For Tickets and more Information visit the Avalon and Stoltz Listening Room online at avalonfoundation.org.

Mari Black
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Doors: 1:30 p.m.; Show: 2 p.m.
Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD Called “one of the brightest fiddlers around today” (Brian O’Donovan, WGBH radio’s A Celtic Sojourn), multi-style violinist and champion fiddler Mari Black delights audiences around the world with her energetic playing, sparkling stage presence, and dazzlingly virtuosic fiddling. Mari’s dynamic performances are infused with her sense of playfulness and deep love of the history behind the music, as she weaves together driving dance tunes with beloved stories that bring the music to life. Walk into any of her shows, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to see people out of their seats and dancing.

Cristina Vane
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Doors: 7:30p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.
Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD “Cristina Vane evokes Bonnie Raitt and early PJ Harvey on ‘Badlands,’ from the album Nowhere Sounds Lovely. Vane’s sizzling slide guitar gets a starring role along with her hypnotic melody…Entrancing stuff.” — Rolling Stone Country Born in Italy to a Sicilian-American father and a Guatemalan mother, Cristina Vane has always had a tenuous relationship with identity and place. She grew up between England, France and Italy, and was fluent in four languages by the time she moved to her fathers’ native United States for university at 18. Despite this, (and perhaps because of it) she had no sense of belonging to any one culture or country.  What she did have, however, was an intense love of music. Powered by her signature take on blues and rock, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cristina’s debut album, “Nowhere Sounds Lovely,” earned her praise from the likes of American Songwriter, which praised her ability to sing “from both her voice and her supple, bluesy guitar-playing almost simultaneously.” http://www.cristinavane.com/

Yarn
Friday, May 3, 2024
Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.
Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD Yarn has landed on the Grammy ballot four times, garnered nods from the Americana Music Association, placed top five on both Radio and Records and the AMA album charts, been streamed millions of times on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon, and also accorded the “Download of the Day” from Rolling Stone. As if that’s not enough, Yarn has also shared stages with such superstars as Dwight Yoakam, Charlie Daniels,  Railroad Earth, Marty Stuart, Allison Krauss, Leon Russell, The Lumineers, and many more. Such accolades are all proof positive that the Brooklyn- and Raleigh-based band has made their mark. Singer/songwriter Blake Christiana looks to establishing himself more as the songwriter he’s always been, and not the pseudo bluegrass band, bar band, or jam band that Yarn often gets immediately lumped into.  Be sure to be here at the Avalon to see what exciting, new musical directions Yarn is currently exploring!

Madeleine Peyroux
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.
Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Md Madeleine Peyroux’s style was shaped by that of classic jazz vocalist Billie Holiday, and her singing uncannily resembles that of the famous Holiday. Yet Peyroux couldn’t be called a Billie Holiday imitator. She played the guitar, and there’s a folk singer’s attitude in her music. Like Norah Jones, whose success paved the way for her, Peyroux has recorded not just jazz and pop compositions, but also songs from other sources such as classic country and folk-rock—and from her own pen. Her stage presence, a deadpan—slightly distant slice of California cool—differs greatly from Holiday’s world of sophisticated hurt. And this contradiction—Holiday channeler yet independent artist—was just one of several that Peyroux has embodied: she’s American and French, retro yet something of a rebel, and a classic stylist yet an artist who agonized over finding her own voice.  

THE KENNEDYS
Sunday May 5th<
Doors: 7:30pm / Show: 8:00pm
Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Md The Kennedys’ first all-original studio album in five years is here: “HEADWINDS”! Recognized for their harmonies and instrumental prowess, husband-and-wife duo Pete and Maura Kennedy are an American folk-rock band that blends elements of country music, bluegrass, western swing and janglepop into their crowd-pleasing songs. And they happen to be a big favorite here in the Stoltz! Among all the rave reviews they’re getting for “HEADWINDS” is Americana Songwriter, which says The Kennedys “invest both passion and precision into their music… Practically every song sounds like a standard of some sort, even at the outset, making this a markedly emphatic effort and, quite possibly, their most daring album to date… they continue to be one of the most vibrant duos making music today. They not only carry a torch, but also ensure it remains aflame.”

Willy Porter
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.
Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD Willy Porter continues on a musical and personal odyssey spanning over two decades, 13 albums, and multiple continents. His journey has been defined by an inquisitive love for humanity and the language that describes what we all hold to be true. Porter’s songs weave a universal perspective about the questions, struggles, and triumphs of human existence. His live shows are guitar-driven grit, soul, silence and muscle– at times electrifying, dynamic, and unique in the way that Porter’s voice blends and fuses with his fret work. https://willyporter.com/

THE MET: LIVE IN HD MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Saturday, May 11th
Doors: 12:30pm / Show: 1:00pm
Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Md. Extraordinary soprano Asmik Grigorian tackles the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the loyal geisha at the heart of Puccini’s devastating tragedy. Tenor Jonathan Tetelman stars as the callous American naval officer Pinkerton, whose betrayal destroys her. Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong reprises the role of the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritone Lucas Meachem is the American consul Sharpless. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang takes the podium on May 11 to conduct Anthony Minghella’s vivid production. This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe.

Dar Williams with Guest Heather Maloney
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Doors: 7:30 a.m.; Show: 8 p.m.
Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD Dar Williams’ lyrics contain bouquets of optimism, delivered on melodies alternating between beguiling lightness and understated gravity. Always in the right place at the right time for the success she’s had over a 25+-year career, Dar rose out of the vibrant mid-90’s Boston scene, inspired by the eclectic influences of alt-rockers, Berklee jazz musicians, slam poets, and folk artists like Patty Griffith, Melissa Ferrick, the Throwing Muses, Vance Gilbert, and Jonatha Brooke. Through all the ups and downs, however, it’s always been about staying true to herself. “Good and bad things happen, and it’s not necessarily a reward or indictment. I’ve just got to meet it,” she observes. “Like, I’m bringing my whole life to this moment; it will surprise me, challenge me, show me where I was wrong, even make a fool out of me, but my job is to show up and not take adversity personally. Real happiness doesn’t have to feel like Snoopy dancing with Woodstock; it can just be knowing you have the resilience to meet whatever comes to you. I will call that a good life.” Dar will be joined by special guest Heather Maloney, a Massachusetts-based singer songwriter whose voice is her “not-so-secret weapon” (Boston Globe) and whose “lyrics cut to the chase” (Huffington Post).

