Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio and Gallery announces Concerts in the Garden
Seasonal concert series of eclectic international and local singer songwriter artists from cool jazz to blue grass.
$20 suggested donation – BYOB and picnic – Outdoor Bistro Style Seating in the Amphitheatre
Rain or shine!
Choose your favorite bottle at the Chester Package Store across the street, get your picnic from any of Chester’s fine restaurants and grab a growler from the Little House Brewing Company next door.
No pets allowed
The 2023 Lineup
Saturday Nights 7 – 9 pm.
Drawing inspiration from the first wave of alternative country (early Wilco, Alejandro Escovedo, The Waco Brothers & Whiskeytown), as well as traditional country and rock (Neil Young, The Band, The Faces & The Stones), Brooklyn-based Empire of Light brings together members of seminal Upstate roots-rockers Subduing Mara – frontman Peter Hutchison & guitarist Brian Wilkens – with ace rhythm section and veteran sidemen Keith Robinson (Marcia Ball, Charlie Robison, Charlie Sexton) & Dan Green (Mike Viola, Sam Bisbee, The Honey Brothers, The Silos). Produced by Andris Balins (Lana Del Rey, Sean Lennon’s The Ghost of the Saber Tooth Tiger and The Moonlandingz, Fat White Family) and band member Keith Robinson, “Let There Be Light” evokes equal parts rural Upstate New York and urban old-school Brooklyn – between which the recording was split. The end result is a distillation of timeless, original New Traditionalist Americana Rock.
“The best band you never heard of” A constant presence on college radio and the CMJ charts in the 90’s, Subduing Mara built a name for themselves through their electrifying live shows – earning them critical praise as “The best band you never heard of”, and “enough to justify belief in Rock’n’Roll”. Music critics have credited the band as an influential voice in the Alt Country/Roots Rock revival –
echoing the work of contemporaries Uncle Tupelo (Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy & Sun Volt’s Jay Farrar) and Ryan Adam’s Whiskeytown.
Over the past 2 decades Hutchison has released a string of critically-acclaimed albums – including the Village Voice Music Critics Year’s Best/Top 10 Album “No Cure for Life” (as Lucas Shine) with Miracle Legion founder Mr. Ray Neal. His output has been graced by contributions from a host of NY session luminaries, who have worked with the likes of The Georgia Satellites, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paul Westerberg, Hem, Ryan Adams, The Band, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Greg Allman Band, Spyro Gyra, The Mingus Big Band, Ray Charles, Dr. John, David Bromberg, Linda Ronstadt, The Silos, Graham Parker, John Dee Graham and Syd Straw.
7/1 – Ryan Newman & Justin Chan & The Vices
Art Rock Blues and Jam
Parker’s Tangent is a fun group playing all original [sometimes art] rock music based on blues and roots sources. They have a wonderful female lead singer who has been compared to Grace Slick and Nora Jones, drums, lead and rhythm guitars, bass and an awesome violin player presenting virtuoso performances. They are a professional working band based out of greater New Haven CT. The music is extremely accessible and can be enjoyed by people of virtually all ages. The music can be poetic, quiet and touching, to bluesy to out and out rocking and has to be seen to be believed.
The musical experience of Driving Route 9, loosely fits the description of modern Folk/Celtic pop, taking their listeners to a place you simply can’t find anywhere else. Featuring the song writing duo of Becca Gripp of Wilmington, DE and Barry O’Doherty of Donegal County, Ireland, with band members Jim David on drums, Paul Emmerling on bass and Geoff Cox, armed with his whistle, this originals band from Southeast Connecticut is creating an experience unlike any other. With an upbeat vibe and a Celtic twist, DR9’s high energy shows bring catchy melodies, beautifully blended harmonies, and a tight musical delivery. “Matter of Time”, DR9’s debut album (put on hold due to the pandemic) is currently being pressed to vinyl record with hopes of release at our June 19th performance at Leif Nilsson’s Concerts in the Garden in Chester CT.
7/22 – Christopher Abbott and co.
I play guitar.
Frank plays guitar.
Tracey plays drums.
Mark plays bass.
Gary Torello will be managing the sound.
Mary will play some guitar
Leif’ll play some banjo.
7/29 – Leif Nilsson with The Wandering Fiddlers plus Eric And The Hearing Aids
Leif Nilsson on banjo accompanying a couple of the bands he is currently working with; The Wandering Fiddlers with traditional and original Irish and American fiddle tunes plus a set of traditional and original bluegrass folk rock with Eric And The Hearing Aids.
8/5 – Ken Morr Band + Last Fair Deal
The Kenn Morr Band is on a roll in 2023, pleased to be touring in support of its latest release, “Open Field”. Recorded at Sandy Brook Studios in Colebrook, CT, the album features ten new songs penned by Morr highlighted by the cohesive playing of the Kenn Morr Band.
The result is an organic collection of lush three-part vocal harmonies and sparkling instruments—real musicians playing soulful music in real time. United Kingdom’s Folk Word states: “Among its many vagaries life offers some certainties – they include the flow of memorable melodies and deeply-thought themes that permeate Kenn Morr’s mix of folk rock Americana. The latest album from The Kenn Morr Band, ‘Open Field serves up a selection of laid-back warmth, involving softly embracing songs and pin-sharp observational lyrics.”
