Showing posts with label Somerville Armory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Somerville Armory. Show all posts

Sunday, June 5, 2016

2015 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion Mari Black Returns to Somerville 6/13

On Monday, June 13, Mari Black…
2015 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion

2014 Glenfiddich Scottish Fiddle Champion2014 Canadian Maritime Fiddle Champion2013 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion
This will be notloB's and Mari's third collaboration.
While her solo shows combine selections from different genres and original pieces with diverse stylistic influences, Mari has also proven herself a master of many distinctive musical traditions in their pure form. She is the reigning Glenfiddich Scottish Fiddle Champion and Canadian Maritime Fiddle Champion, the 2013 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, the 2012 Canadian Maritime Fiddle Champion, the 2011 Canadian Open Novelty Champion, a 1st prize winner at the 2010 American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, and a 2-time winner at the ASTA (American String Teachers Association) Alternative Styles Awards. Mari’s recent performing career includes acclaimed performances at the Austin Celtic Festival (Austin, TX), the Yachats Celtic Festival (Yachats, OR), the Saltwater Celtic Festival (Portland, ME), the San Diego Folk Heritage Society (San Diego, CA), The Burren Backroom Series with Brian O’Donovan (Boston, MA), the International Festival del Accordion (Belo Horizonte, Brazil), Club Passim (Boston, MA), and more. She has been featured as a concert soloist with many New England orchestras including the New England String Ensemble and the Boston Virtuosi. No matter how big or small the show, Mari’s passion for sharing diverse music and the stories behind it continues to inspire every audience she connects with.
– Brian O’Donovan, host of WGBH radio’s “A Celtic Sojourn”
“Particularly impressive”
– The Boston Globe
“She is superb, inspiring, and unforgettable. Her magic is such that she sweeps audiences along with the sounds she and her instrument make.”
– Willie Ruff, Professor of Jazz and Artistic Director of the Ellington Fellowship Series, Yale University
Arrive as early as 6pm to enjoy the cafe's offerings, which include sandwiches/wraps, salads, coffee, teas and pastries as well as beer and wine.
Free parking in the back lot, on street (mind the signage) and two satellite lots.
MBTA: Arts at the Armory is approximately a 15 minute walk from Davis Square which is on the Red Line, or take either the 88 or 90 bus from Lechmere (Green Line) or Davis Square (Red Line). Get off at the Highland Avenue and Lowell Street stop. You can also get there from Sullivan Square (Orange Line) via the 90 bus. Get off at the Highland Avenue and Benton Road stop.
Bicycle: The Armory is four blocks from the Somerville Community Path.
Handicap accessible.

…will be presented in concert at the Cafe at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville.


An internationally-recognized performer, Mari is equally at home in a wide variety of musical traditions, including Celtic, Canadian, and American fiddling, jazz, tango, klezmer, folk, and more. She has been featured at Celtic Highland Games, Argentine tango festivals, folk festivals, jazz concert series, and world-famous classical concert venues including Carnegie Hall. Mari has appeared with such diverse artists as Irish fiddle champion Liz Carroll, Americana master Mark O’Connor, and jazzman Willie Ruff. Her music has been heard on the BBC Radio Scotland’s “Take the Floor”, Fox and CBS morning news, NPR’s “Here and Now,” and WGBH Radio’s “A Celtic Sojourn”. An enthusiastic collector of passport stamps, Mari has played concerts in Brazil, Scotland, Canada, China, Korea, Zimbabwe, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy, and France, and she can’t wait for the next stop!

“One of the brightest young fiddlers around today”


Supporting Mary, the World Fiddle Ensemble is...

Max Newman has been surrounded by traditional music and dance from an early age, often traveling with his dad to local contra dances, Irish music sessions, and folk festivals in his home state of Alaska, before relocating to the Northeast. His dynamic mandolin playing provides lyrical counterpoint and improvisatory punch, and his guitar playing is rich, powerful, and nuanced. He also performs in Stringrays with Rodney Miller and Stuart Kenney. Max maintains a keen interest in the future of music and dance traditions. He worked as the Youth Projects Intern at CDSS, leading workshops and developing materials for dance organizers, callers, and musicians. He serves on the committee for Youth Dance Weekend, an event dedicated to developing leadership among the next generation of contra and English participants. And like his bandmates, he enjoys teaching and encourages prospective students to get in touch.

