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09/27 Saturday

7:00 PM Melissa Kassel

This music represents the beautiful and mysterious side of improvised jazz. From the very first notes that Melissa Kassel sings, the audience is emotionally drawn in to the music. There is a direct line from her heart to her voice – If you have ever heard her sing you will never forget it. The songs are simple, but unusual and dreamlike. The almost telepathic communication between the musicians on stage is as fascinating as the music itself. There is space, suspense, and surprise. You won’t find a more lyrical trumpeter than Phil Grenadier anywhere. His tone is effortless. Notes hang in the air and slowly dissolve. When Phil and Melissa play together you can close your eyes and you won’t be able to tell which is the voice and which is the horn. Bruno Raberg is the engine of rhythm that propels the music forward but lets it turn in any direction at any moment. The sound of the bass is big and round and warm -- sometimes you think you hear a drummer but there is no drummer. Tom Zicarelli plays the keyboard like a palette of colors. He coaxes the piano from a whisper to a roar and back again as if he’s receiving signals from some invisible antenna. Just when you think you're drifting into orbit, the music comes back home to where it started. If you're searching for inspiration and a transcendent musical experience, look no further.

8:30 PM Casualty Menagerie

Casualty Menagerie - September 26th and 27th - Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys has an EP is coming out in October but you can get a preview (and a few pre-release copies) at our two day extravaganza. jojo the Burlesque Poetess will host the CD Release party at the Lily Pad in Cambridge. Vermillion Lies (currently on tour with Amanda Palmer) will join the shenanigans with their sister-burlesque (and Lovlies, these are girls you do NOT want to miss!!!) and Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band will make all of your members stand at attention. This Casualty Menagerie will feature fire breathers, teddy bear tea parties, lions, contortionists, belly dancers and much much more!