As we enter the third week of April, we extend warm wishes to those embarking on their Passover celebrations. Meanwhile, the vibrant rhythm of the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival fills the air, and our music calendar for the spring and summer continues to swell as more venues announce their summer schedules. We have 50 performances this week, spanning classical, jazz, rock, pop, folk, blues, gospel, and Brazilian. Below are a few highlights of the week ahead, followed by our comprehensive show rundown.
Classical
We have five classical performances this week, four of them on Saturday. You won’t want to miss Susan Hagen: Koussevitzky Bass Concert at the West Stockbridge Congregational Church. Read our interview with Susan Hagen (pictured above) and learn about the Koussevitzky Bass and Koussevitzky’s connection to Tanglewood. At the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, Camphill Village Presents Music in Praise of Dignity and Care: A Concert in Support of Camphill Village. The program features the works of J.S. Bach, Liam O’Flynn, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ernst Von Dohnányi, and a traditional South African Sesotho composition. Also on Saturday, you’ll find the Stockbridge Festival Chorus Spring Concert at First Congregational Church of Stockbridge. The spring concert honors the life of Alice Parker with a performance of her Melodious Accord: a concert of praise with a 45 voice choir, solo vocal quartet, brass quartet, and harp. Saturday also offers a Daniel Minnick Organ Concert at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Pittsfield, featuring the music of Bach, Demessieux, and Widor.
Sunday afternoon at the Clark, you can listen to the Performing Artist in Residence Concert. Jeewon Park (piano) and Edward Arron (cello), artistic directors of the Clark’s Performing Artists in Residence program, are joined by Gloria Chien (piano) and Soovin Kim (violin).
Jazz
It’s another big week of jazz with the Pittsfield CityJazz festival going full-steam. Monday afternoon, you’ll find the Lose Your Blues Jazz Piano Concert Series with Noted Jazz Pianist Stephen Page at the Lenox Community Center. Tuesday evening, catch the Jazz Prodigy Concert at the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, featuring two young artists, Jasper Zimmerman on piano, and Zach Catalano on alto saxophone, accompanied by Pete Toigo and Conor Meehan.
Williams College is offering back-to-back jazz performances: the Williams Jazz Combos on Thursday night and the Williams Jazz Orchestra on Friday night, performing old big-band favorites along with new works. Also on Friday night, you’ll find the Brandon Goldberg Trio as part of the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival at The Common Room in Pittsfield. On Saturday, the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival continues with From Rags to Rhythm to Duke Featuring: The Marcus Roberts Trio at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. Also on Saturday, the David Bartley Quartet will be at Dorothy’s Estaminet in Pittsfield. Sunday morning, you can hang out with Jason Ennis & Natalia Bernal at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge for a mix of Latin and jazz. Sunday midday, chill out at the Jazz Brunch With Tristan Geary at Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield. Later in the afternoon, the sold-out TLI Presents Community Chamber Concert takes place at Tanglewood, featuring original jazz works of Ron Bosse and J. William Hudgins. Then, in the evening, Michael Junkins and Friends perform at The Lion’s Den in Stockbridge. Michael will be joined by Matt Steckler on Saxophone.
Popular (Rock, Pop, Folk, Blues, etc.)
We have over 30 performances in the popular music category – we can’t highlight them all but will mention a few (see our calendar or show rundown below for all the performances).
The music starts off strong on Wednesday with Atlanta-based folk-rocker Christopher Paul Stelling and opener Youth in a Roman Field at Egremont Barn. Thursday night, Music in the Berkshires Featured Musician Milton and Friends comes back to Egremont Barn. Roots-rocker Bright Kelly is at Methuselah Bar & Lounge in Pittsfield, while right across the street, local favorites Ben Kohn and Chantell perform at Dorothy’s Estaminet. Two other local favorites, Steve Ide & Colby Lewis are at The Lion’s Den in Stockbridge.
Friday night, there is a fantastic double bill at Egremont Barn featuring the Americana-country band The Mallett Brothers and blues rocker Jamie McLean Band. At the Clark, you’ll find Music At The Manton: Myriam Gendron and P.G. Six. Myriam is a Montreal-based songwriter, guitarist, and singer. In addition to these performances, we have many local favorites playing Friday night: Tony Lee Thomas at Bousquet, Evan Lanoue at Dorothy’s Estaminet, Wanda Houston at Firefly Gastropub, and Hot Sauce at The Lion’s Den. Over at Hot Plate Brewing, you find the funk, rock, R&B, soul, pop, and hip hop band Beast Mode. Finally, hailing all the way from Australia, The Heart Collectors bring their folk-Americana music to Tourists in North Adams, one stop on their extensive U.S. tour that included SXSW.
