Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival

2024 Artists

SAT AUG 24 Gates at 12:00pm

Tower of Power 7:00pm
Ghost-note 5:30pm
The California Honeydrops 4:00pm
Joslyn & The Sweet Compression 2:45pm
Jackie Greene & Anders Osborne 1:15pm
Floratura 12:15pm
*All times approximate and subject to change

SUN AUG 25 Gates at 12:00pm

Michael Franti & Spearhead 7:00pm
Jackie Venson 5:30pm
Ozomatli 4:00pm
Zap Mama 2:30pm
Con Brio 1:00pm
Hannah Muse 12:30pm
*All times approximate and subject to change

Saturday Line Up

For over 55 years, Tower of Power has delivered the best in funk and soul music. "We were a Soul band called The Motowns." recalls Emilio Castillo. "Rocco was the bass player, I was there, and my brother was the drummer. I met "Doc" Kupka back in 1968, and gave him an audition. He came in the band, and we eventually changed our name to the Tower of Power." The reason for the band name change was that they had a specific goal in mind.

The band has long since surpassed Castillo's modest aspirations, traveling the world, enjoying hit singles on their own and backing legendary artists including Otis Redding, Elton John, Santana, the Grateful Dead, John Lee Hooker, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, and countless others. In the process they've defined an "Oakland soul" sound as instantly recognizable as those from Castillo's hometown, Detroit, as well as inspirations like Memphis and Philadelphia.

The future of Tower of Power is set out to be vigorous and dynamic, and will prove to be just that for fans around the world starved for the band's groove just the way Tower of Power likes it

Ghost-note
ghost-note-official.com

Ghost-note is an explosion of sound. headed by snarky puppy's multi-grammy-winning percussion duo of robert "sput" searight and nate werth, featuring an expansive roster of next-level musicians - representing members of prince, snoop dogg, erykah badu, herbie hancock, kendrick lamar, marcus miller, toto, justin timberlake, and more-the band is pushing funk music into the future, building on the pioneering foundations laid out by the likes of james brown and sly & the family stone and infusing their fresh take with afrobeat, hip-hop, psychedelia, world folklore, and more.

With the release of 2018's swagism, ghost-note made their mission clear. the album put rhythm at the forefront, with irresistible, heavy-hitting beats underlying the group's wild, rich music. Featuring numerous guest collaborators, including kamasi washington, karl denson, bobby sparks, nigel hall, taz, and others, swagism showcased the band's stunning ability to meld and amplify sounds, ultimately adding to ghost-note's sharp, complex collaborations.

The band easily translates this adventurousness in a live setting. Ghost-note's live performances are bold and in your face, with the group offering up none of the tight-laced pretenses frequently associated with the band's jazz roots. Focused on creating seductive danceable grooves and a contagious feel-good energy, each show is an opportunity to let loose and connect, for both fans and the musicians alike.

The California Honeydrops
cahoneydrops.com

Formed in the subway systems of Oakland, retro-soul outfit The California Honeydrops are an electrifying group that defy convention at every turn. They've become a mainstay at festivals including Byron Bay Bluesfest (Australia), Outside Lands, Monterey Jazz, Lightning In A Bottle, and touring with B.B. King, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, and Allen Toussaint. Led by the enigmatic and energetic frontman, Lech Wierzynski, and drummer Benjamin Malament, each member of the band is a virtuoso in their own rite - Yanos "Johnny Bones" Lustig on saxophone, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards/guitar, Beaumont Beaullieu on bass, and regularly accompanied by Scott Messersmith on percussion, Oliver Tuttle on trombone, Leon Cotter on saxophone/clarinet, and Miles Lyons on trombone/sousaphone - navigating through a vast repertoire of original songs and timeless classics every night. But what truly sets them apart is their unwavering commitment to the art of improvisation - a skill so finely honed that they have completely abandoned the use of set lists and no two shows are ever the same. Off stage, their music has been streamed more than 200 million times, and placed in a variety of TV and films, including "Dead To Me," "Alaska Daily," "Black-ish" and more. They are currently touring North America in support of their new deluxe album, 'Soft Spot'.

Joslyn & The Sweet Compression
joslynandtsc.com

Joslyn & The Sweet Compression are bona fide, and they want the world to know it.. A rising force out of Lexington, Kentucky, the band led by Joslyn Hampton come out swinging on their sophomore album, ready to uplift and inspire through their singular and stirring soul-funk sound. 2019's critically acclaimed debut album made them a favorite headliner at regional clubs and music festivals. After a grueling and relentless tour schedule - one that saw them supporting Tower of Power at New York's Sony Hall and Tyler Childers at Colorado's legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre - the band are back with Bona Fide, a sonically and emotionally charged record that captures their breathtaking live energy as well as their humanity.

Jackie Greene & Anders Osborne
jackiegreene.com

Americana and roots singer-songwriter Jackie Greene is a jack-of-all-trades, and an artist who can croon over soulful piano ballads as much as he can shred a bluesy guitar solo (like he did as the lead guitarist for The Black Crowes in 2013). A road warrior and musician's musician, Greene is a frequent member of Phil Lesh & Friends, and sits in with countless other artists including Tedeschi Trucks Band, Govt Mule, Mississippi All-Stars, Amy Helm, Steve Earle, Bob Weir and has been a regular performer at Santa Cruz Mountain Sol festival over the years. Glad to welcome Jackie and the band back for our 10 year anniversary show!

