The University Of Delaware Jazz Band with special guest Zack Smith on trumpet and cornet will lead off the Mainstay and Garfield Center’s “Jazz with all the Fixin’s,” a celebration of the music of New Orleans, with a tribute to the music of Louis Armstrong on
Sunday February 12 at 4:00 p.m. at the Mainstay. Admission is $15. For information and reservations call 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website .
Young pianist Michael Hong will open this concert with with Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” just before the jazz band takes the stage.
The University of Delaware Jazz Band is under the direction of Dr. Thomas Palmer. They have been working with noted Virgina trumpet player Zack Smith who wrote the charts and will be the featured soloist in this tribute to the music of Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars, a six piece band from the 40s.
Louis Armstrong was born into poverty in New Orleans in 1901, got his start playing in the street bands and clubs and listening to older musicians every chance he got, learning from Bunk Johnson, Buddy Petit, Kid Ory, and above all, Joe “King” Oliver. In 1922, he left New Orleans and joined King Oliver in Chicago in a move that changed the history of American popular music. He went on to international fame but New Orleans was never far from his thoughts. He is quoted as saying “Every time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine—I look right in the heart of good old New Orleans…It has given me something to live for.”
The celebration of the music of New Orleans will continue with “The Roots of the Music: From Gottschalk to Swamp Romp” a free informal discussion with music led by Tom McHugh on Thursday February 16 at 7:30pm at the Mainstay. The New Line Brass Band brings their bluesy, brassy sounds inspired by the music of a New Orleans street parade to the Mainstay on Saturday February 18 at 8:00 p.m. This is followed by a free concert on Monday February 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mainstay with the U.S. Army Blues Swamp Romp, a part of the U. S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.” The festival concludes with a Mardi Gras Dance Party with music by the Dixie Power Trio – costumes encouraged – at the Garfield Center at the Prince on Saturday February 25.
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), non profit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall and the surrounding region and 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 for all events except the dance call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. Tickets for the Mardi Gras Dance Party are available from the Prince Box Office at 410-810-2060. More information is also available at the Mainstay’s website.
Upcoming Mainstay performances include:
Feb. 12 University of Delaware Jazz Ensemble with Zack Smith
Feb. 16 “The Music of New Orleans” discussion with Tom McHugh
Feb. 18 The New Line Brass Band
Feb. 20 US Army Blues Swamp Romp
Feb. 23 Conservatory Classic Jazz Band
Feb. 26 Potomac Guitar Trio
March 3 Jazz Samba – a tribute to the Stan Getz / Charlie Byrd album at 50 with Scott Silbert, Nate Najar, Chuck Redd and Tommy Cecil
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