Huntington Natives to Perform In Inaugural Great Eastern Music Festival

Kirsten Maxwell

Bill Scorzari

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

A pair of Huntington natives will perform in the Montauk Historical Society’s inaugural Great Eastern Music Festival next weekend.

Singer-songwriters Kirsten Maxwell and Bill Scorzari are lined up with several other artists to bring their musical talents to the iconic Montauk Lighthouse, located at the eastern tip of Long Island, on Sept. 16.

When Maxwell was 5 years old, she stepped on the stage for the first time at a small opera house in NYC. Maxwell started playing guitar and writing her own songs when she was in high school, and then graduated from State University of New York at Geneseo in 2014 with a degree in creative writing. She began to pursue her passion as a singer-songwriter full time, focusing on the contemporary folk genre.

She paved her way through the music industry and, after the release of her debut album “Crimson,” was named one of the three winners in the 2016 South Florida Folk Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition. Since then, she has received several awards and accolades, including recent Most Wanted Artist at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival 2017.

For Scorzari, the moment that changed the course of his life to music occurred when he discovered a Live at Paste recording of Justin Townes Earle, performing “Mama’s Eyes.” The song changed his life, transitioning his career focus from matters of the mind to matters of the heart.

Since then, Scorzari has written over 100 original compositions, focused on the folk genre. His raspy vocals, along with his sincere and robust lyrics, captivate listeners into his world.

Scorzari released his debut album, “Just the Same,” in 2014 and then released his sophomore album, “Through These Waves,” in March.

The festival will also feature Grammy winner Sarah Jarosz, Dustbowl Revival, Seldom Scene, Sam Outlaw, Tall Tall Trees, Miles to Dayton, Eastbound Freight and more.

Gates open at 9 a.m., with the festival kicking off at 10 a.m. Tickets are $65 for general admission, $25 for children ages 6-12, and children age 5 and under can enter for free. To purchase tickets, visit Greateasternmusicfestival.com.