Appearances of the Recent Past

Irish Connections Festival '06!

Irish Connections Festival '06 was a week full to the brim of performances by some of the greatest talents in contemporary Irish music and dance. This festival is shaping up to be one of the premier events for Irish music, dance and culture in North America. Visit the Irish Cultural Centre's website to learn more about the festival.

A highlight of the Festival for me: I was honored this year to receive the 1st Annual Irish Cultural Centre Eddie Barron Memorial Commission. On Saturday June 10, on the Festival's Compass Stage, cellist Ariel Friedman performed the world premiere of the piece I composed for this commission, "Rakish Paddy's Departure / The Newbuilt Halls of Canton."

Read the program notes for the composition here.

Tuesday, June 6, 2006 8pm
21st Century Trad Tunes SHOWCASE!

at Club Passim 8pm at Club Passim
featured Matt & Shannon Heaton, Hanneke Cassel, Keith Murphy, Patrick Murray, Mark Simos, and others... This evening performance featured new tunes written and played in a traditional style.

Thursday, June 8, 2006 (@8:00 - 9:30PM )
Fiddle Gods Session w/ Liz Carroll, Winnie Horan, and other greats—hosted by Mark Simos and Scott Nygaard (guitarist with Darol Anger's Republic of Strings) at The Burren, 247 Elm Street, Davis Square

Saturday, June 10, 2006 8:45 PM

At the Irish Connections Festival Compass Stage
The Eddie Barron Commission Piece
World Premiere of a New Composition by Mark Simos
"Rakish Paddy's Departure" and "The Newbuilt Halls of Canton"
performed by Ariel Friedman (cello)
with Mark Simos (fiddle, guitar) and Amanda Cavanaugh (fiddle)

Sunday, June 11, 3:15-3:45
At the Irish Connections Festival Crossroads Stage

Return of UnBeaten Path! a collaboration focusing on new compositions and choreography inspired by older traditional Irish music and dance forms, and finding the unexpected and unexplored places where music and dance meet. UnBeaten Path are: Darrah Carr (Irish dance, modern dance), Kieran Jordan (Irish dance, sean-nós dance, modern dance), Niall O'Leary (Irish dance, spoons), Mark Simos (fiddle, piano), and Ben Power (sean-nós dance, flute), with Noel Scott (accordeon) and other special guests.

Benefit Concerts for Childsplay!

Featuring two of the premier representatives of
Cape Breton and Irish Fiddle Music

Cape Breton fiddle legend
BUDDY MACMASTER
recipient of the Order of Canada

accompanied by Dedo Norris on piano

and renowned Irish fiddler
LIZ CARROLL
recipient of the National Heritage Award

accompanied by Mark Simos on guitar

Friday April 28, 2006 7:30PM
Portland High School Auditorium
284 Cumberland Avenue
Portland, Maine

with SPECIAL GUESTS FROM CHILDSPLAY
Kieran Jordan CAPE BRETON AND IRISH STEP DANCER and Ellen Gawler

General Admission $20
Tickets are available at: Rosemont Market and Bakery 559 Brighton Avenue, Portland, at any Bull Moose Music store or at the door.

&

Saturday April 29, 2006 8 PM
First Parish Unitarian Church
3 Church Street, Harvard Square
Cambridge Massachusetts

with SPECIAL GUESTS FROM CHILDSPLAY
Kieran Jordan CAPE BRETON AND IRISH STEP DANCER
Sheila Falls-Keohane, Laurel Martin, Bonnie Bewick FIDDLERS

General Admission $25
Special benefit ticket $100, includes reserved seating and admission to the wine and cheese benefit reception with the artists in the Parlor Room of the First Parish Church, featuring a gallery talk by Sally Sommers Smith entitled The Cape Breton Tradition in Boston. Reception will run from 6-7:30 PM.

