WTJU Folk

Carolina Chocolate Drops Walk Right In

2012-01-31T12:00:00.005-05:00

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 ● 1 pm (est)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

Internationally renowned string band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops will Walk Right In to WTJU at the end of January for some live music and conversation. Later that evening they will be performing at the Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville.

In the summer and fall of 2005, three young black musicians, Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens, and Justin Robinson, made the commitment to travel to Mebane, N.C., every Thursday night to sit in the home of old-time fiddler Joe Thompson for a musical jam session. Joe was in his 80’s, a black fiddler with a short bowing style that he inherited from generations of family musicians. He had learned to play a wide ranging set of tunes sitting on the back porch with other players after a day of field work. Now he was passing those same lessons on to a new generation.

When the three students decided to form a band, they didn’t have big plans. It was mostly a tribute to Joe, a chance to bring his music back out of the house again and into dance halls and public places. They called themselves The Chocolate Drops as a tip of the hat to the Tennessee Chocolate Drops, three black brothers Howard, Martin and Bogan Armstrong, who lit up the music scene in the 1930’s. Within a few months, they were headlining music festivals all over the globe, and found themselves featured on MSNBC television, and in the pages of Newsweek magazine.

Justin left the Chocolate Drops in 2010, and Hubby Jenkins and Adam Matta joined the group this past year. The band continues to perform all over the globe, including right here on WTJU!

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Railroad Earth LIVE on Sunshine Daydream

2012-01-21T13:00:00.003-05:00

Saturday, January 21, 2012 ● 1 pm (est)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

Don't miss the second hour of Sunshine Daydream on January 21, when One Haven Music recording artists Railroad Earth stop by for live music and conversation before their second night of concerts at the Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville.

Railroad Earth’s music is driven by the remarkable songs of front-man, Todd Sheaffer, and is delivered with seamless arrangements and superb musicianship courtesy of all six band members. They can jam with the best of them, but they’re not a jam band. They’re bluegrass influenced, but they use drums and amplifiers (somewhat taboo in the bluegrass world). RRE bristles about being lumped into any one “scene.” Not out of animosity for any other artists: it’s just that they don’t find the labels very useful. According to fiddle player Tim Carbone, “We use unique acoustic instrumentation, but we’re definitely not a bluegrass band – so that doesn’t fit. And I think the term ‘jam band’ probably refers more to the fans than to the band. I think these fans just like live music.” When the band does elect to “comment” on a song via an extended improvisation, they really cook – and have received the approval of no less than Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh, who knows a thing or two about jamming.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Eilen Jewell Sits Down With Lonesome George

2012-01-21T09:00:00.002-05:00

Cosmic American Jamboree

Thursday, January 19, 2012 ● 12-2 pm

Atlantic Weekly, Part I

Saturday, January 21, 2012 ● 8-10 am

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

Signature Sounds artist Eilen Jewell recently sat down for an interview with Lonesome George of The Cosmic American Jamboree, and we will be airing it in advance of her concert at the Mockingbird in Staunton on Saturday, January 21.

It is the battered cassette jammed in the tape deck of the getaway car, the music Ida Lupino cues up on the roadhouse jukebox as she counts the till after close. This is Queen of the Minor Key by Eilen Jewell, a smart cookie with a heart of burnished gold and enough stories to keep even the rowdiest crowd hanging on her every word. Though its long shadows and dark corners make her kingdom feel intimate, her sovereign domain stretches as far as the imagination. Its denizens seek refuge in padded rooms, abandoned automobiles… and strong spirits. They defend their territory by any means necessary: weird voodoo, sawed-off shotguns, broken bottles.

Since her official 2006 debut, Boundary County, Jewell has surveyed a wide range of traditional musical styles, from the folk and jug band leanings of her early recordings, through an album-length homage to Loretta Lynn and the country gospel of her work with The Sacred Shakers, right up to 2009's Sea of Tears, which bristled with the electricity of '60s UK garage rock and Chicago blues. Queen of the Minor Key draws on everything from classic country (the fiddle-driven "Reckless") to early R&B (the shuffling "Hooked"), with an emphasis on sounds from the seamier side of the tracks. With dirty sax riffs and low-slung guitars, the instrumentals that bookend the album—"Radio City" and "Kalimotxo"—evoke the bump-and-grind exotica of vintage Southern California suburban saloons. Yet on the flipside, Jewell imbues slow, jazzy numbers like "I Remember You" and "Only One" with torch and tenacity that linger long past last call.

Eilen Jewell is the Queen of the Minor Key. Sad songs are her wealth and finery. Lend her your ears, and you will quickly hear why her humble subjects admire and adore her more with each passing year.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Claire Lynch Band LIVE on Cosmic American Jamboree

2012-01-19T13:30:00.001-05:00

Thursday, January 19 ● 1:30 pm (est)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

The Claire Lynch Band will stop by the Cosmic American Jamboree for some live music and conversation about their gig later that night at the Mockingbird in Staunton.

By any measure, Rounder Recording artists The Claire Lynch Band are high on the bluegrass world’s A-List, with musicians whose accolades include International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Female Vocalist of the Year and two Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album (Claire); multiple award fiddle and mandolin champion (Bryan McDowell); the MerleFest Doc Watson Guitar Champion (Matt Wingate); and two time IBMA Bass Player of the Year awards (Mark Schatz).

What has been said about Claire Lynch:

"a sterling, silvery vocal presence and a gift for supple, emotional ornamentation....Lynch's talent is a diamond...gorgeous voice and sense of purpose, supported by (a) superb ensemble" --Richard Harrington, The Washington Post

"one of Nashville's most quietly important performers...gentle, nearly evangelical fervor" --The Daily News, Los Angeles, CA

"timeless" --Mojo, London

"Claire has complimented many of my records with her beautiful harmonies, but she has one of the sweetest, purest and best lead voices in the music business today. I'm so happy to see and hear her shine on her own. I love this CD and I love Claire. She's a great gal." --Dolly Parton

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Chinese New Year Celebration on Radio Tropicale

2012-01-18T12:00:00.003-05:00

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 ● 12-2 pm (est)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

Please tune in to Radio Tropicale at noon on January 18 as Bruce is joined by guests from the UVa Chinese community for a preview show on Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival. Spring Festival falls on January 23 this year, one of the earliest dates for this movable feast which, like Carnival before Lent, comes out of a lunar calendar and is the great last celebration preceding the start of spring.

Spring Festival is the most important festival in Chinese culture, marked by family gatherings with special food, gifts and clothing. It lasts for 5 days in modern China, where it is also the busiest travel time of the year as people return home. It is also celebrated wherever Chinese communities have flourished, throughout south Asia (Singapore, Australia, etc.) and across the Pacific to the US and Canada.

For more information on Chinese New Year/Spring Festival:

Four stories from current or recent Chinese students on Spring Festival

1. Jason,a Phd student in Singapore

Myfamily is from Sichuan (Southwestern China, the earthquake province).

Myearliest memory of Spring Festival is when I was about 3 or 4 yearold, I had a new cotton jacket as a gift. I remembered that becausethat coat was heavy and my mom was almost packing me into it.

Myfavorite Spring Festival memory is of the whole family gathering together to make dumpling. I’ve always been the one watching sinceI don’t know how to make dumplings but it was warm and fun. For me,Spring Festival is all about happiness.

ForSpring Festival 2012, I will celebrate with friends here at Singaporeand watch the gala*.

*Gala:On Chinese New Year’s Eve, China Central Television puts on afour-hour long program in celebration of Chinese New Year’s. Amonggood wishes for the new year, the program showcases Chinese culturewith performances ranging from the traditional (such as Beijing Operaand pun-based comedy sketches) to the popular (celebrity performancesand, recently, magic shows).

2. Qiyang,a MS Accounting student at UVa

Myfamily is from He’nan (Central China, place of Chinese nationalorigin).

Myearliest memory of Spring Festival is the first time I got LuckyMoney* from elder family members.

Myfavorite memory is of fireworks. We boys also played firecrackers,and it was fun to see girls screaming while we set off thefirecrackers.

SpringFestival has changed because everything costs more than before. Itused to be 100 RMB (15USD) for a huge box of firecrackers, but now itcosts double. Also, fireworks are now controlled by thegovernment, so we don’t get to see it every night during thefestival.

Forme as a little kid, Spring Festival meant that I could stay overnightfor games and eat a lot, both are not permitted by parents unless itis holiday.

I’vebeen away from home for Spring Festival for five years. So I guess Iwill just do what’s on schedule this year - homework orjob-searching.

*Luckymoney: A Chinese New Year’s tradition. Children – determined byage and marriage status – are given monetary gifts from theirelders, who can be anyone ranging from parents and grandparents toextended relations and friends of relations.

3. Di,a MS Commerce student at UVa

Myfamily is from Jiangsu (a Southeastern province near Shanghai;located on Yangtze River Delta).

Myearliest memory of Spring Festival is definitely Lucky Money. It wasa huge amount for me but I had to kowtow* for it.

Myfavorite Spring Festival memory is of the Spring Festival Gala. It isthe most important TV show held by China’s Central Television. Theshow lasts over four hours on New Years Eve and gathers the mostpopular stars in China. As a kid I was always excited about SpringFestival coz there’ll be very good food served during it. Now thefestival for me is more of an opportunity for the whole family togather together and share with each other our life during the pastyear.

ForSpring Festival 2012, Commerce students will hold a party. I will puton traditional Chinese dress, cheongsam**, and perform a song.

*Kowtow:Also ketou. A variation on the bow and a sign of deep respect. Theperson performing the kowtow kneels on the ground and leans over sothat his forehead touches the ground. His palms are next to his face,also touching the ground.

**Cheongsam:Also qipao. A traditional body-hugging, one-piece dress for Chinesewomen. It was made popular in Shanghai in the 1920’s. The maleequivalent is known as the changshan, which is a long robe. In someregions, cheongsam can also refer to the male changshan.

4. Liang,a recent graduate from a Chinese university, now an engineer forPetroChina’s Nigeria branch

Myfamily is from Guangxi Province (South China, the Autonomous Regionfor Zhuang nationality).

Myearliest memory of Spring Festival comes from when I was 4, I took a10h trip to my grandparents’ home for the holiday.

Itis a long journey for a kid but everyone was there and there waspretty good scenery in the mountainous area.

Iam from a region where several different minorities live, so thereare very special Spring Festival food, including a five-colorglutinous rice cake*, the colors made by vegetable juice, eachstanding for a different kind of blessing. It seems that SpringFestival is not as special as before because the old traditions arefading. It’s now more of a time when businessmen make money,because increasing people would like to eat out.

Forthis Spring Festival we will have a small party with local colleaguesand introduce them to the traditions in China, and afterwards I willfacetime with my families.

*Glutinousrice cake: Though translated as “cake” because of a lack of anEnglish equivalent, no flour is used. The cake has a solid shape, buthas a different texture – smooth if you touch it, but sticky onceyou begin to chew. It is a popular tradition to eat glutinous ricecakes because they are so sticky; and the Chinese word for “sticky,”nian, is a homonym to the Chinese word for “year,” nian.

Submitted by Bruce Penner, WTJU Folk

Robin & Linda Williams Concert LIVE on WTJU

2012-01-06T20:00:00.007-05:00

Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group

LIVE From Jefferson Theater on WTJU

Friday, January 6, 2012 ● 8-9 pm (est)

WTJU is delighted to announce we will be broadcasting the first set of Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group's concert from Jefferson Theater LIVE this January. In addition to airing the first set of the concert, we will also be giving away tickets for the concert to 10 lucky listeners, which will include a Meet & Greet with Robin and Linda before the concert.

For three decades now, Red House Records recording artists Robin & Linda Williams have made it their mission to perform the music that they love, "a robust blend of bluegrass, folk, old-time and acoustic country that combines wryly observant lyrics with a wide-ranging melodicism." Today some might call it "Americana," but these two revered music masters were living and breathing this elixir 20 years before that label was turned into a radio format. As live performers they are second to none. Their stirring concerts have earned them a huge body of fans over the years. They have also gained widespread national prominence on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion," as one half of The Hopeful Gospel Quartet, as well as performing in their own right.

But as gifted songwriters, Robin and Linda have earned an even more rare honor—the devotion and deep respect of their musical peers. The list of artists who have covered their original songs include some of the greats of country music, names like Emmylou Harris, Tom T. Hall, Tim & Mollie O'Brien, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea and Mary Black. It is no wonder that their writing has garnered rave reviews from the likes of Billboard, USA Today and The Washington Post.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Bennie Dodd Stops By Folk & Beyond

2012-01-05T17:00:00.002-05:00

Thursday, 5 January 2012 ● 5 pm

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

Bennie Dodd will stop by Folk & Beyond this Thursday for some great live music and conversation. Joining him for a couple tunes will be Alan Hoffman. They will all talk about The Big Big Bennie-Fit this Saturday at Fry Springs in Charlottesville.

Bennie Dodd, local musician and singer from the tiny Nelson County village of Beech Grove, has been playing music for over thirty years, establishing a reputation as a Charlottesville classic. He has played for such acts as Tracy Byrd, Charlie Daniels and Sammy Kershaw, and can sing anything from the Doobie Brothers to the soothing songs of Vince Gill. From country to oldies and bluegrass to rock-and-roll, Bennie Dodd entertains with phenomenal talent. As a one-man show, in his popular duo act, or with his full band, Bennie captivates his audiences and provides hours of entertainment. Joining Bennie for his acoustic act are Tony Fortune on vocals and acoustic guitar; Dave Sanford on vocals, bass and saxophone; Scott Stubbs on dobro and lap steel; and Ellen Nagase on fiddle and mandolin. Bennie also lends his vocal talents to the Bennie Dodd Band and Bennie Dodd and the Bluegrass Ramblers, playing classic rock-and-roll and country. Benefitting from Bennie’s contribution, these unique and talented bands command a great crowd and come highly recommended for many types of events.

On September 18th of this past year, Bennie underwent emergency surgery for a perforated duodenal ulcer and spent a total of six days in the University of Virginia Hospital, including three in intensive care. He has been without health insurance for almost two years, and his medical bills are staggering. In addition to this, Bennie and his family are facing foreclosure and are being forced to try and sell their home and seek more affordable accommodations.

