Syeda Amtul Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — All-woman musical group “Della Mae” held a live performance of traditional American bluegrass and country music at the US Consulate General last Wednesday evening. Jeddah was the five-member band's last stop in their Gulf tour, after similar concerts in Riyadh, Dammam and the UAE. Local band “Fusion Factory,” which mixes Arabic and Western instruments and traditions, were the opening act. “Della Mae,” a 2013 Grammy Award nominee, was formed in 2009 from a yearning to express a traditional bluegrass sound in the heart of New England. One of the main aims of the group from the start was to showcase strong women in bluegrass. After conceiving of the musical group at a summer festival, fiddler Kimber Ludiker hand-picked musicians from all over the country. Vocalist Celia Woodsmith comes from a blues/rock background; guitarist Courtney Hartman studied at Berklee College of Music; bassist Shelby Means played with various bands in Nashville, Tennessee; and mandolin player Jenni Lyn Gardner was schooled in traditional bluegrass. US Consul General Todd Holmstrom said: “The main idea behind organizing this live performance is learning more about Saudi culture and values. One of the ways we do this is by presenting some of our culture, and tonight this concert is an effort to continue the dialogue and discussion and learn more about Saudi Arabia by showing a little bit about ourselves.” This tour started in the UAE and the band also made a Central Asia and Pakistan tour with American Music Abroad in 2012, with visits to Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. “Della Mae's” members hail from all over the United States, and the five women each bring impressive musical resumes garnered from their previous careers. Their musical style seamlessly blends years of experience with traditional mountain music and modern singer-songwriter sensibilities. “Della Mae” has toured throughout the US, playing at festivals, music clubs, house concerts, and churches, in addition to conducting workshops. The group was nominated for “The International Bluegrass Music Association's Emerging Artist of the Year” for 2012 and were 2014 Grammy nominees for “Best Bluegrass Album.” Gardner, who has been playing the mandolin since she was eight years old, said: “I am so happy to be here in Saudi Arabia, learning more about the Saudi culture, and also spreading our music and a little bit about our culture.” Ludiker, who belongs to a strong musical family, also agreed. “I love the audience of Saudi Arabia but I am so sad that we haven't had enough time here. I think music connects the human emotions and it's very important to me and everybody as well. I really hope to come again and continue making friends and think it's really important to real people meet real people anywhere in the world.” Hartman said: “We had an amazing experience and a wonderful time spend with Saudi audiences. It was very special to interact with them.” Woodsmith said: “We come here to experience another culture and music, to learn different words and different foods.” And band member Means noted: “We had an amazing experience here and learned many things.”
