Harmonious Wail
Harmonious Wail | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Madison, Wisconsin, USA |
| Genres | jazz, swing, americana, and cabaret |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Members | Sims Delaney-Potthoff Maggie Delaney-Potthoff |
| Past members | Jeff Weiss |
| Website | harmoniouswail |
Harmonious Wail is an American musical group from Madison, Wisconsin, known for their eclectic blend of gypsy jazz, acoustic swing, americana, and cabaret.[1]
History
[edit]The group was founded in 1987 by Sims Delaney-Potthoff, a musician specializing in the mandolin, who drew inspiration from the tradition of Django Reinhardt and the American swing school.[2] Shortly after its formation, Harmonious Wail became a regular presence on the American jazz and folk scene, frequently performing at festivals and clubs across the U.S. and Europe.[3] In addition to Sims, a long-time member of the band is vocalist and percussionist Maggie Delaney-Potthoff. A former member of the band is the bassist Jeff Weiss, who won the Madison Area Music Award (MAMA) for Best Bassist in 2012.[4][5][6][7]
The band has performed throughout the United States and Europe, taking part in numerous festivals and concerts. They are well known for organizing the Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest, a festival dedicated to gypsy jazz music, which is held twice a year in Madison, Wisconsin.[8] Harmonious Wail has collaborated with National Public Radio (NPR).[9]
Awards and Recognition
[edit]Throughout their career, Harmonious Wail has received numerous awards, including honors at the Madison Area Music Awards (MAMA) for Best Jazz Album, Best Cover Song, and Best Percussionist.[10] They received the Musicnotes Award for Outstanding Musical Career Achievement in 2017.[11] Their 2019 album Holiday Spirits won the award for Best Jazz Album, while the song What the World Needs Now, Is Love Sweet Love was named Best Cover Song that same year.[12]
Discography
[edit]- Airborne (1993)
- Live at the Zelt Music Festival (1996)
- Gypsy Swing (2003)
- Resist Temptation (2008)
- The Vegan Zombie's Lament (2010)
- Bohemian Tango (2013)
- Holiday Spirits (2014)
- Virtue, Vice and Ukulele (2018)
- Beyond the Pale (2020)
- Wailing Allstars (Live) (2022)
References
[edit]- ^ "Joscho Stephan Trio, Harmonious Wail". isthmus.com. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ "Harmonious Wail: Gypsy Swing". allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ^ "Harmonious Wail: Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest on-the-road". riponpress.com. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ^ "Harmonious Wail Wraps Up Woodwalk Concert Series". doorcountypulse.com. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ^ "Harmonious Wail". inishfreetours.com. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ^ "Gypsy jazz band Harmonious Wail set to play Lansdowne Folk Club". delcotimes.com. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ^ "Madison singer Maggie Delaney-Potthoff wins AARP Superstar Singing Contest". jsonline.com. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ "Things to do in Madison: Marley jam, winter carnival, Gypsy Swing Fest and more". captimes.com. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ^ "Harmonious Wail" (PDF). usao.edu. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ "Winners". themamas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ "HARMONIOUS WAIL at North Street Cabaret". jazznearyou.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ "Harmonious Wail". passim.org. Retrieved April 6, 2025.