PUTNEY — Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, presents Walter Parks and Rob Curto's “Swampalachian Trail” on Friday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Parks, longtime guitarist sideman to Woodstock legend Richie Havens, joins accordionist extraordinaire Rob Curto in presenting their self-described “Swampalachian” acoustic and roots style - a blend of reels, hollers, spirituals, and blues.
A news release describes their project as reimagining the historic soundtrack to the building of America, “reminding us all, regardless of political and cultural diversity, that whereas we may be bonded by an often painful history, we are nonetheless moved and united in the present day by the love of great music.”
Next Stage Arts Executive Director Keith Marks said in a news release, “Walter is a presence on stage, showcasing his talents as a guitarist, songwriter, and scholar. […] When Walter performs, it causes you to take note.”
In 2020, the American Folklife Collection of The Library of Congress featured and archived Parks' research work on the music of Southeast Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp. For this new project with Curto, Parks has modernized the hollers, shaped-note hymns, and banjo porch songs performed by the swamp homesteaders.
Parks was a founding member of the popular cello/guitar folk duo called The Nudes.
Since relocating to Philadelphia from New York, Curto has been passionately pursuing the Irish button box, which he says has become a defining aspect of the duo's swampalachian sound. Curto was a founding member of the Brazilian bluegrass band Matuto, which gained a following across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
More recently he led the accordion-centric American-roots band Fish Harmonics. Curto currently studies under the tutelage of Irish button accordionist Billy McComiskey.
In their live show, Parks and Curto frequently use back-stories to preface songs - historic or original compositions or the occasional tributes to Richie Havens.
Opener Jason Scaggs's music began in heart of Appalachia, his home state of Virginia. His guitar playing has progressed since playing with the band Jatoba, with the addition of effects and looping. According to the venue's website, “thepleasing result is a modern, full sound which belies it coming from one person.”
Tickets are $18 in advance, $22 at the door. Next Stage will provide a beer, wine, and cocktail cash bar. Advance tickets are available at nextstagearts.org. For information, call 802-387-0102.