BROOKTONDALE NY - Cantrip is a trio of Scottish traditional musicians that has been stunning audiences on several sides of the Atlantic for over a decade with its driving blend of fiddle (Jon Bews), bagpipes (Dan Houghton) and guitar (Eric McDonald). Weaving together songs and tunes, both traditional and contemporary, Cantrip takes an audience on a cultural journey, weaving dense textures together and leaving listeners hungering for more. They will be at the Canaan Institute in Brooktondale NY on Thursday June 13th 2013. Concert starts at 7:00 pm and will be followed by a jam session $15- RSVP to reserve a seat mike@cinst.org

Jon Bews - vocals, fiddle
Dan Houghton - vocals, pipes & whistles, wooden flute, bouzouki, guitar
Eric McDonald - vocals, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/cantripband

DIRECTIONS and other events at this venue http://canaaninstitute.org/mn/mus_jamcann.html

Facebook event for this concert

Cantrip is a trio of Scottish traditional musicians that has been stunning audiences on several sides of the Atlantic for over a decade with its driving blend of fiddle, bagpipes and guitar. The name is an Old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell or piece of mischief and it aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in their musical arrangements, likewise the compelling potency of their musicianship. From the strong base of its Celtic roots their music branches out into, and takes influences from, the music of other European cultures. Originally formed as a quartet in Edinburgh, eleven years of evolution has yielded an extensively diverse and still growing catalogue. Weaving together songs and tunes, both traditional and contemporary, Cantrip takes an audience on a cultural journey, putting their own spin on each style.

Since its inception Cantrip has performed at festivals, clubs, bars, weddings, funerals, stonings and various other events and venues in Breizh, the People’s Republic of Vermont, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of Maine, the Territory of Tennessee, the Dominion of Virginia. the Dutchy of New York, the Principality of Massachusettes, The Kingdom of the Angle, Le Royaume des Francs, Poblacht na hÉireann and, of course, Alba bheadarach (Scotland). The band released its first album “Silver” on the Footstompin’ label in 2001. In 2005 the long awaited second album Boneshaker issued forth on the Mischief label, followed by “Piping the Fish” in 2008. After a period of hiatus in which some children were born and continents were left for other ones, Cantrip was joined by guitarist and mandolinist Eric McDonald, and is now in the process of preparing for their highly anticipated fourth album. Look for Cantrip wherever there is excitement, music, love and liquor.

BROOKTONDALE NY (near Ithaca) - Laura Cortese w/ Mariel Vandersteel at the Canaan Institute - Wed May 8th - Fiddle workshop at 5:00 pm followed by a House Concert at 7:00 pm followed by a jam session. Workshop alone $20-, Concert alone $15-, both together $25- RSVP to mike@cinst.org to reserve your space in any of these. http://www.thisislauracortese.com/ and http://www.marielvandersteel.com/

Workshop - Bow, Grooves and Arrangement
Bow techniques, Grooves, Chords and Arrangements for fiddles, violas and cellos. Make your bow work for YOU not the other way around. This class is the foundation for learning jamming and arrangement techniques as a fiddler. We’ll adapt the workshop to accommodate all skill levels; talk to Mike when you RSVP mike@cinst.org

Directions http://canaaninstitute.org/mn/mus_jamcann.html

Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/509851765743287/

Laura Cortese BIO - scroll past photo
http://www.thisislauracortese.com/

Laura Cortese to Release New Album “Into the Dark” April 23
Full East Coast, West Coast Record Release Tours; Midwest Support Dates

“Ambition often follows talent, and Laura Cortese has an embarrassment of both. Her open-armed approach to her art reveals a determination to spread the word about folk music without watering down its distinctiveness.” - John Wenzel, Denver Post

Fiddle player and folk-pop singer-songwriter Laura Cortese takes to the road this April and May in support of her forthcoming full-length release, “Into the Dark” (street date April 23, 2013). American Songwriter describes the title track, which the publication premiered, as a “fiddle-drenched, Americana gem.” The rest of the record follows suit as all ten tracks feature Cortese’s stunning vocals backed by lush string arrangements on both her original, dark folk songs and a few carefully curated covers.

Cortese grew up in San Francisco and moved to Boston to study violin at Berklee College of Music. She has since immersed herself in the city’s vibrant indie music scene and enjoyed a busy sideman career, which has included appearances with Band of Horses at Carnegie Hall, Pete Seeger at Newport Folk Festival, and Patterson Hood and Michael Franti for Seeger’s ninetieth birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden. She performs frequently with Jocie Adams of the Low Anthem and can be heard on Adams’s upcoming album.

The finest moments on Into the Dark occur when Cortese spins out a metaphor as fluidly as she plays. She wrote the album’s first song, “For Catherine,” about an incident in her hometown in which a young woman was sexually assaulted by a group of high school boys. “For Catherine” bends and shifts as if through an alcoholic haze, playing on the dual meanings of “brandy” as both a libation and a woman’s name. As the song nears its mournful conclusion, the strings soar and the drum strikes a doleful beat. But Cortese always has the last word. When the cacophony subsides, her voice rings out alone. More http://www.thisislauracortese.com/

Mariel Vandersteel BIO - scroll past photo
http://www.marielvandersteel.com/

Somewhere between the fjords of Norway and mountains of the Blue Ridge, the fiddle-playing of Mariel Vandersteel intones the strains of elevation, clarity and tremendous feeling. It is uncanny that she hails from a very different set of mountains: those of northern California. Mariel came of age musically nurtured by the Bay Area’s rich revivalist traditional music scene, receiving a cultural grant to venture to the traditional music archives in Dublin, Ireland, and attending Boston’s Berklee College of Music for violin performance. After graduating, Mariel moved to Norway to study Hardingfele, the country’s national instrument at Hogskolen i Telemark folk music school. Returning to Boston in 2009, Mariel continued to work with acoustic-roots conjurers Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers, exploring musical connections between Scandinavia and the United States.

On her new record, Mariel aims to bridge old and new worlds, organically melding the sounds, ornaments and accents of the fiddle communities in which she has delved; Boston and Norway, Ireland and California. In making the record, the goal was to give an aural snapshot of the textures of those communities. Collaborating with the Boston-area’s finest acoustic musicians, including producer/composer Jordan Tice, Scottish harpist Maeve Gilchrist, Tristan Clarridge, Samson Grisman, Dominick Leslie and Duncan Wickel, Mariel’s new music incorporates lush instrumental dialogues, playful timbral exchanges between fiddle and hardanger, and evocative interpretations of old-world melodies. The record endeavors to capture the incredible energy and ingenuity of the musical community Mariel has surrounded herself with: warmly inviting the listener to the fjord, the Sierra or the living room.

