Solid Air

Solid Air centers on the partnership between Sam Page and Allegra Broughton, who began performing together as a duo in 1983. Page handles vocals along with acoustic and electric bass, while Broughton contributes vocals and guitar. In 1990 the pair expanded the project into a quartet by bringing in drummer Rick Cutler and Steve Barbieri, whose roles include vocals, harmonica, and guitar. The group received a nomination two years later at San Francisco Weekly’s Alternative Music Awards, commonly called the Wammies. Many of the band’s songs are written by Broughton, whose first stage appearance occurred in 1976 when she performed original material. Page’s earlier work includes collaborations with Celtic musician Steve Baughman, the Paraguayan ensemble Platero, and Texas singer-songwriter Sarah Elizabeth Campbell. Alongside their Solid Air bandmates, Page and Broughton have appeared with Maria Muldaur, Leon Russell, Arlo Guthrie, Loudon Wainwright III, Taj Mahal, John Sebastian, the Sundogs, and Donovan. Festival appearances encompass Bumbershoot in Seattle as well as California events such as the Napa Valley Music Festival, the Strawberry Music Festival, and the Sausalito Art Festival. At Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse the band opened for Peter Rowan; they also supported John Stewart and Karla Bonoff at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall.