Mountain Jazz at Saturday Concert in the Park

The Morgan Arts Council introduces the original acoustic sound of The Woodshedders to the concert in the park audience on Saturday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. in Berkeley Springs State Park. Rain location for this concert only is the Star Theatre.

Although the Woodshedders build their sound on a base of old time tunes, they make it contemporary and boundary busting by adding a fiery fiddle, gypsy guitar and an array of drums. One of their major inspirations is the Hot Club Jazz of Django Reinhardt. Their repertoire is well-laced with original music and ranges from misty mountain ballads and waltzes to hot country jump blues.

The well-planned mining of musical forms is mixed with stellar musicianship, poetic lyrics and unique vocals and harmonies for an impressive and charming performance.

The Woodshedders consist of Dwayne Brooke (guitar, vocals), Ryan Mayo (upright bass, vocals), Stuart Orser (guitar, vocals), Jesse Schultzaberger (drums, skiffle trap, vocals), and David VanDeventer (fiddle, vocals).

"We wanted to be neighborly since this group hails from Jefferson County," said Mary Hott, MAC's Executive Director. "But we were also intrigued by their 21st century version of roots music." The Woodshedder's debut album "Catch That Yardbird" is on the SoundStage! Top Ten List, and was honored as Roots Album of the Year by JustPlainFolks in 2009, the world’s largest independent music awards.

The Woodshedder concert is sponsored by Ambrae House offering specials following the concert to all who attended. "MAC is fortunate to have a business community that recognizes the value of the arts and is so supportive," said Hott.

This concert is funded in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and West Virginia Commission on the Arts as well as hotel/motel tax from the town and county.