Concerts on the Waterfront
Presented by the Sackets Harbor Historical Society every summer Sunday afternoon at the Battlefield State Park in Sackets Harbor.
Concerts on the Waterfront is a free program of the Sackets Harbor Historical Society. Major sponsors for the series are the Watertown Savings Bank, the Village of Sackets Harbor and the Town of Hounsfield Committee for the Advancement of Tourism. This event is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Decentralization program, administered in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties by the St Lawrence County Council on the Arts. Additional support is from businesses and organizations throughout the North Country, and our tradition of “Pass the Hat“.
All concerts are held from three to five o’clock on Sunday afternoons at the Battlefield State Park in the village. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, picnics welcomed. Rain site is the United Presbyterian Church.
For 27 years, the Sackets Harbor Historical Society has presented the Concerts on the Waterfront series in Sackets Harbor. In honor of the thousands who have attended over the years, we have brought back audience favorites this year, plus new groups that are sure to become favorites,
2011 Summer Schedule
Frank Sacci’s Big Band- June 26, 2011
The area’s best known big band with swinging music and vocals. Hear the music of Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie and Benny Goodman, others from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.
On Sunday June 26, The Sackets Harbor Historical Society opens its 26th year with Frank Sacci and his celebrated big band. Frank has played in the concert series since its inception and has opened the series for the past six years. Frank and his Orchestra are a local institution, having performed at the Mayor’s Ball for 22 years. Before retiring to Florida for the winters, he conducted the Jefferson Community College Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.
At the waterfront concert, Frank will present the music of Harry James, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman, making for a delightful and nostalgic afternoon. Look for Dan Mosier to step out of the trombone section to sing some Sinatra favorites. Expect some patriotic standards as well as we anticipate Independence Day celebrations.
Returning again this year is vocalist Laura Atkinson from Harrisville. Laura taught piano and voice in the Lowville area until she took some time off to raise her young family. Her mother in law, Shelene Atkinson of the Atkinson Family Bluegrass Band, enticed her to sing for co-worker Tim Savage, baritone sax player in Frank’s big band. Tim made the connection with Frank, and Laura found herself on center stage at JCC’s Mayor’s Ball.
A child of Army and Air Force parents, Laura has lived in 22 communities before settling in Harrisville with husband Adam, who plays mandolin in the Atkinson Family Bluegrass Band. She began lessons in voice while a student at the Rome Free Academy and was selected to sing in the chorus at the All Eastern Conference in Philadelphia PA. While earning her degree in music from Crane, she sang progressive R&B in Adam’s band GIRTH. The musical selections for the Sacci performance will lean more to the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and Doris Day, selections known and loved by big band followers.
The Bear Cat Jass Band – July 3, 2011
Early jazz and authentic Dixieland from the oldest traditional jazz band in Central New York. Music originally recorded between 1917 and 1935. Includes music of Jelly Roll Morton, Lu Watters and early swing of Duke Ellington
The Sackets Harbor Concerts on the Waterfront series continues on July 3rd with a presentation by The Bear Cat Jass Band. “Jass” is the original spelling of jazz, and the Bear Cats are original in two ways: their music is authentic early jazz and Dixieland; and the Bear Cat Jass Band is the oldest traditional jazz band in Central New York. They have been performing since 1957 under the direction of Dick Ames, cornet and trombonist.
Bill Palange is on trombone and vocals, Tom McKay and Carl Borek are each on clarinet, soprano, alto and bass sax, Drew Frech is on both tenor and Plectrum banjo and vocals, Jerry Exline on Piano and tuba and Vocals with Joe Smithling on drums and Jeff Stockham, well known in central and upstate New York, is the trumpeter.
Leader Dick Ames promises a full afternoon with great harmonies from the clarinet section, augmented with a bass from, not a tuba, but two bass saxophones. Jeff Stockton’s cornet will have his say too. This spring, Jeff toured Europe as he has so often before, performing at major international jazz festival and concert venues with jazz luminaries like Herbie Hancock, Bobby Watson, Joe Henderson and Gerri Allen.
