Coming Home This Fall
Scouting out an old venue from my youth for a big homecoming concert this fall.
Save The Date and see you in Yardley PA!
Saturday, September 9, 2023.
gigs
Songwriters Come To The Royal
Philly Songwriters In The Round comes to The Royal Glenside!
Experience a unique showcase of incredible songs, storytelling, collaboration and community. This concert series brings you 4 talented songwriters curated by Aaron Nathans, Avi Wisnia, and Meghan Cary. Each month, a different line up of stand out artists share the stage, taking turns performing an eclectic variety of original songs, sharing the stories behind those songs, and speaking to the unique perspective that comes with having strong connections to the Philadelphia music scene. April’s concert features: John Byrne, Sylvia Fisher, Annette Wasilik, joined by your host Avi Wisnia.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Dublin native and Philadelphia resident, John Byrne’s latest record “A Shiver in the Sky,” shows his band of multi-instrumentalists vibrantly executing ten new originals. Following up After the Wake (2011), Celtic Folk (2013) and The Immigrant and the Orphan (2015), “A Shiver in the Sky” focuses on triumph over trauma. Support from radio all over the country pushed the album to #1 on the Roots Radio Report Alternative Folk Chart in January 2020. Critics have called his writing “powerful, deeply moving work that will stay with you long after you have heard it” (Sing Out).
Sylvia Fisher is an up and coming singer-songwriter, dancer, performance artist and collaborator. Since completing school in 2021, they have pursued artistic community in the greater Philadelphia area, performing most recently on the main stage at World Cafe Live. Syl is currently working on recording an album to be released by the end of 2023.
Multi-award winning songwriter Annette Wasilik has a warm and soulful sound that reaches deep. Her lyrics paint vivid pictures of travelers, new loves and ex-lovers, seaside towns, the wounded and the healing in a world on fire. Because she loves songwriters and those who love them, Annette curates and hosts “Local Cream”, a popular monthly songwriter showcase just outside of Washington DC.
Avi Wisnia is an award-winning singer/songwriter, finding inspiration in 1950’s west-coast jazz, acoustic American folk, Brazilian bossa nova, and contemporary piano pop. Avi’s clever lyrics give a knowing nod to his contemporaries, while his smooth vocals and deft piano skills assure you that this is truly something new. He tours in support of his newest studio album, “Catching Leaves,” performing in prestigious venues around the world – from the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC to The Kennedy Center in DC to concert tours in Japan, Poland, and Brazil. His single “Sky Blue Sky” was recorded via satellite between Philadelphia and Brazil, winning recognition from the Philadelphia Songwriters Project and Mid-Atlantic Song Contest. In addition to being a performing songwriter, he has given a TED Talk and performed with The Moth storytellers and organizes the Philly Songwriters Circle. “Avi Wisnia represents the best of the singer-songwriter genre: great voice, great songs, exciting stage presence. He plays piano like he was born to it.” -The Minstrel Acoustic Folk Project
Premiering Documentary Music
This Sunday, I’ll be previewing 2 original songs which are featured in the upcoming documentary about my grandfather “How Saba Kept Singing.” (Details about the film’s wide release coming soon!)
I’m taking part in a wonderful Philadelphia tradition: Andrea Clearfield’s Artists Salon, a monthly concert series where 10 spectacular ensembles (classical, jazz, world, folk, choral, puppetry arts and more) perform new works for each other in a living room and broadcast around the world.
The event is Sunday, Feb 26, 7pm ET – live in Center City Philadelphia and also live on Zoom. Seats to the in-person performance are limited to invitation only. To join on Zoom and watch the entire program from your home, visit: https://www.zalonarts.org/programs/february-26th-2023
SZee you at the SZalon!
Scenes From The Ron Sexsmith Show
Always bring a melodica.
You never know when you’ll be called back on stage for a duet. It was an honor and an absolute joy to open for Ron Sexsmith at World Cafe Live, and then to be invited to join him during his set, to play on one of my favorite songs from his latest album. Thank You Philly for coming out and making this such a special night.
Here’s a video of that moment and that song “When Our Love Was New,” complete with intro about snuggling with your tour manager.
Some more highlights from the concert…
Opening For Ron Sexsmith in Philadelphia
Thrilled to announce I’ll be opening for the monumental songwriting talent Ron Sexsmith in Philadelphia at the World Cafe Live Music Hall coming up Saturday Feb 18. Come see me and come see Ron, don’t miss this amazing night of music. GET TICKETS
Ron Sexsmith is one of today’s most accomplished singer-songwriters. He has collaborated with and written for Rod Stewart, Michael Bublé, k.d. lang, Emmylou Harris and Feist to name a few. His inimitable work has drawn praise from the likes of Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Chris Martin. Hailing from Canada, he has been awarded 3 Juno Awards, with eight nominations for Songwriter of the Year.
