Enjoy performances by our talented festival performers before each screening! See them play at festival parties! Catch them at the Clinch Park Music Stage.

2012 Clinch Park Music Stage Schedule

Americana Day
Wednesday, August 1
12 noon – Tone Soup
1 pm – True Falsettos
2:30 pm – Jennifer Westwood and the Waycross Georgia Farmboys
4 pm – Adler and Hearne
5:30 pm – Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys

Jazz and Beyond
Thursday, August 2
12 noon – Sears-Chown Student Jazz Combo
1 pm – Dan Jacobs and Friends
2:30 pm – Miriam Pico
4 pm – Bo Bossa
5:30 pm – Front Street Big Band

The Originals
Saturday, August 4
12 noon – Suzanne and Jim
1 pm – Kaiser Cartel
2 pm – Blake Elliott and the Robinson Affair
3 pm – TBA
4 pm – Thunderclap!
5pm – Saldaje
6 pm – Ratone

The Legends
Sunday, August 5
12 noon –  Song of the Lakes
1 pm – Don Julin and Billy Strings
2 pm – Ron Getz
3 pm – Matt Smith
4 pm – Jake Allen
5 pm – Ruby John
6 pm – M-23 Strings

2012 Traverse City Film Festival Musicians

The Accidentals

“Musicality, originality and melodic beauty combine with a welcome, and unexpected bite to clever lyrics is the best way to describe this young duo. Such talent, wit, and enthusiasm are hard to find anywhere. So I’ll say it’s a good thing we have The Accidentals nearby. A duo giving an edge to folk with unique instrumentation is as close as I can come to describing them. A must hear! Songwriters need look no farther to find a new pairing to be jealous of, especially with such a bright future ahead of them.” – Z93 Matt Mansfield. The Accidentals began in October 2011 when Katie Larson (15) and Savannah Buist (16) met in the Phil Harmonic Orchestra at Traverse City West High School. While working on a quartet project they realized they had everything in common…the same love of quirky music and strange instruments, both their fathers were pianists and their mothers were singers, they both played several instruments, and more importantly, they both loved to write. They soon discovered that their voices were made for one another. http://www.reverbnation.com/moreaccidentals

Adler & Hearne

From the Upper East Side of Texas outside the rural arts hamlet of Winnsboro, award-winning performing songwriters Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne tour nationally, serving up fresh harvests of homegrown music mixed with seasoned original songs in a genre they define as “Folk-Jazz Blues-Grass. Certified Organic.” In concert, she (Adler) and he (Hearne) blend their voices and instruments in a signature sound that reflects the second-nature connection these two have through their soulful and spirited blend of singing and songwriting. The two met in Nashville while on solo musical journeys. Years later their paths merged in Texas, where they formed the duo Adler & Hearne, along with their indie label Spring Hollow Records. In 2005, they released a house concert recording aptly named “Opposites Attract.” http://www.adlerandhearne.com/

Al Jankowski

Al Jankowski started life as a young musical prodigy. He and his wife Michele were in a band together before they were married and now have to beautiful, musical children. Michele is an amazing singer with a style far beyond her 13 years and Kurt who recently joined us on a gig playing drums really plays almost as many instruments as his dad. Michele is now teaching music and very involved influencing the young and talented.

Almost Free

“How can we be free if we are always chasing an intangible and subjective state of mind?” asks Almost Free frontman, Andy Bird. With Almost Free, their idea of learning how to cope with one’s surroundings involves comprehending that the everyday grind is a necessity to life, while never allowing it to shape them. Bird (vocals, guitars) and his bandmates, Bob Impemba (bass, synth, noise) and Garren Stevens (drums), fashion a substantially foreboding sound that covers various elements underneath the neat, but broad umbrella of alternative music. For Almost Free, living life to the fullest while realizing that every single decision and action has a price is a sublime feeling to express through their alternative-rock blend of grungy guitars, progressive hooks and upbeat drumming. Often sounding like a cross between The Smiths and Bloc Party, their nervy rock is the kind that pushes forward without sacrificing drive or focus. With Almost Free, a strong focus on the revelatory happenings that music creates continues to play the most prominent role in their tenure as a band. http://www.almostfreemusic.net/index.php

The Andrew Sturtz Trio

With his mix of jazz, acoustic, and pop, Andrew Sturtz can be heard expressing his one-of-a-kind style all over Michigan. Andrew has played venues such as Short’s Brewery, Horizon Books, The Opera House, Traverse City State Theater, and The Strutt, also opening for many artists and even movies at the nationally known Traverse City Film Festival. Andrew has received immense praise for his soothing vocals and powerful stage presence, both of which he brings to every performance. Joining him as of recent is the very talented Alex Gusler. Playing in such groups as The Saving Sara Project and other local ensembles, Alex has impressed many with his complex drumming style and strong technical ability. Having been together for over a year, Andrew and Alex continue to perform their music to crowds either small or prodigious for the enjoyment of all. http://www.andrewsturtz.com/

Angela Josephine

Angela Josephine is a local singer-songwriter who has graced the stage of countless festivals, venues, and coffeehouses across the Midwest. In 2007, she was an Artist Ovation Contest Winner for Unity Festival in Muskegon, MI, and in 2006, her album, “Grace Exhaled,” was a finalist in the Detroit Music Awards. You can visit Angela Josephine’s website at www.AngelaJosephine.com or find her on Facebook.

