Mama’s Black Sheep + Christine Havrilla

Mama’s Black Sheep is the musical collaboration of singer-songwriters Ashland Miller (guitar/vocals) and Laura Cerulli (drums/vocals). Touring together since 2008 and both veterans of the singer-songwriter circuit, Miller & Cerulli will make you feel like you’ve been listening to their music for years. On the heels of their well received 2010 debut recording Unmarked Highway, which was nominated for Best Debut Recording in 2010 by the Washington Area Music Assoc.(WAMA) along with the nomination of Mama’s Black Sheep for Best New Artist, comes Drivin’ On, the second release for Miller & Cerulli. “This project is for the fans” says Cerulli. “We wanted to create something interesting and fun that captures some of the energy from our live performances” adds Miller. Drivin’ On features nine originals and two covers, recorded at some of the duo’s favorite venues & festivals during 2011. Drivin’ On, typical of Mama’s Black Sheep, is an effortless blend of Blues, Country and Acoustic Rock. Miller & Cerulli are also joined on several tracks by accomplished Violinist Helen Hausmann, and throughout by Bassist and Recording Engineer Robin Elder.

Before Mama’s Black Sheep, Ashland toured for twelve years as part of the award-winning acoustic duo CommonbonD, releasing six CD's, performing on The Nashville Network (TNN), and showcasing their music in over forty states as well as overseas. Ashland's songwriting, harmonies, and creative musical arrangements have been shared on stage with talent such as John Mayer, Ritchie Havens, Catie Curtis, and Sophie B. Hawkins. Laura previously fronted her own band, Cerulean Groove. Since 2005 she has been touring nationally and internationally as a member of SONiA & disappear fear. Laura’s distinctive style has been appreciated everywhere from The Kerrville Folk Festival (TX), to The Barns at Wolftrap (VA), to the High Sierra Music Festival (CA), to The Red Roof Women’s Festival (Ontario), and even ‘down under’ at Woodford Folk Festival (AUS).

Together Miller and Cerulli create a unique tapestry of songs, weaving vibrant color and rich texture to create a dynamic conversation between guitar and percussion. Miller’s passionate voice will make you laugh, cry, feel inspired, and ultimately want more. And Bob Steel of Baltimore Out Loud writes “Cerulli opens her mouth and the world stands still as she wrings every drop of emotion out of the lyrics with her powerful, soaring voice, forged in the fire of the blues and tempered in the cool technique of her classical training."

For this special show at Jammin’ Java, they will be joined by bassist Robin Elder, and violinist Helen Hausmann.

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Christine Havrilla

Portland based, Philadelphia native, Christine Havrilla, brings her "well-built, catchy, smart tunes" (Upstage Magazine) to the audiences everywhere, touring nationally in support of her new band project, GYPSY FUZZ. Christine utilizes the soft gritty texture of her vocals to express warmth and honesty listeners quickly embrace. Named "One of the Top Ten Indie Artists" by The Advocate Magazine, The Washington Post writes, "(Havrilla's) songs are intelligent and moving, the arrangements are incisive and colorful, and, best of all, Havrilla consistently comes across as a confident and seasoned performer." Gypsy Fuzz's premier album titled "Searching. Finding. Living.", co-produced by Larry Crane (Elliott Smith, Sleater-Kinney, Cat Power), was listed on Advocate Magazine's "Best Overlooked Albums of 2011!" (Advocate -November 2011) and She Wired's Top Ten Albums of the Year! Christine was nominated for About.com's Reader's Choice Awards and is called "...raw, simple, wonderful!" by Curve Magazine. Inessa at 101.9 KINK.FM calls Gypsy Fuzz "Yet another fun late-year discover!" Philadelphia Magazine states, "She rocks!" while Michaela Majoun at WXPN applauds her "terrific, big sound".

Official Site | Twitter | Facebook | iTunes | YouTube

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