OXFORD – 6 On The Square (6OTS) welcomes back singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist Marjorie Thompson who will perform on Saturday evening, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. Thompson, with bass accompanist Greg Franklin, will be offering music from her repertoire of original songs plus some traditional blues and roots.
Marjorie Thompson’s music is deeply influenced by the Piedmont-style, alternate thumbpicking country blues and ragtime guitar playing genre, epitomized by artists such as Rev. Gary Davis and Mississippi John Hurt. This genre was brought into the contemporary era by such artists as Dave Van Ronk and Jorma Kaukonen. Marjorie has become a close colleague and protégé of Kaukonen’s, first attending his guitar workshops, then sharing stages, and eventually co-teaching workshops with the legendary guitarist.
“This artist [Thompson] never ceases to refresh us with her prodigious finger-driven playing, sparkling performance, self-deprecating wit and inspired imagination,” stated Stan Jay, Mandolin Bros.
Originally from New York City, she took up the guitar in the mid sixties, and never put it down even while pursuing careers in academic biology, medical illustration, jewelry design and catering. She now resides in Providence, RI, serves as the biology Dean at Brown University, and tours extensively for music performance in the US and Europe.