Westport Center for the Arts’ Brown Bag Concert Series continues on October 18 with a free performance by The Prairie Earth Ensemble, led by local singer-songwriter Jeff Clayton. The program will include songs from the Americana tradition, sometimes referred to as roots music—a blend of folk, blues, R&B, and rock. In addition to the compositions of others, the ensemble will present some of Clayton’s original compositions.

The Brown Bag concerts are free (donations accepted) and held at noon in the sanctuary at Westport Presbyterian Church, 201 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111.

Jeff Clayton has released three albums, which include many original compositions:  “Roots and Branches” (2016), Time Moves On (2018), and “Born with a Wound (2022).  He is an accomplished fingerstyle acoustic guitar player.

Vocalist Heidi Peterson contributes her soprano voice to the ensemble.  In addition to her work in the Prairie Earth Ensemble, she sings in the Kansas City Women’s Chorus.

David Firman has played bass professionally with many bands over the years, including the New Christy Minstrels and the popular West Coast band Pearl Jango. In addition to his work with the Prairie Earth Ensemble, he is also the leader of the Tiki Torches, a ukulele-based band, and a mover and shaker in the KC Ukesters.