Thirteenth Annual
Princeton Traditional Music Festival
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 August ~ 2021
Read the biographies of
the
performers here. Some of them have web sites, so please take the time to click on the
links and see what they have to show you there.
There are many favourites coming back. We do however make sure that
there are new performers every year.
2021 PERFORMERS
(updated Aug 6)
A FORCE OF NATURE
A Force of Nature from Saltspring Island combines Michaela
Cunningham's virtuoso concertina with fiddle sensation
Annie Brown supplemented by traditional songs from Simon
Trevelyan.
LINDA ALLEN
Linda Allen from Bellingham is a collector of songs as
well as a songwriter deeply rooted in tradition. Her songs
bring alive the voices of pioneer women, suffragists,
Rosie the Riveter, immigrants and so many more. Her
passion for politics and history are at the heart of her
music but she also sings songs of healing informed by her
musical hospice work. Linda will have CDs for sale at the
festival. For more information about her work and her many
recordings please visit her website at
www.lindasongs.com .
ALLIE and MCLEOD
Allie and McLeod are Allie Ryser and MacLeod Cushing from
Blaine in Washington State. They are an instrumental duo
who play accordion, fiddle and guitar and whose repertoire
highlights the musical traditions of Canada, England,
Scotland and the US. They are regular performers at craft
and farmers' markets and festivals as well as buskers at
Robson Square and the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Allie and
McLeod will have CDs for sale at the festival.
ALEX ATAMANENKO and DAN SHLAKOFF
Alex Atamanenko and Dan Shlakoff from Castlegar have
performed together for a number of years in the Castlegar
area. Their performance will consist of traditional
Russian songs as well as songs from North America.
GRAHAM BALDWIN
Graham Baldwin is a founding member of the Vancouver
Morris Men and the Rattlebone Band. His performance will
include traditional as well as more modern songs from
Britain about the seasons and life's struggles. Graham
accompanies himself on guitar and melodeon.
BEVAN BARTLETT and FRIENDS
Bevan Bartlett from Vancouver grew up surrounded by
traditional songs, of which he says, "One of the magical
aspects of these old songs is the container they create
for fostering connection in the here and now -- the
physical and sensory experience of entering a song with
another person, the sense of being in communion with
something bigger (history? Ancestors? The eternal human
condition?) or simply a good reason to gather. Traditional
music has brought some wonderful people into my life. This
year I will be joined in harmony with some of those
people."
JON BARTLETT and RIKA RUEBSAAT
Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat are the founders of this
festival and have been singing together for over
forty-five years. Their repertoire ranges from sea
shanties and traditional ballads to logging and mining
songs. Their particular love is the songs of BC. They
have collected songs and history in the Princeton Archives
dating as far back as 1900. The result of this research
is two books: Dead Horse on the Tulameen: Settler Verse
from BC's Similkameen Valley, and the award-winning Soviet
Princeton: Sl im Evans and the 1932/33 Miners' Strike, and
a CD, "Now It's Called Princeton: Songs and Poems from the
Upper Similkameen" which contains 27 Similkameen songs and
poems. All of these items will be for sale at the
Festival. Visit their website at
www.jonandrika.org.
ROBERT BERTRAND
Robert Bertrand from Merritt started playing blues at the
age of twenty, first as a vocalist and harmonica player.
At twenty-one he began learning delta style blues and
American primitive guitar instrumentals. His influences
include Robert Johnson, Mississippi Fred MacDowell, John
Fahey, Leo Kotke and Brian Jones among others. Robert has
CDs for sale at the festival.
BOB BOSSIN
Bob Bossin from Gabriola Island founded the iconic
Canadian folk group Stringband, with whom he recorded such
classis Canadian songs such as "Tugboats," "The Maple Leaf
Dog," "Show us the Length" and "Dief will be the Chief
Again." Bob's books, articles and videos have won a shelf
full of honours. Bob has been a life-long activist. For
many years he participated in and chronicled the campaign
to save Clayoquot Sound. His 2021 Earth Day video, "Pass
it Along" has been viewed by over 20,000 people. Bob has
CD s and a book for sale at the festival. Please visit his
website at
www.bossin.com.
