2002/2003 Performances

May 17, 2003

Dan Hazlett

Performing songwriter Dan Hazlett's original contemporary folk songs deal with social issues and explore the inner landscape. Blending his jazz multi-instrumentalist roots with a more traditional, entirely acoustic folk style, Dan's music can be compared with artists like David Roth, Peter Mayer and Chris Rosser. With a rich, warm voice and skillful acoustic guitar work, his performances are memorable, humorous and uplifting. During a career spanning more than twenty years, Dan has been actively touring the Midwest and Southeast. Dan's Winona Folk appearance marked his first visit to northern New Jersey.

        Dan arrived in the early afternoon so we were given the opportunity of a beautiful afternoon to get to know each other a little bit. I hope that Dan succeeds to get on the national singer/songwriter radar. His lyrics are infused with insight and his communication skills are enhanced by his mastery of guitar accompanyment. We were very happy that Dan made the long journey to play for us in Lake Winona.

May 3, 2003

Too Human with Jay Wilensky

The lucky ones were there. With recent radio appearances on WFUV and WNTI to promote this Winona Folk performance, a "Best Bets" article in the Daily Record, and the weather absolutely beautiful, the expectations all around were that there'd be a full house tonight. It was not to be, there were some empty seats, but you'd never know that from the terrific show Ellen Schwartz and Roger Bruno put on for the appreciative audience. Ellen's sandpapery voice and guitar accompanyment, Roger's veritable toystore of percussive sounds, harmony vocals, harmionica and "mouth-trombone" came together to make a full band. With eyes closed, it's be hard to imagine that there were only two people creating such a variety of heartfelt and exciting music.

        Too Human's Ellen Schwartz and Roger Bruno met as fellow songwriters and while they appreciated each other's songs, it took a few years for their two distinct styles and backgrounds to blend. Merging Roger's jazz and R&B background with Ellen's folk, rock and pop influences, they became a songwriting team and eventually moved to Los Angeles where they were signed by Warner/Chappell - the music publishing giant - as staff songwriters. Their songs were recorded by such multi-platinum selling artists as Cher, Pat Benatar, Teddy Pendergrass, Nancy Wilson, to name a few.

        But they missed the east coast and, after one earthquake too many, they moved out of the Los Angeles music scene literally and figuratively, returning to their roots in the Hudson Valley. They became "Too Human" with Ellen on guitar, keyboards and vocals and Roger on percussion, keyboards, harmonica and vocals. Their songs are personal and relevant in the singer/songwriter tradition with passionate, gritty vocals, sweet harmonies, and driving rhythms. Whether performing breezy, jazzy, toe tapping uptempo swing or a heartfelt ballad, their music will move you. As one reviewer has said, "Singing with passion and joy....Too Human put smiles on our faces." From songs about battered women to finding your inner strength to a lighthearted dialog between frogs as a metaphor for life's challenges, the subject matter will intrigue and move you.

        Too Human performs steadily throughout the northeast. They have produced two studio CDs, "From There to Here" and "True" and a live CD, "Live On Tour".

        "Nothing is more satisfying than finding, and expressing, the heart of a great song," says singer, guitarist, and confessed "song junkie" Jay Wilensky. Joining Jay on stage were Jeff Loy on guitar and banjo and Jean Scully on vocals. The choice set of classic folk tunes was presented with sensitivity and skill. Jay's rich, warm baritone voice was nicely complemented by Jeff's intricate finger style guitar playing and Jean's vocal harmonies.

April 12, 2003

Arlon Bennett and Shanon Leigh with Glenn Zervas

Arlon Bennett emailed a few days before the show to mention that he would be bringing along fellow toubadour Shanon Leigh to share the stage. A most pleasant surprise! On stage the two sang in perfect harmony which added depth to Arlon's music and made the evening's performance a captivating experience. Arlon also had the good sence and grace to allow Shanon some solo time for her own.

