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.

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 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.