Acclaimed Global Music Exchange OneBeat on the Bandwagon Summer Stage

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents acclaimed global music exchange OneBeat, on Thursday, October 10 at 6:00 pm, at West River Park, 333 West River Road, in Brattleboro.

Created by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and designed and produced by the NYC-based arts organization Found Sound Nation, OneBeat brings musicians (ages 19-35) from around the world to a region of the U.S. for one month each year to collaboratively write, produce, and perform original music, and develop strategies for arts-based social engagement. OneBeat begins with an opening residency, when Fellows collaborate to create original material, record new musical ideas, and incubate their projects. OneBeat Fellows then go on tour across a region of the U.S., performing for a wide array of American audiences, collaborating with local musicians, and leading workshops with youth and community organizations. During the month, each OneBeat musician also sets out their plans for the future, further developing projects in their home countries that embody the OneBeat mission of collaboration and engagement.


Next Stage Bandwagon Folk/Roots/Americana Music Festival

Next Stage Arts continues its 2024 Bandwagon Summer Series of concerts with a Folk/Roots/Americana music festival featuring The Clements Brothers, The Jacob Jolliff Band, and The Mammals on Sunday, October 6 at 2:00 pm at Cooper Softball Field in Putney, VT.

The Clements Brothers are George and Charles Clements, identical twins from New England.  They’ve been playing and writing music together for as long as they can remember and their duo marks their first project together since playing in the internationally touring grass-roots band The Lonely Heartstring Band, with whom they put out two albums on Rounder Records. With roots, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and classical influences, George (guitar) and Charles (bass) aim to capture their singer-songwriter sensibilities in a unique blended voice, at once enthralling and intimate, groovy, and serene.  The duo is a fusion of each brother’s unique musical journey, and the result is a music all its own, filled with vocal harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, and a genuine love of song.


World Music Ensemble Yemen Blues Returns to the Bandwagon Series Stage

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents world music ensemble Yemen Blues on Sunday, September 29 at 4:00 pm at the field behind The Putney Inn, 57 Putney Landing Road, in Putney. The band is touring in support of their new album, Only Love Remains.

Formed in 2010, Yemen Blues was swiftly recognized as one of the planet’s most adventurous and invigorating bands, at once contemporary and timeless, defiantly singular and deliciously eclectic. Their three studio albums and over 1,000 shows to date – including prestigious bookings at Canada’s GlobalFest, Roskilde Festival Denmark, and UCLA’s Royce Hall – have cemented the quartet (Ravid Kahalani, the band’s mercurial co-founding vocalist and gimbri player; bassist/oudist Shanir Blumenkranz; percussionist Rony Irwin; and drummer Dan Mayo) as a benchmark in a world music that has both shaped and challenged the genre.


Percussionist Cyro Baptista on the Bandwagon Summer Stage

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Brazilian-born percussionist in jazz and world music Cyro Baptista, on Saturday, September 21 at 5:00 pm.

Cyro Baptista is a Brazilian born percussionist and composer whose vast talent and penchant for innovation brought him to be praised as one of the most respected musicians in the world.

Cyro’s endless sonic curiosity and intense rhythmic led him to create several musical ensembles and record many albums of his own. He has also lent his sounds to several GRAMMY award-winning records and to over 300 CDs with many of the most beloved musicians in the world.

“Easily the most famous of all of the artists of the series, Cyro has played with Trey Anastasio, Paul SImon, Yo-Yo Ma, Herbie Hancock, and John Zorn. This project, Chama, is his new group that explores Brazilian themes, but with obvious surprises,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Cyro is a musician’s musician, and it goes without saying that we’re blessed to have this performance as part of our outdoor summer series. Cyro is a playful soul whose music is imbued with playfulness and virtuosity.”


Colombian “Indie-Tropical” Group La Sonora Mazurén Comes to the Bandwagon Stage

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Colombian “indie-tropical” group La Sonora Mazurén on Sunday, September 15 at 5:00 pm.

La Sonora Mazuren is the latest addition to the already rich indie-tropical scene out of Bogotá, Colombia. Deeply rooted in the popular sounds and rhythms of South America, the group draws from cumbia, chicha, guaracha, champeta and other styles mostly from Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.