BRITISH COLUMBIA REGIMENT BAND
The British Columbia Regiment Band from Vancouver has been
in existence since 1899. They have provided ceremonial
music for civic events ever since. They usually perform in
house for the Regiment and in a normal year they perform
to tens of thousands of people. Their largest audience was
440,000 people at the Appledorn Parade in the Netherlands.
MICHAEL BURNYEAT
Michael Burnyeat from Vancouver has appeared often at this
festival and we're delighted to have him back. He is a fiddler
who plays with numerous Celtic, Folk and Country bands
throughout the Lower Mainland. He is the founder of the UBC
Fiddle club and is a two-time BC fiddle champion. In 2018 and
2019 Michael was a finalist in the Canadian Grandmasters
Fiddle competition. Michael's first solo CD will be for sale
at the festival.
BUSHY PARK
Bushy Park from Vancouver is an all-woman country band
that flips the gender on traditional favourites in a fun
and sassy way. Their songs tell stories of real people
that live outside the lines. The group is a collaboration
between four accomplished independent musicians who are
completely blessed out to be in an all-woman band
together. They express their joy through harmony and
humour by singing country old time classics together with
a sprinkling of original songs. Bushy Park has CDs and
T-shirts for sa le at the festival. Please visit their
website at
www.bushyparkmusic.com
LINDA CHOBOTUCK
Linda Chobotuck from Burnaby grew up surrounded by folk
music with a mother who came from a parlour singing
tradition and was an early disciple of the folk revival.
Back then everyone Linda respected as a musician was also
a songwriter, so from an early age she also wrote music.
She says, "I'm not very prolific but I've been doing it
for a long time so it adds up. After sleeping, people
spend most of their time at work so I am perhaps best
known as a singer and composer of labour songs, the most
widely reco rded of which is 'Canning Salmon,' which I
wrote just out of high school while working in a Richmond
cannery."
BARRY COLE
Barry Cole from Bellingham is self-taught on autoharp,
recorder, tin whistle, dulcimer, fiddle mandolin. Banjo,
saxophone, guitar and six other instruments. He is also a
singer and collector of ballads. He likes to sing with
fiddle and autoharp and to jam with other musicians. He is
also a dance musician and caller.
COUNTERCURRENT
Countercurrent, a contra dance and folk music band from
western Washington, consists of Alex Sturbaum and Brian
Lindsay. The duo features driving guitar, foot percussion,
lyrical fiddle and harmony vocals. In over ten years of
playing together Brian and Alex have developed a style
that brings forth the joy and nuance in the music they
play. The combination of Brian's tasteful tune-smithing
and Alex's punchy rhythms and gifted songwriting is not to
be missed. As they spread their music cross the northwest
an d beyond, Countercurrent continues to push their own
boundaries with new compositions, lively arrangements,
lush harmonies and driving grooves to keep you dancing
along. Countercurrent has CDs for sale at the festival.
Please visit their website at
www.countercurrentmusic.com.
DIGITARY DOS
Digitary Dos are a seven-piece band from Vancouver. Their
ever-changing personnel includes new and old performers
from the British Isles and other countries. They have been
performing English Country Dance music in various guises
(and disguises) for ten years. They play dance tunes and
airs from the 16th to the 20th Centuries.
JOHN GOTHARD
John Gothard from Brackendale is a singer and
multi-instrumentalist who has been performing traditional
music for many years. Born and raised in Liverpool ("The
Capital of Ireland"), John's style is a mixture of English
and Irish traditional songs together with other songs he
acquired after making a new life in Canada. John is
well-known in singing circles throughout the Pacific
Northwest. John's performance includes both a capella
songs and songs with guitar accompaniment.
ROSALEEN and DAVID GREGORY
Rosaleen and David Gregory from Nelson have an extensive
repertoire of traditional songs, which they love to share.
They met at Keele University in England in the 1960s and
brought their varied heritage to Canada shortly
thereafter. They have been active in the Canadian Society
for Traditional Music for many years. Rosaleen contributed
a regular column to the Society's magazine introducing
readers to the power, beauty and relevance of traditional
ballads. Rosaleen and David love the Princeton Traditional
Mu sic Festival for its integrity and spirit of
camaraderie. Rosaleen has CDs for sale at the festival.
Please visit her website at
www.rosaleengregory.ca.
