On Saturday night, August 3rd, Entrada will host an evening of music by songwriter and sculptor Larry Estridge. Estridge, who was born in New York City, currently lives in Torrey and Key West, Florida, with the writer Kathryn Kilgore.
Estridge, as songwriter, singer and guitarist was a frequent performer both on the streets and in the coffee houses and clubs in New York City, in the the 1970’s and 80’s. He was featured in films for both French and Italian national television, and his band Nightwatch, which included some of New York’s top studio musicians, appeared in such noted venues as Max’s Kansas City, Trax, Kenny’ Castaways and CBGB. He also frequently appeared on public radio, often playing new songs he had written in response to issues of the day.
Estridge’s incisive songs, which are steeped in blues and folk idioms, but also draw on funk, gospel and jazz motifs, include biting social criticism as well as tender love ballads. A number of his early compositions were published by “Broadside” magazine and recordings he did under its aegis have been reissued by Smithsonian/Folkways Records. “Nightwatch: Before The Rain,” an album originally released on his own Nightwatch label has recently been digitally remastered and is now available through Amoeba.com. His idiosyncratic, percussive finger-picking guitar playing combined with his versatile voice and powerful songs should make for a memorable evening.