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Alphabetical Listing of 2001 TPFF Performers
Performers are listed alphabetically by last name (if solo performer or dance workshop instructor), group name, or the first appearing surname of a duo or other number of performers.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L |
| M | O | P | R | S | T | W | Y |
Ahimsa Youth Organization is a charitable and educational organization dedicated
to educating and promoting the culture of South Asia to non-South Asians. Performances
by teenagers — from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and elsewhere — will
feature traditional music and poetry, colorful costumes, and graceful dancing.
In addition to providing a special window on the artistic cultures of those
countries, Ahimsa has raised funds to help hundreds of homeless and underprivileged
individuals in the Washington, D.C. area. Contact: www.ayo.org.
ANANSEGROMMA OF GHANA
Anansegromma offers an exhilarating and memorable introduction to West African
dance, drumming, folk songs, and games. With extensive backgrounds as teachers
and performers, Kofi Dennis and Kwame AnsaBrew have developed programs that
engage, entertain, and educate. Contact: anansegro@aol.com.
ARCHIE EDWARDS BLUES HERITAGE FOUNDATION
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation returns for its second consecutive
year to bring a touch of the blues to the Folk Festival. The Foundation is
an ever-changing mix of young and experienced musicians who celebrate the
blues through concerts and jam sessions. In one of Washington, D.C.'s least-known
musical adventures, Foundation members jam every Saturday afternoon at the
barbershop of the late Archie Edwards. One of the group's members, Eleanor
Ellis, also played at the first Takoma Park Folk Festival. Contact: 202-526-7539
ARTE FLAMENCO
Arte Flamenco, a non-profit corporation, was created by Natalia Monteleon in
New Orleans. Upon returning to this area, Natalia recreated the company in
1998 and selected members from her advanced students at her studio in Laurel,
Md. In January 2001, the company made its first appearance at the John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Millennium Stage. They are exciting
exemplars of the Flamenco dance tradition and culture - a blending of many
cultures that thrived over the centuries in the Iberian Peninsula, and includes
elements of the New World and of Africa, brought back by the "Flamencos" who
journeyed to those continents. Light and dark, somber and sunny, joyful and
tragic, coquettish and profoundly serious — that is Flamenco. Contact: www.geocities.com/jasdance.
BABA JAMAL KORAM
Renowned author and educator, Baba Jamal Koram illustrates traditional African
values through stories that transfix children and adults. The experiences
and messages in his stories speak to the entire human family. Join him for
an enthralling journey through the African landscape. Contact: www.classactsarts.org.
BIG BLOW AND THE BUSHWACKERS
This band just loves music with groove! Without shame they borrow, steal, and
write what they like in Celtic, Cajun, pop-satire, a cappella, old-timey
music and country blues. Kids enjoy their strange instruments — like
the dijiridu, the sump-thumper, and the flopophone. Adults groove to their
sounds. Contact: www.bigblowandthebushwackers.com.
BLUE MOON COWGIRLS
Singers Ann Porcella, Karen Collins and Dana Ward and their accompanist Ira
Gitlin will take you back to the roots of country music. With an emphasis
on close harmonies, they bring together distinctive styles and voices to
create a unique blend of honky-tonk. Ann Porcella's musical taste gravitates
toward the gospel music she learned at home from her preacher father and
large, musical family. Harmony singing is her first love; her deep, powerhouse
voice adapts well to many traditional styles. Dana Ward, a native of North
Carolina, has never strayed far from bluegrass and early country music. She
has traveled the Southeast with duet partner Bob Kogut to perform in concerts
and at bluegrass, folk and old-time music festivals. Karen Collins, a coal
miner's daughter from southwest Virginia, grew up listening to country music.
