Ken Kolodner

Saturday, 12 March

Hammered dulcimer workshops:

10 am to noon and

1-3 pm

Old-time fiddle workshop:

3:30-5:30 pm

JAM Performance space,

Cornell’s North Campus

Ken Kolodner Workshops March 12

An astonishing virtuoso, recognized as one of the world’s masters of hammered dulcimer, Ken Kolodner’s also a hot old-time fiddler and mbira player. You’ll find him regularly on the NPR airwaves, performing with Chris Norman and Robin Bullock (as Helicon), with Laura Risk as Greenfire, keeping contra dancers up to speed, teaching with passion, and playing solo or with other fine musicians such as Doc Watson, Kevin Burke, Allison Krauss, Jay Ungar, John McCutcheon, Bryan Bowers, Jean Ritchie, and his son Brad (an Ithaca College student), who plays a mean and melodic clawhammer banjo and banjola. 

Ken Kolodner is in high demand for workshops and lessons; in addition to CDs, he’s created tunebooks and instructional materials that span his 25 years as an influential musician and teacher.  Folowing the three workshops, he and Brad will perform in concert for the Cornell Folk Song Society, 8 pm in 165 McGraw Hall, Cornell Arts Quad. Concert details in separate article on this BLOG.

10 am-12 pm: Hammered dulcimer workshop for advanced beginners and above: topics will include techniques and ideas for arranging and for playing accompaniment. Written music will be provided (including examples of full arrangements), but I recommend bringing a recording device. Designed to hit all levels of players.     

1-3 pm: Continue hammered dulcimer workshop but possibly at a faster pace, depending on the composition of the group.

3:30-5:30 pm: Old-time fiddle workshop for advanced beginners and above: the focus will be on systems of bowing to include 3-1 bowing, ghost bows, bow rocking, left hand techniques (unisons, slides, chords, etc.) and much more.

$30 for one session; $50 for two sessions; students $20. Please register in advance by contacting Ken directly at kenkolodner@aol.com  or 410-746-8387.

Workshop location for workshop:  JAM (Just About Music) Performance Space, Cornell’s North Campus, Ithaca, NY.  JAM (aka Low-rise #9) is on Program House Drive off of Jessup Road, which runs between Pleasant Grove Rd. and Triphammer Rd. For unloading dulcimers, you can drive right up to the P-space, which resembles a cement box on the side of a brick dorm. But do not park here; a ticket is almost guaranteed! There is free legal parking in several nearby lots: off Cradit Farm Drive, at Robert Purcell Union, or in the “A” lot. We can direct you once you’ve unloaded your instrument. 

Cancellation policy: In the event of really bad weather, contact Ken to find out if the workshop is on. Full refunds will be provided if the workshop is cancelled.

Saturday, 12 March

8 pm

Ken and Brad Kolodner

165 McGraw Hall

Cornell Arts Quad

An astonishing virtuoso, recognized as one of the world’s masters of hammered dulcimer, Ken Kolodner’s also a hot old-time fiddler and mbira player. You’ll find him regularly on the NPR airwaves, performing with Chris Norman and Robin Bullock (as Helicon), with Laura Risk as Greenfire, keeping contra dancers up to speed, teaching with passion, and playing solo or with other fine musicians such as Doc Watson, Kevin Burke, Allison Krauss, Jay Ungar, John McCutcheon, Bryan Bowers, Jean Ritchie, and his son Brad (an Ithaca College student), who plays a mean and melodic clawhammer banjo and banjola.

Although Brad grew up in a home filled with traditional music and played cello, he began banjo just three years ago at a music camp, with Richie Stearns as instructor. Not a bad start! Brad took to it with fluidity and feeling, winning the Old-Time Banjo Contest in Maryland last year, and performing widely at venues such as the Common Ground Festival and the Kennedy Center with Helicon. Wanting to encourage other young musicians, Brad has formed a Traditional Music Club at Ithaca College.

The rich repertoire of the father-son Kolodner duo ranges from stunning originals to traditional tunes from Ireland, Quebec, and Appalachia, to music from over 20 other countries. Ken and Brad have an exciting new release, Otter Creek, a CD including Brad’s compositions, and a host of recordings, tunebooks, and instructional materials that span Ken’s 25 years as an influential musician and teacher. Don’t miss this concert!

Fiddlers and hammered dulcimer players take note: Ken will lead workshops all day before the concert. Details in separate workshop article!

Concert tickets: Ludgate Farms, Ithaca Guitar Works, GreenStar, Autumn Leaves Bookstore, Bound for Glory, and online at www.cornellfolksong.org/. $15 advance/$17 door; $3 rebate for members, seniors, teens; children 12 & under free. Students $10/$12. Info: 607-279-2027 or website.

