Event

Tom Hall and Ethan Leinwand

Tom Hall has been undisputed occupant of first chair in every band hes played in, whether its the Geyer Street Sheiks, River City Rhythm, The Illusions, The Fighting Molly McGuires, or any of the others. Of course, the respect he now enjoys didnt just fall into his lap; in the twenty-plus years hes been a working professional, Toms paid his dues with interest, playing on street corners, festivals, bars, and concerts across the continent, Ireland and Europe. Toms music was originally based on blues mentors Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, and Rev. Gary Davis, to name only a few. He has since broadened his repertoire to include eclectic fingerstyle guitar, clawhammer banjo, and Irish tenor banjo alongside his mastery of resophonic guitar. Toms playing has brought him acclaim from appearances on National Public Radios Good Evening America with Noah Adams to the stages hes shared with The Neville Brothers, Count Basie, Lightin Hopkins, Albert King, Guy Clark, and many others. His annual appearance at the Focal Point as part of our Guitar Heroes Showcase (with Dave Black and Brian Curran) is becoming a tradition it its own right.

Originally from Middletown, CT, Ethan Leinwand has spent time living in New Orleans and Brooklyn, NY. He moved to St. Louis in the summer of 2014, after a short visit convinced him that, with its thriving blues community and storied music history - particularly on the piano - St. Louis was the ideal place to live and work. In addition to performing solo, he plays in multiple projects including The Bottlesnakes (a piano/guitar duo with Nick Pence), The St. Louis Steady Grinders (with vocalist Miss Jubilee), and his band from NYC, Chickentown. He also performs regularly with Mat Wilson and with Miss Jubilee and The Humdingers.

The two together bring an extraordinary wealth of talent, expertise, and insight to the music they make together. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to hear them in a listening-room setting!