Jubal's Kin

February 21, 2011

These young siblings from Florida tap into similar sounds as Sarah Jarosz, another old-timey wunderkind. They take inspiration from Southern old-time music, covering chestnuts like "Train on the Island", or "Raleigh & Spencer", but approach the music with an unhurried pace and a reverence for the silent core of the songs. They slow down traditional barn-burning songs so that the wonderful voices of brother/sister Roger and Gailanne Amundsen can shine through. Roger's voice has a bit of an edge, while Gailanne's voice is soothing. Both singers have just enough cracks in the vocals to be as intimate as any indie-folk band, and some of the song choices reflect their tastes outside of old-time music. They do a wonderful cover of The Decemberists' "Eli, The Barrow Boy", and their cover of Patty Griffin's "The Rowing Song" was mesmerizing during their live show.



This is a band to watch closely, as their refreshingly honest and innovative recuts of classic old-time/urban folk songs and excellent musical talents will take them far. Now you can say you knew them when... - No Depression

January 9, 2011

First and foremost, though not so new as all that anymore: young Floridian folkband Jubal’s Kin sent me a link to download their self-titled debut back in November, and I’m afraid I got so swept up in the holiday spirit, I never made it to their work - which is a shame, since it’s truly something special, so I’m glad to finally have a chance to tout ‘em.

The nut: Jubal’s Kin is a sibling trio playing every-note-counts appalachian stringband balladry with slight undertones of both bluegrass and indiefolk, sweet harmonies and stellar musicianship, vibrant arrangements with well-placed high and low elements, and an entire album of mostly covers that tackles both tradfolk and the more modern stuff that sounds like it, from Patty Griffin to The Decemberists. The overall effect is highly listenable, full of grace and gravity, innocence and eternity all at once, a sound to steep in that rings the same bell as Sam Amidon, Nickel Creek, Sarah Jarosz, and Joy Kills Sorrow - high praise indeed, from this particular fan. Get it on Bandcamp, but check this out first. - Cover Lay Down

January 30, 2011

Of posts last night, two greats were a "New Artists, Old Songs" mix and a piece called "Solitude Songs." The first included a group called Jubal's Kin doing a gorgeous, dark and intense cover of Gillian Welch's Everything Is Free and a plaintive No Depression that, were it summer, would make me wear my T-shirt today from the old alt-country mag. - PatrickCooper.com : Greetings from Evanston, Ill.

November 1, 2010

Here at the Red Eyed Rooster we’re always on the lookout for the next generation of traditional music torchbearers and have found a promising young band of this ilk that we feel you should know about.

Jubal’s Kin is a talented brother and sister duo featuring Gailanne and Roger Amundsen on a variety of instruments who are quickly making a name for themselves, playing what they describe as “Appalachia-infused Cosmic Americana” music. They first ventured outside of their central Florida stomping grounds last summer to broaden their horizons on the regional festival circuit, where we’ve had the pleasure of making their acquaintance several times. Here’s a little “get to know your neighbor” video that we put together after catching up with them at Clifftop this past summer.

Jubal’s Kin at Clifftop 2010 from RedEyedRooster on Vimeo.

Their self titled debut album is a brilliant potpourri of traditional material, original songs and cover tunes (from an array of sources ranging from The Carter Family to Dolly Parton to The Decemberists,) and has been nominated in the first round of Grammy in at least 4 categories, including ‘Traditional Folk Album of the Year.’ In an effort to get their music before as many potential Grammy voters as possible, they are offering it as a free download for a limited time. We recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts, download it and enjoy!

Download “Jubal’s Kin” here (will only be available as a free download until November 3, 2010) - Red Eyed Rooster

April 08, 2010|By Jim Abbott, SOUNDBOARD

And here's another musical group with a family connection:

Jubal's Kin, a fine roots music ensemble out of Orlando, will celebrate its self-titled debut release with an 8 p.m. show Wednesday at Ceviche in downtown Orlando. The group, with a delicate approach that's an inspired cross between the Carter Family and the Decemberists, leans on the musicianship of brother and sister duo Roger and Gailanne Amundsen.