She is fiddler and vocalist with the Washington area's popular Cajun band
Squeeze Bayou. Blue Moon Instrumentalist: Ira Gitlin's guitar playing gets
its down-to-earth drive from his long involvement in bluegrass and its sophisticated
rhythms and harmonies from his interest in western swing and jazz. A multi-instrumentalist
and former National Banjo champion, Ira is in demand as a sideman and music
instructor. He can be also be heard locally with the Urban Legends and the
Oklahoma Twisters. Contact: (301) 270-2586 or http://members.aol.com/kcollin/bluemoon/
BOG WANDERERS CEILI BAND (MUSIC, IRISH SET DANCE WORKSHOP
FEATURING THE NORTH KERRY SET)
Join us for a demonstration of traditional Irish step-dancing with the Sean
Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance and an Irish set dance workshop featuring
the North Kerry set with music by the Bog Wanderers Ceili Band. A ceili band
is one that plays for Irish country dancing, and the Bog Wanderers are one
of the top ceili bands on the east coast. Jibs, reels, hornpipes, polkas, and
slides are their mainstay with the added attraction of superb vocals by banjo
player Betsy O'Malley. Band members: Betsy O'Malley, tenor banjo, tin whistle
and vocals; Joe Dezarn, fiddle, remarks; Danny Flynn, accordions; Tabby Finch,
piano, harp, hammered dulcimer; and Jesse Winch, drums, percussion, mandola,
guitar and harmonica. Contact: Jesse Winch at jessewinch@hotmail.com.
LAURA BROWN (INSTRUCTOR, CONTRA DANCE WORKSHOP)
Laura has been teaching American folk dances for six years and specializes
in quickly bringing beginners to a comfort level.
CANTARÉ
Patricia Vergara and Cecilia Esquivel take their audiences on a trip across
different cultures that shaped the music of Latin America: indigenous folk
music, Spanish, Portuguese, and African influences. They produce different
rhythms and harmonies from piano and guitar, small percussion instruments
(claves, guiro, cajon, chajchas, bombo, agogo), and accordions, winds (quena,
zampona), and charango. Contact: Cecila@barnes.cncdsl.com.
FRANK CASSEL
With his banjo slung over his shoulder and a smile on his face, Frank Cassel
brings joy to the Festival each year. He's also a fixture at the Takoma Park
Farmers' Market on Sunday mornings. Contact: http://members.aol.com/BanjoManFC.
CAREY COLVIN
Carey Colvin has been a regular nominee for the Washington Area Music Association
Awards since 1998 and was the winner of the Debut Recording of the Year in
2000, her first full CD, "The Distance Wall." Carey's voice has
been called "as bright and clear as a ringing bell," "earthy
and friendly," and "warm" by critics. Contact: www.careycolvin.com.
SEAN CULKIN (INSTRUCTOR, IRISH STEP DANCE WORKSHOP
Sean is the director of the nationally regarded Culkin School of
Traditional Irish Dance. At the Folk Festival, he will teach Irish step
dance, concentrating on jig steps. Contact: www.culkinschool.com.
TERRENCE DAVEY (INSTRUCTOR, CAJUN DANCE WORKSHOP)
Terrence has taught Cajun and Zydeco dance to enthusiastic audiences from Richmond
to Baltimore. He is adept at getting even the most shy beginner dancing in
minutes. Contact: tmdavey@earthlink.net.
GINA DeSIMONE
Gina DeSimone is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, with a clear, honest
voice that speaks directly to the heart. Enriched by intricate guitar work
and fluid melodies, Gina's music has a depth and meaning, is sometimes irreverent
and always entertaining. Gina's debut CD, "Drifting," engages and
challenges listeners with her observations about life, love, sadness, struggle,
and perseverance. Her silky voice and sexy rhythms will draw you in and send
you to far away places. Contact: Spangler@erols.com.
ELLEN ENGLE AND MARK SHEPANEK (INSTRUCTORS, SWING DANCE WORKSHOP)
Ellen and Marc, a.k.a. Flying Feet Enterprises, have won swing dance championships
from Virginia to Australia. Popular local area dance instructors for the
past 10 years, Ellen and Mark teach at Glen Echo Park and at Timpano Chophouse
in Rockville. Marc and Ellen believe that the best dance move in the world
is a smile, and as long as you take care of your partner and those around
you, there are no wrong moves, there are only new moves. Contact: www.erols.com/flyfeet.
EXUBERANCE, ELLEN JACOBS' FIDDLE STUDENTS (MUSIC, FREE WALTZ)
"Exuberance" is a group of young fiddlers brought together by their
teacher, Ellen Jacobs. Their level of enthusiasm and technique, rarely heard
among pre-teen and teen fiddlers, has resulted in numerous concert and festival
invitations in the past three years. They explore a range of fiddle styles and
take great joy in the creative possibilities of making music as a group. In addition
to Ellen, the group will be backed up by Mark Vidor, Richard Seidel, and Larry
Robinson. Contact: robinj@us.net.
