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June 2021
Saturday Evening Concert
MC: John Roberts
with Claudia Schmidt & Sally Rogers • Jamcrackers • Bing Futch • Magpie • Reggie Harris • Sheila Kay Adams with Melanie Rice Penland & Donna Ray Norton • Windborne • Scott Ainslie • and Dennis Stroughmatt et Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole
Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt have been weaving their voices, dulcimers, and guitars together for decades, creating an atmosphere of joy and musical lushness that audiences find irresistible. Their soaring harmonies (“blood harmony” was how one fan described it), their fascinating double dulcimer work, and their mix of six- and twelve-string guitars, blend with a wide choice of songs–their originals, traditional songs, and choice compositions of contemporary songwriters. sallyrogers.com | claudiaschmidt.com
Dan Berggren, Peggy Lynn, and Dan Duggan have combined talents to create Jamcrackers, named in honor of the river drivers who broke up log jams. Those drivers worked hard to find solutions, to get things rolling again, and they couldn’t do the job alone. These three feel the same way about their music. With guitars and dulcimer (and other instruments), the trio showcases unique arrangements and striking harmonies as they present a diverse blend of folk and blues, ballads, gospel, and dance tunes. jamcrackersmusic.com
Using Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Native American flute, ukulele, and a board full of stomp-boxes, Bing Futch celebrates traditional and modern Americana music with passion, humor, and boundless energy. Known for his musical shape-shifting, Bing switches the channels on style and tone with every new song, from his roots-rock and blues originals to The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Disney covers. bingfutch.com
or more than forty years, Magpie has brought its unique sound and breathtaking versatility to audiences everywhere. From traditional songs to vintage blues, from swing and country to folk classics to contemporary and stirring original compositions, they cover a lot of musical ground. They bring to the stage powerful voices and harmonies and excellent instrumental arrangements on guitars, mandolin, harmonica, dulcimer, and concertina. Songwriters, musical historians, and social activists, Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner promise a presentation that is highly entertaining as well as provocative and deeply moving. magpiemusic.com
A songwriter of great depth and passion, Reggie Harris writes from a personal sense of mission that merges a world-wise point of view with a singularly hopeful stance that life, though often challenging, is filled with possibility and hope. His songs reveal thoughts about life and love and some of the deep aspects of the human experience and cover topics from his own personal journey to world issues and history. He is an innovative guitarist, a fearlessly creative vocalist, and an engaging storyteller whose concert performances are infused with joy. reggieharrismusic.com
A seventh-generation ballad singer, storyteller, and claw-hammer banjo player, Sheila Kay Adams was born and raised in the Sodom Laurel community of Madison County, North Carolina, where she learned to sing from her great aunt and other notable singers. Her devotion to preserving and perpetuating her heritage is both audible and palpable. She’ll be joined by her daughter Melanie Rice Penland and her cousin Donna Ray Norton as they carry on her devotion. nestofsingingbirds.com | blueridgemusicnc.com
Windborne is a group of vocal chameleons who specialize in close harmony singing, shifting effortlessly between drastically different styles of traditional music within the same concert. Their musical knowledge spans many continents and cultures, but they remain deeply rooted in American folk-singing traditions. Lynn Mahoney Rowan, Will Thomas Rowan, Lauren Breunig, and Jeremy Carter-Gordon share a vibrant energy onstage— their connection to each other and to the music is clearly evident. They educate as they entertain, telling stories about the music and explaining the characteristics and stylistic elements of the traditions in which they sing. windbornesingers.com
Steeped in traditional music from both sides of the color line, Scott Ainslie is a renowned acoustic blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, with expertise in Piedmont and Delta Blues as well as Southern Appalachian fiddle and banjo traditions. Armed with a variety of instruments—vintage guitars; a fretless gourd banjo; a one-string diddley bow (aka cigar box guitar)—Ainslie brings the history, roots music, and sounds of America alive. https://cattailmusic.com
Dennis Stroughmatt et l’Esprit Creole takes listeners on a musical odyssey into upper-Louisiana Creole culture. A vibrant blend of Celtic, Canadian, and old-time sounds, this music bridges the gap between the contemporary Cajun styles of Canada and Louisiana. The music, preserved by families in the Ozark foothills, remains largely intact and true to the traditions that have been passed down for over three centuries. A medley of music, language, stories, and culture secreted away in the Missouri Ozarks and once considered long lost is in fact alive and kicking. Dennis on lead vocals and fiddle; Doug Hawf on guitar; Jim Willgoose on upright bass. creolefiddle.com
Virtual Pub Sing
85 singers – melody and harmonies- come lend your voice to this spectacular project, months in the making. And perhaps feel a bit closer. Let your voice soar with all the others and perhaps next year we can do this in person.
Hosted by Amanda Witman.
Singers: Alice Jones, Alison Kelley, Alistair Brown, Amanda Witman, Amy Pigeon, Anayis (AJ) Wright, Andy Davis, Ann Downey, Armand Aromin, Arthur Davis, Audi Souza, Becky Tracy, Benedict Gagliardi, Bennett Konesni, Bonnie Milner, Brooke Friendly, Bruce Pomeroy, Cate Clifford, Chris Bracken, Chris Koldewey, Claudia Schmidt, David Jones, Debbi Friedlander, Debra Cowan, Deirdre Murtha, Dianne Lavoie, Doe Taryn, Ellie Grace, Ernie Pigeon, Flannery Brown, Fred Breunig, Gary Foreman, Geoff Kaufman, George Carvill, Grace Morgan, Graham & Jan Walker, Heidi Slaney, Howie Bursen, Ian Bell, Ian Robb, Jamie Bishop, Jason Wood, Jean Pauly, Jeff Warner, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Jerry Bryant, Jess Arrowsmith, Joanne Moesswilde, John Roberts, Joshua T DaPonte, Joy Bennett, Jules Peiperl, Julia Friend, Kat Eggleston, Kate McCann, Keith Murphy, Ken Schatz, Lafayette Matthews, Lauren Breunig, Leela Grace, Liv Booth, Lynz Morahn, Maria Sangiolo, Mary Garvey, Miriam & Nadia Tell, Moira Craig, Paul Eric Smith, Peter & Tina Johnston, Peter Amidon, Peter Souza, Reggie Harris, Rich Arrowsmith, Robin Tell-Drake, Sally Rogers, Samantha Johnston, Scott Ainslie, Shelley Posen, Stephen Carrigan, Tim Radford, Tony Barrand, Wendy Krueger, Yves Corbiere.
