Three Tall Pines / The Stray Birds

The Stray Birds are best described as a super-talented acoustic trio whose virtuosity doesn’t get in the way of their soul. Their music consists of rich vocal harmonies, tight acoustic arrangements, heart-wrenching songs. (Don’t be fooled by the name!) Three Tall Pines is an award winning quartet playing bluegrass and Americana from the heart of New England.

HAILING from southeastern Pennsylvania, The Stray Birds have crafted an original sound that draws upon the richness of American folk music traditions. Talented multi-instrumentalists who perform with captivating musicality, the signature power of their sound lies in outstanding songwriting that soars in three-part harmony.

Maya de Vitry grew up with one foot firmly planted in old-time music festival dirt and the other on stage with symphony orchestras. She has traveled across North America and Europe as a street musician, and now brings a fiddle, a banjo, a guitar, a compelling voice, and award-winning songwriting to The Stray Birds. Also a classically-trained violinist, Oliver Craven has spent the past four years lending his talents on the fiddle, mandolin, and guitar to stages across North America in various acoustic outfits.

The Stray Birds feature Craven’s arresting original songs and vocals. A classically-trained bassist who now artfully dances between a myriad of styles, Charles Joseph Muench brings his unshakeable groove and powerful vocals to the Stray Birds. He can also be found playing the banjo at breakfast. The Stray Birds were named WUMB’s New Act of the Year.

Photo by Jake Jacobson

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Three Tall Pines is made up of of Joe Lurgio, Dan Bourdeau, Nick DiSebastian and Conor Smith.

Joe Lurgio was born and raised in the Providence, Rhode Island area where he was bitten young by the music bug. As a child he was influenced heavily by a musical household and family. Under the wing of Joanne Lurgio, his mother, an award-winning songwriter, and Don Lurgio, his bluegrass picking uncle, Joe built a solid base for a musical future rooted in both songwriting, harmonies and instrumental ability. Joe expanded upon his musical roots spending time playing music in Vermont before settling in the Boston area.

Dan Bourdeau was born and raised in Taunton, Massachusetts, and began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of 15. Attending college in Amherst, Massachusetts, Dan spent much of his free time playing guitar and songwriting. Dan’s songwriting captures the feeling of early American culture and engages listeners of all ages to think back to when life wasn’t so cluttered.

Nick DiSebastian is a multi-instrumentalist currently residing in Boston, Mass. Stylistically he is rooted in bluegrass and country music but has an affection for jazz, Motown, rock, and Latin styles. A graduate of James Madison University, Conor Smith began his music career playing piano and violin at the age of four. His classical violin training with the Suzuki Method started at age six through middle school. During his teens he was mentored and taught by Holly Hamilton from the National Symphony Orchestra. At age 15, he learned Celtic Irish Fiddle music while living in Ireland. A violin performance music major in college, he learned music theory and experienced both private and chamber music lessons. He was also mentored and performed with the late cellist Oliver Edel in a chamber ensemble at the Levine School of Music. Conor also plays the guitar and mandolin. Conor lives with his wife and two children in Quincy, Mass., where he teaches violin, mandolin, and guitar.