Barbara Faith Jordan

When it comes to life and songwriting, Barbara Faith Jordan is not a casual observer. Not satisfied to just view the tip of the iceberg, she prefers to take her listeners on a deep dive to explore what is below the surface. Her signature style uses the power of story where the plot line and characters reveal universal experiences where everyone is sure to find something of themselves. As a songwriter, her lyrics are often described as “soulful, “ provocative,” “thoughtful” and “sensitive.”

Ben Swan

Ben Swan is a 20-year-old musician from Traverse City, Michigan, though he currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has been playing guitar since the age of 11, and grew up in a very musical family with Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, and The Beatles always in the car stereo. In 7th and 8th grade, his brother Dan (currently a professional drummer in Minneapolis, MN) and himself started a band named Crash Melody and proceeded to record a full album, win a few battle of the bands and talent shows, appear in local festivals, and write a lot of original material. When his brother took off for Minneapolis (when Ben was a freshman in high school) music took a lower position in Ben’s life as he concentrated more on his high school athletics (2 time state champ running back, all state track sprinter) but still wrote and performed pretty regularly. During his junior year of high school, Ben was introduced to Levi Britton and Down The Line, which really ignited his music passion again and it’s been heavy playing since then. When Ben was playing with a band, it was all Zeppelin/Guns N’ Roses style rock, but the past few years on his own has driven him towards more alternative/folk-rock material. With the 6 track EP “Birds Of A Feather” released in 2011, a full length record is planned to release mid-2012.

The Bergamot

The Bergamot originated from as small town outside of Chicago, IL in 2003. Since 2010 they have been successfully writing and touring from LA to New York. There sound is a blend of Pop, Rock, and Soul with hues of Folk and Country. They have been compared to Adele, Dave Matthews, Sugarland, and Ryan Adams. The Bergamot is fronting the new wave of artisan musicians. They take pride in hand crafting the lyrics, melody and music to send an uplifting message throughout the world. They’re getting back to the very fabric of human existence by offering a sound that resonates with real people, who desire real music.

Blake Elliott and the Robinson Affair 

After becoming friends while both on tour with another band, these two unlikely characters, Blake Elliott and Jon Knott, decided to fuse their playing styles to create a folked up, funked up, blues-you-away, indie duo. Influenced by everything from jazz of the 1920′s to the rock and roll of the 1970′s on, their sound is hard to neatly label. Playing both popular and obscure covers, the group’s original material can range from a bluegrass style tune to a bossa nova lounge number, touching on other genres along the way.

Bo Bossa

Dance! Listen! Enjoy! It’s Bo Bossa, four-piece ensemble that plays swing, jazz, blues, Latin, fusion, Motown and whatever else they feel like playing! Made up of bass, drums, keyboards, horns, and vocals, the musicians of Bo Bossa are flexible and versatile. With three vocalists you’ll hear lots of solos and lots of harmonies and you will enjoy the variety presented between trumpet, flugelhorn and valve trombone. Bo Bossa embraces the traditional and the standards, but also loves trying new things and adding new sounds and songs to their ever-expanding repertoire. http://bobossa.homestead.com/

Brett Mitchell & the giant GHOST

Born and raised in Midland, MI, Brett picked up the sticks in his early teens and fell in love. Drumming professionally and touring by age 17 in a variety of bands, he began songwriting. To assist his writing, he taught himself guitar and by 2005 had recorded his debut album, {Stereo}, playing nearly all the instruments. His heartfelt songwriting and appealing vocals are the draw and his live show is high energy and riveting.

Claudia Schmidt

`Michigan native Claudia Schmidt has covered a lot of musical ground, beginning with a stirring rendition of “Tammy” at age 4 around a neighborhood bonfire. Then came years of choirs, a guitar, a dulcimer, and some theatre thrown into the pot. A musician who has always hated categories, she describes herself as a “creative noisemaker,” which has irritated some critics but delighted many audiences, who learn to expect anything at a Schmidt concert, hymn, poem, bawdy verse, torch song, satire, and the gamut of emotions. Her live performances are not to be missed. Her musicality is astonishing. Her joy and love of performing are contagious. She can weave the elements of music and stage into a program so unified and full of life that one critic has described a Claudia Schmidt concert as “….a lot like falling in love. You never know what’s going to happen next, chances are it’s going to be wonderful, every moment is burned into your memory, and you know you’ll never be the same again.” http://www.myspace.com/claudiaschmidt

darlenYa

DarlenYa is an unusual bird. She left the sedentary life of a 1-home base in 1990 and still hasn’t looked back. “There are just too many people and places to get to know and each of them has their own music and culture to learn from” says Darlene. DarlenYa has versed herself in vocal exploration, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, native hand drum, bones, didjeridoo and dance. Like a gypsy who shang hais the notes of music they encounter and then twists them into another dialect, she delivers multi-cultural theatrical music including: Aboriginal, Gipsy, Jazzy-Swing Blues, Mexican and roots of American folk music. She calls it ‘Gipsy Folk’. http://www.darlenya.com/

David Chown

David has been playing piano professionally for more than 25 years. He has released six CD’s on his own label, and his latest, “S’Bout Time”, is a collaboration with singer Miriam Pico. In addition to solo piano concerts and club appearances, David leads a popular variety band, the “Lookout Cats,” which features some of Traverse City’s top musicians. www.davidchown.com.

