Friday, June 6 2008

Reflecting his ability to play a wide variety of musical styles, Williamson has shared stages with many of the world's most popular and finest musicians, including Sleepy LaBeef, Alan Dawson and Joan Osborne. His jazz credits include gigs with Rich Greenblatt, Jack Pezanelli, Reggie Walley, Dick Odgren and Emil Haddad. Williamson’s blues connections are just as deep and varied. As a teenager he played a weekly jam session in the Great Brook Valley Housing Projects. Since then he has performed with such notable players as Kenny Pino, Ken Vangel, Joanna Connor and Troy Gonyea.

Williamson's chromatic harmonica styling can be heard on She's Busy's Strange Bedfellows, Valerie and Walter Crockett's Moonbone and Emily’s Angel, Mike Duffy's Destined to be a Rumor, and the Movie Channel's station ID, "Try a Little TMC."

They've kept New England swingin' since 1975, with a big band repertoire that begins with honoring the classics from the 30s and 40s as performed by the bands of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and other greats. They balance instrumental charts and horn features with vocal numbers such as those popularized by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Bobby Darin, Frankie Randall, Nancy Wilson, Diane Schuur, and many more.

But standards are merely a terrific base for a truly complete big band. They complement these arrangements with the best swing charts from the 50s right up through the hottest big bands of today. We believe that music from the bands of Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Tom Kubis, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, and more are a vital part of what dancers and listeners alike want to hear.

7:30-8:45: beginner swing dance lesson, no partner needed.

8:45-1am: dancing, with live music and DJ's in the breaks. Cash bar, ample free lot-parking, all ages admitted

TCAN's successful Rock Off Main youth music program is an all-ages show that provides a venue for bands in this region to take their eclectic mix of music out of their basements and put it on stage where it belongs, performing for their peers.

Rock Off Main Street is now sponsored by the Berklee College of Music

Join us for a night with this inimitable progressive/indie/rock trio! Hailing from the small New England town of Boston, Massachusetts, Jim's Big Ego has carved a unique place in the the music world by rocking harder, fresher, louder, sweeter and better than everyone else. Jim's Big Ego's secret to awesomeness is singer, songwriter, and all around super-genius, Jim Infantino.

Armed with the innate ability to create songs that are more brilliant than all others in history, Infantino gives the band the gift of greatness. Jim's Big Ego compares itself to such major players as The Great Wall of China, The Grand Canyon, Antarctica, and other things you can see from space.

Doors open at 7:00 PM -  To reserve seats (recommended) call 781-795-1041 or e-mail kimdavidson@gmail.com -  Pastries, coffee, and tea by donation.

Hands down, New Orleans is the world’s most musical metropolis. What’s more, the Big Easy can also tout itself as the most exotic, exuberant city on the planet. These sensual delights converge and compliment each other in the rich tradition of the Mardi Gras “Indians.” Between their irresistible folk-rooted music and their stunning, ornate costumes, the “Indians” unleash a sensory barrage that epitomizes New Orleans’ “always for pleasure” aesthetic. And among New Orleans’ many “tribes”, none exceed the talent, renown and flamboyance of the Wild Magnolias.

2nd Show 10:00pm

When it comes to Frank Sinatra, Scullers means business. While the club, which began in 1989, was not fortunate enough to host 'Ol' Blue Eyes' himself (call it bad timing on the club's part), Scullers has certainly presented a host of incredible performers over the years who have presented moving tributes to the Chairman of the Board. This culminated with his former flame (whom he proposed to and she turned him down!!!) the former Ms. Louis Prima, Keely Smith back in 2002 and again in 2005.

On June 6th and 7th, Scullers marks the 10 year anniversary of his passing with a fitting tribute delivered by one of today's most celebrated performers who knew him well-John Pizzarelli. John Pizzarelli has had a multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader. Internationally known for classic standards, late-night ballads, and the cool jazz flavor he brings to his performances and recordings, he has recently established himself as the consummate entertainer and radio program host with the launch of "Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli" a nationally syndicated radio program co-hosted with his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey.

2nd Show 10:00pm

W.C. Handy Award Winners Paul Rishell & Annie Raines heat up the stage with their fiery blues.

Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers' newest release, “Healin’ Ground,” reconfirms Jimmy's position as one of the premier guitarists on the blues scene today. Thackery became widely known as the innovative guitarist with the Nighthawks, one of the hardest-working and most popular blues bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Starting in 1974, the group recorded over twenty albums and constantly toured the U.S., Europe, Canada and Japan.

