Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “Instrumentalists”
Co-produced with the Robin Theatre, join folk legends Martin Carthy and Eliza Carthy, visiting from England, for an enchanting evening of timeless melodies and spellbinding storytelling. Don’t miss this rare chance to experience the iconic father-daughter duo live on stage during their special U.S. tour!
Co-produced with the Robin Theatre, don’t miss an engaging evening with John Depew, the 2022 Kansas Mandolin Champion, as he brings his masterful picking and heartfelt melodies to the stage. Experience the magic of bluegrass, folk, and beyond from one of the Midwest’s most celebrated mandolin virtuosos!
When guitar phenom Elden Kelly lived in Lansing (has since moved to Memphis), he could be found jamming at local gigs with musician extraordinaire Andy Wilson. In the meantime, via electronic magic, the two have recorded a brand new CD and will celebrate its release with a Ten Pound Fiddle concert hosted by The Robin Theatre.
50th Anniversary celebration full of concerts, jams, and workshops beginning at noon!
If you remember hearing sacred harp singing in the films “Cold Mountain” or “Behold the Earth,” or the distinct sound of the lead vocalist of Cordelia’s Dad, that is Tim Eriksen.
Tim Eriksen is acclaimed for transforming American tradition with his startling interpretations of old ballads, love songs, shape-note gospel and dance tunes from New England and Southern Appalachia. He combines hair-raising vocals with inventive accompaniment on banjo, fiddle, guitar and bajo sexto – a twelve string Mexican acoustic bass – creating a distinctive hardcore Americana sound.
Bluegrass meets Celtic when JigJam starts to play.
“JigJam demonstrates a verve and versatility that allows them to transcend any singular style and simply create a sound that doesn’t defer to any preconceived parameters. In that regard they are fully capable of conveying any number of truly tuneful treats” -BLUEGRASS TODAY
Sara Pajunen was one half of a Finnish duo that stole people’s musical hearts at a past East Lansing Great Lakes Folk Festival. Now based in Minneapolis, Sara has only enhanced her concert repertoire adding songs and commentary to her stunning Finnish fiddle pieces. Sara will share the stage with special guest and fellow Minnesotan, fiddler / pianist Frances Olson.
One of the premier acoustic bands of Ireland, The Jeremiahs are just as adapt singing a classic Irish ballad as reving up with room with jigs and reels.
“Great songs, poignant, emotional vocals, masterful guitar and fiddle/flute conversations that work like fine embroidery, no wonder critics love them. You will too!” – Larry Groce, host of NPR Music’s “Mountain Stage.”
Guy Davis is a two-time, back-to-back Grammy nominee for Best Traditional Blues, a musician, actor, author, and songwriter. Guy uses a blend of Roots, Blues, Folk, Rock, Rap, Spoken Word, and World Music to comment on, and address the frustrations of social injustice, touching on historical events, and common life struggles. His storytelling is sometimes painful, deep, and real, an earthy contrast to modern-day commercial music, meant to create thought, underlined by gentle tones from his guitar or banjo fingerpicking.
The Fiddle is very excited to host ‘The American Songster,’ Dom Flemons, multi-instrumentalist, singer, historian and storyteller of all things acoustic folk music. Flemons won a Grammy as a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and has received a Grammy nomination for one of his solo recordings. Now based in Chicago, Flemons has performed in countless venues all over the world. We are delighted he will make the trip around the lake to share his music and adventures with the Fiddle.
What happens when a Venezuelan harpist starts playing music with an award-winning bluegrass artist? Absolute magic! Come hear one of the hottest new acts on the folk music circuit. (Yes, there is a circuit, with a several hundred venues.)
“The headline for this duo is the odd couple pairing of two master musicians. On one hand, you have GRAMMY nominated artist Joe Troop, a brilliant musician and songwriter, staunch political activist, and one of the first openly queer voices in bluegrass. On the other hand, you have Venezuelan harpist Larry Bellorín, an asylum seeker and former construction worker whose rough hands fly impossibly delicately across the strings of his harp. But what’s really astounding with this duo is the precision and boldness of their craft. Working with jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, they took two very different worlds, bluegrass and Venezuelan llanera music, and built a new musical language to unite them. Their virtuosity is jaw dropping live; they were easily the best music I saw at the Folk Alliance International conference earlier this year. But more than that, they both take great, transcendent joy in making this music together, and that kind of joy is contagious.” – Folk Alley
Fresh from touring with Our Native Daughters (Rhiannon Giddens, Allison Russell, and Leyla McCalla), opening for Brandi Carlile, playing The Grand Ole Opery, and receiving a Grammy nomination (“Black Myself”), Amythyst Kiah returns to Lansing for one very intimate solo show. Over the last six years, Fiddle audiences have twice experienced her immense musical talent. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear this rising star in an intimate setting. (Tickets will go quickly.)