Floratura
floraturamusic.com

Floratura fuses soaring jam band vibes with bouncy neo-soul creating a unique blend. The band's electrifying live shows combine uplifting narratives with stirring vocal performances. Drawing from diverse influences, the Santa Cruz, CA band traverses genres from jazz-rock funk to electronica, harnessing colorful harmonies, spicy hooks, expansive improvisation, and psychedelic flair.

Sunday Line Up

Michael Franti & Spearhead
michaelfranti.com

Michael Franti is an American rapper, musician, poet, activist, documentarian, and singer-songwriter. Michael Franti is known for having participated in many musical projects (most of them with a political and social emphasis), including the Beatnigs and the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. He is the creator and lead vocalist of his current independent project, Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock. He is also an outspoken supporter for a wide spectrum of peace and social justice issues, and he is especially an advocate for peace in the Middle East.

Jackie Venson
jackievenson.com

Jackie Venson is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter known far and wide for her beautifully complex music and blazing guitar skills. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Jackie has traveled the world playing to crowds both as a headliner and as support for major acts such as Keb' Mo', Gary Clark Jr, Aloe Blacc, Melissa Etheridge, and Citizen Cope, to name a few. In 2020, Jackie released her studio album Vintage Machine, her first studio follow up to 2019's Joy. Music from Vintage Machine was featured heavily on Jackie's taping for Austin City Limits' 46th season, and she released the full set on "Live at Austin City Limits" that year. In 2021, she released Love Transcends, her first studio album centered around the blues and at the start of 2023 she released Evolution of Joy, a reimagining of her breakout album Joy, with producer Frenchie Smith (Jet, Toadies, Wild Child). With the uncertainty of the times we're living in, one thing holds true for Jackie Venson- she's going to play her music, speak her truth, and spread as much joy as she can doing it.

Ozomatli
ozomatli.com

Since its inception in 1995, innovation and creativity have defined Ozomatli. Hailing from Los Angeles, the group found a way to represent the city's eclectic culture through music that appeals to the local community and the world beyond. Ozomatli's success is exemplified in an impressive variety of genres, from classic to modern Latino, urban, hip-hop and other world styles. The "Dioses del Baile," or "Gods of Dance," have created one of the most exciting, captivating and flat-out fun live shows touring today. They continue to harness their musical instincts by conceiving new concepts and forging new sounds that keep fans on their toes and the world dancing.

Zap Mama
zapmama.com

Born in the DR of Congo (Africa) and raised in Europe. ZAP MAMA graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels and continued her studies at theJazz School of Antwerp, which she did not finish. In order to explore anddiscover the vast world of "oral tradition" music. She travels throughout Africa,learning, exchanging and sharing information about healing songs, lullabies, mourning, ... and practicing polyphony with griots (bards), Tuareg women, Dongons, Peulhs, Pygmies, Mangbetus, Zulus and others.

Con Brio
thebandconbrio.com

Con Brio is an elastic and explosive seven-piece band that makes emotional music at the intersection of soul, rock 'n' roll, pop and R&B. A Bay Area institution with an international following, Con Brio has spent more than a decade touring the globe, playing venues ranging from packed clubs to some of the world's biggest festivals, and enjoying a formidable reputation on the strength of their exhilarating, sweat-drenched live shows. They've been described as "infectious" (Washington Post), "a party-punk version of Sly and the Family Stone" (Consequence of Sound) and "the best new live band in America" (Pop Matters).

The veteran rhythm and horn sections of Benjamin Andrews (guitar), Jonathan Kirchner (bass), Andrew Laubacher (drums), Marcus Stephens (saxophone) and Brendan Liu (trumpet) remain tight as ever, weaving together grooves that draw inspiration from Tower of Power to The Alabama Shakes, with each and every member contributing lyrics and arrangements. The result? A record that finds a seasoned band infused with an undeniable sense of freedom, excitement and discovery.

Hannah Muse
hannahmuse.com

Bless, Breathe & Stretch with Hannah Muse

Deemed the "midwife of possibility," Hannah Muse is an award-winning, internationally-recognized teacher of yoga, mindfulness, and mysticism. As a facilitator and devoted student of Buddhism, neuropsychology, and mythology, Hannah is known for weaving complex teachings into accessible, heart-opening, world-shifting experiences. Her teachings are known for being just as relatable and playful as they are deep.

Through Awake Heart teacher trainings, Hannah has trained hundreds of yoga and mindfulness teachers who bring these beneficial practices to various populations and communities throughout the world. She facilitates transformational retreats at the Esalen Institute, service retreats in Guatemala, spiritual pilgrimage in India, and other retreats in Bali, Mexico, Greece and beyond. She has been a featured presenter at festivals including Bhakti Fest, Electric Forest and Wanderlust. People from all over the world join her every week for Shelter in the Heart meditation group, an online sangha for contemplative Self-inquiry.

Hannah serves as President for the Yoga for All Movement, an organization that makes yoga and mindfulness accessible to individuals experiencing incarceration, people in recovery from substance abuse, survivors of domestic violence, and other underserved communities. One of Hannah's greatest joys in life is welcoming folks of all backgrounds into kind, curious, brave, compassionate spaces that restore, heal, and bring us truly alive. May our practice be for the benefit of all beings!