Saturday, May 10 2008

Ben Rudnick & Friends make everyone smile! with Upbeat, Bluegrassy Music for kids of all ages.

Guy Vanduser will teach you how to improvise with all different types of music and make your solos sound varied and musically appropriate for each genre that interests you.

One look at Trout Fishing In America tells you that this is no ordinary musical team. At 6' 9", guitarist/vocalist Ezra Idlet towers above his partner, bassist/vocalist Keith Grimwood (5' 5 1/2"). More extraordinary is the musical career these two have carved out in 30 years of recording and performing together. They’ve garnered 3 Grammy nominations, American Library Association and Parenting Publications Gold Awards. The New York Times writes that Trout Fishing “perform unabashedly sentimental and wickedly funny songs for grown-ups, with an unexpected emotional punch."

"Arbo is a triple threat as a fiddler, songwriter, and possessor of a uniquely beautiful, malleable alto. The group's playing is tight, with stylish, unexpected choices, and Anand Nayak is a marvel of stylistic versatility on lead guitar, with a rich resonant tone and soulful, imaginative fills." - Acoustic Guitar Magazine

2nd Show 8:00pm

Presented by the Oscar Micheax Repertory Theater Program.

It has been ten years since the play THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE REVISITED WITH A GOSPEL Flavor was first performed. The play is written by celebrated author (Coota and the Magic Quilt and Coota and the Challenge) and community activist HAYWOOD FENNELL, SR., who was recently featured on CNN. The show focuses on the Harlem Renaissance Era.

Fennell is quick to explain while most people think that Harlem, New York was the only location for this social and artistic phenomenon known as the Harlem Renaissance, it was happening in several cities across the United States, including Boston.

This extravaganza features music and dance spanning from African Tradition, to Gospel, Jazz, and a touch of Hip-Hop.

For more information about the Oscar Micheax Repertory Theater Program please visit http://oscarmicheauxrep.tripod.com

AMY GALLATIN & STILLWATERS take the stage tonight with songs from their 2008 CD titled PHOENIX. The disc contains three Roger Williams compositions and once again Amy Gallatin has chosen several songs that seem custom made for her voice. Standout numbers include David Mallet’s “Somewhere in Time”, Hank Williams’ “Baby We’re Really in Love”, The Burns Sisters“, Dance Upon This Earth” and the traditional “The Water is Wide".

Born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Amy performed solo out west for several years. Over the past 14 years, she has fronted bands featuring New England’s finest country-folk and bluegrass musicians. She draws influences from cowboy songs and the great country artists Loretta Lynne, Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard and blues from artists B.B. King and Koko Taylor. She has toured the U.S., Mexico and Europe.

Stage personnel tonight include Amy Gallatin on vocals and guitar, Roger Williams on resophonic guitars and vocals, John Urbanik on bass and vocals and Ben Pearce on mandolin. Enjoy fine ballads, western swing, country and folk also heard on her previous CDs THE LONG WAY HOME, LIVE IN EUROPE and THE RIVER OF NO RETURN (with Ray Legere).

Elliot Steger has extensive jazz and classical training and was nominated for best instrumental song of the year out of a pool of 100,000 songs. He has released 5 CD's of original compositions.

Tonight's program includes music from his CD's as well as jazz standards. He is joined by Jon Hazilla on drums and Lello Molinari on bass both on the faculty at the Berklee College of Music as well as Christine Horn on congas and percussion.

6:30PM for Browsing and Cash Bar

FEATURING: Rosi Amador, Lead Vocals/Bongo; Brian Amador, Guitarist/Musical Director; Nando Michelin (Uruguay) - piano, Renato Thoms (Panamá) - percussion, Andrés Rotmistrovsky (Argentina) - bass, Tim Mayer (U.S.) - sax/flute. 

Rosi Amador and twin daughters Sonia & Alisa Amador Join Sol y Canto for a truly memorable concert as lead singer/percussionist/mom Rosi Amador is joined by her 12-year old daughters Alisa and Sonia in a musical celebration of mothers and daughters and a special Mother’s Day contest!

