Passarinho

“Passarinho [português for “little bird”] is a vivacious quartet that performs instrumental music from around the world. Accordionist Dallas Vietty and mandolinist Bryce Milano first met and discovered their musical kinship through the music of Django Reinhardt. Quickly realizing their common musical interests spanned from Bulgaria to Brazil, they eagerly set about to explore them, and the concept for the band was formed. Together, with percussionists extraordinaire, Jim Hamilton and Gregg Mervine, Passarinho seeks to transcend the confines of borders and genre, taking listeners on a journey through the Americas and beyond. Musical chemistry, technical prowess and joyful spontaneity combine to form a unique and unforgettable musical experience every time they take the stage.”

passarinhoband.com
www.facebook.com/passarinhoband

STEVIE AND THE BLUESCASTERS

An acoustic three-piece blues band from Philadelphia specializing in unique arrangements of Chicago, Delta, Piedmont, Texas, pre-war and country blues as well as old Gospel, old Country and a half-pint of R&B.
We also include a smattering of International “Blues” – Mourna, Ladino, Sean Nos and Fado – sung in Portuguese, Spanish and Irish.

Our set consists of a variety of vocals, guitars, National Steel/Resonator, mandolin, harmonica, and even yodeling! Over the years playing together, we have crafted a unique sound that is based on skill and depth, but above all, sheer love for this kind of music.

We recorded our CD, “All Kinds of Blues” at Rittenhouse Soundworks in January 2017.”Few but mighty, Stevie and the Bluescasters demonstrate without a doubt that there IS such a thing as an intimate powerhouse! Just (but not merely!) a trio, their brand of deep-fried acoustic blues will rock your soul. From Stevie Nolan’s gutsy-yet-sweet vocalizing to her backdoor man Paul Nolan’s inventive, driving guitar to Seth Holzman’s spine-tingling harmonica (both unamplified and green-bulleted), this is a blues band with a no-nonsense take-no-prisoners craftsmanship and bone-deep conviction. Whatever your ills, the Bluescasters are your miracle cure. Wellness is just a Wild-Ox Moan away!”

– Rusty Cloud (Keyboards) Blues Brothers Blues Band, S
outhside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

www.stevieandthebluescasters.com

https://www.facebook.com/stevieandthebluescasters/

Phyllis Chapell and Ken Ulansey

Ken Ulansey and Phyllis Chapell have been blending their instruments and voices together for over 15 years, recording in each others many projects, mixing influences, and broadening each others musical outlooks. As Whirled Music, they draw from traditions as diverse as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Brazil, Ireland, India and, of course, the American songbook. Their travels through most of these cultures lend an authenticity to their music that’s wonderful and rare!

Phyllis Chapell plays and sings songs from around the world. Her repertoire features songs in 12 languages from Brazil, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. Her 3-octave vocals are supported and complemented by her acoustic guitar, capturing the essence of musical styles from percussive Brazilian sambas and explosive flamenco to elegant folk, jazz, contemporary, and origin al ballads. She has been named one of the top 500 jazz vocalists of all time by Scott Yanow (Downbeat, Jazz Times, AllMusic Guide) in his new book, “The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide”. The Inquirer raved, “Chapell is an elegant singer who will steal your heart away. She eludes all labels!”

Ken Ulansey, Penn Council for the Arts winner, plays alto and soprano sax and pennywhistle. He is a musical chameleon, having played contemporary classical music with Relache, jazz with his own award-winning band, Latin with Synthesis and Minas, and folk music with most of the area’s–and even the nation’s–leading songwriters. Besides leading his own wedding band (Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly!) that specializes in Swing, Motown, Klezmer, Latin, Pop, Zydeco and Oldies, Ken has toured extensively in Europe, Asia and the States, played on nearly 200 recordings, and worked in collaboration with dancers, film-makers, poets and storytellers. Among his favorite recording projects was a week spent in Philip Glass’s private studio, a free improv album with David Darling, and albums with local composers Heath Allen, Rich Rudin, Mike London, among many others.

Cabriole (Ca-bree-all) is French for caper or leap.

We play traditional french dance music originally from the countryside, but which is now gaining popularity in cities across Europe. Hollis Payer and Elizabeth Shaak play fiddle, Bill Quern plays button accordion and mandolin, Sarah Gowan plays guitar and concertina.

Hollis has long played an important role in Irish music in the Philly area. She teaches fiddle and leads a group tune class at the Irish Center. Elizabeth plays Oldtime, French and Swedish fiddle music where ever, and whenever she can. Bill Quern and Sarah Gowan perform as the duo Box and String playing instrumental traditional roots music and dance from the American Appalachians, England, Canada, Scandinavia, and France as well as their original music composed in traditional styles. They frequently play for Contra dances and Squares with the bands Coracree and Live Wire, and are performing members of the FiddleKicks Appalachian Cloggers.

www.boxandstringmusic.com

                                                        SPECIAL MUSICIANS GATHERING EVENT

May 19, 2019
Germantown Arts presents
Singing Nina:
A Cultural Festival & Conference
This one day festival, held at multiple locations in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, focuses on the life and music of Nina Simone.
For Advance Tickets: https://www.artful.ly/store/events/17240