The Bear Cat’s repertoire includes jazz classics by Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver and Louis Armstrong, numbers from the “trad revival” era of Lu Watters and Clancy Hayes and the early swing of Duke Ellington and others. They mix in the blues, stomps, ballads, rags, cakewalks and foxtrots of the period through 1935, along with the more organized hot dance band numbers of the twenties. Early recordings serve as an inspiration and guide to the Bear Cats. Some of the old recordings they reference include: The Original Dixieland Jass Band which made its first recordings in 1917; the recordings of Joe “King” Oliver and his Creole Jazz Band of 1923; the New Orleans Rhythm Kings from Chicago who were popular in 1921; and Jelly Roll Morton and his Red Hot Peppers.
In March 2012, The Bear Cat Jass Band will celebrate its 55th year playing in and around Syracuse with a celebration concert scheduled in Camillus at McNamara’s Pub. This spring, the group played at the Canastota Library as they have for the past 20 years, and have gigs for parks concerts in Liverpool and Homer. The band has played twice for the Ragtime Jazz Festival in Alex Bay and from 2001 through 2006 played for the Flower City Jazz Society at the Party House in Rochester. Throughout the years, they have played in Washington DC for the Potomac River Jazz Club, the New Jersey Jazz Society and the Great Northeast Jazz Festival, the annual Fingerlakes Jazz Fest, and at Charlie Bertini’s Apple Jazz Fest at Dwyer Memorial Park at Little York Lake in 1997.
Trumpeter Dick Ames, at 91, is the only original member of the 8 piece group, and is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable ambassador for this thoroughly American art. “I wish we had three hours to play”, he says of this two hour gig on the Battlefield State Park. “We have so many excellent pieces to play.” Syracuse based SAMMY award winner Maria De Santis says they are “the real thing”.
The eight piece band will perform in Sackets on July 3, in celebration of American music. The project is one of 11 concerts in the Sackets Harbor Historical Society’s Concerts on the Waterfront, presented on Sunday afternoons on the spacious tree lined lawn of the Battlefield State Park located within the village.
Ioan Harea, Classical Gypsy – July 10, 2011
A virtuoso violinist who performs worldwide, Ioan Harea is a faculty member at the Crane School of Music and a member of the Orchestra of NNY. He will perform gypsy music and tangos with a string quintet made up of other Crane professors.
The Sackets Harbor Historical Society continues its 27th season of the Concerts on the Waterfront on Sunday July 10 with a mesmerizing presentation by Ioan Harea’s and his Classic Gypsy Quintet
Ioan Harea, faculty member at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, and a member of the Orchestra of Northern New York, is a virtuoso violinist who performs throughout the world. He will present a program of classic gypsy violin music with a string quintet (two violins, viola, cello and bass) made up of other Crane professors, who are: John Lindsey, violin; Nancy Peshko violin; Harold Levine, viola; Mathias Wexler, cello and Harry Schenwolf, bass
Harea’s website quotes a Watertown Daily Times review: “…There was nothing he could not do with a violin. …A violin sounding like birds? He did it. He seemed one with his instrument, and coaxed every imaginable sound from it…the audience was ecstatic…”
Originally from Romania, Harea arrived in Canada in 1986 via Venezuela where he was Associate Concertmaster of The Municipal Symphony Orchestra of Caracas, Venezuela from 1979 -1986, as well as violin professor at the Emil Friedman School.
A brilliant and versatile violinist, Ioan Harea performs as soloist and as a chamber musician in Canada, the United States, Venezuela, Italy, France, Romania and Spain. He is the founder and leader of The Harea String Quartet and The Virtuosi Orchestra and has performed for very distinguished audiences including Prime Ministers of Canada Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin, as well as George W Bush, Vicente Fox, Helmut Schroeder and Vladimir Putin.
He has recorded 6 CDs: “Ballade” (violin and piano), “Classic Gypsy” (violin and symphony orchestra), “Sentimental Strings” (string quartet), “Versatility” (various instruments in “duo” with violin) and “Unaccompanied” (solo violin) all of which show the wide range of styles in which he performs. “Unaccompanied” was chosen by Richard Todd, arts critic for The Ottawa Citizen, as a 2005 “Best Buy” for classical recordings. Ioan Harea is the featured artist on The Virtuosi Productions Concert Series at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
Mr. Harea has been acclaimed all across Canada for “CLASSIC GYPSY”, a unique programming of virtuoso classical favorites, combined with Ioan’s exclusive arrangements of “gypsy” music, tangos and jazz, be it accompanied by Orchestra, string quintet or piano. He has performed “CLASSIC GYPSY” in Canada with the symphonies of Kamloops, Kootenays, Okanagan, Cranbrooke, Prince George, North Bay, Sudbury, Peterborough, Ottawa and Sault Ste. Marie; as well as with the International and York Symphonies, the Hamilton Philharmonic, the Vivace Touring Orchestra, and L’Orchestre de Chambre de Hull, Québec. He has toured “CLASSIC GYPSY” in recital with piano in 17 cities in Ontario, 8 cities in British Columbia, in Winnipeg Manitoba and in Gatineau Quebec. He also gave 3 performances of “CLASSIC GYPSY” to sold out audiences for Hill and Hollow Music in Plattsburgh, New York.
