Mekas, Jonas

***In the early-to-mid aughts, in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, Zebulon Café Concert was the epicenter of creative music of all stripes and flavors. Proprietors Guillaume Blestel and brothers Jef and Joce Soubiran passionately created and curated a space where musicians and the music could fully blossom unfettered by norms and conventions. Zebulon was also the preferred haunt of legendary artist, poet and filmmaker Jonas Mekas who had recently moved back into the neighborhood after leaving his Soho loft of 30 years. (Williamsburg was the first place he lived in America when he immigrated in 1949). Often he came to Zebulon to hear the shape-shifting 20 to 30 member scramble band led by Kenny Wollesen and Jonathon Haffner that screened super-8 movies and handmade light projections during their performances. The chameleon-esque band, which went by many names, (Himalayas, In La Kesh, Slam, Special Guests, Fickle Crowd...) held a steady residency for years. Jonas would often spontaneously sit in with the band, singing his no-nonsense poetry to the thrill of everyone in attendance. Whenever Jonas got on the mic ... Zebulon lit up! It’s no surprise that Jonas was also an incredible musician. He grew up always singing in his Lithuanian village and kept singing his whole life. Jonas eventually formed his own band, Now We Are Here, with Dalius Naujokaitis and Jonathon Haffner. This three album set of live recordings share some of the many magical memorable moments when Jonas Mekas was in Zebulon reminding everyone to Keep singing! Keep playing! Keep only Love!