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Special Guests La Bottine Souriante, a nine-person group from Quebec, plays traditional music of the area. Four of the musicians play in the horn section (Jean Fréchette, saxophone; Jocelyn Lapointe, trumpet; André Verreault, trombone; and Robert Ellis, bass trombone) and the other five sing and play a variety of instruments: Yves Lambert (diatonic accordion, harmonica); Régent Archambault (double bass); Michel Bordeleau (mandolin, violin); Denis Fréchette (piano, flugelhorn); and Martin Racine (violin, guitar). The group formed in 1976 as a quintet and added the horn section in 1990. They have recorded eight albums, the latest of which is La Mistrine, on the Mille Pattes label. Their 1994 recording, Jusqu'aux p'tites heures, received a Felix award and a Juno award. The music of the Turtle Island String Quartet connects the rich diversity of American music, reflecting the influences of jazz, blues, bluegrass, and other musical traditions. The ensemble has distinguished itself as much more than a jazz string quartet, fashioning a repertoire that ranges from Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia" and Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" to Robert Johnson's classic Delta blues, "Crossroads." In addition, the group has created many sophisticated original compositions. A Night in Tunisia, A Week in Detroit, on the Chandos label, was recorded with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Other recordings can be found on the Windham Hill Jazz label: Who Do We Think We Are, Spider Dreams, On the Town, Skylife, Metropolis, Turtle Island String Quartet, and Dr. Billy Taylor: Homage (GRP Records). Their latest release is By the Fireside (Windham Hill Records). The Turtle Island String Quartet is: Darol Anger and Tracy Silverman (violins); Danny Seidenberg (viola, violin); and Mark Summer (cello). |
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Singer and songwriter Andra Suchy talks about singing duets with Garrison, and her latest album, Little Heart.
Old Sweet Songs: A Prairie Home Companion 1974-1976
Lovingly selected from the earliest archives of A Prairie Home Companion, this heirloom collection represents the music from earliest years of the now legendary show: 1974–1976. With songs and tunes from jazz pianist Butch Thompson, mandolin maestro Peter Ostroushko, Dakota Dave Hull and the first house band, The Powdermilk Biscuit Band (Adam Granger, Bob Douglas and Mary DuShane).
