The University of Scranton Welcomes Guest Performers for Family Weekend Joseph Boga and The Scranton Ramblers with guest guitarist Stephane Wrembel, and an appearance by the University Concert Choir set for Sept. 21. On Saturday, Sept. 21, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a concert featuring Joseph Boga and the Scranton Ramblers with guitarist Stephane Wrembel, as part of the University’s annual Family Weekend festivities. The concert, which will also include an appearance by The University of Scranton Concert Choir, begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public. Seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. “All of us in Performance Music are delighted to present such an outstanding Family Weekend concert, especially where our choir gets to perform a piece alongside musical powerhouses Joseph Boga and Stephane Wrembel,” said Janelle Decker, conductor and co-director of Performance Music at Scranton. Boga, an area native, is a member of the legendary group Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, which appears in New York City every Monday in their roost – Birdland. In addition to his work with Giordano and The Nighthawks, Boga also leads his own groups and has performed and/or recorded with a variety of other ensembles such as Stephane Wrembel’s Django New Orleans, David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Jazz Museum in Harlem All-Stars, James Langton’s New York All-Star Big Band and The Kyle Athayde Dance Party, as well as with artists such as Stephane Wrembel, Wycliffe Gordon, Adrian Cunningham, Loren Schoenberg, Wynton Marsalis and many others. His film appearances include Killers of the Flower Moon, season 2 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Capote vs. The Swans and others. Stephane Wrembel is quite simply one of the finest guitar players in the world. Though specializing in the Django Reinhardt style, he revels in transcending and expanding, and the breadth and range of his playing and compositions are unmatched. His music incorporates jazz, blues, classical, swing, flamenco and rock. All of these influences come together as a genre identifiable only as Stephane Wrembel. This prolific musician, composer, educator and musical director has released a steady stream of music since 2002, truly making his mark as one of the most original guitar voices in contemporary music. He tours the world and has headlined venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Town Hall in N.Y.C. and The Lyon Opera House in France, and has dazzled audiences at events like Montreal Jazz Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Django Reinhardt Festival in France, Ellnora Guitar Festival, Caramoor Jazz Festival and many others. Wrembel won a Grammy award for his tune Bistro Fada, which Woody Allen used as the theme song for his 2011 Oscar-winning film, Midnight in Paris. Other musicians performing with The Scranton Ramblers for the concert will include trombonist Sam Chess; guitarist Roy Williams (a native and current resident of the Scranton area); Will Reardon-Anderson, alto sax and clarinet; and Jay Rattman, bass saxophonist (a native of the Delaware Water Gap area. The University of Scranton Concert Choir is an soprano, alto, tenor and bass (SATB) mixed choir comprised of members of the University community from majors and departments spanning the curriculum – none of whom are music majors – who are brought together by their mutual love for making music. They will be performing “La Vie En Rose” with the featured guest ensemble. For further information on the performance, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit the Performance Music website. For more on Boga, visit josephboga.com, and for more info on Wrembel, visit stephanewrembel.com
Everhart Museum and Lackawanna County Library System Host Free Jazz Concerts Join us for a free summer concert series with Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars! The Everhart Museum is teaming up with the Lackawanna County Library System to bring music throughout the county, supported by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. The series includes programs for all ages, and some for children, each with multiple dates, inviting all to enjoy the spirited sound of Dixieland Jazz and learn about its rich history. During the children’s program, participants will even get a chance to play some instruments themselves! To attend, please contact your local library. September 12 @ 6:00 p.m. Valley Community Library All Ages/Adult Program September 16 @ 5:00 p.m. Valley Community Library Children’s Program September 18 @ 6:00 p.m. North Pocono Public Library All Ages/Adult Program September 19 @ 6:00 p.m. Abington Community Library All Ages/Adult Program September 23 @ 6:00 p.m. Taylor Community Library All Ages/Adult Program
Scranton Cultural Center Announces Free Jazz Ensemble Concert Enjoy a concert given by the United States Air Force Heritage of America Rhythm in Blue at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on March 18 at 7:00 PM. This performance is part of a concert series the band is presenting across Pennsylvania and New York from March 15-19. The concert is free and open to the public. Rhythm in Blue features the diverse talents of 14 professional musicians whose commitment to excellence has earned worldwide acclaim and military distinction. The band incorporates a wide repertoire of jazz and fusion, from big band swing to cutting-edge contemporary music. Their fabulous vocalist captures the sound of the great jazz standards and inspires with patriotic classics. The United States Air Force Heritage of America Concert Band concert is sponsored by LT Verrastro and supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts. The concert will take place in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase. Tickets are free to the public and are required for admission. They can be acquired at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. Convenience charges may apply online or by phone. For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org. The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s 2023-2024 Season is sponsored by Fidelity Bank and LT Verrastro and supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Lackawanna County Office of Arts and Culture, and Commissioners Matt McGloin, Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak. A special thank you to its media partners: Allied Services, Audacy, Lamar Advertising, MAC Signs, The Times-Tribune and Times Shamrock Communications. WHO: The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple WHAT: United States Air Force Heritage of America Rhythm In Blue Jazz Ensemble WHEN: Monday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m.; Doors at 6:30 p.m. WHERE: Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple 420 North Washington Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 TICKET PRICE: FREE! Tickets are required. Convenience charges may apply online or by phone
The Scranton Cultural Center Announces Free Concert Enjoy a concert given by the United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on July 1 at 7:00 p.m. The concert, entitled “America the Beautiful” is free and open to the public. The Concert Band & Soldiers’ Chorus are the oldest and largest of The U.S. Army Field Band’s performing components. Founded in 1946 and 1957 respectively, these two ensembles combine to present joint concerts on their national tours. They have performed in all 50 states and 30 foreign countries for audiences totaling hundreds of millions. The 60-member Concert Band and 29-member Soldiers’ Chorus perform regularly in some of the most famous concert halls in the world, and just as often in the humblest auditoriums in the smallest of communities. The joining of these two ensembles allows them to offer unparalleled versatility of programming, ranging from orchestral masterworks and operatic arias to Sousa marches, jazz classics, and Broadway musicals. The band and chorus also perform independently, and have recently shared the stage with such ensembles as the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. In addition to their national tours, formal concerts, chamber recitals, and educational outreach, members of the Concert Band & Soldiers’ Chorus frequently represent the Army at formal and ceremonial functions, including the Presidential Inaugural Parade, presidential funerals, the Army All-American Bowl, and diplomatic efforts overseas. To learn more about the military’s most traveled musicians, visit ArmyFieldBand.com. The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus concert is sponsored by LT Verrastro and supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts. The concert will take place in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase. Tickets are free to the public and are required for admission. They can be acquired at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.
