American Patchwork Quartet and Fabiola Méndez

Roots music with a passport — American Patchwork Quartet and Fabiola Méndez

Wednesday, October 14 | 7:30 PM
The Monarch, Ogden
Tickets start at $35

American Patchwork Quartet brings a Grammy-nominated collision of folk, jazz, and Hindustani classical. Picture “The Wayfaring Stranger” and “Oh Shenandoah” cracked open, rewired, and sung back to you through traditions from three continents.

Founded by Clay Ross, a two-time Grammy winner with Ranky Tanky, the quartet reimagines American folk songs through traditions the canon has long overlooked. Ross’s fingerpicked guitar lays down roots while Falu Shah’s Hindustani vocals spiral above, Clarence Penn’s jazz drums find the pocket, and Yasushi Nakamura’s bass holds it all together. Their self-titled debut earned a Best Folk Album nomination at the 67th Grammys. Mix Magazine called it “a breathtaking confluence of heritage roots, jazz, and world music influences.” The group made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2024.

Fabiola Méndez carries the cuatro into rooms that never saw it coming. She was the first graduate in Berklee’s history to play it as her principal instrument, and she’s since taken it to the Met, the New Orleans Jazz Fest, and NPR’s Tiny Desk — twice: once for her solo set and once backing Bad Bunny. That Tiny Desk performance pulled 8.7 million views. Her album Flora Campesina threads Puerto Rican folk with jazz and Afro-Caribbean grooves.

Two acts. A dozen traditions. One converted industrial space in Ogden’s Nine Rails Creative District. American Patchwork Quartet and Fabiola Méndez play The Monarch on Wednesday, October 14 at 7:30 PM.