Duende Libre is an award-winning jazz trio whose original music combines jazz virtuosity with roots rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, and West Africa into a “strikingly authentic blend.” Each having apprenticed with direct descendants and master musicians of these traditions, they consider themselves disciples of their teachers. The result: A euphoric new jazz that honors its historical roots, pushing open the boundaries of genre to invoke a powerful sonic freedom.

Comprising core members Alex Chadsey (bandleader and keys), Jeff Busch (percussion), and Farko Dosumov (bass), Duende Libre is collectively influenced by the trio’s direct connections with master musicians including Clinton Fearon, Dudley Nesbitt, Dave Hassel, Jesse Bannister, Chucho Valdés, Carlos Santana, Martha Gonzalez, Quetzal Flores, and Joe Santiago

“Each member’s experiences are vital as they filter West African traditional rhythms through their own hands, voices, minds, bodies, each song as much choreography as a composition,” PopMatters wrote. “Hopeful in sound as well as in ideological foundation, [the band creates music] full of heart and historical multitudes.”

Pop Matters calls it “globally-inspired jazz with dimension.” You will encounter sizzling rhythms and grooving basslines, experimental meters and irresistible melodic hooks, all aglow with the technical virtuosity earned by decades of devotion to their craft.

The trio is occasioned by guest performances from award-winning chanteuse Chava Mirel (who, alongside Chadsey, joined Clinton Fearon’s band in 2013) and inimitable tenor Frank Anderson. Formed by deep connections to Jewish and West African styles, the singers’ ebullient and masterful vocal techniques enrich Duende Libre’s live performance with even greater vibrancy. “To see the band live is to get a sense of the deep respect they have for each other, and the joy they take in connecting with each other and the audience” one critic wrote for Earshot.

The band effectively—and uniquely—calls attention to the space between contemporary jazz traditions and broader musical influences from around the globe. Informed by a cumulative century of devoted study, they answer to this with emphatic (and euphoric) sonic interpretations that effectively enrich the collective language of jazz itself.

Alasdair and Natalie will be presenting a workshop on the 15th of April before the 2 shows.  (Yes, it is possible to spend 3 days with them!)  The workshop will start at 7:00 pm just like the shows.  Here is the description they provided.

Based on the fiddle music of Scotland and beyond, the workshop is focused on players of violin, viola, cello and string bass, but other instruments are welcome. The level will be for intermediate players and above. The goal is to explore playing traditional music in a group with emphasis on arrangement ideas and the techniques that give traditional music its particular flavour. Using elements of language and dance, fiddle tunes and arrangement ideas work together to form a larger medley. All music will be taught by ear but music will be provided to take away.

You can register with me at the phone or email (preferred) above or with Alasdair at his website.  We will try to accommodate everyone that wishes to attend.

Alistair and Natalie are back for a workshop on 4/15, and shows 4/16 and 4/17.  Last year we were packed to the gills and some folks were turned away so we are planning 2 shows.  The time for the workshop is not yet scheduled.

I am really looking forward to this show.  We are stretching a bit this season.

Founded in 2021, North Fork Crossing has quickly made its presence known all around Montana, most notably in the beautiful Gallatin Valley where they live. The quintet — Cade Slayden (guitar), Ryan Kelly (mandolin), Rabi Phelan (upright bass), Silas Rea (fiddle), and Matt Hickey (banjo) — are drawn to having Bluegrass reach a younger generation, priding themselves on their unique sound as the evolution of string band music.

By playing many shows in Montana as well as touring across Idaho, Utah, and Colorado, they have been able to grow their audience to a wide range of listeners — consisting of Traditional Bluegrass lovers to die-hard Jam Band enthusiasts. They reside somewhere in a strange untapped realm between these genres as well as Psychedelic Rock, Americana, and Folk.