GARY FERGUSON and SALLY LOVE
Gary Ferguson and Sally Love are two of bluegrass music's shining stars. Delighting
audiences wherever they perform, their warm, expressive vocals breathe life
into original compositions, bluegrass standards, and crossover tunes. Gary
plays guitar and sings lead, including many of his own award-winning compositions.
Gary has had two No. 2 songs on the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30, and his last
album reach No. 4. He has been a finalist in the Chris Austin Songwriting
Contest 5 times at the Merlefest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. In 1993 and
1996 Gary was nominated Male Vocalist, Song of the , and Album of the Year
at IBMA. Sally Love adds harmony and lead vocals, and plays guitar. A 2001
the Washington Area Music Association Awards nominee for best female bluegrass
vocalist, Sally performs regularly with bands at The Ramshead Tavern, Kennedy
Center, and The Barns at Wolf Trap. Sally makes her home in Takoma Park.
Contact: fergusonfour@supernet.com.
CATHY FINK & MARCY MARXER
Three-time Grammy Award nominees will mesmerize listeners with their energy,
harmony, and musical ability. Contact: www.cathymarcy.com.
FIRE AND EARTH
Amikaeyla "Ami" Proudfoot Gaston and Deborah "Spice" Kleinmann
send traditional and original folk songs down new pathways with their powerful
harmonies. They will make you laugh and cry and feel all squishy inside. They
have performed on the Clearwater Boat on the Hudson River, as well as many
D.C. area venues. Contact: 410-828-4070
FOGGY BOTTOM MORRIS MEN
Join the Foggy Bottom Morris Men as they demonstrate dances from the English
villages of Badby, Bampton, and the Welsh-English border regions. This group
will weave throughout the Festival grounds, bringing its festive music, jangling
bell-ringing, and high-kneed dance style. The troupe always welcomes new
participants and members to its practices in Silver Spring Contact: 410.480.3289
or www.science.gmu.edu/~bgraham/foggy.html.
STEVE GESTER (DANCE INSTRUCTOR, TANGO WORKSHOP)
Steve has taught ballroom dancing for more than 25 years. He's helped literally
thousands of men and women and children to enjoy ragtime/ballroom, tango,
waltz, one-step, foxtrot, swing, Cajun, and some Scandinavian and Latin dances.
Nancy Pineles will be Steve's teaching assistant. Contact: 410-788-9562
JOE GLAZER
Folksinger and social historian Joe Glazer has been collecting, composing,
and performing songs of workers, protest, and politics for more than 50 years.
He has performed in nearly every state in the U.S. and more than 60 countries
around the world. His performance at the Festival may include some short
reflections of his experiences over the years with luminaries such as Franklin
Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, George Meany, and Cesar Chavez. Contact: glazerjoe-M@boo.net.
LILO GONZALES
Kids of all ages will enjoy evocative Salvadoran music and the fun of musical
games.
JOE HICKERSON
Since 1953, Joe Hickerson has performed over a thousand times at a wide range
of venues and before a wide variety of audiences in the United States, Canada,
Finland, and Ukraine. He has been referred to as the "folksinger's folksinger." Joe
also was the author of the 4th and 5th verses of the folk classic, "Where
Have All the Flowers Gone?" Contact: jhick@starpower.net.
PAT HUMPHRIES
Pat Humphries' participation in the "Sam Abbott Memorial Concert" is
a tribute to her nearly 25 years of performing songs of protest, commitment,
and unity. She has the ability to get an entire audience to join her in song — an
element of her desire to change the world one song at a time. Pat keeps alive
the memory and vision of fellow Ohio native Phil Ochs, and has been a civil
rights activist in Nicaragua and a participant in numerous labor rallies in
the U.S. Not only did she attend the Fourth United Nations Conference on Women
(Beijing) in 1995, but she sang her anthem, "Keep on Moving Forward (Never
Turning Back)," to open the conference. A newcomer to the Washington,
D.C., area, she has played with several Takoma Park Folk Festival musicians
on her two recordings. Contact: Myrnaross@juno.com.
IN PROCESS…
This African-American women's a cappella ensemble returns to the Folk Festival
after a hugely popular session in 2000. Since starting in the Washington
D.C., area 20 years ago, these four performers lift their voices to raise
contemporary issues and the consciousness of all people. Their blended repertoire
includes spirituals, gospel, jazz, blues, and historic and contemporary songs
of freedom, peace and justice. The members are Nketia Agyeman, Michelle Lanchester,
Paula Pree, and Pam Rogers. Contact: www.inprocess.org.