A citizen of Canada, Venezuela and Romania, Ioan Harea presently resides in Ottawa, Canada where he works as a soloist, concertmaster, studio musician and teacher. On the international scene, IOAN HAREA has toured and performed as guest artist in Italy, France, Spain, Romania, New York State, New York City, Michigan and Venezuela.
In March 2000 Mr Harea traveled to Romania, under the auspices of the Canadian Embassy in Bucharest. He performed the Beethoven Concerto with the Ploiesti Philharmonic, Ravel Tzigane and Sarasate Ziguenerweisen with the Craiova Philharmonic, as well as giving a recital in Bucharest, which was recorded by Romanian National Radio. In 2003, he performed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with the Virtuosi Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada. He toured in France as guest artist with The Trio Chaudiere, as well as performing with The Nice Philharmonic.
Works to be included on the program come from around the world: Sunday’s performance will include Two Guitars (traditional Russian); La Cumparsita), Por Una Cabeza and Jalousie (Tangos); Pony Express, Doina Oltului and Whistle Hora, (all traditional Romanian); Balada Porumbescu (Romania); Monti Czardas ( traditional Hungarian); Zigeunerweissen (Gypsy Airs); Sarasate (Spain); Hot Canary; Manha de Carnaval; Bonfa (Brazil); Hungarian Dance No 7 Brahms; and The Lark (traditional Romanian).
Atlas – July 17, 2011
We welcome back an audience favorite – Atlas – a big brassy party band from Syracuse. Dance on the Battlefield to favorites from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s: Motown, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power and other great 20th century hits.
The Sackets Harbor Historical Society continues it 27th season of the Concerts on the Waterfront on Sunday July with a performance by ATLAS, the big and brassy band that is one of the all-time favorites in this series. Atlas highlights 20th century music ranging from Earth Wind and Fire and Tower of Power to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to the Motown Era.
Formed in 1981 as the Atlas Linen Company, the nine piece lineup includes founder George Feldman on the trombone, John Kowalczyk on the trumpet, Gerry More on the saxophone, Anthony Gordon on drums, Max McKee new on bass this year, Peter Isaac on guitar, Eric Miller on keyboard, and Andre Johnson and Julianne Holiday on vocals. “We love to come to Sackets” says Feldman. “There’s such a range to the audience, and we play to that, with swing to pop.”
This is the ninth year that Atlas has appeared in the Sackets series. Its blend of Motown, oldies, big band, jazz and disco is one of the most popular events of the summer. The Concerts on the Waterfront is a free program of the Sackets Harbor Historical Society. Major sponsors for the series are the Watertown Savings Bank, the village of Sackets Harbor and the Town of Hounsfield Committee for the Advancement of Tourism. This event is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Decentralization program, administered in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties by the St. Lawrence County Council on the Arts. Additional support is from businesses and organizations throughout the North Country, and our tradition of “Pass the Hat“.
Tas Cru – Americana Blues and Country – July 24, 2011
With a passion for roots music, guitarist and vocalist Tas Cru brings a seven piece group to perform an eclectic mix of original country and rockin’ blues. His poetic blues tug at your heartstrings, but expect pieces laced with humor and double entendres too!
Tas Cru will bring his humor laced blues to Sackets on July 24 the with a seven piece group of Northern New York based musicians on bass, drums, guitar and keyboard, featuring Tas on vocals, harmonica and resonator guitar. Also performing are Chip Lamson on vocals and keyboard; Andy Hearn on Drums, Mike Lawrence on Bass; Jeremy Walz on Guitar, with Meaghan Janovsky and Laura Gilbert on Vocals
Guitarist and vocalist Tas Cru (Rick Bates from Northern New York) writes an eclectic mix of country blues and rockin’ blues and delivers it with a characteristic gritty rasp. Yet his voice is sweet and resonant, his music humorous and full of double entendres. Tas’ vocals are described as “powerful and emotional, with a smoky quality that is as well suited to ballads as howlers”.
