This Sunday, a FREE Concert! Chamber Music Featuring Pianist Itay Goren and Violinist Evelyn Estava

Come by the Randolph Performing Arts Center this Sunday for a FREE Concert! Seating is limited! Reserve your seat today!

Chamber Music Featuring Pianist Itay Goren and Violinist Evelyn Estava
Sunday October 28th, 2012 4:00PM

Ticket Price: FREE, but donations are accepted. Please purchase a ticket online anyway to reserve your seat. Seating is limited.

Click here to get a ticket and reserve your seat!

Artist Information:

ITAY GOREN, Pianist

Pianist ITAY GOREN was born in Haifa, Israel. From an early age, his love of music led him into a broad range of musical activities as a performer, composer and arranger. After attending a music high school in Ra’anana, he joined the army bands where he served for three years and gave over three hundred performances. Following a year at the Rimon School of Music, Itay continued his studies at William Paterson University of New Jersey where he studied with Elka Kirkpatrick. He graduated with highest distinctions and awards with was the first student to graduate with a double major in Classical Performance and Jazz Studies, a program he initiated together with Professor Elka Kirkpatrick which is now offered at the University. He is currently on the faculty of the music department at Ramapo College of New Jersey where he teaches piano and theory aside from his work with the various vocal ensembles.

In the past few years he has performed extensively in solo recitals, chamber music and as soloist with orchestras in the metropolitan area and abroad. His performances in the Hindemithon festival, the Pacific Music Festival in Guam and a choral festival in the Czech Republic were greeted with high acclaim. Classical New Jersey described his playing as "an evocative journey from shimmering excitement to calm contemplation". In the summer of 2008, Itay gave successful recitals at the Palffy Palace in Prague and in the American Cathedral in Paris, where he played again in 2009. Itay was the featured soloist in the Beethoven Celebration concert at William Paterson University, where he performed the G major Piano Concerto. In recent seasons he performed at concerts dedicated to Bela Bartok’s, Robert Schumann’s and Villa-Lobos’ music. He was asked to give a special solo concert at the Stephen Wise Synagogue in New York in honor of Israel’s Memorial Day and prepared a very successful Russian program which he presented in several venues including the Nicholas Roerich Museum in NYC and the Scots Church in Paris.

Last season’s performances included collaboration with the Madison String Quartet, an appearance at the 10th Hindemithon Festival, a return tour of France, solo recitals at the Cornelia Street Cafe and St. Peter’s Church in New York City as well as a fund raising concert at the Israeli Arts Festival in Mahwah, NJ which featured the world premiere of NYC composer David Winkler’s Ballade.
EVELYN ESTAVA, Violinist

Violinist Evelyn Estava has earned recognition as one of the top performing artists in her native Venezuela. She has made many guest soloist appearances with orchestras in North and South America, including the Mexico State Symphony, the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Falcon. At age 15, Ms Estava became a member of the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, the crowning jewel of that country’s celebrated music education program “El Sistema”. Later she won the Associate Concertmaster position in the Orquesta Filarmonica Nacional, where she was also the first violinist of that orchestra's string sextet. Ms. Estava completed her musical studies at the Simon Bolivar Conservatory in Caracas, where she was a student of Jose Francisco Del Castillo. She has studied chamber music with Josef Gingold, Philip Setzer, Lawrence Dutton and Arnold Steinhardt, and performed for six years at the Killington Music Festival in Vermont, where she was a scholarship student and assistant of Margaret Pardee. She has also played in Master Classes for Augustin Dumay, Olivier Charlier, Ruggiero Ricci, Eugene Fodor and Henryk Szeryng. Ms. Estava performs regularly with the Harrisburg Symphony, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic and the Westfield Symphony, and is in the Faculty at Felician College and Vermont Music and Arts. She currently serves as concertmaster of the Plainfield Symphony, and is the first violinist of the Madison String Quartet. With this group she has recorded their first CD, “Life is a Dream”, which includes music from North and South America. As winner of the Artists International Special Presentation Award, Ms Estava made her New York debut in 2005 at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.

Reviews of her playing include the following: "Special mention should be made of Evelyn Estava’s gorgeous tone. She exploited every nuance in the book" (Win Pusey, Mount Desert Islander); "That intangible subliminal is luminosity, sparked by [MSQ] first violinist Evelyn Estava, who generated a supersonic brilliance that turned scores to prisms, phrases to facets of light." (Kitty Montgomery, Rhinebeck Daily Freeman)

This Saturday at the Randolph Performing Arts Center, it's the Regan Ryzuk Septet!

