Free Thursday Summer Concerts in East Side Park, Norwich, NY
Shows begin at 7:00 p.m.
Rain Location - Chenango County Council of the Arts Auditorium, 27 West Main St., Norwich, NY 13815
New for 2019 - Added food vendors!
Plan to eat in the park with
Ray Brother's BBQ
Nina's Pizza
Poppy's Food Truck
Johnny B's
Gilligan's Ice Cream
July 11, 2019 - Keeshea Pratt Band
The Houston based, International Award Winning Keeshea Pratt Band possesses the skill and artistry reminiscent of Blues old school Motown; a rarity among bands of any genre today. The 9 piece musical collective, lends its energy and passion to traditional blues, contemporary blues and offers a preview to the future of blues. The musical artistry and dexterity of The Keeshea Pratt Band allows it to journey unapologetically across the genres of classical, jazz, Southern rock, soul, gospel, country and back again.
Keeshea Pratt is the siren featured on the microphone with soaring and soulful lead Mississippi inspired vocals. She is supported by a talented and diverse group of singers and musicians representing 5 states (Texas, California, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi) and Japan. The 4-piece horn section produces thrilling chorded in-sync rhythms that rival those of big bands. The make up of this phenomenal band is , Kiana Smith (Bassist and Vocals), Brian Sowell (Lead Guitar & Vocals), Eugene Botts (Keys & B3 Organ), Dan Carpenter (Saxophone), Brent Nabors (Baritone Saxaphone), Misaki Nishidate (Trumpet), James Williams III (Trumpet), and Adrew Acuna (Drums)
Keeshea Pratt is the siren featured on the microphone with soaring and soulful lead Mississippi inspired vocals. She is supported by a talented and diverse group of singers and musicians representing 5 states (Texas, California, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi) and Japan. The 4-piece horn section produces thrilling chorded in-sync rhythms that rival those of big bands. The make up of this phenomenal band is , Kiana Smith (Bassist and Vocals), Brian Sowell (Lead Guitar & Vocals), Eugene Botts (Keys & B3 Organ), Dan Carpenter (Saxophone), Brent Nabors (Baritone Saxaphone), Misaki Nishidate (Trumpet), James Williams III (Trumpet), and Adrew Acuna (Drums)
July 18, 2019 - Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
Formed in 2001 in Rochester, New York, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad first received praise for their live show, which combined world beats and reggae rhythms within jamband aesthetics. In recent years the band’s studio recordings, which showcase their songwriting and musicianship across all genres of roots music, have further cemented their legend as master innovators and artists.
July 25, 2019 - The Garcia Project
The Garcia Project’s performances are recreations of full, classic Jerry Garcia Band set lists from 1976-1995. More than just a Jerry Garcia Band Tribute Band or Jerry Garcia Cover Band, using thoughtful arrangements and the proper instrumentation and feel, The Garcia Project faithfully channels and projects the feelings, emotions and music that propelled the Jerry Garcia Band and their fans through the years.
For anyone that never had a chance to experience the Jerry Garcia Band or for fans that want to relive a classic show, The Garcia Project delivers.
August 1, 2019 - Bill Kirchen
Grammy nominated guitarist, singer and songwriter Bill Kirchen is one of the fortunate few who can step on any stage, play those trademark licks which drove the seminal Commander Cody classic Hot Rod Lincoln into the Top Ten nationwide, and elicit instant recognition. Named a “Titan of the Telecaster” by Guitar Player Magazine, he celebrates a musical tradition that embraces rock ‘n’ roll, blues and bluegrass, Texas Western swing and California honkytonk. Nick Lowe describes Bill as “... a devastating culmination of the elegant and funky… a really sensational musician, with enormous depth.”
Bill received his Grammy nomination in 2001. A winner of multiple Wammies over the years, in 2002 he was one of three artists inducted into the Washington D.C. Area Music Association Hall of Fame along with Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) and John Philip Sousa.
Bill is an architect of what is now known as Roots Rock ‘n’ Roll and Americana, and still continues to be one of its most active proponents, playing, writing and performing throughout the world.
Bill received his Grammy nomination in 2001. A winner of multiple Wammies over the years, in 2002 he was one of three artists inducted into the Washington D.C. Area Music Association Hall of Fame along with Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) and John Philip Sousa.
Bill is an architect of what is now known as Roots Rock ‘n’ Roll and Americana, and still continues to be one of its most active proponents, playing, writing and performing throughout the world.
August 8, 2019 - Pink Talking Fish
Pink Talking Fish is a Hybrid Tribute Fusion Act that takes the music from three of the world's most beloved bands and creates a special treat for fans of the music.
Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish are all more than just bands... they are Phenomenons. Their creations have artistically inspired people and their mindblowing live performances have brought people together to form a special sense of community around the love for their favorite band.
Although the music from each act is different, Pink Talking Fish has discovered that fusing the material together creates an amazing story. The epic emotion of Pink Floyd.... The funky, danceable layerings of Talking Heads.... The multitude of styles, unique compositional structures and pure fun of Phish.... to merge these three into one gives music lovers a special experience.
Pink Talking Fish features Eric Gould on bass, Richard James on keyboards, Zack Burwick on drums and Cal Kehoe on guitar. This is a band created by musicians who love the music of these acts. It's purpose is to heighten people's passion for this music by creating something fresh and exciting for fans.
Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish are all more than just bands... they are Phenomenons. Their creations have artistically inspired people and their mindblowing live performances have brought people together to form a special sense of community around the love for their favorite band.
