Old School Freight Train Barrels Into Town March 22

SAN LUIS OBISPO – On Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 8 p.m. in the Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly Arts presents Old School Freight Train (OSFT) – a blazing quintet who blends a unique framework of jazz, Latin, Celtic, bluegrass and pop to create electrifying acoustic music.

Multi-faceted mandolin master David Grisman explains: “After forty years of recording acoustic music, it's not very often that a new band catches (and keeps) my attention. Old School Freight Train has done that and more.

“Their finely crafted tunes and innovative arrangements bring creativity, taste and wit to a broad spectrum of contemporary styles - vocal and instrumental, all firmly rooted in many traditions. They are certainly an emerging force to reckon with in today's wide world of acoustic music.”

Since their inception in 2000, Virginia-based OSFT has attracted a diverse audience with their synergistic, ultimately compelling sound. After gaining a loyal East Coast following, the band gained national recognition touring the country and winning awards at the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass and Rockygrass Bluegrass contests.

OSFT released their first self-titled record in 2002. The Independent
Music Awards chose them as finalists for Best Bluegrass Album of the
Year and the band began to establish their identity within the acoustic
music world.

David Grisman heard their music in the fall of 2004 and invited the band
to record at his Dawg Studios in Northern California; OSFT’s dynamic
second CD, “Run,” became their first release for Acoustic Disc,
Grisman’s acclaimed independent label.

“Run” features ten originals and two covers — an outrageous acoustic
version of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” and a beautiful interpretation
of Randy Newman’s “Louisiana 1927.” Grisman himself and percussionist
Joe Craven join the band on “Euridice,” a sultry bossa nova.

The band’s latest critically-acclaimed release, “Live in Ashland”
features six new originals and some never-before-recorded covers.

In January, OSFT participated in the Stagecoach Festival in Indio,
California; the lineup also included Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson,
Neko Case, Alan Jackson, and George Strait.

Tickets for the performance are $28 and $34, with student discounts
available, and may be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office, 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

To order by phone, call 805/756-2787; to order by fax: 805/756-6088.

Order on-line at www.pacslo.org. Sponsored by KCBX 90.1 FM.

For audio and video samples of all Cal Poly Arts events, visit www.calpolyarts.org.

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