“…melodic tunes that somehow ride the line between playful folk/pop and depth-defying soul.”
Heather’s critically acclaimed debut album Cozy Razor's Edge, filled with “poetic and powerful” lyrics that “penetrate the core of humanity,” continues to be celebrated in the press, on the radio and in independent film. Its title track was voted by WRSI The River listeners as one of the best songs of 2009, Worcester Magazine calls it “stunning folk-rock… tender moans tucked in tight with brisk musicianship.”, and the Portsmouth Herald says "Sharp, poignant lyrics housed in clever acoustic compositions, accented by Maloney's melodious, 'operatic' tendencies, are really what separates her music from straight ahead, folky pop tunes. You have to hear it to fully understand."
"Showtunes, waltzes, polkas, tangos, like being in an outdoor cafe in Paris . . . "
Sheila is a vocalist/soloist, arranger, and percussionist. She performs with the bodhran, the traditional Irish drum. She has played with a number of Celtic bands in the Western New York area including Iad Fein. She is now affiliated with the SheilaMark Duo and Band.
Mark Hamza has been playing accordion since he was 8 years old. His father, who played by ear, inspired him to play. As he grew up, he learned European music, then American music. He has concentrated on using the accordion in non-traditional ways. He has played with singer-songwriters through the 80’s, 90’s, and the 2000s. He played accordion and organ on Eric Anderson’s “Ghosts Upon The Road” album, and played on a number of Richard Shindell and Richard Meyer albums.
"One of the most respected husband-and-wife folk duos around".
What goes into putting a folk duo together? For Ann and Will Rowland, it was falling in love. While Will was playing tenor banjo with his brother and dad, churning out old Roger Miller tunes, folk songs, and sad country ballads, Ann was tackling her first guitar, a pink Harmony that she got at a yard sale. As time went on, Will performed in a variety of bands, influenced by James Taylor, Crosby Stills and Nash, and Cat Stevens - and soon found himself switching from banjo to guitar when The Beatles came along.
Ann, influenced by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Sally Rogers, and Jimmy Driftwood, started writing her own songs and began playing the coffeehouse/folk festival circuit. A few more years, and Will and Ann would fortuitously meet - forming both a marriage and the musical duo that they’ve become today. “After we met, one thing led to another, and we got married,” Ann explains, “but we didn’t really settle into playing music together as a duo until much later. We had performed with another couple for a few years, but circumstances changed, and we decided to pare things down and just be ‘us.”
"Ann and Will Rowland are two of the most seasoned musicians I've run across. Whether singing and playing a heart-wrenching ballad or diving into an earthy, up-tempo tune, Ann and Will have a sound that is always clear, pure and strong. I really love these two."
- Brad Aspey - Interlochen Public Radio
Hear ragtime like you've never heard it before! Pianist Don Kawash and bass-baritone Randy Shupp seamlessly join their talents to build upon a classic American popular music form. While staying true to the intrinsic nature of ragtime, the duo creates upon this tradition vibrantly bringing new life and interest to the familiar. Shupp's warm, expressive voice and Kawash's inventive arrangements come together with new harmonies, music surprises, much fun and a wide-range of emotions. You'll just want to hear more and more.
Don Kawash has earned international acclaim for his interpretation of classic piano rags. A three time grand prize winner of the All-American Ragtime Piano Competition, Mr. Kawash has performed at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and in a concert broadcast worldwide over Voice of America. Randy Shupp is a star soloist for the New Horizons Glee Club, a leading man for Old Academy Theater in Philadelphia, and a community member of the Haverford – Bryn Mawr Colleges Chorale.
Ben Carroll’s soulful, powerful voice lives somewhere at the crossroads of Stevie Wonder and James Taylor—he’s captivating, distinctive, mesmerizing. With the help of his accomplished acoustic guitar playing, he moves his audiences with his plaintive songwriting, written from the heart and with a thoughtful, sometimes keen eye, while exploring the endless themes of love, of a search for a place and meaning in the world. A soul and folk artist at once, Carroll has steadily toured North America and Europe as a solo act since 2004. He released his debut solo album Lover Undercover in 2005 and his followup Real Thing in 2007 (on UK label Blue Cloud Records), which was #1 for five weeks on AAA FM Radio in Ohio and was played on over fifty radio stations in the US and Europe. His songs have also been extenstively featured in television and film, most recently in Pier’s End Productions’ 2008 release “Wake”, which premiered at the Tribeca Cinema in New York City (home of the Tribeca Film Festival). Amore Magazine's reader poll voted Carroll a top solo artist, and his songwriting and performances have been celebrated by New York Songwriters Circle and BMI New York.
