The Great North Woods Committee for the Arts announces this week its fall concert series for the Colebrook Country Club. "We're bringing the world to Colebrook with these four shows," said GNWCA President Charlie Jordan. "From the Delta and Bayou to Norway, Sweden and the Shetland Isles, Canada to right her in deep roots story-telling Americana, we feature shows that bring four decidedly different genres which share one common thread: a stunning repertoire of music performed by internationally acclaimed musicians."

The Colebrook Country Club series kicks off on Friday, Sept. 29 with the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc is a fiddle trio from Norway, Sweden and the Shetland Islands who swiftly gained a reputation for their gripping and unique blend of fiddle music since their inception in early 2009.

Members include Anders Hall from Sweden and Kevin Henderson from the Shetland Islands. Rounding out the trio for this tour is Norwegian fiddler Erlend Viken from Oppdal in Norway, who is widely regarded as one of the top fiddlers in Norway at present on both fiddle and hardanger fiddle. Regarded as leading exponents of their respective traditions, they're in worldwide demand. Their clever use of harmony, rhythm, riffs and bass lines creates a sound that leaves the listener enthralled but at the same time amazed that the sound only comes from three fiddles. This show is co-sponsored by VR Concrete, Inc.

World Music moves to the forefront on Saturday, Oct. 14, when the GNWCA brings back to town the Sultans of String. "This group, touring this time as a trio, will dazzle the audience with their high-energy musicianship," said Jordan. Captivating their audiences with their genre-hopping panorama of flamenco, Gypsy-jazz, Arabic, Cuban and South Asian rhythms, mixed in with Celtic reels, this Toronto-based group takes its audience on an audio explosion from all corners of the globe.

"We go deep into the Delta Blues world with our next show," Jordan explained. Michael Jerome Browne is set to bring his unmistakable rhythms to the Country Club on Friday, Oct. 27. As Michael explains, "For over 30 years now, I have studied, composed, and recorded many kinds of roots music and performed on many continents. Blues, Old Time, Cajun, Country, Soul and Swing-roots is the music I play on guitars, banjos, fiddle, mandolin and harmonica. It is also the music I sing." Hold onto your felt hat and upturned collar, as Michael is going to immerse you into the Bayou-but fear not, he'll bring you home by the end of the night. But what a ride!

"We're thrilled to be able to have the internationally acclaimed singer Tracy Grammer agree to add Colebrook to her November tour," said Jordan. "Her music is legendary and her following wide." For her show on Friday, Nov. 10, Tracy will be touring with Jim Henry. The duo is synonymous with impeccable musicianship, tight harmonies, a diverse repertoire, and the kind of musical chemistry and humorous banter you'd expect from musicians who have been touring together for more than a decade. Tracy Grammer is highly regarded in the folk world for her entertaining stories, soothing alto, spirited fiddle, and guitar work that is punchy and intricate. A one-time member of Joan Baez's band, she has traveled throughout North America, Europe, and Japan playing her own songs and those of her favorite writers, while also paying tribute to songwriter Dave Carter, with whom she performed and recorded from 1996 until his sudden death in 2002. She is called "one of the finest pure musicians anywhere in folkdom" by the Boston Globe. Her musician partner this night, Jim Henry, is an accomplished songwriter and one of folk and Americana's go-to instrumentalists, just off the road from a three-year stint as a member of multiple Grammy-winner Mary Chapin Carpenter's band. With an arsenal that includes acoustic/electric guitars, Dobro, and mandolin, Henry adds whatever the songs require.

All four shows begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 each and available at Fiddleheads, 110 Main St., Colebrook, online at www.gnwca.org or at the door. For more information on these and other GNWCA shows, find the Great North Woods Committee for the Arts on Facebook, visit www.gnwca.org or you can call 237-9302 or 246-8998.


Posted 9/8/17