WHAT: Concert by Hope Hoffman and Jim Tolles: Bluegrass, Carter family, Appalachian folk, roots-based originals.
WHEN: [see event listing]
WHERE: [see event listing]
PRICE: [see event listing]
ONLINE: photos, directions, and audio and video samples: www.hopehoffman.org
INFO AT: www.hopehoffman.org, [see event listing for phone #]

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Hope Hoffman and Jim Tolles present roots-based originals and an array of songs and instrumentals from the rich heritage of country duets, the Carter family, bluegrass, and Appalachian folk music. Their concerts feature fiddle, banjo, guitar and singing ranging from high and lonesome to warm and tender. Their duo showcases a hearty and delightful range of songs -- from bluegrass classics (including those in the style of "brother duets"), to contemporary country and folk, plus fresh original songs with a strong traditional background. Hope and Jim also share their lively, detailed renditions of old Scotch-Irish fiddle melodies and new, original dance tunes.

A recent review in the Coastal Journal noted: "Both players are natural-born singers, and their harmonies are pleasing and playful, while remaining true to the music … a powerful performance … marked by front-porch informality and graced with superior musicianship." Tom Rota, managing director of Portland's performing arts venue One Longfellow Square, notes: "Hope and Jim sound like they have been riding the trail together for a long time. They bring an authentic and fun mix of original and traditional tunes in gorgeous harmony topped with sweet playing from two experienced pros." Hoffman and Tolles have garnered repeat performances and great reviews of their harmony singing at the Downeast Country Dance Festival and at Blue in Portland, in addition to Bowdoinham's waterfront concert series, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Brunswick's Artwalk and Frontier Café, and many private parties and events.

Jim Tolles' projects over the last 40 years as a full-time musician and music teacher have included performing and songwriting with Goose Creek Symphony, Breakfast Special, and Skyline, a band featuring banjoist Tony Trischka which pioneered the "newgrass" music of the 1980's with a blend of bluegrass and country styles. His songwriting brings a steady supply of new material to the duo, as well as covers of his songs already released on Capitol and Rounder records. Jim teaches singing and several instruments at his home near Bath.

Hope Hoffman has worked full-time as a freelance performer and teacher since 1999. With insightful and creative musicianship, Hoffman takes old tunes on enchanting, detailed adventures, and brings her original fiddle tunes to delighted audiences and dancers. Her live CD of original dance tunes, "Infinite Winter Squash," was described by Maine fiddler Greg Boardman as "inviting, warm, energized and straight ahead, with a bit of mischief thrown in." Hope Hoffman plays for contra dances, as well as solo fiddle for barn dances, and leads sessions for children's museums and festivals featuring fiddle music, creative movement and folk dance. She is also the director of the Free Grange Music Studio, which offers music lessons in various folk instruments, and teaches violin/fiddle for adults, and for children ages 3 and older, in the Rockland area.

Audio/video samples, biographies, upcoming shows and details are at www.hopehoffman.org

[Printable photos at 200-300 dpi are at www.hopehoffman.org/publicityphotos.htm]

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