The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is proud to present our 2015 festival line up! Please make sure you check out our Attending The Festival and Frequently Asked Questions pages for information on transportation options, parking information and lots of unbelievably useful information.
Click here for the Education Tent schedule!
We have just completed our program for the weekend. You can download a PDF of the program by clicking here!
Main Stage Schedule for Saturday August 15, 2015
Salem High School Jazz Ensemble (11am – noon)
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The Interlopers (12:30pm – 1:30pm)
Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV2q_yxlQmQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAk_XG6z9Ek https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U8UFVmQ6Gk Band Manager
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Lydia Harrell (2pm – 3pm)
Consistently performing more than 150 shows a year, in all different styles and settings, Lydia has shown an unbreakable ability to mold herself into any musical situation. In addition to her own bands, LovelySinger and Platinum, Lydia provides back-up vocals for the Steely Dan tribute band, No Static. Links: |
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Krewe de Groove (3:30pm – 5pm)
Immediately following Krewe de Groove’s set will be a second line performance from Ken Field of Revolutionary Snake Ensemble in honor of Bob & Allen Berzofsky. Anyone interested in performing as part of the second line are invited to attend Ken’s workshop at 3:15 in the education tent. Bring your instruments! . Links: Website: http://www.brandontarricone.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krewedegroove |
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Nephrok! Allstars (5:30pm – 7pm)
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DJ: Radio Scotvoid (spinning fantastic music during intermissions)Website: http://radioscotvoid.com/ |
Grown locally from the rolling green hills of Berkshire County Massachusetts, The Interlopers are best described as a young, organic, and joy-inducing musical organism. Drawing upon the uplifting sounds of classic R&B/ Soul as well as 70’s era rock and pop music, The Interlopers create a unique and fresh approach to a genre-bending, feel-good music style all their own. With a tight rhythm section, led by Lead Vocalist and Drummer Curtis Kelley and Guitarist Nicholas Veinoglou, along with the bright and lively horn section led by Trumpet Player Ariel Shrum, The Interlopers are sure to inspire listeners of all ages to jump to their feet, smile from ear to ear and dance with a joyful ferocity. Showcasing their uplifting lyrics, unmistakable hooks, and fierce musicianship, The Interlopers have released 2 self-produced recorded works and will be releasing their 3rd independent album in 2014. This also marks their final year at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and one can be sure to expect great things from these young musicians as they plan their first national tour next summer.
Lydia Harrell aka The LovelySinger is one of New England’s finest musical treasures. Her sultry, soulful voice and evocative phrasings have garnered her the attention and respect of the area’s finest musicians and venues. Lydia’s dedication to extracting the pure essence of song goes virtually unmatched.
After 16 years living deep in the thick of New Orleans funkiness, band leader Brandon Tarricone is back in the Northeast and bringing together some of the best musicians in the area to create his own version of Groove and Soul based music. With John Iltis on drums, Dave Walker on Bass, and John Cooke on organ the Rhythm section is a tight syncopated place to be. Sax players Henley Douglas Jr, Eric Schindler, and Mark Early rotate through the horn section and do what they do best on top of these tight mostly original grooves. Tarricone’s compositions, arrangements, and driving guitar work keeps every show fresh, fun and danceable. If you haven’t seen this band yet, check them out, we promise you won’t be disappointed.
Legendary. How else to sum up the music of some of the most talented musicians in the land. The Nephrok! Allstars specialize in Funk and Soul music, but after one set folks come to realize their bag is way way deeper. Music that spans decades and genres seamlessly. Music that is both original and creative, as well as a revival of the timeless Funk classics that changed music forever. Music that is an explosive body rockin party and also at times a soul inspired heartfelt social commentary, steeped in love; which in itself is a throwback to the days when music was a voice to raise awareness, express feelings and unite people. Nephrok!’s live show is an electrifying experience of unmatchable energy with an Allstar cast of Amy & Aaron Bellamy on Keys and Bass (The A-Beez), Daniel McDowell on Bass, Peter MacLean on Drums, Jeff Buckridge on Guitar, Nephrok!, Kit Holliday, & Sarah Seminski on vocals, plus Eric Schindler, and Arnetta Johnson on Sax & Trumpet.
Schedule for Sunday August 16, 2015
Ipswich High School Jazz Band (11am – noon)
The Ipswich HS Jazz Ensemble is directed by Gerald Dolan and James Fremont-Smith. The jazz ensemble, is a curricula course for students with rehearsals held each Tuesday evening from 7:00-9:00. Acceptance into the Jazz Ensemble is through a competitive audition held in September. The Ipswich Jazz Ensemble has shared the stage with many outstanding performers including Rufus Reid, the United States Navy Commodores Jazz Band, Roomful of Blues, Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Jazz Orchestra, the Glenn Miller Band, the Tommy Dorsey Band, Herb Pomeroy, Mike Tucker, Tom Palance and Mark Earley. The Jazz Ensemble performed at the premiere jazz festival in the United States-the Newport Jazz Festival- by kicking off the festival with their opening performance in the summer of 2008. The band has also taken part in a concert tour of China with performances and jazz workshops and clinics in Beijing, Tianjin, and Xi’an China. |
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North Shore Jazz Project All Stars (12:30pm – 1:30pm)
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The Gringo Kings (2pm – 3pm)
Website: http://gringokings.com/ |
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Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers (3:30pm – 5pm)
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Barrence Whitfield and the Grits & Groceries Orchestra (5:30pm – 7pm)
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DJ: Radio Scotvoid (spinning fantastic music during intermissions)Website: http://radioscotvoid.com/ |
Driven by five horns, piano, bass and drums, The Gringo Kings deliver earfuls of groovin’ sounds for the dancer and listener alike.The brainchild of tenor saxophonist and composer/arranger Ed Harlow, the Gringos walk the infinitely fine line between art and fun, hot and cool, seriousness and bedlam – all this without ever loosing the groove!The Gringo Kings bring an amazing array of talent and experience to the stage. Collec- tively, the musicians have played with some of the most famous musicians and bands of our time, including Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, Tierney Sutton, Tower of Power, Clark Terry, Chaka Kahn, Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider, Extreme, Jean-Luc Ponty and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Individuals from the Gringo Kings have toured the US, Latin and South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.The Gringo Kings take the Latin elements of Salsa, Merengue, Choro, Bolero, then get up a good head of steam, and drive it head-on into the jazz cosmos.The resultant music might be a Tito Puente record copy, a Chicago derangement, or an entirely new piece of music colored and inspired by the music of all the Americas.
