Event Details:  Lansdowne Folk Club presents singer-songwriter Dan May on Thursday, January 23, 2020.  For more information, check him out at https://www.danmaycd.com.

Show Time: 7:30 pm EST

Tickets: $17 with advance purchase or reservation and $20 without an advance reservation.

Location: Lansdowne Folk Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA

Website: www.folkclub.org

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO

Photo credit Lisa Schaffer.

Saturday, January 25, 2020 MICHAEL SPEAR DUO featuring SMILIN’ ED JULIA LEVTINA opening Folkin’ smokin’ original Americana with a social conscience. Yeah, I write that one.

Michael Spear Duo at Jamey’s House of Music

Saturday, January 25th, 2020

Tickets – $15 online advance / $18 door

Dinner – 6pm, Showtime – 8pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO

The Michael Spear Duo featuring Smiling Ed is a Philly-based duo and Philadelphia Folksong Society Music Co-op member, featuring multi-instrumentalist Smiling Ed and singer-songwriter, guitarist and occasional pianist Michael Spear. Michael is a prolific songwriter, having written over two thousand songs. Smiling Ed is a wizard of the strings including banjo, mandolin, dobro, guitar and bouzouki, and has studied with banjo legend Pete Wernick. Ed is a sought after sideman and plays with many local and regional acts including the Manatees.

Michael Spear Duo was a co-winner of the Godfrey Daniels 2016 best of Godfrey’s open mic and have played at Bethlehem’s Musikfest and multiple times at the Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Their home venues include Malelani Café, Philadelphia Folksong Society, WaR3house 3, and the Mermaid Inn. They are also long-time members of the decades old weekly unnamed night jam group, jamming regularly with a number of well-known local musicians including Phyllis Chapell of Siora; Jay Popky of Beaufort, and The Cornerstones; Katherine Rondeau; Ken Ulansey of the Ken Ulansey Ensemble; Stacy Weathers of The Cornerstones and other bands; and, Jefferson Berry of the Urban Acoustic Coalition—who included a cover of Michael’s “Circus Song” on the their 2018 EP.

Their all original songs cover topics such as the political system (“Get Back Hope,” “Children of the Corn”) USA-born children of immigrants (“Call Me An Immigrant”), juvenile criminal sentencing (“Life Without Parole”), freedom (“No More Russian Lullaby”), homelessness (“We Need A Home”), the #MeToo movement (“For All of the Hurt”), and Black Lives Matter (“Already Dead”). They aren’t just all doom and gloom and politics however. Funny songs (“Circus Song”) & love songs (“Done Fly Away in the Morning”) round out their traditional-sounding yet original tunes.

Like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/spearduo/

Born and raised in Odessa, Ukraine, but now calling Philadelphia her home, singer-songwriter Julia Levitina is bringing a global perspective to her unique brand of Americana. Subtly blending in Russian and French folk influences from her youth, Julia’s newly released debut EP, Take Your Time Loving Me, is a snapshot of an artist who has literally and figuratively crossed oceans and seas to pursue her dreams. Julia’s songs are upbeat, thoughtful, sometimes tongue-in-cheek musings about what it takes to live life to the fullest and find courage to to that.

Already an established sculptor, Julia sees her musical adventure as part of a continuum, where one art form flows seamlessly into another at the hands of an artist who has something significant to say.

Julia’s musical influences include chanson française, i.e. Serge Gainsbourg and Francis Cabrel, and great Russian bards, such as Vladimir Vysotsky. They find an unexpected home alongside her current favorites, like Josh Ritter.

Julia has played the Tin Angel, World Café Live, the Grape Room, Bourbon & Branch and the Random Tea Room in Philadelphia; Saxbys and Evermore Coffee Roasters in New Jersey; Burlap & Bean in Newtown Square and Chesapeake Art Center in Baltimore, among others.

https://www.facebook.com/julialevitinamusic/

Harmonica with Seth Holzman

Beginner Harmonica with Seth Holzman

Beginner’s Harmonica for Adults with Seth Holzman (ages 13 and up):
Every Monday, 6:30 – 7:45pm, January 27th, 2020 through March 23rd, 2020 (no class February 17th)

Learn to play simple traditional folk songs and elementary blues on one of America’s most popular, portable instruments – the harmonica!  Basic techniques such as bending, trilling, tongue-blocking, vibrato, and wah-wah will be covered.  Individual attention will be given to each student.  No musical background is required.  Bring a 10-hole diatonic key of C major harmonica (such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Marine Band Model 1896, or equivalent) to the first class.  Required text may be purchased for $9.00 from the instructor the first night.  (Optional: bring a tape recorder, a digital recorder, or some other recording device if you wish to record the classes.)

REGISTER FOR BEGINNER’S HARMONICA HERE

Blues Harmonica with Seth Holzman

Blues Harmonica 1 (Ages 13 and up)
Every Monday, 8:00 – 9:15pm, January 27th, 2020 through March 23rd, 2020 (no class February 17th)

Let’s continue our work with the harmonica and focus on the Blues.  The harmonica’s unique sound is integral to the distinctiveness of many great blues bands.  Learn some techniques and styles of background and lead playing.  We will work on songs by Slim Harpo (“Something Inside Me,” “Raining In My Heart”), Little Walter (“Last Night,” “Hoochie Coochie Man”), Sonny Terry (“Bring It On Home To Me”), etc.  Bring a 10-hole diatonic key of C-major harmonica such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Marine Band Model 1896, or equivalent, to first class.  Required text may be purchased for $9.00 from the instructor the first night.  (Optional: bring a digital recorder or some other recording device.)  (Note: This class is for people who have taken Harmonica For Beginners or others who have acquired similar skills and knowledge and have Seth’s permission to take the class.)
REGISTER FOR BLUES HARMONICA 1 HERE

Seth Holzman

Seth has been playing harmonica since 1965, teaching harmonica since 1975, and has performed with Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, Ronnie Earl, Roomful of Blues, Magic Slim & The Teardrops, and many others. Seth was inspired to play by (and eventually studied with) the great blues harmonica player Sonny Terry. He is a caring and thoughtful instructor who teaches the techniques and musical knowledge he wishes he had known when he began his own studies. Seth currently performs in the greater Philadelphia area with Stevie and The Bluescasters.  For any further questions about the courses, contact Seth at 610-724-3168 or email him at zepharpo@aol.com.

Beginner Voice Class with Molly Hebert-Wilson

About Molly Hebert-Wilson

Singer Molly Hebert-Wilson has a BFS in musical theater from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. An actress, musician, and vocalist, Molly’s vocal styles range from classical to powerhouse belting. She is also a vocal coach, preparing children in the Great Groove Band for performance at Philly Folk and other festivals, at at the Philadelphia Folk School and privately. Molly currently sings and plays upright bass for Philadelphia band, Rare Spirits.

Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon

Beginner Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon

Beginner Ukulele (Ages 13 and up) with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Every Tuesday, 6:30pm – 7:30pm, January 28th, 2020 through March 3rd, 2020

A crash course in the most adorable instrument around! In six weeks we will learn everything from the beginning, no prior music experience necessary. We’ll explore tuning the uke, proper posture, open position chords and learn a host of old folk music! Feel free to bring your own ukulele but even if you don’t have one yet we have plenty to use while you’re here.
REGISTER FOR BEGINNER UKULELE HERE

Intermediate Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon

Intermediate Ukulele (Ages 13 and up) with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Every Tuesday, 7:30pm – 8:30pm, January 28th, 2020 through March 3rd, 2020

Learn the true joy of ukulele as we explore everything from traditional Hawaiian techniques to mainland swing strumming to baroque classical music. You’ll be surprised what this little instrument is capable of!
REGISTER FOR INTERMEDIATE UKULELE HERE

Christopher Davis-Shannon

As a multi-Instrumentalist, songwriter, and educator, based in Philadelphia, Christopher Davis-Shannon maintains a steady tour schedule with his own music, as well as a sideman for various acts. He brings to the stage not just the pure joy of music, but a vast knowledge of the history behind the songs that he holds close to his heart. An avid educator, Christopher has taught ukulele at numerous festivals across the country, as well as maintaining a private teaching studio for over 15 years.

You’re invited to…

MONTHLY YIDDISH DANCE GROOVE

with Steve Weintraub

Are you ready to party?

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Be part of the ongoing cultivation of a lively Yiddish Dance scene!

Gain confidence and competence in a wide variety of dances to klezmer music as we learn and enjoy dances in groups, couples, squares, and solo in a cozy environment. Two or three dances will be taught each night, and the rest of the evening will be given over to enjoying dances led by top experts in the form. Dances will be set to live music by some the region’s best klezmer musicians with occasional surprise visiting artists.

All are welcome! Recommended for ages 12+.

7pm Doors | 7:30pm Dancing

PFS Members / Veterans / Students with valid ID: $10

Not-Yet-Members: $15

Getting there: PFS is located in the Roxborough neighborhood on Ridge Avenue.

About Steve Weintraub

Steve is a teacher, choreographer, and performer of Jewish dance, particularly Yiddish dance, the dance to klezmer music.

Born on Governor’s Island, Bar Mitzvahed in the Bronx, and living now in Philadelphia, Steven Lee Weintraub received his dance training in Manhattan with Alvin Ailey and Erick Hawkins, among others. He is in international demand as a teacher of traditional Yiddish dance at festivals and workshops including Klezkamp, Klezkanada, and festivals in Krakow, Furth, Paris and London to name a few. Steven delights in introducing people to the figures, steps and stylings of the dances that belong to Klezmer music. He has often been called the “Pied Piper of Yiddish Dance”; his years of experience leading and researching Yiddish dance allow him to quickly weave dancers and music together in astonishing ways. Young and old, from all backgrounds, find it easy to share in the joy of Yiddish dancing.

PFS Presents Missy Raines

Friday, January 31, 2020
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$12 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $15 Not-Yet-Members | $18 Doors

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK

About Missy Raines

Missy Raines was named 2019 International Bluegrass Music Association Bass Player of the Year, for the 8th time, more than any other bass player in the history of the organization. Missy Raines has proven herself without doubt as an iconic bluegrass instrumentalist. But with her newest release, Royal Traveller, Raines has stepped into the spotlight as a songwriter for the first time. The album digs deep into Raines’ family life and her upbringing in West Virginia. Featuring previous and current members of her live band, as well as cameos from other bluegrass greats such as Stuart Duncan and Tim O’Brien, the album is a gorgeous look into the perspective, history, and musical influences of one of Nashville’s most beloved musicians, Missy Raines.

Royal Traveller is Raines’ third album for Compass Records, and the first produced by Compass’ owner and founder, and renowned banjo player Alison Brown. “I went into this project with Alison with the mindset that I wanted to stretch myself and see what I could do. I think we achieved what I was looking for, which is something further reaching and bigger than what I would have accomplished on my own,” says Raines.

In 1998, Raines became the first woman to win IBMA’s Bass Player of the Year award and she went on to win the title repeatedly for the next several years. Royal Traveller highlights this particular piece of Raines’ history with the stand out track “Swept Away”, which features the 5 first women to win IBMA instrumentalist awards, Raines, Brown, Sierra Hull, Becky Buller, and Molly Tuttle. “Swept Away” was named 2018 IBMA Recorded Event of the Year.

Missy’s version of the iconic Flatt & Scruggs “Darlin Pal(s) of Mine” (from Royal Traveller), was named 2019 Instrumental Recording of the Year by the IBMA. The tune features Alison Brown on banjo, Todd Phillips on bass and Mike Bub on bass.

With her new album, Raines tells her story with a vulnerability and bold honesty that rings clear, spoken through beautiful arrangements and well-chosen musical collaborations. With nods to many of the varied and challenging chapters of her life, the songs speak volumes of Raines tenacity and musicianship, and her ability to rise to bluegrass fame despite the various confinements of the times. The listener is presented with a striking window into the up and down ride of a very royal traveler, the one and only Missy Raines.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MISSY RAINES

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A MISSY RAINES VIDEO

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MISSY RAINES ON SPOTIFY

Godfrey Daniels , Friday, January 31st , 8pm

Susan Werner @ Godfrey Daniels
Join us for the first time Bethlehem sings in her namesake city, as we open for one of our long-time favorites and “One of the most innovative songwriters working today.” according to the Chicago Tribune. With 2019’s “NOLA”, Susan delivers another one of her unique concept albums, based on the piano stylings of Professor Longhair and Dr. John, these nine new tunes cook up a foot-stomping musical gumbo.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO

Join us for open mic at our venue at 6156 Ridge Ave, Philly, hosted by Last Chance!

Doors open at 7:00pm
Performances at 7:30pm
Guests will perform 2 songs
Sound will be provided.
We ask for a donation of $3 for members and $5 for non-members in order to continue our programming.
PFS Venue events are BYOB. BYOB wristbands are $2 and require proof of ID.

Open mics will be held on first and third Wednesdays and will feature different hosts and different artists. If you would like to host an open mic or have your act considered as a featured act, please email jnordell@pfs.org (featured acts perform 4 songs around mid-evening).

Jack Scott and Ingrid Rosenback met in 2011 and formed Last Chance the following year. Ingrid is a classically trained violinist and Jack is a lifelong fan of folk and rock music. It’s an unlikely duo, but it works. They perform exclusively original songs. Both sing, Jack plays guitar and 5-string banjo and Ingrid plays fiddle and harmonica.

