CityFolk is a personable and engaging acoustic duo/trio that present well crafted songs and arrangements in a wide variety of styles with tight vocal harmonies, varied instrumentation and repertoire that highlight stories from life experiences. Having performed at numerous restaurants, festivals, concerts, clubs, and coffee houses throughout the Triangle area for over 20 years, they exhibit a comfortable and friendly stage presence that has audiences both relaxed and engaged. In addition, they have opened for nationally known folk artists Kate Campbell and Carrie Newcomer.
Their music spans contemporary acoustic folk and pop to country and jazz. Their repertoire includes such artists as Simon and Garfunkel, Peter, Paul and Mary, Jim Croce, Norah Jones, Van Morrison, Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell, the Eagles, Judy Collins, Kathy Mattea, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Janis Ian, Dan Fogelberg, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
CityFolk released their debut CD, The Music Always Wins, that contains a collection of their own compositions as well as arrangements of some of their favorite music that cover a variety of styles from folk to jazz.
CityFolk has performed at numerous local venues and festivals including the Irregardless Cafe in Raleigh, Sacred Grounds Coffee House in Durham, TEDx in Raleigh, The Oasis at Carr Mill in Carrboro, Pittsboro Roadhouse, several area Farmers Markets, Cary Lazy Daze, and the Apex Today and Yesteryear festival. Pete has shared the stage with Grammy-winning guitarist Al Petteway. They have been featured performers at the Cary Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony where they performed an original song, This Tree, to commemorate the event to rave reviews. They also performed in "A Little Summer Night Music: Broadway Love Songs Under the Stars" sponsored by Cary Parks and Recreation and were thrilled to perform at the Swannanoa Gathering in Asheville.
Background
CityFolk consists of Jane Muldoon-Smith (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and mandolin), along with husband Peter Smith (lead and background vocals, lead 6 and 12 string guitars, mandolin, walkabout dulcimer, and guitar synthesizer). When not involved in her lawyer duties, their daughter, Joanna, joins in on upright bass.
Jane was a vocal performance major while studying at Trinity college in Washington, DC. where she studied voice with Sharon Shafer, Beverly Benzo, and after college with Estelle Morgen. She performed in the DC folk music scene while attending college there, having shared the stage with such local DC celebrities as Mary Chapin-Carpenter. She also was an active member and soloist in the Symphonic and Chamber Choirs of the Concert Singers of Cary. She has sung in numerous programs with the choir along with the North Carolina Symphony. Jane was selected to sing the National Anthem at Durham Bulls games.
Pete is a classically trained guitarist having studied music at The American University with John Marlow, a protégé of Andres Segovia. He has also studied with noted jazz guitarist and former Chapel Hill resident, Howard Morgen. He expanded his performance credits to include writing and performing a portion of the score used in the Applause! Cary Youth Theater's production of the “Pied Piper of Hamelin”. In addition, Pete has performed solo classical guitar accompaniment in several Concert Singers of Cary events.
Joanna has served as the Principal bassist for the Triangle Youth Symphony and has been a NC All State musician. She has performed in several concerts at the Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh with the Youth Symphony. She also played bass in the UNC Wilmington orchestra. Currently, she serves as legal counsel for a local NC software firm.
