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North California Venues

Updated Feb 24, 2008

Fresno is home to an amazing variety of musicians. Old-Time, Bluegrass, Cajun, Irish and other Celtic music, as well as swing and traditional jazz, Armenian, Greek, Balkan--just to name a few are played by Fresno Folklore Society Members. Here are a few of the most prominant Fresno musical groups and musicians featuring FFS members:

  

 

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Jon Adams

Jon Adams (guitar & vocals) “interstate minstrel who sings anything you can get away with at a campfire.” Jon is also well known in the community as a sketch artist
Jemmy Bluestein

Jem Bluestein performs solo or in combo or w/ band for concerts, parties, dances, kids' concerts or rallies, etc.   Wide variety of folk styles including Appalachian, country blues, Cajun, Zydeco, Celtic, Mexican, Yiddish, Greek, blues, R&B and reggae.  His electric dance band (Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, R&B, reggae) is Lonesome Jem and the Lunatics.  (Personnel varies).  PH: 298-1623
Terry Barrett

Terry Barrett is a multi-talented musician playing fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. A protege of Kenny Hall, Terry has a wealth of musical styles and tunes under his belt. Italian, Scandinavian, Old Timey, and Celtic music are all part of his repetoir. Terry has been featured on albums by Kenny Hall and Fresno Spelman and others. He also does sound engineering and recording and also tunes pianos. He may be reached at (559)228-8863 or E-Mail

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Larry Cusick

Larry Cusick is the organizer and caller of contra dances here in Fresno. Not only that he plays fiddle and his wife Susan Heidebrecht plays bodhran in a group called Rosecanna. See Larrys own homepage or send E-mail to Larry CuisickHe also has a Contra Dance Page and some of his own music compositions in ABC format.

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Kenny and Marta Hall Kenny Hall is an internationally known mandolin and fiddle player. He has recorded several albums of old time stringband music and has influenced many Californian musicians. He has performed at the Smithsonian Folklife festival and has toured in Ireland and Europe. He currently plays with Terry Barrett, and his wife Marta Hall as Kenny Hall and the Long Haul String Band. Book Kenny by phoning 559-226-5595

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Fresno Spelman Fresno Spelman and the Great Danes Scandinavian Ensemble both feature the fine Scandinavian accordian playing of Lennart Kullberg. Fresno Spelman is Lennart Kullberg, Terry Barrett on fiddle, and John Adams on guitar. The Great Danes Scandinavian Ensemble features Lennart and up 6 or more other fine musicians on fiddles, mandolins, guitars. Both groups are regular featured performers at the Solvang and Kingsburg Swedish Festivals. The Great Danes have also performed at a huge festival somewhere in Minnesota. Contact Lennart Kullberg at (559)434-9085 or E-Mail Terry Barret

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Pipe on the Hob Pipe on the Hob is the most prominent and long lasting Celtic band in Fresno. It has existed in one form or another for at least 19 years! In its present form Pipe on the Hob is: Donn Beedle on fiddle and mandola, Carl Johnsen on hammered dulcimer, whistle and flute, Kathryn Johnsen on harp and keyboard, Karana Hattersley-Drayton on guitar,keyboard and vocals, plus Sean McHenry on bodhran and vocals. They can be seen playing at Renaissance Fairs, weddings, private parties, the Scottish Games, and other Celtic events. For info you can E-Mail Carl Johnsen or call (559)229-8808 webpage

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John Chookasian John Chookasian a very talented Armenian musician plays oud and clarinet. He has two groups: The John Chookasian International Folk Ensemble playing Armenian, Greek and other regional folk styles and Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble playing classical and folkloric music featuring musicians from the USA and Armenia) For booking, CD, and tape info call (559)449-1777

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E.Z. Mark E.Z Mark a very talented musician plays lots of different styles on his fiddle and guitar. Mexican and Balkan are his specialties. Check out his web page http://home.comcast.net/~tenorguitar/

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  Greencastle is Jean Kilpatrick on fiddle; Skip Rollf on mandolin; Dean Lloyd on concertina and harmonica. They play a mixture of old time, celtic & other musical styles. Heritage has performed at local events put on by the Fresno County Historical Society, Fresno Metropolitan Museum, San Joaquin River Parkway, Civil War Reenactment, Clovis Farmer's Market and Auberry Wild Flower Festival. Greencastle and other musicians join together as the "Wawona Philharmonic", providing music for traditional dances at Yosemite's Pioneer History Center during the summer months. A cassette recording is available. Contact Dean Lloyd, 559-237-8666 or E-mail deanlloyd@aol.com

