The Novel Jazz Septet will be in concert at the Frontier Café on 26 September, 2015. The show will begin at 8PM. This year, in honor of the centennial of Billy Strayhorn’s birth, the Novel Jazz Septet is highlighting Strayhorn’s contributions to the creative output of the Ellington Orchestra.
As the author, David Hajdu, wrote it in his book, Lushlife, “Billy Strayhorn was one of the greatest composers in the history of American music, the creator of a body of work that includes such standards as “Take the ‘A’ Train”. Yet all his life Strayhorn was overshadowed by his friend and collaborator Duke Ellington, with whom he worked for three decades as the Ellington Orchestra’s ace songwriter.”
The Novel Jazz Septet will feature both composers but the program will follow the parallel (and sometimes independent) evolution of Strayhorn’s and Ellington’s music. They’ll feature some rarely-heard Strayhorn pieces, too, songs unearthed during visits to the Smithsonian.
This year, the NJS shows are being listed as part of the official international Strayhorn Centennial Celebration events, based out of Chicago (http://www.billystrayhorn.com/). In honor of this centennial, the band has also released their latest CD, “Novel and Novelle”.
For reservations and general information, call (207)725.5222 or email info@explorefrontier.com. The show will begin at8PM. Admission is $18/$20 day of show. The theater is located in Fort Andross, 14 MaineSt., Mill 3, Brunswick, ME. Come celebrate the Strayhorn centennial as Novel Jazz Septet keeps Maine jazz alive and swinging!
NOVEL JAZZ RETURNS TO SKIDOMPHA-Novel Jazz Septet will be performing classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, 184 Main St., Damariscotta, ME, on Thursday 23 October, 2014, 7PM to 9:30PM.The performance will feature Barney Balch (trombone), Dave Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano), Bryan Jones (Alto Saxophone) and Herb Maine (acoustic bass), plus special guest Bill Manning (drums)This evening continues their 2014 Skidompha concert series, 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) ———————
After a busy summer series of concerts featuring Ellington and Strayhorn compositions around the state, the Novel Jazz Septet will return to the Skidompha Public Library atrium, Main Street, Damariscotta on Thursday, 23 October 2014, from 7-9:30 PM, for an evening of music from the Great American Songbook. These events began with the observation that lovers of books often are lovers of jazz. The superb acoustics of Skidompha’s atrium, plus the seating “in the round”, make it a superior place to see and hear jazz, 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. Collectively, they share over two centuries of experience in the jazz idiom. . Performing this evening will be David Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano), Mike Mitchell (trumpet), Bryan Jones (alto), Barney Balch (trombone) and Herb Maine (returning on bass). There also will be a very special guest on percussion, Bill Manning. Bill attended Boston’s Berklee College of Music on scholarship, and earned a B.A. in Music from University of Southern Maine. He is currently the Percussion Instructor and Director of the jazz ensembles in Scarborough and maintains a private teaching studio at The Drum Shop in Portland. Bill regularly performs in many Portland theater productions. He is a seasoned musician, with over 30 years experience and plays a wide variety of musical genres from jazz to classical.
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 at 184 Main Street in downtown Damariscotta. Call 207-563-5513 during business hours for more information. This promises to be a very special night of jazz. Come to Skidompha on 23 October to let Novel Jazz swing you into the fall!
NOVEL JAZZ RETURNS TO THE BOOTHBAY OPERA HOUSE TO FEATURE MUSIC OF ELLINGTON AND STRAYHORN–
The Novel Jazz Septet will be returning to the Opera House of Boothbay Harbor on Friday 8 August 2014, 7:30PM for an evening of classic jazz by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, two pillars of the jazz world.
They’ll play both well-known standards plus lesser-known compositions, recently transcribed from original scores at the Smithsonian and arranged for the band.
The band features jazz musicians Barney Balch (trombone), Wells Gordon (bass), Mike Mitchell (trumpet), Mickey Felder (piano), Mark Macksoud (drums) and Dave Clarke (guitar). You can learn more about the band at their web site, www.mainejazz.net.
This evening of music is being generously sponsored by J. Edward Knight Insurance Company. Come out and hear the Novel Jazz Septet…keeping the spirit of Duke and Sweet Pea alive and swinging! Dancing not only allowed but encouraged!