Passionate about roots music, he has traveled from New Orleans to the Maritimes listening to the masters. Baptized into the blues on the West coast with an Arkansas bluesman, Delray Streeter, Tas then moved on to the East Coast. Here he played small cities and towns in and around “potato country”– Quebec, Maine and the Canadian Maritimes. (hence his moniker: Tas Cru is Quebecois roughly translated as “raw potato”)
He has been called “the master of the triple entendre.” His songs are eccentric, quirky, and sometimes boldly irreverent with a repertoire that is equal parts power, passion, and pure fun. This combined with his soulful voice and skillful guitar work has earned him his reputation as a bonafide “triple threat.”
Chip Lamson joins him on keyboard, a graduate of the Crane School of Music, whose academic credentials in jazz and classical music are atypical for a blues sideman. Lamson spent his formative years in and near Madison, WI. His influences are mainly jazz, gospel and r&b and he is “a master at adding color and sparkle in ways that are at once traditional (Otis Spann) and innovative (Ray Charles)”. A few years back, Tas Cru was the front man and Chip Lamson played keyboard for the Conrad Story Blues Band, the borderland’s premier blues band, now disbanded. Their appearances were staples at the region’s four college campuses, the area’s clubs, and summer festivals/concerts, including Sackets Harbor’s Concerts on the Waterfront.
Last November, Tas Cru released his fourth CD in a series evoking a Sunday dinner metaphor. The album titles, and songs within, highlight his talent for double entendre: Biscuit 2006, gravi-Tas 2008, Grizzle n’ Bone 2009 and Jus’ Desserts 2010. Reviews for all his CD’s have been enthusiastic.
“gravi-Tas “ (2008) builds on the traditional flavor of his solo acoustic 2006 CD, “Biscuit,” Both CDs enjoyed wide airplay on XM Radio’s BB King’s Bluesville -especially “gravi-Tas” that was a “Pick to Click”. (April thru July, 2008) Both CDs were reviewed in the premiere blues magazines, Blues Revue and Living Blues. Blues Revue noted, “Listening to gravi-Tas will create a strong desire to see Cru live. The album is a multi-course feast of the down-home variety: friendly, welcoming, and direct” (Genevieve Williams) and “A keeper. Fine resonator work both slide and finger style supports an insightful batch of songs.”(Tom Hyslop). Living Blues reviewer Dave Ruthenberg said, “On intricate resonator finger-picking or some smoky electric slide, Cru scores consistently.”.
“Grizzle n’ Bone” (named by Downbeat Magazine as one of its top CDs for 2010) generated serious blues world buzz making its way onto a variety of US and International roots music radio charts and with great reviews from the blues media including Downbeat, Blues Revue, Blues Festival Guide, and the UK’s Blues Matters!. Responses include: “Tas Cru has the soul of a poet” (Downbeat) “His most varied collection to date, all delivered with conviction and a welcome dose of wry wit” (Blues Revue) and “This will definitely sit at the top of my best of list at the end of the year” ( Blues Matters!). Grizzle n’ Bone came hard on the heels of Cru being named by Blues Festival Guide as 2009′ Blues Artist on the Rise.
Of his new album, “Jus’ Desserts”, Dave Rubin (2005 KBA – Journalism) writes, “Indeed, fans who enjoy their blues with literate, saucy, profound lyrics are the lucky ones in store for a sumptuous, satisfying treat. Jus’ Desserts are the kind that sticks to the ribs and the soul.” Chris Spector of the Midwest Record writes, “One of those dangerous infectious, outsider/offbeat things you can’t classify or quantify but fall under the spell of, that’s what this is. . ., this is going to blind side you into having one of the best times you’ve had in a while.” Another review…… He “delivers a beauty here, the quality of this album shines through, the playing is exemplary and the material fits together like a glove, a real listening pleasure. The album has a New Orleans blues feel with just a light touch of Jazz, non-aggressive blues that has a very sharp edge, aided by a crystal clear sound, the material is mostly upbeat, with a couple of slower numbers, one of which; “Time and Time” is a classic. In the sleeve notes Tas highlights that each of the supporting musicians were encouraged to compose much of their own parts and contributed to the arrangements, this has I am sure helped create the relaxed atmosphere this album creates, while Tas covers vocals, Harmonica and acoustic/electric guitars, the highlight for me is Jeremy Walz who provides some tasteful slide guitar on a couple of tracks. Often when reviewing albums you have to dig deep and work hard to find any positives, this album just throws them up track after track; at times Tas reminds me of the great Duke Robillard in the way he eases the notes out of his guitar; his song writing follows the ’story telling’ approach and for blues there is plenty of humor here.If there is any justice in the blues world, this album deserves to get its ‘just deserts’ and be nominated for album/artist of the year.”