The Living Room At 35 East
35 East Lancaster Ave
Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK

PFS Presents Daniel Champagne

Friday, February 7, 2020
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$12 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $15 Not-Yet-Members | $18 Doors

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK

About Daniel Champagne

One reviewer recently wrote – ‘Daniel Champagne exudes a natural ease on stage, as he sings poignant lyrics and beautifully crafted melodies that invariably whisk the heart up with grand romanticism. Coupled with an exhilarating guitar talent that transcends mere acoustic playing to replicate a whole band, Champagne is just magical’ (themusic.com.au)

The story goes that the young Australian singer, songwriter and one-of-a-kind guitar virtuoso first picked up his instrument of choice as a five-year-old following in the footsteps of a musical father. He began writing songs at 12, training classically throughout his teens and performing solo wherever he could, honing his craft and developing what would become the dynamite live show that he is renowned for today. At 18 he left school, turned professional and hit the road.

The next several years saw him traversing North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand and of course, his homeland Australia playing such festivals as California WorldFest, Winnipeg Folk Fest, Vancouver and Mariposa Folk (Canada), Belgium’s Labadoux Festival and Australia’s Woodford, Falls Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and the legendary Byron Bay Bluesfest. He has toured and shared stages with Jake Shimabukuro, Jesse Cook, Roderigo Y Gabriela, Richard Shindell, The Ragbirds, The Waifs, Lucinda Williams, Judy Collins, INXS, John Butler, KT Tunstall and Ani DiFranco.

As one reviewer recently wrote, “still in his early twenties, the distances he has been would be more frequently associated with veterans of the Folk scene” (The Dwarf).

Daniel has accomplished all of this while writing, producing and independently releasing two Eps, Gypsy Moon Volumes 1 and 2, his first long player ‘Pint of Mystery’ (2011) ‘My Own Design’ (2009), ‘Wide Eyed and Open’ (2010), ‘Real Live’ (2012), and ‘The Heartland Hurricanes’ (2014), and ‘Fault Lines’ (2017). His latest release the ‘Satellite City EP’ (2018) is comprised of three singles, Satellite City (out Sept 14), Indigo (out Oct 12), and The Great Divide (out Nov 1).

A review of his two Gypsy Moon releases said the following: ‘Champagne has gone a step further this time, it’s like he’s realized his own potential, his confidence is sky-high and he’s truly ready to explore’ – Australia’s roots music bible Rhythms Magazine

Now regarded as a leading light in acoustic music, with a firm reputation for making festivals buzz, holding crowds in his palm, dropping jaws and breaking guitars wherever he goes. Daniel Champagne has relocated to North America where he continues his exciting career as an international touring and recording artist.

PRESS QUOTES

“Daniel Champagne is a crossroads. Fusing the strong traditions of Blues, Folk and other roots art with pop showmanship and admirable lyrical ability. I firmly believe that he will become an ambassador for roots music in a time where it desperately needs representation.”
The Indie Blender, Canada

“One of the more amazing young percussive guitarists touring the world right now”
Blank, Gold Coast, Australia

“Today I saw the future of Folk – Festival goers flocking in their thousands towards the main stage to witness the young musical phenomenon from Australia dish out an absolute show-stopper at the evening’ send.”

Firefly Column, USA

“Watching Daniel Champagne perform is a once in a lifetime experience. He is a true prodigy that plays like no one else could possibly play unless they spent at least two lifetimes studying the art.”

BW Review, New Zealand

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DANIEL CHAMPAGNE

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A DANIEL CHAMPAGNE VIDEO

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO DANIEL CHAMPAGNE ON SPOTIFY

PFS Presents An Evening with Mike Farris

Saturday, February 8, 2020
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$15 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $18 Not-Yet-Members | $21 At the Door

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF MIKE FARRIS

About Mike Farris

Coming off of an incredible GRAMMY win for 2015’s SHINE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE (Best Roots Gospel album), Nashville rocker Mike Farris keeps it earthy and personal on SILVER & STONE. The title refers to his wife Julie’s wedding ring, and the album is a celebration of their 24 years of marriage and her steadfastness in sticking by him through his years struggling with addiction and alcoholism. Now sober for nearly 8 years, Farris has the energy and conviction of a man saved, a stack of anecdotes and life experiences that would make most people’s heads spin, and a soulful vocal delivery reminiscent of Sam Cooke or Otis Redding. SILVER & STONE isn’t a “gospel” album by any means, but Farris still takes us to church on these 12 engaging tracks, including a cover of Bill Withers’ “Hope She’ll be Happier.”

Sonically, SILVER & STONE’s warm organic sound and stellar playing recalls the cream of the Stax Records’ catalog. The album opener and Farris original, “Tennessee Girl,” seguing into “Are You Lonely For Me Baby?” and “Can I Get a Witness,” are loose and groove-driven, hitting all the right notes of soul, and blues with an effortlessness that shows what a natural Farris is for this sound.

Melding the spiritual and the earthly, Farris says the album is about “reaching something better without actually trying.” This sentiment drives the Farris-penned composition, “Golden Wings”, written for his son, Christian, at “a pivotal point in his life, with so many options in front of him. That feeling of ‘Where am I supposed to be?’”

Farris told Rolling Stone Country. “It’s one of those songs that just flowed out after I did an exercise where you write a letter to your younger self. It has a dual message— something to say to a young person who is looking for answers, but also a reminder to myself to be free and open to the possibilities of life.”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MIKE FARRIS ON SPOTIFY

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MIKE FARRIS

Own The Stage with Meghan Cary

Join us for open mic at our venue at 6156 Ridge Ave, Philly with Philadelphia Music Co-op member, Rob Lincoln, as our host and featured performer!

Click Here to RSVP on Facebook

Doors open at 7:00pm
Performances at 7:30pm
Guests will perform 2 songs
Featured Artists/Host will perform 4 songs
Sound will be provided.
We ask for a donation of $3 for members and $5 for non-members in order to continue our programming.
PFS Venue events are BYOB. BYO wristbands are $2 and require proof of ID.

Open mics will be held on first and third Wednesdays and will feature different hosts and different artists. If you would like to host an open mic or have your act considered as a featured act, please email jnordell@pfs.org (featured acts perform 4 songs around mid-evening).

Third Wednesday Open Mic co-sponsored by the Philadelphia Area Songwriters Alliance (PASA) . All PASA Members should arrive between 7PM and 7:30PM. First 15 sign-ins are guaranteed a slot. ORIGINAL SONGS ENCOURAGED.

