The Mainstay in Rock Hall welcomes friends and neighbors to its annual New Year’s Eve Pot Luck Supper on Tuesday, December 31 from 6 until 8 pm. Bring a covered dish to share and raise your glass with us to celebrate what was great about last year and what’s hopeful about next year. Following our tradition Joe Holt will provide piano accompaniment for the festivities. And of course, there’s no admission fee. The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main Street in Rock Hall, MD.

On Sunday, December 8, The Mainstay in Rock Hall wraps up its 2024 program season with a special presentation by the musical ensemble Harp and Soul. Showtime for the performance is 4 PM.

These local favorites, who have offered such a seasonal celebration at The Mainstay for many years, will present a program they have titled “A Hopeful Future.”

The group consists of Meredith Hadaway (harp and concertina), Ben Bennington (guitar and vocals), Rebekah Hock (oboe), and Bob Ortiz (percussion, piano, and vocals). They will be joined by special guests, including singer/songwriter Pam Ortiz, pianist Joe Holt, and vocalist Sue Matthews. Pam Ortiz has composed a new song especially for the program. This year’s concert will feature songs of remembrance, hope, and above all, optimism for the future. Come celebrate the holidays enjoying their lovely and lively traditional songs, dance tunes & carols from the British Isles, Celtic lands and other countries around the world.

This show is made possible with support from the Hedgelawn Foundation in memory of Judy Kohl.

Tickets are $20 in advance of the show and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling (410) 639-9133 (tickets reserved by phone are $25 when paid at the door). The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main Street in Rock Hall, Maryland. Its regular calendar of local, regional, and nationally touring artists features a live performance every week of the year (February through December) in a variety of music genres.

 

The Mainstay’s December 6^th concert program marks the final “First Friday” of the year with resident piano impresario and accompanist Joe Holt. Joe and his invited bandmates, spotlighting swing drummer and vocalist Jimmy Lawlor, will pay tribute to the 1940s/1950s classic jump swing tunes made famous by Louis Prima and Louis Jordan

Joining Joe and Jimmy on the bill will be Dave Schiff on sax, Max Murray on bass, and a special guest appearance by vocalist Sharon Sable (a.k.a. Keely Smith).

Louis Prima was an American jazz musician and bandleader best known for his exuberant personality, raspy voice (and for writing the swing music classic “Sing, Sing, Sing”). His style encompassed swing, big band music, boogie-woogie, rhythm and blues, and jazzed-up versions of Italian folk music.

In 1949 he hired singer Keely Smith, a poker-faced stage persona who served as the perfect foil for Prima’s comical boisterousness. Their version of “That Old Black Magic” won a Grammy Award for best performance by a vocal group.

In the mid-1950s, Prima and Smith went to Las Vegas and began a residency at the Sahara Hotel. The new group was dubbed the Witnesses and gained a reputation as “The Wildest Show in Vegas.”

Prima entered the most successful phase of his recording career in 1956 with hit songs such as “Just a Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody,” “Buona Sera,” “Oh Marie,” and “Jump, Jive, an’ Wail.” In 1967 he voiced the role of King Louie, the “swinging” orangutan in Disney’s animated film The Jungle Book.

Louis Jordan was an American saxophonist-singer prominent in the 1940s and ’50s who was a seminal figure in the development of both rhythm and blues and rock and roll.

By 1942 Jordan and his band became one of the most popular recording acts in the country, with hits such as “Ain’t Nobody Here but Us Chickens” and “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie”. He starred in numerous Hollywood short films and received equal billing on collaborations with Louis Armstrong. Jordan was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1983, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and received a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2018.

Showtime for the live concert event is 8 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance of the show and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling (410) 639-9133 (tickets reserved by phone are $25 when paid at the door). The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main Street in Rock Hall, Maryland. Its regular calendar of local, regional, and nationally touring artists features a live performance every week of the year (February through December) in a variety of music genres.

