown General Store in Newtown, Trash American Style in Danbury, Group W Bench in New Haven, New Morning Natural Foods in Woodbury, Sally’s Place in Westport, and Disc & Dat in Bethel.

For more information, call 203-331-9756 or go to wpkn.org.