Torrey Music Festival Performers |
Kirkmount, Kate MacLeod, Charley Simmons, |
Kirkmount - The Bigney family has entertained audiences across the country with tunes that range from lilting, soulful airs to the Scotch snap of lively jigs. Tutored by Celtic music greats Alasdair Fraser, Buddy MacMaster and the late Jerry Holland, the family's strong roots in their Nova Scotian musical heritage give spirit to arrangments of traditional tunes and original compostions alike.
Kate MacLeod composes classic American music while living in the state of Utah; home of rich folklore, the roaming grounds of Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch, the place where legendary social activist Joe Hill was executed, and the land from where Utah Phillips took his name. Kate is a sought-after performer, studio musician, and leader of master classes and workshops, who is best known for her original songs and her unique fiddling style. Her songwriting style and live performances display an unbreakable link between traditional music and cutting-edge contemporary songwriting. She has been hailed as one of the “Ten Acts to Watch” by the editors of the MusicHound Folk Essential Album Guide. Originally from the Washington D.C. area, she is based in Salt Lake City and tours throughout the United States and Europe. Her music has been described by reviewers as reflecting the panoramic western landscape, perhaps due to her long residence in Utah. Kate's songs have been featured on nationally syndicated radio shows including Tom May's “River City Folk,” the holiday program hosted by Judy Collins, “Peace on Earth,” and have been sung by others on “A Prairie Home Companion.” You will find fans of many music genres in an audience gathered to hear Kate MacLeod perform. Her songs catch the ears of new artists, traditional singers, bluegrass musicians, celtic musicians and songwriters of many styles. Her songs find new life through other musicians at jam sessions and performances throughout the country and have been recorded by artists from California to the Czech Republic.
Charley Simmons - From early days of plinkin’ on a forty-dollar Sears & Roebuck guitar, to his present status as a performing and recording artist, Charley Simmons has made a lifetime of entertaining people with his music. Born in 1950 and raised on a farm near Blackiston Crossroads, Delaware, Charley began playing the guitar at age nine. “Pretty much the way it went was, my Dad would whistle an old Jimmie Rogers or Hank Williams tune and I’d hunt down the notes on the fret board. Kind of a primitive Suzuki method, but I guess it helped me develop a pretty good ear. Winters were long and cold there, and living out in the country left you lots of practice time”. By the age of sixteen, Charley was earning money traveling and performing throughout the state with a band, but it wasn’t until his move to St. Augustine, Florida in 1971, and his exposure to the late Gamble Rogers, that he began to develop his own finger picking solo style. “I used to watch Gamble perform at the Tradewinds and wondered how he made that guitar sound like there were two players on stage. So I threw away my flat pick and started to teach myself, with a lot of pointers from Gamble, how to play that style. I think it only took me two years before I’d perform past the bedroom door.” Since that time, in spite of a long hiatus raising a family, his playing has taken him much further. Charley was the 1992 Utah State Flattop Guitar Champion, the 2002 Wyoming State Fingerstyle Champion, the winner of the 2003 Gamble Rogers Fingerstyle Guitar Competition and a winner in the 2005 KRCL Singer/Songwriter Competition. Charley’s music is as diverse as his musical influences have been, drawing on folk, blues, bluegrass and jazz. “I might play a song about a depressed coal mine economy—I spent seven years as an underground miner so I know a little about this—and then follow it up with the Sheik of Araby. I don’t know if this is normal behavior, but it seems to work.” Normal or not, Charley continues to captivate audiences with his articulate guitar playing and a voice, which was once described as a combination of “dry, shag-cut tobacco and honey.”
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Utah Slim and Jen Hajj met in the "open mic circuit" in Salt Lake City. Jen was attracted by Slim's poetry and passion for the desert, Slim was taken by her pure voice and ear for harmony. Together, they create a sound that is as varied as Utah’s rural landscapes.
Utah Slim is a desert rat poet who writes and sings his love of the Colorado Plateau, weaving tales of unique places and the folks who choose to live there. His music ranges from poetic descriptions of red rock country to heartfelt protests against exploitation of the West. In his songs, you can hear the outcry for justice of Woody Guthrie, the caustic wit of Bob Dylan, and land-centered, passionate grit of Edward Abbey.
Jen Hajj is a classically trained soprano who grew up in the Sonoran Desert. She has explored many facets of music throughout her career: she attended opera school, worked as a choral conductor, and an orchestral arranger. Though she can belt out an art song, she is drawn to the simplicity and power of traditional folk music. You may hear evidence of both in her songwriting.
This year alone Jeremiah has played 100 shows locally as well as shows in Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, and being a featured performer in the 2010 Texas Rock Fest in Austin. Critics have said “Jeremiah Maxey is a one-armed guitarist who can probably outplay most anyone you've ever met”-Kelly Ashkettle In This Week Magazine and “The one-armed guitar player isn't just good, he's scary good.”-Lee Benson Deseret News. Jeremiah will be bringing his acoustic show to the 2010 Torrey Music Festival this July.
Hillbilly Voodoo - A down to earth, truly American folk duo with drag your soul through the dirt style, lovely landscapes and lyrical honesty that conveys their own version of the world with the passion and depth of hard living.
When people ask us to describe our sound, We tell them “ Well, there’s a real hillbilly influence but as songwriter’s we play a variety of sounds and instruments.” Thus the VooDoo part of our name. Lance and I met in 1993 and have played together ever since. At first we just focused on accompanying each others songs, as time went on and new instruments were introduced to the act, we embarked on an exciting journey of co-writing songs. The songs we write together are strongly influenced by old-time music and the great songwriters of our time, Lucinda Williams, Towns Vandszant, Greg Brown, Welch & Rawlings and Steve earl to name a few. Our lyrics seek to reflect the trials and struggles of our lives and the broader influence of the world we live in. Our sound is not so much a specific genre or niche but a vibe and a groove. As individual songwriters, we both delve into the emotional and the stories we feel need telling.
