Folk, Blues, and Beyond: Music School's Bach's Lunch Series Begins November 5

CONCORD, N.H—Folk musicians David Surette and Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki will kick off the Bach’s Lunch Series of lectures and concerts at the Concord Community Music School with programs featuring the eclectic music of the 1960s.

On Thursday, November 5, Music School faculty member David Surette will give a lecture titled “Folk, Blues, and Beyond: Exotic Influences in the Musical Cauldron of the 1960s.” The following week, on November 12, Surette will join with fiddler Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki to present a concert titled “I Lit a Fire, Isn’t It Good: Music from the Swinging Sixties.” Bach’s Lunch programs are free and open to the public, and take place from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. in the Music School’s Recital Hall, 23 Wall Street, downtown Concord.

On November 5, Surette will present a wide-ranging look at non-Western influences on the folk, blues, and rock music of the 1960s through an examination and comparison of three highly influential musicians: Davy Graham (North African oud music), George Harrison (Indian music), and Andy Irvine (Eastern European music).

The November 12 concert will feature the music of Graham, Harrison, and Irvine, performed by David Surette on guitar, mandolin, and vocals, and Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki on fiddle.

The Bach’s Lunch Series is sponsored by The Timothy and Abigail B. Walker Lecture Fund and The Couch Trusts; TD Wealth Management, NA; Trustee, and the Music School’s Folk Department is sponsored by Sanborn, Head & Associates. For more information, call 603-228-1196 or visit www.ccmusicschool.org.

About the Speakers and Artists

David Surette is highly regarded throughout New England and beyond for his work on the mandolin, guitar (both flatpick and fingerstyle), and bouzouki; Sing Out Magazine wrote that “Surette’s playing is always inventive, and sets a new standard for traditional instrumentalists.” As part of a duo with his wife, singer Susie Burke, they have performed regularly together for 20 years, recording several albums and building a reputation as one of New England’s top folk duos. Surette was a founding member of the Airdance band with fiddler Rodney Miller, with whom he recorded four albums and toured nationally. He has also released five critically-acclaimed solo CDs; his most recent solo release, Sun Dog, is a collection of original guitar solos. He is Folk Department Coordinator and faculty member at the Concord Community Music School, where he teaches guitar, mandolin, ukulele, and coaches multiple folk ensembles.

Fiddler Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki grew up on a combination of contra dances and Celtic music. Jordan was one of the founding members of JamAntics (“Best Jam Band” NH Magazine, 2010, “Best Original Band” The Hippo, 2011) and was also a member of the Dusty Gray Band (“Best Roots Act”, New England Music Awards, 2015). He currently plays with several groups including Celtic/maritime band Great Bay Sailor in addition to his own Celtic band, The Jordan TW Trio. He is a member of the house band at Rocking Horse Studio (“Best Recording Studio”, NH Magazine, 2012) and can be heard on dozens of recordings including projects with Garth Hudson of The Band. With various groups, he has opened for Irish music legends Tommy Makem, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfetones, country superstars such as Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels and Randy Houser, and classic rockers Blues Traveler, The Marshall Tucker Band and Little Feat. He has toured nationally with the Adam Ezra Group (winner of five New England Music Awards including “Band of The Year”) and appeared as a guest musician with other nationally touring bands including The Mallet Brothers, Yarn, The Lost Trailers, Roots of Creation and Hot Day At The Zoo.

About the Concord Community Music School

Concord Community Music School is a full member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and is recognized nationally for program innovation and management excellence. Welcoming adults, teens, and children of all musical abilities, 53 artist teachers reach more than 33,000 people in four states with educational programs, concerts, workshops, and community partnerships. CCMS has received major funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Hearst Foundation, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, Jane’s Trust, and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. The Music School is the 2005 recipient of the NH Governor’s Arts Award for Cultural Access Leadership.