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Serving Cabot and the Region with Quality Arts Experiences
"Community is what we do together!"
The Green Mountain OldTime Workshop Weekend
ARTISTS
Ernest James Zydeco Band
(Friday)
Led by veteran accordionist Ernest James, the Ernest James Zydeco Band brings authentic Louisiana-style Creole music to Cabot with a unique, gritty, and high-energy sound. Known for creating an irresistible dancing groove, this seasoned group features top musicians
committed to keeping the traditional, rocking sound of Zydeco alive.
The Moon Shells (Saturday)
Connecticut-based folk/Americana group the Moon Shells return to the Workshop Weekend to share thier sublime musicality, and joyful approach to playing oldtime music. Featuring a blend of fiddle-driven traditionals and original songwriting, the group draws from Appalachian, Louisiana, and West African influences to create a unique, modern roots sound. Band members will each teach classes then play for the square dance Saturday night.
Don Stratton will be calling the Square Dance!
Brian Slattery has been playing Appalachian fiddle music for over 30 years, concentrating on fiddle and banjo and the beguiling interplay between them. He plays most frequently with the Moon Shells and the Mississippi Travelers, featuring Mississippi fiddle scholar Harry Bolick. He lives just outside of New Haven, CT and also plays jazz and Eastern European music. www.bfslattery.com
Laura Morawski is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter a key member of the The Moon Shells. Based in the New Haven area, she is known for her work on fiddle and bass, contributing to the band's modern take on traditional stringband music that incorporates Appalachian, Louisiana, and West African influences.
Jenny Monfore is a flower farmer, traveler and old time musician in Montpelier, VT. She's been playing fiddle for 15 years, living in many different parts of the country and soaking up tunes everywhere she goes. Jenny is in several old time bands including The Spring Chickens, Thunder Dog, and The Old Reliables. Learn more on her website: https://www.oldtimeflowers.com
Based in Brattleboro, Nate Paine fiddle style is emblematic of the Southern Vermont style played widely from the 1990’s through the 20-teens. Paine’s playing is noted for its "easy-paced" yet slow, driving delivery. This rhythm is often achieved through a combination of saw strokes and a "Georgia shuffle" pattern, creating a constant, dancing pulse.
Karen Taylor
Based in the NorthEast Kingdom in Vermont, Oldtime and Cajun fiddler, Karen Taylor, has taken the deep dive into Cajun music in recent years. Studying with the likes of Rosie Newton, David Greely and Blake MIller, Karen has made numerous trips to the Black Pot Festival in Louisiana and Swamp in the City in Brooklyn to learn from the greats.
Maggie Shar Born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Maggie has a particular interest in Southern Appalachian old-time music, and brings this influence into her music. Maggie has been studying clawhammer banjo (her primary instrument) since 2004, learning from Diane Sanabria, Riley Baugus, Adam Hurt, and others. She performs regularly with The Ephemeral Stringband. and The Moon Shells .
Brendan Taaffe A multi-instrumentalist on guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mbira, Brendan has toured with many different groups, including nationally acclaimed dance band Magic Foot and the internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble Northern Harmony. In addition to performing solo, he currently directs The Bright Wings Chorus, a vocal ensemble, and is the frontman of The New Line, a band that blends mbirawith banjo, electric guitar, and percussion, creating a bridge between American and African traditions.
Multi-instrumentalist Matt Flinner has made a career out of playing acoustic music in new ways. Starting out as a banjo prodigy who was playing bluegrass festivals before he entered his teens, Flinner later took up the mandolin, won the National Banjo Contest at Winfield Kansas in 1990, and took the mandolin award there the following year. Since then, he has become recognized as one of the premiere mandolinists as well as one of the finest new acoustic/roots music composers today.
Molly Merritt started learning guitar at the age of 12 and first was exposed to old time music in her late teens. She instantly loved the sound and the participatory nature of old time music, and went on to learn banjo, fiddle and harmony singing. Guitar has remained her main instrument, and she plays guitar with the Moon Shells as well as the Ephemeral Stringband. She lives in Greenfield MA with her partner and two children (one of them human and the other canine).
Charlie Shaw
Charlie Shaw is simply a one-man groove machine. Based in New Haven, Charlie is a percussionist and bass player for the Moon Shells as well as other bands. Charlie's old-time bass workshops were wildly popular at 2024's workshop weekend. Sign up to see what the fuss was all about!
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