Two masters of acoustic storytelling unite for "Song Roots" - a night of songs, stories and masterful guitar playing. In this intimate variation of the "songwriter in the round" sessions made famous in Nashville's early Folk/Americana days, audiences will be treated to both duets and solo performances from Dutch-born songwriter Vera Van Heeringen and Georgia-born, Cambridge-based guitar virtuoso Brooks Williams.
Vera Van Heeringen
Originally from The Netherlands but firmly rooted in transatlantic traditions, Vera Van Heeringen crafts songs that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. Her emotionally astute songwriting, underpinned by rich instrumental craft on guitar and mandolin, creates music that is simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting.
Following the release of her third album Won't Be Broken in September 2019 to rave reviews—described by critics as her best recording yet—Vera has established herself as a songwriter of rare sensitivity. As RnR notes, she is "a master of the less-is-more lyric, conveying more in half-a-dozen words than lesser mortals do in half-a-dozen verses." Her stripped-back, potent playing style, full of groove and emotional depth, transforms every performance into an intimate journey through the human experience.
Brooks Williams
Cambridge UK-based, Statesboro Georgia-born Brooks Williams is that rarest of artists: a triple threat who can sing, write, and play guitar with equal mastery. For three decades, he has been a leading light on the acoustic music scene, with FATEA praising his performances as showing "the greatest level of true expertise."
Listed among the 'Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists,' Williams effortlessly moves between folk, blues, and country, embodying what CMP calls an artist who "was playing Americana before it had been given the name." RnR describes him as "a guitarist in possession of rich vocal powers and a talent for lyrical imagery and uplifting generosity." His extraordinary technique and soulful approach have seen him support legends like Shawn Colvin, Chris Smither, Leo Kottke, and Taj Mahal, while his 34 recordings over 35 years—including his latest, Diamond Days—continue to captivate both critics and audiences worldwide.
Song Roots
This special "Song Roots" evening brings together two artists whose combined talents represent the pinnacle of contemporary folk artistry. Drawing from the Nashville tradition of "songwriter in the round" sessions, audiences will witness intimate storytelling, masterful musicianship, and the rare chemistry that emerges when two gifted artists share the stage. Expect poignant duets alongside powerful solo performances, all woven together with the stories behind the songs.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience the roots of songcraft with two of folk music's most compelling voices.
Please bring your own drinks.
Doors open at 7pm for a 7:30pm start.