[Classifieds] The Woods Hole Folk Music Society presents The Johnson Girls

[MBL Classifieds]

When the Johnson Girls performed in Woods Hole in 2014 they shattered all preconceived notions of the typical a capella sea chantey group, as these seafaring work songs are typically sung by men. The quartet joined together over two decades ago, following the 1997 Mystic Seaport Sea Music festival, and quickly became recognized as the leading all-female a capella maritime group in the world. Their mission is to keep chantey singing and history alive, firmly believing that these rhythmic and rousing songs are the first “world music.”

The quartet is comprised of Joy Bennett, Alison Kelley, Bonnie Milner and Dierdre Murtha. They sing close harmony in a variety of traditions, from English, Scottish, Irish, Afro-Caribbean, Quebecois and Italian. Each of them is also a member of The New York Packet, the official maritime singing group of New York's South Street Seaport Museum. Their extensive repertoire includes work songs and ballads of the wide ocean and inland waterways, of fishing and mining. The Johnson Girls bring a unique musical interpretation to their performances while preserving traditional roots.

Widely acclaimed for their powerful performances, The Johnson Girls have performed at major festivals, clubs, coffeehouses, and more across the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Europe. They have also performed live on Oscar Brand’s radio show, France Bleu radio, and appeared on French TV.

Their sound has been called “exciting,” “haunting,” and “uplifting.” The United Kingdom's Cornwall Guardian said: “The Johnson Girls, chantey singers from America, took the place by storm … Those who thought a chantey singer had to be male and bearded needed to think again.” When renowned folk singer Pete Seeger first heard The Johnson Girls perform, his reaction was “You are first rate! I didn’t know women could sing like that.”

The Johnson Girls also offer workshops for adults and children, with music ranging from songs of the fishermen, or of women and the sea, to songs and games about animals and ships. The workshops are educational and entertaining, weaving history of the people and their working environment into the relevant music.


Upcoming WHFMS performances include: Nov. 26, Donna Hebert and Max Cohen; Jan. 14, 2018, Debra Cowan and John Roberts; Jan. 28, Bill Staines; Feb. 11, Cindy Kallet and Grey Larson; February 25, Windborne; March 11, Claudia Schmidt and Sally Rogers; Mar. 25, Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters; Apr. 8, Joe Jencks.

The Woods Hole Folk Music Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering enjoyment of folk music in all its forms. Concerts are made possible by support from its members, season subscribers, volunteers, and performers. Refreshments are served at intermission, and donations of baked goods are always welcome. More information is available at woodsholefolk at gmail.com<mailto:woodsholefolk at gmail.com> and www.arts-cape.com/whfolkmusic<http://www.arts-cape.com/whfolkmusic>.




Calendar listing:

Sunday, November 12, 2017
The Woods Hole Folk Music Society presents the close harmony of The Johnson Girls, 7:30pm, at Community Hall, 68 Water Street, Woods Hole. Doors open at 7pm. $20, with discounts for members, seniors, youth and children. More info at woodsholefolk at gmail.com<mailto:woodsholefolk at gmail.com> and www.arts-cape.com/whfolkmusic<http://www.arts-cape.com/whfolkmusic>.



Carolyn L. Johnson

Coordinator, Development & Communications

Marine Biological Laboratory

7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543

(508) 289-7650

cjohnson at mbl.edu<mailto:cjohnson at mbl.edu>


<mailto:cjohnson at mbl.edu>

<mailto:cjohnson at mbl.edu>
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