Hazel Hill String Band

Bio:

Where is Hazel Hill?

The place from back when times were simple, Hazel Hill might be just up the road from anyplace you are right now.

....Just over two years ago, the Hazel Hill String Band, together with Howard Felson, prime mover of the Jerusalem Contra Dance Society, and Caller, Cyrelle Forman-Soffer, initiated the first ever (that we know of) monthly series of contra dances in Jerusalem. We all had a blast. Unbelievable, crazy fun. The word spread quickly, and the contra dances are now in full swing, literally! We now have dancers waiting at the doors to get in. Rarin' to go. Begging for more. And it all happens on ... Hazel Hill!

The latest Hazel Hill String Band CD, BEHIND THE TIMES, is now out! And it is VERY cool. Mostly dance tunes, but Ruti also sings some songs, and there is one original song by Joshua. All in all, very relaxed and exciting music from up on the Hill.

Send us a message (and $15.) and we will send you a DISK. Just in time for Christmas. Or your birthday. Or whatever you are celebrating right now. GOOD MUSIC goes together with GOOD TIMES! ..

Quotes from Important People about Behind the Times...

From Doug Thompson, maker of the banjo-mer (www.banjomer.com)

Got the CD today. WOW, some great songs and music. Your band is so professional! You have such a great selection of songs on the CD. I truly like 900 miles, and Cherokee Shuffle is great with the dulcimer at lead!

Sandy Cash (www.sandycash.com)

Hazel Hill's new disc, "Behind the Times" is a total delight. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy (my son takes violin lessons from that classical-violinist-turned-fiddler, Judy Montel).

The disc has all the "chen" of a live performance, is well balanced and professional, and is just a joy (especially for automotive listening, IMO, but that's where I do most of my listening these days).

I would also like to commend them on their beautiful graphic design, which I assume is the work of that star of stage and screen (well, computer screen, anyway), Josh Goodman. ... the eco-friendly folder is color-splashed, stylish, and really inviting to read.

So nice to see good friends do good. (Guess that's a disclaimer. But buy it anyway)

- Sandy
Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist Showcase, 2007
"...the power and broad interpretive style of a Bette Midler or Barbra Streisand... Sandy Cash has a very special gift, that more than a singer, she is an excellent storyteller." - Soundbytes Reviews, Canada
www.sandycash.com
.... ..

.. The Hazel Hill String Band is:

.. Ruti Yonah on Whistles, Guitar, Vocals
Judi Ganchrow on Mountain Dulcimer
Judy Montel on Fiddle
Joshua Goodman on Guitar, Vocals
Gayla Goodman on Folk Harp
John Worley on Guitar, Mandolin, Acoustic Bass Guitar, Vocals
Tammy Worley on Acoustic Bass Guitar

Joining us as caller/instructor for dances is Jerusalem's Very Own:
Cyrelle Forman-Soffer. Cyrelle has a knack for teaching the rank beginner right along with the most experienced of dancers. And she makes it look so easy!

Other Members as suits the moment. Even YOU are welcome to bring your axe and sit in. The only requirement is respect and love of a good tune.

Member Since:

September 24, 2007

Members:

Judy Montel.
Day Job: What's a Day Job?
Instruments: In addition to Fiddle, Judy plays Classical Violin, is a champion whistler, and used to sing bass in a Sweet Adelines group. And she plays harmonica

Ruti Yonah.
Day Job: Entomologist (honest)
Instruments: All kinds of Baroque Recorders, piano, tin whistle, penny whistle, nickel whistle, dime whistle, clarinet, Baroque Kazoo, guitar, krumhorn, particularly the bass krumhorn, and harmonica

Joshua Goodman.
Day Job: Graphic Designer for small High Tech company (some say a high small-tech company) as well as a practicing Artist (Intaglio printmaking and a bit of painting). See more at jjamdesign.wordpress.com
Instruments: Guitar, Upright Bass, Hammered Dulcimer, Left-handed Appalachian Mountain Lap Dulcimer and harmonica

Gayla Goodman.
Day Job: Technical Communicator/writer/website developer. See more at gjg.wordpress.com
Night Job: Doula (are babies EVER born during the day time?)
Instruments: Harp, piano and harmonica

John Worley.
Day Job: Tour Organizer
Instruments: In addition to the Acoustic Bass Guitar (it's a Guild) John plays Guitar and is a recovering Rock and Roller (currently in remission, but with occasional flare-ups). And he plays harmonica.

Tammy Worley.
Day Job: Assistant Tour Organizer
Instruments: Acoustic Bass Guitar and, of course, harmonica

JudiRuth Ganchrow.
Day Job: Retired Neuroscientist at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Instruments: In addition to a fine lap dulcimer and banjomer, Judi also plays penny whistle, guitar, saj, piano, kazoo and harmonica.

Cyrelle Forman-Soffer
Day Job: Librarian, Bezalel Academy of Art
Instruments: Voice! Caller. She also plays guitar, dulcimer, piano, recorder, accordian, and harmonica?

Influences:

..Ruti

Tom Paxton. Isaac Stern. The Brothers Four. Glen Gould. Priscilla Herdman. Gillaume Dufay. Bill Steele. Les Menestriers. Benny Goodman. Tom Lehrer. John Hsu. Kermit the Frog. The Hazel Hill String Band. The Hoffman Family Cartrip Quartet.


..Judi

Everyone I ever play with influences or inspires me in some way. And then there are cd's, tapes and records I've played with and learned from. I'd guess my list would run close to 100 or maybe 1000 and then I'd be leaving someone out.
For the dulcimer, Connie Allen is at the top of my list for mentor and musical role model.


..Judy M.

Here they are in alphabetical order:

.. ABBA, Joan Armatrading, J.S. Bach, L. v. Beethoven, Bernstein's "Candide", Johannes Brahms, Franz Josef Haydn, "Hee Haw", David Hoose, The Judds, Katrina and the Waves, James Last, Makem and Clancy, Mati Kaspi, Felix Mendelssohn, Mom and Dad (mine!!), W.A. Mozart, "Once Upon a Mattress", Naomi Shemer, Oscar Shumsky, The Swingle Singers, Lawrence Welk and one non-musical: Laura Ingalls Wilder!

..
Joshua:

All of the above, plus: (mostly in no particular order)
Mike Beckloff
Alexander Gelman
John Fahey
Carter and Ralph Stanley
Bryan Bowers
Ricky Skaggs
Doc Watson
AP Carter and Family
Connie Whatsername
Ed and Theresa Gebauer
Joe Bethancourt
Laurindo Almeda
Muddy Waters
Blind Boy Grunt
Bukka White
Charlie Patton
Lynn Lewis
Mississippi John Hurt


..Gayla

Phyllis Hoffman, harpist, that harp on the Aristocats, and I really really like the Chieftans.


.. John

General:
Radio and TV shows that filled my life with music. Old top 40's that played all styles - folk, rock, country, R&B and just blues. Movies, cartoons, and shows that gave me a love for the music we play.
Rock/Folk Rock:
Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rush, Pink Floyd, America, Eagles, Crosby Stills, Nash and Young, James Taylor.
Bluegrass:
Ricky Skaggs, Nickel Creek.
Inspired by:
Geddy Lee (bass guitar), Chris Thile (mandolin), Phil Keaggy, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Stevie Ray Vaughn (guitar).

..

Sounds Like:

See under "Influences"

Record Label:

unsigned