Past Musical Performances

Take a look at the singers, songwriters, musicians and storytellers
we have had the pleasure of hosting at The Loft at Manor Mill.

 

Christmas Jazz with The Monkton Trio

Join us for a concert and conversation with the Monkton Jazz Trio. Rethinking traditional Christmas songs and carols with unique harmonies and rhythms. A new and fresh way of hearing holiday classics. Feel free to bring your own food and drink- let’s get into the holiday spirit together!

 

Holiday Songfest in the Round with Deep Blue Rising december 14, 2024

Join us for a celebration of local songwriting talent. Four local songwriters will share some of the songs and will help bring on the festive spirit of the season. The evening performance will include a songwriter-in-the-round session, a set from the band Deep Blue Rising, and some original holiday-themed songs.

Deep Blue Rising
This talented local group features the songs and guitar playing of Dan Casula and Steve Martel and the expressive vocals of singer Debbie Steuhler. Keyboardist Chuck Fields (of Several Species, a popular Pink Floyd cover band) and drummer Greg Schneider fill out this versatile group that first formed in 2014. In 2015, Blue Rising recorded a studio album at Insight studios, and then more recently reunited for a second round of original songs and recordings.

 

The bayberries with rachel may december 13, 2024

The Bayberries
The Bayberries are a Baltimore-based female trio whose original music weaves together bluegrass and folk sounds, classical styles, and influences from around the globe. Featuring Danielle Williams on mandolin, ukulele, piano, and vocals, Samantha Flores on cello and vocals, and Hana Morford on viola, violin, and vocals.

Rachel May
Equal parts vulnerable as she is cheeky, Rachel May’s mystic soul-folk shines through a uniquely feminine lens. Hailing out of Baltimore, Maryland, her songs are lyrically driven by a roots-deep love for musical storytelling and self-expression. In May 2024, Rachel had the privilege of playing her first music festival, Charm City Bluegrass. Shortly after, she released her first single, "Janis" on all streaming platforms.

 

Sam Morrow December 6, 2024

Five albums into an acclaimed career, Sam Morrow has carved out a sound that exists somewhere outside of genre and geography. It’s his own version of modern-day American roots music: a mix of roadhouse rock & roll, bluesy R&B, and country-fried funky-tonk, driven forward by groove, grease, and guitars.

It’s also a sound that owes as much to the road — where Morrow spent most of the past decade on tour, supporting albums like Concrete & Mud and Gettin’ By On Gettin’ Down — as the various places he’s called home. This is music for the fast lane. Music for empty highways. Music for people who, like Morrow, always seem to find themselves in transit.

 

Jamie McLean Band December 5, 2024

Jamie McLean Band creates a musical gumbo that incorporates New Orleans soul, middle Americana roots, Delta blues and New York City swagger. Jamie McLean Band is a triple threat. The group’s energetic and captivating live show is undeniable. McLean’s fiery guitar has joined the ranks of Derek Trucks, Gregg Allman, Aaron Neville, Dr. John and more on stages from from Madison Square Garden to Japan’s Fuji Rock. His blue eyed southern soul vocals ooze real emotion.

 

Dan + Claudia Zanes Record Release Party november 29, 2024

Grammy Award winning rocker turned all-ages entertainer Dan Zanes and Haitian-American jazz vocalist / music therapist Claudia Zanes have been singing in harmony since the day they met in 2016. They perform their soulful style of folk music extensively throughout the United States (and recently returned from a three week tour of Finland and Estonia). Dan + Claudia have released two records on the legendary Smithsonian Folkways label. Their most recent, Pieces of Home expands their vision of joyful intergenerational porch party music.

Tyree Austin from Gary, Indiana is a recent graduate of Howard University’s jazz vocal program. He brings the uplifting spirit of his hometown’s heroes, The Staple Singers, into every song that he sings. He officially joined Dan + Claudia in 2024.

 

Dave Hause November 21, 2024

Dave Hause’s songs have always been rooted in tangible reality—of emotion, of environment, of circumstance. Since releasing his debut album, Resolutions, in 2011, the Philadelphia-born songwriter has poured his whole heart, soul and life into his music.

 

Strays and Misfits November 16, 2024

What do you get when you blend a punk rocker and a Polish gospel singer? You get pure magic called Strays&Misfits! This married duo met somewhere in the middle and created their own weirdo style of folk music. Together with their trusty mustache wielding bass player, Joe, they guide their listeners through all the feels, writing storyteller songs about relatable life experiences and social topics.

 

Clem Snide and Rye Valley November 9, 2024

Named for a William S. Borroughs character, Clem Snide first emerged from Boston as a three-piece in the early 1990’s, and the group would go on to become a cult and critical favorite, picking up high profile fans from Bon Iver to Ben Folds over the course of three decades and more than a dozen studio albums. NPR highlighted the Israeli-born Barzelay as “the most underrated songwriter in the business today, with a sneakily firm grasp on poignancy and humor.

Photos courtesy of CR Imagery.

 

Marty O’Reilly November 7, 2024

Explaining Marty O’Reilly’s music is like describing a dream. It feels familiar, but at the same time unchartered. His songs sound bluesy but not blues, folk but not folk, soulful but not soul. Marty’s voice is beautiful and unique, his lyrics stark yet lush over gritty electrified guitar, melding beautifully into genre-defying music within the vast definitions of Americana. One can hear an urgency and complexity in the songs, expressing something elemental and perhaps contradictory: love and anger, joy and pain, real and imagined.

 

Christopher Paul Stelling November 1, 2024

To date Atlanta, Georgia based songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling has released 7 albums and played thousands of concerts across the US and EU. Over the last decade Stelling has toured as both headliner and as support for Son Little, Mavis Staples, and The Devil Makes Three, Ben Harper (who produced his 2020 album Best of Luck) and many others. Stelling released a trio of albums for indie favorite Anti-records and has performed multiple times at Newport Folk Festival and on CBS Saturday Morning.

 

Bri Bagwell and Chris Kasper October 31, 2024

Texas Female Artist of the Decade and reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, Bri Bagwell, is a force to be reckoned with on the Texas Country scene. Bri has seen her audience grow and diversify as she has progressed through the musical landscape. From her first full-length release, Banned from Santa Fe in 2011, to her 2022 release Corazón y Cabeza (Heart and Head) Bri has masterfully commanded the stage for over a decade with her rousingly fun live performances and trailblazing artistry while creating a loyal and passionate fan base.

Chris Kasper is an American songwriter who is currently based in the Philadelphia area. He’s been active in the local and national scene for the last 20 years. Over that time, he has released seven records and toured with acts like Amos Lee and The Wood Brothers. His music traverses the americana, blues, folk and rock spectrums, blurring the lines between genres. Kasper's evolution into a no-nonsense songwriter is heard throughout his latest album, Sunlight In An Empty Room, with nods to songwriters of the 70s like Bobby Charles, Lowell George, and Neil Young.

 

An evening of ghosts, spirits and the supernatural with a musical performance of Conor and the Wild Hunt October 24 & 25, 2024

Watch a musically narrated film about a girl discovering the history of three generations of her family and the ghosts that followed them, while exploring their familial home passed down over a century. It is a love letter to ghostly storytelling, and a meditation on love and loss through a supernatural lens.

 

Joe Pug october 12, 2024

A singer-songwriter known for his lyrical acumen and plaintive harmonica style, Joe Pug dropped out of college and moved to Chicago where he worked as a carpenter before breaking into the city’s music scene. Since 2008 he has released a string of critically-acclaimed albums and toured heavily in the U.S. and abroad. Paste Magazine wrote of his music: “Unless your surname is Dylan, Waits, Ritter or Prine, you could face-palm yourself to death trying to pen songs half as inspired.”

