Concerts
Spring Concert Series 2024
All shows are free and in person at the Menino Arts Center.
Series coordinated by Curt Naihersey.
Sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council.
Friday, May 10, 7 – 9 pm
Sal Baglio
“As a singer, guitarist and composer, Sal Baglio has touched all the bases that have rounded out a successful musical career. But with his recent work as a solo artist, Baglio embarks upon a new path that looks backward in the most delightful way. Baglio’s music and solo performances dial up a past that is easily imagined in a less-distracted age where music bursts boldly out of a car’s AM radio on a summer drive or floats in the imagination of a young solitary artist learning to strum his first guitar. New paths or old, Baglio projects a welcome sense of place, family and friends, a “pocket full of memories” where streets named London and Liverpool strike more than mere fancy allusions to the Beatles, the Kinks and others. They set fire in the mind of a young artist that will forever remain in his persona. Free of the demands of the music industry, Baglio is liberated to recall the past without sentimentality but with a flourish of great stories that underpin his new songs — songs that aim for the gentle heart. Baglio will never be separated from the impulsive spirit of “American Fun”, the hit he wrote with his legendary Boston band, The Stompers, that remains absolutely joyous in its sing-along refrain. Yet, as he ages — and we with him — Baglio reveals where all that great music began and why. His solo performances — powerful, filled with humor and touched by the reflections of an artist still at work– are not to be missed.“
Frank Conte
Editor and Publisher EastBoston.com
Friday, May 31, 7 – 9 pm
Lonesome Brothers
The Lonesome Brothers formed in 1985, and have been alt-country/Americana favorites since before the terms Alt-country and Americana were coined. The Lonesome Brothers are fronted by Ray Mason on bass and Jim Armenti on guitar and backed by former Blood Oranges drummer Keith Levreault. Ray and Jim share songwriting and vocal duties and have perfected a warm, comfortable and often humorous style that weaves personal insights, experiences and homespun characters and stories into the fabric of their music. These accomplished musicians share a love of a wide array of music and have played with an incredibly varied roster of players who run the gamut from punk rock and avant-jazz to traditional Yiddish and Klezmer music.
Hollywood is the Lonesome Brothers’ ninth full-length album and it joins the long list of solo records, singles and side projects that make up their well-respected musical catalog. Visit them online at http://www.lonesomebrothers.com.
Friday, June 14, 7 – 9 pm
The Grownup Noise
Originally founded in 2005 as a duo by singer/guitarist Paul Hansen and bassist Adam Sankowski, The Boston Globe called The Grownup Noise, “One of Boston’s most promising outfits…a sense of sincerity, wonder, and poetry beats at the heart of these wonderfully skewed folk-pop songs”. With various members coming and going through the years, this quickly snowballed into numerous sold-out local shows as well as seven national tours (many in their veggie-oil powered conversion van). Their music has been featured on MTV, NPR, documentary films, and other TV shows. Their song ‘Carnival’ won a songwriting contest judged by NY Times best-selling author/music writer Steve Almond. People often ask about the meaning of the name. The Grownup Noise is something to rebel against – like fear, complacency, or the closing of your heart. Visit them online at http://www.thegrownupnoise.com.
Previous Concerts in the Series:
Special St. Patrick’s Day Preview: Friday, March 15, 7 – 9 pm
Aidan Parkinson and Bob Bradshaw
Join us for a spoken word / music performance with two fulfilling talents charged with thirst-quenching and emotionally intense draughts of Irish humor and sensitivity.
Aidan Parkinson is an award-winning Irish playwright and actor, who, over the years, has put on his plays in bars, backyards, prisons, libraries, museums, trade union halls and the odd, random street corner. He has lived in North Africa, France, England, Spain and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Of his recent plays, ‘Bloodshed, Screaming and Monsters,’ won a Pen Award in Dublin in November 2019, and ‘Maura Dunne’ earned accolades from the Abbey Theatre in Dublin which referred to it as ‘a gripping tale … that offers a message of hope and connection in times of great adversity.’ He has recently taken to writing dramatic stories, two of which you will be hearing tonight. He lives with his family in West Roxbury.
