The trio Ayreheart plays music influenced by American folk music, Celtic music, bluegrass and jazz. For centuries the lute was considered the “prince of instruments” and lute players were celebrities in royal courts across Europe. This progressive folk trio, founded by Ronn McFaralne, seeks to restore the instrument to its former glory but in a modern context. The three members of Ayreheart — McFarlane on lute, Will Morris on fretless bass vionon and colasclione, and Matthias Riucht on percussion — all have backgrounds in rock and jazz which comes through in their energetic playing. They will be joined by soprano Sarah Pillow, who was recently praised by the Washington Post, as having “a genuinely genre busting voice, full and vivid”. Pillow enjoys a unique career, drawing on her equal expertise in jazz, classical, and early music repertoire.