Tues. May 28: James Maddock – A rock & roll lifer, James Maddock has been carving his unique path since the 1980s, when the British-born singer/songwriter kicked off his career with a raw, soulful voice; a storyteller’s sense of narrative; and the ability to blur the lines between folk, classic pop, and rock. Rain venue: Ridgefield Playhouse (RP) Underwritten in part by the law firm of Cohen & Wolfe, P.C.
Tues. June 4: Hayes Carll –
A singer and songwriter with a rock & roll heart and a country soul, Hayes Carll has won a devoted following in roots rock and Americana circles for music that honors the traditions of vintage country but with the swagger and swing of rock, while speaking from the perspective of a regular guy with street smarts and stories to tell. Rain venue: RP Underwritten through the generosity of Naomi Stern
Tues. June 11: Matuto – “Its joyous, ebullient music…merges the Forro folkloric music ofr Brazil with the sounds of all-American bluegrass.”(Chicago Tribune). Rain venue: TBD Underwritten in part by the Anna Maria & Stephen Kellen Foundation
Thurs. June 13: Matt Andersen – http://www.stubbyfingers.ca – Nominated in 2015 for a Juno award, this Canadian powerhouse has over 18 million views on you tube. At CHIRP he has received standing ovations at all prior performances. We joyously welcome him back! Rain venue: TBD Underwritten through the generosity of
Tues. June 18: Dust Bowl Revival- The bands “upbeat, old-school, All- American sonic safaris exemplify everything shows should be: hot, spontaneous, engaging …and a pleasure to hear.” (L.A. Weekly). Awarded best live band in L.A., joyously pumping out early 20th century standards and original tunes. http://www.DustbowlRevival.com. Rain venue: RP Underwritten through the generosity of the 3 B’s Foundation
Thurs. June 20: Bumper Jacksons – This band paints America’s story from the streets of New Orleans to Appalachian hollers. Unafraid to scrap together new sounds from forgotten 78’s, they elegantly balance paying homage to the traditions while fashioning their own unique, playful style. Honored multiple times as the Mid-Atlantic’s “Artist of the Year” & “Best Traditional Band” at the Washington Area Music Awards. Rain venue: ERMS Underwritten through the generosity of The Ridgefield Thrift Shop
Tues. June 25:Dana Fuchs Band – www.danafuchs.com/ Dana Fuchs is an incredibly strong woman, a survivor of terrible life losses, and the beautiful mother of a healthy son, Aidan, born in Sept. 2016. She also possesses a kickass voice that many of you have been asking for since she was last here in 2011. We are honored to have her back. Rain venue: RP Underwritten through the generosity of Gary & Susie Singer
Thurs. June 27: Jamie McLean Band- “McLean and company ooze drops of southern roots rock, blues, R&B, funk and soul out of every note… the rock & roll swagger of the Rolling Stones combined with the songwriting prowess of Ryan Adams.” – Jambase. Back for a second year after debuting to much applause last year. http://www.jamiemcleanband.com Rain Venue: RP
Tues. July 2: Paul DesLauriers Band– Montreal-based, Canadian Blues rockers who combine rock with straight-ahead blues in a way that echoes the vibe of the great power trios from the 60’s and 70’s. Paul desLauriers was crowned Entertainer of the Year for the second year in a row at the 21st annual Maple Blues Awards held on January 15th 2018 in Toronto, Canada. The band also won multiple Maple Blues Awards. Rain venue: RP Underwritten thanks to The Wadsworth Russell Lewis Trust Fund
Thurs. July 4: The Barefoot Movement – 4:00 p.m. show – 2014 IBMA Momentum Award winners for “Band of the Year,” this string quartet from Hendersonville, TN. plays mostly original music that isn’t quite country and certainly isn’t tradiational bluegrass. But notwithstanding, their fan base keeps growing. http://www.thebarefootmovementofficial.com Rain venue: RP. Underwritten through the generosity of Purkiss Capital Advisors, LLC.
Tues. July 9: C.J. Chenier & his Red Hot Louisiana Band – This perennial favorite, The “The Heir to the Zydeco Throne” (Billboard Magazine) returns for the 10th consecutive year. Need we write more? Rain venue: RP Underwritten through the generosity of Sam Hur, Ridgefield Cleaners
Thurs. July 11: Front Country – http://www.frontcountryband.com – A hybrid of rugged Americana and purposeful pop, “they somehow strike that perfect blend of soaring vocals, impressive playing and interesting song choices” ( Fretboard Journal). Progressive bluegrass at its best. Rain venue: RP Underwritten thanks to the generosity of Chris Pike, Ridgefield Music
Tues. July 16: Low Down Brass Band – Sounding at times like a New Orleans trad band, a funkified Tower of Power-style outfit, and a horn-rock group, this Chicago based brass band has perfected a gritty and dynamic sound. Rain venue: RP
Thurs. July 18: The Hillbenders – Formed in April of 2008, and still touring with the original lineup, The HillBenders have firmly established their presence as one of the most energetic and engaging progressive acoustic bands on the scene and they continue to wow audiences from stages around the contry and around the world. Rain venue: RP Underwritten thanks to the generosity of The John Katz Family Foundation
Tues. July 23: Metropolitan Klezmer – Inspired interpretations and originals around a panorama of eclectic Yiddish repertoire, with musical influences ranging from Eastern European to Zydeco, Jazz , Latin, Funk etc. Rain venue:RP. Underwritten through the generosity of the Leir Foundation.
