Neti Vaandrager

After many years of honing her skills as a street musician on sidewalks from New Orleans to San Francisco, Neti moved to London in 1987. She went there to visit a friend and stayed long enough to become a founding member of the folk–roots bands "Companions of the Rosy Hours," "Bill Caddick’s Urban Legend" and "Zumzeaux." For six years she toured throughout the UK full–time, appearing at art centers, folk clubs, village halls and festivals, as well as on BBC radio and TV. She accompanied renowned American tap–dancer/clogger Ira Bernstein on several of his British tours. In her work with Bart Ramsey, she adapts easily to the wide range of styles, and draws on her extensive repertoire of traditional and original fiddle tunes. Besides spot–on harmonies, her vocal contributions include Cajun and Spanish songs. Neti has made guest appearances on CDs by artists such as Andy Cronshaw, Patrice Fisher, Jonno Frishberg, Rob Halverson, Jeremy Lyons, Denise Marie, the Maybelles, Rory McLeod, Myshkin and Michelle Shocked. In New Orleans she is a member of the popular and award-winning swing/trad–jazz band "New Orleans Jazz Vipers." Her interest in twin fiddling and traditional fiddle styles has led to the recording of a CD "Toonzville", released in 2005.