We've got some serious jazz music happening this Saturday at the Randolph Performing Arts Center with the Regan Ryzuk Septet! Fusion! Avant-garde! You don't want to miss it!!!

Regan Ryzuk Septet
Saturday October 27th, 2012
7:00PM Wine And Cheese Reception
8:00PM Performance
Ticket Price: $20.00 in Advance, $25 at the Door

Click here to purchase tickets online from The Music Den!

Artist Information:

Regan Ryzuk (Piano, Composer, ASCAP)
Regan Ryzuk is an American Composer and pianist. He studied with Robert Helps at Manhattan School of Music as well as attended The Juilliard School. Ryzuk's classical music studies then led to jazz studies with Jaki Byard and Sir Roland Hanna. At Juilliard, he began his studies in piano performance, but quickly changed to composition.

Regan began touring with various ballet companies - traveling through Europe and Latin America. The playing of ballet classes improved his improvisational techniques and laid the groundwork for one of his greatest compositional works - "48 Preludes and Fugues." This work was composed over the course of a year when he was living in Switzerland.

He is the founding partner in the TV/Film music production company, respectively known as SOUNDGUILD. Regan's work can be heard on numerous television and movie projects through his work with Zomba Music and Extreme Music, the worldwide production music library unit of Sony/ATV Publishing.

Rob Henke (Trumpet)
Rob has worked with and is currently working with a bunch of fine groups and musicians, traditional and non, including: The Spirit of Life Ensemble, Doctor Nerve, Phillip Johnston, Fast 'n Bulbous (music of Captain Beefheart), Diane Moser's Composer's Big Band, The Walter Thompson Orchestra, Mina Aggosi, The Strike Anywhere Ensemble, and many others.He has several recordings of his own, including "Footnotes", which received the Aaron Copland Award in 2001.

Marty Fogel (Saxophone)
Marty has toured both nationally and internationally with major jazz artists, including the late Don Cherry and Gerry Mulligan. He also spent several years performing and recording in the band of the legendary rock artist Lou Reed and has been a part of Diane Moser's Composers Big Band (CBB) for the last twelve years. Marty was a cofounder of The Everyman Band, an innovative and internationally acclaimed group which toured Europe and recorded for ECM Records.

He also recorded a CD under his own name entitled, “many bobbing heads at last.... which was released on CMP Records. His latest CD, “Bnai Keshet Suite,” released in March, 2005, is in collaboration with pianist/composer Mitch Schechter, and features Brian Glassman on bass.

Marco Vitali (Violin)
Marco began studying classical violin at the age of 3. At 5 he trained under an apprentice of Jascha Heifetz and by 11 he was attending Juilliard as a violin and orchestration major. Hailed as a child prodigy, he concertized throughout Europe and the US. As an adult Marco studied jazz with John Blake, sideman to McCoy Tyner, and collaborated with accomplished artists in other genres i.e. Peter Wolfe “Fools Parade” which eventually lead him to head several of his own funk and jazz bands.

Willy Dalton (Guitar)
Willy has been a working professional guitarist since 1970. Born in Manhattan, he began performing professionally in San Francisco, moved to Southern Florida in 1974, and settled in the NY Metropolitan Area in 1977. Well known artists he has performed or recorded with include Bo Diddley, Cissy Houston, Ben E. King, The Shirelles, Pam Tate, Mary Wells, Eddie Monteiro, Joe Cocuzzo, Daniel Ponce, and many others. He has also arranged, produced , and supervised the manufacture of over 25,000 compact discs for various artists. He formed his own record label and released 4 CDs by The Dalton Gang--a 10 piece band he has led as guitarist/composer/ arranger since 1979.

John Hvasta (Drums)
John has been a drummer since the age of three. His formal education includes private studies with Jim Chapin, Joe Morello, Dom Famularo, Al Miller, Gary Chaffee, David Garibaldi and Sam Ulano. Mr. Hvasta has a wide range of experience covering Jazz, Rock, R&B, Funk, New Orleans Style, Fusion Crossover, Country and Avante Gaurd. Author of "New Age Drum Set Movement" and co-author of the Rhythm Section Column for the Skylands Blues Music Publication, John is also a contributing author in the Bang Section of Electronic Musician magazine. Mr. Hvasta is the Vice-President of Drummer's Helpers, creators of the "Air Stix®". These sticks are used to warm up at an unusually short amount of time, and are used to build all the muscle groups of the arm, hand and fingers.

