Concert series in park opens with Sol' Jibe

Sol' Jibe will perform July 9 in a free concert at Carl Miller Park. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

One of Mountain Home's summer traditions will return July 9 when the 2009 Summer Concert Series kicks off.

The first concert in the series in Carl Miller Park will feature Sol' Jibe, described as "world rock for the gypsy soul."

The concert will take place from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, July 9, at Carl Miller Park and is free to the public thanks to our sponsors.

Organizers encourage those attending to "bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets" to attend the event. The series is sponsored by the Mountain Home Parks and Recreation Department and the Mountain Home Arts Council.

Sol'Jibe performs "rock jams blended with roots music, electric violin, world rhythms, and picante Latin zest."

Founded in Reno, Nev., in 2002, Sol'Jibe fans have purchased upwards of 20,000 copies of Sol'Jibe's first two albums, "On Your Feet" and "Marinero," and sales of the band's most recent effort -- an EP titled "New Day" -- are quickly surpassing previous efforts.

Sol'Jibe's sound -- "often described as the Dave Matthews Band meets the Afro-Cuban All Stars" -- is driven by the vocals and violin of Tim Snider, who began playing classical violin at the age of three. After graduating from high school he trekked to southern Spain to study music with the gypsies, honing his skills and enriching his style. He returned home and started a band with a distinct sound.

Sol'Jibe has toured relentlessly ever since, staging upwards of 200 concerts and clinics annually. Sol'Jibe's also includes bassist Fernando "El Nando" Flores, pianist Joel "J" Cowell, drummer Caleb "Escandalo" Dolister, multi-instrumentalist Justin "JK" Kruger, and saxophonists Jonathan Phillips and Jimmy Hoover.

"Their goal is to explore different cultures and styles of music around the world and return home to share their experiences with others through their art," organizers said. "In pursuit of this dream, the band has traveled extensively throughout Central America and the Caribbean, plus it completed an intensive, three-week residency at the National School of Music in Havana, Cuba, in 2004.

The 2009 Summer Concert Series will continue with classic rock from The Fabulous Chancellors on July 23 and the blues band Hoochie Coochie Men on Aug. 6.