On Saturday night, the “fierce folk” band 5 Pound Horse will play at the Show Your Teen Spirit Annual Fundraiser Gala for Roots Teen Center at 3West Events in North Adams. Also on Saturday, the BTUs will be at the Great Barrington VFW. The band features local musicians Steve Ide, Bobby Macveety, and Rob Putnam. The Evan Lanoue Trio will perform at Locker Room Sports Pub in Lee.
On the Sunday afternoon “winery and brewery circuit,” you’ll find Mike Duffy at Antimony Brewing in Lenox, Livio Gravini at Balderdash Cellars in Richmond, and Patrick Collins in the Taproom at Bright Ideas Brewing in North Adams.
Something Else
This week, we have four performances in our Something Else category. On Wednesday, The Epichorus featuring Yacouba Sissoko & Lala Tamar will perform new music rooted in the Arabic maqam tradition, Hebrew poetry, and other influences as part of the second night of the Feast of Mystics Passover program at Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield. Thursday night, the Brazilian band Quarteto de Samba is at Race Brook Lodge. Saturday afternoon, the Williams Gospel Choir performs at Williams College, while at a private residence in Great Barrington, you find the Vocalis Youth Choir House Concert.
You can read about all of these performances and more in our weekly show rundown below or jump right to our music calendar. Use the subscribe button below to receive this free weekly rundown of upcoming performances in your inbox each Monday. And if I missed a performance, please contact me, and I’ll add it to the calendar.
Monday
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Lose Your Blues Jazz Piano Concert Series with Noted Jazz Pianist Stephen Page @ Lenox Community Center, Lenox. Jazz.
Tuesday
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Jazz Prodigy Concert @ Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield. Featuring two young artists, Jasper Zimmerman on piano, and Zach Catalano on alto saxophone, accompanied by Pete Toigo and Conor Meehan.
Wednesday
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Christopher Paul Stelling and opener Youth in a Roman Field @ Egremont Barn, South Egremont. Rock. Learn more and listen here.
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm The Epichorus featuring Yacouba Sissoko & Lala Tamar @ Race Brook Lodge, Sheffield. New music rooted in the Arabic maqam tradition, Hebrew poetry, and other influences. Learn more and listen here.
Thursday
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Ben Kohn and Chantell @ Dorothy’s Estaminet, Pittsfield. Jazz, Rock, Pop.
7:00 pm STUDIO 9 PRESENTS: WILLIAMS STUDENT SHOWCASE Featuring Lea Elton, Olivia Gubel, & Peter Miles @ Studio 9, North Adams.
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Calliope Cafe @ The Stationery Factory, Dalton. Read our article about this important program that helps develop Berkshire County’s future musicians.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Bright Kelly @ Methuselah Bar & Lounge, Pittsfield. Roots-Rock. Learn more and listen here.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Steve Ide & Colby Lewis @ The Lion’s Den, Stockbridge. Rock. Learn more and listen to Colby here. See our interview with featured musician Steve Ide here.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm TomKat Acoustic @ Dalton American Legion, Dalton. Rock, Blues, Country.
7:30 pm Williams Jazz Combos @ Williams College, Williamstown. Jazz.
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm Milton and Friends @ Egremont Barn, South Egremont. Rock, Folk, Jazz, Country. See our Featured Musician interview with Milton. Listen to Milton here.
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm Quarteto de Samba @ Race Brook Lodge, Sheffield. Brazilian.
Friday
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Tony Lee Thomas @ Bousquet, Pittsfield. Rock. Learn more and listen here.
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Evan Lanoue @ Dorothy’s Estaminet, Pittsfield. Rock, Pop. Learn more and listen here.
6:30 pm Jon Berman @ Knox Trail Inn, East Otis. Rock. Listen more and listen here.
7:00 pm Beast Mode @ Hot Plate Brewing Co, Pittsfield. Funk, Rock, R&B, Soul, Pop, and Hip Hop.
7:00 pm Brett Potter @ Shaw Pond Club, Becket.
