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Andrew & Noah VanNorstrand
Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand are two of the most exciting and creative new faces on the acoustic music scene today. While still in their teens, they have managed to carve themselves a unique niche in the modern alternative folk arena with stunning ability as both performers and composers. After years of touring, studio work and teaching experience they are both seasoned and mature musicians, but with their energetic stage presences and cutting-edge arrangements Andrew and Noah truly stand out in a crowd.
At the age of eight Andrew started learning fiddle by ear from the late Norma Sweet, a well-known local musician and teacher. Noah started teaching himself fiddle shortly after and soon both boys had begun working on mandolin and guitar as well. Ten years later they have mastered the title of "multi-instrumentalists" by being proficient at more than twenty different string and percussion instruments between them. In 2000 Andrew and Noah formed the Great Bear Trio with their mother Kim on piano. Great Bear since has become one of the hottest contra dance bands on the circuit and has performed for enthusiastic fans at festivals across the country. In 2004 Andrew and Noah appeared on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion as finalists in the nationwide Talent from Twelve to Twenty contest. Their music has also been featured on NPR's Open Mic and The Thistle and Shamrock with Fiona Ritchie.
It's difficult to pinpoint all of the musical ingredients Andrew and Noah use in their original material. Celtic and Appalachian fiddling traditions are certainly at the top of the list but there's also Andrew's appreciation for Scandinavian harmonies and Noah's background as a world-beat percussionist. Other influences range from old-time Country and Bluegrass to Jazz and Swing; New England contra dance and Cajun/Zydeco to classic Rock, Alternative and Blues. Their focus however, is not on the parts but on the whole. Andrew and Noah have developed a multi-genre blend that stands on it's own. Their heartfelt songwriting and intricate arrangements demonstrate not only what these boys are capable of but also what we can look forward to in years to come.
Andrew and Noah have put out four, self-produced recordings; two with The Great Bear Trio (The Great Bear Trio GBR CD001 and Dancing Again GBR CD003) and two as a duo (Driftage GBR CD002 and A Certain Tree GBR CD004). To learn more about our recordings click here.
Besides performing as a duo and with Great Bear, Andrew and Noah also occasionally appear with Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, John Rossbach & Chestnut Grove and Giant Robot Dance.
Check out our profiles on MySpace, Facebook, Reverb Nation and Andrew's Blog
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