 

The Nighthawks October 11, 2024

"On this landmark anniversary, founder, lead singer and harpmaster Mark Wenner is still at the helm, while drummer Mark Stutso, guitarist Dan Hovey and bassist Paul Pisciotta all share vocals and songwriting, making this lineup one of the strongest. Decades of gigs and rabid fans have earned them the name “The Best Bar Band In The World.” More than a bar band or blues band, as they’re frequently labeled, this is a band that played with Carl Perkins in addition to Muddy Waters." - Vizztone, 2022

 

May Erlewine with an opening performance by Raymond Little October 5, 2024

One of the Midwest’s most prolific and passionate songwriters, May continues to share her gift for writing songs of substance that feel both new and soulfully familiar. Her lyrics offer a window into her heartbreak, her empowerment, and her emboldened spirit.

May considers her career in the music industry as a service-oriented one and uses her platform for positive change. She stresses the importance of environmental advocacy, social justice, creative empowerment, and community building as necessary work in our world. May's body of work has become an anthem and an example of why we need to listen to women, empower women, and why we need to hear their stories.

Raymond Little is a cabin rock songwriter and producer residing in the Marquette area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Raymond’s songs draw inspiration from the great writers of our time. You can hear the simplicity of Prine, the raw emotion of Oberst, and the biting lyrics of Dylan in his music. Little manages to bring these influences into a writing style of his own that feels sincere and captivating.

Photos courtesy of CR Imagery

 

William Elliott Whitmore October 2, 2024

A man armed only with a banjo and a bass drum can be a formidable force, especially if his name is William Elliott Whitmore. Whitmore has repeatedly carved his own path, honoring the longstanding tradition of folk music throughout his nearly 20 year career, while always allowing his blues, soul and punk rock influences to shine through.


Photos courtesy of CR Imagery

 

Pressing Strings featuring opening performance by The Whiskey Feathers September 27, 2024

When music is given the benefit of instinct, imagination and inspiration, the results are guaranteed to be good. So it ought to come as no surprise that the critically-acclaimed Annapolis Maryland-based trio, appropriately dubbed Pressing Strings, has infused those elements within their musical mantra the beginning. The band —Jordan Sokel (Guitar/Vocals), Nick Welker (Bass, Vocals), and Justin Kruger (Drums, Vocals) can trace its origins to Sokel’s initial fascination with some iconic influences, among them, the usual suspects — Dylan, Marley, Simon, Withers, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Led Zeppelin, etc., as well as some more under the radar artists like Taj Mahal, R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, and Nick Drake.

Whiskey Feathers are an up-and-coming roots rock band nested in Baltimore, MD. The band's growing catalog of original music has captured audiences with songs crafted by bandleader Brittain Duckworth, who writes lyrics about heady concepts, absent of the predictable tropes and filled with intention. To get a sense of their sound, imagine the vibe of the "The Last Waltz", add a healthy dose of Nathaniel Rateliff-esque lead vocals, then pair them with harmonies from The Civil Wars.

Photos courtesy of CR Imagery.

 

TODD BURGE AND GERALDINE SEPTEMBER 14, 2024

Employing wry humor, dexterous guitar work and an ear bending vocal range, if it’s been discovered by man, West Virginia's Todd Burge has written about it.

As stewards of Appalachian motifs in a modern framework, Geraldine brings banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and Appalachian flat foot dancing to the front of the stage, accented with lush four-part harmonies.


Photos courtesy of CR Imagery

 

Charlotte Morris with Opening act blank page September 13, 2024

Charlotte is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, whose autobiographical music weaves together a unique blend of Americana, Folk, Jazz, and more. Her soaring vocals and keen songwriting, often compared to artists like Joni Mitchell, Liz Longley, Eva Cassidy, and Ira Wolf.

Blank Page are a teenage duo with a powerhouse vocalist and talented multi-instrumentalist. They combine a variety of styles including country, americana, blues, and pop to leave you remembering your love of music.

 

Music in Words with Judith Krummeck and Molly Aronson September 8, 2024

Where words leave off... music begins! Join us for a special night! "Music in Words" will complement Manor Mill Gallery's exhibition, and author Judith Krummeck will read from her novel, "The Deceived Ones" along with cellist Molly Aronson.

 

Monkton Road Band August 23, 2024

Monkton Road is a collaboration of family and friends brought together to create an all originals Americana band. Monkton Road brings their creativity and musicality with a combination of a rootsy folk sound laced with deep country influences to their originals.

 

Leslie Mendelson august 17, 2024

With her enchanted voice and evocative songwriting, Leslie Mendelson has won the hearts and minds of both an adoring fanbase and fellow artists alike. No less than Jackson Browne has declared, “Leslie's melodies are timeless. They reach me way back in my youth somewhere. I hear traces of Burt Bacharach and Carole King, and hooks and passages that remind me of the pop songs I grew up hearing on the radio.”

A Grammy Award-nominated artist, Mendelson returns this summer with her fourth studio album, After The Party.

Photos courtesy of CR Imagery.

 

ANTHONY FRIJIA AUGUST 9, 2024

Anthony Frijia began his career in music playing bar gigs and small festivals near his hometown of Bel Air, Maryland, and has shared the stage with a variety of notable acts including Joey Harkum, Pressing Strings, Ballyhoo!, and Skribe. Over the last few years, his grass-roots following continues to grow, as he tours the country with an ever-developing blend of folk, blues, and pop, known as Nomadic Americana, while also continuously releasing new music. 

On the heels of another tour around the states, this summer is highlighted by the release of Frijia's 3rd full-length studio album, "The Artifacts of Letting Go", a dynamic Americana record, produced and recorded with a full stable of bandmates at Bloomhouse Audio in Parkton, MD. 

 

The Honey Dewdrops August 2, 2024

Virginia raised and Maryland based, Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish are the Honey Dewdrops. With gorgeous vocal harmonies and agile musicianship, The Honey Dewdrops are an astounding live act!
LISTEN

 

High and Wides July 27, 2024

The High & Wides project a big, driving sound—musical traditions re-imagined for a new century. With roots in urban Baltimore and the rural Delmarva peninsula, they draw on bluegrass backgrounds and weave in influences from new wave to old time to make music that defies boundaries.

Photo courtesy of Frank Thompson

 

Ali McGurik July 26, 2024

2022’s 50 Best Albums of the Year – Boston Globe
“Ms. Ali gets it. And she can play that damn guitar, too. There’s a history scattered through soul music, and blues, that speaks to this aesthetic. Boston and New England last saw this combination with a gal named Sue [Tedeschi] a couple of decades ago.”

Photos courtesy of CR Imagery

 

Diarmuid Ó Meachair July 25, 2024

Diarmuid is an Accordion player and sean nós singer from Cúil Aodha, Co. Cork. He is also an accomplished Melodeon player and sean-nós singer. He was recently awarded the prestigious Young Musician of the year award from TG4 for 2022. He is one of the most exciting accordion players of his generation. Diarmuid is part of the teaching staff at the Department of Music in UCC, teaching accordion and melodeon.

Photos courtesy of CR Imagery.

 

Scott Tournet July 19, 2024

Scott Tournet is known for being the frontman for Elektric Voodoo, a founding member of Grace Potter & The Nocturnals (2003-2014), a solo artist, and producer. With The Nocturnals he was a co-writer on 3 Top 40 albums and scored a gold record for the song “Paris”.

In addition to his work with EV and the Nocturnals, Scott has written and recorded with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), Willie Nelson, T Bone Burnett, Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss, Mark Batson (Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys, Eminem) and others. He has performed with The Allman Brothers, members of The Grateful Dead and Phish, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and many others.

 

East Nash Grass July 10, 2024

Bluegrass music tends to fall on a spectrum. On one end is the rough and tumble, high-energy style exemplified by the pioneers of the genre. On the other is a highly polished studio-ready approach. It’s not easy to balance such precision while being musically joyful and in the moment but East Nash Grass does it, staking their position squarely in the middle of this spectrum, playing at the highest levels of proficiency with a sense of ease and humor that comes from hundreds of hours making music together.

