Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Family Band in Concert

For many of us in Ithaca, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason were favorites long before their work on Ken Burns' The Civil War PBS series captured America's attention and won them international fame.

Hailing from only a few hours east of here, Jay and Molly have set the mark for playing traditional music. Without being flashy, or fast just to be fast, they comfortably let you know they are the best around. Perhaps the fact that Jay is without peer in composing fiddle tunes helps. Ashokan Farewell is well known for its haunting beauty, but that is only one side of Jay as master of the fiddle tune.

Jay's fiddling is world renowned, and Molly, no slouch on guitar and bass, also adds an alto voice that is supple and soothing. Jay and Molly will not only fill the hall with delightful tunes and ballads, but their engaging passion will both warm your heart and make you want to dance in your seat. The range of their style is also amazing, and in one evening you will likely hear anything from swing and Appalachian to zydeco and Baltic. As the dozens of local dancers who attend their Fiddle & Dance Workshops at Ashokan each summer will attest, Jay and Molly bring with them an infectious spirit that makes any time spent with them one of joy.

These days Jay and Molly usually play as the Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band, a superb and lively group of instrumentalists that complement Jay and Molly well.

It has been years since Jay and Molly have come to town. Their September 29th concert will be a long overdue treat.

(John Henderson)

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Author:	Ted Crane
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