Slate's in Hallowell (photo by Fred Field)
HALLOWELL — On the evening of Monday, May 17, Celtic and Maritime music will be in the air at Slates Restaurant as The Squid Jiggers duo makes its debut concert appearance.
The duo — musician/entertainers,Dave Rowe and Troy R. Bennett — took its name from the A.R. Scammell song “Squid Jigging Ground,” a depiction of fishing for squid in the waters off Newfoundland.
Rowe grew up on the Maine music scene, learning the trade literally at the feet of his late father, Tom, while the elder Rowe was traveling the country playing bass guitar with Schooner Fare. Starting out as a young roadie and coffee gofer for his dad, Rowe began playing professionally as a bassist at age 15. In 1993, the Rowe men formed a duo, which eventually became known as Turkey Hollow when Denny Breau joined.
With Tom’s passing in 2004, Dave formed the Dave Rowe Trio, with which he continues to tour as lead vocalist and guitarist. With the formation of The Squid Jiggers, Dave comes full circle, picking up his father’s trademark bass guitar and playing many of the songs he heard Schooner Fare perform so many years ago.
“It’s a lot of fun getting into these old songs that are so much a part of who I am as a musician,” said Rowe.
Bennett started out playing and touring with the Irish band Rakish Paddy from the Portland area. After leaving Rakish Paddy, he tried out the gypsy life, traveling Europe with a guitar and busking on street corners for some extra cash. On his return to the States, he started a Celtic duo called Bailey’s Mistake as well as the Half Moon Jug Band, a high-octane folk group specializing in new uses for kazoos and banjos. The Half Moon Jug Band continues to tour extensively across New England.
The show, part of the Slates Monday Night Concert Series, will begin at 8:15 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door and by calling 622-9575.
