Concert Order:

Old-Time String Ensemble, directed by David Bragger
Music of Klezmer Ensemble, directed by Janice Markham

Old-Time String Ensemble, directed by David Bragger

Program:

“Creek’s All Muddy and the Pond’s All Dry” by Thomas Jefferson “Duck” Wooten
An early, obscure Texas tune discovered on a home recording featuring fiddler Thomas Jefferson “Duck” Wooten. The first commercial recording of this tune was released by contemporary fiddlers Howard Rains (TX) and Tricia Spencer (KS). Spencer and Rains presented a master class for our ensemble several years ago and taught us this piece.

“Down the Road” by Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton
A song/fiddle tune inspired by the playing of North Carolina’s Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton.

“Over the Mountain” by Alonzo Janes
The once-enslaved fiddler Alonzo Janes (1850–1937) taught this piece to David Bragger’s mentor Mel Durham nearly a century ago. David is now passing down this near-forgotten piece of history to our old-time ensemble. This is one of our ensemble classics. Tonight it is being performed by Gas Station Sushi, a new Los Angeles old-time string band that recently formed out of our current ensemble.

“June Apple” by Tommy Jarrell
One of the popular high-energy dance tunes sourced from Tommy Jarrell (NC) and several other older musicians from North Carolina and Virginia.

“You’ve Been a Friend to Me” by The Carter Family
A beautiful song from the legendary early country trio The Carter Family, originally recorded on June 9, 1936.

“Shady Grove” Traditional
This traditional piece is known both as a song and an instrumental fiddle tune. It has been performed and recorded for many decades by old-time, bluegrass, folk, and rock musicians. Tonight’s version comes from a variety of sources including Sidna & Fulton Myers (VA), Norman Edmonds (VA), and Bruce Molsky (NY).

“Elk River Blues” by Ernie Carpenter
This extremely popular instrumental jam tune comes from Ernie Carpenter (1907–1997) of West Virginia. In recent years it picked up some lyrics and has been further popularized by the playing of Grammy winner Sierra Ferrell.

“Chinese Breakdown” by The Scottdale String Band
This is commonly played as a fiddle tune in the Key of D. However, this version comes from the Scottdale String Band, who rerecorded it in March of 1927. It is a mandolin-driven version played in the key of C.

“Train on the Island” by Tom Sauber, Tom Carter, and Blanton Owen
There are countless versions of this tune/song being played in today’s contemporary old-time scene. This particular version comes from a recording featuring David’s fiddle teacher Tom Sauber along with Tom Carter and the late Blanton Owen.

“Tally Ho!” by Blanche Coldiron
Kentucky banjo legend Blanche Coldiron (1922–2005) is the source of this tune. “Blanche the Mountain Girl,” as she was often called, was honored with Morehead State University’s Appalachian Treasure Award for her lifelong contribution to the cultural heritage of Appalachia. It’s a four-part barn burner of a solo banjo piece. Tonight our banjo players will perform it together.

“Arkansas Traveler” Traditional
One of the great staples from the American fiddle canon. Over a century ago, it was commonly performed with humorous dialogue.

Personnel:

David Bragger — Ensemble Director; Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar
Addy Chandler — Bass
Afton Coombs – Flatfooting
Aidan Snead — Fiddle
Alix Ospina — Guitar
Asher Boone — Mandolin
Asher Nee — Fiddle
Carsyn Shirk — Fiddle
Courtney Blue — Mandolin
Eden Ulrigg — Cello
Hannah Elenteny — Fiddle
Isaac Dwyer — Bouzouki
Jazmyn Lu — Fiddle, Banjo
Justine Charroux — Guitar
Kai Heartlife — Guitar, Mandolin
Katherine Cordova — Banjo
Kayne Doughty — Guitar, Mandolin
Keaton Flynn — Guitar
Keira Prouty — Guitar
Lan Anh Nguyen — Mandolin
Lola Sabol — Guitar
Maya Bragger — Fiddle, Banjo
Miller Elliot — Banjo, Washboard
Nathan Ruyle — Fiddle
Nava Khurgel — Guitar
Olivia Landon — Banjo
Roy Huang — Fiddle
Saba Goodarzi — Banjo
Sara Murphy — Fiddle
Sienna Ruiz — Mandolin
Simon Ng — Fiddle, Mandolin
Sofia Brown — Banjo
Susan Platz — Fiddle
Susan Slavonia — Guitar
Tomek Adler — Banjo
Yonatan Marian — Banjo

Music of Klezmer Ensemble, directed by Janice Markham

Program:

“A Yor Nokh Meyne Khesene” by Joseph Rumshinsky (1881–1956)
“Varshaver Freylekh” – Traditional
“Moshe Emes” – Traditional
“Ale Brider” – Traditional melody, original lyrics by Morris Winchevsky (1856-1932)
“Đàn bầu doyna/ Freylekh #1” by Traditional, from the Kammen Folio
“Papa’s Nign” by Craig Taubman
“Khosid #8” – Traditional
“Uncle Shmuel Drank too Much at the Party” by The UCLA Klezmer Ensemble
“Vitebsk” by Janice Mautner Markham (Arr. by Mostly Kosher)

Personnel:

Anshel Mamet — Piano
Elijah Lurie — Guitar
Ethan Alvarado — Trumpet
Fuyi Yang — Accordion
Henry Wilson — Marimba
Jared Goldman — Sax
Jenny Ma — Flute
Leo Ross — Drums
Lauren Weyel — Accordion
Max Kaminsky — Clarinet
Maya Grove — Violin
Michel Weiner — Flute
Roy Huang — Violin
Ruth Sondik — Trumpet