Featured Artist

Tabby Finch describes her music-making as "her spiritual center." Listening to her music, it's not hard to see why. The distinctive sound of the hammered dulcimer reminds one of musical, lyrical raindrops.

The hammered dulcimer is a trapezoid shaped instrument with many strings, thought to be an ancient precursor to the piano. Finch's family owned an antique dulcimer from the 1840s but no one knew what it was. In 1975, Ms. Finch caught a performance of Hickory Wind in which this unique instrument was played. Realizing her family's instrument was a dulcimer, she promised to keep it in the family if she could have it restored and learn to play it. She also plays harp, accordion, and piano.

Ms. Finch, who lives in Roundhill, performs with several groups. Happy Creek features Irish dance music and the music of Appalachia. The Bog Wanderers is one the Mid-Atlantic's finest Celtic Ceili bands. Most recently, she has been teaming up with local legend, Sam Morgan, in Mucho Gusto, a band which plays what Finch laughingly describes as "café-traditional-vintage-international-folk music." They are aptly named as Finch affirms that they do indeed "play with gusto!" The two are also part of the trio, Los Vineros, featuring vocalist/guitarist Rich Amelang in a repertoire of cafe jazz, Latin, and swing.

To learn more about Tabby Finch please go to http://www.fallingmountain.com/finch.html. Catch them live at the Bluemont Dance in Purcellville, December 16, or in concert with Seldom Herd featuring singer Milt Herd at First Night Leesburg, December 31.