        Arlon attracted a group of his fans who came with their growing families. The little girls in the front row played along with their "air-guitars" and "air-trombones" and "air-drums." One little boy needed to stretch his legs alot during the performance. It may have been a little distracting to the artists and audience, but their antics brought smiles to everyone's faces nonetheless. We all were having a good time, each in our own way.

        Arlon is a singer/songwriter who loves to tell the story without making it obvious, and from his unique perspectives.   He considers his greatest influences to be Harry Chapin, Jim Croce, Don Maclean, John Gorka and Richard Shindell.

        Jane Falvey of The Kingston Coffeehouse, KRIU Kingston, said:  "Every decade or so, a voice appears on the folk music scene that makes you sit up and take notice.  When that voice is paired with songs and lyrics that tell a story or sing of the human spirit, it is truly magical.  That voice is Arlon Bennett and his CD "The Watch Man" leaves you wanting more of this great talent.  Listen to it.  Listen again, and again…"   

     "Arlon has a gift for wrapping quiet introspection and pathos within melodies that you'll quickly find familiar…" –Sing Out! Magazine, Spring 2002

     Arlon has two CDs: "Fountain of Dreams" and "The Watch Man".

Glenn Zervas' complex guitar instrumentals are strong on melody and harmony.   Opening this evening of music, Glenn played solo acoustic fingerstyle and flatpicking guitar.   Glenn's performance was peaceful, passionate and creatively inspirational.  Brooklyn born, Glenn is now a native of Lake Hopatcong and has been a musician since 1972.   Glenn learned guitar from various private instructors and majored in Music at the County College of Morris. Glenn's CD of 14 original compositions is called "Grace Notes".

March 8, 2003

Dave Kleiner and Liz Pagan

It seemed like this winter weather would never go away when Dave began their performance with George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun". Dave was toying with the idea of doing an intimate, unamplified performance, and he performed this song close to the audience, in front of the stage.   But when the Civic Center furnace kicked on, it became obvious that the provided PA system was there for a good reason.   The rest of the show was played into the mics.   The audience that braved the endless winter weather enjoyed a terrific performance.  Dave and Liz performed from their catalog of three CDs and also introduced some great new songs, some inspired by Dave's day job as a third grade teacher and some created from a NJ Songwriter Circle challenge.   Their sly on-stage banter kept the audience laughing.   Dave writes witty lyrics and presents them with solid guitar work.   Ably accompanied by wife Liz's clear vocals and playing bass guitar, the music was wholly engaging and the evening enjoyable and truly memorable.

Dave Kleiner was a founding member of the Folk Project, a New Jersey music organization. But he left the local folk scene to make babies and play lead guitar in cover bands. He did time at bars, weddings and other private functions for may long years.

Meanwhile, Liz Pagan, a graphic designer living in Manhattan, found the Kleiner-less Folk Project.  She had been singing and playing guitar, often at the Jersey shore, since teenhood.

When Dave returned to the Folk Project while going through a divorce, he brought with him an arsenal of songs he had written over the years; songs that were seldom heard outside of his basement, where he serenaded the furnace.  There were songs about food, "Too Many Restaurants", women, "The Women Don't Like Me", and parenting, "Just Don't Have Time for You", all with a unique perspective and wry sense of humor.

Eventually, Dave and Liz found each other.  Liz's voice added a  richness to Dave's music, and they began performing (and living) together.  They have released three CDs, "Rhymes with Diner," "Bad Taste", and "Salesman", each featuring original Kleiner songs. His classic "Exit 135 (The Ballad of Clark Westfield)" was included on, and a highlight of, the Weird NJ compilation CD.

In Dave and Liz's performances a genuine love of music comes through, and a sense of fun and camaraderie that is contagious.  Between the laughs, a few inspiring moments manage to catch you when you least expect it.  You may realize that there is more going on here than silly puns and self-deprecating jokes.