"One thing that stands out about Carroll's music is his songwriting. He writes crisp, descriptive lyrics that flow and blend wonderfully with the music. Never one to be hung up with genres, he moves fluidly from folk to soul to blues to pop."
An evening of great jazz and flamenco instrumentals on the nylon classical guitar!
Laying claim to the title of “the world’s fastest finger-style jazz guistarist” is a bold declaration, and one best when backed up by the chops. After hearing Giovanni Guido’s Guitar Master album, I’m a believer he has a right to that superlative distinction. I was grateful that there were video clips of him in action on his website, so that I could vouch for the fact that this music is indeed the result of his talents rather than studio wizardry or enhancements.
In addition to his technical virtuosity, some of the innovations he brings are his choice of instrument and the way he plays it. The nylon stringed classical guitar is not as often found in a jazz context. A small number of artists such as Charlie Byrd and Earl Klugh have used it that way, but they are few and far between. And while finger-style guitar, which doesn’t use a pick, is certainly not uncommon in classical, folk, flamenco, and other musical genres, rarely if ever has anyone used this technique in jazz with such speed and dexterity as Giovanni. One of his influences in this particular style is Paco De Lucia, possibly the world’s greatest flamenco guitarist. Listeners who enjoy Paco’s solo work will find a lot to like in Guitar Master.
Giovanni, who was born in Naples Italy, started his love affair with the guitar at the tender age of eight years old. He continued on with it, eventually graduating from the Guildhall School Of Music And Drama in London and later studied at the Guitar Institute in Hollywood, California. Fate led to a connection with the famed and highly regarded group The Jazz Crusaders, which he became a permanent member of and toured the world with for five years. These and many other experiences and international awards have lead him to this, his first full length CD featuring his must be heard to be believed guitar work.
This German-born, award-winning, internationally acclaimed performing songwriter got his musical roots from being born into an occupied Germany and fed a rich diet of American and British music. His potpourri of influences include Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Peter Gabriel, The Beatles, Pat Metheny, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Debussy, Earth Wind & Fire, and Eric Clapton, to name a few.
With his first American album, Inside Out , Hans breaks down the walls between world, pop, folk, jazz, and acoustic music, blending these styles with elegance and grace, resulting in a refreshingly original and intriguing work that shines with imagery and a joyful celebration of life and love.
European Weekly "Hans York is a man of vast musical talents and on... "Hans York is a man of vast musical talents and one of the best songwriters around."
Friday May 6th, 2011. Bob Marshall
Bob Marshall has literally performed his music and entertained audiences from one side of the United States to the other. From the Chesapeake Bay to the beaches of the Pacific Ocean, Bob has been entertaining audiences for over thirty years. But, it doesn’t stop there. Bob’s music has also received international play in Canada, Australia, Japan, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the European continent.
Influenced by a variety of genres, Bob allows his music and words to speak for themselves through the most intimate of acoustic sounds. Bob has opened for nationally recognized acts such as Michael Smith and Tim Grimm.
Bob has recently released his new CD, “As Good As My Dog Thinks I Am”.
Grass Lake Folk Festival "Bob's voice continues to resonate with a mesmerizing quality and his guitar work is sublime."
Blue Note Cafe “Wide experience provided Bob with the insight that folk music does not have to have only a rural texture. The words that Bob sings are from the heart and the guitar playing is honest enough to lay bare the soul.”
David Lantz, the son of Marti Lantz and David Lantz III of Sciota, is studying jazz piano at the Juilliard School of Music in NYC. He is a graduate of Stroudsburg High School, where he studied piano, guitar, and saxophone.
Last November he was asked to play piano as part of a jazz trio at the Governor's Awards for the Arts in Williamsport.
Davy has attended CampJazz and been involved with COTA Cats as part of the Celebration of the Arts here in the Poconos. Come enjoy a refreshing evening of music by jazz piano prodigy Davy Lantz IV.
"Sundad creates World Fusion and New Age music -- intricate rhythms and beautiful guitar harmonies that capture your heart and soul."
Comprised of father and son guitarists, John Eurell Sr. and John Eurell Jr., Sundad is making their name as an acoustic band whose compositions, recordings, and live performances are filled with beautiful rythyms, harmonies, and chord changes. The original repertoire consists mainly of finger-style acoustic guitar instrumentals that have been described as "World Fusion, New Age" and Jam-Band music. Live performances often include other great musicians whom Sundad loves to perform with.
