2002-2003 Coffeehouse Schedule:

Archive Index
Current Coffeehouse Calendar

September 27 & 28 - Old-Time/Bluegrass Jamboree

The Good Coffeehouse kicks off the season with the Fifth Annual Brooklyn Old Time and Bluegrass Jamboree. This magical festival attracts musicians and fans from across the northeast, for two days of some of the best traditional American music you can find anywhere.

Friday Night at 8pm is a concert by Coffeehouse favorites James Reams and the Barnstormers, and an exhilarating evening of foot-stompin', heart-pumpin' bluegrass music. Their CD, Barnstormin’, was named by WKCR-FM one of the 12 best bluegrass releases of 2001. The band has been playing at bluegrass festivals from Maine to North Carolina to Indiana to Michigan and everywhere in between. Catch the band that the New York Daily News calls "New York's bluegrass icons" while they're here at home!

Saturday Afternoon and Evening is a series of workshops, jams, and performances, with children's activities and a healthy helping of BBQ & vittles, starting at noon and going on until after 10pm. All day only two dollars admission!

• 12:30-2:30pm - Workshops
• 2:30-6:15pm - Jam/Song Swap
• 6:15-10:15 - Concert by various old-time and bluegrass performers

Jammin' at the Jamboree, September 1999.

Time Out New York called this the "happy little festival." Spend some time at the Jamboree and you'll know why!

October 4 - Tigist Ejigu

Ethiopian piano virtuoso Tigist Ejigu is the main proponent of improvised traditional (Ethiopian) music on the piano in North America today. The aesthetics of scales or chord progressions in Ethiopian style piano-playing is similar to that of their other plucked or bowed strings, Krar or Masinko, or even the Arabic qanun or oud, but with a more delicate touch. Tigist's style may remind you of both Keith Jarrett and Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand), two jazz piano greats, in both their romanticism and spiritualism. Even though an improviser, Tigist selects her source materials from the archives of ancient songs of love, betrayal and longings, collectively referred to as "tezetas" - not too far removed from the blues.

 

October 11 - Columbus Day Weekend

No Coffeehouse.

 

October 18 - Third Friday with the Park Slope Food Coop

Will Woodard Group: Trumpeter Ken Slone and bassist Will Woodard are veterans of the New York jazz scene. They explore the music and the musical aesthetic of Miles Davis and will perform with piano and drums in the classic quartet lineup. Also, award-winning drummer/percussionist Todd Isler has studied African, Indian and Brazilian music. He's joined here by fellow Coop members Jenny Hill, David Phelps and Dom Richards.

 

October 25 - Ellsworth & Hicks; Andrew Hunt

Ellsworth & Hicks blend vocal harmonies with acoustic guitar and clarinet. Their repertoire resists easy categorization and includes strong original songs. Singer/songwriter Andrew Hunt is kind of like Tom Waits filtered through Steve Earle, mixed with some Leonard Cohen...who performs with an all-acoustic band...with a new album out.

 

November 1 - AEU Growth & Devlopment Conference

No Coffeehouse.

 

November 8 - Fula Flute

Music of the African Savanna. Fula Flute consists of two Tambin (Fulani flute) players, supported by a rotating team of Madinke and Western instrumentalists playing the balafon (xylophone), kora (21-string harp) and contrabass. Bailo Bah, a celebrated master tambin player, originates from the Foutta Djallon Mountains, the heartland of this flute. Sylvain Leroux, the other master musician, left Canada to study with tambin masters in Guinea, W. Africa, for many years. The stylistic approach of vocalizing through the flute has been practiced to a limited extent by Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Yuseef Lateef, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, but without achieving the grace, musicality or the broader vocabulary of a master tambin player.

 

November 15 - Third Friday with the Park Slope Food Coop

Whether he's in singer/songwriter mode or doing scat vocal improvisations, the music of Ben Silver slides through folk, R&B, funk, jazz and back again. Singer/multi-instrumentalist Bruce Markow brings passion, sophistication and playfulness to his eclectic songwriting, with stirring melodies and colorful lyrics of hope and healing that linger.

 

November 22 - Gene Yellin, Michal Shapiro & the Bluegrass All-Stars

Gene and Michal have been singing together for more than 25 years. The ensemble also includes Kenny Kosek, one of NYC's best fiddlers; multi-talented instrumentalist Bob Green on mandolin and vocals, Steve Arkin (who played banjo for Bill Monroe), and Ethan Kende on rock-solid bass. Also, the Brooklyn Corn Dodgers, featuring twin French harps, banjo, guitar and bass, will perform classic old-time tunes and songs from the golden age of Americana.

 

November 29 - Thanksgiving Weekend

No Coffeehouse.

 

December 6 - Hannukah Weekend

No Coffeehouse.

