HITCHHIKER originated in New York City in the mid 1990’s, when 10,000 Maniacs guitarist and song writer Rob Buck and singer-song writer, percussionist Daniel Chauvin(formerly of the English band WILD FRONTIERS) came together to form the group.
Along the way saxophonist,composer, producer, and former Maniacs sideman Tony White joined the group
The band has a number of honorary members as well, chief among them is Bachir Attar of the Master Musicians of Jajouka. They have been honored by his presence at numerous live gigs and were fortunate enough to have him appear on their debut CD "THIS IS US" (The clip "See Right Thru" above features Bachir on the Gimbry).
Another of their collaborators has been legendary jazz musician DAVID AMRAM. Amram was the main music man for the beat poets and performed with the likes of Jack Kerouac, not to mention scoring the classic film "THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE" and playing French horn with Dizzy Gillespie’s band for forty years!
With the passing of their dear friend Rob Buck in late 2000,the group asked famed New York City Session guitarist AL MADDY to join the group. Al had been jamming with them and they are honored to have him appear with them live as well as playing on their recordings.
Another of their closest allies and visionary consultant is famed New York City artist, poet and director Stephen L. Smith. Smiths artwork appears on all of the groups recordings as well as being featured here on this page. His painting titled "THIS IS US" was the groups first CD cover and appears as the background to this page.
Chauvin and White have dedicated themselves to carry on the sound and the legacy this group has built. Based on their superior musicianship and inspired stage presence a Hitchhiker show is one you won’t want to miss
Hitchhiker was featured on the RYKODISK release "Kerouac;Kicks, Joys,Darkness" performing Kerouac’s "Mexico Rooftop" They performed at LA’s infamous VIPER ROOM upon the release of the CD with , MARK MOTHERSBOUGH (DEVO), EDIE ADAMS(Famed TV and Movie Star), etc....
Soon thereafter the group released it’s debut CD"THIS IS US" to rave reviews."Their sound can best be described as an eclectic mix of Spoken Word, Organic Improvisation, combined with world beat influences, Hitchhikers debut is one you won’t want to miss" JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE
THE NEW YORK TIMES WROTE......
"Beatnick Reunion in the Village"
Hipsters with graying ponytails and beards gathered yesterday in their ancestral home Greenwich Village, to feel the beat of their long-ago generation and to resurrect some vanished icons:Jack Kerouac, Miles Davis, Alan Ginsberg"I would say that this was the cutural hub of America",said Art D’Lugoff, the former owner of The Village Gate Jazz Club, as he sat in the back of the Figaro Cafe. He had been listening to DAVID AMRAM play the french horn as HITCHHIKERS DANIEL CHAUVIN read from Kerouacs"On the Road" accompinied by TONY WHITE on the Tenor Sax."This is where the folk movement, the anti Vietnam movement, and the civil rights movement evolved. All over coffee music and conversation."
THE LOWELL TIMES LOWELL MA
"Tales of Beatnick Glory"
With TONY WHITE creating surreal like landscapes, Jajouka Master BACHIR ATTAR on Moroccan flutes and stringed instruments DANIEL CHAUVIN chanted/sang a long poem he seemed to pull from the cool evening air. Chauvin whose inspired stage manner conjured up just a bit of Jim Morrison, retreated to a drum set every now and then. There were some chilling moments, some melodic periods that floated through the piece, but it wouldn’t have mattered if it was all gutteral skronk. It captured perfectly the spirit of Kerouacs spontaneity, and delivered on the nights inherent promise....it was a dare that paid off!
HITCHHIKERS LIVE PERFORMANCES HAVE INCLUDED:
Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Lowell MA
The Knitting Factory Main Stage and Alterknit Theatre NYC
The Viper Room LA CA
Theatre of the Living Arts Philadelphia PA
Several European Tours including dates in The Czech Republic, Italy, London, Paris, etc...
A new Hitchhiker CD is in the works and clips will be featured on this page when they become available.
Along with music, film is another of the arts the group is involved with. Mr. Chauvin has wrote and co-directed along with his brother Emmy Nominated Cinematographer Rodney Chauvin, the film"BUS STOP" A celebration of prose, amazing visuals and Hitchhikers music,the film has already opened up some serious discussion on the possibilities of the art form. Clips from the film will be available on this page soon.
Mr. White has also collaborated on a film titled "HIDDEN GLIMPSE" along with director/writer Stephen L.Smith. The film is in inside look into an artists world and the process of creation. Clips will be available on this page as well.
We hope you enjoy our page and we hope that one day we will live in a world without war or poverty, and an enviorment that is clean and safe enough for future generatons. PEACE!
