Natalia Zukerman, born in 1975, is an American artist and musician raised in Manhattan, New York. She is the daughter of violist/conductor Pinchas Zukerman and flutist/writer Eugenia Zukerman, and the sister of opera singer Arianna Zukerman.

Zukerman's music is a cross-genre blend of blues, jazz, bluegrass and folk. Her songs are characterized by dense, cryptic lyrics that lack a traditional chorus-verse structure. The subject matter ranges from the whimsical to the metaphysical. Often she tells stories or relates personal observations about life and relationships, but her songs are not "confessional" in nature. Her vocal style reflects strong jazz influences.

Zukerman plays a variety of guitars including acoustic, electric, slide, dobro, lap steel and banjo, but primarily focuses on her Goodall acoustic guitar and vintage 1938 Rickenbacker lap steel guitar. Her guitar playing is described as "fluid and smooth" while she is also acclaimed for her dexterity and nimble fingers.

Reflecting her varied musical roots, Zukerman cites Ma Rainey, Memphis Minnie, Bonnie Raitt, Erika Luckett, Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones and Ani DiFranco among her musical influences. Her first three albums were released on her own independent record label, Talisman Records. In 2008, she released her fourth album on Willy Porter's Weasel Records label.
Along with her work as singer, songwriter and guitarist, Zukerman is also an accomplished artist specializing in large format drawings and murals.

Joining Natalia this evening is artist, musicain and illustrator – Andy Friedman
(Visit his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/otherfailures
Check out his illustrations: http://www.andyfriedmanillustration.com/)

PERFORMING SONGWRITER: "Country beat poetry. . .boatloads of tangible details per verse. Friedman has cobbled together ragged folk, blues, rockabilly, and country, crumbling old images and sterile new ones, as well as restlessness and tender attachment. It makes for a heady, human picture."
NODEPRESSION.COM: "Friedman is writing some unforgettable songs."
LA WEEKLY: “A weird, potent strain of art-damaged, ragged-but-right country pathology.”
NASHVILLE SCENE: “Andy Friedman has a dark, singular sense of humor it serves him well as a cartoonist for the likes of the New Yorker, and it serves him even better as an acerbic singer-songwriter with a world-weary delivery and a talent for synthesizing heartache.”

{{ NORTH COUNTRY PUBLIC RADIO is media sponsor for this event.}}

Joe Crookston performed a concert at BluSeed on
Friday, December 11, 2009

A stunning performer…His latest recording was awarded 2009 "Album of the Year" by the International Folk Alliance in Memphis, TN.

Joe received a songwriting grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to travel throughout New York State, collect stories and write songs based on his travels.

"This is not reviewer's hype, this guy is flat out good."
- Rodger Nichols of The Dalles Oregon Chronicle

Joe Crookston….born and raised in rural Ohio, with Hungarian roots, Polkas Polkas…and eastern European food..A little bit of Gypsy soul in this guy…Whether it’s his hypnotic guitar sound, bubbling banjo, or short story lyrics, his music draws from his urban adventures and his rural Ohio roots, exuding a remarkable timeless quality. Haven't seen him perform?? You'll be glad you did.
 
In 1987, The Kent State Folk Festival changed his life.  After hearing Harvey Reid and the Horseflies at the festival, Joe sold his electric guitar, bought a steel string and never looked back. He's a fiddler and a pretty darn good percolating clawhammer banjo player to boot…There is not a navel gazing break-up song to be found anywhere… his audience rapport, musicianship and playful stage presence is intense, mesmerizing, and  unforgettably dynamic.
 
Inspired by Woody Guthrie, Joe was  awarded a year-long grant (2007) from The Rockefeller Foundation to travel around the State of New York, interview local residents, gather stories and write songs based on his experiences. His project is called, “Songs of the Finger Lakes.”
 
"Fall Down as the Rain", not surprisingly, was chosen by Performing Songwriter Magazine as a 2004 "TOP-12-Do-It-Yourself" independent recording, was featured on National Public Radio's “All Songs Considered”, as well as Syndicated Minnesota Public Radio, The Midnight Special and Folkscene. He has shared festival stages with the likes of Livingston Taylor, The Subdudes, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, and Tim Reynolds, John Gorka, and many others.

Website: www.joecrookston.com
Sample of Joe's songs on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/joecrookston