Uncle Joe and Renee

Joe and Renee, a husband and wife team present a charming rendition of traditional folk songs and stories collected through their musical life's journey. Together they bring to you a century of musical experience. 

Joe Chicone better known as Uncle Joe, a multi instrumentalist, comes from a tradition of banjo playing first inspired by Pete Seeger and then to more traditional music by Uncle Dave Macon and others. Steeped in a half century of playing, Joe has become an encyclopedia of folk songs. He first picked up the banjo when he was 13. 

Joe plays traditional old time banjo using both claw hammer and traditional finger styles. Joe has played in folk festivals including Union Grove and Pine Stump Symphony Folk Festival. He has appeared on the Bramble and the Rose and has been a feature artist on WVBR’s Salt Creek Show and Nonesuch. He has released several CDs.

Renee Baum, a seasoned musician with a half century of playing comes from a classical violin background. She played in numerous orchestras before shifting her knowledge to open a nationally recognized record store featuring hard to find classical and folk music. Her passion for learning traditional fiddle tunes grew out of listening to old recordings and meeting musicians coming from authentic traditional roots.

Renee’s fiddling is greatly influenced by both French Canadian and New England style fiddling. Today she can be found alongside Joe  performing traditional songs and fiddle tunes. She has attended numerous workshops in the US and Canada on traditional music.