Far from being folklorists or revivalists, La Sonora Mazuren combines synthesizers and electric guitars with accordion and percussion to create a futuristic style indebted to early pioneers such as Polibio Mayorga or Bogota’s own Eblis Alvarez, of Meridian Brothers fame, who also produced their debut album. The result is a psychedelic feast reminiscent of the golden years of Tropicalia.


Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir Return to Windham County

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir, with their distinctive brand of “dirty gospel,” on Saturday, September 7 at 5:00 pm.

After coming to New York in the 90’s to enter the seminary, studying to be a Methodist minister, Reverend Vince Anderson dropped out to follow his second calling – music. His band, The Love Choir, defines its style as “dirty gospel,” busting out trumpets, guitars and a keyboard. Together, they have played a now-legendary weekly show in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for over twenty years. Reconnecting with his faith and using his intense soulful music, he began to preach a type of spirituality that meets people where they are, is open to all, and moves everyone that sees him play. Reverend Vince is also deeply involved in social activism, working with other progressive faith leaders at home and around the country to build inclusive communities.


Soles of Duende on the Bandwagon Summer Stage

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents dance trio Soles of Duende, on Saturday, August 24 at 6:00 pm.

A Brooklyn-born Puerto-Rican from New Haven, a Mexican Puerto-Rican Jew from the Lower East Side, and a Bengali Indian from Jersey walked on to the wooden floor & the rest? History. Bonded by their deep love of music, their crafts, and true connection, Soles of Duende is on a lifelong mission to elevate the joy and music of true collaboration across disciplines and the celebration of the forms they practice. Based in the sounds of Tap (Amanda Castro), Flamenco (Arielle Rosales) and Kathak (Brinda Guha) , Soles of Duende’s fire is the spirit that lives within each of these women to celebrate their connection given their beautiful differences and to uplift the forms that made them.

“Live music meets dance from three different ethnic traditions sounds like a perfect way of exploring culture while seeing virtuosic talent,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “This group has been getting a lot of attention in New York, and while they’re on the rise, we wanted to bring them to southern Vermont. There is so much about Soles of Duende that deserves attention – talent, merging of dance and live music, and the fact that these women are exploring connections of culture through dance is worth noting.”


Myra Flynn on the Bandwagon Summer Stage

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Vermont native indie/soul singer/songwriter Myra Flynn, on Saturday, August 17 at 6:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Road, in Putney.

Singer/songwriter Myra Flynn spends her career embracing dichotomy. Half Irish and half African American, her original indie/soul songs blend soulful vocals with a lyrical delivery that doesn’t let one get too comfortable. As the New England Deli Magazine puts it, “Her vocal influences have as much in common with Ani Difranco and Shawn Colvin as they do with Rihanna and Jill Scott.”

“We love being able to present Vermont-based artists, and Myra has been on her way to building a national name for herself. As a regular at the Flynn’s Jazz Festival, Myra’s name is getting around for anyone interested in soul, funk, R&B, and beyond,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Myra’s range as an artist is a model for how Vermont artists can tackle a national stage. Her presence as part of the series is an opportunity to ensure that southern Vermont knows the power and presence of Myra Flynn.”


Bandwagon Summer Series Presents: Slavic Soul Party! Live in Concert

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series is thrilled to announce the return of Slavic Soul Party! to the Bandwagon stage, on Friday, August 9th, at The Putney Inn Field, 57 Putney Landing Rd, Putney, VT. This event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Balkan brass, jazz, and funk, set against the picturesque backdrop of a Vermont summer evening.

Slavic Soul Party! has carved out a unique niche in the music world with their fiery Balkan brass sound, irresistible beats, and virtuoso jazz chops. Hailing from New York City, the nine-piece ensemble brings together influences from across the globe, blending them into a high-energy musical experience that is both infectious and soul-stirring.

The band’s Tuesday night residency in Brooklyn, spanning over two decades, has garnered international acclaim and a reputation for delivering an electrifying live show. Their latest album, “SSP! Plays Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite,” has been praised for its innovative reinterpretation of Duke Ellington’s iconic work, combining East European, Romani, and American sounds into a seamless fusion.