The Opera House is located at 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office during normal business hours, or over the phone at207-633-5159, or online at:http://www.boothbayoperahouse.com/
“Music, of course, is what I hear and something that I more or less live by. It’s not an occupation or profession, it’s a compulsion.” — Duke Ellington
Novel celebrates a decade of Jazz at Skidompha Photo by Elaine Jones
Novel Jazz Septet will be performing classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta, ME, onThursday 12 June, 2014, 7PM to 9:30PM. The performance will feature Barney Balch (trombone), Dave Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano), Wells Gordon (acoustic bass), Bryan Jones (Alto Saxophone) and Mark Macksoud (drums)., plus special guest Ralph Norris (tenor and baritone sax) This evening continues their 2014 Skidompha concert series, 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)
The Novel Jazz Septet will be celebrating their 10th year of performances at Skidompha Public Library, Main Street, Damariscotta on Thursday, 12 June 2014, from 7-9:30 PM, with a special evening of jazz in the library’s atrium. A decade ago, the band decided to “go public” from their regular private sessions as a way to help keep jazz alive in midcoast Maine. Indeed, these events began with the observation that lovers of books often are lovers of jazz. The superb acoustics of Skidompha’s atrium, plus the seating “in the round”, make it a superior place to see and hear jazz, all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. It was while performing at Skidompha that the band decided to forge deeper into the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Trombonist Barney Balch began visiting the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. to work in their Ellington collection, digging out gems of these musical geniuses and bringing them back to life in summertime concerts.
The musicians of this group have been playing straight-ahead jazz for audiences throughout Maine (and beyond) for several decades. Collectively, they share over two centuries of experience in the jazz idiom. Performing at Skidompha will be Barney Balch (trombone), Dave Clarke (guitar), Mickey Felder (piano), Wells Gordon (acoustic bass), Bryan Jones (Alto Saxophone) and Mark Macksoud (drums). Ralph Norris will be making a guest appearance on tenor and baritone sax. Ralph is no stranger to Novel Jazz evenings at Skidompha. He has been an active professional saxophonist for the past 50-plus years, long a staple of the Maine jazz scene. He has regularly performed with many luminaries including the Don Doane and Terry White Big Bands, Tommy Gallant, Muriel Havenstein, legendary saxophonist Harry Allen, pianist Tom Snow (and many more). He has been conducting and composing for the Cape Elizabeth High School Jazz Program since 1997. Ralph’s specialty is the great American Songbook and he plays his tenor with a sound as silky as Stan Getz and as agile as Paul Gonsalves. Anyone who has heard Ralph knows they are in for a special treat!
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.
This promises to be a very special night of jazz. Come to Skidompha on 12 June as Novel Jazz marks a decade of swinging jazz at this wonderful library. And if you haven’t heard the band in a while, come see what the decade has done for Novel Jazz!
Novel Jazz Septet at Skidompha Public Library photo by Elaine Jones
Jazz up your SPRING at Skidompha Library! Novel Jazz Septet will be performing classic jazz at Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta, ME, on Thursday 24 April, 2014, 7PM to 9:30PM. The performance will feature Barney Balch (trombone), Mickey Felder (piano), Bryan Jones (alto sax), Dave Clarke (guitar), Michael Mitchell (trumpet), plus special guest Peter DeKlerk (acoustic bass) This evening begins their 2014 Skidompha season, 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.
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It has been a cool spring but get ready for some hot jazz! Novel Jazz returns to Skidompha Public Library, Main Street, Damariscotta on Thursday, 24 April 2014, from 7-9:30 PM for a special evening of jazz in the library’s atrium. This will be the band’s first Skidompha performance for 2014. These events 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. Collectively, they share over two centuries of experience in the jazz idiom.
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), Mark Macksoud (drums) and special guest Peter DeClerk (acoustic bass). Peter is an accomplished performer on both acoustic and electric bass, specializing in jazz and musical theater. He has performed regularly in clubs and theaters throughout Maine since moving his gig north from Pittsburgh five years ago. He works as a member of the Maine Jazz Cooperative and the Gerry Wright Trio in addition to freelancing. Peter teaches bass and electronic music at Colby College (and he also composes and does sound design for theater at Colby).
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 at Skidompha Library in April (Jazz Appreciation Month). They’ll put jazz in your spring and spring in your step!
The Novel Jazz Septet will be returning to the Frontier Café Cinema and Gallery, Fort Andross, Brunswick, ME, on Saturday, 6 July 2013 at 8:00PM for a special concert featuring the works of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, two pillars of the jazz world.
The band will highlight well-known tunes, plus rare, vintage gems, recently unearthed from original scores at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and re-interpreted for you at Frontier.
Aimsel Ponti of the Portland Press Herald hails Novel Jazz, “These are all seasoned jazz guys, and the result is a sound that made me sway, smile, groove, slow-dance with myself around the living room and play the air snare drums”.
Novel Jazz travels far and wide, keeping the spirit of Duke and ‘Sweet Pea alive and swinging! Go to www.explorefrontier.com/schedule/music for more information. Admission is $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Tickets are available at Frontier Café or by calling 207-725-5222. Seating is limited so advance ticket purchase is highly recommended.
More information and directions to the Frontier Café can be found at www.explorefrontier.com. Come to Frontier to celebrate some of America’s greatest music! (Photo by Peggy McKenna)
