The Samuel LeHenanff Quartet is inspired by the traditional music of Brittany, France, infused with a mosaic of influences ranging from Latin to Flamenco with a hint of jazz touched off with blues. Their original arrangements offer a refreshing, contemporary and energetic take on traditional Breton dance music. LeHenanff, a fixture on the Breton music scene, is at ease on the accordion playing Breton or Irish music, whether on stage in Paris, New York or Brittany.

Scottish-born Canadian David Francey is recognized as one of today’s finest singer-songwriters. A three-time JUNO Award winner, Francey's wry humor and astute observations, combined with his openhearted singing style, have earned him a loyal following. The Toronto Star called him "one of Canada's most revered folk poets and singers… [His songs] are small and beautifully crafted pieces of work that have made Francey both a folk festival favorite and something of a latter-day Canadian poet laureate." The evening will start with a live on-stage interview with Tom by Art of the Song hosts John Dillian and Vivian Nesbitt.

Birds of Chicago is a collective based around JT Nero (JT and the Clouds) and Allison Russell (Po' Girl), who have emerged as two of the most compelling new voices in North American Roots music. Nero's fractured country-soul voice wrapped in Russell's silver and gold tones is a fine thing. Not too perfect, not at all saccharine, you'll hear echoes of mountain gospel, street corner doo-wop, and classic soul.

It has always seemed as if there were two Cheryl Wheelers, with fans of the New England songwriter relishing watching the two tussle for control of the mic. There is poet-Cheryl, writer of some of the prettiest, most alluring and intelligent ballads on the modern folk scene. And there is her evil twin, comic-Cheryl, a militant trend defier and savagely funny social critic. The result is a delightful contrast between poet and comic. Her deceptively plain-spun songs have been hits for such mainstream stars as Suzy Bogguss ("Aces") and Dan Seals ("Addicted"), and have been recorded by everyone from Bette Midler, Maura O’Connell, Peter Paul and Mary, Juice Newton, and Garth Brooks. When it is comic-Cheryl’s turn, the poet simply turns over the mic and allows the comic to be displayed in her native habitat: the stage.

Sandra Wong, Dominick Leslie and Ty Burhoe come together in an unusual trio combination of nyckelharpa/fiddle, mandolin and tabla/world percussion to explore music from all corners of the globe, including their own compositions. Reaching into their individual roots of bluegrass, jazz, Scandinavian, old-time American and both western and Indian classical music, their arrangements honor each tradition while moving into new, uncharted territory.

Tom Russell is best known as a folk and country singer with a personal storytelling approach to his songwriting, but his past is checkered with interesting events that defy his country music roots, including his receiving a degree in criminology, teaching school in Nigeria, and playing music for a Puerto Rican circus. His latest album, "Mesabi," corrals some of his most compelling tales to date. A thread runs through its songs, a zigzagging but determinedly solid line that connects the perilous bordertown of Juarez, Mexico to the real and faux glitz of L.A. and the bleak iron range of Minnesota—the Mesabi of the album's title.

Three years after stepping away from a full-time music career to attend graduate school, Vienna Teng returns with a new sound and a new approach to songwriting and recording. What emerged from that process is her most uptempo, pop-influenced album yet—and full of surprises, even to its creators. "This album is rekindling my love affair with music, and with the world, really,” says Teng. The evening will start with a live on-stage interview with Tom by Art of the Song hosts John Dillian and Vivian Nesbitt.