“Jus Desserts” shows that the testimony is well deserved. The eleven original songs cover the range of what has become expected from Cru – eccentric, quirky, and sometimes boldly irreverent – songs with equal parts power, passion, and pure hilarity.
Noteworthy 2010 festival performances include Billtown Blues Festival, Kalamazoo Blues Festival and the Chattauqua Hills Blues Festival. 2010 club appearances include Rum Boogie Cafe (Memphis, TN), Ground Zero Blues Club (Clarksdale, MS), Uncle Bo’s (Topeka, KS), Caffe Lena (Saratoga, NY) and Blackeyed Sally’s (Hartford, CT).
The Norwood Firemen Brass Band – July 31, 2011
The pride of Norwood, celebrating its 66th year! The 22 member band appear in snappy blue firemen’s uniforms and play old timey tunes with trumpets, trombones, tubas, baritone horn, a bass horn, cymbals and drums. The Norwood band played at the 1984 Winter Olympics.
The Norwood Firemen Brass Band is the pride of Norwood. In 2011 the Band will celebrate its 66th year of bringing old timey toe tapping tunes to the people of Northern New York. Founded by Fred Morgan in 1945, the 22 piece brass band appear in snappy blue firemen’s uniforms (many are volunteer firefighters and they are sponsored by the Norwood Fire Department). Their band boasts multiple trumpets and trombones, tubas, baritone horns, a bass horn, cymbals, drums, and a “dancing” sousaphone!
They have a rich history. In 1979 the band was invited to play in Albany, New York and their performance was telecast across the state. In 1980, the band was invited by former Congressman David O’Brien Martin to play in Washington, DC on the Capitol steps and also at the Lincoln Memorial. In 1982 they were invited back to Washington DC to play for then First Lady Nancy Reagan. The next year, they performed at the International Luge event held in Lake Placid, New York where they drew notice from the US Olympic Committee (USOC). They were invited to play at the 1984 Winter Olympics. Over 150 men have belonged to the band since 1945.
This concert tops off the eighth annual Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site’s War of 1812 Weekend held all day Saturday until 1pm on Sunday. Visitors enjoy authentic presentations in a lively, fun filled atmosphere.
The 10th Mountain Army Band – August 7, 2011
These professional Soldier-Musicians are trained and ready to deploy anywhere in the world. Stateside, the musicians of the 10th Mountain Division Band provide a wide range of musical entertainment for the Soldiers, as well as for the citizens of the North Country. Deployment status is unknown at this time.
On August 7th, the Sackets Harbor Historical Society proudly presents the 10th Mountain Division band. These professional Soldier-Musicians are trained and ready to deploy anywhere in the world.
Stateside, the musicians of the 10th Mountain Division Band provide a wide range of musical entertainment for the Soldiers, as well as for the citizens of the North Country. In addition to the Marching and Ceremonial Band, the 10th Mountain Band can also field an array of diverse performing groups such as: Stage Band, Rock Band, Jazz Combo, Salsa Band, Dixieland Band, Brass Quintet, and even solo piano and guitar.
This is the sixteenth appearance by the 10th Mountain band in the Sackets Concert series; they first played in 1989. From patriotic marches to pop, Sinatra standards to salsa, there’s something for everyone. Sackets is fortunate to be included as part of their impressive summer schedule of community appearances,
The Flyin’ Column - August 14, 2011
For 34 years The Column has carried on the cause of Irish music in Central New York. With a performance style that owes much to the “Ould Guard” of lrish and American folk music, they perform at the better Saloons and Irish Festivals in New York State.
