Clarinet Legend Sailing to Vineyard

Clarinet Legend Sailing to Vineyard

In June, when the New York Times announced clarinetist Stanley Drucker’s retirement from the New York Philharmonic, the paper said he was entering “something bigger than folklore. Legend maybe? History? He is retiring from the Philharmonic after 60 years, the longest tenure of any player in the orchestra’s existence.”

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Eighty-Eighter Comes Full Circuit on the Avenue
Mark Alan Lovewell

It may be a cliche on the radio, but around the piano at a Circuit avenue barroom sing-along on Monday night, the audience sang the old Billy Joel lyrics with nuance and exuberance: “Sing us a song, you’re the piano man, sing us a song tonight.” David Crohan was playing his Kurzweil electric piano.

What could be better? Well, soonafter Mr. Crohan was accompanied by his old friends Hugh Taylor and Merrily Fenner and more.

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Freedom, Family and John Forté on Stage
Remy Tumin

There was a sacred energy on stage last Saturday at Nectar’s when John Forté took the stage alongside his good friend Ben Taylor, Ben’s sister, Sally Taylor, and their mother, Carly Simon. It was a little like peering into someone’s living room. There was a banter on stage that you didn’t want to interrupt and yet wanted to be part of, hoping someone would clue you in on the inside jokes and sideways glances.

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Mooncussers Plunder Funky Musical Treasure
Remy Tumin

The night Brad Tucker approached saxophonist Brian Nelson at the Ritz Cafe in Oak Bluffs, guitar slung over his shoulder, Mr. Nelson rolled his eyes. “Oh no, not another guitar player,” he thought to himself. Mr. Tucker only had to strum a few strings and sing a few bars for Mr. Nelson to understand that he meant business.

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Watch a Concert, Join the Concert

Watch a Concert, Join the Concert

They’ve played for the Queen and now they’re playing for you.

This Saturday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. the London Gold Group will be performing at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. This group of violinists and viola players is comprised of London’s finest musicians, aged 9 to 15 years old that is. But don’t let thoughts of callow youths dissuade you. These kids have been rosining up their bows since they were four years old.

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Dorothy Bangs

Dorothy Bangs

Billed as An Evening of Fun, a sing-along with Dorothy Bangs and guest performers promises to be an old-fashioned social, with refreshments and fellowship, on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Baptist Parish House in Vineyard Haven.

Donations are welcome for the First Baptist Church Building Fund; the restoration of this old church is about completed, but paying for it is not.

For details, call 508-693-0969.

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Music and Friendship Highlight Cantautora’s Return to Island
Sarah Durham Wilson

If you’re a fan of Tish Hinojosa, you’re in seriously good company. Who does the beloved cantautora (That’s Spanish for singer-songwriter; Ms. Hinojosa says she loves the romantic lilt of the word.) count among her fans? Well, for starters there’s Linda Rondstadt, who once flew Ms. Hinojosa from Texas to her home in San Francisco. “She wanted me to play some songs for her, and she ended up liking Donde Voy,” the singer recalled in a phone interview from Boston this week, where she had just finished performing at an elementary school.

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Night Time is the Right Time

Night Time Is the Right Time

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Music Festival

Music Festival

What if someone told you that this Saturday, Sept. 11, there will be an event featuring eleven bands, 4 deejays, a fire-dancer, and a brass marching band oompahing down Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs and headed toward the Dive Bar for more music and dancing. Unbelievable but true, this is the idea behind the Best Fest musical venue beginning at 3 p.m. at Featherstone in Oak Bluffs.

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A Cappella

A Cappella

The Vineyard Sound’s two-hour Farewell to Summer final concert for the season will be Saturday at the Old Whaling Church, starting at 7:30. General admission is $15; reserved seats, $20. For tickets or details, call 1-866-VIN-SOUND.

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