ELIXIR presents pianist NEAL MARTIN and bassist DAVID WESTPHALEN - Thursday, June 12

 

ELIXIR at the FREIGHT HOUSE presents

Pianist NEAL MARTIN and Bassist DAVID WESTPHALEN

- Thursday, June 12^th  

 

ELIXIR at the Freight House, White River Junction’s premier destination for fine dining and live music, presents the jazz duo of pianist NEAL MARTIN and bassist DAVID WESTPHALEN on Thursday, June 12, 2008 from 7 to 10pm.  Neal Martin, who now calls New Hampshire home, has performed nationally and internationally for over four decades with a host of jazz luminaries.  The duo will play songs by such composers as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as a few originals.  Call ELIXIR at 802-281-7009 for reservations.  There is no cover charge for the music.

 

NEAL MARTIN, who did his first gig at age 14, played piano in college and was the pianist with the U.S. Army Band in Tokyo.  He has recorded two CDs under his own name and has performed for many years in clubs and hotels in cities around the country, including New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, where he had a television show called “Jazz on 5” and performed with his trio and special guests such as Cannonball Adderley.  Martin has worked with Billy May in New York City and the Voice of America Jazz Orchestra in Washington, DC.  He has performed with such jazz greats as bassist Keeter Betts, saxophonists Zoot Sims and Jack Nimitz, and flautist Paul Horn, and has accompanied a long list of famous singers, including Ethel Ennis and Shirley Jones.  A New Hampshire resident, Martin operates a teaching and recording studio and has created unique and individualized teaching programs which emphasize improvisation for piano players and vocalists as well as ensemble playing techniques for other instrumentalists.  The program also includes history and concepts of improvisation.  Martin is founder of the New Hampshire Jazz Society. 

 

DAVID WESTPHALEN is a well-known bassist, trombonist and bandleader in the Upper Valley.  For many years his band Swing Machine has performed at dances, Dartmouth College functions, weddings and other private events around northern New England.  After graduating with a major in music from Tufts University, he taught high school music in Vermont for two years.  David currently plays bass with a number of Vermont-based musicians, including Fred Haas, Michael Zsoldos, Bob Merrill and Dave Ellis.  He also works with several small combos, including a duo with guitarist Billy Rosen, and occasionally sings jazz standards.  David plays trombone with the Vermont Jazz Center Big Band, based in Brattleboro, as well as the seven-piece, traditional jazz band The Almost Legendary Thundering Muskrats. 

 

Located at The Freight House, 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT (802-281-7009), ELIXIR Restaurant and Lounge presents eclectic fare and small plates and features special martinis, local beers, an international wine list and live music nightly.  Eat, laugh & drink. 

 

 

music june 10-28

Tue, Jun 10, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm GERRY GRIMO
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188 S. Main St WRJ,
solo piano and vocals featuring light jazz; swing
era standards; blues; and easy listenin' oldies
and R&B
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jun 11, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm MICHAEL
PAYTON
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Dr. Michael Payton Who entertained packed crowds
in the late night smokey urban bars of the south
and west side of Chicago will play his style of
electrified blues at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge
188 S. Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Fri, Jun 13, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm SENSIBLE SOUL
TRIO-
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
Sensible Soul is an exciting new trio featuring
Sensible Shoes members
Barbara Blaisdell on piano and vocals, Tim Utt on
guitar and vocals, and Pooh Sprague on guitar,
bass, and vocals. Sensible Soul plays original
music and an eclectic mix of American songs drawn
from blues, country, folk, soul, and New Orleans R
& B.
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jun 14, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm BILLY ROSEN,
QUARTET--
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
The Billy Rosen quartet, featuring keyboards/bass,
sax, drums, and guitar, play a
variety of jazz styles to enhance your dining
pleasure
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Tue, Jun 17, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm PAUL RIVERS-
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Enjoy the guitar sounds of Paul Rivers at Elixir
Restaurant and Lounge.
188 S. Main St. White River Junction, VT 802 281
7009.Elixir

Wed, Jun 18, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm ED
EASTRIDGE--
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
ED EASTRIDGE plays and sings latin, jazz, rock,
and the blues
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 7:30PM to 10:30PM
188 S. Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009 www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

