Jake Kensinger, my music partner of 26 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 21st. This web site will be updated soon.

Two for the Show have been performing together for 25 years. They sing and play material arranged for guitar, bass, and vocals. They present swing and standards, traditional and contemporary folk songs, instrumentals, classic hits, blues, country music, and original compositions. They have been selected for listing in the Massachusetts Touring Roster enabling performers to receive grants from the New England Foundation for the Arts.

They perform at coffeehouses, schools, churches, music festivals, contra dances, nursing homes, fund-raising events, restaurants, lounges, and have appeared on radio and television. They often perform with other musicians when a larger group is required.

Two for the Show are strongly committed to community service and they have performed at and organized a variety of special events including the Jimmy Fund Walk, The Walk for Hunger, Folk Song Society of Greater Boston Woody Guthrie tributes on behalf of the Huntington's Disease Society, Benefit nights for local radio stations, and programs for the Boston Natural Areas Fund. They have hosted open mikes for many years. See their newest schedule here.

Their recordings include the tapes "Two for the Show", "Coast to Coast", and "Unmasked" (their contradance tape with their band "Dance Rangers"), and the CD "Realfolk"This project is a sampler of their musical styles and includes musicians Steve Sadler - mandolin and dobro, Mark Michaels - guitar, Russell Lane - percussion, Hanneke Cassel - National Scottish Fiddle Champion - fiddle, Sally McKnight - hammered dulcimer, and vocalists Paula Sinclair and Julie Dougherty.Ellen also released solo albums "Soul of a Child", "Gentle Hands", "You're My Baby", and "Joy".

Two for the Show's most recent recording "because my blood can sing and dance - Boston Sessions" was recorded at Steve Friedman's Melville Park Studio, including musicians Hanneke Cassel, Steve Sadler, Deb Blackadar, Sally McKnight, Seth Connelly, and Jerry and Nancy Bell. (See the CD page for more information.)

What People Say

The Boston Globe says:

"Their harmony called to mind 50's duo Les Paul & Mary Ford"

The Minuteman Chronicle said:

"A dynamic duo!"

Metronome says:

"Jake and Ellen are a little bit folk, a little bit country, and every bit true to their design. They are consummate musicians and their years of devotion to their craft has paid off... they are an exceptional sounding duo."

For information and bookings contact Ellen at...