Blues Singer/Guitarist Roy Book Binder in Concert at Brookhaven Lab, Nov. 12

Concert Also Features Patrick Sweany, Michael Falzarano, Professor "Louie" and Marjorie Thompson

October 15, 2004

UPTON, NY - Blues singer/guitarist Roy Book Binder will appear in concert in Berkner Hall at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory on Friday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m. Blues musicians Patrick Sweany, Michael Falzarano, Aaron "Professor Louie" Hurwitz, and Marjorie Thompson will also be featured at the BNL Music Club-sponsored concert that will celebrate the American acoustic blues tradition. The concert is open to the public. All visitors to the Laboratory age 16 and over must bring a photo ID.

Roy Book Binder

In the early 1960s, Roy Book Binder learned his craft from the legendary blind street singer Reverend Gary Davis, who became nationally known when Peter, Paul and Mary recorded his song, "If I Had My Way." A songwriter and storyteller as well as a musician, Book Binder entertains all generations with his unique and humorous look at American life. Book Binder has been featured on the PBS TV series "EGG Art in America," has appeared more than 30 times on Ralph Emory's TV series "Nashville Now," and has been included in the Big Book of Blues and Blues Who's Who.

Joining Book Binder on the bill will be 29-year-old rising star Patrick Sweany, originally from Massillon, Ohio. Known for his intricate acoustic work, hard-hitting vocals and original songwriting, Sweany makes his statement with force in the blues and roots-oriented music scene. Sweany has performed at numerous venues, including the Cottontown Blues Festival, the Gladstone Blues Festival, and the Chicago House of Blues.

Guitarist-singer-songwriter Michael Falzarano has been a blues and rock 'n' roll musician for 35 years. He has toured with Hot Tuna and the Jorma Kaukonen Trio throughout the U.S., Europe, Scandinavia and Japan. Falzarano has also appeared live or recorded with such musical greats as Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, Garth Hudson of The Band, Hubert Sumlin of Howlin' Wolf, Dr. John, and Paul Simon.

Dubbed "Professor Louie" by original member of The Band vocalist/bassist Rick Danko, Aaron "Professor Louie" Hurwitz is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist on Hammond organ, keyboards, and accordion. He recently co-produced, engineered and performed on The Band's CDs: "Jericho," "High on the Hog," and "Jubilation."

Singer/songwriter and finger-style guitarist Marjorie Thompson of Providence, Rhode Island, started playing guitar in the 1960s, beginning a lifelong passion for country-blues, rags and roots music. After several trips to Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Guitar Ranch in Ohio since 1999, Thompson started composing music in 2001.

Tickets for the concert cost $15 each, and may be purchased at the door or in advance from the Brookhaven Employees Recreation Association Sales Office on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets will also be on sale at the Bluepoint Brewing Company, 161 River Avenue, Patchogue; Listen Here, 1125 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station; and Rock Candy, Route 25A, Stony Brook. For more information, call (631) 344-3846, or go to http://www.bnl.gov/bera/activities/music/.

The Laboratory is located on William Floyd parkway (County Road 46), one-and-a-half miles north of Exit 68 of the Long Island Expressway.

2004-10227  |  INT/EXT  |  Newsroom