The Maybelles: Bio
The Maybelles
The Maybelles began when Melissa Carper and Jan Bell met during the Ozark Folk Festival. They set up to play outside the New Orleans Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas - and decided to travel up to the Walnut Valley Folk Festival in Winfield, Kansas.
Mike West heard them play on the infamous Stage Seven and invited them to New Orleans to record an album at his Ninth Ward Pickin' Parlor. There they made 'Songs for My Baby' which the Village Voice described as 'Beautiful, Celtic, Appalachian tinged folk.' They went on to play regularly in New Orleans, where the album was well reviewed in Offbeat Magazine, and went into rotation on WWOZ.
Spring took them up to New York City, for the Brooklyn Bridge Outdoor Sculpture Music Festival, where they teamed up with violinist Katy Rose Cox.
Down by the Brooklyn Bridge the Little Red Hen Music's Urban Cowgirl Cabaret featured country bands on the back of a '64 Ford pick up truck – playing tribute shows to their honky tonk heroes – Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Jimmie Rodgers... Three part harmony, and high energy originals made for a lively show – alongside rare pearls, old time country, and soulful country classics.
In winter, The Maybelles went south to play the streets and clubs of New Orleans; and recorded their second album 'White Trash Jenny' at Mike West's Ninth Ward Pickin' Parlor. (Top Ten Folk Albums, Village Voice 2005; Performing Songwriter Top 12 DIY)
The Maybelles have had the honor of opening for several living legends. In Eureka Springs, they opened for Emmylou Harris; and joined Mary Fly when she opened for Ray Charles and his Orchestra. Back up in New York City they brought Wanda Jackson to town; and had an unforgettable night opening the show for her.
Last year at The 60th Annual Ozark Folk Festival, The Maybelles played the Pre-Show for the one and only Odetta.
The Maybelles were selected to play an official showcase at the Annual North American Folk Alliance Convention in Memphis 2007.
This Fall, the Maybelles have been invited to play Fun Fest at The International Bluegrass Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee 2008.
The Maybelles are all singer songwriters, and composers:
Jan Bell - Guitar/Singer/Songwriter
hails from coal mining country in Yorkshire, England, trained in English Literature, Theater, writing and radio.
She came to NYC as a student teacher; fell in love with the folk festival realm, and later teamed up with Melissa Carper on the streets of New Orleans.
"Her melodies are rich and meaty...really fine songs...completely won me over" MT for SING OUT!
"When the Be Good Tanya's first started out, the sound they were aiming for was probably something like this...Wonderful, chiller, thriller of an album." 4 Stars - Critics Choice NXNE, Tim Perlich, NOW Toronto.
"A mighty fine album. Simple, well sung songs, the way it should be."
Americana UK.
"Dreamy, beautifully modulated, and exquisitely arranged folk country blues."
3rd Coast Music.
Jan is an award winning songwriter, earning first place in New Orleans city wide contest 2005, and New Jersey Folk Festival 2007.
Her recent album - Produced by Samantha Parton of The Be Good Tanyas - with her Brooklyn Band The Cheap Dates won The People's Choice Award in the Independent Music Awards, for Best Alt. Country Album of the year 2008.
Melissa Carper - Singer/Songwriter/Upright Bass
grew up in Nebraska and by 8 years old was playing bass and singing country and gospel in the Carper Family Band.
She went on to study classically for three years at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The next few years Melissa took to the road returning to folk/roots music.
As a member of the Camptown Ladies she reached the finals of Prairie Home Companion's Towns Under 2000 Show at The Town Hall in NYC (2001). The company and crew voted them Best Band, for which they received the Ray Markland Award.
At the Woody Guthrie Festival, the Oklahoma press made the oft received comparison to Gillian Welch.
More recently, Melissa was nominated twice in Just Plain Folks BEST BLUEGRASS SONG 2006 for 'Twin Cousins' and 'Snow Plow Johnny' both from The Maybelles album 'White Trash Jenny'.
Katy Rose Cox - Singer/Composer/Fiddle
A Native Texan, Katy Rose began her musical career as a 4 yr old devoted classical violinist. Ironically, it wasn't until she grew up and moved to Brooklyn, NY that she discovered her 'true' southern fiddle nature.
In the depths of the west village at The Baggott Inn, she met fellow bluegrass musicians who helped her explore other music forms such as old time, Celtic, swing and gypsy. She hasn't looked back! In 2006 after 13 years away, Katy returned to her hometown Austin, TX.
Katy is best known for her passionate fiery breaks, her elegant approach to melody and her thoughtful precise delivery. She has toured all over the United States performing in venues from CBGBs to
Carnegie Hall. She has shared the stage with Vassar Clements, Gordon Stone, Rosie Flores, Wayne Hancock, Greg Garing, Dale Watson, Izzy Zaidman and Eugene Hutz