2nd Show 10:00pm

Originally from Saint Louis, Missouri, John Schindler was influenced early on by that town's rhythm and blues and his Oklahoma mother's singing. This funky start was drastically tempered by a nine-year stint in a Catholic seminary where silence and Gregorian chant were his daily bread.

After leaving the brotherhood, and armed only with his vow of poverty, John moved to New England and pursued the path of an itinerant musician, playing in sundry bands and bad barrooms. It was during this time, he realized, that his audience could not understand Latin.

Be sure to tune into WEIM 1280 The Blend, evenings from 6pm to 7pm for Ray C's Open Mike hour. On the Tuesday before each Boulder Coffeehouse show Nate Smith will be visiting with Ray to talk about the Coffeehouse and the upcoming Feature. You might hear cuts from CDs and even a chance of some live on-the-air music.

Proceeds from the coffeehouse will benefit the Pat Brody Shelter for Cats.

Campus Center Auditorium (Doors open at 7)

Featuring music by the Beatles, Rossini & Tchaikovsky, and from Carousel & Hairspray

UMass Amherst Pops Orchestra, Studio Orchestra & UMass Dancers.  Lanfranco Marcelletti, Jr., Jeffrey W. Holmes & Billbob Brown, directors; Andrew Garland, alumnus & guest baritone.

Patrons are seated at tables where, for an additional charge, food and beverages are served.

Jim Brickman revolutionized the sound of Adult Contemporary music with his pop-style solo piano and the romantic popular song.

Jim’s remarkable career includes six Gold and Platinum selling albums, three #1 and twelve Top 10 Adult Contemporary radio hits, consistent debuts at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s New Age chart, a Grammy nomination in 2003, SESAC “Songwriter of the Year” award, a Canadian Country Music Award for “Best Vocal/ Instrumental Collaboration,” a Dove Award presented by the Gospel Music Association for “The Gift.

” ***100 ticket holders will receive: The New Brickman Holiday CD "Homecoming", One Year Membership in the Jim Brickman VIP Fan Club, Meet and Greet with Jim Brickman following the performance

Fran Curley, drums; Charlie Towkars, reeds; Ben Koan, piano; David Cristopolis, bass

Over the span of 30-plus years, Fran has played professionally in rock, funk, jazz, blues and wedding bands in Connecticut as well as in Berkshire and Hampshire Counties in Massachusetts.

He has studied with Buddy Rich, taskmaster James Tansley from Bridgeport University and Ed Soph (jazz legend Clark Terry’s drummer for many years). He currently studies with Bob Weiner, a former faculty member at Berklee College of Music who toured extensively with Harry Belafonte.

He has also performed percussion on premiers of a series of intergenerational works including Brothers and Sisters and Parents where he worked with world-renowned composer Neely Bruce (Chorus Master for the Connecticut Opera and Professor of Music at Wesleyan University) and Phyllis Bruce, co-author and Music Director at the South Church Music Program in Middletown, CT.

"Elegant." "Riveting." "Soulful." "Classic mastery." These are a few of the terms that have been used to describe the unique and stunning swing-jazz music of acoustic guitarist Guy Van Duser and clarinetist Billy Novick.Together as a duo for more than a quarter of a century - longer than most marriages - Guy and Billy have performed in concerts, clubs and festivals all over North America and Europe. You also may have heard them as frequent guests of the Prairie Home Companion show, NPR's All Things Considered, or on one of the numerous film and television soundtracks they have been featured on.

features Swallowtail with George Marshall calling. Beginners' lessons at 7:30, dancing 8-11pm

Information: 508-949-6520.

This is an emerging rock group playing a mixture of alternative covers and original material. Tan Odyssey's debut CD "Not If But When" released February 2008, featuring 12 original songs with catchy melodies, a driving rhythm section, tasteful guitar leads, and memorable lyrics that cover topics like global cooling, siblings fighting in the car, unemployment, Canada, sprawling suburban decay, and the two oldest subjects in the history of the planet - love and war.

