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George Penk, fiddle; Clyde Curley, mandolin, octave mandolin, 4-string banjo, Sue Songer, piano. These musicians came together in 2000 to record the companion CD for The Portland Collection (1). Since that time, they have recorded a second CD and enjoy playing dances and dance camps together whenever the opportunity arises. George, Sue, and Clyde, known for their tight, rhythmic drive, are deeply rooted in the tradition of contra dance music and in maintaining a close connection to the dance floor. Their repertoire features both recent and traditional Irish, Québécois, and old time tunes.
Kathleen Towers, fiddle; Erik Weberg, flutes, harmonicas, bombarde, Jeff Kerssen-Griep, guitar, percussion; Sue Songer, piano, fiddle. Joyride got its start in 2000 as the 3-member band Three Wheeling, usually joined by Erik Weberg calling. Since then, Erik has become a full-fledged band member bringing the name change with him. Joyride plays dances and occasional camps all around the Northwest. Starting in the Fall of 06, Joyride will host a monthly contra dance in Portland on first Wednesdays. This band can offer a wide variety of sound, from traditional New England, to funky modern, from driving two-fiddle to Breton-influenced bombarde.
Sue Songer, fiddle; Lanny Martin, accordion; Jim Bell, guitar; Fred Nussbaum, cello-bass. Calico (along with various Dog-named bands) has hosted the first Saturday contra dance in Portland since 1997. (Sue and Lanny along with several other musicians founded this dance series in 1994.) Calico plays straight-ahead tunes from many genres with perhaps a leaning towards the music of Québec.
David Kaynor, fiddle (and sometimes calling); Rex Blazer, fiddle; Peter Siegel, mandolin; Sue Songer, piano. The TimeZones formed up at Fiddle Tunes when David needed to put a group together for his concert performance slot on the big stage. Someone in this East-West Coast band always has to travel for the gigs, which thus far have been either in the Northwest or New England. Although tune choices run the gamut from elegant Scottish to the latest compositions, this band plays with traditional stylings. David and Rex’s two-fiddle combo invests the music with a powerful energy.
Betsy Branch, fiddle; Sue Songer, piano. Often joined by Fred Nussbaum, cello-bass. Betsy’s playful, swingy fiddle style and Fred’s accomplished cello licks put a lot of zip into this band, which has played in several Northwest locales as well as for a week end in Austin, Texas. Tune selections run the gamut of choices.
David Kaynor,
fiddle (and sometimes calling); George Penk, fiddle; Fred Nussbaum, cello-bass;
Sue Songer, piano. Alan Roberts, fiddle; Dave Bartley, mandolin and other plectra; Phil Katz, accordion, Sue Songer, piano. Northern Lights has played around the Northwest since 2003. These four musicians with diverse backgrounds work well together to creating a solid, traditional sound, deeply rhythmic and danceable. Kathleen Towers, fiddle; Paula Hamlin, flute; Sue Songer piano The English Country Dance band Rainshadow formed up in 2000, and has played several times a year for English dances in Portland ever since. Kathleen and Paula each excel at both smooth melodic and beautiful harmony playing, so important to this style of music.
Fred Nussbaum,
cello-bass; Sue Songer, piano.
Sue Songer, conducting and fiddle; 74 other musicians This huge band plays once a year in Portland and every other year at the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle. Sue, along with Erik Weberg, organizes the band. A CD, The Portland Megaband, Live, was made from music recorded at the March 9, 2002 Portland dance. As well...Sue has had the opportunity to accompany Cathie Whitesides, Dudley and Jacqueline Laufman, Jamie Laval, John Culhane, Mary Lea, Mike Richardson, Vivian Williams and other fine dance fiddlers.
Photo credits: The Portland Connection and Joyride, Diana O'Farrell; TimeZones, John Gallagher; Jug of Punch, Rob Hoffman; The Portland Megaband, Mick Doherty |