Bennie is overwhelmed by the love and affection being shown to him by Charlottesville’s musical community. Numerous members are planning a benefit for him which will feature a variety of talented musicians including Jimmy Fortune, a former member of the Statler Brothers who is now a successful solo artist in his own right. Also performing will be the Gladstones featuring Bob Girard and Charlie Pastorfield; a long-awaited reunion of the Hartwell Woody Band featuring Bennie, Jimmy, Alan Hoffman and Eddie Hall; and numerous other musicians and bands to round out the program.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Janet Muse & Mike Dunn on Sunset Road

2011-12-30T18:00:00.002-05:00

Friday, December 30 ● 6 pm

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

In advance of their performance at this year's First Night Virginia, Janet Muse and Mike Dunn will stop by Sunset Road this Friday for conversation and live performance. They are bound to play a few off their 2011 release, Sunday in Greenwood.

Mike Dunn and Janet Muse are equally comfortable in the worlds of folk and classical music. Mike and Janet have performed together for the past several years, and each has extensive experience playing for contra, English and Scottish dances. They have also played for weddings and other special events.

Mike began playing violin at the age of nine, studying for many years with Ilse Mann in Raleigh, NC, He attended Duke University on an AJ Fletcher music scholarship, studying viola with George Taylor. For the past several years, his focus has been on Celtic and dance music.

He has been on staff at the Charlottesville Fall Dance Festival (VA), and at Scottish Weekend (WV).

He has also performed several times at First Night Virginia, and Monticello. In addition, he played viola for many years with the Sugar Ridge Quartet.

Janet began studying classical piano at the age of five.

She has played in contra dance bands over the past 25 years, including the nationally known group, Caledonia. As part of Caledonia, she headlined Feet Retreat, Spring Dance Romance, Charlotte Dance Gypsies Weekend (NC), and Chesapeake Dance Weekend (MD). She has also been on staff at Augusta Heritage Arts Irish Week (WV), Charlottesville Fall Dance Festival (VA), and several all-night dances.

Janet has also performed at the Prism Coffeehouse (VA) and First Night Virginia. She has been a choir and solo accompanist, church organist, orchestra violinist, and accordionist for Morris teams.

First Night began in Boston in 1976 as a way to bring neighboring communities together in celebration, while providing an alternative way of ushering in the New Year. Charlottesville’s First Night Virginia was only second in the nation to begin the tradition of First Night in 1983, and has since served as a model for the more than 130 First Night celebrations worldwide. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of people have attended this fun-filled celebration of the arts on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall. From fire dancers to rock n’ roll, ballet to jugglers, there’s something for everybody.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Chanukah Celebration on Atlantic Weekly I

2011-12-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Kassia Arbabi

Saturday, December 24 ● 9-10 am (est)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

Fiddler Kassia Arbabi will stop by during the second hour of Atlantic Weekly, Part I, to celebrate Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. A founding member of the Vulgar Bulgars, Kassia has traversed the US playing klezmer and more. These days, she blends her love of music with owning and operating the Alexander House; a business whose driving passion is to contribute positively to our local and global community.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Crys Matthews LIVE on the Eclectic Woman Show

2011-12-22T19:00:00.000-05:00

Thursday, December 22 ● 7-9 pm (est)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

Singer/songwriter Crys Matthews will stop by the Eclectic Woman Show this Thursday for a visit with Rebecca. Along with a live performance, Crys will also talk about her latest release, Backroads And Driveways.

Although she is constantly referred to as 'the next Tracy Chapman,' Crys Matthews describes herself and her music as: "Imagine Jill Scott and Otis Redding had a daughter and Tracy Chapman was her god-mother... now imagine she spent summers teaching herself piano in Chicago and guitar in the mountains of North Carolina... that would probably sound something like the music I am fortunate enough to call my own." The music is an infusion of Americana/Blues/Bluegrass/Folk/Funk/Jazz, which, as eclectic as it sounds, is reaching people all around the world and causing them to stop and take notice.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Cape Breton Celebration on Atlantic Weekly I

2011-12-17T08:00:00.018-05:00

Saturday, December 17 ● 8-10 am (est)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

Thom Pease is the host of the WTJU classical program "The Listening Room," which focuses on contemporary classical music. He's also an avid fan of Celtic music, particularly from the Cape Breton tradition in Canada. Thom attended the week-long 15th annual Celtic Colours International Festival in October.

Thom will join Atlantic Weekly host Sandy Goodson to talk about the island, its musical culture, and the festival. He will bring along some recordings to play, and review some of the highlights of the festival. Thom and Sandy first joined forces to do a program on the music of Cape Breton this past spring, as part of this year's WTJU Folk Fundraiser.

What is Cape Breton Music?
Cape Breton music is usually described as traditional Scottish music. However, it is Scottish music and dance as it was played in the late 1700s and early 1800s when the forefathers of Cape Bretoners emigrated from Scotland. The most common tune types heard in Cape Breton are strathspeys, reels, jigs, with a lesser number of airs, marches, and clogs. Typically the tunes are played in medleys; the number of times a tune is repeated is left to the discretion of the performer, though frequently each tune is heard only once. Each medley tends to center around a single key or tonal area while spanning a variety of tempos, for instance a strathspey accelerating into a reel for a solo step-dance exhibition. -- Reprinted from The Amazing Music of Cape Breton

Sumbitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk
All photos are posted with the permission of Thom Pease.

Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton live on Sunset Road fri 12/16 at 5pm

2011-12-16T17:00:00.002-05:00

Clawhammer banjo player Richie Stearns and fiddler Rosie Newton will be special live guests on Sunset Road friday Dec 16th at 5pm. Later that same evening, Richie and Rosie will be performing at a house concert in Gordonsville, Virginia. Email Alex Caton at ACatonA@aol.com for concert details.

Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton have been performing together in various bands over the past four years. The Duo was conceived after many hours of jamming in Stearns´ kitchen, experimenting with traditional and original songs. Stearns is a legendary banjo player and singer, and has led numerous bands including the Horse Flies and Donna the Buffalo. He has played with countless others, and tours with Natalie Merchant. He is steeped in the traditions of American old-time music, Appalachian folk, blues, African, rock, and country music. This, as well as Newton´s love for Celtic music, is the inspiration for the duo. Rosie Newton is a talented fiddler and singer at the beginning of her music career. She recently graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in viola performance, and has become an integral part of the Ithaca Old Time music community. She has performed in various bands including her own duo, the Pearly Snaps. Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton take the original fiddle, banjo combination to new levels as they continue to expand the boundaries of this tradition.

Listen to Richie's 'Baghdad Children' here
Listen to Rosie with The Pearly Snaps here

Listen to the interview live on Dec 16th at wtju.net , or on the tape vault (look for Sunset Road for dec 16th) for two weeks after original airdate.

Posted by Pete Marshall, WTJU Folk

Radio Tropicale Celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe

2011-12-14T12:00:00.002-05:00

Wednesday, December 14 ● 12-2 pm (est)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at wtju.net

For Mexicans everywhere, a source of strength is a brown-skinned woman cloaked in blue: Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico and symbol of Mexican nationality. In a country where four out of five people are baptized Catholics, her image is everywhere, watching over all. She represents many ideas, perhaps the most central to Mexicans being that the Spanish conquistadors and the Indians they conquered became one nation.

The Festival of Our Lady will be on Monday, December 12. On Wednesday noon, December 14, please join Bruce of Radio Tropicale as he marks this year’s celebration with guests Alma Garcia of the Church of the Incarnation, Rev. James Richardson of St. Paul’s Episcopal, who blogs on ideas surrounding Our Lady and Martha Trujillo of Creciendo Juntos.

More information on Our Lady and some of the many ways she continues to speak to Mexicans and, more broadly, all people of the Americas can be found at these sources:

Submitted By Bruce Penner, WTJU Folk

New (old) videos of Mando Mafia emerge

2011-12-04T20:01:00.000-05:00

These videos of my band Mando Mafia (with sadly departed lead mandolin player Kelly Perdue, & Joey Damiano subbing for regular bass player Vaughan Mairs) at Watermelon Park Festival in 2004 were recently posted to youtube:

Enjoy!

Pete from Sunset Road

Andy Falco & Chris Pandolfi (Infamous Stringdusters) LIVE on WTJU

2011-12-02T17:01:00.004-05:00

Friday, December 2 ● 5-7 pm (est)

Andy Falco and Chris Pandolfi, members of The Infamous Stringdusters, will stop by WTJU this Friday for a live performance on Sunset Road. Performing as The Founding Fathers, they will be part of the premiere Festy Presents Series Saturday night at The Southern in Charlottesville, opening for Larry Keel & Natural Bridge.

In 2011, The Infamous Stringdusters transferred their homebase from Nashville, TN to Charlottesville, VA. The Founding Fathers is the stage name for the members of The Stringdusters who live permanently in Charlottesville. While the lineup may evolve, it currently consists of Andy Falco (guitar) and Chris Pandolfi (banjo). Expect special guests, instrumentals, and vocal performances that may not otherwise be heard from on stage from The Stringdusters.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Downbeat Project LIVE on Reggae Vibrations

2011-12-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

Friday, December 2 ● 2-4 pm (est)

The Downbeat Project will stop by WTJU's Reggae Vibrations this Friday for a LIVE performance. The band will be celebrating its new EP, Day By Day, which will be released at their concert the following Friday at the Southern in Charlottesville.

The Downbeat Project consists of five musicians who put their heart and soul, their sweat and tears, their laughs and joys into the music they play. Every beat and word holds a constant strength and unwavering groove that listeners can’t stray away from. This summer, they have been busy in the studio, continuing to twist and turn their ideas in order to create the natural and essential groove that has become what folks know very well as the Downbeat sound. As monthly, musical residents at Maya on Main St, and having played at venues such as the Southern, the Jefferson and festivals around the area, the Downbeat Project has been hitting it hard, capturing their fans and not letting them go, every time seeing more new faces along with old ones coming back for more.

Clarence Green, the sole songwriter and lyricist for the band, garners attention from many a audience member and critic with his heartfelt and deeply personal songs about love, life and the community that we exist within. Then add a layer of harmony singers and the unique instrumentation of mandocello with Zack Blatter, upright bass with Gerald Soriano, lead guitar with Landon Fishburne, and Rob Hubbard on drums, and you have one sweet bed for Green’s soulful voice and imaginative guitar hooks to lie upon. Lest you forget, all the while, each of their songs making you dance and move yourself around the room.

Guests artists on "Day by Day" include Bobby Read of Bruce Hornsby's Noisemakers, John D'earth on trumpet, Baaba Seth's Mark Maynard on trombone, Billy Cardine on electric resophonic guitar, Robert Jospe on percussion and Jay Starling on keys and pedal steel.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Stephen Jacques LIVE on Walk Right In

2011-12-01T08:40:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, December 13 ● 12-2 pm (est)

Local singer/songwriter Stephen Jacques will stop by Walk Right In for a visit this December with host Rebecca Foster. Jacques and his band, Box of Moxie, recently released their debut album, Intrepid Souls.

Proceeds from this CD will also go to the Resources for Inner City Children (RICH), founded by teacher and tutor Paul Penniman of Washington, D.C. Mr. Penniman has been one of the leading forces on the eastern seabord of the U.S. as far as assistance for those living below the poverty line, and the struggles of inner city students.

Submitted by Rebecca Foster, WTJU Folk

WTJU Marks World AIDS Day with Special Programming

2011-11-26T08:02:00.007-05:00

November 28 through December 3

Please join your favorite WTJU Program Hosts as they mark World AIDS Day starting on Monday, November 28 with special programming, including several short audio stories from a number of the Charlottesville and UVa people who lead, and are witness to, the fight against HIV/AIDS and the attendent problem of violence against women.

As part of this week of special programming, Bruce of Radio Tropicale will host a panel discussion on Wednesday November 28 at noon that will include Claire Kaplan of UVa's Women's Center and Peter deMartino of Charlottesville's AIDS Support Group.

Also, please tune in at 4pm on December 1st, our regular hour of public affairs broadcast, which will feature testimony on the fight against AIDS in rural South Africa as witnessed by a team from the UVa Nursing School, and a discussion with UVa Law Professor Deena Hurwitz about her published reports on the crisis of violence against women and American law. You can listen to this program at wtju.net, or download it here.

Suggested Resources:

Stories from local sources:

FOCUS was started in 1972 to empower women, starting a tradition of professionalism and volunteerism that continues to this day. FOCUS continues to plant the seeds for girls and women to grow and succeed in life and in their careers.
AIDS Support Group (ASG) shares offices with FOCUS. Four ASG staff members contributed stories to WTJU’s coverage of HIV/AIDS issues.
Brendan Jamieson spent time with children suffering the effects of AIDS in Nairobi Kenya. pambatoto.com is the business that supports the Sanctuary of Hope orphanages there. Brendan spoke with WTJU about what he saw in Nairobi.

UVa sources:

UVa Women's Center for the last two years has helped WTJU in its coverage of health and violence.
UVa Office of the Dean of Students Lesbian Gay Bizsexual Transgender Resources
Report: Violence Against Women in the United States and the State's Obligation to Protect
Deena Hurwitz, University of Virginia Law Professor, one of the authors of the report, spoke to WTJU about violence against women.
UVa HIV/AIDS Clinic. Brian Wispelwey, a professor of internal medicine and the co-founder and director of the clinic, spoke to WTJU about progress against HIV/AIDS.
A Meditation on Still/Here from UVa guest, celebrated choreographer Bill T. Jones

Bill T. Jones reflects on Still/Here, a film produced in 1997 and dealing with mortality and the spirit of survival expressed by people suffering terminal illnesses. How does its spirit infuse his work? What does it show us about healing and resilience?

