2008 Riverfolk Festival Performers
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Vienna Teng
"I got goosebumps listening to her sing and watching her hands move so gracefully over the keys of the piano. Her voice and music left me breathless."
She shares her name with the Austrian home of Mozart and Beethoven. And she herself studied classical piano from the age of five. But there's nothing old-world about the music of Vienna Teng. The music of Vienna Teng brings to mind artists as diverse as Tori Amos, Simon & Garfunkel and Radiohead. Vienna Teng's first major national exposure was on the David Letterman show in January 2003; she has since made appearances on the CBS Saturday Early Show, National Public Radio's Weekend Edition, CNN's NewsNight with Aaron Brown, and The Wayne Brady Show, and opened in concert for Joan Baez, Shawn Colvin, Joan Osborne, Sarah Harmer, and the Indigo Girls.
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MacTalla Mor
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"MacTalla Mor, an exciting Celtic Roots Band is taking America by storm. Compelling and powerful Like a winding coastal road with spectacular views. This Band's on Fire!"
MacTalla Mor, Gaelic for Great Echo, features The Great Highland Bagpipes, Piano, Vocals and Bodhran in a dynamic mix of Traditional Celtic Roots, Rock, Jazz, Hip Hop, Calypso and Fusion. MacTalla's ancient and modern instruments along with their Gaelic and original songs, brings the past to life creating a joyous, poignant and powerful experience for audiences of all ages. Called Celtic Music for the Masses, the band's magical performance bridges the gap between the past and present in a fashion that is strikingly relevant to today's generation. One hard driving, powerful Celtic Rock and Bagpipe Band!
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Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band
"The dance floor will be hopping when it comes to the resonating beat of Cody Ledet and his Zydeco band!"
"Lil Pop" Ledet, a native of Houston, Texas, excels at both the urban Zydeco sounds of his home town, the Creole music played in days past by his relatives in rural Louisiana, and the contemporary Zydeco beat that draws crowds to dance halls across the region and beyond. Corey describes a recent trip to Moscow where he played before a crowd of some 70,000. He had an audience in the millions on Russian TV who were so excited about Corey and the sound of the Zydeco Band that they were playing "air" rubboard the same way rock fans play air guitar.
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Tumbao Bravo
"Authentic cuban beats with Mambo, cha cha cha, cumbia, rumba, bolero, pachanga and even bossa nova!"
What's that? You want Latin jazz with swing? This ensemble Tumbao Bravo hears you - and will deliver the goods! Tumbao Bravo, a Cuban Jazz ensemble consists of Congas, Timbales, Sax/Flute/Piccolo, Trumpet/Flugelhorn, Piano, Bass Guitar, and Bongos serving up Mambos, Cha Chas, Rumbas and Boleros, as just some of the authentic rhythms explored by this exciting group. With a relaxed, groove-driven approach and sensibility this Michigan-based ensemble Tumbao Bravo, winner of three Detroit Music Awards, is among the best in the Midwest. Tumbao Bravo's debut appearance at Riverfolk will be Friday night also here on Saturday!
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Gemini
"If the Pied Piper had been twins, odds are he would have been Gemini!"
Kids and adults love to sing with Gemini as they celebrate with their audiences the fun, warmth, and humor of family life. From start to finish, a concert with the twin brothers abounds with rousing sing-alongs, hand motion tunes, folk tales, and music from around the world. The highlights of their shows are Gemini's original, sparkling songs about the everyday experiences of childhood and growing up. San and Laz combine uncannily matched voices with wonderful musicianship on nearly a dozen instruments.
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Catskill Puppet Theater
"Carrying on the tradition of old time traveling puppet troupes, bringing children's theater to over 75,000 people each year!"
Since 1979, the Catskill Puppet Theater have been touring internationally, enchanting young and old with their delightful musical productions! Combining backgrounds in art, music, drama and American folk culture they are one of the nation's finest touring companies, receiving accolades from premiere venues all across the country. Their full sets, colorful scenery, and large beautiful puppets transform even the simplest environment into a fantasy world rich with wonder and excitement!
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The Raisin Pickers
According to the Ann Abor News "Fans of traditional American music who appreciate aces fiddling, boffo banjo work, and harmonies as sweet as sugar can't go wrong with the Raisin Pickers."
Just as traditional music in America finds its roots in Celtic and Appalachian rhythms and the passion of African-American songs, and embraces the souls of those who pass it on, so the Raisin Pickers of Michigan, have learned from the past, assimilated their strengths and arrived at a sound all their own. Featuring Carol Wells Palms, a classically trained player who captures the heart of traditional music without letting go of high musical standards. Mark Palms, who chases the heritage of mountain music by studying knee-to-knee with old-time legends and sharing what he's learned with audiences and students. And David Mosher, one of southeast Michigan's most in-demand side men who carries a half-dozen instruments and follows his sense of aural aesthetics where they lead. This distinguished group draws on a vast array of traditional influences creating their own original voice.
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Billy King
"If the expression "whiz kid" ever applied to anyone, it certainly fits Brooklyn, Michigan native Billy King."
Billy King, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, taught himself to play while being home-schooled on a farm in southeast Michigan. Billy has been writing, playing and recording since the age of ten, and, in 2007, was awarded Grand Prize in the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest. Along with the winning entry, "I Don't Write Love Songs," another song, "Can't Stop the Learning," was a finalist in the competition. Billy's wide-ranging musical style encompasses pop, folk, rock and indie, with a little bit of country. Claiming classic influences such as Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, and NRBQ, Billy crafts neatly-arranged and melodically interesting songs with fresh and direct lyrics. Still living and working on the family farm, Billy offers honest and unpretentious observations on life and love.
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