Along with her solo project, Mariel tours nationally and internationally with Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers, Laura Cortese’s Acoustic Project and a duo with Emma Beaton. More http://www.marielvandersteel.com/

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BROOKTONDALE NY (near ITHACA) - Old-time fiddle and Old Country Song Day - at The Canaan Institute Sat Apr 20th - Vocal Harmony workshop plus old-time house concert. Katie Trautz and Alec Ellsworth:

Twin fiddles and country songs (VT). Plus local favorites Steve Selin, Stefan Senders and Emily Thompson (Ithaca). This will be an all afternoon and evening event! Do it all or take it in “a la carte”. Vocal workshop. American harmony singing workshop from 3:00-5:00 pm - $20., Potluck dinner from 5:00-6:30 pm; bring something to share please., House Concert from 7:00-9:30 pm - $15., Music Jam after the concert; bring your instrument or voice! or $25 for the whole day. No tax dollars. No grant money. No Arts money: Funded only from your donations at the door. Thanks for your support. RSVP to mike@cinst.org to reserve your place! Directions here http://canaaninstitute.org/mn/mus_jamcann.html

Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/593710150640882/

Alec Ellsworth and Katie Trautz
‘Twin Fiddles and Country Songs’
www.katietrautz.com

Alec Ellsworth and Katie Trautz are a Vermont based duo that plays traditional old-time and Cajun music. Both musicians are strong fiddlers who weave harmonies and melodies together playfully and tastefully. Ellsworth and Trautz swap lead and harmony vocal parts effortlessly and as mufti-instrumentalists, they integrate banjo and guitar. Their collaborations together are relatively new, but both Alec and Katie are well versed in traditional music. Most recently, they have traveled to Louisiana where they learned and shared music with some of their favorite musicians.

Katie will be teaching an American Harmony Singing Workshop from 3-5pm at the Canaan Institute. Katie will teach Appalachian two part close harmony songs, three and four part Gospel tunes, Carter Family songs and shape-note hymns. The songs will be taught primarily by ear, word sheets provided. No experience necessary to join the folk choir! Katie has taught this workshop for the past five years at the Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture in Vermont www.summit-school.org

Katie Trautz (www.katietrautz.com) is a native Vermont fiddler who has toured nationally and internationally sharing traditional music and original folk songs. She has released three albums in the past three years, two of which have won ‘best traditional album of the year in the state of Vermont. Katie plays fiddle, guitar and banjo crossing genres with her numerous ensembles. Her bands include: Mayfly, Wooden Dinosaur and the New Foundry. She has studied with some of the greatest fiddle players in the US, including Dirk Powell, Pete Sutherland, James Bryan, Jimmy Tripplett, and Bruce Molsky. Katie has played alongside and shared the stage with many well-known bands including: Aoife O’Donovan Band, Brittany Haas & Lauren Rioux, Dirk Powell and Riley Baugus, Deadly Gentlemen, Sheesham and Lotus, David Wax Museum, Matt and Shannon Heaton, Rusty Belle, Michael Chorney and Dollar General, Brown Bird, Devil Makes Three, 4tet, Pete Sutherland and many others. Katie is also the co-founder of the non-profit folk music school ‘The Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture’ based in Montpelier, VT.

“Katie Trautz is representative of many young people playing traditional music today. On (her album) Remembering, she has used the traditional style to establish her own distinctive and lovely repertoire.” — TD, Sing Out Magazine

“On her new solo recording, Trautz does her mentor proud and really shines as a vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter. Her fiddling is full of old-timey swing, her five-string banjo playing leisurely, and her alto voice confident and full of emotion.” –Robert Resnik, VPR

“In the spotlight by herself, Trautz reveals nuance and depth. She approaches singing the way she does the fiddle: with a subdued directness, creating a sound that’s beautiful in its simplicity.” –Dan Bolles, Seven Days Review

Alec Ellsworth plays his fiddle and sings from the small mountains of Central Vermont. He grew up in the dance halls of New England, where he fell in love with traditional music and dancing. After biking across the US with a fiddle on his back, he fell in love with the music of the South, and has since spent much time learning traditional tunes. Over the summer of 2012 he received a grant to study traditional American fiddle styles, and he spent the summer learning from some of our great cultural proprietors. He now uses his fiddle and voice in dance halls, farmers markets, living rooms and street corners across the U.S.

Steve Selin (guitar) began playing old-time American fiddle music with his family, and has been influenced by the elegant simplicity of it ever since. He is a multi-instrumentalist and professional luthier who performs in the Evil City Stringband along with multiple side projects. Steve will be joined by Stefan Senders and Emily Thompson.

Sat Apr 06    TRUMANSBURG NY - Casey Carr w/ O’Shanigans - Contra Dance 8-11 pm. Fundraiser for the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts! O’Shanigans: Tim Ball (fiddle), Phil Robinson (guitar), and Michael Ludgate (mandolin). Location: Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts. Adults $10; children under 13 free. Contra dances have been held for hundreds of years in small town halls such as the Conservatory. Come help us revive this tradition in Trumansburg! Each dance is taught, and you can come without a partner. But please bring clean, soft-soled shoes to protect the lovely wooden floor! Sponsored by the board of the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts. Band www.oshanigans.org Venue http://tburgconservatory.org/

Fri Apr 05    COOPERSTOWN NY - Casey Mullaney w/ O’Shanigans - Contra Dance w/ Philip Robinson (guitar) and Mike Ludgate (mandolin) with Tim Ball on fiddle. The delightful Casey Mullaney (Hartwick ALUM) calling the dances in Cooperstown NY. Great little venue with a nice wooden floor. First Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Pioneer and Church Streets in Cooperstown NY. 8-11 pm., $8- www.oshanigans.org

Fri Feb 08 ITHACA NY - Katy Heine with Notes Inégales (notes in-a-gall): Andrea Katz (fiddle, viola) and Mike Ludgate (mandolin) - will be joined by Margaret Ball (fiddle) and Sophie Orzechowski (keyboard). Calling the dances is our fabulous Ithaca caller, Katy Heine http://www.notesinegales.org 8-11 pm 1825 Slaterville Rd Ithaca NY. Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/536339516400038/

Sat Feb 09 ROSE NY - Notes Inégales duo: Andrea Katz (fiddle, viola), Mike Ludgate (mandolin). Casey Carr Calling http://www.notesinegales.org EARLY dance 7:30-10:30 pm MAP http://goo.gl/maps/D0CVS Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/146838455471078/

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Sat Jan 12 BING NY - O’Shanigans Contra Dance w/ Michael Ludgate (mandolin, tenor banjo), Philip Robinson (guitar) and Tim Ball (fiddle) for the BING contra dance. http://www.oshanigans.org/ - Contra dance in Binghamton Saturday, January 12, 2012, EARLY DANCE 7.00 - 10.00 pm intro lesson 6:40 pm Music by O’Shanigans http://www.oshanigans.org/ Caller Casey Carr (from Ithaca) General admission $8 Students with ID and those under 18 $3 Family maximum $17 At Trinity Church, 44 Main Street, Binghamton (enter on Oak Street) http://www.binghamtondance.org/ MAP http://goo.gl/maps/D0CVS Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/409580022451030/