The programs and presentations of The Mainstay are supported in part with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council and The Kent Cultural Alliance.

 

On Saturday, November 16, vocalist Sue Matthews and pianist Robert Redd, will present another selection from their ‘Great American Songbook Series’ at The Mainstay in Rock Hall. Their program celebrates the musical highlights from “The Life and Music of Lena Horne.”

Sue and Robert’s ‘Songbook Series’ presentations highlight the lives and work of American musicians and performers who made lasting and endearing contributions to the popular music of the first half of the 20^th century – the likes of Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Judy Garland, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Hoagy Carmichael and other musical giants. Many of their greatest hits from this pre-television era were catapulted to fame in memorable movie musicals, often starring the singers who made them famous. Lena Horne was one such iconic singer, but also a movie star, dancer and civil rights activist. Horne’s career spanned more than seventy years and covered film, television and theatre.

A local favorite, jazz vocalist Sue Matthews, has a voice described as silky smooth and a performance style that engages her audience while bringing new meaning to every song she sings.  Her telling the story of the artists being honored for the ‘Songbook Series’, has received high acclaim.  She has garnered the attention of audiences and critics alike from both sides of the Atlantic.

Pianist Robert Redd is from the Washington D.C. area, and has been touring the world as the pianist for the Duke Ellington Orchestra for more than ten years.  His many performance accolades received over the past thirty years have proven why he is considered one of the finest jazz pianists of his generation.

Sue and Robert have presented their many ‘Songbook Series’ shows both nationally and internationally at major jazz festivals and concert halls.

Sue and Robert will be joined on stage by two exceptional musicians from the D.C. area; James King on bass, and Anita Thomas on clarinet and also saxophone.

James King has a lyrical playing style and is one of the most sought-after jazz bassists in the D.C. metropolitan area.  He has played with many jazz legends who have come to the area, notably at the legendary Blue’s Alley jazz club, Wolf Trap and the Kennedy Center.

Australian-born Anita Thomas has appeared in jazz festivals and on recordings with jazzers such as Rebecca Kilgore and Emma Pask.  Based in the D.C. area since 2008, she too, has become a highly sought-after jazz musician up and down the east coast.

Showtime for the live concert event is 8 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance of the show and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling (410) 639-9133 (tickets reserved by phone are $25 when paid at the door). The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main Street in Rock Hall, Maryland. Its regular calendar of local, regional, and nationally touring artists features a live performance every week of the year (February through December) in a variety of music genres.

The programs and presentations of The Mainstay are supported in part with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council and The Kent Cultural Alliance.

 

On Saturday, October 19, The Mainstay is excited to welcome back the extraordinary jazz pianist Dick Durham. Durham, one of The Mainstay’s most requested performers, is an annual visitor to the 27-year old non-profit music venue. Dick will be joined onstage by Max Murray on upright bass, Greg Burrows on drums, and E. Shawn Qaissaunee on guitar.

Dick recalls his early choices to pursue his passion for the piano that led to impressive acclamations from audiences, fellow musicians, and music critics. Dick was encouraged to follow his passion for the piano during his college years, and boldly veered from the paths his cardiologist father and playwright mother had pursued.

He was drafted in 1967 and sent to Fort Dix to do clerical work (jazz pianist=120 wpm typist!), Durham went AWOL one night to sit in with a band at a club where an officer heard him play. On tvery day he was to begin serving guard duty for the infraction, he was transferred to the Army band, where he played out his time in the service.

After his discharge, Durham put a trio together and started playing clubs again, most memorably as an opening act for the Count Basie Orchestra. Dick credits jazz pianists Errol Garner, Oscar Peterson, and Teddy Wilson as his major influences. He has had the privilege of sharing a bill with Stanley Turrentine, Grover Washington Jr., Billy Cobham, Stef Scaggiari and many others.

