The Crooked Jades, Frank Fairfield

Performing driving dance tunes and haunting ballads with an amazing array of vintage and eclectic instruments, The Crooked Jades are modern innovators in the old-time Americana world, creating a cinematic sound based on Americana roots infused with the diverse musical influences of Europe and Africa. On a mission to reinvent old world music, they bring their soulful performances (brilliantly surprising arrangements of obscure old tunes mixed with beautiful original compositions) to clubs, concert halls, and festivals around the United States and Europe. The exciting lineup for tonight’s show is Jeff Kazor (vocals, guitar, ukulele), Lisa Berman (vocals, Hawaiian slide, banjo, harmonium), and Erik Pearson (banjo, ukulele, harmonium) backed up by very special guests all five members of Portland’s Water Tower Bucket Boys.

Frank Fairfield may have an old folk sound, but he’s just 24, and he hails from California’s central valley — not Appalachia. He plays banjo and fiddle music, and has opened for acts such as Fleet Foxes. With his Brylcreem-parted hair and high-waisted pants, he brings an old-time aesthetic to his old-time music. On his self-titled first album, released last year, he plays the standards of the American folk repertoire — songs that have been played by many artists over generations. Fairfield says he thinks the banjo’s reputation has suffered as of late, but argues that it can be a sweet and warm instrument. He adds that playing American folk music was a natural place to start for him. “I’m just picking up where [music] left off and just keep playing and see what happens from there,” he says. Fairfield’s latest project is a compilation album, titled Unheard Ofs & Forgotten Abouts. It showcases the work of other artists he discovered in his personal collection of old 78s from around the globe. -npr.org