Sunday, October 17, 2021 - 4pm
$15 youth, $20 Senior/Student, $25 general admission
Tickets available through Eventbrite

We are so excited to welcome local singer-songwriter favorites, Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan to the Calliope stage!

Russell is a gifted singer with a knack for creating memorable songs that are always heartfelt and often humorous. Kaplan adds mandolin, guitar and backing vocals, as they take their audience on a musical journey across the vast Americana landscape, stopping at all the landmarks, tipping their hats to Village folkies, singing cowboys, blues divas, rockabilly rebels, jazz cats, and bluegrass pickers. All of this music is served up with a side of homespun humor and a shaggy dog story or two.

This year marks Claudia and Bruce’s twentieth year playing music together. With five CDs under their belt, they’ve performed almost 1000 times at festivals, house concerts, churches, bandshells. They have shared stages with some of the best – Peter Rowan, John Gorka, Tish Hinojosa, Laurie Lewis, Don Henry, and Christine Lavin, to name a few. All that experience (and time writing songs) makes for a deeply satisfying show.

YOUR SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT TO OUR OFFERING THIS SHOW: Proof of full vaccination is required to attend, and a properly-worn mask is required at all times. Admission will be limited to 50% of capacity. All performers and staff are fully vaccinated.

Artist Bios:

California singer/songwriter Claudia Russell and her trusty sidekick Bruce Kaplan traverse a wide Americana landscape, stopping at wondrous musical landmarks along the way, tipping their hat to string bands, blues divas, jazz cats, Village folkies, Bakersfield cowboys and Laurel Canyon troubadours. Driven by Claudia’s expressive voice and distinctive guitar style, it all comes together beautifully.

Russell has a knack for crafting tightly written songs that carry you to the sweet spots of life. Kaplan’s melodic accompaniment, on mandolin and electric guitar, is spot-on. All of this is served up with a generous helping of homespun humor and shaggy dog stories, making for a heartfelt and humorous evening of deeply engaging music. And audiences and critics have taken notice.

Indeed, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel wrote, "Russell has a voice that was born for folk music – she breaks hearts." Russell has won numerous other accolades including Best New Artist from WUMB FM in Boston, Best Musician in the East Bay Express Reader’s Poll, 2x Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Finalist, and high praise in Sing Out, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Boston Globe. Paul Zollo, a senior editor of American Songwriter magazine, called her latest CD, All Our Luck Is Changing, “a masterpiece.” Lovers Tree, their fifth and most recent CD, was produced by Grammy Winning Bluegrass legend Laurie Lewis and hit #5 on the national Folk DJ Charts.

2021 marks the duo’s the 20th year playing together with almost 1000 shows under their belt. Russell and Kaplan have toured across the country, performing in barns, coffeehouses, churches, museums and living rooms, as well outdoors at festivals including Kerrville Folk Festival, Boston Folk Festival, the New Bedford Folk Festival, Black Hawk Folk Festival, and concert appearances at major venues such as McCabe’s, Club Passim, The Turning Point, and more than a dozen appearances at Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage.

Before forming their duo and moving to the Bay Area, Russell and Kaplan lived in Los Angeles where they each played in numerous bands, performing and recording as active members of the LA indy music scene as members of Maggie’s Farm, the Toasters, The Tearjerkers, the Tequila Mocking Birds, Annyland and the Life Is Grand Band.

“Making music has always been our favorite thing to do, and we put a lot of love into it. In our 20s, I suppose we both wanted to become famous. Now, our mission is simply to move people with our music and have fun." says Russell. Kaplan adds, “But, playing in a band with one’s spouse is not without its hazards. Some couples argue about sex or money. We argue about song keys, set lists, and ‘who stole my capo?’ All in all, though, we’re very lucky to have found each other.”

And so are we!

What the press has to say about Claudia and Bruce:

"Berkeley's Claudia Russell is a smoky-voiced thrush able to deliver a cosmopolitan lounge blues or a bluegrass romp with equal aplomb. She also is a fine guitar picker and songwriter, with tunes that sound like ready-made Americana hits. Her impressive melding of pop, country, folk, bluegrass, swing and classical American songwriting mark Russell as an original talent with an impressively eclectic vision. – j. poet, East Bay Express

What a wonderful, warm and funny show with Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan last night! Claudia writes terrific songs and sings like an angel and both she and Bruce are great musicians. Thanks to them for a great show! – Peter Cutler, Fiddler’s Crossing

“Claudia Russell is a great live performer and a vocalist in the old-fashioned sense. She can really sing. Not only does she have an impressive set of pipes, she interprets songs rather than merely convey the lyrics. She’s a superior voice in the crowded field of singer-songwriters.” – Rich Warren, Folk Stage

“Claudia Russell is a gifted songwriter with a gorgeous singing voice. Whether singing a sad song or a happy one, her voice shines through with great purity with a gentle, reedy quality. Her songs come to life with an effortless spirit of genuine soul. This is heartwarming stuff, both inspirational and comforting at a time we need inspiration and comfort more than ever." - Paul Zollo American Songwriter

“Claudia Russell is the Judy Collins of our generation” – Christine Lavin

"Russell has a voice that is made for folk music. She breaks hearts..."

– Elaine Schmidt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

I took in a Claudia Russell concert this weekend, and I have to tell you that it was spectacular (as Claudia always is). If you haven't seen Claudia and her husband Bruce Kaplan, RUN, DON'T WALK, to their next concert. You won't be disappointed. They’re terrific! – Suzyn Mills - Acoustic Renaissance Concerts, Chicago IL

“You might think that a singer as powerful as Russell would play The Diva on stage. But just the opposite. Instead, Russell assumes a sort of latter-day Gracie Allen character - a little dizzy - while husband Bruce Kaplan plays the George Burns role. Their banter is hilarious and they seem to take pleasure in trying to make each other laugh. So, while the two take their music seriously, they know how to have fun. This in-between comedy is a nice bonus that helps endear Russell and Kaplan to their audience.” –Mike Rossney, Coast to Coast Arts, Sargentvile ME