His compositions have earned him two separate Maryland Governor’s Citations for excellence in the performing arts, and his jazz variations on the scores of musicals like “West Side Story” have earned standing ovations.

Dick wrote two musicals, both performed at Church Hill Theatre (and one in NYC). He still composes, writes for magazines, and lives sanely and serenely on his farm near Church Hill with his lovely wife Betsy

Showtime for the live concert event is 8 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance of the show and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling (410) 639-9133 (tickets reserved by phone are $25 when paid at the door). The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main Street in Rock Hall, Maryland. Its regular calendar of local, regional, and nationally touring artists features a live performance every week of the year (February through December) in a variety of music genres.

The programs and presentations of The Mainstay are supported in part with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council and The Kent Cultural Alliance.

Joe Holt’s monthly offering of his First Friday series at the Mainstay gets bumped to the second Friday in October (the 11th). Joe is excited to welcome jazz vocalist Libby York to the stage for the evening.

It has been said that Libby York is one of the finest singers and storytellers on the scene today. While her cool style is reminiscent of past legends like Peggy Lee, Libby York’s conversational style, hip phrasing, superb sense of time, and unique connection to a song’s lyrics, show that the arts of singing a jazz tune and masterful storytelling are soulmates.

York started singing professionally in the 1980s in New York City where she was featured vocalist with Swing Street, an eight-piece big band, during which time she was coached by the great Abbey Lincoln.

Adam Gopnik, music critic for The New Yorker enthuses “Cool jazz singers Anita O’Day, June Christy and Julie London are subtle influences on York, but her voice has an especially rich, warm tone not often heard. In live performance she is a true jazz singer who improvises with her phrasing and swings hard.”

Showtime for the live concert event is 8 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance of the show and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling (410) 639-9133 (tickets reserved by phone are $25 when paid at the door). The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main Street in Rock Hall, Maryland. Its regular calendar of local, regional, and nationally touring artists features a live performance every week of the year (February through December) in a variety of music genres.

On Saturday, September 21, The Mainstay – Kent County’s non-profit live music and events venue – welcomes back drummer, bandleader Greg Burrows and his group GB3 for another night of “Soul Jazz.” This year Greg welcomes his special guest Vaneese Thomas and her bluesy vocal stylings. Soul Jazz is a blending of straight-ahead jazz, funk, R&B, blues, and soul music, with a spotlight on the big Hammond B3 organ sound, and the distinctive swirling sound of the Leslie cabinet it is typically played through. The organ sound is reminiscent of music you might’ve heard in “organ shacks” on the national “Chitlin’ Circuit” in the 1960s or in an intimate jazz joint in New York City. It’s music that brings a good feeling to all people of all backgrounds and musical tastes.

Greg is perhaps best known locally as the drummer in the Dick Durham Jazz Group. He has been heard on national TV, film soundtracks, and on stages and festivals around the globe. Greg has played drums and percussion with Brooklyn’s Chicha Libre band, and was the pit drummer for the Blue Man Group in NYC. You can also catch Greg locally with Philip Dutton’s new classic country band The Good Stuff.

Vaneese Thomas’s familial musical lineage guarantees that extraordinary music comes naturally to the singer. Her father Rufus Thomas was one of the first blues artists on Sun Records and racked up iconic hits that included “Walking The Dog,” and “Do The Funky Chicken.” Over the years she has sung on countless sessions for everyone from Eric Clapton and Joe Cocker to Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.

Al Orlo spent 25 years as guitarist and music director for legendary singer and songwriter, Ben E. King (Stand By Me, Under the Boardwalk). He is equally comfortable playing classic rock ‘n roll as he is playing jazz and blues. His numerous Broadway show credits are proof of his amazing versatility.

Organ player Judd Nielsen (a native of Centreville) has been playing since the age of five. His style can be described in one word — soulful. His varied musical affiliations have included Trombone Shorty, Melvin Sparks, Big Daddy Kane, and The James Hunter Six.

