The Longmont Museum’s Summer Concert series is continuing. Instead of visiting the museum, concert-goers will be able to enjoy their Thursday night musical fix from home — backyard, living room, front porch or wherever there is access to Facebook. As usual, this year’s lineup ranges from up-and-coming local bands to established regional and national musicians. The concerts will be broadcast live from the museum’s Stewart Auditorium direct to attendees phones or computers.
First up in the series is Hazel Miller and the Collective on June 18.
Miller has been described as “a force of nature,” and whether she is singing the blues, jazz, pop or gospel, her voice charges the songs with a primal dose of genuine soul. The band changed its name from The Hazel Miller Band and to emphasize the talent of all members of the ensemble. Based in Denver, the band has toured North America, Europe, the Far East, Middle East and Central America as a headliner and opening act for major artists in many genres.
The Felonius Smith Trio plays at the Stewart on June 25. The trio offers up “prewar blues music” and recalls a time when original bluesmen were pioneering a new musical style. Felonius Smith’s slide and snappy finger picking guitar style sends listeners relaxing on a riverbank 80 years ago in southern Mississippi, while harmonica player Steve Sheldon shares his love of old country blues. Scott Johnson rounds out the trio with his skill on the upright bass, sometimes doubling on sousaphone, evoking memories of a New Orleans street band.
Clandestine Amigo kicks off July 4 festivities on July 2. Longmont’s Jessica Carson creates a mix of darkly poetic, R&B-inspired rock backed by a headlining group of musicians and vocalists. Among them are Colorado Music Hall of Fame member Michael Wooten on drums, Chris Brunhaver on electric and stand-up bass, and Giselle Collazo, who delivers the dynamic vocals. Clandestine Amigo brings a smooth and sultry sound to the stage.
Summer at the Museum continues on July 9 with the 101st Army Dixieland Band, one of the U.S. Army’s most popular band ensembles. This mirthful military band’s repertoire features music from the beginning of jazz, bringing the hits of Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Jelly Roll Morton, and many others to a new generation of traditional jazz enthusiasts. Regular favorites at the legendary Sacramento Jazz Jubilee and Monterey Dixieland Band Bash, these soldiers honor their nation through the most original American art form —jazz.
All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and can be accessed from the museum’s Facebook page by clicking on videos. Longmont Public Media also will broadast the concert series on Comcast channels 8 and 880 and at longmontpublicmedia.org/watch.