David Jake

David has been playing guitar now since the summer after ninth grade, so just over five years. This will be his fourth year as a professional busker.  David works all over Northern Michigan from Charlevoix to Traverse City. He hold a 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and am on the premed track at Alma College.  David sings wherever and whenever he is able to whether its in the Alma Choir at school or on the streets as a performer.  His favorite part about the TCFF is the opportunity to share a joy of arts, whether it’s music or film.

Deborrah Wyndham

Contemporary pianist/composer Deborrah Wyndham has given more than 3,000
performances nation-wide. With several appearances on FOX, NBC and ABC,
she plays many styles from traditional jazz to contemporary originals with
classical and jazz influences. Listeners describe her playing as sounding
“like four hands”. www.deborrahwyndham.com

Dick Siegel

Dick Siegel is a remarkable songwriter. For more than two decades he has delighted audiences in this country and Canada with his songs and performances. In his home state of Michigan, his artistry has become legendary. Siegel’s joyous and penetrating vision has made his songs part of the culture: radio theme songs, quotable classics, and markers deeply embedded in the hearts of his many fans. His recordings travel beyond him, finding new friends here and in Europe. His commitment to song as celebration makes Siegel’s live performances uplifting events to remember. In 2001, Detroit public radio giant WDET added Dick Siegel to their list of “the most important and influential musical artists in the history of Detroit,” alongside such notables as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Bob Seger. He has been featured on NPR’s Mountain Stage, All Things Considered, and in the pages of SingOut! Magazine. In 2010 Siegel was appointed DeRoy Visiting Professor in Honors at the University of Michigan, where he designed and continues to teach a songwriting course entitled “Singing Out of Our Minds.” He also created and directs a two-week songwriting program at one of America’s hotbeds for young performers, the Interlochen Center for the Arts. http://www.dicksiegel.com/index/

Dolph

Dolph Cwik has performed throughout Northern Michigan from Alpena to Brimley to Petoskey, Boyne, East Jordan, Traverse City, Bellaire and more! He plays love songs, ballads, easy listening songs, and originals he has composed about Northern Michigan and his experiences. With roots from the days of the Beatles, he plays songs from a mix of artists including Hank Williams Sr., to Chris DeBurgh, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones. http://www.reverbnation.com/dolphcwik

Don Julin

Don Julin is one of Michigan’s premier instrumentalists. From jazz to folk, gypsy to avant-garde, Julin is loved for his talent and fluidity. Julin has achieved national acclaim or his original compositions from his cd’s Tractor and Mr. Natural. Julin has won national songwriting contests and his music is often heard on NPR’s radio magazine All Things Considered. Don performs thoughout the United States and Europe and has been a featured performer for the Classical Mandolin Society of America including other international events. 88 Strings is a mandolin orchestra founded and conducted by Don Julin. http://donjulin.com/Welcome.html

E-Minor

Originally from Mackinaw City/Cheboygan areas in Michigan. And is now based in Traverse City, MI. E Minor has been a singer/songwriter practically from birth. She started out playing with her family as a child, and slowly grew into her own in music. You can catch her with her band The Naughty Neighbors, and playing solo around town at her favorite open mics and coffee shops. http://www.elminor.com/

Garret Borns

Just twenty years old, indie-pop singer-songwriter Garrett Borns is already carving himself a place in the industry. Borns was chosen to be the featured performer at a TEDx Grand Rapids event, and then he headlined the opening of 2011 Grand Rapids Art Prize, one of the largest art competitions in the nation.This is truly an artist that hasn’t wasted any time launching his career: taking on the piano at six, Garrett’s commitment to his art has cultivated an unstoppable, multi-talented musical cocktail of kitsch and groove, all wrapped up in his smooth, vibrant vocals and a chameleon-like command of piano, ukulele, guitar, drums, vibraphone and accordion. And through all of this “he has borrowed wisely, as all keen musicians do—George Harrison’s peaceful energy, Billy Joel’s eye for detail—the kid has done his homework.” – Andrew Watson, Recoil Magazine. Garrett has begun to captivate hundreds of crowds throughout Michigan, Canada and France, thanks in part to a singularly Garrett Borns’ genre, his own poppy, light-hearted nod to something new. It’s his youthful hubris and impossible talent that lend a heady magic to his performances, consistently wowing crowds of all ages with a mastery and charm that defy his years. Show after show, entranced by his songwriting wiles and a haunting, honey-ginger voice, brand new fans sway happily in unison to his effervescent creations. http://garrettborns.com/

