The upcoming July 8th Summer String Summit 2009 at College of the Siskiyous’ Ford Theater features some of the most influential young acoustic musicians touring today.
Produced by Grand National Fiddle Champions Tashina and Tristan Clarridge, the event is billed as “a cross-genre exploration into the diverse worlds of bluegrass, jazz, Celtic and old-time music.”
A gathering of greats
Summit musicians include Grammy nominated fiddler/composer Darol Anger, who was a founding member of the David Grisman Quintet, the Turtle Island String Quartet, Psychograss and the Republic of Strings. As one of the nation’s top fiddlers, Anger has helped define the character and destiny of contemporary acoustic music. According to the Boston Herald, “(Anger’s) fertile inventiveness, surprising touches and technical mastery have shaped fiddling all over the globe, inspiring a whole generation of players.”
“I’m really excited about this event,” Anger said. “I’ve watched a lot of these (young musicians) grow up and prosper as musicians.”
Also featured will be cellist Natalie Haas, Appalachian fiddler Brittany Haas, singer/songwriter and banjoist Abigail Washburn, guitarist Scott Nygaard, fiddler Jeremy Kittel and violinist/fiddler Billy Contreras. All of these musicians have won numerous awards and tour widely in both the US and abroad.
The Bee Eaters will be included in the mix, featuring hammered dulcimer player Simon Chrisman, banjo player Wesley Corbett and event coordinators Tristan and Tashina Clarridge.
“This show is absolutely the dream show of the year for anybody interested in acoustic music, strings or fiddling,” said Anger. “(These young players) are the future, but they’re happening right now. Bring your kids and watch their ears grow big and their eyeballs pop.”
Tristan and Tashina
Though only 22 and 26 years old, event organizers Tristan and Tashina Clarridge have both won the Grand National Fiddle Championship.
Having grown up in both Hayfork and Mt. Shasta, the two north state natives now reside in Boston, which Tristan calls “the center of progressive music.” Both tour with different groups, as well as participating in numerous workshops and studio projects.
Though they are busy performing at prominent venues around the world, both regularly return to the Mt. Shasta area to give concerts. Tristan sees the Summit as a chance for them to host a world class event on their native soil.
“We look forward to this event all year because it is a chance for us to bring together a group of artists who are usually busy playing and touring with their own bands... People will be coming from all over the world, and it is always exciting for friends to see each other,” he said. “It’s rewarding for both of us to be able to play with our heroes.”
Star-studded alchemy
At the young age of 21, cellist Natalie Haas is already a seasoned performer, recording artist and teacher. She has joined master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser for festivals throughout Europe and the US. "People may be familiar with the gorgeous, melodic cello sound," says Fraser, "but they're surprised to learn that the cello used to comprise the rhythm section in Scottish dance bands. Natalie Haas unleashes textures and deep, powerful rhythms that drive fiddle tunes.”
Younger sister Brittany, 18, is also classically trained but quick to call herself a fiddler, not a violinist. Her love of “old-time" music incorporates a wide array of influences, including Southern Appalachian, as well as Celtic and African.
Also featured is bilingual singer/songwriter Abigail Washburn, who has made a mark of her own. The multi-talented young banjoist regularly performs with her band the Sparrow Quartet, which includes ten time Grammy winner Bela Fleck.
Scott Nygaard (next to Darol Anger) is the seasoned veteran of the Summit crew. “I’m really looking forward to this one,” he prominently notes on his website.
Nygaard has two solo recordings and has a long history playing with such notables as Tim O’Brien and Laurie Lewis. His talents have also landed him gigs with stellar musicians such as Tony Furtado, Todd Phillips, Peter Rowan, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush and Vassar Clements.
Rounding out the collection of talent are the Bee Eaters, which includes both Tashina and Tristan Clarridge. According to Anger, “The Bee Eaters are the instrumental cream of the brand new string nation. ...somehow these kids have absorbed everything we had to offer and alchemized it into a whole new musical world.”
Multi-generational
For Darol Anger, being a mentor and teacher to the younger generation of acoustic stars is rewarding in its own right.
“The event will be like a homecoming for me,” said Anger, reflecting on his relationship with many of the young Summit players
Though he noted that he has only passed through the Mt. Shasta area in the past, he is looking forward to spending time here.
Reflecting on his role in the evolution of contemporary acoustic music, Anger notes that he has been around long enough to see his audiences begin to span several generations, a fact which he finds exciting.
“People are going to look back at this as a golden period in acoustic music,” he said.
The July 8 concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in the COS Ford Theater, 800 College Avenue in Weed (doors open at 7 p.m.). Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Kids 12 and under $5 in advance and $7 at the door (no credit cards at door; cash and checks only).
Tickets are available in advance at Village Books in Mt. Shasta, the Music Co-op in Ashland and from BrownPaperTickets.com (24/7 Hotline: 1-800-838-3006).
The project is supported by the Siskiyou Arts Council.
Weed, Calif. —
