“The
kids got up from the table and danced around the room!”
--Tyler
Rust
D'y'wanna
play? . . . A great way to pratice music, meet other musicians
and generally have a good time is a jam session.
Harmon's
Peak was the name of the original group. The members have moved on, but they
all still play in one group or another. The CD is worth checking out. -kf
Mister Barky Mister
Barky has been amusing Bay Area audiences in one form or another for over 25 years
with an eclectic combination of old time, swing, music hall, Irish, and other
traditional musical offerings.
Karl Franzen: guitar and
vocals. Ernest Kinsolving: fiddler and vocalist.
We present
a variety of shows using songs and tunes of various traditions (possibly even
costumed):
American Folk Celtic Christmas Cinco De Mayo Country
Dances Cowboy Songs English Folk Songs Farmers Market Songs Irish
Pub Music Knighting Ceremonies Mardis Gras Oktoberfest Patriotic Songs Picnics
and Parties Pirate & Sea Chanties Saint Patrick's Day Music Scottish
Folk Songs 60's Folk/Rock Rennaisance and Early Music Seasonal Music Swing
Party Tunes Time Capsule Burying Ceremonies Weddings Wakes
Stephen
Scott Gill and Karl Franzen Stage actor and teacher Stephen
Scott Gill plays several shows with Karl Franzen as accompanist.
"A
Movable Feast: Americans in Paris" - the mythos of 20th century Paris. "American
Dreamer" - Songs of Stephen Foster "Champion of Lost Causes"
- The Story of Don Quixote. "Isle of Hope" - The Story of the Irish
at Ellis Island "Simply Sinatra" - the life of Frank Sinatra.
Fete
Musette Love the Louvre -- but searching for traditional music
of the French countryside as well? Fête Musette will take you to pre-jazz
Paris, as well as introduce you to the irregular rhythms of Alsace, the raucous
bourrées of Auvergne and Berry, and the ancient Celtic part of France,
Brittany. Of course we have the accordion, as well as fiddle, hurdy gurdy, (vielle
à roue), dulcimer and guitar. Gary Breitbard, Jena Rauti, Peter Tommerup,
Karl Franzen and Sarah Kirton are longtime friends and performers, playing French
music for fun and dances. Join us for an irrepressible performance of tunes, songs
and dance demonstrations.
Solo Classical
Guitar Karl has studied classical guitar, and in particular,
the harp music of the famed Irish composer Turlough O'Carolan and has arranged
60 of those pieces for guitar. This (and other assorted early music) features
prominently in Karl's solo presentations, which can also include traditional songs
as well. This is a peaceful, elegant music whose purpose is to lift the soul and
pay homage to the lord and lady of the castle.
Luceo
Plays contradance music with Rebecca King on piano, Lee Anne Welch on fiddle and
Karl Franzen on guitar, mandolin, pennywhistle and melodion.
Peak
Nouveau This
Contra Dance Band plays old time, Irish and French music and consists of Paul
Clarke on banjo, Sarah Kirton on fiddle, Peter Tommerup on dulcimers, and Karl
Franzen on guitar and sometimes Barbara Rosner on stand-up bass. (To hold a dance,
one also needs a dance caller who will teach the dances. We can acquire one for
you if you wish.)
"We had an absolute blast. Thank you for providing the
wonderful music to accompany our fun! ...We will definitely keep you in loop on
our next barn dance extravaganza." -J.L.
PROMO
PHOTOS -- Click for hi-res files.
Rosin
the Beau Ernest Kinsolving, Karl Franzen and Alan Keith perform
4 hours of Irish pub songs including a bagpipe and drum parade on the hour. We
are usually booked on St. Pat's at St. Stephen's Green in Mountain View, Ca.,
but try us for the surrounding few days.