Doors open at 7:00, concert starts at 7:30
Concert (online): Music of American Waterways, and the songs, history, culture, and characters they give rise to
With Janie Meneely and Rob van Sante, George Ward, and Lee Murdock
The publication of Janie Meneely's new book of songs about the Chesapeake Bay, Sing the Bay Fantastic, inspired this get-together by folks who are well-known for exploring through song various American regional waterways and their histories, and the cultures and characters they gave rise to.
Janie Meneely spent years living on, studying, and singing about the Chesapeake Bay. George Ward did the same for the Erie Canal and other upstate New York waters, and Lee Murdock swims in the music of the Great Lakes.
Janie Meneely decided at age 50 that writing and producing songs and concerts showcasing Chesapeake Bay's people, history and traditions was her next vocation. Growing up on the Annapolis waterfront introduced her to plenty of mariners—both commercial and recreational; young and ancient. Twenty-five "formative" years of writing and editing magazine stories about those folks gave her plenty of fodder for her musical forays. By crafting "true" songs about the Bay, she hopes her efforts culminate in more people embracing the health and well-being of the Chesapeake ecosystem, both human and aquatic. And singing. More singing, of course. She'll be joined tonight by Rob van Sante, a performer who has made his mark on Scottish and English folk music, and made his way into janie's heart and life.
Singer, songwriter, and folklorist George Ward lives a short walk from the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal, which has been both the subject of his historical and folkloric studies and the inspiration of many of his best original songs. A lifelong collector and performer of traditional songs, he draws on the rural singing tradition of the American Northeast for his main inspiration. George’s writing includes contemporary songs, often in traditional style, dance tunes and other explorations for a variety of traditional instruments, and soundtracks for a number of film and television productions.
Lee Murdock has uncovered a boundless body of music and stories in the Great Lakes. Taking snapshots from history, his songs summon the listener to take a front-row seat, to look through the eyes and into the hearts of individuals who have shaped our heritage on and around the Great Lakes. Noted as a fluent instrumentalist on six and twelve string guitars, he combines ragtime, Irish, blues and folk styles with this flair for storytelling in songs. His musical influences span fifteen generations, and combine original compositions with traditional music.
While you wait for the Wellerman to come from New Zealand, you can anticipate the delivery of American water songs instead.
Register by clicking on the registration button, and we'll give you the Zoom link.
Cost to register: free; Suggested donation: $20 per listener. (If you feel generous and can afford it, a higher amount will help support the performers.)
Donate to performers
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General information on the 2020/2021 Sunday evening concert series is on the Concerts page.
