BEN SOLLEE is Kentucky-born cellist, singer-songwriter, and composer known for his innovative playing style, genre-bending songwriting, electrifying performances, political activism, and wide appeal. Like his contemporaries Chris Thile and Abigail Washburn, Sollee’s music is difficult to pin down. It’s Ben’s quality of narrative and presence on stage that unifies his musical influences. This past year Ben has performed at Carnegie Hall, wrote the score for the documentary film Maidentrip, toured for two weeks in Europe and returned to the United States to perform with the Charlotte Ballet.
THE PORTLAND CELLO PROJECT has wowed audiences all over the country with extravagant performances. Since the group's inception in late 2007, the group has built a reputation mixing genres and blurring musical lines and perceptions wherever they go. No two shows are alike, with a repertoire now numbering over 1,000 pieces of music both expected and unexpected to come from a cello. The Cello Project's stage setup ranges from the very simple (4-6 cellos), to the all out epic (which has included 12 cellos playing with full choirs, winds, horns, and numerous percussion players).
WoodSongs Kid: Lily Murphy is 15 years old and from Midway, Kentucky. She started playing cello in the 7th grade with the orchestra.