Group members Michael Sullivan, Lisa Johansson, Ingemar Johansson, and Rick Jones first joined together as Song of the Lakes in 1983 and have toured the United States and Europe.
Although their sounds is often described as an original "new folk" music with a maritime flair, they incorporate a range of genres including Celtic, Scandinavian, acoustic rock and Great Lakes World Music.
All of the instruments are acoustic and include guitars, mandolin, flutes, piccolo, bouzouki, swedish nyckelharpa (key fiddle), concertina, harmonicas, bodhran, and a number of eclectic percussion instruments. All members provide vocals individually or in spirited harmonies.
The group has performed over 1,000 concerts in festival settings or civic events to date including:
- Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland
- Live concert on the Canadian Broadcasting Company
- Mystic Sea Music Festival in Connecticut
- Cleveland River Festival
- Chicago Maritime Festival
- National Governor's Conference
- National Cherry Festival
- Chicago Celtic Festival
- Chicago World Festival
- Midland Arts Center
- Wayne State Art Festival
The group has been featured on a number of radio and television shows and has performed with Symphony Orchestras, choirs, singers, classical players, jazz players and dance troups at numerous events. Also, the group has composed and recorded movie and theatre music scores.
The group played major roles in the state sponsored Michigan Chatauqua and the Michigan Culture Tour, touring shows promoting Michigan history and heritage.
A number of academic settings at all age levels have hired the band including Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Beloit College, Interlochen Arts Academy, and the school districts of Wyoming, Bay City, Saginaw, Traverse City, East Jordan, Fenneville, Mancelona, Buckley, Elk Rapids, Glen Lake, Suttons Bay, Benzie, and more.
The group has been selected to represent Michigan in the Heartland Festival catalogue spanning fourteen midwestern states. Michigan Touring Arts as well as Michigan Council on the Humanities frequently sponsor promoters of the group at civic events with art grants.
Most of the songs that the band produces are original or traditional with an original flair. The group collaborates on all arrangements producing and innovative and unique acoustic sound.
During the summer months, the group goes to sea, performing every Wednesday night on the Tall Ship the Manitou in West Traverse Bay in Traverse City, MI.
More questions? Send an e-mail to ingemar@songofthelakes.com.
 Poets Say Cover (high quality jpg, 228 K) (will open in new window)
Poet Say inside photo (high quality jpg) (will open in new window)
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Poets Say Cover (high quality jpg, 228 K)