Performances

Festivals / Concerts / Children's Programs

Matthew Sabatella named
"Best Acoustic Performer"
New Times Broward/Palm Beach
'Best of 2005'

Ballad of America performances can truly be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Though there is plenty of overlap between them and each experience is tailored to the demographics of those in attendance, performances generally fall into one of three categories: Festivals, Concerts, and Children's Programs.

Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band is a five-member ensemble that includes guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass fiddle, mountain dulcimer, and three-part vocal harmonies. Depending on what is mutually deemed appropriate for the venue, performances may feature the whole quintet, a duo, trio, quartet, or just Matthew with his banjo, guitar, and mountian dulcimer.

Festivals

The band keeps it lively and fun for all ages at outdoor festivals and municipal events. It's not unusual to see grandparents with their children and grandchildren all singing, dancing, and clapping along to traditional favorites such as Oh Susanna! and Buffalo Gal.

"This particular afternoon, Sabatella and his close-knit combo — Lynn Griffith on banjo and mandolin, Jack Stamates on fiddle, Sean Edelson on mandolin, and Chris DeAngelis on stand-up bass, with Sabatella on guitar and vocals — play to a tent filled nearly to capacity, its 50 or so occupants clearly caught up in the familiar strains of the music and, just possibly, a certain whiff of nostalgia."
(read article)
Lee Zimmerman - Miami New Times

Concerts

These take place in concert halls, performing arts centers, nightclubs, and coffeehouses. They may be geared towards adults or families. Frequently, these shows are more narrative in nature, with songs carefully woven together to bring stories from American history to life. Adult concerts may include contemplative songs with more mature historical themes.

"...Sabatella's best asset is easily his voice, urgent but unforced, sweetly melancholy in telling personal stories and powerfully evocative in rendering antiquated songs intimate again. It's a great gift, and Sabatella wields it with exceptional talent."
(read article)
"Best Acoustic Performer" - New Times Broward/Palm Beach - Best of 2005

“Led by Sabatella's six-string guitar and his molasses baritone, the band's big sound rolls from Luna's makeshift stage across a room filled with tri-county patrons… Tonight's crowd is extra large, lining up against the walls and squeezed three deep between cases of beer and the cafe's ancient black refrigerator. Along with the band, almost everyone is singing: ‘Heigh, ho, and away we go; Digging up the gold on the Fran-cis-co!’”
(read article)
Emma Trelles - Sun-Sentinel

“Miraculously, Hollywood-based folkie Matthew Sabatella has packaged a history lesson in the guise of a strikingly good album and a nerdaliciously compelling live show that tell the story of western expansion across the American heartland through song… ‘It's the kind of thing that will appeal to just about anybody,’ Sabatella says of the songs on Ballad of America Volume 1, most of which date back to the early 1800s. The crowd at the Bamboo Room reflected that sentiment, as moms, grandmoms, longhairs, blue collars, and a gaggle of wine-sipping, Virginia Slims-puffing ladies all clapped along and sang like ornery lumberjacks to lines like ‘And we'll range the wild woods over, and once more a-lumbering go!’”
(read article)
Jonathan Zwickel - New Times Broward/Palm Beach

Children's Programs

Children's Programs frequently take place in public libraries, schools, and museums. The programs feature songs that should be well-known to children (but frequently are not) such as Yankee Doodle, Skip to My Lou, and This Land is Your Land. Through the programs, children are given a concise, engaging introduction to the story of the United States of America. Along the way they are encouraged to sing out and play along in a pioneer rhythm band consisting of washboard, spoons, limberjack, and more.

"Matthew Sabatella's Ballad of America is an interactive program that incorporates American history, stories, and music into one fun-filled, educational program for all ages."
Michele Dye - Naranja Branch Manager: Miami-Dade Public Library System

“Through perseverance and hard work, American settlers turned their faces west toward the dream of finding new lives. In their struggle came the music presented by Mr. Sabatella. Matthew is a talented performer and a teacher not only of music, but of music which should be heard by all.”
Pastricia J. Adams-Sallustio - Social Studies Teacher: Tequesta Trace Middle School

"Matthew Sabatella’s Ballad of America is a great way for students to learn about American history. It’s a novel approach for students and is sure to get them more interested in history."
Sandra Rosen - Assistant Principal: Biscayne Gardens Elementary School