Trio blend traditional, original sounds

OSCEOLA, N.Y. » City Fiddle Band - the husband and wife team of Phil and Gretchen Banaszak, plus multi-talented performer Chris Panfil - will offer a blend of acoustic traditional and original music on Sunday, Sept. 16, from 2-5 p.m., at the North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame Museum, 1121 Comins Road, Osceola.

One of Western New York’s best-known fiddlers, Phil Banaszak is a former New York State Fiddle Champion and was inducted into the North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame in 2005. A founding member of City Fiddle, Phil also performs with the Canal Street String Band, the Creek Bend Band and the Buffalo Bluegrass All-Star Band. He is Instrumental Department Chairman at the Buffalo’s Community Music School, where he teaches fiddle and mandolin. Phil also serves on the Board of Directors of the Old Time Music Association and has published a book and CD of original neo-traditional fiddle music.

Gretchen Banaszak began violin studies in fourth grade and later attended the New England Conservatory of Music. She holds a special affinity for Celtic and early American traditions and regularly performs at Living History events at Old Fort Niag--

ara, and at Civil War reenactments across western New York. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers Association, based in Osceola, New York.

Versatile singer- songwriter and instrumentalist Chris Panfil balances vocals with mandolin, fiddle, guitar, harmonica and Irish banjo. A Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee, Panfil has appeared with several popular bands and folk, coun- try and bluegrass acts from New York to Florida.

For more information, visit www.nysotfa.com/ or call 315-599-7009 and leave a message.

PHOTO COURTESY FIDDLERS’ HALL OF FAME City Fiddle Band will perform at the North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame and Museum on Sunday, Sept. 16, from 2-5 p.m.