Join Eric McDonald (Cantrip, Daymark) and Alex Cumming (The Teacups and current Music Director for UUCM) for a fun cozy evening of some of their favorite songs from across the UK, USA and beyond in the beautiful Sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford.
Expect soaring melodies, big choruses, beautiful ballads and foot-stomping tunes There will also be an exciting raffle to raise funds for the church! There is some parking available. Please enter from the front door.
Doors: 6.30pm. Concert: 7pm
Tickets: $15 available on the door or from ericalexmedford.brownpaper
Video of Eric and Alex in action: https://youtu.be/
www.ericmcdonaldmusic.com / www.alexcummingmusic.com
Let people know you’re going on Facebook.
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Eric McDonald has been a professional performer and instructor of traditional and acoustic music for a decade. The early part of his career was spent cutting his teeth as a mandolinist in the rich local folk and roots music scene in Boston MA. Most of his time was given to Passim, a non-profit arts organization in Cambridge with an enriching and formative community surrounding it. Later Eric attended Berklee College of Music where he studied under world-renowned mandolinist & guitarist John McGann, as well as gaining a practical knowledge of music in many styles. His education continued post-Berklee and he soon found a gateway into the realm of traditional music through playing for contra dances, a native form of New England folk dance derived primarily from a combination of English, Scottish, Irish and Acadian traditions.
Following the path set before him, Eric’s quick ear and tasteful approach drew the interest of many around him and he found himself quickly in demand as a DADGAD guitar accompanist for musicians playing traditional music, finding a particular niche in the Scottish & Cape Breton realm. Inspired by the players around him, Eric dug deeper into the genre and developed a sincere appreciation for the music of the Celtic folk revival in England, Ireland, and Scotland during the 1960s and 70s. In 2014 Eric re-located to Portland, ME and began a new chapter. Now well established he maintains an active touring schedule, supplemented by recording sessions and a variety of teaching endeavors.
In addition to Eric’s current projects, some of his touring credits include Celtic supergroup The Outside Track, a hodge-podge folk band. The Dave Rowe Trio, up and coming Scottish fiddler Katie McNally, New England contra dance band Matching Orange, folk-pop outfit Pesky J. Nixon and renowned Cape Breton fiddlers Andrea Beaton & Wendy MacIsaac.
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Alex Cumming is a traditional singer, accordionist, Pianist and dance caller hailing from Somerset, England, now living in Greater Boston, MA, USA. He performs songs and tunes from around the United Kingdom and America with a great depth of knowledge of the tradition. Alex has made his mark on the folk scene with his rhythmic dance-able accordion style, strong voice and his fun and engaging stage presence.
Along with solo performances and calling work, Alex is a member of award-winning a Capella quartet The Teacups (UK), Critically acclaimed Fiddle and Accordion duo Alex Cumming & Nicola Beazley and Ceilidh band Dyer:Cumming’s (UK). Alex also regularly performs and records with Fatea Female Vocalist of the Year winner, Ange Hardy (UK) and BBC Young Folk Award winner James Findlay (UK). You may also see Alex out on stage with Contra dance bands Reelation (USA), Mystic River Trio (USA), Whirlwind (USA) and Four Idiots (UK).
In addition to performing live, Alex has starred in prime time TV shows including BBCs Edwardian Farm and played live sessions for BBC Radio. In 2014, Alex obtained a BMus Hons. in Folk & Traditional Music from Newcastle University, the only degree program of its type in England.
Alex is currently on the Board of Directors at the Folk Arts Center of New England and is Interim Music Director at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford, MA.