JAHBONE
JahBone is…Eric Maring, Amikaeyla Proudfoot Gaston, and Gregory Heelan.
Using energetic harmonies and a wide array of instruments (from an African
djembe, Peruvian charango, guitar, and …a donkey jawbone), they perform
an eclectic mix of folk music from around the world. Their improvisational
sing-alongs encourage participation from audiences of all ages. Contact: www.ericmaring.com.
THE JESSE PALIDOFSKY GROUP
The Jesse Palidofsky Group presents diverse program that draws from musical
traditions as varied as Jazz, Latin, Russian, the blues, and Celtic. Traditional
songs and Jesse's original compositions (which have been featured on (WETA-FM's "Traditions" program,
Montgomery Cable TV's "Takoma Coffeehouse," the Washington Folk
Festival, and elsewhere) are guaranteed to get your feet tapping. Richard "Mr.
Bones" Thomas provides the group with an unusual percussive sound from
his short-rib bones. A native of Washington, D.C., Richard is a community
treasure, a living link to the African-American tradition. Clarinetist and
soprano saxophonist Jonah Blaustein brings his own eclectic musical instruments
to The Palidofsky Group. He is a fabulous instrumentalist who's as comfortable
with early Jazz and Klezmer as he is with Latin cumbio dance music, and Greek,
Macedonian, and Armenian traditional folk music. String bassist Mick Collins
has been performing in the Washington, D.C., area since junior high school.
Since returning to this area in 1985, Mick has appeared with several local
orchestras, including the Prince George's Philharmonic, the McLean Orchestra,
and the Takoma Park Symphony Orchestra. Contact: jessepal1@aol.com.
CLETUS KENNELLY AND FRIENDS
Cletus Kennelly, named "Best New Artist" in the year 2000 by the
Washington Area Music Association, is an award-winning songwriter whose music
blends contemporary urban folk with elements of melodic pop and alternative
rock. He accompanies his passionate vocals with both the power and the delicacy
of his 12-string guitar. His songs crate vivid character portraits as they
explore the range of human emotions. Cletus' debut CD "Thread" was
produced by Washington Area Producer of the Year Marco Delmar, with additional
production by Pete Kennedy. The CD, released in May 2000, features some of
the D.C. area's finest musicians and songwriters, including Pete and Maura
Kennedy, Lea, Morgan Rowe, and percussionist Tamir Eid. Joining Cletus at the
Festival will be Lori Kelley and Lea. Contact: www.cletuskennelly.com.
STEVE KEY
Steve Key recently returned to Washington after five years in Nashville, where
he hosted weekly songwriter shows, co-wrote with staff writers on Music Row,
and placed songs with a number of country, folk, and blues artists. He will
be playing locally throughout the fall and hosts the Red Rover Concerts,
held on third Sundays at the River Road Unitarian Church in Bethesda. "I
enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for contemporary folk music with friends and
total strangers," he says. Contact: Stevekey@aol.com or www.folkdude.com.
MOONDI KLEIN
Founding member of the Rock Creek Bluegrass Band, lead vocalist for The Seldom
Scene and Chesapeake, Moondi Klein finally brings his beautiful tenor voice
and irreverent musical style to our stage. Moondi's music can't really be
classified. It's an intoxicating blend of reggae, rock, Celtic and country-influenced
bluegrass. Moondi will be joined by talented and versatile area musicians,
which may include T. Michael Coleman, Starz Vanderlocket, and Mike Mumford —-
but your guess is as good as ours! Contact: 301-588-1104.
KLEZCENTRICITY
Klezcentricity, formed in 1999 by seminal Klezmer revivalist David Julian Gray,
is emerging as one of the most exciting and creative Klezmer ensembles working
today. The ensemble has developed a sound of unaffected authenticity and
a modern sensibility. David began his career as founding member of The Klezmorim,
whose recordings and concerts in the late 1970s ignited the international
revival of Klezmer, the dance band music of Eastern European Jewry. Contact: www.klezcentricity.com.
