A musical conversation between two pillars of American popular and folk song, this concert will bring the Gershwin brothers and Woody Guthrie together in a unified presentation. While in some ways Tin Pan Alley and the folk music scene of the 1930s-40s existed in worlds apart, this concert will celebrate both composers as having equally important and reciprocal influences on the evolution of American music.
The program will be organized thematically, moving back and forth between the composers while exploring concepts of rural life vs. urbanism, wealth and poverty, race and ethnic identity. Both Gershwin and Guthrie worked at a time of great social upheaval and were also deeply influenced by the sound of African-American blues and gospel music.
Fans of Gershwin and Guthrie alike will enjoy this program filled with both “hits” as well as less-explored material, organized thematically into suites.
23Arts Windham Tickets:
Regular Tickets: $25
Senior: $22
Under 18: FREE
7 Concert Series Pass: $150
(Premium Reserved Seating available at additional cost)
On Sam Reider:
“He’s got rhythm. And for someone his age, plenty of soul, too.”
About Sam Reider: A jazz pianist turned folk musician, Sam has spent the last eight years redefining American roots music on the accordion. His original music draws inspiration from sources ranging from Woody Guthrie to George Gershwin to Ennio Morricone. Sam has been featured on Marian McPartland’s “Piano Jazz” on NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, toured in seven countries overseas, and appears regularly at Jazz at Lincoln Center and major festivals nationwide.
Sam is co-leader of Brooklyn-based roots band Silver City Bound, which the Huffington Post calls, “Americana at its best.” In 2013 the U.S. Department of State selected Silver City Bound to be cultural ambassadors overseas, and they conducted a six-week tour of China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. In 2016 they went abroad again, this time to Azerbaijan and Istanbul, where they collaborated on a benefit concert with young Syrian, Turkish, Kurdish, Palestinian, and American musicians. Global Citizen’s coverage of the concert is available here.
Sam’s latest project, Future Folk Musik, presents his unique compositional voice alongside an ensemble of virtuosic bluegrass and acoustic musicians. The sound of the music has been compared to that of the Punch Brothers, David Grisman, and Andrew Bird—an irresistible mixture of bluegrass, gypsy jazz, and mysterious sounds from around the world. In live shows, Sam often incorporates piano, synthesizer and vocals into the instrumentation of the band. With catchy tunes, a fiery pulse, and mind-bending improvisation, Sam and his band put on spontaneous live performances that keep audiences on their toes.
Sam is committed to having a positive impact on his community. Sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sam does over sixty concerts and workshops each year at public schools around the country. These performances explore the links between American music and social studies themes like freedom, democracy, and civil rights. Sam’s interest in music and social change began when he planned a benefit concert that raised $15,000 for San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention center. The San Francisco Chronicle ran an article on the front page of the entertainment section, “He's got rhythm. And for someone his age, plenty of soul, too.”