Their 1st CD, Journey To Eternity, received a first round Grammy Nomination for 2005 Best Contemporary World Album. The CD debuted at #3, remained in the Top 50 for 6 straight months, aired across the USA on over 180 public radio stations, internationally in Spain, Belarus, Canada, Romania, Australia and Japan and ranked #23 on the 2005 Top 100 Radio Airplay Chart. It also made the Top Twenty Most Played Albums on USA and International radio shows a total of over 110 times. Additionally XM Satellite Radio featured the album on it's "The Best Music this week on XM " listing for the week of August 22-28, 2005.
Their 2nd CD, The Journey Continues, was released in June of 2008 and immediately hit the World / New Age radio spin charts at Number 3. The CD also received a 2008 1st Round Grammy Nomination for Best POP Instrumental Album. The album has aired all over the USA and in Europe, Australia, Canada, Ireland and Mexico. On Sirius/XM Satellite radio, the track Chets Favorite made the Top 40 Most played songs for 11 weeks running (2008/2009) including 2 weeks at Number One. Sundad also made the Top 40 Most Played Artists for 10 weeks straight over that time span.
Sundad's music has aired numerous times on the nationally syndicated "Echoes" radio show with host John Diliberto and is in rotation on "Galaxie", Canada’s most widely distributed digital audio network, on Sirius/XM satellite radio, and cable TV's Music Choice.
"(Bickhardt) can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best, and therein we see why so many flock to his work: not an inch of the craft is neglected anywhere in Brother to the Wind."
- Mark S. Tucker, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
"...conjures the extraordinary from ordinary events in life's journey."
- Maverick Magazine
"(Bickhardt) has the knack of saying a great deal in a few words...fine stuff from a man who is not a newcomer at music or life!"
- Michael Devlin, Music Matters.
"...warm country-folk, couched in spacious, mellow and companionable settings..."
- NetRhythms UK
"...echoes from Laurel Canyon's singer-songwriters...his songwriting pen is dipped in the blood of his own heart."
- Johan Kronquist, Lira Musikmagasin
"Craig Bickhardt brings proof that another type of [music] is possible, even in Nashville, besides the country pop soup now being served in Music City. In any case, Bickhardt doesn’t care at all what label is put on his music. For he’s long had his metal tested –first, as a composer, then as a guitarist, and finally as a singer."
- Sur La Route De Memphis Magazine
A-Side Records recording artist Robb Taylor has been on the stage with the likes of Charlie Daniels, Chubby Checker, Taylor Hicks, and more.
No longer just an opening act, major acts such as Jerry Lee Lewis have opened for him. He is currently in the studio working on his third CD "Dreamcatcher". Some of his Theatre credits include "Catch Me If You Can", "Evita", and more recently the controversial "Blackbird". A few of his films include "Rocky V", "Fisher King", "A Mother's Revenge" and more. You can find out more about this talented artist at RobbTaylor.com
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
Marc is one of a very few artists who's music has found a home both folk and pop radio as well as avant guarde shows like Jonn Schaeffer's New Sounds on WNYC. He carries on the Woodstock tradition of dealing with social and spiritual challenges...one song at a time.
He was a finalist in this year's Kerrville Folk Festival 'New Folk' competition. He also recently won 'Artist of the Year' honors from ABC Radio's Fame Games, the New Jersey Folk Festival and the Austin Songwriters' competition.
His Youtube videos have been viewed as many as 35,000 times. He was a featured performer at the Sundance Film Festival (with Donovan), Levon Helm invited him to perform at one the 'Rambles' in Woodstock; and Marc's song, "Lies in Red, White & Blue" has been as high as #33 on Neil Young's Living with War' site.
Marc has received the Mobius and the London International Advertising Awards for Best Original Music and has also been noted for songwriting, production and performance by Rolling Stone Magazine, the American Library Association, and Billboard Magazine.
He has recorded with an array of luminaries including Taj Mahal, Jack DeJonnette, Rick Danko, PDQ Bach, and Garth Hudson (keyboardist for the 'Band'); collaborated with Richie Havens on the title cut of the award-winning, American children CD, and the song he wrote for the NY Mets this year was featured on the Diamond Vision screen at the new Stadium.
His most recent full CD, Stroke of Genius features a supporting cast that includes Warren Bernhardt, Steve Gadd, Art Garfunkel, John Sebastian, and the Dixie Hummingbirds. The lyrics on this new album are based on the inspired poetry of a man who was in a coma for 21 days and miraculously woke up after his doctors had pulled life support.
As Paul Winter put it, "His songs are great and his singing is superb."