Submitted by Bruce Penner, WTJU Folk

Folk and Beyond Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T09:03:00.004-05:00

Submitted by David Soyka, WTJU Folk

"Thanksgiving" - George Winston - December [Windham Hill: 1982]

"Thanksgiving Moon" - Danya Kurtz/DM Stith - Thanksgiving Moon [Asthmatic Kitty Records: 2004]

"Thanksgiving" - Mary Gauthier - Between Daylight and Dark [Lost Highway: 2007]

"The Day Before Thanksgiving" - Darrell Scott - A Crooked Road [Full Light: 2010]

"The Day John Kennedy Died" - Lou Reed - The Blue Mask [BMG: 1982]

"Pocahontas" - Neil Young - Unplugged [Reprise]

"Thanksgiving" - Loudon Wainwright III - Career Moves [Virgin: 1993]

"The Thanksgiving Story" - Stan Freberg - Stan Freberg Presents the USA Vol: 1 [Capitol: 2008]

"Suddenly It's Christmas" - Loudon Wainwright III - Career Moves [Virgin: 1993]

"Here Comes Santa Claus" - Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart [Sony: 2009]

"Getting Ready for Christmas Day" - Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What [Concord: 2011]

"Step Right Up" - Tom Waits - Small Change [Asylum: 1976]

"Thank You" - Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II [Atlantic: 1969]

"Thanks to You" - The Deep Vibration - Vera Cruz [Dualtone: 2008]

"Now Be Thankful" - Lisa Moscatiello - Innocent When You Dream [Happy Cactus: 2004]

"Thank You" - Tori Amos - Winter [EastWest: 1992]

"Thankyou, Stars" - Kate Melua - Piece by Piece [Dramatico: 2006]

"Thank You Too!" - My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges [Ato: 2008]

"Thank You Girl" - John Hiatt - Bring the Family [A&M: 1987]

"Thanks a Lot" - Eilen Jewell - Letters from Sinners & Strangers [Signature Sounds: 2007]

"Thanks for the Dance" - Anjani - Blue Alert [Sony BMG: 2006]

"Thanks for the Information" - Van Morrison - No Guru, No Method, No Teacher [Mercury: 1998]

"November" - Tom Waits - The Black Rider [Island: 1993]

"November" - Portico Quartet - Black and White Sessions [B&W: 2010]

"Banquet" - Joni Mitchell - For the Roses [Asylum: 1972]

WTJU Folk's Podcast Page

2011-11-22T07:37:00.000-05:00

WTJU Folk Podcast Page

Life's too short for ordinary music...

WTJU Folk is delighted to announce we now have a podcast page, where we will be putting up some of our special programs. We have started with:

Americana singer/songwriter Rita Hosking's interview with Lonesome George last Thursday on The Cosmic American Jamboree

Signature Sounds recording artists Joy Kills Sorrow's live visit with the Monster of Happiness last Saturday on Jumpin' on the Bed

Todd Sheaffer, lead singer for Railroad Earth, Interview with Brian Keena in advance of the band's concert at The Festy Experience

Signature Sounds recording artists Lake Street Dive's live visit with Bill Tetzeli on Sunshine Daydream before their appearance at last month's Festy Experience.

A special tribute to Mike Seeger we originally aired on WTJU in the spring of 2010 with Mike's widow, Alexia Smith. Included in the segments are archived segments from the legendary Prism Coffeehouse, and testimonials from musician and historian Joe Ayers, Virginia State Folklorist and Director of the Virginia Folklife Program Jon Lohman, and ballad singer Molly Andrews.

These particular segments are only available for streaming, and not download.

Irish supergroup Lúnasa dropped by WTJU's Sunset Road for a visit on September 12th, 2008 and squeezed in a few tunes right before their double header at Charlottesville's Paramount Theater with Mali's Vieux Farka Toure; a benefit concert for Darfur. This podcast includes an exclusive radio world premiere of Lunasa's "Burning Snowball" set.

We're just getting started with our podcast, so keep checking it out. Most of our podcast programs are now available at iTunes.

As always, thanks for listening to WTJU Folk.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Joy Kills Sorrow is Jumpin' on the Bed...

2011-11-12T16:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday, November 12, 2011 ● 4 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Before heading over the mountain for their performance at the Mockingbird Music Hall in Staunton, Signature Sounds recording artists Joy Kills Sorrow will stop by Jumpin' on the Bed for some great live music and conversation.

With its bold new brand of acoustic music, Joy Kills Sorrow pushes right through the envelope and out the other side. The Boston-based stringband brings a decidedly modern sensibility to an old-world sound, channeling the prodigious talents of its individual members into elegant arrangements and well-crafted songs. While the group pays due homage to its Bluegrass roots—its name refers to one of the first radio stations to broadcast the music of Bill Monroe—the band truly excels in its rich and textured treatment of more contemporary material. Boasting a full arsenal of original songs, Joy Kills Sorrow plumbs the entire spectrum of its spare instrumentation, effortlessly merging influences as diverse as folk, rock, pop, and jazz. The songs that emerge are dark and often funny, ruminating on modern life and love with eloquence and wit. The result is a radical new strain of folk music, one that bravely breaks with tradition even as it salutes the past.

Since its inception, Joy Kills Sorrow has performed at theaters, listening rooms, and festivals across the continent and has been featured on nationally syndicated radio programs. In 2007, the group won first prize in the Podunk Bluegrass Festival Band Contest; that same year, they were deemed the “‘poster children’ for the burgeoning Americana format” by Sing Out! magazine. The band has evolved considerably in the years since then, and their sophomore effort promises to deliver. Slated for release in 2010, the new album, entitled Darkness Sure Becomes This City, was produced by Eric Merrill and features a wealth of original material from members of Joy Kills Sorrow as well as some fine new songs from other composers. Darkness Sure Becomes This City is an accomplished piece of work, laced throughout with polished arrangements and pop-inflected melodies. With it, Joy Kills Sorrow gracefully combines the old and the new, and the outcome, however surprising, is sublime.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Rita Hosking on The Cosmic American Jamboree

2011-11-10T12:00:00.001-05:00

Thursday, November 10, 2011 ● 12-2 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Americana artist Rita Hosking will sit down for an interview with The Cosmic American Jamboree's Lonesome George. She will be in the area for a performance with friends, The Steel Wheels, at the Mockingbird Music Hall in Staunton Friday, November 11th.

Rita Hosking, a country folk artist from California, has just released her fourth album, Burn. Her third, Come Sunrise, won best country album in the 2010 Independent Music Awards, and this one should be received as well as Come Sunrise was.

California isn’t noted for music inspired by rural traditions, but Rita grew up in rural Shasta County in the north, which is surrounded by mountains, and absorbed mountain music from her life there. Her songwriting is tight; spare verses and a few well chosen words suggesting more than she says. She has a knack for projecting herself into her characters and writing from those varied points of view (e.g. the child of a miner who loves her father or an 80 year old woman looking back on what she has learned). In Dishes, the everyday task of washing them becomes a meditation on life: the tasks done to sustain it, what gives it meaning and its fragility. She also writes of broader themes – the lost way of life of Native Americans in Indian Giver, and her perspective on the difference between Abraham and Jesus in My Golden Bull, with Gaia noted in the chorus. While she can infuse small details with larger meaning, she can also make what seems large personal. For example, in Ballad for the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf was not polluted, it was murdered.

Rita’s vocal style is also informed by rural musical traditions. Those who enjoy Appalachian mountain music won’t find western mountain music all that different. Her vocals move from soft to intense, often in the same verse, building and receding, which holds listener interest. She sings her lyrics as though she means it, and she does. The band includes veteran bassist Glenn Fukunaga and guitarist Rich Brotherton, who has worked with Robert Earl Keen and Caroline Herring. Brotherton, also produced this album and wisely chose for the music to complement Rita’s vocals rather than overshadow them.

Bottom line: This is a fine release from an exceptional songwriter, and she will be in our area on November 11 to perform at The Mockingbird in Staunton. She is worth the trip.

--George Dayton, WTJU September 2011 Newsletter

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Seth Swingle now blogging from Mali

2011-11-06T12:01:00.000-05:00

Back in August, Fulbright scholar Seth Swingle was a guest on WTJU's Sunset Road, playing his banjo and ngoni, and talking about his upcoming nine month stay in Mali studying, primarily, ngoni playing, but also kora.

Seth is now in Mali, and is blogging (hopefully) weekly, and it promises to be a fascinating window on Malian music from someone who already knows a fair amount about the culture, the players and the music. In one of our conversations, Seth told me that one time he had been talking to Bassekou Kouyate about a performance he had witnessed of Bassekou's band Ngoni Ba playing during one of his previous trips to Mali, and Bassekou revealed that that just happened to be the inaugural performance by the band! (Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba are now the darlings of the world music scene, and were, in many of the 200,000 attendees' opinions, THE stand out performers at the recent Richmond Folk Festival.)

To check out Seth's blog, go HERE. (His latest post has this field recording of his kora teacher Toumani Kouyaté, playing "Salimu," a traditional Malian song about the dangers of alcohol. )

Posted by Pete, WTJU Folk

Elizabeth Mitchell LIVE Concert Radio Broadcast on WTJU

2011-11-06T12:00:00.000-05:00

The Southern Cafe & Music Hall

Sunday, November 6, 2011 ● 12-1 pm (edt)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Smithsonian Folkways recording artist Elizabeth Mitchell will be performing at the Southern Cafe & Music Hall the first Sunday in November, and WTJU will be broadcasting the concert LIVE during the first hour of Tell Us A Tale.

Elizabeth Mitchell has been recording and performing music for children and families since 1998. At the suggestion of friend Dan Zanes, Elizabeth was the first new children’s music artist signed to Smithsonian Folkways in the 21st century. She has performed on NBC's The Tonight Show, the National Folk Festival, and most recently in concert with Natalie Merchant, to name just a few of her accomplishments.

Elizabeth discovered her passion for making music with children in the early 1990s during her time as an assistant teacher at the Roosevelt Island Day Nursery School in New York City. There was a large international population in the school, with many different languages spoken among the children in her class and Elizabeth found that music was a common language that they could all share. At the same time she was discovering traditional American music, immersing herself in the songs of The Carter Family and other music of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and the recordings of Elizabeth Cotten. A trip to Stereo Jacks Record store in Cambridge MA provided a turning point for Elizabeth, when she found a vinyl ten inch copy of Woody Guthrie’s “Songs to Grow on for Mother and Child.” As Elizabeth states in the liner notes of her album You Are My Little Bird, ”The songs that jumped off the vinyl of the Woody Guthrie record were the first songs I heard that accessed the poetry of the emerging language of children. One of my jobs as an assistant teacher was to write down the children’s descriptions of their artwork. Woody’s songs sounded like the stories I would hear from my students as they explained their drawings to me. I cherished these windows into their imaginations; as a songwriter it was inspiring, their minds were so free. I heard that same freedom in Woody’s lyrics.”

Elizabeth’s first album, You Are My Flower, was recorded in one afternoon in 1998, at the home studio of Warren Defever of His Name is Alive. It was not intended for commercial release, but after much word of mouth demand, she released the album on her own label, Last Affair records. Her next album You Are My Sunshine was released in 2002, following the birth of her daughter Storey in 2001. She signed with Folkways in 2006 and released her first album with them, You Are My Little Bird, later that year.

That fall Elizabeth appeared on All Things Considered with Melissa Block,where she talked about the importance of singing to your children and sang a song live with her husband Daniel and daughter Storey who was five years old at the time. The album was voted Best Children’s Album that year by the critics of Amazon.com and garnered generous critical praise.

Her newest release, Sunny Day, features collaborations with Levon and Amy Helm, Dan Zanes, Jon Langford of the Mekons and the Children of Agape Choir from South Africa. Elizabeth has also recently collaborated with Ziggy Marley, singing the duet “Wings of an Eagle” with him on Ziggy’s 2009 release Family Time.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Jonny Corndawg LIVE on The Cosmic American Jamboree

2011-10-24T17:32:00.003-04:00

Thursday, October 27, 2011 ● 12-2 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

In town for a gig later in the evening at Al Hamraa, Country singer Jonny Corndawg will pay a visit this Thursday to Lonesome George on The Cosmic American Jamboree. Knowing George as we do, there will be just a dash of conversation in between some great live music.

Jonny Corndawg is a country singer, not a singer-songwriter. Born in Montana, raised in rural Virginia, Corndawg has been touring on his motorcycle since he dropped out of school in 2001. He's played shows in every U.S. state, Canada and eleven European countries, Australia, Argentina and India. But you won't find him on CMT. His music is more in the vein of that obscure '70s gay country that housewives would discover on a Bear Family reissue in twenty years. In addition to pursuing the lost art of the Real Deal, Corndawg is an airbrushing, leather-working, marathon-running, truck-driving American. Born and Bred.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Radio Tropicale Celebrates Diwali

2011-10-24T15:07:00.003-04:00

Credit mar00ned

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 ● 12 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Diwali is a major holiday in India, known as the "festival of lights." Diwali is a contraction of the Sanskrit Deepavali, which means "row of lamps." It is principally a Hindu festival, is celebrated by some other Indian faiths, and is a public holiday coinciding with breaks from school throughout all of India.

Diwali falls on October 26 this year, and so Radio Tropicale will celebrate Diwali during the noon hour this coming Wednesday with Indian music and guests.

Bruce of Radio Tropicale has asked for recollections of Diwali from Indian friends and UVa students to be posted here to better acquaint WTJU listeners with this major Indian holiday. Enjoy reading!

Diwali in the city of Bombay (west India) makes me think of my dog, Canny, quivering violently through the evenings as explosions shook the air. He was a black-and-white short-haired mutt we adopted from the streets, and his sensitive system never did get used to the annual assault on his eardrums. The fireworks started earlier and earlier every year. When I was a child they were just on Diwali night, and by the time I was 23, they began two or 3 weeks before Diwali and continued relentlessly until the actual day. They also continued later into the night each year. So, the ordeal for Canny began weeks before Diwali and ended only when the blessed festival got done and celebrated.

For me, knowledge made the fireworks endurable. I knew what Diwali was, I knew how it was celebrated in Bombay, and I myself partook of fireworks until around my preteens, when we moved to a building whose compound was too small for fireworks, and there were no neighborhood kids my age that I knew of. By the time we moved to a more spacious suburb, I was out of the fireworks habit.

Diwali fireworks seemed too crowded and busy, noisy and dangerous. Every year the newspapers carried stories of mishaps--fires, accidents, deaths. But the news never deterred anyone. Young children with shining eyes burst forth excitedly, year after year with sparklers and firecrackers, fire fountains and fire-spinners, with friends and family, for the night-time play. I must say that I, too, had fun in the building compound and on the terrace of my childhood building, completely unsupervised, with just my friends, playing with fireworks. But they were a phase. I think fireworks are like smoking: you don't mind the smell of smoking, and the sound of fireworks, when you're in the thick of it and doing it yourself, but as soon as you quit, it's just too smelly to smell the clothes and second-hand smoke of others, and too noisy to hear firecrackers set off by other people that go on and on. When I was older and living in the Bombay suburbs, the noise was so intrusive in our second-storey flat, which we normally kept open and breezy, that we had to shut the doors and windows, and busy ourselves with our evening, tuning out the din as much as possible.

