Together as a duo for more than thirty years — more than many marriages — Guy van Duser and Billy Novick have performed in concerts, clubs, and festivals all over North America and Europe. They have also appeared as frequent guests on Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion” radio show, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” or on numerous film and television soundtracks. And like a good marriage, their music has wed together two perfectly suited musical personalities. Their music is based around Guy’s innovative finger-style guitar wizardry, and his uncanny ability to play bass lines, chords and melodies all at the same time. With his daring imagination, breathtaking technique, and his wonderful musicality, Guy has become an inspiration for guitarists all over the world. Billy’s ever-inventive and soulful clarinet playing provides the ideal complement to Guy’s guitar.

With Billy’s vast knowledge of the classic jazz era, his dazzling improvising skills, and his entertaining vocals, Billy is able to both add a melodic and dynamic spark to Guy’s guitar. Their music sounds fresh and original, yet is also deeply rooted in the rich legacy of the classic jazz age. The duo can play any piece from their huge repertoire — an obscure Ellington tune, a Gershwin classic, a complex Jelly Roll Morton arrangement, or perhaps one of the their originals — and immediately have it sound like their own. And, my, how they swing! The two of them together can create a pulse as driving as any big band. They have a musical telepathy and understanding that has been honed by more than twenty-five years of playing together, a rhythmic drive that doesn’t quit and a thorough mastery of their instruments. Add to all of this their relaxed and engaging stage manner, and audiences are treated to a joyously entertaining and musically enchanting show that, indeed, has already stood the test of time. Last here in 2005 for our 35th anniversary show, their coffeehouse appearance is eagerly awaited by their fans.

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Long-time local favorite Julie Dougherty has been singing since the mid-sixties, starting with her sister, Kathy, performing folk music at coffeehouses in the Boston area, such as the Unicorn Coffeehouse and the King’s Rook (where they opened several times for the Kingston Trio in the 70’s). Since then, Julie has travelled much of the country singing Irish music, original folk-rock music, country-rock music in the 80’s, and has made several trips to Nashville, where she placed two original songs with two major publishing firms and almost moved there in the early 90’s . . . but her roots are in New England. She also hosted a songwriting cable TV show, called “Songwriters In The Round” for three years, which featured many fine songwriters including Noel Paul Stookey, Chris Smither, and Al Kooper. Julie’s third CD, The Sweet Unraveling, released in 2004 begins yet another chapter in a full and rewarding career of writing and performing as one of the finest divas in New England’s substantial folk/pop arena.

In conjunction with the Golden Key Society at UMass Boston and WUMB radio, the me&thee will be collecting warm clothing for children in need. Please bring items of gently worn winter clothing so that we can contribute them to this worthwhile cause.

So often instrumental viruosity goes unrecognized while mediocre bands, as long as they have singers, make the big money. Guy Van Duser and Billy Novick are never going to retire in Palm Springs, but the pleasure they give in concert is indescribable. . . . BOSTON GLOBE

Guy Van Duser and Billy Novick’s performance at the Nicklodeon Folk Club on Saturday night challenges conventional description. . . . Van Duser and Novick produce full, complex renditions of old jazz and swing numbers from the ’30’s and ’40’s — so full that it’s hard to believe that only two people hold the stage. . . . CALGARY HERALD (Canada)

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Julie! I don’t know anybody that can pull folk, jazz and funk together like you, gal! What a pleasure to hear you connect all your talented dots over such a rich array of players . . . this CD grooves! Noel Paul Stookey

In her forty years as a bona fide working musician, Julie Dougherty has developed a voice sassy enough to front full-blown rhythm and blues bands and intimate enough to grace coffeehouse stages as a solo singer-songwriter. She has also written songs attractive to Nashville publishers. Her newest CD of all original material, The Sweet Unraveling, is an extremely strong offering in the style of Joni Mitchell’s Hejira that blends exhilarating folk-jazz propulsion with meaningful writing born of experience. Geoff Bartley