Leah Song of Rising Appalachia
Join Leah Song and Duncan Wickel for an intimate evening of folk music and story on Nov. 22 (and 23 if 22 sells out) from 7-9:30 p.m. Touring as a duo, these longtime collaborators of Rising Appalachia bring a soulful blend of traditional Appalachian ballads, banjo and fiddle tunes, original compositions and crowd favorites from their global Rising Appalachia catalogue. Together, they create a dynamic, intimate performance rooted in folk tradition and improvisational spirit.
Born into a musical family from Georgia, Song is a storyteller, song-catcher, musician, poet and community builder known primarily for her role as front-woman of Rising Appalachia, alongside her sister Chloe. As a soloist, she incorporates sultry vocals, storytelling, folklore, ballads and boleros into her laid-back troubadour performances. Her music is based on the traditions of Southern soul, the diasporic music of the Celtic Isles and her deep studies of traditional folk music from across the Americas.
Join John Reischman and Eli West for the continuation of the Christmas Concert series on Dec. 12 at Victorian Valley Chapel, established by the late Susan Osborne
John Reischman is one of the premier mandolinists of his generation. He’s a master instrumentalist capable of swinging between reinventions of traditional old-time tunes, deconstructions from the bluegrass repertoire and compelling original tunes, many of which have become standards. He’s also a powerful bandleader, touring his band, the Jaybirds, all over Canada and the United States. A member of the groundbreaking Tony Rice Unit, Reischman’s mastery of bluegrass, old-time, swing and multiple Latin American musical styles, coupled with an Old Master’s sense of tone, taste and musicality, has brought him a global reputation as one of the finest mandolinists of his era.
Eli West is a Seattle-based multi-instrumental musician and interactive graphic designer. With an interest in angular phrasing and non-traditional improvisation within the historic precedents of bluegrass and old-time music, his playing both grounds and pushes the ensembles he is involved with. Well-known for his work with Norwegian fiddler Olav Mjelva, Cahalen Morrison, Jayme Stone and more, he oozes understated talent. He has released three records as half of the new/old-time duo Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, which tours regularly throughout the United States and Europe. West is an active ingredient playing guitar, banjo, and bouzouki with both Stone’s Lomax Project and Reischman and the Pine Siskins.
Tickets for both shows are available at https://www.victorianvalleychapel.com/concert-series.
