Posted By Jordan Adams on Mon, Feb 10, 2020 at 11:07 AM

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Courtesy of Burlington Discover Jazz Festival

Pharoah Sanders

The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival released a sneak preview of its 2020 lineup on Monday. The annual 10-day music marathon unleashes its awesome powers on the Queen City from Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 14. As usual, world-class talent from near and far will descend on Burlington, filling practically every venue in town, from major performing arts centers like the Flynn MainStage to bars, restaurants, coffee shops and, of course, the Church Street Marketplace.

This year's top headlining honor is a bit of a déjà vu: legendary tenor saxophone player Pharoah Sanders, who was scheduled to play the 2019 BDJF but unexpectedly canceled his performance in April. The 79-year-old artist was a member of John Coltrane's band in the 1960s and has gone on to become a jazz titan in his own right. Sanders plays the Flynn MainStage on Saturday, June 6.

Tags: Burlington Discover Jazz Festival , Pharoah Sanders , Fantastic Negrito , Delvon Lamar Organ Trio , Jaimie Branch , Yosvany Terry , Marc Ribot , Nubya Garcia , Web Only , Image , Video

Posted By Dan Bolles on Wed, Dec 18, 2019 at 9:06 PM

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Courtesy of Jamie Lee Thurston

Jimmy T Thurston

On Friday, December 6, Jimmy T Thurston played a show at the Old Post with his longtime band, the Cobras. In true Jimmy T style, it was a rowdy and raucous night at the South Burlington roadhouse.

"I heard it was crazy good," said Thurston's son, country singer Jamie Lee Thurston. "The whole place was standing up, guitar player ripping solos. I heard it was great."

Though no one knew it at the time, it was also Jimmy T's last show. The Vermont rocker, known to many as "Vermont's Grandfather of Rock and Roll," died on Sunday, December 15. He was 78.

Tags: Jimmy T Thurston , Jamie Lee Thurston , Web Only , Image , Video

Posted By Margaret Grayson on Thu, Oct 24, 2019 at 4:53 PM

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Margaret Grayson

Daniel Bernard Roumain performing with members of the New Economistas on Church Street

As the clock above Burlington City Hall rang out at 2 p.m., a woman in purple velour pants was dancing a jig under a slight drizzle of rain. The dancer was Paula Higa, and she was accompanying violinist and composer Daniel Bernard Roumain, known by his initials DBR, as he entered the second hour of his 24-hour protest performance on Church Street.

As DBR’s plucking of violin strings turned into dramatic, scratchy notes, Higa moved to dance behind him. Both violinist and dancer sank toward the ground as the song concluded.

DBR and local musicians and artists will perform continuously until 12 p.m. on Friday in protest of Trump administration policies on issues including immigration. More than 30 other groups or individuals had signed up to join DBR as of this afternoon.

The performance was organized and sponsored by the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and Burlington City Arts. DBR is in the middle of a residency with the Flynn Center, the University of Vermont’s Lane Series and the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

Tags: Daniel Bernard Roumain , protest , Flynn Center for the Performing Arts , Burlington City Arts , University of Vermont Lane Series , Vermont Symphony Orchestra , Web Only , Image

Posted By Jordan Adams on Tue, Aug 27, 2019 at 4:53 PM

Slideshow

Bush, Live and Our Lady Peace

Click to View 18 slides

On Friday, August 23, the Champlain Valley Fair kicked off with power chords and ’90s nostalgia. Under the banner of the Alt-Imate Tour, alternative rock bands Bush, Live and Our Lady Peace united for one of the area's biggest concerts of the year. Take a look.

Tags: Bush , Live , Our Lady Peace , Champlain Valley Fair , Alt-Imate Tour , Web Only , Slideshow , Image

Posted By Dan Bolles on Thu, Aug 22, 2019 at 1:01 PM

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Courtesy of Allan Nicholls

Big Heart, from left: Tyler Mast, Clint Bierman, Allan Nicholls, Peter Day, Ryan Clausen

Allan Nicholls wants to save the world. Or at least inspire a positive attitude adjustment. So the songwriter's new band, Big Heart, is launching a unique collaborative video recording project that aims to lift spirits, one smartphone camera at a time.

