Since finishing college in 2005, Brooke Brown Saracino has made a fearless plunge into the crowded world of folk music, and she hasn’t gone unnoticed. She was honoured in the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Singer/Songwriter showcase in both 2005 and 2006 and competed in the 93.9 the River’s Singer/Songwriter contest. Brooke has opened for Lori Mckenna, Rose Polenzani, Beth Amsel, and Cheryl Wheeler among others. She currently tours the folk clubs, coffeehouses, bars, churches and living rooms of New England.
Brooke was born and raised in the hills of western Massachusetts surrounded by aspiring and accomplished folk musicians alike. Family stories place Brooke as a mischievous toddler who loved a stage. Whether it was the landing in the living room at busy family gatherings or the bench seat in local restaurants, Brooke always attracted an audience.
Her formalized musical training began with the performing arts high school she attended. Surrounded by creative and self-expressive teenagers, the effervescent childhood performer was locked inside an unassuming adolescent. A teacher, soon to become mentor, discovered that the skilful musician had a delightful voice and the ability to write mature and sophisticated prose. He dared Brooke to perform her work on stage.
Though Brooke certainly doesn’t need any coaxing now to step up to the stage, remnants of her quieter days still remain. Her gentle stage presence stands in stark contrast to her poignant lyricism and the power backing her clear and emotive voice. It is this combination of strength and vulnerability that leaves the listener spellbound.
Brooke is a truly independent artist. Having studied audio editing software manuals and experimented with any recording gear she could get her hands on, she recorded, edited and produced her debut album, Treading Water. With an arsenal of borrowed microphones, the musical backing of friends new and old, and the use of her college music professor’s study as a recording space, Brooke set to work. This would be no home recording, this was the real thing. Treading Water, which includes ten original songs featuring Brooke on vocals and guitar, accompanied by trumpet, accordion, and drums on some tracks, establishes Brooke as one of the pre-eminent folk singers in New England.
"Her lyrics are poignant and sophisticated, her performance...nothing short of revelatory"
- Sean Vernon, Singer/Songwriter