Friday, May 9 2008

“These contestants come from all different levels of experience and from a good variety of styles, from soul, pop, musical theater and folk,” said Kelly Grill, a co-founder of ESL and host of Hopkinton Idol. “I am certain this year’s contest will prove to be just as entertaining as last year with some added audience fun! For instance, each week we plan to run an "Idol trivia" contest.”

The shows will continue every Friday night hereafter (with the exception of May 2) with the final show on Thursday, May 29 and a final reveal with all the performers on May 30. The broadcasts will take place at HCAM studios in front of an audience, which is open to the public (there will be a $5 admission charge). Viewers in the studio audience or who watch the show on HCAM-TV 13 or on the HCAM website www.hcam.tv will then vote via email for their favorite performer. The performers with the lowest number of votes will not continue to the next round.

For more information call 508-435-2114 or visit www.enterstagelefttheater.com

Song For Amy is Mike Caruso's first CD. It was recorded in August and October of 2007 and features New England based Jazz musicians Molly Flannery on Piano, Daryl Lowery on Saxophone, Mike Connors on Drums, John Funkhouser on Bass and Mike Caruso on Bass and Guitar.

On the CD, there are 9 original compositions that represent the last 2 decades of musical endeavors. About one half of the music was composed prior to 2006 and the rest composed while Mike was recovering from a Bone Marrow Transplant to help fight Leukemia.

Sales of the CD and CD release performances will be donated to benefit Bone Marrow Transplant research and patient care. So far the CD has raised over $3000 dollars with the hope for a lot more to come.

Visit http://www.mikecarusomusic.com for more information.

A Tribute to Ray Charles and Betty Carter featuring Scott Aruda, John Aruda and David Maxwell

Called “riveting” by The Boston Globe and ”truly great" by Dr. John, guitarist/vocalist Ritcher and vocalist Nelson both sprang from musical families (Ritcher’s grandfather led a big band in the 50s that mined the rich vein of Ellington and Basie classics) and both led their own highly successful bands in the Boston area in the early part of this decade. Both moved to New York City in 2004 and then formed the soul, country, rock, blues and gospel duo that has ignited audiences on their return trips to the Boston area.

Both artists share crossover dreams. Last December, Ms. Nelson made a stirring appearance at The Real Deal singing 30s jazz with the Kendrick Oliver New Life Jazz Orchestra. Now she and Mr. Ritcher plan a tribute to what many see as the ultimate jazz and blues crossover recording, the eponymous Ray Charles and Betty Carter, recorded in 1961. Augmenting their usual instrumentation with a full horn section featuring the brothers Aruda on trumpet and saxophone and a rhythm section led by pianist David Maxwell, they will render such duet classics as Just You, Just Me, Cocktails For Two, People Will Say We’re in Love, Baby It’s Cold Outside and many others, in the manner of Mr. Charles and Ms. Carter, as well as individual signature tunes of the two honored masters.

2nd Show - 9:30 pm

 

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

FEATURING: Johnny A. - guitar, Jesse Bastos - bass, Chris Farr - drums

Johnny A. is widely regarded as one of America's finest contemporary guitarists. Gibson thinks so - their Custom Shop designed a Signature Edition guitar per his specific requests which, when it was marketed in 2003, placed him in an exclusive club that included legends like B.B. King, Wes Montgomery, Chet Atkins, Joe Perry, Pat Martino and Les Paul himself. The public thinks so too - Johnny A.'s latest works have sold many thousands of copies as well as being his personal best. The most recent CD's - 2004's Get Inside and 1999's Sometime Tuesday Morning, are the critically acclaimed solo culmination of a lifetime of learning, sharing and bonding in a long parade of bands and players.

2nd Show 10:00pm

Within the first seconds of listening to the music of Stefan Couture, audiences find themselves submerged in a mixture of American roots and acoustic driven soul along with honest and passionate lyrics. It's been six years since this North Smithfield released his debut solo CD, "Great Big Somewhere." He subsequently formed The Campfire Orchestra and toured far and wide behind the group's CD, "Ghost In The Rearview" and the band became known for their high-energy jazz/funk/blues/jam band sound. During this time, Stefan was voted "Best Male Vocalist" in the 2005 Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll and they played to enthusiastic crowds all over the East Coast.

Tonight's show will see Stefan continue his return to his acoustic folk roots, performing new music and old favorites accompanied by Chris Montecalvo on drums and percussion and Tim Couture on bass.

