Inspired by past and current music and dance from southwest Louisiana and Texas, and dedicated to the idea that every person deserves an opportunity to two-step, Big Night is a group of Burlington-based musicians playing a mix of Cajun, western swing, Zydeco and classic country.
Come out and dance to one of the hottest new bands making it’s way through New England!

For more info on the band, visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Band/Big-Night-Band-1632623880087065/

 Producer: MCTV

Soule Monde is avant funk erupting from the syncopated minds of power drummer Russ Lawton + B3 wizard Ray Paczkowski. An ideal union of swagger and raw talent, the duo is cemented into an indestructible pocket, where bold improvisational leaps by either player are met by a near-telepathic response from the other. This is fluid funk, crafted for the dance floor but supported by an extensive grasp of jazz improvisation. Paczkowski has an intrepid knowledge of the Hammond B3, playing it as fearlessly as Han Solo flies the Millennium Falcon through an asteroid field, while his left hand lays down bass lines on the clavinet with the ferocity of the meanest four-string, soul-cat.
Lawton is constantly responding to his partner’s attacks – pushing the groove further and deeper while holding the pocket like he’s handcuffed to the snareDon’t expect the beat to drop with Soule Monde, and at the same time don’t expect to get stuck in one groove. Quite simply, this is the jazz-duo your parents warned you about. Russ Lawton has been a staple of the Vermont music scene for years. He’s collaborated with a vast array of VT acts, including Mike Gordon, The GrippFunk Band, and Strangefolk, and has been touring and recording with T.A.B. since 1998. He’s credited with co-writing the Grammy-nominated song “First Tube” which appeared on Phish’s 2000 album, Farmhouse.
Ray Paczkowski has been involved with a number of lauded acts over the years, first gaining recognition in the mid 90’s as a member of the legendary Vermont act, Viperhouse, and later on with his power trio, Vorcza. He toured and recorded with Dave Matthews & Friends for 3 years, and has been the keyboardist for T.A.B. since 2001.
Members of Soule Monde have appeared at Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, onSaturday Night Live, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Fallon, and have shared the stage with Carlos Santana, Rolling Stones, Trey Anastasio, Dave Matthews, Victor Wooten, Mike Gordon, Viperhouse + Strangefolk.

For more info on the band, visit: https://www.soulemonde.com/

 Producer: MCTV

Addison County based  magician Tom Verner’s Magicians Without Borders performs magic shows for children in refugee camps, orphanages and hospitals around the world–often in war torn places where love, laughter and magic are desperately needed. Tom says, “I like to think that the magic brings not only laughter and surprise, but on some deeper level perhaps, magic plants seeds of hope. Hope that the impossible is possible. Hope that after years of waiting in refugee camps, the waiting will end and the people will go home again.” Since 2002, Magicians Without Borders has traveled to over thirty countries using magic to entertain, educate and empower.

For more info on the performers,  visit: http://www.magicianswithoutborders.com/staff/janet-fredericks-aka-lafleur-and-tom-verner/

 Producer: MCTV

In the House of Rock Camp, students learn those oldies-but-goldies classic rock songs composed by the Beatles, Elvis, or even Michael Jackson! The students  also compose their own songs and other independent projects.

For more info on the camp, visit: http://www.mcmcvt.org/

 Producer: MCTV

LowDown Brass Band deftly synthesizes the gritty sounds of Chicago with the high energy street beat of the Crescent City. LDB brandishes a powerful brass frontline of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, with a funky backline of drums and sousaphone. Combining the poetic ferocity of Billa Camp with stellar vocal harmonies, adventurous improvisation, movement, and grooves, LDB creates an infectious and diverse sound that has something for every listener.

“Get up everybody, clap your hands and stomp your feet – it’s time to get funky!” I kid you not, these guys woke me up with a tuba keeping the main beat/rhythm for the first good portion of the song. There’s no way to be lazy when somebody is working this hard to be happy. Fun fun way to start the week – thanks! Foot tapping or body swaying, doesn’t matter which – the week is started with a smile.”-eartaste.blogspot.com
“People have been dancing to New Orleans parade brass and drum bands for more than a century, and with Low Down Breaks, the LDB shows that this genre can bend contemporary styles to its will and keep the second line dancing well into the future. Strongly Recommended.”-Soul Tracks

For more info on the band, visit: https://www.lowdownbrassband.com/

 Producer: MCTV

Taking its name from the word for heart or soul in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria, OKAN fuses Afro-Cuban and other global rhythms with jazz, folk and classical forms. Embracing genres and roles that have historically been dominated by men, co-leaders, composers and multi-instrumentalists Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne bring a fresh perspective to Latin and world jazz fusion through their powerful vocals, incredible musicianship and potent lyrical content.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Elizabeth Rodriguez is a classically trained violinist who served as concertmaster for Havana’s Youth Orchestra. Magdelys Savigne hails from Santiago de Cuba and graduated with honours in orchestral percussion from Havana’s University of the Arts.  Both are JUNO-nominees for their work with Battle of Santiago and Grammy-nominees for their contributions to Jane Bunnett and Maqueque of which they are former members.
Living and collaborating in the intensely multicultural city of Toronto has enriched OKAN’s compositions with influences from Brazil, Spain and New Orleans.
“One of the most exciting Cuban projects to have emerged out of the Toronto Latin scene,  OKAN brings powerful vocals and high-level musicianship to their fusion of traditional rhythms, jazz and soul. Backed by some of the country’s top players, OKAN’S charismatic leaders, Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne are ready to take their project to the international stage”.Jose Ortega, Co-Artistic Director, Lula Lounge Toronto.
OKAN performs as a quintet.

For more info on the band, visit: https://www.okanmusica.com/

 Producer: MCTV

The Joe Davidian Trio (“JD3”) is an American jazz trio comprised of some of the nation’s hottest up-and-coming young lions. Bandleader and pianist Joe Davidian lives in New York City where he performs regularly with many of the greatest names in jazz, including appearances with jazz legends Chester Thompson, Ira Sullivan, Joe Lovano, and Duffy Jackson. Davidian’s passion for jazz education has landed him professorships at University of Vermont, Belmont University and Middle Tennessee State University, and he also maintains an active roster of private piano students in NYC.
The Joe Davidian Trio performs a mix of original works and jazz standards. They have been touring internationally since 2000, presenting concerts and giving masterclasses on improvisation and ensemble playing. In 2008, JD3 released the critically acclaimed album “Silent Fire,” featuring each trio members’ compositions. JD3 has since released two live albums, Live at the Jazz Cave: Volumes One and Two, which document a six-year span of performances at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. Joe will be with bassist John Rivers and drummer Conor Elmes.
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“Amber deLaurentis’ performances are also drawn to artists like Natalie Merchant, Joan Osborne, Sheryl Crow, Patty Griffin, and Melissa Etheridge — in other words, female singer/songwriters who are soulful and bring a lot of blues feeling to their work.”

“Pianist Davidian’s trio explorations are exquisitely swinging and elegantly expressive. World class jazz…!”  Fred Wilbur, The Spiel

“With loving care they take the haunting melody and build a priceless masterpiece. In Davidian’s playing the strength of a Keith Jarrett comes through clearly…” – Paul J. Youngman, jazzreview.com

For more info on the band, visit: http://www.joedavidiantrio.com/

 Producer: MCTV