The Poke Salad Orchestra is a string trio that is firmly rooted in American traditions of old-time, country and early popular music. This home-grown orchestra happens in the moment, based on musical winds that can lead them in any direction. The group’s rapport, combined with individual command of their instruments, draws listeners in and envelopes them in the sound of strings being coaxed to their limits.
Guitarist and vocalist Kelly Werts has appeared several times at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, and has performed regionally with ground-breaking acts like The Sons of Rayon, The Plaid Family and Connie Dover.
Susan Mayo has been part of the musical landscape of Kansas for over 30 years. She has taught at Emporia State University and is currently a guest lecturer at Wichita State University. She pursued her undergraduate degree at the University of the Pacific (BM: Cello Performance) as well as doing graduate work at Peabody Conservatory of Music, and Wichita State University (BME in Special Music Education) and the University of Kansas (DMA in Cello Performance). Susan is active not only in the classical world, playing with the Wichita Symphony, Chamber Music at the Barn, and Music Theatre of Wichita, but also is active in a variety of bands, playing anything from bluegrass to jazz. She has performed globally with both classical and alternative ensembles and is currently co-executive director of Flint Hills Counterpoint an ecology arts project based in Marion County Kansas, music director for Symphony in the Flint Hills fall event Woodfest, board chair of the Historic Sunflower Theatre, guest lecturer at Wichita State University, and a member of the Wichita Symphony.
Rob Loren has toured as a fiddler with Ray Price, The Cherokee Maidens, Pavarotti and other nationally known artists, but is happiest while holding down jazz, classical and popular music gigs close to his home in Wichita.
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