News Release

Annapolis Maritime Museum / 723 Second St / Annapolis, MD 21403
Contact: Jeff Holland / 410-295-0104

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 24, 2011

Teresa Whitaker and Frank Schwartz bring the legacy of Tom Wisner
to the Annapolis Maritime Museum on July 14

Teresa Whitaker and Frank Schwartz pay tribute to Tom Wisner, the “Bard of the Bay,” who passed away in 2010 after a lifetime dedicated to chronicling the rich traditions of our regional waterways. They will bring Wisner's music to the Annapolis Maritime Museum on Thursday, July 14 from 7-8:30 p.m. 

Long-time friends of Tom, the couple performed often with "the Bard" and are featured on his last albums. Teresa was Tom's long-time singing partner, and her voice provides an ethereal back-up on many of his earlier albums. 

Apart from her association with Wisner, Teresa is a musician and storyteller in her own right. Originally from Cynthiana, Kentucky, Teresa's writing evokes the inland rivers and mountains, as well as the stories that echo from the forest glens. She incorporates those stories into her stage presentations, weaving myths and folktales into a shimmering mix of participatory music accented with guitar, celtic harp and percussion instruments. Rhythm and a mercurial voice are trademarks of Teresa Whitaker’s lively and joyous performances. She recently completed Gathering the Waters, a Kentucky river piece aimed at reawakening a passion for the environment. 

Teresa's life partner as well as singing partner is Frank Schwartz, a musician and songwriter from Baltimore, Maryland. He rounds out the duo's sound with his mellow vocals plus guitar, bass, old-time banjo and the mandolin. Together they performed at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival in Washington, DC, as part of a special honoring of the 25th anniversary of Tom Wisner’s Chesapeake Born album.

Joining them on stage was acoustic guitarist Mac Walter, who is also featured on Wisner's later albums. Mac will also be joining them on the Annapolis Maritime Museum stage.

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