Hannah Rae Beals

Hannah Rae Beale is a singer and songwriter from Frankfort, Michigan. Composing and performing original music at age 15, Hannah played all over western Michigan by 16, and won the 2010 Manistee County Battle of the Bands, as a solo artist, at age 17. That same year, Beale began sharing the stage with Milwaukee Music award, and Wisconsin Area Music Industry award winner, Ethan Keller. Hannah Rae Beale’s first single, “Ain’t Nobody,” co-written and produced with Keller, debuted on 88 Nine Radio Milwaukee early 2011, and garnered a grand amount of positive feedback. Hannah Rae’s voice was called “intoxicating,” and her songs, “moving” by Maverick Magazine (UK). Still only 18 years old, “her vocals echo someone a lot older in years.” Listeners hear old soulful tones coming from a comparatively young soul. She is influenced by, and compared to artists like Adele, Joss Stone, and Colbie Callait. http://www.hannahraebeale.com/

Henry Sparks

Henry Sparks lives in England, plays guitar, writes and sings songs. His music is informed by experience as a farm hand, pizza slinger, carpenter, architect and lecturer. Folk – English and American – and a fascination with song-writing have driven his playing and creativity. Henry was a founder of DIY punk innovators Longport Buzz and roots pioneers Bootfare. He now makes music with Canterbury legends The Country Counts, and stateside with The New City Wates and will play anywhere at any opportunity. http://www.myspace.com/henrycdsparks

Hipps N’ Ricco

Hipps-N-Ricco are based out of Northern Michigan and are quickly rising in popularity! They are a “Blues Duo” that produces a lot of sound. “Ricco”(Eric Jaqua) plays Guitar (electric/acoustic) sings with conviction and lays down GROOVY BEATS with the revolutionary “FOOTDRUMS.” Background Vocals, Keyboard, Ion Harp Holder(Harp Rock) and “Seasoned Pro” Harmonica licks blown by the one and only Hipps! (Charlie Witthoeft) The combination and efforts of HNR have landed an Endorsement deal with Farmer Musical Instrumetns, Bellingham WA, and now travel the Country playing festivals, setting up workshops, and demonstrating these fine instruments! http://www.hippsnricco.com/about.html

Jake Allen Band

Jake Allen is a young yet seasoned artist originally from Northern Michigan. Since creating his first musical compositions at age five in his father’s home studio, the evolution of Jake’s sound has been many years in the making. His music, complex but very accessible. It’s something he calls “ethereal rock.” With a general “rock music” base, Jake seems to draw his main inspiration from the ear pleasing and peak moments within all genres. This truly makes this music an artistic style of its own. http://www.jakeallenmusic.com/About.html

Jazz North 

The members of Jazz North met playing in the Jazz Big Band at NMC. Their alliance was further cemented when they participated in an ongoing open mic for Jazz at Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor in the winter of 2004-2005. The open mic night didn’t last but Jazz North did. Playing everything from swing to rhythm and blues, Latin to bebop, vocals and jazz standards Jazz North is versatile and professional and just plain fun. This is music for grown ups. You can listen, dance or talk to your friends as Jazz North serenades you in the background. Perfect for weddings and parties the members of Jazz North also have the ability to play smaller gatherings and wedding ceremonies. From solo piano, piano with vocals, or solo guitar to little big bands of up to nine people and every combination in between, the instrumentation of Jazz North is flexible and it’s members are able to play a large variety of styles of music.

Jennifer Westwood and the Waycross Georgia Farmboys

From the choir loft to the corner bar, Jennifer Westwood found her voice somewhere in the middle. A product of Detroit; she grew up listening to motor city gospel, and also nurtured a fondness for her roots – a heritage filled with country music musicians. “The first thing that has to be admired is the solid guitar combo of Dylan Dunbar and Jackson Smith (son of Patti Smith and MC5 guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith), who effortlessly play off each other despite this being only the second gig for the band. They grin like goons at each other, sharing an inside joke that is obviously hilarious while kicking out some insane acoustic licks. And then there is the vocal interplay between Dunbar and Westwood. Fittingly, the band kicks off with Johnny Cash & June Carter’s “Jackson”, a song that suits this duo’s voices perfectly. Westwood has a country wail that can match the best of them, while Dunbar’s voice is like thick syrup.” – Metro Times http://www.jenniferwestwood.com

Jere Stormer

One of Jere’s first memories is of Ricky Nelson singing at the end of an Ozzie & Harriet rerun. Impressed by how much fun playing music looked, Jere began begging his parents for a guitar … only taking time out to eat and sleep… Several years later, he was given a Hi-Lo 6-string guitar from Federal’s Department Store. He’s been practicing music ever since… only taking time out to eat and sleep… His ten years at Public Radio exposed him to songs and music from all over the world, and he in turn, passed along his musical discoveries to listeners as a program host.  Now Jere is mostly known for his songs: topical, if not tropical; humorous, if not peculiar. His musical style-scrambling is prime evidence that he spent a little too much time in school. But while at college Jere won a few literary awards for his poems – then he began to blend his music and poetry. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jerestormer

