2018 was filled with great music on Montana Public Radio. Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen, Iron and Wine, Tim Fain, Honey Honey, The Sapphire Trio, and more joined us in the studio. Dozens of others appeared as guests on Musician's Spotlight, and we spent a week celebrating the music of Leonard Bernstein. We also broadcast some exciting shows from the Montana Folk Festival, the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival, and from right here at the University of Montana.
Here are our five favorite live music moments to help you send-off 2018.
You can help make more of these moments in 2019. If you're a fan of hand-picked music from MTPR, make a donation now to keep it flowing. You won't find a more eclectic mix of music anywhere in Montana, and it's only possible with your support.
1. Honey Honey - "Yours To Bear"
Honey Honey joined us live in Studio B in July. The haunting voice and enchanting strings make it one of our favorites from 2018.
2. Tim Fain - "Arches"
Tim Fain plays "Arches," a piece for solo violin, and the title track to his 2008 album, composed by Kevin Puts. Fain stopped by MTPR in August ahead of his performance at Festival Amadeus in Whitefish. And there's more from Fain here.
3. Annika Chambers - "Let That Sass Out"
There were so many good shows at the Montana Folk Festival this year that it was hard to choose a favorite. But when Annika Chambers let that sass out, the crowd went crazy. Here's a little taste:
4. Sapphire Trio - "Sunny Days" movement 4 for clarinet, violin and piano by Rick Sowash
According to their website, "The Sapphire Trio was formed in 1998 to explore both the standard and newly created literature for clarinet, violin and piano, bringing to the concert stage the master works that exist in the repertoire." They did just that, live on MTPR in July.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_qdphEOfn4&feature=youtu.be
5. University of Montana Jazz Bands Swing Into The New Year
The UM Jazz Bands played a holiday-themed concert in late November. The show, broadcast live on MTPR's "What I Like About Jazz" with John Arvish, was a mix of big band and small ensemble sounds featuring music by Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Charles Mingus, and more.
Bonus Pick - Supaman live at the Montana Folk Festival
Because its the holiday season and we're feeling generous, we decided to throw in a bonus pick. It wasn't technically live on MTPR, but it we figured you wouldn't mind us bending the rules for this one. Here's Supaman mixing samples from the audience live on stage at the Montana Folk Festival.
If you made it this far, you're probably a fan of these live perfomances on MTPR. Your support makes them possible. Will you make a donation today to support this one-of-a-kind music programming?
