Russell Library presents Nekita Waller in Concert

Nekita Waller will perform at Russell Library
on Thursday, January 24 at 7:00pm

On Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 7:00pm, our new state troubadour, Nekita Waller, and a five piece band will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Songs include inspirational pieces in a classic soul style. During the evening, actor Michael Scott will also present a reading of a piece by MLK.

A Middletown native, Nekita Waller won an award for singing at the Buttonwood Tree when she was just ten years old. Part of her mission as Connecticut State Troubadour is to connect with and inspire children to find their own voices. She is currently working with Oddfellows Playhouse to develop a show with their Teen Repertory Company for spring of 2019. She also is hosting their Teen Talent Search on January 19^th for 12-19 year olds.

Nekita performs throughout the region bringing a mix of pop, Motown, soul, Jazz and classic rock favorites with original music. She is the first non-folk musician to be appointed as the Connecticut State Troubadour.

This concert is sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library. Like all programs at the library, it is free and open to all.

The Entwyned Early Music Ensemble plays at Russell Library Saturday April 23 for Shakespeare's Birth and Death day

In honor of William Shakespeare's Birth and Death Day on April 23, Russell Library is presenting The Entwyned Early Music Ensemble at 2:00 pm in the Hubbard Room. 

The Entwyned Early Music Ensemble.

The free concert features a trio playing viola da gamba, a lute and a Baroque flute. Musicians Dee Hansen, Eric Hansen and Neal Humphreys perform "Popular Music from the Bard to Bach". They will be also sharing the historical, social and aesthetic contexts of the music along with information about their instruments.

The event is sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Pianist Michael Brown Coming to Russell Library Thursday February 4th

Works by Faure, Mendelssohn, Brown, and Bernstein will be featured in a performance by Pianist and Composer Michael Brown on February 4^th at 7:00 pm at the Russell Library.

Pianist Michael Brown

Winner of a 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Michael Brown has been described by The New York Times as a 'young piano visionary” and 'one of the leading figures in the current renaissance of performer-composers.” Mr. Brown is equally committed as a pianist and composer; his unique artistry is reflected in a creative approach to programming that often interweaves the classics with contemporary works and his own compositions. 

A native New Yorker, Mr. Brown earned dual Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano and Composition from The Juilliard School. In 2015, Mr. Brown joined The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s CMS Two program, through which he will perform with the Society both in Alice tully Hall and on tour, including visits to Chicago and Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The New York Times has called Mr. Brown “a confident young composer with a talent for precision” and described his work as “darkly alluring.”

He spent three summers at Marlboro Music and has made appearances at the Ravinia, Caramoor, Moab, Manchester, Mostly Mozart, Music@Menlo, Music Mountain, Chamber Music Sedona, Rheingau Musik, Beijing International, and Kyoto International festivals. His awards include First Prize in the 2010 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition; Juilliard’s Gina Bachauer Award; and prizes in the Honens and New York International Piano competitions. He was recently appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor of Piano at Brooklyn College. Mr. Brown is a Steinway Artist. 

This program is being sponsored with funds from The Friends of the Russell Library.

Los Trovadores de America: A Mariachi Band! at Russell Library

Saturday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m., in the Hubbard Room of the Russell Library, families are welcome to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by listening to a traditional Mariachi Band! Los Trovadores de America travel and perform throughout the New England region. They are a multi-cultural ensemble with experienced and talented musicians from various backgrounds and nationalities. They sing both in Spanish and English. In addition to the interpretation of traditional Mexican music, the group's goal is to revitalize old tunes that have been shadowed by modernization and extremely commercial music. Also, another important goal is to create original compositions and to serve as a musical liaison between the different cultures that co-exist in this country. The group was founded by Eduardo Rocha from Mexico and Jaime Chiluisa from Ecuador.
The concert is sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Last notes...

...at least for this season.

As night fell, Latin band Goza asked for (and got) permission to play one last song in the "Music at the Mansion" series. 

  The Friends of Long Hill again hosted four concerts on four consecutive Wednesdays. 

  Open Air Market there is Sunday, Aug 24, 2014.

"Music At The Mansion" Kicks Off Wed. Evening

The hugely popular "Music at the Mansion" concert series returns this Wednesday, July 2nd.

The outdoor shows at the Wadsworth Mansion begin with Goza, a Connecticut-based Latin jazz band (www.GozaBand.com). New performers take the stage each Wednesday in July.

