Peterborough Folk Music presents Kenny White at Bass Hall on March 7 at 7:30 p.m.
White opened for Judy Collins and Stephen Stiles at the Colonial Theater two years ago and got a standing ovation. He often played at the Folkway and Peterborough Players with Jonathan Edwards and Cheryl Wheeler. After seeing White open for Stiles and Collins in Keene, White played at Deb’s House Concerts shortly afterwards; filled the room and had a wait list.
Astonished audiences often ask White after a live performance, “How come I’ve never heard of you?” when in fact, the pianist, singer/songwriter, producer and arranger has been very well known in the NYC recording scene for decades. He comes to the world of the touring singer-songwriter following a long and successful musical journey. “Long List of Priors”, his aptly named new album, is the latest collection of original songs: indelible snapshots of the human condition, from heart-wrenching to hilarious and observed with the precision of a diamond cutter.
As on his past recordings, White’s work in the studio enabled him to assemble a who’s who of musicians and guest artists, including David Crosby, Peter Wolf, Larry Campbell, Amy Helm and Catherine Russell, along with his regular band featuring the dexterous Duke Levine on guitar, shape-shifting Shawn Pelton (Saturday Night Live) on drums, and the masterful Marty Ballou on bass. Now add the horns, strings, and other surprising arrangements, and “Long List of Priors” is a refreshingly original and multi-layered singer-songwriter recording.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $23 at door (cash/checks only).