Stephane Wrembel and the Django Experiment, will perform at the Carriage House Cafe on Friday February 25th at 8pm.

Stephane Wrembel has been leaving audiences awestruck with his high energy improvisations and an unparalleled level of virtuosity for over a decade. His ability to blend traditional gypsy jazz with world and rock elements has given new life to the age old music. He finds the space where Django Reinhardt meets Jimi Hendrix on a path laid by John Coltrane.

Growing up only 20 miles from Django’s final resting place, Wrembel discovered the jazz legend in his teens and never looked back.

Spending years traveling and studying with gypsy masters he harnessed the soul, passion, and fire of this music. In 2000 he moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music and gain a better understanding of other ethnic musical styles, composition and technique.

Word of Wrembel’s talent reverberated far and fast. Upon arriving in New York, jazz legend Les Paul invited Wrembel to join him at his Monday night concerts in Manhattan. Music icons have been clambering ever since to have an opportunity to work with this talent. He recorded and toured with David Grisman to support their 2005 album

“Gypsy Rumble”. Wrembel’s composition “Big Brother” from that album appears on the soundtrack to Woody Allen’s movie “Vicky Christina Barcelona”. He has performed all over the planet with other legends such as Patti Smith, Mark O’Connor, John Scofield, Elvis Costello, as well as Ryan Montbleau Band.

Perhaps that’s why Rolling Stone magazine calls him “A revelation”; the NY times calls him “Fast, intense and full of charisma…radical”;Relix Magazine says Stephane is “One of the greatest guitar players I have ever seen…and I don’t say that lightly”. We should all take the advice of the critics at All About Jazz and “Don’t miss this opportunity to see a truly astonishing talent in action.”

More info about Stephane Wrembel at www.stephanewrembel.com, EPK :http://www.sonicbids.com/Stephanewrembel

At the Carriage House Cafe on Friday February 25th at 8pm. http://carriagehousecafe.com/

Tickets for Stephane Wrembel and the Django Experiment are $10 at the door.

Stephane Wrembel and the Django Experiment features Stephane Wrembel on Guitar, Dave Speranza on Bass, David Langlois on Washboard and Percussions, and Joshua Assad on Rythm Guitar.

Magpie!

Saturday, 26 February

8 pm, 165 McGraw Hall

Cornell Arts Quad

So says the song: “The Magpie brings us tidings of news both fair and foul; she’s more cunning than the raven, more wise than any owl.” In taking the name Magpie, Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner took up the challenge to be messengers of joy and sorrow, and they’ve been making strong music together since 1973.

Magpie is known for thrilling, fresh vocal harmonies, but they’re also fine instrumentalists: Terry plays harmonica, mandolin, fretted dulcimer, and rhythm guitar and Greg is an accomplished, versatile finger-style guitarist. Their transcendent arrangements can take the listener into deep realms of emotion. Terry and Greg can croon or growl their way through vintage jazz, country swing, and blues or lay down a sweet traditional folk song, or one of their own timeless compositions, such as their encounter with a magpie in a circle of ancient stones in Britain: the mysteries of continuity. They have easy-going rapport with each other and with their listeners. After a festival in the UK, reviewer Colin Irwin (Melody Maker) wrote: “When they yodel in harmony… well you can wave ta-ta to your heart.”

Greg and Terry are also known for their fiery topical songs. Their passions range from ecological issues to human rights; they understand and use the power of music to support environmental and social change, following in the steps of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, and leaders of the civil rights movement. Recently, they’ve created a folk opera about abolitionists John and Mary Brown and the Civil War. Working with the Smithsonian and Wolf Trap, they’ve dedicated many years to school music programs and teacher training, and have performed in support of many federal and nonprofit conservation organizations. Among other causes, they’ve championed the National Audubon Society’s puffin restoration project and, for a Smithsonian exhibit, have set to “rollicking” music the life cycle of the blue crab. They know how to leaven tough messages with humor and hope. Magpie frequently teams up, in performances and on recordings, with kindred spirits Kim and Reggie Harris.

Over the decades, they’ve produced eight outstanding recordings and have criss-crossed the U.S. and the globe to share their convictions by means of cleverly crafted, heartfelt music that becomes instantly familiar to audiences. Their songs have catchy tunes, memorable choruses, and lyrics that demand consideration. Terry and Greg have the rare ability to inspire children as well as adults. Tom Paxton declared, “I’ve just been listening to Circle of Life and want you to know it’s a great link in the chain. It’s also a challenge to those of us who aspire to putting out music with depth and relevance. Long may the Magpie fly!”