TIM HALL
Tim Hall from Seattle is a singer of songs from hither and
thither - from old-time to maritime to ragtime. He is an
accomplished instrumentalist on guitar, banjo and
concertina and a collector of wonderfully clever and fun
songs.
LARRY HANKS and DEBORAH ROBINS
Larry Hanks and Deborah Robins from Portland perform old
American songs with stringed accompaniment and eclectic
harmonies. Their repertoire includes songs of the American
west, work songs, blues and sentimental songs of times
past. Larry Hanks is known as an "American Treasure," and
has been performing to international audiences for over 55
years. He is the composer of the beloved "Apple Tree
Picker's Reel." Larry and Deborah have CDs for sale at the
festival. Please visit their website at
www.larryhanks.com,
HARD ROW
Hard Row from Armstrong -- the father and daughter team of
Kaila and Kim Sinclair - are lovers of the richness of
traditional music. Throughout the year they each perform
on their own and perform together whenever they can. In
the folk tradition they sing old songs to tell today's
stories. The songs in their repertoire have survived
through time,sometimes changing rhtthm and often morphing
lyrics to become relevant for today. They are excited to
be performing again at the Princeton Traditional Music
Festiva l. Hard Row has CDs for sale at the festival.
Please visit them on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/A.Hard.Row.
HERCINIA
Hercinia from Seattle is named for a mythical glowing bird
that travels through the mountains. The group brings the
same otherworldly quality to their music. They first
played together at the 2019 Vachon sessions and have since
created a sound both innovative and timeless, driven by
Laura Bassett's clear vocals and thoughtful song
selection, Richard Reeve's powerful bass and the textures
and arrangements of Alex Sturbaum and Brian Lindsay.
Together Hercinia aims to bring to life old and new songs
that you m ight not have heard before.
JAEGER and REID
Jaeger and Reid are from Oakland, California. Some of the
best discoveries are made by accident. That's what
happened with the fusion of musical talents of Judith
Jaeger and Bob Reid. They unexpectedly found perfect
harmony while standing next to each other at a music camp
in 2015. Their musical spark caught fire, was noticed by
those around them and a wonderful collaboration was born.
They combine Judy's Canadian roots, striking vocals and
intelligent songs with Bob's California upbringing and his
own orig inal, engaging songs. Their artful blending of
guitars, ukulele and rich harmonies deliver an intimate
experience of meaningful music. Jaeger and Reid have CDs
for sale at the festival. Please visit their website at
www.jaegerreidmusic.com.
JASMINE FIONA
Jasmine Fiona from Aldergrove is an a capella singer
enchanted by the melodies of many traditions but with a
special affection for Appalachian ballads and laments. Her
performance will focus on the ancient songs carried by
Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English immigrants to the
Appalachians. These songs have survived and evolved
through the generations with the musical influence of
indigenous and enslaved people giving their melodies a
depth more haunting than those left behind in the old
country.
DAVID KESSLER
The songs David Kessler sings are surrounded by the odd
stories of how and where he learned them and what he had
to trade for them. He uses these stories to explain where
in his brain the songs live. With memories of growing up
in New England, living in Israel, hiking in Scotland,
marching in Basel, sailing in various countries, drinking
in various bars, opening various books, etc. He has
co-founded a shantysing, a rum cruise and the Single Malt
and Song Society. He co-produced the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony
and created The Child Book of Etiquette, which will be for
sale at the festival. Visit David's website at
www.ouphrontis.com.
LEAH WILLIAMS and FRIENDS
Singer-songwriter Leah Williams has been playing music most
of her life. Her musical talents have been heard in various
groups performing both original and traditional music. Wind
specialist Mark Dowding has been performing professionally
for fifty years in genres as diverse as folk fusion, Gypsy
jazz and Motown. Leah and Mark have been performing together
for over twenty years bringing stories to life with thoughtful
and expressive lyrics woven through a carefully crafted
instrumental tapestry. They will be joined on fiddle by Annie Brown.
LYN and DON
Lyn Pinkerton from Vancouver will be sharing European and
North American traditional ballads. Some of these are
funny and some are tragic. Lyn will be joined onstage by
musical friends.
LYNN MC GOWN and MICHAEL PRATT
Lynn and Michael from Vancouver have been singing together
for decades. The marriage of Lynn's Quebecois background
and Michael's British/Irish roots, together with their
rich voices creates beautiful music. They will be singing
a combination of traditional and more modern songs. Lyn
and Michael have CDs for sale at the festival. Please
visit their website at
www.opendoormusicschool.ca.
