REVIEW: Hill & Hollow Music Series (Koehler & Kelly)
Fiddler Gretchen Koehler and pianist Daniel Kelly. Photo: Alicia Bodmer
Fiddler Gretchen Koehler & pianist Daniel Kelly. Photo: Alicia Bodmer
July 2015
Koehler & Kelly were invited to perform in the Hill and Hollow Music Series in Saranac, New York at the historic "Church in the Hollow." It was quite possibly the most humid/hot day of the summer. The full house sat fanning themselves in the pews while Daniel (dressed head to toe in black) played the gorgeous Steinway and I (pulling my hair into a bun as I introduced a tune) gave all I had to some high energy reels. Looking back on the photos/video, I can't help but smile to see how giggly we got in the heat. Regardless of the temperature, the audience called for an encore and we basked in the "warm" reception from the Hill and Hollow crowd. After the concert, we enjoyed visiting with the fabulous audience and were touched when we read this wonderful review written by Angela Brown, our gracious host. Thanks also to Alicia Bodmer for her great camera work.
“Gretchen Koehler is an elegant fiddler — her classical violin training shines through, yet her style is totally idiomatic. She performed in several distinct fiddling styles: Irish, New England, Bluegrass, Québec, Cape Breton, to name a few. Gretchen has found an improbable music partner in New York City-based jazz pianist Daniel Kelly. His accompaniments provide an unexpected sonic environment and nudge her outside the usual framework of traditional folk. A couple of times he launched into extended jazz improvisations. An excellent musical marriage, and a totally delightful concert!”
Fiddlers Gretchen Koehler, Ottawa Valley Step dancer Sylvain Koehler Foisy, pianist, Daniel Kelly. (Photo: Alicia Bodmer)
“We would be remiss if we did not mention who stole the show a couple times. Gretchen’s 13-year-old son Syl joined in with his own fiddle on “Devil’s Dream” and then jumped up altar-level for some spectacular step-dancing – bravo!”
Jazz pianist, Daniel Kelly. Photo: Alicia Bodmer
Fiddler Gretchen Koehler & pianist Daniel Kelly. Photo: Alicia Bodmer