What happens when some of the finest singers and musicians in West Michigan gather with two of Michigan’s beloved harmonica virtuosos? Come see for yourself! Winners of the 2024 WYCE Jammie Award for ‘Best Blues & Soul Album’ for Faith in Love, The Schrock Brothers – Jasen, Andrew, and Papa Mark bring together Peter Madcat Ruth and Andy Wilson on harmonicas, well-known percussionist Mike Shimmin and dobro master Joe Wilson for a night of high-energy original and traditional blues, soul, and Americana tunes.
“Last Thing On My MInd,” “Marvelous Toy,” “Rambling Boy,” “Whose Garden Is This?,” “Home To Me (Is Anywhere You Are), “Peace Will Come,” “Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound,” “Bottle of Wine,” are only a fraction of Tom Paxton’s countless additions to the Great American Songbook. Traveling with Tom are the DonJuans, providing musical back-up and a few great songs of their own.
On his way to the Great Lakes Music Camp (greatlakesmusic.org), Bruce makes a stop at Lansing’s Robin Theatre for an intimate night of songs and tunes on the banjo, guitar and fiddle. An instructor at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Bruce travels all around the world almost every day school is not in session. This Fiddle production is an opportunity to hear from one of Old Time Music’s finest working musicians.
America’s Premiere Hot Jazz & Western Swing Trio: “An arsenal full of technique and joy.” – Jon Caramanica, New York Times
RUNA breathes fresh life into traditional Celtic music by digging into the songs and tunes to find the universal thread that binds past to present.
Co-produced with the Robin Theatre. A Michigan-based supergroup of bluegrass virtuosos featuring Jason Dennie, Scott Kendall, Keith Billik, and Aaron Markovitz.
Co-produced with the Robin Theatre. Two phenomenal trios, bringing stellar examples of American and Swedish string music traditions, one one bill!
Northern Michigan family roots band with tight harmonies, hilarious original songs and traditional music, featuring
Tiyi Schippers, David Bunce, Rachael Davis, and more.
Co-presented with the Robin Theatre. Lone Piñon is a New Mexican string band, or “orquesta típica”, whose music celebrates the integrity and diversity of their region’s cultural roots.
Co-presented with the Robin Theatre. This trio of virtuoso multi-instrumentalists are immensely fun. Performing expertly curated songs from bygone eras, in antiquated styles, they deliver delightful and memorable shows every time.
You have seen him in Solas or playing with Liz Carroll. Don’t miss this very rare solo visit by one of Celtic musics superstars!
Featuring Annie Bacon, Fay Burns, Emily Slomovits, Sara Gibson, and Julianna Wilson… what does Annie Capps have in store?
Two of Michigan’s finest acoustic duos team up for a night of original songs, old favorites, and a lot of laughs.
A powerful, local performance poetry troupe teams with pianist Adrienne Torf to recreate her classic work, “Collaboration.” Co-sponsored with the East Lansing Women in the Arts Festival.
In his return to the Fiddle, Michigan’s mandolin guru Don Julin and friends Joe Wilson and Kevin Gills team up to present a night of musical magic.
Two masters of the blues together for one very special evening!
Chicago Irish fiddler Liz Carroll joins Old Time banjoist Allison De Groot and percussive dancer extraordinaire Nic Gareiss for a night of music and dance exploration.
The young and vibrant Southwest Louisiana band takes Cajun, honky-tonk, and string-band music as their starting point, and keeps an open mind about where their song craft will lead them. Food and Drinks available on site at Urban Beat.
A forty-year anniversary celebration with special guests Doug Berch, Kay Rinker-O’Neil, Dave Langdon, John Mikelsavage, and Mike Ross
Ruby John has been captivating audiences with her driving fiddle style. She with John Warstler will present a night full of a variety of fiddle tunes, sing some songs, and tell stories of Ruby’s life in her journey to blend her fiddling with her Native heritage.
The Fiddle is thrilled not only to present Michigan’s own Wilson brothers, but the addition of Elden Kelly makes this a ‘can’t miss’ night for acoustic music lovers.
