Quickstep Traditional and Original Music & Dance
Quickstep Traditional & Original Songs & Fiddle Tunes
John Kirk, Trish Miller & Ed Lowman
Lively fiddle tunes, folksongs and fancy footwork are featured from John, Trish, & Ed, a versatile stringband from upstate New York. In concert, they liven up the place with quick pickin’ tunes and sentimental songs in harmony. After many years of playing together, these musicians have developed a diverse repertoire and their shows appeal to all ages. Fiddlers, John & Ed lead the way playing selections from Americana, Canadian and Celtic styles. Trish rounds out the sound with guitar, banjo and fancy footwork. These multi-instrumentalists interchange instruments, adding occasional mandolin, ukelele or bass to the mix. Their selections range from Celtic tunes to ballads. Some feature original stories tied to their northeastern home. They are all neighbors from Greenfield Center, NY, near Saratoga, and they have been making music together for over twenty five years.
John Kirk is known for his lyric voice and versatile instrumental skills. On fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo and tin whistle, John demonstrates a vast knowledge of musical traditions. He is also a composer, dancer and dance caller. Sing Out magazine has said "John Kirk is a fine player on all his instruments and he sings quite well. With such a widely varied repertoire, there’s really something here for everyone. This is one that’s worth seeking out.” In addition to his work with Quickstep, John works with the Vanaver Caravan and the Susquehanna Stringband. The Dixie Chicks recorded his song, “Long Roads”. John and the band, Quickstep, have their own recordings; the newest of these is titled, “Shuffle About”. In addition to performing, John teaches music at Bennington College in Vermont, and at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Trish Miller has been teaching and performing Appalachian clogging since 1980. She plays guitar, banjo and a little ukelele. Trish is a dance caller and country dance choreographer. Her stepping style is rooted in the southern mountains mixed with some steps from tap and Celtic repertoires. As a member of the Green Grass Cloggers, from Asheville, N.C., she toured throughout the U.S. & internationally. Trish and John are teaching artists in school music and dance programs. They lead dances for all ages at festivals & parties. Trish teaches banjo at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Ed Lowman is a multi-instrumentalist and singer. Old-time and Cajun fiddling, yodeling, early country songs, guitar, bass and carpentry are his trades. In addition to working with John Kirk and Trish Miller since 1984, Ed has appeared with several groups including Dan Berggren and the St. Regis Stringband. For thirty years now, Ed has been the coordinator of summertime square dances in the Adirondack village of Schroon Lake.
For more information see the website: www.johnandtrish.com
John, Trish and Ed often appear with two other fiddlers, Sara Milonovich and Cedar Stanistreet for a larger fiddle ensemble, this band is also called, Quickstep. Recordings: Fiddle Tunes of the North Country, John, Trish, Ed, Sara , Cedar & friends, instrumental tunes; these others are a mix of tunes and songs, an example of a concert featuring these performers: Fly Around, John, Trish, Sara, Linda Schrade & David Kiphuth; Big Rock Candy Mountain, John, Trish, Ed, Linda & a good kids chorus; Quicksteppin’ John & Trish; and At Home with John Kirk. Credit card orders through: A Gentle Wind, 1-888-Fun-Song (1-888-386-7664)
