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The Binoculars, Brooklyn, 2024
Photo credit: John Rogers
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The Binoculars
Welcome to Chloë and K8A’s proverbial picnic blanket under the shade of a black walnut tree where they’ve brought a fiddle, guitar, lap steel, and a pair of binoculars to peer at long lost tunes and try them out their own way! Seering vocal country duos,
Chloë Swantner guitar, fiddle, lapsteel, vocals
Kaethe Hostetter guitar, fiddle, vocals
Cirkestra
Comprised of top istrumental legends in New York, the circus band perfoms both live with Circus performers, or just soundtrack only. From Klezmer to Shostakovich to originals by clown/composer Peter Bufano, you are instantly transported to the big top. The greatest show on the block!
Will Holshouser, accordion
Kaethe Hostetter, violin
Dennis Lichtman, clarinet
Jim Steely, bass
David Licht, drums
QWANQWA in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, 2019
Photo Credit: Kenny Allen
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QWANQWA
QWANQWA is a five-piece ensemble based in Addis Ababa, dedicated to furthering Ethiopia’s unique string traditions. Inspired by a shared passion for Ethiopian music, the group brings together some of the most accomplished traditional players in the country; creating a space to explore new sounds and break the rules in a very traditional musical culture. Since their 2012 debut, QWANQWA has merged the richness and diversity of rooted tradition with a modern, experimental sensibility, inspired improvisation, and a mission to transcend genres and blur boundaries.
Kaethe Hostetter violin
Selamnesh Zemene voice
Misale Legesse kebero
Endris Hassen masinko
Anteneh Teklemariam bass
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K8A & Marié
These soulmates met through Debo Band and the connection only grew from there. The special stylings of eclectic tunes -- from Ethiopia to Japan, from folk to pop, simmered in musical spices from the world over, flavored by our journeys together and apart, make for a duo like no other.
Kaethe Hostetter violin
Marié Abe accordion
CACCIATORE DI TRESORI
Cacciactori de Tesori is a quartet of Italian music enthusiasts who play traditional music of Italy - mazurkas, waltzes, polkas, tarantellas and a tango or two. The repertoire is culled from master musicians (78rpm recordings), first-hand contact with Italian musicians and sometimes written sources. Lively harmonies and countermelodies are an integral part of their performance style.
Irene Herrmann - mandolin
Maxwell Poulos, mandolin and tenor banjo
Janet Dows - concertina
Kaethe Hostetter - guitar