One of the few Zen Buddhist priests in the local music scene, guitarist and singer Alan Senauke is familiar to Freightgoers from his work with many of the Bay Area's leading traditional groups, including the Aux Cajunals, High Country, and the Bluegrass Intentions.

Active in bluegrass and folk music for nearly 40 years (he was also editor of the folk music magazine Sing Out! in the 1970s), Alan performs songs from his vast and varied repertoire tonight, showcasing pieces from his recent solo album, Wooden Man: Old Songs from the Southern School (Native and Fine), a collection of American roots music ranging from the old-time songs of the Carter Family and Blue Sky Boys through Woody Guthrie's "Dust Storm Disaster" and the blues of Sleepy John Estes, and back again.

Of his chosen music, Alan says: "Old songs...carry truths about our lives. Such truths go beyond our direct experience -- I never waited out a dust storm or sat in a small town jail or dreamed about kissing my dead lover. Vivid lyrics and plain melodies open another's experience to each of us. In a strange sense, we live a new life, and the song becomes our own."

The evening also features guest appearances by numerous acclaimed artists from the local folk and bluegrass scenes and beyond, including Kate Brislin, Yassir Chadly, Larry Cohea, Brendan Doyle, Bill Evans, Mary Gibbons, Larry Hanks, and Eric & Suzy Thompson.