Jesse Williams prides himself on his musical depth AND breadth! He has performed and recorded internationally, including two Grammy Nominated Albums and six W.C. Handy nominated albums. He has played with Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Duke Robillard, Jay McShann, Al Kooper, Jay Giels, John Hammond, Karin Allyson, Harry Allen, Ruth Brown, Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, Maria Muldaur, Johnnie Johnson, Ronnie Earl, Henry Butler, Susan Tedeschi, Charles Neville, and others. Festivals and Venues include: North Sea Jazz, Edmonton Folk, Montreal Jazz, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage, Vancouver Jazz, Byron Bay, Russian River, Boston Globe Jazz and Blues, Preakness, Beantown, Lincoln Center. Beacon Theater, Mountain Stage, Beacon Theater, Lincoln Center. He has appeared on PBS, Sesame St., AMC, National Film Archives, as well as multiple commercial spots. Mr. Williams holds a B.A.in performance from Berklee College of Music. Jesse teaches at Berklee Col of Music, Milton Academy, and Phillips Academy. He teaches jazz and contemporary ensembles, bass and guitar

Mari Black
Somerville Armory Café
191 Highland Ave., Somerville
Monday, June 13, 7:30pm

ABOUT THE CAFE

notloB Music also presents concerts in Cambridge, Arlington and Newton. See its full schedule at https://sites.google.com/site/notlobmusic (and soon notlobmusic.com). Tickets for all concerts are available at http://www.eventbrite.com/o/notlob-music-6730833315. For more information see its Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/notloBParlourConcerts/ - or email notlobreservations @ gmail.com.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Fódhla, Presented by notloB Music 5/28 in Somerville


Saturday, May 28 at 7:30 PM

  • Arts at the Armory
    191 Highland Ave, Ste 1-C, Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
  • Find Tickets
    Tickets Available
    www.eventbrite.com

    After 15 years of performing together and recording on each other’s solo CDs, Portland, ME based flute player Nicole Rabata and Boston based fiddler Ellery Klein decided a group together was long overdue. With the addition of Bethany Waickman on guitar, the trio found a sound rooted in the traditional Irish music Ellery and Nicole honed during years abroad in the Irish cities of Cork, Limerick, and Ennis ... as well as the depths of Nicole’s virtuosic classical music career, Ellery’s Americana sounds and Bethany’s soft-spoken, yet driving, guitar playing. Fódhla have been well received at festivals such as Portland’s Saltwater Fest, the Maine Celtic Celebration and Boston’s BCMFest. Their debut recording “Notes from Mill Pond” was released in December 2015 to a sold-out show at Acoustic Artisans in Portland, ME.

    Irish fiddler Ellery Klein brings a style steeped in traditional Irish sounds and seasoned with American fiddle styles. She toured with Billboard-charting Irish music group Gaelic Storm from 2003-2007 and was a founding member of Irish all-female ensemble Long Time Courting. In 2015, she was invited to be a featured soloist with Duluth, MN’s Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, performing Nickitas Demos’Double Concerto for Celtic and Bluegrass Fiddler. She holds an MA in Traditional Irish Music from the University of Limerick.

    Irish flutist Nicole Rabata is highly regarded both in and out of traditional music fields. She has toured America and Europe. In 2014, she spent two months in India where she performed and taught music at the Gandhi Ashram School in the Himalayas. She spent four years in the west of Ireland where she immersed herself in the music and was influenced by the playing of many great musicians. Her playing is featured on the feature film 'The Heavenly Angle' along with Natalie MacMaster. She is on the faculty at Colby College and 317 Main St. Community Music Center in Maine.

