First new 'Local Live' show is Latin, Brazlian and Sri Lankan

Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jay Brown launched his “Mountain Made Music” series at White Horse Black Mountain to showcase the diversity and excellence of regional songwriting. The name however, didn't convey the wide range of the talent involved, which reaches far beyond these mountain in scope, so the series has been rebranded as "Local Live." 

Brown's musical guests for the Monday, May 6, 7 p.m. kickoff are Jimmy Griffith and Whitney Moore’s trio in what promises to be one of the most eclectic offerings yet in the series. There will also be delicious Sri Lankan food for sale served up by Sri Cred Catering.

Mountain Made Music often featured music with a Southern accent, but in the case of Jimmie Griffith's "Local Live" debut that accent is Brazilian Portuguese. The son of a Peace Corps volunteer, Griffith was born and raised in southeastern Brazil, where he spent most of his life before coming to Appalachian State for college. He played for a while with a Boone-based band, Banana De Terra, but dropped out of the music business for a time when a family came along.

He’s now established himself as a multi-instrumental solo artist whose songs reflect the musical influence and language of his Brazilian heritage. Nevertheless, Griffith says that many of the songs are inspired by the Appalachian landscape, which in many ways reminds him of the Minas Gerais region of Brazil where he lived. His most recent project is “MaisCéu”, meaning “more sky.”

Vocalist Whitney Moore’s influences are likewise far flung. A member of a musical family, she started honing her performance skills at a young age. Already a seasoned musician at age 20, she moved to Spain. From there her love of travel and world music took her all over the globe. She’s studied flamenco music in depth, and spent three years in Mexico  learning a variety of Latin American folk styles. She continues to perform Latin traditional music and Latin jazz, as well as hot club swing jazz. She frequently appears at venues and festivals in Western North Carolina, and teaches at the Asheville Music School.