Culture

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Vermont native indie/soul singer/songwriter Myra Flynn, on Saturday, August 17 at 6:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Road, in Putney.

Singer/songwriter Myra Flynn spends her career embracing dichotomy. Half Irish and half African American, her original indie/soul songs blend soulful vocals with a lyrical delivery that doesn’t let one get too comfortable. As the New England Deli Magazine puts it, “Her vocal influences have as much in common with Ani Difranco and Shawn Colvin as they do with Rihanna and Jill Scott.”

“We love being able to present Vermont-based artists, and Myra has been on her way to building a national name for herself. As a regular at the Flynn’s Jazz Festival, Myra’s name is getting around for anyone interested in soul, funk, R&B, and beyond,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Myra’s range as an artist is a model for how Vermont artists can tackle a national stage. Her presence as part of the series is an opportunity to ensure that southern Vermont knows the power and presence of Myra Flynn.”

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series is thrilled to announce the return of Slavic Soul Party! to the Bandwagon stage, on Friday, August 9th, at The Putney Inn Field, 57 Putney Landing Rd, Putney, VT. This event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Balkan brass, jazz, and funk, set against the picturesque backdrop of a Vermont summer evening.

Slavic Soul Party! has carved out a unique niche in the music world with their fiery Balkan brass sound, irresistible beats, and virtuoso jazz chops. Hailing from New York City, the nine-piece ensemble brings together influences from across the globe, blending them into a high-energy musical experience that is both infectious and soul-stirring.

The band’s Tuesday night residency in Brooklyn, spanning over two decades, has garnered international acclaim and a reputation for delivering an electrifying live show. Their latest album, “SSP! Plays Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite,” has been praised for its innovative reinterpretation of Duke Ellington’s iconic work, combining East European, Romani, and American sounds into a seamless fusion.

Acclaimed New Orleans vocalist and trombonist Glen David Andrews is set to ignite Cooper Field with his dynamic band on Saturday, August 3rd, 6:00 pm. Known for his commanding voice and powerful trombone skills, Andrews promises an unforgettable evening of roots music that blends smoothness with grit, delivering an emotional and resonant musical experience.

A native son of New Orleans, Andrews hails from a distinguished musical lineage and learned the brass band traditions firsthand from iconic figures like Tuba Fats. Co-presented with the Vermont Jazz Center and sponsored in part by Bordertown Farm, this performance marks a celebration of cultural heritage and musical excellence.

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents five-piece band Bombay Rickey, on Saturday, July 27 at 6:00 pm at New England Center for Circus Arts, 10 Town Crier Drive, in Brattleboro.

“[Bombay Rickey is] easily one of the most adventurous and daring artists we’ve worked with – how many ensembles are fronted by an opera singer and can count cumbia, spaghetti-Western, and Bollywood as influences?” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “I saw them in New York in January, and they made my jaw drop on the floor. I’m over-the-moon excited to present them to our Vermont community.”

Praised as “a true treat for the adventurous ear” (TimeOut NY), Bombay Rickey is a five-piece band with a unique sound evocative of 1960s movie soundscapes. The group plays both covers and original music that borrow equally from the worlds of surf rock, cumbia, spaghetti-Western, and Bollywood, balanced out with soaring operatic vocals.