Irish-born Bob Bradshaw has lived in Jamaica Plain for the past 20 years, and is a regular on the Boston Roots Music/Folk scene. Bradshaw released his tenth album of original songs ‘The Art Of Feeling Blue’ in 2023 to much acclaim. No Depression has hailed his songs as “instant classics,” while The Telegraph UK lauded his writing as “wonderfully atmospheric.” The March 15th show at the Menino Arts Center is a rare chance to see Bradshaw perform his songs in a solo acoustic setting. Visit him online at www.BobBradshaw.net.
Friday, April 12, 7 – 9 pm
The Bespoke Consort
The Bespoke Consort is Thomasine Berg-flute; Torben Hansen-clarinet; Mark Finklestein-bassoon/English horn; Erik Lindgren-piano/arrangements. They will present Classical-A-Go-Go! – chamber music-sans-boundaries that includes neo-Baroque escapades, Impressionistic tone poems, quirky Musical Novelties, Tangos, rollicking arrangements of Erik Satie, Raymond Scott, Leroy Anderson, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, plus original works. A pleasant time is guaranteed for all.
The ensemble has performed at the Plymouth Center for the Arts, The Lily Pad in Cambridge, Eastham Library, Morse Library in Natick, Middleboro Public Library, First Evangelical Church in Brockton, Johnson Strings in Newton, Eisenberg Assisted Living in Worcester, and on the Brockton Symphony Orchestra chamber concert series. Visit them online at http://www.arfarfrecords.com/bespoke/index.html.
Fall Concert Series 2023
All shows are free and in person at the Menino Arts Center.
Series coordinated by Curt Naihersey.
Sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council.
Friday, December 15, 7 – 9 pm
Hummingbird Syndicate
Hummingbird Syndicate is Lynn Shipley (songwriter, lead and harmony vocals); Jon Macey (songwriter, acoustic guitar, lead and harmony vocals); Steve Gilligan (bass, harmony vocals); Paul Zablotsky (accordion); Clark Goodpaster (percussion). With melody and harmony featured front and center, Hummingbird Syndicate marries the 60s folk rock of The Mamas and the Papas and The Byrds with the 70s pop rock of Fleetwood Mac and the Heartbreakers to create a modern, original, engaging sound all their own. Tightly-wrought arrangements unfold lyrical content that ranges from fiery romance to the universe in a teacup.
Metronome Magazine said about Hummingbird Syndicate: “With lush vocal harmonies, vibrant fretboard forms and pop-steady rhythms, Hummingbird Syndicate proves to be one of the finest bands of pop architects on the scene today.”
https://hummingbirdsyndicate.bandcamp.com
Previous Concerts in the Series:
Friday, October 20, 7 – 9 pm
Molly, Will, Carole & Brendan
Carole Bundy, Molly Ruggles and Will McMillan have been singing together since 2019; Brendan Shea is a member-in-training who also plays bass. Their repertoire includes original songs — such as “You’re Not Alone,” “Under My Umbrella,” “Walking With My Friend,” and “The Crazy Touch and Go Of Our Lives” — plus standards such as “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” “Let’s Do It,” and “What A Wonderful World” which feature vocal harmonies and unique arrangements by Molly, who also plays piano. Molly, Will & Carole perform in upstate New York, Maine and Massachusetts, and last year they released an eight-song CD. You can listen to five of their recordings on streaming platforms by clicking on the following titles: “Simple Rules” (by Molly), “The Beauty All Around” (by Will), “The Garden Song” (by Dave Mallett), “A Beating Heart” (by Will), and “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top” (by Rodgers & Hammerstein).
Click HERE to read their full bios.
Friday, November 17, 7 – 9 pm
Tomoko Iwamoto & 440
440 expands the gypsy jazz tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with danceable swing standards from the era of Cole Porter, George Gershwin & Benny Goodman as well as originals by the band. Their toe-tapping, snappy, hot jazz, swinging style is a delight to experience.