North Fork Crossing has recently released their debut, self-titled album. North Fork Crossing (2024) explores the Bozeman band’s origins, consisting of songs played live since their inception. This includes original fiddle tunes, high-paced exploratory bluegrass, and ballads focused on songwriting and precision. Although they are known for their live performances, the album is a well-rounded and powerful introduction to the band’s studio work.

These two, hot bluegrass bands from Montana will be sharing a show on May 6th.  Bluepoint is from Missoula, and North Fork Crossing hails from Bozeman.  It’s a Cat/Griz concert!

We’re Blue Point,  We’re a five piece Bluegrass Band from beautiful Missoula, MT. We specialize in traditional Bluegrass and Old TIme music, as well as Folk and Americana with a modern twist. Our performances are wildly energetic and heartfelt and just might make you leave your seat to dance, or hold the ones you care about a little tighter. Our repertoire includes everything from classic songs, that everyone can sing to, and originals that stem from those deep places within the human condition that we all know and feel. Give us a listen and catch a live show if you can! We appreciate you!

Montana Standard returns to LSH with killer trad bluegrass at it’s finest.

Traditional Bluegrass Music from East of the Continental Divide!

These folks have shared stages in Montana for many years, dating back to the mid-1970s. Among them are National & State Fiddle Champions, Song Writers, Exceptional Instrumentalists, Great Singers and best of all, they are good friends who love what they do.

Montana Standard’s combined decades of experience, unique twin fiddles, tight vocal harmonies and rock-solid instrumentation produce an excitingly energetic sound unique to the region, perhaps to the country. Their reverence for the traditions of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, as well as vintage country music set the stage for a great show!

The band has performed throughout the west and, with this solid lineup and fresh recordings, is expanding their performance schedule and festival presence.

Great Music & Fun Time!

The Western Flyers with Redd Volkaert will stop at Longstaff House following their Western Swing Camp at Monarch.  These guys are the real deal….

JOEY MCKENZIE – GUITAR AND VOCALS

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Joey McKenzie is a musician of remarkable versatility. Besides being recognized as one of the finest rhythm guitarists of our time, Joey is an award winning multi-instrumentalist, band arranger, singer and producer. His unique ability to blaze new trails within traditional music without losing its rich heritage has gleaned praise from some of the finest musicians in the country. His first musical experience began at age of 11, tuning the instruments his father had around their house – a guitar, mandolin, tenor guitar, and a tenor banjo. Around the age of 12, he started learning a few chords and licks on each of the instruments and has been playing them ever since.  When he was 17, he became interested in playing the fiddle after becoming friends with Texas fiddle legend Benny Thomasson.  “I went to fiddle contests just playing rhythm guitar, but I wasn’t really inspired to play the fiddle.  When I got the opportunity to back Benny up in a few contests and hear the way he played, all I could think about was trying to learn to play the fiddle!”  It wasn’t long before Joey began competing and has since won well over 100 fiddle contests and awards on other stringed instruments.  Some of these include three-time World Champion Fiddler, World Series of Fiddling Champion and five-time Texas State Guitar Champion. As a music teacher, Joey’s influence on the music world is very evident. He is much in demand as a private instructor and also teaches master classes and workshops all over the country. To date Joey has taught 19 National Champion fiddle players! Joey is proud of his students who have advanced into successful music careers, as well as the many others who have become life-long music lovers who play strictly for the fun of it.  As a touring musician, Joey has performed in 45 U.S. states as well as Canada, Europe, Russia and South America.  Joey’s performance highlights include The Grand Ole Opry, The Kennedy Center, NYC’s Lincoln Center, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, NPR’s “A Prairie Home Companion” and RFD TV’s “The Marty Stuart Show”.  In addition, Joey has shared the stage with musical greats Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs, Ray Price, Asleep at the Wheel, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Connie Smith, and even a ukulele-slinging billionaire by the name of Warren Buffett!  He has always been fascinated with the great behind the scenes rhythm guitar work of players such as Eldon Shamblin, Homer Haynes, Eddie Lang, Karl Farr, Freddie Green and Oscar Moore.  In addition Joey enjoys restoring, repairing and collecting vintage stringed instruments and says he is still trying to get them in tune!

