Session Americana
Encyclopedia
Session Americana is a Boston-based band consistently referred to in articles by variants of “a folk-rock [or roots] supergroup,” a “who’s who” or “all-star” band featuring members Sean Staples (mandolin, guitar, vocals, mandocello, fiddle), Billy Beard (drums/vocals), Jon Bistline (bass/vocals), Ry Cavanaugh (guitar, mandocello, vocals), Jim Fitting (harmonica/vocals) and Dinty Child (mandocello, fiddle, banjo, guitar, accordion, keyboards, vocals).
This six member group of experienced musicians came together in 2004, for a series of informal shows at Toad (a Pub in Cambridge) on Sunday nights. Kimon Kirk (bass, vocals) was the original bass player. Kirk moved to Los Angeles in early 2009, when he was replaced by Bistline. Session Americana had a Sunday-night residency at Toad for two years, moving to the larger Lizard Lounge
in Cambridge, MA when their popularity outgrew Toad’s small capacity. Session Americana frequently play at other locations in the Boston/Cambridge area, including Club Passim
, in addition to gigs in Vermont and New York. Their shows continue to involve the band facing each other around a table, passing instruments around as needed, harmonizing on old blues tunes, classic Americana songs, and original numbers written by the group members and their guests. A hallmark of Session Americana is their frequent collaboration on-stage with musical guests, including Rose Polenzani
(with whom SA recorded “When the River Meets the Sea” in 2008), Jennifer Kimball
(who is married to Cavanaugh), Dennis Brennan, and many more. The band released four albums and continued their Lizard Lounge residency until slowing down concert appearances in late 2009 following Cavanaugh and Kimball’s move to Ireland for 2009-2010. They reunited for a concert in October 2009 at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, MA, alongside Buffalo Tom
’s Bill Janovitz, and again for a tour in Ireland in May 2010.
Since the Fall of 2010, the band has been working regularly without Sean Staples, who is suffering from a voice injury.
This six member group of experienced musicians came together in 2004, for a series of informal shows at Toad (a Pub in Cambridge) on Sunday nights. Kimon Kirk (bass, vocals) was the original bass player. Kirk moved to Los Angeles in early 2009, when he was replaced by Bistline. Session Americana had a Sunday-night residency at Toad for two years, moving to the larger Lizard Lounge
Lizard Lounge
The Lizard Lounge is a nightclub situated in between Harvard Square and Porter Square on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is below the restaurant Cambridge Common. It may be a small basement bar, but it is known for the musicians it hosts. The owners also own Cambridge...
in Cambridge, MA when their popularity outgrew Toad’s small capacity. Session Americana frequently play at other locations in the Boston/Cambridge area, including Club Passim
Club Passim
Club Passim is a folk music club in the Harvard Square area of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was opened by Joyce Kalina and Paula Kelley in 1958, when it was known as Club 47 , and changed its name to simply Passim in 1969...
, in addition to gigs in Vermont and New York. Their shows continue to involve the band facing each other around a table, passing instruments around as needed, harmonizing on old blues tunes, classic Americana songs, and original numbers written by the group members and their guests. A hallmark of Session Americana is their frequent collaboration on-stage with musical guests, including Rose Polenzani
Rose Polenzani
Rose Polenzani is an independent folk musician. She was raised in the Chicago area and attended Knox College before leaving to pursue a singing career. She is currently living in Boston, Massachusetts. Her singing style is distinctive and emotionally charged. At least one free download is always...
(with whom SA recorded “When the River Meets the Sea” in 2008), Jennifer Kimball
Jennifer Kimball
Jennifer Kimball is a vocalist and songwriter who is notable for being part of the acclaimed folk duo The Story. She is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and has released two albums Veering from the Wave and Oh Hear Us....
(who is married to Cavanaugh), Dennis Brennan, and many more. The band released four albums and continued their Lizard Lounge residency until slowing down concert appearances in late 2009 following Cavanaugh and Kimball’s move to Ireland for 2009-2010. They reunited for a concert in October 2009 at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, MA, alongside Buffalo Tom
Buffalo Tom
Buffalo Tom is an alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1986. Its principal members are guitarist Bill Janovitz, bassist Chris Colbourn, and drummer Tom Maginnis. The band's name is derived from the band Buffalo Springfield and the first name of the drummer.-Career:Dinosaur Jr...
’s Bill Janovitz, and again for a tour in Ireland in May 2010.
Since the Fall of 2010, the band has been working regularly without Sean Staples, who is suffering from a voice injury.
