Mike Mitchell, photo by Elaine Jones
Trumpeter, Mike Mitchell of Novel Jazz, wails away during a sweet ballad. The Novel Jazz Septet will be performing classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta, ME, on Thursday 21 November, 2013, 7PM to 9:30PM. The performance will also feature Barney Balch (trombone), Mickey Felder (piano), Bryan Jones (alto sax), Dave Clarke (guitar) plus special guests Ezra Rugg (string bass) and Chris Rogers (percussion). This evening continues the 9th year of Novel Jazz concerts at Skidompha, bringing live jazz to mid-coast audiences. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free. (Photo by Elaine Jones)
NOVEL JAZZ RETURNS TO SKIDOMPHA PUBLIC LIBRARY, NOVEMBER 21st
Novel Jazz will return to Skidompha Public Library, Main Street, Damariscotta on Thursday, 21 November 2013, from 7-9:30 PM for a special evening of jazz in the library’s atrium. This is the band’s 9th year of concerts at Skidompha, which began with the observation that lovers of books often are lovers of jazz. Moreover, the superb acoustics of Skidompha’s atrium, plus the seating “in the round”, make it a superior place to see and hear the performance, all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The musicians of this group have been playing straight-ahead jazz for audiences throughout Maine (and beyond) for several decades.
As is their habit, they’ll be playing a wide selection of compositions from the Great American Songbook but they’ll also feature works by jazz greats Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, their musical “cornerstones”. Performing will be Barney Balch (trombone), Mike Mitchell (trumpet), Mickey Felder (piano), Dave Clark (guitar), Bryan Jones (alto saxophone), and two special guests Chris Rogers (percussion) and Ezra Rug (acoustic bass).
Those of you who have heard these guests know you are in for a treat. Chris Rogers has been performing on drums for more than 40 years. He is a highly versatile performer, playing a myriad of different styles; he has toured throughout New England, Canada and overseas. Chris strives for simplicity, purity, and precision in his playing. He has a number of major label recordings to his credit, and is a requested studio player.
Ezra Rugg studied acoustic bass with New York session player Ben Street, electric bass with local legend Glen Dubois, Afro-Cuban percussion with Al Delgado, and drums with Steve Grover. Doubling as a recording engineer, Ezra has produced albums with local groups Tree By Leaf, Shawn Mercer, the Straight Up Jazz Trio, and Shades Of Blue. He also produces jingles for local radio. Ezra has been frequently featured on MPBN radio as part of Rich Tozier’s jazz program.
Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for young adults 12-18, under 12 accompanied by a parent go free. We encourage parents to bring their children, the future of this art form. The library is located on Main Street in downtown Damariscotta. Call 207-563-5513 during business hours for more information.
Don’t miss Novel Jazz the week before Thanksgiving at Skidompha Library… jazz to warm your toes on a cool autumn eve!