On Diwali day itself, though, we observed all the more pleasant aspects of the festival. Every year, I helped my mother trace a six-pointed star with corn flour, in front of our door, to mark the occasion. She made delicious treats, like appam, a kind of cup-shaped solid doughnut with flecks of dried coconut in it, to be had with home-made white butter; and murukku, a spiral-shaped savory which was, like appam, deep-fried. There were laddus, of course, those balls of sweetened lentils or sesame that doubled as both sustenance and dessert, and payasam or as it's more commonly known here, kheer.

Neighbors and friends, dressed to the nines, showed up with gifts of nuts and dried fruit, or, sometimes, more expensive things like clothes and jewelry. We had our own gifts to give them in exchange. My father did special prayers at the kitchen shrine at home, with vibhuti (ash) stripes on his upper arms and forehead as is customary, before we feasted on homemade treats.

Diwali is the day when Rama, of the Indian epic the Ramayana, is supposed to have returned triumphant after 14 years of exile from his own kingdom, with his wife Sita and brother Laxmana in tow, having just defeated Sita's abductor, Ravana, and rescued his wife from the demon's clutches. In honor of his return the town was lit up with lights and the tradition has continued in India ever since.

Since coming to the US, my continuity with Diwali has lapsed. I cannot recall celebrating it in the US, in part because I was not deeply involved in Diwali shopping or preparations at home to begin with, and in part because I was eager to adapt to America and its own festivals of July 4th and Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving. However now that I am settled in the US, with two small children who will not have the luxury of being immersed in India, I want THEM to have some sense of their mother's roots. So, I have come full circle. This year we celebrated both Navratri, a 9-day festival that precedes Diwali, and we'll be celebrating Diwali itself, with a hundred Indian families in my town (Boston). There will be lights, Indian clothes and jewelry, music, and, perhaps, fireworks.

And the next day, I will celebrate Halloween.

I grew up in Mumbai, (western) India. The cosmopolitan nature of the city meant that festivals were celebrated generally in a big way in the large community of your neighborhood.

As a child, Diwali was synonymous with lanterns, sweets and firecrackers. School semesters in India end a few weeks before Diwali and so the mid-year break was popularly called ‘Diwali Vacation’.

All the kids in my neighborhood would be busy making paper lanterns in the run up to Diwali. There used to be unofficial competitions as to who makes the biggest or the most colorful lantern.

During this period, my mother used to be occupied too, making various sweets and other preparations that are specific to Diwali. The traditional custom was that during Diwali, we would have guests coming over to our place, or we used to go to visit friends and relatives and partake of the special foodstuffs prepared at each of our homes.

Around this time, roadside stalls selling firecrackers would be seen all over the place. We as children would go over and admire them and then go home and pester our parents to buy us the best ones

About a day prior to Diwali, there is a custom of drawing a colored mosaic outside your door, to sort of serve as a welcome to guests. This mosaic, called ‘Rangoli’ was another aspect that used to lead to fierce competition during childhood days. Kids would gather at the playground and brag about the Rangolis at their places.

Nighttime in Diwali is a breathtaking experience. All around, the houses would have earthen oil lamps lighting up their porches. Paper lanterns would be hanging out the windows. The sky would be covered with fireworks. Noisy firecrackers would be going off all around. It is a great time to be a kid!

One of the religious significances of Diwali is that it is the night that the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi ,is worshipped. And so the merchants in India who still follow the traditional Indian calendar start the new financial year this day. The adults gather to play cards overnight. It was the most amazing thing to be a part of as a kid.

As I got older, my fascination with firecrackers got lesser. I started to look forward to Diwali more as perhaps the only time during the year that I will really get to have a conversation with old friends and cousins whom I get to see only during the festivals.

The Indian student community at Darden Business School in my class is pretty close-knit, and we have planned some celebrations in our own small way for Diwali (one that does not include the fireworks, the sweets and the decorations, however, just a night of playing cards).The thing that I miss the most about Diwali is probably the people back in India that I enjoy spending Diwali with.

I have lived out of India for 18 years now. The first 8 years were wonderful and I did not feel too homesick because we lived among a large and vibrant Indian community in Wisconsin which celebrated most every festival of India and we very happily participated in these festivities. Every weekend we got an occasion to cook for a potluck, wear our saris and lehengas, feel the motivation and enthusiasm to be a part of all the fun. For the last almost 10 years, we have lived in a small town called Charlottesville, an hour and half away from DC and an hour from Richmond – Does not seem like a very big commute, but on a weekly basis with 3 kids, wearing the several hats that most moms in the US do, it is next to impossible to consider commuting back and forth to a big city – thus we settled to a quiet and sober life with everyday being the same, a sad apology for an Indian association, fragmented by divisions which I always believed every Indian shed when they moved to another country – Not south Indian or North Indian, but just Indian – There is also a big difference in the mindset and attitude of Indians in the mid-west – who are warm, welcoming, and inclusive – Whereas in central Virginia, nobody could give a fig! Given this situation, the best thing that happened to me was blogging – I get my cultural fix thanks to my food blogging – I am enjoying the virtual treats and visual eye candy J But I have learned to safeguard our traditions and culture for the sake of my children and also for my pleasure and that of my husband. If we don’t we may just as well give it all up and forget about our roots. I cannot allow that to happen—We are approaching Deepavali and it is as always a weekday and business as usual for my hubby and kids –but like we’ve learned to do over the many years we await the weekend to celebrate at least with family – On the day of, it’s usually it’s me & my baby and the walls that surround us!!! I am planning countdown for Deepavali, much like I used to starting a month ahead of the date when I was growing up in Pondicherry, east India – we could not sleep for the excitement of the morn – The loud burst of crackers, the garland crackers (oosi sarams) the oil baths, the sambrani, the new clothes, the bakshanams (food, sweets & savories), the Lakshmi pooja, the wonderful smells of food all the way down the street, the visits to the neighbors for sweets and savory exchanges, the matinee shows, the evening gala with flowerpots and rockets – Ah those were some memories – I still can see my parents sitting in their chairs in the Verandah as they watched us go gingerly to light the sparklers over the flower pots! I want to leave behind a legacy of our rich culture and traditions for my children so that they may pass it on either in entirety or at least in a somewhat diluted form. I hope that sooner than later, I will be back in India for good to reclaim those wonderful occasions and relive them with my husband, children and my brothers and sisters families. So I end on a more positive note - Festivals are what we make of them and I want to make this one my kids will remember long enough to share with their kids... Happy Deepavali to all!

Priya Mahadevan
Food unites like nothing else can!

Submitted by Bruce Penner, WTJU Folk

Rita Chiarelli & Music From The Big House

2011-10-24T13:14:00.000-04:00

Rita Chiarelli, the "Canadian Blues Goddess", will sit down with Rebecca Foster for an upcoming two part interview to discuss Chiarelli's involvement with the documentary, Music From The Big House, recorded at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (aka Angola), for which she recorded the soundtrack.

Part One:
Walk Right In

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 ● Noon-2 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Part Two:

Eclectic Woman Show

Thursday, October 27, 2011 ● 7-9 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

From acclaimed director Bruce McDonald, comes a rare and exclusive musical journey. Rita Chiarelli, an award-winning recording artist, takes a pilgrimage to an early hotbed of the blues, Louisiana State Maximum Security Penitentiary a.k.a Angola Prison. She never imagined that her love of the blues would lead her down legendary Highway 61 to a historic jailhouse performance with inmates serving life sentences.

This musical journey is a glance into what used to be the bloodiest prison in America, but now gives lifers something to live for through the power of music. In contrast to sensational stories of convicts, we witness remarkable voices of hope as their love of music radiates humanity and redemption on their quest for forgiveness.

Submitted by Rebecca Foster, WTJU Folk

Photos from Andy Irvine's concert

2011-10-21T13:23:00.002-04:00

From his concert at C'ville Coffee on thursday 10/20/11, photos courtesy of Gary Alter:

Listen to the first set of the concert (till November 3rd 2011 at 7pm) by going to the WTJU Tape Vault and look for "The Eclectic Woman" show for 10/20 at 19:00

Posted by Pete, WTJU Folk

Ballyhoo! LIVE on Reggae Vibrations

2011-10-20T13:01:00.004-04:00

Friday, October 21, 2011 ● 3 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Reggae/Rock group Ballyhoo! will stop by Reggae Vibrations for a live performance and chat before their concert later that evening at The Southern with Murphy's Kids.

Ballyhoo! is undeniably turning the world of music upside down and sideways as they blur the lines between rock, reggae, punk and pop to craft their own hybrid of music that can’t be held down to one definitive genre. This signature sound of theirs is one they have been perfecting since their high school days in Aberdeen, Maryland - the sweet melodic voice of lead singer and guitarist Howi Spangler; the hard hitting beats set forth by brother and drummer Donald “Big D” Spangler; the skillfully added funk of bassist JR Gregory and Scott Vandrey (aka DJ Blaze) rounds it out on the turntables and keys.

Ballyhoo! has toured the country with some of the biggest and most respected names in the reggae rock genre – 311, Authority Zero, Pepper, The Supervillains. “It’s always intimidating when playing for another band’s crowd, you never know how they’re gonna react,” explains front man Howi, “but then you see that they’re enjoying it and the worry goes away. You’re free to rock at that point!”. Ballyhoo! will start their tour of the southeast with fellow label mates Iration in February 2011. Their rigorous, nonstop nationwide touring schedule has certainly been the catalyst for the exponential growth in their fan base. Ballyhoo! fans are some of the most loyal and enthusiastic fans out there and their love for the band runs deep.

Posted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

John Charlet of Murphy's Kids Grooves on Reggae Vibrations

2011-10-20T12:47:00.003-04:00

Friday, October 21, 2011 ● 2-4 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

John Charlet, lead singer and trumpeter for Murphy's Kids, will stop by Reggae Vibrations this Friday, to chat about the band's gig later that evening at The Southern with Ballyhoo!.

After years of being a traveling favorite on the east coast, hundreds of club gigs, playing to sold out venues at home, and lighting up bars and dance halls in all points west have made Murphy's Kids the finely-tuned high-intensity rock n' roll machine they are today. With captivating stage presence, melodic hooks and infectiously groovy beats, Murphy's Kids will be bringing their fiery brand of reggae and rock n' roll to your town soon.

Murphy's Kids has been seen at outdoor festivals and punk dives. They have been featured on bills with artists that range as widely as Alien Ant Farm, The Fray and Soldiers of Jah Army. They are a versatile group and you'll see them blazing through 40-minute rock sets and pulling 3+ hour reggae-dance marathons in any given club, college or festival where good music and great fun can be found.

Posted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Andy Irvine concert to be broadcast live on WTJU 10/20/11!!!

2011-10-20T06:36:00.005-04:00

Andy Irvine photo © Brian Hartigan

Miss the show? Listen at the WTJU Tape Vault.
(Eclectic Woman Show, Thu 10-20 19:00:00)

In cooperation with traditional Irish folk legend Andy Irvine, presenter the Blue Ridge Irish Music School, venue The Stage Cafe at Cville Coffee, and Andy's agent, Ruby Hoy, WTJU is very excited to announce that we will be broadcasting the first set of Andy's concert in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA live on thursday October 20th starting at 7pm US EST. Listeners outside our local listening area can tune in on the web HERE. (More details about attending the concert in person here)

To get you primed for this very special event listen to some of Andy's songs here, here and here.

The concert was an unqualified success, Irvine delivering a wonderfully diverse set that included traditional and contemporary Irish songs, American songs and Bulgarian dance tunes.
-Toronto Star-

Irvine turned in a dazzling display of one-man-bandsmanship.
-The Scotsman-

Andy Irvine has been one of Ireland's most creative talents for over 20 years.
-Boston Globe-

Andy Irvine is Woody Guthrie's representative on earth.
-Hot Press-

Posted by Pete, WTJU Folk

Jeff Miller Live on Atlantic Weekly, Part I

2011-10-19T16:42:00.007-04:00

Saturday, October 22, 2011 ● 9 am (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Singer/songwriter Jeff Miller will stop by Atlantic Weekly, Part I this Saturday, to chat and play a couple tunes. Having performed at C'Ville Coffee the night before, this Berklee College of Music graduate will give the WTJU a special encore.

Before his freshman year of high school, Jeff Miller decided to sell all of his video games and buy his first guitar. Soon after, songwriting became a passion. He formed a band with two other friends in the Pittsburgh suburb where he grew up. They recorded an album and played numerous shows together.

After high school, Miller was off to Boston's Berklee College of Music, where he studied Guitar Performance and Songwriting. His plan was to find compatible musicians, and to form another band. That never happened.

A degree from Berklee, a move back home to Pittsburgh, a move to Nashville, 4 solo albums (and an EP) later, Jeff Miller is still playing music. In fact, he plays over 150 shows a year, touring the east coast and the midwest. His music has received airplay at over 175 stations, in the U.S. and abroad.

His third album, Seesaw, was co-produced by Matt Mangano (Darrell Scott, John Mayer, Dave Barnes), who also played bass on the album. It also features Nick Buda (Edwin McCain, Mindy Smith) on drums and percussion. The Pittsburgh Tribune raves, Miller's music is timeless. The songs on Seesaw are infectious delights.

Miller still hasn't found a regular band. But that's fine with him and his listeners. At his live shows, he uses a device to record and loop guitar and vocal parts, creating more sound than many bands do. Using his voice, guitar, hands and feet, he is able to act as each member of a regular band: a singer, guitarist, bassist, even a drummer.