For advance tickets to either concert:
Send To: Childsplay c/o Lamey 27 School Street Natick MA 01760
Enclose: Self Addressed Stamped Envelope; checks payable to Childsplay

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL: (508) 653-3482

Or go to WWW.CHILDSPLAY.ORG

On Saturday April 29, 2006 Buddy MacMaster and Liz Carroll will be the featured performers in a benefit concert for Childsplay. These two master fiddlers from the Cape Breton and Irish fiddling traditions come together to celebrate the group Childsplay. Buddy and Liz will perform separate sets of music supported by the accompaniment of Dedo Norris on piano and Mark Simos on guitar. The concert will also feature special guests from the group Childsplay: fiddlers Sheila Falls-Keohane and Bonnie Bewick and step dancer Kieran Jordan.

Childsplay consists of over 30 fiddlers from all over the United States and Europe who play in a variety of musical styles but all have one thing in common: they play on instruments made by violinmaker Bob Childs of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mr. Childs began his career in 1975 and since that time the exceptional musicians who perform on violins made by Childs have gathered to perform as an ensemble in concerts throughout the United States. Because Childsplay is a non-profit organization, this concert is dedicated to raising funds to support the expenses of bringing the 35 musicians of Childsplay from different parts of the world together to perform in future concerts.

Buddy MacMaster is an 81 year old legendary fiddler from Cape Breton Island in Canada. Initially introduced to the sounds of traditional music through the lilting mouth music of his mother, Buddy has grown to become one of the most revered fiddlers on the island, in demand for traditional dances and concerts alike. Buddy’s fame has carried him throughout the world as one of the premier representatives of traditional Cape Breton fiddling. He is also Natalie MacMaster’s Uncle, another Cape Breton fiddler who has toured extensively and gained an international following. In 2000, Buddy was awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian culture.

Since she was 18, when she astounded the Celtic world by winning the All-Ireland senior championship, Liz Carroll and her fiddle have been amazing audiences around the world. Her recordings and appearances on concert stages, television and radio, have established Liz as one of the most sought after traditional musicians alive today. Whether it is playing one of her own compositions or an old traditional Irish fiddle tune, once you have heard Liz’s dazzling music, you will never forget her! In recognition for her outstanding contributions to Irish music and culture, Liz was presented with the National Heritage Award in 1994 by Hillary Clinton.

Tickets are available by sending a self addressed stamped envelope to Childsplay, c/o Lamey, 27 School St, Natick MA 01760 or are available at the door. For more information, please call (508) 653-3482 or visit our web site: www.childsplay.org

Please forward to your friends!
Download PDF posters for the concerts:

Portland Concert - B&W
Portland Concert - Color
Cambridge Concert - B&W
Cambridge Concert - Color

BCM Fest '06!

This is a community, volunteer-run festival, celebrating professional local talent in Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton music and dance, in an upbeat and all-ages friendly environment. Almost all the performers live in the Boston area, making this major event feel like an intimate music and dance party. The Boston Herald last year called it "a triumph of grassroots scene-building." It's a great time, so come on out!

I've been deeply impressed by the energy, organization and inclusiveness of the fine local musicians and dancers that have put this festival together, and I'm proud to be part of it this year. Read more about the history and mission of the Festival here.

MARK SIMOS AND THE DANGEROUS BOYS

Mark Simos, respected Boston-area songwriter, fiddler and tunesmith who has penned songs recorded by Americana supergroup Alison Krauss and Union Station and many other bluegrass artists, is forming his own local bluegrass and 'progressive acoustic' ensemble, Mark Simos and the Dangerous Boys. Besides Mark on vocals, guitar, and fiddle, the band also features Flynn Cohen on guitar, mandolin and vocals, and Chris Pandolfi on banjo.

The band's debut performance will be at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, on Tuesday January 20, 2004, where they will be joined by Zack Hickman on bass. An open picking session starts at 8:00 PM, and the feature band plays at 10:00 PM. Formal $5 cover charge for Tuesday bluegrass nights starts in December (ID required). The Cantab is located at 738 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge; call (617) 354-2685 for directions or information, or check their website at http://www.cantablounge.com.

