GUILFORD — Musicians Peter and Mary Alice Amidon and Peter Siegel, will join Kim and Reggie Harris in an evening of songs and stories on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 7:30 p.m., at the Guilford Community Church.
Musicians and storytellers, the Harrises combine a folk and gospel legacy with a background in classical, rock, jazz and pop music.
“As socially conscious acoustic musicians and storytellers, the Harrises have been 'walking the talk' for over 30 years, performing modern and historical songs that explore societal ills and proffer positive social messages,” according to a press release.
The Harrises' cultural background as African-Americans is a major component of their repertoire. Spirituals and gospel songs are liberally incorporated in their work and they present on black history to teachers and students.
Peter and Mary Alice Amidon perform and teach, and have dedicated themselves to traditional song, dance, and storytelling. The Amidons have been headliners at national music teacher conferences, summer camps of traditional song and dance, and traditional music festivals. Peter is co-music director of both the Guilford Community Church Choir, and the Hallowell hospice singers. The Amidons' choral arrangements are being sung on both sides of the Atlantic, according to a news release.
Siegel contributes a radical chord to American Roots music. Founder and member of the local Celtic/world beat band the Gaslight Tinkers, he is influenced by the songwriting of Pete Seeger and Phil Ochs, the rugged melodies of old time and Celtic fiddle tunes, the gutsy blues of the Rolling Stones, and the diaspora of beats and melodies from Cuba to Africa.
His music defies categorization. As a performer he's seen on stages nationally. He's been published in Sing Out! magazine and various fiddle tune compilations, and contributed Grammy-Award-winning mandolin tracks on the Best Children's Album of 2011. When he is not touring, writing, or recording, he teaches music at Symonds School in Keene, N.H.