To mark 10 years of looping, Miller decided that his next album should be a live one. So his 197th show of 2008 was recorded in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. The result is Miller's brand new full-length album, "Can You Hear the Music?". Currently based out of Nashville, Jeff is in the final week of a 37-day fall Tour that includes 43 shows in the eastern U.S.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Richmond Folk Festival 2011 photos

2011-10-16T09:58:00.001-04:00

This year's free festival (the eighth annual) was amazing, as usual, with over 100,000 attendees (my guestimate). Here are some snapshots of some of my personal favorites:

Bassekou Kouyate:

and Ngoni Ba:

Kevin Wimmer (Mamou Playboys):

Steve Riley:

The Mighty Diamonds:

Posted by Pete, WTJU Folk

Matty Metcalfe Squeezes In Walk Right In

2011-10-14T15:57:00.006-04:00

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 ● Noon-2 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Accordion player Matty Metcalfe will squeeze in a visit with Rebecca Foster this Tuesday on Walk Right In. A longtime friend to WTJU, he will bring along his squeezebox. and perhaps a few other instruments, for a live performance and conversation.

Matty Metcalfe is a world-class accordionist, composer, arranger, and multi-faceted musician. His previous albums have focused on New Orleans piano music, modern reinventions of gypsy jazz pieces, and a host of eclectic original songs. He has composed soundtracks for two feature length movies and many theater productions.

Currently Matty is finishing his most recent album. Titled 'Fleet of Fingers' and set for release at the end of 2011, it features all original compositions. Playing almost every instrument on the album, from banjo to whistles, accordion to Celtic harp, Matty hops between genres, artfully creating his own sound that lies somewhere between modern and traditional folk music from around the globe. Artfully arranged, surprisingly crafted, and ever-entrancing, Metcalfe's melodious musings will inspire and delight discerning and casual listeners alike.

Matty performs live exotic Gypsy and Slavic music with special guests at the Balkan Bistro (1003 West Main Street in Charlottesville) from 7:30 - 9:30 each Thursday except this particular week and Thanksgiving, 24 November.

Submitted by Rebecca Foster, WTJU Folk

Anna Vogelzang Stops By Juminpin' on the Bed

2011-10-14T06:58:00.010-04:00

Saturday, October 15, 2011 ● 4-6 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Singer/songwriter Anna Vogelzang will stop by Jumpin' on the Bed this Saturday for a conversation and live performance, before heading off to a gig at the Pigeonhole on Elliewood with Charlottesville's own Carl Anderson.

Anna Vogelzang is a prolific and exuberant singer/songwriter with a huge voice and a way with words. After releasing her college thesis as a CD in 2007 and following up with home recordings that sold out of their handmade sleeves, Anna released her 5th album, Paper Boats, in April 2010. The widely recognized album was met with invitations to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and National Women's Music Festival Emerging Artist Stages, as well as receiving play on over 200 radio stations nation-wide.

April 2010 release. artwork by johanna wright

Submitted by Rebecca Foster, WTJU Folk

Festy Experience 2011

2011-10-11T06:32:00.007-04:00

For the second consecutive year, the Infamous Stringdusters, Artist Farm and Cerberus Productions put on a wonderful Festy Experience on the Devils Backbone Brewery grounds. WTJU Folk was proud to be a part of the festival.

Below are just a few photos from the weekend. We will also be posting additional pictures and videos at our Facebook page, which we encourage you to like. Even if you don't use Facebook, the videos should be available to you.

Larry Keel & Natural Bridge (7 Oct 2011)


David Grisman Sextet (9 Oct 2011)

David Grisman Sextet Encore w/ Infamous Stringdusters (9 Oct 2011)

Three of our Folk Staff Working Hard (9 Oct 2011)

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

David Grisman at the Festy 10/9/11

2011-10-10T22:51:00.002-04:00

During the final Infamous Stringdusters' set at the Festy in Nelson County, VA, David Grisman joined the band in paying tribute to Bill Monroe, who was born 100 years ago this year. Here's the Dawg with the Stringdusters' Andy Falco (guitar) and Travis Book (upright bass):

Photo credit: Pete Marshall, WTJU Folk

Lake Street Dive Live On Sunshine Daydream

2011-10-06T06:43:00.003-04:00

Saturday, October 8, 2011 ● 12 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Sunshine Daydream will deviate from its usual grateful tendencies for the first half hour of the show this Saturday to welcome the sounds of Lake Street Dive, who will be in the area for a main stage appearance later that day at the Festy Experience out near Wintergreen, Virginia.

How is it that something so unlikely can also be so infectious, so naturally exhilarating? Pulling in familiar elements and irreverently scrambling and recombining them, Lake Street Dive are at once jazz-schooled, DIY-motivated, and classically pop obsessed. Beginning with catchy songs that are by turns openhearted and wryly inquisitive, this northeastern quartet proceeds to inject them with an irresistible blend of abandon and precision. Composed of drummer Mike Calabrese, bassist Bridget Kearney, vocalist Rachael Price, and trumpet-wielding guitarist Mike “McDuck” Olson, Lake Street Dive encompasses a myriad of possibilities within its members’ collective experiences, and the resultant music is a vivid, largely acoustic, groove-driven strain of indie-pop. “It seems the only limitation we have,” Kearney explains, “ is that we try to make music that we would like listening to.”

Hailing from such disparate locales as Tennessee (Price), Iowa (Kearney), Minneapolis (Olson), and Philadelphia (Calabrese), Lake Street Dive first gathered in a room together when they were students at Boston’s New England Conservatory. “Mr. McDuck assembled the four of us, said we were now Lake Street Dive, and we were a ‘free country’ band,” Bridget Kearney remembers. “He wrote this on a chalkboard in the ensemble room that we had our first rehearsal in. We intended to play country music in an improvised, avant-garde style – like Loretta Lynn meets Ornette Coleman. It sounded terrible! But the combination of people and personalities actually made a lot of sense and we had a great time being around each other and making music together.”

Lake Street Dive makes the most of pop music virtues: solid, evocative song craft; propulsive grooves; and Price’s disarming, forthright vocals. However, it’s a personal strain of pop that is refracted through the band members’ rich backgrounds: a sinewy Motown bass line is reborn with woody heft on Kearney’s upright, Calabrese’s drumming mixes timekeeping with more adventurous jazz-inflected outbursts, McDuck’s nimble trumpet is an unexpectedly warm counterpoint to Price’s singing. It all makes for a sound with familiar roots, but with a slant that is entirely their own. Lake Street Dive’s eventual artistic breakthrough came not without struggle, and still surprises original instigator Mike “McDuck” Olson. “Now we’re a pop band, leaning very heavily on soul and rock, with hook-y writing, which I never expected,” he concludes. “If I could travel through time, I’d go back six years and play the new record for my younger self, just to assure him that the awkward, new-band phase doesn’t last forever.”

The Infamous Stringdusters present The Festy Experience, a 3-day camping festival over Columbus Day weekend (Oct 7 - 9) at The Concert Grounds at Devils Backbone in Nelson County, Virginia (45 mi. from Charlottesville). Hosted and curated by The Infamous Stringdusters, The Festy Experience will celebrate and combine the best in live music, outdoor sports and lifestyle, craft beer culture and raging good times.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Todd Sheaffer of Railroad Earth on The Cosmic American Jamboree

2011-10-03T11:26:00.009-04:00

Thursday, October 6, 2011 ● 12 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Don't miss the first hour of The Cosmic American Jamboree this Thursday, when we air an interview with Todd Sheaffer, lead singer, guitarist and co-founder of Railroad Earth. The entire band will be making its second consecutive main stage appearance at this year's Festy Experience in Roseland, Virginia.

Railroad Earth’s music is driven by the remarkable songs of front-man, Todd Sheaffer, and is delivered with seamless arrangements and superb musicianship courtesy of all six band members. They can jam with the best of them, but they’re not a jam band. They’re bluegrass influenced, but they use drums and amplifiers (somewhat taboo in the bluegrass world). RRE bristles about being lumped into any one “scene.” Not out of animosity for any other artists: it’s just that they don’t find the labels very useful. According to fiddle player Tim Carbone, “We use unique acoustic instrumentation, but we’re definitely not a bluegrass band – so that doesn’t fit. And I think the term ‘jam band’ probably refers more to the fans than to the band. I think these fans just like live music.” When the band does elect to “comment” on a song via an extended improvisation, they really cook – and have received the approval of no less than Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh, who knows a thing or two about jamming.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Carl Anderson on The Cosmic American Jamboree

2011-10-03T10:34:00.008-04:00

Thursday, October 6, 2011 ● 1 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Tune in this Thursday when Charlottesville singer-songwriter Carl Anderson stops by The Cosmic American Jamboree for a chat and live performance with host Will Courtney. They will talk about Carl's main stage appearance at the second annual Festy out in Roseland, VA.

Carl Anderson is an Americana singer-songwriter from Charlottesville, Virginia. Gone solo from his duo with local singer/songwriter, Carleigh Nesbit, he's hoping to release his first EP within the next two months. It's obvious that Carl's innate talent for songwriting has been noticed around Central Virginia, as he was featured in last year's edition of the Hook's local music issue (Under the Radar and Dreaming) and has supported nationally-known acts like the Infamous Stringdusters and Yarn. Carl will be performing on the Festy Main Stage Sunday afternoon, October 9.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Battle Royale: String Vs Jug Band

2011-10-01T18:00:00.002-04:00

2011 WTJU Jazz Marathon

Saturday, October 1, 2011 ● 6-9 am (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Miss the show? Listen at the WTJU Tape Vault.

ca. 1860 String Band (credit concertina.com)

Vs.

Memphis Jug Band

Leftover Biscuits serves up the ultimate challenge pitting the older and more established string band music against the young (well, younger) sounds of jug band. Who will come out on top in this musical free for all? Will the Dallas String Band come out swinging, or will the Memphis Jug Band blow the strings down for the count? Refereeing this match will be early blues historian Joe Ayers. There can only be one victor in this battle, and that's you the listener, when these two early blues styles get into the ring for the ultimate musical match.

Cannon's Jug Stompers

Dallas String Band

Vs.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Dawg Gone: The Jazzier Sounds of David Grisman

2011-09-30T17:00:00.000-04:00

2011 WTJU Jazz Marathon

Friday, September 30, 2011 ● 5-7 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Miss the show? Listen at the WTJU Tape Vault.

While David "Dawg" Grisman initially made his bones in the world of folk and bluegrass, he certainly did not stay chained there for very long. Through his work with the David Grisman Quintet (and now Sextet!), he has played with jazz luminaries such as Stéphane Grappelli and Svend Asmussen, while also influencing young pups like Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. So tune in as we examine not only the jazz sounds of David Grisman, but also those who have played alongside him over these many "dawg" years.

David Grisman Quintet (w/ guest Nate Leath) at 2011 Floyd Fest

Tune in Friday, September 30, from 5-7 pm when Sunset Road host Pete Marshall and Leftover Biscuits host Peter Jones venture from their usual folk slots to help their jazz friends raise funds for WTJU. Rumor is they will even have a couple pairs of tickets to this year's Festy in nearby Roseland, Virginia, where the David Grisman Sextet will be performing Columbus Day Weekend (Oct 7-9).

So don't miss two hours of Dawg this Friday, September 30, from 5-7 pm (edt). And don't forget to throw us a bone for your community station, WTJU.

David "Dawg" Grisman

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Ry Cooder's latest album

2011-09-22T12:23:00.001-04:00

Here's a video from Ry Cooder's latest album:

And here's a more in depth look at the story behind that song... (compelling viewing...give yourself an hour and a half):

Inside job - Subtítulos en español from dai dai spain on Vimeo.

Posted by Pete, WTJU Folk

Sunset Road playlist 9/16/11

2011-09-20T18:33:00.003-04:00

Fri, Sep 16, 2011: "Sunset Road" [17:00 - 19:00, Pete Marshall]
(You can listen to this show till friday 9/30/11 at 5pm US EST. Look for the show HERE

1. "Pete's tune" - Extended Play Boys - Extended Play Boys [Beet]
theme tune

2. "Nancy Rowland's" - Pat Egan & Alex Caton - Fiddle Tunes & Ballads [Self: 2011]
Pat & Alex playing tonight at ville Coffee, Charlottesville at 8pm

3. "No Banker Left Behind" - Ry Cooder - Pull up some dust and sit down [Nonesuch: 2011]

brilliant new cd from Ry

4. "God and Country*(the true Story of Red Rowntree)" - Peyton Tochterman - A New World [2011]

5. "I hate banks" - Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper - Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper

6. "Martin Said to His Man" - Red Hen Stringband - Birds of a Feather [Wepecket island records: 2011]

7. "Farewell Trion" - Red Hen Stringband - Birds of a Feather [Wepecket island records: 2011]

8. "Squirrel Hunters" - Danny Barnes With Bill Frisell - NWSS - Horning's Hideout [Internet Archive: 2008]
coupla live squirrel hunters

9. "Squirrel Hunters" - Nate Leath & friends - live from Rockbridge [With Permission: 2011]

10. "The Lakes of Pontchartrain" - Paul Brady - The Missing Liberty Tapes [Compass: 2002]
Paul Brady at Mockingbird in Staunton Va sat oct 1st

11. "Crazy Dreams" - Paul Brady - The Paul Brady Songbook [Compass: 2002]

12. "Follow That Star (Album)" - Paul Brady - Hooba Dooba [American Proper: 2010]

13. "The Blacksmith/Black Smithereens" - Planxty - Live 2004 [2004]
Set of music featuring Andy Irvine, who will be at Cville Coffee on th 10/20, first set top be broadcast live HERE on WTJU at 7pm.

14. "Victory at Lawrence" - Andy Irvine - Abocurragh [Self: 2010]

15. "O'Donoghue's" - Mozaik - Changing Trains [Compass: 2007]

16. "John Henry" - Pink Anderson - Gospel, Blues And Street Songs (Remastered) [Riverside]

17. "John Henry" - Doc Watson - Classic Folk Music From Smithsonian Folkways [Smithsonian Folkways: 1994]

18. "I want my crown" - Ry Cooder - Pull up some dust and sit down [Nonesuch: 2011]

19. "No Hard Feelings" - Ry Cooder - Pull up some dust and sit down [Nonesuch: 2011]

Posted by Pete, WTJU Folk

Frank Vignola Trio LIVE on Folk & Beyond

2011-09-13T07:01:00.008-04:00

Vinny & Frank

Featuring Vinny Raniolo & Glenn Tosto

Thursday, September 15, 2011 ● 5 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Frank Vignola is one of the most extraordinary guitarists performing before the public today. His stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world's top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Wynton Marsalis, Tommy Emmanuel, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, who named Vignola to his "Five Most Admired Guitar List" for the Wall Street Journal. Vignola's jaw-dropping technique explains why the New York Times deemed him "one of the brightest...stars of the guitar".

