The music Minor Swing plays doesn’t really belong to one place. It grew up in 1930s Paris, borrowed flavors from Roma traditions, brushed up against early American jazz and then, somehow, found a new home in the hills of West Virginia.
On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 7 p.m., that sound will land at the Pocahontas County Opera House in Marlinton — a historic, 250-seat room that happens to be just about perfect for fast acoustic lines, tight rhythms and the kind of ensemble playing where every instrument matters.
Minor Swing leans into a style often described as Roma jazz–inspired swing: quick, percussive guitar work, flowing melodies and a rhythmic pulse that keeps the music in constant motion. Listeners can expect a mix of classic repertoire from that tradition and newer material that treats the style as a living language rather than a museum exhibit. The tunes tend to move easily between lyrical and athletic, sometimes starting with a slow, sweet melody before snapping into a gallop.
What makes a band like this especially interesting in a place like Pocahontas County is the contrast. The music was born in cafés and dance halls an ocean away, yet it thrives in small Appalachian rooms where audiences sit close, listen hard and respond to dynamics — the quiet passages, the sudden bursts of speed, the way a simple chord change can shift the mood of an entire tune. The Opera House’s natural acoustics and intimate scale allow that detail to come through without amplification overwhelming the nuance.
For the Minor Swing performance, tickets are available for a $10 donation, with free admission for those aged 17 and under. That structure keeps the evening within reach for families and helps introduce younger listeners to a style of music they might not encounter elsewhere. Because of the size of the room and the growing interest in these kinds of acoustic shows, advance reservations are recommended. Tickets can be obtained through the Opera House website, at the 4th Avenue Gallery in Marlinton or at the venue on the day of the performance, as space allows.
Behind the scenes, the ongoing work of the Pocahontas County Opera House is supported by state and local partners, including the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, along with community organizations and individual donors. Their support helps keep ticket prices low while bringing in artists who connect local audiences to a wider musical world.
On March 14, that connection will run through fast strings, steady rhythm and a style of jazz that has traveled a long way to feel right at home on an old wooden stage in Marlinton. For more information, visit pocahontasoperahouse.org.
You may also like the following events from Pocahontas County Opera House:
Also check out other
Music events in Marlinton,
Entertainment events in Marlinton.
