Wellsboro Community Concert Association
WCCA
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Unspoken Tradition
North Carolina based quintet Unspoken Tradition a fast-rising voice of a new generation of roots music artists performed mostly new original Bluegrass to an enthusiastic crowd on September 27th. Audie McGinnis (Guitar & Vocals), Ty Gilpin (Mandolin & Vocals), Tim Gardner (Fiddle & Vocals), Sav Sankaran (Bass & Vocals), and Zane McGinnis (Banjo). It was a show not to miss as the band received several standing ovations!
Mudmen
The Mudmen, self-described Celtic Rock Warriors from Canada, performed to an enthralled crowd who gave a standing ovation on October 11th. Exhilarating Bagpipes combined with rock music lived up to the bands description as fun. The six member band are; founding members Sandy Campbell and Robby Campbell (Bagpipes), Colin Amey (Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar), Andy Gingerich (Drums), Alex Showdra (Electric Guitar & Banjo) and Emmett Glancie (Bass Guitar).
Driftwood
On Nov. 7th and 8th the five-member band Driftwood, from Binghamton, New York, presented their style of Americana folk rock with a nod to 1960s R&B, 1970s country rock, contemporary pop, folk and traditional Appalachian music. Performing to an enthusiastic crowd were founding members Joe Kollar on Banjo & Guitar and Dan Forsyth on Guitar along with Claire Byrne on Violin, Joey Arcuri on Upright Bass and vocals along with Sam Fishman on Drums. Kollar, Forsyth and Byrne who write original songs for the group shared the role of lead vocalist. Arcuri also sang. Driftwood on November 7th was the third concert of the WCCA 77th 6-Concert Season.
Matthew Ball
On December 12th Matthew Ball, pianist, singer and songwriter performed fun music with a boogie-woogie piano twist to all from yesteryear! Known as “The Boogie Woogie Kid,” he presented an upbeat program of boogie-woogie piano and swing-era favorites, such as “In the Mood, Georgia, When the Saints Go Marchin' along with Holiday and other Classics from the American Song Book.This is the fourth concert of the WCCA 77th Six-Concert Season.
Cherish the Ladies
On March 11th the Irish super group Cherish the Ladies presented a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, and captivating arrangements. Group members,were under the leadership of All-Ireland flute and whistle champion, Joanie Madden (flute, whistles, vocals), and with founding member Mary Coogan (guitar), Mirella Murray (accordion), Nollaig Casey (fiddle), Kate Purcell (lead vocals), Hannah Collins (piano), and Bruce Foley (vocals, guitar). They were accompanied by fantastic Step- Dancers: Tyler Schwartz, Nathan Pilatzke and Joe Harrison and sound engineer John Murray. This was a bonus concert and not part of the six-concert series.
John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band
On April 11th, the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band (J2B2), an all-star bluegrass supergroup, performed to a full enthusiastic house. The group featured four legendary award-winning musicians; John Jorgenson (Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin and Vocals); Herb Pedersen (Banjo, Acoustic Guitar and Vocals), Mark Fain (Bass), and Patrick Sauber (Acoustic Guitar and Vocals).Their combined forces presented a union of impeccable musicianship. The incredible harmony and vocals exhibited their combined seasoned showmanship. It truly was a fantastic show! J2B2 received a standing ovation. This was the fifth concert of the WCCA 77th Six-Concert Season.
Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice
On Saturday April 25th, Greg Piccolo and Heavy Juice performed to an exuberant crowd. Piccolo displayed his signature skillful tenor saxophone playing, along with his unique vocals, and his charismatic stage presence. It was indeed, a memorable night of exceptional traditional Jazz, flavored with Blues, classic Rhythm & Blues along with a bit of Rock & Roll. Joining Greg on stage was Shinichi Otsu (Organ/Piano/Bass), Steven Peck (Drums) and Mike Williams (Guitar). This was the Sixth and final concert of the WCCA 77th Six Concert series.
Past Concerts
The Rory Block concert was held on Sept. 9th, 2023 to the enjoyments of an almost full-house.
With her many albums and tours, Rory Block has staked a solid claim to being one of the world's finest practitioners finest practitioners of the blues tradition. Rory is a formidable slide guitarist, talented songwriter, and excellent interpreter of the great Delta blues singers. "Today she is widely regarded as the top female interpreter and authority on traditional country blues worldwide." The Blues Foundation".
TUSK, The World's #1 Fleetwood Mac Tribute concerts were presented by WCCA on
Weds. Sept. 13th and Thurs. Sept. 14th,to near sell-out crowds both nights. They rocked the theatre as they again absolutely WOWED their audience. Their drummer, Tom Nelson, has a local connection—he taught music at North Penn-Liberty High School.
Kommuna Lux, a Ukrainian band, performed Odessa Gangsta Folk with thrilling Klezmer Music
on Saturday October 21st, 2023 to an enthusiastic audience. Seven musicians self described as 'a group of talented and energetic musicians who like to create unforgettable musical experiences for their audience. Our goal is not just sound, but real emotions and unforgettable impressions from our music.''
Driftwood Americana performed to an exhilarated audience at near capacity on, December 8th, 2023 From upstate New York, Driftwood has a rock n’ roll soul and a folk art mind. Their unique sound is a nod to 60s R&B, 70s country rock, contemporary pop, folk and traditional Appalachian music. They're known for their electrifying live performances, with melodies, harmonies, and lyrics bringing unique, raw sounds to the Americana/roots music scene.
The John Jorgenson Quintet (Gypsy Jazz) performed to a thrilled near capacity audience who gave three standing ovations during the show on Saturday February 24th, 2024. Music of this band has been called “Gypsy Jazz” after the dynamic string-driven swing of Django Reinhard and Stephanie Grappelli in 1930s Paris. Jorgenson’s skillful playing of the guitar, solo clarinet, and bouzouki amazes audiences. The only American act to headline the Django Reinhardt Memorial Festival in France, and be featured at other “Djangofests” in the U.S. internationally.
The Gothard Sisters a Celtic trio of singers, musicians and step dancers performed on Saturday March 23rd, 2024 to an enthralled house. Haling from the Pacific Northwest. They have a worldwide fan base with millions of YouTube views and Spotify streams, 2,000 live shows, and nine album releases. This was evidenced as some fans drove over four hours to Wellsboro to see the dynamic trio of Greta, Solana, and Willow Gothard. Blending Celtic, folk, classical, and new age musical influences, they play numerous instruments (violin, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bodhran, djembe, and whistle), have great vocal harmonies, and they are step dancers, too. They've performed at the Kennedy Center as well as other major venues and festivals in the U.S. and internationally. WCCA was thrilled to present them.
Fireside Collective Performed to an enthusiastic sold out crowd on Sat, April 13th, 2024 which was part of our regular season. Due to popular demand a second concert was added which was not part of the regular season on Sun. April 14th, 2024 to an equally enthusiastic crowd. Based in Ashville, N.C., this award winning progressive bluegrass group has drawn on folk, blues, funk and a wide variety of bluegrass sounds to create a distinctive body of work that's all their own. Mandolin player Jesse Iaquinto has Wellsboro roots and connections to Coudersport.