Tomoko Iwamoto, a leader of 440, has been in Boston jazz scene for more than 30 years. Being a “jazzy” violinist with a strong classical background, she expanded her repertoire in jazz, rock, pop to world music, toured with Hypnotic Clambake, while studying Jazz Composition and Arranging at Berklee College of Music. During her recent trip to Europe, she jammed with world renown gypsy jazz musicians; Tcha Limberger & the members of Les Violins de Bruxelles, and Chris & Julian Brunard. She appeared as a guest soloist with Mood Swings Orchestra and Women In World Jazz, and collaborated with modern jazz guitarist, Chris Mcdermott. http://www.jazzyviolinist.com/440.html
Friday, December 8, 7 – 9 pm
Danielle Miraglia, Jim Infantino, & Terry Kitchen
Danielle Miraglia comes armed with a strong steady thumb on an old Gibson and an infectious stomp-box rhythm with tunes ranging from heart-felt to socially conscious that will move both your heart and hips. Her latest “Bright Shining Stars” debuted at #15 on the Billboard Blues Charts. www.daniellem.com
Jim Infantino grew up in the Manhattan of the 70s and 80s where he met Dave Van Ronk at the Speakeasy Open Mic. He studied Philosophy in Philadelphia and decided to move to Boston to become a busker. After playing the local coffeehouses and touring with Ellis Paul, Jon Svetkey, & Brian Doser under the name End Construction Productions, as well as two separate tours with Chris Chander and Dar Williams, he formed a band called Jim’s Big Ego. He has 7 albums with his band and 3 solo recordings. His songs have been featured repeatedly on the Doctor Demento Show, and All Things Considered on NPR. jiminfantino.com
Called “one of New England’s best songwriters” by The Boston Globe, Roslindale artist Terry Kitchen creates songs that are portraits of ordinary people and emotions, captured with extraordinary compassion, honesty and humor. He’s been performing on folk stages across the country since the 1990s, releasing a dozen albums filled with literate musical storytelling, supple guitar playing and distinctive, intimate vocals. terrykitchen.com
Click HERE to read all three full bios.
Spring Concert Series 2023
All shows are free and in person at the Menino Arts Center.
Donations are always welcome at
https://www.hpaa-mac.org/get-involved/donations/.
Series coordinated by Curt Naihersey.
Friday, June 16, 7 – 9 pm
Ramona Silver
Ramona Silver is a singer and songwriter of insightful slices of pop/rock/folk. An off-kilter blend of keyboards and electric guitar, Silver offers “wit, style, substance, intelligent lyrics, smart melodies and muscle” (Billboard). Silver has shared the stage with Matthew Sweet, Sam Phillips and John Prine. A winner of Boston Music Award’s Outstanding Female Vocalist (1998), Silver enjoys singing with Boston’s interactive folk collaborative Wall of Grass and, most recently, Butcher, Baglio and Estes. Silver brings to the MAC new songs towards her 8th studio release. Visit her online at https://www.facebook.com/ramonasilvermusic and
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ramona-silver/43471251.
Silver will be joined by singer Ruby Bird (Bird Mancini) and percussionist Betsy Neptune (Opposite People, Lechuga Fresca).
Previous Concerts in the Series:
Friday, March 31, 7 – 9 pm
Astronomico
The music of the Massachusetts based collective, Astronomico, inhabits the blurred spaces that exist between musical styles, and is a fluid reflection of the collective’s eclectic musical diet and unique creative vision. The band recently released their second full length offering, Bridge of Butter Magnetic, at the end of 2022 as a follow up to their first release, Bring All Your Ships home. This body of music reflects the band’s ability to meld organ funk grooves and Afro Latin rhythms with raw rock energy and exploratory jazz improvisation while leaning into the psychedelic and the abstract.
Astronomico is: Nina Ott – Hammond organ, piano, keys; Steve Fell – guitar; Chris Lopes – bass/percussion; Jared Seabrook – drums.
Visit them online at astronomico.bandcamp.com and on all streaming platforms.
Friday, April 21, 7 – 9 pm
Slow Boat Home
Slow Boat Home is a fun-loving Americana band playing original tunes mixed with a lively collection of country, blues, jazz and jug band music. Selecting many tunes from the first half of the 20th century, we make them our own with stellar lead and ensemble vocals, harmonica, mandolin, bass, resonator and dobro guitars and percussion. Visit them online at https://slowboathome.com.