LEA
Lea is an emerging artist in the D.C. music scene, with nominations in the
1999 and 2000 Washington Area Music Association awards. Fans throughout the
Mid-Atlantic region are drawn to her memorable original songs and velvety
voice and a friendly, at-ease presence on stage. Her singing and songwriting
blends strong folk influences with the sophistication of jazz and the emotion
of the blues. Contact: www.busofmonkeys.com.
LIZ LERMAN DANCE EXCHANGE
Takoma's own dance diplomat brings us inspired expressive movement from dancers
of all ages. Attend the performance and find out how you can participate
in one of Liz Lerman's classes or performance groups that are known around
the United States for their unique approach to dance and movement. Contact: www.danceexchange.org/
LUK NA GLAVATA (MUSIC: MACEDONIAN DANCE WORKSHOP)
Macedonian "izvorno" music comes from Macedonian culture and its
villages - the band plays shepherds' instruments to produce celebratory tunes
for listening and dancing. Join them for a unique rhythmic and melodic sound.
Performers: Len Newman, Tambura; Craig Packard, kaval, gaida, vocals; Tsvety
Dosseva, vocals; Larry Weiner, Tupan; Bryndyn Weiner, vocals: Valerii Georgievstei,
Kaval. Contact: lnewman@merklenet.com.
NAMU LWANGA
Born and educated in Uganda, Namu has been sharing her country's rich culture
and heritage with audiences in the U.S. and Africa for two decades. She sings
in the Zouk, soukous, soca, and reggae musical styles with in a distinctive
low-register voice, and plays the Ndongo (bowl lyre) string instrument, Nndingidi
(tube fiddle), Akogo (thumb piano), Madinda (xylophone), and drums. Namu
also is a storyteller, playwright, actress and artistic educator. Namu is
the director of 'Kayaga! of Africa' — a performing dance and music group
named after her mother. In 1987, Namu's 'UGANDA' music composition won first
place in Kenya's International Music Festival.
WALT MICHAEL
A virtuoso performer on the hammered dulcimer, Walt has literally led the resurgence
in interest in the instrument and broadened musicians' understanding of its
potential. Walt brings alive old-time Southern Appalachian and Celtic music,
and he has written many breath-taking original compositions. His various
musical incarnations, including Bottle Hill, Michael, McCreesh & Campbell
and Walt Michael & Co. have spanned 27 years and taken him from the coal
camps of Appalachia to the Closing Ceremonies of the 13th Olympic Winter
Games. Walt is the Artist in Residence at Western Maryland College, as well
as Director of Common Ground on the Hill, a traditional arts organization
that seeks to promote interracial harmony through the arts. Contact: www.waltmichael.com.
WENDY MORRISON AND FRIENDS (MUSIC: TANGO WORKSHOP)
Wendy will be joined by Jonathan Jensen, Larry Robinson, Ellen Jacobs, and
Charlie Pilzer in a high-energy hour of klezmer music. Wendy is The House
of Musical Traditions' teacher of Irish tinwhistle, clawhammer banjo, piano
and button accordion, as well as English and Anglo concertina. Contact: www.hmtrad.com/wendy.
LISA MOSCATIELLO & BAND
Lisa Moscatiello is a singer and songwriter with roots in Celtic traditional
music, contemporary folk, pop and jazz. In January 2001, she won the Washington
Area Music Association Awards for Artist of the Year and Album of the Year
(Second Avenue). In addition to her solo work, she is the lead singer for
the New York City-based Celtic band Whirligig, and is the former lead singer
for the folk-rock band the New St. George. Lisa has been compared to Annie
Lennox, Sandy Denny and k.d. lang. In a review of her latest CD, Billboard
said she possesses "one of the most gorgeous vocal instruments in all
of folk-tinged pop." She is joined onstage by Rico Petruccelli (electric
bass), Fred Lieder (cello), Robbie Magruder (drums) and Phil Mathieu (electric
guitar). Contact: www.lisamoscatiello.com.
LUCI MURPHY
Luci Murphy has been performing for nearly 50 years and sings in 10 languages
(English, Spanish, French, Kreyol, Portuguese, Nguni, Arabic, Hebrew, Cherokee,
and ki-Swahili). She draws on the folklore of the world's cultures and employs
their musical idioms, while never forgetting her roots in spirituals, blues,
and jazz. In a lifetime spent singing in support of civil rights, she has
performed on behalf of the Wilmington 10; refugees from Palestine, Haiti,
and Central America; Nicaraguan Sandinistas, Chilean anti-fascists; Texas
farm workers; striking nurses; black union locals; shipyard workers in San
Diego; unemployed workers; Washington, D.C., tenants; the homeless; and victims
of police brutality. Luci appeared in the very first Takoma Park Folk Festival.