Fri Jan 18 ITHACA NY - NO’Shanigans Contra Dance w/ Margaret Ball (fiddle), Sophie Orzechowski (fiddle & accordion), Tim Ball (guitar) and Michael Ludgate (mandolin). Bethel Grove Community Center 1825 Slaterville Rd., Ithaca NY. 8-11 pm TCCD. http://www.oshanigans.org/ MAP http://goo.gl/maps/D0CVS Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/573713775976966

Sat Feb 09 ROSE NY - Notes Inégales duo: Andrea Katz (fiddle, viola), Mike Ludgate (mandolin). Casey Carr Calling www.notesinegales.org EARLY dance 7:30-10:30 pm MAP http://goo.gl/maps/D0CVS

MUSICIANS BIOS - http://www.oshanigans.org and http://www.notesinegales.org/

VENUE LOCATIONS - New Google Map of Central NY contra venues http://goo.gl/maps/D0CVS

From the dancers and callers about O’Shanigans and Notes Inegales –  “That was a delightful contra dance last night in Fayetteville … I truly enjoyed the many subtleties of your musical arrangements. And when Nils Fredland joined in on his trombone, it was polyphonic heaven … ” , “Ithaca’s best contra dance band”, “O’Shanigans rock(s)”, ” … such a fun group of people, and the band was awesome … ” , “What a great dance! Nils called some fun and interesting dances, the band was delightful! The place was packed…” , “you guys really GET the dance thing”, “wow …. WOW! That was inceredible!”, “you guys are so much fun to dance to!”, ”O’Shanigans is Ithaca’s hottest new contra dance band.”, “Tim Ball, Mike Ludgate, and Phil Robinson play with energy and style. It’s party time!” “I was happy to see and hear your band play, it was great! The music was the best I’ve heard at a contra for sure. It really got everyone grooving and elicited hooting and hollering … YEAH!” “The O’Shanigans rocked the hall tonight! You guys sure know how to throw a party!” “I was really glad to get to dance to your music- that was tons of fun!!” “Super dance on Friday! You guys were peppy, and there were some imaginative arrangements that made familiar tunes sound fresh. Hooray for the O’Shanigans!” “It was invigorating music, great company and fun caller!” “Do play for us again!” “It was fun dancing and even more so to the tunes of O’Shanigans!” “It was great!” “Mike, you and Phil and Tim were SOLID! I had a blast and my daughter had fun too! Thanks for playing, and thanks to Ray for the goodies!” “We’ve heard great stuff about you guys: We’d love to have you play at our dance!” “Wow! I have not seen that kind of energy at the Friday Dance in long time, you guys were great!” “That was they most amazing medley … was there something Middle Eastern in there?” “You guys were way out there like in Hungary or somewhere? … then you brought it back home with that old-time tune … the best version of that I have ever heard!” “The band was absolutely wonderful last night!”

More information About Contra Dancing:

http://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/music.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance
http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com/US_NY_ITH_TCCD
http://hands4dancers.org/
http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/
http://contra.binghamtondance.org/contra_calendar.htm
http://www.thedancegypsy.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTtEOaruqr4
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050

NPR: Youth Flock To Contra Dancing — Contra dancing has been around since the 1700s. If you don’t know it — it’s kind of like square dancing but with long lines of dancers. The dance is having a renaissance around the country thanks to a thriving youth scene and incredibly lively acoustic music. Article by Marika Partridge on All Things Considered NPR July 2nd 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050

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BROOKTONDALE NY (near ITHACA) - Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand - Sat Mar 16th House Concert & Workshop - Spend the whole day at the Canaan Institute or take it in “a la carte”. Details and suggested contributions listed here: Contra Musicians’ workshop 2:00-4:30 pm $20, Potluck dinner 5:00-6:30 pm bring something to share, House Concert 7:00-9:30 pm $15, Music Jam after the concert - bring your instrument, or $25 for the whole day. This takes place at a private residence, please email Mike for reservations and directions mike@cinst.org. Telephone 607-539-6153. The Canaan Institute: www.cinst.org

Here is a video clip from the March 16 concert … they played this song spontaneously from a request by an audience member.

CONCERT DETAIL - The VanNorstrands have been bringing their brand of high-energy alternative folk music to concert halls, festival stages, and dance floors across North America for more than a decade, but this concert is a return to the brothers’ musical roots. They began their musical careers learning old-time fiddle tunes, but soon became proficient on an astonishing variety of instruments; guitar, banjo, bouzouki, bongos, mandolin, bodhran, and even didgeridoo. Recently they’ve branched out into an edgier, more improvisational style including jazz, rock and world-beat percussion.  Their stunning abilities as both performers and composers, combined with energetic, heartfelt performances, have built a large and loyal following. This show presents a special opportunity to hear these remarkable musicians in a cozy, close-up setting.

RSVP mike@cinst.org to reserve your place! Let us know what part of the day you want to participate in.  This will be an all day event.  Spend the whole day at the Institute or take it in “a la carte”.  Details and suggested contributions listed here:

Contra Musicians’ workshop 2:00-4:30 pm - $20 alone
Potluck dinner 5:00-6:30 pm - bring something to share
House Concert 7:00-9:30 pm - $15 alone
Music Jam after the concert - bring your instrument
$25 donation covers the whole day

DIRECTIONS to this event http://canaaninstitute.org/mn/mus_jamcann.html
Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/143069282522156/

WORKSHOP DETAIL - Here is a mini-summary of possible workshop topics: great for contra dance musicians!

Crowd Control: rhythm, dynamics and communication
Bigger on the Inside: tune deconstruction and arrangements
The Perfect Fit: working with callers, matching tunes with dances
Between the Sheets: improvisation and finding the soul of a tune

More about Noah and Andrew VanNorstrand:

www.andrewandnoah.com
www.facebook.com/andrewandnoahband
www.sonicbids.com/andrewandnoah

PHOTO - Noah on the left, Andrew on the right

Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand are two of the most exciting and creative musicians on the folk music scene today. This special show will be a rare, all acoustic performance by the duo, featuring a finely crafted blend of old-time country songs, mountain fiddle tunes, swing, and bluegrass, as well as some originals. The intimate setting of the Canaan Institute is the perfect venue for this kind of concert.

The VanNorstrands have been bringing their brand of high-energy alternative folk music to concert halls, festival stages, and dance floors across North America for more than a decade, but this concert is a return to the brothers’ musical roots. They began their musical careers learning old-time fiddle tunes, but soon became proficient on an astonishing variety of instruments; guitar, banjo, bouzouki, bongos, mandolin, bodhran, and even didgeridoo. Recently they’ve branched out into an edgier, more improvisational style including jazz, rock and world-beat percussion.  Their stunning abilities as both performers and composers, combined with energetic, heartfelt performances, have built a large and loyal following. This show presents a special opportunity to hear these remarkable musicians in a cozy, close-up setting.

