Sam Amidon is coming home to perform at the Stone Church and will have Zara Bode's Little Big Band with him. Amidon is a multi-instrumentalist who plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo, as well as singing. His work is grounded in the stories and sounds found in traditional American Music. However, he blends his folk based format with experimental improvisation.
He has been working as a touring musician and recording artist for 10 years, and recently released his sixth album, “The Following Mountain,” which is filled with original works. The Guardian says the album:
“. . . provides constant jolting surprises . . .”
Joining Amazon on this album are jazz musician Sam Gendel, percussionists Juma Sultan and Milford Graves, and Shahzad Ismaily.
Before he created “The Following Mountain,” Amidon had released five other albums. However, these efforts were mostly reworkings of traditional American work songs, hymns, and ballads. These albums illustrate Amidon’s gift of working in close collaboration with other musicians. Among those appearing on these albums are the Kronos Quartet; composer Nico Muhly, who wrote the opera “Marnie” based on the Hitchcock film; producer Thomas Bartlett and guitarist, Bill Frisell.
Amidon will appear at the Stone Church on October 8 at 7:30 pm. Poster printing is often used successfully to publicize events like this.