Thurs. July 25: Hot Club of Cowtown – Celebrating their 22nd year together and their 14th appearance at CHIRP, Elana James, Jake Erwin and Whit Smith possess “an arsenal full of technique and joy.” (NYTimes) Western Swing doesn’t get better than this. Rain venue: RP Underwritten through the generosity of the Family of Alex Heckert
Tues. July 30: Cherish the Ladies – “An astonishing array of virtuosity” (Washington Post). One of the most engaging ensembles in the history of Celtic music returns to Ridgefield for their bi-annual visit. Rain venue: RP Underwritten thanks to the generosity of Tom & Marlene Gerhard
Thurs. Aug.1: The Brother Brothers – The Brother Brothers are Adam and David Moss, identical twins carrying on the folk tradition for a new generation. Using minimal instrumentation, heartfelt lyricism, and harmonies so natural they seem to blend into one beautiful voice, the siblings draw on the energy and creativity of Brooklyn, New York, though it was Peoria, Illinois where they grew up. http://www.thebrotherbrothersmusic.com Rain venue: RP Underwritten through the continuing generosity of Bob & Loire Leavitt
Tues.Aug. 6: Sam Reider & The Human Hands – Sam Reider is an award-winning composer, multi-instrumentalist, and singer who is making waves at the intersection of the jazz and Americana worlds. Together with The Human Hands, an ensemble of acoustic musicians based in Brooklyn, the band has appeared at major festivals throughout the US, performed live on the BBC, and completed a ten day tour of the UK. Their 2019 season includes headline performances at the Savannah Music Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center. http://www.samreidermusic.com/thehumanhands/ Rain venue: ERMS. Underwritten thanks to the generosity of the Anna Maria & Stephen Kellen Foundation.
Thurs. Aug. 8: Damn Tall Buildings – From Boston, with a bluegrass foundation, they are not your traditional bluegrass ensemble. The band coined the term “guerrilla roots” to describe its sound, which draws on early-20th-century Americana/bluegrass music, “repurposed for a modern audience.”” (Boston Globe). DTB celebrated themes of rural, poor America with sharp musicianship, creativity, and humor.” (Sound of Boston). http://www.damntallbuildings.com/home Rain venue: RP
Tues. Aug. 13: Cris Jacobs – Whether alone with just the guitar and his voice or surrounded by a full band, Cris Jacobs enchants listeners with his inspired, poignant songwriting, virtuous guitar playing, and soulfully transcendent voice. After a decade, five records, and 200 shows a year as principal songwriter and frontman for Baltimore-based band The Bridge from 2001-2011, Jacobs is now writing music for his own band that is reflective of the issues that concern him today. Rain venue: RP
Thurs. Aug. 15: Town Mountain – Town Mountain have made a name for themselves in bluegrass and roots circuits and have amassed a sizable catalog of original songs. They’ve toured with a who’s who of like-minded artists, including Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys, the Del McCoury Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, and many others. In 2016, Town Mountain made their Grand Ole Opry debut, performing both at the Opry House and at the famed Ryman Auditorium. Rolling Stone says Town Mountain brings “A fresh perspective on fast-fingered traditional bluegrass, with forays into rockabilly and old-school country.” http://www.townmountain.net Rain venue: RP. Underwritten through the great generosity of the Ridgefield Thrift Shop
Tues. Aug. 20: The Sarah Potenza Band – A top 20 selection of NBC’s 2015 The Voice, Sarah turned all the judges heads and chairs at her blind audition. Subsequently in 2016 she released Monster which prompted Rolling Stone to gush, “Potenza is to the blues what Adele is to pop: a colossal-voiced singer who merges her old-school influences with a modernistic sound.” Filled with messages of self-worth, determination, and drive, Road to Rome, her most recent release shines new light on this talented singer/songwriter. http://www.sarahpotenza.net Rain venue:ERMS Underwritten through the generosity of William Leventon
Thurs. Aug 22: Johnny Nicholas & Hell Bent featuring Scrappy Jud Newcomb – This blues singer has spent a lifetime soaking up the flavor of such vibrant music scenes as Chicago, Southwest Louisiana and Texas (which he’s called home now for nearly 40 years). His music is full-spectrum Americana — a rich gumbo of not just blues, but cajun, swing, folk, and barrelhouse rock ’n’ roll. http://www.johnnynicholasblues.com Rain venue: RP
Tues. Aug. 27: Marcia Ball- She is “the Queen of Gulf Coast party music…good time boogie and blues…oozes southern atmosphere that carries you straight to the bayou….infectious rhythmic patters of the Crescent City run through her music like a rich vein of gold. “(Time Out Chicago) We’re thrilled to have her back. Rain venue:TBD
Underwritten thanks to the generosity of Jon & Allison Stockel
Thurs. Aug. 29: The Pine Leaf Boys – Louisiana’s finest, this band has made a name for presenting their own inimitable brand of Louisiana music with youthful exuberance, blending the sounds of Cajun, Zydeco, Swamp-Pop, Country, and Soul. The Boys have garnered one Grammy® award (2012 Best Regional Roots) and four Grammy® Nominations, as well as six invitations from the U.S. State Department to present their music to 23 countries throughout Europe and Asia. New York Times described their music as “the link that connects the young and the old generations,” and Rolling Stone Magazine quoted, “the best new, energetic, and fun Cajun band in a very long time.” Rain venue:TBD
Thurs. Sept. 5: The Fairfield Counts- Kicking off this year’s Jazz, Funk and Blues festival – 7:00 p.m. – This 18 piece swing band plays the music of the big jazz bands of the 30’s and 40s, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington and so much more. Rain venue: RP
We hope you’ve enjoyed our 2019 Season. Keep supporting live music in our town throughout the rest of the year. We’ll see you again in 2020
CHIRP 