On August 14, the Sackets Harbor Historical Society’s Concerts on the Waterfront will present The Flyin’ Column, named for those bands of Irish heroes who helped carry on the vision of Irish freedom.
For 36 years The Column has carried on the cause of Irish music in Central New York. With a performance style that owes much to the “Ould Guard” of lrish and American folk music, The Flyin’ Column performs at the better Saloons and Irish Festivals in New York State.
For the past three decades The Flyin’ Column has started the show with “Come In” and ended the program with “Good Bye Mike, Good Bye Pat”. The in-between has always been a mix of waltzes, sing-a-longs, and Irish ballads. With The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Rovers and The Corrie Folk Trio as mentors, The Column has taken the traditional songs of Ireland, Scotland and North America and created a style of their own. Expect to hear “The Black Velvet Band”, “No Nay Never”, and “The Cobbler” at the performance.
And while the traditional music of Ireland is The Column’s musical mainstay, some American Folk music and Country and Western may sneak into the mix.
Bill Delaney has been with The Flyin’ Column almost from the start. Besides being a fine dancer Bill is also a gifted Kayaker. Recently he set a new Ox Creek Record for the most consecutive eskimo rolls with one breath of air. Bill is the official spokesman for The Flyin’ Column. Bill plays 6 and 12 string guitar and sings lead and harmony vocals. Bill is a Syracuse native but has recently relocated to Fulton, NY.
Don Meixner has been a performer of Folk Music in Central New York for 30 years. He started performing at Auburn Community College in 1971 and has performed on stages like The Auburn A.O.H and The Low Life Cafe in Oswego, NY. Don has been a fan of Irish and Scots Folk Music since high school so when the opportunity to join The Column presented itself 22 years ago he jumped at the chance. Don is also a working silversmith and lives in Jordan, NY.
Jimmy Flynn is a native of Camillus, New York. Performing in a number of West Side rock bands throughout the late sixties and early seventies, his influences have included; The Beatles, The Buckinghams, and Chicago Transit Authority, as well as The Electric Flag. In 1978 he was asked to “fill in” with The Flyin’ Column for six months. His contributions in sound and rock & roll material led to a full time position with the band.
Jim’s bass playing helps to lay the foundation of the Column’s distinctive sound. He shares lead vocal responsibilities and contributes to the harmony sound the band is noted for.
Amy Gallatin and the Stillwaters Band – August 21, 2011
Amy and resophonic guitarist Roger Williams headline this country/bluegrass band. JD Williams and veteran bassist Eric Levenson round out the country sound. A toe-tapping blend of heartfelt vocals, soaring harmonies and red-hot picking.
On August 21, the Sackets Harbor Historical Society’s Concerts on the Waterfront series is happy to welcome acoustic country/folk/bluegrass artist Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters.
Amy is at home singing various musical styles — country, folk, bluegrass or western swing–branding each song with soulful sincerity. Her influences are diverse, ranging from old and contemporary cowboy tunes learned out West, to great country artists like Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, and the Everly Brothers, with even a dash of blues influence thrown in–Koko Tay Katie Wilson, BB King, and Shemekiah.
The Stillwaters musicians includes resophonic guitarist Roger Williams, Roger’s son J.D., and veteran bassist Eric Levenson, formerly with Joe Val and the New England bluegrass Boys and later with Boston City Limits.
Born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Amy lived in several states before settling in the West, where she was raised. During her ten years in Idaho and Montana, she had had the good fortune of being able to work at two of her loves in life: horses and music; Amy helped to organize the horseback riding programs and was the featured entertainer at various guest ranches. Her performing background had been as a solo artist out West prior to her meeting some Connecticut musicians while wintering in New England in 1992.
With that Connecticut connection came the opportunity to tour as a working unit, so Amy packed her guitar and moved east in the fall of 1993 to pursue her music. She joined up with renowned resophonic guitarist Roger Williams, veteran of the White Mountain Bluegrass, Southern Rail, Blue Diamond and the New England Bluegrass Bands.Together since then, Amy and Roger blend their voices in classic country duets old and new along with showcasing many of Roger’s originals.
Four albums later (including a live album and a project recorded in Nashville with ace producer Rich Adler), Amy Gallatin and her band Stillwaters have taken the stage at some of the most prestigious venues in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Their 2009 tour of The Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Denmark–the band’s fourth overseas tour–drew extremely enthusiastic crowds at house concerts, music clubs, theaters, country & bluegrass festivals. They have twice had the honor of representing the United States as the featured performers at the European World of Bluegrass convention in The Netherlands.
