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Rani Arbo at University of Hartford
Acoustic bluegrass band Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem will bring its eclectic musical mix to the University of Hartford on Friday, November 9 in a benefit concert in the University's Wilde Auditorium, Harry Jack Gray Center, 200 Bloomfield Ave. in West Hartford. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Arbo, an energetic fiddler and vocalist, brings her unparalleled band to the campus through the University of Hartford's Music for a Change benefit concert series. Sponsored by the University's Center for Community Service and WWUH (91.3 FM), Music for a Change brings national and local folk and acoustic artists to the campus, raising thousands of dollars from the proceeds for local charities.
"Don't even bother trying to resist her," Acoustic Guitar magazine says of Arbo. The magazine named Arbo "the Greta Garbo of bluegrass" during her nine years as lead singer for the band Salamander Crossing. Her "freewheeling songs invite a reckless danger," noted Acoustic Guitar.
"They say singing is organized laughter," says Arbo, "and I believe that's true. It's about presence, courage and connection. I want people to recognize themselves in my music. That's my ultimate goal."
Two years ago Arbo took advantage of the opportunity to run her own show and formed daisy mayhem. "I am so much freer here to experiment," says Arbo. "This group can play traditional material with the spirit it deserves, as well as get very adventuresome."
The band includes Arbo's singing partner for the past ten years, Andrew Kinsey, who plays banjo, penny whistle, ukulele and bass. Anand Nayak brought his guitar and flexible voice to daisy mayhem last year; and Scott Kessel contributes his dexterity and Drumship Enterprise, his recycled kit featuring a cardboard box, cat food tins, a Danish butter cookie tin, and suitcase.
A set from Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem might feature a Fats Waller tune on ukulele, a fiddle tune with Arbo's lyrics, Appalachian folk, North Carolina gospel blues, and Arbo's arrangement of "Crossing the Bar" by Tennyson. "It's a combination of melody, lyrics, emotion and entertainment that appeals to me, and it arrives in many different forms. It's exciting for me to put on a show based on those qualities, rather than on a specific genre," says Arbo.
Arbo started her vocal career in a cathedral choir at age seven, and she played classical cello through high school. She abandoned cello to teach herself fiddle, and within two years she began performing. "She is … a force to be reckoned with," says the Boston Globe. "In person and on disc, Arbo's sultry vocals rivet the listener with the ring of truth."
Tickets are $13 and proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity; for ticket info call the University box office at 860-768-4228, or 800-274-8587. For more info about the Music for a Change concert series, call 860-768-5026.
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