Minor Gold
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Doors: 7 p.m.
Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD Minor Gold are ARIA-nominated artists Tracy McNeil and Dan Parsons. Canadian and Australian, respectively, this Trans-Pacific duo echo ‘70s cosmic Americana with an easy charm and potent honesty. The strength of the songwriting and the indeterminate perfection of how these two artists’ voices lock in together hit right where the emotions live inside us. With dynamics ranging from the intense restraint of campfire intimacy through to open-throttle abandon, Minor Gold delight and enthrall as they weave masterful harmonies and deft guitar playing around unforgettable, stripped-back performances. Since releasing their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album in August 2023, the duo have been on the road—recently returning from a 30-date North American album tour with supports for The Teskey Brothers and an official showcase at AmericanaFEST in Nashville, as well as  the 2024 Folk Alliance International in Kansas City.  https://www.minorgoldmusic.com/

Julian Brezon
Friday, May 17, 2024
Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.
Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD New York-based Easton native Julian Brezon returns to the Stoltz with a stellar quartet presenting jazz standards and original compositions. As a saxophonist, composer, and educator, Julian brings a fresh ear to the world of modern creative music. His compositions strike a delicate balance of harmonic adventurousness and familiar listenability while his takes on standards blend a love of tradition with an ear for experimentation. Julian recently earned his Master of Music degree in jazz performance at the City College of New York in Harlem. He has studied with jazz greats Gary Thomas, Steve Wilson, Jason Rigby, and Vincent Herring.  https://www.julianbrezon.com/

Boy Band Review
Saturday, May 25, 2024
Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.
Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD  Boy Band Review is THE best boy band tribute show in the country! They have played numerous high-profile events, private engagements, a Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood Casino, performed with Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC joining the band for multiple shows, and selling out countless venues across the country to capacity crowds. Having captured the hearts of fans with their #boyband shows that transport audience members back in time to the days of frosted tips and hunky front-men professing their undying love. The #boyband shows are an incredible throwback experience reliving your best years with a full band, choreography, and harmonies. They are playing to capacity crowds nationwide…so don’t let this opportunity to see them perform in the Avalon go “bye bye bye”! https://boybandreview.com/

Carpool:Cars Tribute Band
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.-
Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD Carpool is a tribute band that recreates the sound, feel, look and vibe that made the Cars world famous. The band is comprised of five of the best and hardest working full-time musicians in the Atlanta area. Their performances meticulously capture the sleek, synth-heavy, steady-beat and driving-guitar sound that made the one-and-only Cars so awesome. A Carpool show helps you “shake it up it” and takes you right back to when the Cars were (and continue to be) the soundtrack of our lives, reminding us all of why the Cars hold a very special place in our hearts and minds.   https://carpooltributeband.com/

Mutlu
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.
Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD A Philadelphia musician who proudly carries a torch for the city’s soul legacy, Mutlu (pronounced moot’-lu) makes a connection with every audience. Coming up in the Philly scene, he played around town and in area clubs before landing his first tour opening for Joe Jackson. Since then he’s toured across the U.S. and Europe with his musical brother, Amos Lee, who discovered Mutlu’s music just as both of their careers were taking off. In addition, he’s found an advocate with Daryl Hall & John Oates, who invited Mutlu to support a national theater tour!  http://www.mutlusounds.com

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
Friday, June 7, 2024
Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.
Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes emerged from the New Jersey shore scene in 1974, and though they carried over a significant influence (and some key personnel) from Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, the Jukes evolved as more of an R&B horn band in the Memphis Stax Records tradition. Organized by singer John Lyon, guitarist/songwriter Steve Van Zandt (who decamped for the E Street Band in 1975, but continued to produce, manage, and write songs for the Jukes) and Richie Rosenberg, the band is well known for high-energy shows and no-holds-barred songs, including “I Don’t Wanna Go Home,” “Havin’ a Party,” “The Fever,” “Talk to Me,” “Trapped Again,” and “This Time It’s For Real.” Still tinged with the exuberant rhythm and blues feel that is the Jukes’ trademark, and loaded with the driving sound of the legendary Jukes horn section, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes continue to expound their signature Jersey Shore sound – all for the sheer joy of it. https://www.southsidejohnny.com/

The Brothers Comatose
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.
Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD 
Whether traveling to gigs on horseback or by tour bus, Americana mavens The Brothers Comatose forge their own path with raucous West Coast renderings of traditional bluegrass, country and rock ‘n’ roll music. The five-piece string band is anything but a traditional acoustic outfit with their fierce musicianship and rowdy, rock concert-like shows. The Brothers Comatose is comprised of brothers Ben Morrison (guitar, vocals) and Alex Morrison (banjo, vocals), Steve Height (bass), Philip Brezina (violin), and Greg Fleischut (mandolin, vocals). When they’re not headlining The Fillmore for a sold-out show or appearing at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, the band is out on the road performing across America, Canada, Australia, and hosting their very own music festival, Comatopia, in the Sierra foothills.  https://www.thebrotherscomatose.com/

AND ANNOUNCING…

The Wailers 2024 Legend Anniversary Tour
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.
Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD The Wailers are a rare breed of musicians who have earned their place in the annals of music history. Their culture-defining music, embodying the spirit of the ‘70s reggae movement, has left an indelible mark on the industry. Experience the magic of their timeless classics and incredible cuts from Bob Marley’s vast repertoire in a set that is truly unforgettable. Under the guidance of Aston Barrett Jr, son of the legendary “Familyman”, The Wailers continue to preserve the legacy of their iconic sound.

For Tickets and more Information visit the Avalon and Stoltz Listening Room online at avalonfoundation.org.

The Avalon Foundation has annouced their schudule from December to

For more information and/or pictures, please email Tim Weigand at The Avalon Theatre at [email protected]

Antje Duvekot – Friday, December 1, 2023     Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7:00 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

According to the Boston Globe, Antje Duvekot “has gotten hotter, faster than any local songwriter in recent memory. Her songs feel at once fresh-faced and firmly rooted, driven by the whispery sensuality of her voice. She believes in the redemptive power of the shared secret and is utterly unafraid to mine the darkest corners of her life for songs that turn fear into resilience and isolation into community.” As one of Boston’s top singer-songwriters, Antje has won some of the top songwriting awards around, including the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, the prestigious Kerrville (TX) “Best New Folk Award,” and, in one of the nation’s top music markets, she won the Boston Music Award for “Outstanding Folk Act.” Neil Dorfsman (the producer of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Sting) says, “When I first heard Antje I knew I was witnessing something very special. She creates an entire, detailed world in verse, and takes you there with beautiful and understated melody. https://antjeduvekot.com/

Jazzy Holiday with Sara Jones Trio –  Saturday, December 2, 2023   Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Join the Sara Jones Trio in the Stoltz for a cozy, holiday show filled with jazzy good cheer! Jazz vocalist/pianist Sara Jones has performed as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and on the Esplanade with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra. In the Baltimore/Washington area, Jones was a featured vocalist with the Jazz Ambassadors and has graced the stages of the Hippodrome Theater, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Strathmore Mansion, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She will be joined on the Stoltz stage by Matvei Sigalov on guitar and violin, and Max Murray playing bass.

ELF, The Holiday Musical – December 7 – 17     Show Times Vary   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Md.

The Avalon Foundation presents the musical comedy ELF! Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-sister doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Join us for the Avalon Foundation’s annual holiday celebration and fundraiser starring over 100 of your friends and neighbors. All ticket proceeds go toward the Foundation’s year-round mission to provide diversified arts and educational programs that improves the quality of life here on the Eastern Shore.

THE MET: LIVE IN HD, FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS-  Saturday, December 9     Doors 12:30pm Showtime 1pm   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Md.

