MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2025

"Rest assured, this lady knows how to use a bottleneck slide for maximum impact..." - Marilyn Drew Necci, RVA Mag

Elizabeth Wise, an accomplished slide guitar player, blues singer, and world traveler. Joining Elizabeth on guitar is legendary session player and educator Charles Arthur, and Americana pioneer Stephen McCarthy.

In the words of New York musician Kenny White, one of the seasoned songwriters Wise has been fortunate enough to share a stage with, she has emerged as one of those rare artist who can mine deeply from the past while moving steadfastly forward with her work. To quote White: “Faithfully carrying on the traditions of Elizabeth Cotton and Malvina Reynolds (with a dose of Bessie Smith, for good measure), Elizabeth Wise is a vital link who connects us to this fast fading golden era, and breathes new life into it.” Or, to borrow from “Mississippi Woman,” no matter where Wise goes she brings something real… and people still do very much need “that Mississippi feel.”

Wise has indeed travelled the world and truly lived in it, from the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and on up the James River to the “Richmondtown” she reflects wistfully on in one of her many original compositions. From the aforementioned juke joints of Memphis and folk clubs in Manhattan to the wilds of New Zealand and the plains of Oklahoma, where she spent a year communing with her restless muse and spreading her respect for the blues. From her formative years playing piano and singing church music, to her coming of age as a fully formed folk artist steeped in traditions that trace their roots back to Appalachian hills, Kentucky bluegrass, and, of course, the blues of the Delta. As the Memphis Blues Society noted, Wise is “authentic yet refreshingly original,” and “a blueswoman at the dawn of a superb career.”

Charles “King” Arthur (guitars) is a classic troubadour - a veteran musician whose career has led him down virtually every musical road. Charles is a multi-instrumentalist adjunct instructor and ensemble director at The University of Richmond. In 2005, he started the school's first Bluegrass Ensemble, and in 2008 he began the American Roots Ensemble, which focuses on the Blues. In addition to teaching, Charles makes his living as a musician, and has toured the United States, Canada, and UK with award-winning Americana artist Slaid Cleaves.

Stephen McCarthy (bass) is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who co-founded the iconic and influential Americana band The Long Ryders. The groups’s highly original roots rock recipe blends the punk rock spirit of the Ramones, the soul of Merle Haggard, the cosmic country of Gram Parsons and beautiful jangle of The Byrds into their own uniquely American musical experience. Based in Richmond - and frequently on tour around the world - Stephen has performed and recorded with The Jayhawks, Gene Clark (The Byrds), Sparklehorse, and Carla Olson.

With only 100 seats, shows at Révéler are intimate and immersive. A romantic venue with exquisite sound and dreamy vibes, Révéler offers a unique selection of cocktails, wines, beers, bubbles, and non-alcoholic beverages. Our kitchen delivers small plates crafted with care.

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