Growing up on Long Island, Kenn was inspired by such lyric and melody-minded acts as Gordon Lightfoot, Simon and Garfunkel, Graham Nash, and Jackson Browne. Rex Fowler of Aztec Two-Step became his friend and supporter and recorded Morr’s “Following the Moon.” When a college baseball scholarship didn’t work out, he turned—appropriately—to Communications, a field for which he is well-suited. He’s got a radio announcer’s rich baritone and the kind of humor and charisma that enthralls audiences of all sizes, from intimate coffeehouses to the stages of venues as demanding as the famed Bitter End in New York City and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas on the New Haven Green.
Kenn left Long Island and found in Connecticut a home, new friends, and—eventually–the band that brings his music to life featuring: violin virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist Tom Hagymasi, Berkely College of Music grad, Pat Ryan, on (melodic) bass and drummer, Tido Holtkamp, the “heartbeat” of the band. Known for its close three-part vocal harmonies and fiery instrumental interplay, the group has been together for many years, becoming fast favorites on the outdoor festival scene. They’ve paid dues of every kind and played gigs of every stripe, along the way sharing the stage with artists like John Sebastian, Al Kooper, Eric Burdon, and John Wesley Harding.
Kenn’s 2003 album “New Moon Rising” was produced by legendary producer Bob Johnston (Dylan, Cash, Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen and many others.) The experience of working with Johnston greatly influenced Kenn to continue to write and produce honest and pure music. “Open Field” is Morr’s seventh album since the Johnston collaboration.
With airplay across the country and in Europe (England, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands), “Open Field” is set to bring the Kenn Morr sound to many new listeners.
Tom Hagymasi, on fiddle, mandolin, and accordion brings old-time & bluegrass styles to the band’s sound.
Paul Howard, guitar and harmonica, contributes his formative influences of swing and acoustic rock.
Tido Holtkamp, drums, well versed in many styles, brings a new groove to the band.
Jim Stevens, electric bass, returning with his jazz inflected low end flair.
Each member of Last Fair Deal brings his own portfolio of musical influences. These four skilled instrumentalists are powerful singers too. Together they continue to break new ground as one of Connecticut’s most progressive and enduring bands — as they have for five decades!
Founded in 2012, Someone You Can Xray has followed its roots, evolving from a folk rock acoustic duo into a dynamic electric stage ensemble. With a high-energy, funky rock n’ blues sound, ‘Xray’ is as much at home in an acoustic listening room as on a festival stage, engaging listeners to sing and dance along.
8/19 – Brian Ebin Parker Wolfe + Meadows Brothers
Somewhere on the back dusty roads of America the Blues met up with Country and the two went rambling and running like a couple of teenagers in love, set free from home for the first time. They borrowed some clothes and money from their cousins Folk and Bluegrass and what was consummated on those steamy Summer nights became a gaggle of children sucking at mama’s musical teats until well-fed and ready to ride out on their own. Somewhere in this Americana lineage exists a brother duo from Connecticut hell bent on tracing their musical roots as far back as they can, while leaving their own gritty trail for others to follow. Dustin and Ian Meadows subscribe to the ‘less is more’ theory of songwriting. Instead of employing a varied array of hired guns to fill out their sound, The Meadows Brothers rely solely on each other – Dustin on harmonica, both on guitars and vocals – to complete their sonic journey with countrified enthusiasm and blues-tinged aesthetics. Unlike so many other acts before though these Meadows boys are able to create a full and vibrant sound on their debut album, Won’t Be Troubled, by simply laying down sweet harmonies and honest songwriting. Bombast and over-production need not apply. The job of taking you on that aforementioned ride down the back roads of American Roots music is deftly filled already. Chip McCabe – Lonesome Noise
8/26 – Old Dog New Trick
Old Dog New Trick is a Lower Connecticut River Valley band that has been playing the area pubs and festivals since 2012 when they began as a father-son duo. The lineup has evolved since then and ODNT is now a quarter with Mitch Thorndike on lead guitar and vocals, Paul Emmerling Jr. on bass, Kurt Islieb on drums, keyboard and vocals, and Bruce Thorndike on rhythm guitar and vocals. Special feature for this one night only: Former band member Geoff Cox will be returning from Nashville to help out on saxophone, flute and vocals!! ODNT’s first CD titled Full Moon is out on itunes and Spotify. Their second CD will be released at Leif’s Concert In The Garden
Shorebreak is part of a growing wave of Connecticut River Valley bands committed to writing and performing original music. They are led by singer/songwriter Sharif Okasha, and work collaboratively to shape their songs and sound. Rodeny Maxwell (guitar), Patrick Riordon (bass) and Mike Keyes (drums) round out the line up. Shorebreak’s original music pulls from a variety of influences including rock, blues, reggae, folk and Americana”. Their music is intended to promote and express positivity, connection, introspection and humor in their audience.
Thursday September 21, 2023 • Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira: “Dazzling” Celtic Duo
Jocelyn & Ellen are a dynamic North American fiddle & cello duo, seamlessly interweaving traditional melodies with innovative original compositions. Their new album, All It Brings, is hailed as “dazzling” (FolkWorld), and “simply exquisite” (Folk London). Catch them on tour for an engaging show of high-energy tunes and soulful songs, with nuanced fiddle-cello interplay, vocal harmonies, lively stepdancing, and French Canadian foot percussion.
Past performance highlights include:
Celtic Connections (Scotland),
New World Festival (VT),
Sutton Traditional Fiddle Festival (Québec),
Edinburgh Castle, and live broadcasts on BBC Radio
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