Music

The market hosts live music by local musicians every week from 10am – 1pm.

• December 4

Holiday Music

Holiday Music

• December 18

Terra Nova

Terra nova is a an a ccapella trio consisting of Sandra Thompson, Tim Starn, Carolyn Gerrish who perform a range of musical styles including jazz, world music, and traditional.

They perform locally for larger events, churches and parties.  From a service aspect, they perform at local senior centers and retirement homes.

They love practicing and performing together.  Tim’s rich bass-baritone gives depth to threir sound, Carolyn’s clear soprano adds shimmer and brightness to the lead and Sandra’s middle harmonies create the glue for a cohesive, dynamic sound. Their repertoire ranges from classical to traditional to jazz to world music which satisfies their need for new challenges and creates excitement for their audiences.

They formed their group a year ago and look forward to many more performance opportunities as their reputation develops.

Sandra’s background: Masters in Music from Northwestern University.  20 years of directing choirs,performing, and  teaching voice and piano.

• November 26
• December 10

Joe Willson

Joe plays fingerstyle, solo acoustic guitar, bringing a broad range of music to the audience, with a strong groove, tasteful arrangements, and selections tailored to the listeners.

What is fingerstyle?

Fingerstyle guitar unlocks the guitar’s potential to play any type of music, from “Ain’t She Sweet” to Steely Dan’s “Josie”

In the late 40’s, Chet Atkins combined some of the backwoods and blues styles he had heard and developed a distinctive solo style which featured a strong rhythmic bass line played by the thumb on the low strings, and chord and lead parts played with the fingers on the high strings. more »

• December 17

The Hytha’s

Greg and Linda Hytha have been playing music for decades, entertaining people in the Philadelphia region as well as across Europe. The Hytha’s live on Main Street in Phoenixville and are enjoying being a part of the arts and entertainment culture that is emerging there. They are seen regularly in various music  venues around town, joined by their daughter, Carrie, (vocalist) and son, Rob (sax and percussion). The Hytha’s  latest overseas performances were at an International Youth Festival in Hungary in August 2010.

• October 16

The Hytha’s

Great Family Band!

• October 9

The Joe Hillman Band

From Appalachian songs to eclectic original compositions, The Joe Hillman Band brings energy and drive to acoustic music. Whether it’s foot-tapping bluegrass-inspired traditional tunes, jazz-inflected swing or lyrical ballads, the band puts a tight blend of harmonies and a diverse collection of instruments into the mix. Check out their newest CD “A Taste of Things to Come,” visit them on the web at www.joehillmanband.com or, better yet, come and join the party with them in person!

• September 11
• 6:00 pm

Kevin MacConnell Trio

Market favorite, Kevin MacConnell and Tony will be playing for us this week.  They will jazz things up with the stand up bass and vibraphone….

kmacbass@comcast.net

(484) 437- 2692

• July 10
• 10:00 am

Mason Porter

From a whisper to a roar Mason Porter will take you by surprise. Combining lush harmonies with hand clapping sing-alongs and the unfiltered emotion of a hungry young rock band, Mason Porter is a force that evokes the spirits of each and every person whose life they touch. Call it folk, rock, bluegrass, blues or country; Mason Porter is all of these. Through creative songwriting and constant experimentation Mason Porter is a group of musicians working together to push the limits of traditional American music. This is clearly evident on the bands first full length album Thunder In The Valley (Uncle Nicky Records, 2009).

Mason Porters’ story begins the way folk music has been shared for centuries, with friends sharing songs and singing together. With each member being part of different musical projects though the years; the band came to together through late night jam sessions in West Chester, PA. Through this process the core of the band was born in late 2006 with Tim Celfo on upright bass, Joe D’Amico on mandolin, and Paul Wilkinson on guitar. Since the band has grown to include many regular members including Brad Hinton (Dorbro), Kiley Ryan (violin), Pat Hughes (drums), Bob Beach (harmonica), and Isaac Stanford (pedal steel).