PFS Presents Letitia vanSant Circadian Album Release with Special Guests The Naked Sun

Saturday, February 22, 2020
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$10 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $12 Not-Yet-Members | $15 Doors

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK

About Letitia VanSant

Letitia VanSant’s entrancing new album Circadian is powerful and simple, harkening back to a time not too long ago when the lines between folk-singer, storyteller, and activist were not just blurred, but nearly nonexistent. In our modern age of categories and brands and sound bites, the aforementioned renaissance women and men have seemingly fallen through the cracks or have been pigeonholed into one role or the other. Enter Circadian, out February 21, and VanSant, a massively honest singer-songwriter tracing political realities to their spiritual roots. The Boot premiered “Something Real” and its accompanying music video, filmed on the Chesapeake Bay near VanSant’s grandfather’s old house with VanSant’s friends and giant dog in tow. The song came to VanSant at a moment when she was feeling cynical about music and life in general. “I was at Kerrville Folk Festival not long after the death of a beloved songwriter named Jimmy LaFave,” says VanSant. “And although I never met him, I was amazed to feel how much his energy was still moving through the world as people sang his songs around campfires.” VanSant allowed her cloud of pessimism to blow over and found a new driving force; the miracle that we’re alive and that we’re so fortunate to gather with friends to create and sing songs in any form. “So I created the video with that kind of joy in mind.” Listen to “Something Real” here.

VanSant called on the production talent of Nashville’s Americana golden boy Neilson Hubbard (Mary Gauthier, Caroline Spence) and they got together to cut the tracks for Circadian at Skinny Elephant Recording in East Nashville. Entering the studio with the intention of recording a 2-song EP, VanSant and Hubbard both recognized the chemistry between the two of them, the studio musicians, and the songs. At the end of a week’s worth of recording, VanSant walked away with a 9-song album. Many of the songs were recorded live in just 2 or 3 takes with a trio of renowned studio musicians—Will Kimbrough, Michael Rinne (Miranda Lambert), and Juan Solorzano—and several of the final vocal tracks were lifted directly from scratch tracks; takes usually thrown away in exchange for a more polished final performance. “I just figured that people are going to either like my singing or they’re not, and splicing and dicing to get the perfect take would probably hurt more than it helped,” VanSant says about their decision. With the end result, even the most discerning ears will be hard-pressed to hear a difference in the soul and execution of VanSant’s singing.

Although VanSant’s 2019 tour has wrapped up, she has a hefty schedule ahead of her in 2020, starting with performances at the Folk Alliance International conference in New Orleans. February and March find VanSant looping around the northeast before heading to California for a run of shows. VanSant will return to the United Kingdom in April and May with stops in Scotland, Wales, and England. A full list of tour dates can be found below.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF LETITIA VANSANT

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LETITIA VANSANT ON SPOTIFY

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LETITIA VANSANT

About The Naked Sun

The Naked Sun may or may not have coined the phrase, but “honest rock” has unquestionably been their ethos since their start back in 2011—and few bands embody its spirit like they do. With songs that echo the rawness and sincerity of the cities around which its members grew up—Detroit, Baltimore, Philadelphia—the band blends the basics of roots rock and folk with layers of bolstering piano and organ, intricate pedal steel leads, and melodic choruses backed by satisfying vocal harmonies. Rooted in the songwriting of frontman Andrew Wesley Harris, The Naked Sun strive equally toward Petty’s pop genius, Springsteen’s storytelling, Dylan’s social consciousness, and the energy of My Morning Jacket.

The Naked Sun released their debut LP, War with Shadows, on January 27, 2018. It was produced by Brian McTear at Miner Street Recordings (The War on Drugs, matt pond PA, Sharon van Etten).

The band released the self-recorded, self-produced Pickled Hearts EP in May 2015 and its first studio EP, Space, Place, and Time, in 2013.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NAKED SUN

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE NAKED SUN ON SPOTIFY

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE NAKED SUN

PFS Presents Originaire EP Release with Jackson Pines & j solomon

Friday, February 28, 2019
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$10 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $12 Not-Yet-Members | $15 Doors

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK

About Originaire

Ken Shiles and CiBon (Atlantic City) were independently hustling the vibrant, tourist-driven music scene along the Jersey Shore when a serendipitous twist of fate brought the two together. Searching for a singing partner for a last-minute duo gig Ken was introduced to CiBon via Facebook. They connected and booked their first gig with no face-to-face contact or rehearsal! But when they sang together for the first time they recognized a musical connection unlike anything either had ever experienced. They knew immediately this was the beginning of something extraordinary.

Not long after, they met the dynamic, genre-hopping Philadelphia based violinist, Valerie Vuolo in a similar fashion. Inviting her to join them last minute for a high profile performance none of them could have anticipated the chilling synergy that occurred when their voices blended with strings for the first time but they knew it would not be the last!

Entwining soulful strings with sweetly blended male/female vocals Originaire captivates audiences with heartfelt original songs performed with engaging chemistry and seamless musical precision. From rousing, foot-stomping refrains to raw heart-tugging ballads interspersed with candid banter and anecdotes reflective of their unique chemistry and experiences, Originaire keeps an audience captivated from the first note to the last and leaves them wanting more!

About Jackson Pines

“[A] duo from Jersey — Jackson, to be specific, nestled in the pine barrens — core members Joe Makoviecki (vocals, guitar) and James Black (bass) teamed up with some heavy-hitting friends for their debut LP Purgatory Road, which came out on February 8th. Simone Felice produced the record in his Sugar Mountain Studio in Palenville, NY and played drums; James Felice contributed piano and organ throughout the set as well. As such, the record is an expert set of indie folk, drawing on the melodies and arrangements of bluegrass and mountain music but incorporating it tastefully into Makoviecki’s songs, which are very much of the now.” – John Vettese, WXPN, The Key

About j solomon

J SOLOMON IS THE SOLO PROJECT OF JESSE MOLDOVSKY, A SINGER-SONGWRITER BASED IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

OFTEN TOLD THAT HIS LYRICS ARE BEYOND HIS YEARS, HE WOULD DESCRIBE HIMSELF AS A POET FIRST, AND A MUSICIAN SECOND. HE BEGAN WRITING POEMS BEFORE HE COULD PLAY THE GUITAR, AND PUTS A VERY IMPORTANT EMPHASIS ON THE MEANING OF HIS LYRICS. HE AIMS TO WRITE HIS OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES INTO SONG IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED AND UNDERSTOOD.

HE WROTE HIS FIRST SONG AT THE AGE OF 7, AND BEGAN PLAYING GUITAR AT THE AGE OF 12. AFTER SPENDING YEARS SECRETLY HONING HIS CRAFT, HE BROKE OUT OF HIDING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT IN 2018 WITH THE RELEASE OF HIS FIRST SINGLE, HAZEL EYES, FOLLOWED BY HIS FIRST EP, NOCTURNE.

