BRATTLEBORO — The 2012 season of Sam's Sunday Set & Shed mentor-protégé concert series closes Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Elliot Street Cafe, 134 Elliot St., with a 4 p.m. concert by Samirah Evans and five students who have studied jazz vocals with her.
Evans will begin the program, performing a few songs with Jamie MacDonald (bass), Kate Parsons (piano) and Ben Carr (drums). Each of the five vocalists then will be invited to perform solo, with Evans joining on a few duets.
The featured vocalists include two adults: Scott Sizer and BD Denhoff Dworkin, plus youth Bronwyn Hodgkinson, Christol Long, and Arwyn Antinoro.
Evans says she asked MacDonald to lead the backing trio as Sizer and Dworkin have also studied at his Open Music Collective vocal workshop.
“It occurred to me that a comfortable atmosphere would be created because of their familiarity with Jamie's rhythm section, ultimately making this vocal presentation a perfect collaborative effort,” says Evans.
Following a break to share potluck dishes, the band will invite aspiring and seasoned vocalists and musicians alike to join them onstage for a “jazz woodshed” session, to work on improvisational skills.
Admission is by a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for students ages 18 and younger. Proceeds go to the scheduled musicians. Guests are encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share.
“Sam's Sunday Set and Shed” was conceived by Evans, founder of Silktone Productions. The monthly music series is based on her own experience as an up-and-coming vocalist in New Orleans, where it was customary for seasoned artists to invite young musicians and singers onstage. She said she hopes that the casual, family-friendly atmosphere of the Elliot Street Café on a Sunday afternoon, and its downtown location, will encourage young musicians to come and practice their craft.
Silktone Productions would like to acknowledge the Vermont Jazz Center, the Open Music Collective and Lotus Graphics for their support of this program.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/SamsSetAndShed, call Silktone Productions at 802-365-1234, or write [email protected].