Wednesday, December 31 2008

AUDITORIUM

Little Groove is groovy, fun, educational music for kids by a three-piece band led by renowned folk singer-songwriter Sara Wheeler.

Noted folk singer/songwriter Ellis Paul performs selections from his Parents' Choice Award –winning The Dragonfly Races, his collection of music for kids and people who have kids. Traditional folk themes of world peace and harmony resonate with immediacy, but are delivered with a gentle touch.

(LG 1:00 and 2:15 p.m.; EP 3:30 and 4:45 p.m.)    Presented in association with WUMB 91.9 FM.

2nd Show 7:45pm

Sponsored by AAA Southern New England.

Prolific jazz artist Makanda Ken McIntyre, a native Bostonian who performed with such greats as Cecil Taylor and Eric Dolphy, left behind some 400 compositions when he died in 2001. The Makanda Project, a nine piece ensemble, keeps these compositions alive. Led by pianist and former student John Kordalewski, the band has dedicated itself to the rich body of McIntyre's work.

Spend New Year's at St. Paul's and see a variety show with the 100 Voices Coastline Show Chorus, Kathy St. George, Broadmoor Chamber Singers, Syncopation Jazz Quartet, Jon-Daniel Durbin, Rebecca Lou, Terezin Chamber Orchestra, Edwin Geist Brandeis Chorus, and Samuel Chen.

Interfaith Midnight Peace Service starts at 11:45.

2nd Show 7:30

The Boston Saxophone Quartet will perform works from music students in the Boston Public schools –winners of the 2009 First Night composition competition now in its fifth year.

WGBH 89.7’s Toast of the Nation live broadcast Sponsored by WGBH 89.7FM and Berklee College of Music

An evening of talented Berklee alumni and students is headlined by jazz phenomenon Hiromi, a composer/pianist known for her virtuosic technique and energetic live performances that blend jazz, classical and progressive rock. Her band will feature bassist Tony Grey, drummer Martin Valihora and guitarist David Fiuczynski. The (7:45-9:00pm) set will be broadcast live on WGBH 89.7 FM, as part of NPR’s annual New Year’s tradition Toast of the Nation.

Pianist Lawrence Fields, a Berklee student performs as well. He plays piano in Berklee alumnus Jeff "Tain" Watts' quartet, works regularly with alumna drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, and travels the country with Jazzreach, Berklee's jazz education outreach organization.

(Fields, 6:30 p.m.; Hiromi 7:45 live broadcast, closing set 9:30 – 10:30 p.m.)

 

2nd Show 10:00pm

Ellis Paul is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, poet, and troubadour. He is the recipient of thirteen Boston Music Awards, second only to multi-platinum act, Aerosmith. Over the course of fifteen years, Ellis Paul has built a vast catalog of music which weds striking poetic imagery and philosophical introspection with hook-laden melodies.

RABB HALL

2nd Show 8:45pm

Presented by the Consulate General of Israel to New England.

Haggai Cohen Milo (bass), Matan Chapnizka (tenor sax), Nadav Remez (guitar) and Itamar Doari (percussion) play original compositions influenced by Israeli and Middle-Eastern music, and folk music from all over the world. They improvise using a concept called 'HaPizmon' (Hebrew for 'The Theme'). From the pure melody lines and rhythm through the individual's improvisational voice, the group conveys a message that is complex, intelligent and deeply emotional.

Boston is going to be the place with the REAL Rockin' New Year's Eve this year as hometown heroes The Downbeat 5 fill the Boston Common with their primitive garage-rock greatness. Join Jen, JJ and the gang as they bring their adrenaline-filled raw rock 'n roll to a venue that's ALMOST big enough to hold them.

Sounding like a Tarantino film in stereo, Black Taxi seduces with the seediness of a pulp fiction novel; a decaying sideshow that's as sexy as it is punk rock. Lyrics paint woozy pictures of Kerouacian misadventures, featuring a rotating cast.

