Author: mattlang

I love my family, I love my family, I love my family! Did I mention….yeah, vacation was a joy. The whole fam was back together for about a week and it was wonderful to catch up with Erin and Taylor. They’ve grown in so many ways, It’s mind boggling. I would be happy to be just like them when I grow up but there doesn’t seem to be any danger of that happening anytime soon. Love you guys, can’t wait to hang again SOOOON!
So, it’s spring in New England, right? I mean, I know it doesn’t happen until the 21st but things are looking good. The snow is less than two feet deep and the driveway is only a partial skating rink! That’s good enough for me. We’ll probably have another blizzard or three or maybe just a few drenching monsoons, but I feel spring! What better way to celebrate than with some LIVE MUSIC! Here’s some of what I’m up to, c’mon out or go see someone else, just commence to consuming some POSITIVE VIBES BABY!
Friday, March 11, Matt Langley & Tom Robinson, Rudi’s, Portsmouth 6P-9P – Tommy and I rarely get a chance to play in a duo setting but when we do, it’s a treat. In case you haven’t had the pleasure, Rudi’s in Portsmouth is a cozy restaurant and bar with a great menu, great vibe and a grand piano over in the corner of the bahhh. Come on in and soak up a note or two while enjoying the martini of your liking.
Saturday, March 12, Donkilo, Penuche’s, Concord, NH 9P-12P – Whassup with all the Donkilo sightings? Welp, this is a funky bunch of fellas engaged in freeing up your feet african stylee. Dave Kobrenski is the center of attention with his compositions, Fula flute, 10-string kamale ngoni, and djembe playing and Jared Steer, Mike Rossi, Jim Dozet and I complete the trance inducing groovernaught. Get on up and DANCE!
Sunday, March 13, Jazz Service, 2nd Christian Congregational Church, Kittery ME, 10A-11A – Rev. Brad Hirst will deliver another thoughtful service while music director Mike Effenberger leads the choir and the trio in response to the proceedings. This is a wonderful way to start a Sunday. You really should join us!
Monday, March 14, David Tonkin Quartet, The Barley House, Concord, NH, 6P-10P – After a month off – quartet wise mind you, David and Donnie serenaded the lovers on valentines day in feb to the delight of all, naturally! – The Tonky show returns to the Bahhley. Expect just about anything…musically…from the bandstand and fine food and beverages from the kitchen and bar respectively. Guests frequently join us on the bandstand. Yah just never know!
Friday, March 18, Aporkalypse Now/Chris Klaxton Group, Buoy, Kittery ME, 9P-? – This is going to be a blast and quite possibly one of the more memorable shows on the seacoast! The Aporky’s are a group of creative sorts hell bent on presenting original music with an improvisational bent in a larger, and growing, group format. Jinny Peiffer, Mike Effenberger, Nate Therrien, Nick Mainella, Zach Lange and myself all contribute tunage and whatnot. We’ll have a new bone player along on this one too rumor has it. As if that weren’t enough, Klaxton will be in the house with a group from Miami to let us hear what he’s been up to down south. This will be a great night of music and will probably sell out in a hurry. Don’t miss out. Stake your claim!

The snow keeps flying up here in the northeast. This last one dumped a huge pile, on top of a huge pile, on top of a huge pile…you get the idea. We’ve got some SNOW! It’s actually really beautiful up here in the sticks but not so nice in the city I’m sure. It’s a real New England winter so I’m going to enjoy it! Here are a few events coming up to help you cure your cabin fever…
TONIGHT – 2/4/11 – Luther Gray’s Ultraseven – Outpost 186, Cambridge, MA 8PM – Luther Gray’s Outpost 186 Series takes a new turn with Ultraseven featuring Matt Langley, Andy Voelker, Charlie Kohlhase – saxes / Junko Simons – cello / Jacob William – bass / Pandelis Karayorgis – piano and Luther on Drums. Immediately following there will be a set by Auddity: Eric Dahlman – trumpets,voice, percussion / Michael Knoblach – percussion / Erik Nugent – slide clarinet, slide bagpipes, didjeridoo, throat singing. Should be a great night of sounds and sights. The space is small so get there early! $10 Suggested donation.
Monday, February 7th, Aporkaplypse Now, The Press Room, 8PM – The composer’s forum makes their first foray into the Press Room monday night jazz series bringing a great selection of originals and arranged standards. This is a very unique band featuring some of the seacoast’s finest musicians; Mike Effenberger on keys, Nate Therrien on Bass, Jonny Peiffer on Drums, Zach Lange on Trumpet, Nick Mainella and Matt Langley on Saxes. This is one you shouldn’t miss!
Wednesday, February 9th, FTET, The Barley Pub, Dover NH, 9:30 – The FTET hits the home turf at the Barley Pub for a night of great music, great beer and good times. Mike Effenberger on B3, Jim Rudolph on Drums, Nick Mainella and Matt Langley on Saxes. C’mon out and lend an ear or two!
Friday, February 11th, Jonny Peiffer Trio, Kittery Art Association, 7:30PM – Jonny Peiffer is a talented lad at home on the piano, the drumset or the dance floor. Tonight he’ll share his compositions from the piano and myself and Nate Therrien will join him. Jonny writes in many styles. We’ll perform tunes from some of his plays along with other music he has written and transcribed. The Kittery Art Association is an intimate place to hear music with limited seating so get there early.
Saturday, February 12th, Grupo Mofongo, York Harbor Inn, York Maine – Andres Espinosa is my neighbor up here in the little hamlet of Eliot, Maine. He also happens to be a scholar on the subject of African rhythms currently pursuing his doctorate at BU while also teaching at BU and U Maine Augusta. How he finds time to lead Grupo Mofongo…I don’t know…but this is agreat group of musicians on the 12th, we’ll perform in the name of LOVE. Grab your valentine…gently man, gently…and bring her/him/…to the York Harbor Inn for a night of dining, dancing and serious romancing! Salsa lesson will be available so arrive early and ENJOY!
Sunday, February 13th, Jazz Service, 2nd Chrisitian Congregational Church, Kittery Maine – Pastor Brad Hirst and Music Director Mike Effenberger bring the 2nd Sunday Jazz service to life with the 2nd Christ Congo Choir and congregation. This church has a great vibe and you should really experience it for yourself, on the 2nd Sunday of every month in the winter, or any Sunday for that matter.
Sunday, February 13th, JOSA Jazz With Giacomo Gates, Eastman, Grantham, NH – I’ll make another pilgrimage to northern New Hampshire’s bi-weekly wintertime jazz mecca: the JOSA series at Eastman hosted by Bill Wightman. Bill has been rocking the JOSA shows for 19 YEARS now, bringing the finest jazz talent to the frozen north. This Sunday vocalist Giacomo Gates will return with his baritone voice and dry sense of humor to deliver JOSA for lovers. We’d love for you to be there.
Monday, February 21st, Pandelis Karayorgis’ System of 5 CD Release, The Lily Pad, Cambridge, MA – Pianist Pandelis Karayorgis’ System of 5 celebrates the release of System of 5 on Hatology. This is a wonderful group featuring Pandelis Karayorgis on piano, Luther Gray on Drums, Jef Charland on Bass, Jeff Galindo on Trombone and Myself on Saxophones. Pandelis’ music is very unique in every aspect; arrangements, melodies, solo combinations and he wrote this material with these artists in mind blurring the lines between composition and improvisation. This will be a special night of music and copies of the new CD will be available at the show.