The Duhks

The Duhks are a high-energy acoustic band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, whose roots music takes a little bit from here, a little bit from there, and creates a sound that appears to come from everywhere.

It actually does. Founded in 2002, the Duhks (pronounced ducks) are an A to Z musical amalgam of Afro-Cuban, Appalachian, bluegrass, blues, Brazilian Samba, Celtic, folk, French-Canadian, Irish dance, jazz, old-time country string-band, soul, and zydeco.

If your ears are exquisitely tone-tuned, you might detect a few other genres. The Canadian band is perfectly capable of throwing it all against the wall – and making it stick.

“It’s a little all over the map,” said Leonard Podolak, vocalist, banjo player and founder of the Duhks. “All of those influences are in the music. I’ve always loved traditional, old-time Appalachian, French-Canadian and Irish music.

“Our music is an eclectic mix. It’s mostly high energy and fun. It was always very difficult for us to categorize ourselves because we just figured we’re a folk band. It’s really music that’s based mostly on traditional influences from around the world.”

The world stage will be reduced to Scituate, where the Duhks will play for the first time on Thursday, Aug. 30. They’ll take over the River Club Music Hall at 8 p.m.

Although four of the five Duhks who’ll perform are from Winnipeg, north of the Canadian border, the majority of their gigs are south of the line separating provinces from states.

“For being a Canadian band, we’ve actually been mostly an American band,” Podolak, 37, said. “Once we got signed by Sugar Hill Records (almost a decade ago), that’s where all the publicity happens, in the States. We’ve had a lot of respect from the festival directors in Canada, but I’d say 95 percent of our touring is in America. That’s where our fan base is really located.”

Unlike many folk musicians, the Duhks don’t write many of the songs they perform either in concert or in the studio. Then, again, they’re not strictly folk, are they? They take traditional tunes, such as “Mighty Storm,” and lend their own treatment. Tom Rush, the New England folk icon who does a monstrous “Mighty Storm” in his own right, would tip his cap to the Duhks’ version.

“Mighty Storm” is a cut from the Duhks’ fourth, and most recent studio-produced, album, 2008’s “Fast Paced World.”

“Heaven’s My Home,” from their third CD, was nominated for the 2007 Grammy award for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal - wickedlocal.com

On Friday, Feb. 14, the Duhks come to the Rotary Stage in Andrews Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. At a glance, the Duhks seem to be an old-time country string band. But on closer inspection, this “neo-folk” act incorporates such diverse styles as soul, gospel, zydeco, Irish dance music and even Brazilian samba.

Their mastery of various folk influences is what makes the Duhks (pronounced “ducks”) a favorite among such superstars as David Crosby and Dolly Parton. And the upbeat tunes and soulful stylings of vocalist Jesse Havey could make this a perfect Valentine’s Day show for Sonoma Valley lovers. - Sonoma Index-Tribune

Seeing Grammy nominated, Juno award winners The Duhks llive is nothing short of a spiritual experience. A syncopated bluesy banjo number seamlessly follows a Brazilian samba; an old-time jaunt nestles comfortably next to a gospel performance by vocalist Jessee Havey - her soulful voice piercing like the heart tattoo on her chest. One of the most musically adventurous bands to come from the roots scene in the past decade, The Duhks return to the stage is definitely a cause for celebration. - See more at: http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/event/duhks-concert#sthash.5jacDurd.dpuf - Crested Butte, Colorado