 

The Twangtown Paramours June 29, 2024

Nashville-based husband-and-wife duo Mike T. Lewis and MaryBeth Zamer, known on stage as The Twangtown Paramours, have made a name for themselves defying boundaries with their award-winning catalogue of Americana, folk, and blues anthems. With a slew of accolades for their three full-length albums, they’ve earned a loyal following, balancing serious instrumental and vocal chops with witty stage banter and a lighthearted approach to life. They don’t take themselves, or the world, too seriously.

 

House of Hamill June 28 2024

Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill is a fixture on festival stages across the US, and have shared their music and stories on the country’s premier folk stages. Their latest release, “Folk Hero,” captures perfectly the frenetic energy and eclecticism of their always engaging live show. A lively collection of original instrumentals, reimagined folk ballads, and new songs that showcase the trio’s versatility, “Folk Hero” is the third House of Hamill album to be funded entirely by their fans.

 

"SUMMER SOLSTICE: SEIZE THE DAY” WITH OCEAN CELTIC QUARTET
June 21, 2024

The Summer Solstice is the longest day and shortest night of the year, and was celebrated throughout the Celtic world as the peak of the Sun’s awesome power. Come hear the award-winning Maryland/Virginia Celtic ensemble, the OCEAN Celtic Quartet, in a program of traditional and original music celebrating the mystery and symbolism of the Sun. OCEAN’s soaring vocals, fiery fiddle tunes, and rollicking button accordion will have your heart swelling and your toes tapping.

 

Highland Reverie and The Montvales June 20, 2024

Influenced by the rich musical heritage of Appalachia, Luke and Madison Morris of Highland Reverie's sound is rooted in the folk traditions they grew up in. They use folk tradition as a jumping-off point into new sonic landscapes and imaginative songwriting.

Born and raised in Knoxville, TN, Sally Buice and Molly Rochelson of The Montvales spent much of their formative years busking amidst the Elvis impersonators. They now craft intimate, storytelling-driven songs that exploring self-determination.

 

Carolyn Wonderland June 14, 2024

Wonderland spent the last three years playing lead guitar in blues legend John Mayall’s Blues Breakers, and has now joined the Alligator Records family as the first female guitar hero in the label’s storied 50-year history. But that's not all. Her spine-chilling, soul-deep singing matches her guitar prowess note for note. And she has a knack for writing songs that sound like instant classics. With Shelley King opening.

Photos courtesy of CR Imagery.

 

Bill Kirchen June 9, 2024

Bill Kirchen is a founding father of Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. His diesel-fueled licks drove Hot Rod Lincoln into the Top 10 nationwide. Bill went to the Grammys in 2001 for Country Instrumental Of The Year with his chicken-pickin’ composition Poultry In Motion, beat out by the great Earl Scruggs. He has recorded with Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Nick Lowe, Dan Hicks, Maria Muldaur, Hoyt Axton, Hazel Dickens, Gene Vincent and Link Wray.

 

Roy Book Binder June 8, 2024

Who can say they were friends with Rev. Gary Davis, Pink Anderson, and Robert Lockwood? And toured with Bonnie Raitt, JJ Cale, and Hot Tuna? Roy can. He has the stories, the licks, and the timeless music in his fingers. Featured on PBS, "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross, Roy Book Binder is keeping the tradition of American blues alive and growing. We are privileged to have Roy in The Loft at Manor Mill!

 

Abigail Lapell June 7, 2024

Toronto songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Abigail Lapell returns with "Anniversary", an evocative collection of original love songs. Lapell’s deft lyrics jostle with love song tropes, grappling with love’s finitude and the irony of how codependency and longing are revered in popular music. A ghost story is woven through the album: waltzing in the dusty barroom country of “Blue Blaze,” buried in the superstitious lyrical streak of “Rattlesnake” and audible in a wheezing organ.

 

The Ebony Hillbillies May 24, 2024

In this two part course, students will learn how to effectively select and prepare live edge wood and treat it with a colorful array of epoxy to create a unique serving tray. Students will use a table saw, track saw, bandsaw and various hand tools to create their project.

 

Possessed by Paul James May 22, 2024

After 20 plus years working within the realms of special education and advocacy work, Konrad Wert known as the band Possessed by Paul James, continues this balance with yet another upcoming album, while in the classroom. Continuing to raise a family in Texas and working within public education, Wert has still been able to release 5 full length albums, two of which topped Bluegrass Billboard charts in 2013 & 2020.

 

Hubby Jenkins May 17, 2024

Hubby Jenkins, former member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, is a talented multi-instrumentalist who endeavors to share his love and knowledge of old-time American music. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he delved into his Southern roots, following the thread of African American history that wove itself through country blues, ragtime, fiddle and banjo, and traditional jazz.

 

Songwriter’s Circle May 10, 2024

Join Talbot Mayo of the Monkton Road Band, Brittain Duckworth of the Whiskey Feathers and Jon Zorn of Western Run for an intimate performance in The Loft where they'll each play some great music and share their thoughts about song-writing. As they prepare for the second Monkton Music Festival at Camp Puh'tok the following day, this show will get you up close to the talent you'll see on the big stage.

 

Photos by CR Imagery

Sofia Talvik May 4, 2024

Sofia Talvik is a rare artist and an avid storyteller with a voice comparable to giants like Joni Mitchell, or as the Folk/Americana Magazine NoDepression said it ”A singer/songwriter who is able to evoke the essence of Laurel Canyon circa the ‘60s as expressed in the work of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Buffy Sainte-Marie and others who were able to paint beautiful tapestries from words and music.”.

 

Laura Cantrell May 2, 2024

Country singer Laura Cantrell has balanced different aspects of her music life over the course of a 20-plus years career, whether as a recording artist, radio host, writer, or working parent of a high school aged musician. Well-known as a recording artist with a devoted following in the US and UK, she returns with "Just Like A Rose: The Anniversary Sessions," an album of original music celebrating her first 20 years of striking this balance.

 

Mari Black April 26, 2024

Are you ready for a joyous extravaganza of dance-inspired music from around the globe? World champion fiddler MARI BLACK is about to take you on a dynamic musical journey through a collage of diverse fiddle styles: Celtic, Canadian, and American fiddling, jazz and swing, tango, balkan, klezmer, folk, original compositions, and more! With her virtuosic playing, sparkling stage presence, and fun-filled stories tying the whole journey together, Mari will have you tapping your toes and clapping along.

 

Megan Burtt and Shanna in a Dress April 19, 2024

Megan Burtt and Shanna In a Dress have both won the Kerrville New Folk and Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriter competitions and have performed together several times over the years. During this special show they will each perform their own sets before coming together at the end to share some songs. Please join us for a wonderful evening of music featuring these two award winning performers.

 

Free Range Blue April 14, 2024

Free Range Blue is a popular band that has been performing at festivals and venues in MD, PA, DE and VA for over 15 years. Our music is distinct from other bands–our wide influences are early bluegrass, Beatles, AKUS and Chris Stapleton to name a few. Also, we perform the musical journeys such as “Stories of Valor”, “Call of Duty” and others by Roger Cline, our Lead Guitarist. Come hear our amazing guitar riffs, quick mandolin solos and 3-part harmonies. We hope to see you at our next event!

 

Lucy Kaplanksy April 13, 2024

A celebrated song writer from New York sharing her gift through her new album.

"Utterly beautiful and affecting, Lucy sings songs from her life that have resonance in ours" - Scott Simon, NPR. "A truly gifted performer with a bag full of enchanting songs" - New Yorker

 

Todd Albright April 12, 2024

Todd Albright is a country blues, twelve-string guitar player and vocalist based in Detroit, Michigan. Grounded in the pre-war era of the blues tradition (1880-1939), Todd is a mindful purveyor of blues history. His repertoire upholds musical pillars such as Blind Willie McTell, George Carter, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Leadbelly. His life’s work continues the distinguished tradition of the very roots of American music as told by the African American musicians who created it.