Friday, May 5, 7 – 9 pm
FauxMenco, featuring special guest dancer Samarra
FauxMenco are Catherine Capozzi and Rafi Sofer, adapting a loud, adventurous, and experimental electric guitar language to a nylon-string, guitar-duo setting. Drawing from rock, surf, gypsy, and of course flamenco, FauxMenco explore and write instrumental guitar songs that are propulsive and timeless. Visit them online at https://www.fauxmenco.com/.
Special guest dancer Samarra will perform for several songs.
Fall Concert Series 2022
All shows are free and in person at the Menino Arts Center.
Donations are always welcome at
https://www.hpaa-mac.org/get-involved/donations/.
Friday, December 16, *730 – 930 pm*
Didi Stewart and Alizon Lissance
A two-time winner of the Boston Music Award for Best Female Vocalist, Didi Stewart has been a longtime fixture on the Boston music scene. Her first original rock band, Didi Stewart and the Amplifiers, recorded the album Begin Here for Kirshner/Epic Records. Her second band, Girls’ Night Out, was one of the top-grossing acts in New England and was named “Best Unsigned Band” by Musician magazine. More recently, Stewart staged a reading of her new political musical comedy, An Infinity of Stars, and is working toward a full production this year. Visit her online at https://college.berklee.edu/people/didi-stewart.
Alizon Lissance is a truly seasoned musician with decades of experience as a performing and recording multi-keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter and arranger. She is a professor at Berklee College where she teaches harmony, yoga and piano. She has earned regional and national accolades ranging from critical acclaim in Musician Magazine to Boston Music Awards’ “Outstanding Keyboardist.” Alizon released “So What About You” a self-produced cd of 12 original songs and among her other recording credits are 4 discs with “The Love Dogs,” an established jump swing rhythm & blues group that has been performing domestically and internationally since 1994. Visit her online at https://college.berklee.edu/people/alizon-lissance.
Previous Concerts in the Series:
Friday, October 28, 7 – 9 pm
Sado-Domestics
Sado-Domestics is the singing-songwriting partnership of Lucy Martinez (Lucy Martinez Band) and Chris Gleason (Los Goutos, Noise Floor Delirium). Although the Sado-Domestics sometimes performs as a full band (with up to 6 members), the group also performs acoustic as a duo or trio. The music can be classified as Folk/Rock or Americana, insofar as it is an eclectic mix of instruments and draws from both American roots and rock music traditions. The band has released two albums of original music (Two-Egg Scrambler and Hey, Oaxaca) as well as a related side project called Noise Floor Delirium. Visit them online at www.sadodomestics.com.
Friday, November 18, 7 – 9 pm
Sol y Canto
Sol y Canto is the award winning Pan-Latin ensemble led by Puerto Rican/Argentine singer and bongo player Rosi Amador and New Mexican guitarist and composer Brian Amador. Featuring Rosi’s crystalline voice and Brian’s lush Spanish guitar and inventive compositions, Sol y Canto is known for making their music accessible to Spanish and non-Spanish speaking audiences of all ages. Brian’s original songs are distinguished by poetic, often quirky lyrics set in a framework of varied musical styles with surprising twists. This duo can make you dance, laugh, cry and sigh all in one concert. Their arrangements of classic and contemporary Latin tunes are always fresh and original. With Brian’s commanding, intricate guitar playing, Rosi’s rhythmic drive on cajón and bongos, and liberal use of vocal improvisation, the duo often sounds like a much larger ensemble. Visit them online at https://www.solycanto.com.
Spring Concert Series 2022
All shows are free and in person at the Menino Arts Center.
Donations are always welcome at
https://www.hpaa-mac.org/get-involved/donations/.
Friday, June 10, 7 – 9 pm
The Rozzicats
The Rozzicats are Jenn Goldson (vocals, acoustic guitar), Andy Hollinger (vocals, mandolin, resonator guitar), Kim Patch (fiddle), and Eric Smalley (upright bass). Jenn has performed in original and cover acts in the Boston area and draws from the songbooks of America’s wonderful female songwriters including Nancy Griffith and Kate Wolf. Andy Hollinger has performed in local original bands over too many years to count and has released three collections of original songs. Kim and Eric are veterans of local acoustic and rock acts of many genres including Louder Than Milk, Bookmatch Duo, the Reluctant Ramblers and Creek River String Band. The Rozzicats perform an eclectic mix of older pop, Americana, country classics and Andy Hollinger originals, interspersed with a bit of bluegrass and some Kim-Patch-penned, fiddle-driven instrumentals. Visit them online at https://www.rozzicats.com.