Andrew & Noah are DIY musicians with some hard-earned credentials. They’ve been featured performers at the Lake Eden Arts Festival in NC, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in NY, KVMR Celtic Festival in CA, Suwannee Springfest in FL, Midpoint Music Festival in OH and many others. They’ve toured extensively, often playing for contra dances as The Great Bear Trio with their mom Kim on piano. They’ve taught at various music camps including Ashokan Fiddle & Dance, CDSS Pinewoods and the Augusta Heritage Center. Andrew is also the program coordinator for the annual Ashokan Guitar Camp. They performed live on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” when they were in their teens. They maintain their own independent label (Great Bear Records) and produce an annual music and dance festival in Oswego, NY called The Groove.

Andrew and Noah are a true brother duo in the line of the Stanleys, the Louvins and the Everlys. Their finely-honed vocal harmonies bespeak over two decades of common musical experience, but it’s their differences that make them truly dynamic. Both brothers started out playing fiddle at age eight. Andrew was always drawn to bluegrass, swing, old-time country and cowboy songs, which eventually led him to take up the guitar and banjo. Noah, on the other hand, dug deeper into Celtic, Appalachian and contemporary acoustic roots music; branching out on the mandolin, tenor guitar, didgeridoo, drums and percussion. They recorded several albums in their teens of all original material and in 2004 they appeared on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. Now in their twenties, the brothers continue to write, record and tour all over North America with several bands including The Great Bear Trio, Giant Robot Dance and of course, the Andrew & Noah Band. They maintain their own independent label (Great Bear Records) and produce an annual music and dance festival in Oswego, NY called The Groove.

Press quotes:

“Their material is original, yet sounds timeless, demonstrating a depth of musical understanding seldom found in musicians double or triple their ages.” – Rob Weir, Sing Out!

“These folks are going places!” – Jay Ungar, performer, composer

“Their eclectic arrangements show both considerable technical ability and an ear for orchestration.” – Tom Nelligan, Dirty Linen Magazine

“These two brothers are fun, talented, and above all, great showmen!” – Bill Knowlton, Bluegrass Ramble, WCNY-FM

ANDREW & NOAH BAND
www.andrewandnoah.com
www.facebook.com/andrewandnoahband
www.sonicbids.com/andrewandnoah

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ITHACA NY - Sunday, February 24 at 4pm at the Unitarian Church in Ithaca Winter Village is very excited to bring the Kruger Brothers to Ithaca for the first time later this month. Cornerstone was fortunate to play with them at the Riverhawk Festival in Florida in 2004ish, and at that time I was impressed my their incredible instrumental ability.  Jens is an amazing banjoist, second to none, and Uwe a top-notch flatpicking guitartist.  In listening to their recorded music, I am struck by their rare combination of technical proficiency, respect for the traditional mountain music of their adopted home in the Carolinas, and their heartfelt original songs.  In concert, they blend their beautiful original instrumentals, folk-tinged original songs, with some bluegrass chestnuts.  And they are not above playing popular, flashy, and fun bluegrass instrumentals like Dueling Banjos or Orange Blossom Special.  Please join us for what should be a great show.

“Jens Kruger is a wonderful banjoist who is one of the most creative and giving and positive musicians I’ve ever met. The Krugers put on a great show and you shouldn’t miss it.” Tony Trischka

Concert at 4pm at the Unitarian Church in Ithaca - 2 sets
Tickets cost $18 in advance (additional Ticket Center fees may apply) and are available exclusively at The Ticket Center on the Ithaca Commons. You can reach Ticket Center Ithaca at 607-273-4497. Tickets can also be purchased online through www.IthacaEvents.com.  Tickets will likely be available at the door for $25. Note that The Krugers travel with their own sound man so the sound should be great in the Unitarian Sanctuary.

Jens Kruger Banjo Workshop at 6pm
Jens Kruger will teach a banjo workshop after the show for 90 minutes.  Cost will be $60 per student with a minimum of 5 students required (all fees to Jens).  Email Rick to register in advance.  Pay Jens directly at the workshop.

About the Kruger Brothers
Born and raised in Europe, brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger were performing regularly by the time they were 11 and 12 years old, and they began their professional career in 1979. Since a formal introduction to American audiences in 1997, their remarkable facility with their instruments and unique take on the American Songbook have made the Kruger Brothers a fixture within the world of acoustic music. Although initially staying fairly close to a traditional repertoire, the group later turned to song writing and composition in order to draw more closely from their personal experiences. The result is a catalog of songs distinguished by rich detail and an insight into the delicacy and complexity of everyday life. The honesty of their writing has since become a hallmark of the trio’s work. The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Their original music, composed by Jens Kruger, is crafted around their discerning taste, and the result is unpretentious, cultivated, and delightfully fresh.

The Kruger Brothers were awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant for Music from the Spring a sym­phonic suite composed and orchestrated by Jens Kruger, which premiered in 2007.  In late 2010, the Kruger Brothers premiered the Appalachian Concerto, a concerto for banjo, bass, guitar, and string quartet. In addition to their regular concert schedule they perform these pieces regularly with select symphony orchestras and string quartets throughout the country. Through their numerous CD releases, radio and television performances, lectures, and collaborative efforts, the Kruger Brothers powerful artistic state­ment inspires and enlightens.

What Colleagues Say About the Kruger Brothers

“The Krugers are nothing short of magnificent.” Bluegrass Journal

“I used to think the banjo was somewhat limited to certain styles, until I heard Jens Kruger. Jens has played some of the most beautiful and expressive banjo I’ve ever heard.“ Ron Block of Alison Krauss and Union Station

“The Kruger Brothers are just about as fine a band as I’ve ever played with … I love to play music with them.” Doc Watson

“It’s a blast playing with them … not only are they all superior musicians, they are the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet.” Adam Steffey

“They are some awesome musicians.” Bobby Hicks

“Jens Kruger has established himself as one of the world’s most musically sophisticated and technically accomplished five-string banjo players.” Happy Traum

Videos on You Tube with Viewer Comments

Jack of the Wood
“Is this what love sounds like?”
“Jens plays and his soul pours out along with the amazing technical performance.”

Forever and a Day
“Lost my mother a few months ago and this song speaks so directly to my heart and the loss I feel. You folks are so evocative in your playing. Thanks so much for putting music to my feelings. I am a life long banjo player and , Jens , your banjo playing is so tonal and nuanced…You are just so refreshing to hear. Excellent, Beautiful, Thanks”
“Absolutely beautiful. I like the northern, ice-flow imagery with the southern pickin’.”
“The Kruger Brothers are AMAZING. Tight, highly skilled musicianship and ensemble PLUS real humanity. I can listen to them for hours.”
“A man could live a lifetime and not experience something that amazing. This song will be played in my home for ever more. Thanks for the music.”

Behind the Barn
These kats are really amazing, world class for sure. I was fortunate to do a session which Jens was also playing on a year or so back , incredibly gracious and talented man, I am in awe of his talent ! A one take genious ! I did get a chance to see them at Merle Fest last year, great set.

