The UW Russian Folk Orchestra, now in its 15th season, is a unique ensemble performing Russian and other East-European folk music on authentic Russian instruments, balalaikas and domras. The orchestra was founded and is directed by Victor Gorodinsky. The RFO is made up of two groups of authentic Russian stringed instruments: balalaikas and domras, it uses accordions, bayans (button accordions), as well as various woodwind and percussion instruments.

http://www.russorch.wisc.edu/

Video  http://youtu.be/wDUup7EHzFI

Yuriy Kolosovskiy was born in Rostov-on-Don Russia and started playing the Prima Domra at age 9. He spent 6 years in public music school after which he attended Rostov State College of Music (from 2000-2004) studying music composition, conducting and orchestration. While in College, he received numerous awards for his outstanding talent and technique. After Graduation, Kolosovskiy had the honor of being a soloist in the Rostov State Folk Philharmonic Orchestra with whom he played for two and a half years. In 2006, he moved to Madison, Wisconsin where he now resides. Since moving here, Kolosovskiy has played with the University of Wisconsin Russian Folk Orchestra where his talent has been showcased (most recently in the piece "Woolen Boots" this last season). He has also a member of the Balalaika and Domra Association of America (BDAA) since 2007 and has performed in various venues around the Madison area, including numerous Russian folk festivals. He has just finished recording his first solo CD "Sounds of the Domra".

www.russorch.wisc.edu/

Video http://youtu.be/jyvXbO3fb-Q

The New York Times says that “hearing Marilyn Crispell play solo piano is like monitoring an active volcano. She is one of a very few pianists who rise to the challenge of free jazz.” Ms. Crispell returns to Madison to perform solo and with a trio that includes Chicago-based “free jazz” stalwarts Harrison Bankhead and Avreeayl Ra and Madison-based multi-instrumentalist JoAnne Pow!ers.

http://marilyncrispell.com/

Dietrich Gosser is one of Madison's premier songwriters.  We are excited to finally have him on the show.

http://dietrichgosser.bandcamp.com/

video  http://youtu.be/WkCTP6BwsfU

Pittsburgh singer/songwriter Brad Yoder joins us for an acoustic  set.

http://www.bradyoder.com/

video  http://youtu.be/oRHDZZBWb7Q