Rhys Jones has been playing traditional Appalachian, Irish and French-Candian fiddle music for 30 years. Born in Chicago, he began his fiddling at age 7 in the fertile environment of the Chicago Barn Dance Company, surrounded by such legendary American and Irish musicians as Lynn "Chirps" Smith, Liz Carroll, Mark Gunther, Martin Fahey, Pauline Coneely, Dan Gellert and others. Soon after, his family moved to southern West Virginia where he learned from the older generation of fiddlers, including Ernie Carpenter, Melvin Wine, Glen Smith and Wilson Douglas.
Rhys continued his musical education while living in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, and has now played for concerts, dances, workshops and festivals across the United States and Europe, has won both fiddle and band contests at The Appalachian String Band Festival (Clifftop), and is regarded as one of the best fiddlers of his generation. Rhys has three albums with the Vigortone label, appears on numerous compiliations and recordings, and can be seen in the award-winning concert documentary "Absolutely Irish". As a multi-instrumentalist, Rhys is also known as an accomplished banjo and guitar player, and is always in demand as an accompaniest to both Irish and American music.
His debut album, "On The Shoulders of Giants" was called "the long waited recording of up-and-coming fiddle genius Rhys Jones" by Folk Fire magazine. Rhys' CD "All I've Gots Done Gone" was picked as County Records best old-time release of the year. His latest release, "Starry Crown" was called "simply joyous" by Sing Out, who named him one of "the bright lights of the current generation of traditional music performers." County Records said, "the combination of great tunes and superb musicianship make this CD ... a 'must' for old-time fiddle fans." The California Bluegrass Association says, "Rhys Jones is one of the finest contemporary old-time fiddlers around."http://www.myspace.com/rhysjonesmusic
Multi-instrumentalist Chicagoan Steve Rosen, of the Volo Bogtrotters fame, will be joining Rhys this evening. Steve is one of the foremost Midwestern Old Time banjo players, and is known for his work in Bluegrass and Cajun music as well. He has been a part of the Midwestern scene for over 35 years, and it is a real treat to have him here.http://nailthatcatfish.tripod.com/
We hope to have some local callers show up and call a couple squares in the latter half of the show!
$13.00 FSGW members; 15.00 non-members
Bloombars
3222 11th Street, NW (Between Kenyon and Lamont), Washington, DC 20010
Very close to the Greenline Metro
Columbia Heightshttp://www.bloombars.com
Bloombars is a wonderful community arts space in Columbia Heights
NOT HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE
