Brooklyn Banjoist Nora Brown and Fiddle Player Stephanie Coleman Unveil Collaborative EP “Lady of the Lake”

Nora Brown, a talented 17-year-old banjo player and vocalist from Brooklyn, New York, is joining forces with award-winning fiddle player Stephanie Coleman for a new EP called “Lady of the Lake.” The EP, set to be released on July 28 by Jalopy Records, coincides with their upcoming NPR Tiny Desk Concert. Despite their twenty-year age difference, Brown and Coleman’s musical partnership presents their chemistry and skill, which they have developed over six years of performing together.

The release of the EP comes amidst a busy year for the duo, including two sold-out shows in London, upcoming festival appearances in Canada, England, and Denmark, a spring tour in Japan, and a recent appearance on WNYC’s Soundcheck show. Additionally, they will be making their debut on the West Coast with concerts in Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA.

The title track of the EP, “Lady of the Lake,” was learned by Coleman from a performance by Eric Merrill at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival in West Virginia. The song’s origins can be traced back to Galax (Virginia) fiddler Parley Parsons, as well as the renowned fiddle and banjo player Paul Brown.

Brown recently performed “Copper Kettle” at the Lincoln Center event “Voices of a People’s History of the United States: Celebrating the Centenary of Howard Zinn,” alongside notable figures such as Claire Danes, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Peter Sarsgaard. In this performance, Brown played the archtop acoustic guitar, while Coleman’s fiddle added a plaintive touch to the music.

Stephanie Coleman, also based in Brooklyn, has established herself as a respected and sought-after old-time fiddle player in the traditional Appalachian and Midwestern styles over the past two decades. She holds the record for the most ribbons won at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival’s fiddle contest in Clifftop, WV. Coleman has collaborated with various artists, including all-women stringband Uncle Earl, Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse, Aoife O’Donovan, and Adam Hurt.

The EP was produced, recorded, and mixed by Peter K. Siegel, who has worked with artists like Neil Young, Joseph Spence, and Doc Watson. Siegel has an impressive track record, having recorded concerts released by Mississippi John Hurt, Roscoe Holcomb, and Dock Boggs. He even taped a famous Bob Dylan bootleg in the basement of Gerde’s Folk City, and has made significant field recordings of musicians from around the world.

Peter K. Siegel commented on the duo, expressing his admiration for both Nora and Steph individually and stating that their collaboration is greater than the sum of its parts. He finds their virtuosity enjoyable to listen to and notes that while their music is deeply rooted in American tradition, the excitement they bring to their performances is entirely their own.

Nora Brown and Stephanie Coleman Tour Dates

June 30 – Green Note – London, England (sold out)

July 2 – The Harrison – London, England (sold out)

July 3-7 – Fiddle Tunes – Port Townsend, WA

July 7-9 – Winnipeg Folk Festival, Canada

July 11 – Alberta Abbey – Portland, OR

July 12 – Ballard Homestead – Seattle, WA

July 13 – Boundary Bay Series Bellingham, WA

July 14-16 – Vancouver Island Music Festival, Canada

July 20 – Stone Church – Brattleboro, VT (Nora solo)

July 21 – Portsmouth Music Hall Lounge – Portsmouth, NH (Nora solo)

July 22 –  House Concert – Portland, ME (Nora solo)

July 23 – Crabtree Sessions – North Haven Island, ME (Nora solo)

Aug 11-13 – Edmonton Folk Music Festival – Alberta, Canada

Nov 11 – Brooklyn Folk Fest – Brooklyn, NY

Buy Lady of the Lake