Harpeth, the female trio named for the Harpeth River in middle Tennessee, is described as “modern progressive bluegrass” or “chamberfolk,” but these titles only touch on their unique sound. They are (L-R) Michelle Younger, Jordana Greenburg and Maria DiMeglio. Enjoy their performance at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on August 20.
The North Shore Music Association will present Harpeth Rising at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.
There are no harps played in the band Harpeth Rising. The female trio — named for the Harpeth River in middle Tennessee — could be described as “modern progressive bluegrass” or “chamberfolk,” but these titles only touch on their unique sound.
These three classically trained musicians produce original music that’s intricately arranged, lyrically rooted in the singer/songwriter tradition, wrapped in three-part vocal harmonies reminiscent of both Appalachia and Medieval Europe, and evocative of the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt and the “dawg music” of David Grisman. Building from the tonal depth of the cello, layered with shimmering violin and strikingly natural banjo, they create a sound that’s at once familiar and impossible to categorize.
The three musicians hold classical performance degrees from some of the most venerated schools in the world: Indiana University, Oberlin, and Eastman School of Music. But their classical background is only one dimension of this trio’s powerful musical voice. Hailing from vastly different parts of North America, each member of Harpeth Rising brings different influences to the core sound.
Maria Di Meglio, cello, was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. and grew up learning Eastern European folk songs alongside classical repertoire. Michelle Younger of Charlottesville, Virginia comes by her modern spin on old-time infused banjo as a descendent of Cole Younger, a member of the James- Younger Gang whose bandit career ended at an 1876 attempted bank robbery in Northfield, Minn. Jordana Greenberg, violin, studied classical music by day at Indiana University and spent her nights learning the folk tunes and classic rocks songs that her family plays at their annual post-Passover jam sessions.
All three women began singing after they completed their instrumental studies and found a passionate new musical avenue. They developed their voices and arrangements to bring life to the lyrical expressiveness of their original songs. Hallmarks of their music include expansive threepart harmonies, consummate musicianship, and a deft yet soulful lyrical perspective.
For more information about the band or its Grand Marais performance, contact the Music Association at (218) 387-1272.
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