On Thursday, just after 5 PM, Aer welcomes the return of Frank Vignola, in the form of a very special Frank Vignola Trio. While the Trio is usually comprised of Frank with Vinny Raniolo on guitar and Gary Mazzaroppi on bass, this evening the Trio will be a guitar army, with Glenn Tosto (Gypsy Jazz Caravan) making the trip instead of Gary. Later this evening, at 110 East Main Street in nearby Orange, Virginia, The FVT will be performing at a small intimate venue, The Light Well, at 8 PM, who proudly boast “Frank and friends have been sneaking into Orange and delivering world class shows for more than 2 years. They are truly ‘sleepers’, meaning that the quality of their performances surpass any others who have performed in our fair town. They have been featured on NPR and TJU multiple times.” Frank and Vinny ‘warmed up’ for this trip by stopping in to play with Tommy Emmanuel and kicking off last weekend’s 2011 MDA Telethon in Las Vegas.

Vinny, Frank, & Tommy Emmanuel

Born on suburban Long Island on December 30, 1965, Frank Vignola was raised in the New York area. The Italian-American started playing the guitar at the age of six and grew up admiring a variety of guitarists. Far from a jazz snob, Vignola never listened to jazz exclusively and was also a major fan of classical, rock, R&B, and pop. The guitarists that he admires range from Django and Les Paul to rock icons like Frank Zappa and Eddie Van Halen. As a young adult, Vignola studied at the Cultural Arts Center of Long Island and went on to enjoy an enormous amount of sideman gigs in the 1980s including recording and touring with the likes of Madonna, Leon Redbone, Ringo Starr as well as coming into his own as a leader in 1988 with his famed Hot Club of France tribute which was hailed in the NY Times as one of the top ten acts in New York City in 1988 and forged the way for the many Django Hot Club groups that followed. The New Yorker was 27 when, in 1993, he signed with Concord Jazz and recorded his first Concord session as a leader, Appel Direct. Many more Concord releases followed in the 1990s as well as 3 releases for the Telarc label as co-leader of the group Travelin' Light. The early 2000's found Vignola recording a solo guitar CD for Acoustic Disc as well as performing regularly with guitarist, Les Paul. This also marked the time that Frank began working with record producer Joel Dorn as well as making featured appearances on Atlantic, Sony and Warner Brothers Records with the likes of Donald Fagen, Queen Latifah, Mark O Connor and Wynton Marsalis. He also recorded a collection of Gershwin pieces for Mel Bay Records titled, "Vignola Plays Gershwin" which was number 2 in NPR radio airplay charts. In recent years, Vignola has recorded two important collaborative CD's, "Just Between Frets" with Tommy Emmanuel on Solid Air Records and "Frank-N-Dawg, Melody Monsters" with mandolinist David Grisman on Acoustic Disc Records. Frank has written 18 guitar instruction books for Mel Bay Publications and has recorded 6 Educational DVD's for Truefire.com. He has performed hundreds of clinics and masterclasses at major universities and colleges throughout the world including Julliard and Boston University. Currently, Vignola is touring world wide.

Gary Mazzaroppi, David Grisman, Vinny & Frank

Even though his career in music is only at the beginning, Vinny Raniolo has already had many opportunities that take most players a lifetime to achieve. Now playing guitar along side many of the finest musicians in the world, he is very excited to see where his music career will take him. At age 26, Vinny has already toured the world and performed at many of the world's top venues. Vinny is very dedicated to his career as a professional touring musician, studio musician, educator and arranger. Beginning to play guitar at age 13, Vinny has already experienced a very diverse career in his 13 years of playing music. After performing his first gigs at the age of 16 in local jazz clubs, rock n’ roll bars, and musical theatre pit bands he began to catch the ears of other professional musicians and began to tour and work in recording studios. Vinny has been on recordings with Frank Vignola, Bucky Pizzarelli, Tommy Emmanuel, Tony Trishka, Matt Flinner, Ken Peplowski and many others. Vinny is also an experienced educator and has taught classes at Bowling Green University, Kent State University, Asiago Music Conservatory and others. He has also worked for many educational companies such as Mel Bay and Truefire.com. Vinny now tours the world with jazz guitar great, Frank Vignola and guitar virtuoso from Austrailia, Tommy Emmanuel.

Submitted by Aer Stephen, WTJU Folk

Dallas Wesley Band LIVE on Folk & Beyond

2011-09-12T07:01:00.006-04:00

Thursday, September 15, 2011 ● 6 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

The first time I saw Dallas Wesley was in January of 2010 at an audition for the Live Arts production, “Hank Williams: Lost Highway”. Dallas had never acted in a theatrical production before, but he had a presence that was magnetic. As he started to sing, the room was transformed, and everybody there that cold, icy night felt the warmth, and knew the play had found its Hank. Watching Dallas take on the enormous challenge of learning all the songs plus all the lines it took to be carry the lead role in this musical biography was truly inspiring. The play was a massive success, and the somewhat unlikely combination of musicians that formed the Drifting Cowboys had a special chemistry that created joy in all who became their audiences. At the age of 29, Dallas became Hank Williams at the very same age Hank spent his last year of his too short life. But make no mistake, Dallas Wesley is his own man. That was a play, and this is real life, and the songs that come from his heart are the ticket that will let his dream unfold. If you press them, you can probably get a reprise now and then, just because they are that kind of friendly folk. But this is the Dallas Wesley Band. You’d be much more rewarded to sit back and listen up to what they have to say as themselves. Please join me for this set of original tunes and conversation with the Dallas Wesley Band. ~Aer Stephen

The Dallas Wesley Band is original roots country sound with 21st century soul. Pedal steel cries, fiddle saws, electric guitar runs, upright bass lines, and Dallas Wesley’s one of a kind voice resonate with fans of many genres and can satisfy both a dance floor and a listening room. They first performed together in a Charolottesville, Virginia production of “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” in 2010. Their natural chemistry and mutual respect for each other led them to reconnect months later as The Dallas Wesley Band, playing original songs written by vocalist Dallas Wesley, bassist Thomas Gunn, pedal steel player Bahlmann Abbott, and lead electric guitarist Dan Sebring.

Dallas Wesley (vocals, rhythm guitar) is originally from South Carolina, but has lived in Lynchburg, Virginia since 2004. He began his music career five years ago with the release of his first solo album before headlining The Dallas Wesley Band. Wesley writes most of the songs in the band’s set list.

Thomas Gunn (upright bass) has been a staple in the central Virginia music scene for years. While his skills with the lead guitar are impressively adept, Gunn’s focus in The Dallas Wesley Band is the upright bass, as well as harmonies, which he adds to most songs in the set. Thomas Gunn is also a well-respected songwriter, and has released two solo albums.

Bahlmann Abbott (pedal steel) is a man of many talents in the Charlottesville area, as he not only owns an architectural firm in town, but also plays the guitar, bass, and pedal steel, which is his main instrument in The Dallas Wesley Band. Abbott also writes songs, records, and has released a solo album.

Dan Sebring’s (lead guitar) name is known in musician circles in the central Virginia area as well. A professional guitar player for over forty years, Sebring has seen and done quite a lot in the music business. Before joining The Dallas Wesley Band, he toured with Modest Mouse, and now balances his role as lead guitarist in the band with teaching guitar for a private school in Charlottesville.

In the short year that the band has been together, they have had many opportunities to connect with thousands of fans, including opening for country performers Travis Tritt and, more recently, Trace Adkins, both in Richmond. Most of their concerts take place in or around the central Virginia area. Saturday, September 17, at 8 PM, you can catch them right here in Charlottesville at C’ville Coffee on the Stage Café, at 1301 Harris Street.

Photo by Susan Saandholland

Submitted by Aer Stephen, WTJU Folk

Heritage Harvest Festival Musicians Visit WTJU

2011-09-06T16:01:00.007-04:00

Joe Ayers & Mark Campbell on Tell Us A Tale

Sunday, September 11, 2011 ● Noon-2 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

In advance of their performance at this year's Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello, master musicians Joe Ayers and Mark Campbell will pay a visit to Tell Us A Tale this Sunday. They will not only perform, but also discuss the history of the violin and banjo in the United States.

Master Banjoist & Historian Joe Ayers

Joe Ayers is a musician, historian, lecturer, musicologist, classical guitarist, blues expert, performing artist, and author. His recordings of early American music include several volumes of 19th century banjo classics. He has worked as a music history consultant and appeared in motion picture feature films (Warner Bros. productions) and in NBC, PBS, Discovery Channel and National Geographic television specials. He has played a seminal role in presenting authentic music for museums, Civil War reenactments, festivals, and education venues.

The grandson of a Virginia dance fiddler, Joe led the Tuckahoe Social Orchestra for 14 years, incorporating his children within the ranks of the performing group. The orchestra performed 19th century parlor, dance and minstrel music. Joe also gives lectures, offers historical consultation for films, sound tracks and other artists’ recordings, conducts workshops and seminars, and participates in residencies.

He was recently a Master Artist for Virginia’s Folklife Apprenticeship Program and featured in In Good Keeping--Virginia’s Folklife Apprenticeships by Jon Lohman, Director of the Virginia Folklife Program at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.

Joe is currently working on Volume V of “Early Banjo Classics,” which is Elias Howe’s Complete Preceptor for Banjo, 1851, the earliest existing banjo music.

Master Fiddler Mark Campbell

Mark Campbell is a traditional musician who is dedicated to preserving and passing down old Appalachian region fiddle and banjo styles. Since his childhood in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Mark traveled around the region, collecting and playing the old style of music. He learned bowing and picking styles from some of the giants of last generation of great musicians of North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

In 2008 Mark was named the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities' Master fiddler. He was also the 2001 Champion Fiddler at the Appalachian String Band Festival at Clifftop, West Virginia, has twice won the State Fair of Virginia fiddle contest, and has won the West Virginia State Folkfestival banjo and fiddle competitions. Mark travels throughout the region, performs concerts/lectures, teaches classes, plays for dances and produces solo and band recordings.

Mark learned fiddle styles by playing with and studying musicians including, Melvin Wine, Tommy Jarrell, Ernie Carpenter, Pug Allen, Burl Hammons, Wilson Douglas, Lee Triplett, Franklin George, Harvey Sampson, Joe Birchfield, Wilson Douglas, and Harold Hausenfluck.

From blind fiddler Harold Hausenfluck Mark learned to listen for the bow changes in old recordings. He then studied recordings from many of the departed masters of the old style of music, including French Carpenter, Ed Haley, Luther Strong, N. H. Mills, Norm Edmonds, J. B. Grayson, Clayton McMitchen, Marcus Martin, and Osey Helton.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Peyton Tochterman Live on Folk & Beyond

2011-09-06T07:13:00.000-04:00

Thursday, September 8, 2011 ● 6 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Peyton Tochterman first visited us on Folk & Beyond in January of 2006 as Peyton Tochterman & High Society, and backed by a fabulous band that gave the songs a jazz bent that was unique and infectious. Peyton now returns to perform solo for this feature, showcasing tunes from his debut national release, “A New World”, with the excitement of the CD’s release event tomorrow night at the Southern on the downtown mall in Charlottesville a mere hours away. Please tune in………. you will be glad you did.

Born in Virginia and living in the musical hotbed of Charlottesville, “A New World” was produced by Sam Wilson (Sons of Bill), and the project features songstress Stacey Earle and nationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Ellis Paul. Peyton is and has been many things. A former sports writer, a cancer survivor, a former NCAA athlete (if you call being ninth out of a possible ten on his golf team athletics)… He’s been hit by a train, had Kenny G.’s grand piano fall on his head, gotten to pick out Trisha Yearwood’s dress one night (they settled on the red one, by the way), has made Yo Yo Ma laugh with a joke and can’t remember what joke, has helped cast bronze monuments and sculptures for renowned sculpture Cy Twombly, has traveled across America on Harleys with his dad, and to the far reaches of western China to record monks blowing really, really big horns… And through it all, he has been a songwriter. Peyton has the privilege of being the first to step foot on stage and perform at the illustrious Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville, VA, and has shared a stage with the likes of Levon Helm, Robert Earl Keen, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Richard Buckner, Sons of Bill, Ellis Paul, Old School Freight Train. Peyton will also be touring with and opening for Ellis Paul through the upcoming year.

"Peyton Tochterman has an old soul’s gift for writing the ageless, earthy songs that define what is best about American Music. His songs carry the weighty truths that make life less of a burden for those who hear them." ~Ellis Paul

Submitted by Aer Stephen, WTJU Folk

Arlo Guthrie on the constitution

2011-09-05T16:29:00.002-04:00

It's Labor Day after all ...... : )

Posted by Pete, WTJU Folk

"Child of Africa" David Jenkins Visits Radio Tropicale...

2011-09-05T08:19:00.002-04:00

Wednesday, September 7, 2011 ● 12-2 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Nineteen year old South African artist David Jenkins will visit with Bruce Penner during the second hour of Radio Tropicale this Wednesday. In the area as part of the sixth annual South African Food and Wine Festival at Grayhaven Winery in Gum Spring, VA, David will also perform live during the program, demonstrating his proficiencies in the sounds of Zulu music.

David Jenkins hails from Empangeni, and is a proficient guitarist, singer, banjo and concertina player. As a child he spent many happy hours with the Zulu gardener and housekeeper, and later with children; all of whom were Zulu.

At the age of 9 David developed a passionate interest in ‘Shaka Zulu’ and the Zulu culture and thus began his collection of books, traditional clothing, beadwork and music, and also learnt to stick fight and Zulu dance.

At the age of 12 he was given his first guitar, and within two weeks was able to play his first basic ‘Maskandi’ song; well known Maskandi musician, Phuzekhemisi, being his mentor.

He later developed an interest in Johnny Clegg, and studied Clegg’s technique together with that of other popular Zulu musicians. Thus he successfully mastered the traditional technique of playing the Zulu Maskandi style of music.
In July 2008, after the death of his father, renowned KZN journalist Chris Jenkins, he taught himself to play his late father’s five-string banjo, concentrating on the Bluegrass genre which came easily to him having already mastered the ‘picking’ technique of the ‘Maskandi’ music. Although different, David discovered that there was a subtle similarity between the Maskandi and Bluegrass genres.