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 Harps at Play Harps At Play is self taught harpers Anita Pazeian and Mary Smith, who have played together for the past seven years. Their blend of classical and traditional approaches to music results in their own unique musical style. They select and arrange their music to enhance the rich tones of the traditional harps they play. While their music embraces different time periods to include simple medieval melodies and modern tunes of today, their emphasis is on the Celtic music that spans the centuries. Anita and Mary play throughout California at Renaissance Fairs, weddings, parties, and other social gatherings.
Harps at Play may be reached at 222-0351 or 225-0441.Website

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  McTeggart is an Irish kitchen ceili (KAY-lee) band. In the tradition of countless generations, they lead a family-style party -- a ceili -- featuring lively music, easy group dances for all, sing-alongs and Irish step-dancing performances. Band leader Kevin Hall is a third-generation Irish dance instructor and caller, a skill learned at home from his mother Maureen McTeggart Hall, director of the McTeggart Irish Dancers (the oldest and among the largest Irish dance schools in North America, with classes in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas and Utah.) Kevin says his family's music and dancing tradition -- rooted in the flagstone-floor kitchen parties of rural Ireland -- is "younger than mountains, older than the trees." Contact Kevin at 559-227-6421 or Hallmos@aol.com.

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Highlands and Lowlands Highlands and Lowlands is an enthusiastic band of musicians from the mountains and valley hence their name. They play and sing a variety of Irish and Scottish songs and have cut several CD's Email Linda Dryden

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Heartland Harvest Heartland Harvest features it's own unique mix of folk, country, bluegrass, old time, celtic, hispanic and european styles of acoustic music. Weproduce a varied mix of vocal and dance music to suit your event. Currently all the musicians reside in Fresno California Visit their homepage for more information

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Flutes of Fancy

Flutes of Fancy are Bert and Dorothy Barth. They play a variety of music on recorders for weddings, renaissance faires, and other cultural events. For more information be sure to see their lovely webpage . They have moved to Northern California.

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Rosetree

RoseTree are Kathryn and Carl Johnsen. They play Celtic music for weddings and other occasions on Hammered Dulcimer, Harp and whistle. They have a demo CD available. email or call (559) 229-8808 and check out their webpage

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Steve Ono Steve Ono is an excellent jazz guitarist and composer. He carries on the tradition and spirit of Frank Hicks, the "king of the passing chord". You may find out more at his webpage or by email

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Karen Marguth

Karen Marguth:  Vocalist  30s and 40s jazz  Much appreciated by local jazz musicians, she is asked to perform  with Armen Nalbandjan, Kevin Hill,  Rich Severson, Rick Canfield, Dave Ruffner.  She’ll be performing at the 2007  Rogue Festival. Myspace Email:  waefae@yahoo.com

Scats on the Sly

Scats on the Sly: Mike Newton, guitar; Martin Hansen, bass; Sue Beevers, fiddle; Mallory Moad, vocals & poster girl. With their jazzy string-swing sound, this copasetic quartet will take you on a jumpin’ journey to a time when songs had charm, wit and sophistication and beat boxes, Marshall stacks and political correctness had yet to make an appearance.   www.myspace.com/scatsonthesly

Smiley Mountain Band

Smiley Mountain Band—North Fork-Yosemite area:  Jeff Gurule and Ed Heiss Bluegrass and original compositions. www.smileymountainband.com

Mirage is Jim Karagozian on Kanun and oud, Eddie Karagozian on Dumbek, Michel Awad on Derbekki and Khatchig Jingirian on keyboards and vocals. Between them, Mirage has many years of individual musical experience from which to draw. Together, they skillfully enliven traditional folk music for a modern audience without diminishing its original charm. The result is a repertoire of songs appealing to a wide variety of listeners and dancers.  Their cd Yarus is available at www.thebigdrums.com
Cerro Negro Cerro Negro is not a Folklore Society affilliated group but they play an interesting blend of "Flamenco and Rhumba Nueva" as they put it. They have several CD's available for purchase.
Contact:  Frank Giordano  (559) 284–5128   John Martin III  (559) 222-8522      E-mail: Info@CerroNegro.net

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Zambra Zambra is not a Folklore Society affilliated group. Students of Juan Serrano, they play their own compositions and arrangements of traditional Flamenco guitar music. -mail: dxiong99@jps.net or PRE_Records@hotmail.com or Jaswhm@aol.com or Tel.: 559-252-2091

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  Adrianna Sanchez has been a Flamenco dance teacher for 25 years and maybe it is appropriate to list her here with all the flamenco musicians. 435-5207

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 Inyana Inyana is Native Americans Lance "Fluteman" Canales and Benjamin Cline. They play original compositions on Native American Flute, guitar and Drums. For information and CD's see Black Oak Records

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Good Medicine Good Medicine is a duo hailing form North Fork, CA. Debbie Hutchins plays 6 and 12 string acoustic electric and electric guitars and sings, Frank Sipes writes the songs, sings and plays bass. Both have impressive musical credentials. They call their style of music "Folkadelic" drawing from folk and blues to country and tinged with rock,jazz and funk. They have a CD "Sketches". For further information phone (559) 877-4431 or E-mail their agent

