Jennifer Mylod – She’s haunted by a passion to write, and finds her inspiration in her surroundings. Her expressive and vibrant writing style creates colorful images which entwine her lyrics in a rich brocade of acoustic melodies that she creates for her original tunes. Her representation of love, life, nature, and family, pulse like a vein, beating with life, as it runs throughout her music – like her passion for life
In Shadow of a Crow - (which is also the title track for her next CD) Jennifer writes from the perspective of a solitary crow. The words tell of how the crow toils through the seasons, scraping by, as we all do sometimes. In her song, Jennifer speaks to the crow, as she would to her very own soul, and through her lyrics, depicts the changes in it’s world, while keeping a devotion to the driving need of survival. Jennifer brings this tune to life with the hypnotic - 12 string guitar rhythm and is accompanied by Philip on the Native American Flute.
Jennifer plays the Taylor 12 string.... she has an 855 and a 355... for a review of her music - visit http://www.taylorguitars.com/artists/awp/indies/mylod.html
For a link to the Taylor Guitar website... click here to see... and drool over their great stuff!
Jennifer also loves to teach… both Mt. Dulcimer and Irish fiddle lessons and workshops. She enjoys students of all ages, and all levels. She teaches primarily the way it’s been taught for hundreds of years… by ear, but she does eek in bits of theory and information that creeps into the brain… (but she does it in a fun way... which doesn't seem like learning... cause it's just fun learning how to play the tunes!)
She presents tunes in small phrases, until the student grasps it, building the tune until the entire tune is learned. Then adds the embellishments when the basic tune is learned… and encourages students to learn how to make the tune “their own”.
She currently has a few times available in her lesson schedule… and is available for festival workshops as well. Interested? Want feed back from her festivals and students? Just send Jennifer an email – or go to the contact information link on the home page… for contact information!
Philip Mylod : The heartbeat of the band, portrayed through his sensitive and compelling Irish whistle, flute and Bodhran.
Philip's real passion however, is the Uilleann pipes. He has always loved listening to old Planxty recordings, and the piping of Liam O'Flynn - which moved him to the core of his being. After hearing Jerry O'Sullivan live in concert, Philip became determined to attain his dream of mastering the Uilleann pipes - the most difficult instrument to learn-keeping in mind, it's the journey - not the destination!
Philip plays a Dave Williams full set of pipes, with a chanter made by Martin Preshaw. He has studied under David Power, of Waterford, Ireland. Philip’s Bodhrans are made by Mance Grady, Rhode Island. Whistles made by John Sindt, New York.
It's been a soulful journey for Philip, where mastery is always the goal. The frustration is countenanced with musical moments of joyous celebration of tonal harmony - which no other instrument can muster. Philip's favorite teacher and fiddler, however, is his wife, Jennifer. Together they join their love for each other- and their music - resulting in a highlight of passion that few musicians can achieve.
John Wilson - Rhythmic, 12 string guitar is John's particular forte - though he has been branching out to mandolin and bouzouki as well. John plays in a DADGAD tuning that allows him to deftly emulate instruments such as the bagpipes, the harp or the dulcimer.
John has been playing guitar ever since he was a child. Inspired by the early sounds of pop singer- John Denver, he now finds that his tastes are much more developed and diverse. Strongly influenced - not only by his own Scottish heritage, but by musicians such as Phil Keaggy, Michael Hedges and Pierre Bensusan, John's taken his schooling. Yet it was through the influences of Al Petteway, that led John to fall in love with the DADGAD tunings and it's unreserved and expressive tonal possibilities. Experimentation as well as his own adaptations within the music has given John the unique sound and playing style which shines so brilliantly.
John is currently collaborating with Jennifer - composing and arranging both original and traditional Irish music. His guitar technique adds a wonderful sense of depth, joy, light and expression to their music.
Bob Higgins – Bob is a wonderful rhythem guitarist! He can rock a traditional tune with his great sense of timing, rhythm and style.
Playing in a drop D – standard- yet semi –DADGAD tuning – (Jennifer calls it E-gad's tuning, because we really don’t get WHAT he does – or how he does it - but he does it well!) Bob’s a great backer and we love it when he can play with us! He takes every new and crazy song that Jennifer throws his way - in stride... even at the last minute, and does this with ease and confidence. (He's cool under pressure!) He also whips it up on the mandolin, and octave mando – for a nice diversity of solid backing... Even heard him on harmonica and whistle a few times… Bob's a great guy!
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