    Guitarist Bethany Waickman grew up in musical family in upstate, NY and started playing the piano at an early age. One of her earliest experiences with traditional music was attending Meadowlark music camp with her family. It was there that she was inspired to take up the guitar. Bethany formed the contra dance trio, Anadama, with Amelia Mason and Emily Troll while working at Pinewoods in 2007, and they have gone on to delight dancers throughout the northeast. Bethany started performing with The Lissa Schneckenburger Band in Dec. of 2008, and can be seen with Lissa on tours throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

    ABOUT THE CAFE
    You can arrive as early as 6pm to enjoy the cafe's offerings, which include sandwiches/wraps, salads, coffee, teas and pastries as well as beer and wine.
    Free parking in the back lot, on street (mind the signage) and two satellite lots.
    MBTA: Arts at the Armory is approximately a 15 minute walk from Davis Square which is on the MBTA Red Line, or take either the 88 or 90 bus from Lechmere (Green Line) or Davis Square (Red Line). Get off at the Highland Avenue and Lowell Street stop. You can also get there from Sullivan Square (Orange Line) via the 90 bus. Get off at the Highland Avenue and Benton Road stop.
    Bicycle: The Armory is four blocks from the Somerville Community Path.
    Handicap accessible.

    ABOUT NOTLOB MUSIC
    Since 2007, notloB Music has presented close to 200 folk, old-time, bluegrass, progressive string band, world and Celtic concerts in unique venues throughout the greater Boston area.
    mail list - http://tinyurl.com/notlobmail
    website - https://sites.google.com/site/notlobmusic/
    facebook - https://www.facebook.com/notloBParlourConcerts/
    eventbrite(tickets) - http://www.eventbrite.com/o/notlob-music-6730833315

Monday, May 2, 2016

Emily Haviland Baker and Friends, Presented by notloB Music

Emily Haviland Baker and Friends, Presented by notloB Music

As with all of notloB's 4th Wednesday concerts at the Armory, admission is free, donation ($5-10pp) is appreciated. Reservations can be made here.

  • Emily Haviland Baker is a locally-grown, up-and-coming performer & music therapist in the Greater-Boston area. She was raised in the Essex County in Massachusetts, and was born into a family of musicians. With her parent's being a classical pianist and a classical trumpet-player, and her Aunt being a professional violinist in New York City, Emily also chose to play the violin at the age of five. She started with the Suzuki method and moved onto a more vigorous path of studying viola at New England Conservatory Preparatory School from 2002 - 2006. There she studied with Gillian Rogel in her final year, and was in Benjamin Zander's Youth Philharmonic Orchestra for her last two. (Some of her other accomplishments during this time: In 2005, Emily received first chair in Massachusetts All-States Orchestra, and also went on a 3 week-long tour of Brazil and Venezuela in 2005 with NEC's YPO.) Emily studied classical viola for one final year in from 2006-2007 with New England Conservatory's James Buswell. 

  • After a life-evaluation at the age of 18, Emily decided to step away from music and two years later, entered the corporate-world in an administrative role. Her final two and-a-half years were served as the Administrative Assistant to the SVP of Product at Sperry, a men's & women's footwear brand. Another life evaluation was due after year five in the corporate-gig, which is when Emily decided to return to music, newly inspired by the folk and bluegrass scene. After receiving a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and shortly after becoming a full-time student again, she realized that not only was performing in her future, but so was serving her community, and that would be through the channel of music therapy. 

    Now, Emily is in her fifth semester at Berklee College of Music, dual-majoring in Music Therapy & Violin Performance with a Minor in American Roots Studies. There, she is studying with famous performers like Darol Anger, Bruce Molsky, Matt Glaser, Joe Walsh, Dr. David Wallace, Dave Hollander, Tony Trischka, and Casey Driessen. Emily has performed at an array of different venues, ranging from halls such as New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall and Boston's infamous Symphony Hall, to venues like the Cantab Lounge & Club Passim in Cambridge, MA, and The Red Room in Boston. Emily's expected graduation date is May 2017 and hopes to receive her MT-BC license later that year.

    ABOUT THE CAFE
    You can arrive as early as 6pm to enjoy the cafe's offerings, which include sandwiches/wraps, salads, coffee, teas and pastries as well as beer and wine.
    Free parking in the back lot, on street (mind the signage) and two satellite lots.
    MBTA: Arts at the Armory is approximately a 15 minute walk from Davis Square which is on the MBTA Red Line, or take either the 88 or 90 bus from Lechmere (Green Line) or Davis Square (Red Line). Get off at the Highland Avenue and Lowell Street stop. You can also get there from Sullivan Square (Orange Line) via the 90 bus. Get off at the Highland Avenue and Benton Road stop.
    Bicycle: The Armory is four blocks from the Somerville Community Path.
    Handicap accessible.