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  Laura Olson plays traditional Irish music on harp, fiddle, and mandolin and teaches music in Clovis 559 299-9708

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 Blind Dog Blind Dog enjoys playing an eclectic mix of tunes which bubble up through the diverse musical backgrounds  of its members:  traditional American, Celtic, Bluegrass and Classical.  Musicians are John McDaniel (guitar, mandolin, banjo, bodhran), Bruce Honeyman (guitar, mandolin, harmonica, vocals), Ann Munson (guitar, pennywhistle, keyboard, vocals), David Fox (cello), Kathy Wosika (fiddle, bodhran).  You can find Blind Dog  at various venues and events in Fresno as well as a yearly Garden Tour gig in Big Sur.  Contact Kathy for info

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Tocanto, led by singer Paola (of Rio de Janeiro) and John Kilburn, play many Brazilian music styles and perform on a wide variety of authentic Brazilian instruments. They are very popular with the FFS membership and have a CD. Sierra Entertainment is their umbrella organization

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Baloney Creek has been performing together for the past year. They have entertained at events such as bluegrass festivals, as well as private parties, convalescent homes, churches, etc. Their own personal bluegrass style has a twist of swing, a bit of blues, and a collection of old time fiddle tunes incorporated.
(559)281-3238 www.baloneycreek.com

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Fresneaux Ramblers

Fresneaux Ramblers is Terry Barrett (fiddle and mandolin), Gary Arcemont (fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin), Dean Lloyd (harmonica, accordions, pennywhistle), Bruce Honeyman (guitar, mandolin) This quartet of experienced musicians presents a musical gumbo with a richness in its variety of instrumentation, vocals and folk styles.  They will entertain you with authentic American Roots Music--from the cajuns of Louisiana, the celtic music of Ireland and Scotland, and the old-timey country string band music of the Appalachian mountain folks.  Hear them at Body in the Bog and Sequoia Brewery monthly. Contact Terry Barrett at tbarrett@cvip.net or (559) 228-8863

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 Godfrey Coppinger has performed as a storyteller and folk singer since 1980. Her repertoire includes original stories and songs, as well as a vast multitude of
traditional tunes and tales from around the world. She plays with guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, accordian,Native American flute, penny whistle, ocarina, washboard, pots and pans - well, you get the message. The operative word in all of Godfrey’s performances is PLAY. For more information, contact Godfrey at odfreygodfrey@aol.com

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Roscanna

Roscanna is Larry Cusick (fiddle), Chris Eacock (guitar), Bruce Honeyman (mandolin), Laura Olsen (harp, fiddle) and Susan Heidebrecht (bodhran). . Email Larry Cusick

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Eva Scow

Eva Scow - Eva is an outstanding young musician. In addition to Lyquid Amber, Eva plays in the Brazilian group Tocanto and in college orchestras. She is at home in the classical, folk and jazz idioms. She is available for weddings and other occasions. Visit her website for contact info.

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GrassKickers

GrassKickers - Traditional & contemporary bluegrass w/ some original material. Doug Bremseth - guitar & vocal, Bob Garcia - mandolin & vocal, Bearrrr Murray - bass & vocal, Dixon Smith - banjo & vocal
email or phone 559 287-5596 Website

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Brad Roders

Brad "The Dude Boy Rogers has been writing and performing his own country music for about 20 years. Visit his website. For booking email or call (559) 736-5235)

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John Kilburn:  7-string guitar, jazz, Brazilian, various groups.  John Kilburn lives in North Fork with his wife Paola Steblein of Brazil. He often performs at weddings in Yosemite. Website www.Yosemiteweddings.com and www.sierraent.com
Rosewood

Rosewood:  duo to full group various styles:  Rich Sarois and others.  See list of Rosewood selections at www.sierraent.com

Rich Sarois: vocal and accordion, performs Spring and Fall during lunch at the Boulangerie. Rich Sirois brings sophisticated instrumentals and/or vocals to your wedding as a solo, duo, trio, or full band. PH; 559-824-0876
Los Zuñigas

Los Zuñigas: Henry and Nancy Zunigas play the mandolin and guitar. They harmonize on traditional Mexican and Spanish ballads, classic hits of the 1970s, and country and bluegrass tunes. A CD is available. http://www.zunigamusic.com

Red Rag Andy Band: Andy Brown (guitar), Terry Barrett (fiddle and mandolin), Barry Schultz (fiddle, guitar, harmonica, and banjo) and Barbara LaRae (String Bass, banjo and guitar). The band came in third out of 26 Bands that competed last September at the old Time Music Festival held in Berkeley. Email

 

If you are a FFS affiliated musician and want to be listed on the musicians page please email Carl