Together, they have a list of qualifications as long as your arm:

The brother, on acoustic guitar, is a three-time Florida Old-Time Music Championship winner. Not to be outdone, sister Gailanne is the reigning Florida and Tennessee Grand Champion Old-Time Fiddler, an instrument she plays when she's not on clawhammer banjo. Another Amundsen brother, Jeffrey, adds acoustic bass. - Orlando Sentinel

October 27, 2010

Local Orlando band Jubal's Kin has some great news. Their record made it on to the shortlist for The 2011 Grammys in four categories including 'Traditional Folk Album of the Year.' - The Daily City

October 2010

Gailanne Amundsen and her older brother Roger are the heart of Jubals Kin. (Jubal is described, early in Genesis, as the father of all who handle the harpthe first stringed instrument player!) Roger plays guitar, dulcimer and mandolin; Gailanne plays fiddle, banjo and guitar. Their younger brother Jeffrey plays bass, but does not sing. (On this CD, Byron House plays bass on many of the tracks.) The siblings sing well together, choosing notes and vocal tones so as to blend into duets and more complicated harmonies using overdubs.

In one of the original Star Trek episodes, McCoy and Kirk are exploring an alien planet and McCoy says to Kirk, "It's life, Jim, but not as we know it." For a fast description of this CD, "It's old-time music, but not as we know it," is accurate, but unfair. If you are open to having your mind stretched beyond traditional old-time music, you will certainly enjoy this CD. In contrast to many old-time bands who play a tune or sing a song using Lewis Carroll's advice of, "Begin at the beginning, and go on until you come to the end, and then stop," almost every song here is arranged so as to progress from simple to more complicated as the song goes on. You first hear a single voice and a simple accompaniment, adding complexity and harmony voices as the song goes on. Sometimes the tempo changes as well, usually from slow to fast. (Raleigh and Spencer is a good example.)

Of the seven songs listed as traditional here, probably the one closest to the original is I Will Arise. The words date back to the 18th century, while the tune is the one that William Walker published in Southern Harmony in 1835. Using overdubs, the Amundsens add their own beautiful harmonies. No Depression is also very similar to the Carter Familys version, although the tempo has been slowed, and harmonies changed. Red Rocking Chair, also known as Red Apple Juice or Sugar Baby (depending on which of the floating verses you sing first) was first recorded by Dock Boggs in 1926. Charlie Monroe's version, from 1949, is already very different, and later recordings vary tempo, harmonies, and key. Jubal's Kin sings it in a way that was clearly influenced by Uncle Earl's version, but has changed the key and the harmonies from Uncle Earl. The game of Telephone (which I first learned as Whispering Down the Lane) might be a good analogy. Why should creativity have to stop with the first person to record (or, going back to Cecil Sharp and Maud Karpeles, write down) the song? In addition to their interpretation of traditional songs, Jubal's Kin covers more recently written songs: Dolly Parton's What will Baby Be, Patty Griffin's Rowing Song, and two others as well as five of their own compositions; four by Gailanne alone and one by Gailanne and Roger. In their own songs, clearly rooted in old-time music, they describe their own thoughts and feelings, yet avoid the self-indulgence of too many singer-songwriters. (Was Gailanne's 'Nothing is Free' written as an answer to, or even a tribute to, Welch and Rawlings' 'Everything is Free'? Or were they both inspired, directly or indirectly, by "The best things in life are free" from a 1925 Broadway musical?) The last song, Patty Griffin's Rowing Song with its simple, repetitious words, is probably my favorite of the newer songs.

