Branford Folk Coffeehouse Hosts Jerry Bryant

From Branford Folk Coffeehouse: Jerry Bryant is well-known along the New England coast as a singer of sea songs. But that's not what you'll hear from him when he makes another visit to the Branford Folk Music Society.

"I dearly love maritime music," he says, "but there are boatloads of other great songs out there." For this concert Jerry will present some of his favorite non-maritime songs, drawing on his broad repertoire of traditional song, material from the American songbook, and gems from songwriters such a Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, and John Prine. With the winter solstice swiftly approaching, expect some seasonal songs as well.

For the past four decades, Jerry has performed folk music all over the United States, accompanying himself on guitar, concertina, banjo, melodeon and other acoustic instruments. His repertoire includes hundreds of traditional and contemporary folk songs, including his own songs which use tradition as inspiration. Of his original songs, "The Ballad of Harbo and Samuelsen" is best known. It's an epic ballad that recounts the story of two Norwegian-born Americans who in 1896 became the first people ever to row across the North Atlantic, a fete that stood alone for 114 years. The song has been recorded by several performers including William Pint and Felicia Dale, Connecticut's own Forebitter and the late Rick Lee.

He has recorded three solo albums with his most recent entitled Roast Beef of Old England, a collection of traditional songs from the man-of-war days of the British Navy that is also a companion to the seafaring novels of Patrick O'Brian. Jerry has been featured at the San Francisco National Maritime Historic Park's sea music concert series, Mystic Seaport Museum's annual Sea Music Festival and South Street Seaport in New York, and many other venues. He last appeared at Branford Folk in 2011.

Do join us for a different side of Jerry and the opportunity to gain a modicum of fine musical relief from the hectic hubbub of the end-of-the-year holiday season.

Admission: $20 non-members, $17 members, $5 children 12 and under. Pay at the door.

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