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Duke Arts Presents

Music in the Gardens
Phil Cook Southland Revue: Are You Ready For The Jubilee?

Tuesday, June 23, 2015 | 7:00 pm

Sarah P. Duke Gardens


Durham-based Americana music savant Phil Cook is poised to launch a fruitful solo career after more than a decade playing with bands DeYarmond Edison, Megafaun, and the Shouting Matches — during that time he also music directed projects for the Blind Boys of Alabama, Alice Gerrard, and Amy Ray. For this special three-night revue, Cook gathers a select group of friends including Frazey Ford, Charlie Parr, Heather McEntire, Christy Smith, The Branchettes, Jeanne Jolly, and Amelia Meath, along with members of his newly assembled touring band, The Guitarheels, for an expansive and joyful musical swing through the American South.

The middle evening in Phil Cook’s Southland Revue bores down to the roots of American traditional music: folk songs and gospel tunes. Phil and his fine band, The Guitarheels, will be joined by the acclaimed guitarist and banjo player Charlie Parr, who performs old time music with the kind of verve that’s encountered now only on old field recordings and well-worn 78 RPM records. “Parr delivers a sound that is both full and ambitiously stripped-down to the very root of primitive American music. It is bursting with colorful narratives, original characters, and auspicious wisdom” (Saving Country Music). The evening at the Gardens will also feature The Branchettes of Johnston County, NC (Ethel Eliot and Lena Mae Perry) who have been performing hymns and gospel songs together for well over twenty years. The Branchettes won a well-deserved NC Folk Heritage Award in 1995.

Music in the Gardens concerts take place rain or shine on the lawn behind the Gardens’ Visitor Center. Lawn chairs, picnics, and blankets are encouraged. Dogs are not allowed. Outside food and beverages, including beer and wine, are permitted and also will be available for purchase on-site. The lawn will open at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the show.

Music in the Gardens presentations are excluded from Pick-Four discount.

Duke Performances’ Music in the Gardens is made possible, in part, with support from Duke Continuing Studies, Duke Summer Session, and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.