Barley Jacks

“Synergy is the interaction of forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual parts.” – an apt description for the Barley Jacks. Brian’s mastery of the fiddle and mandolin is perfectly complemented by the virtuosity of Mike Cramer on guitar, Keith Yanes on bass, and Joel Arpin on percussion. The first thing an audience notices is the way these amazing musicians interact on stage. Each player listens and responds to the others. Brian responds to a musical idea of Mikes’s that is in turn elaborated on by Keith. Brian replies and so on until the music becomes something new and alive. Audience members get caught up in the action not unlike spectators watching top tennis players play an extended volley at Wimbledon. These guys really play and they really play.