    ABOUT NOTLOB MUSIC

    Since 2007, notloB Music has presented close to 200 folk, old-time, bluegrass, progressive string band, world and Celtic concerts in unique venues throughout the greater Boston area.
    Opt in to our mail list - http://tinyurl.com/notlobmail
    Bookmark our website - https://sites.google.com/site/notlobmusic/
    "Like" our Facebook page -https://www.facebook.com/notloBParlourConcerts/
    Bookmark our eventbrite page (tickets or reservations - http://www.eventbrite.com/o/notlob-music-6730833315

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Berklee String Quartet "Unauthorized Personnel" at the Somerville Armory, 4/27/16






notloB Music and Darol Anger have a long history of progressive string quartet collaboration, the tradition continues! Unauthorized Personnel is a Berklee contemporary string quartet, coached by a pioneer of contemporary fiddle, Darol Anger. Bringing together some of the greatest players in Berklee’s string department, Unauthorized Personnel specializes in the music of the great Turtle Island String Quartet. The group started in January of this year, and have been sawing the strings ever since. This concert will mark the ensemble's public debut!


ABOUT THE MEMBERS

Avery Merritt (Violin) is a Boston based multi-style fiddle player. He has played fiddle since the age of four and plays bluegrass, jazz, and alternative styles. He has won a number of awards, including first place in both advanced fiddle and band categories at the Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Competition, and was named an official California Arts Scholar at The CSSSA program at CalArts.There, he received a Governor's Medallion for The Arts, the highest distinction in California an arts student can receive. Avery has studied with musicians such as Jeremy Kittel, Darol Anger, Casey Driessen, Alex Hargreaves, and Mark O’Connor to name a few. He also works with NS Design as a demonstrating artist at various locations such as The NAMM Shows, IBMA, and has also performed at festivals such as Grey Fox and Freshgrass. Avery is a 3rd semester student at Berklee, currently studying under Jason Anick.
Avery’s Website - http://www.averymerritt.com/

Kailey Zercher (Violin) from Santa Fe, NM, started studying classical music at the age of nine, and had classes with many accomplished violinists such as members of the Santa Fe chamber orchestra Promusica, the Santa Fe Opera, grammy nominees and world-touring performers. She has been selected for many orchestras such as All-State New Mexico, a Switzerland-based, internationally touring orchestra called Crescendo and others. Kailey is now a seventh-semester student at Berklee College of Music, where she studies everything from jazz to rock. So far, she has studied privately with Mimi Rabson, Jason Anick, Rob Thomas, and Matt Glaser, and Darol Anger. She also plays and sings in a local folk-rock/jam band called The Womps, that is to release their EP by the end of the month.
Kailey’s music: The Womps - Eating Up My Soul https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KudbF8nTgnI

Parker Ousley (Cello) grew up on the desolate frozen tundra in Minnesota and began playing cello at age 5. Before coming to Boston, he studied classical cello with David Carter, Peter Howard, and Anna Clift. In high school he began venturing from the comforts of his classical home and joined the amateur folk band, Flute Platoon as a singer and cellist. After breaking from the Platoon, Parker began singing and playing as a solo act in the Twin Cities. When not performing with Unauthorized Personnel, he and his cello, Jeremy, can be found performing on their own, with American Housewife, or in the Twin Cities-based duo The Triplets. Parker is currently finishing his sophomore year at Berklee College of Music where he studies with Mike Block, Eugene Friesen, and Rob Thomas.

Jennifer Frantz (Viola) is from Beaver, PA. She started studying classical violin at the age of 5, and switched to viola at the age of 16. She is in her fourth semester at Berklee where she has been studying jazz and contemporary music as well as composition with David Wallace and Rob Thomas. In 2014, Jennifer was the winner of a concerto competition where she performed the Stamitz viola concerto, with the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Orchestra. She also had toured all over U.S. with the jazz group From the Four, and Extreme Strings Orchestra. She has participated in multiple international music festivals and is the assistant to the director of the CLAZZ music festival. Jennifer is known for her ability to hula-hoop while playing viola.