Contact: voters1@capaccess.org.
OORTS, ASHBROOK AND HOAG
This trio merges the stylist and repertoire input of its members, each having
roots in different traditions: Karen's Irish flute and hammered dulcimer,
Andrea's Scandinavian and American fiddle, and Paul's Belgian musette accordion
and jazz tinged plucked strings. The three are members of Cabaret Sauvignon,
a contra dance band. Karen Ashbrook and Paul Oorts play an exciting blend
of hammered dulcimer, wooden flute, fretted strings, and accordion. Their
repertoire is based in Irish music, but also draws from Paul's native Flemish
and French music, contra dance, and classical repertoire. Karen and Paul
are principal members of two groups: Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble and Celtic
Café. Contact: www.karenashbrook.com.
The queen of Takoma Park fiddlers, Andrea Hoag has traveled around the world
studying and teaching traditional fiddle styles. From Sweden to Scotland
to the Southern Appalachian, she infuses each style with her passionate and
lyrical musical touch. Contact: www.andreahoag.com.
AL PETTEWAY AND AMY WHITE
Al Petteway and Amy White perform an intricate blend of contemporary, Celtic-influenced
original and traditional instrumental music. They bring on-stage a menagerie
of acoustic guitars, mandolin, piano, Irish bouzouki, and many percussion
instruments. During their live shows, this award-winning husband and wife
team captures the hearts of their audiences with sparkling vocals and colorful
stories about the places and events that have inspired their music. Contact: www.fairewood.com.
JAMIE PLATT (INSTRUCTOR, MACEDONIAN FOLK DANCE WORKSHOP)
An instructor in the area since 1980, Jamie started the Foggy Bottom Folkdancers
in 1983, and they meet every Thursday evening at St. Mary's Episcopal Church
on 23rd Street Northwest. Contact: Dancingplanet@erols.com.
TOM PRASADA-RAO
A virtual world music ensemble rolled into one guy. Tom makes his annual appearance
at the Festival to charm us all. His voice weaves incantations, and the guitar
is a magic wand in the hands of this extraordinary musician. Contact: www.tomprasada-rao.com.
REVERB
Reverb is an a cappella group that sings gospel, folk, and R&B. Founded
in 1991, Reverb has performed along the East Coast and has toured East and
Southern Africa, the Persian Gulf, and the Caribbean. The ensemble, which gave
a rousing performance at the Folk Festival in 2000, was named best gospel-inspirational
harmony group by the Washington Area Music Association in 1995 and has been
nominated twice since. The members of the band are Mike Briscoe, Christopher
Hunter, Russell Jeter III, Steve Langley, and Victor Pinkney. Contact: www.reverbmusic.com.
ROCK CREEK MORRIS WOMEN
The Rock Creek Morris Women are preserving English ritual dances and add sparkle
and grace to numerous local festivals in the spring and fall. Originating
in the Cotswold region of England, Morris dances celebrate the passing of
winter and to promote the growth of crops, beasts, and humans. The ringing
of bells and the clashing of sticks drives off unfriendly powers and awakens
the earth from its winter slumber. The lively steps and waving handerchiefs
lift people's spirits and inspire the crops to grow tall.Contact: 301-270-4328
or www.uswet.com/RCMW.html.
SAMOVAR RUSSIAN FOLK MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Samovar was formed in 1996 by several members of the Slavic Music Society of
Washington, D.C. The six-piece ensemble plays a wide selection of songs,
mostly Russian and Ukrainian folk songs, but with a selection from other
nationalities. Samovar has played at "First Night" celebrations
in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and at the Smithsonian, the Russian Embassy,
and various other venues in the Capital area. Contact: nazaretz@erols.com.
DAVID SHNEYER — SHOFAR BLOWING WORKSHOP (Jam Area)
David Shneyer is the director of the Am Kolel Judaic Resource and Renewal Center
in Rockville. He is also a member of the Fabrangen Fiddlers, one of our favorite
past performers of East European music at the Festival. This year, David
will be demonstrating the Shofar, or Ram's Horn, one of the oldest musical
instruments known to man. The sound of the Shofar gathers people together,
warns people of danger, and announces special days and seasons of liberation.