“Marvmusic” is part folk, blues, roots and Americana, all soul. Earth music, breakup songs, blues and ballads. Slices of life in places like the hills and windblown ridges of the Wasatch mountains or Blackhills of Dakota, an airliner, Cadillac, train or old truck. Wyoming basin and range, a mythical sailing ship. Portraits of characters: an eocwarrior, dogs, a 60’s stewardess, lovers. Emotional journeys: grief, anger, angst and sorrow, joy and hope.
Marv Hamilton learned to sing standing in the back seat of a ’47 Buick while his mother, who sang on the radio in the 30’s, and father, a natural whiskey-drinking baritone, harmonized in the front. Marv picked up his first guitar in 1973 to play along with Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Jefferson Airplane, The Beatles, Byrds, Doors, Dylan and Moody Blues, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, John Prine and Gordon Lightfoot. In 1988, Marv began to play, write songs and perform with acoustic trio, “Vuja De”. (The absolute certainty you’ve never been here before!) Marv released his debut album, “Wing and a Prayer” (acoustic blues, ballads and “Redrock eco-folk”), in 2000 under his own indie label, “Best Dog Records”, followed by his second release, “The Mind Will Follow” (acoustic and electric folk, rock, blues and earthmusic) in 2006. Marv is a three-time winner in KRCL/Founder’s Title Co. Folk and Bluegrass Performing Songwriter Showcase and a 2001 Kerrville Newfolk Finalist at Kerrville, Texas.
Steve Seskin, Nashville hit writer for Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenney Chesney and others says, “If you don’t feel something when you listen to Marv, you’re probably dead”.
Susanne Milsaps of Salt Lake’s KRCL 91FM and Magpie House Concerts Series chose “Wing and A Prayer” as best local album of 2000 and says Marv’s “the rootsy, earthy, teller of everyman’s story”.
The Salt Lake Tribune says ”Hamilton’s folk and acoustic blues songs, whether they be love ballads, political dissections or odes to the mountains where he runs with his dog, have earned him a reputation as one of Utah’s finest songwriters”.
Marv has performed in concerts, restaurants, music and arts festivals, farmer’s markets, theatric productions, peace rallies, showcases, celebrations and on live radio and TV in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Memphis, Texas, Massachusetts and Canada and has shared stages with California, Dave Alvin, Cheryl Wheeler, Chuck Pyle, Steve Seskin, Todd Snider, Firefall, Kelley Joe Phelps and Grace Potter.
Wayne “The Commissioner” Gordon grew up in Virginia surrounded by his family’s variety of music, from the old time fiddling of cousins to his father’s collection of 50s records. All the while dreaming of owning a guitar since the heyday of Saturday morning Archies cartoons, Wayne finally attained one in high school by winning an air guitar contest. During and after college, his main focus switched to electric bass. Guitar work also continued, and both were gradually augmented by other instruments such as mandolin and dobro. Along with the help of old time music at family gatherings, Wayne ‘s focus gradually shifted more towards acoustic music. This continued after a move to Utah for graduate studies, and the electric bass was eventually augmented by a Kay string bass. Wayne continues to provide a solid bottom for numerous local talents, including 2001 SXSW finalists The Andy Lynner Band and bluegrass aces Hammerdown. He’s also filled in on stage and in the studio, highlighted by backing up BR549’s Chuck Mead during a solo visit to Salt Lake. Wayne is pleased to add his tasteful licks on mando, dobro, bass, guitar and vocals to the soulful sonic stew that is “Marvmusic”.
David and Tamara Hauze - Whether they are romping on their favorite tunes at a festival, serenading the newly betrothed with harp and flute at a wedding, or sweetly lulling one into a space of healing at a spiritual retreat, what David and Tamara do is celebrate life through music! The serendipity of their paths joining has spurred a hand-in-hand musical adventure. A dozen years ago, both made clear decisions to venture a new trajectory, adjust their sails and chase the rainbow of creating joy for themselves and others with their music.
Their acoustic sound is express thoughtfully through refined vocal harmonies and guitar.
There is unmistakable magic in the blend of their voices, which sends one to places of the heart long since forgotten. Their eclectic songs lists are sure to include current favorites, blasts from the past, as well as unique ideas expressed in their original tunes.
David and Tamara’s acoustic sounds have been heard across the country at festivals, formal affairs, and backyard porches!
The Lab Dogs play bluegrass boldly and boisterously. The band formed late in the last century and we sometimes practice in a lab - hence the name. The current lineup inclues Kevin Jones, Ron Rood, Erik Brunvand, Peter Netka, Eric Merkt and Bill Thomas. Due to some legal issues, and threats of bodily harm, former members of the Lab Dogs cannot be mentioned. On the mandolin Kevin Jones is pretty darn good. His singing has been compared to Tiny Tims but without the tenderness.
Ron Roodsings and plays guitar. He also plays the accordion and the ukulele but the band has voted he stick with the guitar or better yet, play air-guitar.
Erik Brunvandstands in the back and plays only two notes for everyone else's twenty, which is a pretty good deal. Erik teaches at the University and he has a dog named Scruggs.
Since his late teens, Peter Netka has been a bluegrass player. He's played with the Utah Valley Boys, the Salt City Bluegrass Boys and now he's a Dog. His Dobro is a Dobro.
Being both good looking and smart, Eric Merkt is not your typical banjo player. In fact, most people think he's either a mandolin player or an archaeologist.
Being the new-kid in the band, Bill Thomas has yet to experience the ridicule and embarrassment the rest of the Dogs have come to know