Mary Fagan
A free spirit and musical devotion have made Mary Fagan a true original with wide ranging influences. Backing herself solidly on guitar or piano, she floats seamlessly from jazz to folk, blues and rock. Influences range from Duke Ellington to The Grateful Dead, you can't fit her into just one musical category. But no matter what she plays, you will be captivated. Her voice delivers like it was forged in the blues then dipped in velvet.
In the Honey Bees Band, Fagan joins up with guitarist/producer Chris O'Neill, upright bassist Jock Irvine, Saxophone/Flutist Greg Mostovoy & Drummer Jared Steer. They groove on Americana, 1930's Jazz, Western Swing & Originals. All the while buzzing around the roots of American music. You can catch the "Hive" in different combinations ~ as Duo, Trio, 4, 5 piece band or more.
More Honey Bees = More Fun!
Fagan sings Jazz regularly with The State Street Combo and with the 18-piece The Tall Granite Big Band. They are often at Hermanos in Concord & Pitman's Freight Room in Laconia. Check the show page for dates & more venues.
Mary grew up in a musical home, with her parents and siblings at the piano and jazz and 1970's vinyl on the record player. There were piano lessons and also music in school band on the flute & the trombone in Marching Band. At The University of New Hampshire she studied Math and Political Science, earning a bachelor's degree in each. It was there, too that she picked up the guitar. It's portability suits her quite well. She's traveled most of the US and has played overseas in Ireland, China & Japan. The places she’s called home include New York, New Hampshire, Colorado, California, North Carolina, Austin, Texas and New Orleans, each of them adding another color to her musical palette. The love of improvisation is the common thread that weaves together Blues, Jazz, Psychedelic Rock, Bluegrass, Country and Western Swing into her vocal style.
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The Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan have been big influences, as well as jazz artists such as Billie Holiday and Fats Waller. Texas has left it's mark with classic country & western swing from the likes of Ray Price & Bob Wills. Whether with a group or accompanying herself on guitar or piano, her vocals are striking. She is both gritty and pure, her winsome style could give a grey sky the blues.
"...Billy Holiday in bell bottoms..."
~ Summit Daily News
"...Her voice will knock you off your chair!..."
~ Charlotte Observer
"...She knows more chords than I do!..." *
~ Redd Volkaert ~ Grammy Winner, Telecaster Master
*Honestly, Redd does say this, but it's not true!