A jazz parade band meets the rhythms of West Africa and the Caribbean, for an concert of lively original music inspired by the warmth of two suns. Vermont composer/percussionist Julian Gerstin is realizing a long-term dream with this project. "The Ghana Suite," based on traditions of Ghana, includes six horns--tuba, trombone, two saxes, two trumpets--plus six percussionists on Ghanaian instruments. "The Martinique Suite" explores rhythms and melodies of this small French Caribbean island, where Gerstin lived for two years, studying musical traditions and playing with the island's leading folkloric troupes. "The Martinique Suite" all six horns again, but features Gerstin on the tanbou drum--a unique instrument that he sits on and plays with both hands and feet.

Well versed in both jazz and world music, Gerstin has been working towards this project for the past few years. Gerstin performs frequently in southern Vermont as a percussionist with Afrobeat band Alafia, Latin dance band De Lomas y Sones, Cuban folkloric troupe Iroko Nuevo, and the eclectic Middle Eastern-Caribbean-jazz As Yet Quintet. He co-teaches the Latin Jazz Ensemble at the Vermont Jazz Center, in Brattleboro, and often guests as well with area choruses such as Mary Kay Brass' River Singers and the Brattleboro Community Choir.

The ensemble includes some of the finest musicians in the area. Writing the horn arrangements and playing saxophone and flute is Michael Zsoldos, of Eugene Uman's Convergence Project. Michael arranges for numerous jazz and gospel ensembles, including Dartmouth College and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Brian Bender, trombone, is one of the most in-demand klezmer and world jazz 'bonists in the country, and has toured Europe and the Middle East many times. Bender and Gerstin share an old connection through the Californian Afrobeat band Kotoja. Jon Weeks, on saxophones, works with area favorites Viva Quetzal and Alafia, as well as numerous Latin dance and Latin jazz bands. On trumpets are Geoffrey Cunningham and Dave Bilodeau, two of Western Massachusetts' finest. Holding down the bottom is Kevin Smith, a.k.a. Tuba Love, one of the most active Western Massachusetts tuba-ists around, working with Primate Fiasco and many other groups.

The West African percussion section is led by Faith Conant, Director of the Five Colleges West African and Dance Ensemble. Faith has worked with the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo music for over twenty years, lived in an Ewe community in Togo for two years, and is President of the Renaissance Adzogbo Society, a dance troupe based in Lome, Togo. Also joining the group will be Rafi Singer, another long-time student of Ewe music and a member of Boston's Agbekor Society, as well as other members of Conant's Five Colleges ensemble. "The Martinique Suite" also features Dave Noonan, the rock-solid drummer who anchors Alafia, Gaslight Tinkers, and several area reggae bands.

It's a killer line-up of musicians. The music will be bold and lively, loud but acoustic (six horns!), melodic and rhythmically powerful.

These concerts are made possible by the generosity and support of the Vermont Jazz Center, Hampshire College, and the many musicians and supporters involved.

Tuesday May 21 at 3:45 PM
VJC Youth Jazz Ensemble performs final concert at Thompson House, 80 Maple Street, Brattleboro

Tuesday, May 21 at 10:00 PM
No Boundaries Radio (WVEW FM, 107.7): Bass is the place. Eugene interviews New Jersey bassist and jazz-writer, Michael Barbara who will present a musical sampling of some of his favorite recordings featuring the great bassists. To stream the live show from anywhere with internet access, go to www.wvew.org and click on the call numbers in upper right-hand corner.