Previous Concerts in the Series:
Friday, April 8, 7 – 9 pm
John Powhida International Airport
John Powhida International Airport has been a live and critical favorite on the Boston Club Scene for well over a decade. Winners of the 2011 Boston Rock and Roll Rumble, JPX have just released their third full-length release “THIS PHASOR SOUNDS DIVINE”. https://johnpowhidainternationalairport.bandcamp.com/album/this-phasor-sounds-divine
A musical blender (a la Prince, Bowie, Todd Rundgren, Zappa) featuring a potent and memorable 4-piece ensemble consisting of John Powhida [vocals/guitar], Jim Haggerty [bass], Mike Castellana [guitar], and Nathan Logus [drums], delivering a memorable, fun and eclectic evening of musical entertainment.
Friday, April 29, 7 – 9 pm
Bird Mancini Trio
Bird Mancini, Boston’s acclaimed accordion/guitar duo (Ruby Bird and Billy Carl Mancini), features acoustic rock with lush vocals, blues-tinged guitar, accordion, harmonica, and a variety of percussion, bells and whistles. They have shared the stage with many renowned acts including David Crosby, Leon Russell, Joan Osborne, and others, and have been honored with several award nominations. Favorite gig: Playing at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. In 2021 Bird Mancini released their 7th full length CD, “The One Delight”. Upright bass player John Ryder will join them for this show. Visit them online at birdmancini.com.
Friday, May 13, 7 – 9 pm
Honest Mechanik
Honest Mechanik teams two artists with seemingly little in common – singer-songwriter Susan Cattaneo and The Grownup Noise’s Paul Hansen – creating a homey aesthetic way beyond both of their past catalogs. Their acoustic-pop vibe locks in from the first whispered duet to the final profound melodies. The songs are tender and sad with simple arrangements adorned with short tangents of jazzy guitar and the wonderful magical pairing of Cattaneo and Hansen’s voices. Visit them online at https://honestmechanik.bandcamp.com/album/honest-mechanik.
Friday, May 20, 7 – 9 pm
AS3 (Andrew Stern Trio)
AS3 is Andrew Stern – guitar; John Lockwood – bass; Dave Fox – drums
The guitar trio AS3 fuses rock, jazz and Americana with a heavy dose of sonic improvisation. The group is a reservoir of influences, pulling from all directions, dynamic in their delivery, orchestral at times and wide like the horizon. Sets are dream-like where raucous, inventive original compositions slip seamlessly into spare and spacious ballads. The band is also known for interpreting choice covers by Neil Young, the Beach Boys, Charles Mingus and Frederic Chopin. Bassist John Lockwood will sub for Brad Barrett on this date. Visit them online at andrewstern.us and https://as3music.bandcamp.com/album/twenty-twenty.
Friday, June 3, 7 – 9 pm
Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards
Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards have contributed their first decade to the legacy of American folk and country music, sharing emotively intelligent lyrics, unmistakable vocal harmonies, and a unique blend of instrumentation with audiences throughout the US and Canada. The songs poetically reflect their personal experience as factory workers, teachers, community organizers and natives of postindustrial mill towns in central Massachusetts. Accompanying themselves on guitar, harmonica, ukulele, penny whistle, electric bass, and most uniquely clarinet, their live performance is often punctuated by humorous commentary. Visit them online at https://markandraianne.com/.
Spring Concert Series 2021
Each concert will consist of two acts in pre-recorded performances, with a question and answer info period.
Friday, June 25, 7 – 9 pm
Rick Berlin and Forbes Graham
Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Rick Berlin – “Mostly who I am is in the songs I’ve written. And those essentially derive from my feelings and observations about those I care about. Boys, family, friends, encounters, etc. I think I’ve become, to a certain extent, unaware of me — the résumé of where I’ve been and what I’ve done. But I never forget whom I’ve loved. Their face. The sound of their voice. How they’d argue. The fault lines where we were unable to connect.”
