From the bayous of Louisiana to the hills of Cape Breton; from the mansions of Newport to the headlands of Mendocino, music lovers gather each year to celebrate their favorite music -- live and in the company of friends and fellow fanatics. Music Festivals from Bach to Blues is the first-ever guide to all genres of North American music festivals, covering 1,001 of the best and most interesting music festivals in the U.S. and Canada.
Illustrated with more than 150 photographs, its 580 pages reveal a continent packed with festivals catering to every musical taste: from upright folk to low-down funk, back-roads country to high-brow classical, twangy bluegrass to big-city blues.
With a lively, authoritative style, author Tom Clynes tells readers exactly when, where, and how to join the musical feast -- and what to expect once they arrive. Entries capture the spirit and specifics of each festival, and provide details on location, food, music workshops, children's activities, and nearby attractions. Each entry also provides contact numbers (many toll-free) for local sources of lodging and tourist information.
According to Clynes, "the overriding theme of this book is discovery of great music, great places, and authentic culture." Since many of the festivals are held in exciting cities and beautiful tourist destinations, Clynes says the book is especially useful for music lovers who want to plan their vacations around festivals.
Each genre's most important festivals are covered, but Clynes and his research team also traveled to the nooks and crannies of the continent to bring readers lesser-known gems like Celtic fiddle fests in Atlantic Canada, blues meltdowns on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, and jazz and chamber music festivals in the Rocky Mountains.
"We discovered that regional music is enjoying a spirited resurgence in the U.S. and Canada," said Clynes, "and that authentic sounds are thriving on the outskirts of the North American music scene." In addition to great music, the festivals covered in Music Festivals from Bach to Blues offer opportunities to experience local character and culture. "Readers will often find tasty food, picturesque locations, and some of North America's most precious and esoteric folk traditions."
Through the book's table of contents and "Festival Finder" indexes, readers can easily access events by genre, location, date, and festival name. Plus, a special section on music workshops details the many outstanding programs where music lovers can learn from world-class musicians.
Music Festivals from Bach to Blues was the American Library Association's 1997 Reference Book of the Year.
