Discover a new gem at Lake Tahoe on Thursday when a trio created by Boyd Tinsley — Crystal Garden — blooms in the Crystal Bay Casino’s Crown Room.
Tinsley is the dreadlocked violin player in the Dave Matthews Band. He started Crystal Garden with guitarist Mycle Wastman, bassist Charlie Csontos and drummer Matthew Frewen. The band’s debut album, “Let the Rocks Cry Out,” was released in March and it includes contributions from jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan.
Tinsley put the group together while the Dave Matthews Band, which had a 25-year anniversary tour in 2016, takes some time off.
On a 21-date tour, Crystal Garden and Tinsley play Crystal Bay at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 on the day of the show.
In response to a Ku Klux Klan rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Crystal Garden performed July 9 at the city’s downtown pavilion.
“It’s utterly disgusting that a city as kind and as loving as Charlottesville has to bear this,” Tinsley wrote in a Twitter message. “The way we deal with it is through showing up in force to the unity rally and concert at the downtown pavilion.”
“The way to rid ourselves of this darkness is to show our love and to not be dragged down into the pit of negativity.”
The new band has received positive press on the tour.
Chicago Music: “When you listen to the album, it is mellow and melodic, but where these guys truly shine is onstage. The energy that comes from these guys through their vocals, instruments, and chemistry onstage shows that they are a perfect match. The audience was hooked the entire time. Fans may have come to see Boyd on stage, but left fans of Crystal Garden.”
After a show in Syracuse, New York, The Fuze Magazine: “Fans were delighted in hearing Boyd’s exquisite violin playing along with a masterfully blend of rock, blues and soul with Crystal Garden.”
The Crystal Bay Casino has a reputation for showcasing rising new bands in free shows in the Red Room. This fall it has high-profile collaborations in the Crown Room.
On Nov. 4, it presents the Joe Marcinek All Stars Super Jam, which includes George Porter Jr. of The Meters, Alan Evans from Soulive and Shaun Martin from Snarky Puppy.
On Nov. 29, New Orleans super jam Dragon Smoke will make its third appearance. The band is comprised of Stanton Moore and Rob Mercurio of Galactic, Ivan Neville from Dumpstaphunk and roots guitarist Eric Lindell. Reno’s Jellybread joins the jam as the opening band.
The Red Room continues to offer free gems, including the venue’s debut of new blues sensation Selwyn Birchwood on Nov. 10 and veteran Nashville songwriter-performer Will Hoge on Nov. 17.
- Crystal Garden
When: 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12
Where: Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room
Tickets: $15 in advance; $18 on the day of the show - More gems
Tahoe Onstage’s can’t-miss Crown Room shows
Nov. 3: Sam Bush
Nov. 4: Joe Marcinek All Stars
Nov. 18: Rebirth Brass Band, Groovesession
Nov. 29: Dragon Smoke
Dec. 15: The California Honeydrops
Jan. 26: The Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Feb. 7: Stick Figure
March 6: Anderson East