The band
- Sean Staples also plays with his award-winning group, The Resophonics.
- Jim Fitting was one of the founders of Fort Apache StudiosFort Apache StudiosFort Apache Studios is a New England recording studio internationally renowned for alternative rock sessions produced there since 1986. The studio is currently located in the village of Bellows Falls, Vermont in space leased in an old hotel called The Windham, owned by the town of Rockingham,...
. He has been a member of the bands Treat Her RightTreat Her RightTreat Her Right is a blues rock group formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1984. The band originally featured Mark Sandman on guitar, Billy Conway on drums, Dave Champagne on guitar, and Jim Fitting on harmonica. Singing and songwriting duties were shared by all but Conway...
, the Sex Execs, The Coots, and has played with Morphine (band)Morphine (band)Morphine was an American alternative rock group formed by Mark Sandman and Dana Colley in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1989. They disbanded in 1999 after frontman Sandman died of a heart attack....
, The TheThe TheThe The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :...
and many other groups. - Dinty Child fronts his own band, The Funky White Honkies. He has played with Chandler Travis, including opening for George CarlinGeorge CarlinGeorge Denis Patrick Carlin was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, actor and author, who won five Grammy Awards for his comedy albums....
, and Laurie Sargent, among many others. - Billy Beard is the booking agent for Toad and Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was a member of the 80s band Face to Face (new wave band)Face to Face (new wave band)Face to Face was a new wave Boston, Massachusetts quintet.-Formation:Guitarist Stuart Kimball formed the band in New Hampshire during the late '70s with a close group of friends...
, and has toured with Patty GriffinPatty GriffinPatty Griffin, born Patricia Jean Griffin, March 16, 1964, is an American Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and musician. She is especially known for her down-home crafting of songs and her connection to musicians including Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, and the Dixie Chicks, who have played with...
and Kim Richey. - Ry Cavanaugh performs with his wife, Jennifer Kimball (formerly of The StoryThe Story (band)The Story was an early 1990s folk-rock duo composed of Jonatha Brooke and Jennifer Kimball.-History:The folk-pop duo The Story consisted of Jonatha Brooke and Jennifer Kimball, who first met each other in 1981 while freshmen at Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts...
) in the group Maybe Baby and was a founding member of the Vinal Avenue String Band with Sean Staples. - Jon Bistline co-founded and toured with the rock duo Chauncey until the group’s breakup in 2005. He has played with a variety of bands since.
- Kimon Kirk (original bassist) now lives in Los Angeles. He has performed with many musicians, including Aimee MannAimee MannAimee Mann is an American rock singer-songwriter, guitarist and bassist.-Early life:Aimee Mann grew up in Bon Air, Virginia, graduated from Open High School in 1978 and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out to sing with her first punk rock band, the Young Snakes...
.
Discography
- TableTop People Vol. 1. (2005) Hi-n-DryHi-n-DryHi-n-Dry is a Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA-based independent record label and recording studio. Founded by the late Morphine singer and bassist Mark Sandman, the studio and label are currently managed by former Morphine bandmates Dana Colley and Billy Conway along with Laurie Sargent and Andrew...
. A family-geared album. - TableTop People Vol. 2. (2005) Hi-N-Dry.
- The Void Trilogy. Session Americana was the studio band for French Artist, Bruno Green's Void Trilogy(2006) Hi-N-Dry.
- TableTop People Vol. 3: Beertown. (2007) Hi-N-Dry.
- When the River Meets the Sea. Rose Polenzani with Session Americana (2008), recorded in Summer 2006 at Hi-N-Dry Studio.
- Diving for Gold. (2009) produced by Paul Q. Kolderie
Awards/Nominations
- Winner "2005 Best Folk Act" - The Boston Music Awards
- Winner "Best Roots Act 2006" - Improper Bostonian "Best of Boston" Issue
- Winner "Best Album by a Local Artist" 2007 - Improper Bostonian
- Nominated "Best Roots Act" 2007 - WFNX/Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll
- Nominated "Best Live Act" 2007 - The Boston Music Awards
- Nominated "Best Americana Act" 2008 - The Boston Music Awards
External links
- http://www.sessionamericana.com
- http://www.myspace.com/thefunkywhitehonkies
- http://www.myspace.com/kimonkirk
- http://www.myspace.com/rycavanaugh
- http://www.myspace.com/resophonics
- http://www.myspace.com/billybeardmusic
- http://www.windjam.com/artists/coots/index.shtml