Episode 50: Roger Tallroth

There's no better way to reach our 50th episode than with the third and final member of Väsen, legendary 12-string guitarist Roger Tallroth. Roger has developed his own style, sound and tuning for playing Swedish music on the 12-string guitar and has composed some of the most popular melodies played by fiddlers around the world, including Josephine's Waltz. He chats with Neil about how the limitations of acoustic traditional music can inspire more creativity and about his own journey with folk music, beginning midsummer’s day, 1979 at 2:15pm.

More info on Roger: http://tallroth.se/ and https://vasen.se

Video from Väsen’s collaboration with Snarky Puppy as part of their “family dinner” series:

photo by Mia Marin

Episode 49: Susan Watts

Susan Watts is a brilliant trumpeter and singer who is also a fourth generation Klezmer musician and daughter of a legendary drummer who broke the paved the way for women in music. Neil caught up with Susan at her home in Philadelphia to chat about growing up in such a musical household, finding her voice on the trumpet and her ongoing work to promote women in Klezmer and female musicians in general. 

Music in this episode: Der Freiling Zeisinke (Sweet Spring) off of her album Hartsklap (which can be ordered and downloaded at store.cdbaby.com/cd/susanwatts) and Shalom Aleichem, a traditional song that welcomes in Shabbat with a melody written in 1918 by Rabbi Israel Goldfarb. 

More information on Susan at her website: www.susanwattsonline.com

Info on Susan’s Soul Songs: Inspiring Women of Klezmer project: folkloreproject.org/klezmer/project

Susan playing 3 tunes with her mother, Elaine Hoffman-Watts on the drums:

Episode 48: Mikael Marin

The middle voice of Väsen, Mikael Marin brings a breadth of influences and musical influences to bear in his countermelodies and textures on the 5-string viola. In this wide ranging conversation he discusses the history of "second voice" playing in Swedish music, his own development as a classical and traditional musician and how a being passionate about your own specific culture and tradition can be common ground for connecting to traditional artists and cultures around the world.

Music: opening piece is Knust Av Sorgens Hammer (crushed by the hammer of grief) and the closing piece is a Polonesse sourced from historical archives.

More info: www.vasen.se 

Album on extra low instruments: Sorpesoll

Online archive discussed: www.smus.se

Bonus Episode: 2018 Retrospective

Neil looks back on some of the great music created in the TradCafe episodes that came out in 2018 while looking forward to the next year of episodes.  This episode features Allison DeGroot (Ep. 44), Don Roy (Ep. 34), Soo Yeon Lyuh (Ep. 45), Kevin Henderson (Ep. 37), Hadith Bani-Adam (Ep. 26), Brittany Haas (Ep. 41), Andrea Beaton (Ep. 36) and a short preview of the music from Mikael Marin's upcoming episode.

Episode 47: Steve Baughman

Direct download: http://traffic.libsyn.com/tradcafe/47_Steve_Baughman.mp3

Orkney tuning, clawhammer guitar, zen banjo and everything in between. Steve Baughman is a master musician, entertainer and creative personality who is one of the most engaging performers you'll ever meet. In this episode, taped live at the Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp, Steve tells Neil about exploring his love of music while travelling the world as the son of American expats and how all that time alone with his instrument has led him to develop his unique and beautiful musical style and technique. 

Music: Rock the Cradle John (opening) and Leitrim Queen (closing)

Steve's website: www.celticguitar.com

Steve’s duo recordings with Robin Bullock:

https://robinbullock.com/product/robin-bullock-steve-baughman-alone-and-together/

https://robinbullock.com/product/robin-bullock-steve-baughmanceltic-guitar-summit/

Other clawhammer guitar: Jody Stecher

Episode 46: Olov Johansson

Olov Johansson is perhaps the best known Nyckelharpa player in the world today. As one third of the Swedish power-trio Väsen he has toured the world as an ambassador for Nordic folk music for several decades now. He sat down with Neil to share his journey exploring traditional melodies and fresh collaborations all while building a unique and influential musical identity. 

Olov's website: olovjohansson.se

Väsen: vasen.se

Olov’s teacher: Curt Tallroth

Olov’s Nyckelharpa sitting on the couch while we set up for his interview.

Episode 45: Soo Yeon Lyuh

A pioneering artist on the South Korean Haegeum, Soo Yeon Lyuh has been bringing improvisation back to a traditional instrument which hasn't done it in generations. Neil chats with her about her journey starting in Western Classical music, transitioning to the traditional music of her home and then bringing that tradition into the Western world collaborating with the Kronos quartet and teaching/studying improvisation at Mills College in Oakland, CA. 

