Voice / Banjo / Acoustic Guitar SAM AMIDON

Sam Amidon is an American folk artist, originally from Vermont, US. His parents are Peter Amidon and Mary Alice Amidon, both well-established folk musicians who raised him on a diet of old Irish and Appalachian folk. Amidon is a member of the Icelandic music collective/record label Bedroom Community, and is a multi-instrumentalist. As well as singing, Amidon plays fiddle, guitar and banjo.

He has released a string of acclaimed albums on the Bedroom Community and Nonesuch labels, ranging in theme from interpretations of traditional Irish fiddle pieces to old-time melodies and tales from traditional American folk history. His albums draw on old work songs, ballads, hymns and other sonic artefacts from the past, reimagining them in bold, creative new ways to breathe new life into them and recontextualising them alongside original compositions.

Over the years he has collaborated with classical composer Nico Muhly, experimental composer/producer Ben Frost, composer/violinist Eyvind Kang, composer Aaron Siegel, Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman), guitar legend Bill Frisell, producers Leo Abrahams (Regina Spektor, Frightened Rabbit), veteran jazz drummer Milford Graves and multiinstrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily.