Grammy-nominated Ronn McFarlane & Ayreheart at Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival at Eastport United Methodist Church

Grammy-nominated lutenist Ronn McFarlane performs with Ayreheart in a free concert November 5 at 4 pm as part of the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival. The site is Eastport United Methodist Church.

“ A colorful collection of magnificently executed arrangements and interpretations”

~Metronome Magazine

For centuries, the lute was considered the “prince of instruments,” and lute players were celebrities in royal courts across Europe. Ayreheart, a progressive folk trio founded by GRAMMY nominated lutenist Ronn McFarlane, seeks to restore the instrument to its former glory – but in a modern context....

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Grammy-nominated lutenist Ronn McFarlane performs with Ayreheart in a free concert November 5 at 4 pm as part of the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival. The site is Eastport United Methodist Church.

“ A colorful collection of magnificently executed arrangements and interpretations”

~Metronome Magazine

For centuries, the lute was considered the “prince of instruments,” and lute players were celebrities in royal courts across Europe. Ayreheart, a progressive folk trio founded by GRAMMY nominated lutenist Ronn McFarlane, seeks to restore the instrument to its former glory – but in a modern context.

During the Renaissance and Baroque eras, lute players were songwriters and pop stars who weren’t afraid to improvise. The three members of Ayreheart – McFarlane on lute, Will Morris on fretless bass, violin and colascione, and Mattias Rucht on percussion – all have backgrounds in rock and jazz, which comes through in their energetic performances of original music and traditional music from the British Isles. The trio welcomes vocalist and instrumentalist Heather Aubrey Lloyd to join them for this unique festival concert.

Highlights include "Nottamun Town" composed in Medieval times. The melody was borrowed by Bob Dylan song "Masters of War." Ancient traditional Scottish ballad "Twa Corbies" will also be performed, with lyrics sung in early middle Scots dialect (truly a "Roots performance.) Listeners will likely recognize "John Barleycorn" from the 16th century. Popularized by Steve Winwood and his band Traffic, the tune was included on their 1970 release John Barleycorn Must Die. McFarlane will also share his 2011 Celtic-inspired "Grandaddy Jig" written for lute, violin and percussion.

With Ayreheart, McFarlane is reinventing the lute, giving the instrument its own renaissance, and bringing it to contemporary audiences with eclectic tastes.

Annapolis Jazz & Roots is delighted to offer this free performance to the public. Please register to reserve your seat and consider making a donation of $20 or more to help fund this and other free events offered over two weekends from November 3-12 and at other times during the year. Thank you.

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