Showtime for the live concert event is 8 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance of the show and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling (410) 639-9133 (tickets reserved by phone are $25 when paid at the door). The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main Street in Rock Hall, Maryland. Its regular calendar of local, regional, and nationally touring artists features a live performance every week of the year (February through December) in a variety of music genres.

The programs of the Mainstay are supported with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Kent Cultural Alliance.

 

 

 

The Chestertown Jazz Festival committee announced today that the 28th Chestertown Jazz Festival will be held September 6-7, 2024.

Said Festival Chairman Mel Rapelyea,“Jazz is a family and this year the family welcomes jazz infused with rock, R&R, gospel and fusion.”

Renowned jazz/R&B singer Ronnie Leigh will kick off the festival at The Mainstay in Rock Hall on Friday, September 6. A long-time headliner, Ronnie has appeared with performers including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Smoky Robinson. The founder of one jazz festival describes Mr. Leigh as “one of the finest song stylists working in jazz today”. Ronnie – who says that performing is “in my life blood” in my life blood” – returns to the Eastern Shore after a successful performance last year at The Mainstay.

Tickets to see Ronnie Leigh can be purchased at www.mainstayrockhall.org or by calling The Mainstay at 410.639.9133.

Following the practice of the Newport Jazz Festival and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Saturday’s “Jazz at the River” will begin at noon in Wilmer Park by welcoming back traditional gospel artist Sylvia Hackett Frazier and the Anointed Vessels. Sylvia grew up in Chestertown surrounded by music including, she remembers, when James Brown came to town.With the Anointed Vessels, Sylvia presents traditional gospel music, whose spiritual roots have long provided inspiration and comfort to troubled minds in troubled times. Sylvia has produces gospel music festivals and sings at countless church services and social gatherings.

Next up will be Prairie-Rodger’s Grateful Jazz, highlighting rhythmic and improvisational traditions of the Grateful Dead alongside the sounds of traditional jazz. Drummer Prairie Prince rocks with jazz, schooled in the music of Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich; touring this summer with Todd Rundgren and performing in the past with elite rock performers like Phil Lesh, a founding member of the Grateful Dead. Bobby Lee Rodgers is a cross-over guitarist, from teaching jazz at the prestigious Berklee College of music to playing with Warren Haynes of The Allman Brothers Band.Singer and musician Ella Rodgers, Mr. Rodgers’ teenage daughter, adds to the trio her enthusiasm for the music of old-time jazz.

The sounds of sax follow when Brent Birckhead takes the stage. Appearing with his band, Brent brings to life the history, theory and creativity he teaches as adjunct professor of saxophone at Morgan State University. In 2024, Brent released his latest album, “Cacao”, featuring smooth and sweet composition and infectious rhythms.. Lauded as a student performer by Downbeat Magazine and named “Best Alto Saxophonist” by the Washington City Paper, Mr. Birckhead has performed with artists that include multi-Grammy Award winner Lauryn Hill.The New York Times labeled Brent, as Baltimore native and graduate of Howard University, as “one of the most riveting young improvisers in New York.”

Closing the Festival will be headliner, The David Stryker Quartet featuring Warren Wolf. The Village Voice described David as “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years”. His discography includes 35 albums as a leader; his most recent “Groove” has logged more than 20 weeks on the JazzWeek Radio Chart. Winner of many Downbeat awards, it’s no wonder that jazz guitar-god Pat Metheny has lauded Mr. Stryer for producing “one of the most joyous feels around.” Vibraphonist Warren Wolf has recorded seven albums as a band leader, teaches at the Peabody School of Music and has performed around the world, including with Christian McBride.

Tickets to Saturday’s festival, which runs from 12-6 pm, can be obtained at www.garfieldcenter.org or by calling or 410.810.2060. As always, the festival will offer a wide variety of food and drink from local vendors.

Lead photo is of Ronnie Leigh.