Zen Cowboy featuring Tom Yates
A Dance Festival of the Heart through Rock & Americana

Get ready for a night that’s equal parts groove and grit, where heartfelt originals meet timeless classics. Zen Cowboy delivers a foot-stomping, soul-lifting blend of rock, Americana, blues, country, and Tex-Mex, anchored by the electrifying presence of Tom Yates on lead guitar and vocals. Whether you come to dance or just soak in the sound, this band delivers the goods.

Expect crowd-favorite covers by Traffic, The Band, Texas Tornados, The Meters, Johnny Cash, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, and more—plus award-winning originals by Yates himself. It’s a genre-crossing, heart-thumping celebration of American roots music.

Meet the Band:

• Tom Yates – electric guitar, vocals, and composer – is the driving force behind Zen Cowboy. Known for his passionate playing and down-home vocals, Tom’s music career spans blues, rock, soul, gospel, and more. Crowned the “New England King of the Blues” by Guitar Center in 2008, he’s shared the stage with legends like Charles Neville, Ray Davies, The Monkees, Ronnie Earl, The Temptations, and members of The Supremes. His songs have even landed on national television dramas.
• Doug Lippencott – drums and percussion – brings serious credentials with him, including performances with the Boston Symphony, the Pops, and Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Yes, Brian Wilson, The Moody Blues, and more. A New England Conservatory alum, Doug balances finesse and power behind the kit.
• Ric Maure – keyboards – a Berklee College of Music graduate with jazz chops and a playful spirit. Ric blends musical sophistication with groove-heavy Americana for a sound that’s both tight and joyful.
• Gary Jenkins – bass – anchors the rhythm section with solid, soulful playing that keeps the dance floor moving.
• Special Guest: John Vanderpool – on saxophone – brings added depth, energy, and that unmistakable brass heat.

From local festivals to iconic venues like Boston’s Hatch Shell, TCAN, Bull Run, Acton Jazz Café, and the Museum of Fine Arts, these players have been lighting up stages for years. Zen Cowboy isn’t just a show—it’s an experience. Come ready to dance, sing, and celebrate the music that moves us all.