CityFolk is a personable and engaging acoustic duo/trio that present well crafted songs and arrangements in a wide variety of styles with tight vocal harmonies, varied instrumentation and repertoire that highlight stories from life experiences.
Having performed at numerous restaurants, festivals, concerts, clubs, and coffee houses throughout the Triangle area for over 20 years, they exhibit a comfortable and friendly stage presence that has audiences both relaxed and engaged. In addition, they have opened for nationally known folk artists Kate Campbell and Carrie Newcomer.
Their music spans contemporary acoustic folk and pop to rock, country and jazz. Their repertoire includes such artists as Simon and Garfunkel, Peter, Paul and Mary, Jim Croce, the Beatles, Norah Jones, Van Morrison, Brandi Carlile, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, the Eagles, Judy Collins, Kathy Mattea, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Janis Ian, Dan Fogelberg, Old Crow Medicine Show, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
CityFolk released their debut CD, The Music Always Wins, containing a collection of their own compositions as well as arrangements of some of their favorite music that cover a variety of styles from folk to jazz.
Biography
CityFolk consists of Jane Muldoon–Smith (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and mandolin), along with husband Peter Smith (lead and background vocals, lead 6 and 12 string guitars, mandolin, bowed psaltery, walkabout dulcimer, and guitar synthesizer) and occasionally their daughter, Joanna, on upright bass when she is available.
Jane performed in the DC folk music scene while attending college there, having shared the stage with such local DC celebrities as Mary Chapin-Carpenter. She was an active member and soloist in the Symphonic and Chamber Choirs of the Concert Singers of Cary. She has sung in several programs with the choir and the North Carolina Symphony and the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle. Jane has also been selected to sing the National Anthem at local Durham Bulls games.
Pete is a classically trained guitarist having studied music at The American University with John Marlow, a protégé of Andres Segovia, and with noted fingerstyle jazz guitarist and former Chapel Hill resident, Howard Morgen. Pete played solo guitar for many years in the DC area as well as several folk and rock bands before joining with Jane to form CityFolk. He has performed classical guitar accompaniment for several Concert Singers of Cary performances. Pete expanded his performance credits to include writing and performing a portion of the score used in the Applause! Cary Youth Theater’s production of the “Pied Piper of Hamelin”. He also is a certified guitar repair technician/luthier.
Joanna provides upright bass for CityFolk when she is available as she is a lawyer now! Growing up in NC, she served as the Principal bassist for the Triangle Youth Symphony and has been a NC All State musician. She has performed with the UNC Wilmington string orchestra as well as in several concerts with the Youth Symphony at the Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh.
Various Marketing Materials – Sample Repertoire – Performance Videos
- For a detailed bio and background suitable for including in brochures and printing, click here.
- For a single page marketing overview with pictures, please click here.
- For a list of our sample repertoire, click here.
- For some of our live performances on video, click here.
For other materials:
- Performance poster, please click here and complete the bottom portion with any performance details.
- Promotional pictures of us, please click here or refer to our Photos page.
Note: Some of the above links will require that you have installed the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) document viewer.
Where We’ve Played
CityFolk has performed in the Triangle area for over 20 years for a wide variety of local venues including restaurants, coffee houses, country clubs, private parties, corporate events, and farmer’s markets. Here is a sampling:
| Irregardless Cafe in Raleigh | Holly Springs Farmers Market |
| Sacred Grounds Coffee House | Apex Farmers Market |
| Oasis at Carr Mill Mall | Toast Cafe at Waverly Place |
| The Roost at Fearrington Village | Cary Spring Daze and Lazy Daze |
| Downtown Cary Farmers Market | Bynum Front Porch Music Series |
| Western Wake Farmers Market | The Mill in Fuquay-Varina |
| Northridge Country Club | Pittsboro Roadhouse |
| Various Retirement Communities | Apex Yesterday and Fall Festivals |
| Various Corporate Events | Westover Beer Garden in Arlington VA |
They have been featured performers at the Cary Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony where they composed and performed a song to commemorate the event to rave reviews. They also performed in “A Little Summer Night Music: Broadway Love Songs Under the Stars” sponsored by Cary Parks and Recreation.
CD – Music Always Wins
Below are some song samples off CityFolk’s CD. You can see more expansive information about our CD on the CD – Video tab.