Friday evening January 29th, 2010 8:00PM
  Jazz Duo Nancy and Spencer Reed

Nancy Reed and Spencer Reed's unique brand of vocal and instrumental styling has been enjoyed by audiences in Italy, Japan and Mexico as well as coast to coast at home in the U.S.

Their forte is their vocal blend, with tight yet natural phrasing and unusual harmony. Both grew up in New York City and started their musical collaboration as teenagers in the Bronx. They were influenced by the classic performances of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Sarah Vaughan and Jackie and Roy.

Their audience is always treated to a warm, relaxed yet swinging and intense set. They offer an unusual selection of rarely heard tunes punctuated by unique treatments of jazz standards.

The Jack Stafford Foundation, featuring Jack Stafford. 

Some reviews of his latest CD:

Red Alert, USA
“Acoustic music
fans have hit a jackpot upon purchasing Long Live Love. This Amsterdam native band sounds like a European Bob Dylan.”

DIGG, Belgium
“Rootsy and folky… a 5 star singer songwriter album!’’

Der Schallplattenmann, Germany
“The music is magic…magnificent acoustic, alternative pop.’’

Music2Web, Germany
“Long Live Love is a wonderful album. Folk lovers, hippies at heart and anyone wishing to remember the 60’s will especially love it.’’

PLATO, the Netherlands
"What I think of the CD? I get up on the wrong side of the bed, cut my cheek shaving, spill hot coffee on my freshly ironed shirt, discover heavily frosted car windows: to end up in a 17 km traffic jam. I put on Long Live Love by The Jack Stafford Foundation and suddenly I love all the other drivers around me. Love and Peace to all!’’

Friday Evening June 25th, 2010  8:00PM
Keyboardist/Composer Spiro Cardamis
and Soprano Vocalist Julie Ziavras

Spiro Cardamis is an extraordinary keyboardist and composer in both traditional Greek and contemporary "New Age" styles.  A virtuosic poet at the piano.  Julie Ziavras is a wonderful singer in folk, Greek, and classical styles.  The two of them together are a musical marvel.

Spiro composes by performing - a process he calls composing on the spot where the listener experiences the music as it is being created. In doing so Spiro brings back ancient times where the performer was the composer and music was recognized for its healing power. A bold performer with no boundaries Spiro always enters the musical adventure with the attitude and trust of a hero that all is well.

A lot of his music has been likened to a near death experience and listeners who have had the experience have recalled its presence and similarity. Spiro, himself, has called that portion of the music Religious Music of the New Millennium.

Saturday Evening July 17th, 2010  8:00PM
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist/Poet Holly Avila & Blue Planet

Folk / Tropical / Afro-beat         Appalachian roots, Mexican soul, Andean heart

The Blue Planet was conceived by Holly Avila from her roots in American folk music, both contemporary and traditional. In the mid '80's, she heard an album by Los Lobos which sent her on a romantically inspired quest through Latin music. She played bass with the Juggernaut String Band, and at the Philly Folk Fest in 2000, she introduced her first Tex Mex song, "Not Loving You" on the Main stage to an audience that responded enthusiastically. She went on to form her own band in order to pursue further her Latin American inspired musical interests. She met an accordion player extraordinare, Ralph Romano, a seasoned professional from the Catskills circuit, and gave him cd's of Mexican and Colombian music to inspire his sound to fit her vision. She had also met a Peruvian musician at an Andean festival, and invited him to add his instrumentation to the mix to create her totally unique combination of Central and South American influences. With the percussion expertise of Obi Kaye, you have the incredibly rhythmic and melodically enchanting sound that the Blue Planet has created.

Saturday Evening August 14th, 2010  8:00PM

Craig Carroll, Classical Guitarist

When asked what I do its simple. I play guitar music that strikes me as beautiful and suprising and different.  Ragtime pieces by Scott Joplin, Mexican love songs by Tamez, Russian music by people whose names I can't pronounce, Rennaisance music that has been outright forgotten.  Anything that is not the usual and is good to listen to.

I've always walked to a musical different drummer following my own way of playing and choosing what I play. So far people like what I do so I'll keep doing it and we'll all have fun!

I studied Classical guitar under Segovia and Carlevaro protoge Ben Bolt for over 10 years. I performed for over 50 international master classes for almost every major name in the business.

I have been playing recitals, concerts, coffee houses, resteraunts, weddings, and every other imaginable thing that would pay a penny for over 20 years.

I've won grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission on many occasions and was the first guitar player to play for a video showcase for the performing arts exchange.

So that's me in a nutshell.  But if you wanna know who I am, talk to me, it's more fun!

Saturday Evening September 4th, 2010  8:00PM

Bob Marshall

Friday Evening September 24th, 2010  8:00PM

Larry Murante

"His songwriting is spectacular. I'm so glad I'm beyond the age of jealousy. ”
—Christine Lavin, singer-songwriter/humorist

Saturday Evening October 16th, 2010  8:00PM

Elly Wininger

 
Known through out the northeast for her engaging performances, Elly is a veteran of the Folk Revival NYC club scene. She was among the first acts to grace the stage at CBGB, (find her on their website as "Elly Greenberg"- her former name). As a guitar student of David Bromberg, Elly played the Greenwich Village basket houses, and was a regular feature at Folk City, Sidewalk, Dr. Generosity''s and Kenny''s Castaways. Elly has sung with many greats, including Maria Muldaur, Tanya Tucker, Paula Lockheart, Peggy Atwood, and Steve Goodman.

Elly has won numerous awards for her songwriting, including one from "Song of the Year". Her 2007 release Back Eddy Blues is receiving airplay on over 70 radio stations in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia. Elly was recently chosen for the Folk DJ''s Choice Showcase at the 2008 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference.

Elly is also a composer and a producer. Her series of music documentaries called "Rockin'' the Boat" won several awards, including one from the United Nations. Her guitar and vocal work, as well as her original songs, have been featured in theater productions, films, and on the Clio award-winning public service campaign against drunk driving, "Friends."

When not touring, Elly makes her home in Woodstock, NY. She performs solo and with The Jesse Janes, a trio with Peggy Atwood and Terri Massardo. She also provides guitar, harmonies and musical direction for singer/ songwriter Dave Kearney.

Saturday Evening November 6th, 2010  8:00PM

Barnaby Bright

We are Nathan and Rebecca Bliss of Barnaby Bright, a folk-y guitar and banjo-based duo, featuring tight harmonies, thoughtful lyrics and a variety of different instruments... rooted in folk, but pushing the boundaries. Originally from Kansas, we currently reside in Brooklyn where we write, record, and perform throughout the area.
 We released our first record, Wake the Hero, in January of 2009, and are currently at work on our next album of new material. We're spending the summer touring through the mid-Atlantic, followed by a short break and then a tour of Europe in October.

"Rebecca's smooth, melodic vocals are reminiscent of Karen Carpenter or Shelby Flint...and Nathan's incorporation of his jazz background into Garfunkel-y acoustic compositions bring diverse styles together to the folk in the road: a marriage of minds and hands and music."
-The Deli Magazine

"Nathan and Rebecca Bliss make up the sweetly melodic folk-ish duo Barnaby Bright, whose songs have soundtracked heavy emotional moments on Days of Our Lives and ER"
-Time Out New York

Friday Evening November 19th, 2010  8:00PM

Anna Dagmar  

Just when you think you've got her pegged as another romantic piano girl, Anna Dagmar hits you with a collage of noise, a lament for fallen soldiers, or an apocalyptic vision. Wait for the next song: it might surprise you.

Born in England, raised in Massachusetts, and now based in New York City, she has rapidly become known across the US and all the way to London for her virtuosity as a pianist, singer and songwriter. She has released three full-length albums and published the Anna Dagmar Songbook. Her newest album, "Let the Waves Come in Threes," has been produced by drummer Ben Wittman (of Patty Larkin and Jonatha Brooke). The title track is an upbeat sea shanty that tells the vivid tale of a girl whose treasured diary has been swept up in a storm. As she looks out across the ocean for meaning and direction, a mysterious voice rises up from the waves. The album held Top 20 positions in Roots Music Report for 6 consecutive weeks, peaking at #6, and was given #1 Airplay on WVIA and a "Graham Award" for Top Albums of 2009.

“Anna Dagmar’s album showcases her gorgeous voice, lyrical piano stylings and lovely, intelligent songs.”
- Lucy Kaplansky, singer-songwriter

“...one of the best new singer-songwriter recordings of the year so far, in a crowded field.”
- George Graham, WVIA

“From the opening moments her piano spills out over the band in these fantastic hooky cascading lines and I’m swept in.”
- Jennifer Kimball, singer-songwriter

"Musically refreshing. Like a breath of fresh air! Anna Dagmar showers us with a boatload of musical talent..."
- Duss Rodgers, Catask Magazine

“I can’t even come up with a strong comparison to Dagmar. She’s an original.”
- Amy Lotsberg, Collected Sounds

Friday Evening December 3rd, 2010  8:00PM

Rupert Wates

Rupert Wates, born in London, has been a full time songwriter since 1992 when he signed an exclusive deal with Eaton Music Publishing.  He has written songs in all kinds of styles for all kinds of artists.  During the Nineties he worked with Jazz singer Liz Fletcher, recording the albums MELLOWMANIA and LIVE IN THE PARK, both released on the Sanctuary label, and BLUE AFTERNOONS on Mainstem.
 

Since September 2006, Rupert has been based in the USA. His music has found a warm reception in America and in 2007 alone he has been nominated eight times for songwriting awards. Strong melodies, memorable lyrics, nuanced and real emotion - these are the hallmarks of Rupert Wates' music. 

'Every cut's a gem, completely absorbing, enthralling, and thus we have a new and unique songwriter-musician already in the first rank...Rupert Wates is an exceedingly rare talent'
Mark Tucker, Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange

'A writer who makes you think while he entertains...Rupert Wates manages that tricky tightrope with great skill'
Chris Kocher, PressConnects.com