BurghSongSpace is a collaboration between two successful grassroots music series in Pittsburgh, BurghSong and SongSpace. Pittsburgh favorites Christopher Mark JonesHeather KropfBen ShannonEmily Pinkerton and Brad Yoder will be joining forces to warm a winters eve for you!

In 2017, Christopher Mark Jones released Incantations, his fifth album, and the book Smoke On The Meadow: Selected Lyrics 1977-2017.  A former pro basketball player and French professor, Christopher spent his early career busking in Paris, touring the UK, Denmark, and Holland, and upon his return to the US, Boston-area clubs.  These days he tours regionally from his base in Pittsburgh.

“[Christopher Mark Jones] sings in a rich voice that’s just slightly rough around the edges” – Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Heather Kropf has been a musician in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for almost two decades, earning acclaim for her lush, literate blend of Americana and jazz-influenced pop that captures the complexity of modern life and romance.

“Beautifully detailed songs.” WYEP 91.3 FM 

“[Heather Kropf’s music is] real mid-tempo pop delivered with honesty, integrity, and style.” – Babysue.com

Ben Shannon is a national award winning songwriter born in Nashville but based in Pittsburgh. A multi-instrumentalist with formal training in poetry, he writes and performs folk songs that attempt to speak to the human condition on a personal, global and emotional level.  His upcoming release, The Finalist, is a collection of folk songs recorded in the span of two days in Woodstock NY.

“[Ben Shannon]’s the real deal. Talented, sincere and genuine! Love his music and love to see him live!” – Saturday Light Brigade Radio

 

Emily Pinkerton‘s driving artistic force is to explore the musical and social ties that bind the Americas. She has traveled extensively between the U.S. and Chile, playing fiddle, banjo, guitar, charango and guitarrón. Her band The Early Mays repeatedly tops the national Folk DJ charts.  Her 2017 collaboration Rounder Songs, co-written with husband composer Patrick Burke and performed with the NOW Ensemble, blends post-minimalist classical and Appalachian old-time musics.

“The best of two cultures and songwriting styles… Pinkerton’s songs employ earthy metaphors that reflect her spiritual and emotional world.” – NUVO, Indianapolis, IN

Brad Yoder‘s pop inflected acoustic music charms and offers insights on the moments that make life worth living. He is a leader and sideman in myriad musical projects, and a key builder and maintainer of musical community, in Pittsburgh, at regional and national meetings of performers and presenters, and in the many cities he visits as a touring musician.  He is putting the finishing touches on a new CD to be released in 2018.

“Brad Yoder is my favorite new ‘discovery’ of the year.”  – Kathy Mattea

Advance Tickets: $15 + service fee
At the Door: $20
Student/Reduced Income $5 discount.

Saturday January 27. Doors 7:00pm, Show 7:30pm, at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, Shadyside, 605 Morewood Avenue, Pgh., 15213.  All ages; wheelchair accessible.  For more information, 412.621.8008 or uusongspace.com.