Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present country, swing, honky-tonk and old-time music quintet The Sweetback Sisters at Next Stage on Thursday, March 10 at 7:30 pm.

The Sweetback Sisters forge their own sound by delivering arrangements that combine the soul of classic ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s-era country music with an undeniably contemporary edge. Emily Miller (vocals, fiddle), Zara Bode (vocals, guitar), Stefan Amidon (drums), Rob Hecht (fiddle) and Jason Loughlin (electric guitar) take their inspiration from the Davis Sisters and Louvin Brothers, as well as the spirited honky-tonk energy of Wanda Jackson and Loretta Lynn. Zara and Emily’s family-style harmonies reflect a deeply felt love for traditional country music styles and a palpable joy in playing and singing together, and the band’s signature mix of harmony singing, rollicking telecaster and twin fiddling is as infectious as it is heartbreaking.

The Vermont Jazz Center is proud to welcome the legendary pianist Fred Hersch to its Cotton Mill venue on Saturday, March 12th at 8:00 PM. He will be performing with his working trio of Jon Hébert (bass) and Eric McPherson (drums). Hersch is one of the leading jazz pianists in the world. Through his commitment to originality, embrace of romanticism, mastery of the bebop language and chameleon-like ability to blend genres Hersch has carved out a unique niche that is—as Ellington would have said—“beyond category.”

Now in his late 50s, Hersch’s example serves as a bridge between younger players who have studied jazz formally and the old-school cats who learned on the bandstand and from recordings. He states that he “… learned in the oral tradition from older players” and he especially lauds any musician who has made it on their own and shaped their own voice. He affirms his own path on this road by saying “maybe that’s the reason why I sound like me – because nobody interfered with me. I didn’t take jazz piano lessons, I didn’t go through all that kind of nonsense – what I play is mine.”

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present acoustic swing and alt gypsy jazz quartet Caravan of Thieves, plus folk rock singer/songwriter Brian Dunne, at Next Stage on Saturday, February 27 at 7:30 pm.

For the past eight years, Caravan of Thieves has roamed the North American continent recruiting a family of avid thrill seekers at their high energy shows. Driving gypsy jazz rhythms, acoustic guitars, upright bass and violin lay the foundation for mesmerizing vocal harmonies and fantastic stories. It’s theatrical and humorous. It’s musical and intense. It entertains, dazzles and defies classification while welcoming the spectator to join the band throughout the performance in momentary fits of claps, snaps and sing-alongs.