 |
|
Home > Winfield >
|
Henri's Notions Invited to add an Irish Flavor to this Year's Walnut Valley Festival
Winfield, Kansas...The folks that print maps would have you believe that Alabama is far removed from Ireland. Not so musically. Henri's Notions has bridged the miles with a lively mix of American Southern and Celtic folk music. Together for more than 25years, with three Cd's to their credit, this quintet will be making their Walnut Valley debut on Thursday, September 19th. The Notions present traditional Celtic music as well as their own original numbers (that have rhythm and voice reflective of their Southern heritage, which lends a pleasing familiarity to the music). The group has performed at many outdoor festivals and concerts across the Southeast. They have opened for headliners such as Bob Dylan, the David Grisman Quartet, Richie Havens, Peter Rowan, and the Kingston Trio.
From soft finger- picked ballads to hard- driving jigs and reels, the Notions draw from a broad palette of melodious sounds: the ardent sounds of the fiddle, lilting flute, keen tin whistles, ringing mandolin, tenor banjo and bouzouki, and the bounce of the button accordion, all played over the resonant tones of the rhythm section, consisting of acoustic guitars, bodhran (Irish frame drum), bones, and string bass. Lead voices dance through the intricate embellishments that bring to life the old ballads and songs. All of the members of Henri's Notions lend voices frequently creating close, rich, well-balanced harmonies.
The group makes a point to provide backgrounds on the songs and instruments used during their performance and this has allowed the group to connect with, educate and inspire audiences over the years.
Henri's Notions was formed in 1976 when band members were students at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The five members come from varied musical backgrounds ranging from traditional Appalachian roots to classical. Listeners often ask "who's Henri?" Actually there is no Henri; the name came early on when the no-name ensemble in making a call to a musician's service organization dialed a wrong number and a lovely voice at the other end answered "Henri's Notions". Needing a name prior to the band's debut at a regional fair, the name was submitted and "took" as they say in the south.
This year the 31st annual Walnut Valley Festival will be held from September 19th through 22nd, at the Winfield fairgrounds. For more information or to purchase tickets for call 620-221-3250 or stop by the festival office at 918 Main Street in Winfield, Kansas.
|
|
|
