Visiting SONGWRITERS
Master songwriters and performers lend their inspiration and work with our participants both in-person and through remote conferencing during the year.
Stay tuned as our esteemed ensemble grows!
First Annual COMMONCHORD HOUSE CONCERT
CLAUDIA SCHMIDT & BRIAN LAIDLAW
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2019
Nationally-acclaimed Claudia Schmidt is a powerful vocalist and adventurous artist, who combines lively folk, jazz and blues with rich poetry and playful humor. Hailing from Michigan, she was a frequent guest on the early days of A Prairie Home Companion. More than thirty years and 16 albums later, Claudia continues to perform on the road to her loyal legions of fans across the country. Mixing folk, jazz, traditional ballads and breathtaking originals, there’s not a style she can’t master. Claudia ‘s incredible voice, storytelling and charismatic stage presence makes her a marvel in concert. Claudia is a dear, old friend of Jan Nadav’s and helped inspire the CommonChord vision.
Brian Laidlaw is CommonChord’s very own master teaching artist in poetry and songwriting. Brian is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Creative Writing at the University of Denver. He has released several books and albums with a variety of publishers and record labels, and has served as a songwriting consultant on multiple Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated albums. Brian continues to tour nationally as a folk singer and got off the road (unshaven!) to join us for this magical evening.
COMMONCHORD WINTER HOUSE CONCERT
ATZ KILCHER
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019
Raised in Alaska with family roots hailing from Switzerland, Atz Kilcher is a true American cowboy. His life experience includes serving time in the military, hunting, fishing, and building as a homesteader in Alaska. He is known for writing poetry, authoring a book about his life (Son of a Midnight Land: A Memoir in Stories) recording and touring his music, mentoring and speaking at corporate events and,being the host of his reality show Alaska: The Last Frontier. He also happens to be the father of world-famous singer and songwriter Jewel.
Atz graced us with his transformative stories and songs about the power of nature and human resilience.
Both house concerts were held at the home of our generous supporter, Dr. Paul Docktor.
