The announcement of folk, jazz and Chamber Music Society concerts also includes appearances by Raul Midon, Fred Hersch, Benny Golson and more. Peruse the lineup and videos of featured performers.
‘Thanks for Listening”: Chris Thile released his seventh studio album in 2017 and plays St. Cecilia in February. (Photo/Anna Sink)
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS OF SERIES PERFORMERS
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Grammy Award-winning mandolinist and “Live From Here” host Chris Thile will highlight St. Cecilia Music Center’s 2019-2020 Acoustic Café Folk Series, which also will boast appearances by folk legend Judy Collins, country singer Lee Ann Womack and acclaimed guitarist Raul Midon.
The folk series lineup is part of St. Cecilia’s announcement of robust seasons for its Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Series and its Jazz Series, which will feature Fred Hersch & Julian Lage, the Emmet Cohen Trio with Ron Carter, Luciana Souza and the Clayton Brothers Quintet.
Judy Collins (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
The Acoustic Café Folk Series, presented in partnership with Rob Reinhart’s syndicated Acoustic Café radio show, will kick off Oct. 3 with award-winning country singer Lee Ann Womack ($40-$45), who’s released nine albums since 1997, including her most recent recording, 2017’s “The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone.”
On Oct. 20, folk icon Judy Collins ($50-$55) returns to the Royce Auditorium stage at St. Cecilia, bringing along with her a half-century of memorable songs and a bold, activist attitude.
Chris Thile, who first made a splash as a member of Nickel Creek and then the Punch Brothers (which released a Grammy-winning album last year), will play the series on Feb. 25. The virtuoso musician is also the popular host of the “Live From Here” public radio program. Tickets are $50-$55 for the Thile concert.
The fourth concert in the series, on Feb. 27, will feature Latin jazz/pop acoustic guitarist Raul Midon, who’s earned widespread acclaim for his musicianship and singing, earning Grammy Award nominations for 2017’s “Bad Ass and Blind” and 2018’s “If You Really Want.” Tickets are $40-$45.
Raul Midon’s latest album
St. Cecilia executive director Cathy Holbrook said more concerts will be added to the folk series in coming months, “probably three more at least.”
The Jazz Series kicks off Oct. 17 with Fred Hersch and special guest Julian Lage, followed on Jan. 16 by tenor saxophonist Benny Golson (as part of Emmet Cohen’s Master Legacy Series), March 5 by singer Luciana Souza and April 16 by the Clayton Brothers. Tickets are $40-$45.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Bassist Ron Carter originally was scheduled to appear on Jan. 16 but was replaced by Benny Golson after Carter was unable to perform due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
The Chamber Music Society series includes “Great Innovators” on Nov. 21, “French Enchantment” on Jan. 23 and “From Prague to Vienna” on April 30. Get more information about these concerts and tickets at scmc-online.org.
Series subscription packages also are available. Get more information online here.
VIDEO: Lee Ann Womack, “Hollywood”
VIDEO: Judy Collins at The Grammy Awards
VIDEO: Chris Thile, “Thank You, New York”
VIDEO: Raul Midon, NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
VIDEO: Fred Hersch, “We See”
Copyright 2019, Spins on Music LLC