DB5 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., BT 10 p.m. – 12 midnight

ROOM 302

The master drummers of BatukAxe' and IntaAfrika jam with young musicians from the Argenziano School at Lincoln Park in Somerville and the Trinity Middle Schol in Roxbury. Join them for one big dance party!

EXHIBIT HALL A

Dance the night away with El Bembé! This year's live band is Gilberto Rivera and RumbaNaMa, a Boston-based Latin dance band. This performance includes this lively band playing the best in Latin music – salsa, meringue and more.

AUDITORIUM

Nashville's Scissormen, featuring former Bostonian and music journalist Ted Drozdowski, play fire-breathing slide guitar blues straight from the juke joints of the Mississippi hills, where R.L. Burnside and others were mentors. Their new CD, Luck in a Hurry, comes on the heels of their debuts at Bonnaroo 2008 and France's prestigious Cognac Blues Passions. Presented in association with WUMB 91.9 FM.

Doors open at 8 p.m. with a light appetizer display and special a la carte New Year's Eve menu, midnight champagne toast included!

Featuring: Yoko Miwa, piano; Tal Gamlieli, acoustic bass; Scott Goulding, drums

Later Shows 9:15 and 10:30pm

Freshly returned from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, circus composer Sxip Shirey and human beat boxer Adam Matta preside over a table of mutant harmonicas, industrial flutes, regurgitated music boxes, siren whistles and other sonic marvels creating the most incredible visual soundscapes you will ever see and hear.

Additional Shows 9:15 and 10:30pm

Boston native Fulani Haynes has been featured in Black Nativity, Roxbury Outreach Shakespeare Experience, Black Folks Theater, Middle Passage, several one woman shows, and The Wheelock Family Theater where she and her ensemble received rave reviews. For First Night, she and her band will help revelers swing dance and jitterbug into the New Year.

ROOM 207

Additional shows 9:00 and 10:00pm

First Night's annual Folk Festival presents three of the area's best and most promising singer/songwriters. Sara Wheeler is currently working on her seventh CD. Her voice is a gossamer soprano and has a celtic sound. Her song lyrics tell stories that take the listener on a journey. The lovely, lilting voice of Boston-based singer/songwriter Carrie Cheron is an art-form all to itself. With a sound that is as warm and rich as velvet, this gifted songwriter and master song interpreter is absolutely mesmerizing. Also appearing is multi-instrumentalist Tommy Dempsey.

2nd Show 11:00pm

Sawtelle Room

2nd Show 10:00pm

Hayley Jane and the Primates brings a new slant to Indie-Pop-Rock. Diving into everything from theatrical pop rock to upbeat bluegrass to rocksteady, The Primates have created just the right mix of catchy and edgy.

Ring in the New Year with this exciting award winning guitar ace and soulful singer. He always lets the good times roll – Come dance the night away. Reserve early!

EXHIBIT HALL A

Led by the irresistible energy of master West African rhythm guitarist and drummer Mamadou Diop, Mamadou presents a world-class cultural experience. The sound is a guitar and drum led groove that includes the rhythms of high-life, juju, rumba, samba, salsa, and reggae blended with authentic Senegalese ethnic rhythms.

2nd Show 11:15pm

AUDITORIUM

Girls Guns & Glory is able to explore a variety of sonic concoctions under the guise of Americana. Their country twang mixed with the genuine sentiment of rock and folk captures the attention of all listeners who can appreciate catchy, yet thoughtful tunes. Presented in association with WUMB 91.9 FM.

Mary is back from Europe for the Holiday-- and we get to play this ONE GIG with her!!! Don't miss her once a year show - and she is officially still in the band, and will be on their third album that's already in the works!

RABB HALL

2nd Show 11:00pm

Since 2004, Craig Robertson has been hosting ukulele nights all over town, and Ukulele Noir features a core of rotating ukulele players playing everything from Tin Pan Alley to classical to swing and more, with originals thrown in for good measure.