On a picture perfect Summer evening The Firecracker Jazz Band lit up the stage with an explosion of sound before a full house. Tryon native and bandleader Andrew Fletcher rocked his piano keyboard with lighting fast fingers dancing across the keys. Trumpet, trombone and clarinet wowed the crowd. An amazing bass and drum rhythm section kept the beat and people on their feet. Add in guitar and banjo plus an occasional stage siren and this was a show to remember. Guest vocalist Meschiya Lake dazzled the audience with her beautiful voice. Great to see a packed out park for this first concert!

The Firecracker Jazz Band delights audiences with the sounds of Dixieland, New Orleans, and early 20th century Jazz—paying homage to greats such as Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, among others. For more than two decades, this string and horn ensemble has graced stages from street corners of Asheville to the Kennedy Center and Bonnaroo—as well as festivals, dance halls, and secret speakeasies all along the way. With Tryon’s own Andrew J. Fletcher on keys and featuring New Orleans’ vocalist Meschiya Lake (meschiyalake.com) for this special Summer Tracks performance, Firecracker Jazz Band promises an explosive, fun-soaked evening. http://www.firecrackerjazz.com

On a lovely summer solstice evening Maya de Vitry wowed a full house with a selection of songs from her 4 albums. The interplay with her band was loved by all in attendance. Joel’s guitar solos and Ethan’s performance on both upright and electric bass enthralled the crowd.

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With a voice that transcends genre and works that NPR describes as “the perfect soundtrack for uncorking that emotion and (defiantly) loving life again,” Maya de Vitry has produced three acclaimed full-length albums—2019’s Adaptations, 2020’s How to Break a Fall, and 2022’s Violet Light. As she’s toured the world with her band—featuring Joel Timmons (acoustic and electric guitar, vocals), and Ethan Jodziewicz (upright bass, fretless electric bass)—she’s also shared the stage with John Craigie, Aoife O’Donovan, Mighty Poplar, and The Wood Brothers. Originally from Lancaster, Pa., Maya now lives in Nashville where she collaborates with other artists as a writer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. While Maya’s songs reflect her joy of storytelling and extraordinary musicianship, it’s her voice—even at a whisper—that stops the world from spinning and brings all who are listening into the moment with her. https://www.mayadevitry.com

With their Retro-Soul, New Orleans Brass Music, and Americana blend, Hustle Souls brings energy and spontaneity to every venue they play. Bluestown Music described this five-piece, Asheville-based band as “intimate soul…with a Curtis Mayfield like warmth.” Music Connection Magazine listed them as one of the “Hot 100 Live Unsigned Artists & Bands.” Balancing this jubilant brass with strings and three-part vocal harmony are Billy Litz (keys, acoustic guitar, trumpet, vocals) Jonathan Taylor (bass, vocals), Kevin Scott (drums, vocals), Justice Mann (trombone), and Reid Parler (electric guitar). http://www.hustlesouls.com

It was a great night of music even with light rain at the beginning of the concert. The little rain we had didn’t dampen the fun and was over by 7:30 and the Sweet Summer of Rock & Soul Revue had the crowd up dancing. The band, fronted by guitarist-singer Jonathan Pearlman and singers Reggie Headen and Peggy Ratusz played selections from Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Ray Charles, The Beatles, Sly Stone and Fleetwood Mac. This 8 piece band featured a horn section, drums, bass and keys. Thanks to those who came out to support great live music.

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Asheville’s and Summer Tracks’ favorite chanteuse, Peggy Ratusz, brings together the area’s best vocalists and musicians for an evening of classic Rock & Roll. Joining Peggy on vocals are Reggie Headen and Jonathan Pearlman. Pearlman, a talented arranger, instrumentalist, and vocalist, has produced popular tributes to Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, as well as The Doors. Headen—who fronts Nighttime-Noon Band—possesses a powerhouse of a voice. He most recently blew audiences away singing lead in Pearlman’s Doors tribute. Joining Ratusz, Headen, and Pearlman are Taylor Pierson (keys), Ryan Kijanka (bass), Justin Watt (drums), Ashley Pritchard (sax), and Andrew Lawniczak (trumpet). https://www.facebook.com/peggyratuszmusic

Tricia Tripp and Hearts Gone South performed a sizzling set on a warm evening. From Honky-Tonk to Classic Country the audience cheered and happily clapped along!

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Hearts Gone South delivers straight-up honky-tonk with a side of classic country—full of heart and laced (as it should be) with wit and woe. Based out of Asheville, this five-piece band has played their original tunes of love, loss, and victory for the underdog— along with beloved standards—on sawdust-strewn floors and festival stages from Anchorage to Atlanta. They shoot straight from the hip with impassioned vocals, a tight rhythm section, and smoking leads. Hearts Gone South has produced three albums to date, with the fourth on the way. The band is comprised of Tricia Tripp (vocals), JP Parsons (guitar, vocals), Scott Thomas (drums), Silas Hamilton (pedal steel), and Morgan Geer (bass, vocals). https://heartsgonesouth.bandcamp.com