Visit Rick online at http://www.berlinrick.com/.
Forbes Graham is a composer, musician, sound artist, and visual artist whose work explores themes of simultaneity, perceptibility, transformation and collage. His work “Encounters I” for trumpet, electronics, and voices premiered at Roulette in 2019. He performed with Michael Pisaro at (the) co-incidence festival in 2017 and has appeared at other music festivals including High Zero, Vision, and The Thing In The Spring. He was commissioned to write a piece for the Festival of New Trumpet, and has created work for the avant-rock ensemble Normal Love.!
Graham is the creator and producer of “Beyond/Apex”, a bi-weekly podcast dedicated to showcasing contemporary and experimental music. To date, this show has featured the works of over 100 composers and creatives, ranging from emerging artists such as Cecilia López and Claire Rousay to more established artists like George Lewis.
Visit Forbes online at http://www.forbesgrahammusic.com and https://forbesgraham.bandcamp.com.
Previous Concerts in the Series:
Friday, March 5, 7 – 9 pm
Kate Chadbourne and Lauren Passarelli
Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Kate Chadbourne is a singer, harper, and storyteller, an award-winning songwriter and poet, a scholar and teacher of Irish language and folklore with a PhD from Harvard, and a beloved performer at venues throughout New England. She has been honored as a “tradition bearer” in the Revels Salon series and in the Gaelic Roots Concert Series at Boston College, and her music has been featured on NPR’s programs, “Cartalk” and “All Songs Considered.” She has released six solo CD’s, three collections of poetry, and two books to encourage and support artists, musicians, and creators. Named as one of “The Most Fascinating People” in Central Massachusetts by the Sentinel and Enterprise Newspaper, Kate is also the founder of The Bardic Academy, a school for writers, musicians, singers, and young scholars. She brings to her audiences the sounds of the harp, piano, tin whistle, Irish flute, and melodeon, a deep love and knowledge of traditional Irish story, a warm and welcoming presence, and a voice often described as “the voice of an angel.” Connect with her online at www.katechadbourne.com.
Lauren Passarelli is a pop/rock recording and performing artist who has released eleven full albums, many singles and EPs of her own songs, often performing all the instruments, and doing all the recording. She loves miniature dachshunds, and photography. The creative process is one of her favorite subjects. Visit her online at https://laurenpassarelli.com.
Friday, March 19, 7 – 9 pm
Sal Baglio and Brad Hallen
Register here to receive the Zoom link.
For over four decades, a stalwart pop-songmeister and a vibrant visionary. His current rock presentation is The Amplifier Heads, which is whatever Salvatore Baglio wants it to be. He’s also a solo recording artist and a fertile collaborator engaged in the white-noise waltz. A ballad man playing a guitar with no strings, drumming on water. Conducting the feedback between beauty and disturbance, summoning Tears and Rain, shouting above the subway collisions of melody and madness. A witty winner that never whines, who dishes up memories with reverence and respect. More info at https://theamplifierheads.bandcamp.com/music.
Brad Hallen has been playing bass professionally since 1975. Two weeks after graduating high school, Brad went on the road and played in three different top-40 bands, cutting his teeth on the repertoire of Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Average White Band, Rufus, and many other American R&B artists featured on the radio at the time. Moving to Boston in 1978, Brad became firmly entrenched in the local Boston scene, gigging and recording with many local bands including Pastiche, Willie Alexander, Primary Colors, Adventure Set, The Outlets, The Buddy System, The Nervous Eaters, The Joneses, Todd Thibaud, Dennis Brennan, Sal Baglio, and The Providers to name a few. In short time Brad went national, recording and touring with Ministry, Iggy Pop, Jane Wiedlin (The Go Go’s), Ric Ocasek, Ben Orr, and Elliot Easton (The Cars), Johnny Winter, Aimee Mann, Duke Robillard, Otis Clay, Roomful of Blues, James Montgomery, Hubert Sumlin, Monster Mike Welch, Jimmie Vaughn, Scott Hamilton, Susan Tedeschi, Tom Hambridge, James Cotton, and many others. So far, Brad has appeared on over two hundred released recordings, including a Grammy nomination and two Boston Music Awards, and has toured the world many times over. The long haul continues with enthusiasm and dedication. Visit him online at http://bradhallen.com.