Jens Kruger Playing Bach Cello Suite No 1 on Banjo
Bach’s genius created music that can work on many instruments, and Mr. Kruger’s genius brought that music to life. Bravo!

Waterfall Waterfall at Grey Fox Workshop Tent
Todd Taylor is in the Guiness Book of Records as the fastest banjo, playing dueling banjos at 210 bpm. I don’t have a drum machine, but I just listened to it before listening to this of Jens play Waterfall, and I’m pretty sure this is faster, at least 20 bpm! Jens, you should be in Guinness!

BROOKTONDALE NY - Come on out to The Canaan Institute on Wednesday November 14th at 7:00 pm for a house concert followed by a jam session. Experience the blend of Celtic and American roots music delivered impeccably by Annalivia - a cutting edge acoustic string-band from Boston. Donation for the band $15- Limited seating at this private venue: RESERVATIONS & RSVP: please email Mike Ludgate to reserve your seats and for directions mike@cinst.org .

Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/297520353687228/
Directions to the concert http://canaaninstitute.org/mn/mus_jamcann.html
Band website http://www.annaliviamusic.com
Full Press Release http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=5148#5148

Annalivia is touring in support of their new album “The Same Way Down” produced by Jake Armerding and featuring special guests Corey DiMario and Aoife O’Donovan (of Crooked Still). There’s a bit of a buzz with this new album – it was #7 on the national roots music charts last week!

Annalivia fuses old and new world sounds to create an authentic new sound, both steeped in tradition and alive with new energy, innovation and originality. Annalivia– who will be appearing in a trio format with Liz Simmons, Flynn Cohen, and Mariel Vandersteel– are virtuosic on their instruments and have long histories with traditional music, ranging from bluegrass to Irish, Scottish, Norwegian and Old Time. These styles play a large role in the interpretations of their material, which include inventive, quirky fiddle tunes and lushly arranged songs performed on fiddle, guitars, mandolin and vocals. The members of Annalivia write music as well– songs and tunes that sit comfortably alongside the traditional material. They are all seasoned musicians and have toured and performed with such notable acts as Halali, Cathie Ryan, Aoife Clancy, John Whelan, Ruth Moody, Adrienne Young, and Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers.

Liz Simmons, a New Hampshire native, conceived of the band four years ago with Flynn Cohen, who was residing in Boston at the time, and later they invited Emerald Rae of Gloucester, MA and Mariel Vandersteel, originally of California, to join the band. Currently, Simmons and Cohen reside in Gloucester as well. Cohen spends his time teaching in the music department at Keene State College, and touring with John Whelan and The Deadstring Ensemble. Simmons tours with John Whelan and all-female Celtic quartet Long Time Courting, and her singing will be featured in the soon-to-be-released film ‘Time and Charges’, written and directed by Grammy and Emmy award winner and NH resident Ernest Thompson. Mariel Vandersteel travels the globe with Laura Cortese’s acoustic project and Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers, and recently released her first solo album.

When audiences join Annalivia on Wednesday November 14th, they can expect high energy material alongside slower, winsome ballads and songs. This tour is in support of their third CD “The Same Way Down”, produced by Jake Armerding, and featuring the guest talents of Aoife O’Donovan and Corey DiMario of Crooked Still. Come see what Annalivia is all about and pick up a copy of their new CD while you’re at it! For more information and to hear their sound please go to www.annaliviamusic.com

Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/297520353687228/
Directions to the concert http://canaaninstitute.org/mn/mus_jamcann.html
Band website http://www.annaliviamusic.com
Full Press Release http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?p=5148#5148

BROOKTONDALE NY - Sheesham & Lotus & Son for a house concert followed by a music jam at The Canaan Institute (Mike and Raylene’s workshop) on Thursday Sept 13 2012 starting at 7:00 pm. Donation for the band $15- RESERVATIONS & RSVP: please email Mike Ludgate to reserve your seats and for directions mike@cinst.org

Facebook event for this concert https://www.facebook.com/events/421565647880173/

More events at Canaan Institute: Concerts, Workshops, Jams http://canaaninstitute.org/mn/mus_jamcann.html

An important moment of reckoning between Lotus Wight and Sheesham Crow was when they realized that they had the common experience as children brushing their teeth to the fiddle tune “Turkey in the Straw”, using the shape of their mouths to manipulate the melody of the tune. It was this kind of idle,yet innate musicality which followed them as youngsters.

High-steppers Sheesham and Lotus and Son bring you an audacious mix of Old-Time, Ragtime, fiddle and banjo sung through their patented sepia-phonic Monophone! They play homemade bass harmonicas and Jaw-harps too, making them an asset to the workshop and clinic stages. Flatfoot Buck-dance & Hambone!!

Sheesham and Lotus came together in 1998 as Teilhard Frost and Sam Allison, playing as the rhythm section in a fiddle band called Flapjack. Together for the next seven years they were on the road throughout Canada and the United states playing dances-camps, concerts and workshops. It was during this time that both Frost and Allison took a keen interest in the folk traditions of North America, particularly the American south. Both became enthusiastic historians of old-time fiddle and banjo music, learning from the old masters across the regions south of the Mason-Dixon line. Through personal instruction, perseverance and osmosis they learned harmonica, jaw-harp, flatfoot and song.

“…Sheesham and Lotus are the Kings of Old-time!” -Carrie Ough, The Good Lovelies

Sheesham Crow - Harmonica, Singing, fiddles, jawharp.
Son Sanderson - Trumpet, Sousaphone, Cornet.
Lotus Wight - Singing, Banjos, jawharp, contrabass harmoniphoneum

Discography: “Sheesham & Lotus Old Time Fiddle & Banjo” 2006, “EVERYTIME” 2008 - Sepiaphone Records, “Five Miles from Town” 2011 - Sepiaphone Records

Web Page http://sheeshamandlotus.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheesham-and-Lotus/115654218477913

Crow and Wight play fiddle and banjo respectively, with an additional array of home-made curiosities of noise-makery. Sheesham is a maker of gourd banjos and fiddles, and Lotus plays an invention called the contra-bass harmoniphoneum, which is a self-contained bass-harmonica and euphonium horn which can be used while plucking a banjo. Indeed it is a well documented fact that Sheesham and Lotus use horns for singing, harmonicas, jaw-harps and more.

The music of Sheesham and Lotus could be described as American roots music. They love to play fiddle tunes, hokum blues songs and ragtime string music. “The sounds of the south are near and dear to our hearts,” says Lotus, “from the old fiddlers on the Lomax collections to the Memphis jug-bands and the Mississippi Sheiks and Narmour and Smith…there is so much to hear and learn.”

