WILKINSON CAFE FEATURES SEAN DELAND

16 Nov WILKINSON CAFE FEATURES SEAN DELAND

Walk into any music venue in Telluride, Ouray, or Ridgway and there is a good chance you will hear Sean Deland serenading audiences with his unique sound, a combination of rock, reggae, funk and soul. While Sean describes himself modestly as an emerging artist from Telluride, Colorado, he has worked as the lead vocalist for many well-known bands in the area, including the popular roots reggae/funk collective Funkdafari.

On Tuesday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m., Sean Deland brings a solo set to the Wilkinson Café, a monthly program housed in the Wilkinson Public Library‘s magazine room that offers a unique opportunity for singer/songwriters to showcase their work (mostly unplugged). Past Cafe performers include local duo Heather and Douglas, cowboy troubadour Kerry Grombacher, Chicago bluesman Matt Campbell. Sean plans to perform original and cover songs for the community.

The event as always is free to the public.

“We created the Wilkinson Café for artists looking for a venue off the beaten track,” explained Scott Doser, the library’s program director (and a musician in his own right).

With influences that date back to The Beatles, Bob Marley and Van Morrison, Sean’s sound is reminiscent of a time before hip-hop and electronica dominated the airwaves. Yet it is contemporary. His neo-soul is often compared to the music of Ray LaMantagne, Eddie Vedder, and Amy Winehouse.

To learn more about Sean Deland, listen to my interview in which the artist talks about his musical past in Telluride and previews a new song he will perform Tuesday night.

And be on the look out for more performances by Sean and Funkdafari. The group is scheduled to appear at several benefit shows throughout the region, including an upcoming fundraiser for the local preschool Mountain Sprouts.