The concerts are free and open to the public (but if you like them, throw what you can in the bucket when it comes around).

Picnicking begins at 5:30, music at 6:30.

If you can, budget a little time to explore the unique trails and grounds of the historic Long Hill Estate. 

You can find info about parking, performers, and future events here:
http://wadsworthmansion.com/events.php

Concert to Feature Story of a Military Veteran

I stopped in on a rehearsal of the Greater Middletown Chorale (GMC), one of their last before their upcoming concert on November 20th. Matt McCaffery, the Chorale President, explained that the singers are very dedicated to the Chorale, and that it is a much needed creative outlet for many people. In the videos below, McCaffery and Director Joe D'Eugenio share their enthusiasm about their upcoming concert. They talk about how the concert will incorporate elements of poetry and storytelling. The concert will have three excerpts from a special production in the works and coming in 2013 - Letter from Italy, 1944: War's End, which highlights the story of the service and life of a military veteran.

Greater Middletown Chorale presents

I've Got Some Singing To Do!

featuring excerpts from:

Letter From Italy, a special work in progress

Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 4:00 pm.

First Church of Christ, Congregational, 170 Court Street, Middletown, CT

More information from the chorale:

The November 20th concert features New England music by New England composers, with the title piece, “I’ve Got Some Singing To Do” authored and set to music by Gwyneth Walker, a Connecticut native. Robert Frost’s poetry is also featured in the piece “Frostiana: Seven Country Songs.” These are put to music by Connecticut native and friend of the poet, Randall Thompson. The Chorale will also perform several new pieces, including a new commissioned work by Hartt School Graduate Colin Britt. This lineup will be performed at the First Congregational Church of Middletown on Sunday, November 20^th at 4:00PM.

Proud to call the city of Middletown its headquarters, the Chorale is lending its voice to the newly created event on New Year’s Eve, “Middnight on Main,” featuring entertainment, games and more on Main Street. For more information, visit www.middnight.org.

The Greater Middletown Chorale is a private, non-profit organization funded with the support of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, Middletown Commission on the Arts, Aetna Foundation, Bissell Foundation, Chevron Humankind Grants, Middlesex County Community Foundation and Pfizer Foundation.

Seventy singers strong, the Chorale is an auditioned, mixed-voice chorus, focused on developing a talented group of singers and committed to excellence in performing choral masterworks and other outstanding music for all generations of listeners. The Chorale is always seeking talented new singers of all voice parts throughout the year. Those interested should send an email via the web site, www.gmchorale.org, where there is always ticket and concert information too. The Chorale’s Facebook page is at http://www.facebook.com/greatermiddletownchorale

Tickets are available below or through the GMC website by pressing the yellow "Get Tickets" button

I've Got Some Singing To Do! Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 4:00 pm. First Church of Christ, Congregational; Middletown, CT

online

General Admission: $30 each
Senior Admission: $25 each
Student Admission: (Age 10 to College): $15 each
Children 10 and Under: Free

The funds that the Chorale raises from ticket sales only cover about one third of their operating expenses for making the concert a reality!

Music in New Haven This Weekend Featuring a Slew of Middletown Folks

This post also appears on my music blog, steptempest.blogspot.com, but, since there are so many area musicians involved in the concerts, I figured Middletown folk might be interested.

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'Tis a busy weekend in New Haven with 2 big days of music including the return of the New Haven Jazz Festival on Saturday.

But, first, on Friday, venture down to Bru Cafe, 141 Orange Street, for the opening night of the 2-day Uncertainty Music Series.  Curated by bassist/composer/conceptualist Carl Testa, the first show features Bird Fly Yellow, String 4Tet and the duo of Testa & Adam Matlock. Bird Fly Yellow features the brass work of Joe Moffett (trumpet) and Dan Blacksburg (trombone) paired with the rhythm section of Matt Engle (bass) and Dave Flaherty (drums). String 4Tet combines the sounds of Nathan Bontrager (cello) and Al Margolis (violin) with James Ilgenfritz (bass) and Ben Shirley (guitar). Testa & Matlock blends accordion, string bass and electronics to create many fascinating sounds.  The music starts at 7:30 p.m.