February 15, 2003

Scott Sheldon with Gary Paul Hermus

Another very cold winter night; another very warm Winona Folk concert. Some returning and some new faces in the audience. Welcome one and all! The performance featuring Gary Paul Hermus and Scott Sheldon's original music was truly wonderful: at turns witty and touching. These are well seasoned artists, at ease with themselves and with the audience. Scott even had the audience doing "folk song sing-along calisthenics". Gary and Scott teamed up for a duet of "Walking In Memphis" for the show finale. They'll be back.

Scott Sheldon is a New Jersey singer-songwriter whose music has been described as the product of "a drunken meeting of Cole Porter and Tom Lehrer." Scott's songs are moving and funny, and his performances use humor and audience involvement to keep listeners entertained and captivated.

Scott has been writing and performing since the 1970's (he is listed as the first headliner ever to perform at the Folk Project's Minstrel Coffeehouse, in June 1978), and performs regularly in the NY/NJ area. Scott hosts the monthly New Jersey Songwriters' Circle at his home in Millburn, runs the Folk Concert Series at the Watchung Arts Center, and his new CD, "Tickle" will be released in April 2003.

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Gary Paul Hermus describes himself as a storyteller in the contemporary folk tradition. The colorful and varied road he's traveled, full of side trips, reveals itself in his writing. Gary has performed with "Bill Jeffcott and the Swamprockers", the bluegrass band "The New York Frets", the Brazilo-Cuban fusion bands "Satie" and "The North American Udu Band", the country band "Shotgun Wedding", and the classic rock group "Joined @ the Head" . Gary recently turned to solo performances at small venues, displaying his sweet toned voice, often compared with Dan Fogelberg. Audiences have responded to his melodic guitar work and his simple tales of life, love, laughter and loss.

January 18, 2003

Ralph Litwin and Al Podber

"The Furry Harmonica Brothers"

These two laid back fellows warmed our hearts on a bitterly cold day. They freely admitted to not having rehearsed specifically for this gig, but they were so in tune with each other, having played together for so long, one would hardly have noticed. Ralph, on banjo, guitar, harmonica and jug. Al, on both 6 and 12 string guitars, mandolin, steel guitar, boukouki and harmonica. We almost needed a bigger stage to accomodate all the instruments for this musical army of 2! The audience loved it. We truly look forward to their upcoming CD release.

Ralph Litwin and Al Podber have performed as a duo and in larger groups since 1985, playing a mix of ragtime, jugband, novelty jazz, swing, blues, old-time country, 50's, 60's & 70's oldies, originals, and more. They have perfomed at The Brooklyn Museum of Art, The Lincoln Center Crafts Fair, Brooklyn's Dumbo Arts Festival, Uncle Gibbs Southern BBQ on Staten Island, as well as at numerous coffee houses, private parties, and other events. This Spring they'll be featured at The New Jersey Folk Festival. They lightheartedly refer to themselves as The Furry Harmonica Brothers as they sport beards and sometimes play harmonica duets while accompanying themselves on stringed instruments. Of Litwin's most recent CD, Dirty Linen wrote: "These vaudevillian frolics are delivered with such sheer joy and exuberance it reminds you why you like music in the first place," a description that can be aptly applied to the duo's stage show. The Furry Harmonica Brothers plan a full-length CD release in Spring 2003 substantial portions of which will be taken from in-studio digital tapes of their live appearances on WFMU.

The Star Ledger has described Ralph Litwin as "…one of the top troubadours in New Jersey, in demand for his prize-winning brand of country, folk, old-time jazz, ragtime, blues and other quintessentially American sounds." 

The Chicago tribune described his second album as an "…appealing mix of old-time string band jazz, ragtime and jugband with Litwin singing in a style that sounds deceptively informal.  He balances between the tongue-in-cheek and genuine artistry, conjuring up an image of Leon Redbone on the back porch with a few friends…"

Cash Box featured Litwin's first CD as an "Indie Album Pick" saying:  "This is a unique release…an eclectic blend of country, bluegrass, calypso, jazz, and western swing, vaguely reminiscent of Jimmy Buffet, Bob Wills and Jerry Jeff Walker, but highly original."