Admission to the Wednesday concert series is by free-will offering (45-10 suggested). Make your reservation at http://tinyurl.com/notlobtickets.

ABOUT THE CAFE

You can arrive as early as 6pm to enjoy the cafe's offerings, which include sandwiches/wraps, salads, coffee, teas and pastries as well as beer and wine.
Free parking in the back lot, on street (mind the signage) and two satellite lots.
MBTA: Arts at the Armory is approximately a 15 minute walk from Davis Square which is on the MBTA Red Line, or take either the 88 or 90 bus from Lechmere (Green Line) or Davis Square (Red Line). Get off at the Highland Avenue and Lowell Street stop. You can also get there from Sullivan Square (Orange Line) via the 90 bus. Get off at the Highland Avenue and Benton Road stop.
Bicycle: The Armory is four blocks from the Somerville Community Path.
Handicap accessible.

ABOUT NOTLOB MUSIC
Since 2007, notloB Music has presented close to 200 folk, old-time, bluegrass, progressive string band, world and Celtic concerts in unique venues throughout the greater Boston area.
mail list - http://tinyurl.com/notlobmail
website - https://sites.google.com/site/notlobmusic/
facebook - https://www.facebook.com/notloBParlourConcerts/
eventbrite (tickets) - http://www.eventbrite.com/o/notlob-music-6730833315

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

notloB Music presents Floyds Row, 3/26, Somerville

Floyds Row in concert
Saturday, March 26, 7:30pm
Arts at the Armory Cafe
191 Highland Ave, Somerville


Floyds Row "fuses contemporary classical, Northumbrian traditional, and early music..." 
Emily Noël - soprano & autoharp 
Asako Takeuchi - fiddle 
Andrew Arceci - viola da gamba, double bass & cittern 
George Lykogiannis - accordion 
George Lernis - percussion
Somerville Armory Café serves light fare (soups, salads, sandwiches and deserts), coffee, teas, wine and beer. You can arrive as early as 6pm to enjoy the cafe's offerings. 