RIDGE ROBERTS – FIDDLE AND VOCALS

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Ridge Roberts is a 21 year old musician from Granbury, Texas. He first picked up the fiddle at the age of 7 and it was immediately evident that this would be a life-long love. In 2013 he entered and won his first fiddle contest at the age of 10. This led him to working with Joey McKenzie, first as fiddle teacher and now bandmate. Since then, he has gone on to compete in and win many more contests, with several notable championship titles – Grand Masters Champion, National Champion, Texas State Champion and the 2018 World Champion Fiddler.  He spent his early years researching fiddle players and fiddle tunes, concentrating on the old-time Texas style fiddlers and when he wasn’t playing the fiddle, he was thinking about the fiddle, listening to fiddle music, researching fiddle history, playing rhythm guitar for fiddle tunes, looking for fiddles and sometimes just looking at his fiddle. Fast forward to today, Ridge is a 2021 graduate of North Central Texas Academy in Hood County. He enjoys reading, writing, and all things vintage, especially Country music. Ridge plays rhythm guitar, sings, writes songs and composes and will always be a life-long student of music and its history.

MATTHEW MEFFORD – UPRIGHT BASS

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If you wonder how the finest Western swing players got to be so good, you imagine them cutting their teeth on Bob Wills records and taking to their instruments before they learned to talk, Matthew Mefford stands out as an exception to that rule. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Matthew grew up on the outskirts of Austin, Texas, first picking up the electric bass during his late teens to play music more akin to Nirvana than the Texas Playboys. All that changed when he discovered the upright bass and Western swing. It wasn’t long before Matthew found himself at Johnny Gimble’s Swing Camp where he teamed up with the granddaughter of the great swing fiddle legend himself, gifted singer and jazz pianist, Emily Gimble. The Marshall Ford Swing Band was born out of this lucky alignment of stars and soon Matthew found himself part of the fabric of the diverse Austin music scene, as well as founding member of the virtuosic power quartet Milk Drive. Dipping his toes into the bluegrass, country, and western swing world soon found Matthew performing at the largest folk & bluegrass festivals across the US and abroad. 2014 brought big changes as Matthew moved to York, England to support his wife during her PhD. He joined the acclaimed acoustic band Stillhouse and was a featured performer at the Cambridge Folk Festival, Wilderness Festival, and Boomtown Festival to name but a few. In 2018, Matthew returned to Austin and, by the late spring, found a musical home with Texas’ award winning trio, The Western Flyers. Now living in Wimberely, Texas, Matthew tours frequently with the Flyers, accompanies Texas style breakdown fiddlers every chance he gets and stays busy playing in and around Austin and the Texas Hill Country.

About Redd

From country and western swing to jazz and rock, Redd Volkaert is considered a true giant of country music and the Telecaster guitar. Redd is a Grammy-winner and a guitar-playing legend who is renowned throughout the country music world and beyond.

Volkaert played in Merle Haggard’s backing band The Strangers in the spot previously staffed by Roy Nichols. In addition, he has recorded and performed with a who’s who of country music stars such as George Jones, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens, Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, and many more.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Redd spent more than a decade in Nashville, playing with the likes of Ray Price, The Statler Brothers and eventually behind Merle Haggard.

Volkaert moved to Austin, Texas, where he lived for some 20 years, including performing at Austin’s famed Continental Club every weekend.

Redd now lives in Galax, Virginia, and performs internationally in addition to his residency at The Floyd Country Store in Floyd, Virginia.

Redd is considered an icon on the Telecaster with numerous guitar models named after him. In addition to his seamless ability to conjure up a vast array of complex guitar styles, Redd is beloved for his trademark wit and sense of humor.