        Litwin is also producer and host of "…Horses Sing None of It!" an award-winning non-commercial half hour cable television series, 7:30 PM Sundays on Morris CableVision, and other Cable systems, on the air since 1993, with over 280 episodes taped.

December 7, 2002

Munchkin's Friends

Munchkin's Friends ( Andy Koenig, Jeff Loy, and Jan Viehman) graced the Winona Folk stage to perform an entertaining set of original, contemporary and traditional folk tunes. By the way, "Munchkin" is one of Andy's cats. Jeff skillfully played lead guitar and banjo. Jan provided the vocals and added the rhythm guitar. Andy added to the mix backup vocals and played the bass and the recorder. Together Munchkin's Friends charmed the audience with their wit and humor. We'd like to have them back again.

Doug Alan Wilcox

Doug Alan Wilcox has said that he believes in a grass-roots approach to performing.  No better venue than Winona Folk to ply his trade!  

        Richard Fox, WCUW radio, Worester MA stated:  "Doug has a strong, resonant voice with a warm and easy delivery; the songs are layered with a full sound that rolls out and embraces you, words and music finding their willing mark." And Cliff Morgan of "The Coffee Mill", Clayton, North Carolina said of Doug's music:  "Doug Alan Wilcox's music makes you feel as though you've known him forever.  He reminds you that the art of the troubadour is alive and well…"

        We found these testimonials to be true. Doug came to us from Fredericksburg, Maryland, bringing his blend of country-flavored folk or acoustic pop, and reminding this listener a little of James or Livingston Taylor. We found Doug to be very friendly, displaying charm and humor, and his music satisfying and engaging. Doug has produced two CDs, "So It Goes…" and "New Horizon" and is close to completing his third.

November 2, 2002

Jodee James and The Jodee James Band

Jodee James and her band warmed up a cold November evening with a performance of gorgeous Welsh folk music. The audience, though small, was appreciative. Jodee's beautiful singing voice and her dynamic acoustic guitar accompanyment conveys the beauty and nuance of the language of Wales and carries the listener along to a visit to Wales. The Jodee James Band: Lesl Harker on flutes and whistles and Dave Leszczynski on drums and percussion, came together to enliven the music.

Jodee James is a singer, songwriter, professional dreamer and lover of Welsh folk songs, having performed over the years in various settings.  Jodee is eager to share the rich musical tradition of Wales – the little land of legend and song on the other side of the Irish Sea.

        Jodee's voice is captivating and determined.  Singing in both Welsh and English, telling a bit of poetic history, sometimes in traditional song, sometimes in original song-stories, Jodee reaches out to the listener, painting a picture of places not so long ago forgotten with an emphasis on Welsh "ways" as they have been over the ages.

        Accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, Jodee is joined by Lesl Harker on flute, whistle and backing vocals and Dave Leszcznski on percussion.  Together, rendered as the Jodee James Band, they present that magical balance of moods and tempos – from a lively Welsh jig to a free spirited air, some familiar and some perhaps not so familiar, waiting to dance about in our hearts.

        Jodee has produced six CDs.  Her latest, "Little Birds and Quiet Places" was praised in Celtic Beat:  "Historically, birds have played a role in Welsh folk song, symbolically representing a messenger or a woman seeking her love…and no where have some of these Welsh folk songs been rendered so beautifully as in this new release by Jodee James.  Accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, her beautiful earthy voice truly reflects the realm of nature and the yearning of love which many of these tunes portray."

        Jodee has played a wide variety of venues over the years, including the New Jersey Folk Festival this past spring.  Her songs receive regular airplay and she has appeared on numerous cable television and radio shows.

October 5, 2002

John Sheehan

John initiated our acoustic music series indoors at the Lake Winona Civic Center. The Civic Center was decked out with a new stage, lighting and backdrop and comfortable seating for 50 audience members. Gourmet coffee and home made brownies were enjoyed at intermission.

