For more than thirty years Jim
Hale has been at the forefront of the claw hammer banjo revival. His style has been referred to as “powerful”, “eloquent” and “tastefully professional”. In
performances Jim also contributes rhythm and lead guitar and his half of a courtship
dulcimer. Born in Kansas, his love of music was fostered by two great-aunts who performed
old parlor and novelty songs at local events and family gatherings. Jim has had a varied
musical career as a founder and front man of regional bluegrass bands, leader of an award
winning string band, as a luthier, and stints as an author for music publications Sing Out! and
Banjo Newsletter. In addition to Suzanne and Jim recordings his banjo playing has been
featured on Home on the Range (Wichita Eagle and Beacon Publishing Co., Wichita, KS)
and in Warner Brothers’ TV mini-series, The Wild West.Suzanne Jaroszynski is rapidly gaining a national reputation as a song stylist. Her powerful, rich voice is suited equally to sentimental ballads, cowgirl yodels, or old time gospel shouters. She has been a repeat first place winner in the folk song category at the prestigious Mount Airy, North Carolina Fiddlers Convention. Originally from Michigan, Suzanne spent many years in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina immersed in traditional Old Time music. Her strong rhythm guitar playing provides a solid foundation for Jim’s banjo solos and for the duet‘s vocals. A multi-talented instrumentalist, Suzanne also displays her skill on wind instruments: flute, fife, penny whistle and recorder. She plays chordal melodies on the courtship dulcimer, an instrument shared with Jim. Suzanne is an accomplished percussionist, creating complex rhythms with spoons, bones and her feet.