His next project was to combine the 5-string banjo with the Maskandi style, which is unique and has revealed many interesting possibilities and in May 2009 he completed his first song ‘Life is a Never Ending Drum beat’ which combines the two.

In January 2010 he bought his first concertina, which now forms part of his instrumental accomplishments, and enhances his ability to produce the caliber of music he is aiming for.

In March 2011 he released his debut album, "Child of Africa", which he recorded with United Rhythms Studio in Durban. He is currently touring the United States, and continuing his musical studies.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Ursula and Stephen Goadhouse Visit Atlantic Weekly I

2011-09-02T14:56:00.000-04:00

Saturday, September 3, 2011 ● 8-10 am (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Steve Kindig welcomes Ursula and Stephen Goadhouse to Atlantic Weekly I on Saturday September 3rd to share their music and news about their upcoming 8 pm show at the Crozet Mudhouse on September 17th.

Ursula is a local singer-songwriter whose music has been described as “great heartfelt passionate songwriting that will stir your insides” by Danny Schmidt. Stephen plays lead guitar, acoustic bass guitar, steel guitar and Strumstick. Together they weave sound and story of loss, love and hope.

The proceeds for the Mudhouse show and the sales of their album, “Love is Medicine”, go to RumiRising.org to help offset the cost for supportive therapies for their son, Rumi, who has autism, Downs syndrome and hearing impairment.

Submitted by Steve Kindig, WTJU Folk

Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade Swing By The Jazz Messenger

2011-09-02T13:57:00.000-04:00

Friday, September 9, 2011 ● 10:30 am-Noon (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade will swing by during the last half hour of The Jazz Messenger this coming Friday. In Central Virginia for a concert later that evening at Staunton's Mockingbird, the quartet will close out the morning with some great live music.

Miss Tess is a Brooklyn-via-Boston-based performing songwriter and bandleader. She currently tours with a tight knit quartet complete with Raphael McGregor on lap steel, Danny Weller on upright bass, Matt Meyer on drums, and Tess on guitar and vocals. Similar to artists such at Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Madeleine Peyroux, or Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, Miss Tess draws inspiration from older styles of music, and uses those sounds in the service of her own personality. Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade have been touring nationally for the last three years, and continue to maintain a rigorous performing schedule.

This performance will celebrate the release of a new ep, The Waltz Set, the sixth release from Miss Tess. The album debuts five original waltzes and a waltz cover version of Skeeter Davis' hit song "End of the World" (1962). The compositions are airy and heartfelt descriptions of biycle rides, ferris wheels, and lost love. For a preview of the new album, visit the website and on the music page, check out "The Bicycle Song".

Critics have had a hard time assigning Tess’s music to a specific genre; when she still lived in Boston she won a Boston Music Award for "Outstanding Folk Artist of the Year" (2008), in 2009 she received a nomination for "Best Jazz Act", and in 2010 was nominated for "Best Roots Act" by the Boston Phoenix. Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade not only played in most venues in Boston, but are also hardened road warriors who have found homes in all types of venues ranging from upscale jazz clubs, music festivals, to local dive bars.

"To classify this Boston-based singer-songwriter as merely a jazz singer would miss the point – she’s a musical chameleon, recalling at various moments Tom Waits’ barfly humor, the cabaret-rock of Beirut, or even the wink-wink wit of early Bette Midler. On previous albums (this is her fifth), Miss Tess has included a fair number of jazz standards, but Darling, Oh Darling takes a bigger leap — Miss Tess has written every track, revolving like a vintage jukebox through a whole catalog of musical styles. What’s impressive is how thoroughly she has absorbed the old-school genres – these aren’t just catchy songs with retro arrangements, you’d swear they were 30- or 40-year-old standards.” –Holly Hughes, Blog Critics

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Arborea Visit The Cosmic American Jamboree

2011-09-01T05:55:00.000-04:00

Thursday, September 1, 2011 ● 12-2 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Tune in during the first hour of The Cosmic American Jamboree this Thursday, when indie-folk duo Arborea pay Lonesome George a visit before heading off to an outdoor concert later at The Garage in downtown Charlottesville.

Arborea, an avant-folk duo from Maine, formed in the summer of 2005 by husband and wife Buck and Shanti Curran. Their music follows in the progressive folk rock tradition of artists Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley, Chris Whitley, and Pentangle. Buck plays guitar, slide guitars, bowed strings, flutes, banjo, and vocals. Shanti provides lead vocals, banjo, ukulele, bowed strings, harmonium, and percussion. Arborea is often joined by Helena Espvall on cello. Their songs are, as described by George Parsons of Dream Magazine,” Low key intimate spellcasting affairs; the fact that they are a couple might help to explain the seamless organic blending of their music together. Conjuring truly transportational magic out of the simplest ingredients. Their songs might be a hundreds of years old, and there’s little here to lock them into any moment other than forever”.

Since 2006 Arborea has performed throughout the US, UK, and Europe...including radio sessions on the BBC, WXPN, and WNYC. In 2009 Arborea curated the 'Leaves of Life' compilation album to benefit the UN World Food Program, and in 2010 they curated the Robbie Basho tribute album 'We Are All One, In the Sun', which made Acoustic Guitar Magazine's 'Best Acoustic Albums of 2010', glowing reviews from The Wire and Pitchfork, and Mojo Magazine 4 Stars. Their 4th album 'Red Planet' was released in 2011 by the Oregon label Strange Attractors Audio House. Equal parts psychedelia and backwater folk, inspired by Smithsonian field recordings, Arborea succeeds in creating a new folk form of breathtaking originality.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Fishtank Ensemble Live on Jumpin’ on the Bed

2011-09-01T05:48:00.000-04:00

With Guest Host Aer Stephen of Folk & Beyond

Saturday, September 3, 2011 ● 4-6 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Fishtank Ensemble formed in 2005 in the midst of Fabrice Martinez's first visit to the US. After hunting around for musicians with whom he could jam with on his violin, Fishtank Ensemble was born., and this now four-piece outfit has since been playing everywhere from the hippest LA clubs to festivals, cultural centers, museums, parades, and even on the street. The band includes two explosive violins, the best slap bass player in the world, musical saw, flamenco and gypsy jazz guitar, trombone, opera, jazz and gypsy vocals, accordion, and one little banjolele. They tackle everything from French hot jazz to wild Serbian and Transylvanian gypsy anthems, Flamenco, and oddball originals. The band is a not to be missed event for world music lovers wanting to bathe in this intoxicating mix of music. In 2010, they released, on their own label, Woman In Sin. The third album from Fishtank Ensemble finds the band writing and performing at their peak. Transylvanian Gypsy Anthems, 1920's swing, Romanian Folk medleys, Rhythm and Blues Classics, Bulgarian Odd Time Signatures, Flamenco Rumbas, Swing Jazz, Serbian party tunes, Secret Manouche music and original songs are seemlessly blended together in this quintessential offering from a leading Gypsy Band.

The dynamic, virtuosic, fiery and peripatetic quartet that comprises Fishtank Ensemble take their roots both from their own varied musical and national backgrounds, as well as from their adventures and travels. The American singer, Ursula Knudson, sang opera on the streets and town squares of Italy, until she found a love of gypsy music. Their French violinist, Fabrice Martinez, is from Paris, voyaged around all of Europe in a handmade mule-drawn caravan for ten years, and studied with gypsy violinists, collecting music and experiences. Their Serbian bass player, Djordje Stijepovic, has spent time playing with gypsies in the local Romany bands when he was 13 until moving to the US, where he joined a band with Lemmy from Motorhead and Slim Jim Phantom from the Stray Cats, and aptly defends his reputation as the best slap bass player in the world. L. A. bred guitar player, Doug Smolens, used to hang out with Billy Idol and Slash before becoming hooked on flamenco and running off to Spain to learn from masters in the caves around Granada and honed his craft as a master of flamenco and gypsy jazz guitar. It is said that whatever wild time you can expect from this band, it will never match their out of this world performance! You can be the judge of that yourself later this evening across the Blue Ridge and into the valley at Staunton’s Mockingbird Music Hall, 832 W Beverly, at 8 PM.

“Cross pollinated gypsy music….one of the most thrilling young acts on the planet.” ~ The LA Weekly

Submitted by Aer Stephen, WTJU Folk

VA Folklife Director Jon Lohman Visits Tell Us A Tale

2011-08-25T17:18:00.002-04:00

Sunday, August 28, 2011 ● 12-2 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Virginia Folklife Director Jon Lohman will stop by Tell Us A Tale during the first hour this Sunday to talk about the upcoming Apprenticeship Showcase on Sunday, September 11 from Noon to 5pm at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities in Charlottesville. Jon will bring in recordings from some of the artists taking part in the day's festivities.

The Folklife Apprenticeship Program, which is funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, helps to ensure that Virginia’s treasured folkways continue to receive new life and vibrancy, engage new learners, and reinvigorate master practitioners.

Please join them in welcoming the 2011-2012 class at the Apprenticeship Showcase on Sunday, September 11 from Noon to 5pm at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities:

Master Banjo player Sammy Shelor of Patrick County and apprentice Ashley Nale
Master Cobbler David Young and apprentice Yvonne Young of Waynesboro
Master of Oyster Aquaculture Dudley Biddlecomb of Northumberland County and apprentice Peter Hedlund

Master Cheesemaker Gail Hobbs-Page of Albemarle County and apprentice Kyle Kilduff
Master Shape Note Singers John del Re and Kelly Macklin of Clarke County and apprentices John Alexander and Diane Ober
Master Autoharp maker and player John Hollandsworth and apprentice Sam Gleaves of Montgomery County
Master Mongolian Mask Maker Gankhuyag Natsag and apprentice Zanabazar Gankhuyag of Arlington County
Master Caribbean Carnival Costume Maker Earl Blake and apprentice Scotie Blake of Hampton

The Apprenticeship Showcase also will recognize the graduating class of master artists and their apprentices:

Master Menhaden Chantey Singers Elton Smith Jr., Edward Taylor, William Muse, Lloyd Hill, Christopher Harvey, and James U. Carter and apprentice Lewis R. Blackwell Jr. of King and Queen County
Master Clawhammer Banjo player Emily Spencer and apprentices Amanda and Kilby Spencer of Grayson County
Master of Galax-Style Dulcimer Phyllis Gaskins and apprentice Blue O’Connell of Rockingham County
Master Grist Miller Bill Savage and apprentice Bob Savage of Accomack County
Master of Persian Classical Music Nader Majd and apprentice Ali Analouei of Fairfax County
Master Flatpick Guitarist Steve Kilby and apprentice Leah Hall of Grayson County
Master Instrument Maker Randal Eller and apprentice Drew Plowman of Smyth County
Master of Traditional Forestry Jason Rutledge and apprentices Melanie Carrier and Adam B. Greene of Floyd County

Please join them for this free festival featuring the music, food, and crafts of the Commonwealth. This year’s Showcase also sees the return of Frances Davis, the “fried apple pie lady,” and the Brunswick Stewmasters. The stewmasters will make 300 quarts of their delicious Brunswick stew on site, and new this year, they will offer take-home quarts for sale, with all proceeds benefiting the Virginia Folklife Program.

The event is free and open to the public. Children and families are welcome. RSVPs are encouraged.

The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities is located next to the Boar’s Head Inn, 145 Ednam Drive, off Route 250 West in Charlottesville. For more information, call 434-924-3296.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Paul Curreri & Devon Sproule: Berlin Calling (with video update)

2011-08-24T08:40:00.005-04:00

photo by Nick Strocchia

Folk & Beyond with Aer Stephen

Thursday, August 25, 2011 ● 6 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

When Paul Curreri and Devon Sproule take the stage at the Jefferson Theater on Saturday, August 27^th, it will be their farewell concert - “Thank You & Goodnight”. Berlin is calling. Are they really leaving us? Say it isn’t so, Joe. But it is true. Berlin is the next stop for Charlottesville’s Folk Royalty. And we are not talking Berlin, Virginia, or Berlin, Vermont, or Berlin, New York, but the far away famous across the big pond Berlin….. Berlin, Germany. The shelves are bare and the furniture is gone. The dates on your calendar may be closer than they appear. A true life adventure is on the horizon. Please join me as I once again take Folk & Beyond on the road and visit the now sparsely appointed home studio that has been dubbed “Amanda’s Old Room” this one last time. This is a very special feature - funny, heartfelt, and liberating. Paul and Devon will each perform a song solo, they will do one together, we will talk about the impending move, the new projects in store, and wax about what the last 11 years has unfurled. Since Paul Curreri rolled into town as the last of the leaves stubbornly clung to the newly barren branches at the beginning of this century, no artist has appeared on Folk & Beyond as many times as he. I heard Paul for the first time that November when he strolled in with his brother, Matt, to play at the Acoustic Open Stage I hosted once a month at The Prism. “Senseless As A Cockoo” was the first offering and I was floored. He followed up with “Long Gone” and was anything but. I was witnessing a new star. I first saw Devon Sproule belting it out busking on the Downtown Mall. She must have been all of 15 or so. Such a petite young lady with a giant voice. As she grew into that voice, her songs and musicianship followed, bringing a depth and texture that captured my respect and admiration. They may be leaving, but my bet is they will not be strangers to us here in Charlottesville, and will achieve much success and critical acclaim on the European continent. Join us, won’t you? ~ Aer Stephen

photo by Jen Farriello

Submitted by Aer Stephen, WTJU Folk

Update: Here's the interview in video form:

Dirk Lind of Baaba Seth Visits Sunset Road

2011-08-22T16:18:00.004-04:00

Friday, August 26, 2011 ● 5-7 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Dirk Lind, member of one of Charlottesville’s best-loved and celebrated bands, Baaba Seth, will stop by during the first hour of Sunset Road this Friday. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the band is reuniting this Saturday, August 27, to headline the Devils Backbone Summerfest in Roseland, Virginia. Dirk will chat about that and what else the band members have been doing since they last reunited.

