An American Pastiche

Featuring Jeff Ward, Mark Paffrath, and Zachary Scot Johnson

Saturday May 13, 2017, 7 PM
Racine Masonic Center
1012 Main Street, Racine, WI

Advance ticket sales for this concert are closed. Tickets at the door are very limited, so arrive early. The box office opens at 6:00 p.m. thank you.

In the new world, we are fortunate to have musical influences from around the globe. We Americans have combined many of these, which has resulted in our rich and diverse music. An American Pastiche is your opportunity to hear many of these treasures. Ward, Paffrath and Johnson will thrill you with their exceptional solo/small group performances. They will also join forces with the 60-voice chorus. The evening will celebrate music by American composers and songwriters, from Randall Thompson and Aaron Copland to Pete Seeger and recent Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan.

Are you a Choral Arts Society alum? Please contact us about singing the specially planned choruses at this concert. E-mail us or phone us at 262-634-3250.

Zachary Scot Johnson

An accomplished singer/songwriter, he is also a compelling live performer with a strong internet presence. He tours extensively, and has released several CDs, including 2011’s “Live at the Guild” with longtime collaborators Mark Paffrath and Jeff Ward. Born and raised in Racine, WI, Johnson now resides in Saint Paul, MN. He graduated in 2006 from Lawrence University with a triple major of music performance, theatre arts and psychology. Johnson is a masterful multi-instrumentalist, and his repertoire covers a wide range of styles and genres, from folk to jazz, rock to spoken word, blues to pop, country to a cappella, gospel to instrumental and more. Please visit him on www.zacharyscotjohnson.com.

Mark Paffrath

Mark is a pop/folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has been charming audiences for over 25 years with his well-honed vocal and instrumental skills. While he is not fond of comparisons, his vocals have been called reminiscent of Kenny Loggins, Dwight Yoakam, John Denver and Lyle Lovett. (That’s some kind of hybrid!) And whether he’s flat-picking, finger-picking, or soloing, his rolling and percussive “big” guitar sound is not only due to the vintage Gibson he is so attached to but also to his many years as a drummer and mandolin player. Learn more at http://www.markpaffrath.com.

Jeff Ward

Jeff’s interest in music began at a very early age, as part of a very musical family. After cutting his musical teeth on classical violin, he changed direction and took up the guitar, and learned to play and sing traditional songs of Ireland and Scotland. He later founded and operated the Carlisle Folk Club near the English Lake District, which hosted many top touring Celtic artists. Jeff soon built his own repertoire and reputation as a fine Celtic performer. After Jeff and his family relocated to the Milwaukee area, he scratched the music itch again and was soon singing and playing throughout the Midwest. Jeff’s music includes a nice mix of Irish & Scottish ballads and drinking songs, and acoustic American folk songs. http://www.jeff-ward.net/home.htm