Friday, April 23, 7 – 9 pm
Ben Schwendener and Women in World Jazz
Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Ben Schwendener presents Realizations. A modal analysis of J.S. Bach’s Chorales, Cantatas, and Fugues from the perspective of the Lydian Chromatic Concept provides a rich collection of natural elements perfect for improvisational navigation. These ingredients make up and are available to everyone for the creation of musical languages in any style.
Composer / pianist Ben Schwendener (Jamaica Plain) sustains a unique voice in contemporary creative music and is a leading authority on George Russell’s Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization.
Schwendener recently published Organic Music Theory (Heights Music International, 2019), a perspective based on understanding universal musical elements provided by nature, used creatively for composition, improvisation and analysis. OMT presents a new direction in natural pedagogy and dialogue-based arts education. He has given lectures, workshops and seminars at universities and institutions internationally, and is on the faculty of the New England Conservatory and Longy School of Music of Bard College. He is also founder and director of Gravity Arts, Inc., a non-profit arts organization providing customized education and services for musicians, dancers, and interdisciplinary artists.
As touring artist, his groups include the Mobile Trio with drummer Kenwood Dennard and bassist Marc Friedman, LYRIC with singer Carley DeFranco, and collaborations with choreographer Angelo Dello Iacono and the Swiss dance company ADN Dialect.
He is currently working on a second volume, ‘Applied Modal Analysis’, a further expansion of OMT and responsible in large part for the realizations presented in this show.
Women in World Jazz present an educational performance for the whole family featuring an international ensemble of all-female performers showcasing music from around the world. They feature musical styles from Cuba’s cha cha to Cape Verde’s Coladeira as well as songs from Israel, Brazil and Japan, mixed in with jazz favorites. The ensemble’s goal is to give the audience a taste of different cultures from around the globe through the expression of music and dance. Each performer has an extensive background in music education and performance in the New England area. WIWJ feature Tal Shalom-Kobi (upright bass, accordion); Candida Rose (lead vocalist); Laurie Goldsmith (guitar, bass); Diane Gately (drums); and Ririka Tokushige (reeds). Visit them online at https://womeninworldjazz.net.
Friday, May 14, 7 – 9 pm
Bird Mancini and Didi Stewart’s “An Infinity of Stars”
Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Bird Mancini, Boston’s acclaimed accordion/guitar duo (Ruby Bird and Billy Carl Mancini), features acoustic rock with lush vocals, blues-tinged guitar, accordion, harmonica, and a variety of percussion, bells and whistles. They have opened for many renowned acts including David Crosby, Leon Russell, Joan Osborne, and others, and have been honored with several award nominations. Favorite gig: Playing at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. Bird Mancini will release their 7th CD in 2021.
Visit them online at birdmancini.com.
Blend together a spoonful of stinging satire, a dollop of heartfelt balladry, a pinch of old-fashioned Broadway razzmatazz, and you’ve got … An Infinity of Stars!
The Menino Arts Center presents a sneak peek at this new musical comedy-drama by Didi Stewart (Girls’ Night Out, Didi Stewart and the Amplifiers.) A theatrical work for our strange American times, this presentation pokes serious fun our pandemic society, faux media moguls, and a polarized nation teetering on the brink. Catchy tunes meet sharply pointed lyrics in an evening of (virtual) musical mayhem. This five-song presentation features a stellar cast of performers: Will McMillan, Cassandre McKinley, Rene Pfister, and Didi Stewart.
Photo by Susan Wilson (www.susanwilsonphoto.com)
Friday, June 11, 7 – 9 pm
Louder than Milk and Thread Ensemble
Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Louder Than Milk is a local roots-based outfit that plays mostly original fare with a few old-country covers tossed into the mix. The erstwhile 4-piece has now morphed into a 6-piece incorporating some fine ole fiddling. A review in The Noise said, “theirs is a serious attempt of producing an authentic sound combining elements of hillbilly, rockabilly, jazz and blues music. Totally Gratifying!” If you like deft songwriting, daft harmonizing, and being dashed with danceable grooves, don’t miss their 2nd stop at the MAC! LTM is currently working on a follow-up album to their self-titled 2018 release (which is available on all the streaming services), so give them a listen and join them for a fab night of local music!