American radio host Ed Mckeon says: “Amy’s vocals, with the power and tone of her voice, are tempered by Roger’s baritone which has been sanded smooth by cigarettes and…maturity. The song selections are perfect, the harmonies glorious, the sentiments wonderfully maudlin (like any good old county song)”.
Roger Williams started playing the resophonic, Dobro style guitar in1963, when he was just a young teenager. Within the first year, he had already debuted with The Lilly Bros. and Don Stover at the Hillbilly Ranch in Boston, Mass. where they had performed for nearly two decades. Since then he has gone on to perform and/or record with many well respected Bluegrass and folk acts on the national and international circuit, including Don Stover,White Mountain Bluegrass, Hazel Dickens, Joe Val, Bill Harrell, Wyatt Rice, Delia Bell & Bill Grant, Southern Rail, Ray Legere, Mark Schatz, Mac Wiseman,The New England Bluegrass Band, Salamander Crossing, Slavek Hanzlik, Mark Erelli, Hiro Arita and others.
Career highlights include eleven overseas tours with various artists, including a performance at the prestigious Dobro Festival in Slovakia, and teaching workshops during Bluegrass Week at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, WV. Roger has recorded three solo projects: ‘Fireball’, ‘Rt. 2 To Amherst’, and ‘River Of No Return’, a collaboration with long-time friend and musical associate Ray Legere. Most recently, Roger has been involved in CMH label’s ‘Pickin’ On’ series, where different musical genres are interpreted in the bluegrass vein. About Roger, Bluegrass Unlimited magazine has said: “Williams, like all great acoustic slide players, can be mellow and lingering or crisp and jaunty. He’s also a very fine singer (with) more than a little of Merle Haggard in voice and emotion.”
J.D.William joined his father as a full time member of Stillwaters on mandolin and guitar. JD grew up steeped in the Williams family tradition, learning multiple instruments at a very early age thanks to his dad’s influence. Today he exhibits a youthful style all his own with jazz and blues influences, and the family on-stage chemistry is magic!
Bassist Eric Levenson’s bluegrass pedigree is road-tested and solid, having played bass for the estimable Joe Val and the New England Boys for 8 years, during which they toured extensively overseas and in the US, including numerous appearances on Prairie Home Companion on National Public Radio. A recipient of the Boston Bluegrass Union’s Heritage award, he has toured and/or recorded with Bill Grant and Delia Bell, Hazel Dickens, Jack Tottle, Jim and Jennie and the Pinetops, Orrin Starr, and Boston City Limits, as well as a previous stint with Stillwaters back in the 90’s. As if playing with us is not enough, he keeps busy near his home base in the Boston area by playing in numerous area bands (Boston City Limits and the Charles River Boys) and by anchoring the hugely popular weekly Bluegrass Picking Party at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, MA.
In his alternate life, Eric has pursued an award-winning career as a theatrical set and lighting designer for theater and a scenic artist for motion pictures, and is a recipient of the prestigious Elliot Norton Design Award given annually by Boston theater critics. In addition to having served as a member of the theater staffs of the Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory, Wellesley College, Harvard and MIT, he has designed close to 500 shows, including plays and operas (and one circus!), including the WGBH Celtic Sojourn Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day shows and 20 years of Revels, a national arts organization with production arms in nine cities across the country, producing community and seasonal celebrations. He has contributed to such movies as Gone Baby Gone, Twenty-One, Underdog, The Departed, Mystic River, The Perfect Storm, Amistad, and Good Will Hunting, among others.
Kim and Reggie Harris – August 28, 2011
African-American musicians and storytellers combine a strong folk and gospel legacy with a solid background in classical, rock, jazz and pop music. They perform Gospel and songs of freedom with stories of the Underground Railroad and the modern civil rights movement.
On August 28, African American musicians and storytellers Kim and Reggie Harris perform as the tenth concert in its 2011 series of Concerts on the Waterfront. The duo combine a strong folk and gospel legacy with a solid background in classical, rock, jazz and pop music. These dynamic and superbly talented traditional folk performers tell the story of the Underground Railroad and the modern civil rights movement in song and story. They have earned the respect and love of audiences throughout the US, Canada and Europe as they blend their talents as singers, songwriters, educators, interpreters of history and cultural advocates.
