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FY5
Colorado’s FY5 proudly swim in the deep currents of American music, playing new songs, well-informed of country and bluegrass traditions, but not bound to them. Featuring thoughtful arrangements, strong singing and musicianship, the band strives to connect to listeners with stories of common struggles and big ideas. While their sound evokes timelessness, it is decidedly contemporary, well-traveled 21st century sensibility that informs their songwriting.
As they share the stories that drive the songs, FY5’s show leaves listeners certainly with tapping toes, but ranging thoughts as well. FY5 recently released their 4th full-length album on January 3rd, 2018, The Way These Things Go, featuring their trademark story songs, clever arranging, and catchy hooks. The band was selected as official showcase artists for the 2017 International Bluegrass Music Association conference including a songwriter showcase with Mike Finders.
“FY5 brings us a self-assured vision of American music, rooted in tradition, but pointing to new creative directions that make it vital and relevant in today’s modern world.” – Crista Munro, Pagosa Folk & Bluegrass
“…are able to explore a range of emotions with their evocative story telling which when added to the quality of the lyrics, melodies and playing leaves you with an album that more than repays repeated listening sessions.” – American Roots UK
“Eat The Moon, their third release, is one of those albums that begs to be played under a summer sun, cool drink to hand while the day lazes away as their strings and things bob and weave around.” – Paul Kerr, Folk Radio UK
Emory Lester
EMORY LESTER is one of this day’s foremost exponents of the acoustic mandolin. The power and attack of his mandolin playing are unmatched, and his sound is infectious. His landmark mandolin-featured recording projects have placed him among the elite mandolinists of our time. His latest solo recording titled ‘At Dusk’ showcases Emory’s musical creativity, and skill as a mandolinist and multi-instrumentalist.
Emory has undeniably inspired and influenced many of today’s current wave of modern day mandolinists, pointing the way with his clean, clear, fast and efficient mandolin techniques.
Emory is currently performing with ‘Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa’, doing shows across the U.S. Canada, Europe and the U.K. Also, his fourteen year friendship and musical collaboration with noted ‘Clawgrass’ banjoist Mark Johnson has yielded four very creative recording projects. Mark and Emory have toured all across the U.S. and have been featured on several performances with Steve Martin, most notably on the ‘Late Night with David Letterman’ television show in September of 2012. Emory also will be performing with his partner Jill Jones in the new ‘Emory Lester & Jill Jones Band’, at upcoming concerts and festivals.
A life-long Virginia native, but currently residing in Ontario Canada, Emory has been teaching master series workshops at events such as the Steve Kaufman Acoustic Kamp, the Mandolin Symposium, the Swannanoah Gathering, the Goderich Celtic College, the Alaska Guitar Camp, the Transatlantic Bluegrass School in Wales U.K. and many other prestigious schools and workshops far and wide. He has also produced many recording projects for other prominent artists.
Pearl Django
With a performance history spanning more than two decades, Pearl Django endures as one of the most highly regarded Hot Club style groups working today. Although the band’s roots are firmly in the music made famous by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, its extensive repertoire includes traditional jazz classics and original compositions. Pearl Django has performed at festivals, dances and nightspots throughout the U.S. and abroad. They have played at the prestigious Festival Django Reinhardt in Samois sur Seine and have been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” The band’s signature style is marked by pristine and dexterous string work, colors of Bal Musette, the steady pulse of rhythm guitar and an unmistakable swing that delights audiences of all musical sensibilities. Throughout the years, Pearl Django has cultivated a devoted and enthusiastic following and they continue to play to packed houses wherever they perform.
Dylan Foley & John Whelan
Seven-time all-Ireland champion John Whelan is one of the world’s best living Irish button accordion players. John was raised in the vibrant London Irish music scene of the 1970s, and learned his craft from such legends as Lucy Farr, Roger Sherlock, Paddy Taylor, Mick O’Connor and his teacher Brendan Mulkaire. He moved to the USA in 1980 and has been inspiring Celtic musicians and fans ever since. Along with his All-Ireland Championships, he was twice awarded musician of the year from the Irish Music Association. He has over 15 CDs and has performed on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. John is also a sought-after composer and producer. His music has been featured on such TV shows as Sex in the City, History’s Mysteries and History Detective. Today John performs with the John Whelan Band and has recently teamed up with his old pal Brian Conway forming the group Gailfean, which also features Máirtin De Cógáin and Don Penzien. Gailfean has recently released a new CD.
Dylan Foley is one of the great fiddle players of our time, an All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, delighting audiences from Lincoln Center to Irish Television channels RTE and TG4. Dylan travelled with Mick Moloney in 2013, to Vietnam as part of Irish Aid, bringing Irish music and culture to those who were affected by the horrors of the Vietnam War. He teaches and performs at the major Irish music summer camps on both sides of the Atlantic. A member of The Yanks, the hot trad band that has been called” the next Irish American dream team”, Dylan is committed to passing on the tradition, as it was graciously passed to him, by the incomparable Rose Flanagan and others. You can hear his passion for the music in the intense drive of in his lively and fluid playing. Dylan recently released an album with Kevin Crawford & Patrick Doocey, The Drunken Gaugers (2017) and released a solo album in 2018.
