Banana & the Bunch at HopMonk Sebastopol

Banana and the Bunch Peacetown concert at Hopmonk Sebastopol
Wed, May 17, 2023, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Who: Banana & the Bunch

Where: Hopmonk Sebastopol

When: Wednesday May 17th [5:30 -8:00pm]

Tix: FREE SHOW!

All About “Banana” aka Lowell Levinger

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of The Youngbloods, at age 70, Lowell Levinger (aka Banana from the Youngbloods) is still rocking, playing and singing better than ever. Penning his own originals, Banana incorporates Youngbloods favorites as well as gems from his extensive musical roots into his performances with a gutsy, engaging style. Banana is also a well known vintage instrument collector and multi-instrumentalist. He delivers his repertoire while picking the heck out of his unique five-string tenor guitar, breaking out a banjo for occasional accompaniment or tickling the ivories for just the right mood.

Drawing on his five decade past, Banana has curated a collection, complete with his new arrangements of favorite Youngblood classics for a dynamic release in the fall of 2015. Guests on the album include Jesse Colin Young, Ry Cooder, Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks, David Grisman, Darol Anger, Peter Stampfel, Duke Robillard, Nina Gerber and others. Many old posters and photos are reproduced for the graphically enticing “Collectors Edition” which includes a 20-page booklet.

Following The Youngbloods final gig in September 1973 after nine memorable years together, Lowell’s musical opportunities stretched his diversity. Not only did Banana tour and record as the sole accompanist to Mimi Fariña for over twenty years, but he worked in bands with Norton Buffalo, Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks, David Grisman, The Barry “The Fish” Melton Band, and Zero, where he played keyboard and sang lead for over ten years. He has performed duo gigs with David Nelson, Keith Little, Freebo, Peter Rowan and many other notable artists, as well as producing and lending his musical prowess on countless recording sessions.

Banana began his career in bluegrass on the east coast in Boston with “Banana and the Bunch, Old Time Music with Appeal” playing bluegrass in the local coffee houses of the early 60’s being mentored by the likes of Bill Kieth and The Charles River Valley Boys. After several years in the east coast folk/bluegrass scene, he co-founded The Youngbloods with Joe Bauer, Jesse Colin Young, and Jerry Corbitt. The band moved from New York City to West Marin in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1967.

The current version of “The Buch” includes bassist Paul Knight, stellar drummer/percussionist Kendrick Freeman and guitar/steel master Sean Allen.

Free music in the beergarden:

WED 5/10   5:30-8:00 The Musers

THUR 5/11 5:30-7:30 Dave Hamilton

FRI 5/12 5:30-7:30 Meli Levi

SUN 5/14 12:30-2:30 Donovan Patrick Walsh

SUN 5/14 5:30-7:30 Buzzy Martin

WED 5/17   5:30-8:00 Banana & The Bunch

THUR 5/18   5:30-7:30 Kevin White

FRI 5/19  5:30-7:30 Tim O’Neil

SAT 5/20 12:30-2:30 Jeremy Gorman

SAT 5/20 5:30-7:30 Dave Chapman

SUN 5/21 4:00-7:00 Bluebyrds

WED 5/24  5:30-8:00 Bob Culberson

THUR 5/25 5:30-7:30 Nicco Weisscoff

FRI 5/26 5:30-7:30 Tyler Allen

SAT 5/27 12:30-2:30 Michael B Serious

SAT 5/27 5:30-7:30 Paul Riley

SUN 5/28  12:30-2:30 Dan Durkin

SUN 5/28 5:30-7:30 3 Acre Hollar

View on Website Add to Google Calendar

HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol

230 Petaluma Ave - Sebastopol