Thanks to the hard work of the indefatigable Barbara Arafeh, the GMCA continues to showcase new and upcoming artists as well as established acts. This year's series has a real local feel in that many of the musicians are based in Connecticut. The music these people and ensembles will perform has an international feel, from as close as New Orleans to the Irish Sea and beyond.
On Saturday October 4, the music of the Carpathian Mountains (located in Eastern Europe) comes to life in the form of Veretski Pass. The trio, featuring Madison resident Cookie Segelstein (violin), Joshua Horowitz (cimbalom, button accordion) and Stuart Brotman (cello, acoustic bass, percussion) plays “Old Country “music from that area, a melting pot of Jewish, Gypsy, Rumainian, Ukranian and other influences. Their material is not only dance music but also songs from everyday life, from funerals to weddings to celebration of the harvest. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the “old" Middletown High School, located on Hunting Hill Avenue.
On Sunday November 2 (in the same venue), the auditorium will rock to the sounds of Dixieland jazz when Cool Cat Jazz comes to town. Featuring the clarinet work of Sherman Kahn, the facile trombone stylings of Jim Fryer and the energetic drumming of Sal Ranniello, CCJ gives this truly American music center stage and illustrates why it's popular all over the world.
The 2008-09 series comes to a rousing finish on Friday May 1 when the Connecticut Lyric Opera joins with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra to present Giuseppe Verdi's “La Traviata." Due to the excellent stage setup in the new MHS, the show will be fully-staged, richly costumed, and an absolute treat.
For subscription information and more, call 860-347-4887 or 860-346-3369.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