Shape Note Sing with the Amidons
Peter and Mary Alice Amidon are versatile and widely respected performing and teaching artists who for the past twenty years have dedicated themselves to traditional song (especially harmony singing), dance, and storytelling. The Amidons are equally at home performing a concert of stories and songs for adults or children; calling a community dance for all ages; or leading harmony-singing workshops with adults.
Stefan Amidon, a gifted singer and singing leader, leads shape note singing at the Old Songs Festival. Although he is best known as a percussionist and singer with the Sweetback Sisters, the Starry Mountain Singers, and The Devil Makes Three, he is also becoming a hot mandolin player, and a deeply meditative old time fiddler.
Brattleboro shape note singers, Tony Barrand, Keith Murphy, Walter Slowinsky, Tom Yahner, Calvin Farewell, Peter Amidon, Stefan Amidon, Andy Davis, Tom Green, Larry Crockett, Stan Sharkey, Connie Green, Becky Graber, Mary Cay Brass, Ellen Crockett, Carol Crompton, Ines Zeller Bass, Perrin Scott, Mary Alice Amidon, Barb Ackemann, Victoria Mansuri, Tim Kieschnick, Wendy Fiering, Harris Fiering
Want to sing along but need the music? Here it is: Old Songs Shape Note Songs
Roger the Jester
Roger the Jester keeps pretty mum on stage, but here are some words of his. “My work is constantly changing; every venue will elicit new material. Every performance is a debut, since my work is so improvisational…There are many events where I create something special just for that event… I recently was commissioned to perform at a wedding reception. I played an arrangement of the Beatles’ ‘All you need is Love’ on the tuba, trombone, pocket trumpet, baritone, melodica, boom whacker and cymbals… [But] I will continue to juggle, spin, throw and play with all sorts of objects. Don’t worry.”
Songs of Inspiration & Exasperation with Sally Rogers, Claudia Schmidt, Joe Jencks, & Reggie Harris
Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt have been weaving their voices, dulcimers, and guitars together for decades, creating an atmosphere of joy and musical lushness that audiences find irresistible. Their soaring harmonies (“blood harmony” was how one fan described it), their fascinating double dulcimer work, and their mix of six- and twelve-string guitars, blend with a wide choice of songs–their originals, traditional songs, and choice compositions of contemporary songwriters.
Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing, Joe Jencks delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove, and grit. He is particularly noted for his unique merging of musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, Joe serves it all up with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel. His performances offer musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration.
A songwriter of great depth and passion, Reggie Harris writes from a personal sense of mission that merges a world-wise point of view with a singularly hopeful stance that life, though often challenging, is filled with possibility and hope. His songs reveal thoughts about life and love and some of the deep aspects of the human experience and cover topics from his own personal journey to world issues and history. He is an innovative guitarist, a fearlessly creative vocalist, and an engaging storyteller whose concert performances are infused with joy.
https://www.claudiaschmidt.com
Tunes & Songs from the Lockwood Collection with John Kirk & Trish Miller
John Kirk & Trish Miller present fiery fiddle tunes, folksongs, and fancy footwork to audiences of all ages. John’s lyric voice, good sense of humor, and versatile instrumental skills—fiddle, mandolin, and several other instruments—have earned him widespread recognition in folk and traditional music circles. Trish is best known for her clogging, guitar, and banjo. Both of them call square dances and have taught folk music and dance programs for over two decades together.
Guitar: Major Open Tunings with Scott Ainslie
Steeped in traditional music from both sides of the color line, Scott Ainslie is a renowned acoustic blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, with expertise in Piedmont and Delta Blues as well as Southern Appalachian fiddle and banjo traditions. Armed with a variety of instruments—vintage guitars; a fretless gourd banjo; a one-string diddley bow (aka cigar box guitar)—Ainslie brings the history, roots music, and sounds of America alive.
Great Gambian Griots
Forty-eight years ago, Alhaji Bai Konte brought the music of the kora (Mandinka harp) from Gambia to the U.S. This year, his grandsons (the word is used a little more loosely than usual) Great Gambian Griots, continue to carry on that tradition. Jali Bakary Konteh is an imaginative improviser who can support the tradition or blend traditional and modern instruments. Pa Bobo Jobarteh is a human rights activist whose songs were instrumental in the rarest of events in modern politics: a bloodless, democratic overthrow of a dictator. Fled for his life, returned a folk hero!
Clawhammer Banjo for the Beginner, a Short Lesson with Jim Lloyd
An Appalachian barber, musician, storyteller, presenter, music teacher, banjo historian, and radio host, Jim Lloyd has musical roots that extend through at least four generations of fiddlers, guitar players, dancers, and singers from the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia While accomplished on many instruments, he is known especially for his skills on guitar (finger-picking style) and banjo (claw-hammer and two-finger styles).