Four bands and numerous special guests rock out in this fundraiser for Friends Foundation International, which features Band of Hart, Barefoot Thunder, Jumpin' Fish, Austin and the City Limits, and Willem Van Thillo.

Band of Hart plays music with influences from the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers, Neil Young, and the David Rawlings Machine. The group includes Michael McNamer (vocals, mandolin, and resonator guitar), Bill Makepeace (bass) of Magic Music, Jonah Kramer (guitar, vocals), Rich Winters (guitar, vocals), Russell Cresto (harmonica), and Terry and Michelle Malee (hand drums).

Barefoot Thunder, featuring Nicholas Frey (guitar, vocals) and Mike Curlette (bass, vocals), specializes in a wide range of music, from Gordon Lightfoot to The Marshall Tucker Band to Waylon Jennings.

Jumpin’ Fish plays a fun, eclectic fusion of roots blues, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and funk, with diverse influences from John Hiatt to Sly and the Family Stone. Band members include Aaron Price (vocals, mandolin, guitars), Adam Balm (vocals, bass), Philip Knudsen (drums), Glen Price (guitars, background vocals), and Jared Price (guitars, background vocals).

Austin Zimmerman has been playing the hard rock hits of the 1970s and ‘80s with his band Acid Reign since the age of 11. Joined tonight by his uncle Dave Zimmerman from the San Francisco bluegrass band Homespun Rowdy and some friends (the City Limits), Austin unplugs tonight for a set of acoustic americana.

Willim van Thillo plays the blues—the kind of blues that makes you want to dance, that is. Willim gets down on his guitar with Jimmy Reed, Taj Mahal, and JJ Kale in mind.

Formed by a group of friends who met in an environmental studies class at UC Santa Cruz, Friends Foundation International (FFI) is a vehicle for individuals to use their collective commitment, resources, and energy to improve the human condition and protect the environment. FFI identifies significant projects to support and acts as a conduit for contributions. Recent recipients of FFI funding include a hydroelectric project in northern Bali, a reforestation plan for agricultural and ranching areas in Panama, health/hygiene projects in Sikkim, India, and an environmental advocacy group in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Visit Friends Foundation International's website

Listen to songs from Jumpin' Fish