Joe Welsh

Joe Welsh is currently leading Sunday Worship at the Church of Philadelphia in Traverse City, Michigan. He also leads a children’s worship time at First Congregational Church on Saturday nights. He is preparing to cut a new album of worship to be released in 2012. http://www.joewelshmusic.com/

Kaiser Cartel

Kaiser Cartel is a low-fi, song-driven, harmony-heavy Brooklyn-based duo. They recently followed up their successful debut album, March Forth, with a darker, more experimental collection entitled Secret Transit. Produced by Matt Hales (aqualung) and recorded in an old folkloric church around London, the styles and sounds explored on this album run the musical gamut. Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel have been touring the country in their Prius ever since they quit their teaching jobs in 2008, headlining their own shows, and supporting The Jayhawks, Dar Williams, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, aqualung, Carrie Rodriguez and Tracy Bonham. KC have had their music on the TV shows Exiled (MTV), Alter-Eco (Discovery), Private Practice (ABC), the first two episodes of Bored To Death (HBO) and most recently, The Firm (NBC). They have had songs on Starbucks’ Have You Heard? Compilation and the Bored To Death Soundtrack. Their video for “Oh No” can be seen on VH1.com, their video for “Okay” was screened at Slamdance and the “Blue Sky” video won “Best Music Video” at the Coney Island Film Fest. The duo also wrote four original songs for the non-profit organization Art of Conservation. Their charming and intimate live show is not to be missed.

Kevin Reeves

Kevin Reeves’s musical journey has been an amalgamation of many styles, each day bringing new forms of artistic expression. As the son of a young member of the U.S. Coast Guard, his family moved numerous times allowing Kevin to experience different cultural communities. From the down-home country music of Alabama, to the many forms of Hip hop originating in California, Kevin assimilated these musical styles and incorporated them into his arsenal of musical ideas. http://www.last.fm/music/Kevin+Reeves

Laurie Sears

Laurie is a prolific performer, playing for many shows, musicals and touring revues. She has appeared with the Four Tops, the Temptations, Maureen McGovern, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Julie Andrews, and numerous other top performers. She is also on the faculty at Interlochen.

Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys

Hailing from all corners of the Great Lakes State of Michigan, Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys are giving a nod to American traditional music, while boldly taking their own songs in new directions. Distinct vocals, tight harmonies, instrumental expertise, and creative arrangements are all essential characteristics of their unique sound. The group focuses on the original tunes of Lindsay Lou Rilko, which include true-life tales of bank-robbing aunties, monnshinin’ grandpas, and celebrations of love, life, and nature. Don’t be surprised to hear bluegrass standards, Beatles hits, and contemporary classics at a Flatbelly’s show as well. It’s an infectious vibe that could only have been born in the heart of America’s Fresh Coast! http://www.lindsayloumusic.com/

Luke Winslow-King

Luke Winslow-King (born on March 12^th 1983) is a guitarist, singer, composer, and lyricist known for his slide guitar work, and interest in pre-war blues and traditional jazz. Winslow-King’s work consists of an electric mix, taking in delta-folk music, classical composition, ragtime, and rock and roll; juxtaposing original songs with those from a bygone era. Wheter solo, or with a band, Winslow-King is known for an original sound that is both rustic and elegant. He delivers energetic and dynamic performances, with his burgundy voice and versatile guitar playing. Winslow-King, originally from Cadillac, Michigan, moved to New Orleans by chance in 2001. During a decade in New Orleans, he has collaborated with a revered list of local musicians, including: John Boutte, “Washboard” Chaz Leary, George Porter Jr., and Pual Sanchez. http://lukewinslowking.net/

Magdelen Fossum

Eleven-year-old Magdalen Fossum is a singer and ukulele player from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She got her start by performing in her family’s tea house & music venue when she was just seven, and 2011 has proved to be a full and busy year of musical performances for Magdalen. She was named Open Stage Performer of the Year by The Ark in Ann Arbor in 2011 and was the recipient of the Wheatland Music Festival’s Elyce Fishman Music Scholarship. Equally at home playing outdoor Michigan music festivals, standing room theaters, private parties or cafes, Magdalen has received overwhelming jubilant responses from audiences all over the State. http://www.wix.com/magdalenfossum/music

Mary Ellen Funke

Mary Ellen Funke is a folk singer songwriter originally from Chicago, Illinois. She discovered the world of folk music four years ago in southern California and hasn’t looked back since. She has been performing original songs since she was 17 and simply enjoys being around music in any of its forms. She is currently the music and entertainment intern for the Traverse City Film Festival.