For over thirty years, this celebrated wife/husband duo have been performing in schools, films, festivals, at workshops and on stage. With eight CD releases on the Folk Era and Appleseed Recordings labels and with materials developed in their work with the Kennedy Center, Kim and Reggie are recognized pioneers, lecturers and contributors in historical and educational circles and are featured on compilations, films and education projects worldwide.
They have performed with Pete Seeger, Ysaye Barnwell, Jay Leno, Tom Paxton, Bernice Johnson Reagon, and Harry Belafonte.
Their website kimandreggie.com chronicles their journey and notable appearances. “Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, a city rich in cultural and musical heritage, Kim and Reggie’s early exposure to the diversity of musical styles and genres was nurtured in the schools and churches of their youth.
As a result of their CDs “Steal Away” and “Get On Board” (Appleseed Recordings) and materials developed in their work with the Kennedy Center, Kim and Reggie have earned wide acclaim for their contributions to the resources and knowledge base —in historical and educational circles—on the Underground Railroad and the modern civil rights movement.”
Kim is presently pursuing a Ph.D. at Union Theological Seminary in NYC and both continue to write, record and produce music as a means to promote creativity, joy, social responsibility and understanding in the world community.
Testimonials abound for their performances: The Philadelphia Daily News observed: “Kim and Reggie inspire a sense of joy and exhilaration that lifts the soul… makes you want to sing and celebrate your neighbor!! Music that makes you come alive!”
Recent and upcoming performances include the 10th anniversary conference on the Underground Railroad Movement at Russell Sage College in Troy; the Smithsonian Institution workshop for teachers of History in Corning NY and several concerts in cities across the nation, including Birmingham, Alabama, St Augustine, Florida, and Williamstown Massachusetts.
Kim and Reggie recently performed for the opening session of the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region in Albany, New York. On Saturday, May 21, 2011, they will be at the Ashoken Center for the Hudson Valley, NY Civil War Days. In July, they will be at the Albuquerque (NM) Folk Festival where they will sing two 45-minute sets and Kim will lead the gospel singing workshop. Appearances at the Folk Harbour Festival in Lunenburg Nova Scotia and the New Bedford (MA) Whaling Historical Park are also scheduled for this summer.
Audiences at venues such as The Kennedy Center, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Smithsonian Institute, the Reunion Arena in Texas, the Psalm Festival in Graz, Austria—along with numerous theatre arts centers, festivals, universities and schools—have given this inspiring duo standing ovations for their vibrant performances.
The Mario de Santis Orchestra – September 4, 2011
Syracuse’s premier Big Band presents great music of the last 30 years. Great vocals and excellent musicianship.
Sackets Harbor Historical Society’s Concerts on the Waterfront conclude its 27th anniversary year as they have for the past eight years: the Mario de Santis Orchestra will perform with its signature big band sound and fabulous vocals from daughter Maria de Santis, Keith Condon and blues artist Israel Hagan. This is the orchestra’s 62nd year performing in and around Syracuse. They have opened for many big name performers and are well known for their memorable performances at festivals, black tie galas and Syracuse’s many concert series.
The orchestra gave its first performance at Lincoln Auditorium in Syracuse on May 22, 1947, and continues with its repertoire of jazz to contemporary music. It features special arrangements of big band, swing, 60’s and 70’s, jazz and current selections that are custom written each year by Jay Owen and Joe Riposo. The deSantis Orchestra has provided 25 to 36 piece backups for national artists such as Marvin Hamlisch, Bernadette Peters, Natalie Cole and Little Anthony.
Joining pianist-conductor Mario de Santis, who has earned a Syracuse area music award for lIfetime achievement, are vocalist Keith Condon; Maria deSantis, 2005 SAMMY hall of fame winner; multiple SAMMY winner Israel Hagan; SAMMY winning guitarist Mark Copani; bassist Dave Welch and Sammy winner Jimmy Johns. The sax section features SAMMY hall of famer Joe Riposo, Brian Scherer, Dick Simiele, and Paul Dipastena. Trumpeteers include Steve Carney, Bull Crist and Tony Godaoy. The trombonist is Bill Palange; stage manager and sound engineer is Rob Cleland.
For concert information, contact the Sackets Harbor Visitors’ Center at (315) 646-2321.