Notable contributions to the bands early development (06-08) include Jesse Weber (Dorbo, vocals), Steph Hewett (vocals), Max Spiegel (guitar, vocals) and Zach Wallace (guitar, vocals).

Releasing a self-titled EP in 2008, Mason Porter quickly became a local favorite in some of the best venues in the area including The World Cafe Live, The Tin Angel, Steel City Coffee and many more. They have shared the stage with many nationally recognized acts including The Hackensaw Boys, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, The Grascals, Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass, Old School Freight Train, Enter the Haggis, Carrie Rodriguez, and Caravan of Thieves.

Closer to heart and closer to home Mason Porter is a proud to be part of the highly collaborative and downright amazing Philadelphia local music community. Mason Porter is honored to regularly share the stage with many of their favorite friends include Wissahickon Chicken Shack, Hoots and Hellmouth, Sisters 3, Hezekiah Jones, Papertrees, David Janes, Joshua Park, The Great Unknown, Painted Blue, Chirs Kasper, The Spinning Leaves, Little Rolling Thunder, Cowmuddy, Andrew Lipke, American Babies, Birdie Busch, Adrien Reju, and many more.

• October 23

Blanko Dave

Blanko Dave has been playing semi-pro lead guitar for the last 25 years in bands in the Philadelphia area.  Over the last year Dave has achieved moderate success as this tall Blanko Dave “songer-singwriter” character, whose shows include original songs as well as ‘60’s rock and pop, alt-country, and assorted blues music material.  Blanko Dave originals deliver a strong country-rock and power-pop stomp and deal with everyday subjects like girls, custom vans, and how freakin’ messed up love can be.  Blanko Dave can currently be found performing in the Phoenixville area as himself and also with bands The National Bird, The Blanko Brothers, The Jumboree Players, and last but not least, the lounge-music masters The Thrifty Discount DJs.  Find his stuff at: http://myspace.com/BlankoDave

• November 20

John Costello

John plays finger picking blues and spirituals, slide, bottleneck, and solo harmonica in the country blues vain from the 1920’s to current.  His influences are Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Gary Davis, Mississippi John Hurt, Rev Wilkins,  Lightnin Hopkins and countless others. John says, “I just enjoy playing this stuff and getting the word out…”

He typically brings three guitars for his solo act:  his Martin, Metal  Body Dobro, and National Style O plus harps for solo playing.

Marvin Andersen

A retired physician, Marvin Andersen lives at Charlestown Farm.  He is also a gifted trumpet player and has played in numerous orchestras and bands.  He continues to perform with the Rhythm Doctors as well as other groups. more »

• December 3

The Barn Swallows

The Barn Swallows is a country-folk group from the Pennsylvania hinterlands, between Philadelphia and Reading. Their tuneful sound is based squarely in the ancient folk, bluegrass, and country traditions, while simultaneously presenting a quirky approach to their originals and unusual covers that is modern and unique.

Sandy Pluta (vocals, dobro, guitar, and mandolin) and Matthew Gordon (vocals, guitar, harmonica and mandolin) built up a loyal following as two-thirds of the popular trio Blue Moon, playing together for over a decade. They formed the Barn Swallows in October 2006 to focus more on their songwriting, harmonies, and original works. In mid-2009, Ted Adelberger (bass and vocals) from the Norristown bluegrass band “Blackjack”, joined the duo.

The twang of Sandy’s dobro, along with her haunting country voice, bring to mind shades of Hazel Dickens and Iris Dement, and lend an authenticity to the Barn Swallows’ rootsy approach to the music. Hailing from Western PA in the foothills of the Appalachia Mountains, Sandy’s sound is solidly grounded in the gritty red clay of Appalachia, yet the honky-tonks of Tennessee, and the windy skies of Texas, resonate as well. Her deeply personal songs explore the disappointments and yearnings of relationships in a simple, direct manner.

Matthew’s guitar work and smooth vocal harmonies perfectly complement Sandy’s sometimes fragile, emotional sound, as well as her more gutsy tunes, providing dynamics and strength to the music in carefully measured doses. Matthew takes the vocal lead on some songs, particularly on his originals, many of which involve tales of engaging characters and adventures, and explorations of the variety of feelings captured in a single moment of time.