Sung in Spanish and inspired by the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez, Mexican composer Daniel Catán’s 1996 opera tells the enchanting story of a Brazilian opera diva who returns to her homeland to perform at the legendary opera house of Manaus—and to search for her lost lover, who has vanished into the jungle. The December 9 performance stars soprano Ailyn Pérez as Florencia Grimaldi, with Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium to lead a spellbinding new production by Mary Zimmerman that brings the mysterious and magical realm of the Amazon to the Met stage. A distinguished ensemble of artists portray the diva’s fellow travelers on the river boat to Manaus, including soprano Gabriella Reyes as the journalist Rosalba, bass-baritone Greer Grimsley as the ship’s captain, baritone Mattia Olivieri as his enigmatic first mate, tenor Mario Chang as the captain’s nephew Arcadio, and mezzo-soprano Nancy Fabiola Herrera and baritone Michael Chioldi as the feuding couple Paula and Álvaro. This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe.

Jamie McLean Band  – Thursday December 28     Doors 6:30pm Show 7pm   Avalon Theatre 

“Jamie McLean has soaked up quite a bit of America’s musical DNA. McLean provides a fascinating cross-section of sounds that merge the yearning and romanticism of Tom Petty, the air-tight instrumental proficiency of Nashville and the rugged independent streak of alt-country.” – Guitar World Magazine From listening to their recordings, you get a good sense of the Jamie McLean Band’s spicy musical gumbo of New Orleans soul, middle Americana roots, Delta blues and New York City swagger. But their captivating live show is where they really turn up the heat! The band has played at Bonnaroo, Mountain Jam, and the Ottawa Blues Fest, and shared the stage with the likes of Gregg Allman, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Los Lobos, to mention just a few. McLean’s fiery guitar has joined the ranks of Derek Trucks, his blue-eyed southern soul vocals ooze real emotion, and his top-line songwriting chops have crafted profound, honest and heartfelt songs that will keep you singing along, dancing along and feeling like the song was written about you!

JANET PAULSEN JAZZ TRIO “JOYFUL SONG – A TRIBUTE TO ROSEMARY CLOONEY”     Friday December 29     Doors 6:30pm Showtime 7pm     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Md.

“Joyful Song, A Tribute To Rosemary Clooney” is a true labor of love by jazz/pop vocalist Janet Paulsen. Known for her carefully curated shows, thoughtful interpretation of lyrics, and passionate delivery, Janet will be celebrating the legendary Rosemary Clooney’s glorious voice and love of the Great American Songbook in a wonderful evening of entertainment that closes out the year with style.  Featured songs from Clooney’s pop/jazz repertoires include “Tenderly,” the opening number on Clooney’s 1950s television show; her novelty tunes (such as “Mambo Italiano”), which brought her fame; and the sultry love ballads she was best known for. A highlight is the evening’s exciting medley of songs from Clooney’s classic film, “White Christmas”!         An evening of entertainment with the Baltimore-based Janet Paulsen is always a joyful, swinging, and inspiring occasion. With her sparkling stage persona and warm, welcoming style, she brings her heart and soul to every performance. Joining her onstage will be Anthony Pocetti on piano and Jon Pineda on upright bass.

Eric Byrd Trio – Saturday, December 30, 2023   Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.   Avalon Theatre 40 E. Dover Street Easton, MD Tickets: 

It has been a stellar, 20-plus year career for The Eric Byrd Trio, one of the Avalon’s long-time favorite jazz bands…and it would appear they are just getting started! Not only are they winners of The Maryland State Arts Council $10k Independent Artist Award (IAA) for notable artistic achievement but for over two decades, pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd, bassist Bhagwan Khalsa, and drummer Alphonso Young, Jr., have traveled the world as enthusiastic ambassadors of jazz. Rooted in swing and bebop.  The Trio also embraces gospel and the blues as core elements of their expansive performance style.  They have performed with the great Wynton Marsalis and their latest recording, “Twenty”, won last year’s Washington Area Music Award (Wammy) Jazz Recording of the Year.

DAN NAVARRO –   January 5     Doors 6:30pm Showtime 7pm     Stoltz Listening Room 40 E. Dover Street, Easton.

Dan Navarro has had quite an eclectic career over the past 40 years. As a songwriter, he composed Pat Benatar’s Grammy-nominated classic, “We Belong,” as well as songs for The Bangles, Dave Edmunds, and other popular artists. After 20+ years with the acclaimed duo Lowen & Navarro, he released his first studio-recorded solo album, “Shed My Skin”, to rave reviews, going on to record several acclaimed albums and performing thousands of concerts. As if all that isn’t enough, the man has done voice acting in films like Oscar-winners “Coco” and “Happy Feet”, TV series “American Dad” and “Brea”, and even video games (Fallout 4 and Red Dead Redemption II). Navarro, the personification of the engaged Renaissance artist, insists that art is food, music is love, and sleep is for babies.

The Met: LIVE in HD NABUCCO  – Saturday, January 6     Doors: 12:30pm / Show: 1:00pm     Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton,

On January 6, ancient Babylon comes to life in a classic Met staging of biblical proportions. Baritone George Gagnidze makes his Met role debut as the imperious king Nabucco, alongside soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising her thrilling turn as his vengeful daughter Abigaille. Mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova and tenor SeokJong Baek are Fenena and Ismaele, whose love transcends politics, and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy repeats his celebrated portrayal of the high priest Zaccaria. Daniele Callegari conducts Verdi’s exhilarating early masterpiece, which features the ultimate showcase for the great Met Chorus, the moving “Va, pensiero.” This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe.

Ken & Brad Kolodner  –  Saturday, January 6     Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:00pm   Avalon Theatre, 40 E.Dover Street, Easton, Md.

Join these fan favorites at the Avalon as they make their 10th appearance on our stage! The dynamic father-son team Ken & Brad Kolodner weave together a captivating soundscape on hammered dulcimer and clawhammer banjo that blurs the lines of Old-Time, Bluegrass and American Roots music. Regarded as one of the most influential hammered dulcimer players in North America, Baltimore’s Ken Kolodner joined forces in 2009 with his son Brad, a renowned clawhammer banjo player. They’ve sculpted their own brand of driving, innovative, tasteful acoustic roots music with a “creative curiosity that lets all listeners know that a passion for traditional music yet thrives in every generation” (Dulcimer Player News). The hypnotizing groove of the percussive hammered dulcimer and rhythmic clawhammer banjo is the core of their sound. They are joined by bassist Alex Lacquement who locks everything together with his commanding presence and the dynamic multi-instrumentalist Rachel Eddy on fiddle and guitar. The quartet won 1st place in the 2019 Neo-Traditional Band Contest at the Appalachian Stringband Festival!

“1964” THE TRIBUTE – Friday January 12th   Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:00pm   Avalon Theatre, 40 E, Dover Street, Easton, MD.

