Bells & Motley
Saturday December 21 2024
Multi-instrumentalists Bells & Motley (Sondra and John Bromka) will be bringing us a special holiday-themed concert. They are historical musical story tellers (as well as instrument makers, authors, and dance callers) who perform on hurdy gurdy, nyckelharpa, French bagpipes, harp, hammered dulcimer, squeezeboxes, assorted historic wind and percussion instruments (and voices). Their numerous topics include the Erie Canal, early music (they’re a founding ensemble at the Sterling Renaissance Festival near Oswego, NY), and world music (including the folk traditions of Netherlands, England, Celtic lands, Spain, Italy and perhaps more!). They have a wonderful gift for connecting to audiences of all ages with a musical mix of history, literature, fine arts, and artistry.
Performer web page: bellsandmotley.com
John Kirk & Trish Miller
Saturday January 18 2025
As part of an annual tradition, John Kirk (North American Fiddler’s Hall of Famer, on fiddle, mandolin & more) and Trish Miller (banjo, guitar and fancy footwork) will open the Cranberry Coffeehouse’s first concert of the year. This married couple has worked and taught in upstate New York for over three decades. Old time music is the basis for their repertoire, mixed in originals, Celtic, early country songs, humorous selections and Appalachian clog dancing. Much of their music is rooted in the local lore of the northeast woodlands. Their story-telling songs and poetic pieces make their shows fine entertainment for all ages.
Performer web page: johnandtrish.com
Don Sparks
Saturday February 15 2025
Don Sparks is an American character actor and performing songwriter living with his wife in the Catskills
region of the Hudson Valley. In 2018 he created the role of “JD” in the Broadway musical, Escape to Margaritaville and sings on the original Broadway cast album. He toured with the show, and with Jimmy Buffett, to New Orleans, Houston, Chicago, and performed on A Capitol Fourth, America’s National Independence Day celebration, on PBS. This Fall he appears as “Twohey” in Long Bright River on the NBC, Peacock Network. The San Diego Troubadour review of his CD, Ready For The Radio said, “Sparks’ songs take you on an eclectic lyrical and vocal journey, with well-crafted novelty tunes, upbeat rockers, and tender ballads that may remind you of some of the best, from Gordon Lightfoot to David Gates and from Arlo Guthrie to Kenny Rankin.”
Performer web page: donsparks.bandcamp.com
Michael Jerling
Saturday March 15 2025
Illinois-born (now Saratoga Springs, NY resident) Michael Jerling is a songwriter extraordinaire. Winner of the prestigious “New Folk” competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, Michael has been a noted artist on the club, college and festival circuits of North America since 1975, with 10 albums to his name. His involvement with the seminal Fast Folk Musical Magazine in New York City led to inclusion of his song “Long Black Wall” in the Smithsonian Folkways CD celebrating 20 years of Fast Folk. His baritone voice, backed with consummate skill on six & twelve string guitars, harmonica and mandolin, are buoyed by his dry sense of humor.
Performer web page: michaeljerling.com
Chris Noyes
Saturday April 26 2025
This is Chris Noyes’ first appearance at the Cranberry Coffeehouse. Hailing from the eastern shore of Maryland, she sings original songs, songs about the Chesapeake Bay, traditional Celtic, as well as tunes from the American Songbook – accompanying herself on guitar and ukulele. She was the featured singer/guitarist with Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Quartet, whom you may have caught this past June at the New York Faerie Festival. Her repertoire is wide-ranging and extensive, having been a classically trained soloist. She is just as comfortable belting out a rock chestnut as she is at cooing a ballad about lost love. Her voice has been described as “crystalline,” and has often been compared to Alison Krauss.
Hiroya Tsukamoto
Saturday May 17 2025
Guitarist and singer-songwriter Hiroya Tsukamoto, two-time 2nd place winner of International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship, began playing the five-string banjo when he was thirteen, and took up guitar shortly after. Originally from Japan, Hiroya came to the United States in 2000 upon receiving a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. He formed the Boston-based group INTEROCEANICO (inter-oceanic) with musicians from around the world, including Latin Grammy Colombian singer Marta Gomez. The group released three acclaimed records (“The Other Side of the World”, “Confluencia” and “Where the River Shines”). Hiroya has released five solo albums. and has been performing internationally, including several appearances at the United Nations, Japanese National Television (NHK), and the famed Blue Note in New York City.
Performer web page: hiroyatsukamoto.com