Music

The Vermont Jazz Center will present Cuban Saxophonist Carlos Averhoff, Jr. and his quartet iRESI on Friday, October 2nd at 8:00 PM. This is a rare opportunity for the VJC’s audience to hear a masterful and authentic conflation of North American jazz with Cuban clave. Averhoff’s concept superimposes cutting edge post bop jazz language over the complex polyrhythms of his tierra nativa. The group, which he performs and records with, includes Aruan Ortiz on piano, Francisco Mela on drums and John Lockwood on bass. Each of these musicians brings a vast knowledge of both jazz and Latin idioms – they can improvise with relaxed nuance over sophisticated rhythms.

Cuban music often uses a repetitive two-measure phrase called “clave” which is inseparably woven into the fabric of the groove. This is closely related to the way in which the repeated pattern of the drummer’s ride cymbal is a defining characteristic in swing and bebop music. Carlos, Aruan and Mela, who grew up in Cuba, have an internalized comprehension of the clave pattern. Like speaking in one’s native tongue, no thought is needed for them to imbue their music with clave – it is inserted instinctively into the natural cadence of the music and is reflected in many of Carlos’ compositions.

“Guy Davis. He’s out of New York, and he’s America’s greatest link to the blues right now.” ~ Windsor Star, Ontario, Canada. July 31, 2015.

Strolling of the Heifers presents An Evening with Guy Davis — a fundraising event for Strolling of the Heifers on Friday evening, October 9 at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro). A widely-known American blues musician, Guy Davis last appeared in Brattleboro in a memorable concert alongside the legendary Pete Seeger in 2008 (also a Stroll fundraising event).

Brattleboro, Vt. – As part of its 50th Anniversary Season, Friends of Music at Guilford is presenting a special guest-artist concert combining the Early Music repertoire with recently composed pieces that bridge the centuries of musical expression in between. Considered one of the world’s finest vocal chamber ensembles, New York Polyphony will perform its “Faith & Reason” program on Sunday, September 27 at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Centre Congregational Church at 193 Main Street in Brattleboro.

They have toured widely in the U.S. and Europe, appearing at major international festivals and prestigious music series. Their 2013 and 2014 CDs were Grammy-nominated, and a number of their albums have made the “Top 10” lists of The New Yorker, Gramophone, and BBC Music Magazine.

Youth Battle of Bands Held During November Gallery Walk at River Garden

Brattleboro, VT–Area youth bands can launch their musical careers by competing at Youth Services’ Battle of the Bands at the River Garden on Friday, November 6, during Gallery Walk night, from 7 to 10 p.m.

The public is encouraged to attend and vote for their favorite group with their applause, according to organizers. In addition to the audience and youth judges, several individuals from both the recording and music industry will help choose the top band.

“Youth Services’ Battle of the Bands celebrates the entrepreneurial nature of young musicians forming bands and expressing their musical inspiration,” said Russell Bradbury-Carlin, the agency’s Executive Director.

VJC KICKS OFF 2015 – 2016 Concert Season with Jazz Mini-Fest from September 18th to 20th

The Vermont Jazz Center is kicking off its new season of concerts with a bang, presenting a three-night Fall Festival from September 18 through the 20th.

On Friday (September 18th) the VJC presents renowned flutist, Jamie Baum and her Septet +. They will be performing Indian and Pakistani-influenced music filtered through Baum’s keen jazz aesthetic. On Saturday night (September 19th) Steve Wilson—claimed by NPR to be “one of the finest saxophonists in the business”—will present his quartet, Wilsonian’s Grain, in a concert celebrating the release of their new CD: “Live in New York, the Village Vanguard Session.” On Sunday (September 20th) at 4:00 PM vocalist Rebecca Holtz will pull out all the stops by hosting a CD release party in a benefit for the scholarship programs for the VJC and NECCA. All events will take place at the Vermont Jazz Center, 72 Cotton Mill Hill, Brattleboro, Vermont.

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present Dustbowl Revival, a Venice, California-based roots collective that merges old school bluegrass, gospel, jug-band, swamp blues and the hot swing of the 1930’s, plus Nashville-based, progressive acoustic folk duo 10 String Symphony, at The Vermont Jazz Center on Thursday, September 10 at 7:30 pm.

Last night, we ventured down to the Stone Church to hear part of day 2 of this year’s expanded Future Fest, a celebration of local indie music and other creative ventures sponsored by the tireless team at the Future Collective. We were not disappointed.

Although we were misled by the FC’s web site (ahem) into thinking the show started at 7pm (it started at 5) we were able to hear a number of bands that night, starting with Secret Lover and ending with local favorite Barishi just before midnight.

Guilford, Vt. – The opening weekend of Friends of Music at Guilford’s 50th Anniversary Season is dedicated to founder A. Graham Down (1929-2014), who brought the c. 1897 Guilford Tracker Organ to the Barn over a half-century ago, and funded its renovations and improvements over the years; he performed on it in 1966-69 and several times since 2001.

