The Oswego Music Hall welcomes The Brothers Blue to the National Stage on Saturday, Jan. 28. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, and the show opens at 7:30 p.m. with local musician Mark Wahl.

Rooted in the fertile tradition of old-time fiddle music, The Brothers Blue grow a sound all their own – a hybrid of fresh, original songwriting with elements from country, bluegrass, Cajun and Irish music. They weave three-part harmonies through a rich tapestry of fiddle, banjo and guitar.

The band of multi-instrumentalists were featured as Emerging Artists at the Grey Fox Festival in 2017 and the Turtle Hill Festival in 2015. Their tight huddle around a single microphone and groove-oriented arrangements prompted one fan to describe them as a “one-mind band,” while another called them “a dancer’s dream.”

In 2016, the trio released their debut album “Ghost Town,” which Rochester’s CITY Newspaper hailed as “a well-honed, fine-tuned record that expertly cuts a piece out of the bluegrass lexicon.” In 2017, they followed up with “Big Eyed Rabbit,” a collection of their favorite old songs and traditional tunes. Buffalo’s The Public wrote that, “Their approach to the songs will likely inspire listeners to dig deeper into the folk roots of the music.”

Other reviews include local musician Andy Ruddy, guitarist of the Ruddy Well Band saying, “undeniably [of the] bluegrass and distinctly their own.” Laura DaPolito of the online arts and culture magazine Nippertown based in New York’s Capital Region added, “The Brothers Blue create a hybrid of Cajun, bluegrass and Irish music that [is] not only original, but powerful in its energy.”

Whether around a campfire or in a concert hall, the band is excited for any opportunity to share honest, heartfelt musical experiences with their ever-growing family of friends – The Brethren Blue.

Benny Haravitch, Matthew Sperber and Charlie Coughlin make up The Brothers Blue. Haravitch is an award-winning banjo player who makes his living not only teaching, recording and playing music but as a geologist as well. Sperber has a master’s degree in classical guitar performance and teaches over 40 students a week on the guitar and bass. He also keeps a busy performance schedule as a classical guitarist. His involvement with the traditional Irish band, Crikwater, introduced him to the talented fiddler, Charlie Coughlin, who began studying Irish fiddle when he was 11 years old. Coughlin makes his living by playing the fiddle and with woodworking. More information about the trio, their music and videos can be found online at https://thebrothersblue.com/, https://www.youtube.com/@thebrothersblue1067/videos or by finding The Brothers Blue on Facebook.

The show will open with local singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Wahl. He has been around the area acoustic music scene for decades and is known by many as the former director of the Ontario Center for Performing Arts (now known as The Oswego Music Hall).

A graduate of SUNY Oswego, Wahl retired from a career in design and general contracting to direct his full energies toward music, The Oswego Music Hall and honing his craft as a luthier, producing and repairing fine acoustic instruments in his shop.

Wahl’s songs are often poignant vignettes with powerful metaphors and simple, compelling melodies. His 2018 CD release “Circadia” was nominated for Best Album in the “Americana” category of the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYs). His popular 2013 CD “Everything Returns” was recorded with his trio Canvas Moon. For more information about Mark Wahl, go to: https://www.markwahlguitars.com/music.

Oswego Music Hall shows start at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. for all National Stage concerts. For a complete performance schedule and ticket information, visit the Oswego Music Hall website at https://www.oswegomusichall.org/ or stop at the river’s end bookstore, 19 W. Bridge St., Oswego. 

The Oswego Music Hall’s winter/spring season continues with Sawyer Fredericks on the Saturday, Feb. 11 and The McKrells on Saturday, Feb. 25. Other shows include Guy Davis on Saturday, March 11 and Deeper Than Skin w/ Greg Greenway & Reggie Harris on Saturday, March 25. Concerts featuring Jonathan Byrd and the Burns Sisters Band are scheduled for Saturday, April 15 and Saturday, April 29, respectively. The Oswego Music Hall’s season finale features Annie Sumi & Travis Knapp on Saturday, May 13.

Ticket prices for the National Stage range from $15 to $20 at the door. Admission is half-price for children aged 6 to 16 and free for those aged 5 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at any concert, online or at the river’s end bookstore in Oswego.

The Oswego Music Hall is located in the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, and is wheelchair accessible. It is adjacent to Breitbeck Park and overlooks Lake Ontario and the Oswego Harbor. The atmosphere is intimate with candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage. Light refreshments will be available.  

The Oswego Music Hall is a family-friendly, non-profit organization that has been run entirely by volunteers from its inception over 40 years ago. Volunteers can earn admission to shows through various tasks, from running the sound board to making popcorn. Students can also earn credit for community service. To volunteer, email Volunteer Coordinator Michael Moss at ocpaoswego@gmail.com.

The Oswego Music Hall pays close attention to federal, state and local COVID-19 guidelines to do what’s best for performers and patrons – being mindful of everyone’s safety and their enjoyment of the show. Masks are now strongly recommended and will be available at the door. 

Should conditions warrant, precautions may revert back to stricter requirements without notice. Please check https://www.oswegomusichall.org/ for updated information.

Find more information about the Oswego Music Hall, visit www.oswegomusichall.org/ or email ocpaoswego@gmail.com.

Oswego Music Hall concerts are made possible in part with funding by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the governor and New York Legislature. Other major supporters are the City of Oswego and Shineman Foundation. 

 BLUEGRASS COMES TO TOWN – The Brothers Blue bring their unique blend of bluegrass, Cajun and Irish music to the National Stage at the Oswego Music Hall on Saturday, Jan. 28. The trio hails from western New York and looks forward to entertaining audiences on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. Doors open at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. with local musician Mark Wahl. For tickets and details, go to www.oswegomusichall.org/ or visit the river’s end bookstore, 19 W. Bridge St., Oswego. Pictured from left are trio members Benny Haravitch, Charlie Coughlin and Matthew Sperber. Photo provided by The Brothers Blue.