Medicinal Groove

Healing listeners with soulful, groove based music.” There certainly is no boundary line to the bands eclectic style, but they remain committed to tasteful, dance-worthy rhythms. A truly original form of high energy electric-funk-jazz-fusion coming out of Michigan.

www.reverbnation.com/medicinalgroove

Midnight Cattle Callers

Few musicians have the ability to transport the listener to a different time by just hitting some strings or directing the air that fills their lungs. The Midnight Cattle Callers do just that. When listening to them you find yourself when AM radio is king, sippin’ whiskey if you’re fortunate and moonshine if you’re desperate. The core-band; comprised of Dee Sutton on guitar and lead vocals, Seth Sutton on upright bass, with Roger Brown on the electric twang-box and Luke Gitchel on the jazz box guitar, banjo and mandolin, Sean Hoffman on Fiddle and Keith Hudson on Clarinet rounding out the ensemble; epitomizes the sound that embraces a simpler time. These warm country sounds are a tribute to the hardscrabble towns and the people scattered across the American landscape. http://www.midnightcattlecallers.com

Motus Mixtus

Motus Mixtus is a four-piece band consisting of Logan Dell’Acqua (Lead Vocals/Keys) Fisher Diede (Backup Vocals/Guitar) Jake Myers (Bass) and David Stone (Backup Vocals/Drums). All four guys are sophomores at Central High School. Much of their inspiration comes from the likes of Coldplay, Radiohead, and The Strokes. They look forward to playing around and out of town in the summer and just making great music. https://www.facebook.com/motusmixtuse

Nathan Schmall

Nathan Schmall plays the acoustic guitar and ukulele. His alternative singer/songwriter style is quite unique both lyrically and vocally. He’s been in the Traverse City music scene on and off for the last few years, appearing at various open mic nights, collective performances at bars, and coffeehouses.

The Nephews

Drawing on a deep reservoir of American music, The Nephews repertoire is rooted in old time country music, country blues and rock & roll, but includes many songs which are not easy to categorize. Their songs have two things in common, whether they are ditties remembered from childhood or something one of them heard on the radio yesterday – they are always interesting and they always have soul.

New Third Coast

Patrick Niemisto hails from Pelkie near Baraga in Michigan’s upper peninsula. He is a Northern Michigan University graduate which is in Marquette. Patrick moved to the Leelanau County area in the early 1980′s, and has been a part of the music scene ever since. Playing a variety of instruments with an assortment of musicians, Patrick has enjoyed sharing the stage with some very cool people in some very cool places. Patrick plays Bass, Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar, Percussion, Piano, you name it – he probably plays it.

Ratone

Ratone “The Band” formed in late 2010. It was started by Billy, Sean, and Peter, however in early 2009. Billy would play drums, Peter the guitar , and Sean would sing their own songs to kill time and have fun. That summer they played their first gig at a community picnic, and decided to get serious. On that note, they invited Aaron Mahoney to play lead guitar in early 2010. Peter took on bass, so Sean could learn rhythm guitar, and soon they began to play around town. About a year later, Maikel Ragel was invited to join a second time, after declining a previous offer, as a blending vocalist with Sean, and keyboard player. At the end of 2011, Zack Brooks was brought in for lead guitar. The name comes from a small town in New Mexico, “Raton”. (Ruh-tone) This was a small train station town that Billy, Sean, and Peter passed through on their way to the Philmont Scout Ranch. They all agreed on the name, but soon after learned that it was spanish for “a tiny desert mouse; a rat”. Being “rats” was not an appealing image to them. But before the name was scrapped, it was suggested to add an “e” on the end, making it “Ratone”. “Either way, it’s pronounced ‘Ratone’. But the ‘e’ makes the name look like ‘tone’, as in ‘tone-music’. ” Thus Ratone was born. Through that summer though, they struggled to adjust to having a title, and switched between various names, such as “American Standard”, “Second Nature”, “Battery Powered Stone and the Thirsty Cheddar”, and others, only to finally settle back upon “Ratone”. They are working upon expanding across the state of Michigan, and hopefully soon, the Mid West.

Robin Lee Berry

Robin Lee Berry moved to northern Michigan in 1981 to raise children, write, record and perform music but has been a resident of Michigan most of her life. The beauty of the land and the water and the diversity of the seasons keeps her there. Robin is an accomplished guitar player and songwriter with an ability to cover many styles of music with passionate and intuitive energy. Her songs are about love, life, children, growing up and growing old and about the successes and disappointments that evolve from living life .
http://www.robinleeberry.com/

Ron Getz

Ron Getz, guitarist and composer, has studied at Berkeley College of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music. He has performed with a variety of jazz greats, including Arthur Blythe, Billy Hart, John Scofield, Steve Grossman, Bill Evans, Branford Marsalis and Marvin “Smitty” Smith (from the Jay Lenno Tonight Show Band). He has also shared the stage with blues greats B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Jeff Healy, Johnnie Lang and Kenny Wayne Sheppard. He shared the bill with Edgar Winter, Leon Russell, Eric Burden, Electric Light Orchestra and Jefferson Starship. His CD release Ego State has received critical acclaim in Jazz Times and Down Beat. He has recorded and produced numerous CD projects under his own name and with other artists in the jazz, blues, rock and pop genres. He has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe. Ron currently performs at the Trillium Lounge at the Grand Traverse Resort Friday and Saturday nights (9:00pm to 1:20 am). Featured with Ron on Friday and Saturday nights are some of the area’s best singers and players performing dance and listening music ranging from Motown, Pop, Blues, Funk, Swing and Jazz. http://rongetzguitar.com/