“Best Beatles Tribute on Earth!” Rolling Stone As Ed Sullivan said back in the day when he first introduced The Beatles to America, “This is a really big shew!” “1964” focuses on the quintessential moment in history when The Beatles actually played before a LIVE audience. The Fab Four toured the world in the early 1960s, but now only a precious few remain who actually saw them LIVE…who actually felt the “mania” that brought these lads from Liverpool to world acclaim. Today, all that remains are a few scant memories and some captured images in pictures and on poor quality film and video. But fear not…HELP is on the way! “1964” meticulously re-creates the “MAGIC” of those LIVE Beatles’ performances with artful precision and unerring accuracy. For those that never saw The Beatles perform LIVE and always wanted to know what it must have been like, ”1964” The Tribute is as close as anyone could possibly get to…FEELING the MAGIC!

STATESBORO : A TRIBUTE TO THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND  – Saturday, January 13th   Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:00pm   Avalon Theatre 

Statesboro is a totally amazing nostalgia-inducing band. Not just a genuine recognition of the Allman Brothers but a card- carrying tribute to Duane Allman’s magical guitar work. Close your eyes, sit back and relive those heady days at the Fillmore East!

THE MET: LIVE IN HD, CARMEN – Saturday, January 27th   Doors: 12:30pm / Show: 1:00pm   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Md.

On January 27, acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell brings a vital new production of one of opera’s most enduringly powerful works, reinvigorating the classic story with a staging that moves the action to the modern day and finds at the heart of the drama issues that could not be more relevant today: gendered violence, abusive labor structures, and the desire to break through societal boundaries. Dazzling young mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina leads a powerhouse quartet of stars in the complex and volatile title role, alongside tenor Piotr Beczała as Carmen’s troubled lover Don José, soprano Angel Blue as the loyal Micaëla, and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as the swaggering Escamillo. Daniele Rustioni conducts Bizet’s heart-pounding score. 

HIGH VOLTAGE AC/DC TRIBUTE   Saturday, February 3rd   Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:00pm     Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Md

Baltimore’s own High Voltage is the nation’s premier AC/DC tribute band – five veteran musicians putting it all on the line every time they take the stage, enabling audiences to enjoy as authentic an AC/DC live performance as possible. High Voltage is the most entertaining AC/DC live show you will see, next to the real thing. For over 10 years, they have delivered the pure energy, excitement, and concert experience that true AC/DC fans around the world have grown to expect. This tribute band performs the very best AC/DC songs and the most recognizable hits, spanning the full range of epic hit songs from the Bon Scott-era through the days with Brian Johnson at the helm. High Voltage gives you the biggest hits: “You Shook Me All Night Long”, “Highway To Hell”, “Back In Black”, “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”, “Hells Bells”, to the other big fan favorites such as “Shoot To Thrill”, “Sin City”, “For Those About to Rock”, “Shot Down In Flames” and so many more!

ROBERT CRAY BAND   Thursday, February 15   Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:00pm   Avalon Theatre 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Md

Since 1974, The Robert Cray Band has been touring and recording their unique groove, born from a love of Soul, R&B, Gospel, Blues, and Rock n Roll. With over twenty acclaimed albums that have sold millions worldwide, the five-time Grammy winner has also been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned the Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. With Cray’s distinctive guitar style and impressive vocals, the band has also had many opportunities to perform with legends like Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, as well as The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, and Eric Clapton.

JONATHAN RICHMAN   Tuesday, March 12   Doors: 7:30pm / Show: 8:00pm   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Md

“Richman is one of America’s most unique and dynamic songwriters…” – Nashville Scene Called the Godfather of Punk, Jonathan Richman and his former band The Modern Lovers have influenced everyone from the Sex Pistols and Iggy Pop to the Violent Femmes and They Might Be Giants. After his pop profile was boosted later by appearing on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and in the film “There’s Something about Mary,” Richman is still going strong in the new century and remains as dedicated as ever to crafting new music, like his latest album, “Want to Visit My Inner House?” (2021). According to Jonathan, his new music is always his main focus: “Please do not expect old songs. Many singers my age do a retrospective; this show is not like that. It’s mostly stuff made up in the last 3 and 4 years…One last thing, my idea of a good show has nothing to do with applause. It’s about if all the songs I sang that night were ones that I felt.” Prepare to share a unique experience with Jonathan Richman when he takes the intimate Avalon stage!

An Evening with Tom Rush (accompanied by Matt Nakoa)   Friday, March 15, 2024   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Tom Rush is a gifted musician and performer, whose shows offer a musical celebration…a journey into the tradition and spectrum of what music has been, can be, and will become. His distinctive guitar style, wry humor, and warm, expressive voice have made him both a legend and a lure to audiences around the world. His shows are filled with the rib-aching laughter of terrific story-telling, the sweet melancholy of ballads and the passion of gritty blues. Rush’s impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the ’60s and the renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. James Taylor told Rolling Stone, “Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences.” Country music star Garth Brooks has credited Rush with being one of his top five musical influences.  https://www.tomrush.com/

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain    Tuesday, April 2, 2024     Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

“In short, the show was light and fun, yet heavy with talent and impeccable comedic timing. English humor is not everyone’s cup of tea, but every joke was a hit with the whole audience, keeping everyone laughing while also enjoying incredible music.” The State News Formed in 1985, the current ensemble has been playing together for over 20 years, and has become something of a national institution in their homeland. The Ukulele Orchestra has given thousands of sold-out concerts across the world. Their music has been used in films, plays, and commercials, while they have collaborated with an eclectic array of performers and institutions, including Madness, David Arnold, The British Film Institute, The Ministry of Sound, Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens), and The Kaiser Chiefs.  https://www.ukuleleorchestra.com/

Madeleine Peyroux      Saturday, May 4, 2024   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Maryland

Madeleine Peyroux’s style was shaped by that of classic jazz vocalist Billie Holiday, and her singing uncannily resembles that of the famous Holiday. Yet Peyroux couldn’t be called a Billie Holiday imitator. She played the guitar, and there’s a folk singer’s attitude in her music. Like Norah Jones, whose success paved the way for her, Peyroux has recorded not just jazz and pop compositions, but also songs from other sources such as classic country and folk-rock—and from her own pen. Her stage presence, a deadpan—slightly distant slice of California cool—differs greatly from Holiday’s world of sophisticated hurt. And this contradiction—Holiday channeler yet independent artist—was just one of several that Peyroux has embodied: she’s American and French, retro yet something of a rebel, and a classic stylist yet an artist who agonized over finding her own voice.  

For pictures and/or more information please email Tim Weigand at The Avalon Theatre at [email protected] or call 410-822-7299.  

DeeOhGees         September 13, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Formerly touring under the name “Blackfoot Gypsies”, DeeOhGee have dropped the old name but kept the same spirit. A spirit arising from a life dedicated to Rock-n-Roll. Now comprised of Matthew Paige, Zack Murphy, and Dylan Whitlow, the band covers a huge spectrum of instruments—everything from timpani to pianos and banjos to harmoniums. Every single note and voice you hear on their recordings is them. No studio musicians. They are beyond dedicated to their craft and eagerly work toward giving the best live performances possible. Collecting vibrations from every walk of life in this world and turning them into a hummable tune, with a wink of humor. Now, after all these years of honing their craft, the music is a concentrated serum exported from their souls, for all to share and enjoy. BLURB: Formerly touring under the name “Blackfoot Gypsies”, DeeOhGee have dropped the old name but kept the same spirit. A spirit arising from a life dedicated to Rock-n-Roll.