“…They’re the best thing that Canada has in American old time music performance right now- maybe ever! ” -Arnie Naiman

“Sheesham and Lotus play music that knocks my hat in the creek! Their fiddle and banjo intertwine seamlessly to show listeners the way home” -Joe Newberry

Though Sheesham and Lotus have worked primarily as a duo they are joined by third member Sonny Sanderson on sousaphone for festival and theatre dates this upcoming season. Sanderson joins Sheesham and Lotus from Peterborough’s the Silver Hearts, with whom Lotus played upright bass for a number of years.

“Come highstepping with Sheesham and Lotus!. Old-time rhythms that will blow the mind and hypnotize! ” -Chris Coole

Sheesham and Lotus are inspired by an array of different music from all over the world but one could say that within the spectrum of their repertoire lies special attention to American folk music. If one were to try to further interpret this criminally broad categorization they would find these two incomparable musicians engaging in something which can be described as the living, breathing tradition of Old-time, ragtime banjo-and-fiddle-centric, good-time sound.

Sheesham and Lotus take love of the pre-jazz sounds of the Memphis jug band era, and music of the Appalachian Mountains, blue strains from the Mississippi flatlands and through music and dance transform the casual observer into a devoted participant. The facility and mastery with which they manipulate banjo, fiddle, jaw-harp, harmonica, and song is undeniable, unbelievable! HAMBONE! Take an earful and travel down the flinty spine of Old-time Music with Sheesham and Lotus as soon as you can, and you may never be the same. After hearing one note, you will see that this music can be loved by everyone. Sheesham and Lotus for EVERYONE, EVERYTIME! -Dr. Felix Van Nostrand, Den Hague, Netherlands

Originally brought together as the rhythm section for Canadian folk and fiddle outfit Flapjack in 1998, Sheesham and Lotus immersed themselves in the traditional music scenes wherever their travels took them, from West Virginia to Kasheshewan and California to Nova Scotia. They traded tunes and studied with old masters throughout the American south while becoming top-demand clinicians in old-time dance and music. Sheesham and Lotus’ self-produced debut CD, “Old-time Fiddle and Banjo” was met with critical acclaim from Canadian folk music publication, ‘Penguin Eggs’. They accepted invitations to play folk festivals around Canada including Winnipeg, Ottawa, Lunenberg and Sudbury, receiving high recommendations for mesmerizing performances and keen work-shop skills. Sheesham and Lotus appear as if they are from the very old days themselves. Dressed sharply in the old style, they play jaw harps, ham-bone percussion and home-made bass harmonicas in the ragtime and mountain style. They delight with fiddle tunes and blues songs and always have an instrument on hand and a tune to play.

In 2008 fans were treated to a special release of Sheesham and Lotus’ EVERYTIME, a record that was recorded exclusively through their patented Sepiaphonic Monophone Horn Amplifiers, offering a very ‘old-time’ listening experience that Matt Large, concert promoter and old-time scholar in Montreal, Quebec called-’the best folk record of 2008′ . Now Sheesham and Lotus tour as a trio with Sousaphone player Son Sanderson. Son and Lotus used to share the stage together as rhythm section members of the legendary ‘Silver Hearts’ from Peterborough, Ontario. The 2010 season saw the trio hosting and playing mainstage engagements at Sudbury’s Northern Lights Festival, The Peterborough Folk Festival and the Shelter Valley Folk Festival, as well as their first time headlining stateside at Vermont’s Champlain Valley Folk Festival. During August of 2010, Sheesham and Lotus played dates in Paris and Bordeaux, France.

Sheesham Crow - Harmonica, Singing, fiddles, jawharp.
Son Sanderson - Trumpet, Sousaphone, Cornet.
Lotus Wight - Singing, Banjos, jawharp, contrabass harmoniphoneum

Discography: “Sheesham & Lotus Old Time Fiddle & Banjo” 2006, “EVERYTIME” 2008 - Sepiaphone Records, “Five Miles from Town” 2011 - Sepiaphone Records

Web Page http://sheeshamandlotus.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheesham-and-Lotus/115654218477913

BROOKTONDALE NY - Wed Aug 15th 2012 at 7:00 pm for a House Concert followed by a music jam at The Canaan Institute (Mike and Raylene’s workshop). Donation for the band $15- RSVP: please email Mike Ludgate to reserve your seats and for directions mike@cinst.org

Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/245479725564641

More events at Canaan Institute: Concerts, Workshops, Jams http://canaaninstitute.org/mn/mus_jamcann.html

Sandra Wong and Ross Martin come together in a dynamic combination of nyckelharpa/fiddle, and guitar to explore music from all corners of the globe, including their own compositions. Sandra and Ross have been playing music together for 8 years and are now taking their duo on the road.

Reaching into their individual roots of Classical, Bluegrass, Jazz, Scandinavian, Middle-eastern, Old-time American music and more, their arrangements honor each tradition while moving into new, uncharted territory. Whether it’s old-time tunes in 7, Bach on nyckelharpa and guitar, Swedish tunes from hundreds of years ago brought into a 21st century arrangement, original compositions or simply beautifully played renditions of traditional folk melodies from around the world; Sandra and Ross create a musical playground for everyone (both musicians and listeners) to explore, play, stretch, and grow in a joyful space.

About the musicians …

Sandra Wong started her life journey in upstate New York, displaying a deep love of music at a very early age. She began studying the violin at age seven with the intention of becoming a concert violinist. This remained her sole focus for fifteen years until she discovered fiddling.and her musical world was turned upside down!

Since then, Sandra’s focus with her music has shifted from being an isolated striving for technical perfection to a focus on connecting other people and cultures through music as a way to build community and express our common humanity. Opening this door with an exploration of Irish, Old-time and Bluegrass music, her folk music journey has moved her in to her current livelihood of teaching, performing, recording and collaborating with other musicians from a diverse range of world music genres. In 1999, Sandra opened another door when she discovered a 14th century Swedish folk instrument called the nyckelharpa and fell in love. This is a 16 stringed, keyed instrument played with a bow. It had become an integral part of her work and musical expression. Sandra has toured nationally and internationally as a solo artist and in collaboration with various musicians. She has appeared at numerous festivals and concert series. Her current projects include The Sandra Wong, Dominick Leslie, Ty Burhoe Trio” as well as work as a solo artist and freelance musician collaborating with musicians in all musical genres. She has released two solo albums; “It’s About Time” in 1999, and “Joy” in 2000. She recently released two collaborative albums; “Frolic and Romp” in 2009 and “Sunny Side Up” in 2010. Sandra has recorded on a number of her contemporaries projects. This discography is available on request.

