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Connecticut Troubadours: Hugh Blumenfeld, Kate Callahan & Kristen Graves

Three of Connecticut's past State Troubadours take the stage for a round-robin of original songs.

In the late 1980s Hugh Blumenfeld was a gypsy scholar going from university to university teaching creative writing and chaos theory. Along the way he started writing songs and eventually left academia to become a full-time singer-songwriter, touring around the U.S. and in Europe for the next decade. Hugh got involved with the Fast Folk scene in Greenwich Village and released five albums in the 1990s. Motivated by the healing powers of music, Hugh entered med school in 2003 and became a family physician who also performs Hugh served as Connecticut's State Troubadour from 1999 to 2000.

Empowering the voice is personal to Kate Callahan. Kate uses her voice to tell stories and weave anecdotes about the healing power of music throughout her concerts. She has learned from some of the best, having shared stages with Judy Collins, Noel Paul Stookey, John Gorka, Claudia Schmidt, Mustards Retreat, and the late Bill Morrissey. Kate worked with women inmates at York Correctional Institution last spring. Her Vocal Empowerment pilot program served to remind women whove been incarcerated that their voices can still have a positive impact on their lives. Kate served as Connecticut's State Troubadour from 2016 to 2018, and her latest CD is titled "Triumph."

Kristen Graves, who served as State Troubadour from 2013 to 2015 is a singer/songwriter and humanitarian from Fairfield, Connecticut who was recently listed as part of the new generation of folk music in the New York Times. With catchy songs, a penchant for story telling, and inspiring lyrics, Kristen delights audiences across the country. Constantly traveling and touring, Kristen plays nearly 200 shows per year having shared stages with Dar Williams, David Amram, Noel (Paul) Stookey, Guy Davis, Peter Yarrow, Harry Belafonte and the late Pete Seeger. She has six albums and two EPs to her credit, and her newest release, "Now Aint the Time for Tears," is available on iTunes.