Leslie Mendelson             Thursday, September 14, 2023     Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

If Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Leslie Mendelson’s only collaboration with a legendary musician was Jackson Browne, it would be a worthy point to celebrate. What’s truly telling is that Leslie has also drawn the attention of The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, who recorded a duet with her on Roy Orbison’s standard “Blue Bayou,” while no less than classic rock royalty The Who invited her to open two shows at Madison Square Garden. Leslie’s timeless musicality and evocative songwriting indeed cuts a wide swath. All Music writes that she evokes “1970s songwriter influences in the vein of Carole King and Carly Simon,” while The Aquarian calls her “the closest thing one can get to a truly honest musical experience.” Leslie’s previous work, including 2009 Grammy-nominated debut album “Swan Feathers” and 2017’s “Love & Murder”, dealt with matters of the heart. Her most recent studio album, 2020’s “If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…,” examines the anxiety stemming from the current socio-political climate with songs like “Medication,” “I Need Something To Care About,” and “Would You Give Up Your Gun.” 

Jim Fodrie             Saturday, September 16, 2023     Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.       Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Jim Fodrie, local singer-songwriter and veteran of the Stoltz Listening Room, will take you on a musical journey in a solo show that quickly reveals his North Carolina roots through a blend of bluegrass, folk, rock, and Americana music. Jim’s captivating voice, creativity, and Southern corniness/charm engages you while his undeniable musical talents leave no doubt that he’s one of the best treasures we have on the Eastern Shore. His transparency of emotion, his desire to stay in the moment, and his genuine love for music are all on display during his shows, revealing a small peek into who Jim is through his original songs and choice of songs he likes to cover. Not being a recording artist, he believes that performing live in the moment before an audience creates a stronger memory. An evening with Jim is always time well spent! Join him as he travels back to his roots for one last hurrah in the Stoltz. All proceeds for this night with Jim will go to the Avalon Foundation’s outreach programs.

Vance Gilbert   Sunday, September 17, 2023   Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

“If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might have been something close to the great Vance Gilbert.” Richmond Magazine Vance, who has quite a local following here on the Shore, is considered by many to be an integral part of the national folk scene. So it’s no exaggeration to say that his approach to the acoustic singer/songwriter idiom is significant. His compositions, while frequently employing sophisticated melodies and harmonies that attest to his jazz roots, remain sublime attestations to the storyteller’s craft. He even has a tune on a Grammy-nominated children’s album. Noted not only for being the ever consummate performer, Vance has also recorded 12 albums and opened for artists as varied as Aretha Franklin, Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, comedian George Carlin, and Paul Reiser and The Subdudes.  https://vancegilbert.com/

Vonda Shepard   Friday, September 22, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Vonda has sold over twelve million albums, has won two Golden Globes, two Emmy Awards and two Screen Actors Guild awards. She also holds the Billboard prize for selling the most TV soundtracks in history.  As if that wasn’t enough, she has played keyboards and sung with Jackson Browne, Al Jarreau and Rickie Lee Jones. While on the ‘90s hit TV show “Ally McBeal”, Vonda was the “behind the scenes” music producer, producing over five hundred songs for the artists Sting, Robert Downey Jr., Gladys Knight, Chubby Checker, Al Green, Randy Newman, Jon Bon Jovi, and many more. She continues to tour the world, playing her original material and the faves from her days on “Ally McBeal” as well as new songs from her ninth solo album, “Red Light, Green Light” (released in September 2022).  https://www.vondashepard.com/

Leyla McCalla             Saturday, September 23, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Multi-instrumentalist Leyla McCalla finds inspiration from her past and present, whether it is her Haitian heritage or her adopted home of New Orleans. The alumna of Grammy award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops has risen to produce a distinctive sound that reflects the union of her roots and experience. McCalla’s music is at once earthy, elegant, soulful and witty — it vibrates with three centuries of history, yet also feels strikingly fresh, distinctive, and contemporary, sonically blending New Orleans influences and Haitian rhythms, with lyrics sung in English, French, and Haitian Creole. No Depression hails her latest album, Breaking the Thermometer, as providing “a tantalizing glimpse into her Haitian roots through her infectious rhythms and velvety crooning…The lilting melodies support a lyrical structure full of pain and corruption, but imbued with a fiery spirit of revolution against colonial rule.”  https://leylamccalla.com/

Sue Ellen Thompson Spy Nights – Writers Series         Wednesday, September 27, 2023   Doors: 5:30 p.m.; Talk: 6 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

The Stoltz Spy Nights Writers Series features local prominent writers and poets sharing their literary work with local audiences. Launching the series is nationally recognized and locally admired poet, Sue Ellen Thompson. Her work has been featured on National Public Radio and has won the praise of such luminaries as Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, reads from her fifth collection of work, “Sea Nettles: New & Selected Poems.” Sue Ellen has taught poetry at Middlebury College, Wesleyan University, Binghamton University, Central Connecticut State University and the University of Delaware. She has given readings throughout New England, as well as at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, and Galway University in Ireland. She was the 1998 poet-in-residence at The Frost Place in Franconia, NH , and spent 13 summers at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference in Vermont. After living in Mystic, CT, for most of her adult life, Sue Ellen moved in late 2006 to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She is now teaching at The Writers’ Center in Bethesda and mentoring adult poets. https://sueellenthompson.com/

Tim O’Brien             Thursday, September 28, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.     Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Nashville-based Tim O’Brien’s skills on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and banjo have made him an in-demand session player. In addition to touring throughout the US and abroad, O’Brien has also earned several accolades, including a bluegrass Grammy as part of “The Earls of Leicester” (2017), Song of the Year (2006) and Best Male Vocalist (1993, 2006) from the International Bluegrass Music Association, and induction into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2022. In addition to his latest release, “Cup of Sugar,” his previous recordings include “He Walked On,” which weaves historical and socially conscious themes through songs about ordinary and not so ordinary people just trying to “keep it between the ditches”; a collection of bluegrass Dylan covers (“Red on Blonde”); the Celtic-Appalachian fusion of “The Crossing”; and the Grammy-winning folk of “Fiddler’s Green”.   https://timobrien.net/

Tommy Malone   Friday, September 29, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Tommy Malone has had a musical love affair with fans for over 30 years. As the “heart and center” frontman of the legendary Americana act The Subdudes, he has carved a path through an ever-changing musical landscape as a gifted singer, player, and songwriter with a distinctive musical voice. OffBeat magazine’s David Kunian calls him “a triple threat—beautiful singer, fine songwriter, and killer guitarist.” A musician’s musician, Tommy has recorded with Rosanne Cash, Keb Mo’, Bonnie Raitt, Shawn Colvin, and Anders Osborne. His songs have been recorded by Joe Cocker, The Band Orleans, and many others. Still, it’s his ability to perform his own stories and turn them into vivid musical images that sets him apart from other performers.