Jubal's Kin uses acoustic instruments commonly associated with old-time music as a vehicle for their own creativity. They are doing with words and harmonies (as well as their instrumental skills, which are substantial) what people like Mark Simos, Garry Harrison, Jane Rothfield and others are doing when they write new tunes, or Adam Hurt and Walt Koken are doing as they create new ways of playing the banjo. The test will be, of course, whether other people follow this new path. This, Jubal's Kin's debut CD, blazes one of the trails that old-time music could take in the years ahead. - The Old-Time Herald

April 28, 2010

Fresh…homegrown…natural talent – that’s Jubal’s Kin. This family trio from Longwood, Fla., emerges onto the Central Florida music scene like wildflowers in a rural country landscape. Their folk tunes and “Old Time” music are a refreshing contrast to the hustle and bustle of modern life and mainstream’s predictable pop genre. Jubal’s Kin self-titled debut CD transports listeners to an era of bygone days, yet their songs convey relevant, timeless messages that transcend generations.


Amundsen family members: Roger (21), Gailanne (15), and Jeffrey (11), comprise Jubal’s Kin. What the group lacks in age is made up for in talent.

Jeffrey plays upright bass, Roger masters the guitar and mandolin, and Gailanne floats from guitar, to dulcimer to banjo to fiddle as effortlessly as switching partners in a square dance.

Gailanne’s confident lead vocals belie her youth; Roger’s vocal harmonies perfectly compliment his sister and bolster the performance dynamic. It is a musical match made in Heaven.


Roger, Jubal’s Kin guitar lead and a three time Florida Old-Time Music Champion, furthered his education at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., where he graduated with a music degree in mandolin and is currently seeking his MBA.

Home schooled Gailanne (pronounced Gay’Len) is the reigning Tennessee Grand Champion Fiddler and was also named the 2099 Florida State Rustic Fiddle Champion. Amazingly at age 9, Gailanne captured the blue ribbon for her solo in the women’s category when she attended her first Florida Old Time Music Championship.

Jeffrey, at age 11, says music is his favorite home school subject, along with science. He enjoys developing his upright bass skills and contributing his enthusiasm and musical gift.

A milestone in Jubal’s Kin’s journey was the official launch of their debut CD on April 14, 2010, and their CD Release party held in Downtown Orlando at Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant. The group’s new CD, along with their ambitious live performance schedule, gives Central Florida music lovers ample reason to celebrate and to see firsthand what the excitement is all about: Jubal’s Kin is worthy of praise and jubilation.

To learn more about Jubal’s Kin, purchase their CD, and to see their performance schedule, visit: http://www.jubals-kin.com/

- Michele Hudson

April 28, 2010

Folk music lovers flocked to Orlando’s Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant on April 14, 2010, for Jubal’s Kin highly anticipated CD release party. Making their mark in the folk music circuit, Jubal’s Kin captures the hearts of those who appreciate fresh talent and dedication to their craft. Songs showcase the group’s love of “Old Time,” folk, and acoustic roots music.
The talented trio – all members of the Amundsen family of Longwood, Fla. – brings passion and inspiration to the stage. Gailanne at age 15, (pronounced Gay’len), along with her brother Roger (21) and youngest brother, Jeffrey (11), form Jubal’s Kin. Their popularity and musical aptitude landed them a performance spot as headliner at the upcoming 58th annual Florida Folk Festival on May 28-29 at White Springs, Stephen Foster State Park.

On April 14, Ceviche Tapas served as a memorable backdrop for the celebration of Jubal’s Kin self-titled debut CD. Of the occasion Roger said, “It’s exciting to see all the pieces come together.” Production of the CD occurred in Nashville at Compass Studios under the direction of Erick Jaskowiak. Upright bass virtuoso Byron House and guest banjoist Luke Richardson contributed instrumental prowess to the project.

Jubal’s Kin CD release party was attended by the “Who’s Who” of Central Florida folk music. Among fans and celebrators were Will Becker, founder of the Orlando Acoustic Guitar Society, Musician Steve Waters of M.T. Pacwketts and Kathy Waters of WatersColors Photography, Singer/Songerwriter John French of The French Connection, and promoters of the Barberville Spring Frolic, Joe and Katie Waller of the Jackson Creek String Band.

