The Open Heartstrings began to meet during the winter months of 2018 after playing numerous bluegrass and country music jams together. One jam night everyone departed early except a bass (Jeffrey Werner), fiddle (Joanne Tanner) and guitar (Michael Fisher). None of the three considered themselves to be great vocalists though all were very happy playing their instruments. All had some instrumental music with them - fiddle tunes and waltzes - and seized the opportunity to play through them that night. In fact, it was so much fun that the three decided to meet again outside the jam the following week to play more. Fiddler Joanne really wanted to include a banjo, and invited Jesse Bregman, an old acquaintance, to join the group. This was perfect! After that weekly rehearsals ensued, and by April 2018 The Open Heartstrings played their first performance at a Wilder Ranch State Park event.
The name Open Heartstrings came from the cardiac procedures three of the band had undergone in the previous decade. The fourth member was shoehorned in regarding medical qualifications, having himself had a couple of fairly serious medical events. By September 2023, the band had played over 66 performances at places as various as Wilder Ranch, Abbott Square, Senior Living Centers, Farmers Markets, park openings, picnics, private parties, poetry readings, a church in Boulder Creek - BCUMC, benefits, State Parks, Bluegrass Festivals, Juvenal Hall and with a classical orchestra!
The band’s membership has had a few fluctuations. With the addition of Mary Larson on concertina, in 2019 and early 2020 the band added a program of Cajun music to their repertoire. With its original membership, throughout the pandemic The Open Heartstrings continued to play weekly on decks and in carports. When bassist Jeffrey Werner, who is also a mandolin and manjo player, had to take a medical hiatus, Barbara Spencer joined the group on bass with very short notice and was a great addition. Now Jeffrey is back and we have, literally, two double bassists. We now regularly have 5 members; Jeffrey’s playing bass allows Barbara to play leads on flute, and with Barb on bass and Jeffrey on mandolin we have a wonderful variety of timbres to incorporate.
The Open Heartstrings’ programs include many waltzes and fiddle tunes of different nationalities and styles: Cajun music and folk music from Italy, Russia, Ireland and Scotland, and Texas and Blues styles. The Open Heartstrings enjoys playing original tunes from local composers such as Suzanne Weller.
The band members' varied musical and instrumental backgrounds (folk, bluegrass, classical, and jazz) allow The Open Heartstrings and their audiences to enjoy a varied and eclectic musical experience.