Magpie

Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner have been playing music together for 35 years as Magpie, performing traditional, classic country, swing, and blues of the nineteen twenties and thirties, to contemporary songs covering an eclectic musical ground with over 10 recordings. They are also known for their hard-hitting topical songs inspired by their life experiences. Greg began playing music in the early sixties as a direct result of the Civil Rights Movement. Terry was a witness to the shootings at Kent State on May 4th, 1970 when National Guard troops fired into a group of students protesting the war in Vietnam. Terry and Greg raise their voices in support of the ongoing struggles for civil rights, freedom, justice and peace. In addition, several environmental causes have received support from their musical work including the National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Park Service, and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.  On Earth Day 1998 they performed their anthem, "We Belong to the Earth" at Harpers Ferry National Park as a perfect finale to a speech by President Clinton.

Terry's naturally powerful voice is a versatile instrument to sing jazz and blues in the tradition of Connie Boswell and Billie Holiday, but is equally comfortable with the subtle beauty of traditional folk and contemporary songs. With an uncanny ability to find the perfect harmony line in a tight blend of their two voices, Terry also adds harmonica, mandolin, fretted dulcimer, and rhythm guitar.

Greg's fingerstyle guitar approach owes a lot to his guitar legend heroes Reverend Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Nick Lucas, Phil Ochs, and Rolly Brown. His playing is the solid basis of Magpie's sound, providing a hard-driving rhythm, or a ringing lyrical beauty as needed for a slow Scots air or plaintive ballad to a rollicking ragtime blues or infectious swing. His captivating interpretation sung in his high baritone voice gives power and beauty to the full spectrum, from growling blues, to a Chilean lament, to a sweet croon.

Terry and Greg have become distinguished for producing programs of music for museums (including the Smithsonian Institution), schools, and other special events. They are master artists with the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, and in that capacity have worked in residency programs and teacher training workshops, demonstrating their methods for utilizing music effectively as a tool for early childhood education. They have developed several special school programs for students of all ages including two on the environment and others on historical themes, such as the Great Depression. With awards, recordings and collaborations too numerous to mention, and even a recent plunge into theater, Magpie just relocated from the DC area to the Adirondacks in NY State. You don't want to miss this first chance to hear the new neighbors.

"Greg and Terry can show us all what a wonderful thing it can be for two voices to harmonize together. How lucky I am to have lived to see and hear more links in the chain." -- Pete Seeger

Visit them at: www.magpiemusic.com