Glen David Andrews Returns to the Bandwagon Stage for a High-Energy Performance

Acclaimed New Orleans vocalist and trombonist Glen David Andrews is set to ignite Cooper Field with his dynamic band on Saturday, August 3rd, 6:00 pm. Known for his commanding voice and powerful trombone skills, Andrews promises an unforgettable evening of roots music that blends smoothness with grit, delivering an emotional and resonant musical experience.

A native son of New Orleans, Andrews hails from a distinguished musical lineage and learned the brass band traditions firsthand from iconic figures like Tuba Fats. Co-presented with the Vermont Jazz Center and sponsored in part by Bordertown Farm, this performance marks a celebration of cultural heritage and musical excellence.


The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents Bombay Rickey on Saturday, July 27

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents five-piece band Bombay Rickey, on Saturday, July 27 at 6:00 pm at New England Center for Circus Arts, 10 Town Crier Drive, in Brattleboro.

“[Bombay Rickey is] easily one of the most adventurous and daring artists we’ve worked with – how many ensembles are fronted by an opera singer and can count cumbia, spaghetti-Western, and Bollywood as influences?” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “I saw them in New York in January, and they made my jaw drop on the floor. I’m over-the-moon excited to present them to our Vermont community.”

Praised as “a true treat for the adventurous ear” (TimeOut NY), Bombay Rickey is a five-piece band with a unique sound evocative of 1960s movie soundscapes. The group plays both covers and original music that borrow equally from the worlds of surf rock, cumbia, spaghetti-Western, and Bollywood, balanced out with soaring operatic vocals.


The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents Pahua and Meridian Brothers on Saturday, July 20

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents the rising star of Mexican electronic folk, Pahua, and experimental Latin Tropical band Meridian Brothers, on Saturday, July 20 at 6:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Rd, in Putney.

“Electronic beats mix with Mexican soul in Pahua. Cumbia meets psychedelic rock in The Meridien Brothers. This double bill is one for the ages,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Pahua’s artistry bridges many divides and is for anyone interested in how music marches forward with electronics, ethnic flavor, and mastery. The Meridien Brothers are for anyone who seeks out new sonic adventures while still wanting to tear up the dance floor.”

Pahua is the project of Mexican singer, composer, producer and DJ Paulina Sotomayor; a blend of electronica and folklore that represents a very deep part of its creator: femininity, nature, inner strength and self-discovery.


The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents Rising Star of Mexican Electronic Folk, Pahua, on Saturday, July 20

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents the rising star of Mexican electronic folk, Pahua, on Saturday, July 20 at 6:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Rd, in Putney.

Pahua is the project of Mexican singer, composer, producer and DJ Paulina Sotomayor; a blend of electronica and folklore that represents a very deep part of its creator: femininity, nature, inner strength and self-discovery.

“Electronic beats mix with Mexican soul in Pahua. Her artistry bridges many divides and presents a danceable, global sound that will make everyone dance,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Pahua is for anyone interested in how music marches forward with electronics, ethnic flavor, and mastery.”


The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents Contemporary Mexican Ensemble Villalobos Brothers, on Saturday, July 13

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Contemporary Mexican ensemble Villalobos Brothers, on Saturday, July 13 at 6:00 pm at the field behind the Putney Inn, 57 Putney Landing Road, in Putney.

The Villalobos Brothers are a Grammy Award-winning family band, recognized as one of the foremost Contemporary Mexican ensembles in the world. With their unique fusion of Mexican folk, jazz, and classical music, they have captivated audiences across the United States, Mexico, India, Russia, and Canada.

“Virtuosic violinists from Mexico showcasing how traditional music can get reborn into modern culture, these brothers are making an indelible mark on modern American music,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “The Villalobos Brothers are a family band worthy of attention, praise, and adulation.”


The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents Maine-based Multicultural Collaboration Bondeko, on Saturday, July 6

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Maine-based multicultural collaboration Bondeko, on Saturday, July 6 at 6:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Rd, in Putney.

Bondeko is the unlikely collaboration of neighbors in Portland, Maine’s migrant community: an Albanian crooner, a Guinian drummer, a French singer-songwriter, a Latin musician from Texas…

The result is a mix of hypnotic Roma melodies, festive Cumbia rhythms, Malenke sing-alongs, and relentless Balkan tempos, peppered with heartwarming waltzes and maybe even a lullaby in Portunhol if the vibe is right.


