Since 1979, Swallow Hill Music Association has hosted the best roots, folk and acoustic music performers in the Rocky Mountain Region. Our early autumn concert lineup is shaping up to be filled with many strong legends, from
Chris Smither to
Karla Bonoff and
John McCutcheon, and eclectic fresh talent from
Jayme Stone's All-Star Tribute to John Hartford's music to
Crooked Still and the
Ditty Bops. We're also very pleased to welcome back rising stars
Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, who were enthusiastically received at our Third Annual RootsFest earlier this year.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 17 and will be available on line at
www.swallowhillmusic.org(now with no processing fees), by phone at (303) 777-1003 x2 or at our box office at 71 E. Yale Ave., Denver, Colo., 80210.
CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS
Russ Barenberg Trio with Sean McGowan
Thursday, September 3 at 8 p.m.
Known as one of the most melodic instrumentalists in contemporary acoustic music, Russ Barenberg got his start in 1970 with the groundbreaking bluegrass band, Country Cooking. He went on to be in a number of influential groups, most notably collaboration from 1989 to 2001 in a trio with dobro master Jerry Douglas and bassist Edgar Meyer.
When at Last, his latest release on Compass Records, garnered a 2008 Grammy nomination for Best Country Instrumental Performance for the song, "Little Monk," as well as a nomination for the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Instrumental Album of the Year. Denver's own Sean McGowan, whose first recording,
River Coffee, won the Best Independent Release of the Year Award from
Acoustic Guitar magazine, will open this show.
A Tribute to the Music of John Hartford featuring Jayme Stone & Friends
Saturday, September 12 at 8 p.m.
John Hartford was a songster, a banjoist, a guitar-picker, fiddler, river boat captain, calligrapher, folklorist and old-time music revivalist. Join two-time Juno Award-winning banjoist Jayme Stone and Boulder County's finest acoustic musicians for an unforgettable celebration of this American original, including Rich Zimmerman (mandolin and vocals), Ryan Drickey (fiddle and vocals), Brad Murphey (guitar) and Ian Hutchison (bass), with special guest vocalist KC Groves.
Crooked Still
Friday, September 18 at 8 p.m.
"No one captures the eerie, gorgeous menace of classic Anglo-American folk ballads like this Boston band," says
USA Today. The five-member group is one of the hottest trailblazing outfits performing one of the most compelling forms of alternative bluegrass and string band music today. Their latest album,
Still Crooked, is an ensemble effort of inspired music-making that moves the bands' impossible to pigeonhole style in new directions while honoring their folk roots.
Southern Journey CD Release: "Live at Swallow Hill"
Saturday, September 19 at 8 p.m.
Inspired by musicologist Alan Lomax's
Southern Journey, a 13-volume series of original field and studio recordings capturing the musical world of the rural South, Southern Journey is a two-hour staged performance that brings the Lomax archives to life through story and song. A cast of 10 diverse musicians and singers revive the spirit of his collection with compelling authenticity, capturing a uniquely American experience as the musicians and singers gather together on the porch. This show celebrates their
Live at Swallow Hill recording from a previous performance.
Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams
Friday, September 25 at 8 p.m.
Citing influences as diverse as Hank Williams, Dylan, Bowie, Incredible String Band and early Pink Floyd, front man Joziah Longo describes the band's music as "punk-classical-hillbilly-Floyd," a mental rollercoaster of whimsical, thought-provoking songs. The Circus' live shows are where the real magic comes down, earning them critical acclaim as well as a fiercely loyal following. At our RootsFest this past March, they brought the house to a standing ovation. Their latest CD,
The Great Unravel, was hailed by the UK's
Maverick Magazine as "mightily impressive and hugely original... 'tis truly an epic soundtrack."
Beppe Gambetta with Doug Wood
Saturday, September 26 at 8 p.m.
Internationally acclaimed acoustic guitarist Beppe Gambetta is continually composing his personal mosaic of sounds and flavors. From his unique roots developing as an Italian musician in love with American country and bluegrass as well as the music of his native country, Gambetta has traveled the world and even crossed the "Iron Curtain" to dazzle and charm music enthusiasts everywhere. His latest CD,
Rendez-vous, breaks the borders of the flatpicking technique in a creative, experimental way. Opening for Gambetta is Denver's own Doug Wood, whose
Dreamcatcher album was nominated Best Acoustic Album of 2007 by KUNC 91.5 FM.
Chris Smither with Jeffrey Foucault
Friday, October 9 at 8 p.m.
"...one of the absolute best singer-songwriters in the world" (
Associated Press), Smither's latest release,
Leave the Light On, stands as the quintessence of his life's work while throwing in some new wrinkles that reflect where he's been and what he's encountered since the last time around. One of the songs on the album, "Origin of the Species," was named #42 of the 100 Best Songs of the Year 2006 by
Rolling Stone. Alt-country songwriter Jeffrey Foucault will open the show. Foucault's latest album, a tribute to John Prine entitled
Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes, has been called "one of the best albums of the year" by critics.
Suzy Bogguss
Saturday, October 10 at 8 p.m.
