Member Bios

founder, percussion

David (Doc) Rosen, who co-founded the group with former band member, Owen Hartford, is master of the age-old delights of the bodhrán (an Irish drum), spoons and bones. He also plays an unusual instrument that never fails to intrigue: the pogocello. From the traditions of the Swedish "Devil's fiddle," eastern European polka percussion sticks, and 18th and 19th century shipboard Fufu bands, the pogocello is a mix of rhythm instrument and pogo-stick. It is not to be missed!

vocals, accordion, guitar, tin whistle

Nancy Koch plays the accordion, ranging from lively to lyrical, racing reels to waltzes. Other instruments include guitar, mandolin, and tin whistle. She sings boldly of pirates and other seagoing rascals, yet creates lovely vocal harmonies on gorgeous, slow ballads. Nancy currently also performs in the Moody Street String Band and plays backup accordion for In Good Company Theater. She has played for contra dances throughout New England, in other Celtic bands including the Brattle Streetband, and occasionally performs solo on accordion.

banjo

Linda has been playing melodic claw hammer banjo for over 40 years. Despite growing up listening to Pete Seeger and Earl Scruggs, she ventured into playing the music of Ireland, France and Quebec. She plays some old-timey tunes, and doesn’t shy away from a little rock and roll.

She has won the Lowell, Massachusetts Banjo and Fiddle Contest several times.

Linda currently plays with the Gloucester Hornpipe and Clog Society, the Moody Street String band and the Blue Parrot Trio.

Ben Bruno

fiddle and guitar

Ben Bruno picked up the fiddle and hung up his electric guitar after discovering a love for traditional fiddle music (celtic, as well as old time and bluegrass). He has an insatiable thirst for learning new tunes and styles from veteran musicians and online research. He also likes to tinker with luthiery, fixing up old fiddles and other acoustic instruments.