With his down-to-earth appeal and deceptively sharp writing, Jesse Terry plants himself firmly among the most promising singer-songwriters of his generation. His 2009 debut, The Runner, which was licensed to popular MTV shows The Hills and The City, introduced him as an inspired prodigy with the potential to score big on the Americana scene. Michael McCall of the Nashville Scene lauded Terry for offering "a sophisticated melodic touch to his tender musings about love and finding his place in the world." While the sounds of popular music become increasingly inflated, he wades into the fray with graceful, understated arrangements that embrace his ambitious songs.
With a warm and precise baritone, Terry builds a kinship with the people he sings about---estranged lovers and lonesome drinkers, heartless women and hopeless romantics---and that special bond is always a sweet comfort. “I love how every day and every town is completely unique," he says. "I love how I can be in New York City one week and in Big Sky Country the next. As a writer, meeting all kinds of people from so many different walks of life inspires me and feeds my muse. Touring is truly an adventure for me and is something that I’ll never get out of my system.”
'Mean Mary' James, a Florida native now based in Nashville, began life as a musical prodigy—could read music before she could read words and co-wrote songs at age five. By age seven she was proficient on the guitar, banjo, & violin, and entertained audiences across the US with her vocal and instrumental skills.
Her life has been one long road show interspersed with TV, radio, and film. She has performed more than 500 live TV shows and over 4,000 road shows—including national festivals, fairs, cruises, colleges, theatres, clubs and house concerts.
Today she labors on her TV show, produces music for herself and other artists, produces shows and videos, is co-writing a novel trilogy about the music world, is an endorsing artist for Deering Banjos, and is constantly touring. She has recorded 12 CD’s, her newest being WALK A LITTLE WAYS WITH ME.
Electric Diamond is arguably one of the longest-lived electronic performance ensembles - 35 years plus and going strong. The ensemble first performed in 1976 playing concerts at Carnegie Recital Hall, Symphony Space, the Guggenheim Museum and other venues of the New York 1970s new music scene. In the mid 1980’s electronic wind player founder Stuart Diamond joined forces with the electric electric keyboard innovator Don Slepian, whose credits and talents are legendary – from artist-engineer-in-residence at Bell Laboratories to the original ambient sound painter for “Music form the Hearts of Space”.
Together they began presenting programs that integrated classical music with free-flowing improvisations – from Bach to Mussorgsky, from medieval dances to Native American soundscapes. They have performed throughout America and Asia, performing for the erudite audiences at Steinway hall to the mass audiences at the Macy’s 4th of July Celebration in downtown Manhattan.
The September 23rd performance celebrates the return to Electric Diamond of rocking classical violinist Karen Bentley Pollick. Karen is one of today’s leading contemporary violinists, violist and pianists, blending every conceivable style of modern music making into her own unique artistic palette.
Electric Diamond’s performance promises to be a seamless and flowing mediation, integrating classical, jazz, pop, folk, medieval music into the original sound that is Electric Diamond. Think electronic-classical-raga.
Over the past six years, classically trained vocalist Eleanor Kleiner and French bassist Elie Brangbour have traveled the world on an adventure that began when the two met at the London Center of Contemporary Music in 2004. With a shared passion for music and travel, they took their unique brand of folk/rock across continents, logging enough frequent flier miles to make any avid traveler jealous.
Full of imagery and stories of the human condition, The Whispering Tree's songwriting is the backbone of their sound and has been heavily influenced by their travels abroad, which have taken them from South America to China. "There's nothing else I'd rather do than play music and communicate the shared human experience," said Kleiner, a native of New York.
With distinct musical influences, Kleiner and Brangbour fluidly bring their sound together. "I love how a song morphs when we both start working on it," said Brangbour, whose solid bass adds immense depth and intensity to their sound. "People relate to our music and say they feel a connection to it," said Kleiner. "So I always felt it would be shame if people didn't hear it."
People have heard it, and they've taken note. Following a seven month gig in China and the release of their self-titled EP, Kleiner's enchanting vocals earned her a nomination at the South Bay Music Awards in Los Angeles for "Female Vocalist of the Year." And Westsidewill.com said, "Although I can't put my finger on exactly what makes them so unique, something about their version of folk/rock is unlike anything I have heard before."
And their name, you ask? It was during a solo trip to South America that Kleiner took part in an ancient indigenous ritual and came up with the name The Whispering Tree, which represents strength and truth; two qualities omnipresent in their music.
