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Mike Seeger Commemorative OLD TIME BANJO FESTIVAL concert: RONI STONEMAN, SAM GLEAVES, THE EBONY HILLBILLIES, CATHY FINK & MARCY MARXER
RONI STONEMAN, SAM GLEAVES, THE EBONY HILLBILLIES, CATHY FINK & MARCY MARXER in concert at
THE BIRCHMERE MUSIC HALL, 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA 22305
7:30PM. TIX
www.birchmere.com
Roni Stoneman, star of television’s “Hee Haw”, began her career at the age of four, performing with the Stoneman Family at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. She’s a consummate banjo player, singer, comedienne and entertainer. At 78 years of age, she hasn’t lost her effortless style, love of a great song and dedication to her audiences.
Sam Gleaves, by contrast, is just making his way onto the music scene at 23 years of age. He learned traditional music from his grandmother and from friends and family in Wytheville, VA. A graduate of Berea College, he lives in Kentucky collecting ballads, tunes and stories. Sam’s debut album, “Ain’t We Brothers” was favored on NPR, Rolling Stone’s Country pages and No Depression Magazine.
The Ebony Hillbillies are reviving a lost artform and American legacy of the black stringband. The ensemble led by Henrique Prince (fiddle, vocals) and Norris Bennett (banjo, mountain dulcimer, guitar, vocals)-- featuring Gloria Thomas Gassaway on vocals and bones, William “Salty Bill” Salter on acoustic bass with A.R. and Newman Taylor Baker on washboard and percussion--creates an untamed and joyful vibe that echoes across the generations and transcends all racial and cultural boundaries. They were included in the BBC Documentary- Blues America featuring Keith Richards, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, and Chuck D.
Cathy Fink, GRAMMY winning artist and three-time winner of the West Virginia State Old Time Banjo Contest, hosts the event. Nat Hentoff said, " Her sound, phrasing, and resilient time combine with a compelling presence." Cathy is joined by Marcy Marxer, a string wizard of ridiculous versatility. After Mike Seeger introduced Marcy to the four-string cello banjo, Marcy re-invented that early 20th century instrument to fit into old time string band, ragtime, calypso and classical music. She also plays the tenor banjo and banjo ukulele.