Rob Duquette

Multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, composer, founder/leader of the band "duquette" Rob was a long time sideman during the 1990's on drums, xylophone, guitar, and vocals and a part of of the critically acclaimed jazz-folk-pop duo “Cactus Highway” during the 2000's. ("Amazing" - The Village Voice). In 2013, he was invited to play with Jonathan Edwards' touring band and accompanied that tour through 2016.

A skilled music instructor, composer, and arranger, his work reflects the versatility and eclectic musical range that has brought him and his music around the country. Rob has performed alongside Jack Sonni of Dire Straits, recorded and shared the stage with the Grammy winning Dave Gutter, and with legendary composer David Amram among many other great artists including his current bandmates. Rob has released several albums of original music on which he plays most of the instruments, recorded, and produced from his studio in Biddeford Maine.

Gus & Jean

Performing together for over 25 years, Gus & Jean are a husband-and-wife duo based in Southern NH/ME known for their creative interpretations, seamless harmonies, and undeniable chemistry. From classic hits to contemporary favorites, their wide-ranging setlist spans James Taylor to Whitney Houston to Ed Sheeran, connecting with listeners of all ages.

Their dynamic sound has earned them a growing social media following with over 23K views and the attention of industry figures, including the NH Music Collective, Boston's Mix 104.1 radio host Kennedy of Karson and Kennedy, and Grammy-winning artist Lisa Loeb.

Last year marked their breakout year. In the summer of 2024, they were a featured artist for Play Music on the Porch Day, an annual world-wide event. They also recorded their debut EP of acoustic covers, Live at The Studio Portland in Portland, Maine. That fall, they showcased their original music, placing second in the preliminary rounds of the NH Music Collective's 2024 Singer-Songwriter Contest.

Whether captivating large crowds on the 92.5 The River stage at the Manchester Citywide Arts Festival or creating intimate vibes at venues like The Shaskeen in Manchester, NH and Patrick's Pub in Gilford, NH, Gus & Jean deliver performances that leave audiences singing long after the last note.

Todd Monroe

Todd Monroe is a versatile and passionate musician whose career has spanned genres, generations, and communities. During his musical career he has performed as a solo artist as well as multiple groups in the Austin area for over 25 years.

As a founding member of the Contrafact Jazz Group, Todd brought his creative vision and technical expertise to the forefront of the ensemble. Known for their intricate arrangements and innovative interpretations, Contrafact Jazz Group became a local favorite in Austin for over 20 years, captivating audiences with their sophisticated sound and dynamic performances. Todd’s contributions as a skilled instrumentalist and composer played a pivotal role in shaping the group’s unique identity.

Howie Newman and
Knock on Wood

Howie Newman and Joe Kessler, also known as Knock on Wood, are anything but a typical folk combo, performing funny original songs (suitable for all ages) as well as well-known rock covers. Their varied repertoire includes everything from Tom Petty to Buffalo Springfield to the Stray Cats.

No matter what they play, it features excellent musicianship, pleasing vocal harmonies and … lots of fun.

Newman (guitar, harmonica, vocals) is the songwriter and his engaging manner, which includes G-rated comedy and lots of audience participation, has charmed audiences all over New England. Song topics include baseball, his wife’s inability to parallel park and not-so-graceful-aging. There are also heart-warming songs about his first grandchild and surviving the pandemic.

Kessler plays fiddle and mandolin with an energetic improvisational style that includes folk, rock, jazz and bluegrass. He has toured throughout the United States and Canada as well as eight other countries, performing with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Morphine, the Boogaloo Swamis and many others.

Robyn Macy

Robyn’s musical journey began in the nineteen sixties during "the Great Folk Scare."  Early influences included listening to the music of Dave Van Ronk and Mississippi John Hurt whose finger-picking seemed to be just this side of magical. Over all the years, her love of the fingerstyle blues has persisted and expanded.

After college and grad school, a decades long engineering career interrupted Robyn's musical pursuits but after a lapse of many years, she returned to music with enthusiasm, studying voice with Karen Simpson and guitar with Jimmy Sferes. Robyn has studied briefly with Harvey Reid. During the past ten years Robyn has performed at open mics in Sunapee, Andover and Warner, playing both covers and some original material. Robyn is therefore a newcomer to the stage, with tonight's debut performance being the fulfillment of a dream many years in the making. She aims to make it a good one.

Beyond the blues, Robyn loves songs with some emotional heft and she frequently sings songs that tell a story. Songs that are poignant, wistful, funny, or gritty all reach out to her. So, look for some traditional fingerstyle blues, some covers that may pull the heart strings and some original songs as well.

NO COFFEEHOUSE

Thanksgiving Aftermath
&
Recovery

John Porcino

For 41 years, John has been bringing audiences the gifts of laughter and insight, leaving them with nourished minds and spirits. Kindled form the flickering flames of story, song, and music, his beloved programs are humorous, tender, foolish, joyful, hopeful sparks form the fire of life.

Performances are celebrations of story and song sparked to life with warmth, humor, a playful touch of audience participation, instruments from around the world and a message of caring for our planet and each other.

Much Johns training for his 40 years as a storyteller and singer arose while creating and participating in the zany and touching moments around a campfire. All of life, seen through a flickering fire light, surrounded by the magnificent beauty of our natural world. These days John gives some 150 performances and workshops each year for folks of all shapes and sizes. His publications include the book "Spinning Tales: Weaving Hope" and his newly released recording "A Heck of a Way to Stay Warm: Stories and Songs that Kindle Winter's hidden light" . For John the arts are joyful pathways toward celebrating our common humanity and the legacy of life on our planet.