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Music At The Manton: Myriam Gendron And P.G. Six @ The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown. Folk. Learn more and listen to Myriam here.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Wanda Houston @ Firefly Gastropub, Lenox. R&B, Jazz, Soul, American Songbook. Learn more and listen here.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Jim Witherell @ Antimony Brewing, Lenox.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Hot Sauce @ The Lion’s Den, Stockbridge. Rock, Funk.
7:30 pm Williams Jazz Orchestra @ Williams College, Williamstown. Performing old big-band favorites along with new works.
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Brandon Goldberg Trio at the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival @ The Common Room, Pittsfield. Jazz. Learn more and listen here.
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm The Mallett Brothers & Jamie McLean Band @ Egremont Barn, South Egremont. Rock, Americana, Country, Blues. Learn more and listen to the Mallett Brothers here. Learn more and listen to Jamie McLean Band here.
8:00 pm The Heart Collectors @ Tourists, North Adams. Folk, Americana – all the way from Australia! Learn more and listen here.
Saturday
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Tony Bernardo @ Balderdash Cellars, Richmond.
3:00 pm Daniel Minnick Organ Concert @ St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Pittsfield. Featuring the music of Bach, Demessieux, and Widor.
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Stockbridge Festival Chorus Spring Concert @ First Congregational Church of Stockbridge, Stockbridge. Spring concert honoring the life of Alice Parker with a performance of her Melodious Accord: a concert of praise with 45 voice choir, solo vocal quartet, brass quartet, and harp.
4:00 pm Williams Gospel Choir @ Williams College, Williamstown.
4:00 pm Camphill Village Presents Music in Praise of Dignity and Care: A Concert in Support of Camphill Village @ Mahaiwe, Great Barrington.
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Susan Hagen: Koussevitzky Bass Concert @ West Stockbridge Congregational Church, West Stockbridge. Classical. Read our interview with Susan Hagen and learn about the Koussevitzky Bass and Koussevitzky’s connection to Tanglewood.
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Vocalis Youth Choir House Concert @ Private Venue, Great Barrington.
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm David Bartley Quartet @ Dorothy’s Estaminet, Pittsfield. Jazz. Learn more and listen to David here.
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Show Your Teen Spirit Annual Fundraiser Gala for Roots Teen Center @ 3West Events, North Adams. The fundraiser will feature 5 Pound Horse. Rock, Folk, Americana.
7:00 pm Dave Bacon & Simon Guthrie @ Route 8 Pub, Becket.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm BTU’s @ Great Barrington VFW, Great Barrington. Rock, Blues. Featuring local musicians Steve Ide, Bobby Macveety, and Rob Putnam.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Tom Savoy @ Antimony Brewing, Lenox. Rock, Folk, Pop, Country. Learn more and listen here.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Evan Lanoue Trio @ Locker Room Sports Pub, Lee. Rock, Pop. Learn more and listen here.
7:30 pm Pittsfield CityJazz Festival: From Rags to Rhythm to Duke Featuring: The Marcus Roberts Trio @ Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield. Learn more and listen to Marcus here.
8:00 pm October Mountain @ Knox Trail Inn, East Otis. Rock, Blues, and Reggae.
Sunday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Domingo Brunch featuring Jason Ennis & Natalia Bernal @ Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield. Latin, Jazz. Learn more about Natalia here. Learn more about Jason here.
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Jazz Brunch With Tristan Geary @ Race Brook Lodge, Sheffield. Jazz. Learn more and listen here.
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Mike Duffy @ Antimony Brewing, Lenox.
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Performing Artist in Residence Concert @ The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown. Classical. Jeewon Park (piano) and Edward Arron (cello), artistic directors of the Clark’s Performing Artists in Residence program, are joined by Gloria Chien (piano) and Soovin Kim (violin).
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Tom Corrigan @ Zinky’s Pub, Dalton.
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Livio Gravini @ Balderdash Cellars, Richmond. Rock, Blues. Learn more and listen here.
3:00 pm TLI Presents Community Chamber Concert–April 28, 2024 @ Tanglewood, Lenox. Jazz. Performing original jazz works of Ron Bosse and J. William Hudgins. SOLD OUT.
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Taproom Music: Patrick Collins @ Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams. Blues. Learn more and listen here.
6:30 pm – 9:30 pm Michael Junkins and Friends @ The Lion’s Den, Stockbridge. Jazz. Learn more and listen here.
Please get out and support your local musicians and venues!
— Mark @ Music in the Berkshires