In The Daily Record, Robert Hicks wrote:  "Guitarist John Sheehan is an independent thinker, a rugged individualist who champions the finger-style techniques of musicians as diverse as Julian Bream, Doc Watson, John Fahey and Joe Pass."  And in the All Music Guide, Mr. Hicks said of John Sheehan:  "His vocal songs show simple humor, yet say something profound about humanity".  His tongue-in-cheek songs such as "Modern Man", Beyond Your Means", and "My Habits Are Killing Me" tell something of his sense of values as well as humor.

John Sheehan is a Composer/Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter from Ringwood, NJ.  Sincere listeners of his music have compared him to such diverse artists as Leo Kottke, Jorma Kaukonen, Mark Knophler, Michael Hedges, John Prine, Steve Earle and Jimmy Buffett.  He has opened for and/or performed with guitar greats Tal Farlow, John Renbourne and Adrian Legge.

John had produced two CDs to rave reviews.  "Instrumental Solo Guitar", released in 1995 to favorable critical acclaim, is a collection of 12 bluegrass/folk/classical tracks demonstrating John's mind-boggling guitar "chops" ad propensity for fine melody.

Of his second CD, Ryan Houle of The Musicians Resource wrote:  This eclectic assortment of banjo and finger-style guitar is sure to please aficionados everywhere.  From briskly paced banjo tracks to the morose wanderings of contemporary guitar, Mr. Sheehan is a confident guide.  He takes us through the bright times and the disheartening times of modern life with equal verve and unfailing optimism.  For anyone who enjoys a diverse musical travel through modern banjo and guitar, John Sheehan's album "Modern Man" should have a permanent spot in your music collection."

John performs Wednesdays at Hidden Valley in Vernon, Fridays at Rhodes Ringwood Inn in Ringwood, and regularly all over the NY/NJ metro area.  John also offers instruction classes for his students, passing on his love of the banjo and guitar to the next generation.

"A Lake Winona Celebration" was a fund-raiser for the Lake Winona Dam Restoration Project. More photos from this event are located HERE. The excellent musicianship on display was enthusiastically appreciated by the audience. Opener John Sheehan wowed the crowd with his guitar dexterity and strong vocals. Featured performers, GrooveLily, then took over the stage for an amazing performance of which the Lake Winona neighborhood is still talking.

A little bit about GrooveLily: Valerie Vigoda, Brendan Milburn and Gene Lewin.

Valerie plays the electric violin, sings and founded GrooveLily (originally "The Valerie Vigoda Band") in 1994. Their critically acclaimed first CD was entitled "Inhabit My Heart", soon followed by the exciting "Jungle and Sky". Originally from McLean, VA, Valerie has toured the world with Cyndi Lauper, Cher, Tina Turner and Joe Jackson. She is a classically-trained musician, former army lieutenant, and an honors graduate of Princeton University.

Brendan plays keyboards, sings and writes all GrooveLily's material along with Valerie. His two-fisted, rhythmic piano playing is reminiscent of early Billy Joel, or more recently, Ben Folds Five. Before joining GrooveLily, he graduated from Pomona College and NYU's MFA program in Musical Theatre Writing, and has played with both Ben Harper and Clarence Clemons. "Brendan and the Extenuating Circumstances", a solo CD project, is currently out of print, but mp3 versions of these songs are available on the GrooveLily website.

Gene plays the drums, and hails from Princeton, NJ. His eclectic, joyful work on the drum kit has been favorably compared to that of Carter Beauford (of the Dave Matthews Band). After graduating from Princeton University, Gene earned a Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He has appeared on CDs with George Coleman, John Patitucci, and many others. In between GrooveLily shows, Gene is also drummer in the jazz group "The Andy Parsons Quartet".

GrooveLily's latest CD is entitled "Are We There Yet?" and "Just The Three of Us", a live recording, was released last year. An original theatrical project, "Striking 12" will be performed for the third year this December, this time in Palo Alto, California.

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