Call to verify performance time

John Gorka is presented by the Uncommon Coffeehouse. A synopsis of his musical heritage begins at Godfrey Daniels, one of the oldest and most venerable music institutions in eastern Pennsylvania. A small neighborhood coffeehouse and listening room, it has long been a hangout for music lovers and aspiring musicians, and in the late 1970s, one of these was a young Moravian College student named John Gorka. Though a long way from Godfrey Daniels, John Gorka is still honored to be a part of the folk tradition — energetic acoustic music that is not a trend, not a fad, but an expression of everyday life. "After Yesterday", one of his latest releases is the embodiment of that expression — another classic release where his rich baritone voice and unique songcraft weave together in a way that can only be described as “Gorka.”

With special guest Andy Mullen.

The trick to the irresistibly organic, pure pop sound is that the music, and even the lead singer, take a back seat to the real star: the songs. As the principal songwriter and singer for nationally acclaimed alt-rock trio The Push Stars, Chris Trapper is equally sure-footed in his solo career. When on hiatus from The Push Stars, Chris writes, records and tours in support of his solo work including the theme from "Sox Appeal" and a long list of songs used in major motion pictures.

Andy Mullen writes songs about corn whiskey, kangaroos, vincent van gogh's dismembered appendages, guys named ray, country roads, brooklyn rainfalls, morning cocktails, pegleg mcgee, and nothing more.

One of Cape Breton's most promising young fiddlers, Andrea comes by her music honestly. Listen to the power of her bow, the drive and swing of her timing, the crispness of her attack. She's making a name for herself in dance halls, concerts, ceilidhs, and festivals. Like the compelling tradition she represents, her reputation is spreading beyond the island. The youngest of generations of Beaton musicians, she seems destined for great things.

Opener: Michael O'Leary - Michael is a traditional singer of Irish, Scottish and English songs and ballads; a native Midwesterner who has soaked up the sea air of Cape Ann for the past 18 years.

"Armed with a few of the sassier members of the string family, and a voice as nuanced and strong as you could hope for, Grammer delivers ... with a supernatural force that funnels straight through your ear to the deep, deep center of your heart." - The Missoula Independent

Outbound showcases the collaborative efforts of percussionist extraordinaire Michael O'Connell and keyboard wizard Andy Bohachewsky, inventing a new musical language based on a respect for tradition and a thirst for fearless exploration - with a touch of soul thrown in! This is jazz you shouldn't miss.

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

The coffeehouse closes the spring season with a showcase featuring Electric Farm (brilliant combination of solid musicianship, delightful wit and impressive artistry), John Elliott (a dash of rock, a pinch of folk-rock, a bit of Paul Simon), Eve Goldberg (folk, blues, swing, bluegrass – a clear and beautiful voice on all genres) and The Goodhues Band (polished string band – folk, bluegrass, Celtic and more).

Doors open at 8:00pm

9:00 p.m. Dance Lesson - 10:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Dance Party

With DJ and Live Music EL BEMBÉ has become a fixture in the Salsa movement in Boston since 1999. Since this past Spring, EL BEMBÉ changed it's format to offer a more diverse and multi-cultural experience. Instead of focusing exclusively on Salsa and Merengue music and dance, this production is now focused to providing a wider cultural scope to the music and dance of Latin America while allowing for an increase in cross-cultural experiences for dancers, artists and music lovers. EL BEMBÉ VENEZOLANO will offer a unique opportunity for dancers to learn new dance steps and enjoy new musical styles. After the lesson, the DJ will spin Venezuelan dance music as well as Salsa and Merengue favorites so the evening will have a great variety in music. EL BEMBÉ VENEZOLANO will also feature a live orchestra, offering us a varied repertoire of Venezuelan rhythms and styles to add to this unique cultural experience.

For more information, please call 617-927-1717 or visit www.claboston.org

The Four Piece Suit highball is a mix of sea-foam soaked guitar and squalling tenor sax, shaken--not stirred--with Finnish surf tangos, Battista-Era mambos, Depression swing, Slavic hoe-downs, spaghetti Westerns, beach blanket boppers, spy music, crime jazz, and movie themes. Just the thing for audiences thirsty for a shot of rock'n'roll in their cocktail music, with a twist of romance.

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.

"[Clifford] owns one of rock's supreme voices: a silky-smooth, soulful tenor that never sounds forced or ugly. He can belt it out at need (even unmiked), but there's none of that gravelly bellowing that often passes for pop singing. And he gives you as refined and totally original a product as you can find in his genre: tender, poetic lyrics; gorgeous melodies; and sophisticated harmonies." - Lindsay Koob, Charleston City Paper