Brooke Pennock still has her day job but her nights are getting a little busier.
The Snohomish musician and her band will share the stage with Baby Gramps tonight in Everett, and have regular gigs in Duvall and Issaquah.
She started out several years ago as a solo acoustic act with her own material, and still writes her band’s songs.
“We’re calling it alternative acoustic rock. I have a folk background and I still play the acoustic guitar but the band is really rock-oriented,” Pennock said.
Band members contribute by writing their own parts. “I give them complete trust. It’s fun to bring them something and see what they do with it.”
Pennock praised her band as incredible musicians, and said it was her good fortune to hook up with them.
“To top it all off, they have great respect for my music, and sometimes more faith in my music than I do.
“We’re polishing our craft, and becoming a tight band with all originals and a following. We all have families and day jobs (except for the drummer).
“As we get better and better there are more opportunities (but) you have to be careful what you wish for. We have to be ready when it comes through.”
Also on the bill is Baby Gramps, whose fascination with word games, the blues and hillbilly tunes, National steel guitar techniques, sing-a-longs and fun make for a memorable combination.
Celtic music Cantabile Ensemble, Band for an O’Day and Grandview Jammers provide the music and the Grandview Community Center the food (think Irish stew, shepherd pie and green punch) at Saturday’s fund-raising Celtic party and dinner in Arlington.
Irish music You’ll have to drive to Issaquah for this fund-raiser but the money from the Saturday show benefits Mercy Corps and, by extension, tsunami victims in south Asia. Sultan’s Mark Raney and his sister Colleen Raney have brought together Magical Strings, Raney Irish Dancers, Tara Academy of Irish Dance, multi-instrumentalist Mike Saunders and other musicians.
Kenny Barron: The mainstream jazz pianist has played with the greats for more than 40 years. He’ll perform Monday through Thursday in Seattle. He’s collected nine Grammy nominations, many “best pianist” awards, and worked on more than 40 albums.
Laura Cortese, The McKassons: St. Patrick’s Eve will be celebrated Wednesday in Seattle with this trio from Western Washington. The brother-sister act, champion fiddler Ryan and award-winning pianist and harpist Cali, continue their collaboration with another champion fiddler, Cortese. The Celtic evening will include fiddling, dancing, singing and piping.
LEFT: Cantabile Ensemble is one of the performers Saturday in Arlington.
BELOW: Philip and Pam Boulding and Magical Strings perform Saturday in Issaquah.
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