In the tradition of Southern Appalachian old time music of the 20's and 30's, this foursome (Joe Thrift, Mark Olitsky, Jason Sypher, Debra Clifford) brings a contemporary spirit to a time honored sound. This album is a snapshot in time. Onward and upward, Fasten your seatbelts. jimmyjohnnyjoe...
Ooe Thrift. Fiddle. vocals. Native to North Carolina, Joe Thrift started playing fiddle in l975 and danced with the groundbreaking Green Grass Cloggers. Living in Surry County, Joe developed friendships with local oldtime heroes Tommy Jarrell and Dix Freeman, and was inspired by their love of the music. In l983 , the legendary band the Red Hots was formed, bringing together the forces of Tom Riccio, Riley Baugus and Jerry Ray Weinert. They continue to play today, with Steve Mason on Bass. Joe spent 9 years on the bus with Donna the Buffalo, as their keyboard player, and In 2000, Joe re-immersed himself in fiddle music and formed the Bobville band, Man Alive!. Trained as a Luthier in England at the Newark School of Violin Making, Joe builds violins in his workshop at home, and writes many of the tunes he has played over the years.
Jason Sypher. Acoustic Bass. Jason Sypher began playing bass in jazz ensemble courses at the University of Berkeley. Seeking to learn more about the traditions of jazz and blues, he took the advice of an old drummer and moved to New Orleans. There he played and recorded with a number of blues and r&b luminaries such as Butch Trivette, Little Freddie King, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Eddie Bo, Ernie Kato, Irma Thomas and Coco Robiceaux with whom he toured twice throughout Europe. In New Orleans he also gigged extensively with the great French accordionist, Norbert Slama, playing Argentinean tango, musette and jazz. A fateful camping trip through the mountains of Virginia led to a life altering visit to the Galax Fiddlers Convention where he met a number of great oldtime musicians including Joe Thrift. He currently lives in New York where he performs with a number of diverse groups including NIKITOV, a Klezmer/Gypsy/Jazz band and Romashka Gypsy Collective - The New York Gypsy Dance Party Band.
Mark Olitsky. Banjo. Mark lives in Cleveland, ohio and started to play clawhammer banjo while he was attending college in the late 70's. In the 80's, he played with Kevin Enoch (Enoch Banjos) and Bob Smakula (also known for fine instrument repair) as the Able Brothers. He has played with various oldtime bands for contra dances in the NE Ohio and Western Pa.
Debra Clifford. Rhythm guitar, mandolin, and vocals. Debra is also a Lonesome Sister with Sarah Hawker. She has been playing in bluegrass, country & swing bands since the 1970's, and is active in the Ithaca contra dance & old time scene. Debra also currently performs with Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz. She has played with Rounder artist Mac Benford & John Hoffmann, and plays guitar in two contra bands, the Plum Moonshiners and the Butterbeans. Debra is recording a CD with Riley Baugus & The Lonesome Sisters in March of 2004.