The band consists of four musicians: Joel Lindsay on vocals and guitar, Steve Ek on guitar, Scott Duhaime on vocals and bass, and Chris Burleson on drums. The band is based out of Bolton, Massachusetts, and is currently playing clubs, pubs, outdoor shows, and private events in the Worcester and Boston Metro West area. Join us at Harvest Café to welcome Tan Odyssey to Hudson. Check them out:

Singer, songwriter and musician Steve Spector returns to the Enter Stage Left Coffeehouse. His musical background includes being the lead guitarist and singer for classic rock bands Anthology and Hot Acoustics.

2nd Show 10:00pm

Opening the concert will be Jamaica Plain singer/songwriter (and JP Unplugged founding member) Jess Yoakum.

Within a few years of her debut as a singer/songwriter, Kate Klim was opening for artists like Shawn Colvin, Lucy Kaplansky, Richard Shindell and Ollabelle. In addition, Kate has been recognized by some of the country's premier songwriting contests. She was a finalist in the 2005 and 2006 Mountain Stage Newsong Contests, 2006 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, 2007 Kerrville Newfolk Competition, and 2007 Solarfest Competition. She has recently released her first full length CD, Up and Down and Up Again, called a "gem" by Performing Songwriter Magazine.

Founder of JP Unplugged, songwriter Jess Yoakum primarily performs in Boston as a solo, acoustic guitarist and singer, but can also be found playing with the accompaniment of other local musicians. With a textured, mature vocal style and a playful yet commanding stage presence, Yoakum's audiences are treated to captivatingly bold lyrics that dare to reach beyond the comfort zone. Her debut self-titled CD was nominated for the OUTMusic Outstanding Debut Album of the Year (2005).

For reservations call 857-928-5417or email reservations@jpunplugged.org. Advance reservations strongly suggested. Please arrive by 7:45 to claim your reservation.

Over the languorous course of 33 years and 16 albums, Michael Franks has mesmerized an international legion of fans with his one-of-a-kind artistry. Seamlessly weaving lyrics of stunning sensuality, wit, reflection and literary eloquence over music that tastefully utilizes top shelf shadings of jazz, soul, pop, chamber and music from around the globe, Michael Franks the songwriter has set a bar in the music world that places him as nothing less than a statesman of song craft.

2nd Show 10:00pm

Twice Grammy-nominated Quartet San Francisco (Best Classical Crossover Album) delivers an irresistible mixture of genre-bending world chamber music. Virtuosic and authentic tangueros, passionate jazz performers, playful and non-traditional in their delivery, QSF redefines the sound of chamber music. The result is an evening of interesting and engaging music from tango to jazz, classical to Latin, contemporary to world music – using techniques and performance practices authentic to each style.

Local legend Ken Lyon is known as the "godfather of Rhode Island blues." Tonight will be the setting for a special "unplugged" performance by Tombstone featuring original Tombstone members Mark Taber and Brenda Mosher Bennett joined by drummer D.C. Culp, bassist Justin Lyon, guitarists Rick Bellaire and Josh Lyon and singers Lori Lacaille Martin and Adrian West.

Lyon's musical history is legendary. Through over 44 years of performance, Lyon has recorded 11 singles and 8 albums. Authentic blues requires real authority and life experience and Ken has earned that reputation. Scott Freeman, senior editor at Atlanta Monthly Magazine and author of "Midnight Riders: The Story of The Allman Brothers Band," wrote that Ken Lyon "possesses Rhode Island's most authentic blues voice - whiskey-tinged, and as rich as the black Mississippi mud."

Nationally acclaimed award winning singer-songwriter-pianist, Johnny Rodgers and the Johnny Rodgers Bands music defies classification, blending the sophistication of jazz with the driving energy of pop, rock and roll. Show Business Weekly says Rodgers performs his own songs as a "combination of Elton John, Billy Joel and James Taylor all rolled into one," and noted New York critic Rex Reed "described him as "a finger popping pianist with range and style."

Beatlejuice s joined by a group of guest vocalists, each taking part in Beatlejuice's unique recreation of the "Fab Four's" Music.

Come and celebrate the music of John, Paul, George & Ringo.

The oud-a-palooza dance-a-thon to their great sounds from the Middle-East

Electric funk jazz fusion...oh yeah ..and smokin blues. Guitarist Bruce Bartlett is hot! An associate professor at The Berklee College of Music for 15 years Bruce has perfomed all over the globe.