The members of Baaba Seth are:

Dirk Lind - vocals and rhythm guitar, hugs and tickles
Hope Clayburn - vocals and sax, flute and dance madness
Mike Chang - lead guitar, vocals, minister of propaganda
Dylan Locke - bass, Floyd County crackalacka
Jim Ralston - drums, master illusionist/dancer
Len Wishart - congas, djembe, percussion and DNA cloning technology
Tim Lett - trumpet and the original Jazzneck
Mark Maynard - trombone and official storyteller, will travel for peanut butter.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Atlantic Weekly Goes To Market August 27

2011-08-22T12:38:00.004-04:00

Atlantic Weekly host Sumner Brown

LIVE at the Charlottesville City Market

Saturday, August 27, 2011 ● 8 am-12 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

This weekend Atlantic Weekly will broadcast live from the Charlottesville City Market. As always, they’ll bring to your Saturday morning everything you need in the way of folk and new acoustic music from both sides of the Atlantic.

And if you’re out at City Market this Saturday, stop by and say hello. Our broadcast table will be located along 2^nd street. So tune in, or drop in - to City Market – Saturday, August 27^th from 8:00 till noon, when Atlantic Weekly goes to market. Right here on WTJU Charlottesville, The Sound Choice in Central Virginia.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Banjoist Seth Swingle to appear on Sunset Road fri 8/19/11

2011-08-16T22:41:00.003-04:00

Former Greene county, VA resident Seth Swingle will be a guest on Sunset Road on friday 8/19/11 at 5pm.

Seth, as well as being an accomplished and award winning banjo player, is a former apprentice of Mike Seeger as part of the Virginia Folklife Master and Apprentice program, is (and has been for many years) an apprentice of Malian griot Cheick Hamala Diabate, has studied ethnomusicology at the University of Chicago, and is a current recipient of a Fulbright award to further his musical interests in Mali. In addition to playing live in the studio, he will be bringing various recordings to enliven the conversation.

Seth Swingle with an Ngoni, a Mali instrument and ancestor of the Banjo

As always, the show can be heard live here and for two weeks after original airtime here.

Update: Videos from Seth's appearance on the show below

Posted by Sunset Road cohost Pete, WTJU Folk

Bluegrass Sounds of The Get Down Boys...

2011-08-12T06:24:00.018-04:00

LIVE on Tell Us A Tale

Sunday, August 21, 2011 ● Noon-2 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

You like your grass blue? Then don't miss Tell Us A Tale Sunday, August 21, when The Get Down Boys stop by the WTJU studios during the first hour for some traditional bluegrass. In town for a couple performances, including one at The Southern the next night, the boys will not only play live, but also talk about some of their influences along the way.

The Get Down Boys are a Santa Monica-based string band who perform traditional and original Bluegrass music, along with other modern favorites. They are all graduates of Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.

The Boys recently shared the stage with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Country Joe McDonald. They've also opened for Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers at Ed Helms’ 2nd Annual Bluegrass Situation, made an appearance on FOX11’s Good Day LA, as well as a performance at the Grammy’s 10th Annual Producer’s & Engineer’s Wing Party, honoring T Bone Burnett.

They’ve made their debut on the major west coast festival circuit with appearances at Parkfield Bluegrass Festival, Topanga Banjo & Fiddle Contest, Father's Day Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival, Beerfest & Bluegrass at Northstar Tahoe, & will perform at the King’s River Bluegrass Festival later this year.

The Get Down Boys are:
Andrew Keathley - Guitar, Vocals (Charlottesville, VA)
Evan Winsor - Upright Bass, Vocals (Fairfield, CT)
Matt Bruer - Banjo, Harmonica, Vocals (Springfield, MO)

Update:

Below are videos of the Get Down Boys appearance on Tell us a tale

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Reggae Vibrations Gets "Wild And Free" With Ziggy Marley

2011-08-11T12:09:00.001-04:00

Friday, August 12, 2011 ● 2-4 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Tune in this Friday when your Reggae Vibrations selector Goldfinger airs a recent interview with the great Ziggy Marley on the eve of Ziggy's upcoming tour to Japan in support of his new CD, "Wild And Free".

A five-time Grammy winner, humanitarian, singer, songwriter, producer and Reggae icon, Ziggy Marley has had a fruitful career, in which he has released twelve albums to much critical acclaim. His early immersion in music came at age ten when he sat in on recording sessions with his father, Bob Marley. As front man to Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers, the group released eight best-selling albums that garnered three Grammys, with such chart-topping hits as "Look Who’s Dancing", "Tomorrow People" and "Tumbling Down." Ziggy's first solo album, Dragonfly (RCA Records), was released in 2003. His second solo release, Love is My Religion (Tuff Gong Worldwide), won a Grammy in 2006 for Best Reggae Album. His third solo album, Family Time (Tuff Gong Worldwide), scored him a 5th Grammy award for Best Childrens Album.

Recorded in Los Angeles and Jamaica, and co-produced with Grammy winning producer Don Was (The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Elton John, George Clinton), "Wild And Free" is the 3^rd album they have worked on together. From the album’s first single “Forward to Love,” fans will hear the evolution of Marley’s sound: Wild and Free affirms Marley as a master storyteller with an innate sense of soul. The title track of the album, “Wild and Free,” features friend Woody Harrelson.

Submitted by Goldfinger, Reggae Vibrations & WTJU Folk

Remembering Mike Seeger, Part II

2011-08-09T17:57:00.000-04:00

Leftover Biscuits

Saturday, August 13, 2011 ● 6:30-8 am (edt)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

In honor of what would have been Mike Seeger's seventy-eighth birthday on August 15, Peter Jones will air the second half of a very special three hour program he did with Mike's widow, Alexia Smith, back in April of 2010. The first half aired last month. There might even be a giveaway or two from our friends at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, a label Mike not only recorded for over the decades, but also for which he produced other artists and projects.

Peter supplied archived recordings from Mike's myriad Prism Coffeehouse appearances, while Alexia shared some of her favorite Mike recordings in between a few personal memories. Virginia State Folklorist Jon Lohman, ballad singer Molly Andrews, and musician and historian Joe Ayers also contributed some memories, with Molly even doing a Carter Family ballad she recorded specifically for this program.

Mike of course helped "rediscover" artists such as Elizabeth Cotten and Dock Boggs, and influenced so many of today's musicians, including Robert Zimmerman (aka Bob Dylan), and 2011 Fulbright Scholar Seth Swingle. Seth was actually Mike's apprentice as part of the Virginia Folklife's Master & Apprentice Program. So tune in for a very special tribute to the great Mike Seeger this Saturday morning, August 13, starting at 6:30.

Mike Seeger and Apprentice Seth Swingle

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk, Leftover Biscuits

Steve Michael Smith LIVE on Folk & Beyond

2011-08-09T17:56:00.000-04:00

Thursday, August 11, 2011 ● 5-7 pm (edt)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Aer Stephen welcomes Steve Michael Smith to Folk & Beyond for the first time. “After seeing Steve play solo acoustic at a small festival called Azurat, I wanted to have him play on the show”. Steve’s music experience began in the Shenandoah Valley growing up in Staunton, Virginia. He played guitar in the Stage Band at Robert E. Lee High School and later in the Jazz Band at James Madison University, where he also sang in Jazz Vocal Choir. Upon graduation, Steve began playing music on the road, working with such notables as Charles Neville of The Neville Brothers, Ike Willis from Frank Zappa’s band and Graham Lear of The Santana Band. Steve did studio work as a vocalist at Bill Scream Studio in Portland Oregon with John Smith of Nu Shus and as a guitarist at Big Red Studio with Billy Oskay of Night Noise. He also did quite an extensive amount of work as an actor, the most notable part he had was Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors at the Portland Repertory. Steve performs as a solo guitarist (jazz and flamenco), performs straight ahead jazz in The Funky Urban Southern Ensemble - F.U.S.E. - and with Funk45. Steve will be performing solo on Folk & Beyond.

In F.U.S.E., three distinct musical streams collide - the R&B/jazz vocals and compositions of the virtuoso guitarist Steve Michael Smith; the fluid percussion of Reggae master Darrell Rose; and JimWray on keys and t-bone. F.U.S.E. creates music that is joyful and will lift you out of your seat. The nucleus of Steve Michael Smith and Jim Wray came together almost by accident as performers at the Azurat Festival in Montebello, VA, July 4, 2009. Jim was on the bill with his partner in the ensemble 2x88, Hod O'Brien, a two jazz piano styling. But Hod had to cancel and at the last minute Jim contacted through a 3rd party a musician he thought he had played with a year prior. Confident of the quality and chemistry with this other, Jim brought Steve Michael Smith on as his duo companion at Azurat. The joke was that they had actually never met before that afternoon of the concert. Nonetheless, the magic was there, and they connected. Piano, guitar, voice and trombone flowed like brothers who had been playing together since the womb. After about 6 months of cabaret work as a duo, Smith-Wray morphed into F.U.S.E. with the addition of Darrell Rose, Brian Mesko and Peter Matthews.

Submitted by Aer Stephen, WTJU Folk

Art Wheeler & Friends on Folk and Beyond

2011-08-02T14:57:00.004-04:00

Thursday, August 4, 2011 ● 5-7pm pm (edt)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Aer Stephen welcomes the return of what some have called, “The Most Versatile Musician In The World”, the Charlottesville enigma, Art Wheeler. This edition will take us to the “beyond” that only Art can lead us to, as Mr. Wheeler stops in for this vey special episode of Folk & Beyond bringing with him a virtual who’s who of Charlottesville’s top shelf musicians. “The History of Jazz Piano on the 12 Bar Blues Progression” has been updated by going further back in time, “Piano Compositions for the Piano for the Left Hand Only” with be showcased, and no doubt we will visit nooks and crannies of music that can only be described by the tatterdemalion hypersesquipedalion himself, Artimus Idioticus Artimus Harmonicus Artimus Pianicus Afro-saxon Afrodisiaction. Well known as a keyboard virtuoso, Art Wheeler will be debuting Harmonica solos with the band, and I have inside scoop that it is groundbreaking. We will also explore the music that includes some of the many other instruments that this most versatile virtuoso lays it down with. The show will start just after 5, and we will undoubtedly be able to fill the whole 2 hours.

Art last appeared on Folk & Beyond in January of 2010 just before the World Premier Performance of Art’s composition of “Aesop’s Fables”. This wonderful new composition was performed at the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center on January 23, by the Charlottesville High School String Ensemble with two Premier performances that day. It brought the daughter of the long time conductor of the New York Philharmonic to town, Jamie Bernstein, to narrate Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. We will have, in studio, a special version where Art performs all the music, and narrates as well. We will also be spinning addition original compositions of Art’s, and hear some of 1,107 transitions of the “Polyphony Epiphany”, and live explorations of it by Art’s guest, Steve Kessler on piano. The studio band also includes Pete Spaar on bass, John D’earth on trumpet, and Jeff Decker on tenor sax.

Keyboardist and Composer Art Wheeler loves music, all great music - New Orleans jazz, Memphis blues, Chicago blues, jazz, salsa, you name the style, he's listening, studying and playing it. But that's not all. Gershwin, Beatles, Kern, Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, African American gospel, ragtime, stride, swing, Motown soul. He's a musical encyclopedia and can play it all. Robert Jospe, drummer-percussionist who has played with jazz greats Michael Brecker and Emily Remler says, "In my 25 years as a professional musician I don't know anyone anywhere who can play as many different styles with the insight and authority as Art Wheeler". Art Wheeler's virtuoso skill came to the attention of Oscar winner Jessica Lange. As a result they began rehearsing songs for the film "Blue Sky". Their work together led to a small role for Art who composed and performed original material in the movie. Lange would go on to win an Academy Award for her performance. As a music teacher Art Wheeler has been in the employ of Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepherd, John Kluge and Tommy Lee Jones. Art has recently completed his book "Polyphony Epiphany - The Unique Collection of 1107 Modulations From C to A minor". In addition, Art composed, performed and produced an album for Grammy Award nominee Guitar Slim Junior. Recorded at Sun Studios, "Nothing Nice" features the legendary Memphis Horns. Art has lectured on the history of blues and jazz piano at the University of Virginia, and for several years, improvised to great acclaim accompaniment for silent films at the Virginia Festival of American Film. He has also performed. to acclaim, gospel music in African-American churches from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Selma, Alabama to Los Angeles. Art Wheeler continues to challenge himself by studying and playing all the world's great folk, classical and other musical styles.

Submitted by Aer Stephen, WTJU Folk

Floyd Fest Wrap Up (Part I) on Walk Right In

2011-08-01T17:09:00.010-04:00

Tuesday, August 2, 2011 ● Noon-2 pm (edt)

WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Leftover Biscuits and Tell Us A Tale host Peter Jones will Walk Right In for regular host Rebecca this Tuesday, as he takes a look back at Floyd Fest X. He will focus during this program strictly on the wonderful music workshops and performances at the Virginia Folklife Program at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities' Workshop Porch. While many of the artists, including David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Dirk Powell, Sam Bush, Jorma Kaukonen and Del McCoury, also performed on the the larger Floyd Fest stages, it is their Workshop Porch appearances that really resonated. And of course The Porch, as it is commonly called among the Floyd Fest regulars, also highlighted some up and coming treasures such as The Morwenna Lasko and Jay Pun Quartet, The Barefoot Movement and The Boston Boys.

Peter will do a second Floyd Fest wrap up later this week, where he will focus on the other stages. Stay tuned for details!

Photo by Gary Reckard

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk

Ross Sisters

2011-07-23T08:44:00.002-04:00

On Sunset Road, during the live appearance by ACME Swing Mfg Co yesterday (7/22/11), the band played and sang a song called 'Solid Potato Salad'. Here's the amazing video that they learned the song from:

Posted by Pete, WTJU Folk

Jimbo & Kim Cary, Pete & Ellen Vigour on Sunset Road fri 7/29/11

2011-07-22T12:58:00.002-04:00

On Friday July 29th, Kim and Jimbo Cary and Pete & Ellen Vigour will be performing live on WTJU on Sunset Road at 5pm (EST), in anticipation of their upcoming appearance at the 6th Annual Blue Ridge Mountain Music Festival at Wintergreen, VA on 8/13/11.
Also performing at the festival are Robin and Linda Williams, The Dry Branch Fire Squad and The Virginia Ramblers.

As always, you can listen live online at WTJU or, for two weeks following original airtime, at the WTJU tape vault.

Posted by Pete, WTJU Folk