Saturday, February 20 2010

Swingin' Johnsons - At the heart of the band are the "dueling" Chris's, namely, Chris Marsh (bass and vocals), and Chris Leadbetter (guitar and vocals). These two recently celebrated their 2,400th gig together in twelve years' time (an astounding 4 gigs a week average). Their enormous repertoire and almost telepathic connection are a testament to these years in the trenches. http://www.swingingjohnsons.com/

Part of the Jorgensen Husky Headliners series, American Songbook II showcases the first 50 years of popular American music - from the blues to “Blue Moon,” from Irving Berlin to “der Bingel.” Students from the UConn Vocal Studies Department will present a dazzling parade of quintessentially American songs from the Gilded Age to the Age of Aquarius, when rock and roll finally supplanted these tunes in the popular lexicon. The audience will join the singers on the Jorgensen stage in a recreation of an intimate, 1940s cabaret. Seating is limited due to the unique setting, so the public is encouraged to reserve early!

Tickets for the general public are $15; non-UConn students are $10; UConn students $5. For information, call the Box Office, Monday through Friday, 11 am to 5 pm, at 860.486.4226, or order online at jorgensen.uconn.edu. Jorgensen is located at 2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus in Storrs. Convenient, free parking is available across the street in the North Garage.

Think of Dan Goggin's all male ''Nunsense A-Men'' as "Mrs. Doubtfire enters the Convent." Done totally straight, this laugh riot of a musical is, to quote one critic, "no drag." First performed in Brazil as "Novicas Rebeldes," this all-male version of "Nunsense" premiered in New York in 1998 receiving rave reviews and standing ovations. A whole new layer of comedy surfaces with lines like "The guys in the old neighborhood still can't believe I became a nun!" To quote the New York Times: "A change of habit, boy oh, boy!"

Don't miss this hysterically funny, slightly irreverent, toe -tappin' production with a team and cast filled with local IRNE and EMACT winners and nominees!

This four time Boston Music Award winner "Rocks The House" with it's Americana Roots, Swamp Rock, Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, and high energy Rock and Roll. One of the Northeast region's favorite dance bands, the Boston-based Boogaloo Swamis have been playing their unique blend of New Orleans influenced Rhythm and Blues for the past twenty-three years with five recordings and four Boston Music Awards to their credit. More info: http://www.boogalooswamis.com/

Opener: Bird Mancini - "A cosmopolitan fusion of blues-tinged rock, Latin-flavored bossa nova, country-folk balladry, and woolly psychedelia. What it adds up to is pop music in the most adventurous, inclusive sense of the term." - BOSTON GLOBE

One of the finest young percussionists in NE, come and you'll agree why he is the winner of the 2009 Boston Blues Challenge

Presented by Music Worcester and performed by the critically acclaimed Israel Ballet.

Today Don Quixote is considered one of the most joyous and festive of the classical ballets, brimming with spectacular virtuoso dancing. At the same time this abundance of dancing is well organized, showing a clear choreographic and dramatic vision. The characters of the ballet do much more than just perform their numerous variations, however; they express their thoughts and emotions through dancing, and each character has his or her own idiosyncrasies which are expressed in the choreography itself.

When alto sax legend Lee Konitz says that Grace’s got talent - or, more specifically, that she plays the alto sax "with a mature musical sound and a great feeling for improvising" - who are we to argue? Grace, all of 17, has blazed an award-winning trail, and has studied with the best and played in prestigious venues, working with artists like Phil Woods, Dave Brubeck, and Hank Jones. “A first-class jazz musician." - Wynton Marsalis www.gracekellymusic.com

Jen Allen is one of the most respected jazz pianists and composers working in New England today. She has started performing again after a 4 year sabbatical - receiving back a piece of life that had been put aside after becoming a new mom. The last several years for Jen have been filled with the struggles of being a wife, mother, friend, and artist, and all these struggles have found expression in her music. Currently residing in West Hartford, Jen is beginning work on her first solo album entitled Pieces of Myself, and will be performing some new original compositions from it. Her songs paint a picture of the balancing act we all do as well as pointing to a furious longing we all share: the need to believe there is more to life than what we already know and see. Her hope is that these songs will inspire us all to know the beauty and fullness of life in the good, the bad, and even the mundane.

Jen is bringing an exciting young trio with her including bassist Matt Dwonszyk and drummer Joe Palmer to bring alive Pieces of Myself. http://www.myspace.com/jennallenjazz

2nd Show 10:00pm

Pieces of a Dream emerged out of Philadelphia’s music scene in 1976. Keyboardist James Lloyd drummer Curtis Harmon and former bassist Cedric Napoleon, were (and still are) managed by the drummer’s father and uncle, Danny and Bill Harmon, respectively. The group based their name on “Pieces of Dreams,” a cover tune by Stanley Turrentine that the group performed.

Davis has made a genre-busting career of delving difficult subjects, and makes no exceptions here. With his trademark synergy of sacred and profane punch-lines, Stu takes the audience through a circus of sexuality, spirituality, and showbiz. It's no wonder he's long been known as the Twisted Mystic! “Without exaggeration, Stuart Davis is one of the most fascinating and exceptional songwriters in modern music.”- San Jose Metro http://www.stuartdavis.com/

Longy's Modern American Music Department will present a MAM Series concert on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 8pm in Longy's Pickman Hall. Works and performers include "Aubade: For The Continuation of Life" by William Bolcom, Esther Ning Yau, piano, Benjamin Fox, oboe. Domenick Argento: "To be Sung Upon the Water," with Synthia Sture, piano, Rachel Chagat, soprano, and Juan Jaramilo Ruiz, bass clarinet. The Tre Corda Ensemble: Tim Ray, piano, Eugene Friesen, cello, and Greg Hopkins, trumpet, will perform original improvised music.

For more info go to http://www.longy.edu/concerts/concerts_calendar.htm

Featuring: Yoko Miwa, piano; Will Slater, acoustic bass; Scott Goulding, drums

Soul Kitchen is a Great Dance band! They lay down a beat that sets your feet in motion. From soul to swing we've got you covered.

What others have to say about Soul Kitchen...

* "Soul Kitchen was as sharp as that from most headliners with their tight big band sound and unique arrangements, Soul Kitchen cooks" -Jay Miller of the Patriot Ledger

* "These guys played my show as if we've been working together for years! This is a fabulous band (after Soul Kitchen backed up his show for an Anheuser Busch convention)." -Las Vegas Comedian Scott Record

* "Next to the ceremony itself, the band was the highlight of our wedding. Everyone just danced the afternoon away and had a terrific time" -Joyce Romano of Scituate

A tribute to the great legendary Neil Young