MADELEINE and JIM
How great to sing with you again! Come and join us for a
rip-roaring singalong of traditional folk songs.
NAKOS MARKER
Nakos Marker has been performing at the Princeton Traditional
Music Festival since its inception when he was sixteen years
old. At the time he performed with his late father, Mike Marker.
He has since come into his own as a resophonic guitarist and
singer. Expect blues, country and more than a few wild cards
from American tradition.
MY AMERICAN BOYFRIEND
My American Boyfriend consists of Ellen Van der Hoeven
from Vancouver and Tom Rawson from Orcas Island,
Washington. Ellen and Tom are song collectors who love to
sing, especially when there are lots of other folks who
want to sing with them. Join Ellen and Tom for some
humorous stories, user-friendly songs and acoustic folk
philosophy that's guaranteed to leave you smiling. Armed
with banjos, penny whistles, mandolins and other weapons
of mass delight, Ellen and Tom will have you singing along
in no time. T une up your vocal cords; you'll need 'em.
NORTH BY WEST
North by West consists of
Bevan Bartlett, Jon Bartlett, Henk Piket, Rika
Ruebsaat and Simon Trevelyan. The group has been
singing together for many years and is well-regarded
in the maritime music community. They have sung at
festivals on both coasts. Some of them are Honorary
Life Members of the Vancouver Folk Song Society and
are among the founding members of the VFSS Shanty
Crew. Sing along with them!
HENK PIKET
Henk Piket from Princeton is a
seasoned folkie who cut his teeth during the folk boom of
the 1960s. He usually performs with the Fraser Union
quartet, who have appeared several times at this festival.
Accompanying himself on guitar, Henk's repertoire consists
of "chestnuts" from the folk revival as well as a few
surprise songs.
RATTLEBONE BAND
Rattlebone Band plays for English ceilidh, English country
and contra dances. However, it also performs concerts with
an eclectic selection of songs and tunes, usually with a
strong British Isles influence but also some reflecting
our Canadian heritage. Besides a regular concert,
Rattlebone Band will also be playing and dance calling for
the Festival's Friday evening street dance. Visit their
website at
www.rattlebone.weebly.com.
RELATIVE MINERS
Relative Miners are Bevan Bartlett, Morgan Bartlett and
Stephen Ruebsaat. Coming from a family with a rich musical
tradition, these three have been involved in music since
childhood, with outputs ranging from hip hop to Balkan
brass to heavy metal. This will be their fifth year
performing mostly traditional songs from North America.
And, as usual, expect rich harmonies, sweet slide guitar
and wholesome family dynamics.
BRIAN ROBERTSON
Brian is perhaps best known for writing well-crafted songs
about his beloved west coast. He has two CDs for sale at
the festival - Saltchuck Serenade, and his latest, Times
and Places, which features songs about love, work, travel,
BC history and even some blues numbers. Apart from leading
his own trio, Brian is a noted singer of shanties,
appearing on occasion with Princeton Porch Party, and
frequently provides backup guitar to fiddlers at sessions
and performances. Please visit his website at
www.brianrobertson.ca.
CHRIS ROE
Chris Roe comes to Princeton from Olympia, Washington,
with a smorgasbord of songs and tunes from wide ranging
sources. Her choices range from medieval to contemporary,
including some original songs, but the emphasis is always
on the power of a song to convey a good story. Chris has
CDs for sale at the festival. Please visit her website at
www.folkhosts.com.
HARLEY ROTHSTEIN
Harley Rothstein from Vancouver has been teaching and
performing music based on his infectious love of the
traditional and folk music of many regions. His varied
experience includes singing in a classical choir, directing
liturgical services and leading rousing sing-alongs at
teacher gatherings. A solo vocalist with guitar, Harley
performs in a style that makes it easy and enjoyable to sing
along. Some of the songs will be familiar, others will be
new and all will move and delight you.
SAVOIR FAIRE
Savoir Faire from Vancouver performs traditional folk
tunes and songs from Europe and Canada. Led by an
old-fashioned button accordion, other instruments include
fiddle, flute, tambura, guitar and percussion. And, of
course, vocal cords.
