Tuesday, May 6 2008

The dean of swing trumpet will bring his big band back for a program of favorites and surprises from the repertory of the swing bands of the 30's and 40's. Along with Dave's trumpet and vocals, soloists will include Steve Dale, piano; Jay Kaiser, trombone; Ben Goldstein and John Clark, reeds; and Reid Jorgensen, drums. Dave's special guest is a wonderful vocalist - Sophia Stevens - an alumnus of the Chris Powers Orchestra and expert interpreter of this music.

Haale (as in halle-lujah or jalepeno), is a Bronx-born woman of Iranian descent whose name means the 'halo around the moon.' Her songs are trance-inducing, rhythmically propulsive, and lyrically engaging tapestries that draws on both Persian mystical and American psychedelic musical traditions.

Poets, playwrights, and lovers of improvisation will have a night to call their own at TCAN on the first Tuesday of each month. Presentations will be limited to ten minutes for one person and 15 minutes for small groups, with a PG-13 rating for material. We encourage you to join a diverse group of artists performing in a state-of-the-art venue. Speak Easy! is presented on the first Tuesday of the month - see our calendar for start times.

Bowker Auditorium, Stockbridge Hall

Professor Sporny is retiring after 26 years on the faculty at UMass Amherst. This is his final concert as ensemble director.

With Berklee College of Music Faculty: Consuelo Candelaria, piano; Jesse Williams, bass; Daniel Platzman, drums

Born of British parents in Malawi, Tony Bird is a self-taught singer and guitarist whose travels have taken him to Britain, the Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf and all over Southern Africa. Influenced by rock, jazz, and blues, Tony has also absorbed the indigenous rhythms and tones of his native Africa. What perhaps is unusual is the view of South African society expressed in his songs. Tony Bird writes his songs in solidarity with black Africans and their struggle against oppression.

Blake Newman's interests and experiences are very wide and deep. Years with MIT's Gamelon Orchestra and a who's who of jazz makes Blake's trio a great night of music.

As a freelance bassist, Blake has performed and/or recorded with David Murray, Ran Blake, Big Jack Johnson, Duke Robillard, Michelle Wilson, John Sinclair, David Maxwell, Mamadou Diop, Toni Lynn Washington, and Jon Faddis.