Folk Project Performers Available for Booking

Mike Agranoff (Singer, Musician, Storyteller, Variety, Humor, Folk, Traditional)

Engaging concert performer, playing guitar, piano, concertina, and banjo. A great mix of songs, tunes and stories, liberally sprinkled with humor.

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Jane Babits (Singer, Musician, Musical Instruction, Classic, Jazz, Variety)

Singer/Songwriter/Classic guitarist & teacher/arranger/Jazz & standards. Solo set for many occasions combining many styles of songs & instrumental, from Dowlannd to original to Beatles to Cole Porter.

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Betsy Rose & the Chicago Fire (Band, Singer, Musician, Electric, Acoustic, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Pop)

Members: Elizabeth Lachowicz, Mark Schaffer, Dave Kleiner, Bill Meyer, Ilusha Tsinadze & friends

Saucy Blues & Playful Tunes. Female vocalist with electric lead, bass & rhythm guitars, drums & brass often add to the tremendous talent of the boys in the band. The Chicago Fire is really hot!

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Circle Round the Sun (Duo, Singer, Musician, Folk, Variety)

Members: Marie Trontell, Jay Wilensky

Folk/acoustic guitar/vocal duo: great contemporary songs in rich harmony.

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Rich Deans (Singer Songwriter, Acoustic Guitar, Musician)

Singer-songwriter Rich Deans has become a sought-after performer on the acoustic music scene, sharing stages with the likes of Susan Werner, Bill Staines, Red Molly, Rod MacDonald, The Greencards, Pat Wictor and numerous other local and national touring acts. Rich has performed at venues from New York's late-lamented Bottom Line to the Bluebird Café in Nashville to Sweetwater's in Mill Valley, California, with many stops in between. His song, "Blue Eyes and White Lies" written for Kim Carnes, was chosen by Billboard Magazine as album cut pick hit and his composition, Tiger on the Lawn was recorded by Paul Cotton of the country-rock band Poco for his solo record.

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Roger Deitz (Acoustic, Singer, Songwriter, Humor, Storyteller, Folk, Musician, Emcee)

Noted (nationally known) writer and performer. Sing Out! magazine columnist, feature writer and Advisory Board member. Premier music journalist for major music magazines such as Frets, Acoustic Guitar, Fast Folk and Billboard.. Repeat emcee and main stage performer at prestigious venues such as The Philadelphia Folk Festival for crowds as large as 10,000. Captivating Humorist; Excellent Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist and Banjo Player. Eclectic mix of songs with a unique personal style and charming, personable presence. 35 years experience.

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Christine DeLeon (Singer, Musician, Songwriter, Folk, Jazz, Variety, Acoustic, Inspirational, Contemporary, Singer Songwriter)

After a short listen to singer-songwriter Christine DeLeon, you might wonder how the voices of Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and Judy Collins have been combined into one. Her performances are varied and adaptable sporting a wide vocal range and embracing many styles. Equally comfortable with her original songs of a reflective, humorous or storytelling nature as well as familiar sing-along tunes to inspire audience participation, Christine has all the tools to get any performance job done exceptionally well.

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Early Music Players (Singer, Musician, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Ensemble)

Members: Kris & John Lamb, Andy Koenig, Ilizabeth Cabrera & Joanna Hoty Russell

Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music, including Medieval chant, the slightly scandalous ditties of the English court, the haunting strains of Sephardic Music and 18th century courtly airs and dances. Voice, early flutes, recorders, gemshorn, krumhorn, vielle, rebec, viola da gamba, guitar, percussion.

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Eclectic Consort (Ensemble, Singer, Musician, Classic, Folk)

Members: Andrew Koenig, & Kris & John Lamb

From classical to folk, from ancient to modern and from the sublime to the ridiculous. Repertoire include music that is out of the ordinary, such as works by obscure composers or familiar works in unusual settings. Instruments include recorders of all sizes, krummhorns, gemshorns, guitars, dulcimer, accordion, flutes, tin whistle and early and folk percussion.

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Sam Edelston (Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Humor, Acoustic, Variety, Folk, Pop, Rock)

Sam fell in love with novelty songs, folk, country, rock & roll, symphonic classical music, guitar, banjo, and songwriting - all around the same time - and dulcimers just a little while later. The result is a multi-sided performer who is equally at home doing sophisticated humor for grown-ups, shout-alongs for kids, or an unpredictable variety of things on hammered and mountain dulcimers for the pure fun of it.