Ruby John

Ruby John is a Native American and Irish fiddler from Northport, Michigan.  She plays Metis, Irish, Old Time, French Canadian, Country, and Bluegrass traditional fiddle music.  Ruby plays in the Heart To Heart Bluegrass Band and guests with many other bands.   Learning traditional fiddle music has allowed Ruby to meet many great people and learn from the masters of the genres she performs. She attends the Algoma Trad Traditional Music Camp run by Julie Schryer yearly where she has been able to learn from some of Canada’s greatest fiddlers including Pierre Schryer and Dan Mac Donald.  Her mentor in Old Time music and greatest influence is Lee Sloan.  Currently she is teaching fiddle with her mentor and teacher Anne Lederman at the Garden River First Nations Reservation in Canada.  Ruby is pursuing a career as a professional traditional fiddle music musician.

Saldaje

“Saldaje” is a version of a Portuguese word that means “an intense longing or desire”, a fitting title for “The darkest ukulele band in Northern Michigan”. Saldaje’s repertoire consists of original songs ranging from haunting, apocalyptic folk ballads to “spirited” frolics and Tangos, sometimes on the roof, with an enchanting old-world flair. Saldaje is Melonie Steffes and Shaun Anchak, and a growing family of assorted ukuleles, violin, mandolin, guitar, toy piano, accordion, oud, saw, harmonicas, dance, puppetry and other little surprises. Some of their influences include: Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, Suzanne Vega, Nina Simone, Eastern European and Arabic music.

Samantha Crawford

Samantha Crawford has been quietly crafting songs for the last decade, working and reworking her style to just the right consistency. Two parts soul, one part motown, a dash of alternative, and a pinch of folk make up this sweet concoction!

Slide

The Irish Times calls SLIDE(IRELAND) “traditional musicians with attitude” and credits the group with “bringing drawing room grandeur and high spirits together” with it’s diverse songs ,which range from soulful and sorrowful to contagiously energetic. Folk Roots Magazine proclaims,”There’s plenty of action and flamboyance in Slides’s music,” which merges “swagger with traditional expertise.” This rollicking band’s origins date back to Ireland in 1999,when Slide performed in various pubs for a local music festival in Bandon, Co. Cork. The group’s intoxicating music easily won over the crowd, which demanded more of the unique and colourful sound. The positive reaction inspired Slide to release The Flying Pig, which Irish Music Magaize hailed as “beautifully recorded, to preserve the brilliance and clarity of solo and ensemble playing that is positively mind-blowing.” The publication awarded Slide its Best Newcomer distinction in 2001, leading to gigs for the band throughout Europe. http://www.slide-ireland.com/

Song of the Lakes 

Celebrating their 30th year together Song of the Lakes comes off the road to make a rare  appearance in Northern Michigan at the 2012 TCFF.  This Sunday morning concert will feature new songs from their “Paddle to the Sea” show along with some of their more contemplative original work.  A perfect way to enjoy Sunday afternoon at the Clinch Park music stage. Featuring the artistry of flutist Lisa Johansson,  who brought the flute into American roots music, the unique percussion stylings of master bodhrun and deer antler player Rick Jones, the mystical Nordic sounds of the nyckelharpa by multi-instrumentalist and singer songwriter, Ingemar Johansson and the passionate imagery of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Sullivan Song of the Lakes music will elicit feelings of joy and appreciation for the wonders of life in the North Country! http://songofthelakes.com/

Sue Wood and Lisa Johansson 

The piano/flute duo of Lisa Johansson and Sue Wood makes for an observation in connection, serendipity, years of playing by ear for ears, classical training and a dash of alchemy. Sue Wood draws from the traditions of folk, boogie-woogie, classical and jazz piano, andhas played many a dance and concert with the Group Tangelmere. Lisa Johansson has been singing and playing with the group Song and the Lakes for many years, creating music of the Great Lakes and beyond on tall ships to European concert stages to log cabins in the U.P. state forrest campgrounds. They both teach at Traverse Community Music and Lisa teaches as well as The Children’s House in studios that promote all levels of skills and styles of music and a philosophy of “where love is deep, much can be accomplished”. Wood-Johansson duo combines their talents into a fusion of jazzy-classical artistry with a bit of down home folksy.

Summerson

Summerson is composed of five solo musicians who love to play music together! Rick and Amber Buist met in Nashville, TN, in 1993. Amber was a session singer for TMR and Bunkhouse Studios and had a development deal with Arista Records. Rick played piano on the Grand Ole Opry for Bill Anderson before signing on to tour with Country Artists Terry Clark and Doug Stone. Savannah Buist is notorious for her electric blue violin and pure vocals. They began playing around town as Summerson in 2008 and Matt Mansfield joined them on guitar and vocals. When he isn’t playing with Soul Patch or serving amazing lattes at Pattiserie Amie, you can find Luke Purcell sitting in on percussion. http://www.myspace.com/amberbuist

Suzanne and Jim

Suzanne and Jim have brought Americana Roots Music to appreciative listeners for more than a decade and a half. Award winning vocals and five string banjo, guitars, flute, courtship dulcimer, a smattering of spoons and home spun humor are all woven together into an unforgettable good time. http://www.suzanneandjim.com/

Swallowtail

Celtic duo Don and Rebecca Lessard have been playing and performing in the northern Michigan area for the past decade. With Don on guitar and plectrum banjo, and Rebecca on hammered dulcimer, mandolin and octave mandolin, their acoustic music can be heard at weddings, private parties, special events, town gatherings, and contra dances.

