Seacoast Rep to Host Fugue Mill Music Festival

Jazz, Folk, Classical Music, Beat Poetry, and innovative Songwriting come together in the first Fugue Mill Music Festival, an all day music and art festival at Seacoast Repertory Theatre.

The Fugue Mill Music Festival is the brainchild of Mark Shilansky, the NH native pianist/composer who formed the band Fugue Mill in 2012. The group is designed to mix the original jazz music and improvisation that is Shilansky's stock-in-trade with folk music traditions such as Bluegrass and Celtic, and adaptations of Classical music. The group's eponymous debut was released in 2013 and was praised by the Boston Globe's Jon Garelick as "an especially fresh and inventive jazz album."

It is a little-known fact that Shilansky got some of his start as a bandleader while music directing shows at Seacoast Repertory Theatre in the early 90's, working on such productions as "Evita", "Babes in Toyland", and "Annie." Even in those days he wondered what it would be like to play music on stage at this unique venue, with its acoustical possibilities and intimate proximity to the audience.

With this festival Shilansky's idea has become a reality, with a line-up of artists whose diverse and inclusive approach to music-making correspond to the eclecticism of the band Fugue Mill, and who are also some of Shilansky's and the region's favorite musicians.

From the Jazz and Fusion of NH native, guitarist Nick Grondin's quintet, to the art songs and arias of soprano Kathleen Flynn, to original Beat Poetry with instrumental accompaniment created by some of Seacoast Rep's own artists, to the jazzy originals and covers of local favorites trumpeter Chris Klaxton and vocalist Taylor O'Donnell, to the breathtaking jazzy/folky music of our special guest artist: Universal Music/Classics recording artist Becca Stevens, there is something for everyone on this day-long concert.

In addition, during main stage intermissions, patrons will be able to purchase refreshments in Seacoast Rep's lobby and enjoy music by ensembles from Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, University of Southern Maine, and University of New Hampshire.

Nick Grondin Quintet 1:00pm

http://www.nickgrondin.com/

Kathleen Flynn 2:20pm

https://www.berklee.edu/people/kathleen-flynn

Chris Klaxton/Taylor O'Donnell Group 3:40pm

http://www.chrisklaxton.com/

Beat Poetry 5:00pm

Fugue Mill 6:00pm

http://www.markshilansky.com/

Becca Stevens Band 8:00pm

http://www.beccastevens.com/

Tickets are $35 for general, all-day admission, and are available at seacoastrep.org/tickets.

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