Suzy Bogguss burst on to the music scene, winning the Country Music Association's Horizon Award in 1992 and album of the Year Award in 1994. From there, she has garnered myriad ASCAP country and pop awards for her songwriting, and in 2005, a Grammy for her contribution to the Best Folk Album,
Beautiful Dreamer, the Songs of Stephen Foster. She co-produced her latest album,
Sweet Danger, with famed jazz/pop keyboardist and producer Jason Miles, who's worked with Miles Davis, Luther Vandross and Sting. The two brought together Nashville and New York musicians, culling the best of both worlds to create an instantly engaging, groove-oriented record infused with jazz rhythms and Bogguss' signature vocals.
Karla Bonoff with Noelie McDonnell
Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m.
Karla Bonoff's legacy as a performer and songwriter is unmatched. One of the most successful songwriters of her generation, she has written hits for everyone from Linda Ronstadt to Bonnie Raitt and Wynona Judd. A co-founder of the ahead-of-its-time group, Bryndle, she will be joined at this performance by her another Bryndle member, Kenny Edwards, as well as Nina Gerber. Folk-rock songwriter Noelie McDonnell, "a startling new Irish talent" (
New York Post), will open for Bonoff.
Rhythm Angels with Tom Prasado-Rao & Cary Cooper
Friday, October 23 at 8 p.m.
Celeste Krenz and Rebecca Folsom are the Rhythm Angels, a duo that sprang forth from serendipity as much as from destiny, blossoming from a Women-in-the-Round showcase. Their new CD,
Girls Like Us (High Horse Records), was released earlier this year. Michael Roberts of
Westword writes: "The new recording by Rhythm Angels...has a Colorado flavor ... on the standout track 'If I Had a Gun,' homicidal lyrics increase in effectiveness thanks to the chilling calm of their delivery .... they're consistently lovely and occasionally a bit sly-especially the Willie Dixon cover '29 Ways.' These very different Angels bring out the best in each other." Opening the show are Kerrville winners Tom Prasado-Rao and Cary Cooper.
John McCutcheon
Saturday, October 24 at 8 p.m.
Few people communicate with the versatility, charm, wit or pure talent of John McCutcheon, whose 30 recordings have garnered every imaginable honor, including seven Grammy nominations. One of the most respected and loved folksingers, he is a master of a dozen traditional instruments. Johnny Cash declared him "The most impressive instrumentalist I've ever heard," while the
Washington Post described him as folk music's "Rustic Renaissance Man." His books and instructional materials have introduced budding players to the joys of their own musicality, and his commitment to grassroots political organizations has put him on the front lines of many of the issues important to communities and workers.
Ditty Bops
Friday, October 30 at 8 p.m.
The Ditty Bops are Amanda Barrett and Abby DeWald, well known for elaborate live shows that incorporate theatrical elements complete with props, costumes and skits.
Interview magazine says, "these vaudevillian vamps are putting the show back in showmanship." Their music has been described as genre-defying, bearing influence of Western swing, ragtime, Gypsy jazz, pop and vaudeville-era musical theater. A nostalgic throwback to times when record packaging was as exciting as the music itself, Abby and Amanda designed their album,
Summer Rains, with elaborate pop-up art made from recycled materials for which they were nominated a Grammy. This show is a great way to kick off your Halloween celebrations!
Complete September/October concert calendar:
| Thu, Sept 3 | Russ Barenberg Trio with Sean McGowan |
| Fri, Sept 4 | Eddie From Ohio with Jake Armerding (Tickets are already on sale for this previously announced show) |
| Fri, Sept 4 | Old-Fashioned Hootenanny (7 p.m. with 6:30 signup) |
| Sat, Sept 5 | John Elliott |
| Fri, Sept 11 | Bryan Bowers |
| Sat, Sept 12 | A Tribute to the Music of John Hartford featuring Jayme Stone & Friends |
| Fri, Sept 18 | Crooked Still |
| Sat, Sept 19 | Southern Journey CD Release: "Live at Swallow Hill" |
| Sat, Sept 19 | "Top of the Hill" Faculty Concert Series with Paul Trunko, Julie Gussaroff, Keith Frankel & Aaron McCloskey |
| Fri, Sept 25 | Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams |
| Fri, Sept 25 | Small Potatoes |
| Sat, Sept 26 | Beppe Gambetta with Doug Wood |
| Sat, Sept 26 | Christy, Sandy and Stan |
| Fri, Oct 2 | Old-Fashioned Hootenanny (7 p.m. with 6:30 signup) |
| Fri, Oct 9 | Chris Smither with Jeffrey Foucault |
| Fri, Oct 9 | Wind & Fire Duo featuring Mark Holland & N. Scott Robinson |
| Sat, Oct 10 | Suzy Bogguss |
| Sat, Oct 10 | Jeffrey Foucault |
| Fri, Oct 16 | Oceans Apart |
| Sat, Oct 17 | Karla Bonoff with Noelie McDonnell |
| Sat, Oct 17 | "Top of the Hill" Faculty Concert Series with Richard Reed & Friends |
| Fri, Oct 23 | Rhythm Angels with Tom Prasado-Rao & Cary Cooper |
| Fri, Oct 23 | Sara Grey & Kieron Means |
| Sat, Oct 24 | John McCutcheon |
| Sat, Oct 24 | Uncle Monk (featuring Tommy Ramone) |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Ditty Bops |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Claude Bourbon |
All concerts are at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For tickets visit
www.swallowhillmusic.org (now with no processing fees) or call (303) 777-1003 x2. Discounts are available for Swallow Hill members. Buy in advance and save! Swallow Hill Music Association is located at 71 East Yale Avenue (just off Broadway) in Denver.