Larry & Joe will be performing on May 24. Photo by Tommy Coyote

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Ever been curious to hear what a banjo and harp sound like together? How about a hoedown with maracas? Make sure to make time for this pair of fantastic musicians and find out, as they make some of the sincerest, most comforting, fun and welcoming music you’ll ever have the pleasure to hear. The North Carolina-based 'Latingrass' duo Larry & Joe, also known as Larry Bellorín and Joe Troop, are on tour and are coming to the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts to perform some of their signature songs. They will be performing in concert on Friday, May 24 at 7 p.m., at 754 Plumas St. in Yuba City. General seating tickets are $25 and tickets for those under 18 are $15.  Scholarship tickets are also available.

 Larry & Joe rehearse together. Photo by Tommy Coyote

Larry Bellorín hails from Monagas, Venezuela and is a legendary Llanera musician. Llanera, also known as joropo, is a musical style resembling the fandango, along with its accompanying dance. It originated in Venezuela, and it has African, European and native South American influences. Joe Troop is from North Carolina and is a GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass and “old-time” musician. Larry was forced into exile and is an asylum seeker in North Carolina. Joe, after a decade in South America, got stranded back in his native stomping grounds during the pandemic. Larry worked in construction to make ends meet. Joe's acclaimed ‘Latingrass’ band Che Apalache was forced into hiatus, and he shifted into action working with asylum seeking migrants. Then Larry met Joe.

Currently based in the Triangle area of North Carolina, both men are versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters on a mission to show that music has no borders. Larry & Joe have been on National Public Radio and have appeared at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. As a duo they perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro (a type of guitar), fiddle, maracas, guitar, upright bass, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van. The program they offer features a distinct blend of their musical inheritances and traditions as well as storytelling about the ways that music and social movements coalesce. Their music inspires joy and unity. Their engaging bilingual (esp/eng) program includes storytelling, humor, singalongs, and dancing. They are bringing their show to Yuba-Sutter for one night only as part of their national tour. If you care about hearing great live music close to home, don’t miss this one.

For tickets, go to yubasutterarts.org or call 530-742-2787.

 Bringing together their different sounds, Larry & Joe are known for their unique music. Photo by Tommy Coyote