Golden Link and Sampler Records Present
with the Striking Strings Ensemble
Saturday, May 1st, 7:30 pm
Rochester Christian Reformed Church, 2750 Atlantic Avenue, Penfield
$18 ($15 for Golden Link members; $10 for students; 12 years and under free)
There is plenty of space still available for this concert; you can pay at the door (cash or check). Gate opens at 6:45 p.m. We hope to see you there!
As a member of the trios Helicon (with Chris Norman and Robin Bullock) and Greenfire (with Laura Risk) and in solo appearances, Ken has toured extensively, performing at performing arts centers and major festivals in nearly every state in the continental US as well as Canada and Europe. Ken has been featured in nationally broadcast concerts on NPR, German National Radio, the Thistle and the Shamrock, the CBC, and on the Voice of America as well as countless television and radio broadcasts around the U.S. Ken was the first American to be featured at the International Hackbrett Festival in Germany. His 1999 appearance as the featured soloist with a combined chorus (The Baltimore Choral Arts) and chamber orchestra from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra was broadcast in an Emmy- nominated CBS-TV Christmas special.
Widely known for his expressive and improvisational style, Ken is highly sought after as a teacher of the dulcimer having taught at countless festivals and music camps throughout the U.S. including The Swannanoa Gathering (nine years), Common Ground, the John Campbell Folk School (four years), the Augusta Heritage Festival, the Summer Solstice Festival, Meadowlark (four years) and numerous others.
Among Ken’s eight recordings, Ken’s first solo release of Celtic music in 1997, Walking Stones, hit the top of the World Music charts and was a top seller for BMG in their Classical/World Music category. Ken’s 1999 recording A Winter Solstice with Helicon was the first release for Dorian Recordings (out of over 300 titles) to win a coveted “Indie” (akin to a Grammy for thousands of Independent labels) for Best Seasonal Recording.
Rated as the most influential and popular hammered dulcimer player in a survey of players for a master’s thesis on the hammered dulcimer. Wesleyan University, CT, 2005.
“...one of today’s most accomplished, musical hammered dulcimer artists...A hammered dulcimer player of great taste and sophistication,” Elderly
"...nothing short of astonishing" The Connection
“...without a doubt, Ken Kolodner is one of the hammered dulcimer’s top exponents, playing with a dexterity
which would stun many a would-be hammerer.” Folk Tales Magazine“...virtuosic” Audio “...stunning musicality” Dulcimer Player News
“...Outstanding...soulfully beautiful.” NY Times
“...a fiddle and hammered dulcimer virtuoso...just the right amount of fire...totally delightful...” Sing Out, March 2005
“...A marvelous collection...delightful...” The Washington Post
“...joyous...reminiscent of Joe Venuti's work... [Journey to the Heartland] makes for a CD that you can live with all day.” Celtic Beat
“He’s a master at finding what Alasdair Fraser appropriately calls the “rhythmic underbelly” of a tune.” Potomac Valley Fiddle Club Newsletter
“When Ken Kolodner plays the hammered dulcimer, something special happens; he makes it sing...inspiring...a tremendous musician...a tremendous album [Journey to the Heartland]...” Irish Edition, March, 2005.
“...stirring...evocative...” TheWashington Post, April, 2005.
"{Journey to the Heartland}...sparkling versions ...The love and respect for the music chosen comes through clearly." Dirty Linen, June/July 2005
“This is just about all anybody could ask for in an instrumental recording. The tunes are all great...Ken’s playing positively sizzles ...delightful...wonderful...Typically, Ken makes great use of syncopation...The up-tempo rhythms are really infectious...” Dulcimer Player News, 2005.
Striking Strings Ensemble:
An enthusiastic group of local hammered dulcimer musicians, organized and led by Mitzie Collins.