Developing a varied career as performer, composer/arranger, and scholar, Andrew Arceci performs regularly on the viola da gamba (viol), violone, and double bass throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. In the United Kingdom, he has appeared with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Cöthen Baroque, and Oxford Baroque. In the United States, he has collaborated with the Boston Camerata, Handel & Haydn Society, the Arcadia Players, Tempesta di Mare - Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra, Harmonious Blacksmith, The Folger Consort, the Washington Bach Consort, and the Washington National Cathedral; he currently serves as principal bassist with Boston’s L'Académie Baroque Orchestra and Chicago’s Baroque Band. He has given workshops at the University of Oxford (UK), the University of Cambridge (UK), the University of Edinburgh (UK), the Narnia Arts Academy (Narni; Italy), the Taipei National University of the Arts (Taiwan), Burapha University (Thailand), and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania (USA). Currently, he directs the Collegium Musicum at Wellesley College, serves on the Winchendon Cultural Council, and works as a freelance artist throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
George Lernis (drummer, world percussionist) specializes in a number of world percussion instruments such as: Darbuka, Bendir, Daire, Riq, just to name a few. George holds a bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music in Jazz Performance and a master’s degree from Longy Conservatory in Modern American Music. Currently George resides in Boston where he regularly performs and teaches music. Over the last few years, George has recorded and collaborated with prominent figures such as: Dave Liebman, Anat Cohen, Antonio Sanchez, Tiger Okoshi, Jerry Leake, Bertram Lehmann, Mehmet Ali Salnikol, and Robert Labaree. After his master’s degree, George released his first album as a bandleader, “Shapes of Nature” featuring the George Lernis Jazz Quartet. George performs regularly around the New England area, New York, as well as touring around the United States and Europe.
Accordionist, George Lykogiannis, works on both accordion and piano. He has performed with Make Music New York's accordion "Mass Appeal", and has played shows with artists throughout the United States. As a pianist, Mr. Lykogiannis performed with the IU Concert Orchestra under the baton of David Effron in February of 2011 as winner of Indiana University’s “Totentanz” competition (Bloomington, IN). Mr. Lykogiannis made his orchestral debut with the Orchestra Sinfonica del Festival di Chioggia (Veneto, Italy) in 2000, and appeared in concert with them again in 2007 and 2009. In the fall of 2003, he made his United States orchestral debut with the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra (NJ). Mr. Lykogiannis attended Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ) where he studied under Raffi Besalyan, and graduated Summa Cum Laude in May of 2008 with a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance. In May of 2012, he received a Master of Music degree from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, having studied under Professor Emile Naoumoff. Mr. Lykogiannis is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) in piano at Rutgers University.
Soprano Emily Noël has appeared as a soloist with The Gabrieli Consort, The Folger Consort, The Washington Bach Consort, 21stCentury Consort, Orchestra of the 17th Century, Bach Sinfonia, and Indiana University New Music Ensemble; and was featured as the soprano soloist in CPE Bach’s Magnificat at the 2014 American Bach Society Annual Meeting. In recent seasons, she has sung a wide range of operatic roles, notably Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto with Ente Concerti Città di Iglesias (Sardinia, Italy); Nora in Vaughn Williams’ Riders to the Sea at the Amsterdam Grachtenfestival (Netherlands); The Witch in Purcell’s The Witch of Endor at the Washington National Cathedral; and Debora in selections from Guglielmi’s Debora e Sisara with Modern Musick at the Italian Embassy as part of the 2013 Anno Della Cultura Italiana. Ms. Noël earned her Master of Music in voice from Peabody Conservatory and her Bachelor of Music from the University of Maryland; currently she serves as an Assistant Professor of Music at The Community College of Rhode Island.
Touring extensively as a solo, chamber, and orchestral player throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, violinist Asako Takeuchihas performed with ensembles such as the Wallfisch Band (UK), Collegium Musicum Den Haag (Netherlands), Den Haag Piano Quintet (Netherlands), The Bach Choir & Orchestra of the Netherlands, Arion Baroque Orchestra (Canada), and Handel & Haydn Society (USA). She has performed at numerous festivals, including Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht (Netherlands), Deutsches Mozartfest and Innsbruck Festival (Germany), Festival de Música Antigua de Barcelona (Spain), MUPA International Arts Festival (Thailand), Abbaye aux Dames (France), and Aston Magna Music Festival (USA). Discography includes recordings with The Wallfisch Band (soloist), Arion Baroque Orchestra, and The Bach Choir & Orchestra of the Netherlands. She has given workshops at Burapha University (Thailand), and holds degrees from the Royal Conservatory in the Hague (Netherlands), University of Southern California, and Berklee College of Music.
________________________________________
"Soprano Emily Noël gave sparkling performances of polished Claudio Monteverdi songs, as well as more homespun English ballads in a sort of entr’acte of groundling music." Washington Post
"In addition to the superb instrumentalists (a couple of bagpipes made a delicious appearance along the way), Peabody-trained soprano Emily Noël offered deftly sculpted singing. A classy enterprise all the way." Baltimore Sun
“The opening Grave, with subtle nuances in Andrew Arceci’s viola da gamba and overall intricate textures, conveyed the quiet and poised joy of daily thanksgiving." THE BOSTON MUSICAL INTELLIGENCER
"Andrew Arceci was heroic in the wide-ranging solo part..." SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL
"Andrew Arceci brought a lovely tone to the line and matched the dramatic impulses that propelled the superb ensemble playing." THE NEW YORK TIMES
“...his modernistic approach to drumming, Lernis expands upon the restrictive role of timekeeper, playing a naturally flowing amalgamation of shifting rhythms that distinguishes his work from more typical mainstream jazz while maintaining an appealing sound.” Drumhead Magazine.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

notloB Music Presents OCTOPLADD March 23, nine other Spring season concerts to be announced Sunday, March 13

Between March 23 and June 25, notloB Music will present a ten concert Spring series consisting of four Berklee College of Music student concerts (4th Wednesdays), five professional concerts (4th Saturdays plus one Monday), all at the Somerville Armory, and one additional date in conjunction with the James Joyce Ramble at the Endicott Estate in Dedham.

Admission to the Wednesday Armory and Dedham concerts is by free-will offering; the Saturday concerts are ticketed. Make reservations or purchase tickets at http://tinyurl.com/notlobtickets

Questions? Email notlobreservations@gmail.com or call 413-658-4585.

