In-Person: Ridgefield Folk Series, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem

This is the second performance in the Ridgefield Library's Ridgefield Folk Series. This month's guest is Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem. This concert will take place on Sunday afternoon, October 30th from 2:00 -3:30 pm. Doors open at 1:30. (Photo: Julian Parker-Burns). The Ridgefield Folk Concert Series is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.

Rani Arbo (fiddle) grew up a cellist and chorister in New York City, where she had the opportunity to learn centuries of sacred music, from Hildegarde to Poulenc to Paul Winter. After studying geology in college, she took up fiddle and fell for the rootsy sounds of old-time, Cajun, honkytonk and bluegrass music. She co-founded the bluegrass-folk band Salamander Crossing in 1991; and founded daisy mayhem in 2000.  To the stage, she brings a warm, inviting alto and swampy fiddle style. She has toured and recorded with Joan Baez, John McCutcheon and many others. She lives in Middletown, CT with drummer Scott Kessel and their young son.

Harmony, rhythm, indelible songs – these are the hallmarks of Americana quartet Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, a band that’s been together for 20 years and counting! From the Newport Folk Festival to Solid Sound and beyond, this band offers up wit, camaraderie, and pure musicality to renew the human spirit. Their sound is “tight, with stylish, unexpected choices” (Acoustic Guitar), a mix of New Orleans grooves, old-time gospel harmonies, bluesy swing fiddle, fiery electric and acoustic guitar, and junk percussion. Their signature lockstep harmonies can shake the rafters or hush the room, and their incisive originals, wild card covers and traditional tunes plumb the human condition with an infectious joie de vivre. “Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem dig deep into their collective souls, finding joy in the moment, peace in the harmonies, and rapture in the rhythmic drive”  (The Hartford Courant)