Artist Bios

Susan Werner - May 29

Farm girl Susan Werner was raised in rural Iowa but began her professional music career in Philadelphia, after studying classical voice at Temple University. Inspired by a Nanci Griffith concert, Werner left behind her opera training and began performing as a singer-songwriter at coffeehouses throughout the northeast. She self-released her first album "Midwestern Saturday Night" in 1992 and then went on to put out "Live at Tin Angel" the following year.

In 1995 came her breakout album, BMG/Private Music's "Last of the Good Straight Girls," but a corporate reshuffle left her and her folk-pop masterpiece behind. Werner went on, recording two albums even better than her previous work, adding some country and soul sounds to her signature vocal stylings with the help of Nashville multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Darrell Scott, who produced "Time Between Trains" and Colin Linden (Blackie & The Rodeo Kings), who produced her 2001 "New Non-Fiction."

Chris Smither - June 5

Some artists continually reinvent themselves; others identify their muse early on and spend their careers single-mindedly pursuing it, remaining recognizably themselves through a career-long process of refinement, growth and discovery. Chris Smither belongs to the latter group. Leave the Light On, Smither's masterful twelfth album—the first he's released on his own Mighty Albert label—stands as the quintessence of his life's work while throwing in some new wrinkles that reflect where he's been and what he's encountered since the last time around. But Smither's central theme as he enters his 60s is clearer than ever.

Steven Forbert - June 12

Nearly 28 years since breaking into pop consciousness with his second album Jackrabbit Slim and its infectious Top Ten single “Romeo’s Tune,” Steve Forbert remains a master of songs offering clear-eyed insight and plain-spoken, heartfelt eloquence. On his 429 Records/SLG debut, the well-traveled Nashville-based troubadour—who maintains a busy touring schedule of over 100 dates a year — explores his ongoing fascination for Strange Names & New Sensations with characteristic wit, a sense of social consciousness and the ever-present romantic optimism that has endeared him to two generations of folk/rock fans.

Beyond launching an exciting relationship with a new label, the vibrant collection finds Forbert in the midst of a true career renaissance at the wonderful age of 52—a time in his life he reflects upon wistfully on the sly narrative of the up-tempo, horn driven tune “Middle Age.”

Tom Chapin - June 19

Adult albums and kids’ albums, contemporary folk, and pop, Tom Chapin’s music spans styles and generations. For more than thirty years and through nineteen compact discs, Chapin has entertained, amused and enlightened audiences of all ages with life-affirming original songs told in a sophisticated array of musical styles. Tom’s remarkable musicianship, great songwriting and personal warmth shine through whether he’s performing in a concert hall, an outdoor festival, a school, in front of a symphony orchestra or in an intimate coffeehouse.

Tom’s adult concerts and recordings are sparked by strong, intelligent songwriting with clear, engaging vocals and the intricate, melodic guitar work that has become his trademark. He has recorded eight albums of adult-oriented material. The newest, The Turning Of The Ti d e, was released September 2006. The New York Times calls Tom Chapin “one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music.” He says: “Mine is not a traditional music, but it comes from a tradition. My musical heroes are people like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie who wrote and sang real songs for real people; for everyone, old, young, and in between.”

David Wilcox - June 26

David Wilcox's 'Open Hand' was recorded in 7 days from start to finish in December 2008 on 2 inch 16 track analog tape. No computer tricks were used, all of the songs on this release were recorded live, just 4 human beings playing music together. Very minimal overdubs were used, so most all of what you hear is exactly as it was played together by David and the other musicians live. Dan Phelps produced and played guitar and keyboard, Jon Evans: bass guitar and upright bass, James McAlister: drums and percussion.

'Open Hand' is David's 16th release. Since he performs solo acoustic almost exclusively, he is able avoid the common 8 or 10 week tour, preferring instead to strike a balance between traveling for shows and being at home in Asheville NC with his family. It's more than just a good balance for his life, he compares the two worlds of touring and creativity at home as being akin to the in breath and the out breath - inspiration and expression.

Beats Walkin' - July 3

What exactly is going on here? That joyful noise you hear is called Texas Swing - an eclectic blend of jazz, swing, country, bluegrass, blues and boogie-woogie that'll have you smiling so wide your cheeks will hurt. Invented "way down Texas way" in the 1930's by a cigar-chompin' part-time barber named Bob Wills, Texas swing blends the sounds of traditional big-band jazz with the western style influences of fiddle and steel guitar. Almost all major country acts today include a swing tune or two in their repertoires. But the sound is so refreshing, so infectious, and so damn much fun, that you can't help but wonder why they don't just play it all the time.

Ken Ulansey - July 10

Ken Ulansey, Penn Council for the Arts winner, plays alto and soprano sax and clarinet. He is a musical chameleon, having played contemporary classical music with Relache, jazz with his own award-winning band, latin with Synthesis and Minas, and folk music with most of the area’s and even the nation’s leading songwriters. For the last 15 years he's had one of the top Klezmer bands in the area. Besides leading his own wedding band that specializes in swing, motown, latin, pop, zydeco and oldies, Ken has toured extensively in Europe and the States, played on nearly two hundred recordings, and worked in collaboration with dancers, film-makers, poets and story-tellers.

Minas - July 24

Orlando Haddad and Patricia King formed Minas in 1978 at North Carolina School of the Arts to bring Brazilian music to stateside audiences. They proceeded to play all over the eastern US before going back to their musical roots in Brazil, where they entertained, traveled extensively and recorded their first album, Num Dia Azul.

Today Minas is one of the most sought after Brazilian bands in the United States. Minas is built upon the duo's multiple talents as vocalists, instrumentalists and composers with an impressive grasp of the whole range of Brazilian musical idioms.

At the core of any Minas show are the voices of the duo, which reflects two decades of vocal and instrumental blending. Warm and engaging, this magical sound becomes infectious when Minas adds bass, drums, percussion and horns to Orlando's guitar and Patricia's keyboards. One can experience Minas in a variety of formats, intimately, as a duo or trio, and in exciting venues with larger ensembles up to orchestra and Big Band arrangements. Orlando and Patricia have been composing original material together since the moment of their first meeting in 1974. Their recorded material consists exclusively of originals.

Christine Havrilla - July 31

Portland based, Philadelphia native, Christine Havrilla, brings her "well-built, catchy, smart tunes" (Upstage Magazine) back to Bryn Mawr! Touring nationally in support of her latest project, "In My Chair," Christine utilizes the soft gritty texture of her vocals to express warmth and honesty audiences quickly embrace. Named "One of the Top Ten Indie Artists" by The Advocate Magazine, The Washington Post writes, "(Havrilla's) songs are intelligent and moving, the arrangements are incisive and colorful, and, best of all, Havrilla consistently comes across as a confident and seasoned performer."

www.christinehavrilla.com

Fred Hall Dixieland Jazz Band - August 7

The highly acclaimed Fred Hall Orchestra has performed at hundreds of prestigious affairs throughout the region. In Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Baltimore, Norfolk and Atlantic City, guests by the thousands have been entertained by Fred's wonderful charm and impeccable style. Their extensive repertoire is designed to keep guests involved and the dance floor filled throughout the evening. In addition to scores of private parties, weddings and corporate events, his recent performances have included the Philadelphia Charity Ball (7 times), the Harrisburg Art Alliance Bal Masque, the Medical Staff Galas for both Northeastern Hospital and for the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Elkins Park Division.