Acoustic Long Island

Shotgun Wedding draws from a wellspring of country, Americana, alt-country, rock n’ roll, and the boogie-and-stride piano tradition. With reverent intentions and restless creativity, the five-piece band has boldly settled its own authentic homestead.The group boasts four very individual and accomplished songwriters and lead vocalists, and sumptuous four-voice harmony passages. Shotgun Wedding has garnered favorable comparisons to Asleep At The Wheel, Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, Little Feat, Zac Brown Band, and Shooter Jennings. The band cites influences as diverse as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Speckled Red, Professor Longhair, AC/DC, Jim Campilongo, and Karen Carpenter. Shotgun Wedding is Dennis DelGaudio, guitar/vocals/bandleader; Wade Preston, piano/ vocals; Catherine Porter, vocals; Andy Cichon, bass/vocals; and Chuck Burgi, drums. The quintet has the rare distinction of being fulltime acclaimed musicians with impressive resumes pursuing a passion project out of sheer love of the music, th

The acoustic jazz ensemble, Rhythm Future Quartet has a straightforward agenda: to keep the spirit of Gypsy jazz alive and expanding in today’s musical universe. The virtuosic foursome, named for a Django Reinhardt tune, offers up a newly minted sound, influenced by the classic Hot Club of France, yet wholly contemporary. Led by violinist Jason Anick and guitarist Olli Soikkeli, the quartet performs dynamic and lyrical arrangements of both Gypsy jazz standards and original compositions that draw upon diverse international rhythms and musical idioms. With Max O’Rourke on second guitar and Greg Loughman on bass, Rhythm Future is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of a vital musical genre. Where the band’s self-titled debut album re-visited classic jazz and Gypsy jazz favorites, Travels, the quartet’s current release, concentrates on group originals that make captivating use of musical sources from outside the conventional Gypsy jazz terrain. Travels reflects both the accumulated knowledge garnered from the g

Long Island artist, SEE, was there to get the night going for our June concert at Deepwells Mansion. It was a beautiful early summer night – the french doors were open and the audience was primed for a good time. Enjoy!

Goodbye Blue is an Americana duo featuring Charlotte Kendrick and Dan Rowe. The duo performs melodic and personal Americana-Folk reminiscent of story-telling artists such as The Weepies, Patty Griffin, and John Prine. In addition to their close personal relationship (they’re married), Charlotte and Dan have a longstanding and complimentary musical partnership. The duo previously made three albums together with Charlotte as singer/songwriter and Dan in the producer/arranger role. Now performing as Goodbye Blue, the current songs reflect a time of life that many can relate to, describing the joys and struggles of raising small children. Their current release, Worth the Wait, comes out on March 21st, 2016 on Wondermore Records. For more, click here.

It was a rainy Wednesday night, but somehow our loyal audience filled the seats for another intimate evening of live music. After posing the monthly riddle (presented by Billy’s son little Billy), Chris J Connolly took the stage and captured the audience with his unique blend of story telling and song crafting.

Recorded live on April 6, 2016 at the historic Deepwells Mansion in Saint James. Ramblin’ Dan Stevens performs a mix of traditional finger style blues, americana and originals and has entertained audiences throughout the United States, Germany, UK, Canada and US Virgin Islands. His unique style of “bottleneck” slide playing popularized by early Mississippi Delta bluesmen includes use of a homemade, three stringed “Cigar Box Guitar” and one stringed “Diddly Bow”, both primitive blues instruments. A finalist in the International Blues Challenge on Beale St. in Memphis TN and protege of the legendary folk and blues icon Dave Van Ronk, Dan has been lauded as a raconteur and for the authenticity of his approach. Dave’s career has recently been highlighted by the release of the the Coen Brothers movie, “Inside Llewyn Davis”, set in the Greenwich Village scene in the sixties. Also, Dan plays regularly in the New York City Subway System in locations such as Times Square and G

Recorded live on April 6, 2016 at the historic Deepwells Mansion in Saint James. Join Dave and Billy as they kick off the 2016 concert season, in spite of Donald Trump holding a rally just miles away. To warm up the show, Kayla Stockert shared her amazing voice and songwriting skills. Give a listen! Photo courtesy of Howard Greenberg.

