Karen Somerville applies her considerable vocal talents to the realm of smooth jazz when she appears in “Smooth Play,” a concert with the Bratcher Project at The Mainstay in Rock Hall, Maryland on Saturday November 12 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $20. For information and reservations call 410-639-9133. Information and advance ticket sales are also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
Karen Somerville always delights audiences with each new program she brings to the Mainstay stage. This time she has invited bassist Vaughn Bratcher and the Bratcher project for an evening of smooth jazz, a style highlighting the rhythmic dance between vocals, wind, and a grooving backline.
Smooth jazz bubbles up in the place where late 19th and early 20th century jazz meet contemporary beats influenced by rhythm & blues, funk, rock & roll, and pop music styles. It is a genre hosted by such mainstream singers and musicians as Anita Baker, and Sade, Kenny G, and Dave Koz.
When asked about this Mainstay concert, Somerville said, “we’ll do pieces like Billie Holiday’s 1952 Speak Low and Don’t Explain” and that The Bratcher Project will bring classics like “Mr. Magic”, by Grover Washington Jr. and “Feel Like Makin’ Love” by Roberta Flack.
Bassist Vaughan Bratcher performed with a family teenaged group “The Uniques” in the late 60’s and went on to play in church and popular bands through high school and college. One of his Latin jazz compositions was recognized in the John Lennon international songwriting contest. His trio, Smooth Play, became known on the regional circuit in the last decade. He makes his home in Millington, MD. Joining Bratcher on bass will be Trendle Thomas on keyboards, Steve Garrison on sax and Daryl Reid on drums.
Somerville was born the second oldest of four children in rural Kent County, MD. She speaks proudly of the advantages of being reared in a small town; of close knit families, and everyone looking out for the other, of church services filled with praise.
Her love for music began at home, and was cultivated in church. She says, “Both of my parents played instruments and sang; that was how we entertained each other at home. It was our favorite pastime. My Pop Pop Emory played the accordion and harmonica though he called it a mouth-harp. He was awesome. He would sing and play for us, and make the sound of the train whistle blowing, the dogs barking, and would be telling a story all at the same time.”
“When I was barely in first grade, my Mom taught us to sing harmony; I remember it like yesterday. She would take us with her when she was asked to sing in churches around the County. My sister Cathy and brother Alton Jr. (Gary wasn’t born yet) and I would sing background for her as she played piano. I don’t know how we had the nerve, except she was so confident that we could do it well.”
Somerville’s recordings include “Love Cures” and “The New Gospelites, Every Day Is Sunday.” She is also a local historian who is the founder of the African American Schoolhouse Museum.
Most recently Somerville was in New York City with the local cast of Red Devil Moon, the original musical by Robert Earl Price and Pam Ortiz, as they did a week’s worth of shows as part of the Fringe NYC 2016 off-Broadway Festival.
No matter what she sings, an evening with Karen Somerville is always special as she inhabits each song, making every nuance and every phrase her own.
The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region. It is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Wine, beer, sodas and snacks are available at the bar.
The Mainstay is supported by ticket sales, fundraising including donations from friends and audience members and an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
For information and reservations call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. More information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
Upcoming Mainstay performances include:
Nov. 14 Mainstay Monday with guest David Sacks, trombone
Nov. 21 Mainstay Monday with guest Sue Matthews, vocals
Nov. 26 The Fred Hughes Trio – “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
Nov. 28 Mainstay Monday with Jeff Davis, guitar, bass and vocals
Dec. 3 The Chris Bergson Band
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