The Rogovoy Report: Berkshire and Hudson Valley Cultural Preview
Dec 13-21, 2022
With so much going on culturally speaking in our greater Berkshires/Hudson Valley region, this is my highly selective, curated snapshot of some of the most promising upcoming events …
JORMA KAUKONEN to BRING COUNTRY-BLUES to THE EGG
Legendary guitarist and folk-country bluesman Jorma Kaukonen – a founding member of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna and a member of the Rock Hall of Fame – performs his unique stylings of traditional blues and folk tunes as well as his classic original songs at the Egg in Albany, N.Y., on Tuesday, December 13, at 7:30pm. (Tues, Dec 13)
INDIAN CLASSICAL MEETS WESTERN PIANO at TROY MUSIC HALL
Audience members are invited to sit on the stage at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hallin Troy, N.Y., on Wednesday, December 14, at 6pm, for an intimate performance of Indian and Western classical fusion by mrudangam player Rajna Swaminathan and pianist Utsav Lal, an innovator to approaching Hindustani classical music on the Western instrument. (Wed, Dec 14)
GLORI WILDER BRINGS SOULFUL POP to EGREMENT BARN
Singer-songwriter Glori Wilder brings her moody, soulful brand of pop-soul, likely to appeal to fans of Grace Potter, Regina Spektor, and Amy Winehouse, to the Egremont Barn in South Egremont, Mass., on Thursday, December 15, at 7:30pm. (Thurs, Dec 15)
SON LITTLE BRINGS NEO-SOUL to RACEBROOK LODGE
Son Little brings his unique blend of acoustic blues, vintage soul, and conscious hip-hop to Racebrook Lodge in Sheffield, Mass., on Thursday, December 15, at 7pm. Warming up the crowd for Son Little is New York singer-songwriter, harpist and guitarist Lizzie No, who plays a haunting, highly personal brand of Americana. (Thurs, Dec 15)
JACK DeJOHNETTE BRINGS MODERN JAZZ to UPAC
Legendary jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette -- whose credits read like a history of modern jazz, celebrated for his work with Miles Davis Bitches Brew Band, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Bobby McFerrin, Bill Evans, and as a band leader and composer -- will be joined by pianist Jon Batiste of The Late Show With Stephen Colbertfame and bassist Matthew Garrison at UPAC in Kingston, N.Y., on Thursday, December 15, at 8pm. (Thurs, Dec 15)
PHIL KLINE’s ‘UNSILENT NIGHT’ INTERACTIVE STROLL in KINGSTON, N.Y.
Composer Phil Kline’s walking symphony experience, Unsilent Night, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with community-based performances in more than 40 cities around the world, including Kingston, N.Y. on Friday, December 16, at 6pm. This landmark in avant-garde public sound art and a beloved December holiday tradition takes the form of a promenade in which the audience becomes the performer, as each participant gets one of four tracks of music that they play simultaneously, combining to create an ethereal score for walking a carefully chosen route through a city’s streets. (Fri, Dec 16)
JOHN PIZZARELLI and JESSICA MOLASKEY BRING PARISIAN SWING to MAHAIWE
John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey bring their Strings Attached program, a tribute to the days of the Hot Club of France and the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, to the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, Mass., on Saturday, December 17 at 8pm. (Sat, Dec 17)
ASTON MAGNA PLAYS BAROQUE HOLIDAY FAVORITES
The musicians of Aston Magna present “A Baroque Holiday Celebration,” with works by Vivaldi, Corelli, J.S. Bach, Henry Purcell, and Johann Pachelbel, at St. James Place in Great Barrington, Mass., on Saturday, December 17, at 3pm. The concerts will also celebrate Daniel Stepner’s 30th anniversary as Aston Magna’s music director. (Sat, Dec 17)
HUDSON VALLEY PHIL PLAYS HANDEL’S ‘MESSIAH’
Guest conductor Christine Howlett leads the Hudson Valley Philharmonic in its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Saturday, December 17, at 2pm. Joining the orchestra are the Cappella Festiva Chamber Choir and soloists including soprano Lauren Frey, contralto Allison Gish, tenor Marc Molomot, and baritone Shavon Lloyd. (Sat, Dec 17)
DJ LOGIC PAYS TRIBUTE to COVID VICTIMS at THE FALCON
Turntablist DJ Logic brings his Remembrance program—paying tribute to those who lost their lives during the global pandemic—to the Falcon in Marlboro, N.Y., on Sunday, December 18, at 7pm. From a foundation in jazz, DJ Logic has become a wax innovator by crossing genres and mixing his sound across the musical map. He is widely credited for introducing jazz into the hip–hop realm and is a highly-respected session musician and an innovative bandleader. DJ Logic will be joined by saxophonist Ron Blake, bassist Jarred Nickerson, and keyboardist Leon Gruenbaum. (Sun, Dec 18)
TED ROSENTHAL TRIO BRINGS HOLIDAY JAZZ to GATEWAYS INN
Acclaimed jazz pianist Ted Rosenthal brings his Wonderland Holiday Show, based on his trio album, Wonderland—which features jazz interpretations of holiday classics including “Sleigh Ride,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Dance of the Reed Flutes” from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite—to Gateways Inn in Lenox, Mass., on Sunday, December 18, for two sets, at 6pm and 7:30pm. Joining Rosenthal are bassist Noriko Ueda and drummer George Schuller. (Sun, Dec 18)
KIM & REGGIE HARRIS and MAGPIE ‘SING SOLSTICE!’ at 8TH STEP
Folk duos Kim & Reggie Harris and Magpie join forces to Sing Solstice! at the 8th Step at Proctors in Schenectady, N.Y., on Wednesday, December 21, at 7:30pm. The two duos together create a transcendent sound with stunning harmonies and instrumentals, alternately powerful, whimsical, funny, and simply charming. (Wed, Dec 21)