Season 2008-09

THE WOOD'S TEA COMPANY

Biography

Howard Wooden: Vocals, bass, guitar, bodhran
Mike Lussen: Vocals, five string banjo, bodhran, bouzouki, guitar
Tom MacKenzie: Vocals, hammered dulcimer, banjo, guitar, ukelele
*The Wood's Tea Co. often tours with a fourth "guest" artist

Wood's Tea Company is an acoustic group that performs fiery Celtic tunes, bluegrass, sea shanties, and American folk songs with ease and skill. During a performance they use as many as a dozen different instruments, including banjos and bouzoukis, guitars and bodhrans, and traditional tin whistles.

Folk legend Woody Guthrie was an early inspiration for the band. "There was something about his music that bucked music establishment trends," said band founder Rusty Jacobs; "He was singing directly to the people and it appealed to us." After building a solid reputation in New England, Wood's Tea Company started touring on the concert circuit nationwide, eventually playing in all of the lower 48 states. Notable performances include New York's Lincoln Center (twice), the Chautauqua Institute (three times), appearances on PBS and and national Public Radio, who labeled them "Vermont's hardest working folk group"

Folk Music Quarterly described them as ' ... one of the hottest up and coming acts," saying

" ... sidestepping pretension and going for the grit, this New England group gives a lusty performance, every time." A few years ago, the Irish Heritage Foundation honored the group with their "Outstanding Innovation Award " ... in appreciation and recognition for their creative contributions to Irish music."

The Vermont based folk group The Wood's Tea Co will continue its performance schedule for 2007-2008 despite the tragic losses of two of its members. Rusty Jacobs, founder of the group, died on August 15, 2007 of an unexpected heart attack. In October of 2006, another member, fiddler Chip Chase, died as a result of a motorcycle accident. The band has been touring with a rotating roster of "fourth" players including fiddle players Peter Sutherland, Bethany Dick, Sara Milonovich, Jason Bergman or David Gusakov. In addition some tours have included Aaron Flynn or Morgan Lamphere on acoustic guitar or Martha Gallagher on Celtic harp. All of them are world-class musicians and performers and have been greeted warmly by Wood's Tea Co. audiences. A recent partnership with Public television stations and a concert DVD have fueled the group's recent touring schedule, bringing them to community concerts all across America.