Recorded live on October 7, 2015. Considered by many to be the consummate songwriter, his songs take the listener on an emotional journey. Family, relationships, human nature or contemplation of life’s choices. O’Malley’s songs are universal, often written with a subtle humor. His latest CD, #4, was produced by Pete Kennedy and features newly written beauties and a couple of classics. His music and songs have been featured on scores of radio stations nationwide and around the world, including, WFUV, WSHU, WFDU, WNTI, WVIA, WFCR and WUSB, in the east, to KRCL (Salt Lake City, Utah), KZSC (Santa Cruz, Ca.), in the west, as well as, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Germany! “His soft voice and gentle finger style on the guitar enthralls the most jaded listener. The warm and intimate melodies that he crafts beautifully frame the direct and honest stories that he tells” – Huntington Folk Music Society For more on James, click here. Photo courtesy of Howard Greenberg

Recorded live on October 7, 2015. Tommy was the very first musical artist to be featured at our concert series, which back then was called Acoustic Long Island and took place at Cool Beanz Cafe in Saint James. There were about 15 people in the audience and the music was incredible. We could tell from that first night that we were on to something. Tommy had appeared many other times through the tears and is one of our favorites. Among many other musical accomplishments, Tommy is the guitarist for the famous Little Wilson Band. For more on Tommy’s band, click here. Photo courtesy of Howard Greenberg

Recorded live on September 2, 2015. “I was born on the side of the mountain” — sings the opening line of Carl Anderson’s new album Risk of Loss. Born at home in rural Virginia’s Wolftown and raised in Charlottesville, Carl grew up at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains. Son of a wandering, freighthopping father and a mother who worked two jobs to support the family, Carl understood the importance of hard work at an early age. His house was full of music, with parents who sang old folk songs and kept Joni Mitchell, Stephen Foster and Jim Reeves on the stereo. Carl has quickly become a staple at Virginia festivals, logging two appearances each at Campout East and The Festy Experience in addition to Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Misty Mountain Music Fest, Red Wing Roots and Crozet Music Festival. He was selected as a finalist for Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s “Telluride Troubadour” songwriting contest and thereafter recorded a Daytrotter session. Twenty-seven years old and living in Nashville, Tennessee, C

Recorded live on Sept. 2, 2015. Raised as the youngest of four children in a big musical family in Swainsboro, Georgia, Bragg lived in a number of Southern musical capitals – Athens, Atlanta, and Nashville – before settling in New York in 2004. Her music is consequently a seamless hybrid of her southern Americana roots and the downtown New York singer-songwriter community of which she became a key member before moving to Nashville in December 2013.Tattoos and Bruises follows her sophomore release, Sugar (2007), which was produced by Darius Jones, and recorded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Her debut album, Certain Simple Things (2004), was co-written, engineered and produced in Athens, Georgia, by Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum). Winner of the BandPage/ZooLabs Music Residency Contest (2014), Telluride Troubadour Competition Honorable Mention (2012), International Songwriting Competition Honorable Mention (2011), Mary’s music has been compared to Patty Griffin and Mindy Smith. For more on Mary’s music, click

Kerry Kearney, a slide guitar master, plays and works his instrument to limits that amaze even the most seasoned musician or cultured music fan. The sounds Kerry creates from his vintage, stock and custom made guitars are as unique as his song writing and original melodies. Kerry was voted “Best Guitarist of 1999” by the LI Voice and “Bluesman of the Year 2004” by the LI Blues Society. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Long Island Sound Award (L.I.S.A.) from the LI Music Hall of Fame and most recently, in 2013, he and his band mates were each inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame. He has toured nationally and internationally with the Allman Brothers Band and Dickey Betts, and has performed with such contemporaries as Sonny Landreth and Robert Randolf. Most recently, Kerry and his band shared the stage with the great BB King at the NYCB Westbury Theater and at the Paramount Theater in Huntington, NY. Kerry was also the special guest of the Robert Cray Band with the Blind Boys of A

Louise Mosrie creates a world of lush detail and wide-open emotion drawing on the sensual imagery of the Deep South. Compared to Nanci Griffith and Patty Loveless, she’s shared the bill with Joe Ely, Jonatha Brooke, Allison Moorer, Greg Trooper, Malcomb Holcombe & Mindy Smith. “…this Nashville-based singer/songwriter blew us away with her in-store performance. Like listening to Patty Griffin and Susan Tedeschi at the same time. Highlight of the 30A Songwriter Festival.” – Central Square Records, Seaside Florida “…basically, she’s William Faulkner with a guitar.” – Rich Warren, WFMT-FM Chicago 2011 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival “Voted Most Wanted to Return” Emerging Artist 2011 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour – 2nd place 2010 Wildflower! Festival Performing Songwriter Winner 2009 Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Winner For more on Louise, click here.

