Savannah Music Festival

Airs Thursday, March 14 at 8:00 p.m.  Innovators in acoustic music from America and Sweden come together to explore the commonalities between Swedish polskas and Appalachian fiddle tunes. Recorded live at the Charles H. Morris Center during the Savannah Music Festival. 

The country of Sweden has a folk music tradition that goes back at least 700 years. Importantly, this tradition still serves as the impetus for songs being created today. One of the most original Swedish groups to emerge in the late 20th century is a trio known as Väsen, whose creative output has shown that Swedish traditional music is still alive and well in our time. During this episode, we listen to Väsen as they combine forces with two of American music's finest improvisational players, Mike Marshall and Darol Anger, in a performance the group gave at the Savannah Music Festival. Each of the five players brings his own personality to the table and the sum of the parts is one that takes instrumental music in new, innovative directions.

Airs Thursday, February 21 at 8:00 p.m.  When the discussion of contemporary American acoustic music arises, several different genres come to mind. If the ingredients of the genre include well-crafted songs, vivid arrangements, instrumental virtuosity, splendid improvisation, complete vocal harmony, as well as a mandolin, a banjo, and a dobro, well, the window gets narrowed down. One group that embodies all of these traits is The Infamous Stringdusters. Listen to the talented young newgrass ensemble The Infamous Stringdusters on this episode of SMF Live, featuring selections culled from their two shows at the Savannah Music Festival in Charles H. Morris Center.

Airs Thursday, February 14 at 8:00 p.m.  Afro-Portuguese fado sensation Mariza put on what many are calling the "concert of the year" at the Savannah Music Festival. Tune in for a program featuring her Georgia debut. Fado, which translated means "destiny" or "fate," is a musical genre that can be traced from the 1820s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins. In popular belief, fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics. The music is usually linked to the Portuguese word "saudade," which has no match in English but could be understood as nostalgia felt while missing someone. The origins of fado are a mixture of African slave rhythms, the traditions of Portuguese sailors, and the influence of Arabic music. Join us for a captivating performance given by Mariza, the genre's biggest star, at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts during the Savannah Music Festival.

Airs Thursday, February 7 at 8 p.m. There have been many outstanding piano trios throughout the history of jazz, each with its own signature sound. There is the majestic swing of the Oscar Peterson Trio, the classy bop of the Hank Jones Trio, the great independence of the Bill Evans Trio, and the powerful virtuosity of Bud Powell's trios. Each great jazz piano trio brought something slightly different into the fold, combining swing, group interaction, and musical dynamics in unique ways. In this episode, we listen to one of the finest contemporary jazz piano trios, the Bill Charlap Trio, in concert at the 2011 Savannah Music Festival with special guest Houston Person.  Bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington fill out the stage and sound.

Airs Thursday, January 31 at 8 pm. Taking vocal cues from Sam Cooke and James Brown and wrapping them in the cozy warmth of rhythm and blues, singer/guitarist James Hunter hails from England but has American soul running through his blood. In this episode, we listen to Hunter's SMF performance from the Trustees Theater on a double-bill with Allen Toussaint.