Art & Cultural Events List

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone & The Somerville Arts Council present: JOE’S JAZZ & BLUES FEST Free outdoor festival at Powderhouse Park tomorrow, Saturday, just across the street from 136 College Ave. About the Event: The brain child of Mayor Joe, who played trumpet in the Somerville High School Jazz Band, Joe’s Jazz and Blues Festival is back this year. Kicking off on Saturday, October 27th, with an all-day free concert at Pow­derhouse Park from noon to 6pm, the festival will then make its way through local hot spots throughout the following week until November 3rd. On Saturday, October 27th, get ready for a free all-day outdoor event at Powderhouse Park! The Somer­ville High School Jazz Ensemble will kick off the concert at noon, getting the crowd going with sounds ranging from American Jazz to Delta Blues. From then on, there will be non-stop music until 6 pm. The lineup includes Agachiko, The Jellyrollers, Jeremy Lyons Trio, Sonic Explorers and The Tim Gartland Group. During the week, area venues will showcase some of the incredible local talent in our musical midst. To get things started, Cantina la Mexicana will host on October 27th the Sarah Levecque Band; expect to hear a mix of original roots, country and blues. Then, on Wednesday, October 31st at Arts at the Armory Cafe, check out Victor & Penny and be prepared to be impressed by their infectious energy and deft and oft-surprising jazz guitar licks anchored by a fiery one-ukuele rhythm section. Stan Martin Band takes over Sally O’Briens on Friday, November 2nd, mixing roots, americana and classic country. And rounding out the festival, the Love Dogs take over Johnny D’s Uptown on Saturday, November 3rd, combining elements of jump blues, New Orleans R&B and early rock ‘n’ roll into their own powerhouse sound. Saturday, October 27: Free Outdoor Festival Powderhouse Park, Powderhouse Circle (across from 136 College Ave.) 12pm: The Somerville High School Jazz Ensemble The SHS Jazz Ensemble is an eclectic group of High School students and teachers who perform American Jazz from Big Band to Contemporary. Directed by Richard Romanoff, this distinguished group often has special guests from the community sit in as featured soloists. You can find the SHS Jazz Ensemble at local art openings, area schools, and other community events. 1pm: Sonic Explorers Sonic Explorers is a creatively spirited instrumental ensemble whose repertoire focuses on original compositions and arrangements of bandleader and trumpeter, Jerry Sabatini. Highly improvised and often open-ended, Jerry’s music is driven by some of the greatest and most highly sought after jazz improvisers in the Boston area. Experiencing Sonic Explorers will transport you through a merging of many genres of American and global music traditions as they create an incomparable musical language of their own. 2pm: The Jellyrollers A few summers ago, Blues singer/harmonicist J. Place went to the House of Blues in Cambridge, MA to have lunch with a belly dancer. On stage was acoustic guitarist Bertrand Laurence, paying homage to the root music of Mississippi, New Orleans, and Chicago. Sensing a connection, J asked to sit in and the Jellyrollers were born. Strictly acoustic, they now include Mickey Bones on drums and things, Rob Rudin on drums and spoons, Robbie Phillips on wombat bass and jaw harp and Mark Chênevert on clarinet. They have played at the Boston Blues Festival and the Lincoln Center (NYC). “Both high-spirited and heart-felt, the Jellyrollers have a filling for the hole in your soul” -- Brett Milano, music critic 3pm: Agachiko Agachiko is a 7 piece jazz ensemble populated by veteran musicians who have pared their playing down to the essentials, all energy focused on bringing the emotional reality of the songs to life. Agachiko’s repertoire ranges from originals to Nina Simone-inspired mate­rial, classic torch songs and even show tunes given an earthy reality by Gabrielle Agachiko’s no-nonsense singing. She is joined by Russ Gershon on tenor sax, Scott Getchell on trumpet, Ken Field on flute, Sam Davis on guitar, Blake Newman on acoustic bass, and Phil Neighbors on drums.” www.agachicko.wordpress.com 4pm: The Tim Gartland Group The ‘triple threat’ (harmonica player, vocalist & songwriter) contemporary blues man, Tim Gartland’s history of musical growth and development has been guided by the blues. He has been deeply influenced by the “greats” – Little Walter for his harp playing, Ray Charles for his interpretation of a song, and Willie Dixon for his song writing. His band features seasoned professionals, including Rusty Scott on keyboards, Chris Rival on guitar, Paul Justice on bass and Forrest Pagent on drums. 5pm: Jeremy Lyons Trio Jeremy Lyons plays in and with American music traditions. He moved to the Boston area from New Orleans in 2005, where he worked as a musician since 1992, first as a street performer, then in clubs with The Deltabilly Boys. Jeremy specializes in slide gui­tar and fast finger-picking; his Trio features “Washtub” Robbie Phillips on (homemade) bass diddley bow and Jeff Allison on drums. Lyons’ “Deltabilly” is a blend of several styles, including Delta Blues, Surf Guitar, Rockabilly and Western Swing. For full listing of the Powderhouse festival and indoor venues go to: http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/jazzbluesfest