 

December 13 - Gino Stitson

Gino Sitson has been referred to as the Bobby McFerrin of Cameroon. But the similarity ends with their shared penchant idiosyncratic yodelings or vocalizing. Gino sings in his native Bamileke language and uses an unusual intricate rhythmic arrangement. Gino's CD Song Zin' has received great reviews.

 

December 20 - Third Friday with the Park Slope Food Coop

Master Pakistani tabla player Mulazim Hussain and his collaborator, student and brother Eric Alabaster bring you: Rhythm-Do-It, a duo of eastern and western percussion. Unexpected rhythms from myriad lognitudinal and latidutinal points augmented by surprise elements and personages, harmonic, melodic and corporeal. In addition, cellist and longtime Coop member, Martha Siegel, has gathered together a wonderful, committed group of musicians, called The Brooklyn Brandenburgers, who will delight your sensibilities with their renditions of Bach Brandenburg Concerti and other works. You will enjoy the traditional instrumentation of strings and winds, combined with the surprising addition of English concertina, mandolin and melodica. Bach would have loved it, and so will you.

 

January 10 - Modern Man

This comedy/music troupe (David Buskin, Rob Carlson, and George Wurzbach) lampoons everything from the FBI to ESPN, with a few letters left over for anyone else who gets in the way. These three singer/songwriters are fine musicians with a knack for comedy.

 

January 17 - Third Friday with the Park Slope Food Coop

The Cooperating Cooperators, with David & Mary Roach, Dave & Leeann Kumin, Eddy Rosenthal and Lissy, offering acoustic guitar and harmonies.
Plus Mikey (Mapouka) Valenti & Gina Ferrera playing gyil music from West Africa.

 

January 24 - A Night of Magic

A special performance hosted by magic authority, performer, author, and historian Richard Steven Cohn, plus an array of the greatest NY magicians, including Torkova (first USA winner of the prestigious Hofzinser Magic Trophy), Brooklyn's own Marco Monteverdi, rising magic star Ryan Oakes, and comedy magician Jon Stetson. Program subject to change. Advance tickets ($10 for all) available for this show at Park Slope Copy, 123 Seventh Avenue. Tickets also available as always at the door on the evening of the performance.

 

January 31 - The Bev Grant Band

Led by the folk legend herself, with Bruce Markow on vocals, guitar and mandolin, Barry Kornhauser on bass, Robin Burdulis on percussion and vocals, and special guest Richard Bryant on harmonica.
Plus Paprika, performing music in seven languages and styles -- reggae, Cuban son, Brazilian samba and baiao, and African and Arabic rock & roll -- to uplift your psyche and make you want to dance.

 

Febraury 7 - Janie Barnett

Janie writes and sings songs of autonomy, community, romantic love and the journey through modern time and also keeps busy singing backup on records for Celine Dion, Jessica Simpson and Kevin Bacon. Proceeds from this concert will go to help the P.S. 261 5th grade graduation.
Plus Ilene Weiss. Her songs were once solicited by Madonna's publishing company, who rejected them for being "too authentic." Appreciated as a skillful performer by audiences of many ages and orientations, Ilene is considered by many to be a "songwriter's songwriter."

 

February 14 - Valentine's Day/President's Day Weekend

No Coffeehouse.

 

February 21 - Third Friday with the Park Slope Food Coop

Roberta Piket with Alternating Current (Bruce Arnold on guitar, Kirk Driscoll on drums, bassist to be announced).
Plus Jezra Kaye, who brings her warm and spirited sound to songs ranging from standards and show tunes to 60s pop and the blues. Featuring guitarist Jerome Harris and friends.

 

February 28 - The Love Handles

Six musicians on a mission. The two founding members met as students in the 60s and made a commitment to keep their favorite music alive. The eclectic influences in their music include rock, blues and folk.

 

March 7 - Special Evening of Music Curated by Music Matters

Sweet William is a four-piece (guitar, mandolin, banjo, percussion) ensemble that draws from the roots of country, bluegrass and old-time music -- a "back-porch" urban/alt-Americana style of music.
Plus Susan Guinn sings and plays guitar in the "down-home" way and is accompanied by a bassist, guitarist and percussionist.

 

March 14 - World Music: DalamDougou

What do you get when you put on stage a balafon player (balafon is the ancient marimba from West Africa), a guy steeped in Hungarian/Transylvanian fiddle playing, and some New York jazz musicians playing both western and African instruments? DalamDougou’s lush, melodic, groove-oriented music, of course! "Dalam" means "melody" in Hungarian, and "Dougou" means "land" or "place" in a couple of West African languages. So DalamDougou is a musical utopia.

 

March 21 - Third Fridays with the Park Slope Food Coop

Caru Thompson in an evening of spoken word, poetry, and music.

