Early Show R&R Sunday: Jeff Ray & Paul Bergen

PAUL BERGEN is a guitar wizard who fronts the Minneapolis-based Astronauts of Rhythm and Sound. He can be seen around town as Becky Kapell’s guitarist, and regularly shares the stage with local artists like Molly Maher and Eric Koskinen, to name a few. Paul played with Molly and the Heymakers in the 1990’s and has toured all over the world with artists like Rosie Flores and Wanda Jackson, even performing at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. Paul is a prolific songwriter and bandleader, leaning heavily into his own mashup of styles including rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and a touch of country.

Paul will be joined by Minnesota resonator slide-guitarist and songwriter JEFF RAY on Sunday Dec 10, 1-3pm (2nd Sunday “Roots & Resophonics” series) at the White Squirrel Bar in St Paul, MN. Ray’s music is rooted in the traditions of acoustic blues and American primitive fingerstyle guitar while also integrating Indian classical and world music styles under the cryptic guise of alternate guitar tunings. His music recalls early blues and rock, fingerstyle-folk, and Indian Carnatic music – sounding equal parts Ry Cooder, Grateful Dead and RL Burnside.

JEFF has shared the stage with Chris Smither, Justin Townes Earl, Indigenous, Spider John Koerner, Earl Greyhound, Black Diamond Heavies, Pat Donohue, Retribution Gospel Choir, Dawes, and Charlie Parr, among others. He has earned recognition as a first-place winner of the Minnesota Blues Society “Road to Memphis” competition and placed second in the Trocadero’s Spotlight Songwriter Competition.

JEFF RAY hosts the “Roots & Resophonics” concert series at the White Squirrel Bar on the 2nd Sunday of every month, 1-3pm, featuring a unique duo performance of the most talented local and regional musicians in the American roots genre.