The style, grace and heartfelt vocals of Karen Somerville combine with the superb phrasing of jazz guitarist Donato Soviero for an evening of jazz standards at The Mainstay in Rock Hall, Maryland on Saturday November 21 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $20. For information and reservations call 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
Karen Somerville
Karen Somerville presents “Heart Strings,” an evening of heartfelt jazz standards, some straight-ahead, some with a bossa nova or samba flair and some with a crossover appeal. Joining her is DC area jazz guitarist Donato Soviero, Robert Ortiz on percussion and Tom Anthony on bass.
During the last year, Somerville has appeared in the concert presentation of the music from the new musical “Red Devil Moon”, an original musical adaptation of Jean Toomer’s classic 1923 novel “Cane” by Robert Earl Price with music by Pam Ortiz. She’ll include a song from the musical in this show and maybe tell a story about singing backup for Stevie Wonder recently.
Mainstay founder, Tom McHugh describes Somerville as “a jazz singer, par excellence.” She is a favorite of regional audiences for her jazz vocals that are by turns sweet, sassy and sultry. She has received high praise for her gospel performances with Sombarkin and the New Gospelites and for her stunning performance as Bob Kaufman’s muse in Robert Earl Price’s play “The Golden Sardine.”
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.
Donato Soviero has been working in and around the DC area for twenty years as a performer. Noted for his artistry as a guitarist and composer, his versatility affords him equal comfort in many venues, both as bandleader and sideman.
As a teenager, his inspiration to play the guitar came from Wes Montgomery, and Jimi Hendrix. Later, Joe Pass, Howard Roberts, and Emily Remler were among his teachers. A resident of the Washington D.C. area since 1982, he has appeared with top local and national artists, as well as leading many of his own groups in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. Local venues include the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Bohemian Caverns, and The Smithsonian’s Imax Jazz Cafe.
His recordings include a self-titled CD, several features as sideman and a CD tribute to Charlie Byrd entitled “Classical Jazz.”
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.
The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street.
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