The music begins as usual with a Saturday night Organ Concert in the Barn at 7:30. This year’s guest performer is Susan Summerfield, music professor and college organist at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt. Her program, “Traditions,” includes works by Baroque masters J. S. Bach, Pierre Dandrieu, and Louis Couperin; C. P. E. Bach from the start of the classic period; and 20th-century composers Darius Milhaud and Lou Harrison, whose pieces employ certain Baroque elements. A cake and champagne reception follows.

Twilight Music concludes its 13th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, rock, jazz, zydeco, Celtic, swing, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, August 23 with Cajun/Creole roots music sextet Slippery Sneakers. The seventh and final concert of the 2015 series begins at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at The Putney Community Center at 10 Christian Square in case of rain.

Strolling of the Heifers presents An Evening with Guy Davis — a fundraising event for Strolling of the Heifers on Friday evening, October 9 at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro).

A widely-known American blues musician, Guy Davis last appeared in Brattleboro in a memorable concert alongside the legendary Pete Seeger in 2008 (also a Stroll fundraising event).

Seating is limited to 200, and all seats are priced at $20. There will be no reserved seating. Tickets are available via Brown Paper Tickets at . Davis will have a new album released in September, entitled “Kokomo Kidd.”

Twilight Music continues its 13th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, rock, jazz, zydeco, Celtic, swing, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, August 9 with funk and world beat band Simba. The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 23.

Vermont Jazz Center’s 40th Summer Jazz Workshop to take place at the Putney School week of August 9 – 15

1. Educational Program: August 9th to August 15th
Putney School, Putney, VT

2. Faculty Concert: Thursday, August 13th at 8:00 PM
Michaels S. Currier Center, Putney School

3. Student Concert: Friday, August 14th
Michaels S. Currier Center, Putney School

Twilight Music continues its 13th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, rock, jazz, zydeco, Celtic, swing, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, July 26 with an evening of high energy Scottish music by Cantrip. The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 23. All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at The Putney Community Center at 10 Christian Square in case of rain. The series is sponsored by the Town of Putney, Soundview Paper Company, The Putney Food Co-op, The Stockwell Brothers and many other Putney businesses and organizations. The concerts are free to the public (donations are accepted) and food will be available.

BRATTLEBORO BAROQUE QUARTET CONCERT AND SALON

The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library will host a concert by the Brattleboro Baroque Quartet on Friday, July 24 at 7:30 in the Brooks Library on Main Street, Brattleboro. 

The quartet members are: Martin Hanft on the traverso and recorder; Michelle Liechti on the violin; Laurie Rabut playing the viola da gamba, and Wendy Redlinger at the harpsichord. 

Refreshments will be served. Tickets are $10 each and available at the Front Desk of the Library or at the door the evening of the event.

Twilight Music continues its 13th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, rock, jazz, zydeco, Celtic, swing, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, July 12 with an evening of Americana hoedowns, sassy blues, Motown soul, old-timey harmonies, rock-n-roll energy and inspired songwriting by The Mike + Ruthy Band. The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 23. All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at The Putney Community Center at 10 Christian Square in case of rain. The series is sponsored by the Town of Putney, Soundview Paper Company, The Putney Food Co-op, The Stockwell Brothers and many other Putney businesses and organizations.

“CHICAGO — The Grateful Dead are going out on a high note,
setting a new ticket sales record at Soldier Field. The legendary rockers are in the middle of their three-night “Fare Thee Well” concert series. Friday night’s concert sold more than 70,000 tickets, beating U2’s record of nearly 67,000 in 2009. Last night’s performance was also sold out, though it hasn’t been announced whether that also set a ticket record. Tonight’s show promises to be epic as it will be the Dead’s last performance ever. R.I.P.”

-(Courtesy: WGN)

Perhaps they will come back as “The Grateful Zombies”

The Jeremy Kittel Band bring their Celtic/bluegrass/gypsy-jazz fiesta to the Hooker Dunham Theater, Fri. July 10, 7:30pm.

Grammy-nominated fiddler JEREMY KITTEL (Turtle Island String Quartet, My Morning Jacket, Aoife O’Donovan), Florida mandolin prodigy JOSH PINKHAM (David Grisman), & Vancouver guitar whiz QUINN BACHAND (Ashley MacIsaac) are all up-and-coming acoustic stars.

Together, they blaze with musicality, chops, and a “sheer about-to-burst enthusiasm” (Strings Magazine).

Thursday July 30, 10 – 11:30 am at Centre Congregational Church in downtown Brattleboro. (The July 2 sing has been cancelled.)

Wednesday July 8 and Wednesday July 22, 7 – 8:30 pm at All Souls Church in West Brattleboro.

Come sing along with your friends and neighbors under the leadership of Women’s Chorus director Becky Graber. We’ll sing a variety of songs – Broadway, Folk, Rock, Jazz, and Old time Songs of Summer – with word sheets provided.

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present Nashville-based, Telluride Bluegrass Festival award-winning, bluegrass and Americana quartet The Barefoot Movement at Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery on Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 pm.

Heartfelt, energetic and down home, The Barefoot Movement is “one of the most promising bands on the bluegrass scene” (CMT Edge). Their down to earth music ranges from poignant ballads to rip-roaring barn-burners, and takes audiences back to a simpler place and time, inviting listeners to sit back, relax, take their shoes off and stay a while.