Jackson Hole Underground

From Aaron Davis in the Planet, we learn that Taj Mahal, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi will join Emmylou Harris at the 4th annual Targhee Fest on July 18-20.

A quick search of Pollstar finds that Béla Fleck and Sam Bush are headlining the Targhee Bluegrass Fest on Aug. 8-10.

Also headed our way, to Center for the Arts, are the Neville Brothers and Dr. John (June 10), Del McCoury (June 22) and Leo Kottke (Oct. 18), among others.

And there are rumblings that Widespread Panic will return to Snow King.

Gives us plenty to look forward to, while making plans for Jazz Fest.

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Can’t make it to Jazz Fest this year?

Jazz Fest is coming to you.

The Neville Brothers, funk, jazz and R&B masters known as the heart and soul of New Orleans, will perform at Targhee Fest this summer.

The festival is slated for July 13-15 at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyo.

Organizers are close to finalizing a deal with fellow New Orleans funksters Galactic to perform as well.

The Nevilles are slated for Saturday, July 14, and would be followed by Galactic on Sunday.

Also booked are Louisiana slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, singer-songwriters Iris DeMent and David Wilcox, and country-blues tunesmith Kelly Joe Phelps. More artists are yet to come.

The addition of the Nevilles gives Targhee two dynamite lineups for its summer festivals. The 20th annual Bluegrass Fest on Aug. 10-12 will feature Yonder Mountain String Band, Sam Bush and David Grisman (in two bands).

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Banjo and slide guitar player Tony Furtado returns to one of his favorite stomping grounds to play the Knotty Pine for St. Patrick’s Day.

Furtado’s Celtic-infused bluegrass is a perfect fit for the annual celebration o’ the green.

The two-time national banjo champion, well known from his many performances in the Tetons over the years, has a new album, Thirteen, several songs from which are posted on his MySpace page.

Showtime is 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Also, Teton County Library hosts more Irish music and tales with singer Judith Weikle, accompanied by music ensemble Strings Attached. Show will run from 6 to 7 p.m., with a children’s concert starting at 5.

… you know the band is rocking.

Jalan Crossland and friends had the joint jumpin’ last night in the second of two sold-out shows at the rustic Moose bar.

While Dornan’s mostly is known as a great venue for listening to music, it’s not often you see people folding up chairs and clearing room for a hoedown.

But that’s what happened, as a few fans couldn’t sit still for the rollicking bluegrass and resorted to hippie shimmying wherever they found room. And Tuesday night’s shindig reportedly was wilder.

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It’s been 11 years since Jalan Crossland drove into Jackson a total unknown and dropped jaws with “The Mad Carpenter” in his debut performance at Dornan’s.

Now the troubadour from Ten Sleep, Wyo., is back with a band and a new CD, ready to rip for two sold-out shows at the Spur Bar in Moose.

One of the most talented and genuinely funny entertainers to come through Jackson Hole in recent years, Crossland is embracing his new role as band leader. Playing in a group is a fun change of pace for the 36-year-old banjo picker and guitarist, who has performed with Steam Powered Airplane’s Tucker Smith on and off but has made his mark mostly as a solo artist.

“Music is an interactive sport,” he said over coffee Tuesday at Shades. “It’s kind of like sex. If you’re only doing it by yourself, you’re missing a whole side of it.”

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