The Avalon Theatre in downtown Easton was the place to be last Sunday night, October 27th. 

A buoyant crowd of major supporters celebrated the recent return of this historic Theatre to its former Art Deco grandeur. Entertainment included Billie Holiday Competition winner and local jazz vocalist, Sara Jones, followed by a heart-warming performance by the Avalon Children’s Theatre, and a made-for-the-evening video by the Avalon’s own MCTV. 

Just four years ago, the Avalon Foundation was breathtakingly close to losing the Theatre when a local developer made a surprise offer to purchase it from The Town of Easton.  Thanks to a handful of generous, quick-thinking supporters, the Foundation raised more than $1 million to successfully buy the building and immediately begin the painstaking effort to address its most critical deficiencies.  Every exterior brick was repointed, the stage and dance floor were refinished, the theatrical rigging was renovated, and the electrical and mechanical systems were upgraded.     

With the most urgent needs met, the Foundation recently launched the Second Century capital campaign to restore the interior of Theatre to its former Art Deco grandeur, modernize the balcony seating, restrooms and theatrical lighting, and put the Avalon on solid financial footing for the next century. 

Avalon CEO Al Bond said, “Every person who has contributed to the initial effort to buy the Theatre  and those who donated to the Second Century Fund should take great satisfaction in the role they played in the acquisition and renovation of our beloved Theatre; more importantly, they should be proud of the profound impact that their support has on the Town of Easton itself and on the lives of countless people in Talbot County. Together, we are building a vibrant community for ourselves, our neighbors, and those who follow.”

From the Art Deco-themed tables with floral arrangements by Chesapeake Blooms, Gourmet by the Bay catering, and award-winning Oceano wine, much of the evening’s glitz and glamour was underwritten by Avalon Trustees. 

While more than half of the $2.1 million goal has been met, the Second Century fundraising efforts are ongoing.  Anyone wishing to learn more or participate in this important initiative should contact Kimberly Stevens at kimberly@avalonfoundation.org.

Today, local singer, songwriter and guitarist Kentavius Jones announces an evening of rock ‘n’ soul celebrating the release of his debut CD, “Bohemian Beatbox”. Kentavius, known as KJ, will be performing on Saturday, April 13 th at 8:00 pm at The Avalon in Easton, MD. KJ is an eclectic, soulful performer who has shared the stage with Grammy-winning acts like The Roots and Snarky Puppy. The son of a DJ, his musical influences range from Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix.

Of his recently released album, KJ says, “The library of music I draw inspiration from is vast and diverse. As the sum of my musical influences, I wanted construct a humble tribute to them all. I’ve become the artist that I am because of them. This body of work was created as a direct reflection of my belief. The song-writing and production were absolutely unencumbered by the narrow confines of genre classifications.”

Kentavius is also a 6th grade social studies teacher at Mace’s Lane Middle School in Cambridge, MD. As many of his students come from adverse circumstances and suffer from the wounds of trauma, KJ aims to make Mace’s Lane a whole-student and trauma informed institution. Through his Music for Mace’s initiative, he will be donating all of the proceeds from his album sales until June 29th, 2019 to the cause and he is seeking private and corporate sponsors to help donate to this effort to heal and educate Dorchester County youth.

“This album is also a sonic love letter to you and to myself.” – Kentavius Jones

More information and tickets for the show at The Avalon can be found at: https://tickets.avalontheatre.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1104

About Kentavius Jones Music: www.kentavius.com

The Talbot Spy is sharing with our readers each week the MCTV produced Weekend Marquee with Tim Weigand as host. We hope you enjoy this short two minute preview of what’s coming up over the next few days.

Sue Matthews and Robert Redd performance entitled “The Music of Harold Arlen” on January 19 at Stoltz Listening Room. Doors open at 7:30 p.m and show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets on sale here.

Sue Matthews, with Robert Redd on piano, presents an evening featuring the superb melodies of Harold Arlen, the composer of such standards as “Over the Rainbow” and “Stormy Weather.”

