Hickory – The City of Hickory’s Sails Original Music Series continues Friday, September 8, with dynamic klezmer/bluegrass band Zoe & Cloyd. The free concert begins at 7 p.m. on The Sails Stage in downtown Hickory.

Klezgrass. This one word may best describe the vast musical world of Asheville, N.C. duo Zoe & Cloyd. Springing from rich and complementary traditions, the artistic stylings of fiddler/vocalist Natalya Zoe Weinstein and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist John Cloyd Miller fit together in a harmonic dovetail. Zoe & Cloyd delight audiences with soaring harmonies and heartfelt songwriting, seamlessly combining original bluegrass, klezmer, old-time, and folk with sincerity and zeal.

Descending from a lineage of klezmer and jazz musicians, Natalya trained classically in her home state of Massachusetts before discovering old-time and bluegrass and moving south in 2004. John, a 12th generation North Carolinian and grandson of pioneering bluegrass fiddler Jim Shumate, is a gifted singer and songwriter, placing first in the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest and the Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contest. Longtime fixtures of the Asheville, N.C. music scene, the two were founding members of the lauded roots trio Red June, later shifting to Zoe & Cloyd after the birth of their daughter in 2015. Since that time, the pair has released five acclaimed albums, performed across the United States and internationally, and appeared in Season 5 of the nationally syndicated PBS show David Holt’s State of Music in 2021.

In the last year, the band was an official showcase artist at the IBMA World of Bluegrass, featured guest artists for the Davidson College Holiday Gala, as well as hosts of A Swannanoa Solstice at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. Their fifth studio album, Songs of Our Grandfathers, was released in May 2023 on Organic Records.

“Prepare to be mesmerized as klezmer, bluegrass, jazz, and history come together on stage with Zoe & Cloyd,” said Bob Sinclair, coordinator for the series.

Started in 2012, the City of Hickory’s Sails Original Music Series showcases well-crafted, live music by bringing original music artists to The Sails on the Square. Original music is defined as music that is written or composed by the artist who performs it.

The music series continues with Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters on September 15 at Samuel William Davis Multipurpose Field, Rissi Palmer on September 22 on Union Square, and Brother Boys on September 29 on Union Square.

The Sails Original Music Series presents excellent musical entertainment from national and international touring acts with the support of numerous sponsors. Thanks to sponsors Atriax, Neill Construction Company, Protection Products, Metronet, Bob Sinclair Music, Larry’s Music & Sound, Pfahlert Creative Labs, Olde Hickory Brewery, and Crowne Plaza.

In addition to the seating available at Union Square, audience members are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. A variety of close-by bars and restaurants offer food and beverages.

ABC permitted businesses within the Hickory Downtown Social District will sell beer and wine in special marked cups that may be consumed on Union Square, sidewalks, and other public areas within the designated boundaries of the social district. No outside alcohol may be brought into the social district. To review additional restrictions and a detailed map of the social district’s coverage area, visit www.hickorync.gov/downtown-social-district.

For more information about the Sails Original Music Series and upcoming bands, please visit www.HickoryNC.gov/SailsMusic and follow the Sails Original Music Series Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SailsMusic.

Zoe & Cloyd