National Folk Festival lists complete roster of performers
Published: May 28, 2010
The full list of performers was recently released for the 72nd National Folk Festival, July 9-11 in Butte.
“We’ve held a few surprises until the end,” said Julia Olin, executive director of the National Council for the Traditional Arts. “With the addition of Moroccan Gnawa legend Hassan Hakmoun, the superb Mexican trio Los Tres Reyes, and the ‘Blues Legends and Legacies’ sessions, featuring three masters of southern blues, the festival is shaping up to be the fitting culmination of a magical three-year run in Montana.”
“Not only is the line-up completely fresh, but 13 of the featured musical genres this year are new – different from any presented over the past two years, “ she added.
The final group of performers now confirmed for the 72nd National Folk Festival includes:
Hassan Hakmoun, Moroccan Gnawa
Under the spell of Moroccan musical legend Hassan Hakmoun, listeners are transported to the square in Marrakech. Incorporating jazz and rock as he takes lyrical as well as literal leaps, Hakmoun responds with acrobatic dancing to the pulsing, soaring trance music of the Gnawa people.
The Legendary Singing Stars, gospel
For over 40 years, these gospel music road-warriors have been bringing their unique blend of tight vocal harmonies, blazing guitars, and classic soul-style choreographed stage moves to congregations around the country and audiences at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre.
Elizabeth LaPrelle, Appalachian ballads and songs
Representing the next generation of powerful ballad singers from Southwest Virginia, this young singer is exceptional in her devotion to, and mastery of, this Appalachian tradition. As Virginia State Folklorist Jon Lohman says, “One gets the feeling … that she is accessing those aspects of these songs that transcend place and historical time and speak directly to the heart.”
Los Tres Reyes, Mexican trío romántico
With its poetic themes of unrequited love and gorgeous vocal harmonies, layered over dazzling work on guitar and requinto (small classical guitar), the trío romántico style remains one of the most popular of Latin American ensembles. Formed in 1957, with the brothers Gilberto and Raul Puente at its core, Los Tres Reyes continues to hone this beautiful style to near perfection.
Bakaari Wilder and Theo Hill, African American tap dance
An astounding young practitioner of the uniquely American tradition of improvisational tap dance, Baakari Wilder is no stranger to the stage. Opening for tap legends Sandman Sims, Brenda Bufalino and Harold Nicholas at age 12, he went on to replace Savion Glover in the Broadway production of “Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk,” touring nationally and making numerous television appearances. At this year’s festival Wilder teams with jazz pianist Theo Hill for a classic hoofer duo.
Lammam Ensemble, Arabic
From the lush microtones of Arabic maqams to the wild improvisations the music inspires, this accomplished quartet showcases the seductive artistry and diversity of traditional Arabic music. The ensemble is led by Middle Eastern accordionist Elias Lammam, who has brought the Oriental-style quartertone accordion from the back of the orchestra to the front of the concert stage.
Blues Legends and Legacies with Reverend John Wilkins, Phil Wiggins, and Henry Gray
This multi-generational exploration of southern blues brings together three exceptional American bluesmen: legendary boogie-woogie piano and blues pioneer Henry Gray; Reverend John Wilkins, who continues the blues-based gospel guitar tradition of his father, pre-war blues legend Reverend Robert Wilkins, and harmonica wizard Phil Wiggins, who is rooted in the Piedmont blues tradition.
Aditya Prakash Ensemble, Carnatic music of South India
At the age of eight, this young singer began studying the art of Carnatic singing, and quickly excelled at learning the compositions and improvisations long revered in this classical Hindu tradition..
Apsáalooke Dancers with the Nighthawk Singers, Apsáalooke (Crow) dance and drum
In the early 20th century, when Indian dancing was outlawed, the ancestors of these Crow dancers and singers would travel into remote foothills of the Big Horn Mountains, where dances were held far from the view of authorities. Today, with elaborate regalia, this multi-generational group honors its ancestors with passion and dedication.
Previously-announced groups to perform at the 72nd National Folk Festival in 2010: La Excelencia, salsa dura; Genticorum, Québécois; Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, bluegrass; Dale Watson, honky-tonk/country; Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, zydeco; Super Chikan, Delta blues; Benedicte Maurseth, Norwegian Hardanger fiddle and song; Alte Kameraden, community brass band; Bua, Irish; Tony Ballog and Roma Nota, Hungarian Gypsy; Stanky and The Coalminers, Eastern-style polka; Whitetop Mountain Band, old-time; and Hector Del Curto’s Eternal Tango Quartet, Argentine tango.
In addition, festival-goers can polish their moves right before the dancing begins with salsa lessons from expert dance instructor Eileen Torres, and square dance and flatfoot dance instruction with West Virginia dance master Lou Maiuri.
Rounding out the 2010 festival program are a number of performers in the Family Area and Montana Folklife Area, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
Since 1934, the National Folk Festival has celebrated the roots, richness and variety of American culture through music, dance, traditional craft, storytelling and food. This “moveable feast of deeply traditional folk arts” has been held in 26 communities around the country, and in 2008, began a three-year tenure in Butte.
The 72nd National Folk Festival will feature 250 performers and craftspeople with music and dance performances on six stages, workshops, children’s activities, folklife demonstrations, a festival marketplace and ethnic and regional foods. Admission is free.
For more details visit www.nationalfolffestival.com.
