Brown Bag Concert Series Fall 2014
Wednesdays At Mechanics Hall
321 Main Street, Worcester, MA, 01608; 508-752-5608
Broadcast live on WICN 90.5 FM and Streaming at wicn.org
Brown Bag Concerts are produced by Mechanics Hall and WICN Public Radio. Concerts begin at noon and admission is free. Bring your own lunch or purchase one at the Hall while they last. Brown Bag Concerts are broadcast on 90.5FM and stream live on wicn.org whenever possible. Programs are subject to change without notice. Swipe your WOO card at the Box Office and collect two points.
November 12
Marika Galea Quintet from Berklee College of Music
The Series kicks off with another sensational group from Berklee College of Music. Marika Galea is a bassist whose hometown is Scarborough, Ontario. She began studying bass at age fifteen with Toronto mainstay Jon Maharaj. Galea has won multiple awards and scholarships and was in the Jazz Performance program at University of Toronto. Now she studies at Berklee College of Music. Her quintet includes Norah Conrad on trumpet; Tomoaki Baba, tenor saxophone; Ben Lusher, piano and voice; and Jongkuk Kim on drums.
November 19
Jazz Vocalist Cassandre McKinley
Cassandre McKinley has a vocal style that walks the line between jazz and soul – a voice that is commanding, vibrant and rich – with “chops” to spare. But, she’s no diva – though she’ll confidently and easily weave her way through The American Songbook and Soul Classics alike, singing with the maturity and wisdom of a veteran performer, she will stop to tell you a story – unwittingly disarming you like the “girl next door” she truly is.
November 26
New Black Eagle Jazz Band
The band has delighted audiences all over the world with their huge and eclectic repertoire of jazz from the 1920’s and 30’s. The group has a mature mastery of this great American music – from Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton to early Duke Ellington to Cole Porter; from blues to rags to popular songs of the era. The New Black Eagles regard themselves as “Keepers of the Flame”.
December 3
New England Conservatory Symphonic Winds and Concert Choir
Conducted by William Drury, the big sound of NEC Symphonic Winds and the Concert Choir will surely put us all in the holiday spirit!
December 10
Blues Vocalist Michelle Willson & the Evil Gal Festival Orchestra
Affectionately called “evil gal,” Michelle’s amazing voice, intense, engaging style, her vast knowledge of and passion for Jazz and Rhythm & Blues music combined with the rock solid support provided by her talented and tight backup band add up to a unique and unforgettable show! She is a force of nature — an emotional ball of talent that inspires with her original songs but also takes you on a journey through what she calls “the lost music” of vintage soul/R&B legends like Dinah Washington, Ruth Brown and Etta James.