Download our Electronic Press Kit Here
View and download high resolution photos here
Performance Highlights:
- Brazos Valley Worldfest
- Addison Worldfest
- Boulder Theater
- SXSW Showcase 2008
- SXSW Showcase 2009
- SXSW Showcase 2010
- Houston PBS (The Artery)
- Sam Houston State University
- Austin Convention Center
- PASIC performance and workshops
- Austin City Hall
- Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater
- SMU McFarlin Auditorium
- Maker Faire-State Fair Grounds
- Artery Performance Space-PBS Video Shoot-Houston, TX
- Colorado State University-Performance and workshops
- Threadgill's World Headquarters
- Levitt Shell Amphitheater
- and many more...see full list of past performances
Teaching Highlights:
- Sam Houston State University
- Tarleton State University
- Many, many grade schools
- PASIC 2009
- Zimfest Workshops: '99, '01, '02, '03, '05, '09
- Camp Tumbuka
Rattletree on the Radio
Rattletree in Print
Quotes
- It was a sight to see and a unique joy to hear!
- -Tad Hendrickson, Global Rhythms Magazine
- ...keeping the Shona music movement alive and growing in the Southwest!
- -Banning Eyre, Afropop Worldwide
- Rattletree is a "must see". They are a high energy fusion of African and other world influences that is immediately accessible, and rousing.
- -David Courtney, "Music beyond Borders", KPFT Houston 90.1 FM
- You don't have to be booked at the festival to make an impact. Rattletree had dozens of fest-goers dancing on Barton Springs Road both Friday and Saturday nights. Look for a big turnout when the impressively melodic collective plays...
- -Michael Corcoran, Austin360
- Rattletree is authentic Zimbabwean marimba with a twist. It's impossible to resist the African beat commanding you to move along with the energetic music.
- -Wendy Wever-Austin Daze Magazine
- Talking to Joel Laviolette is like listening to World music while reading National Geographic...
- -Carson Barker, Austin Music Magazine
- The more I listened to Chamukwenjere the wider my frequencies became, which means that I could go to higher planes of existence. The song is a vehicle to higher astral realm. It is simply beyond words.
- -Ambuya Stella Chiweshe-Zimbabwean Musician (Piranha Records)
- I AM totally amazed at the size of their Marimbas!! WOW -it's almost Surreal ~ you've really got to see this!!! The sounds are Amazing & So Much fun to dance with!
- -Sydney Strahan, facilitator-Houston Ecstatic Dance
- ...if you happen to be at one of their shows and you�re not dancing/grooving in some way � there�s no hope for you, you�re already dead!
- -found on an online blog describing show at Revolution (College Station, TX)
- I was extremely impressed with the craftsmanship of the marimbas! The show was mesmerizing. The music was so beautiful and hypnotic, most people couldn't stop dancing and they were fabulous to watch. Looking forward to another show!!
- -Hannah Williams, Austin Musician
- I've heard all the best players of Zimbabwean music for over 20 years, and Joel Laviolette is a serious chain in the link of it's continuity.
- -Ralph White, Austin Musician
- Fabulous sounds. Fascinating seeing these lily white guys sing and play African music with as much passion and talent as if they were from the continent.
- -A'Muse Media, Houston