Artist Category: Contemporary | Page 3

Dunham Shoe Factory

Dunham Shoe Factory is a collaboration between Anna Patton, Mac Ritchey, Todd Roach and Dave Haughey. They are a contemporary acoustic ensemble playing original compositions influenced by world traditions. Combining the clarinet, oud, percussion and cello, their music draws from an array of styles including Egyptian, Jazz, Brazilian, Turkish, Classical and Indian music.

Currently based in New England, individual members have performed in a variety of settings locally, nationally and internationally over the past 25 years. After coming together as Dunham Shoe Factory in 2016, the group has created a unique sound by weaving together the threads of common experience that exist between the players. Two of them hold masters degrees in music performance, two of them have studied traditional Arabic and Turkish music, two of them have performed with the Paul Winter Consort, and all of them have spent time improvising in a variety of settings.

Pretty Saro

Playing songs both new and old, Pretty Saro burst into New England Bluegrass scene in 2016. Since then the group has been honing in on their love for traditional music and contemporary songwriting. Dynamic arrangements and high energy performances take the listener on a journey through their personal experiences. Devon Gardner (Fiddle), Alex Formento (Guitar), and Joe Everrett (Bass) bring together their wide array of musical backgrounds to create a sound that builds on the foundation made by the heros who came before them.

The band has appeared on the stages of Grey Fox, Ossissipee Valley Music Festival, Freshgrass, Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, and many more. They frequently play all around the New England area at places like Club Passim, The Burren, Nick-a-Nees, Zenbarn, and other lovely venues as well.

George Jackson & Patrik Ahlberg

The USA has long been the meeting place and melting pot of the world’s music and culture. It’s no coincidence then, that two fiddle players George Jackson and Patrik Ahlberg, from New Zealand and Sweden respectively, felt the magnetism of America and found themselves living between two cities on American Interstate 65.

After meeting in Chicago teaching at a summer music school in 2016, George and Patrik met again in Nashville to begin working on arrangements of tunes for two fiddles. Bringing together sounds from the deep tradition of Swedish folk music, the celtic origins of antipodean immigration and a shared passion for the traditions of Appalachian America, George and Patrik play spirited and thoughtful dance music and combine their influences without restraint.

Takénobu

Takénobu is the middle name and musical appellative of cellist and composer Nick Ogawa, who performed for years as a live-looped solo outfit. Now joined by his talented violinist and vocalist wife, Kathryn Koch, Takénobu is a multilayered string duo. The pair perform original cinematic folk songs with vocal harmonies over layered pizzicato chords and dreamy and dramatic instrumental pieces.

Chatham County Line

Based on looks alone, Chatham County Line conjures a sepia-toned timelessness by huddling around a single microphone on stage, playing traditional string band instrumentation while clad in suits and ties. But for nearly two decades, the Raleigh, NC-based outfit has consistently crafted top-notch, original modern acoustic music that draws upon American roots forefathers like bluegrass inventor Bill Monroe and folk innovator John Hartford while acknowledging its own members’ backgrounds in rock ‘n’ roll band

Characterized by poignant songwriting and inventive arrangements, Chatham County Line’s latest album, Autumn, sees the quartet working comfortably in its sweet spot: Built around songwriter/guitarist Dave Wilson’s clever lines and compelling vignettes, the record is a treasure trove of the wistful balladry and dynamic toe-tappers that’ve become the band hallmarks. John Teer (mandolin/fiddle), Chandler Holt (banjo), and Greg Readling (bass) add stellar three- and four- harmonies for vocal highlights, while their impeccable yet unconventional picking—rooted in bluegrass but informed by a wealth of other influences—impresses without overshadowing Wilson’s rich storytelling.

Kittel & Co.

Kittel & Co. stands at the forefront of American acoustic music. Jeremy Kittel, a GRAMMY-nominated composer, heads this extraordinary group of musicians – each recognized as an innovator on their instrument. They’ve graced the stage at Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Celtic Connections (UK), National Folk Festival – and their debut album, Whorls didn’t just make waves; it stormed to the top 10 on Classical Billboard charts and claimed the #1 spot on the Bluegrass chart.

Bluegrass Situation said it best: Kittel & Co. “accomplished a feat of new acoustic, string band-rooted chamber music… whimsical, alluring, and magnificent”. Earmilk calls them “a stunning melting pot of classical and folk music, featuring some of the greatest musicians in the genre.” Kittel & Co. is currently working on their next studio album.

The current lineup includes mandolin phenom Josh Pinkham (named “the future of the mandolin” by Mandolin Magazine), bassist Jacob Warren, guitarist Quinn Bachand (called “Canada’s top Celtic guitarist” by Ashley MacIsaac), and hammer-dulcimer wizard Simon Chrisman (acclaimed for bringing a new tonal flexibility to the instrument).

“(Kittel & Co.) takes the string band tradition to marvelously rarefied levels of collective virtuosity. Playing a repertoire from bluegrass to Bach to a strathspey and reel set… [they] sounded thrillingly spontaneous… Taking traditional music forward.” — Times UK

The Maes

Multi-award-winning Melbourne contemporary folk outfit, The Maes (formerly The Mae Trio) is the brainchild of sisters Maggie and Elsie Rigby. Born into the arms of the Folk music community in Australia, both sisters were side of stage at their first folk festival when they were four weeks old and have been absorbing and exploring folk music since that time.