Thu, Jun 19, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm JAZZ NIGHT-
TONI BALLARD, VOCALS, JASON ENNIS, GUITAR, DAVID
WESTPHALEN, BASS
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Toni Ballard vocals, backed by Jason Ennis,
guitar, and David Westphalen, bass
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Fri, Jun 20, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm ADAM
ROSENBERG
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
ADAM ROSENBERG. Alternating between guitar and
piano, Musical Entertainer Adam Rosenberg sings
songs from the '50s to the present. Make requests
from song menus listing over 200 tune titles,
including vintage rock, Motown, contemporary rock,
folk and pop. There's something for everyone, of
every age
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jun 21, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm LOOSE
CANNONS--
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188. S. Main St.
White River Junction, VT Get Map
Loose Cannons Acoustic, a trio featuring Randy
Budner and John Sanchez, each
on guitar and vocals, and Dave Keeney on bass,
plays an eclectic selection
of blues, reggae, and good old-fashioned rock and
roll that will enliven any
occasion at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main
Street, White River Junction.Elixir

Tue, Jun 24, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm TED MORTIMER
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Ted Mortimer's extensive musical background
crosses all genres; you've heard him as a soloist
and jazz vocalist, lead guitarist and vocalist
with Dr. Burma, as well as other bands and venues.
Come hear his great talent at Elixir Restaurant &
Lounge 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jun 25, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm DAN WEINTRAUB
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Enjoy the guitar and vocal styles of Dan Weintraub
Acoustic folk, rock, blues and country. Dan plays
the songs of The
Grateful Dead, Steely Dan, Johnny Cash, Muddy
Waters, and many many more
at Elixir Restaurant and Lounge. 188 S. Main St.
White River Junction, VT
802 281 7009.Elixir

Thu, Jun 26, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm JAZZ NIGHT-
David Newsam, guitar, Natalia Bernal, vocals
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
A Brazilian Jazz Lover's feast of sounds from
Latin America featuring Natalia Bernal , vocals ,
and David Newsam, guitar
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Fri, Jun 27, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm JUKEJOYNT
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
JUKEJOYNT featuring Dave Clark and Jed Dickinson
and Rich Meijer play a variety of original songs
and songs you love to sing
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jun 28, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm ED EASTRIDGE
AND DIXIE EASTRIDGE--
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant : 188 S. Main St.,
White River Junction, VT Get Map
Dixie's sultry vocals backed by Ed's fine guitar
style will entertain you for the evening.
Listen at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main
Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

ELIXIR at The Freight House presents vocalist SABRINA BROWN - 6/5

 

ELIXIR at The Freight House presents

VOCALIST SABRINA BROWN

- Thursday, June 5^th  

 

ELIXIR at The Freight House, White River Junction’s premier destination for fine dining and live music, presents an Upper Valley favorite -- the very talented and versatile vocalist SABRINA BROWN, performing an eclectic mix of jazz standards, show tunes, pop and bossa nova with pianist FRED HAAS and bassist DAVID WESTPHALEN, on Thursday, June 5, 2008 from 7 to 10pm.  (Please note new summer music hours: Tues. through Thurs. 7-10, Fri. & Sat. 7:30-10:30.)  Call ELIXIR at 802-281-7009 for reservations.  There is no cover charge for the music.

 

Sabrina Brown, whose father recalls her singing as a baby in her crib, began singing in church for weddings, funerals, and services at age twelve.  Growing up in Seattle, her parents took her to classical, pop, folk, and world music concerts.  She took piano lessons and studied with some of the area’s best classical voice teachers.  At a community college in Seattle, she was a member of the Jazz Choir and studied music performance in a program called Professional Entertainment Training that included dance, music theory, and learning to play several instruments.  Sabrina’s interest in jazz was born when she opened a restaurant and began looking for the right “sound” for the business.  She fell in love with the saxophone listening to Ben Webster (unaware that the saxophone would someday play a very special role in her life!)   Occasionally, she would sit in with the musicians she had hired.  The business, raising four fabulous children, and relocating to New England in 1992 contributed to her putting her singing career on hold for ten years – until she met Fred Haas, first as a pianist, then as a band leader and saxophone player.  Her mentor, inspiration, and teacher for the past 14 years, Fred became her husband last summer.  Twelve years ago the two started Interplay Jazz Camp, bringing together renowned instructors and students for a summer intensive program that is growing and expanding every year.  Sabrina’s studies with such top jazz vocalists as Rebecca Parris, Shelia Jordan, and Dena DeRose have helped her develop her own rich, expressive sound and the uncommon ability to tell a story through each song.

