Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy at Payton's Place

Payton's Place Coffeehouse presents a folk music concert featuring Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy on Saturday, December 8 at 8 p.m. at the Harwinton Senior Center, 209 Weingart Rd. in Harwinton.

Becky Tracy is a master fiddler specializing in contra dance music and fiddle tunes from around the world. She is originally from Massachusetts, where for many years her family members have been contra dance enthusiasts. She resides at present in Vermont with husband Keith Murphy, who plays guitar and piano, sings and does foot percussion. Keith is also a gifted songwriter who recently published a book of original tunes called Black Isle Music. Together they have toured across Ireland and Europe picking up fiddle tunes of all kinds.

Keith is a native of Newfoundland, Canada, and is very fond of French-Canadian and other Canadian songs. This couple creates a remarkably rich and intimate sound playing together. Their concerts are quite varied in mood and pace. One number might be a set of lively jigs and reels on fiddle with a pounding piano accompaniment, and then the next a set of delicate, romantic bourrees on fiddle with beautiful guitar accompaniment. Then Keith might sing Canadian songs in French or English, with fiddle and guitar accompaniment. This will be a fun, exciting night.

Their just-released fourth CD, Evergreen, is a wonderful collection of fiddle tunes of all kinds, and features Becky along with many other musicians. They are very well known in their area, but only rarely get to Connecticut. Please help make them welcome!

Payton’s Place shows are intended to be family-friendly. Coffee and sweets are provided; all donations for them go to charity. Feel free to bring cookies, etc. to share. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children (ages 7-12); for more info call 860-485-0678.