IndieGoGo campaign for “The Infinite Dark” with Jane Yolen
The Infinite Dark CD release concert 10/12/18 at Smith College
Some things are just meant to be. When Lui Collins, Donna Hébert, and Max Cohen blended their voices for “The Infinite Dark” performance project (links to project crowdfunding campaign) with renowned poet Jane Yolen, the 3 Ravens trio was born. While telling stories that draw from life and fantasy, 3 Ravens guide you on vocal and instrumental journeys that often end with the audience singing along to beloved standards. Wanda Adams Fischer of WAMC-FM’s Hudson Valley Sampler called their music “Just gorgeous!”
In 2017, the trio played for Monadnock Folklore Society, Pioneer Valley Co-housing concerts, Old Songs Concerts, Music on Centre in West Roxbury MA, and Saturday Night in Marblehead MA. In 2018, they play for the Walkover Gallery in Bristol VT, The Chocolate Church in Bath ME, NH Audubon in Concord, Tompkins Cultural Center in NY, the Sea Music Festival in Mystic CT, and the Old Songs Festival.
“A magical, buoyant evening of delicious harmonies, thrilling fiddling, songs from the Celtic traditions and from each performer’s repertoires, accentuated by the elegant poetry of Jane Yolen. Something for everyone in a delightful package.” Carol Allen, Music on Centre, W. Roxbury, MA (10/17)
“Such lovely vocal harmonies, fiddle, guitar, clarinet, ukulele, and banjo. I asked them on the spot to do a main stage set at the 2018 Old Songs Festival.” Andy Spence, Director (10/17)
“The 3 Ravens played flawlessly at Tompkins Corners Cultural Center last night. Soaring vocal harmonies, great songs and driving tunes delivered with warmth and camaraderie. We just hated for the evening to end but the music continued to ring in our ears as we drove home.” Harry Bolick, fiddler, author, Mississippi Fiddling (4/18)
“I went to the concert to support Audubon even though I didn’t know 3 Ravens, as all the concerts have been high quality, but this one takes the cake. They were amazing in all aspects. Their rapport, affection, and respect for each other was evident. They related easily and comfortably with the crowd and it felt like we were in their living room by the end. The musicianship was astounding and the fact that they wrote much of it themselves was impressive. At one point, I was sure Donna would fall off her chair – she was so energetic with her fiddle! And this says nothing about their really beautiful and expressive voices and how they arranged their parts, sharing leads and blending so artfully. I hope to hear them many more times; they are highly gifted and FUN!” Ginny L, Canterbury NH (4/18)
Lui Collins earned international acclaim for her Philo and Green Linnet recordings and her intimate concerts. These days, along with creating playful 4-string arrangements of some favorite original songs, Lui has been exploring the fabulous jazz chords in old American standards and bossa nova on tenor ukulele. “Incomparable.” – Sing Out! Magazine.
Donna Hébert is a cultural treasure, a Franco-American fiddler and composer three-times documented in Smithsonian collections. Recognized in 2009 for “outstanding artistic achievement” by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Donna also teaches fiddle and performance at Smith and Amherst Colleges. Donna founded and directs yearly participatory children’s performances at Old Songs and Philadelphia Folk Festivals.
Max Cohen’s natural humility hides an amazing talent. An accomplished guitarist, Max balances tremendous sensitivity with driving rhythmic power. His partnership with poet Jane Yolen, Lui, and Donna, particularly showcases his guitar as he weaves poems and tunes together seamlessly. Yolen has full confidence in him: “We are in the best of hands with Max.”
Jane Yolen, internationally-acclaimed writer and award-winning author, often called “The Hans Christian Andersen of America,” celebrated the publication of her 365th book on March 6, 2018. Of course–as she herself points out–winning awards can be hazardous. One of her awards set her good coat on fire. Luckily she wasn’t in it at the time.
Shows offered include afternoon and evening concerts, teaching sessions for fiddle, guitar, banjo & ukulele, as well as voice production and vocal harmony workshops. Some shows also feature Jane Yolen reciting her poems. As a quartet, they also perform their show, “The Infinite Dark,” based on Jane’s poetry.
LISTENING ROOM
BOOKING – [email protected],
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Audio from The Infinite Dark with Jane Yolen • Facebook
Hi-resolution hoto below • Stage requirements on request