Another important aspect of Sandra’s work is education and nurturing a deep love of music and the arts in both children and adults. She teaches privately, and in group and workshop settings, and presents family and children’s concerts. Sandra also creates and personally facilitates musical study trips to different countries leading people into the heart of each country As an active member of 1% For the Planet, a percentage of all Sandra’s CD sales and proceed from concerts supports responsible projects working to create susatainability on our Planet Earth. In addition, Sandra also supports numerous other charitable organizations.

www.sandrawongmusic.com
www.myspace.com/sandrawongmusic www.facebook.com/sandrawongmusic

Guitarist Ross Martin has performed in concert halls, honky-tonks, theaters, rock clubs, living rooms, on festival stages, television programs and everywhere in between. Having grown up in the suburbs of Dallas, TX, with brief stints in East Tennessee, Ross headed West after attending the University of North Texas and earning a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz studies. After living for ten years in the front range area of Colorado, he relocated to the east coast and has resided in the New York City borough of Brooklyn for the past five years. His musical path has covered as much territory as his physical one. Reflecting his love of diverse genres like jazz, bluegrass, country, folk, experimental and classical music, Ross has always felt at home with fellow musicians who seek to reconcile, through their music, the incredible wealth of styles available to listeners in this global and digital age. He has toured and performed with a wide range of artists including Matt Flinner, Tony Furtado, Ron Miles, Mollie O’Brien, The Motet, Caroline Herring, Dwele, Sonya Kitchell and many others.

Along with bassist Eric Thorin, Ross has been a member of the Matt Flinner Trio for the past six years. Known in acoustic circles for his groundbreaking mandolin work, Matt, a composition major in college, developed a unique concept for the trio. His idea was for all three band members to write a tune each day while on tour and perform it that evening. After several tours, the trio picked twelve of their favorite tunes and recorded them. The result is “Music du Jour” which was released on Compass Records in April of 2009. Many more compositions have been written since and the trio is scheduled to record its second release in September of 2011.

Under his own name, Ross has one recording, “Volley” that’s available for purchase on his site and another project in the works. The new recording is produced by Matt and features Darol Anger on fiddle, Ron Miles on trumpet, Greg Garrison on bass, Dominic Lalli on sax, Matt on mandolin, Ross on electric guitar and Marc Dalio on drums. You can listen to two tracks from this project on the music page. Ross is currently performing and teaching in the New York City area as well as touring nationally and internationally with various projects. For information on upcoming projects, sign up for the email list and visit the tour page.

www.rossmartinguitar.com

Sound tracks and videos

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8xhpfpgc52zjgym/01%20Squirrel%20Hunters.m4a
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ai69mrr8suufvde/03%20Icarus.m4a
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bus2okwlj2o89l3/02%20Santa%20Fe%20Slangpolska%20-%20Polonaisse.m4a
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dg4e9po50ctuy96/08%20Balkanpolska.m4a
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_r-WzaXI30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlPgkxIZrNM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVchR-cGv80
http://flink.livedownloads.com/show.asp?show=6733#

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Tony Trischka & Territory in Concert
Sunday, May 27 @ 4pm
Ithaca Unitarian Church
http://wintervillagebluegrass.org/

Winter Village is pleased to bring Tony Trischka & Territory back to Ithaca this Sunday for an intimate and affordable show at the Unitarian Church in downtown Ithaca. Banjo master Tony Trischka will be accompanied by vocalist and guitarist Michael Daves (Thile – Daves duo) , fiddler Tashina Clarridge, and bassist Skip Ward. Tony and his fine band will perform two sets beginning at 4pm (no opening act). Tickets cost $15 in advance and can be purchased at the door for $20 ($15 for seniors and students).  To view a video of TT & T performing The General at Winter Village in January 2012, click here.   Here they are with Tashina on fiddle at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival in 2011 performing the By and By Medley.

The Unitarian Church is a great venue for music with excellent acoustics, high quality sound system, all in an intimate setting that holds up to 300 people.  It is located at the northwest corner of Aurora and Buffalo Streets in downtown Ithaca.  Note however that this is Cornell graduation weekend so restaurants will be difficult to get into in the downtown area. Tickets are available in advance at the Ticket Center on the Ithaca Commons, www.ithacaevents.com; (607) 273-4497 until Saturday at 2pm.  Tickets purchased at the Ticket Center are subject to additional fees and can be purchased in person, by phone or online.  Tickets should be available at the door but arrive early to ensure you get in and get a good seat.

Tony Trischka & Territory Instrument Workshops
Sunday, May 27 at 1pm
$30 for 2 hour class (5 person minimum)
Contact Rick Manning to hold a place in workshops.

Tony Trischka – Banjo

Tony Trischka is one of the most influential banjo players in the roots music world. In his 40 plus years as a consummate banjo artist, his stylings have inspired generations of bluegrass and acoustic musicians.  A true luminary in the banjo world, his technical and conceptual advances opened the way for such players as Bela Fleck and Alison Brown. His recordings with them and others such as Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Pete Seeger, members of REM, William S. Burroughs, Natalie Merchant, Alison Krauss and Steve Martin are part of every banjo-lovers musical reference.
The latest of his 16 recordings for Rounder Records, Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, won several IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards including one for Banjo Player of the Year and was nominated for a Grammy Award.  Tony has raised the awareness of both the banjo and his own music with numerous articles in the national press, interviews on radio and television appearances. His solo album for Smithsonian Folkways Records, Territory was named Best Americana Album at the Independent Music Awards. He has just produced Steve Martin’s Rare Bird Alert (Rounder), which features performances by Paul McCartney and the Dixie Chicks. Tony is also the musical director of the documentary Give Me the Banjo, which aired on PBS and will be released on DVD this spring.  In addition, Tony is one of the instrument’s top teachers, and has created numerous instructional books, DVDs and CDs.  The groundbreaking Tony Trischka School of Banjo launched in July of 2009, and is the online banjo home for students from all around the world.

Michael Daves – Guitar & Vocals

While he can play just about anything with strings and has had his hands in styles from jazz to noise rock Michael Daves is known as one of the U.S.’s premier bluegrass vocalists and guitarists.  In addition to playing with Tony, Michael also appears as a solo artist and with his experimental noise rock-country band, the Buzz Buzz Tabernacle. He has also performed with John Herald (of the Greenbrier Boys), Gordon Stone, Chip Taylor, Howard Fishman, John Herald, Greg Garing, Josh Roseman, Jen Larson, the Klezmer Mountain Boys, and Matt Munisteri of Brock Mumford.
Michael’s album with Chris Thile, Sleep With One Eye Open (2011, Nonesuch Records) received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album!

Skip Ward - Bass

Skip Ward is one of the most in-demand stand-up bassists in New York City.  As with the other member’s of the band, Skip is conversant in a number of different musical styles. Skip is a classically-trained jazz musician with a penchant for rock n’ roll and fusion, blues and bluegrass. He plays four, five and six string electric and acoustic fretted and fretless basses, and has a special love for the upright.  He has studied with Anthony Knight of the Cleveland Orchestra and Frank DiLaberto of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also had the privilege of studying with the great Jaco Pastorius.  Artists he has played/recorded with include: Tony Trischka, with Steve Martin, Bela Fleck, and Gordon Stone (Phish), Phoebe Snow, Cyndi Lauper, Cassandra Wilson, David Sancious (Sting, Eric Clapton), Manolo Badrena, Jim White, Tandy, The Wild Colonials, Angela McCluskey, David Benoit, Carrie Rodriguez, Melissa Manchester, Shannon McNally, Michael Daves, Steve Holley (Paul McCartney, Ian Hunter), Demolition String Band (featuring Boo Reiners), Brendan O’Shea, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Tom Pierson Big Band, Canton Symphony, Akron Symphony, the Ohio Ballet. You’ll hear Skip on many soundtracks, and he has been on national tour with a number of major theatrical productions.