Jacob Jeffries first unlocked his musical passion at an early age, having started to play the piano at five years old and already writing original music by the time he turned ten. In 2006, the singer-song writer won over the South Florida community with the formation of Jacob Jeffries Band, a talented four-piece ensemble that included guitarist Jimmy Powers, bassist Brian Lang, and drummer Josh “Papa Bear” Connolly.In the years since, he has been responsible for the production of two full-length albums and three EPs, featured at world-recognized music festivals like SXSW, and performed alongside notable talents such as Allen Stone. After residing in both Miami and New York City, Jacob has recently planned a move out west, to spread his unique sound and media-praised talents into the city of Los Angeles. For more on Jacob’s music, visit www.jacobjeffries.com.

Emily Elbert weaves together a rhythmic funk-folk blend that is equal parts introspection and celebration. With a global spirit and do-it-yourself passion, the nomadic songstress has lovingly carried her songs around the world, playing over a thousand independent shows, from Peru to Palestine. These experiences are reflected in her music, touching on the personal, the divine, and the universality that lies in between – a tribute to the timeless, fused with progressive perspective. She has opened for acts including G. Love & Special Sauce, Victor Wooten, Kaki King, Leon Russell, Robben Ford, and Richie Havens, and collaborated with artists ranging from Ben Taylor to Dweezil Zappa. Emily’s music has garnered praise from publications like the Washington Post, Utne Reader, and Glamour Magazine, won awards in the U.S. and U.K., and attracted more than 1.5 million YouTube views. She has independently released four albums and is currently touring as a member of Esperanza Spalding’s new project, Emil

Folk rock singer/songwriter Brian Dunne’s music has won the attention and praise of many. With his sharp lyrical prowess and country-influenced vocals, Brian has played in the U.S. folk scene far and wide. Citing influences such as Bob Dylan, The Band, and Bruce Springsteen, one can hear his roots winding through the sound and style of his songwriting and performing. Brian has spent much of the last year supporting his newest release, The Brooklyn Bridge EP, which charted on the US iTunes singer/songwriter charts and received praise from artists such as John Mayer amongst many others. For more, go to www.briandunnemusic.net. Born and Raised in London, Ontario, Ken Yates moved to Boston to study songwriting at Berklee College of Music. It was there that he developed his skills as a songwriter, releasing his first CD, “The Backseat EP”, and received the opportunity to play a song for one of his biggest influences, John Mayer. Mayer even posted a full page blog about Yates’ ability as a writer stating, “Ken Yate

We warmed up our 10th Annual Summer Concert with performances by Corey Balsamo and ForBrothers. Enjoy! Recorded live from the front lawn of the Historic Deepwells Mansion on July 11, 2015

This live performance was recorded on June 3, 2015. Click on the circle arrow button below to play the audio file. Tall Heights is a contemporary American folk music duo based in Boston, Massachusetts, and made up of guitarist/singer Tim Harrington and cellist/singer Paul Wright. Though they had been writing and performing music together in other incarnations ever since high school, Wright and Harrington did not make the conscious decision to form the duo known as Tall Heights until the summer of 2010, when they began testing out material as buskers (street musicians) in Boston’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace. According to a recent interview with About.com Folk Music, the pair have known each other since they were children, when Harrington was just the younger brother of Wright’s good friend. No doubt, like many little brothers, he tagged along and was not taken seriously by his older friend until they entered high school and started discovering they had just as much in common. At that point, the two began singing

Steamboats are an ensemble of picker-singer-songwriters who combine reverence for the American vocal group with an introspective sensibility all their own. Through years of gospel and acapella, singers Nick Throop, Mario Rincon and Jon Jaffee have honed their singing, their soaring harmonies choreographed around a single microphone during live performances. Bassist Patrick Murphy is percussive and melodic, supporting rotating arrangements of guitar, mandolin, banjo, and dobro. Steamboats are back from their record release tour and will be kicking off a monthly residency at Cupping Room Cafe in NYC. They’ll also be making regular runs throughout New England and The Hudson Valley where they have a growing. For more on Steamboats, click here. Photos courtesy of Howard Greenberg

This live performance was recorded on May 6, 2015. The Counterclockwise Ensemble is a unique listening experience that combines the intimacy and instrumentation of chamber music with the energy and vitality of a rock concert. The group is a guitar, strings and percussion quintet that plays contemporary music in a variety of genres, but primarily the compositions of guitarist Rich Stein, sprinkling in pieces by Gustav Holst, Aaron Copland and Led Zeppelin as well as traditional American and Irish folk tunes into their sets.The current ensemble includes founding members Rich Stein (guitar), Andrew and Rebecca Perea (violin and cello), Glen Saunders (double bass) and Jim Mansfield (percussion). For more on The Counter Clockwise Ensemble, click here. Click on the arrow below to play a recording of this performance. Photo courtesy of Howard Greenberg.