David will teach participants how to play the Shofar and the significance
of its sounds. Contact: Amkolel@aol.com.
SQUEEZE BAYOU
Squeeze Bayou may be a local band, but it plays some of the most authentic
Cajun dance music that can be heard anywhere. The band specializes in playing
two steps and waltzes; however, the music reflects a blend of many styles
including country music, blues and Creole. Most of their material comes from
traditional sources and the vocals are sung in Cajun French. The band includes
Karen Collins (fiddle, vocals), Matt Levine (steel guitar), Fred Feinstein
(guitar), Kevin Enoch (bass), and David Lope (drums). The musicians in Squeeze
Bayou have been performing traditional music at dances, festival parties
and other events in the Washington, D.C area for over 18 years. Contact: http://members.aol.com/kcollin/squeeze.
SULTANS OF SWING (MUSIC: SWING DANCE WORKSHOP)
The Sultans of Swing play dance music from the1920s – early 1960s, bringing
life to some of America's most enjoyable and upbeat music — Dixieland,
swing, and ballroom dance. You'll enjoy the swing of Jack Bryce (clarinet,
tenor and soprano saxes), Norm Cone (tenor and alto Saxes and clarinet), Russ
Doughty (bass), Hugh Collins (drums), and Dave Littlefield (keyboard). Contact: http://americanmusiccaravan.com.
THREE MOON UNION
Three Moon Union is a collective of women in song. Rachel Cross, Michelle Swan,
and Mary Sue Twohy — each of whom is recognized for her luminous voice
and musical sensibilities — mix genre and styles for unique blend you
may never hear again. World beats meets folk rock meets traditional. Contact: www.michelleswan.com.
TISZA ENSEMBLE & TÁNCHÁS! BAND
Tisza Ensemble has been bringing the rich tradition of Hungarian folk dance
to audiences throughout the eastern United States and Canada since 1982.
The energetic dancers present fast-paced and authentic performances, including
virtuoso men's dances, women's dances with bottles balanced on heads, Roma
(Gypsy) improvisations, and csardas (couple dances with dizzying turns).
The Ensemble's repertoire reflects Hungarian customs and historical periods,
including courtship, the wine harvest, herdsmen's skills contests, and the
officers' recruiting dance from the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Contact: www.tiszaensemble.org.
TRIO CHONTADURO
Trio Chontaduro was formed in 1994 by Ernesto Africano, Francisco Hoyos, and
Clara Hoyos to bring to the Washington, D.C., area many of South America's
folk music traditions. The trio plays a number of folk instruments during
each performance. Some are native to South America, and others are part of
a more universal family of musical instruments. These include the guitar,
the tiple, the cuatro, the bandola, the charango, the harp, and the bass.
Sometimes, they will feature wind and percussion instruments, such as the
wooden flute, the kena IIndian flute), the diatronic accordion, the bombo,
maracas, castanets, and the guiro or guacharaca. Ernesto, Francisco, and
Clara are Montgomery County residents who were born in Colombia. Ernesto
and Francisco are practicing physicians, and Clara studied law in Colombia.
Contact: www.triochontaduro.modica.com.
WHISKERS BEFORE BREAKFAST (CONTRA DANCE MUSIC)
Decades of experience playing for contra dances have shaped the musical personality
of each of the three members of Whiskers Before Breakfast. Al Taylor (fiddle)
and Ritchie Schuman earned their stars in the Glen Echo Open Band, and both
continue to perform regularly with various local groups. Steve Benka (hammer
dulcimer) comes out of the Chapel Hill, N.C., old-time and contra dance scene,
where he played with Moose Chowder. Together, the trio plays with both lilt
and drive, sure to put the beat in your feet. Contact: ritchie_schuman@yahoo.com.
YARAWI
Yarawi's musical arrangements and own compositions are part of a strong commitment
by people across the Washington, D.C., area to stem the deterioration of
Andean folklore, folklife, and music. For a special opportunity to hear this
ghostly, melodic music, listen to this quartet: Gustavo Azuga, who plays
charango (10 strings); Sikus Dirk Bayer (Diego), who plays quena, moseno,
and sirus (wind instruments); Edgar Marami, who plays the guitar and drums;
and Juan Ore, who plays guitar and drums. Contact: yarawi@erols.com.
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