Tagged: Savannah Music Festival

Airs Thursday, March 21 at 8 p.m.  In music, the term "Americana" generally refers to a subset of American music that is perhaps best defined as "classic" American music, ranging in style from roots-based bluegrass to alternative country, gospel, blues, zydeco, jazz and other native forms. In this episode, we listen to an array of musical Americana selections recorded at the Savannah Music Festival between 2004 and 2008. Performers include Sam Bush, Mike Marshall, Don Stiernberg, the David Grisman Quintet, Jerry Douglas, Bob Seeley, the Bucky Pizzarelli Trio, Daniel Hope, Tony Williamson and Sebastian Knauer.

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.