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The Fabulous Furry Harmonica Brothers (Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica, Jugband, Blues, Old-Timey, Country, Ragtime, Rock n' Roll, Oldies)

Ralph Litwin (Mendham, NJ) and Al Podber (Brooklyn, NY) have performed as a duo and in larger groups since 1985, playing a wild mix of ragtime, jugband, swing, blues, old-timey country, rock n roll oldies, and originals. (Don Kissil, former editor-in-chief of Pickin ) They have played at The New Jersey Folk Festival, The Brooklyn Museum of Art, Lincoln Center Crafts Fair, Brooklyn's Dumbo Arts Festival, The Troubadour (formerly Minstrel) Acoustic Concert Series, as well as at numerous other coffeehouses, concerts, private parties, fairs, and other events. They lightheartedly refer to themselves as The Furry Harmonica Brothers because they sport beards and sometimes play harmonica duets while accompanying themselves on stringed instruments.

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Toby Fagenson (Singer, Musician, Songwriter, Folk, Pop)

Singer/Songwriter/Parodist. Six & Twelve String guitar, five string banjo. Writes & Performs songs in many folk & Pop styles. Good with audience participation.

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Ken Galipeau (Singer, Musician, Storyteller, Variety, Humor, Children's Programs)

Ken's engaging performances include stories, poems and songs sung with guitar, drum, piano or a cappella. Material is humorous and poignant, both for listening and participating. Whether you are a kid or an adult, all ages will be captivated by Ken's telling, singing and playing. Programs can be tailored to audiences, themes or both.

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Donna Hunt (Contra Dance Caller, Square Dance, Dance Instruction)

Patient, fun and skilled, Contra and Square dance caller for all dancing levels and abilities. Will work with your musicians or can recommend talented musicians to hire.

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The Judges (Duo, Performer, Singer, Keyboard, Guitar, Pop, Blues, Rock Swing, Jazz, Irish)

Sara Steele and Anita Zack, "The Judges", who met as dog trainers and dog show performance judges, have hooked up to form a vocal Duo backed by keys or guitar, where they perform Cover Standards in the genres of Pop, Blues, Jazz, Swing, or Irish.

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Dave Kleiner (Singer, Musician, Songwriter, Musical Instruction, Folk, Pop, Rock, Humor, Variety, Electric, Acoustic, Children's Programs)

Singer/songwriter, guitar player (acoustic, electric, slide, lap steel), performing solo & in a duo with his wife Liz Pagan, & in several bands, including Big Jeff & His Middle-Sized Band (rock & folk for little kids, www.bigjeffmusic.com), Bill Meyer & Friends (folk/americana), & Betsy Rose & the Chicago Fire (electric blues.) Available as a stand-alone act for events, as well as studio & commercial applications of music. Best known for humorous original songs such as Mexican Rabbi & Too Many Restaurants (Not Enough Time.) Dave is available as a private or group coach in songwriting & guitar skills, & for educational programs at schools & libraries. Certified K-8 NJ teacher, holds a Master's in Education. The New Jersey Songwriter's Circle meets at his house on the second Thursday of every month at 7 PM.

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Jerry Krantman (Singer, Songwriter, Folk, Electric, American Roots, Swing, Political, Humor, Funny)

A surprising array of acoustic music.

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Stephanie P. Ledgin (Emcee, Speaker, Workshop Presenter, Photo Exhibitions, Programs, Folk, Bluegrass, Music Journalist, Photographer)

STEPHANIE P. LEDGIN is the renowned author of Discovering Folk Music (Praeger 2010), a groundbreaking look at 21st century folk music, endorsed by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame president Terry Stewart. With multiple international honors to her credit, Stephanie is a seasoned emcee and former New York City radio show host (WFUV 90.7 FM). She is an internationally awarded photojournalist whose 36-year career has spanned publications, recordings, and museums. Lincoln Center, Smithsonian Folkways recording label, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and Sing Out! magazine, among others, have featured her work. For ten years she was director of the New Jersey Folk Festival at Rutgers University, and she is a founding member of Folk Alliance International. Information and photographs from her two previous books -- Homegrown Music: Discovering Bluegrass (Praeger 2004/University of Illinois Press 2006) and From Every Stage: Images of America's Roots Music (University Press of Mississippi 2005) -- along with Discovering Folk Music, comprise the core of her lively presentations and workshops, which can be tailored for school and library audiences of all ages. In addition, she is currently developing Internet-based lectures and presentations about folk and bluegrass music in an effort to make such programs more accessible and affordable for classrooms, libraries and community organizations.

