Entertainment Tonight

Let's see - the Middletown Public Schools Art Exhibition opens today with a reception from 5 - 7 p.m. in Zilkha Gallery and "South Pacific" is "on the boards" at Mercy High School tonight at 7:30 p.m. (as well as tomorrow at 2 p.m.  The Carta Brothers present the Basically Blues Band at 8 p.m. in the Cypress Restaurant & Grill on South Main Street.

Former Middletown resident and frequent world traveler, Joe Fonda (pictured left) returns to The Buttonwood Tree tonight at 8 p.m.  His energetic bass work will be anchoring a trio featuring drummer Lou Grassi and the playing plus compositions of Finnish saxophonist Mikko Innanen. They'll play 2 sets and, knowing the participants, the music will be open and challenging.  Go to www.buttonwood.org for more information.

Last night, The Buttonwood hosted the George Schuller Trio and I'm pleased to report the place was packed, especially for the first set.  George, the son of the legendary composer, arranger, educator, historian and musician Gunther Schuller, is an accomplished drummer and composer.  His Trio featured the excellent young pianist Dan Tepfer and the sturdy plus melodic bassist Jeremy Stratton (pictured left with Schuller.)  The music, a good portion of which came from the Trio's new CD, "Life's Little Drama" (Fresh Sounds New Talent), ranged from delicate to thunderous, filled with euphonious flourishes, splendid accompaniment and creative interplay.  Pianist Tepfer is such an inventive player; he never lets technique get in the way of melody and harmony, spinning sweet improvisations out of pretty pieces such as Michel Lerand's "I Will Wait for You" and Vernon Duke's "Autumn in New York".  His feet danced around the pedals while his fingers dashed over the keyboard on Schuller's Caribbean-tinged "Apocalypso."  The leader is one of the more melodic drummers, especially in the way he frames many of his solos and introductions. Sure, he can "pound away" with the best of them when the spirit moves yet he almost always stays within the framework of the piece (no matter how expansive the song may be.) Stratton is a bassist out of the Charlie Haden school, not flashy but controlled, melodic, and full-toned.  

The Buttonwood gig was the second of 3 consecutive nights on the road - Great Barrington, MA, and the Castle Street Cafe is the final stop of this weekend and they have one more "hit" in Brooklyn on 3/15.  For more information, go to www.georgeschuller.net. 

Lucky Strikes Middletown

The Cypress Restaurant, 1265 Main Street, has a really big weekend of music including a visit from internationally known blues musician Lucky Peterson.  Peterson, equally adept at keyboards and guitar as well as a fine vocalist, has had a long and exciting career, performing for 44 of his 47 years!  At the age of 8, he recorded with blues legend Willie Dixon and 9 years later toured with blues vocalist Little Milton.  Before launching his own career, he spent time on the road with Bobby "Blue" Bland. 

Joining him on Friday night (1/28) at The Cypress will be his wife Tamara (vocals) and the great local drummer Liviu Pop. The show starts at 9 p.m. and the cover charge is only $5.00!

Saturday night (1/29), the Dayton Rich Band returns to The Cypress for an 8 p.m. show. Guitarist Rich fronts an impressive quartet including local folks such as bassist Joe Cannata, drummer John Morello and multi-instrumentalist Dean Coutsuridis.  Need more information?  Call 860-346-3367. 

Weekend Update (arts-wise)

Thursday June 17:
The Cypress Restaurant, 1265 South Main Street, presents live music on its back patio on Thursday and Saturday evening.  This week, it's the duo known as Two Big Guys a.k.a Mike and Eric performing at 7 p.m. on Thursday.  Saturday, the Basically Blues Band returns to play its infectious repertoire of blues and rock tunes at 7:30 p.m. - in case of rain, the musicians and the music move indoors. For information, call 860-346-3367.

Friday June 18:

The Buttonwood Tree presents the duo of Anne & Pete Sibley at 8 p.m.  New England natives, the duo has lived in Wyoming for the past decade.  Their music is a sweet blend of folk, bluegrass and traditional material, utilizing guitars and banjo behind Anne's lovely voice and their close harmonies. They have issued 4 CDs with the latest being 2009's "Coming Home."  1% of their annual sales is donated to sustainability-oriented initiatives in the Jackson Hole/Teton region - if you have ever been there, you can understand why they would work to preserve the natural beauty of the area.

Reservations are a must - call 860-347-4957 and be part of the lovely evening.

Saturday Friday 19:
The Book Bower, inside Main Street Market, welcomes Dr. Robert A. Linden, who will talk from and sign copies of his new book, "The Rise and Fall of the American Medical Empire: A Trench Doctor's View of the Past, Present and Future of the U.S. Healthcare System."   To quote the author: "The text discusses four of the major problems facing our current medical design: the impending death of primary care, healthcare insurance and system reform, pharmaceutical industry infiltration into the practice and science of medicine, and dilemmas in medical malpractice." Dr. Linden has been involved in primary care for over 3 decades. The event begins at 4 p.m. and is free. For more information, call 860-704-8222.

The Eternal Perks Coffeehouse, located at the Grace Lutheran Church, 1055 Randolph Road, presents an evening of music by the Grace Musicians and Joyful Noise.  For more information, call 860-346-2641.

Pianist-composer Sunna Gunnlaugs comes to The Buttonwood Tree with her Quartet.  Ms. Gunnlaugs (pictured left) hails from Iceland and has been active on the international jazz scene for almost 2 decades.  She first came to the US in 1993 to study at William Paterson College in New Jersey. Being so close to New York City, she spent many a weekend at jazz clubs in the Big Apple and then moved to Brooklyn in 1996.  She and her husband, drummer Scott McLemore, moved back to Iceland several years ago where they both teach and are raising a family.  Thanks to grants from the Icelandic government, they are "on the road" for a short tour in support of her new CD, "The Dream."  Rounding out the band is saxophonist Loren Stillman and bassist Dan Fabricatore. Opening the show at 8 p.m. will be Middletown resident Noah Baerman who will forego his usual Trio to "hit" with McLemore and Fabricatore.  To get a taste of Sunna Gunnlaugs' creative oeuvre (so far), go to www.sunnagunnlaugs.com.  Jazz fans and music lovers, call 860-347-4957 to save a seat for this fine gig.