Country

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United States of America

Birth

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June 3, 1981 in Brattleboro, VT

 

Sam Amidon is a folk musician and composer who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on June 3, 1981, in Brattleboro, Vermont, Amidon grew up in a musical family. His parents, Peter and Mary Alice Amidon, were both folk musicians and educators who ran a music and dance camp in Vermont. Amidon's siblings, Stefan and Zara, are also musicians. Amidon began playing the fiddle at a young age and later learned to play the banjo and guitar. He attended The Putney School, a progressive boarding school in Vermont, where he studied music and played in a band with his classmates. After graduating from high school, Amidon attended Hampshire College in Massachusetts, where he studied music and anthropology. In 2001, Amidon released his first album, "Solo Fiddle," which featured traditional fiddle tunes. He went on to release several more albums, including "But This Chicken Proved Falsehearted" (2007), "All Is Well" (2008), and "Bright Sunny South" (2013). Amidon's music is characterized by his unique arrangements of traditional folk songs, which often incorporate elements of jazz, classical, and experimental music. Amidon has collaborated with a number of other musicians, including Nico Muhly, Thomas Bartlett, and Beth Orton. He has also performed with the Kronos Quartet and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. In 2014, Amidon was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony to compose a piece for their New Music for Orchestra series. Amidon has received critical acclaim for his music. His album "All Is Well" was named one of the top ten folk albums of 2008 by The Guardian, and his album "Bright Sunny South" was named one of the top ten folk albums of 2013 by NPR. Amidon has also been nominated for several awards, including the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and the Independent Music Awards. In addition to his work as a musician, Amidon is also a visual artist. He has created artwork for his album covers and has exhibited his paintings and drawings in galleries in New York and Vermont. Amidon continues to tour and perform, both as a solo artist and with other musicians. He has performed at major music festivals, including the Newport Folk Festival and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Amidon's music has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "transcendent," and he is considered one of the most innovative and exciting folk musicians of his generation.

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