|
Our October 21 coffee house marks the third weekend in a row
where Delaware Friends of Folk is presenting music to our community.
There was, of course, the 15th Delmarva Folk Festival with dry
air, wet soil, and an amazing range of excellent performances, Then
there was the Fordham Fest at the brewery in Dover, bright, sunny,
and appropriately chilly for a fall day. There’s something
about making music at a brewery that seems to bring out unusual
characteristics in some folks. At least we should be comfortable
in the Wesley College Chapel as we welcome two veteran newcomers
to our stage.
The featured act is pianist Stephen
DiJoseph, classical-jazz pianist, composer, guitar experimenter,
singer-songwriter, hand drummer, and electronic keyboardist. Stephen
has performed several times at the Delmarva Folk Festival along
with Mary Kay Mann in the guise of Urban Celtic. This coffee house
appearance is a solo performance, something he has done world-wide,
including a recent European tour.
His web site offers the following: Stephen began demanding musical
instruments at the age of six. Throughout his years in high school,
his teachers recognized his extraordinary musical abilities and
supported his talent as he trained in composition and classical
piano. After a year of study in college, Stephen took to the streets
and began a diverse career as a pop-rock keyboardist, progressive
rock writer and performer, experimental theater composer, solo pianist
and singer-songwriter.
An award winning artist, DiJoseph received a nomination for Best
Composer in the 2000 Philadelphia City Paper Music Awards along
side jazz master Odeon Pope. During the same year Stephen won Best
Instrumental CD in the JP Folks International Music Awards for his
solo jazz piano CD “Artifactual”, which was re-released
two years later as “Pianopoetry.” In 2002, Stephen was
awarded second place for Best Celtic CD at JP Folks for his release,
“Urban Celtic.” In 2005, DiJoseph was a Top 20 Finalist
in the Plowshares National Songwriters Contest and a semi-finalist
at the Mountain Stage New Song Contest for his song "Walk in
your Shoes".
Stephen is one of those rare animals, able to offer up captivating
and truly original songs with a soulful voice and mind-bending instrumentals
that leave you feeling "like you found something you didn't
know you needed". In concert, audiences are entertained, excited,
toyed with, awe-inspired and touched to the soul by this brilliant
and unique artist. His music is highlighted by the story of his
"Synaptic Adventure" ... Tourette-inflected fusionary
passion formed from the heart of experience and generously shared
with his audience.
Stephen’s music has been featured on the PRI show "Echoes",
syndicated on over 170 radio stations. He has been interviewed on
WHYY Philadelphia Public Radio¹s, Radiotimes with Marty Moss-Coane,
as well as Maine Public Radio, Maine Things Considered with Charlotte
Renner discussing the effects of Tourette Syndrome on his music
and creativity. Stephen has been a frequent guest on Philadelphia¹s
longest running folk radio program, The Gene Shay Show on WXPN and
has shared the stage with such notables as Billy Jonas, Mad Pudding,
Greg Brown and Los Lobos.
Brian Austin Whitney of the JPFolks International Music Network
offers the following comment: “To see Stephen perform live
is frankly like watching a juggernaut on piano. To realize he is
also a polished contemporary singer-songwriter-guitarist as well
as an experimental jazz and Celtic performer just adds to his mystique.
This guy might be the most amazing discovery we ever made... "
Opening the evening will be Dover resident and North Carolina native
Glynis Sampere. Glynis showed up at the July open mic and caused
such a crowd reaction that it seemed essential to get her back for
a full set. Her vocals were strong and confident and her song selection
included originals and covers. A brief conversation with Glynis
after her 15 minutes on stage led to the amazing discovery that
it was her first time performing in front of an audience, except
for church. Seems she has stage fright, which our wonderful Friends
of Folk audience helped her conquer that evening.
Glynis supplied the following brief life story: “I am a woman
with a mission. I have always loved to sing but let stage fright
keep me from pursuing a career in music. As the years went by I
sang with all my favorite radio artists, trying to sound just like
them. It wasn't until my mid forties that I bought a guitar, taught
myself to play and started writing my own tunes and finally started
sounding like me instead of everybody else.
My songs are mainly about God and what He has done in my life.
I got up enough nerve to sing in the choir and worship team at my
church and eventually played my own songs as specials (shaking and
sweating all the while). Well, now I am older and though I still
cringe at the thought of playing in front of others, I figure it
is now or never to share the gift God has given me. At the open
mic night I was nervous, but realized I was right where I have always
wanted to be: sharing my soul with others through music. WOW, how
awesome is that? I was born in North Carolina so I can't help but
sound a little bit country when I sing. But I've lived in Delaware
for 42 years, so it is home to me. I've been married for 28 years
to a wonderful Italian drummer, Anthony, who has helped me put together
2 CD's of my music that we recorded at home.”
Glynis’ story is a fine example of what Friends of Folk
is all about: giving deserving artists a chance to prove themselves.
Normally we don’t help cure chronic diseases, but this time
we did. Our open mic has led to a number of local performers getting
in front of an audience and then earning a spot at a coffee house
or even the Festival. I am personally very proud of our open mic
nights and want to encourage anyone out there to take inspiration
from Glynis’ story and think about stepping up for your 15
minutes of fame. Who knows–I may be writing about your life
next year.
It all starts at 7:30 pm, October 21, in the Wesley College Chapel,
corner of Division and North Bradford St. in Dover. Admission will
be $5 for members and $7 for non-members. Kids 12 and under get
in free. Be sure to bring a non-perishable food item for the Delaware
Food Bank. A great evening of music, hot & cold drinks, and
sweet treats await. Don’t let it happen without you. There’s
nothing else like it in Dover.
-- John Kidd, DEFF President |
If you missed the 15th Annual Delmarva Folk Festival, let me
tell you, you missed an awesome time. Friday night was wonderful,
if quite wet. Saturday the weather was much improved - windy (not
that you could tell much, bring in our tree-protected nook in the
woods), but only about 12 droplets came from the sky. And the music
was just stellar - one performer after another blowing the crowd
away.
And then, as night fell, it seemed as if the heavens were apologizing
for turning our magical musical event into a muddy mess by producing
a beautiful almost-full moon through the trees just above the stage.
(here's a link to a photo of Red Molly playing below this sensational
sky: http://www.cooldog.com/gallery/2006-10-06-Festival/DSC07232)
If you'd like more information on how the event did, give your
opinion, or if you'd like to help out next year, please plan to
be at Sheridan's Irish Pub in Smyrna on Wednesday night, November
1 for our final 2006 Festival meeting. We'd love to see your face
and hear from you!
|
