The Groanbox Boys are the NY/London-based music duo, Cory Seznec and Michael Ward-Bergeman. The two play a highly unique blend of what they call Old Time Mountain Gypsy World Folk Blues Music on accordion, acoustic guitar, banjo, harmonica and odd pieces of percussion, including their self-made Freedom Boot. Their foot-stompin' sound features unconventional arrangements weaved together by tight vocal harmonies sung with raw intensity. Cory plays fingerstyle and flatpicking guitar, clawhammer, plectrum, and three-finger banjo, and blues harmonica. Michael plays the accordion, hammering out a deep, full bass and accompaniment with his left hand, and authentic melodic lines with his right. Banging out the percussion with their feet using a "stompbox" and a set of "ghungroo (Indian ankle bells), their performances are marked by a rich, distinct sound and unending energy. The Groanbox Boys have toured extensively throughout the UK and the east coast of the USA. They have released two CDs: Smokestack Trilogy in 2006, and Fences Come Down in 2007.
About the Musicians:
Corentin "Cory" Seznec is a Franco-American musician born in France and raised both in Connecticut and on a family farm in Annapolis, Maryland. As a teenager, he discovered Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy, and Doc Watson records among his parents' dusty collection in the attic of their house, and it was then that a passion for pre-war blues, jazz, string and jug band music was born. Meanwhile, a multicultural household, extensive travels and musical encounters, and a passion for history exposed Cory to sounds from around the world, helping him to develop his own distinct style that reflects his broad interests. Some of his most memorable experiences in music include performing on Mississippi John Hurt's front porch in Mississippi and in a 13th century monastery in France. Cory received a masters degree in history from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and has a BA in history from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. In February 2007, Cory was selected to be the recipient of a 2007 Maryland State Arts Council Award for Music Composition. More information can be found on his website.
Michael Ward-Bergeman is a passionate performer, songwriter and
composer. His sensitive and creative approach to music making has led to
performances and collaborations with world-class musicians and composers from
across a wide range of genres. Michael's work has been featured in
compositions by the composer Osvaldo Golijov, including 2004's Grammy
nominated Ayre. Recent highlights have been performances with the cellist
Yo-Yo Ma, and working with Golijov and Francis Ford Coppola on the soundtrack
to his new movie, Youth Without Youth. In April 2007, Michael premiered his
composition Three Roads at Carnegie Hall. The work was commissioned by the
Carnegie Hall Corporation and written for the vocalist Christina Courtin. He
has recently been awarded the first commission ever given by the Terezín
Chamber Music Foundation for a work to be written for the soprano Dawn Upshaw
in 2008. Michael has brought his music making to many venues around the globe
- from the local pub to the Sydney Opera House. He has performed on numerous
recordings, on television, and on several major motion picture soundtracks.
Michael is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. More
information can be found on his website.
