OUR BANDS
Sarah and John have performed over the years in several band combinations. They can be hired for your special event as a duo, trio with an added bass, and occasionally with an added dancer or fourth musician depending on the gig. Below is a description of each band combination that is available for hire now, with music and video samples below. John is also a composer and has written many beautiful fiddle tunes. Contact us for more information, music set lists, or more music samples for your event!
These combinations of bands are led by Sarah Hotchkiss and John Mowad who live in Winooski. John and Sarah have been teaching and performing in Vermont for a few decades and are well known and respected for the intelligence and sincerity they bring to their music. Their music is rhythmically driving and full of the old home-made Saturday Night good-timey spirit. Their plain, simple genuineness conveys the deep love they have for their music, each other and the people they share their gifts with. Bringing you music from Wales to West Virginia, now with their new Middle Eastern tunes in the mix!
High-Low-Jack
High-Low-Jack performing at Farmer’s Night at the Vermont Statehouse. Photo by Erika Mitchell
High-Low-Jack is an old-timey “mom and pop” duo. We play a variety of different songs and tunes from the southern and northern repertoire as well as anything from the Middle East to the West Coast. John has also written many beautiful fiddle tunes that we frequently play and share. Sarah plays the banjo when John plays fiddle, and John plays the guitar when Sarah plays fiddle.
HIGH-LOW-JACK is one of several names for an old-time card game that originated in the 1600s in England and is still very popular there. A bit too long of a story as to how we ended up naming our duo after the game!
John and Sarah perform Palestinian music In Greensboro, Vermont at the Celebration of Palestinian Life and Culture event on May 4, 2024. Our music selections are at the very beginning, at 35 minutes, and again at 1:14.
In the video above we were playing a tune that John wrote in honor of our daughter’s husband’s family called Lussier Mountain Boys. It was rather COLD that day!!! And windy, too! My daughter and son-in-law made this as a gift to their father, a casual family video. Location: Craftsbury, VT.
Damn Yankee String Band
“SOUTHERN FRIED AND YANKEE HARD BOILED!”
Damn Yankee String Band is a three (or sometimes four) member band that plays Old Time, Vintage Country, and "Hillbilly Jazz."
"I want to express how pleased I am with how last night went. More than one person said to me, "You know, I'm really digging this band." You guys made the evening really special..." Larry Swanson, Whistle Pig Whiskey 2014
The Damn Yankee String Band’s music usually consists of Old-timey fiddle tunes but for certain events they may also draw from their repertoire of, as John has described it, "gambling songs, bad guy songs, railroad songs, songs of sin and sadness, real music for real folks, good-timey and bad-timey music." Fiddle, guitar, banjo, bass and sometimes a mandolin added to the mix--real old-timey music the old-timey way!
The Damn Yankee String Band played recently at the Vermont Wedding Barn pictured here with our bass player and good friend, Mike Ricciarelli.
Les Oignons Sauvages
Sarah and John have been living in Winooski since 2013. Winooski means "Wild Onion" and due to their ever growing Quebecois and French Canadian repertoire, they decided to form a duo under the name of 'Les Oignons Sauvages'. Frequent performers at Winooski's French Heritage Festival and at Sugar Houses around the state, this is a natural fit for the two. The duo plays fiddle music with vocals and fretted instrument accompaniment, often with guest dancers and other musicians. The repertoire combines a lively blend of classics and newly composed tunes in the traditional style from north of the border, along with many of John's originals that are written in a complimentary style. Also included are many tunes that New England players from the French Heritage enjoy.
Les Oignons Sauvages with Ann Whiting, Clogger, at the French Heritage Festival in Winooski
Cariad wedding duo
Cariad is a band that specializes in the traditional folk music of Wales. This is an especially rich and beautiful repertoire that fits extremely well in wedding ceremonies due to its capacity to please a wide range of audiences.
Vermont Fiddle Orchestra
Sarah founded the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra in 2003 and was the director for the first ten years. John was the assistant director and music arranger. It is now under the leadership of Peter MacFarlane, but Sarah and John still participate occasionally. On December 2, 2023 they were invited to return as soloists for the Twentieth Anniversary Celebration. Below is a YouTube link to that show. In December of 2013 No Audition Required: The Vermont Fiddle Orchestra’s First Ten Years premiered at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier, VT. Enjoy!