 

March 28 - Haitian Dance Night, 6-10pm

The Children's Sunday Assembly takes over the Good Coffeehouse for a fun-filled evening featuring Haitian Music and Dancing. Bring your friends and families for supper, then stay for the party and the concert! Supper is at 6pm, followed by the party at 7pm. From 8-10pm will be the Haitian Dance Concert. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Children's Sunday Assembly and the Leogane Haiti Projects.

 

April 4 - New Translations

New Translations Trio is a Brooklyn confluence of sound and intention, with Barry Kornhauser on cello, Kyoko Kitamura on vocals, plus percussion, performing original jazz-informed compositions, improvisations, and songs.

 

April 11 - American Traditions

The Otis Brothers have been making music together since the early 70s. They perform songs and tunes from the neglected rural traditions of the Black South that were part of the great interchange with white hillbilly music in the last part of the 19th century up until the more sophisticated 50s sounds.
Also, The Gowanus Canal Hotshots offers rockin' renditions of old-time country breakdowns and heart songs, down-home blues, rags, and hokum favorites, as well as Louisiana Cajun and Black Creole two-steps and valses.

 

April 18 - Easter/Passover Weekend

No Coffeehouse.

 

April 25 - Kate & Lou/Pat Wictor

Kate & Lou play traditional material and original songs from a wide range of styles including folk, blues, traditional country, bluegrass, old-time and jazzy vocals on guitars, mandolin and accordion.
Also, Pat Wictor's songs are delivered with poetic ease and a unique style with an echo of fingerstyle guitar masters Bruce Cockburn and Kelly Joe Phelps, the writings of philosopher Joseph Campbell, and blues and bluegrass greats of the 30s and 40s.

 

May 2 - The Sullivan Family: Special Event - SOLD OUT

Enoch and Margie Sullivan have been called the "first family of bluegrass gospel music" (by the "father of bluegrass" himself, Bill Monroe). They have been performing their powerful music for 50 years at music festivals and venues around the country. Their last show in New York City was in the early 80s at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. This event will be a small, intimate evening with these performers -- including a concert and pie-social -- and will be limited to the first 30 ticket-purchasers. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Advance tickets for this performance can be purchased by e-mail, or calling 718-965-8490. Special ticket price for this performance is $30. SOLD OUT!

 

May 9 - James Reams & The Barnstormers

Their CD, Barnstormin' was chosen as one of the 12 best bluegrass CDs of 2001. They've played everywhere from the prestigious Roots of American Music festival at Lincoln Center and the Bottom Line to venerable bluegrass venues such as Luckett's and the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. Come see James Reams & The Barnstormers at the place they like best!

 

May 16 - Third Fridays with the Park Slope Food Coop

Alegria (the band formerly known as Xodo!) includes Robin Burdulis on percussion, Margie Fein on vocals & guitar, Natalie Cushman on percussion and vocals, and Barry Kornhauser on bass, cello and guitar. Plus Jenny Hill & Liquid Horn, a rich mixture of jazz, Brazil, and the funky side of Brooklyn, featuring Jenny Hill on saxes and flute.

 

May 23 - Memorial Day Weekend

No Coffeehouse.

 

May 30 - Brooklyn Women's Chorus

Under the direction of Bev Grant, a Brooklyn Women's Chorus concert is always inspiring.

 

June 6 - Tomas Rodriguez/Eric Warren

Tomas Rodriguez is a powerful guitar player and composer whose style is a blend of flamenco, bossa nova, Latin boleros and American folk music. His brand-new CD will be available.
Also, born in New Orleans and blind since birth, Eric Warren began playing guitar at the age of ten. He began working as a sideman and studio musician while simultaneously honing his composition and jazz skills. His debut CD Velvet Edge combines jazz with bluesy rock & roll.

 

June 13 - George Wurzbach/James O'Malley

Brooklyn's George Wurzbach has worked as a sideman and session player for artists including Johnny Cash and Kathy Mattea and is the author of Country Riffs for Piano published by Hal Leonard. As a singer/songwriter his performance at the Kerrville Folk Festival earned him the 1995 New Folk Award. He has appeared with Tom Paxton, David Buskin, Jonathan Edwards, Oscar Brand, Peter Yarrow, The Red Clay Ramblers and many others. His debut CD Not Pictured was featured in Performing Songwriter magazine's list of the Top 12 Independent Recordings.
Also, James O'Malley is based in Long Island and was part of the acclaimed folk-rock group of the 70s, The Braid, who played shows with Tim Hardin, Ry Cooder, David Bromberg and Harry Chapin. James is solo now and through the intervening years has further honed his songwriting skills, as his new solo CD I'm Ready demonstrates. This is his first Good Coffeehouse appearance.

 

June 20 - Third Fridays with the Park Slope Food Coop

A night of poetry and spoken word with Donna Minkowitz and others.