Ted’s bass playing has added fullness and rhythmic drive to the band. His third-part harmonies strike a chord in the listener’s ear. He also adds his own strong, distinctive lead vocals to bluegrass traditionals.

Together, their music is soothing and spacious, drawing the listener in with bright and intriguing dobro and guitar work, and lyrics that are deceptively simple, yet profoundly poetic.

• July 11

Carsie Blanton

“Carsie Blanton is a rare talent as a modern songwriter. Her sly wit and urbane imagery reminds me of a folky, female Cole Porter. I’m really happy to know that classic songwriting is in good hands with Carsie Blanton.”
- Singer/Songwriter John Oates (of Hall & Oates)

“Clearly, solidly and inarguably a real-deal songwriter. Sharp as a tack, possessed of a light touch, funny, and winningly direct.”
-Singer/songwriter Peter Mulvey

Carsie is a Philadelphia artist whose soulful, playful, intelligent music has won her recognition far and wide. The daughter of a psychologist/novelist and a programmer/songwriter, Carsie was raised on an ex-cattle farm in rural Virginia, soaking up the mountains and the music of John Prine and Joni Mitchell. After a few years spent with her ears peeled to everything from modern folk to Motown to vintage jazz, sixteen-year-old Carsie found herself toting her Taylor across the country to Eugene, OR to be a starving artist (with brief stints as a dog groomer, and later as a grantwriter). In the fall of 2006, Carsie had had her fill of the wild west, and moved back east to Philadelphia.

In the brief time since her move, Carsie has shared the stage with nationally hailed acts including Amos Lee, Nellie McKay and John Oates, embarked on two US/Canadian tours supporting Blue Note recording artists The Wood Brothers, and frequented renowned venues from the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA to Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, CA.

For more information go to:  http://www.carsieblanton.com/

• May 30
• 11:00 pm
• August 14

Sarkissian & Sheen

Tamara Sheen and BJ Sarkissian are Phoenixville area locals who play heart-felt, original, acoustic folk, and traditional English and American folk songs.

• June 19
• September 18

The Dirk Quinn Band

Dirk Quinn is a Philadelphia based guitarist who has utilized nearly a decade of steady performing to develop a unique and progressive style – one that sits somewhere between jazz, funk and rock.  “QuinnTet”, his latest CD release, features “thoughtful, original melodies flowing seamlessly over groove-heavy rhythms; intricate song structures giving way to strongly expressive, organic improvisations.” Drawing inspiration from every musical genre, his solo acoustic sound has been compared to the guitar “pyrotechnics” of Keller Williams and Michael Hedges, while his full band compositions bear resemblances that range from the honest, urban funk of Soulive to the brave experimentation of Medeski, Martin and Wood.

Initially attracted to the guitar as a teenager after being introduced to classic rock giants such as Led Zeppelin and The Who, Quinn’s thirst for the unique and bizarre soon had him jamming along to the more radical and daring Mahavishnu Orchestra and the humorous, bass-laden noise of Primus. Playing virtually non-stop with countless musical projects afforded him\ ample opportunity to hone his chops. It wouldn’t be long before the refining of his own artistic message coupled with a fresh, new outlook and a deeper musical/life philosophy opened up to him the world of jazz. Miles, Coltrane, Monk and Brubeck along with the more contemporary sounds of Bela Fleck, John Scofield, Ahmad Jamal and Jaco Pastorius began heavily influencing his musical direction. Liberated by the idea of free improvisation, he was finally able to realize and focus his musical vision.

In 2007 Quinn made his long-awaited recording debut releasing his self-titled CD – “Dirk Quinn”.  Working the club and coffee house circuit, Quinn became increasingly in demand playing as many as three gigs a day while getting the occasional call to share the stage with musical legends such as Jimmy Bruno, Jim Weider (The Band), Rodney Holmes (Santana), Chico Huff (Pat Martino, John Swana), Jef Lee Johnson (George Clinton, David Sanborn), and Sam Kininger (Soulive) – each performance steadily garnering more recognition for Quinn, who believes in winning fans one by one on the merit of his own music.

