A night of American string-band music: good old-time feeling with a contemporary twist from Vandalia and femme-folk band Cornflower Jam.
Vandalia is dedicated to exploring the depth and breadth of American String-band music. Informed by tradition, but not chained to it, the group has found a niche inside of the old-time community as well as in the wider arts world that offers audiences a forward-looking take on traditional acoustic music. Formed from a chance encounter at the 2024 Baltimore Old-Time Festival, fiddler Dakota Karper, cellist Ellen Gira and guitarist Gabriel Furtado met in a late-night afterparty jam session.
The three musicians bring something all-their-own to the trio – West-Virginian born and raised, Dakota is steeped in the West Virginia fiddling tradition as the protege of master fiddler Joe Herrmann. A seasoned veteran of the both the D.C. and Glasgow music scenes, Ellen has made a reputation herself as one of the most versatile cellists in the trad world, adding her hallmark chop to countless ensembles and recordings, and stretching the boundaries of style with elements of the Scottish, Irish, American, Scandinavian and Canadian traditions. A classical-to-bluegrass guitar crossover, Gabriel is well known for his front-of-the-beat rhythm playing and driving pocket, heard at countless square dances, bluegrass festivals and jazz clubs in the greater Philadelphia area and beyond.
Together the trio creates a version of string-band music you can tap your foot to, or get lost in the details of the melodies. Weaving intricate fiddle and cello lines, gorgeous vocal harmonies, subtle guitar textures and exhilarating rhythmic drive, the pleasure these three musicians have creating and playing together is palpable, both in the studio and on the concert stage.
Cornflower Jam is a Philly-based femme folk band featuring rich harmony vocals, fiddle, cello, clawhammer banjo, cello, feet, and accordion. They are passionate about keeping traditional, world folk, and dance music alive by respecting source material while melding in their signature "crunchy" vocal harmonies and instrumentation. Cornflower Jam also composes and performs neo-traditional music of their own. From subversive folk covers to multi-layered harmonies, from haunting ballads to compelling original compositions, a Cornflower Jam show will engulf you in a cozy tapestry of sound, comfort, and joy.