More on Soo Yeon: www.sooyeonlyuh.com

Soo Yeon’s work with the Kronos Quartet: https://kronosquartet.org/fifty-for-the-future/composers/soo-yeon-lyuh1

John Iver (clarinet player in closing improvisation): www.johniversmusic,com

Episode 44: Allison de Groot (live)

In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at the Sierra Fiddle Camp, clawhammer banjoist Allison de Groot shares her story of delving deep into the Appalachian Banjo tradition while growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She talks about working with luminaries like Bruce Molsky and Tatiana Hargreaves and talks about her work researching the playing of great woman banjo players from the past. 

The opening tune is "Wabash Blues" from the playing of Virginian banjo player Hobart Smith but originally entered the tradition from the playing of an enslaved African musician. The set of tunes at the end starts with "Frederick's Jig" written by Allison and finishes with "Buffalo Gals" a classic traditional tune. 

For more about Allison check out her website: www.allisondegroot.com

Molsky's Mountain Drifters: www.mountaindrifters.com

Episode 43: Ward MacDonald

A major figure in the traditional music scene of Prince Edward Island, Ward MacDonald sat down with Neil in the midst of preparing for his CD release at the Festival of Small Halls. Their conversation is wide ranging, darting between Ward's personal musical journey and the wider role of traditional arts in the modern world. 

Closing waltz in this episode: "Sweet Dreams Eloise" by Ward MacDonald for his baby daughter. 

Contact Ward MacDonald: celticsomething {at} gmail.com

Episode 42: Olav Mjelva

A great player of the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle and the standard fiddle styles of his native Røros, Norway, Olav Mjelva is the third and final member of Nordic Fiddlers Bloc to be featured on the show and the third member of Sver (out of five). He takes Neil along for his journey through Norwegian traditional music and beyond as one of the finest composers of traditional Scandinavian music today.

Tunes on this episode: Opening is "The Doctor" by Olav Mjelva, Closing is a traditional tune from Røros. More resources, links and info at www.tradcafe.org/blog-1

• Olav's website: www.olavmjelva.no   
• Sver: sverfolk.com/en  
• Nordic Fiddlers Bloc: www.thenordicfiddlersbloc.com

• Video of Hallingdans:

Episode 41: Brittany Haas

A legend of American fiddling already at a young age, Brittany Haas chats with Neil about her musical journey, from touring with Darol Anger at the age of 13 to breaking new ground in the neo-Bluegrass band Crooked Still to playing regularly with Chris Thile on his NPR show "Live From Here" (formerly Prairie Home Companion). This episode also features Brittany's answers to listener questions submitted through Patreon.

Music: opening tune is Calum Finlay and closing tune is Booth Shot Lincoln.

Brittany's website: www.brittanyhaas.com

Hawktail's website: www.hawktailmusic.com

Episode 40: Anders Hall

The Swedish third of the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, Anders Hall sits down with Neil to talk about getting all of his gigs as a result of late night parties, living on the farm where his family has lived as far back as anyone can trace, and the intricacies and history of the Polska. 

Music in this episode: The opening is Troll Kärrings Låten, Anders writes of this tune: "A march after Toss-Abraham, from Järvsö Hälsingland. Toss-Abraham lived in the mountain behind our farm. We have one of his fiddles left after him. My Grandpa remembered him. He died in the beginning of 1920. My mother and father had this as a wedding march when they went in to the church."   The closing music is a Polska after Jonny Schönning, from Skog in Hälsingland.

Anders page on the Nordic Fiddlers' Bloc website: http://www.thenordicfiddlersbloc.com/bio/anders/

Sver: http://www.sverfolk.com/en/

Episode 39: Laurel Martin

A great teacher and performer of Irish fiddle in the Boston area, Laurel Martin talks about her journey from taking up the instrument for the first time in her 20's and studying with the great Seamus Connolly under a master/apprentice grant to becoming a teacher herself, and taking on the "master" role in passing on and sustaining the tradition. 

Laurel's Website: www.laurelmartin.com

Musicians Laurel talks about: Seamus Connolly, Michael Coleman, Paddy Canny, Paddy Fahey (a.k.a. Paddy Fahy)

Episode 38b: Doug Protsik (part 2)

In the second part of the Doug Protsik episode, Neil and Doug discuss the power of music to transcend cultural and political differences as Doug shares his experiences playing traditional music in central Asia, eastern Europe, the middle east and Africa including leading a silent movie performance in Tajikistan. Doug also shares the story of Maine Fiddle Camp and what he has done to build it into a powerhouse of traditional arts in Maine. 

