Event Details

So sorry folks! COVID and weather have hit — hard. We’ve lost performers and the weather is calling for icy conditions by the end of the show. Those of you who ordered advance tickets will receive a refund soon. Stay tuned!

Musical improvisation is at the core of many musical traditions, from popular (rap battles) to folk (African griot songs), to even classical forms of music (Hinduthani raag, Turkish taksim). Improvisation isn’t random. On the contrary — musical improvisation requires a deep practice of being “in the moment” with music, with an instrument, with one’s voice, with a group or community. Many forms of musical improvisational practice are accompanied by some pedagogy, and although that may sound like a contradiction from the outset, great art flourishes within limitations and pedagogy around improvisation brings what could be a random act into an artistic and profoundly moving practice.

Possum Hall Music and Fugitive Productions are hosting this series at Sanctuary. Tonight, our featured performers are Todd Brunel, Jerome Deupree, Neil Kruszkowski, Mac Ritchey, Todd Roach . . . and some very special guest artists.

Todd Brunel — Todd is a critically acclaimed clarinetist and sax player. He performs extensively as a classical and jazz musician, working with The Irish Tenors, GBH Television, The Greater Boston Stage Company, The Central Square Theater, The Reagle Music Theater of Greater Boston, and The Wheelock Family Theater. His current original music projects include: Know Orchestra, Peter Cassino and Friends, The David Haas Group: Coalition of the Willing, Tom Casale's No Bad Parts, The Roaring Foxes and Jerome Deupree's Listen to This. He was an original founding member of Musaner (Music of Armenia re-imagined), and The Lilli Lewis Project. He is the director of the Vortex Series for New and Improvised Music and has been awarded grants by the Somerville, Cambridge, and Massachusetts Cultural Councils.

Jerome Deupree — Jerome is best known for his work with the band Morphine. He subsequently played with Orchestra Morphine and Vapors of Morphine after the death of Mark Sandman. While a member of Vapors of Morphine, he toured Europe, Russia, and South America. Jerome is known for his funky approach and keen ear when playing with other musicians. He was a founding member of the jazz big band the Either Orchestra. He continues to play with Joe Morris in various ensembles, as well as past work with Patty Griffin, Catie Curtis, Jen Trynin, Merrie Amsterburg, James McMurtry, among others.

Neil Kruszkowski — Neil recalls being moved to tears by the sound of the church organ and accompanying music when he was six years old. Music has been at the core of his life’s work from that day forward. Since then, Kruszkowski has been happily interacting with musicians all over the world. Polkas. Standards. Free. Pop. Metal. Jazz. Blues. Ambient. His high school yearbook quote reads, “Let’s Jam!” — and so he does.

Mac Ritchey — Once described as a “musical Swiss army knife,” Mac is a multi-instrumentalist performer/composer/producer — and a person who brings people together. In his role as a recording engineer, he has produced more than 300 albums and projects for clients in more genres and global traditions than most people can name. Ritchey’s first live improvisational performance was reportedly in 1976: a violin recital at age 5, whereupon he informed his teacher that he would like to play “his own composition.” Since then, his “later work” has been heard on The Discovery Channel, MTV The Real World, The Holocaust Museum D.C., NPR, and his fourth collaboration/mentorship with youth-phenom Evren Ozan “Alluvia” was named Best Instrumental Album of the Year 2007 (NAMA).

Todd Roach — Todd has studied the world of Middle Eastern, North African and South Indian percussion since 1989. As a multi-percussionist, Todd has had the opportunity to perform many styles of music with a diverse group of artists. In recent years, he has been appearing with the Paul Winter Consort. He has also performed with Lebanese violinist Georges Lammam, Gospel singer Theresa Thomason, Flamenco musicians Carlos Denia and Tino van der Sman, Jazz pianist Eugene Uman, South Indian vocalist K.S. Resmi, cellist Eugene Friesen, and violinist Beth Bahia Cohen. Recently, he collaborated with percussionist Shane Shanahan on a program of original compositions that they presented at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention and at The Center for Advanced Musical Studies at Chosen Vale. Todd has also composed and performed for numerous theater productions with the Vermont Theatre Company, the New England Youth Theater and the Sandglass Theater.

• Sanctuary, 82 Main Street, Maynard

• Doors open: 7pm • Performance: 7:30pm

• Full bar. You're welcome to bring snacks and/or take-out.

• Tickets: $12/Advance • $15/door