Brooklyn-based SunDub, an inventive and collaborative mix of New York City musicians, offers a classic reggae repertoire peppered with soul and funk selections. Joanna Teters’ commanding and smoky lead vocals blend seamlessly with the super-tight arrangements of the SunDub rhythm section. The result is a standout expression of reggae’s classic undulating pulse and lush subterranean grooves, reinvented for Festival listeners of all ages and fans of all genres.
Don't miss their sets at the Festival September 3-5!
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Draper Family Band is led by father-and-son Salina natives Paul and Brandon Draper, who have been performing together for more than thirty years. A 2020 Kansas Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Paul pairs his legendary Hammond B-3 chops with Brandon’s diverse instrumental acrobatics for a must-see, high-energy performance that combines diverse musical styles including blues, rock, funk, and alt-country.
Don't miss their set on Friday 9/3 at 6 p.m.!
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Kyshona (Kuh-SHAUNA) Armstrong, a music therapist gone rogue, has a natural gift for using music to tap into emotion. She began her career working in mental health hospitals and correctional facilities, writing music with her patients, and using it to redirect behaviors and emotions. Kyshona soon found the need to write music independently, to process her daily experiences with clients. Audiences will find a common thread of overcoming, hope, and empowerment in her songwriting and storytelling, showcasing vocal stylings reminiscent of Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Al Green.
She is traveling with a full band to play at our Festival. Catch them on Friday and Saturday next week at both main stages and in a special artist talk at the Riverside stage.
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Back by popular demand, Duke Otherwise is a playful wordsmith, a spirited performer, a skilled guitarist, and a captivating tap dancer. Using his distinct baritone, he sings hilarious and imaginative songs that all ages delight in together. Duke’s energetic live show is filled with improvisation, audience participation, dancing, and outrageous fun!
He is playing at Arty's Stage on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the Smoky Hill River Festival!
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KuJo is a songwriter, guitar player, and singer with electric grit and groove sensibilities. They will open up Stage II on Friday 9/3 at 11 am. Don't miss this fantastic set!
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Mike Silverman, aka That 1 Guy, has set himself apart as a one-of-a-kind talent that rivals any other artist currently in the entertainment industry. With his pioneering main instrument The Magic Pipe, a monstrosity of metal, strings, and electronics, he dynamically creates live music and magic in ways only That 1 Guy can conjure. Expect to see magic integrated into his clever performances. With the addition of magic into his live shows, That 1 Guy has legitimately achieved an all inclusive audio/visual performance unlike anything many have ever experienced.
Playing Stage II and the Eric Stein Stage on Friday 9/3 and Saturday 9/4, don't miss this experience!
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Mattson and Weaver, a long-time Salina folk duo, will rove throughout the Festival. Look for them amongst the bustle, or take a break for some of their music in an out-of-the-way shady spot.
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Richard Renner brings with him a variety of ways to make Festival goers laugh, giggle, guffaw, and be awed by the enjoyment he creates. He will be roving around the park as a cast of characters throughout the Festival!
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With his legendary trombone skills and a crew of skilled musicians from Kansas City, Marcus Lewis delivers modern jazz for music lovers of all ages at the Smoky Hill River Festival. Notable artists that Lewis has performed with over the years include Aretha Franklin, Prince, Janelle Monáe, and Bruno Mars.
The jazz quintet will play Stage II and the Eric Stein stage on Friday and Saturday during the Festival!
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Jazz Tangent has performed in the surrounding area for many years. Their repertoire includes many different jazz genres, including straight ahead, fusion, bebop, and Latin. Having performed at the Festival in years past, they are back this year for your listening pleasure.
Catch their set on Saturday 9/4 at 5 pm on Stage II!
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Original songwriter, singer, and teaching artist, Ann Zimmerman brings songs from now and forever ago. Get ready to sing, move, and take songs with you. Listen to her music while he performs on Arty's Stage, Saturday 9/4 at 1 pm.
