Music

Music section

Sept. 29: The Classical Guitar’s the Star!

by fomag | Music

West Brattleboro, Vt. — As a musical treat for local residents and foliage visitors alike, Friends of Music at Guilford (FOMAG) is presenting “A Celebration of the Classical Guitar” at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, at All Souls UU Church in West Brattleboro. Featured performers include David William Ross and the Procter/Hale duo of Steve Procter, guitar, and Alison Hale, flute.

Vocalist Jessica Gelter introduced FOMAG to Keene-based guitarist Ross in February 2018, when he was a member of the instrumental trio for her performance of David Lang’s “Death Speaks,” the centerpiece of FOMAG’s musicale “The Last Dance.” Soon afterward, Ross queried whether FOMAG would host a solo guitar concert connected with his next recording project. This expanded celebration of the guitar evolved from that proposal.

Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens at Next Stage on Saturday, September 14

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project is thrilled to present Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens on Saturday, September 14 at 7:30 pm, returning to Next Stage after rocking the house for sold out crowds at their two previous appearances.

Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens are an American gospel and soul music group led by front woman Naomi Shelton. The group was formed in 1999. They have released two albums with Daptone Records, What Have You Done, My Brother? (2009) and Cold World (2014).

Vermont Jazz Center Presents: Steve Turre Quintet

by vtjazz | Music

The Vermont Jazz Center is thrilled to kick off its 2019-20 concert season with a very special concert on Saturday, September 14th at 8:00 PM featuring the Steve Turre Quintet. Come hear Turre perform on trombone and conch shells with Bruce Williams on saxophone and flute, Oscar Perez on piano, Corcoran Holt on bass and Orion Turre on drums. Steve Turre is regarded as one of the finest jazz trombonists in the world. His on-going recording and performing career has included fertile tenures with Ray Charles, Woody Shaw, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers to name a few. This year he is celebrating 36 years as trombonist in the Saturday Night Live band. Turre has made records with a highly diverse group of artists ranging from Dizzy Gillespie, Celia Cruz, Etta Jones, McCoy Tyner, Max Roach and John Scofield, to Carlos Santana and Mariah Carey.

John McCutcheon at Next Stage on Friday, September 13

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening with folksinger, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, storyteller, activist and author John McCutcheon at Next Stage on Friday, September 13 at 7:30 pm.  “not only one of the best musicians in the USA… he is committed to helping hard-working people everywhere to organize and push this world in a better direction” – Pete Seeger

Folk music’s “Rustic Renaissance Man” (Washington Post) John McCutcheon is a master of a dozen different traditional instruments, most notably the rare and beautiful hammer dulcimer.  His songwriting has been hailed by critics and singers around the globe.  His thirty recordings have garnered every imaginable honor including seven Grammy nominations. 

Aug. 31 & Sept. 1: Organ Recital & Orchestra on Lawn

by fomag | Music

Guilford, Vt. – Friends of Music at Guilford’s (FOMAG) 54th Labor Day Weekend Festival begins, by tradition, with a 7:30 concert on Saturday night, August 31, in The Organ Barn at Tree Frog Farm in idyllic rural Guilford. Organist Robert Barney, who is related to several Guilford families, performs a program entitled “Bach: Friends & Family” with assistance from Boston soprano Janna Maria Fröhlich and Vermont flutist Amara Cunningham. Then, at 2:00 on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 1, the Guilford Festival Orchestra performs “European Tour,” a program of works by French and German composers, some with an Italian flair. Kenneth Olsson conducts over forty instrumentalists from the region and beyond, as well as soprano soloist Julie Olsson.

Twilight on the Tavern Lawn presents Low Lily on Sunday, August 25

by stobro | Music

Twilight Music concludes its 17th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, zydeco, Celtic, jazz, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, August 25 with folk and Americana trio Low Lily.  The seventh and final concert of the 2019 series begins at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill in case of rain.

Twilight on the Tavern Lawn presents Planet Zydeco on Sunday, August 11

by stobro | Music

Twilight Music continues its 17th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, zydeco, Celtic, jazz, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, August 11 with Planet Zydeco performing their high energy accordion/guitar driven dance music of Louisiana.  The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 25.  All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill in case of rain.

Sam Reider and The Human Hands plus Aura Shards at Next Stage on Saturday, August 3

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music’s “Rising Star” concert series continues with Sam Reider and The Human Hands, a “staggeringly virtuosic band” (RnR Magazine) of Brooklyn-based bluegrass and jazz musicians, plus Brattleboro-based world fusion duo Aura Shards, at Next Stage on Saturday, August 3 at 7:30 pm.  NSAP and Twilight Music are committed to supporting young, emerging artists, and the new series puts the spotlight on exciting, ready-to-be-discovered performers who are appearing at Next Stage for the first time.

Twilight on the Tavern Lawn presents the Julian Gerstin Sextet on Sunday, July 28

by stobro | Music

Twilight Music continues its 17th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, zydeco, Celtic, jazz, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, July 28 with the Julian Gerstin Sextet performing original jazz influenced by rhythms and melodies of the Caribbean and Eastern Europe.  The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 25.  All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill in case of rain.  The series is sponsored by the Town of Putney, Green Mountain Well, Soundview Paper Company, The Putney Food Co-op, The Stockwell Brothers and many other Putney area businesses and organizations.  The concerts are free to the public (donations are accepted) and food will be available.  For more information, call 802-387-5772 or visit www.twilightmusic.org.

An Interview With Yellowfront – Local Heart-Rock Heroes

by Lise | Music
Yellowfront, a band from Brattleboro

Yellowfront is a four-piece “heart-rock” band from Brattleboro, VT.  Their self-titled debut Yellowfront was released in November 2018 and it’s a gem.  You can find it on their Bandcamp page.  Look out for their new full-length CD due in August.