The Cornell Folk Song Society is proud to open its spring season with Magpie! Please make them welcome. Tickets: Ludgate Farms, Ithaca Guitar Works, GreenStar, Autumn Leaves Bookstore, Bound for Glory, and online at www.cornellfolksong.org/. $15 advance/$17 door; $3 rebate for members, seniors, teens; children 12 & under free. Cornell students $10/$12. Info: 607-279-2027 or website.

Margaret Shepard

Nate & Kate to Play Annual Valentine’s Show — Indie-folk duo home from road to play intimate concert.

ITHACA NY — Central-NY’s folk super-heroes, Nate & Kate, return to Ithaca after a busy New England and mid-west fall tour schedule to play an intimate concert with local singer-songwriter Colin Smith (of the Gunpoets) at the beautiful Carriage House Hayloft on Sat, Feb 12th at 7:30pm. Nate & Kate did over 150 shows in 2010 and recently opened for The Crash Test Dummies in Ithaca; were featured on “Expressions,” Central-NY Public TV; NPR radio; and live backing author/columnist Amy Dickinson at Syracuse’s Palace Theater along her national book tour. You can hear/see lots more @ www.nateandkatemusic.com or www.myspace.com/nateandkatemusic.

“Nate & Kate take a sometimes tired musical form and breathe magic and life into it… Fame by Frame keeps getting stronger song by song.” -Wildy Haskel, music critic/blogger www.wildysworld.blogspot.com

More about Nate and Kate …

In 2008, soon after the release of their debut album, Fame by Frame, Nate & Kate played over 120 shows, including four successful 1-3 week self-booked and managed tours, some with supporting bands, taking them as far as Portland, ME and Asheville, NC.

In 2009 Nate & Kate continued to tour the East Coast, performing over 150 shows on the year, including an “Eat Local Tour” that included dates at 30 NY-State Farmers Markets, several write-ups and radio appearances, and a few TV appearances. Nate & Kate also debuted their kids show at the Ithaca Festival 2009 and performed as part of a variety show for a sold-out audience at Ithaca’s historic State Theater later that year.

In 2010 Nate & Kate have been featured live on “Expressions,” WSKG Central-NY TV, airplay on NPR in Central-NY (including “Out of Bounds” radio show), and  recently joined forces with author/columnist Amy Dickinson (“Ask Amy,” “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me”) for a vaudeville-inspired evening of music, juggling, and readings from her best-selling memoir at Syracuse’s Palace Theater. In Oct, 2010 Nate & Kate auditioned for the 2011 filming of “America’s Got Talent,” and toured throughout New England and the mid-west. In Dec 2010, the duo opened for The Crash Test Dummies at The Haunt in Ithaca, NY, again clocking close to 150 shows for the year.

Nate & Kate have also been featured (live and subsequent airplay) on WHRW in Binghamton and WVBR (radio) in Ithaca. They are also in regular rotation on Ithaca College’s WICB, the nation’s “best college radio station” (MtvU Woody Awards, 2008). They have hand-sold over 1000 copies of their debut Fame by Frame.

“Nate & Kate have some really good songs and stellar harmonies, and that should be enough to turn some heads. But sometimes what really gets an audience is juggling…adding a little vaudeville touch is part of the fun…They are updating old-time sounds for younger listeners– although there is plenty for all ages to enjoy…blend[ing] shades of blues, ragtime, music hall, and gospel…”      -Chris Kocher, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin

The folk duo Nate & Kate accompanied [author Amy] Dickinson, the rootsy Americana music that came from their voices and string instruments coaxing the crowd to pop along to homespun renditions that spanned from the classic “Swing on a Star” to the Simon and Garfunkel’s golden “Homeward Bound.” Nate even juggled hoops during one interlude. -Mark Bialczak, Syracuse Post-Standard

Each year the Ithaca Festival, a four day arts festival with an attendance of over 10,000 each day, announces it’s theme and launches participant applications on Feb 2. The  2011 theme is ” A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to be held from June 2nd through June 5th. The Festival will feature many theme related activities and performances including theater performances, a Masquerade Ball and community activities throughout the weekend.

Applications for participation in this year’s festival are also released on Feb 2nd on the festival website www.ithacafestival.org. Available applications include Performer, Parade, Volunteer, Food and Craft vendors, Gorges Green Expo vendors, Tabling organizations, and Artist applications. All local bands,performance groups, theater groups, community organizations and businesses are welcome to apply. Most applications deadline March 17th.

For more information email info@ithacafestival .org  or call 607-273-3646