 

James Maddock April 6, 2024

James Maddock’s status as a fixture on the Folk and Americana scene is confirmed with every listen of any song in his prodigious catalog. Relix Magazine put it this way: “James Maddock possesses the kind of lived-in craggy voice that would sound authoritative if he were singing the sports pages. Fortunately, he doesn't need to do that because his compositional skills are a match for his delivery."

 

Eliot Bronson March 29, 2024

Over the course of six albums, indie folksinger Eliot Bronson has created his own brand of atmospheric American roots music. He's an award winner. A road warrior with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. An internationally-renowned songwriter with a voice that swoons and sweeps, making fans out of everyone from his hometown newspaper, The Baltimore Sun — who championed Bronson from the very start, hailing him as "a folk singing wunderkind" back when he was still playing local coffeeshops.

 

Lafayette Gilchrist March 23, 2024

Lafayette Gilchrist is an American jazz pianist and composer living in Baltimore and long association with saxophonist David Murray, with whom he has toured internationally. An NPR reviewer commented that Gilchrist's "two-handed piano [...] has techno and minimalism behind it. It's not just about the notes; it's also about the waves in which they come, and the troughs in between".

Photos courtesy of Willy Palmer and CR Imagery

 

Katie Henry March 22, 2024

Katie Henry is on her way. The New Jersey songwriter might have started out banging on doors, gigging at New York City's blues clubs, playing piano until her fingers bled and winning over the city one show at a time. But lately, the multi-instrumentalist has raced through career milestones. With the release of her second album, On My Way, co-written with bassist and slide-guitar maestro Antar Goodwin, Katie has announced herself as an alchemist who creates gemstones from the base metals of American roots.

Photos courtesy of CR Imagery and Willy Palmer

 

Rachel Baiman and Nicholas Jamerson March 14, 2024

Baiman made her way to Nashville at 18 with the dream of being a fiddle player and has since released two records and an EP, alongside session and side-person work with Kacey Musgraves and many others. She has gained a reputation for her brand of political and personal lyricism.

Jamerson is among an esteemed group of todays artists who have shaped , redefined, and expanded the notions of Appalachian and Southern music , and reminds people why they love it and enjoy its many splendors.

 

Socks in the frying pan march 12, 2024

Socks in the Frying Pan are a multi-award winning trio from County Clare on the West coast of Ireland, the universal hub of Irish traditional music. Their dynamic vocal harmonies, virtuosic musical ability and their onstage wit has captured and captivated audiences the world around.

Photos courtesy of Willy Palmer

 

Marian McLaughlin's Album Release Show with Valeska Populoh and The Lantern Sisters, Katherine Fahey and Dan Van Allen March 10, 2024

Folk musician Marian McLaughlin will be joined by a live band to celebrate the release of her new album, Alcove. Valeska Populoh and the Lantern Sisters will also perform a variety of crankie stories with shadow puppets. Katherine Fahey, award winning puppeteer, is one of the pioneers reviving of the art form of crankies, a form of visual storytelling involving a scroll of artwork in a box. Katherine’s crankies incorporate intricate papercutting, shadow puppetry, singing, and storytelling.

Photos courtesy of Bo Willse

 

Zane Forshee and the Bergamot Quartet
March 7, 2024

Embark on a sonic journey as award winning guitarist Zane Forshee teams up with the mesmerizing Bergamot Quartet in a concert that blends mind-bending guitar licks with the virtuoso prowess of a string quartet in an all American program that blurs the lines between classical and popular genres.

Photos courtesy of CR Imagery

 

Wheatus March 2, 2024

Born and bred on an island as densely populated as Montreal just without any of the culture, Brendan B Brown did what Andrew Carnegie did, he beat the odds. Wheatus became signed to Columbia Records who release their first 2 records. After the major label life and the success of Wheatus’s debut single “Teenage Dirtbag," Brown continued Wheatus and released five more records.

 

Sheridan Rúitín FEBRUARY 24, 2024

Sheridan Rúitín is a young Celtic band from the suburbs of New York, rooted in tradition and fueled by innovation. They weave a tapestry of ancient musical heritage with contemporary flair – from lively jigs and reels to poignant ballads and ethereal harmonies. The group invites listeners on a musical journey that transports them to the rolling hills of Ireland, filling the gap between Celtic rock and traditional Irish folk ballads.

 

Sunny War February 19, 2024

Sunny War is an internationally touring, Nashville-based singer-songwriter and true guitar virtuoso. Her new album, “Anarchist Gospel,” coming soon via New West Records, explores themes of deep internal conflict. “I feel like there are two sides of me,” says Sunny. “That’s what it is to be human. You’re not good or bad, you’re just trying to stay in the middle of those two things all the time and you’re probably doing a bad job of it. That’s ok, because we’re all just monsters.”

Photo courtesy of CR Imagery

 

“Love Songs at the Mill” with Ebb and Flow February 10, 2024

What better way to welcome Valentines Day than by listening to love songs from multiple time periods and genres in a beautiful setting! These 8 talented ladies will transport you to a land of song and ignite your passion for life and love.

 

Josh Daniel February 2, 2024

Josh Daniel is a North Carolina singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose passion and enthusiasm are evident every time he takes the stage. Daniel describes his sound as “Rock n Roll” but it’s much broader than that… Josh is able to mold his influences into a unique sound that is entirely his own. Blending rock n roll with bluegrass, funk and soul music with a reggae backbeat, you never know which way he will lead the crowd.

 

Ken and Brad Kolodner Quartet January 27, 2024

Regarded as one of the most influential hammered dulcimer players in the U.S., Baltimore's Ken Kolodner has joined forces with his son, Brad Kolodner, one of the finest practitioners of the claw hammer banjo, to perform tight and musical arrangements of original and traditional old-time music.They round of the quartet with sensational bassist, Alex Lacquement, and talented, multi-instrumentalist, Rachel Eddy.

 

Johnny Massachusetts and the Resentments January 20, 2024

Johnny Massachusetts and the Resentments came together as a band via the McDonogh School Community Rock Shop which has become an incubator of bands in the area. JMass features a horn section composed of renowned local sax player Don New along with Kevin Costa on trumpet. This horn section adds a 70’s Rock and Soul flavoring to a mix that includes songs by Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, and Allen Toussaint.

Photo from Johnny Massachusetts and the Resentments

 

Cold Chocolate January 17, 2024

Cold Chocolate is a genre-bending Americana band that fuses folk, funk, and bluegrass to create a unique sound all their own. Featuring Ethan Robbins on guitar, Ariel Bernstein on percussion, and backed by some of the root's music scene's finest players, this group from Boston is impressing audiences throughout New England and beyond. Punctuated by tight harmonies and skillful musicianship, and with a focus on songwriting, Cold Chocolate has quickly gained recognition for their original music.

 

Bob Margolin January 12, 2024

Boston native Bob Margolin was born in 1949. Inspired by Chuck Berry, he started playing guitar at age 15 and immediately started performing in local rock and blues bands. Margolin played in the Muddy Waters Band from 1973-1980 and appeared in the film "The Last Waltz" with Muddy.

Bob has played on several Grammy-winning recordings, won numerous W.C. Handy/Blues Music Awards for his playing and is a KBA Award recipient for Journalism.

Photo from Willy Palmer

 

SKRIBE JANUARY 6, 2024

Garage folk Americana from the land of pleasant living, local artist Skribe has shared the stage with some amazing artists over the years, including The Decemberists, G. Love & Special Sauce, Joe Pug, Pressing Strings and more.

 

Old Part of Town January 5, 2024

In a special all-acoustic show, The Old Part of Town brings their eclectic blend of folk-rock, country-blues, and bluegrass to Manor Mill. With tight harmonies and an infectious on-stage camaraderie, the band features singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Matt Douglass and Sam Nitzberg, Upright Dave Frieman on bass, Steve Raskin on drums, and, in his FINAL PERFORMANCE with the band after a 7-year run, Brian Whaley on violin and vocals.

Listen to their concert here!