HE HAS PERFORMED AT MANY VENUES IN THE PHILADELPHIA AND SURROUNDING AREAS SUCH AS ORTLIEB’S, BOURBON AND BRANCH, WORLD CAFE LIVE (UPSTAIRS AND DOWNSTAIRS), AND THE PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL.

HE HAS THE DISTINGUISHED HONOR OF BEING SELECTED AS THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF THE PHILADELPHIA MUSIC CO-OP.

PFS Presents Mari Black

Friday, March 13, 2020
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$10 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $12 Not-Yet-Members | $15 Doors

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK

About Mari Black

Called “one of the brightest fiddlers around today” (Brian O’Donovan, WGBH radio), multistyle violinist and champion fiddler MARI BLACK delights audiences around the world with her energetic playing, sparkling stage presence, and dazzlingly virtuosic fiddling. Raised on a rich blend of traditional musical styles, Mari burst onto the international stage when she became Scotland’s Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion, 2-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, and 2-time Canadian Maritime Fiddle Champion, all within a three-year period. Ever since then, she has been spreading her love for dance-based music, performing as a featured artist at performing arts centers, Celtic festivals, Scottish Highland Games, celebrated folk venues, world music concert series, and acclaimed classical venues including Carnegie Hall. She can even be heard (and seen!) in the award-winning video game BioShock: Burial at Sea. Mari has appeared with such diverse artists as Irish fiddle master Liz Carroll, Americana master Mark O’Connor, and jazzman Willie Ruff, and been featured on the BBC Radio Scotland, Fox and CBS morning news, and NPR’s “Here and Now.” She has played concerts in Brazil, Scotland, Canada, China, Korea, Zimbabwe, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy, and France…and she can’t wait for the next stop! Currently touring nationally with her trio, Mari’s favorite thing to do is sweep audiences away on a spirited musical adventure featuring dance music from around the globe: Celtic, American, and Canadian fiddling, jazz, tango, klezmer, folk, original works, and more!

Mari’s passion for dance-driven music extends far beyond the concert stage, as reflected in her work as a teacher, composer, dancer, competition judge, and musical ambassador committed to connecting people through music. Having earned her Doctorate in Education from Columbia University, Mari is a master teacher who is dedicated to helping students of all ages and levels explore the joy of making music. She teaches regularly at prestigious camps and workshops around the country, including appearances at the Swannanoa Gathering, the Acadia Trad School, the Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling, the Mark O’Connor fiddle camp, the Tanglewood Festival, the Yale School of Music, and more. Several of her students are now becoming champion fiddlers in their own right, winning top awards at the U.S. Scottish Nationals and other competitions. Mari’s ear-catching compositions draw on a broad range of stylistic influences, and have won several awards, including a Gold Medal from the MASC International Songwriting Competition. Find out more about Mari and her musical adventures at her website: www.MariBlack.com

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MARI BLACK

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF MARI BLACK LIVE AT NERFA

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MARI BLACK ON SPOTIFY

PFS Presents Quarter Horse

Saturday, March 14, 2020
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$8 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $11 Not-Yet-Members | $15 Doors

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About Quarter Horse

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF QUARTER HORSE

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CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT QUARTER HORSE

PFS Presents Miss Tess & the Talkbacks

Sunday, March 15, 2019
Doors 7pm | Music 7:30pm

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$10 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $12 Not-Yet-Members | $15 Doors

About Miss Tess

“Contemporary and timeless. More than merely emulating her obvious influences, Miss Tess effectively situates herself on a pedestal right beside them, resulting in a set of songs that swings, sways, rocks and evokes her own personal perspective. Baby, We All Know is an excellent compendium of modern Americana distilled in all its forms. Miss Tess is a sweet seductress, one whose charms are increasingly harder and harder to resist. Catch her while you can.” – No Depression

Miss Tess has always been known for creating an eclectic array of vintage blues, country, and jazz sounds. Currently residing in Nashville, she finds no shortage of inspiration in the roots scene there. However varied Tess’ music can be, front and center sits her voice that has been described as “alternately seductive and sexy, and a pure joy to listen to” (Pop Matters). Her music is further heightened by her partner, Thomas Bryan Eaton, who helps to shape the songs and arrangements with a deft touch on guitar & pedal steel. No slouch herself, Tess brings along her Weymann archtop guitar, often trading leads with Thomas.

This past winter the two teamed up with veteran producer Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Hurray for the Riff Raff) at his studio in East Nashville to create a new record that both reaches back to Tess’ roots, yet also signals a new chapter in her career. The record, to be titled “The Moon is an Ashtray”, is getting its finishing touches and will be released Feb 7.

In over a decade of touring Miss Tess has won fans from New York City to New Orleans and Alabama to Alaska. Over the years she has shared the stage with the likes of Lake Street Dive, NRBQ, The Holmes Brothers, Eilen Jewell, and Todd Snider. Her band has graced stages at Blissfest, Cayamo, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Floydfest, Ossippee Valley Music Festival, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Burlington Jazz Festival, Green River Festival, Red Wing Roots, Shakori Hills, and more. Miss Tess’s music has been heard from coast to coast on taste maker programs such as XM/Sirius’s The Loft, NPR’s Folk Alley, Santa Cruz’s KPIG and Boston’s WUMB. Her 2016 album, “Baby, We All Know” lived in the top 20 on the Americana Charts for six weeks.

Miss Tess grew up in Maryland, where she took piano lessons at an early age. She went to college in Baltimore, intending to be a graphic artist. While there, she dabbled in guitar, but it wasn’t until the end of her studies that she began taking it seriously. Once she became more interested in becoming a musician, she started studying jazz and writing songs, and put together her first band. Having grown up listening to her parents’ bands playing big band swing, folk, country and dixieland music, rootsy styles came naturally to her.

After a move to Boston, Miss Tess took a few classes at Berklee College of Music and formed a new band with a few fellow jazz students. Miss Tess quickly established herself as a songwriter and performer in the storied Boston music scene, playing regularly at local clubs. Over four years she won a Boston Music Award, and was nominated several other times in the Folk and Jazz categories of the BMAs, as well as the New England Music Awards. Miss Tess later moved to Brooklyn for a 5 year stint in the big city, followed by a move to Nashville, where she is currently based. She has since developed her sound to include more classic country, rockabilly and vintage rock ‘n’ roll, all combining into her ever-developing sense of self and eclectic taste in American roots music.

