Starting September 1st, and featuring Joe Fulton on fiddle!
New Release: Down The River Road
I am happy to announce the release of my latest album, Down The River Road, a collection of old time and bluegrass duets with Bobby Winstead. It is available now for streaming and download on all major platforms.
Merchandise
We have stickers, t-shirts, and limited edition prints available at the links below:
Prints:
https://jackdwyermusic.etsy.com
Tee-Shirts:
Design #1: https://www.stickermule.com/u/71c54b560d76346/item/15494604
Design #2: https://www.stickermule.com/u/71c54b560d76346/item/14263559
Stickers:
https://jackdwyer.bigcartel.com/product/stickers
New Release: Dinner In Tennessee
Hey all! I have a new album out on Bandcamp today. This twelve song collection features acoustic blues and roots music performed on guitar, and explores some fingerstyle and slide techniques.
The Devil’s Lullaby Video Single
Fingerpicking and Slide 101
A short tutorial on some of the guitar playing techniques used on “Dinner In Tennessee:”
How To Play: Morning Hornpipe Banjo Tutorial
Here’s a song tutorial for an original instrumental banjo tune, “Morning Hornpipe,” from my latest album, Jack Dwyer On The Banjo, available here:
http://jackdwyer.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-banjo
Banjo Tab
The tab is available here:
https://jackdwyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Morning-Hornpipe-BANJO-TAB.pdf
New Release: Jack Dwyer “On The Banjo”
Available Now On Bandcamp
Video Single: “Polka On The Banjo / Banjo Polka”
How To Play: The Banjo Polka
Banjo Tab for The Banjo Polka
Jack Dwyer on Mandolin Monday
New Release: Rondos Vol. 1
Hey all!
I am pleased to announce the release of my latest album, Rondos Vol. I, a collection of original tunes in rondo form. This first volume of music features demonstration recordings for fifteen tunes and a PDF booklet. (CD and print versions to come!) Check it out here:
https://jackdwyer.bandcamp.com/album/rondos-vol-i
Jack Dwyer On Mandolin Mondays
Here’s a video of Rondo No. 6, as featured on the YouTube series Mandolin Mondays:
Music Booklet
Included with the audio download is a 36 page PDF booklet with complete music notation for all fifteen tunes and an introductory chapter on the origins and structure of the rondo. Here is a look at the sheet music for Rondo No. 1 The Homecoming Rondo:
Great Jack, But What Is A Rondo?
Oh wait a minute… You don’t know what a rondo is? No worries! I didn’t either, but I went and found out. Now you can read all about it down below (nerd alert).
A Word From The Author: (From the Bandcamp liner notes)
These tunes are an exploration of the rondo form, which originated in European baroque and classical music and entered folk traditions around the world including Brazilian choro, and French musette. The rondo form is characterized by a primary refrain that alternates between two or more novel themes. As an example, the rondos in this volume generally follow an AA BB A CC A form.
This particular rondo form is also known as the “French waltz form” for its presence in French musette and is also a major feature of Brazilian choro music (of various time signatures). Choro developed in Rio de Janeiro during the early 1900s in parallel to American ragtime and is a similar amalgamation of African, Indigenous American, and European influences.
Both choro and ragtime feature syncopated rhythms, recurring melodic themes, complex harmony, and modulating tonalities. However, the two styles developed somewhat independently of one another, and this created notable differences between them. Whereas choro relies heavily on the rondo, ragtime’s main European formal forebearer was the march form popularized by John Philip Sousa. The march is a more recent development, and bears a stronger resemblance to the sonata.
That is all to say: the Northern American rondo is a rare thing. Some rags are rondos, like Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer,” but most are not. There are a handful of American fiddle tunes that come close. Bill Monroe’s “Big Mon” features an alternate A part: A B A1 B. The Texas contest tune “Lime Rock” or “Limerock Rag,” is sometimes played as a rondo. However, aside from a few exceptions, this form never flourished in the United States the way it did elsewhere even in the Americas. This was likely due to the popularity of ragtime, as well as the longstanding hegemony of the AABB form.
Which brings us to a question… what if this were not the case? What if there were rondos in America? What would they sound like? Well… no need to wonder! Just sit back and enjoy this alt-history musicological experiment. Partake in some parallel-universe folk music. In this spirit, I submit a first volume for your listening and playing pleasure.
Keep a look out for Volume II!
Thanks for listening,
Jack Dwyer
Port Townsend, WA
Spring 2023
Horseshoe Music Launch
Hey all – happy spring!
Introducing: Horseshoe Music
Excited to announce that I’m launching a music publishing and licensing company, called Horseshoe Music. Our goal is to connect independent musicians with filmmakers and videographers and help place original music in films, T.V., commercials, promotional videos, and online marketing content. Check us out at HorseshoeMusic.com and help spread the word!
Spring Shows
Also, be sure and check the schedule page for info on my local Port Townsend and Peninsula-area shows this spring.
Winter Shows And More
Hey all! Hope you are staying warm and well this winter. Here’s what I’m up to:
December Shows:
I’ll be playing a few more shows this month to close out 2022, check the calendar page for more info.
Seasons Greetings:
If you’re looking for some Christmas cheer, check this out. Or maybe you celebrate the solstice, in which case, this is for you.
2023 Regulars
Starting in January, I’ll have some new regular shows in Port Townsend:
Every Third Saturday Dance
Honky Tonk at the Hilltop w/
Jack Dwyer & The All-Nighters
The Hilltop Tavern
Port Townsend, WA
8pm
Every Tuesday
Jack Dwyer & Bobby Winstead
acoustic old-time, country, and bluegrass on mandolin and guitar
The Anchor Pub
Port Townsend, WA
6-8pm
Stay Tuned
Also, stay tuned for some new music releases in 2023! Check back here or join my mailing list (by writing to jackdwyerlist@gmail.com) to hear all about it!
Fall Shows
Hey all – happy fall!
I’m sticking to the Peninsula this fall, so you’ll have some opportunities to catch me local.
I’m playing Second Sundays from 6 to 8pm in the Rook at the Castle in Port Townsend, and I’m playing Sunday afternoons with Bobby Winstead at the Anchor Pub on Water Street.
We’re doing another Honky Tonk on October 15th at the Hilltop Tavern, 8pm.
Keep an eye for other shows in and around Port Townsend, and check my schedule for all dates.