Combining the hard-driving sound of Virginia fiddler Rhys Jones with the clawhammer wizardry of banjo player Jay White, The Men of Leisure play breakdowns, songs, and dance music from southern Appalachia. With the timeless sound of a fiddle/banjo duo, The Men of Leisure perform a concert which showcases the profound beauty of Old-Time music as played by two masters of the tradition.
Rhys Jones is a Virginia fiddler known for his drive, clarity, and unmistakable individuality. Equally at home telling stories of Appalachian music as he is performing on fiddle, banjo, and guitar, Rhys has appeared everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center, won the prestigious Clifftop fiddle contest twice, and recorded five influential albums. He now lives with his partner Meghan in Fauquier County, Virginia where they raise their five sons.
Jay White emerged from the thriving old-time music scene in Baltimore, and has been performing and teaching rhythmic clawhammer style banjo up and down the eastern seaboard of the United States for the last decade. Jay’s banjo playing is known as much for its expressive, percussive, and rhythmically driven sound, as for creative explorations and improvisations up and down the neck. When not driving an RV around the country, Jay lives in a newly empty nest with his wife Maura on the outskirts of Baltimore.
Sunday, October 20
Workshops! 2 pm • $45 for either session
Banjo Workshop with Jay White
Exploring Cumberland Gap/Sandy River Belle Tuning (gEADE)
in Clawhammer Banjo
In this workshop, we'll dig into the gEADE tuning, also known as "Cumberland Gap" or "Sandy River Belle" tuning, a favorite in Kentucky old-time traditions. We'll explore both the positives and drawbacks of this tuning, including how it can open up options for rhythmic groove or precise melodic playing. With its unique chord voicings and efficient layout, you'll see how it can simplify some parts of your playing while offering fresh challenges in others. Whether you're already familiar with this tuning or new to it, come ready to explore its possibilities in your own style!
Fiddle Workshop with Rhys Jones
Virginia fiddler Rhys Jones will teach an old-time fiddle workshop, appropriate for most levels of fiddle. Rhys is known as a highly traditional fiddler with a distinctive and driving personal voice in his music, and his five albums (including his acclaimed band Bigfoot) have influenced generations of musicians.
The workshop is a hands on class to help you gain articulation, clarity and precision in bowing, using tunes from the repertoire of Virginia and southern West Virginia as a basis for teaching. Rhys will teach how bowing choices can influence both rhythm and regional style. The workshop will explore specific bowing patterns found in tunes, and teach you to apply them to other pieces. Special attention will be given to phrasing and rhythmic emphasis, while improving control of rock-bows, pulses, drones and double stops. |