Connor Garvey's songs are like placing folk-funk guitar & ukulele, soulful vocals, and paradoxical metaphors in a juicer- you've never tasted it before, but it's intriguing and delectable so you have to keep drinking. His clever rhythmic guitar and ukulele foundations provide a medium for his most prominent instrument, his voice. His songs draw the attention of the whole room with humor, daring honesty, and grace. Examine Garvey’s musical palette, and you will find songwriting masters like Martin Sexton, David Wilcox, John Gorka, Paul Simon, and Deb Talan (The Weepies) plus hues from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Catie Curtis, and Josh Ritter. And he listens to a lot of hip-hop. Connor comes to music to write songs. The symbiosis of person and craft leaves Garvey continually growing as a musician and positive soul. His musical resume includes songwriter competition victories, three self-released albums, self booked and promoted national touring, performances with the likes of Catie Curtis, Story Hill, Kevin So, The Bittersweets, Chris Keene, Slaid Cleaves, Jeff Mitchell, and Dan Walker plus heartfelt appreciation from living room crowds to full auditoriums. As Connor’s musical career gains momentum he is bringing with him messages of hope, growth, and love in songs that silence rooms, brighten smiles, and inspires others to sing out.
"And it may not mean a thing to a head below the clouds, trying to make sense of things that dreamers dream about. But one thing is clear to me when the romance starts -- it may not seem too smart, but it matters to the heart." CD Title Lyric by Lindy Hearne
From their Spring Hollow Organic Song Farm in the piney woods outside the rural arts hamlet of Winnsboro, Texas – performing songwriters Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne serve up a bountiful harvest on “To The Heart.” (Note: she’s the Adler; he’s the Hearne. Their music is of the folk-jazz / blues-grass variety.)
The two met in Nashville while on solo musical journeys. Years later their paths merged in Texas, where they formed the duo Adler & Hearne. Returning to the city where they first met, they recorded this – their debut studio recording. A carefully chosen collection of 13 songs – each story illuminating a larger theme; images of water (healing, restorative, flowing), bridges, and the preciousness of love and life.
Their music has grown deep roots in the sandy soil of Texas’ upper east side. Adler & Hearne’s songs reflect glimmers of their life stories, and their home – considered hallowed ground by the stream of friends and family who gather there for the reverie of music making by the deep spring waters of ‘Goolsby’s Pool.’
Juggernaut String Band runs on a high octane blend of classic rock; bluegrass; Cajun; Irish and Mardi Gras music, much of it written by Pete Taney for the many musicians he’s worked with following the musical road from major festivals here and abroad to humble mountain pubs and adapting music for the handicapped.
Don’t be surprised to see audience members join the band for an impromptu parade.
Pete rocks the banjo, fiddle and vocals with Cat Burbage on bass; drum kit, rubboard, hand percussion, parade snare and vocals, (sometimes all at once.)
Danielle Miraglia comes armed with a strong steady thumb on an old Gibson, an infectious stomp-box rhythm and harmonica. Her tunes range from heart-felt to socially conscious and will move both your heart and hips. Danielle's latest release “Box of Troubles” a bare-bones expression of all these attributes, explores the highs and lows that life has to offer and has already received rave reviews.
“She’s an up and coming blues woman who doesn't hide behind a huge band -- they're here but she is definitely front and center with her in-your-face attitude. Combine that with her hot acoustic slide guitar and a voice with a Janis Joplin edge and you've got some great tunes that even a hardcore Robert Johnson fan will love. Every song on this collection of original tunes is good but two stand out. One is "Stagger Lee," driven by a slide guitar and a dramatic story. The other, "See the Light," has a great harmonica punctuating the beat, a bluesy banjo and a foot-tapping sing along chorus where she sings "I’m all right if you’re all right." Now that we’re heard you, Danielle, we are.”
– Jamie Anderson, Minor7th
"Hopefully the rest of the world will find out what we've known for years in New England -- that Danielle Miraglia is a fabulously gifted singer-songwriter whose uncanny folk/blues/jazz is both progressive and highly original. Her new album, "Box of Troubles,'' is a box of pleasure if there ever was one.''
-- STEVE MORSE - Boston Globe music critic
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This German-born, award-winning, internationally acclaimed performing songwriter got his musical roots from being born into an occupied Germany and fed a rich diet of American and British music. His potpourri of influences include Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Peter Gabriel, The Beatles, Pat Metheny, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Debussy, Earth Wind & Fire, and Eric Clapton, to name a few. 
"Sundad creates World Fusion and New Age music -- intricate rhythms and beautiful guitar harmonies that capture your heart and soul.".jpg)
"(Bickhardt) can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best, and therein we see why so many flock to his work: not an inch of the craft is neglected anywhere in Brother to the Wind."
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