For Armory concerts, you can arrive as early as 6pm to enjoy the cafe's offerings - complete info here.

notloB Music Presents OCTOPLADD!




notloB’s Spring season kicks off with a return by OctoPladd, who performed to a large and enthusiastic audience last Fall. OctoPladd is comprised of Noah Harrington on bass, Sam Leslie on guitar, Ethan Setiawan on mandolin and Julian Pinelli on violin. Accomplished instrumentalists in their own right, together they create an ensemble sound bigger than the sum of its parts. The name refers to the fact that, in an ideal world, all the band members would be wearing two plaid shirts at the same time while playing shows, resulting in there being 8 plaid shirts onstage!

Ethan Setiawan is a mandolinist from Goshen, Indiana. Before turning 18, he managed to participate in Savannah Music Festival’s Acoustic Music Seminar, was awarded a full ride scholarship to Berklee School of Music, performed on NPR syndicate Prairie Home Companion and won the 2014 National Mandolin Championship. While he started on cello in third grade, he was drawn to the mandolin after getting bored learning ukulele. Soon after, Ethan was traveling around the country going to mandolin and music instructional events such as the Mandolin Symposium, the Swannanoa Gathering and the Berklee 5-Week Summer Performance Program. Though Ethan is currently attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, he took lessons from jazz mandolinist Don Stiernberg through high school. Other artists he’s studied with include Clarice Assad, Bela Fleck, Julian Lage, Daniel Hope, and Mike Marshall. He’s performed with such diverse artists as the Steel Wheels, the Don Stiernberg Trio and Andy Hatfield (2011 International Guitar Champion, 2013 National Mandolin Champion), as well as having taught mandolin at TG School of Music in Goshen, Indiana.

Julian Pinelli first began playing violin at age 4, and soon after began playing bluegrass and fiddle tunes with his father. As a young teenager, Julian became serious about music as a career. Since then, discoveries and pursuits have ranged from intense classical studies, to the expressive world of jazz and improvising, as well as many fiddle and folk traditions. The Appalachian music surrounding Julian’s home in Asheville NC has been central to his musical upbringing. In addition to gigging and playing in various bluegrass and folk bands, the most developmental experiences have been the countless hours of jamming and learning from fellow musicians. Julian is currently a 3rd semester student at Berklee College of Music where he studies jazz violin among other styles and skillsets. Julian’s passion for music is rooted in its emotional impact, and the power it has to transcend reality and unify people. Overall, Julian strives to be at the forefront of musical innovation and create down-to-earth music that respects existing musical traditions while staying fresh at the cutting edge.

Noah Harrington is an award-winning bassist originally from Lexington, MA, currently studying at Berklee College of Music. He has studied with such luminaries as Julian Lage, Mike Marshall, Dave Holland and (currently) John Lockwood. Noah has co-founded the Scarlett//Harrington big band and frequently performs with a range of small ensembles at dances, weddings, house parties, festivals, and musicals. Noah was named Outstanding Unamplified Bassist at the 2015 “Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition,” leading the competition’s “Overall Most Outstanding Rhythm Section.” He was twice named outstanding soloist at the Charles Mingus High School Jazz competition, and was one of 16 musicians nationwide invited to participate in the 2015 Savannah Acoustic Music Festival workshop.

Sam Leslie was born (in the south land some 20 odd years ago) and raised in Evergreen, Colorado. He grew up in a very musical family and was always surrounded by music. He started out playing bluegrass flat-pick guitar, but also plays jazz, blues, swing, and any other styles that he can get his hands around. Having a background in American folk music, he can also play mandolin, fiddle, bass, and banjo. He’s won multiple first place awards in the state of Colorado’s Reflections Songwriting Competition and a honorable mention for the national level, as well as been the runner up in the Rockygrass Guitar Contest.

notloB Music Presents...SPRING 2016
Wednesday, March 23 - Octopladd
Saturday, March 26 - Celtic
Saturday, April 23 (afternoon) - Celtic
Saturday, April 23 (evening) - bluegrass from Maine!
Wednesday, April 27 - TBA
Wednesday, May 25 - Progressive string
Saturday, May 28 - Irish Celtic
Monday, June 13 - Celtic
Wednesday, June 22 - TBA
Saturday, June 25 - Celtic

Stay in touch with notloB Music


"Since 2007, notloB Music has presented close to 200 folk, old-time, bluegrass, progressive string band, world and Celtic concerts in unique venues throughout the greater Boston area."


