Big Band Holiday Show Coming to The Vets
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
Big Band Holiday Show Coming to The Vets
This year’s show includes a special performance from a pair of leading jazz vocalists - Denzal Sinclaire and Audrey Shakir, for a holiday-themed program of "jazz masterworks, forward-facing arrangements, and original compositions."
Sinclaire is considered one of Canada’s most popular jazz vocalists. Shakir, whose scatting talents have been compared to the great Ella Fitzgerald, is hailed by Wynton Marsalis as “one of the greatest bebop singers in the world today, a talent with a thrilling voice sure to send elation through the audience.”
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Plan to arrive early - the party starts at 6:30PM in the lobby and the aisles with swing dance displays from Boston’s Lindy Bomb Squad, a company of swing dancers in the Boston area committed to spreading the joy of Lindy Hop. These dancers will be joined by Rhode Island youth jazz ensembles, plus steaming cocoa and cookies to heat up the festivities.
The main act follows, with Wynton Marsalis, the pre-eminent voice in jazz today, leading the Orchestra. The New Orleans born trumpeter has been making the word swing since the early 80’s when he debuted with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.
Marsalis is Artistic Director of The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, formed in 1988. The Orchestra recently released Live in Cuba, an album of jazz standards along with several Latin infused classics. The album is among the top Jazz releases of 2015.
FirstWorks – Connecting Art with Audiences
The show is presented by FirstWorks, a Providence based arts organization whose mission is “to build cultural, educational and economic vitality by engaging audiences with world class performing arts and education programs.” Click here for their exciting 2015-2016 season line up.
The “Big Band Holiday” show is Friday night at 7:30PM – tickets begin at $28 and special family packs are available. For more information, click here.
The 2015 Local Music Scene
Brown Bird
Critically acclaimed RI band Brown Bird released Axis Mundi in April, their final album due to the untimely death of co-founder Dave Lamb. While fighting leukemia in 2013, Lamb along with musical partner and wife MorganEve Swain wrote and recorded the brilliant album. Its folk based, with compelling stories backed by Middle Eastern melodies with a rock beat. You can find it in a variety of formats at most area record stores.
The Copacetics
Reggae/Ska band The Copacetics released their self titled album earlier this year. The album is a lot of fun as are their concerts around the state all year long. Check it out here and find it at record stores around the region.
The Schemers
It was a big year for one of RI's greatest rock band of all time, The Schemers. First, they were inducted into the RI Music Hall of Fame and then they released a new album, The Last Beach. Its an album rich in the Schemers classic sound with a heavy dose of Americana. You can find it in local record stores or order it online here at Emerson Torrey's Satellite Studios web site.
Jazz - Abate and Woods
A major release is coming in January from internationally recognized sax man and RI resident, Greg Abate. He's joined by lengendary tenor Phil Woods, who passed away recently, and recorded his final live album at Chan's in the summer of 2014. Click here for the pre-order and check out Whaling City Sounds in New Bedford for more great jazz.
The Red Pennys
The Red Pennys are a honky tonk Rockabilly band with a foot stompin' sound. Check them out tonight at Nick-A-Nees in Providence and then look for their 2015 release Taking Flight at What Cheer Records or your favorite record store. You can also find it online here.
Josh Grabert
Josh Grabert's stunning acoustic recording from last summer is a thing of raw beauty. Grabert, who also plays in the award winning rock band Torn Shorts, recorded The Shred Sessions in a backyard studio during the brutal winter of 2015. You can find the album here. (photo: Michael Civoli)
The Dust Ruffles
The Dust Ruffles are a pop/rock band from RI known for their catchy songs featuring four part harmonies. Their recent EP Romeo, is available in digital format here. You can also check Copper, a solo album recently released from guitarist Tammy LaForrest, here.
Chris Monti
Singer-songwriter Chris Monti released his supurb blues-based acoustic album Box Guitar this fall. You can find the CD here or a digital version here. You can hear selections from the album at his 40th birthday bash Friday Dec 4 at Nick-A-Nees.
Eat Crepes
Eat Crepes is an synth centered indie pop band from Warwick who just released a new album Escrepe Artist. Their sound is bright and upbeat - check out the digital version of their album here.
Consuelo's Revenge
Consuelo's Revenge is a Providence based collective of musicians who just released a high energy album Mercy. They're a hard band to categorize - gypsy folk with a helping of neo-soul, or as the band calls it Amouricana. You can find the CD at "In Your Ear" records in Warren or online here.
Tony Jones
Need a little punk in your life? Then check out this recording from Tony Jones and the Cretin 3 that was released earlier this year. Drop the Bomb is punk with a psychobilly edge - check it out here.