More info at https://www.louderthanmilk.com.
Thread Ensemble surprises and delights listeners by involving them directly in the creative process. Through its annual series of varied interactive events, Thread Ensemble adapts to each unique audience and environment with original music created in the moment. This Thread Ensemble performance will feature the group’s two violinists: Abigale Reisman and Rachel Panitch, and the premiere of a new work for violin and voice by composer Laura Cetilia.
More at http://www.threadensemble.com.
Spring Concert Series 2020
All shows cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Check back again soon!
Spring Concert Series 2019
Friday, April 12, 8 – 10 pm
The Hallas Cowboys
Post Nuclear Urban Camp Songs … the ghost of Hank Williams in bed with William Orbit.
https://www.facebook.com/hallascowboys/
Friday, April 26, 8 – 10 pm
Yoni Gordon and Yellow Paint
Yoni Gordon is that rare performer that can absolutely own a stage, while making each show feel like an intimate, one-on-one conversation that is happening just for you. Often times equipped with his trusty hollow body guitar, and a tasteful assortment of pedals, bells, whistles, and tambourines strapped to his boots, Yoni knows how to command a room! He has plied his trade on writing songs that upon first hearing make you say “wait, is this already a song? Do I know this?” all the while bringing what he calls “homespun soul” to the proceedings.
https://yonigordon.bandcamp.com
Opening act Yellow Paint, are a new young folk duo: Fodé Busia and Zoe Dalton on vocals, guitar, and ukulele.
Saturday, May 4, 3 – 5 pm
The Brad Hallen Trio
Brad Hallen hails from Boston, Mass and is an accomplished acoustic and electric bassist. Since graduating high school many years ago, Brad has spent a life totally committed to the art of music. For the last nine years Brad has toured and recorded with the iconic blues/jazz guitarist Duke Robillard. Brad has made many albums with Duke as a leader and countless others that Duke has produced. Other projects at this time include working with The Evenfall Quartet (on Blue Duchess Records) and producing a new rock group, The Providers.
http://bradhallen.com
Friday, May 10, 8 – 10 pm
Heart Soul Voice Ensemble
HeartSoulVoice Ensemble is a duo comprised of Janna Maria Fröhlich (voice, harp, keyboard, guitar) and Joy Grimes (violin) which specializes in evocative contemporary and traditional musique, as well as original songs and tunes with multi-genre influences. Janna’s soaring expressive voice, her inventive and lush harp accompaniments, and Joy’s intense musicality make them equal partners in creating a lovely new-age atmosphere.
https://heartsoulvoice.com
Saturday, June 8, 8 – 10 pm
Bird Mancini Band
The BIRD MANCINI Band, founded by Ruby Bird and Billy Carl Mancini, is Boston’s acclaimed accordion/guitar band featuring eclectic rock and Latin pop fusion, with lush vocals, blues-tinged guitar, accordion, harmonica, and percussion. Rounding out the quartet are Joel White on bass and Joe Jaworski on cajón and percussion. The band has toured the West Coast and performed for the International Pop Overthrow Festivals in Boston, New York City, and Liverpool, England. BIRD MANCINI was twice nominated for the “Best in State-Massachusetts” category in both 2017 and 2018 New England Music Award ceremonies and recently released their sixth full length CD, “Dreams and Illusions”. https://www.birdmancini.com
Friday, June 21, 8 – 10 pm
Louder Than Milk
Louder Than Milk is a roots-based band that plays a mix of alt-country, rock, and blues. The music weaves its way across the backroads of American traditions and finds its way into a contemporary setting with ease. With three songwriters that love to harmonize, the music’s rhythms can jump boldly as well as slow down with their ballads of lament and hope. Louder Than Milk has a new CD of twelve original songs available now on all the streaming services.
https://www.louderthanmilk.com