Calliope Concerts 2011-12
Presenting the best in traditional and contemporary roots music

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October 15, 2011--The Kruger Brothers
November 5, 2011--The Refugees
November 19, 2011--Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band
December 10, 2011--Catfish Keith
January 21, 2012--Christine Lavin with special guest Zoë Lewis
February 25, 2012--Samite
March 10, 2012--Dervish
April 14, 2012--Mike Dowling & Pat Donohue

All concerts are held on Saturday evenings-- 7:30pm, Carnegie Lecture Hall (Oakland)

For information on other Calliope concerts:
The Roots Cellar: Music on a New Level
Calliope Emerging Legends Concerts
Calliope Collaboration Concerts

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February 25, 2012
Samite

"The multiple rhythms are forceful but not domineering, and Samite's melodies ride over and through them to create a soothing, almost lullaby-like effect. It's modern African folk music..." ~ Los Angeles Times

World-renowned musician Samite was born and raised in Uganda, where his grandfather taught him to play the traditional flute. When he was twelve, a music teacher placed a western flute in his hands setting him on his way to becoming one of East Africa’s most acclaimed flutists. He performed frequently to enthusiastic audiences throughout Uganda until 1982, when he was forced to flee to Kenya as a political refugee. Immigrating to the United States in 1987, Samite now makes his home in Ithaca, New York and has performed in a broad variety of venues throughout the country. He has released eight CDs internationally and in 2009, he composed an original score for the film Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai, which debuted nationally on PBS.

In 2002, Samite founded Musicians for World Harmony an organization dedicated to enabling musicians throughout the world to share their music to promote peace, understanding, and harmony among people. In that capacity he travels to sing, play music, and exchange stories with victims of war, poverty and HIV/AIDS. He has traveled extensively to war-torn countries in Africa to work in refugee camps, with former child soldiers and AIDS orphans.

Samite released his newest CD, My Music World, in 2010 and, as he states, the album captures more of who he is than any of his previous albums. “It represents influences from all the places I have been, from my childhood in Uganda, and my life in Kenya as a refugee, to my current travels in Africa with my work for Musicians for World Harmony. I am always inspired by my surroundings– my childhood hikes into the forest, my teenage years in Kampala, and my visits to refugee camps and orphanages.”
Samite's vocals, as accompanied by the kalimba, marimba, litungu, and various flutes have mesmerized audiences throughout the world.

Opening Act: Temujin

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March 10, 2012
Dervish

Music from the West of Ireland with passionate vocals and dazzling instrumentals.

Dervish is one of the most respected acts of modern time in world/roots music worldwide. Their musical genius and innovative approach will ensure that they will be always be a leading force in Irish music bringing the world the joy and excitement and fun that is, traditional Irish music. Dervish concert performances feature a myriad of tones and moods ranging from high energy tunes played with fluidity and intuitiveness, to inspiring melodies that lift audiences from their seats.

Twenty-two years since first coming together, with four of the original members still at the helm, Dervish is more in demand than ever. The band performed all over the globe, and shared stages with artists including James Brown, The Buena Vista Social Club, Oasis, Sting, REM, Beck and many more.

2010 marked Dervish's 21st year anniversary, and to celebrate the occasion they brought out the album "From Stage to Stage" featuring live concert footage from both sides of the Atlantic with special guests, Ron Sexsmith, Duke Special, Vasen, Martin Hayes, Denis Cahill and Mike Marshall. 

Opening Act: Callan
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April 14, 2012
Mike Dowling & Pat Donohue

When the late, great Vassar Clements heard Mike Dowling play guitar back in 1975 he did the sensible thing. He hired him. Mike was the guitarist in Vassar's first touring band and can be heard on his Grammy-nominated "Nashville Jam". Clements called him simply, "One of the finest guitarists there is, anywhere." Echoing that sentiment is an ever-growing chorus of music critics, guitar students, and acoustic music fans from throughout the world.

Mike digs deep into the musical bag of American roots guitar, favoring the melodic Piedmont style of acoustic blues masters like Mississippi John Hurt and slide great Tampa Red. But Mike can't be pigeonholed as a blues player, or even as a fingerstylist. He's far too versatile for that. From bottleneck blues to vintage jazz and much more in between, Mike's musicality, depth, and mastery of the instrument translates fluently to flattop, archtop, and resonator guitars alike.

From swing to jazz to bottleneck blues to folk, Grammy-winning acoustic guitarist Pat Donohue plays it all with a flourish of artistry and melodic inspiration. Chet Atkins called Pat one of the greatest finger pickers in the world today. Leo Kottke called his playing “haunting.”

Pat is certainly one of the most listened to finger pickers in the world. As the guitarist for the Guys All-Star Shoe Band of Minnesota Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion, Pat gets to show off his savvy licks and distinctive original songs to millions of listeners each week. Though he considers himself foremost a folk guitarist, he blends jazz and blues with folk, citing influences including: Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters and Miles Davis.

Opening Act: Phil Smith & Steve Weber

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