The University of Chicago Folklore Society
1212 E. 59th St.
Chicago, IL 60637

Performers

Liz Carroll and Laurence Nugent

We are ecstatic to have the long-time fest-favorite and living legend Liz Carroll join us once again. A recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship award, a Junior and Senior All-Ireland Fiddle champion and as of April 2011, the first American- born composer honored with Ireland's highest traditional music prize, the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Cumadoir award, Liz is an icon in Irish fiddling. Playing with unparalleled skill and precision, Liz is sure to continue being an audience favorite.

Accompanying her this year is Laurence Nugent. No slouch himself, he's claimed the title of senior All-Ireland Champion Flute Player twice and has been a featured performer at Irish fests the country over. His soulful tones accompany Liz beautifully.

T'Monde

This rocking Cajun trio (Drew Simon, accordion and Vocals; Megan Brown,guitar and vocals; Kelli Jones, fiddle and vocals) offers waltzes, two-steps and soulful songs of the bayou to tantalize both the heart and the feet. Drew's been here before as part of the spectacular Pine Leaf Boys, but that stint accounts for but a few of the combined ten Grammy nominations these players bring with them. Influences ranging from early country, ancient French and Creole ballads, as well as modern Cajun, give them a unique and enticing sound.

Mike Feagan and the Fiddlegrass band

Mr. Feagan played with Bill Monroe in 87-88 and helped record the album "Southern Flavor" which won the first Grammy award for bluegrass music in 1988. Since then he's been a sought-after fiddler, having lent his talents to Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers, and Kody Norris and the Watauga Mountain Boys, among others. At long last he has a group of his own: on guitar is Jeremy Stephens has won many contests and previously worked with the Chuck wagon gang. On mandolin is Jack Kincaid who has worked with Josh Graves, Kenny Baker and Larry Sparks. On bass is Robert Montgomery who has been working with David Davis and the warrior river boys. On banjo is Luke Monday who has worked with Marty Raybon.

The Bucking Mules

This high energy young band (Joseph Decosimo, fiddle, banjo, vocals; Luke Richardson, banjo, harmonica, vocals; Karen Celia Heil, guitar, vocals; Joe Dejarnette, bass, vocals) can buck, snort, and throw down some of the best traditional old time mountain music! With tunes drawn from deep study of old 78s and visits with older master musicians, this band has gotten audiences grooving at notable festivals like The California Bluegrass Association's Father's Day Bluegrass Festival, the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association Festival, and Clifftop.

Ethan Leinwand

Piano man extraordinaire, Ethan Leinwand, plays St. Louis pre-war blues, Chicago boogie-woogie, New Orleans R&B and Texas barrelhouse blues, showcasing an often-overlooked blues tradition.

Idy y Vuelta

This ensemble presents glorious Son Jarocho, mixing African, Spanish and indigenous music and poetry from the Vera Cruz region of Mexico. Ida y Vuelta plays traditional "sones" some of which date back over 300 years, and aspire to make known their rich historical and musical value.

Oscar Wilson and Joel Paterson

Local bluesman Wilson teams up his wailin' guitar and vocals with Joel Paterson's rockin' backup band. Born into a musical family and with a half-century of experience under his belt, Wilson's larger than life stage presence and powerful, expressive voice promises to whip any audience into a frenzy.

Joel Paterson is one of the most respected guitarists on the Windy City music scene today. The blues/country/rockabilly/jazz guitar wizard has spent the last 10 years touring and recording with acts like Dave 'Honey Boy' Edwards, Wanda Jackson, Carl 'Sonny' Leyland, Jimmy Sutton's Four Charms, Deke Dickerson, and his own Joel Paterson's Blues Roundup and the Modern Sounds. Joel has rounded up a mighty fine group to support Wilson's sound