 

Songs and Stories with Pierce Edens and Brittain Duckworth from the Whiskey Feathers December 28, 2023

Join us over the holidays for a fabulous evening with two amazing songwriters, Brittain from the Whiskey Feathers, a local favorite hitting the national scene, and Pierce Edens out of Asheville, a musician who for the last 10 years has been drawing on his Appalachian songwriting roots and blending them with the grungy rock and roll sounds that took him in his teenage years.

 

"Home for Christmas" with Mariah Bonner December 21, 2023

Join singer, recording artist and all around entertainer, Mariah Bonner, for an evening of Christmas cheer! You’ll hear songs in French, English and Spanish, ranging from standards such as Let It Snow and Blue Christmas, to beloved hymns like O Holy Night and Silent Night to more contemporary tunes like Feliz Navidad, River and more.

 

Christmas Jazz with The monkton trio December 17, 2023

Join us for a concert and conversation with the Monkton Jazz Trio. Rethinking traditional Christmas songs and carols with unique harmonies and rhythms. A new and fresh way of hearing holiday classics. Feel free to bring your own food and drink- let's get into the holiday spirit together!

 

Celtic Concert with The OCEAN Quartet December 10, 2023

The OCEAN Celtic Quartet will transport you to the Yuletide celebrations of yore in a program featuring traditional carols, foot-stomping Celtic fiddle tunes, 19th century broadside songs, original seasonal compositions, and even an appearance by Father Christmas of the old mummers plays!

 

The Whiskey Feathers November 18, 2023

The Whiskey Feathers are a 6-piece roots rock band from Baltimore and the surrounding hills of northern Maryland. If you can imagine the vibe of The Last Waltz, add a healthy dose of potent Stapleton-esque leads, and top it with soprano and alto harmonies, you can start to get a sense of The Whiskey Feathers’ sound.

Whiskey Feather’s will be performing two sets of original songs from their recently released debut album and sharing new, unreleased originals as well.

 

Roberta Lee November 17, 2023

Norfolk-based singer-songwriter Roberta Lea is a unique artist who blends soul, pop and RnB with thought provoking lyrics. She was recently nominated as 12 artists to watch in Nashville Scene for her latest release, Just a Taste.

 

May Erlewine November 15, 2023

One of the Midwest’s most prolific and passionate songwriters, May continues to share her gift for writing songs of substance that feel both new and soulfully familiar. Her lyrics offer a window into her heartbreak, her empowerment, and her emboldened spirit. These lyrics, which are really stories crafted through May’s unique experiences, are rooted in wisdom, joy, sorrow, simplicity, and love. Joining May for this show will be the talented Matt Sucich.

 

Popa Chubby November 10, 2023

Popa Chubby, born Ted Horowitz, has been hard rocking the blues in his fierce and soulful way for more than 30 years. Over the course of a career that dates back to 1994, he has been a force of to be reckoned with on the guitar, and his tempestuous, soulful playing has never been more powerful. An imposing figure with a shaven head, tattooed arms, a goatee and a performance style he describes as “the Stooges meets Buddy Guy, Motörhead meets Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix meets Robert Johnson."

 

Chris Pierce November 7, 2023

Chris Pierce first gained national prominence with "We Can Always Come Back To This." His hit co-write aired on 3 episodes of the #1 NBC primetime series This Is Us, then went on to peak at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, and #12 on iTunes Top 100. Pierce has done worldwide headlining tours and has performed on stage with Seal, Cold War Kids, Al Green, and many more. Pierce's 2020 collaboration with artist Sunny War in Americana duo WAR & PIERCE yielded hit single "AMEN."

 

The High and Wides November 3, 2023

The High & Wides project a big, driving sound—musical traditions re-imagined for a new century. With roots in urban Baltimore and the rural Delmarva peninsula, they draw on bluegrass backgrounds and weave in influences from new wave to old time to make music that defies boundaries while evoking the era when country, bluegrass, western swing, and early rock'n'roll mingled freely.

 

Nellie McKay November 2, 2023

Under the lonesome cry of the midnight train, stars twinkling over hillbilly lights in the mountain fog, Nellie McKay returns with her first album of original material in 13 years. Recorded in Charleston, West Virginia with The Carpenter Ants & a roving retinue of musical compadres, Hey Guys, Watch This, due out August 25th, traces the haunted sounds of Appalachia to a renaissance of revelry.

 

ERIC LINDELL OCTOBER 29, 2023

New Orleans roots rocker Eric Lindell is an American singer-songwriter whose music career in Creole funk, R&B, and swamp pop began in 1996. Since then, he has toured nationally and internationally, playing at some of the most recognized venues in the country, including the Kennedy Center and New Orleans Jazz Fest. The Chicago Sun-Times called Lindell "a tremendous raw talent…with a fully realized musical vision." And we are lucky enough to get on his tour right here in Monkton!

 

Hammer Creek BlueGRASs October 27, 2023

Hammer Creek Bluegrass stays true to their name and keeps the tempo hopping with a wide variety of bluegrass music from classic groups like Flatt and Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe to name a few. The band has put a creative bluegrass twist of their own on some timeless country and other genres from artists like Steve Earl, Townes Van Zandt and Dwight Yoakam.

 

Jordan sokel of the pressing strings october 15, 2023

The singer and bandleader of Pressing Strings, Jordan Sokel, found comfort relatively late in the creative musical process. At age 20, locked into a college major that was no longer making sense, the choice was made to change course and focus on a life dedicated to making music. Sokel along with longtime bassist Nick Welker and former drummer Brandon Bartlett played every type of gig, payed their dues and solidified Pressing Strings as a household name in the DMV.

 

The Flying Vees October 14, 2023

The Flying Vees is a bonafide supergroup composed of four seasoned musicians of varied backgrounds. Brechyn Chace (vocals), Shannon Vasile (vocals), Caitlin Ramsey (keys), and Hannah Taylor (guitar/vocals) joined forces in 2020 to create their unique brand of wry, gothic, harmony-heavy Americana. Lovers of punk, country, folk, and maudlin, sad-girl caterwauling will be equally at home at a The Flying Vees show.

Click here to watch a video of their performance at The Loft!

 

Kat Wright October 12, 2023

Kat Wright, whose voice is both sultry and dynamic, delicate yet powerful; gritty but highly emotive and nuanced, has been described as “a young Bonnie Raitt meets Amy Winehouse”. Add to that voice enough stage presence to tame lions, and the combination of feline femininity proves immediately enchanting. There’s soul flowing in and out of her rock ‘n’ roll with a serpentine seduction.

 

Katherine Merryman and Annie Gill October 8, 2023

What happens when two sopranos serendipitously meet attending a performance at Manor Mill in the spring? They end up performing there together just a few months later in the fall, of course! Come enjoy a broad array of music genres in celebration of the beautiful autumn season. Annie Gill and Katherine Merryman's program includes everything from musical theater to folk, a bit of jazz to Celtic fusion, contemporary to classical. Don't miss out on an unforgettable performance!

 

GERALDINE OCTOBER 6, 2023

Geraldine’s mantra is ‘Good Time Old Time’. They are a country-leaning string band bringing songwriting to the forefront, while blending elements of old time, American folk, bluegrass, and alternative country in a distinctive, enthusiastic sound. As stewards of Appalachian motifs in a modern framework, they bring banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and Appalachian flat foot dancing to the front of the stage, accented with lush four-part harmonies.

Photo by CR Imagery ©

 

NATALIE SPEARS SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

brings listeners in touch with the warmth of community, the quiet awe of wild places, and the intimate corners of humanity. Pulling from a quiver of instruments (banjo, piano, and guitar), her performance is dynamic as she navigates between these tonal worlds. Natalie’s angelic voice threads together a sonic language of both nostalgic and contemporary colors, creating a vibrant musical narrative of her own.

Local talent Brody Bond opened for Natalie.