 

Fred Haas, a Dartmouth grad (’73) who teaches saxophone, jazz piano, improvisation, jazz history, and music theory at Dartmouth College, has performed throughout New England and beyond with countless artists, including Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Clark Terry, Lena Horne, Dionne Warwick, Joe Morello, Attila Zoller, and Milt Jackson, and Pat Metheny, who calls Fred “a totally world-class saxophone player.”  In 1996, he and Sabrina Brown founded Interplay Jazz Camp in Woodstock, VT, which provides an opportunity every summer for musicians of all ages to participate in a relaxed and supportive learning environment, which includes yoga and meditation, as they focus on the improvisational art of jazz with an experienced, all-star faculty.  This year’s camp featured two extraordinary musicians on the faculty: vocalist Sheila Jordan and pianist Kenny Werner.  Fred’s record label, JazzToons, has produced several jazz CDs that feature him on saxophone, including Interplay with guitarist Gene Bertoncini, Strike Up the Band and Friends with the Paul Broadnax Quartet, and I thought About You with pianist Bob Hallahan.  Fred’s most recent CD, Telling Stories, is a collection of twelve original compositions featuring Fred on sax and piano, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, and Michael Moore on bass.  Visit www.interplayjazz.com for more information about Interplay Jazz Camp and JazzToons.

 

David Westphalen is a well-known bassist, trombonist and bandleader in the Upper Valley. For many years his band Swing Machine has performed at dances, Dartmouth College functions, weddings and other private events around northern New England. After graduating with a major in music from Tufts University, he taught high school music in Vermont for two years. David currently plays bass with a number of Vermont-based musicians, including Fred Haas, Michael Zsoldos, Bob Merrill and Dave Ellis. He also works with several small combos, including a duo with guitarist Billy Rosen, and occasionally sings jazz standards. David plays trombone with the Vermont Jazz Center Big Band, based in Brattleboro, as well as the seven-piece, traditional jazz band The Almost Legendary Thundering Muskrats. 

 

Located at The Freight House, 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT (802-281-7009), ELIXIR Restaurant and Lounge presents eclectic fare and small plates and features special martinis, local beers, an international wine list and live music nightly.  Eat, laugh & drink. 

 

ELIXIR presents singer/pianist David Thorne Scott - 5/29

 

ELIXIR at The Freight House presents

SINGER/PIANIST DAVID THORNE SCOTT

- Thursday, May 29^th  

 

ELIXIR at The Freight House, White River Junction’s premier destination for fine dining and live music, presents an evening of impeccable jazz vocals with singer, pianist, and composer DAVID THORNE SCOTT, one of the few young jazz singers on the scene today with both an exceptional voice and a unique personal style, performing with bassist DAVID WESTPHALEN on Thursday, May 29, 2008 from 6:30 to 9:30pm.    Call ELIXIR at 802-281-7009 for reservations.  There is no cover charge for the music.

 

With a voice that is powerful, tender, pure and clear, DAVID THORNE SCOTT bends rhythm and melody into new, expressive shapes in his masterful interpretations of standards and his quirky original tunes.  He draws a wide range of listeners, from first-time to long-time jazz fans, because he swings like Sinatra, scats like the top horn players, and puts over a ballad with emotion.  His album Shade, co-produced by pianist and songwriter Mark Shilansky, was named a Top 5 vocal jazz CD by the Jazz Education Journal.  David’s arrangements for jazz choir are published by Hal Leonard Publishing and UNC Jazz Press.  An Associate Professor of Voice at Berklee College of Music, he was awarded a Berklee Faculty Fellowship to study and transcribe classic vocal group arrangements form the 1930s and ‘40s.  David is a member of the acclaimed Boston-based jazz vocal quartet Syncopation and has also shared the stage with such artists as Kevin Mahogany, Jon Secada, Gloria Estefan, Darmon Meader of New York Voices, Richie Cole, and Cheryl Bentyne of the Manhattan Transfer.

 

Located at The Freight House, 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT (802-281-7009), ELIXIR Restaurant and Lounge presents eclectic fare and small plates and features special martinis, local beers, an international wine list and live music nightly.  Eat, laugh & drink. 

www.elixirrestaurant.com

 

 

correction thurs june 5

Thurs June 5, 2008, 7-10pm
Elixir Restaruant and Lounge, 188 S. Main St, White River Junction , VT
Jazz Night featuring
Sabrina Brown vocals, Fred Haas, piano, and David Westphalen , bass

elixir may 27-june 14--NOTE NEW SUMMER TIMES

Tue, May 27, 2008 6:30pm - 9:30pm JUKEJOYNT
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
JUKEJOYNT featuring Dave Clark and Jed Dickinson
and Rich Meijer play a variety of original songs
and songs you love to sing
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, May 28, 2008 6:30pm - 9:30pm ED EASTRIDGE-
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
ED EASTRIDGE plays and sings latin, jazz, rock,
and the blues
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 7:30PM to 10:30PM
188 S. Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009 www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