SHANGHAIED ON THE WILLAMETTE
Shanghaied on the Willamette from upstate Oregon is the
lively musical duo of Jonathan Lay and Gordy Euler. They
perform songs and tunes "plundered from land and sea"
including traditional Celtic, English and old-time
American music with an emphasis on songs of the sea. They
accompany themselves with a "fleet" of instruments
including fiddle, bodhran, guitars. Mandola, tin whistle,
harmonica and banjo. Shanghaied on the Willamette have CDs
for sale at the festival. Please visit their website at
www.shanghaied.biz.
HELEN SHILLADAY
Helen Shilladay from Gabriola Island says she was "a relative
newcomer to the world of folk. My first memories are of the
voices of the folk revival heroes Maddy Prior, June Tabor and
others. Only much later in a cozy pub in Deryshire did I finally
join the folk family by plucking up the courage to sing. In folk
songs I find friendship, community, joy, and a connection to our
ancestors that gives us resilience for future hard times - just
what we need right now!"
PENNY SIDOR
Penny Sidor says that "There is a song for everything.
Songs inhabit me and I inhabit them." A singer since
childhood, a songwriter since the age of 55, Penny was
inspired by the folk revival of the 1960s. She traveled,
played festivals and coffeehouses, then settled in Toronto
to do a music degree at York University. "That experience
fed my life - musically, intellectually and in every other
way. Everything I learned turns up in my music." In 1985
she moved to Vancouver, living in the lively musical
commun ity near Commercial Drive and finding a home in the
Vancouver Folk Song Society. In 1998 she moved to Gabriola
Island where dogs and gardening took over her life. But
the songs are still alive. Her performances are warm,
heartfelt and full of fun. Penny has CDs for sale at the
festival.
ALEX STURBAUM
Alex Sturbaum from Seattle is a one-of-a-kind performer.
Steeped in musical traditions from both sides of the
Atlantic, Alex's love for the music and joy in playing it
is evident in every note. He is a powerful
instrumentalist, a gifted songwriter as well as an
interpreter of traditional songs He puts on an engaging
show, accompanying old and new songs on guitar and
bouzouki and getting the audience involved as much as
possible. Alex has CDs for sale at the festival.
TRADPOLES
Introducing Tradpoles! For the first time ever Princeton
is hosting a children's open mic session. Are you under
eighteen and would like to perform a traditional song? If
so, you are invited to perform it at the festival, and if
you have a backing band, bring them along to support your
performance. The way this works is that during the
festival Kris and Naomi will be recruiting under-eighteen
kids who are at the festival. There will then be a
Saturday run-through/rehearsal to get ready for Sunday's
performa nce. On Sunday at noon the "Tradpoles" will
perform the songs they have chosen and practiced. Kris and
Naomi will be circulating so if you're interested, please
ask festival organizers, your parents and friends to help
locate us.
UNDER BEECH WOOD
Under Beech Wood is a place in winter where two Vancouver
musicians, unable to meet indoors during covid, huddled to
play a little "contraband" live music under a huge and
protective beech tree. As winter turned into spring and
restrictions eased, the duo grew to four and then to six
with each bringing their experience of Irish, English and
French traditions to the mix. From these roots the group
is branching out, combining sounds anew as the world opens
up again.
VANCOUVER MORRIS MEN
The Vancouver Morris Men were formed in 1982. Their goal
was to maintain English folk traditions, specifically
Morris dancing. The group uses its performances to
celebrate the changing of the seasons throughout the year.
Spring and summer is when they perform South Midlands
(Cotswold) Morris while Welsh Border Morris and Molly are
performed during the autumn and winter. Watch for their
waving handkerchiefs and hear their bells as they perform
guerrilla dances in the street during the Festival. Please
visit their website at
www.vancouvermorrismen.org.
THE WHEAT IN THE BARLEY
The Wheat in the Barley is celebrating their 25th anniversary
this year. This multi-cultural, multi-instrumental group has
toured BC and Alberta extensively. They breathe new life into
traditional tunes and are sometimes accused of fiddle abuse.
The tunes are spattered with a handful of traditional songs and
originals composed by Steve Gidora. The Wheat in the Barley has
CDs for sale at the festival. Visit their website at:
www.wheatinthebarley.com.
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