A complicated soul

“Persistence of the composer” drawn with pencil by Sandy Ross Bender.
“A complicated soul” composed and performed with clarinet, concertina, and guitar by Sandy Ross Bender on February 13, 2026.

Her poise and grace

“Listening woman” drawn with colored pencils over writing in ink” on December 28, 2014.
“Her poise and grace” composed and performed with guitar, concertina, and clarinet by Sanford Ross Bender on January 9 & 10, 2026.

A Smooth Collie in Prague

“A Smooth Collie in Prague” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Prague, Czech Republic on September 17, 2025.
“Unbroken hearts” composed and performed with clarinet, guitar, and banjo by Sanford Ross Bender on November 18, 2025.

Our gallant ship

“Sailing ship in rough seas” drawn with color pencil on paper by Sanford Ross Bender with inspiration from the Dutch masters
“Our gallant ship (The mermaid)” composed, arrange, and performed with voice, concertina, clarinet, and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on November 28, 2025.,

*Oh, the stormy winds do blow

With the landlubbers down below,

And the sailor-men a-climbing to the top

To haul in the riggin’-o.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“Twas Sunday night, our sails were set,

We hardly cleared the land-o,

When we spied a mermaid-a-swimmin’ by,

A comb and a glass in her hand-o.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The captain plumbed with a lead and a line,

He plumbed for to reach the sand-o,

While the wind and the waves did toss and roar,

We knew we’d never see land-o.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Then three times ’round went our gallant ship.

And three times more went she,

And the mate and the cabin boy said goodbye

As we sank in the salt, salt sea,

As we sank in the salt, salt sea.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

*Traditional ballad called “The Mermaid” was ccollected and compiled as No. 62 B by John Jacob Niles. Original musical arangement was composed for voice, concertina, clarinet, and guitar and performed by Sanford Ross Bender.

Impromptu string & wind trio parade

Saint George Statue at the St. Vitus Cathedral photographed by Sanford Ross Bender within Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic on September 19, 2025.
Banjo, Clarinet, and Concertina Trio composed and performed by Sanford Ross Bender on November 23, 2025

Underneath a pale gray sky

“Underneath a pale gray sky” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Eastern Pennsylvania on October, 2025.
Down the long and narrow way” composed and performed with guitar, clarinet, and concertina on November 13, 2025.

Horses and riders

“Horseback riding upstream” photographed in Tyler State Park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania on November 1, 2025.
“Horse and riders” composed and performed with clarinet, concertina, and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on November 7, 2025.

From another angle

“Snowing” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender at Lake Champlain, Vermont on March 9, 2025
“From another angle” composed and performed with clarinet, concertina, and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on March 10, 2025. Note: I reassembled the insrtrumental parts from my previous musical post after visiting the lake during an intermittent snow flurry. SRB

I came here all the way for nothing

“Frozen Lake Champlaiin” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Vermont on March 2, 2025
:”I came here all the way for nothing” comosed and performed with guitar, concertina, and clarinet by Sanford Ross Bender on March 9, 2025.

Jungle spirit

St. John, Virgin Islands drawn with ink and painted with watercolors by Sanford R. Bender
“Jungle spirit” composed and performed with clarinet, guitar, and percussion by Sanford R. Bender on January 6, 2025.