Gathering Sparks
940 Bonisteel Rd
Trenton
ON
You will come to listen, and walk away singing. Gathering Sparks is the graceful collision of Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis—musical friends who blend tight harmonies, finely crafted songs, and a love of participatory singing to create an intimate and uplifting experience. Their inclusive approach embraces folk, pop, blues and gospel influences tastefully played on acoustic guitar, piano, accordion, and ukulele.
With their infectious mix of styles and compelling vocal blend, Gathering Sparks has been making some big waves. Their debut 6-song CD was nominated for a 2014 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, and they have become an audience favourite. Whether they are belting it out a capella style, tugging on your heartstrings with a folky original, crooning a jazzy swing tune, or getting into the spirit with a gospel-inflected singalong, Gathering Sparks performances make fans out of listeners with their stellar harmonies and fine musicianship.
EVE GOLDBERG has lifted audiences across North America with her heartfelt and insightful songs and solid instrumental work. Her fluid vocals embrace all the styles she loves—folk, blues, country, bluegrass, old time, and jazz—with equal affection and mastery. She was recently honoured with the esteemed 2021 Estelle Klein Award, given annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the folk community.
JANE LEWIS has followed her love of words from the printing press to the spotlight with soul-bending lyrics, transcendent compositions, and crystal clear vocals. Her thoughtful piano and accordion playing, mastery of harmony, and upbeat presence add a sparkle to any stage.
Their newest album, “All That’s Real,” was released in September 2019 on Borealis Records. The lead track, “Bringing in the Light,” was recognized with a 2019 Folk Music Ontario “Songs From the Heart” award in the singer-songwriter category. All That’s Real reached #7 on the Folk Alliance International (FAI) Folk Chart for October 2019, and the winter solstice-themed “Bringing in the Light” charted #1 on the FAI Folk Chart in December 2019. Gathering Sparks and the new album were featured in Penguin Eggs magazine in Winter 2019, and the album made 2019 “Best Of” lists of several radio hosts, including Rich Warren’ nationally syndicated US folk radio show “The Midnight Special” out of WFMT in Chicago, and Jan Hall’s syndicated “Folk Roots Radio with Jan Hall.”
QUOTES
“The seasoned Canadian duo of Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis compose great songs individually and together as well as deftly interpreting covers. What stands out about this album beyond its good voices with pleasing harmonies is its positive attitude. In an era of depressing songs there are several uplifting songs about politics and love performed with energy, vitality and sincerity. There’s a great deal of depth in the material and performance embodied in this album….their duo has perfectly jelled with this recording.”
— Rich Warren, WFMT “The Midnight Special” Favorites of 2019 List http://midnightspecial.org/favorites2019.htm
“A formidable duo.”
— Pat Langston, Penguin Eggs Magazine (feature, Winter 2019)
“Gathering Sparks brings level of musical skill and spontaneity to their songs onstage that is rare and welcome. Their sophisticated, intertwining harmonies complement finely crafted lyrics. Each song is fresh, taking the audience on new journeys and adventures. We were pleased to host their appearance in early 2019 and eagerly await their return.”
— Mike and Lorraine Messitt, The Anchor Coffee House, Lewes, DE
“Plumbing the depths of gospel, folk, and singer-songwriter traditions with talent and grace makes Gathering Sparks one of the most entertaining [acts] our audience has seen. They couldn’t stop raving about them.”
— Bob LeDrew, BobCat House Concerts, Ottawa
