Mal-O-Dua brings its slack-key guitar and French-swing string music to the WORT Block Party on Sunday, May 22nd. The Madison-based duo will start its acoustic set at 12:30 p.m. on the MLK Boulevard stage.
Django Reinhardt meets Merle Travis is how this eclectic pair describe their sound. Cedric “CED” Baetche, a native of Reims (France), and Chris “Christo” Ruppenthal, a Madison native, join forces in this entertaining international act.
Mal-O-Dua offers standards from the great American songbook as well as instrumentals ranging from Parisian waltz to Hawai’ian slack-key to gypsy jazz. They’ve released a pair of CDs so far, including Mahola Dua (2015, HotStringSwing Records).
These multi-talented artists – Baetche is a painter and baker, while Ruppenthal is a screen printer and clothier – combine Old World styles with New World influences. Their band name, Mal-O-Dua, is derived from the French phrase mal aux doigts (sore fingers).
Their virtuosity extends to a variety of stringed instruments: ukulele as well as acoustic, slack-key and steel guitars. Formed in 2008, Mal-O-Dua has wowed audiences at home and abroad with their enthusiastic performances. They also enjoy sharing historical anecdotes that provide a cultural context for their music.
WORT is proud to have them play at its 19th annual Block Party this Sunday. Come on downtown, dance and wish Mal-O-Dua a bon jour.