“America’s Hottest Accordion” winner, Dwayne (Dopsie) Rubin, plays a unique, high energy style of zydeco. Dwayne hails from one of the most influential Zydeco families in the world. Although inspired by tradition, he has developed his own high-energy style that defies existing stereotypes and blazes a refreshingly distinct path for 21st century Zydeco music. This singer/songwriter and accordionist has performed all over the world since debuting his band, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, at age 19.Dwayne, born March 3, 1979 in Lafayette, Louisiana, was the last of eight children. Dwayne attributes his musical ablilities to his father, Rockin’ Dopise, Sr., a pioneer of Zydeco music. As a small child, Dwayne was interested in the washboard, but quickly realized he had incredible talent with an accordion. He has played the accordion since age seven and states, “This is my calling – Zydeco music is in my blood and it is my heart and soul.” As a tribute to his late father, the most influential person in his life, Dwayne plans to record an album of his Dad’s greatest Zydeco hits.
Barrence Whitfield, winner of seven Boston music awards, is a full-throttle soul screamer in the spirit of Little Richard, Wilson Pickett and Solomon Burke. He has been described as the owner of one incredible pair of lungs, with limitless energy and unmatched enthusiasm for his music and his audience. For the better part of two decades, Whitfield has sustained that energy, bringing his yowling brand of classic and roots rock ’n’ roll from New England’s working-class stages to the summer festivals of Europe and Japan with a rotating cast of backing musicians. Barrence also performs regularly with local greats the Grits & Groceries Orchestra who recently performed a New England tour with George Thorogood and the Destroyers. The Grits and Groceries Orchestra consists of Robert Lyons (Tenor sax), Charlie O’neal (guitar), John Anthony (Bass) and Kemp Dunn (Drums).Education Tent Schedule for Saturday August 15th, 2015
Paul Dumas African Drum Demo (12pm – 12:45pm)Come join in on a drum circle led by Paul Dumas, drum instructor at Zach Field Drum Studios in Newburyport. Learn some basic African rhythms on djembe drum and play together in a traditional drum circle. Come and go as you please. All ages are welcome! |
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Molly Pinto Madigan / Celtic folk music (1:30pm – 2:15pm)What exactly does “Celtic music” mean, and what are some of its distinguishing characteristics? In this presentation, we will explore the rich world of Celtic folk and learn about the different types of vocal and instrumental music the tradition boasts. With demonstrations of Sean-nós singing and ballads from different Celtic countries, the presentation will culminate with the learning of a song in Irish Gaelic. |
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Second Line Demo with Ken Field of Revolutionary Snake Ensemble (3:15pm – 4:15pm)Musicians of all levels are invited to attend this special workshop. Ken Field, leader of the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, along with members of his group, will talk about the powerful New Orleans second line funeral tradition, and will teach workshop attendees some particularly appropriate songs deeply associated with that tradition. Following the workshop, we will jointly lead a massive second line to honor the memories & celebrate the lives of beloved Salem icons Bob & Allen Berzofsky in front of the main stage and in a loop around the Festival grounds. |
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Beatles Sing-a-Long with the Rocking Horse People (5:00pm – 5:45pm)Come join us and sing hits by The Beatles. Maybe you were there, maybe they were hits before your mother was born, either way, we bet you’ll know them. |
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Education Tent Schedule for Sunday August 16th, 2015
The World of Jazz Guitar with Steve Lacey (12pm – 12:45pm)Interested in jazz guitar? Local guitarist Steve Lacey will demonstrate different jazz guitar techniques. He will give tips on solo jazz guitar, accompanying soloists, or playing in larger ensembles. |
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Zydeco and Cajun music with Dwayne Dopsie (1:30pm – 2:15pm)Join Dwayne Dopsie, King of the Accordion, as he discusses the elements that makeup Zydeco music as well as other New Orleans music and plays some examples of a truly American musical form. This exciting workshop will precede Mr. Dopsie’s set on our main stage! |
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Mbira Workshop with Samanyanga Mbira Group (3:00pm – 3:45pm)The mbira is a traditional instrument played by the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Samanyanga Mbira Group is a community music group that meets monthly at Tufts University, offering lessons for beginners and small ensembles for more experienced players. Come learn more about the instrument and its place in African culture, hear the instruments in performance, and try to play one yourself! |
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The Art of Songwriting with Ross Livermore (5:00pm – 5:45pm)Singer/songwriter Ross Livermore discusses the songwriting process giving tips on songwriting techniques, inspiration and the creative process in general. He will also be performing original material from his recent releases. |
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