"James Leva brings the soul of life into a song. If you've a little too much fast food, cell phone, and concrete, James has the antidote. Take a seat in his Memory Theater and take in something real."
- Tim O'Brien
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Purgatory Mountain will be making a short tour in France
in November. The band will perform at the Paris Blues Festival, which will
include a set with bluesman Otis Taylor and several African musicians.
James recently performed at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and at the University of N.C. in Chapel Hill as part of Professor Cece Conway’s presentation on “African Roots of the Appalachian Banjo.” more...
See the whole 2008 schedule >>
See James and Purgatory Mountain on YouTube!!
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James Leva has been playing traditionally based music since the mid 1970's. He has played festivals such as Merlefest, Telluride, RockyGrass, GrassRoots, Strawberry, Live Oak and many others in the US, and the Tonder, Nyon, and Avignon Festivals, amongst numerous others in Europe.
The subject of feature articles in Sing Out!, Acoustic Guitar, Dirty Linen, Music Matters Review, James has been widely praised in the music press for his songwriting, fiddling and singing. A friend and student of traditional Appalachian musicians like Tommy Jarrell, Fred Cockerham and Doug Wallin, James works to retain the profundity and beauty of the ancient traditions he learned first hand while continuing to grow as a musician and writer in a new century.
"Winkin' Eye" is the new CD from James Leva and Purgatory Mountain (Formerly Camp Mountain.)
With this latest recording James welcomes Al Tharp to the band. Al has been performing and recording with Beausoleil
for more than a decade. James and Al played
together in the '70s and '80s with Plank Road and in the '90s with the Freewill
Savages.
Also performing with Purgatory Mountain is dancer/percussionist Matthew Olwell. Matty was a longtime member of Footworks and has performed in River Dance and Tim O'Brien's "The Crossing". James is delighted to have these great talents joining Danny Knicely and himself. The band will be performing in Toronto and in France in the coming year.
For more information about James Leva and Purgatory Mountain, read the band information section
Contact and Booking
james@jamesleva.com
540-464-6526
385 Question Mark Lane
Lexington, VA 24450
© 2006-2008 James Leva. All Rights Reserved.