“With songs ranging from heartbreakingly beautiful and soft to loud and boisterous, Cassie and Maggie’s sisterly voices blend in such a way that you automatically know it is genetic… theirs are voices that wrap themselves around each other more than others.” -No Depression
The Fiddle welcomes a world-class duo of virtuosic fiddle, dance, banjo & song from the Ottawa Valley to the Hills of Appalachia.
Jake Blount, Nic Gareiss and Laurel Premo, award-winning folk performers, have joined forces in a bewitchment of rich tones, deft movements and stories long untold. Through traditional songs familiar and arcane, this new trio celebrates the deep rhythms and subtle harmonies of America’s eldest musics.
Annual Ten Pound Fiddle Membership Meeting, 6 pm – 7 pm. All are welcome. (Only) Fiddle members vote on any issues. Meet the Fiddle Board of Directors. Held at the UUMC before the concert.
“In a crowded field of Americana artists who claim influence from disparate genres…. Violet Bell truly pushes against the limitations and expectations of genres and genders.. Ross’s soulful vocal gymnastics sound downright wild… defying stylistic bounds.” Indyweek
“…the Irish equivalent of Emmylou Harris.” – WASHINGTON POST
Innovative musicians/dancers with a quirky neo-trad soul, Oakland, California-based Evie Ladin & Keith Terry throw down original folk songs and deep interpretations of old songs, with the kinetic thrill of percussive dance.
Jake Blount in concert at the Ten Pound Fiddle
October 21, 2021
Stella! is the Michigan-based, singer-songwriting trio of Jo Serrapere, Jen Sygit, and Julianna Wilson. From comic relief to heartbreaking ballads, they accompany their three-part harmonies with guitar, banjo, upright bass, and percussion. For this special event, each member of Stella! will also perform with their respective lesser half: John Divine, Geoff Lewis, and Andy Wilson.
The Frank Youngman and Seth Bernard Family Show scheduled for Sat., May 14 at 5pm has been cancelled. Their 7:30pm show that evening will go on as planned. We look forward to bringing you a robust Fiddle Scouts program in our 2022-23 season.
Singing Festival favorite and Lost World String Band founder, Frank Youngman teams up with Earthworks Music founder, songwriter and environmental activist Seth Bernard for a night of these two great friends sharing music, stories and fun.
From Ann Arbor, the Chenille Sisters return to the same building where they played their first Ten Pound Fiddle performance 30 years ago. Word was out. That night, the Copper Chimney Lounge was packed to the brim. For this show, we’ll be in the much larger sanctuary. The night will begin with a shorter set by the incredibly talented, Michigan-based Royal Garden Trio.
“The Old Blind Dogs play with a compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm,” says The Scotsman, “…as players and audience seem to share a wild ecstasy of emotion.”
Co-produced with The Robin Theatre, in Lansing’s REO Town. Already leaders in the young generation of roots musicians, de Groot has become known for her intricate clawhammer banjo work with Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, while Hargreaves has brought her powerhouse fiddling to the stage with Gillian Welch and Laurie Lewis. Together they create a sound that is adventurous, masterful, and original, as they expand on the eccentricities of these old songs, while never losing sight of what makes them endure.
Clawhammer banjo picking songwriter Chris Coole and his long-time musical collaborator, fiddler extraordinaire, John Showman.
“John Showman has made his mark as “one of the very best and most influential fiddle players in Canada” -Steve Pritchard, CIUT 89.5 FM
“Chris’ clawhammer banjo playing is, frankly, incomparable” -Mitch Podolak, Penguin Eggs Magazine
The beloved ukulele duo of Heidi Swedberg and Daniel Ward will be the Friday night Ten Pound Fiddle concert as part of the weekend Michigan Ukulele Extravaganza, produced by Ben Hassenger and Music is the Foundation. Saturday activities will consist of workshops, strums and a children’s concert.
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day week, this veteran Irish band presents both fine instrumentals and outstanding vocal performances. Do you love Celtic music? Do not miss this show!
In the early 1930’s America enjoyed a heyday of small band jazz… hot jazz, laced with exciting improvisation, ballads – blue and melancholy, and stories of joy and tragedy. Ray Kamalay and his Red Hot Peppers are reminiscent of this peculiar era. With some of the finest players in the United States, they play this music with all the excitement and sentiment typical of the period.
Annual Ten Pound Fiddle Membership Meeting, 6 pm – 7 pm. All are welcome. (Only) Fiddle members vote on any issues. Meet the Fiddle Board of Directors. Held at the UUMC before the concert.
New Date: Friday, Oct. 21.
