Thunderbird Artists, the leading producer of award-winning fine art and wine events in the Southwest, is excited to feature Paul McDermand on the stage for the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival, November 4th, 5th & 6th, 2016. Paul plays an assortment of percussion and a variety of musical genres. Enhanced by tasteful orchestration, his exuberant steel drums and soft, sensual marimba lead the listener through a vast array of standard, romantic and popular works.
Paul McDermand began his musical career as a free-lance percussionist in the Chicago area. At the age of nineteen, he assumed the percussion duties on a popular theatrical production playing in one of Chicago’s downtown theaters. The show was called “The Magic Man,” and its star was another teenager, David Copperfield.
In 1981, Paul moved to the Phoenix area, lending his artistry to film scores, commercial jingles, symphonic productions and stage shows of every description. After performing in New York City, he returned to Arizona and began to develop an assortment of instrumental arrangements built around the steel drums and marimba, resulting in numerous CD releases. With his rising demand as a concert artist, Paul McDermand appears both as leader of his own group and as a guest soloist with the finest ensembles. For the weekend of the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival, Paul will be performing with some of the finest musicians throughout the valley.
In addition to the exotic sounds of steel drums, the festival will also feature Whiskey Kiss. Whiskey Kiss has been stirring things up since 2012, and have nicely settled into a groove with a strong following. Niki White, lead vocals, has come into her own as a performer and songwriter. Her husband, Nick White, adds bluesy melodies along with Tommy Collins, the acrobatic upright bass player, Bruce Legge, a multi-instrumentalist, adding saxophone and flugelhorn to his trumpet and trombone skills, and Michael Robinson, will debut his talents on the drums.
Be sure to attend the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival, November 4th, 5th & 6th, 10am-5pm, and visit the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion to hear the mesmerizing tunes of Paul McDermand and guest musicians. Patrons will enjoy a feast of the senses; from visual art and tasty food to sounds for the soul!