The Pine Needles

Artist Information

Biography

The Pine Needles blend acoustic stringed instruments and drums with jazz, rock, world, classical, and northern california jamband sensibilities. The Pine Needles embarked on this musical path out of a love for the rustic, real, tones of mountain-style string band instruments. Each member brings vast musical experience to the sound, affording the opportunity for some unique musical textures within these vocal and instrumental compositions. The Pine Needles are starting their seventh exciting year of adventures in this unique brand of nor cal acoustic eclectic!

The Players:

Josh Needleman - Acoustic Guitars & Vocals
Contest-winning guitarist, singer, songwriter, bass player Josh Needleman has performed on stage and recorded with many top flight musicians including David Grisman, Joe Craven, Don Cherry, Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra/Hot Buttered Rum) , Archie Williams, Collage of i, Lucas Arts, Scribe, Nina Gerber, Carl Locket, Kit Walker and Symphony Parnassus.


Rami Ziadeh - Percussion & Vocals
Born in Jordan, percussionist Rami Ziadeh began studying Dumbeck at age three. By age ten Rami was performing with Middle Eastern dance groups and on radio broadcasts in Zerqua Jordan. At fifteen, Rami moved with his family to the United States. He continued his musical education by studying trap set drums with Roy Burns and the late Tony Williams, Tabla with the renowned Sri Swapan Chaduri and majored in music performance at the California Institute of the Arts. On the Cajon, Rami brings a unique style that combines Middle Eastern finger techniques with traditional Flamenco techniques. Currently, Rami is studying Classical Indian Vocals with Pandit Laxmi G. Tewari. Rami has recorded and performed with Pakistani world beat group “Ali Kahn”, flamenco guitarist Mark Taylor, the “Desert Wind” Middle Eastern Fusion Ensemble, and with jazz legend Pharoah Sanders for the Alanzo King Ballet Company. He has accompanied flamenco dance artist: La Tanya, La Fibi Aire Flamenco, Alma Flamenca, and Sol Flamenco.


Tristan Arnold - String Bass & Vocals
With a degree in Music from Northwestern University, Tristan Arnold has performed with Jazz Pianist Judy Hall, Songwriter Mark David Ashworth, and the American Philharmonic. Mr. Arnold's high-intensity low-end adds amazing warmth and support.

David Boyden - Fiddle & Mandolin
One morning after brushing his teeth, David Boyden took a look outside his window. Some birds were gamboling about out front. He muttered something about how it would be "presumptuous to assume that's a goldfinch," then started laughing. That was years ago.

He studied with Kate Stenberg of the Del Sol String Quartet while attending San Francisco School of the Arts High School, where he graduated in 2008. He also attended the Walden School in Dublin, New Hampshire, during the summer of 2008, an experience which drastically changed his perception of life and music. He currently studies with the Fred Lifsitz and Zak Grafilo of the Alexander String Quartet at San Francisco State University, and is a member of After Everything, a new music ensemble based in San Francisco.

Instrumentation

Josh Needleman - Acoustic & Bass Guitars & Vocals

Morgan Meadow - Mandolin, Fiddle, & Vocals

Tristan Arnold - String Bass & Vocals

Rami Ziadeh - Percussion & Vocals

Discography

Review Sound Clips from the CD:

"The Pine Needles"
Universe
Enjoyment Has Occurred
A Ton Of Fun

Official Website

http://www.ThePineNeedles.net

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Amazon
• Pandora Radio
• iTunes

Audio

• Universe
  Listen  
• A Ton Of Fun
  Listen  
• Five Alive
  Listen  
• Angel High
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• New Releases: The Pine Needles (four stars) [+ Show ]
  

  "...There is real warmth here, and a feeling of rural roots and rustic tones overlaying the whole—I ..."...There is real warmth here, and a feeling of rural roots and rustic tones overlaying the whole—I loved this and would really recommend it if you want to move off in diverse musical directions..."

• The Pine Needles Play Falkirk [+ Show ]
  

  "The Pine Needles formed out of a love for mountain style string band acoustic instruments and the w..."The Pine Needles formed out of a love for mountain style string band acoustic instruments and the wonderful musical textures they produce in an eclectic jam & string band setting."
  Marin Independent Journal-"Best Bets" 2/1/08

• Forest Fresh Scent [+ Show ]
  

  (Photo of Band) The Pine Needles, led by guitarist/vocalist Josh Needleman, bring their eclectic ...(Photo of Band)
  
  The Pine Needles, led by guitarist/vocalist Josh Needleman, bring their eclectic blend of Americana originals and classics to the Larkspur Cafe Theater on Saturday. The group explores jazz, old time, bluegrass, historic folk, and popular music.
  
  February 3rd, 2007*
  
  *This show was 4 short of sold out with 96 of 100 possible tickets sold!

• The Pine Needles [+ Show ]
  

  The Pine Needles gently rock us at Iron Springs Brewery on August 30th.... (Pacific Sun/Kimberley Go...The Pine Needles gently rock us at Iron Springs Brewery on August 30th.... (Pacific Sun/Kimberley Gold- After Dark 2006)

• Josh Needleman Is ready to Strum at Sweetwater, August 5th [+ Show ]
  

  (photo of Josh) Josh Needleman Is ready to Strum at Sweetwater, August 5th - 2005 (full page phot...(photo of Josh)
  
  Josh Needleman Is ready to Strum at Sweetwater, August 5th - 2005 (full page photo of Josh with guitar for a dedication concert at Sweetwater for The "Dawg" side of Jerry...)

Setlist

Original Songs*

Universe (EPK)
Enjoyment Has Occurred (EPK)
A Ton of Fun (EPK)
Nylan (EPK)
Angel High
Saddle Horse
Dorrin's Diamond
Busker's Breakdown
Come Down
I Wanna Know U Again
5 Alive


*THE BAND CAN MIX IT UP WITH A NICE BLEND OF ORIGINALS or CLASSICS with over 3 hours worth of classics that we "pick on". (Jam, Jazz, Roots, Folk, Newgrass, Popular Tunes, Fiddle Tunes, R & B, Latin Grooves) DEPENDING ON THE AUDIENCE, VENUE, AND EVENT. (-'

Basic Requirements

Calendar