Jeffrey Wells, artistic director of the Oconee Performing Arts Society, has done it again. Another feather belongs in his cap for recruiting a superlative ensemble that has created a sound all their own. Recognized for their haunting, layered sound, the Annie Moses Band weaves a beautiful musical tapestry crossing classical with Americana. The lake country audience will be swept up by their breathtaking instrumental virtuosity for one memorable evening of string music and heavenly vocals.

The band’s mesmerizing sound is born out of their family’s great American story. Taking their great grandmother’s name, the Annie Moses Band members are grateful for the heritage of their Texas sharecropper matriarch. Annie Moses picked cotton and scrimped and saved to pay for a few piano lessons for her daughter. This lesson of sacrifice was passed down through the generations until the band members’ own mother was able to pursue piano at Oklahoma City University, where she met her jazzman husband. They teamed up to write a steady stream of extraordinary songs. With that success, the couple was able to provide their six children with the best musical education possible by sending them to Juilliard School. 

Upon graduation, the family was faced with a transformative decision. The siblings were either to stay on the classical path or take a risk and come up with a particular sound, their own distinctive sound. They took a leap of faith and the entire family including their parents, who arrange music and compose lyrics, teamed up to form something unique, eclectic and winsome. Fast forward 17 years to the present and the Annie Moses Band with its blend of roots music and classical polish has recorded more than a dozen albums, produced Telly-nominated PBS specials, traveled in Europe and Asia and performed on stages ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ole Opry.

Last fall, it was in Music City that OPAS members Jane Hutterly and Louie Seabolt happened upon the Annie Moses Band. 

“We had the opportunity to see Annie and her five siblings perform at Ryman Theater. Their voices and string playing were really exciting — it’s so great we’re able to see them again right here in our own backyard,” Hutterly. 

OPAS anticipates standing room only for the bluegrass, jazz and classical sounds of the Annie Moses Band on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. as they make their lake debut at Festival Hall in downtown Greensboro. Visit the OPAS website at www.opas.org to purchase tickets online or call the OPAS office at 706-467-6000.