Monday, November 2, 2015

Julian Pinelli, Ethan Setiawan and Noah Harrington @ Somerville Armory, 11/25

Julian Pinelli, Ethan Setiawan and Noah Harrington 
Wednesday, November 25, 7:30pm  (cafe opens at 6:00pm)
Arts at the Armory Cafe
191 Highland Ave, Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
Suggested donation $5-10 (cash)


Don't be a turkey, bring visiting out-of-town family, friends and fiends to Arts at the Armory's cafe and show them some rising Berklee talent!

On Wednesday, November 25 at 7:30pm the notloB Music concert series will team up once again with Arts at the Armory to present a special performance, this time by rising Berklee Colllege of Music students Julian Pinelli, Ethan Setiawan, and Noah Harrington.

Julian Pinelli - http://www.julianpinelli.com/ - first began playing violin at age 4, and soon after began playing bluegrass and fiddle tunes with his father. As a young teenager, Julian became serious about music as a career. Since then, discoveries and pursuits have ranged from intense classical studies, to the expressive world of jazz and improvising, as well as many fiddle and folk traditions. The Appalachian music surrounding Julian’s home in Asheville NC has been central to his musical upbringing. In addition to gigging and playing in various bluegrass and folk bands, the most developmental experiences have been the countless hours of jamming and learning from fellow musicians. Julian is currently a 3rd semester student at Berklee College of Music where he studies jazz violin among other styles and skillsets. 

Julian’s passion for music is rooted in its emotional impact, and the power it has to transcend reality and unify people. Overall, Julian strives to be at the forefront of musical innovation and create down-to-earth music that respects existing musical traditions while staying fresh at the cutting edge. 

Ethan Setiawan is a mandolinist from Goshen, Indiana. Before turning 18, he managed to participate in Savannah Music Festival’s Acoustic Music Seminar, was awarded a full ride scholarship to Berklee School of Music, performed on NPR syndicate Prairie Home Companion and won the 2014 National Mandolin Championship. While he started on cello in third grade, he was drawn to the mandolin after getting bored learning ukulele. Soon after, Ethan was traveling around the country going to mandolin and music instructional events such as the Mandolin Symposium, the Swannanoa Gathering and the Berklee 5-Week Summer Performance Program. Though Ethan is currently attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, he took lessons from jazz mandolinist Don Stiernberg through high school. Other artists he’s studied with include Clarice Assad, Bela Fleck, Julian Lage, Daniel Hope, and Mike Marshall. He’s performed with such diverse artists as the Steel Wheels, the Don Stiernberg Trio and Andy Hatfield (2011 International Guitar Champion, 2013 National Mandolin Champion), as well as having taught mandolin at TG School of Music in Goshen, Indiana. 

Noah Harrington is an award-winning acoustic and electric bassist originally from Lexington, MA, currently studying at The Berklee College of Music. He plays a wide range of styles, but fell in love with jazz soon after picking up the bass at the age of 10. He has studied with such luminaries as Julian Lage, Mike Marshall, Dave Holland and (currently) John Lockwood. An experienced bandleader, Noah founded the Scarlett//Harrington big band with fellow Berklee student Dean Scarlett, and frequently performs with a range of small ensembles at dances, weddings, house parties, festivals, and musicals. His musical repertoire encompasses Jazz, Rock, Brazilian, and Acoustic Roots music. 
Noah was named Outstanding Unamplified Bassist at the 2015 “Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition,” leading the competition’s “Overall Most Outstanding Rhythm Section.” He was twice named outstanding soloist at the Charles Mingus High School Jazz competition, and was one of 16 musicians nationwide invited to participate in the 2015 Savannah Acoustic Music Festival workshop. 
His musical influences include Ray Brown, Charlie Haden, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald. He’s known for creating meaningful and energetic music, while staying in the pocket and focused on the groove. 

This is the sixth concert of the notloB Music’s current season presented at this venue. As we did at our long-running Loring-Greenough concert series, admission is by free-will donation. General admission $5-10+ cash.