In the late fifties, Spider John Koerner borrowed guitar and a Burl Ives songbook, and began a journey which helped shape the course of American country blues and folk music.
Jalopy Theater will host Spider John’s rare NYC appearance, August 17 at 8 p.m. There is a $10 cover. The JDs will open the show.
For more than 40 years, Koerner has explored the ranges of traditional American song, as a solo artist and with a variety of partners. In a salute to the traditional roots of Bob Dylan, Koerner and Dave Ray contributed the track Delia to the Redhouse tribute recording, “A Nod to Bob,” released in April 2001 for Dylan’s 60th birthday.
Koerner is a frequent guest on Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion.” He has also been guest artist on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition and Weekend Edition.
The JDs is the product of a downtown New York musical tradition that goes back several decades, and has its origins in Florida. The original music played by the JDs is a unique blend of blues, rock, R&B, Country, and Latin music.
The music that the JDs make is sometimes referred to as Polish Calypso because of its origins in the merging of traditional Polish musical sensibilities passed on from one generation to the next in the Musial family, and Latin concepts of rhythm and arrangement.
The lead singer of the group, Bob Musial, and his son Jake Musial (who plays the guitar and sings backing vocals) offer a unique father-son dynamic.
Jalopy is at 315 Columbia Street in Red Hook, between Hamilton and Woodhull avenues. For more, call 718-395-3214 or visit www.jalopy.biz.
