The Pine Needles

The Pine Needles blend acoustic stringed instruments and drums with jazz, rock, world, classical, and northern california jamband sensibilities. The Pine Needles embarked on this musical path out of a love for the rustic, real, tones of mountain-style string band instruments. Each member brings vast musical experience to the sound, affording the opportunity for some unique musical textures within these vocal and instrumental compositions. The Pine Needles are starting their seventh exciting year of adventures in this unique brand of nor cal acoustic eclectic!

The Players:

Josh Needleman - Acoustic Guitars & Vocals
Contest-winning guitarist, singer, songwriter, bass player Josh Needleman has performed on stage and recorded with many top flight musicians including David Grisman, Joe Craven, Don Cherry, Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra/Hot Buttered Rum) , Archie Williams, Collage of i, Lucas Arts, Scribe, Nina Gerber, Carl Locket, Kit Walker and Symphony Parnassus.

Rami Ziadeh - Percussion & Vocals
Born in Jordan, percussionist Rami Ziadeh began studying Dumbeck at age three. By age ten Rami was performing with Middle Eastern dance groups and on radio broadcasts in Zerqua Jordan. At fifteen, Rami moved with his family to the United States. He continued his musical education by studying trap set drums with Roy Burns and the late Tony Williams, Tabla with the renowned Sri Swapan Chaduri and majored in music performance at the California Institute of the Arts. On the Cajon, Rami brings a unique style that combines Middle Eastern finger techniques with traditional Flamenco techniques. Currently, Rami is studying Classical Indian Vocals with Pandit Laxmi G. Tewari. Rami has recorded and performed with Pakistani world beat group “Ali Kahn”, flamenco guitarist Mark Taylor, the “Desert Wind” Middle Eastern Fusion Ensemble, and with jazz legend Pharoah Sanders for the Alanzo King Ballet Company. He has accompanied flamenco dance artist: La Tanya, La Fibi Aire Flamenco, Alma Flamenca, and Sol Flamenco.

Tristan Arnold - String Bass & Vocals
With a degree in Music from Northwestern University, Tristan Arnold has performed with Jazz Pianist Judy Hall, Songwriter Mark David Ashworth, and the American Philharmonic. Mr. Arnold's high-intensity low-end adds amazing warmth and support.

David Boyden - Fiddle & Mandolin
One morning after brushing his teeth, David Boyden took a look outside his window. Some birds were gamboling about out front. He muttered something about how it would be "presumptuous to assume that's a goldfinch," then started laughing. That was years ago.

He studied with Kate Stenberg of the Del Sol String Quartet while attending San Francisco School of the Arts High School, where he graduated in 2008. He also attended the Walden School in Dublin, New Hampshire, during the summer of 2008, an experience which drastically changed his perception of life and music. He currently studies with the Fred Lifsitz and Zak Grafilo of the Alexander String Quartet at San Francisco State University, and is a member of After Everything, a new music ensemble based in San Francisco.