Author: mattlang

Wow, august is cranking by like a New England thunderstorm. Sorry, we’ve had so many of them this summer that I’m using them for time passage metaphors. Ungh! Maybe someday I’ll get off the weather as an opener for my gig blurb posts but for now, it’s what I’ve got. Believe me, you definitely don’t want me to start ranting about politics. Quick…let’s talk upcoming gigs…QUICK…
Friday, August 7th – Jan Van Voorst at the Dogfish, Portand, ME Jan Van Voorst has been holding this gig down for years now and this month the band will include my close friend Charlie Kohlhase on saxophones, Curtis Clark on Piano, Fitz Jenkins on Bass, Jan on drums and myself on saxes. Last month this collection of players made some very special music so please join us friday night for more!
Monday, August 10th – David Tonkin and friends at the Barley House, Concord, NH This has turned into quite an event this summer. Last month we had the double quartet featuring David Tonkin on Guitar, Randy Roos on Guitar, Tim Gilmore on drums, John Fagiano on percussion, Tom Robinson on Keyboards, Don Williams on Bass, Richard Gardzina on sax and myself on sax. I hear many of the same dudes will be on hand this month. We managed to record this session last month and who knows, maybe David will pull it off again this month. Join us if you can!
Friday,August 28th – Curtis Clark Sextet at Rivertree Arts, Kennebunk, ME Curtis is a gifted pianist and composer who has traveled the world making music. We’re fortunate that he is currently residing in Portland aine. This sextet has performed a number of times and this evening Chris Gutcher will record the concert. The group will feature Curtis on piano, Titus Abbot on saxes, Mark Tipton on trumpet, Jim Lyden on bass, Gary Gimmitti on drums and myself on saxes.
Sunday, August 30th – Tim Webb Quartet at The Press Room, Portsmouth, NH Bassist Tim Webb has put together a great band for this gig including Tom Snow on piano, Steve Grover on drums and myself on saxes. We’ll play selected originals as well as a standard or two. Should be a great night of music!

Okay, enough with the rain! The gardens love it but even the plants need a little sun. Bike riding has been sporadic at best and the woodpile is getting way too soggy. Looks like no letup in sight though so we’ll have to spread sunshine through music and good vibrations, eh?! Here are a few things I have going on that would always be improved by your presence.

Saturday, June  20 4:00PM – Charlie Kohlhase Explorer’s Club and Joe’s Jazz & Blues Festival – Somerville Mass – Come hear the Explorers bust out a shining 45 minute set for the first annual Somerville BLues and Jazz fest Download a schedule here and support Somerville’s foray into the festival sunshine (..? a reach, I know…but it’s my website!…)

Sunday, June 21 8:00PM – Scott Solsky Quintet – The Barley Pub – Dover, NH – Scott’s a great guitar player who will have just returned from a vacation with the family in search of sun, searing rays, and warmth…a rest, relaxation and chart writing. Should be a good time at Dover’s best Sunday night jazz hang.

Monday, June 29 8:00PM – Seacoast Composers Forum – The Press Room – Portsmouth, NH – This will be the second gig for this group. The idea is to all bring in a few originals and work up a night of music. Our first gig showed a lot of potential and this time out there have been some personnel changes so things will be interesting to say the least. We’d love to have you there.

That’s it fow now. Thanks for stopping by. If you can’t make one of my gigs please go out and support live music, theater or a visual artist sometime soon. We’ll all be better off for it!