Read on for the full interview with Yellowfront.

Twilight on the Tavern Lawn presents Cantrip on Sunday, July 14

by stobro | Music

Twilight Music continues its 17th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, zydeco, Celtic, jazz, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, July 14 with high energy Scottish music bagpipes/fiddle/guitar trio Cantrip.  The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 25.  All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill in case of rain.

The Seamus Egan Project at Next Stage on Saturday, July 6

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present The Seamus Egan Project, featuring the longtime leader of the legendary Irish-American band Solas, at Next Stage on Saturday, July 6 at 7:30 pm.  Beginning with tunes from his groundbreaking 1996 album “When Juniper Sleeps,” which was the impetus for the formation of Solas, through music from his 20-year career with that iconic band, and adding some brand new tunes, Seamus, with Owen Marshall, Kyle Sanna and other musical friends, will continue to explore the further reaches of the Irish tradition and beyond.

Twilight on the Tavern Lawn presents Simba on Sunday, June 30

by stobro | Music

Twilight Music continues its 17th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, zydeco, Celtic, jazz, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, June 30 with funk and world beat band Simba.  The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 25.  All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill in case of rain.

Watermelon Wine Song

by tomaidh | Music

What is it called when a song keeps going round in your head for days? This is one of them.

It’s a good song, so I want to share it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqV9NZSGIa4

George Burns (yeah, THAT George Burns) made a cover. He actually did a good job. I didn’t know he could sing.

Trio Pays Tribute to Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” at Next Stage on Saturday, June 29

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present Julie Ness, Dave Wysocki and Tristan Bellerive performing Joni Mitchell’s legendary album “Blue” at Next Stage on Saturday, June 29 at 7:30 pm.  Considered a groundbreaking album of the 20th century, “Blue” defined a generation with a ten song cycle, weaving a journey of hope, yearning, love, loss and heartbreak.

Twilight on the Tavern Lawn presents The Stockwell Brothers on Sunday, June 16

by stobro | Music

Twilight Music continues its 17th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, zydeco, Celtic, jazz, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, June 16 with contemporary folk and bluegrass quartet The Stockwell Brothers.  The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 25.  All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill or the Putney Community Center at 10 Christian Square in case of rain.

June 9: Big Woods Voices at FOMAG’s A Cappella à la Carte

by fomag | Music

Guilford, Vt. – Friends of Music at Guilford (FOMAG) presents its 53rd season finale on Sunday, June 9, an annual three-part event dubbed “A Cappella à la Carte.” Set at Guilford Community Church in the Algiers village of Guilford, just over a mile south of Exit 1 off I-91, the evening includes a short meeting, a potluck dinner, and a 7:30 concert of vocal music. Each optional segment is open to the general public; admission to the concert is by donation.

Beginning at 6 p.m., the FOMAG Annual Membership Meeting is typically short and entertaining. It offers a summary of the year, a look ahead to next season, and election of the board of trustees. The meeting is open to all, and even brand-new members that evening have voting privileges. The ensuing Community Potluck starts around 6:30 or so. FOMAG provides some sandwich fixings; other entrées, appetizers, salads, side dishes, and desserts are welcome. The desserts are held aside for a post-concert reception.

Twilight on the Tavern Lawn presents The Chris Kleeman Band on Sunday, June 2

by stobro | Music

Twilight Music begins its 17th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, zydeco, Celtic, jazz, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, June 2 with an evening of hard driving, house rocking, in your face blues by The Chris Kleeman Band.  The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 25.  All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill in case of rain.  The series is sponsored by the Town of Putney, Green Mountain Well, Soundview Paper Company, The Putney Food Co-op, The Stockwell Brothers and many other Putney area businesses and organizations.  The concerts are free to the public (donations are accepted) and food will be available.  For more information, call 802-387-5772 or visit www.twilightmusic.org.

Vermont Jazz Center Presents: NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan and Friends

by vtjazz | Music

The Vermont Jazz Center is delighted to present an evening of music with NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan. On Saturday, June 1st at 8:00 PM, Ms. Jordan will perform the first set with pianist Eugene Uman, bassist Genevieve Rose and drummer Billy Drummond.  The second set will feature Sheila Jordan singing with several surprise-guest performers and the rhythm section. This concert is one of many festive occasions throughout the world celebrating Ms. Jordan’s 90th birthday which took place on November 18th, 2018.

Sheila Jordan is a matriarch of the Vermont Jazz Center family. She joined the faculty in 1997, when the (then) new director, Eugene Uman, asked her to run a vocal workshop as part of the Center’s newly revised summer workshop. She offered a small group of singers a three-day program that has now blossomed into a weeklong workshop with instructor Jay Clayton, 20 vocalists and two rhythm sections. Sheila Jordan’s teaching style is based on reverence for tradition, openness to spirit and dedication to quality. In her workshops, Jordan’s visceral connection with the music and her love for the students envelops their experience, creating a safe environment that gently pushes them to exceed what they had imagined was their potential. Jordan has inspired several generations of vocalists, from amateur to world-famous, most of whom are quick to acknowledge that her coaching has profoundly and positively shaped their professional and personal lives.

The End of America and Izzy Heltai at Stage 33 Live

by Mark Piepkorn | Music

The End of America’s three-part harmonies and solid Americana folk-rock draws comparisons to CSNY and The Avett Brothers. They’re known for powerful live performances highlighting their dynamic songwriting.

James Downes, Trevor Leonard, and Brendon Thomas made their debut as The End Of America at the 2016 Philadelphia Folk Festival and were voted Favorite New Artist. In 2017 the band won the Emerging Artist Showcase at Falcon Ridge Folk Fest, returning the next year as the Most Wanted Band.