The Joe Cirotti Trio, a seasoned string band from Northwest New Jersey’s Appalachian ridge, blends American folk, jazz, country, and bluegrass with modern flair. Formed in 2015, the trio—Joe Cirotti (guitar), Pete Lister (upright bass), and Timmy Coyle (mandolin, guitar)—crafts a sound rooted in tradition and blue-collar passion. Often joined by founding member Mike Alexander and others on banjo, fiddle, or percussion, they’re a fixture at top regional venues. Influenced by artists from Doc Watson to Django Reinhardt and Pink Floyd, their debut album Joe Cirotti Trio (2023) showcases their unique fusion of Americana, bluegrass, and gypsy jazz.

Website: https://www.joecirottitrio.com/

Video: https://youtu.be/-d4jgQmNjl8

Over the course of a prolific 40+ year career, 32 releases and 17 solo albums, Rees Shad has crafted music that is both poignant and profound. He is dedicated to crafting short story songs that cross genre lines to serve the spirit of each tale he weaves and engage his audiences in deep and meaningful ways. Shad’s latest release Porcelain Angel is being lauded for its “grace and elegance” (Americana UK), “all–knowing tonality” (Americana Highways), and for “pushing the boundaries of musical storytelling” (The Rogovoy Report).

https://www.reesshadmusic.com/

https://youtu.be/0cA5gOCblvM

IN-PERSON in Morristown, NJ

Advance in-person tickets $20 (+$1.09 service fee); members $15 (+$.90 service fee): https://folkproject.org/mec-events/2026-01-02/

Live webcast $10: https://aftontickets.com/CirottiShad