The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents “Psychedelic Chanson” Ensemble Combo Daguerre on June 15

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents “psychedelic chanson” ensemble Combo Daguerre, on Saturday, June 15 at 6:00 pm at field behind the Putney Inn, 57 Putney Landing Road, in Putney.

Combo Daguerre, based in Brooklyn, performs original psychedelic chanson with a mostly Latin crew and a hybrid style informed by boleros, cumbia, 60’s rock, French chanson, Gainsbourg, and 1930s surrealism. It is music filled with joy and darkness, deep grooves and dirges, nostalgia and futurism.

With Olivier Conan (Chicha Libre) – cuatro, vocals; Adele Fournet – keyboards and Felipe Wurst – guitar (Banda Chuska/Tipa Tipo); Andres Fonseca – drums; Neil Ochoa (Los Crema Paraiso, Chicha Libre) – percussion and Dan Martinez – bass.


The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents an Odyssey of American Music with Bristol Lightning on June 8

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents an odyssey of American music with Bristol Lightning, on Saturday, June 8 at 6:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Road, in Putney.

“Bluegrass from Tennessee from Grammy-award winning musicians – what’s not to love?” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Dave Eggar has been on stages around the world in pop, classical, jazz, and so many more settings. He’s an award-winning cellist who infuses a sense of virtuosity and freshness into the Bluegrass genre. We’re excited to host Bristol Lightning.”

In 1927, the first country music records were cut in Bristol, TN/VA, by ordinary people with ordinary stories and the courage to create. Now, almost 100 years later, Bristol Lighting is born in the same town, celebrating the American stories of today. From Aaron Copland to American roots music, blues, bluegrass, and beyond, Bristol Lightning’s live shows take the audience on a high-energy adventure of bluegrass cello and mandolin, blues guitars, tap dance, and storytelling, weaving a powerful and poignant tapestry of the true creativity and resilience of the American spirit.


The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents Contemporary Klezmer/rock Ensemble Midwood on June 1st

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents contemporary klezmer/rock ensemble Midwood, on Saturday, June 1 at 6:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Road, in Putney.

“Midwood is a who’s who of klezmer, jazz, and world music. Richie Barshay, the drummer, has played with Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. The violinist, Jake Shulman-Ment, is one of the most sought after Klezmer and traditional violinists in the world,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “We’re bringing some of the old world to Putney for a Klezmer dance party with Midwood. This one will be history in the making.”

Led by violinist Jake Shulman-Ment, Midwood is a contemporary klezmer/rock celebration of freedom and the Jewish tradition of wandering and migration. This new supergroup, featuring some of the most exciting young performers on the international world music stage, seamlessly traverses borders through original compositions, expansive improvisations on traditional melodies, and heart-wrenching re-imaginings of Yiddish folk songs. Their debut album on Chant Records, Out of the Narrows (2018) draws from deep Eastern European Jewish roots to explore the power of love, movement, and wilderness to transform the human mind and heart.


Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Opens May 18th with Mehrnam Rastegari & Habbina Habbina

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series opens its season with Persian musician Mehrnam Rastegari and Mediterranean surf trio Habbina Habbina, on Saturday, May 18 at 6:00 pm at The Putney Inn, 57 Putney Landing Road, in Putney.

“When we kick off the Bandwagon Series, we are looking for an artist that delivers on our Bandwagon promise of diversity, virtuosity, and creativity,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Mehrnam is a rising star in the New York City World Music scene. The pairing of Mehrnam and Habbina Habbina brings joy, dancing, and a unique sonic experience. People should come prepared to dance!”


Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series – Burlington Taiko

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents a concert of traditional Japanese taiko drumming with Burlington Taiko, on Saturday, October 21 at 3:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Rd, in Putney.

For more than thirty years, Burlington Taiko has educated New England communities about Japanese culture and entertained them with traditional Taiko drumming.

Honored three times by the International Taiko community, the group has been invited to perform in Japan. With hundreds of performances under their belt, they’ve performed for an estimated half a million people.