Meet at the Crossroads for a little bit of change
BY JAMES D. WATTS JR. World Scene Writer
Thursday, July 01, 2010
7/01/10 at 6:38 AM
The trio of women who will perform Thursday night at the Tulsa PAC plan to start at the crossroads, but where they will end up is anyone's guess.
When harpist Dana Maher, flutist Melissa Schiavone and original fiddler Julia Harris first started playing music together, they dubbed themselves Crossroads.
However, after two years of performing, and the addition of new member Abby Bozarth, the group has decided that a change of name is needed.
"For one thing, we wanted a name that was a little more distinctive," Maher said. "We also wanted a name that we thought better reflected who we were and what we were trying to do with the music we play."
Exactly what that name will be, Maher did not wish to share.
"That's one of the purposes of this concert," she said. "We hope to take the audience on this little journey, from where we started as Crossroads to what we plan to be from now on."
The group — by any name — began in December 2008 and made its concert debut as the opening act of last year's Summerstage (a show that quickly sold out).
Since then, the trio has performed as part of OK Mozart, the North Texas Irish Festival and released its first CD, "The Upstairs Sessions."
Harris left the group in September 2009, and Maher said there was some concern that the group would not continue.
"Melissa and I have been performing as a duo for a long time, but the trio format really opened up a lot of musical possibilities that we didn't want to lose. But then, about the time that Julia left, I happened to meet Abby, who performs as part of a group at the church I attend.
"We had a concert already set (at the University of Tulsa), and we asked Abby to join us for that. But just a few weeks into rehearsing, we realized we all were having so much fun that we started thinking that this might be good for the long term."
In addition to the fiddle, Bozarth also plays guitar and mandolin.
"And she sings," Maher said, "so we'll be doing more songs, and can do some three-part harmonies."
As for the musical direction, Maher said the group will always be a "Celtic music" ensemble.
"That's what we're passionate about. But, at the same time, none of us were born in Ireland or Scotland — we're all Oklahoma girls.
"So the music that we're doing is still very much informed by, and respectful of, traditional Celtic music, but we're also bringing in other influences, things that reflect who we are, as well."
CROSSROADS
When: 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Where: Norman Theatre,
Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second
St.
Tickets: $15. 596-7111,
tulsaworld.com/mytix.
James D. Watts Jr. 581-8478
james.watts@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
In the middle of a Crossroads: (left) Melissa Schiavone, Dana Maher and Abby Bozarth. Courtesy
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