Bent String performs a mix of early American roots music, including early jazz, acoustic blues, roots country, and originals. The quintet centers on the vocals of Kari Ann Rutushin and underpinned with the feel of jazz-age swing. With Reed Simon’s hot violin, Caroline King's sublime accordion, Kevin Richards' arch-top guitars, and Cleveland Blues Hall of Fame upright bassist, Raymond DeForest.
Come see us playing live at…
| DATES - 2025 | TIME | VENUE | ADDRESS | NOTES: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 16th | 11:30 | Fort Huntington Park - Memorial Monday | Lakeside Ave + West 3rd st | Bent String trio |
| Wednesday, June 18 | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | Bent String |
| Friday, June 27th | 3:00 | 46th TRI -C Jazz Fest | Playhouse Square, SeibertKeck Insurance Outdoor Stage | Bent String |
| Saturday, June 28th | 2:45 | Larchmere Porchfest 2025 | East 128th street stage | Bent String |
| Saturday, July 5, 2025 | 7:00 | Bainbridge Swing Dance | 16349 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls, OH | Bent String |
| Friday, July 11 | 3:30 | Cain Park Arts Festival | Cleveland Heights | Bent String |
| Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 7:00 | East Shore Park Club | Dorchester Drive, Cleveland 44119 | Bent String - Joe Hunter joins us on keyboards |
| Friday, July 18th | 11:00am | Westlake Community Center | 28975 Hilliard Blvd. Westlake, Ohio 44145 | Bent String Trio |
| Tuesday, July 29 | 11:00 | Dave's Market and Eatery | 1930 E 59th St, Cleveland, OH 44103 | Kari + Kevin duo |
| Friday, August 1st | 7:00 | Flat Iron Cafe | 1114 Center St, Cleveland, OH 44113 | In the Flats |
| Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 4:15 | Lakewood Arts Festival | Lakewood, Ohio | Bent String trio |
| Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 7:00 | House Concert - private | Cleveland Heights | Bent String |
| Sunday, August 3rd | 2:00 | Yard Concert - open to the public | 2432 Edgehill, rd, Cleveland Heights, 44106 | opening for the Cleveland Klezmer Orchestra |
| Saturday, August 9th | 7:00 | South Euclid Food Truck Park Concert, Rushton rd | Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present + Future | Bent String |
| Friday, August 15th | 8:00 | Beachland Ballroom | 15618 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Bent String Trio, opening for Eilen Jewel |
| Sunday, August 17th | 5:00 | Picnic in the Park | Reign Hadsell Park, 6745 Bancroft St, Hiram, OH 44234 | Bent String |
| Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | 7:00 | Meyers Apartments | 27100 Cedar Rd, Beachood | Bent String trio |
| Saturday, August 23rd | 7:30 | House Concert | Highland Square, Akron | Bent String |
| Sunday, August 24th | 2:00 | Jazz on the Patio @ McGregor Home | 14850 Private Drive, Cleveland 44112 | Bent String trio |
| Friday, August 29 | 7:00 | Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse | Oberlin college 180 W Lorain St, Oberlin, OH 44074 | Bent String |
| Saturday, August 30th | 5:30 | Van Aken Market District | 3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, Oh 44122 | Bent String / SpYder Stompers |
| Friday, September 5th | 4:00 - 5:45 | Youngstown Festival | West Federal Street (West End) Youngstown | Bent String |
| Saturday September 6th | 1;15 | ART in the PARK | Fred Fuller Park, Middlebury rd, Kent 44240 | Bent String trio outdoor Main Stage |
| Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 5:00 | Waterloo Arts Festival Sculpture Garden Stage | 15618 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Bent String |
| Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Cabinet |
| Thursday, September 18th | 7:30 | Music Box Supper Club | 1148 Main Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113 | opening for Jason White |
| Saturday, September 27th | 5:00 | Ingenuity Festival | 5401 Hamilton ave, Cleve | Bent String |
| Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Cabinet |
| Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 7:00 | Barnegie Hall (The Barn) | 31950 Krebs Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012 | Bent String + musical guest Chris Burge |
| Friday, October 30th | TBD | Swing Dance | Youngstown | |
| Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Cabinet |
| Friday, November 14, 2025 | 7:00 | Lindy Hop Dance | Brownhoist Building, 4403 St Clair Ave | Bent String |
| Wednesday, November 26, 2025 | 1:30 | Council Gardens | North Taylor, Cleveland Heights | Bent String |
| Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Cabinet |
| Friday, December 26th | 7:00 | The Flat Iron Cafe | 1114 Center St, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Bent String Trio |
| Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | 6:00 | Myers Apartments | Cedar rd, Beachwood, Oh | Bent String - |
| Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 3:00 | Wildwood Art & Wine FEST | Wildwood Cultural Center, 7645 Little Mountain Road | Mentor | |
| Previous 2025 Dates | ||||
| Monday, 1/6/2025 | 3:00pm | South Franklin Circle | Chagrin Falls | Bent String |
| Thursday, February 20, 2025 | 7:00 | Music Box Supper Club | 1148 Main Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Bent String |
| Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Cabinet |
| Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 8;30 | Beachland Ballroom - Kentucky Benefit | Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Bent String |
| Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 11:00am | Westlake Community Center | 28975 Hilliard rd, Westlake 44145 | Bent String - pre St Patrick's Day |
| Wednesday, March 26 | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | Bent String |
| Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Cabinet |
| Monday, April 21 | 6:00 | Magnetic North Studios | recording session with engineer Chris Keffer | Bent String |
| Tuesday, April 22 | noon | Magnetic North Studios | recording session with engineer Chris Keffer | Bent String |
| Thursday, April 24 | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | Bent String |
| Friday, April 25, 2025 | 5:30 | Kent American Roots Festival | North Water Brewing Co, 101 Crain Street | duo |
| Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 2:00 | Mac's Back's Books | the book store in Coventry village, Cleve Heights | duo |
| Sunday, May 4, 2025 | 5:00 | Rush Inn Bar and Grille | 35840 Chester Rd, Avon, OH 44011 | Sunday Night - hosted by Austin Walkin Cane |
| Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Cabinet |
| Friday, May 23, 2025 | 12:30 | Benjamin Rose Lakeshore | 16600 Lakeshore blvd | Bent String |
| Friday, May 23 | 5:00 | Magnetic North Studios | recording session with engineer Chris Keffer | Bent String |
| Thursday, May 29, 2025 | 7:00 | Jenks Building | 1884 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls 44221 | Bent String |
| Wednesday June 4th | 5:30 | Van Aken Market District | 3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, Oh 44122 | Bent String |
| Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Cabinet |
| 2024 Dates | ||||
| Saturday, December 14,2024 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15618 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari and the Cabinet. Xmas show |
| Saturday, 12/28/24 | 8:00 | The Jenks Building | 1884 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls 44221 | Bent String |
| Friday, November 1st | 7:00 | Market Garden Brewery | West 25th street, Ohio City | |
| Saturday, November 9th | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari and the Cabinet ... with Caroline King |
| Saturday, October 12th | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari and the Cabinet ... with Caroline King |
| Saturday, October 26th | 8:00 | The Jenks Building | 1884 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls 44221 | Bent String |
| Sunday, September 8th | 2:15 | Art in the Park (Kent) | Fred Fuller Park, Middlebury rd, Kent 44240 | trio on the Main Stage - Outdoors |
| Friday, September 13th | 11:00am | Westlake Community Center | 28975 Hilliard Blvd. Westlake, Ohio 44145 | Senior gig |
| Saturday, September 14th | 6:00 | Waterloo Arts Festival | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Blue Windmill stage - closing set |
| Sunday, September 21st | 4:30 | Outdoor Yard Concert (open event) | 2440 Edgehill rd, Cleve Hts 44106 | with Caroline King, and guest Marc Paige on sax and clarinet |
| Friday, September 27th | 6:30 | The Barn at Walden | 700 S. Bissell Rd, Aurora 44202 | Private Event |
| Saturday, September 28 | 8:30pm | Ingenuity Fest | 5401 Hamilton ave, Cleveland 44114 | Trio |
| Saturday, August 3rd | 11:15am | Lakewood Arts Festival | 15300 Detroit Rd. + Belle Ave. | a morning concert |
| Saturday, August 10, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 | Raccoon County Music Festival | 14653 East Park Street Burton, Oh 44021 | special guest keyboard Joe Hunter |
| Saturday, August 17th | 6:00 | Ben Franklin Garden Concert Series | 1905 Spring rd, Old Brooklyn, OH 44119 | Outdoor community concert |
| Wednesday, August 21 | 6:00 | The Paris Room | 7 Main Street, Chagrin Falls | performing as the SpYder Stompers |
| Thursday, August 22nd | 5:30 | Van Aken Market District | 3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, Oh 44122 | Outdoors, or indoors if it rains |