Thu, May 29, 2008 6:30pm - 9:30pm JAZZ
NIGHT--Singer/pianist David Thorne Scott and David
Westphalen - bass
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant, White River Junction
: Main St. White River Junction, VT Get Map
Singer/pianist David Thorne Scott and David
Westphalen - bass
6:30 to 9:30pm at Elixr . 188 South Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009.

www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

Fri, May 30, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm GERRY GRIMO
DUO
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188 S. Main St WRJ,
Vt Get Map
Gerry , playing piano and vocals, joins Frank
Valente - Tenor, Alto and Soprano Sax; and
Clarinet - featuring light jazz; swing era
standards; blues; and easy listenin' oldies & R&B.
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, May 31, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm ED EASTRIDGE
AND BILLY ROSEN
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188 S. Main St WRJ,
Vt Get Map
Two local guitarists play jazz standards, blues,
and a little old time rock and roll
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Tue, Jun 3, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm KURTIS KING
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
Kurtis is deeply soaked in Delta Blues harmonica
playing, which he credits from" being bitten" by a
cottonmouth
at age 13 in Louisianna. His strong vocals and
soothing
guitar playing let you know, he was "poisoined"by
the blues to touch our heart and soul. Song
genre's include
folk,blues, alternative,rock,soul & funk. Hear him
debut
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jun 4, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm JOHN LOVEJOY--
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
Enjoy the vast repetoire of John Lovejoy on piano
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009Elixir

Thu, Jun 5, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm JAZZ
NIGHT--Samirah Evans, with Eugene Uman- piano,
David Westphalen - bass
Elixir Lounge and Restaurant, White River Junction
: Main St. White River Junction, VT Get Map
Samirah Evans, with Eugene Uman- piano, David
Westphalen - bass
6:30 to 9:30pm at Elixr . 188 South Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009.

www.elixirrestaurant.comElixir

Fri, Jun 6, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm SAM MOFFATT
AND MIKE GAREAU
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
Fiery fiddle tunes, funky Appalachian melodies,
songs and Celtic rhythms, rendered by "Fiddlin'
Mike" Gareau and well-known hammered dulcimer
player Samantha Moffatt .
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jun 7, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm FOGEY BOYS
Elixir Restaurant and Loung : 188 S. Main St White
River Junction, VT Get Map
The Fogey Mt. Band has for three years given the
Upper Valley exciting, good-time serious
bluegrass. With both full vocals and great
instrumental talent, the band is able to send the
message of the music. Come and listen to a real
fun time!
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Tue, Jun 10, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm GERRY GRIMO
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : 188 S. Main St WRJ,
Vt Get Map
solo piano and vocals featuring light jazz; swing
era standards; blues; and easy listenin' oldies
and R&B
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Wed, Jun 11, 2008 7:00pm - 10:00pm MICHAEL
PAYTON
Elixir Restaurant and Lounge : Main St. White
River Junction Get Map
Dr. Michael Payton Who entertained packed crowds
in the late night smokey urban bars of the south
and west side of Chicago will play his style of
electrified blues at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge
188 S. Main Street, White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

Fri, Jun 13, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm SENSIBLE SOUL
TRIO-
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
Sensible Soul is an exciting new trio featuring
Sensible Shoes members
Barbara Blaisdell on piano and vocals, Tim Utt on
guitar and vocals, and Pooh Sprague on guitar,
bass, and vocals. Sensible Soul plays original
music and an eclectic mix of American songs drawn
from blues, country, folk, soul, and New Orleans R
& B.
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction. 802-281-7009Elixir

Sat, Jun 14, 2008 7:30pm - 10:30pm BILLY ROSEN,
QUARTET--
Elixir Restaurant & Lounge : 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction Get Map
The Billy Rosen quartet, featuring keyboards/bass,
sax, drums, and guitar, play a
variety of jazz styles to enhance your dining
pleasure
at Elixir Restaurant & Lounge 188 S. Main Street,
White River Junction.
802-281-7009Elixir

ELIXIR presents The Fred Haas Organ Trio, with guitarist Jason Ennis, drummer Tim Gilmore, PLUS special guest saxophonist Michael Zsoldos - May 22

ELIXIR at The FREIGHT HOUSE presents THE FRED HAAS ORGAN TRIO

with guitarist JASON ENNIS and drummer TIM GILMORE

PLUS - SPECIAL GUEST saxophonist MICHAEL ZSOLDOS

- THURSDAY, MAY 22^nd

ELIXIR at the Freight House, White River Junction’s premier destination for fine dining and live music, presents a hot, new collaboration with a sound that’s been exciting audiences around New England – THE ORGAN TRIO, featuring FRED HAAS on Hammond B-3, JASON ENNIS on 7-string guitar, and TIM GILMORE on drums, PLUS special guest MICHAEL ZSOLDOS on saxophone.  The group performs on Thursday, May 22, 2008 from 6:30 to 9:30pm.  Call ELIXIR at 802-281-7009 for reservations.  There is no cover charge for the music.