Jimmy was the heart, soul, and adrenaline of the Nighthawks sound during his 14 year tenure creating a distinctively raw, powerful guitar style and establishing a reputation as a spectacular soloist. Thackery comes by his six-string brilliance honestly, having learned from the very best sources. Besides Buddy Guy and Jimi Hendrix, Thackery cites Chicago axe master Otis Rush as a primary influence. Moreover, he learned quite a bit from playing on stage alongside such blues legends as Muddy Waters, James Cotton and Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson.

2nd Show 10:00PM

"Loved by a small coterie of diehards, but unknown even by many alt-country fans, Robbie Fulks continues to do fantastic work that should be heard by a far larger audience." - Dave Ferman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lauren Passarelli performs original songs from her new itunes singles & full length recordings, Shadow Language, Back to the Bone & Among The Ruins. A studio wizard who writes the songs & performs most of the instruments, engineers & then mixes the songs too, Lauren has been focusing on new digital only releases released worldwide on Itunes & CD Baby. Be sure to catch this unique artist live as this performance will focus on the song in its created, written state: just guitar & vocal.

Black Sea Salsa Band is a 15-piece World-Music group made up of 6 horns, 4 vocalists, and 5 rhythm, playing an original blend of Armenian music and Afro-Cuban Jazz. Led by trumpeter Dan Teager, who writes and arranges the band's repertoire, Black Sea Salsa has established itself as one of Boston's premier festival bands, playing for venues such as Sail Boston 2000, Marblehead Arts Festival, Norwood Summerfest, and the Boston Arts Festival. In addition, the group has been officially recognized by the Massachusetts Arts Council, which awarded Black Sea Salsa a grant to perform a series of outdoor concerts in Belmont and Watertown.

The best of Cuba & Venezuela combined! A unique opportunity for dancers to learn new dance steps and enjoy new musical styles. After the lesson, the DJ will spin Venezuelan and Cuban dance music as well as Salsa and Merengue favorites so the evening will have a great variety in music. A live orchestra will offer a varied repertoire of Venezuelan and Cuban rhythms and styles to add to this unique cultural experience.

El Bembé caters to a diverse audience ranging from Latin music and dance enthusiasts to professional and advanced dancers to Latin dance beginners. The friendly atmosphere is both inviting and engaging, characterized by a contagiously festive spirit. Perhaps the most unique characteristic of El Bembé is that all proceeds from the event are re-invested in the CLA's arts programs therefore, patrons not only enjoy a unique celebration but they also contribute to the cultural life of the city of Boston.

9:00 p.m. Complimentary Dance Lesson 10:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Dance Party and Live Performance

Join guitarist, singer and songwriter Kate Schutt and her Trio - Mark Shilansky on piano and Dave Jamrog on drums.

Kate is carving out a niche as a writer and performer of new jazz standards. Her persuasive arrangements and melodies show a deep involvement with the history of jazz and a willingness to flirt with pop gestures and attitudes. In March 2008, Kate was a Grand Prize Winner in the 2007 John Lennon Songwriting Competition Round II for her song "How Much in Love" in the jazz category. Schutt's 2007 ArtistShare CD "No Love Lost" earned wide acclaim and topped the charts in Canada.

She has written new jazz standards with persuasive arrangements and melodies that you might think you've heard all your life. Lyrically, "No Love Lost" is poetic and on-point. Kate is at home, with her high and dry voice, singing jazz and a bit of the blues. Sometimes she sneaks out to flirt with pop gestures and attitudes. Kate plays a Novax 8-string, the instrument made famous by jazzer Charlie Hunter. The Novax has five guitar strings and three bass strings, and the way it swings is satisfying.

Mieka Pauley, winner of many prestigious awards including the first annual Starbucks Emerging Artist Award, masterfully weaves a tapestry of soul/blues/ rock/acoustic/alternative styles. Her music has inspired comparisons to Ben Harper, Cat Power, Neko Case, Patty Griffin and other contemporaries. With more than 700 live performances around the country in the last 5 years, Meika has shared the stages with some of the biggest names in music. Her new CD, Elijah, Drop Your Gun was released in Nov. '07.

Middle eastern mixed with modern rhythms

Group Saloum is Boston's hottest new Afro-pop band. Founded by world-renowned griot percussionist Lamine Touré, Group Saloum fuses Senegalese mbalax with elements of jazz, funk, reggae, and Afrobeat. Group Saloum performs original mbalax music highlighted by the infectious rhythms of Touré's sabar drums, drawing upon the collective creativity of some of Boston's most talented musicians.