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Michael Mitsch (Irish, Traditional)

Members: Michael Mitsch & Friends

Band performs traditional and Irish music.

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Kathy Moser (Positive, Acoustic, Socially Conscious, Environmental Sustainability)

Kathy Moser is a performer working to bring positive change to the world through her music. Audiences leave her shows entertained and inspired.

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Heather Mulvey (Americana, Celtic, Acoustic Guitar, Singer, Storyteller)

Heather Mulvey plays acoustic guitar and sings Americana and Celtic folk songs and engages audiences of all ages since the early 90's. Sing Out! Magazine says "Heather Mulvey is a New Jersey artist with a sweet, lilting soprano and a genuine love for the old familiar classics"

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Music Town (Band, Singer, Musicians, Harmony, Variety, Old Time)

Members: Mark Schaffer, Jeff Loy, Andy Koenig, Evelyn McNally, Ken Galipeau

Music Town performs an exciting blend of down-home folk tunes, boot-kicking mountain instrumentals, and heart-felt original songs. Their music is rocket high, bullet fast, and daisy sweet. These five friends put on a great concert. Singer, harmony, fiddle, banjo, guitar, instrumentalists.

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The New Jersey Songwriter's Circle (Songwriter, performer)

Members: Dave Kleiner

The New Jersey Songwriter's Circle meets at Dave's house on the second Thursday of every month at 7 PM. All songwriters are welcome to work on their original material with input and/or feedback from talented performers. Join us for lots of free Encouragement, Experience, and songwriting Expertise with a fruitful group of fun folks.

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Liz Pagan (Singer, Musician, Electric, Acoustic)

Singer. Plays acoustic guitar & electric bass. Performs with her band, Liz Pagan and the Judeo-Christians, at coffeehouses and festivals. Performs with her husband, Dave Kleiner, and sings with various bands in the area. She is a freelance graphic designer and a certified yoga instructor.

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Diane Perry (Classical, Jazz, Pop, Violin, Vocalist)

Violinist and vocalist Diane Perry performs alone and with small combos. Her repertoire includes jazz, pop, classical, and her own original music. The ensembles she can put together may include piano, guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, clarinet, flute, synth keyboards, and almost any other instrument. Please contact me if you are thinking of adding violin, vocals, or a group to your musical event.

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Michael Pfeifer (Country/Gospel/Western Swing, Pedal Steel Guitar)

Michael rocks the room playing Country, Gospel and Western Swing hits on pedal steel guitar.

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Roia Rafieyan (Acoustic, Acoustic Guitar, Contemporary, Folk, Keyboard, Musician, Pop, Singer, Singer Songwriter, Speaker, Workshop Presenter, Performer)

Roia Rafieyan has the vocal stylings of a Carole King or a Joni Mitchell and the quirky songwriting style of a Christine Lavin or a Dar Williams. Many of Roia's songs come from her work as a music therapist. Her passion for her work is reflected in her lyrics and point of view as a songwriter. Her music is deceptively simple. She will drift effortlessly from the guitar to the keyboard. She is equally at home with a sparse accompaniment as she is with a wall of notes, her voice always floating above it all. You can detect the jazzy influence in her chord progressions, the folky flavor of her rhythms, and the classic rock influence all merged together into a new genre.

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Reeds, Rhythm, & All That Brass ("RRB") (Band, Singer, Jazz, Swing)

Members: Jay Wilensky & Friends

Jazz & Swing Big Band

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Sandie Reilly (Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Producer, Musical Instruction, Children's Programs, Inspirational, Folk, Sound Technician)

In addition to performing ballads, sing-a-longs, & contemporary folk music, much of it written by herself, Sandie produces the Horses Sing None Of It Folk Project Cable TV Show, instructs & entertains children with song and a variety of instruments, she's a sound technician and emcee.