Supporters Jim and Dianna Flynt of Central Florida have also closely followed the group’s journey. “We discovered Jubal’s Kin two years ago at the Maitland Farmer’s Market, says Jim. “We liked their music a lot,” says Dianna, “vocals, instrumentals, harmonies – a merge of all of the above. “They give their music that old time string sound,” Jim adds.

The 13-track CD delivers a unique mix of acoustic roots music traditionals, as well as four original tunes. Covers by Dolly Parton, Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin and The Decemberists provide an eclectic showcase of Jubal’s Kin’s musical personality.

“Cuckoo Bird” – a rousing cover tune with a teasing melody and mischievous lyric is a memorable uptempo selection. Jubal’s Kin’s rendition has the potential to become as popular as KT Tunstall’s “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” a stand-out song on Season 5 of American Idol, sung by finalist Katherine McPhee.

“Train on the Island” was recorded in a 1950’s style session. “We played it through two or three times straight and picked the best take,” says Roger. The slowed-down tempo of the song accelerates at the end with an energetic injection of “Hunting the Buffalo.”

Original ballad, “Heaven to Me,” showcases Gailanne’s powerfully pure vocals with a hauntingly beautiful melody buoyed by guitar and mandolin.

“What Will Baby Be” speaks of the love and care needed to raise an emotionally stable human, and how – what a baby becomes when grown – “all depends on you and me.” The song gets the point across in a non-preachy way with lyrics like, “Baby’s first school is a family.” It is an important song for the well being of our society.

Barry Brogan, President of Central Florida Folk, Inc., a nonprofit group that promotes folk music, has this to say about Jubal’s Kin:

“Jubal’s Kin” is a family group that brings new energy to old, and old-time music. Gailanne and Roger have been blue-ribbon competitors in a variety of instruments and vocal settings at old-time music competitions around the country, and they work very well as a group. Instrumental and vocal harmony is strong, and they craft each piece carefully so as to enhance each other’s voices and instrumental arrangements. Jeffrey is part of the group now, and it will be fun to watch him grow as his brother and sister have done the past few years. Anyone who thinks poorly of the younger generation should meet the Amundsens – and they will quickly be inspired to change their attitude.”

To purchase their CD or learn more about Jubal’s Kin, visit www.jubals-kin.com
- Michele Hudson

April 22, 2010 - The Daily City

December 13, 2009

As many of you know my favorite place to study is at the Winter Park Library. Well during my studying for finals I saw a flyer for a free Christmas concert put on by Jubal’s Kin. Surprise surprise surprise. These were the three young musicians that Julie Norris had on Front Porch Radio either the week before or after I was on.

Being a lover of traditional Bluegrass, roots and gospel I put these three on my radar the second I heard them on the radio. They have a great sound and their take on the genre is fresh and inspiring. So….we made it a point as a family to drop into the Library today to catch their show. We had a front row seat and our daughter was clapping away enraptured by the sound of live acoustic music.

I’ve cut together a little video that I shot with the Flip to give you guys an idea about the kind of music Jubal’s Kin plays. The trio was joined today by three other musicians, but their core group is made up of siblings Roger, Gailanne and Jeffrey Amundsen ages 21,15 and 11 respectively.

They’ve got a fair few awards under their belt already and with an engaging stage presence, some hot licks and a wonderful synergy, I expect great things from these young musicians. It is always a pleasure to discover new music, but when it is in your own backyard is that much sweeter. - A Local Folkus by John Rife

Dwayne Page
July 5, 2009

Gailanne Amundsen Receives Berry C Williams Award from Jamboree Coordinator Jack Barton
by:
Dwayne Page

The Grand Champion Fiddler of the 38th annual Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree and Crafts Festival is Gailanne Amundsen of Longwood, Florida.

She won the Berry C. Williams Memorial Award early Sunday morning after the Grand Finale Fiddle-Off between the best Junior and Senior Fiddler.

Amundsen made it to the fiddle off by winning the Junior Fiddling competition and she won the Grand Championship by beating the winner of the Senior Fiddling contest Scott Miller of Hanceville, Alabama.