Surrounding himself with a group of extremely talented and like-minded musicians, Quinn has been playing shows up and down the east coast while receiving an ever increasing amount of media attention. His music has now been featured on over 80 radio stations worldwide and gets daily spins in his hometown of Philadelphia. Quinn and the band have also performed live numerous times on Fox 45’s morning show in Baltimore and have had the great pleasure of guesting on Gene Shay’s Sunday night radio show on WXPN and Jeff Duperon’s “Straight Ahead” jazz program on WRTI.

The band’s high energy and musical interplay routinely attract listeners that are admittedly more accustomed to lyric-based music. With great melodic sensibilities, rhythmic experimentation and an accessible modern edge, the Dirk Quinn Band is jazz/funk improvisation at its most exciting!

• August 30
• November 15

Kursten Bouton

Singer/songwriter Kursten Bouton’s crafty and heartfelt lyrics are the foundation for her unique and captivating style. Currently hailing from Lancaster County, Kursten writes about life, love, and the lack thereof. From the thought provoking lyrics of “Breakthrough” to the uplifting message of “Don’t Surrender” hers is a performance you won’t soon forget. Self taught on the guitar, some of this up and coming songwriter’s influences include Ani Difranco and John Butler Trio. Her music and upcoming gig information can be found at www.myspace.com/kurstenbouton.

• July 26

Joe Miralles

For the past 10 years, Collegeville, PA area singer/songwriter Joe Miralles has been performing and recording as a solo artist. From releasing two exceptional solo recordings and playing extensively throughout the tri-state area, Joe has made a a big impact on the local music scene. Joe is busy at work on a third CD to be released in 2008. Visit Joe’s myspace page or www.mirallesmusic.com for information on Joe’s music.

• May 31
• September 20
• August 29
• July 24

Cliff Hillis

There are some artists who you just know should rise up and become stars, and Cliff Hillis is one of them.”- Entertainment Today, Los Angeles more »

• July 12

Hoots & Hellmouth

Hoots & Hellmouth love food. And music, which is convenient since they play shows all over the place on just about any given day. This Philadelphia string band of soul-stirring marauders may travel the country incessantly, but they never forget that local roots sustain. Home is where the hearth is. Viva la sloooow revolution!

• August 28

Chris Adams

Chris Adams brings a palpable energy and considerable skill to his music. Classically trained, this powerful performer fuses the precise agility of his traditional background and the soulfulness of the blues genre with his penchant for venturing past the confines of the ordinary. You can visit his website at www.chrisadamsmusic.com.

• September 25

Michael Kropp

Michael Kropp is a local singer-guitarist who has been playing acoustic pop/rock favorites all over the area for the past 10 years. His specialty is classic rock, especially from the British Invasion. You can catch Michael at a number of area restaurants and bars. Please visit www.myspace.com/mkropp for complete schedule info and song samples. You can contact Michael at mkropp@comcast.net to get on his e-mail list and to request a free promotional packet.

Spirit Wing

A contemporary Native American group, Spirit Wing presents shows combining Contemporary and traditional Native music, stories, and occasional traditional dance Unique harmonies, hypnotic native flute, guitars, and percussion create a dynamic experience to savor.

• October 30

Blake Allen

Blake Allen was born in Seattle, Washington – across the border from his family’s previous roots in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – where his mother was a neighbor of Joni Mitchell’s family. Blake and his siblings learned the ways of the road early on – the result of being born into a professional sports family. “My Dad, Keith, is a member of the NHL Hall of Fame for building the Philadelphia Flyers’ “Broad Street Bullies” team that won the Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975…so I started skating when I was two and played hockey up through high school,” he says, “until I discovered the guitar, beer, and my future wife Mollie McShane.” Mollie along with brothers Michael (Cowmuddy) and Brian, and sister Kerry joined Allen to form the band Aunt Pat. more »