John Richards (Upright Bass)
John, a New Jersey native, has performed throughout the New York tri-state area with multiple artists, including band members Regan Ryzuk, John Hvasta and Willy Dalton. Although his knowledge spans all genres of music, John's main focus and passion has been in jazz, fusion and composition. He has studied with Dave La Rue (Electric Bass) and Rick Crane (Upright Bass), as well as with Gary Keller (Guitar). He has worked also to produce additional albums under his own label, ZENGO Records

This Friday, Mike Esposito - Reso Guitar Master - October 19th, 2012 - 8:00PM

This Friday, sing the blues at the Randolph Performing Arts Center at The Music Den!
Mike Esposito - Reso Guitar Master
Friday October 19th, 2012 - 8:00PM
Ticket Price: $15.00

Click Here To Purchase Tickets Online!

Artist Information:

New Jersey native and resident Mike Esposito is unique in the world of American roots music; his live shows are a virtual panorama of this country’s musical tradition. It’s blues, it’s bluegrass, country, rhythm & blues, rock n’ roll, Appalachian folk, New Orleans jazz and even a little bebop for good measure. A virtuoso performer on bottleneck slide, Dobro, lap steel, acoustic and electric six-string guitar and even electric bass and ukulele, Mike could easily adopt a swaggering air of braggadocio, the blues man’s traditional stock in trade, yet he remains a humble man, quietly exuding confidence in his talent and abilities.

Like many teenagers growing up in the sixties, Mike was influenced first by the British Invasion of rock groups, particularly The Rolling Stones and later, the Jimi Hendrix Experience and roots American rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival. When Mike discovered legendary blues man Robert Johnson around that time, his world changed, as he delved deeper into acoustic Delta and Piedmont style blues, as well as bluegrass and down home, old time country string band music. In the seventies, Mike, playing Dobro and National steel guitar, founded The Lost World String Band, which earned international recognition for their flawless instrumental virtuosity. An acoustic act, the group toured the United States and Europe, appeared on nationally broadcast television shows, performed at Lincoln Center in New York City and shared stages with some of the brightest names in the music business, including Doc Watson, Asleep At The Wheel, The Ventures, the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe, Peter Rowan, John Hartford, The Whites and many more.

When Mike became a husband and father and settled into a daytime career, the globe-trotting tours abated, but he still exercised his passion for American roots music working local gigs in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, as well as appearing as a sideman on over 25 albums. Mike worked solo and with a bassist and drummer for several years, and in 1999, his first Compact disc, Let It Slide, was released on the Hackettstown, NJ-based Buy Or Die Records. A true eclectic solo album in every respect, Mike played all the instruments and presented a wide spectrum of roots music, covering many stylistic bases. Let It Slide was a critical success and continues to sell well to this day.

Let It Slide was followed by The Mike Esposito Trio Live, recorded and released in 2000 at the Knowlton River Music Festival, featuring Mike on electric lap steel guitar. Mike’s third CD, Goin’ Down The Delta was released in 2005 and this disc puts the emphasis on ragtime, traditional blues and Delta blues styles. All Mike’s CDs are available for sale at his live performances and at selected record shops in northern New Jersey. With interest in American roots music at an all-time high, guitar ace Mike Esposito, as a solo act and with his band, is a unique and talented performer who will be impressing his loyal followers for years to come with feats of instrumental and vocal virtuosity.

The Bobby Barth Trio performing "Train Train" at the RPAC

Just in case you missed the Bobby Barth Trio at the Randolph Performing Arts Center last Friday, enjoy this video of "Train Train" live at the RPAC! October 5th, 2012.

Saturday October 13th, 2012 at the RPAC, it's Mickey Freeman - Livin The Dream

This Saturday at the Randolph Performing Arts Center!!!
Mickey Freeman - Livin The Dream
Saturday October 13th, 2012

7:00PM Wine And Cheese Reception
8:00PM Performance
Ticket Price: $20.00 In Advance, $25.00 At The Door

Click Here To Purchase Tickets Online! 