Taylor Fernandez

THUNDERCLAP!

THUNDERCLAP is originally from the niagara region. He’s a self-taught singer songwriter, proficient at most instruments he lays his hands to. THUNDERCLAP has been writing songs since he was 13, he’s been masterminding various rock n’ roll outfits since he was 14; and has performed live hundreds of time all over North America and Europe. These days, a car and a guitar keeps him light and fancy free – THUNDERCLAP is a man alone and a band that can’t break up. He believes that the intimate dynamics of the voice can be lost in band situations and the bravery needed to take a stage alone heightens the vulnarability with the performer ‘thus’ a more emotional repor with an audience can be established. This type of performing can be just as potent when performed on the streets, which THUNDERCLAP does regularly, he likes to term it as ‘guerilla folkestry’ or himself as a “guerilla folk poet’. The strength of this performers originality was honed as a practicing method actor. His approach is honesty without a preconceived outcome, a pinch of poetic justice, a grand gesture or two and voila!  One hell of a strange, operatic minstrel that will leave you scratching your head.

Tone Soup

Tone Soup – A self-claimed “spunky little trio that sings from the heart,” Tone Soup is comprised of Tim Burke, Barbara Stow, and Linda Mueller.
http://www.facebook.com/kindsouls

The Tongue Family String Band

The Tongue Family Band has been active on the Northern Michigan music scene since 2006 with Steve on guitar, Amy on flute, daughters Abby (age 16) and Lara (age 14) on fiddles, and youngest daughter Emma (age 11) on the cello and bodhran (Irish Drum). Lara and Emma are also Irish step dancers, which adds visual dazzle to their performances.

Tracy Kash Thomas

Award-winning musician Tracy Kash Thomas began her musical life as a classical musician. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree from University of North Texas – a veritable jazz factory producing musicians such as Lou Marini and Stefan Karlsson – and a Master’s degree from the venerable Boston Conservatory, Tracy is an accomplished flutist.  In her former life, she performed on flute and piccolo regularly with the Cape Cod Symphony, New England Philharmonic, and Irving (Texas) Symphony Orchestras, among others.  Add her impeccable songwriting, arranging and production talents to the mix and it is easy to see why she is an established musician’s musician in her native Detroit, where she currently lives, as well as in her previous hometown, New York City. Thomas’s music represents the variety of genres in which she has shown she can comfortably and brilliantly immerse herself, including swing, Latin jazz, R&B, and pop.   This unique variety thrills live audiences as well as her growing radio following.

Trillium Singers

Formed in 2006 by founder and director, Candice Wallace. All four members have extensive musical backgrounds. We have performed for Traverse City Film Festival, “Live from Studio A” on Interlochen Public Radio, Park Place Hotel, Petoskey Music in the Park Series, Music House Museum Concert series, Omena Holiday Serenade, Traverse Area District Library Concert Series, Chamber Music North, the T.C. Historical Center, with the N.W. Michigan College Band, the Pure A-cappella Festival and many area churches. https://www.facebook.com/TRILLIUM.SINGERS

True Falsettos

The True Falsettos are a swing duo featuring Joe Wilson (Steel Guitar, Guitar, Vocals) and Kevin Gills (Bass, Vocals). Embracing the hot jazz and swing styles of the 30’s and 40’s, Joe and Kevin play some of the liveliest, most danceable music around. In addition to original tunes, Joe and Kevin play the songs of the Nat King Cole trio, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Fats Waller, Jimmie Lunceford, Louis Jordan, and more.

Windy Ridge Boys

The Windy Ridge Boys are Phil Keeling, Tim Sparling, Jack Dryden and Joe Bottenhorn. Playing in and around Northern Michigan blending a tasteful instrumental combination of Jazz and Blues Standards with a smattering of Surf Music for the discerning ear.

Billy Strings 
Cedar Valley Boys
Central Senior High Drum Line (Michael Siciliano, Cameron Gibson, Makenzie Mattis, Noah Pickett, Fisher Diede, Lucas Corona, David Stone, Skylar Thomson, Kami Chung, Dominic Farmer, James Quin Manley, Amanda Gardner, Cara Ferguson, Molly Sawyer, & Logan Woods)
Dan Jacobs & Friends
Doug Zernow
Front Street Big Band 
M-23 Strings 
Matt Smith 
Michala Jamison & Friends 
Miriam Pico
Sage DeAgro-Ruopp 
Susan Cogswell and Dr. Charles Kelly
Susan Day’s Piano Group