Miss Tess has been releasing albums and leading a band for over a decade, spanning her career over many different cities including Baltimore, Boston, NYC, and her new home base of Nashville, TN. Straddling her move from New York to Nashville, the new album was recorded in both cities. The recording cast includes her steady band mate and co-producer, Thomas Bryan Eaton, producer Dan Knobler (Rodney Crowell, Tift Merritt), Robin Macmillan, Jake Silver (Lee Fields), Roy Williams, Stefan Zenuik, Eric Frey (The Revelers), Dominic Billet (Andrew Combs), Kai Welch, John Pahmer, Aaron Shaffer-Haiss, Oliver Craven (The Stray Birds), Maya De Vitry (The Stray Birds) and Caitlin Canty.

A follow up to 2012’s Sweet Talk and 2013’s The Love I Have for You, both released on Signature Sounds Recordings, 2016’s Baby, We All Know was released independently and received accolades in the press as well as reaching the Top 20 in AMA Radio Charts and being included in the top 100 albums of the year for 2016.

As she expands and grows more into her own sound, Tess is still hard to categorize. She says “Many times after the show somebody will come up to compliment the band and ask me what kind of music we just played. After mumbling through a few different genres I usually just tell them it’s my music and hope they enjoyed the show”. Enjoyable is just what her music is, propelled by the classic quality of Tess’s vocals, compelling and totally believable. The production throughout is the right balance of punch and rhythm, without getting in the way of the vocals or songwriting, giving this collection of songs a plentiful dose of old-school swagger. Time after time, Miss Tess is able to utilize sounds and styles from a past era combined with modern sensibilities to present an authentic and engaging presence.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF MISS TESS

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MISS TESS ON SPOTIFY

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MISS TESS

Join us for open mic at our venue at 6156 Ridge Ave, Philly with Philadelphia Music Co-op member, Rob Lincoln, as our host and featured performer!

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Doors open at 7:00pm
Performances at 7:30pm
Guests will perform 2 songs
Featured Artists/Host will perform 4 songs
Sound will be provided.
We ask for a donation of $3 for members and $5 for non-members in order to continue our programming.
PFS Venue events are BYOB. BYO wristbands are $2 and require proof of ID.

Open mics will be held on first and third Wednesdays and will feature different hosts and different artists. If you would like to host an open mic or have your act considered as a featured act, please email jnordell@pfs.org (featured acts perform 4 songs around mid-evening).

Third Wednesday Open Mic co-sponsored by the Philadelphia Area Songwriters Alliance (PASA) . All PASA Members should arrive between 7PM and 7:30PM. First 15 sign-ins are guaranteed a slot. ORIGINAL SONGS ENCOURAGED.

PFS Presents Talisk

**Please Note: This is a dancing room only show. The only seating available will be in the mezzanine**

Saturday, March 21, 2020
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

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CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF TALISK

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About Talisk

In their five years, Scottish firebrands Talisk have stacked up several major awards for their explosively energetic yet artfully woven sound, including 2018’s Belhaven Bursary for Innovation & 2017’s Folk Band of the Year both at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award.

Mohsen Amini – the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ Musician of the Year 2018, Hayley Keenan and Graeme Armstrong seamlessly meld concertina, fiddle and guitar to produce a multi-layered, enthralling signature that has effortlessly captivated audiences from the USA to Australia, and throughout the UK.

Appearances at world-leading festivals – including the Cambridge Folk Festival, Denmark’s Tønder, WOMAD UK and Las Palmas, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Celtic Colours, Milwaukee Irish Festival and five successive outings at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections – have amassed a die-hard following, whilst the world’s folk and world music media have also lauded high credits upon the trio. The release of their hotly anticipated second album, Beyond, in October 2018 was met with a five-star ‘Top of the World’ review in Songlines, praising the band as “incredibly infectious and endearing… fresh, invigorating, accomplished and playfully frisky.”

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TALISK

PFS Presents An Intimate Afternoon with Talisk

Sunday, March 22, 2020
Doors 2:30pm | Music 3:00pm

**Please note: This is a SEATED matinee show**

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF TALISK

About Talisk

In their five years, Scottish firebrands Talisk have stacked up several major awards for their explosively energetic yet artfully woven sound, including 2018’s Belhaven Bursary for Innovation & 2017’s Folk Band of the Year both at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award.

Mohsen Amini – the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ Musician of the Year 2018, Hayley Keenan and Graeme Armstrong seamlessly meld concertina, fiddle and guitar to produce a multi-layered, enthralling signature that has effortlessly captivated audiences from the USA to Australia, and throughout the UK.

Appearances at world-leading festivals – including the Cambridge Folk Festival, Denmark’s Tønder, WOMAD UK and Las Palmas, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Celtic Colours, Milwaukee Irish Festival and five successive outings at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections – have amassed a die-hard following, whilst the world’s folk and world music media have also lauded high credits upon the trio. The release of their hotly anticipated second album, Beyond, in October 2018 was met with a five-star ‘Top of the World’ review in Songlines, praising the band as “incredibly infectious and endearing… fresh, invigorating, accomplished and playfully frisky.”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO TALISK ON SPOTIFY

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TALISK

PFS Presents Martyn Joseph

Friday, March 27, 2020
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$12 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $15 Not-Yet-Members | $18 Doors

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About Martyn Joseph

Martyn Joseph is a performer like no other: Shades of Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews there may be – but he stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives delivering his “songs of lyrical intelligence” according to BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris.

Martyn Joseph is a completely unique and mind blowing artist. Take everything you think you know about singer songwriters….and rip it up. For one man and a guitar he creates a performance with a huge far-reaching sound that is energetic, compelling and passionate. Be it to two hundred people or twenty thousand, he blows the crowd away night after night.

He is gifted with the rare ability to speak to the soul with his expressive and poignant lyrics and has a career spanning 30 years, 32 albums, over a half a million record sales and thousands of live performances.

Compared to Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews, he has created his own style and reputation as a mesmerising live performer and stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives. A unique talent driven by passion, social awareness and love for his trade, he’s a jaw dropping guitar player who has developed a unique percussive style, teamed up with a powerful show stopping voice, and has been called “The Welsh Springsteen”

In addition to his 5 top 50 UK hits, the importance of his work has been recognised by programmes such as BBC Radio 2’s prime time series on Singer/Songwriters. Social justice has an essential presence throughout his music, which has been recognised with various humanitarian awards and plaudits.

Concerned with making music that is relevant and vital to his audience, he engages with challenging narratives tackling the complexity of the human condition, underpinned with a promise of hope. In his own words “Really what I do is to try and write songs that might step up and make some sense of a moment in time. A good song makes you feel like you’re not alone in the world.”

