American Folk Festival Performers
The American Folk Festival features the traditional arts - music and dance - of the many cultures that make up America today. Traditions that represent the cultural heritage of a region, an ethnic group, a religious group, or an occupation are examples of the genres of music that are featured at the AFF.
We are pleased to present the following 2009 American Folk Festival performers. Prepare to be WOWed!
These are just the first of nearly two dozen groups who will perform on the six stages of the American Folk Festival. Check back for updates!
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Clinton Fearon, Jamaican Reggae
Seattle, WA
An original member of the Gladiators and living legend of roots reggae, this passionate singer and consummate performer delivers message music over a rock-solid groove. Read more about Clinton Fearon.
www.clintonfearon.com
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Rob Curto's Forró for All, Brazilian forró
New York City, NY & Fortaleza Brazil
Delightful, accordion-driven dance music from Northeast Brazil that melds Portuguese tunes and African rhythms with a sensibility born of New York's diverse and dynamic musical culture. Read more about Forró for All.
www.myspace.com/forroforall
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 Mythili Prakash & the Dance Ensemble of India, Bharata Natyam
Los Angeles, CA
This brilliant young Indian American dancer is master of an ancient art, a rising international star carrying on a 3,000-year-old South Indian dance tradition. Read more about Mythili Prakash.
www.mythiliprakash.com
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Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass, bluegrass
Delaware & Pennsylvania
Powerful, unadorned and intense traditional bluegrass from the torch-bearers of deep mountain family traditions. Read more about Danny Paisley.
www.dannypaisley.com
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 The Lost Bayou Ramblers, Cajun
Lafayette, LA
Passionate, uninhibited keepers of a wild Cajun spirit that infuses their live performances, this young group has retooled classic Cajun sounds for the 21st century. Read more about the Lost Bayou Ramblers.
www.lostbayouramblers.com
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 The Claire Lynch Band, modern bluegrass
Nashville, TN
With one of the sweetest, purest voices in country music and impressive songwriting talents to boot, this feisty Alabama gal is stepping out with a new band, creating an absolutely unique sound that is "bluegrass and beyond."
www.clairelynch.com
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 Gadelle, Acadian
Prince Edward Island, Canada
Two former members of the Acadian supergroup Barachois have teamed up with two up-and-coming Acadian musicians to create an all-female quartet that explores the rich musical traditions of Prince Edward Island through fiddle, accordion, song and stepdance. Read more about Gadelle.
www.gadelle.com
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 Joshua Nelson, Kosher gospel
East Orange, NJ
Raised in a black Jewish community in New Jersey, this "prince of kosher gospel" blends Hebrew texts and African American gospel while seemingly channeling the vocal powers of Mahalia Jackson in a way that is utterly original and utterly electrifying. Read more about Joshua Nelson.
www.joshuanelson.com
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 Mighty Sam McClain, soul
Epping, New Hampshire
After more than four decades, this titan of soul is finally getting the credit he deserves as a founding father of this quintessentially American music. He's got it all: style, class, charisma and a voice of astonishing power - a "secret weapon" of classic soul. Read more about Mighty Sam.
www.mightysam.com
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 Los Texmaniacs, conjunto tejano
San Antonio, TX
The lively accordion-led music of the Texas/Mexico border explodes with contemporary energy as this talented young trio serves up "turbo-charged conjunto," a danceable mixture of polka, funk, country, Texas blues, and rock en español. Read more about Los Texmaniacs.
www.texmaniacs.com
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 Terry "Harmonica" Bean, delta blues
Pontotoc, MS
Sounds of the juke joint and late night house party live on in the music of this third generation Mississippi bluesman, one of the few younger players devoted to the deeply traditional sound of acoustic guitar and harmonica. Read more about Terry "Harmonica" Bean.
www.terryharmonicabean.com |
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 Andes Manta, Andean
Hudson Valley, NY
With their mastery of more than 35 traditional instruments, the four Lopez brothers in Andes Manta bring to life the vibrant and intricate music of the indigenous peoples of the Andes Mountains in South America. Read more about Andes Manta.
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Music from China, Chinese
New York, NY
Music From China is an extraordinary music ensemble that invoked the delicacy and power of both traditional and contemporary Chinese composers. Read more about Music From China.
www.musicfromchina.org
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 Maestro Modesto Nieves y Herencia Musical, Puerto Rican cuatro master
Naranjito, Puerto Rico
The term maestro is well-suited for Modesto Nieves. A master and innovator of the cuatro, a small, double-coursed string instrument in the guitar family, Nieves effortlessly picks intricate and beautiful melodies that have charmed audiences for decades. Read more about Maestro Modesto Nieves y Herencia Musical.
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 Nikolay Kolev & Bulgarika, Bulgarian
Glendale NY and Pittsburgh PA
Nikolay Kolev & Bulgarika present the haunting melodies, irregular rhythms and fiery dance dance tempos of Bulgaria. Read more about Nikolay Kolev & Bulgarika.
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 Pride of Maine Black Bear Marching Band, University of Maine
Orono, Maine
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 Paschall Brothers, African American a cappella gospel
Chesapeake, VA
The Pachalll Brothers stand firmly in the great tradition of unaccompanied religious singing in Tidewater Virgina. The black gospel quartet tradition can be traced back to plantation life in the south. Read more about the Paschall Brothers.
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 Gene Tagaban, Tlingit storyteller, musician & dancer
Ferndale, Washington
As a young child, Gene Tagaban became aware of the power of the story. He recalls the words of his grandfather, “Son, you are a story. You’re a storyeller, your life is a story. Before you were even born your story was there. Read more about Gene Tagaban.
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 Brice Chapman, trick roper
Lubbock Texas
The cowboy employs two-well known tools in daily work - the horse and the lasso. The horse is a means of transport and the lasso is the loop of rope thrown to catch animals. Read more about Brice Chapman.
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 The Nile Ensemble, Ethiopian music and dance
Washington, DC
A large and vibrant Ethiopian community began to establish itself in the United States following the start of the Ethiopian revolution in 1974. Although hundreds of Ethiopian musicians are now actively performing in the U.S., little attention has been given to the burgeoning creativity in this community. Read more about the Nile Ensemble.
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