| Saturday, July 13th | 7:00 | Big Creek Park - Geauga Park | 9373 Ravenna Rd, Chardon Township, OH 44024 | summer evening concert - with Joe Hunter on piano |
| Sunday, July 14th | 4:00 | Lakeview Cemetery | 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106 | summer afternoon concert - with Joe Hunter on piano |
| Wednesday, July 24th | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | |
| Sunday, July 28th | 4:00 | Barnegie Hall (The Barn) | 31950 Krebs Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012 | Carolyn King joins us on accordion |
| Monday, July 29th | 6:30 | The Paris Room | 7 Main Street, Chagrin Falls | special guest Marc Paige on Clarinet and Sax |
| Saturday, June 8th | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari and the Cabinet. |
| Monday, June 10th | 6:30 | Paris Room | 7 N. Franklin St, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 | Jazz Mondays - Bent String Trio |
| Sunday, June 30th | 5:00 | Rush Inn Bar and Grille | 35840 Chester Rd, Avon, OH 44011 | Sunday Night Blues gig hosted by Austin Walkin Cane - trio gig |
| Saturday, May 11th | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari and the Cabinet. |
| Monday, May 13th | 11:30am - | Fort Huntington Park | West Lakeside and West 3rd, downtown Cleveland | Bent String trio - Memorial Mondays concert series |
| Thursday, May 16th | 7:00 | Stocker Arts Center | 1005 Abbe Rd N, Elyria, OH 44054, (Lorain Com College) | Cirigliano Studio Theatre |
| Wednesday, May 22nd | noon | Westlake Community Center | 28975 Hilliard rd, Westlake 44145 | |
| Thursday, May 30, 2024 | 5:30 | Van Aken Market District | 3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, Oh 44122 | Bent String trio |
| Saturday, April 6th | 5:00 | The Bottle House | Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, Oh 44118 | Musicologie party - open event |
| Saturday, April 13th | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Carolyn King joins us on accordion |
| Tuesday, March 26th | 11:30 | Notre Dame College | 2525 College Rd, South Euclid | |
| Saturday, March 30th | 8:00 | The Jenks Building | 1884 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls 44221 | |
| Sunday, February 25th | 1:00 | American Croatian Lodge | 34900 Lakeshore Blvd #301, Eastlake, OH 44095 | |
| DATES - 2023 | ||||
| Saturday, 12/9/23 | 8:00 - 11 pm | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari and Kevin and friends |
| Friday, 12/22/2023 | 5:30 - 7:30 | Van Aken District / Market Hall | 3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, Oh 44122 | BS Quartet performs holiday music |
| Friday, November 3rd | 1:30 pm | The Rocky River Senior Center | 21100 Hilliard Rd. Rocky River | Harvest Festival |
| Sunday, November 5th | 7:00 pm | Market Garden Brewery | 1847 West 25th Street, Ohio City (Cleveland) | Joe Hunter on keyboards joins Bent String |
| Friday, November 10th | 8:00 - 11 pm | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | with guest Dan Bode - It is Dan's Birthday |
| Wednesday, November 29th | 7:00 pm | The Bop Stop | 2920 Detroit rd. Cleveland | a very cool jazz and roots club. |
| Sunday, October 15,2023 | noon - 1pm | Hessler Street Fair | Hessler rd, Cleveland | hosted by Northeast Ohio Music Heritage Association |
| Thursday, October 26th | 7:00 - 9:30 | 1/2 Acre Farm House Concert | 3033 Edgehill rd, Cleve Heights | with the SpYder Stompers Shore Acres |
| Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 1:00 - 2pm | Art in the Park (Kent) | Fred Fuller Park, Middlebury rd, Kent 44240 | Main Stage - Outdoors |
| Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 7:30pm | The Paris Room | 7 N. Franklin St, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 | a French Bistro, indoor and outdoor seating. entrance in back |
| Saturday, August 12, 2023 | 3:00 - 4:00 | Raccoon County Music Festival | 14653 East Park Street Burton, Oh 44021 | Always a blast to perform at RCMF -3 pm -special guest keyboard Joe Hunter |
| Sunday, August 27 | 4:00 -7pm | Barnegie Hall (The Barn) | 31950 Krebs Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012 | The Barn features many styles of roots music |
| Saturday, July 15, 2023 | 7:30pm | Kent Blues Festival | Belleria Pizza Restaurant 135 E Erie St, , Kent 44240 | with special guest Dan Bode |
| Thursday, July 20 | 7:00 -10pm | Forest City Brewery | 2135 Columbus Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Trio performing in the outdoor beer garden |
| Sunday, July 23 | 1-4pm | Cain Park Evans Amphitheatre | Cleveland Heights, Oh 44118 | Sunday Afternoon Concert Series |