The two day festival came to a close just after 2:00 a.m Sunday morning.

Rain and lightning forced a delay in the competition during the preliminaries of the square dancing and several hours later, as the weather continued to threaten, a decision was made to resume the festival but to move from the stage to inside of the Smithville Fire Hall, where the fire trucks are usually housed. All the contestants in the finals performed directly in front of a table of judges without microphones, and while there was no television or radio audience, a small crowd gathered in the fire hall to hear them.

For pix, video and more info go to, http://www.wjle.com/node/8085
and
www.jubals-kin.com - Middle Tennessee Times

Music resonates from the young Amundsen kinfolks as if Traditional America had them genetically programmed from her most exquisite saps. What a brew!

The beautiful, oft-barefooted Gailanne—a snatching from a Renaissance painting—, and Roger—whose devoted countenance recalls that of a Pre-Arthurian barb—take on the frontline for the refreshed retrospection that springs from their voices and instruments. In the background, fledging baby brother Jeffrey stands no less nimble in his role as the newly appointed upright bass.

The sum total of their ages hardly amounts to the moment when most mortals can assert full mastery of a trade, yet the performance of these Floridian musicians from Longwood strikes as a revelation of Jubal’s ancient ingenuity. The biblical artificer of music (Genesis 4:21) picks his heralds and, in this case, he has hurriedly inspirited the Amundsens in claiming that nothing universalizes more than turning to your own turf of origin.

Defining Influences

A definition of American roots music incites a skittery affair, but aside from likening it with whatever imparts a differential pitch to the Land, one can hardly gainsay that innovation here tiptoes within rigid time-honored paradigms. The many offshoots of the genre, at once far-flung and yet deep down territorial, join to snap a richly textured tile onto the world’s mosaic of musical identities, many of the same from which America has build its very own.

Even the most adept listeners still find themselves delightfully challenged as the sonic sphere tightens and unsuspected elements emerge, such as those, for instance, shared perhaps by the often forgotten émigrés from the Spanish Canary Islands.

These Islanders settled around the Louisiana area and beyond as early as the 18th century and although their isolation from mainstream culture served as a preservation stronghold for their traditions, a close, comparative listening may discern at times in roots a distant contact with the diasporic melancholy of their chants.

Newness within the Old

Jubal’s Kin attain a matchless appeal as they stir and settle their new-millennium seasoning to this growing gumbo of influxes. Guitar, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, fiddle, mountain dulcimer, banjo-uke and autoharp alternate in a repertoire where the hop of bluegrass meets the tug and spell of soul and gospel.

Their stage presence and delivery renders anew that innate feeling to America’s foundational jams, from groove rockin’ old time and blues, to a growing swarm of other “Jubalite” combinations. Here is a snippet from their newly released debut CD.

A great many Central Floridians already revere them as their golden exponents of roots, born to quicken the heritage, that which on their hands promises to remain crisply genuine, barefoot cozy and ever so more universal.
- Egberto Almenas

March 22, 2007
Ad Libbing by Jeff Shepherd

Jubal's Kin plays traditional music

Fiddle player Gailanne, 12, and Roger Amundsen, 18, a mandolin player, make up Jubal's Kin, one of the acts scheduled to perform at this year's DeLand Outdoor Art Festival. The Longwood-based duo is scheduled to play 11:15 a.m.-noon Sunday, March 25, at the festival in DeLand's Earl Brown Park. The name Jubal comes from the Bible; he was an Old Testament stringed-instrument maker and player. Gailanne is a home-schooled seventh-grader; Roger is a freshman at Rollins College, where he is studying music. Rollins doesn't currently have a mandolin teacher, but, in response to Roger's desire, the college is currently considering adding one to the staff.

In an age when "classic" might refer to music from the 1980s, who will preserve the genuinely roots, or traditional, styles?

One pair of young people from Longwood are doing their part by giving life to a new generation of traditional string music. Eighteen-year-old Roger Amundsen and his 12-year-old sister, Gailanne Amundsen, are playing stages at folk festivals, performing and learning new old-time tunes to add to their playlists.

