Music by al

I've been playing music semi-professionally (i.e., making money but not giving up my day job) since the late 20th century. Aside from high school & college theory courses and two years of sitar lessons, I am primarily self-taught. I lead Musica Universalis, an acoustic (primarily European medieval/baroque) ensemble, and I currently play with Wild Rose (a contra dance band) and (as principal clarinetist) the Cornell University Klezmer Ensemble. Following are a smattering of samples spanning the range of projects I've been involved with these latter years.

Wild Rose

• Juliann Johnson/Growling Old Man & Grumbling Old Woman Contra dance medley from our 4 Dec 2004 performance at Madison Hall in Morrisville, NY
  Beth Hogan (guitar), David Kaynor (calling & fiddle), allen (pennywhistle), Tom Quigley (keys), Amy Shapiro (fiddle)
• West End/Tamlin another contra dance medley from our performance at Madison Hall
  Beth Hogan (guitar), David Kaynor (calling & fiddle), allen (pennywhistle), Tom Quigley (keys), Amy Shapiro (fiddle)
• Doina/Papirosn Klezmer music from our Oneg Shabat/Hannukah celebration 10 Dec 2004 at Temple Concord in Binghamton, NY
  Beth Hogan (guitar & tambourine), allen (clarinet), Tom Quigley (keys), Amy Shapiro (fiddle)
• Frailach #3 Another klezmer tune from our celebration at Temple Concord
  Beth Hogan (guitar & tambourine), allen (clarinet), Tom Quigley (keys), Amy Shapiro (fiddle)

Cornell University Klezmer Ensemble

• Video! Dem Trisker Rebns Khosid from 18 Nov 2007 concert at Johnson Art Museum, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  Thanks to Marie for filmography!
• Bukarester Bulgar from 30 March 2008 concert at Barnes Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

The Bardos

• El Cuarto de Tula Traditional Cuban piece performed 30 Jul 2004 at Curley's Coffeehouse in Johnson City, NY
  Jim Brewster (flute), Steve Strauss (mandolin), allen (guitar), Billy Thorpe (spoons), Max Kestel (percussion), Barefoot Bob (?)
• Scarborough Fair Steve Strauss' tweaking of a traditional tune performed 13 Jan 2001 at Cerridwan's Coffeehouse in Maryland
  Jim Brewster (mandolin), Steve Strauss (guitar), Billy Thorpe (bouzouki), Diana McFadden (cello), allen (pennywhistle), Max Kestel (percussion), Abe Street (percussion), Thunder (djembe)
• Tourdion, Dude Another tweaking, of a traditional medieval tune, from a practice session on 2 Dec 2000
  allen (Turkish saz), Jim Brewster (mandolin ?), et al
• War Hent Kerrigouarch More medieval music, from our Cerridwan's gig on 13 Jan 2001
  Jim Brewster (mandolin), Steve Strauss (guitar), Billy Thorpe (bouzouki), Diana McFadden (cello), allen (pennywhistle), Max Kestel (percussion), Abe Street (percussion), Thunder (djembe)

Bardicci Consort (all excerpts from traditional medieval dances)

• Video! Bransle D'Écosse {Scottish Bransle} from 4 Feb 2007 performance at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Binghamton, NY
• Maltese Bransle / Nonesuch
• Black Nag