Just thought this was worth posting in this blog! Somerville is a city that supports the arts, and as a result is a very creative, busy and entertaining place to live and work. I have lived in a lot of towns, but Somerville is by far my favorite!
24 June 2009, 8:00 p.m., The Bruno Råberg Nonet at The Nave for Joe’s Jazz & Blues Fest
Bruno Raberg • buy tickets
$12, $10 students with ID
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Arts Council present: Joe’s Jazz & Blues Fest
Innovative bassist/composer Bruno Råberg will present a night of original music written for his all-stellar nonet. Råberg is a mainstay on the Boston scene and has 6 recordings in his name featuring Mick Goodrick, Donny McCaslin, Matt Wilson, Ben Monder, Chris Cheek and others. Featured are trumpeter Phil Grenadier who’s currently a member of guitarist John Scofiled Sextet, Allan Chase formerly with drum legend Rasheed Ali.
“Råberg knows how to make a nonet sing. [His] music moves in subltle, wave-like variations….colored by warm, pastel harmonies and tone colors” –Jon Garelick, Boston Phoenix
“Recommended new release” –David Adler, AllAboutJazz–New York
“Publisher’s Pick Of The Week” –Michael Ricci, AllAboutJAzz–New York
… but fruit flies like a bananna!
Whatever! It has been a whole six months since the last ARTSomerville update. Just because there hasn’t been an update, it doesn’t mean that we are slacking. We’ve been very very busy with live shows, many of which have been recorded and will appear on Jamendo.
There are around 10 new ARTSomerville albums on Jamendo since the last blog entry. Here are some highlights:
Improvising violinist Yael Bat-Shimon’s second album on Jamendo has been getting a lot of attention! She is joined by guitarist Ariel Burger for a new set of virtuoso pieces!
Ben Reynolds a songwriter, solo steel string guitarist and improviser from Scotland performs a short set of his beautiful acoustic pieces. He’s been getting great reviews from Jamendo listeners!
There isn’t a lot of classical music on Jamendo, and even less of it is classical music for voice. The recital “Songs in Autumn” has been well received by the fans here.
Here’s some old school psychedelic jam band music for you! No Such Animal is a collaboration between sax man Ken Field (Birdsongs of the Mesozoic) and guitarist Tim Mungenast, along with drummer Jon Proudman and bassist Michael Bloom. Listening to this, it is difficult to imagine that it was more than 90 F on the hot night that these guys played, and not a gentle breeze anywhere to be found! To top it off, Dr. T projected some crazy video onto the scene. 
And there’s much more coming up. In the works now is a rare performance by the vocal group Zefiro performing sacred music of the Renaissance. We’ve recently recorded an encore performance by indie singer / songwriter Tim Showalter and his band Strand of Oaks. We’ve got some other freaky performances in the can from Grizzler. Last week, the Metal and Glass Ensemble played a 90 minute piece that left the audience totally stunned! That’s just what we have in the works now!
Coming soon are new shows by Jason Anderson and some of our other regular performers, so you’ll definitely want to stay tuned!
We’ve got a busy month coming up in December…
On Friday, December 5 at 7:30pm, we will be hosting Allison Crowe’s Tidings Concert, a benefit for The Everyday Angels Foundation. Tickets for this show are only $10 if purchased in advance, or $12 at the door. Anyone who has seen Allison Crowe live will not want to miss this beautiful holiday concert, and the proceeds to to a worthy charity.
We have another big holiday show coming up on December 20 at 7pm, The Good Cheer Festival with performances by ARTSomerville favorite Jason Anderson. This show is free, but please come dressed for the holidays and ready to sing and share some good cheer!
The Nave Gallery also hosts the December Salon Art Sale on six dates from December 4 - December 14. It’s a good opportunity to buy some affordably priced original art, and we’ll also have performances by Milo Jones, John O’Hara, Audrey Ryan and The Milling Gowns. John and Audry are featured on Jamendo!
For more information, schedule of the December Salon and other events, please visit the ARTSomerville web site.
Stay warm! Happy holidays!
Randy
Hi ARTSomerville fans!
It’s a cold, cold day here in Somerville, MA! 27F, which for the rest of the world translates to - C. It feels much more like -3 to me anyway! It has actually warmed up from -6 C earlier today. It is -10C if you consider the wind chill!
I’ve been using my indoor time productively today. I just completed editing and uploading a new album by jazz singer Sandi Hammond. Sandi’s performance is from May 2, 2008, part of JazzBoston JazzWeek and the 3rd annual Somerville Open Studios Music Fest. Sandi Hammond recently gave another performance at The Nave with pianist Mark Shilansky, her vocal trio E.S.P., and Italian jazz singer Eleonora Bianchini (who I heard for the very first time! Eleonora is a big hit!).
I will be using this blog to inform Jamendo fans of ARTSomerville when I add new albums and to inform ARTSomerville fans of new performances… and to give updates on some of the music happening at The Nave!
Until my next blog entry, be good and stay warm!
-Randy