Alison Krauss calls Mark Simos "a remarkable songwriter. He's one of those rare people who knows what words sound good together, and his lyrics are just as unique as his melodies." With more than 30 of his songs recorded by other artists, Mark recently released his own long-awaited solo album of songs, "Crazy Faith," on his independent Devachan Music label. The new band name is drawn from one of the songs on that album, "Dangerous Boys." Besides featuring songs from "Crazy Faith," the Dangerous Boys line-up provides an opportunity to hear brand new Simos bluegrass songs, including many debuts, as well as some of his famous 'original traditional' fiddle tunes.

Mark draws his personnel from the cream of the crop of hot young pickers helping to place the Boston scene at the forefront of the new wave of bluegrass /Celtic /old-time 'fusion' music. Flynn Cohen (http://www.deadstring.net), dubbed a "versatile string virtuoso" by Dirty Linen Magazine, tours with the John Whelan Band and is also a member of local bands Halali and Boston City Limits among others. Chris Pandolfi (http://chrispandolfi.com), the first banjoist graduate from Berklee College of Music, recently released his own debut album, "The Handoff", to critical acclaim; he also performs locally with the New England Bluegrass Band. Bassist Zack Hickman, when not on tour with Josh Ritter, is in constant demand in the Boston acoustic music scene.

Childsplay Concerts: Lexington, MA, Sat and Sun Dec 6,7; and in Portland Maine, Fri Dec 5 (order your tickets last week!)

This concert had special meaning for me, because a couple of my songs (as opposed to instrumentals) will be featured with the band, sung by the wonderfuls Joyce Andersen and (Sat. night) Laura Light. Both songs are associated with the late Freyda Epstein, a great friend and wonderful musician who died tragically earlier this year. "Today's the Day" was recorded by Freyda on the acclaimed Red House release "Midnight at Cabell Hall", recently re-released in a memorial edition; "When the New Moon Rises" is a song I wrote in Freyda's memory.

Special Guests who performed w/ Childsplay in the Dec 2003 concerts tour:

• Celebrated Irish and Cape Breton Step Dancer: Kieran Jordan
• Singer: Aoife O'Donovan
• Renowned Appalachian Clog Dancer: Amy Fenton-Shine
• All-Ireland Harpist: Kathleen Guilday
• From Vermont: Acclaimed Accompanist Keith Murphy
• Violinist Bonnie Bewick from the Boston Symphony

Thursday, Oct 23, 8 PM - Club Passim

Mark Simos Crazy Faith CD Release
Concert and Celebration!

Mark Simos, acclaimed Boston-area neo-traditionalist songwriter and old time fiddler, has had dozens of songs recorded by the likes of Alison Krauss and Union Station, Del McCoury, Laurie Lewis and other progressive acoustic artists. Now, a long-anticipated album of his own songs, Crazy Faith (Devachan DEV-CD4347) sees the light of day. With two songs from the record already recorded by Alison Krauss, others being taken up by local favorites like Jake Armerding, Crazy Faith, produced by master old-time fiddler Bruce Molsky, promises to make a stir in both traditional music and contemporary songwriter circles. Bob Franke says of Mark's songs: "Traditionalists... are going to get their hearts stretched, and somewhere out there there's a young singer-songwriter for whom it will open a door to an entire world of possibilities... previously obscured by the flim-flam of the music industry." Mark will be joined by several surprise guests; expect a night of music not to be missed!

Admission $12/$10 Passim members

Wednesday, Sep 10, 2003 - Club Passim

Mark participated in the Howard Armstrong Tribute, along with rani Arbo and Brooks Williams, Lloyd Thayer, Rob Laurens, Alastair Moock, Sean Staples, John McGann, Samoa Wilson, Matthew Berlin, Bruce Millard, Daniel Kellar and others...