J.D. Webb and The Good God Damn             Saturday, September 30, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.-     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

J.D. Webb and the Good God Damn are a gritty, dynamic, and captivating 5-piece band that brings a fresh energy to the modern day Americana scene. Forming in the wake of founder and principal songwriter Jason “J.D.” Webb’s 2023 EP release “Royal St. Ann Burgundy”, The Good God Damn band is a testament to grit and soul as conveyed by howling lead vocals, sweeping violin and lead guitar, rolling keys, and gripping rhythm section. Altogether the band evokes sounds deeply rooted in Americana and Indie Rock. Whether performing their own original compositions or putting a unique spin on a selection of covers J.D. Webb & The Good God Damn delivers nothing short of an unforgettable musical experience laden with skillful instrumentation, and an undeniably infectious energy. https://jdwebbmusic.weebly.com/

Forever TINA, Tribute to Tina Turner   Friday, October 6, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

  “Forever TINA” is keeping the music of Tina Turner alive by showing that when it comes to her incredible legacy, love has everything to do with it! Inspired by the music of the beloved, critically acclaimed singer, this show-stopping sonic and visual extravaganza has dazzled audiences from all walks of life. Featuring Suzette Dorsey as “TINA” and 12 cast members and crew, this phenomenal stage show has performed at a multitude of international venues across the British Isles, Europe, the Middle East, Japan, the United States, and at a plethora of festivals, concerts, and other events. https://forevertina.com/

The Weight Band   Friday, October 13, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

The Weight Band, featuring members of The Band and the Levon Helm Band, is not a cover band or a tribute band. Led by Jim Weider, a 15-year former member of The Band and the Levon Helm Band, The Weight Band’s performances are composed of their original songs as well as fan favorites from The Band’s catalog, including “Up on Cripple Creek”, “The Weight” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”. On their new album, “Shines Like Gold”, The Weight Band presents a dynamic set of classic Americana that draws upon roadhouse rock, funky swamp pop, blues, country soul and folk music. It represents a sublime example of these masterful roots musicians at work. https://www.theweightband.com/

Caitlin Canty             Saturday, October 14, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

“Dreamy and daring” — Rolling Stone Caitlin Canty is an American singer/songwriter whose music carves a line through folk, blues, and country ballads. Her voice was called “casually devastating” by the San Francisco Chronicle and NPR Music describes her songs as having a “haunting urgency.” Caitlin has warmed up stages for Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Milk Carton Kids, and Josh Ritter. She’s recorded with longtime collaborators Darlingside and with Down Like Silver, her duo with Peter Bradley Adams. She’s won the Troubadour songwriting competition at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and her song “Get Up” was nominated for Song of the Year in the Folk Alliance International Music Awards. Her fourth studio record, Quiet Flame, is entirely acoustic – no drums, no electric instruments. The songs are about resilience, perseverance, and finding satisfaction in the mess and the mundane.  https://www.caitlincanty.com/

Neil King, Jr. – Spy Nights – Writers Series       Wednesday, November 1, 2023   Doors: 5:30 p.m.; Talk: 6 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

The Stoltz Spy Nights Writers Series continues with Neil King, Jr., a writer who lives part-time in Claiborne. In his latest book, “American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal”, Neil chronicles his introspective 330-mile journey from Washington, D.C. to New York City, serving as a reflective lens into America’s tapestry. According to acclaimed author Nathaniel Philbrick, “ ‘American Ramble’ is a dazzling mixture of travelogue, memoir, and history. At times profound, funny, and heartbreaking, this is the story of a traveler intoxicated by life. I couldn’t put it down.” For 20 years Neil traveled to more than 50 countries in all continents to write and report and poke around as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal. During his years in Washington, DC, he served as chief diplomatic correspondent, national political reporter and, at the end, the Journal’s global economics editor.  The subject of a CBS Sunday Morning profile earlier this summer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5KZ-WZq8lw), Neil currently lives in Washington, DC with his wife when he’s not on the Shore. In addition to traveling and writing on his own, he edits “Gotham Canoe”, an online journal he founded dedicated to life out of doors.  https://www.neilkingjr.com/

Two Crows For Comfort           Thursday, November 2, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

“Original, engaging, fabulous, and funny, Two Crows for Comfort are all that and more! Cory and Erin put on a wonderful house concert. The whole audience was captivated not only by their original music but the meaningful and often times funny stories that inspired their music.” — Elizabeth Hanssard, The She Shack Listening Room Two Crows for Comfort – a duo that had no intentions of playing anything more than an open mic here and there, and went by a different name anytime they hit the stage. Fast forward a few years and Two Crows (Erin Corbin and Cory Sulyma) have unintentionally created something that seems to work. Their style of acoustic roots-folk music combines good-old-fashioned harmony singing with uniquely arranged original songs that allow their voices to blend and bend around the stories within their often-poignant lyrics. https://www.twocrowsforcomfort.com/

Session Americana 20th Anniversary Tour             Saturday, November 4, 2023   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Come out and celebrate 20 years of boisterous live music by one of The Avalon’s favorite bands! We’re talking, of course, about Boston-based Session Americana, a band “whose members have played with a variety of acts including Patty Griffin, Josh Ritter and the J. Geils Band, (and) expertly blend vintage American roots music styles — from country to jazz to rock — in a rowdy but deft fashion.” (Rolling Stone) Session Americana is a cast of top-shelf players, singers, and writers who tour internationally, taking their own songs, plus hundreds more from the American songbook, on the road. Whether you catch them in a rock hall, in a festival venue, or on the cozy Avalon stage, you’ll be a part of the intimate, raucous scene these players built decades ago at Toad, the neighborhood bar where it all began in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  https://www.sessionamericana.com/

The Rough & Tumble     Friday, November 10, 2023     Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

The Rough & Tumble, a dynamic duo comprised of Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler, have been captivating audiences with their unique blend of dumpster-folk and thrift store-Americana for over a decade. The Pennsylvania-born Graham and Central California’s Tyler have a knack for weaving together elements of joy, sorrow, comedy, and drama in their music, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. Now, the band is set to release Only This Far, a 12-song collection drawing from the highs and lows of their lived experiences over all those years. With a smorgasbord of eclectic instruments and a stunning blend of harmonious vocals, the band has crafted a work of profound emotional depth. The songs are a symphony of raw, unbridled emotion, weaving together tales of love, loss, and longing with a deft touch that could only be crafted by these two songwriters who have quite literally lived on the road for the better part of a decade. https://www.theroughandtumble.com/

Charlie Mars Two Shows!             Saturday, November 11, 2023     (Early Show) Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.       (Late Show) Doors: 8:30 p.m.; Show: 9 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Mississippi-born singer/songwriter Charlie Mars is a country- and folk-inflected pop artist blessed with a warm vocal croon and a knack for crafting poignant, earthy songs. Since the ‘90s he’s released several albums, toured extensively, and opened for the likes of REM, KT Tunstall, Citizen Cope, Steve Earle, among others. Now, with his newest release “Blackberry Light”, Charlie uses supple grooves and ambient Daniel Lanois-inspired production to enhance the elemental force of his classic songwriting influenced by the likes of Bob Marley, Bill Withers, and Dire Straits. Praising this new release, CreativeLoafing.com writes, “Imbued with jazzy warmth, simmering dynamics, and uncommon use of space and intensity, ‘Blackberry Light’ presents a gifted writer and musician at his confident and creative peak, a milestone work in what has proven to be a most extraordinary artistic evolution.”  https://charliemars.com/