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Rachel Marie Schachter (Acoustic, Contemporary, Family Friendly Music, Folk, Musician, Singer, Singer Songwriter, and Songwriter.)

A cunning wordsmith, lyrically far beyond her nineteen years, with stunningly clear and mature vocals, impressively intricate finger-picking, and an endearing personality that shines through on every track and in every performance.

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Mark Schaffer (Singer,Songwriter, Musician, Producer, Dance, Electric, Acoustic, Emcee)

Mark is a singer, songwriter, who plays the fiddle, guitar & mandolin. He plays, sings and writes in a variety of styles. He currently plays fiddle in the creative contra dance band Blisters, plays fiddle and sings in the high powered, mountain music band Music Town, and leads the Swingovation Orchestra, a swing and rock dance band perfect for dances, weddings, picnics, concerts and mall openings.

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Jean Scully (Singer, Folk, Jazz, Variety, Rock, Emcee)

Female Vocalist comfortable in many different genres. Master of Ceremonies, actress with background in musical comedy.

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Solidarity Singers of the NJ Industrial Council (Singer, Chorus, Musician, Americana, Political, Topical)

Members: Bennet Zurofsky & Friends

We are a street chorus dedicated to support of the labor movement and progressive causes. We appear on picket lines, at rallies, on marches and at demonstrations of all sorts as well as in coffee houses or concert settings. Although we rehearse often, we are loosely organized. At a typical engagement 10-12 of us will appear to sing, generally accompanied by a single acoustic guitar, some percussion and occasional props. Our primary inspirations are The Almanac Singers, Joe Hill and the many other contributors to the "Little Red Songbook." Our repertoire includes many newly-composed songs and parodies along with classic and traditional songs of the Left. Our motto: "We don't all read music, but we all know which side we are on." We have one cd, "Solidarity It Can't Be Beat!"

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Rachel Streich (Singer, Musician, Old Time)

Southern old-time fiddle, clawhammer banjo, guitar, vocals

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Martin Swinger (Singer, Musician, Songwriter, Folk, Contemporary, Blues, Rock, Humor, Variety, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin)

Singing and writing songs since elementary school and has performed music and theatre professionally for 30 years. National songwriting and performance awards to his credit and is a well known and much loved personality and family entertainer in schools, classrooms, at afterschool programs, libraries, festivals, summer camps, and family gatherings. He also appears on cable television throughout Maine. He is also a respected music educator for children and adults. He tours across New England, to Kentucky, Georgia and Texas, but enjoys calling Maine his home, except in January when it's too darn cold to enjoy.

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Jim West (Singer, Songwriter, Irish, Classical, Musician, Folk, Old Time, Canadian)

Prize-winning Fiddler, songwriter, & singer of Irish, Canadian, New England, & Old Timey Fiddle Tunes. (Even some classical.) Plays for Square or Contra Dances, Concerts, Parties, Dog Vaccinations, Tree Fellings, Auto Lubrications, you name it and he'll put together your program. Often plays with Judy Bubar and/or other fine musicians. He's been doing this since the late '70's and never been in jail. Appearances on NYC TV stations, NJN radio, NJ Folk Festival etc. Won't take a job you won't be pleased with. Has his own sound system.

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Jay Wilensky (Singer, Musician, Folk, Acoustic)

Jay is a singer, guitarist, song collector. Performs with Marie Trontell in the folk/acoustic duo Circle Round the Sun, and as a vocalist with the jazz/swing big band Reeds, Rhythm, and All That Brass ("RRB").

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Bennet Zurofsky (Singer, Director, Musician, Variety, Political, Topical)

Solo folk-singer performing in Northern New Jersey venues of all shapes and sizes for more than 40 years (although mostly as Director of the Solidarity Singers for the last ten or so). My repertoire includes many traditional songs and tunes along with songs with known composers including a very few of my own. I mostly play guitar but also perform with the mandolin, fiddle, banjo, Jew's harp and percussion. Except for the fact that I am not a song-writer, Pete Seeger is the well-known performer whose repertoire and style of performance is closest to what I try to do on stage. Audiences should expect to sing along.

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