Phil Rosenthal, dobjo, guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals, is a nationally renowned singer, songwriter, recording artist and record producer. For many years the lead singer and guitarist in the popular bluegrass group The Seldom Scene, he is also highly respected for his instrumental skills on banjo and mandolin.

    A native of Guilford, CT, Phil began his professional career in the 1970's as mandolin player and singer in the New England-based bluegrass bands Apple Country and Old Dog. In 1977, he joined The Seldom Scene, travelling widely with the group throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan, including appearances at the Grand Old Opry and the White House. He recorded seven albums with the band, receiving a Grammy nomination for his work on Scene 20 . In 1986, he left the group in order to run American Melody, a recording company founded with wife Beth Sommers, devoted to producing bluegrass and folk music for children and families. The label's 22 releases thus far feature Phil and a variety of other noted performers, and have won many awards from the Parents' Choice Foundation, the American Library Association, and other organizations.

     Phil is also a successful songwriter whose original compositions have been recorded by many artists including Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. In 1994, the Connecticut Commission on the Arts appointed him official Connecticut State Troubadour.

     Phil performs currently as a soloist, and in the trio The Rosenthals with his daughter Naomi Sommers and son Daniel Rosenthal: www.therosenthals.org

 

Peter (Washboard Slim) Menta, harmonica and vocals, is thirty year veteran, performing jug band and blues music, Washboard Slim was featured at the Philadelphia Folk Festival with the Barrelhouse Boys. In addition, he has appeared on stage with Willie Dixon, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Geoff Muldaur, Eric Von Schmidt, Fritz Richmond and Dave Van Ronk.

 

Chris Wuerth, from Hamden, plays guitar and sings. He is a member of the traditional bluegrass and country music quartet, the East Rock Ramblers. Chris has been putting on the popular GuitartownCT bluegrass concert series in the area since 2008. He played for seven years with local bluegrass group Ragweed. He also leads the twice monthly bluegrass jam at Best Video.

 

Bobo Lavorgna, upright bass and vocals, has been performing and recording with regional folk, rock, blues and jazz groups for fifty years, most recently with 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mark Naftalin, Jake & the Family Jewels, Ebin-Rose Trio, The Guy Zinda Band, Robert Silverman, Tommy Cosmo, and Bobo and the Unusuals. He toured the U.S. in the mid-1970s as a member of the Stormin’ Norman and Suzy Band when they opened for Manhattan Transfer at Carnegie Hall. Bobo has opened for many well known acts including Sam and Dave, Ritchie Havens, Ian Matthews, Geoff Muldaur, NRBQ, Pousette-Dart Band, and John Hammond (with Robert Crotty)