Word Girls       Wednesday, November 15, 2023   Doors: 5:30 p.m.; Talk: 6 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Rounding out the Stoltz XXX Series is the collective brilliance of the “Word Girls”. Who are the “Word Girls”? Three gifted poets—Meredith Davies Hadaway, Erin Murphy, and Amanda Newell—with strong local ties to Chestertown, Gunston School, and Washington College. They’re all set to captivate audiences with original verses that span environmental, societal, and deeply personal themes. Meredith Davies Hadaway is the author of three poetry collections, including “At The Narrows” (winner of the Delmarva Book Prize for Creative Writing). She has received fellowships and awards from the Virginia Center for Creative Arts and the Maryland State Arts Council. Hadaway was also recently the Sophie Kerr Poet-in-Residence for Spring 2023 at Washington College.       Erin Murphy is the Poet Laureate of Blair County, PA, and the author or editor of thirteen books, most recently “Taxonomies” (2022) and the forthcoming “Human Resources”. She is Professor of English at Penn State Altoona and Poetry Editor of “The Summerset Review”. She is an alumna of Washington College and UMass Amherst and an inductee in the Blair County Arts Hall of Fame. Amanda Newell’s collection, “I Will Pass Even to Acheron”, won the 2021 Rattle Chapbook Prize, and her first full-length collection, “Postmortem Say”, is forthcoming in 2023. She is Associate Editor for Special Features and Social Media for the contemporary poetry journal “Plume”. Her poem, “A Woman from the Infant Mortality Review Board Calls” won the 2015 Patricia Dobler Poetry Prize.

THE JETS: The Music of Sir Elton John   Friday, November 17, 2023     Door: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

The Jets, led by frontman Josh Christina, take their music and performances seriously. Elton John fans know The Jets are the real deal; no gags, no gimmicks, no duck costumes (even though that’s legendary). They are simply all about paying tribute to the music of Sir Elton John. Their mission: To faithfully recreate the sound of Elton in concert in the 21st century featuring the same high-energy rocking piano and rocking band! Josh Christina, who is backed by band members who have toured the world and appeared on national television, has recorded four solo albums and recorded in both Nashville and Memphis, working with the same producers and musicians that helped shape the iconic sounds of Dolly Parton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Chuck Berry and more!  http://www.joshchristinamusic.com/

Livingston Taylor             Saturday, November 18, 2023   Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.                   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Described as “equal parts Mark Twain, college professor, and musical icon,” Livingston Taylor delights audiences with his charm and vast repertoire of his 22 albums and popular classics. An Avalon favorite, Livingston has appeared with Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimmy Buffet. He’s a natural performer, peppering his shows with personal stories, anecdotes and ineffable warmth that connect him to his fans. His relaxed on-stage presence belies the depth of his musical knowledge, and fans might just as often be treated to a classic Gershwin or a favorite from a Broadway musical. From top 40 hits “Carolina Day,” “Get out of Bed,” “I Will Be in Love with You” and “I’ll Come Running,” to “I Can Dream of You” and “Boatman,”(the last two recorded by his brother James), Livingston’s creative output has continued unabated for over 50 years. His musical knowledge has inspired a varied repertoire, and he is equally at home with a range of musical genres—folk, pop, gospel, jazz. https://livingstontaylor.com/

Donna the Buffalo Sunday, November 19, 2023     Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

“Since their formation in the late ‘80s, upstate New York roots combo Donna the Buffalo have amassed a die-hard following, launched and maintained a beloved music festival, toured the country’s festival and club circuit many times over without sacrificing their homespun regional appeal.” AllMusic.com Donna The Buffalo is not just a band, rather one might say that Donna The Buffalo has become a lifestyle for its members and audiences. Although associated with the American jam band scene, DTB boasts the fervent fandom and close-knit community of that movement with very little of its hippie ethos, focusing more on tight songwriting and an upbeat folk-inspired palette. That’s what’s at the heart of it all: the music, a warmly eclectic body of work that spans rock, jazz, country, zydeco, and folk. They’ve opened for The Dead and have toured with Peter Rowan, Del McCoury, Los Lobos, Little Feat, Rusted Root, and Railroad Earth (to name a few), played thousands of shows and countless festivals including Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Telluride, and Austin City Limits Festival, and backed artists like The Avett Brothers, Bela Fleck, Keller Williams, Zac Brown, John Paul Jones, and Chris Thile.   https://www.donnathebuffalo.com/

Seldom Scene             Saturday, November 25, 2023   Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Established in a basement in Bethesda, Maryland, back in 1971, The Seldom Scene has gone on to become one of the most popular progressive bluegrass bands around. Known for their strong musicianship, playful humor, and versatility, their style includes bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and pop. And in taking on the music of iconic artists like Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, The Seldom Scene perform a sort of subtle magic: transforming the most stripped-bare songs into harmony-rich and elaborately arranged compositions, while wholly sustaining the charmed simplicity of each piece. For over five decade, The Seldom Scene “have remained one of the genre’s most enduring acts.” (All Music).  Long live The Seldom Scene! https://www.seldomscene.com/

Antje Duvekot   Friday, December 1, 2023   Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7:00 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

According to the Boston Globe, Antje Duvekot “has gotten hotter, faster than any local songwriter in recent memory. Her songs feel at once fresh-faced and firmly rooted, driven by the whispery sensuality of her voice. She believes in the redemptive power of the shared secret and is utterly unafraid to mine the darkest corners of her life for songs that turn fear into resilience and isolation into community.” As one of Boston’s top singer-songwriters, Antje has won some of the top songwriting awards around, including the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, the prestigious Kerrville (TX) “Best New Folk Award,” and, in one of the nation’s top music markets, she won the Boston Music Award for “Outstanding Folk Act.” Neil Dorfsman (the producer of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Sting) says, “When I first heard Antje I knew I was witnessing something very special. She creates an entire, detailed world in verse, and takes you there with beautiful and understated melody. https://antjeduvekot.com/

Sam Outlaw             Saturday, December 2, 2023   Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.     Stoltz Listening Room, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

“He’s a slyly subtle Americana singer/songwriter who draws upon a deep well of country music influences, tapping into Western swing but also the cosmic American music that is endemic to his home base of Los Angeles, California.” AllMusic.com Now based in Nashville, singer-songwriter Sam Outlaw began his music career performing small bar gigs near his home in Los Angeles while working full-time as an advertising executive. Leaving his corporate job in 2015 to become a full-time touring musician, Sam also released his acclaimed debut album “Angeleno”. Produced by Ry Cooder and Joachim Cooder, the release introduced Sam as a distinctly assured voice in the Country and Americana scene, garnering awards and critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, NPR and countless others. Moving with his wife and kids from LA to Nashville in 2018 to seek a better environment for raising their two small children, Sam has gone on to release new albums, perform a number of times at the Grand Ole Opry as well as AmericanaFest.  http://www.samoutlaw.

