Singer, songwriter, guitarist – not to mention actor, voice talent, and political activist – Dan Navarro is a multi-talented entertainer who communicates a great depth of emotion in his beautifully crafted originals. He recorded 12 albums as half of Lowen & Navarro, and since the passing of his musical partner Eric Lowen from Lou Gehrig’s Disease, he’s continued to tour and record as a solo performer. He’s written songs for such artists as Pat Benatar, the Bangles, and Dave Edmunds, and for such movies as Happy Feet, Ice Age, and The Emperor’s New Groove. He’s also made guest appearances on albums by Neil Young, Julio Iglesias, and José Feliciano, among others. In reviewing his latest album, Dan Navarro with Stonehoney, Live at McCabe’s, the website allmusic.com describes Dan as “an open-hearted songwriter who conveys sincerity and feeling in his attractive folk-rock music and gruff bass-baritone voice.” His next release, Shed My Skin, is due out later this year.

The East Bay’s Claudia Russell has a brand new album, All Our Luck Is Changing, full of heartfelt songs, tastefully played and lovingly sung. Claudia is a talented songwriter and an expressive and versatile singer, equally at home on a tender ballad or an all-out romp. Boston’s folk radio station WUMB named her Best New Artist in 2000, readers of the East Bay Express named her Best Musician in 2006, and the Kerrville New Folk Festival twice named her a finalist in its songwriting competition. Her outstanding band features Bruce Kaplan on mandolin and guitar, Tom Tally on viola, and Carl Byron on keyboards. Claudia is a Freight favorite who also happens to work part-time at our box office. She serves up a folk music feast, with a healthy helping of country and blues, and spiced with an occasional hilarious story! 

Visit Dan Navarro's website

Visit Claudia Russell's website

Listen to tracks from Dan Navarro, Claudia Russell & the Folk Unlimited Orchestra:

Claudia Russell photo by Mindy Pines