With vocals, guitar, and banjo, Matthew Sabatella connects people with music that is woven into the fabric of the United States. For more than two decades, he has followed the threads of traditional folk song, revealing a tapestry of music created by American colonists, pioneers, sailors, lumberjacks, immigrants, ’49ers, farmers, mountaineers, slaves, soldiers, cowboys, railroaders, factory workers, and activists. In his performances, Sabatella tells his own story of discovery while digging deep into his repertoire of folk, bluegrass, old-time country, fiddle tunes, Appalachian music, ragtime, blues, spirituals, railroad and cowboy songs, work songs, sea shanties, Old World ballads, and more.
As a singer, instrumentalist, recording artist, performer, speaker, and writer, he illuminates the connection between music and the story and people of the United States. He performs regularly, both as a solo artist and as the leader of the Rambling String Band. He teaches about America’s music, in person and online, at Lifelong Learning Institutes, including Florida Atlantic University, George Mason University, Florida International University, University of Miami, and Nova Southeastern University.
In 2019, Matthew founded Ballad of America, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to preserve and celebrate music from America’s diverse cultural history.
Matthew earned first-place ribbons in the 2019 Florida Folk Festival’s Old-Time Banjo Competition and the 2023 Florida Old-Time Music Championship’s Old-Time Banjo and Singing competitions. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Miami, a Master of Arts in History from Florida International University, and has studied singing, banjo, and guitar with such masters as Alice Gerrard, Sheila Kay Adams, Paul Brown, Richie Stearns, John Hermann, Kirk Sutphin, Mac Benford, and Walt Koken.
Find out more about Sabatella, his story and his music at:
Houseboat Jim Visone will open the show…banjo? guitar? One just never knows with Houseboat, but we know it will be awesome! Jim started picking and singing back in the late 50’s in Greenwich Village. Got married, worked, and got back to music about fifteen years ago in Las Vegas. I’ve been playing around the Ft. Myers area for the last six years. Go catch him singing his original music around town. You will be glad you did!
Door donations:
$12/Members
$ 18/ General Public
$ 18/ General Public
Tickets are available at the door.
Doors open at 6:30 pm and showtime is 7:00 pm