Page 20 - SPIRE MAY-AUG 2024 9th Issue Digital Flipbook

SPRING-SUMMER 2024
EASTERN BANK LOBBY JAZZ
SERIES: PROJECT: SIDNEY
THU, JUN 06 @ 7:30PM
$15
Mainstage Show. Join us for an unforgettable evening
featuring the exclusive premier of ‘The Children of Hinnom’—a
mesmerizing fusion of jazz and symphony, defying labels and
captivating audiences with its transcendent melodies. Whether
you’re a jazz enthusiast, symphony aficionado, or simply
seeking an enriching musical experience, this performance
promises to delight and inspire. Don’t miss out on Project:
Sidney‘s unique interpretation of this original tone poem, as we
invite you to immerse yourself in a sonic journey like no other!
ROOMFUL OF BLUES
FRI, JUN 07 @ 8PM
$35.10 to $39
Roomful of Blues, according to DownBeat Magazine, “are in a
class by themselves.” With their masterful combination of
jumping, horn-heavy, hard-edged blues and R&B, it’s no wonder
why the great Count Basie called them “the hottest blues band
I’ve ever heard.” Since 1967, the group’s deeply rooted blend of
swing, rock ‘n’ roll, jump, blues and soul has earned it five formed a band and I remember writing a little melody and we
Grammy Award nominations and a slew of other accolades,
including seven Blues Music Awards.
SATISFACTION: THE INTERNATIONAL
ROLLING STONES SHOW
SAT, JUN 08 @ 8PM
$35
“Satisfaction/The International Rolling Stones Show” is the
international touring tribute show to the World’s Greatest Rock
& Roll Band. This Billboard & Pollstar highly rated show are
entering their 20th year in production with over 4000
performances listed to their credit. Their client list include the
nation’s top casinos, performing arts centers, music halls and
corporate clients. Performing up to 150 shows a year, this highly
acclaimed production showcases the most authentic cast &
costuming of its kind.
BETTYE LAVETTE
THU, JUN 13 @ 8PM
$43.20 to $48
Bettye LaVette, acclaimed as a soul icon by the New York Times and revered
by peers like George Jones, began her career in 1962 in Detroit. With hits on
Atlantic Records and appearances on Broadway, she's had a storied journey
through the music industry. Her resurgence in the 2000s brought numerous
accolades, including Grammy nominations and Blues Music Awards. Her
latest album, "LaVette!", featuring songs by Randall Bramblett, showcases
her unmatched ability to make each song her own. At 78, with over six
decades in the business, LaVette remains a vibrant force in soul music,
performing her latest releases and beloved classics with her full band.
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B Y W O O D R O W B A V O T A
Sidney Akerblom is a brilliant composer, pianist and a
seriously nice person. When you’re with Sid, his upbeat,
peaceful nature immediately captivates you. Behind the
keyboard, playing his own compositions, you soon realize that
this man is a virtuoso. Welcome, Sid, and thanks so much for
taking time to share with our readers a few details about
yourself and your music.
Oh my goodness, thanks for having me! It is my pleasure!
You are such a prolific player I imagine that you have been
playing for quite a while. Did you have anybody musical in
your family? How old were you when you started with an
Instrument? Tell us about your training throughout the years.
My mother was a pianist, I have early memories of sitting on her
lap and banging on the keys of the piano. I think I started piano
lessons when I was 6. The next door neighbor was a professional
club organist and he started teaching me how to read music and
later on about chords and jazz. When I was about 10, I received
a drum set for Christmas and my cousin played the guitar, so we P R O J E C T : S I D N E Y THU, JUN 06 | 7:30PM
made a ‘song’ out of it and I was thrilled! Later I also bought an
organ and in Brockton High School I played the tuba in band and How old were you when you first began to compose? What was
the name of your first composition and style of music?
piano in the jazz band. It was great!!! I also learned to arrange My father always got a kick out of the fact that when I was 6, he
for the jazz band and wrote some charts for the band. It was a bought me a tape recorder and I made up and sang my first
wonderful experience. Outside of school, some classmates and I
formed a rock-band, and played stuff from ‘Blood Sweat and original song, “I Don’t Want to Go to the Dentist!” (Ha, ha) I can
Tears’ and ‘Chicago’ and it was my job to go home and figure out still remember the time of it! After college I started to write a
number of rockfish kind of songs with a jazz influence.
the horn parts and write them out. It was good training for me.
Then I went to Berklee College of Music and I majored in Sid, you have been a working musician for many years. You
composition. I was heavily influenced by John Bavicchi, Herb must have an interesting story or two about the events where
Pomeroy, and Michael Gibbs. Outside of school, I studied piano
and life in general with Charlie Banocus. you have performed.
During my last year in college I had the pleasure of working with
a comic named Wayne Barrows. He impersonated singers like
Sammy Davis Jr and such. We played at the Berklee
Performance Center, the Melody Tent in Hyannis, and the like.
Well, he knew the valet for the Manhattans. “Kiss and Say
Goodbye” had just gone #1 and they were looking for a band
leader/musical director. I received a phone call in February
asking me if I wanted to join them, but my mother said no, I had
to graduate first. Well, I thought so much for that. Three days
after graduation I received another phone call and the next day I
was in NY working for the musical group that had a number 1
hit!!! I was only 21 and was traveling through the states and
touring England and Europe with Harold Melvin and the Blue
Notes. I especially remember the first time I played at Madison
Square Garden, we were with the Commodores. Then there was
the Winter Garden with Natalie Cole, the Apollo Theatre, I could
go on and on, but I’ll stop here! After I got off the road, some
time in the 80’s I played in rock, jazz, and GB bands before
landing a wonderful gig as the house pianist at the Ocean Edge
From left to right: Sidney with Yahuba Resort in Brewster, which lasted 20 years. I also played many
Garcia Torres Marty Ballou &Thomas Arey times at the Kennedy compound for Rose, and Ted.
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