The Maes’ latest, self-titled record set for release in May 2019 is a return to the sisters’ folk music roots. Gentle, intimate and conversational, the album is an unadorned showcase of Maggie and Elsie’s superb songwriting as well as honest, relaxed and stunning vocal and instrumental performances.

Since 2014, The Maes have been full time touring in Australia and overseas, winning over audiences with their striking songwriting, intricate instrumental arrangements and stunning vocal harmonies. The band’s touring history includes a list of some of the worlds largest and most prestigious music festivals such as, the Woodford and Port Fairy Folk Festivals in Australia, The Edmonton and Vancouver Folk Festivals in Canada, Cambridge Folk and Celtic Connections festivals in the UK and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in the USA.

Esthema

Their beautifully produced third album Long Goodbye is a relentlessly classy and high-minded affair but with a knowing rock vibe writes Grant Moon of PROG Magazine about Esthemaąs latest release. An acoustic instrumental progressive music ensemble hailing from Boston, MA (USA), Esthema has been creating their unique sound since 2006 by fusing progressive rock and jazz fusion with the sounds of the traditional music of the Balkan region and the Near & Middle East. The musicians that shape the sound of Esthema bring together both western and eastern influences, instruments, and concepts creating a musical tapestry that transcends musical genres and cultures.

With three critically acclaimed releases to date, Apart From The Rest (2007), the Hereness and Nowness of Things (2009) and Long Goodbye (2014), Esthema is currently in the studio working on their next release, Esthema Śią scheduled for release in the fall 2018.

Esthema is:
Andy Milas (guitar)
Onur Dilisen (violin)
Mac Ritchey (oud, bouzouki, electric oud)
Tom Martin (bass)
George Lernis (drums, percussion)

Neil Pearlman

Multi-instrumentalist, producer, step dancer and host of the TradCafe podcast, Neil Pearlman is a vital and distinctive voice in contemporary folk music. Described as “a tremendous pianist” on BBC Radio Scotland and “a force to be reckoned with” by WGBH’s Brian O’Donovan, Neil is best known for his groundbreaking approach to the piano in Celtic music. Motivated by a deep musical curiosity and a love of collaboration, his playing is continually evolving and spontaneous without losing its roots in the traditional piano styles of Atlantic Canada, New England and Scotland. He has appeared internationally at major festivals such as the Newport Folk Festival, Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Celtic Colours in Cape Breton and the Orkney Folk Festival and has recorded or performed with luminaries of traditional folk music including Natalie MacMaster, Darol Anger, Seamus Egan and Alasdair Fraser.
Neil’s deep love of the Gaelic music traditions has seen him welcomed into spaces that few other Americans have been. He was selected for the 2025 Shannon Residency at Beinn Mhabu in Cape Breton and has performed and guest lectured at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at University of Limerick, Ireland and the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton, Scotland. His first solo piano album Refractions features frequently on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Radio Scotland and his 2020 release with Shetland fiddler Kevin Henderson received 5 stars from Scotland’s national newspaper The Scotsman.
In addition to touring regularly with Kevin Henderson, the Pine Tree Flyers, and as a solo pianist, Neil teaches at festivals throughout North America and Europe and has guest lectured at Berklee College of Music, Northeastern University and the aforementioned University of Limerick. He co-directs an annual St. Patrick’s Day concert with Katie McNally at Groton Hill Music Center and releases podcasts and video collaborations with musicians from around the world through his production company TradCafe.

Darol Anger

Grammy- Nominated Freestyle Fiddler, composer, producer and educator, Darol Anger is at home in a number of musical genres, some of which he helped to invent. Exceptional among modern fiddlers for his versatility and depth, Anger has helped drive the evolution of the contemporary string band through his involvement with numerous pathbreaking ensembles such as his Republic Of Strings, the Turtle Island String Quartet, the David Grisman Quintet, Montreux, his Duo with Mike Marshall, Mr Sun, and others.

He has performed and taught all over the world with musicians such as Dr. Billy Taylor, Bela Fleck, Bill Evans, Edgar Meyer, Bill Frisell, Tony Rice, Tim O’Brien, The Anonymous 4, Marin Alsop and the Cabrillo Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, Bruce Molsky, Mark O’Connor, and Stephane Grappelli. Today Darol can be heard on NPR’s “Car Talk” theme every week, along with Earl Scruggs, David Grisman and Tony Rice. Alumni of his touring band The Republic Of Strings include Brittany Haas, Rushad Eggleston, Jeremy Kittel, Sara Watkins, Tristan Clarridge, Mike Block, Scott Law, Gabriel Witcher, Joy Adams, Maeve Gilchrist, Scott Nygaard, and Joe K Walsh.

Darol was also the violinist on the phenomenally popular Sim City computer games. In addition to performing all over the world, he has recorded and produced scores of important recordings since 1977, is a MacDowell and UCross Fellow, and has received numerous composers’ residencies and grants. He has been a featured soloist on dozens of recordings and motion picture soundtracks.

An Associate Professor Emeritus at the prestigious Berklee School of music, he now runs an ambitious online fiddle school at ArtistWorks.com. He is interested in 5-string violin technology and has built 2.