POSTPONED UNTIL FRIDAY MAY 20, 2022.
New Date: May 14, 2022. Singing Festival favorite and Lost World String Band founder, Frank Youngman teams up with Earthworks Music founder, songwriter and environmental activist Seth Bernard for a night of these two great friends sharing music, stories and fun.
“Jake Blount is a brilliant banjoist, fiddle player and singer… his fingering thrilling and pacy, his voice charismatic and limber.” – Jude Rogers, The Guardian
Jake Blount and His Band are playing a huge festival in Champaign, IL on Friday night. They will make a stop here on Thursday and share his authentic Old Time sound. In the same vein as Rhiannon Giddens and Amythyst Kiah, make sure to catch this rising star in an intimate venue.
Peter ´Madcat´ Ruth will introduce his new band, C.A.R.Ma, we’ll have birthday cake, and set up a separate room full of recently donated used CDs for Fiddle Scouts fund-raising sale. Come see your friends, have some cake, check out the recordings, and enjoy the sounds of Madcat and CARMa.
“The Old Blind Dogs play with a compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm,” says The Scotsman, “…as players and audience seem to share a wild ecstasy of emotion.”
Madcat’s Midnight Blues Journey (Nov. 6, 2015) and Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole (March 6, 2009; March 22, 2013) performances.
Feb. 18, 2011 performance.
Feb. 22, 2013 performance. “Brilliant…She does more than run through her fingertwisting reels and sustained slow airs. Carroll – and her listeners – continually rediscover each melody.” The New York Times
JigJam is a multi-award winning quartet from the heart of the midlands in Ireland. Blending the best of traditional Irish music with bluegrass and Americana in a new genre which has been branded as ‘iGrass’, their onstage energy along with their virtuos musical ability has captivated audiences throughout the world. “Here’s an Irish band that’s going to impact the world as hard as Clancy Brothers or U2 if they get only half a chance.”
Molsky’s Mountain Drifters – a laser-tight trio with an ear for lovely, lilting traditional melodies. The grace and wisdom of Grammy nominated fiddler Bruce Molsky, Berklee College of Music’s Visiting Scholar melds with the electricity of guitarist Stash Wyslouch and banjoist Allison de Groot’s to bring new ideas to traditional music.
Playing the tunes and ditties of the 1920’s and more.
“Amythyst Kiah is one of roots music’s most exciting emerging talents, blending a deep knowledge of old time music with sensibilities spanning classic country to contemporary R&B.”— ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE
Seamus Egan (Solas, Shanachie Records) teams up with composer and guitarist Kyle Sanna, and multi-instrumentalist Owen Marshall (The Press Gang, Haas, Walsh and Marshall) to present an incredible evening of world-class music, steeped in the Celtic tradition.
Come enjoy a night of music from folks who sell instruments by day, and then play them after hours. “Strangers in the Night,” is just one of the evening’s five bands which features employees and friends of Lansing’s world-renowned music store, Elderly Instruments.
“People ask us how to make a living in an instrumental folk band,” says second fiddle and viola player, Karrnnel Sawitsky. “My answer is simply put: ‘creatively.’” Sawitsky continues, “When our four voices meet at the center of agreement is when our music echoes most effectively. It’s not the sum of our parts. It’s the individual sum of the band.”
2017 Juno Award Winners: Instrumental Album of the Year
Hear one of the world’s best on mandolin, backed by familiar, stellar Michigan musicians, in the intimate Robin Theater for this very special Thursday night show with Don Julin on mandolin, Joe Wilson on dobro, Kevin Gills on bass and David Collini on cajon.
“(LAURA LOVE) will shake the world. The clincher is her live show…She’s that rare artist who can slip from sensitive folk to hip-hop without skipping a beat. -Utne Reader
Laura Love is an award winning “folk-funk” singer/songwriter/bassist who has been touring the world since the early 1990s.
Renowned primarily for his extraordinary prowess on Uilleann pipes and whistles, Henderson is fast emerging as an equally gifted vocalist. (Similar to last season’s Le Vent Du Nord show) this very special Sunday concert is one of those extraordinary events you will not want to miss!
“However, the group actually started out as a trio … and for a new album and current concerts, original member Libby Glover has rejoined David Tamulevich and Michael Hough. Her presence brings a whole new dimension to the Mustard’s Retreat sound, yet the transition sounds just like it feels … perfectly natural.” – Bob Needham, Pulp, Ann Arbor
“…music to cure what ails you.” – Michigan Times
