One of the Twin Cities’ most acclaimed centers for music education, the West Bank School of Music will hold a special fundraiser, the Music Hall of Famer Concert and Silent Auction, on Sunday, December 3^rd. With celebrity host Christine Clayburg, WBSM will salute its three Music Hall of Fame faculty--Curly Martin (Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame), Bill Hinkley (Minnesota Music Hall of Fame), and Karen Mueller (Autoharp Hall of Fame )--with a dessert reception (6 pm) and concert (7 pm) as well as the auction, all at the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center Performance Space in St. Paul.

Since 1970, the West Bank School of Music has offered “personalized music education in an inspiring, friendly and flexible community where students of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations and financial status can gain musical excellence, self-confidence, valuable life skills and performing opportunities.” A 501 (c) (3) nonprofit community school, the WBSM faculty includes over 30 professional musicians who provide private lessons, group classes, student ensembles and special workshops for over 25 instruments and voice; lessons are offered in ten languages to over 500 students each year. Former instructors include Butch Thompson (Jazz Originals), Dave Ray (Koerner, Ray & Glover), Peter Ostroushko (Prairie Home Companion), Erik Anderson (The Wallets), Eddie Berger (Eddie Berger’s All Stars), and Doug Little (Motion Poets, Seven Steps to Havana, Charanga Tropicale). The WBSM was the scene of Bonnie Raitt’s early performances at its historic house at 6th Street and Cedar Avenue while recording her debut album (engineered by Dave Ray). Over the years, WBSM has been recognized for its contributions to Minnesota music and culture with proclamations by the State of Minnesota, Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis.

The December 3^rd event will feature performances by the Hall of Famers Curly Martin (drums), Bill Hinkley (mandolin, banjo, fiddle), and Karen Mueller (autoharp, guitar, mandolin, mountain dulcimer), along with friends and WBSM faculty. WBSM vocalist Karen Lyu’s Global Jazz band will open for Martin, featuring Martin on drums, Angel Diaz (congas), Bruce “Pooch” Heine (bass), and WBSM guitar faculty Siama Matuzungidi and Paul Storms. WBSM students will perform during the dessert reception, and the silent auction will include art, music, memorabilia, massages and more, along with a mini art crawl. Celebrated Minnesota artists including Frank J. Brown, Keith Williams, Estella DeLerma, Wing Young Huie and Ta-coumba Aiken will offer their work in support of WBSM.

Featured Musicians

Ernest "Curly" Martin has 47 years experience as a drummer with national and international jazz and blues artists. He studied percussion at the Musician's Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California, and has been teaching since 1971. His resume includes performances with jazz legends Sonny Stitt, Bobby Lyle, Carmen McRae and Jack McDuff, and with giants of blues including Etta James, Percy Mayfield, B.B. King and Bobby Blue Bland. In 2005, Curly was inducted into the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame. Martin will be performing with his 4-piece band, including his son Terrace Martin (music director for Snoop Dogg) who will be flying in from California to play saxophone with his father.

Bill Hinkley brings 35 years experience to WBSM. An original member of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion performing cast, he received three Folk Arts Apprenticeship Master grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, and was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 1999. With wife and musical partner, Judy Larson, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) in 2000. Bill appeared in the Prairie Home Companion movie released last winter.

Karen Mueller has over 20 years of teaching and national touring experience in folk, bluegrass, Celtic music and more. An international autoharp champion (Autoharp Hall of Fame), she has released 3 critically acclaimed CDs; she’s also accomplished on guitar, mandolin and mountain dulcimer. Karen teaches with the Young Audiences of Minnesota and performs with Riverdance lead singer, Katie McMahon.

Karen Lyu and Global Jazz

Voice instructor and former Executive Director Karen Lyu started teaching privately in 1999, and has been with WBSM since 2001. Her singing has been featured on NPR's "All Things Considered", MPR's "Morning Show", “Democracy Now,” documentary film, regional television, radio and cable. Karen sings everything from salsa to jazz, Korean to Hebrew, and will be performing with her current band, Karen Lyu & Global Jazz.

Siama Matuzungidi teaches and performs a variety of styles of African and Caribbean guitar, including soukous, mbetani, calypso and highlife. He has performed throughout Africa, Japan and the United States for over 30 years, and composes and sings in Lingala, Kingo, Swahili, French and English. His current band is Marimba Africa.

Guitarist Paul Storms has performed with jazz great Larry Coryell at the Ordway, studied with Christopher Parkening (a protégé of the legendary Andre Segovia), and has taught at the West Bank School of Music for over a dozen years. He has also performed on television (WCCO, KTCA) and radio (KFAI, WCCO and KDWB), and recently performed with the all-star youth choir at the American Choir Director's Association Convention.

Christine Clayburg will serve as Celebrity Host. The former WBSM student and WCCO meteorologist is best known for her role on the television series, Desperate Housewives.

The West Bank School of Music Hall of Famer benefit, including dessert reception, silent auction and concert, will be held at the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center Performance Space at 179 Robie Street, in St. Paul. Call 612-333-6651 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for information and tickets—Advance adults tickets $20, Students/Seniors $15, and VIP tickets $100. Tickets are also available in stores at Electric Fetus, The Podium and Homestead Pickin' Parlor, and online at www.westbankmusic.org