Songs from the heart and soul

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, April 5, 2006

Audiences at music venues on Bainbridge Island have watched guitarist and singer Jeanne Rose blossom — pardon the pun — from a beginning musician to a confident performer.

She is a frequent guest at Seabold Second Saturday, and has played for numerous arts events and festivals on the island.

She taught herself fingerpicking-style guitar playing, and accompanies it with a comfortable down-home vocal style. She performs both cover songs and her own original songs reflecting her take on life.

She is set to be the first act at the First Friday concert at Island Center Hall April 7, opening for Seattle-based singer songwriter Hans York.

The German-born York is a veteran of the stage, with a career that includes appearing with Robert Palmer on German TV, touring Europe with a master harp player, and co-founding the German world music band Moka Efti.

He recorded three CDs with them, appeared on numerous other artists’ recordings and has just released his first solo CD in the United States, “Inside Out.”

A reviewer for European Weekly said last year, “Hans York is a man of vast musical talents and one of the best songwriters around.”

York cites a diverse group of musicians as influences and inspirations, from Joni Mitchell and Peter Gabriel to Bach and Radiohead.

He spent six months in Rio De Janeiro, where he absorbed the Latin rhythms of the Samba and Bossa Nova.

Those smooth sounds can be heard in York’s music, which also incorporates pop, folk and jazz. His vocal style has been compared to Paul Simon or Michael Franks.

“York’s voice feels as smooth as an FM jazz announcer and pulls me right in. It’s the perfect voice to front such richly textured music. He’s a true Renaissance musician, skilled in many genres, knowing exactly how to blend them and sweep me off my feet, “ Jennifer Layton of Indie-music.com said.

York is also a skilled DADGAD guitar player, which is impressive if you’re a guitar player, but enjoyable even to non-musicians.

Jeanne Rose and Hans York perform 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Island Center Hall, 8395 Fletcher Bay Rd., Bainbridge Island. Admission at the door is $10 adults, $5 youth.

Samples of York’s music are available at www.hansyork.com.