Tashina Clarridge – Fiddle

Tashina began Suzuki violin lessons at the age of 2, at Humboldt State University & the University of Montana. She continued studies in Baroque classical violin with Rob Diggins, and in Texas-Style/Contest fiddling with Megan Lynch. Drawn into the creative world of acoustic music camps, she was immersed in the music of fiddle greats such as Darol Anger, Natalie MacMaster, Matt Glaser and Mark O’Connor.
Now a resident of Boston, Tashina enjoys a lively pursuit of bluegrass, Appalachian old-time, Irish fiddling, and the fusion of such styles, sometimes labeled “New Acoustic” music. She is a Grand National Fiddle Champion and 11-time Grand National finalist.  She has performed at Carnegie Hall as part of MacArthur Fellow/Grammy-winning bassist Edgar Meyer’s Young Artists program, and works regularly with Darol Anger, Tony Trischka, and Mike Marshall. She tours with her brother Tristan, Simon Chrisman, & Wes Corbett in the acoustic eclectic quartet The Bee Eaters, and with Mark O’Connor’s American String Celebration, representing O’Connor’s Strings Conferences, where she has taught for the past 8 years. Tashina and her brother also created and administrate 2 extremely popular fiddle camps of their own which have run every year for the last six years.
Save the Dates:

Winter Village Fiddle Camp
January 11, 12 and 13, 2013

Join Darol Anger (bluegrass & swing), Judy Hyman (old time), Laurie Hart (Celtic & Scandi), and Hope Grietzer (Beginner and Intermediate)
at La Tourelle Resort and Spa, the site of WVBF.  Contact Rick Manning for more information.

Winter Village Bluegrass Festival
January 25, 26 and 27, 2013

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

WORKSHOP: 3-5 pm, Willard Straight Hall

Music Room (Room 411), Cornell University

CONCERT: 8 pm, 165 McGraw Hall,

Central Ave., Cornell Arts Quad, Cornell University

Widely considered the premier old-time fiddler of his generation (by fellow virtuoso fiddlers including Alasdair Fraser, Jay Ungar, and Darol Anger, and by audiences worldwide), this Grammy-nominated musician is also outstanding on guitar, banjo, and vocals. Bruce Molsky is most closely identified with Appalachian music (Darol Anger calls him its “Rembrandt”), but over two decades he’s also absorbed and transmuted traditional music from many cultures—Celtic, Scandinavian, Eastern European, Delta blues—into his unique sound. He has “a mystical awareness of how to bring out the new in something that is old,” says composer Mark O’Connor, who credits Molsky’s spirit and drive as the inspiration for O’Connor’s remarkable String Quartet No. 3 and Concerto for Violin, Cello and Symphony Orchestra. Perhaps Molsky’s greatest influence is as a teacher. “Young people realize this is a guy who’s tapped into the real deep emotional wellsprings of this music. Young people are very hungry for something real. Bruce has that in spades,” writes Matt Glaser, director of the American Roots Program at Boston’s Berklee College, where Molsky is on the faculty this semester.

Bronx-born, Molsky encountered blues and jazz as a teen, but credits Cornell University with his introduction to old-time music. In his twenties, he moved to Virginia and began to learn from traditional players like Tommy Jarrell of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, for whom music was integrated into daily life as work, play, and an expression of regional culture. At age 40, in the thick of his career as a mechanical engineer, Bruce Molsky decided he did not want to wait until retirement to make music full-time. With full blessings from his wife, Audrey, he took a year off in 1997 to explore his passion and never looked back. We are all blessed by that choice.

Molsky’s approach to performing is without pretension: “I talk to an audience the way I talk to people in my house; and I play for them just like we’re all in the living room together. I want to present myself as who I am; and this music as what it is.” The songs he writes depict the strengths and hardships of communities, as in Peg and Awl, in which shoemakers lose their jobs to automation. An April 20, 2011 headline from Bloomberg News humorously shorthands Molsky: “Bronx Fiddle Master Designed Drainage System, Made Ronstadt Cry.” Peg and Awl made her weep, admits Linda Ronstadt, because of the honesty in Molsky’s singing: “It’s pared back to only the essential architecture of emotion.”

Whether performing solo or with a vast list of friends (including Mike Seeger, Liz Carroll & John Doyle, Dirk Powell, Kevin Burke, Mick Moloney, Bill Frisell, Donal Lunny, Darol Anger, Nikola Parov, Rens van der Zalm, Rafe Stefanini, Michael Doucet, Andy Irvine, Aly Bain, and Ale Möller), he’s a warm, compelling musician, equally at home on world tours, at Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and backporch house concerts and jams. He’s made at least 16 recordings, including 6 solo, some with Big Hoedown, Mozaik, Fiddlers 4, and others, and some instructional. He’s in high demand as a teacher at Ashokan, Mark O’Connor’s camps (where he’s taught every year since 1990), and Berklee. To celebrate Bruce Molsky’s return to his alma mater, the Cornell Folk Song Society is sponsoring both a fiddle workshop and concert.

Concert Tickets: Ithaca Guitar Works, GreenStar, Autumn Leaves Bookstore, Bound for Glory, and online at www.cornellfolksong.org/. $15 advance/$17 door; $3 rebate at the door for CFSS members, seniors, and teens; children 12 & under free. Cornell students $10 advance/$12 at door. [Discount for workshop participants, see below.] Info: 607-351-1845 or website. We anticipate a sell-out, so get tickets early.

Old-Time Fiddle Workshop (3-5 pm): Bruce describes the afternoon as follows: “The workshop takes a hands-on approach to old-time fiddle. Tunes are taught a phrase at a time, first melody, then bowing, and then piecing things together. We’ll dig into old-time music’s unique phrasing, rhythm and syncopation, intonation, etc. The tune is the vehicle, so mostly we’ll be playing! Suggested experience level: If you’re comfortable with the instrument and have at least a small repertoire of tunes, you’ll be fine. A recorder (minidisc, hard disk, tape, 78-rpm acetate cutter or wire recorder) is highly recommended.  Since developing ear training skills is one of the workshop goals, written music will not be provided.  *No video cameras, please.*”

Workshop limited to 25 participants; please pre-register to reserve a spot (E-mail Laura Taylor at lbt1@cornell.edu). Payment at the door is fine: $15 for students, $25 for non-students. Discount price for combined workshop plus concert: $20 students, $35 non-students (an amazing deal!).

UPDATE: AS OF 18 APRIL, ONLY ABOUT 5 SPOTS LEFT IN THE WORKSHOP!

– Margaret Shepard