 

Brandon Woody’s UPENDO September 23, 2023

Baltimore native Brandon Woody was referred to as an artist on the rise in the region by the Baltimore Sun in 2015 at the age of 17. Since then, Woody has gone on to become an international artist, performing with his band, Upendo, curating projects for major museums, collaborating with international brands and performing at major venues and institutions around the globe. Woody uses music as a tool for healing, genuine connection and celebrating community.

 

Saving Sgt. Pepper September September 22, 2023

Saving Sgt. Pepper is a Beatle cover band from the Maryland area. The band is made up of individuals that grew up with the Fab-4 as the musical soundtrack of their youth. Buzzy, Earl Joe and Keith enjoy performing this music that all ages know and love. While the band does not wear the iconic clothes, speak in a Scouse accent or model their equipment after the lads, they perform the music as true to the recordings as possible.

 

Leslie Mendelson September 15, 2023

Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Leslie Mendelson is supporting her most recent studio album ‘If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…,’ as well as a solo acoustic EP ‘In The Meantime,’ that was recorded during quarantine earlier this Spring. Described by Relix Magazine as an artist with “a loyal, cross-generational audience that hugs the hippie, hipster, coffee shop and society crowds,” Leslie’s timeless musicality and evocative songwriting indeed cuts a wide swath.

 

Heather Aubrey Lloyd and Kipyn Martin September 8, 2023

Heather Aubrey Lloyd has co-fronted Baltimore’s ilyAIMY for two decades. Traveling the country playing everything from bait shops to clothing-optional resorts, Lloyd’s collection of stories turned lyrics and became her first solo studio effort, “A Message in the Mess.”

Kipyn Martin is an emerging Indie Folk singer-songwriter whose roots sink deep into the banks of the Shenandoah River. She currently plays festivals, concert halls, coffeehouses, and house concerts from New England to Texas.

 

The Honey Dewdrops August 26, 2023

Virginia raised and Maryland based, Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish are the Honey Dewdrops. With gorgeous vocal harmonies and agile musicianship, The Honey Dewdrops are an astounding live act! Their latest release, Light Behind Light, expands the sound of The Dewdrops with more instruments filling out their experimental folk sound. The duo has performed all across the US and parts of Europe, and have been featured on many festival stages.

 

Bill Kirchen August 25, 2023

Bill Kirchen is a founding father of Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. His diesel-fueled licks drove Hot Rod Lincoln into the Top 10 nationwide. Bill went to the Grammys in 2001 for Country Instrumental Of The Year with his chicken-pickin’ composition Poultry In Motion, beat out by the great Earl Scruggs. He has recorded with Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Nick Lowe, Dan Hicks, Maria Muldaur, Hoyt Axton, Hazel Dickens, Gene Vincent and Link Wray.

 

East Nash Grass August 10, 2023

Bluegrass music tends to fall on a spectrum. On one end is the rough and tumble, high-energy style exemplified by the pioneers of the genre. On the other is a highly polished studio-ready approach. It’s not easy to balance such precision while being musically joyful and in the moment but East Nash Grass does it, staking their position squarely in the middle of this spectrum, playing at the highest levels of proficiency with a sense of ease and humor that comes from hundreds of hours making music together.

Photos by Frank Thompson

 

Johnny Sansone Band July 28, 2023

Johnny Sansone led the life of an itinerant bluesman, traveling around the country from temporary bases before settling down in New Orleans in 1990. As leader of Jumpin’ Johnny & the Blues Party, Sansone played harmonica and guitar in the fierce Mississippi delta blues style heard on his 1987 debut Where Y’at? and his 1991 release Mister Good Thing. By 1996s Crescent City Moon, Sansone became a full fledged Louisiana artist, combining blues, boogie and frontporch Cajun and Zydeco sounds of the bayou.

Photos by Willy Palmer

 

Joe Pug July 15, 2023

A singer-songwriter known for his lyrical acumen and plaintive harmonica style, Joe Pug dropped out of college and moved to Chicago where he worked as a carpenter before breaking into the city’s music scene. Since 2008 he has released a string of critically-acclaimed albums and toured heavily in the U.S. and abroad. Paste Magazine wrote of his music: “Unless your surname is Dylan, Waits, Ritter or Prine, you could face-palm yourself to death trying to pen songs half as inspired.”

Photos by Willy Palmer

 

Photo from Stringtown

Stringtown July 7, 2023

For over fifteen years, Stringtown has been charming audiences with an eclectic mix of vintage jazz, folk, and one hit wonders from the 50's and 60's. With Amy Hopkins on fiddle, Andrew Holt on bass, Rob Deford on guitar, Ava Oelke on harmonica, and the whole group on vocals, Stringtown's stylish harmonies are an infectious, swinging gumbo. They will share some tunes and talk about their influences and inspirations.

 

Humbletown June 28, 2023

Humbletown is a folk/bluegrass band featuring Morgan Carnes on clawhammer banjo, Dylan Lewis on flatpick guitar and mandolin, and James Schrag on upright bass and fiddle. Morgan and Dylan primarily write their own songs in eclectic styles but also play traditional songs, fiddle tunes, and folk and country covers. The band prides itself on unique harmonies and vibrant traditional and improvisational instrumentals. They have shared the stage with Trout Steak Revival, Woodbelly, Charlie Parr and many others.

Photo from Humbletown

 

Josh Daniel June 23, 2023

Josh Daniel is North Carolina singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose passion and enthusiasm are evident every time he takes the stage. Daniel describes his sound as “Rock n Roll” but it’s much broader than that… Josh is able to mold his influences into a unique sound that is entirely his own. Blending rock n roll with bluegrass, funk and soul music with a reggae backbeat, you never know which way he will lead the crowd.

 

Eliot Bronson June 21, 2023

Over the course of five albums, indie folksinger Eliot Bronson has created his own brand of acclaimed Americana. He's an award winner. A road warrior. An internationally-renowned musician with a voice that swoons and sweeps, making fans out of everyone from his hometown newspaper, The Baltimore Sun — who championed Bronson from the very start, hailing him as "a folk singing wunderkind" back when he was still playing local coffeeshops — to Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb.

Photo by David Joseph

 

Photo from Buffalo Nichols

Buffalo Nichols June 16, 2023

“Part of my intent, making myself more comfortable with this release, is putting more Black stories into the genres of folk and blues,” guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Carl “Buffalo” Nichols explains. “Listening to this record, I want more Black people to hear themselves in this music that is truly theirs.” That desire is embodied in his self-titled debut album—Fat Possum’s first solo blues signing in nearly 20 years—composed of demos and studio sessions recorded in Wisconsin and Texas.

 

Dan Bern June 7, 2023

If you must put him in a box, make sure it’s a big box! Undefinable by genre, crossing over and through folk, rock, singer-songwriter, and kids music, Dan Bern is a captivating live performer with a loyal, multi-generational following. He has written thousands of songs, released dozens of albums, and played shows across North America and Europe–from coffee shops to Carnegie Hall, and he most recently opened for The Who. The show also featured an opening with the talented local musician Dan Casula.

Photo from Dan Bern

 

Curtis Salgado June 2, 2023

Award-winning vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter Curtis Salgado, the man NPR calls “an icon” with “a huge voice,” is revered worldwide for his ability to wring every ounce of soul out of every song he performs. Salgado is famed not only for his powerhouse live shows and ten previous albums, but also for his passionate and insightful original songs. He has been nominated three times for the Blues Music Award for Song Of The Year, winning in 2018 for Walk A Mile In My Blues.


Springtime in Paris with Mariah Bonner May 25, 2023

A wonderful evening of song with singer, recording artist and all-around entertainer, Mariah Bonner! Listeners heard a selection of songs ranging from American standards like the Gershwin’s Our Love Is Here To Stay, and Cole Porter’s I Love Paris, to French classics such as Edith Piaf’s La Vie En Rose and Michel Legrand’s Chanson de Delphine, to more contemporary tunes like Michel Berger’s La Déclaration d’amour, Carla Bruni’s Quelqu’un m’a dit and more.


