Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin

Court Square Stage, Saturday

Duet Singing Workshop, Sunday

Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin sing and play a skillful blend of bluegrass, folk, and old-time music. Their core sound is a unique and compelling vocal duet, enhanced by guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. Their harmony singing has been repeatedly likened to the classic performances of the Louvin Brothers, Stanley Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, and Carter Family. Kate and Jody are engaging performers, often humorous between songs. Their arrangements are continually evolving, often right before the eyes and ears of a spellbound audience. Their programs feature lively and inventive instrumental work, a charming and intimate presentation, and a variety of mood and expression, ranging from poignant understatement to disarming brilliance. A sterling repertoire of traditional gems is complemented by original creations and select works of contemporary songwriters.

Jody and Kate, already old musical friends, formed their duet in 1985 and were married in 1987. Since 1989 Rounder Records has been releasing a string of beautifully recorded and critically acclaimed albums of their music. In 1994, Jody and Kate were honored as Grammy Award Nominees when their third release, Our Town, became a finalist in the Best Traditional Folk Album category.

Kate is a natural born singer. Her mother, who sang on the radio in Virginia, reports that at age three Kate used to stand up on the back seat of the family car and joyfully bellow out the latest tunes along with the radio. In time she acquired and refined the intuitive ability to skillfully harmonize, blend, and sonically link with other voices. Kate began by singing with her many sisters and she learned to chord on the piano and ukulele at age five. As a young woman she took up the guitar and five string banjo and came to develop her characteristic rhythmic surety and tonal richness. In the Seventies she organized (and recorded two albums with) the all-female string band Any Old Time, and later toured and recorded with Blue Blame and Laurie Lewis. Kate is an avid reader, adores (and is allergic to) cats, and is very adept with an over, computer, and flower garden.

Jody played his first Guitar chords at age eleven and began playing mandolin and fretless banjo at twelve. Learning at an early age to draw inspiration from a variety of people and places, Jody developed a sensitivity to nuance and mood that has marked his music ever since. Starting in bluegrass, he delved deeply into bleus, Cajun, Irish, Scottish, Bahamian, and old time music, becoming a lifelong student of fiddling and Indian classical music. Jody has played on dozens of albums and has accompanied many great traditional artists, including Fred McDowell, Buddy MacMaster, Tommy Jarrell, Dewey Balfa, Joe Cooley, and Joseph Spence. He, in turn, has inspired musicians the world over. Jody is a record producer, writer, popular cook, and busy music teacher. A transformative artist noted for bringing out hidden facets in music and fellow musicians, Jody’s trademark is the quintessentially traditional musical surprise.