The Amundsens' music is influenced by folk, bluegrass, Irish and Celtic styles. They even play Civil War tunes. However, this doesn't equate to a crusty archaic presentation of outdated material.

"Our arrangements are always new," Roger said.

He and Gailanne find inspiration in contemporary recording artists such as Mark O'Connor and Bela Fleck.

The young duo call themselves Jubal's Kin. Roger explains that in the Book of Genesis, Jubal was the first maker and player of stringed instruments.

Although few tunes in their repertoire would be recognized by mass audiences, their selections appeal to a loyal audience of folk and bluegrass pioneers known to many. Raise your hand if you know the Red Haired Boy. OK, one, maybe two of you. But I'll bet most of you know Bill Monroe.

"Gailanne has played 'Lonesome Midnight Waltz' by Bill Monroe," Roger said.

You will also find perhaps the most popular hymn of all time on the Amundsens' playlist: "Amazing Grace."

Jubal's Kin has yet to show another side of itself to audiences. This facet of Roger and Gailanne's music may pleasantly surprise an audience at some future folk festival.

"You never know when the day might come that we would put a little Bach piece in a set," Roger said.

With much encouragement and support from their parents, Roger and Scarlett Amundsen, the children, Gailanne and Roger, both took piano lessons from the earliest years of their instrumental pursuits. This was a formal study that included classical literature and technique.

"I've played 'Songs Without Words' by Felix Mendelssohn," Roger said, of his piano study.

Most listeners might not detect an ounce of classical training in the songs of Jubal's Kin, but this background is integral from the players' perspective.

There is yet another distinct element influencing the Amundsens' practice, the jazz tradition of improvisation. The pair are prepared to join other performers in impromptu collaborations.

"Gailanne and I will be asked to come up on stage. A lot of times, we might have to work or improvise on the tune," Roger said.

"We pick up new things from festivals; we hear things played from an Irish band, or from recordings too," Roger said. "We've played at the Barberville Fall Festival and Spring Frolic for the past two years. That's when we started playing after I picked up the mandolin."

Roger and Gailanne have also performed at the Lake County Folk Festival, in Eustis, and the Will McLean Festival, in Dade City. Will McLean was known widely as "Florida's troubadour."

"The jams at these various festivals are oftentimes more fun," Roger said.

Jubal's Kin has potential to grow to a trio or even a quartet. Roger and Gailanne have two younger siblings. Eight-year-old Jeffrey Amundsen has already picked up the banjo.

"He had a special (a three-quarter-sized) banjo made by a really good friend of ours," Gailanne said.

That friend is Altamonte Springs luthier Keith Snyder.

Two-year old Mattie Amundsen has not found her instrument yet, but she seems destined to play something.

"We're looking for a bass player. Right now, she could sit inside a bass and have extra room," Gailanne said.

Asked what her musical fantasy might be, Gailanne replied, "It would be really neat to grow up and play with someone great." Someone like Natalie MacMaster, Edgar Meyer or Mark O'Connor.

But this young fiddler believes she is already having a fantastic career.

"I'm happy where I am. I don't think I could get it any better," Gailanne said.

Jubal's Kin will perform 11:15 a.m.-noon Sunday, March 25, at the DeLand Outdoor Art Festival in Earl Brown Park. They will perform several times during the Spring Frolic at the Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts in Barberville: 12:30-12:55 p.m. on the Family Stage and 3:30-3:55 p.m. at the church, Saturday, April 14; and 11-11:25 a.m. at the barn and 4-4:25 p.m. on the Family Stage, Sunday, April 15.

- Shepherd is a professional musician and music teacher. Send e-mail for him to shepz@mpinet.net.

DeLand Outdoor Art Festival Entertainment Schedule 2007
Saturday, March 24
Jubal's Kin
12:15 pm - 1:00 pm



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The DeLand-Deltona Beacon
All Rights Reserved - DeLand-Deltona Beacon (FL)