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"Your concert... was filled with
brilliantly written and performed songs of great educational value
to children. It is so inspiring to see them learn so much in such
a fun, engaging and developmentally appropriate fashion. Your music
is irresistible to adults as well, and your performances are thoroughly
enjoyed by people of all ages. All of you are masters at bringing
the essential messages to young people of learning to care for the
earth, themselves, and each other. You also teach them to recognize
the cycles of nature, and the qualities and roles of plants and
animals in our ecosystems, in such a playful and inclusive way!
Thank you all for being shining example of what we can be and teach
when our imaginations and hearts are set free."

Gail Swain, Monarch
Community School
"From the age of about one year
old to ...well at least 80...everyone got into the act of clapping,
swaying and singing with these animated musicians! I was impressed
with how they made all those big scientific words attractive to
their smallest and newest audience members through repetition, catchy
tunes and body movement. Delightful!"

Backyard Nature
"The Banana Slug String Band [is]
getting [its] audience primed to help out in a song about decomposition
that's right, rot. Or more to the point, the process by which
dirt is made. Soon the entire audience is hidden by a waving, snapping
mess of arms their movements a rhythmic simulation of organic
decay.... This is what the Slugs do, promoting environmental education
through jazz, blues and rock-based ditties aimed primarily at kids.
Plenty of tykes are on hand, but more than a few adults have joined
the party too. ...it's hard to leave the silly Banana Slugs, even
if they are singing about rot."

Monterey Jazz Festival
2007
"Blues, gospel, funk, bluegrass,
reggae, folk, they all get a sounding in Slugs' new CD, which features
guest players such as Laurie Lewis and Tim O'Brien, both of whom
are leading figures in contemporary bluegrass. If there's anything
that the Banana Slug String Band knows how to do, it's to communicate
sometimes complicated scientific ideas through the medium of song
to school-aged children."

The Santa Cruz Sentinel
"In this vaudeville troupe, the
four musicians are 'edu-tainers' and gentle crusaders for the planet
Earth."

Chicago Tribune
"With zany, eminently singable
songs, the Banana Slugs succeed where many conventional instructors
have failed."

Parenting Magazine
"Amid the guitar, banjo, percussion,
harmonica, bass and mandolin rhythms are the vocals that impart
knowledge and inspiration."

San Jose Mercury News
"Enthusiastic vocals and excellent
musicianship ... catchy tunes that teach youngsters about the importance
of a healthy environment...."

School Library Journal
"The premiere eco-band in the country
... do your part in helping to raise the next green generation."

Chicago Parent Magazine
"The Slugs exhibit a musical sophistication
that will impress even us adult types."

Pulse Magazine
"...rousing ... a lyrical triumph
... a tender-voiced, campfire-dwelling Americana wellspring of wetland
pride...."

Good Times
"With zany, eminently singable
songs, the Banana Slugs succeed where many conventional instructors
have failed."

Parenting Magazine
"I like the part where you
do the Rock and Roll stuff, and tell us how to save the earth!!
P.S. I am trying to save the earth!"

Anthony, elementary school
student
"I think what you're trying to tell everybody is a great idea. I
think you're great at singing."

James, elementary school
student
"I like your music. I like
it because it's silly!!"

Leilani,
elementary school student
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The Banana Slug String Band is a group
of lovable musicians and educators from the coastal redwoods of
Northern California. The slugs are "Airy" Larry Graff, Doug "Dirt"
Greenfield, "Solar" Steve Van Zandt and "Marine" Mark Nolan.
For 25 years, the award-winning Banana Slug String Band has educated,
entertained and elicited riotous laughter from kids of all ages.
With voices, guitars, mandolin, bass harmonica, banjo and percussion,
the songs range from rockin' boogies to sensitive ballads, from
folk songs to reggae and rap. They blend music, theater, puppetry
and audience participation to create a fun-filled learning experience.
The Banana Slug String Band music includes more than 100 original
songs in a wide variety of genres. A common lyrical thread runs
throughout their music -- the value of taking care of the earth.
Their unique approach to science and environmental issues earns
rave reviews from teachers, parents and children alike.
The Banana Slugs regularly perform 50 - 60 shows a year across the
U.S. and Canada. Add to that the 80 -100 school assemblies the Slugs
present annually, and the Slug audiences number over 80,000 people
a year.
AWARDS:
- AFIM's (Association of Independent Music) Indie Award - Best
Children's Recording
- American Library Association's Notable Children's Recording
Award
- Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence Award
- Early Childhood NEWS Director's Choice Award
- Gail Rich Award ("for their remarkable contribution to the
arts")
- Howard Bell Award for Outstanding Contributions in Outdoor
Education
- iParenting Media Award
- NAPPA (National Parenting Publications Awards) Gold Award
- Parent's Choice Award
NOTABLE APPEARANCES:
- American Museum of Natural History (New York)
- Bioblitz 2008, a National Geographic celebration of
Biodiversity
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Monterey Jazz Festival
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
- Shedd Aquarium (Chicago)
- Strawberry Music Festival
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