Although the music from each act is different, Pink Talking Fish has discovered that fusing the material together creates an amazing story. The epic emotion of Pink Floyd.... The funky, danceable layerings of Talking Heads.... The multitude of styles, unique compositional structures and pure fun of Phish.... to merge these three into one gives music lovers a special experience.
Pink Talking Fish features Eric Gould on bass, Richard James on keyboards, Zack Burwick on drums and Cal Kehoe on guitar. This is a band created by musicians who love the music of these acts. It's purpose is to heighten people's passion for this music by creating something fresh and exciting for fans.
August 15, 2019 - Tommy Castro and the Painkillers
This show begins at 6:00 p.m. with the Nate Gross Band opening for Tommy Castro
Whether he’s squeezing out the deepest blues or playing the funkiest soul grooves, legendary blues and soul giant Tommy Castro knows how to ignite a crowd. Over the course of his still-unfolding career, the guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has released 15 albums ranging from horn-fueled soul and R&B to piping hot blues to fiery rock ‘n’ roll. He’s performed all over the world, earning countless fans with his legendary, sweat-drenched, exhilarating live shows. Castro’s band, The Painkillers—bassist Randy McDonald, drummer Bowen Brown and keyboardist Michael Emerson—have now been playing together over four years. After hundreds of live shows, they have coalesced into one of the telepathically tightest units Castro has ever assembled, making them one of the most in-demand live roots music acts performing today. Billboard says the band plays “irresistible contemporary blues-rock” with “street-level grit and soul.”
Opening for Tommy Castro is the Nate Gross Band
Nate Gross is an old soul. At 36 years old he has accomplished great success in the industry playing the styles that have been set aside as a new generation of pop music takes over our ears. The Blues. Jazz. Traditional Country. R&B. Americana. All these elements make up the musical landscape of the 20th Century but seems to be lost until now. Nate Gross fuses these styles together like a cross country trip down route 66.
Like Keith Richards once said, “If its not about the Blues, then why bother?” Today Nate has reached back to his roots and is exploring his love of the Blues more than ever. From an audience of over 30,000 people at The Taste of Country Music Festival to touring up and down the east coast, Nate has played for some of the best audiences a musician could hope for.
Like Keith Richards once said, “If its not about the Blues, then why bother?” Today Nate has reached back to his roots and is exploring his love of the Blues more than ever. From an audience of over 30,000 people at The Taste of Country Music Festival to touring up and down the east coast, Nate has played for some of the best audiences a musician could hope for.
August 22, 2019 - The Travelin' McCoury's
The McCoury brothers- Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo) - were born into the bluegrass tradition. Talk about a source abundant and pure: their father, Del, is among the most influential and successful musicians in the history of the genre. Years on the road with Dad in the Del McCoury Band honed their knife-edge chops, and encouraged the duo to imagine how traditional bluegrass could cut innovative pathways into 21st century music.
“If you put your mind, your skills, and your ability to it, I think you can make just about anything work on bluegrass instruments,” says Ronnie. “That’s a really fun part of this- figuring the new stuff out and surprising the audience.”
With fiddler Jason Carter, bassist Alan Bartram, and latest recruit Cody Kilby on guitar, they assembled a group that could take what they had in their DNA, take what traditions they learned and heard, and push the music forward. In fact, the band became the only group to have each of its members recognized with an International Bluegrass Music Association Award for their instrument at least once. There were peers, too, that could see bluegrass as both historic and progressive. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Allman Brothers Band, improv-rock kings Phish, and jamband contemporary Keller Williams were just a few that formed a mutual admiration society with the ensemble.
“If you put your mind, your skills, and your ability to it, I think you can make just about anything work on bluegrass instruments,” says Ronnie. “That’s a really fun part of this- figuring the new stuff out and surprising the audience.”
With fiddler Jason Carter, bassist Alan Bartram, and latest recruit Cody Kilby on guitar, they assembled a group that could take what they had in their DNA, take what traditions they learned and heard, and push the music forward. In fact, the band became the only group to have each of its members recognized with an International Bluegrass Music Association Award for their instrument at least once. There were peers, too, that could see bluegrass as both historic and progressive. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Allman Brothers Band, improv-rock kings Phish, and jamband contemporary Keller Williams were just a few that formed a mutual admiration society with the ensemble.
August 29, 2019 - Neville Jacobs
Neville Jacobs is the convergence of two well-worn paths of two diverse and singular artists. This unlikely connection between Ivan Neville of New Orleans’ first family of funk’s deep musical bloodline, and Cris Jacobs, the soulful Baltimore-bred bandleader and songwriter, began at an even unlikelier place. One day during the great celebration and intermingling of music and culture known as New Orleans Jazz Fest, Neville and Jacobs found themselves killing time between gigs, seated next to each other at a poker table. After a few hours of tossing cards and chatting about music, a friendship was formed with a plan to one day create some music together. When the stars finally aligned, the undeniable synergy between the two created a fresh and timeless sound - equal parts soulful, funky, sweet, and dirty. This batch of well crafted songs, with some written by Ivan, some by Cris, and several co-written by the two, feature their two distinct voices and grooves complementing the other perfectly. This first chapter of Neville Jacobs is the beginning of what is sure to be a long lasting and fruitful collaboration between two truly unique talents.
Our thanks to NBT Bank for sponsoring our Summer Concert Series
Thanks also to the Greater Norwich Foundation and the R.C. Smith Foundation.
Thanks also to the Greater Norwich Foundation and the R.C. Smith Foundation.
Audio provided by Aikins Communication