The Johnson Girls (New York)
Sea music may well have been the first "world music." Ships were often melting pots, with crew members from many countries who were heavily influenced by the music they heard while traveling around the world. These sailors incorporated into their work songs and other shipboard music the different rhythms and styles from their own often diverse cultures as well as those they encountered during their voyages. Each of The Johnson Girls was captivated by this music at different times in their lives, and came together in 1997 following the Mystic Seaport Sea Music festival to burst through the barrier of this previously male dominated genre. The Johnson Girls is an energetic all-woman a cappella group performing folk music with an emphasis on songs of the sea and shore. Each member of the group brings a specialty and style to the ensemble.
Joy Bennett has been singing most of her life. She has toured parts of the United States, Great Britain and Italy with the New York University Chorale, performed in Gilbert & Sullivan's "Gondoliers", has been heard in the New York Revels and has performed with numerous groups over the years. Joy serves on the Board of the Folk Music Society of New York, an organization dedicated to keeping traditional music alive.
Maggie Bye hails from the Midwest with her earliest singing in church. Maggie was introduced to traditional music and sea chanteys through Morris Dancing and has performed in the New York Revels.
Alison Kelley grew up singing traditional music as a chantey brat at South Street Seaport. Since that time her repertoire has expanded to include troubadour, worksongs, gospel, blues, English music hall, and Irish songs. She serves on the Board of the New York Folk Music Society and leads a monthly open sing in Brooklyn.
Bonnie Milner has had a lifetime interest in folk music beginning with her grammar school days singing songs from Carl Sandburg's American Song Bag. Through her friendship with the late Stan Hugill, Sea Chanteys and maritime music became a particular interest of hers. Bonnie's husband, folksinger Dan Milner, has been a "guiding light," and true partner in furthering her interest in traditional music. (See Dan Milner & Bob Conroy.)
Deirdre Murtha is a children's music educator with firm base of harmony singing. Deirdre has performed choral, theatrical and madrigal pieces. Her strong Irish music background brings a different style to the group.
Click here to visit The Johnson Girls web site
