The Small Glories

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Folk powerhouse pair The Small Glories are Cara Luft & JD Edwards, a dynamic duo planted on the Canadian prairies. They are a study in contrasts; Cara, all earth mother on her 21-speed bike, environmentally friendly and wholesome, ebullient and engaging; and burly JD, in scruffy beard, ball cap, t-shirt and jean jacket, slightly intimidating (until you meet him). At first glance few would peg them for a highly creative musical partnership. Yet these two veteran singer/songwriters have teamed up and are building a buzz around their tight harmonies, authenticity and visceral performances.

Luft is a Juno Award winner and co-founder of the folk trio The Wailin' Jennys.  She has earned her rep as a gutsy live performer and insightfully honest songwriter, with serious skills on the guitar and clawhammer banjo.  Edwards is a riveting live performer and prolific songwriter, a soulful singer blessed with one of the most versatile and powerful voices in Canada.  Both are musical road warriors who have racked up many miles on both sides of the Atlantic.

Make no mistake; The Small Glories is no one-off flash in the pan. “We could easily continue going our own separate ways as artists and be fine,” Cara acknowledges, “but doing this together right now is far better. It’s all about being fulfilled in life and I’m very happy with this combination.

"[Luft's] amiable vocals and simplistic, lush instrumentation follow that of the long honored folk tradition with a modern twist. Lyrically [she] is like fresh linen on a Brooklyn clothesline. Her writing [is] redemptive, earthy and rooted in realism.” - No Depression

"It can’t be done, so don’t even try to turn away from the affecting insistence of Canada’s Luft who sings like an angel named Joni or Alanis..." - The Globe & Mail.

OPENING: Norah Rendell and The Lost Forty

Norah Rendell is a singer, flute player and whistle player that specializes in the traditional folk songs and dance music of Ireland and Canada. For the past 15 years, she has toured internationally with several ensembles including seven years as lead singer and flute player for the award-winning group The Outside Track.  

Through many twists and turns (and pubs!), however, her music took a sharp turn toward folk music in her early twenties when she discovered the rich oral tradition of Ireland, in Vancouver. Soon after, 5-piece Canadian roots band, Cleia and Celtic trio The Maenads and all-female a cappella group the No Shit Shirleys were formed, all of which toured throughout British Columbia and Alberta from 2001-2005.

Norah moved to Ireland in 2005 to complete a Masters degree in Irish Traditional Music Performance at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick.  During that time, she co-founded the award-winning Celtic band The Outside Track with whom she recorded three critically acclaimed albums and toured 70-100 dates a year in North America and Europe. 

In the past five years years, Norah has built a reputation for herself as a solo artist. She was nominated for Best Traditional Singer of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2009 and was named Best Vocalist of the Year by the Live Ireland Awards in 2011 and 2012. 

Norah is passionate about exploring the traditional music of Canada, and has been researching and learning rare songs from field recordings. She is currently based in Saint Paul, Minnesota where she works passionately as the Executive Director of the Center for Irish Music, a non-profit community music school dedicated to handing down the tradition of Irish music.

“Rendell’s vocals are a revelation – pure, strong, and expressive.”  Rob Weir, SingOut! Magazine

The Rogue Folk Club is pleased to provide great Sponsorship Opportunities for all our shows. For a nominal cost, individuals or businesses can sponsor any of our shows and reap a number of benefits - free tickets, reserved table, recognition on literature, our web site and at the concerts. For more information simply contact our Sponsorship Director Morris Biddle at mobiddley@me.com