There is a versatility to Martyn’s music that is hard to categorise. Many have tried, resulting in labels such as Folk, Rock, Soul, Folk Funk and Americana; all of which somehow miss the mark. But sometimes music doesn’t need a defining genre and with the ability to articulate a sense of the bigger picture, Martyn’s music and social commentary manage to empower and speak for many. His songs are pictures, and stories, and feelings all put to music and delivered by a master craftsman.

In 2013 Martyn released a CD of Bruce Springsteen songs, to great public and critical acclaim, with the glowing endorsement of Dave Marsh, acclaimed American music critic, official Springsteen biographer and close friend of the Boss himself.

2014 saw him take the spirit of his music onto a more practical footing with the launch of his “Let Yourself Trust”, a not-for-profit organisation which aims to make a small difference out of great love and commitment by challenging injustice wherever it’s found, educating via advocacy, campaigning for human rights, and raising issues that have been forgotten or ignored via fundraising initiatives, thus bringing about greater awareness for beautiful people in powerless situations. He’s also Patron of Advantage Africa and Festival Spirit in the UK and Project Somos in Canada/Guatemala.

He has won the love of audiences from USA and Canada to Europe through an impressive number of live dates, and has previously toured with the likes of Art Garfunkel, Jools Holland, Ani DiFranco, Suzanne Vega, Mike and The Mechanics, Joan Armatrading, Celine Dion and Shirley Bassey. He is hailed as a raconteur weaving tales on topical concerns, as well as stories on the fragility of love, with a magical ability to reach out to his listeners through his passion and humour. Stunning reviews single him out as an unmissable solo performer whose music stays with you long after the show has ended.

2016 was one of Martyn’s busiest, playing over 170 shows worldwide, he was also asked by the EFDSS and British Parliament to write and perform as part of“Sweet Liberties” with Nancy Kerr, Sam Carter and Maz O’Connor to mark 800 years of British democracy, One of his songs from this, “Nye” celebrating Nye Bevan, the author of the NHS, has been enthusiastically received by audiences everywhere, as well as having BBC national airplay on Mark Radcliffe’s Folk Show and Tom Robinson’s 6 Music show.

He was honoured with a Spirit of Folk Award by Folk Alliance International in Kansas in 2018, and he’s been invited to speak on several occasions at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA.

January 2019 saw the release of his 33rd studio album, “Here Come The Young, produced by Gerry Diver (Tom Robinson, Lisa Knapp and Sam Lee). The album has received praise from all corners including Uncut magazine, which described the songs as “anthems of hope that bigotry and hatred will not prevails” The title track also won the award for “Best Original English Language Song” at the 2019 Wales Folk Awards.

Martyn Joseph. A unique talent driven by passion and love for his trade, continues to write, sing and play from the heart. It’s a road he’s been travelling for most of his life and, as he often tells his audience, ‘you keep turning up and so will I.’

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF MARTYN JOSEPH

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MARTYN JOSEPH ON SPOTIFY

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MARTYN JOSEPH

PFS Presents The Black Feathers

Saturday, March 28, 2020
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$10 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $12 Not-Yet-Members | $15 Doors

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CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIVE VIDEO OF THE BLACK FEATHERS

About The Black Feathers

A favorite of the 2018 Philadelphia Folk Festival, and a smash show at PFS in 2019, we are delighted to bring back The Black Feathers to the PFS venue!

The ability to write songs that are both modern and ancient is a rare thing. The product of an arcane art of weaving in traditional influences so thoroughly that they become the warp and weft of fresh creations. The Black Feathers, made up of Ray Hughes and Sian Chandler, are two such talents. They first became aware of the magic between them while collaborating on several musical projects, becoming The Black Feathers and life partners in 2012.

“Once in a blue moon, the whole soars far above the sum of its parts. That’s what happens when The Black Feathers perform live”

– Black Mountain News, North Carolina

Americana, Folk, and Acoustic Indie Rock sensibilities coexist comfortably in their musical world, with Hughes’ guitar work buoying the kind of harmonies often only heard in family bands. Their music quickly draw the interest of listeners, but it is the stage chemistry that will keep them riveted.

Having already built up a loyal following in the UK, The Black Feathers have been spreading their wings across the US. They have performed at Philadelphia Folk Festival and AmericanaFest, and have also been awarded official showcases at the North East Regional and Far-West Folk Alliance conferences.

With a new single and a live album in the pipeline, these are exciting times for what FATEA refer to as “a duo of undeniable talent”.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A MUSIC VIDEO OF THE BLACK FEATHERS

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CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BLACK FEATHERS

Tickets now on Sale for John McCutcheon Concert in Media!

Keep Media Green is announcing that tickets are now on sale for a Benefit Concert with John McCutcheon that will be held at the Media Community Center, 301 North Jackson Street in Media, on March 29, 2020. The concert’s start time is 4:00 pm EST.

Tickets cost $30.00 in advance and $35.00 at the door.

To order your tickets, visit: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4325525

John McCutcheon, a six-time Grammy Award nominee, is a legendary American folk musician, singer-songwriter, and environmental advocate. McCutcheon’s four-decade career has taken him around the world to share his unique blend of stunning instrumental skills, incisive songwriting, and captivating storytelling.

Pete Seeger called McCutcheon “one of the best musicians in the USA” and praised John for “helping hard-working people everywhere to organize and push this world in a better direction.”

Proceeds from the concert will benefit Keep Media Green (www.keepmediagreen.org), an all-volunteer nonprofit organization working to defend open space and the natural environment in Media, PA.

For more information, contact Terry Rumsey at terry@greenseedsgrants.com or 484.326.2370.

PFS Presents J.P. Cormier

Thursday, April 2, 2019
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$12 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $15 Not-Yet-Members | $18 Doors

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About JP Cormier

Nobody really knows who J.P. Cormier is for sure. That’s to be expected, believe me.

In 1974 he was a five year old boy, discovering an innate talent for playing the guitar, I had a little hand in that, guiding him through the beginning stages. He learned faster than I could teach.

By the mid eighties, not out of his teens, he was a sideman for bands and artists of many different genres in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and all across the deep south. As he traveled and worked he added more and more instruments to his arsenal of capabilities. He became indispensable to the bands he worked for.

In the early Nineties, he became a sideman for one of Canada’s favourite sons, Stompin’ Tom Connors and also became a staple of the recordings at Studio H in Halifax. His work with the CBC there spanned musical, production, and arranging duties.

All this before he was 20.

In the mid nineties he reentered the musical scene of his beloved East Coast and the Island called Cape Breton. He exploded onto the trad music scene there as a fiddler, performing some of the most difficult music ever produced by legends like Winston Fitzgerald and Angus Chisholm with a facility that stunned onlookers. Especially those who knew he wasn’t born there, but born in Ontario to Cape Breton parents. Somehow, some way, his music was the real thing, sounding like he had been steeped continually in a handed-down brew of family tradition from the old country.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

His previous gig was in Nashville playing mandolin and banjo in a grammy nominated bluegrass gospel band and performing on the Opry, and playing television shows with the likes of Waylon Jennings. All those people also thought he was one of them, American, reared in the ways of bluegrass, old time and Americana music. They knew he was from Canada, but it just didn’t seem possible.