Music in this episode: Opening is "Ida (sweet as apple cider)" Closing is "The Tajik Two-Step" [by Doug Protsik when Old Grey Goose went to Tajikistan]

Old Grey Goose: http://www.oldgreygoose.org

Maine Fiddle Camp: http://www.mainefiddlecamp.org/

Check out these videos of Old Grey Goose's travels:

Tajikistan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG3epNYnXnc

Central Asia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYOjj9MVLqk

Trinidad and Cuba: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcOZeGZbLeE

Episode 38a: Doug Protsik (part 1)

Director of Maine Fiddle Camp, multi-instrumentalist and tradition bearer Doug Protsik sat down with Neil for an extended conversation on his musical journey and the Maine traditions he is so passionate about. This episode is the first half of that conversation, covering Doug's early years with music, moving to Maine and discovering the rich traditions of the state while living in a $500 log cabin he built himself. Doug also shares his knowledge and passion for the old dance music of the 1920's and how it combined fiddles, jazz and popular music. 

Maine Fiddle Camp: www.mainefiddlecamp.org

Episode 37: Kevin Henderson

Shetland fiddling wizard Kevin Henderson talks about growing up in the Shetland Islands, where Scottish and Scandinavian culture collide and many fiddle tunes are written by the mysterious and magical Trows. Kevin opens up about the experience of making music and touring with Boys of the Lough, Fiddlers' Bid, Nordic Fiddlers Bloc and Session A9 and discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing new musical projects with fatherhood.  

Tunes in this episode: Opening: Halls Lilla Vals (Hall's Little Waltz) [from Halsingland, Sweden, recorded with Nordic Fiddlers Bloc] 

Ending: Faroe Rum / Anndowin At Da Bow / Da Forfeit O' Da Ship [trad Shetland tunes, recorded on Kevin's solo CD]

Kevin's Website: http://kevinhenderson.co.uk/

Nordic Fiddlers Bloc: http://www.thenordicfiddlersbloc.com/

Episode 36: Andrea Beaton

Fiddler, pianist and tune writer Andrea Beaton caught up with Neil just before playing a dance at the Canadian American Club in Watertown, MA. She talks about growing up in Cape Breton as the child of Kinnon and Betty Lou Beaton, two giants of traditional music on the island and how her relationship with music changed from being embarrassed to be associated with the fiddle to recording her own albums and writing some of the most popular contemporary tunes. 

https://www.andreabeaton.com

https://www.facebook.com/andreabeatonmusic

Tunes played in this episode: First set: Jigs from Andrea's family. Second set: PEI tunes: Carter MacKenzie (Kevin Chaisson) / Peter and Dorene's / Dot MacKinnon's

Andrea's answer to Tim's Patreon question:  "Hi Tim - There are many staple tunes that would be great to learn. I'll name a few that are popular on the Island and are often heard in sessions throughout North America and beyond: Brenda Stubbert's Reel, Hull's Reel, Jack Daniel's Reel, the Mortgage Burn Reel, Stan Chapman's Jig. Now for some really traditional Cape Breton stuff.... The Kings' Set - King George IV and King George V Strathspeys, King's Reel, Old King's Reel, Miss Lyall Reel.  Miss Lyall Strathspey, Devil in the Kitchen Strathspey are two other good ones. Finally, the wedding reels. These are 3 reels in A commonly played together. I don't know the name of the first one but the second and third are Hamish the Carpenter and Put me in the Big Chest"

Musicians mentioned in this episode:  Kinnon Beaton, Betty Lou Beaton (Parents),Howie MacDonald (fiddler), The Rankin Family (band), Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, (fiddlers, "Natalie and Ashley") Shelly Campbell (fiddler), Marian Dewar (piano, also mother of Allan Dewar, great pianist himself), Fin Moore (Scottish bagpiper), Ward MacDonald (PEI fiddler), Tim Chaisson (PEI fiddler), Mac Morin (piano), Troy MacGillivray (piano and fiddle)

Episode 35: Hanz Araki

A master of the Irish flute and Japanese shakuhachi, Hanz Araki joins Neil to tell the story of his wildly varied musical life so far. From moving to Tokyo and playing shakuhachi 6 hours a day learning the family tradition to playing Irish flute in the Paperboys and touring 200 days a year across Canada, Hanz opens up about his experiences pursuing traditional music with a singularly intense drive and focus. 

Episode 34: Don Roy

Franco-American fiddler Don Roy has been a central figure in Maine fiddling for decades. He joins Neil for the first episode of Season 4 to talk about learning music from his uncle (and Maine fiddling legend) Lucien Mathieu, the connections between Maine French fiddling and traditional music from New Brunswick and Cape Breton and his own creative work writing new tunes and leading the massive fiddle group Fiddlicious. 

Don's website: www.DonRoyOnline.com

Don's uncle Lucien Mathieu playing at Maine Fiddle Camp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FQbELlDZhU

Episode 33: Kevin Doyle

Irish-American dancer Kevin Doyle joins Neil this episode to share his story of growing up in a strong Irish community in Providence, RI, learning to dance from his mother who emigrated from Ireland. He also tells Neil about the connections between American tap dance and Irish step dance and talks about what it was like to get the phone call saying that he was being named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts. 

Kevin's Website: kevindoyledance.com  (There are many links to videos of Kevin dancing on his website)