Howard Armstrong passed away on July 30 at 94 years old. He was a legend in our community, and will be greatly missed. His widow, Barbara Ward-Armstrong, also a musician and artist, has been left to cope with the expenses of burial and his medical expenses. In Howard's memory, all the proceeds from the night will be donated to help Barbara with this barrage of expenses. Barbara and Howard have done so much for our community, we are so glad to have this opportunity to repay them in some small way.

A great evening of music, in memory of a great musician and character. Howard's band-mates finished up the evening with a bang. A special bonus was the chance to hear two great local vocalists at the end of the evening: smoky-voiced Anita Suhanin (formerly of Groovasaurus, now with Shwang appearing down at Toad's on Mondays); and the amazing Samoa Wilson (check out her debut album with the Jim Kweskin Band). She has a voice that hearkens back to the great jazz singers of the 20s and 30s: goosebump territory!

0 Monday, Sep 8, 2003- Old Timely Music-Alia at Club Passim with special guests Bill and Libby Hicks

Saturday, Sep 6, 2003 - Charlottesville, VA

Mark participated in a memorial concert for folk artist Freyda Epstein, recently killed in a tragic automobile accident.

The concert was held at the Unitarian Church on Rugby Avenue in Charlottesville. Other featured performers included John McCutcheon, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, Laura Light and George Paul, The World Harmony Chorus, Troublesome Creek Stringband, Terri Allard, Paul Riesler and former members of Trapeziod and many special guests. All proceeds go to a scholarship fund for young people to study fiddle or vocal techniques at the Augusta Heritage Arts Workshops in Elkins West Virginia.

This was an amazing night to be part of. Trapezoid, Bob Vasile and Ralph Gordon of Freyda's former band Acoustic AttaTude, John McCutcheon and many others participated. A high point for me was hearing the community choir that Freyda had worked with in Charlottesville end the evening with some of Freyda's choral arrangements... heartbreakingly beautiful. Her presence, as well as her absence, was felt by all.

Good news—the concert made and may even have exceeded the financial target to endow the scholarship fund, between the sell-out concert and CD sales. Redhouse Records recently did a memorial reissue of the acclaimed 1993 Redhouse release from Freyda and Acoustic AttaTude, Midnight at Cabell Hall. (I was honored to have two songs included on this record— "Today's the Day" and "Garden of Mysteries"—and played guitar on those tracks on the album.) You can still buy the record! ... proceeds go to the Fund.

Sunday, Aug 31st, 12:00 noon - 1:30 PM - Mark was part of a round at the Cutting Edge of the Campfire at Club Passim with Scott Alarik, Bob Jones, and Rob Laurens.

Aug 28, 2003 - Mark split the bill at Club Passim with Clare Burson. I played with friends Flynn Cohen and Chris Pandolfi, with a special drop-in appearance by Rushad Eggleston. A fine time was had by all!

For those who don't know her, Clare Burson is a great songwriter and violinist/fiddler (bluegrass, Irish, klezmer), a Tennessee native who relocated to Boston for a time (where we met), now based back in Nashville, with a great new album release "The In-Between". "Her cool coo of a voice, her smart songwriting and the lush backing of guitarist/ mandolinist/ co-producer Lex Price" firmly establish Clare as a stand-out artist at the crossroads of Americana, folk, and moody pop.(The Tennessean - 2/27/2003). Boston and Nashville seem to be two hotbeds now for a new generation of great fiddling songwriting women, and Clare is one of the best to be heard.

April 7, 2003 - Mark split the bill at Club Passim with John Herald. John became known as the lead singer of The Greenbriar Boys, the first touring professional bluegrass group in the Northeast. His career continued as a singer and session guitarist recording with Bonnie Raitt, Doc Watson, Bette Middler, Ian & Sylvia and others.

Ongoing events of interest and archives of past benefits, classes, etc.

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