Redd won a Grammy for his own work in 2009, after making an international name for himself as lead guitarist for Merle Haggard. His interpretation of the classic Roy Nichols guitar style led to a quote in Guitar Player magazine by Merle: “When I close my eyes, I sometimes hear Roy Nichols playing over there, and that has never happened before.”

He has released five CDs on his own and recorded and/or played guitar live with a host of world-class artists.

Tim O’Brien
Multi-Grammy award winner Tim O’Brien and his wife Jan Fabricius have
performed together nationally and internationally either as a duo or as part
of the Tim O’Brien Band since 2015. In a duet setting with a guitar, a
mandolin, and their two voices, they bring an intimate and warm acoustic
music roots repertoire that’s at once both original and traditional.
Singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist O’Brien, born in Wheeling WV
in 1954, grew up singing and playing guitar in church and in school. After
seeing Doc Watson on TV, he became a lifelong devotee of old time and
bluegrass music. Co-founder of Colorado’s Hot Rize, he toured the world
with that band from 1978 until he started his solo career in 1990. His songs
have been covered by Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, and the Dixie Chicks,
and his collaborators onstage and in the recording studio include Darrell
Scott, Dirk Powell, Mark Knopfler, and Sturgill Simpson. Awarded
Grammy’s in both the Folk and Bluegrass categories, he is a member of
both the West Virginia and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. He lives with
Jan Fabricius in Nashville TN.
Jan Fabricius grew up in WaKeeney, Ks. and sang from an early age in
church and school, taking up clarinet and then mandolin. A registered
nurse and mother of two, she kept her hand in music through local jams
and regional bluegrass festivals while raising her family.
Jan’s music with O’Brien started informally around their home as he wrote
or learned new songs, and she soon found herself singing and playing
mandolin in the studio and onstage. O’Brien’s 2021 release “He Walked
On”, and his upcoming release “Cup of Sugar” feature original songs
cowritten by Tim and Jan.

The maestro of oldtime returns to Longstaff House and Montana Fiddle Camp.  I’m sure we will have a fiddle workshop as well.

Brilliant guitarist, Richard Smith, returns to Longstaff House in June.  Besides being a world-class picker, he is a fabulous entertainer.  Hey, he played with Chet Atkins in London at 11 years old..

Matt Heckler is comin back.  Last year’s show was amazing, a good example of what happens if you take a chance on the unknown.  Come again or for the first time!

Jeff Plankenhorn’s songwriting, expressive vocals, and musicianship are front and center on his latest album, Alone At Sea, produced by Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Keb Mo.) New sonic territory is explored on this gem of a long player.

The title track, “Alone at Sea,” is a poignant ballad nestled between two of the album’s many up-tempo tunes.It envisions an adventurous soul who’s searching for self-awareness and learns to appreciate solitude, not unlike Plank’s experience of moving to Canada’s Vancouver Island from a 20-year stint in the landlocked confines of Austin, TX.

Plank is a highly respected musician known for his skill as a slide guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist. He’s gained recognition both as a solo artist and as a sought-after session musician. Plankenhorn’s musical style encompasses elements of blues, folk, Americana, and roots music, creating a sound that’s uniquely his own.

For Jeff Plankenhorn, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of bringing people together to experience the joy music brings. He’s so good at it that he’s been recognized with Austin Music Award nominations for Musician of the Year, Best Guitarist, and a win Best Misc. Instrument – for “The Plank” a hybrid lap steel guitar Jeff designed himself. In 2016-2017, he also earned Album and Song of the Year nominations for his album, SoulSlide, and the single “Trouble Find Me.” Listeners quickly get that Plank loves a good groove, but he’s also become quite accomplished at composing ballads, as proven by two of the album’s other standouts, “Bluer Skies” and You’ll Stay.” These days, Plank happily finds himself on the road over 150 days a year. “I like the idea that people get uplifted at my shows; just one of the great ways to escape the hubbub of day-to-day living. I like the idea that everybody who walks in — I don’t care if you’re a biker or a drag queen — I want you there. Music is supposed to bring people together.” His music does exactly that — whether people come to listen or do a little dancing. Or ideally, both.

