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Rachel's Bands
Montage
Rachel Bell: accordion and flute
Jane Knoeck: piano and accordion
Tom Santarsiero: guitar, mandolin, banjo, foot percussion, jaw harp
An eclectic band from Western New York and Pennsylvania, Montage plays an innovative mix of European-based music, rooted in tradition and strongly influenced by modern styles. This trio weaves together everything from swing to Parisian café to rootsy Breton folk styles, as well as more traditional contra dance styles like Quebecois, Scottish, and English. Montage is in demand as a contra dance band and has played in California, Massachusetts, Maryland, West Virginia, Ontario, and beyond. Other focuses of the band include concerts and authentic music for French bourree and other European dance styles, in collaboration with dance instructor Werner Ceusters.
Tunescape
Rachel Bell: accordion
Tim Ball: fiddle
Jodi Austin: piano
Nadine Dyskant-Miller: flute
Peter Blue, percussion: nyckelharpa, button accordion
An innovative dance band from Western New York & Pennsylvania, Tunescape nudges the border between traditional music and modern groove. Inspired by the tunes of Quebec, Ireland, Sweden, France, New England, and Scotland, Tunescape creates an unmistakable sound of power and beauty. The band's infectious energy, driving rhythm, and wacky sense humor have delighted dance and concert halls throughout PA, NY, OH, ON, and New England since 2005. In July, 2010, Tunescape released their debut album, “Your Face,” produced by Andrew VanNorstrand and available on itunes, www.cdbaby.com/cd/tunescape and http://www.amazon.com.
Andrew & Noah VanNorstrand Band
Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand have been bringing their brand of high-energy contemporary acoustic music to concert halls, festival stages, living rooms and dance floors across North America for several years. Both are accomplished singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists; focusing on twin fiddles, acoustic and electric guitars, tenor guitar, mandolin and banjo. Their original music is an organic, rootsy blend of old-time Country, Bluegrass and Americana, Celtic and Appalachian fiddling, Alternative Folk-Rock and vintage Swing, dance tunes from New England to New Orleans and various world music influences. In the fall of 2009 they formed the Andrew & Noah Band with Rachel Bell on accordion, Kevin Dorsey on bass, Dana Billings on drums and Noah's wife Kailyn Wright singing harmony vocals. The recent addition of Chris Miller has added saxophone and dobro to the mix as well. The group has developed a uniquely engaging sound that features intricate arrangements, explosive improvisation and deep, irresistible dance grooves.
Happy Endings
Rachel Bell: accordion
Eileen Nicholson: fiddle
Jane Knoeck: piano
This occasional ensemble plays in the upstate/western NY region, bringing lilt, sparkle, and good humor to tunes from New England, Scotland, Quebec, Ireland, and England.
English Country Dance Bands
Frivolity: Tim Ball, fiddle; Jane Knoeck, piano; Rachel Bell, accordion
Persuasion: Rebecca McCallum, fiddle; Jane Knoeck, piano: Rachel Bell, accordion
Rachel enjoys playing for English Country Dances with these ensembles and others, drawing on her classical music background combined with her experience as a dance musician. She has been delighted (and a little surprised) over the last several years to discover that the accordion lends itself well to this type of music, alternating between creamy single reed melodies, rich horn-section-like textures, and chipper musette improvisations. Inspired by the mentorship of seasoned dance pianist Jane Knoeck, Rachel is on a quest to understand precisely how these delicious tunes serve their companion dances, striving to play in such a way that enriches the dance experience.