Then in 1997, something amazing happened.

An album released in Canada, out of nowhere, called Another Morning. This time it was him as a songwriter and a lead singer.

And what a songwriter he turned out to be. Some of the performances on that album are literally part of the musical vocabulary today in the East Coast. Songs like the title cut, and Kelly’s Mountain, The Molly May (co written with his cousin Gervais) and others. It inspired, 25 years ago, some of the biggest names in the business today. People like Dave Gunning, Matt Andersen, David Myles, Joel Plaskett, all of which will tell you: that record changed things.

The Canadian industry thought so too, and it received a juno nomination and won an ECMA.

And that was just the beginning.

36 years later after stepping on stage as professional union musician for the first time at the tender age of 13, JP is still going, and frighteningly, still getting better.

16 albums followed the success of Another Morning, winning 12 more ECMA’s, another Juno nomination, a Canadian Folk Music Award and 5 Music Nova Scotia Awards. Each album was a snapshot of each thing that he can do. There are fiddle albums, Mandolin, Banjo, Guitar, tribute records, songwriting collections, a purely astounding spectrum of talent and musical vision.

His catalogue of recordings and the 150 or so records he’s produced on other artists, resemble the tapestry he weaves in live performance. Where he used to carry 3 and 4 piece bands, he tours alone now.

Just him and the instruments.

People still leave his shows confused, amazed and wondering what they just saw. Did they see a storyteller? A Songwriter? Arguably one of the best guitar players in the business today? Someone who crosses the lines between different instruments like there are no lines? Who was that masked man, anyway?

Accolades aside, and there are many from people like Chet Atkins, Marty Stuart, Waylon Jennings, Gordon Lightfoot; JP sees himself as just a performer. He’s shy, but has a razor sharp wit and lightning sense of humour. He can be reserved or edgy to the point no return. He speaks for soldiers, first responders, other artists, the forgotten and lost. He speaks sometimes only for himself and refuses rebuttal.

Of all the things he is, foremost he is an entertainer. I think one of the best. After you’ve seen what he does, I’m certain you will too.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF JP CORMIER

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO JP CORMIER ON SPOTIFY

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JP CORMIER

PFS Presents AJ Ghent

Saturday, April 25th, 2020
Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

$12 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $15 Not-Yet-Members | $18 Doors

About AJ Ghent

AJ Ghent [j-ent] and His Singing Guitar construct a musical sound that can be heard howling from the church to the streets to the clubs. His style can be defined as fresh, nostalgic, electrifying and roots rock, — fusing blues, funk, rock, and pop, mashing it into a genre he likes to call, NEO BLUES. The energy and passion which resonates from AJ’s music, from the strum of the guitar and the conviction of the vocals, the pounding rhythm of the drums, to the thought provoking lyrics, is sure to be felt by any crowd. AJ aims to create an unforgettable experience for music lovers, with the hopes of taking them to a musical paradise. A little hip-shaking, finger snapping, head nodding is all you need for this tuneful travel excursion. He calls James Brown, Prince, and his family heritage as influences. He can be heard picking, sliding and strumming all over those strings, whether it’s one of his custom built 6 or 8-string lap steel hybrids or his acoustic resonator. What is different from most lap steel players is AJ performs standing upright like a guitar player, using his over handed technique to play slide, so that he can dance, and have more mobility during his live shows. AJ was born to fly!

AJ Ghent [J-ent] is a musician hailing from Fort Pierce, Florida and growing up was all about the music. Music has truly been running through his family for generations; such as his great uncle Willie Eason, the creator of the “Sacred Steel Tradition,” and his grandfather Henry Nelson, the founder of the “Sacred Steel” rhythmic guitar style. This style is played by many names today, such as Robert Randolph, The Campbell Brothers, and more. “Forged in the congregational hotbox of the Southern Pentecostal House of God church, sacred steel music is an electrified rhythm, punctuated by sharp blasts of soaring solos, played on amplified lap steel guitar. It’s an open tuning, on an eight-stringed instrument, and sometimes it can sound like the roaring, whooping and hollering voice of God himself has joined the gospel fervor.” (reference Connect Savannah, 2013) So around 12 years old, the young AJ got a hold of something special; “it was one of the first sacred steel CDs, with my father, my grandfather and my great uncle on there. At that point, I became interested in the instrument, and I would listen to that thing until I broke it.” (reference: Connect Savannah August 2013) After High School, AJ traveled down to the West Palm Beach, FL area with his sister, Tiffany Ghent to explore the city’s range of genres, from hip-hop to R&B, while playing in Top 40 music bands. However, AJ was in search of something more, a style that was uniquely his own.

Something was bubbling…Fresh with his marriage to his bride MarLa, a singer herself, he set his eyes on Atlanta, GA. When he arrived in Atlanta, AJ took on sideman jobs, studio session work. Not long after, AJ met the legendary Colonel Bruce Hampton who began to mentor him; teaching him what mattered the most; “time – tone and space” for all his music and life journeys. AJ was invited to play in Hampton’s band, Pharaoh’s Kitchen, which he did for about a year — and like true Colonel Bruce style, the elder statesman always reminded AJ to be ‘true to himself.’

He has had a colorful career thus far playing and opening for such legendary acts like Zac Brown, The Allman Brothers Band, Derek Trucks, Robert Cray, and Gov’t Mule. He can be heard on various recordings with Zac Brown, Luther Dickinson, and featured on Zac Brown’s 2013 Grohl Sessions Vol. 1 alongside Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters). AJ’s band has had various formations, from a trio to a full-size live band with horns, playing small clubs to mid-large sized festivals and arenas; dazzling audiences everywhere. In 2015, he released a DVD/CD called LIVE AT TERMINAL WEST – recorded and filmed at the Terminal West venue in the old King Plow factory in Atlanta, GA. This was well-received by fans and critics praising the fearless leader! “The 11-song album is a relentless, high-energy romp through gospel, soul and funk-infused landscapes, with a couple of cool-down moments just so the audience can catch their collective breath.” (Relix, 2015)

At the age of 31, AJ Ghent [J-ent] knows where his talent comes from and isn’t afraid to explore other sounds. His new album titled The Neo Blues Project is something different: A musical fusion form that takes art and skill to master, something that AJ Ghent [J-ent] has spent his whole life perfecting. The album debuted #7 on the Billboard Blues Charts on its release week in March 2018.