This Friday, August 23, at noon, Big Heart — which also includes the Grift's Clint Bierman and Peter Day, as well as veteran local players Tyler Mast (Bearquarium) and Ryan Clausen (Haley Jane and the Primates) — will debut their new song "This Much Is True" on the steps of Middlebury's Town Hall Theater.

Tags: Big Heart , Allan Nicholls , the Grift , Clint Bierman , Peter Day , Tyler Mast , Ryan Clausen , Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival , Web Only , Image , Audio

Posted By Amy Lilly on Tue, Jul 30, 2019 at 12:38 PM

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Amy Lilly

Elaine Greenfield and Lauren Altenmueller

The skies were darkening under an approaching storm as the Adamant Music School began its Sunday concert. But inside the small, air-conditioned performance hall, seated at a Steinway concert grand set against a wall of windows, pianist Victor Avila was oblivious.

After a deep exhale, the 27-year-old native of Mexico played Bach’s first “Goldberg Variation” as if he believed it to be the most beautiful piece ever composed. As indeed it was, in his hands.

Despite its generalized name, Adamant Music School is solely for pianists. It has been helping them hone their skills for 77 years — ever since cofounder Edwine Behre chose the tiny rural hamlet as a summer respite for her New York City students.

Tags: Adamant Music School , pianists , Vermont , Web Only , Image

Posted By Jordan Adams on Mon, Jul 29, 2019 at 12:59 PM

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Shane Kaseta

99 Neighbors

We knew this day would come.

Burlington hip-hop collective 99 Neighbors have taken one step closer to the big time. As Complex reports, the group has entered a relationship with Chance the Rapper manager Pat Corcoran's entertainment group Nice Work, which has struck a deal with Warner Records. To celebrate the partnership, 99 Neighbors will release a new single and video, "Fake Pods," on Tuesday, July 30, at noon EST. The track will premiere on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 Radio Program on Apple Music.

"Thanks to this new partnership, we have some new flexibility and resources," said 99 Neighbors manager Cal Rawlings in a recent phone call. He noted that, despite signing with a major label, the group will retain full ownership of its music forever, as well as retain creative control of future work.

Tags: 99 Neighbors , Cal Rawlings , Sam Paulino , Hanknative , Somba , Zane Lowe , Pat Corcoran , Warner Records , record deals , Web Only , Image

Posted By Jordan Adams on Fri, Jul 26, 2019 at 3:25 PM

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Eli Raskin

Francesca Blanchard

Francesca Blanchard is back. The Burlington-based singer-songwriter just dropped a new single with an accompanying music video, titled "Baby." The clip, directed by prolific filmmaker Kayhl Cooper, was shot on the hottest day of summer 2018. Though Blanchard confirms that new track precedes a new album, it's unclear when that record might be released. Her acclaimed debut, Deux Visions, came out in 2015.

Tags: Francesca Blanchard , Erin Cassels-Brown , J Bengoy , the Pyros , Fever Dolls , Matthew Mercury , the DuPont Brothers , Dwight & Nicole , Web Only , Image , Video

Posted By Ken Picard on Mon, Jun 24, 2019 at 2:51 PM

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File photo courtesy of Vermont PBS

Chris Dorman

The talking Wishing Well on Vermont PBS has granted another big wish: "Mister Chris and Friends" is coming back for a second season of family-friendly music and merriment.

Filming has already begun on six new episodes of the Emmy-nominated children's television show,  Holly Groschner, president and CEO of Vermont PBS, announced Monday.

The show, which launched in November 2018, features live music, movement and "everyday adventures" throughout Vermont, which allow kids to explore science, nature, and emotional and social development. Designed primarily for preschoolers, "Mister Chris and Friends" is hosted by the show's eponymous co-creator and star, Chris Dorman of Shelburne.

Tags: Vermont PBS , public television , children's programming , children's music , Chris Dorman , Web Only , Image

Posted By Jordan Adams on Fri, Jun 14, 2019 at 12:01 PM

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File: Ben Hudson Photography

Grace Potter performing at Grand Point North

The lineup for this summer's Grand Point North festival has been announced. The two-day music fest hits Burlington's Waterfront Park Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15. Vermont's first lady of rock, Grace Potter, coproduces, along with Higher Ground Presents. As is tradition, Potter headlines both nights of the event.

Tags: Grace Potter , Grand Point North , Higher Ground Presents , Trombone Shorty , Rainbow Kitten Surprise , Web Only , Image , Video