 

Fred Haas, a Dartmouth grad (’73) who teaches saxophone, jazz piano, improvisation, jazz history, and music theory at Dartmouth College, has performed throughout New England and beyond with countless artists, including Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Clark Terry, Lena Horne, Dionne Warwick, Joe Morello, Attila Zoller, and Milt Jackson, and Pat Metheny, who calls Fred “a totally world-class saxophone player.”  In 1996, he and Sabrina Brown founded Interplay Jazz Camp in Woodstock, VT, which provides an opportunity every summer for musicians of all ages to participate in a relaxed and supportive learning environment, which includes yoga and meditation, as they focus on the improvisational art of jazz with an experienced, all-star faculty.  This year’s camp featured two extraordinary musicians on the faculty: vocalist Sheila Jordan and pianist Kenny Werner.  Fred’s record label, JazzToons, has produced several jazz CDs that feature him on saxophone, including Interplay with guitarist Gene Bertoncini, Strike Up the Band and Friends with the Paul Broadnax Quartet, and I thought About You with pianist Bob Hallahan.  Fred’s most recent CD, Telling Stories, is a collection of twelve original compositions featuring Fred on sax and piano, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, and Michael Moore on bass.  For more information about Interplay Jazz Camp and JazzToons, visit www.interplayjazz.com.

 

Michael Zsoldos is a saxophonist, teacher, composer, and arranger whose stylistic influences bear strong traces of the great master saxophonists Lester Young, Don Byas, and Coleman Hawkins.  He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and a Masters in music theory and jazz studies from Michigan State University, where he studied with Branford Marsalis for three years.  Michael has performed with Peter Bernstein, Matt Wilson, Rebecca Parris, and Jerry Bergonzi, and has opened for piano legend McCoy Tyner with his group The Other Three Tenors, which includes saxophonists Fred Haas and John McKenna.  In May 2007, Michael performed at the New Orleans Jazz Festival with the Dartmouth Gospel Choir horn section, for which he is the lead arranger.  He also plays with the Discover Jazz Festival Big Band in Burlington and the Vermont Jazz Center Big Band in Brattleboro.  Michael has been the Band Director at Woodstock Union High School and Middle School for the past five years and is also Chairman of the Connecticut Valley Music Festival Association and an instructor at Interplay Jazz Camp.  As a composer, Michael wrote and performed a full-length score for the award-winning documentary “Birdsong and Coffee: A Wake-Up Call” (www.olddogdocumentaries.com), which has aired on PBS and Link-TV. 

 

Guitarist Jason Ennis is based in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and performs jazz, Brazilian and classical music throughout the Northeast.  A graduate of Middlebury College (Vermont), Jason attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  He has performed with Charles Neville (The Neville Brothers Band), The Sonya Kitchell Band (Velour Music), Todd Reynolds (Bang on a Can, Steve Reich), Joe Morton, Tessa Souter, Nós Daqui, The Ramón Ángel-Rey Trio, Los Mofos, Freddie Bryant, The Anna Borges Group, Fred Haas, and many others.  His love of Brazilian music has led him to make several trips to Brazil, including a six-month stay in Rio de Janeiro in 2006-2007, during which he played with some of the city’s top young players.  Jason is a member of the faculty of the Interplay Jazz Camp.  For more information about Jason, visit his website at www.jasonennis.com.

 

Drummer Tim Gilmore is adjunct instructor at Plymouth State University for percussion.  A member of Brownstone Recording Artists, the Harry Skoler Jazz Quartet and CCMS Musicians of Wall Street, Tim has performed with the Cape Ann Symphony, Symphony by the Sea, the Paul Madore Chorale and Boston Percussion Ensemble.  He has also performed with Lester Bowie, Marion McPartland, Fred Hersch, Tower of Power, Tiger Okoshi and Warren Vache.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, in elementary/music education from Salem State College and pursued further study in composition and jazz performance at Berklee College of Music.

Located at The Freight House, 188 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT (802-281-7009), ELIXIR Restaurant and Lounge presents eclectic fare and small plates and features special martinis, local beers, an international wine list and live music nightly.  Eat, laugh & drink.  www.elixirrestaurant.com