The 17-member Vermont Jazz Ensemble has been swinging its way through the green mountain state for over forty eight years! Playing an eclectic mix of beloved standards and contemporary compositions, VJE delights audiences in Vermont and beyond with their exciting solos, seasoned ensemble work, and classic big band sound.
Born and raised in Queens, NY, Lara Cwass is a dynamic talent, with an expressive and soulful approach to her main instrument, guitar. As a rich and melodic vocalist and guitarist, Lara fully embraces the diverse worlds of jazz fusion, blues, soul, funk, and other improvisatory styles. Lara has had the great honor of sharing stages with Allman Brothers members Oteil Burbridge, Butch Trucks, Jaimoe, and Jack Pearson, as well as other pillars of the jam scene, Eric Krasno, Luther Dickinson, Scott Metzger, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Jackie Greene, Mike Gordon, Nikki Glaspie, John Medeski, and Rob Compa, to name a few.
Linda Bassick is a longtime early educator, musician, member of Steady Betty and the sixties tribute band, Mellow Yellow. Linda hosts weekly sing-alongs in Chittenden County and has been singing and working with young children since the 1980’s. Linda Bassick will play a set of family friendly and lively tunes from their latest album Maple’s Busy Morning along with other family favorites.
For more than a decade and a half, Burlington, Vermont-based guitarist and songwriter Bob Wagner has been a secret-weapon sideman, lending his licks and leads to some of the tightest live acts in the Northeast.
This summer, with the release of his debut solo album I’ve Been Down, Wagner is stepping into the spotlight.
While the move has been a long time coming, it was something Wagner felt no need to rush. While deeply at home during international tours with Josh Panda, or his foundational stint with Kat Wright and her enchanting retro soul unit, Wagner was often approached by fans curious as to where to find his own work.
Mikahely hails from the beautiful island of Madagascar, but his music transcends boundaries! A self-taught musician who first picked up the guitar at age 7, he draws inspiration from traditional Malagasy rhythms and lullabies to create his own unique sounds on guitar and valiha (a zither-like instrument made from bamboo). His songs highlight pressing social and environmental issues facing Madagascar and the world, such as climate change, biodiversity conservation and children's rights. Having toured in Madagascar and Europe, he now brings his music to new audiences in the United States. He is also featured in the documentary Guitar Madagascar.
The Eames Brothers Band are known for their late night sets that drift seamlessly through lowdown psychedelic blues funk to uplifting soul songs and back again.... Always digging deeper for that elusive feeling through sound.
Seth Eames "howls at the moon like no one else," singing songs "churning with dark mystery, with chilling, hollow bodied delivery." The "legendary" Phil Carr holding down the meanest grooves around and always leanin' in. Ralph Eames walking the bass line steady and strong. "Shoveling the coal into the fire that is the Eames Brothers Band."
"You'd be hard-pressed to find a harder working act than Vermont's Eames Brothers Band. The Eames' music is rooted in tradition, from sparse delta blues to stinging electric shuffles." "Their original blues tunes are remarkably soulful... "These dudes have passion, chops and an abundance of flavor." "Their moody, dynamic tunes have a vibe all their own."
Ralph Eames - bass
Seth Eames - guitar
Phil Carr - drums
Select Sound System is a six-piece live hip hop, reggae, and funk fusion band featuring Sed One, I Rhymes, Daiki Hirano, Ben Dunham, Robinson Morse, and Jonas Eno-Van Fleet. Known for high-energy performances and conscious lyricism, the group brings an immersive sound system experience to the stage and beyond. Formed as an evolving collective rather than just a band, Select Sound System blends live instrumentation, deep grooves, and message-driven songwriting into a powerful and unifying live experience.
With a mission to uplift and inspire, the group delivers music as medicine for the mind, body, and soul.
"Vermont's Premier Traditional Dixieland Jazz Band"
Since 1984, the Onion River Jazz Band has been delighting audiences throughout Vermont and New England with their spot-on renditions of vintage jazz, ragtime and swing instrumentals and songs. ORJB's seven red-hot musicians (trumpet, trombone, clarinet, piano, banjo, sousaphone, drums and vocalists) combined professional performing experience is well over 300 years. The band's passion for traditional New Orleans jazz and the music of Tin Pan Alley is evident in every live performance and recording. They preserve the original sound of jazz inspired by legends such as Scott Joplin, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, Lu Watters, Fats Waller and countless others. Onion River plays a vast repertoire, from well known favorites such as "Basin Street Blues", "When The Saints Go Marchina o In" ' "Ain't Misbehavin"' "Tiaer o Raa" o ' and "Puttin' On The Ritz" to rarely heard musical gems like "Wild Man Blues", "Shim Me Sha Wabble" and "A Porter's Love Song to a Chambermaid plus plenty more. The Onion River Jazz Band was formed 38 years ago to play during a jazz worship service as part of Burlington's first Discover Jazz Festival. They sold out the yearly DJF Dixie Cruise and still pack 'em in every June at the top of Church Street stage. ORJB has spread their toe-tapping, exuberant music far and wide with concerts at the Vermont State House, Spruce Peak Performing Arts, numerous town halls, community bandstands, Rutland's First Night, and the Centrum Arena in Worcester Mass. Jazz Sunday church appearances have become a yearly tradition in Burlington and Rutland as well as many years at churches in Essex, Vermont and Wellesley, Mass. ORJB's music is perfect for Roaring Twenties events, fundraisers, celebrations, weddings and even traditional New Orleans jazz funerals. A particular favorite of the band is entertaining at senior living communities, especially for the New Years Eve dance at Wake Robin (when the ball drops at 9 pm). For more than 20 years the Onion River Jazz Band has performed weekly throughout the summer at Basin Harbor Club.
Hot Pickin' Party is a bluegrass band comprised of guitarist Doug Perkins, bassist Mike Santosusso, and dobro player Adam Frehm. The trio first appeared on the Vermont music scene over 25 years ago as the core members of the popular newgrass jamband Smokin' Grass who released two critically acclaimed CDs, appeared on numerous complications, and toured nationally, performing in over 30 states. The music of Hot Pickin’ Party celebrates the reunion of these three friends with heartfelt harmonies, dynamic musical interplay and a spirit of exploration of journeys old and new. At a Hot Pickin' Party performance you'll hear a mix of original songs, traditional bluegrass songs, familiar yet eclectic classic covers and the occasional completely improvised jam. A Hot Pickin' Party show is hot and cool, fun and funny, and always a party.
Guitarist Michael-Louis Smith (MLS) will perform selections from his catalogue of original compositions and favorites with long-time bandmates Stacy Dillard (saxophone), Ismail Lawal (drums) and Mike Roninson (bass). These like minds and sprits have crafted a unique sound, style and singular vision from 20 + years of performing together and they deliver a powerhouse live show that includes virtuosic soloists, cutting edge, compositions, and telepathic band interplay.
Michael-Louis Smith - guitar/vocals
Stacy Dillard - saxophone
Mike Roninson - bass
Ismail Lawal - drums
High Summer’s sound is a visceral groove.
Original compositions are complimented by well-curated covers that highlight the group’s dynamic musical exploration over a deep-pocket rhythmic foundation, born from years of collaboration in some of Vermont’s finest bands.
Strong horns layer with the golden voice of Miriam Bernardo, with rich melodies of keys and strings built over a rock solid rhythm section.
This deep groove outfit is composed of long-time members of the Burlington musical community, who are current or former members of groups such as Steady Betty, Afinque, Michelle Sarah Band, Mal Maiz, Japhy Ryder, Myra Flynn’s FLYNN, Barika, and many others.
