Jil Chambless and Scooter Muse have a deep-seated affinity for the music of Scotland and Ireland. It is rooted in the rhythms and lyrics that pass down tales of an olden world steeped in legend and lore. And of a new world forged by immigrants and adventurers.
The duo brings some of those musical tales to the Golden Triangle Friday, Feb. 7, in a show at the Omnova Theatre at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center in downtown Columbus. Amy Burton of Starkville will perform an introductory interpretative dance.
The event ties in to the arts council’s season theme, “Coming to America.”
“All cultures have something artistic to offer,” said CAC Program Manager Beverly Norris, coordinator of the evening. “Scottish and Irish immigration was so prevalant in America, and so many of those who came to our shores brought their songs and music with them.”
The theme, she continued, is a way to explore the cultures we come from.
“There are people we’re working with or going to school with every day that are from all corners of the earth. This is a way we can come to know those cultures better, to maybe look at them in a different way.”
The artists
Chambless, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Muse, from Florence, Ala., may be best recognized as integral members of Henri’s Notions, the Alabama-based Celtic and American music band known for finger-picked ballads and hard-driving jigs. The Notions have appeared as opening act for folk icons including Bob Dylan, Richie Havens and The Kingston Trio, and for top Celtic acts like the Tannahill Weavers, Paddy O’Brian and others. They perform year-round for concerts, festivals and special events.
Dispatch readers may have seen them on the “Dugger Mountain Music Hall” TV broadcasts. One of their shows is set to air on Alabama Public Broadcasting Feb. 4.
Chambless and Muse also perform and record together and in other configurations and bands. Their latest CD as a duo, “Passing Tales and Glories,” is due out in March. They have both been invited performers to the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival in Scotland.
Chambless’ ancestors’ roots trace back to Scotland, Ireland, England, France and Germany. But it’s the songs themselves that inspire her. “I fell in love with the music when I started playing with Henri’s Notions back in 1989,” she said.
For the Columbus show, the duo’s repertoire will include musical stories of coming to America and introduce tracks from the new album as well. A selection of CDs will be available for purchase.
How to go
Tickets are $10 in advance (until 5 p.m. Feb. 7) at the arts center, or $12 at the door, if available. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787. Learn more about Chambless and Muse at the websites below, or follow them on Facebook. Performance videos are posted on YouTube.
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Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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