This preview of upcoming fiddle concerts in the mid-Atlantic states this week was written by Nicole Snider, mandolinist with the Black Eyed Suzies in Annapolis, MD, an educator, and bluegrass historian.
When people think of bluegrass fiddle, often the sound they hear is either Kenny Baker’s distinctive fiddling or one of the legions of fiddlers who learned from studying Baker. Bill Monroe’s longest-serving sideman, Baker brought to life many of the father of bluegrass’s instrumental compositions, most notably on Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe.
To celebrate Baker’s life and legacy, Maryland-based fiddler Sarah Larsen has curated three performances of his music, interspersed with stories of Baker’s life, in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Annapolis, with the final show coinciding with Baker’s 100th birthday on June 26.
“I want to tell these stories to people,” Larsen said. “I want people to know about Kenny’s life and how he became the fiddle player he is.” After extensive research including interviews with Ken Baker, Jr., Larsen developed the format of the show as a conversation, taking audiences through Baker’s life and the evolution of his musical style.
Each performance will begin with old-time tunes that Baker played with his father, also a prominent fiddler, then highlight the swing tunes that influenced his style. The focus will be on a complete performance of what’s arguably Baker’s best-known album, Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe. Monroe once said that Baker plays everything the way it should be played. His is “the pillar of style for any bluegrass fiddle player,” Larsen says. “It’s not flashy, it’s not arrogant.” To give concertgoers a live experience of the sound, Larsen says, “all of my playing for the night will be, if not perfectly note for note, at least very derivative of Baker’s style” to showcase his influence.
To help her bring her vision to life, Larsen has enlisted champion banjo player and prolific YouTuber Jim Pankey, Dirty Grass Players’ Ryan Reynolds (mandolin), Cory Chubb from Baltimore-based Geraldine (guitar), and Rob Parks (bass), who worked with Bobby Hicks and other prominent musicians.
The performances will take place:
- Wednesday, June 24 at Pickett Brewing, Baltimore, MD
- Thursday, June 25 at the Kelly Center, Havertown, PA
- Friday, June 26 (special Baker birthday performance) at Maryland Hall, Annapolis, MD
For tickets, visit Sarah’s web site online.
