FREEPORT – April Verch is known for her pure voice, energy, world-class fiddle playing and the depth of her repertoire, which ranges from bluegrass to Brazilian to Celtic, from a jaunty Canadian folk song to a poignant contemporary ballad.
Also a champion Ottawa Valley stepdancer and an acclaimed composer, she will bring her blend of folk, jazz, bluegrass and roots music to Discovery Park Saturday, June 14, to kick off L.L. Bean’s Summer Concert Series 2008.
Besides Verch, the April Verch Band features world-class musicians Marc Bru on percussion, Lincoln Meyers on guitar and Cody Walters on upright-electric bass. The April Verch Band tours tirelessly across Canada, the United States, the U.K. and Europe. They have won over audiences not only with sheer virtuosity on their respective instruments, but also with charm, humor and boundless energy on stage.
It was Verch’s time spent studying music at Berklee College of Music in Boston that first lead her to blend different types of traditional music to form her own distinct sound. She launched her professional career by winning the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion and the Canadian Open Fiddle Champion titles – the first and only woman to win both.
Besides her vigorous touring schedule, she teaches workshops, master classes and music camps. She has released seven recordings to date. Her 2001 Rounder Records release earned a JUNO nomination, the Canadian equivalent to a Grammy, for Best Roots/Traditional Album.
The outdoor concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the park on Morse Street. Bring your lawn chairs. Admission is free.
L.L. Bean’s Summer Concert Series 2008:
Saturday, June 14
April Verch
Canadian fiddle
Saturday, June 21
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Swing
Saturday, June 28
Martin Sexton
Contemporary folk
Friday, July 4
Toby Lightman
Contemporary pop
Saturday, July 5
Daryl Hall
Pop
Saturday, July 12
Kathy Mattea
Acoustic country
Saturday, July 19
Portland Symphony Orchestra
Classical
Saturday, July 26
Buddy Holly’s Original Crickets
1950s rock ‘n’ roll
Saturday, Aug. 2
Brandi Carlile with guest Jason Spooner
Contemporary folk
Saturday, Aug. 9
Richie Havens
Folk
Saturday, Aug. 16
The Jerry Douglas Band
Contemporary bluegeass
Saturday, Aug. 23
John Hiatt and the Ageless Beauties
Contemporary folk
Saturday, Aug. 30
Lonestar
Pop country
Sunday, Aug. 31
Keb’ Mo’
Pop blues
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.