“…his distinctive voice & sparse instrumentation that’s actually layered tones that are subtle & border between the darker Bob Dylan tunes & the melodic meanderings of Tom Waits. Very likable because Plankenhorn is a careful distance from basic mainstream artists. He walks his own road & sometimes it seems he makes his own road.”
– John Apice/Americana Highways 9/28/23

 TOM CATMUL ha been hereo\ many times and we always look forward to the musicians he brings us from his songwriting workshops.  Tom is one of those guys who makes the Missoula music scene so special.

  Tom Catmull is a word enthusiast. They are the larger part of what makes his world go round. He’s spent the last twenty-five years in his adopted hometown of Missoula, MT presenting words in ways to make them as alluring as possible to people who crave such things. The tricks useful to achieving this feat include infectious melody, thoughtful arrangement, storytelling, some finger picking and a clean shirt. The last couple of decades have included seven full length albums, a few television appearances (Montana PBS 11th and Grant), a hundred theaters performances (The Wilma, The Rex, The Roxy, The Dennison, etc), dozens of festivals, countless honkytonks and two ridiculously fun national anthems. He’s been the supporting act for Robert Earl Keen, Charlie Musselwhite, Junior Brown, Asleep at the Wheel and a dozen others. There exists some confidence that his roots driven Americana songs are worthy of your time. Don’t be fooled, though. The acoustic guitar, harmonica and hat are just cheap ploys to get the words out in front of you.

John and Joanne are back at Longstaff House this summer.  John recently won Songwriter of the year and Album of the year at the International Western Music Association and the Montana Governor’s Award.

BIOGRAPHY  EAST NASH GRASS

East Nash Grass is one of the hottest young bands in Bluegrass, picking up this year’s International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Best New Artist and stacked with IBMA Best Instrumentalist winners: Grand Master Fiddle champion and AMA Instrumentalist of the year nominee Maddie Denton, Cory Walker (banjo), and Harry Clark (mandolin). Put them alongside charismatic frontman James Kee and bassist Jeff Partin (Rhonda Vincent, etc.) and you’ve got a powerhouse leader of the next generation in bluegrass excellence.

WSLR in Fogartyville calls them “a balance of undeniably hard-driving bluegrass alongside surprisingly introspective songwriting and earnest narration.”

They are far more than a group of impressive instrumental technicians. As a group that came together organically via set after set on Nashville’s East Side, playing tiny stages for the love of it between tours backing bigger acts, they have a hard-forged bond that’s reflected in their stage chemistry. Audiences freak out over how much fun these guys have.

As they work on the follow up to 2023’s “Last Chance To Win” — look for a release in the spring of 2025 — they now find themselves one of the most in-demand groups in Americana, fanning out well beyond the traditional bluegrass spots.

Short Bio for Jacob Jolli
Jacob Jolliff is one of the world’s premier contemporary mandolinists. In 2011
he graduated from Berklee College of Music, having studied there on a full
scholarship. The following year, in 2012, he won the USA’s National Mandolin
Championship in Winfield, KS. A fixture of the bluegrass scene, he
performed and collaborated with Béla Fleck, Tony Trischka, Michael Daves,
Grant Gordy, Wes Corbett, and Alex Hargreaves, to name a few. Additionally,
throughout his 20s, he toured as a member of the groups Joy Kills Sorrow and
Yonder Mountain String Band. Currently, his focus is on his own ensemble, The
Jacob Jolliff Band—one of the most cutting-edge progressive bluegrass group
on the scene today. They’ve released three albums, the most recent of which,
“Instrumentals, Vol. 2: Mandolin Mysteries,” dropped in May 2024. The band
plays a combination of complex original instrumental music and vocal repertoire
that spans from trad bluegrass to unlikely pop covers. Improvisation and the
ensemble interplay are at the forefront