Photo by Marc Shapiro

Roy book binder may 19, 2023

Who can say they were friends with Rev. Gary Davis, Pink Anderson, and Robert Lockwood? And toured with Bonnie Raitt, JJ Cale, and Hot Tuna? Roy can. He has the stories, the licks, and the timeless music in his fingers. Featured on PBS, "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross, Roy Book Binder is keeping the tradition of American blues alive and growing. We are privileged to have Roy in our beautiful gallery concert space! Please join us in welcoming this legendary musician and storyteller.


Katherine Merryman May 7, 2023

What does rock music have in common with classical voice? Can you think of any contemporary songs that would meet with a standing ovation from Mozart? Can you imagine a 19th-century aria being as well known as the pop music of today? Katherine Merryman is an operatically trained lyric soprano with a passion for piano and foreign language.

Photos by Bo Willse


Monkton Road Band May 5, 2023

Monkton Road is a collaboration of family and friends brought together to create an all originals Americana band. Talbot, Susie, Jody and Bill write from their experiences of life, love and family. Songs of bar rooms and heartache to magical meetings in the stars will take you on a memorable musical journey. Monkton Road brings their creativity and musicality with a combination of a rootsy folk sound laced with deep country influences to their originals.


JANET PAULSEN TRIO TRIBUTE TO INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY
April 30, 2023

Janet, a classically trained opera singer, has performed with opera companies in New England and the Midwest. During the pandemic, she began a new singing journey in jazz. She is joined by jazz pianist Anthony Pocetti who is currently the pianist for The United States Army Field Band's Jazz Ambassadors. Shawn Simon plays the upright bass for the group and is a music teacher at Loyola University Baltimore. Their shows begin with jazz standards and progresses to present day with a jazz interpretation.


Stillhouse Junkies April 26, 2023

Stillhouse Junkies is a one-of-a-kind creative project born out of the collective passions of three individuals with very different musical backgrounds. With chops and stylistic leanings ranging from classical to West African, blues, bluegrass, and swing, Fred Kosak, Alissa Wolf, and Cody Tinnin came together around a shared goal of bringing sounds and grooves to their fans that fall outside of easy genre distinctions.

Photo from Renee Cornue


The High and Wides April 21, 2023

The High & Wides project a big, driving sound—musical traditions re-imagined for a new century. With roots in urban Baltimore and the rural Delmarva peninsula, they draw on bluegrass backgrounds and weave in influences from new wave to old time to make music that defies boundaries while evoking the era when country, bluegrass, western swing, and early rock'n'roll mingled freely.

Photos courtesy of Frank Thompson


Selwyn Birchwood April 14, 2023

The rising guitar and lap steel player calls his original music “electric swamp funkin’ blues,” defined by raw and soulful musicianship played with fire-and-brimstone fervor. His gritty, unvarnished vocals draw his audience deep inside his unforgettable tales of love, passion, pain and pleasure. No other band on the current blues scene is built quite like Birchwood’s. In addition to Selwyn’s electrifying guitar and lap steel playing, the other featured instrument is Regi Oliver’s baritone sax.

Photos courtesy of Willy Palmer and Rich Barnstein


Steve Forbert April 8, 2023

Years before Americana music earned its own category at the Grammy Awards, Steve Forbert helped pioneer the genre's mix of folk, roots - rock, and richly delivered storytelling. He's been a torchbearer of that sound for more than four decades since, navigating the twists and turns of an acclaimed career that's taken him from gold records to Grammy nominations, from New York City's CBGB to Nashville's Bluebird Cafe, from his 1978 debut album to 2022's vital and versatile "Moving Through America."

Photos courtesy of Frank Thompson


Photo from Concerted Efforts

Dori Freeman April 1, 2023

Dori Freeman’s inimitable signature sound is in peak form on her fourth studio album, Ten Thousand Roses. Raised among a family of musicians in the Blue Ridge Mountains and hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of the most authentic vocalists to emerge from the hills of southwestern Virginia in recent years,” she’s a bonafide Appalachian artist, while simultaneously shattering the archetype by empowering the characters in her songs with personal strength and homegrown wisdom.


Photo from The Squeegees

The Squeegees March 25, 2023

Health care professionals by day and rockers by night, the Squeegees have been together for over a year after playing in multiple bands in the past. They share a vibrant musical fellowship and a quirky vibe! Guitarist and singer, Pat Brown, drummer and singer, Joe Bienvenu, and bassist and singer Tom Glass cover an eclectic range of songs, from R.E.M. to The Beatles and The Pixies.


Whiskey Feathers March 18, 2023

The Whiskey Feathers are a 6-piece roots rock band from Baltimore and the surrounding hills of northern Maryland. If you can imagine the vibe of The Last Waltz, add a healthy dose of potent Stapleton-esque leads, and top it with soprano and alto harmonies, you can start to get a sense of The Whiskey Feathers’ sound.

Whiskey Feather’s performed two sets of songs from their upcoming debut album along with a handful of unreleased, new originals!

Photo by Frank Thompson


Sunny War March 7, 2023

Sunny War is an internationally touring, Nashville-based singer-songwriter and true guitar virtuoso. Her new album, “Anarchist Gospel,” coming soon via New West Records, explores themes of deep internal conflict. “I feel like there are two sides of me,” says Sunny. “That’s what it is to be human. You’re not good or bad, you’re just trying to stay in the middle of those two things all the time and you’re probably doing a bad job of it. That’s ok, because we’re all just monsters.”


Marielle Kraft with Meredith Rounsley February 23, 2023

Marielle Kraft is a poignant indie pop singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, PA. Her command over her lyricism is evident through the success of her debut EP “The Deep End,” which reflects her stories with vivid detail, clever word choice, and refreshing taste. The authenticity with which Marielle invites listeners into her story at her live shows cultivates a relationship with them beyond the songs.


Matt Nakoa Febraury 16, 2023

From a small goat farm in Central NY, Matt trained as a concert pianist before attending Berklee College of Music as a vocalist. After school, Matt landed in NYCs piano bar scene and began attracting capacity crowds each Saturday night. Now, toting multiple albums and songwriting awards, Matt tours internationally; recently performing at The White House and regularly with folk icon Tom Rush.


Valentine’s Day Concert with Mariah Bonner and Natalie Smith February 14, 2023

The pair performed a selection of songs ranging from American standards such as Can't Help Falling In Love and You Don't Have To Say You Love Me to pop tunes like Carol King's Natural Woman and the Beatles' Across The Universe to original material. Bonner's dreamy, velvet voice and Smith's soulful harmonies make for a captivating duo.


Stevie Ray Martel and his All-Star Review, featuring Johnny Massachusetts and the Resentments Februrary 11, 2023

This evening featured a lineup of great local musicians who played a few of their songs -- everything from blues to acoustic rock and more! Half of the proceeds generated by this event were donated to Benefit: Ascend 2.0, Living Classrooms after-school music programs outreach to Baltimore City schools and students.

Lineup:
Mariposa
Johnny Massachusetts and the Resentments
Stevie Ray Martel and the Shredders


Ken and Brad Kolodner Quartet January 28, 2023

Regarded as one of the most influential hammered dulcimer players in the U.S., Baltimore's Ken Kolodner has joined forces with his son, Brad Kolodner, one of the finest practitioners of the claw hammer banjo, to perform tight and musical arrangements of original and traditional old-time music.They round of the quartet with sensational bassist, Alex Lacquement, and talented, multi-instrumentalist, Rachel Eddy.


Pressing Strings January 20, 2023

What was started in a crowded beach house in 2006 has since morphed and grown, and morphed and grown, and morphed and grown some more. A decade an a half into it, Pressing Strings is as active as ever. Writing, recording, releasing and touring. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist, Jordan Sokel, bassist and vocalist Nick Welker, and Justin Kruger on drums and vocals. Their music is a tasteful combination of indie, folk, and blues.


Holiday Jaz with the Janet Paulsen Trio December 21, 2022

The night featured Janet Paulsen on vocals, Anthony Poccetti on keys and Alex Weber on upright bass for a night of holiday jazz! The trio covered many festive holiday hits recorded by the great jazz artists.


SAY ZUZU december 16, 2022

In the early 90s, Say ZuZu found their sound in a growing alt-country movement. In their road warrior days, the band toured tirelessly across the country but found great success abroad as minor stars in Italy, developing a European fanbase and signing with Germany’s Blue Rose Records. After more than 10 years, 10 albums, and logging more than 2000 shows in 25 states and four foreign countries, Say ZuZu called it a day, amicably, in 2003. Until now.


Christmas Jazz with the Monkton Trio December 11, 2022

The Monkton Trio performed traditional Christmas songs and carols with unique harmonies and jazz rhythms. A new and fresh way of hearing holiday classics.


May Erlewine November 16, 2022

One of the Midwest’s most prolific and passionate songwriters, May continues to share her gift for writing songs of substance that feel both new and soulfully familiar. Her lyrics offer a window into her heartbreak, her empowerment, and her emboldened spirit. These lyrics, which are really stories crafted through May’s unique experiences, are rooted in wisdom, joy, sorrow, simplicity, and love. Musically, she carries the songwriter's torch through many genres and sonic landscapes.


The Ladies Six of the Deer Creek Chorale November 12, 2022

The Ladies Six of the Deer Creek Chorale in concert featuring an eclectic array of musical styles, many selections featuring women composers! Want to listen? Click here to listen to The Ladies Six!


Katie Henry November 5, 2022

Katie Henry is on her way. The New Jersey songwriter might have started out banging on doors, gigging at New York City's blues clubs, playing piano until her fingers bled and winning over the city one show at a time. But lately, the multi-instrumentalist has raced through career milestones. With the release of her second album, On My Way, co-written with bassist and slide-guitar maestro Antar Goodwin, Katie has announced herself as an alchemist who creates gemstones from the base metals of American roots.


Caleb Stine & Crankies October 25, 2022

Caleb Stine is a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and visual artist. Caleb's songs seek to uncover the mysteries of our shared humanity that live just below the surface of everyday experiences. The show also features crankie artists Katherine Fahey and puppeteer Daniel Van Allen. For several of Caleb's songs, Katherine’s shadow puppetry will be presented in the form of a tabletop performance where tales are enjoyed in the dark as viewers gather around the light of the box, like a campfire or hearth.


Whiskey Feathers October 23, 2022

A Baltimore based folk-rock & Americana band, Whiskey Feathers consists of singer, songwriter and guitarist Brittain Duckworth whose soulful and weather-worn vocals bring characters and stories to life; Mr. John Schroeder on upright bass; Mr. Lucas Chohany on guitar, Ms. Jenny Fitchett on supporting vocals; and EJ Shaull-Thompson on percussion.


Tobias Hurwitz Combo September 30, 2022

Maryland Hall Of Famer Tobias Hurwitz has assembled a stellar cast of characters to kick out an eclectic mix of amazing jams! Come groove to THC where every song is the best song! THC is Drew Wright, Denise Lavery, Bill Hugo, Chris Sharkey and Tobias Hurwitz! You can also expect an engaging musical experience. THC’s amazing set list includes all styles of music, like Classic Rock, Country, Disco, Funk, Soul, Jazz, Classical, THC Originals, Blues, Seasonal Songs, Americana and even Hair Metal!


Janet Paulsen September 27, 2022

Janet, a classically trained opera singer, has performed with opera companies in New England and the Midwest. During the pandemic, she began a new singing journey in jazz. She is joined by jazz pianist Anthony Pocetti who is currently the pianist for The United States Army Field Band's Jazz Ambassadors. Shawn Simon plays the upright bass for the group and is a music teacher at Loyola University Baltimore. Their shows begin with jazz standards and progresses to present day with a jazz interpretation.


Oshima Brothers september 18, 2022

Raised in a musical family in rural Maine, the brothers have honed a harmony-rich blend of contemporary folk and acoustic pop. On stage, Sean and Jamie create a surprisingly full sound with dynamic vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, octave bass, loops, and percussion. The brothers live in Maine but are often on the road performing, producing music videos, and dancing.


songwriter showcase July 10, 2022

A spectacular evening of talented singer-songwriters who came together to share their music! B.A. Banghart, Gena McKibben, and Her Fantastic Cats played a live set and offered a short Q & A on their experience as performing musicians.


roy bookbinder July 8, 2022

Roy has the goods: the original, the bare-knuckle, the low-down . . . blues. Who can say they were friends with the Rev. Gary Davis, Pink Anderson and Robert Lockwood? And toured with Arthur Big Boy Crudup, Hot Tuna, JJ Cale & Bonnie Raitt ? Roy can. He has the stories, the licks, and the mystery of timeless music in his fingers. He’s been featured on a PBS special and interviewed by Terry Gross on “Fresh Air.” He’s also a regular at Fur Peace Ranch, where he teaches along with Jorma Kaukonen. When he brings his 'Tour Bus' to town, a one-man blues-fest ensues. He plays and he entertains, feeding us music and stories, and the evening is a celebration for us all.


WORLD CLASS CLASSICAL MUSICIANS june 20, 2022

Performance by Johnathan Carney, Lura Johnson and Gracie Carney

An unforgettable performance of Mozart, Leclair and Kreisler with music performed by concertmaster and violist Johnathan Carney, and resident keyboardist Lura Johnson of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The BSO musicians will be joined by the highly sought after contemporary violinist Gracie Carney.


Swampoodle june 7, 2022

The "Swampoodle Sound" is meant as a hat tip to our capital city's Irish roots, while at the same time serving up a musical gumbo of Americana. Swampoodle is an eclectic group with a very extensive collective resume. We are talking veteran musician mixing up all the music they love into one great celebration! Irish, Cajun, jazz, and blues all come together in a highly unique cocktail!


the honey dewdrops May 17, 2022

Virginia raised and Maryland based, Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish are the Honey Dewdrops. With gorgeous vocal harmonies and agile musicianship, The Honey Dewdrops are an astounding live act! Their latest release, Light Behind Light, expands the sound of The Dewdrops with more instruments filling out their experimental folk sound. The duo has performed all across the US and parts of Europe, and have been featured on many festival stages.


BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA may 3, 2022

An unforgettable performance from Lura Johnson and Andrew Balio playing JS Bach from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.


Stringtown MARCH 29, 2022

For over fifteen years, Stringtown has been charming audiences with an eclectic mix of vintage jazz, folk, and one hit wonders from the 50's and 60's. With Amy Hopkins on fiddle, Andrew Holt on bass, Rob Deford on guitar, Ava Oelke on harmonica, and the whole group on vocals, Stringtown's stylish harmonies are an infectious, swinging gumbo. They will share some tunes and talk about their influences and inspirations.


Monkton road band march 22, 2022

Monkton Road is a collaboration of family and friends brought together to create an all originals Americana band. Talbot, Susie, Jody and Bill write from their experiences of life, love and family. Songs of bar rooms and heartache to magical meetings in the stars will take you on a memorable musical journey. Monkton Road brings their creativity and musicality with a combination of a rootsy folk sound laced with deep country influences to their originals. This promises to be a fun evening!


the squeegees february 22, 2022

Health care professionals by day and rockers by night, the Squeegees have been together for over a year after playing in multiple bands in the past. They share a vibrant musical fellowship and a quirky vibe! Guitarist and singer, Pat Brown, drummer and singer, Joe Bienvenu, and bassist and singer Tom Glass.


ocean celtic quartet december 18, 2021

The OCEAN Celtic Quartet will transport you to the Yuletide celebrations of yore in a program featuring traditional carols, foot-stomping Irish fiddle tunes, 19th century broadside songs, and original seasonal compositions. With their soaring vocals and high-energy Celtic instrumentals, OCEAN is known for marrying lighthearted exuberance with great spiritual depth in a program that appeals to all faiths and wisdom traditions. Includes light refreshments and an appearance by Father Christmas!