An Evening with Tom Rush (accompanied by Matt Nakoa)   Friday, March 15, 2024   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

Tom Rush is a gifted musician and performer, whose shows offer a musical celebration…a journey into the tradition and spectrum of what music has been, can be, and will become. His distinctive guitar style, wry humor, and warm, expressive voice have made him both a legend and a lure to audiences around the world. His shows are filled with the rib-aching laughter of terrific story-telling, the sweet melancholy of ballads and the passion of gritty blues. Rush’s impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the ’60s and the renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. James Taylor told Rolling Stone, “Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences.” Country music star Garth Brooks has credited Rush with being one of his top five musical influences.  https://www.tomrush.com/

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain               Tuesday, April 2, 2024     Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD

“In short, the show was light and fun, yet heavy with talent and impeccable comedic timing. English humor is not everyone’s cup of tea, but every joke was a hit with the whole audience, keeping everyone laughing while also enjoying incredible music.” The State News Formed in 1985, the current ensemble has been playing together for over 20 years, and has become something of a national institution in their homeland. The Ukulele Orchestra has given thousands of sold-out concerts across the world. Their music has been used in films, plays, and commercials, while they have collaborated with an eclectic array of performers and institutions, including Madness, David Arnold, The British Film Institute, The Ministry of Sound, Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens), and The Kaiser Chiefs.  https://www.ukuleleorchestra.com/

Madeleine Peyroux             Saturday, May 4, 2024   Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.   Avalon Theatre, 40 E. Dover Street, Easton, Maryland

Madeleine Peyroux’s style was shaped by that of classic jazz vocalist Billie Holiday, and her singing uncannily resembles that of the famous Holiday. Yet Peyroux couldn’t be called a Billie Holiday imitator. She played the guitar, and there’s a folk singer’s attitude in her music. Like Norah Jones, whose success paved the way for her, Peyroux has recorded not just jazz and pop compositions, but also songs from other sources such as classic country and folk-rock—and from her own pen. Her stage presence, a deadpan—slightly distant slice of California cool—differs greatly from Holiday’s world of sophisticated hurt. And this contradiction—Holiday channeler yet independent artist—was just one of several that Peyroux has embodied: she’s American and French, retro yet something of a rebel, and a classic stylist yet an artist who agonized over finding her own voice.  https://madeleinepeyroux.com/

Any good Jazz Festival depends on a strong line-up.  And this year (our second solely under the Avalon Umbrella) we have an exceptional one.  It’s a lineup that features an exciting and fun filled opener on Friday, a proven showstopper on Saturday and a featured vocalist compared to Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole on Sunday.  All of this is to say that we are extremely proud of this year’s line-up and feel it is the right combination that will keep things exciting for three nights straight over Labor Day Weekend.  We also think it is the perfect formula to move the Jazz Experience into the future.

Please make your plans now for Labor Day Weekend and the Jazz Experience at The Avalon Theatre.  This premier event captivates music lovers and jazz enthusiasts alike and the Avalon Staff is extremely excited about this year’s line-up.

Opening Night – They’re So Vain – Sammy Miller and the Congregation: The Music of 1973

Friday night begins the weekend of Jazz in rousing fashion as NYC’s “joyful jazz” ensemble, Sammy Miller & The Congregation  (Julliard graduates) hit Easton.  Sammy Miller is a young-ish drummer and leader of his seven-piece band, aimed to entertain and expand the definition of — and the audience for — jazz.  Miller’s gang blends intricate, soulful, and poignant jazz with a stage show to make you laugh, groove – but most of all get your money’s worth.

“We wanted to kick the weekend off with a contagious celebratory vibe and having seen Sammy Miller in New York in January I knew he and his band were perfect”, Artistic Director Suzy Moore.

This is a band that can not only play their bums off, but makes you smile, dance and unconsciously nod to the rhythms.  What makes this band cook is rare: playing in a way that takes you back to what the original sound and shape of the instruments can be—deep, full of soul and warmth, laced with fun.

Despite their youth, Sammy and his band are veterans; they’ve played, individually, with such big names as Wynton Marsalis, Lady Gaga and Queen Latifah, at venues like The White House, Lincoln Center and the Hollywood Bowl.

Hearing this band is a revelation.  Catch them opening night at the Easton Jazz Experience.  Your soul will thank you.  http://www.sammymillercongregation.com/

Friday, September 1, 2023, Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m., Tickets: $60/50/40

HEADLINER – Dominick Farinacci & Friends 

“Quite simply, Dominick blew away the audience at The Jazz Experience on opening night last year.  Those who were there relive it with a sense of reverence.  It was that type of evening.”  Tim Weigand, Avalon Theatre

Recognized by the New York Times as “a trumpeter of abundant poise,” Dominick Farinacci has performed around the world, from Qatar to Japan.  As mentioned, Dominick has blown away and inspired audiences on The Shore for almost a decade now and his headlining show promises more of the same in 2023 with an expanded line up including a flamenco dancer this year.

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He’s excited to return to Easton to introduce several new artists to the Avalon community, including 24-year-old vocalist Ekep Nkwelle and Flamenco dancer Alice Blumenfeld. Ekep is a recent graduate of The Juilliard School and was recently featured at the Library of Congress Coolidge Auditorium. Alice is an incredibly gifted Flamenco dancer and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.

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Joining them for this show are pianist Jonathan Thomas, one of the great young pianists in his generation; bassist Yasushi Nakamura, one of the most in-demand bassists on the jazz scene, and most recently a member of the 2023 Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour; and drummer Jerome Jennings, who played for many years with saxophonist Sonny Rollings, pianist Hank Jones, and many legends of jazz music.  https://www.dominickfarinacci.com

Saturday, September 2, 2023, Doors: 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m., Tickets: $70/60/50

Allan Harris: Kate’s Kitchen

What’s it like to listen to singer Alland Harris?  He starts by making you feel like you’re at a party with everybody moving to the music.  Next thing you know, you’re right in the middle of an intimate love scene.  Then he takes you to church, which is both a different kind of a party and a Sunday kind of love.

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Aptly described by the Miami Herald as an artist blessed with “the warmth of Tony Bennett, the bite and rhythmic sense of Sinatra, and the sly elegance of Nat ‘King’ Cole,”.  The ample and aural evidence of Harris’ moving and magisterial artistry can be heard on his 14 recordings as a leader; in his far-flung and critically acclaimed concerts around the world; and through his numerous awards, which include the New York Nightlife Award for “Outstanding Jazz Vocalist” – which he won three times –the DownBeat Critic’s Poll Award for “Rising Star Jazz Vocalist,” and France’s Palmares Award for 3rd Best Jazz Vocal Album of 2019.

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Ever since he burst on the jazz scene in the latter part of the twentieth century, the Brooklyn-born, Harlem-based vocalist/ guitarist/bandleader/composer Allan Harris has reigned supreme as the most accomplished and exceptional singer of his generation. https://www.allanharris.com/home

Sunday, September 3, 2023, Doors: 2:30 p.m.; Show: 3 p.m. Tickets: $50/40/30