The following night at 8 p.m., the Series moves to Never Ending Books, 810 State Street, to present the fascinating quartet of Kyoko Kitamura (voice), Anne Rhodes (voice), Nathan Bontrager (cello) and Adam Matlock (accordion). Both vocalists do amazing things with their voices to further the music; they create sonic images that can surprise and challenge the listener. Ms. Kitamura has recorded with cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum, the Laura Andel Orchestra, and flautist Jamie Baum and co-leads the adventurous quartet known as ok|ok.  Ms. Rhodes did her graduate work at Wesleyan, working closely with Professors/composers Alvin Lucier and Anthony Braxton as well as Jay Hoggard (jazz vocals) and B. Balasubramian (South Indian music.)  With Messrs. Matlock and Bontrager, she is an integral part of the chamber music trio Broadcloth.

For more information, go to http://carltesta.net or uncertaintymusic.com to check out all the exciting events.

Speaking of Assistant Professor of Music at Wesleyan Jay Hoggard, he's the headliner for Saturday's New Haven Jazz Festival to be held on the New Haven Green from 4:30 - 9 p.m.

The music starts with the Ryan Sands Quartet.  The drummer/bandleader is the younger brother of rising piano talent Christian Sands and will front a group that features trumpeter Adam O'Farrill (the son of composer Arturo O'Farrill), bassist Daryl Johns (son of drummer Steve Johns) and guitarist Gabe Schnider.  Following them at 5 p.m. will be a quartet led by another drummer, Hartford native Jonathan Barber.  His high-powered band features the excellent trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, pianist Zaccai Curtis (another Hartford native) and bassist Stephen Porter.  Ed Fast & Conga-Bop takes the stage at 5:45 for a high-powered set of Latin-flavored music.  Drummer Fast, also a Connecticut-based musician, has worked with the likes of Chita Rivera, Paul Anka and Aretha Franklin while maintaining his popular octet.

If you are one of the many who flocked to the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven to see the exciting production of "Ella" (yes, about the great jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald), you'll be thrilled to know that the person who played and sang the title role, Ms. Tina Fabrique, will be gracing the Green stage at 7 p.m. With her years of work on the stage and in nightclubs, Ms. Fabrique has built quite the repertoire.

As mentioned, vibraphonist Jay Hoggard will be the headliner and he's bringing his Africaribbean Vibes octet to entertain the crowd.  Featuring the former New Haven resident (and super guy) Dwight Andrews (saxophones), long-time associate James Weidman (piano), Belden Bullock (bass), Tony Lombardozzi (guitar), fellow Wesleyan associate Pheroan akLaff (drums) and a percussion section consisting of Asher DeLerme, Jawara Brian Gray and Middletown resident Kwakuu Martin Obeng, this music will get you off the ground and dancing (yes, you can dance to jazz.) And, the whole evening of music is free!

For more information, go to www.jazzhaven.org - they are the fine folks who put the event together.

Improvisers Come to Town

Bassist-composer Joe Fonda, former Middletown resident, has organized the 6th Annual Composers & Improvisers Festival taking place this Saturday September 27 from 7 - 11 p.m. in Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street.

Fonda, in his inimitable fashion, has dubbed this concert the "6th Annual" but he skipped a year or 2 when funding was low. Thanks to a grant from the Middletown Commission on the Arts, this year is a "go."

He's assembled quite a variety of entertainers. The show begins at 7 with the duo of Ilse Pfeifer (dancer) and George Schuller (percussion.) At 8 p.m., the duo of Napoleon Maddox (rapper, beatbox) and Claire Daly (baritone saxophone) will create some fascinating sound and patter patterns. They call themselves "The Honourable Hustlers." Next up, at 9 p.m., is bassist-composer Mark Helias and he'll play a solo set. Don't be put off by the idea of a solo bass performance because Helias, a graduate of Yale who has worked with Wesleyan Professor Anthony Braxton is one of the most melodic players in creative music.

The final set of the evening (10 p.m) belongs to the cooperative music quartet known as Conference Call. Fonda and Schuller join Gebhard Ullmann (reeds) and Michael Jefry Stevens (piano) to create music moves from genre to genre, soft to loud, cacophonous to melodic, often within the same piece. Together a decade (a long time for most ensembles nowadays), their work has been described by Stef at the blog FreeJazz thusly: "It just illustrates that these four musicians know what music is about - powerful emotional expressiveness combined with musical inventiveness and group interplay."

Suggested donation is $10.00. For more information, call 860-347-6143