Sue’s voice—silky smooth, honey-toned, and expressive—has captivated audiences and critics alike since she first appeared in 1991, releasing the traditional jazz album “Love Dances.” Her smoky croon caught on with audiences and within a few years released “When You’re Around,” scoring another hit, achieving “top 20” berths on the Gavin and R & R Jazz Charts. Her love of interpreting the American Songbook is apparent in Matthews’ releases “One At A Time and Live at The Mainstay,” as she continues to garner national and international acclaim.

Jazz pianist Robert Redd, a current member of The Duke Ellington Orchestra, was a member of the Keter Betts trio for 13 years, performing frequently at venues such as the Kennedy Center and Blues Alley.

Redd has also worked often as a member of the Charlie Byrd Trio, and can be heard on Byrd’s recording, “For Louis”. Other recent recordings include “Bouquet Chorale” (Summit Records) featuring Marty Nau and legendary saxophonist Phil Woods, and “When Redd is Blue”, co-led with his brother, Chuck.

The Talbot Spy is sharing with our readers each week the MCTV produced Weekend Marquee with Tim Weigand as host. We hope you enjoy this short two minute preview of what’s coming up over the next few days.

The Talbot Spy is sharing with our readers each week the MCTV produced Weekend Marquee with Tim Weigand as host. We hope you enjoy this short two minute preview of what’s coming up over the next few days.

If you missed last November’s Modern Warrior Live—a theatrical music experience that told the tale of a soldier’s return to civilian life—you’re in luck. The musical mastermind behind the dynamic performance, jazz trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, returns to the Avalon stage on Friday, August 31st.

Modern Warrior Live wonderfully demonstrated Farinacci’s versatile horn stylings and mix of international rhythms, as well as his mastery of composition and knack for re-imagining familiar songs.

Dominick Farinacci

Kicking off the ninth annual Monty Alexander Jazz Festival, Farinacci will be joined by his Modern Warrior Live co-star, vocalist Shenel Johns. The two met a few years ago when he was in search of a vocalist during his residency as Global Ambassador to Jazz at the Lincoln Center in Qatar. Farinacci invited her to perform with him and has continued to include Johns in most of his shows ever since.

According to Farinacci, Johns’ incredible artistry was instantly recognizable from the moment she stepped on stage and sung her first note.

“I love vocalists who are storytellers, and who know how to bring you into their world through their voice, unique interpretation of a melody, and stage presence,” he says. “Because, ultimately, that’s what I try to do as an instrumentalist.”

For those unfamiliar with the powerful, yet graceful vocalist, Johns is known for distinctive, eclectic style that sways effortlessly from jazz to R&B to gospel.

Their performance, aptly named “Lady Sings the Blues,” will focus on women’s contributions to the blues over the years. Audience members can expect to hear selections by Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, and more, Farinacci says.

The two premiered the retrospective at Woodstock Playhouse, New York, a couple of months ago, meaning their performance in Easton will only be the second time it’s been on stage!

“I’m excited about [that],” Farinacci says. “I think our take on women in the blues will be a little different than what you might expect.”

Shenel Johns

He’s also excited about returning to Easton, a place he refers to fondly as his “second musical home.” And though he’s performed a few times at the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival, he still says it’s surreal to play at a festival under Alexander’s name—and even more surreal to sometimes join him on stage!

“To actually play with him is quite awesome, to say the least,” Farinacci says.“[Monty Alexander] was always, and still is, a larger-than-life legend.”

Don’t miss “Lady Sings the Blues” with Dominick Farinacci and Shenel Johns at 8 p.m., Friday, August 31st, at the Avalon Theatre in Easton. Tickets are $45/reserved and $25/balcony. Festival passes available. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit JazzontheChesapeake.com.

 The Monty Alexander Jazz Festival is partially underwritten by the Maryland State Arts Council and the Talbot County Arts Council. Jazz on the Chesapeake is a program of Chesapeake Music.