Artist Information:

If you were a fan of jazz in Boston in the early 80s and liked vocal groups you may have heard Mickey in a group she helped found in Boston called THE RITZ.

Mickey is a sensational jazz vocalist who claims as her influence great artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Irene Kral, Carmen McCrae, Streisand, Stacey Kent, June Christy, Anita O'Day, Mel Torme, Johnny Hartman, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.

Mickey states: "Although my mother wasn't a professional singer, I believe she could have been. She had a beautiful voice and listened to many singers, so naturally, I did too."

Mickey Freeman jazz vocalist pictured here at her Blue Duchess session with Mark Teixeira drums, Marty Ballou bass, Mickey and Paul Nagel piano

Duke says: "My decision to record Mickey was an instant one after she sat in with my band at the Iridium in NYC recently. Before that I had only heard her on a cassette tape she had given me when she was 19 years old proclaiming "I'm going to be a jazz singer Duke!" Her voice was perfect and I thought well, she has all the talent, phrasing and timber, so why not? Soon I lost contact with her but recently received an email asking if I remembered her. Mickey told me she would like to come to my show at The Iridium. After inviting her to sit in with my band that night, I decided she HAD to be recorded."

"Livin' The Dream" Coming Soon!

We will let Mickey tell her own story from here.

"In December of 1980, I answered an ad to audition for a vocal group. They were looking for someone who could sing harmony and do choreography. I had neither of these attributes….or so I thought at the time. I went to the audition with the flu and was hired on the spot.

The band was called the Boo-Bette Band a 30s, 40s swing band consisting of 3 female singers and one male vocalist/pianist. We did lots of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross material, as well as Hi - Los and Andrews Sisters material. It was during my first gig with The Boo-Bette's that I met my husband, Bob."

"Bob and I were married in September of 1982. Upon returning from our honeymoon, there was a decision to change some of the personal. The Boo-Bettes became "Puttin' on the Ritz." We recorded two albums and traveled to Morocco, Singapore and Helsinki performing at various locations and jazz festivals.

We also toured the US extensively, playing at the Washington Monument as well as some of the more well known jazz clubs in the country. We opened for the Pointer Sisters and shared the bill with such jazz greats as Kenny Barron, Phil Woods, Zoot Sims and Spyro Gyra."

"In 1987 I left The Ritz after becoming pregnant with my first child, realizing I couldn't keep up the travel schedule that was coming up. My husband and I moved to New Jersey so he could take over his family business. 25 years and two sons later I still live in the same house we bought together."

"Around 1997, after much encouragement from my husband, I started sitting in at various jam sessions and put together trios, quartets, and quintets to perform with me at clubs in the NJ, NY area. In 2008 I was asked to join the Starliters, a vocal group that performs with the big band The Silver Starlite Orchestra. I am still, currently and proudly, a member of this wonderful vocal group."

"In February of 2010, I unexpectedly lost my oldest sister to heart failure. This was a devastating loss to the remaining four of us. Two months later my husband was diagnosed with lung cancer and died from its complications in October. This was a devastating loss to me and my two sons. Performing and making music were my salvation during what was a horrible year of tragedy. This past October I decided to sign on to facebook. I found Duke Robillard had a facebook page so I contacted him."

Well the rest is history folks, so pleases check back for updates on Mickey's release. It's near completion and it's a killer classic vocal jazz album of well picked standards and rare chestnuts. A talent this great has to be recognized, so stay tuned more info on this fabulous jazz vocalist and her first solo release. The rhythm section of Paul Nagel on piano, Marty Ballou on bass and Mark Teixeira on drums add perfect support and creative masterful playing throughout the album. There are guest appearances by Scott Hamilton and Duke Robillard to boot!

This Friday at the RPAC, it's the Bobby Barth Trio - Featuring Members Formerly of Legendary Band Blackfoot - Friday October 5th, 2012 8:00PM

This Friday at the Randolph Performing Arts Center!!!
Formerly of the Legendary Band - BLACKFOOT
it's THE BOBBY BARTH TRIO
Featuring Greg T. Walker & Bobby Barth

Friday October 5th, 2012 8:00PM

Ticket Price: $35.00

Click Here To Purchase Tickets Online! 

Blackfoot was an American Southern rock musical ensemble from Jacksonville, Florida organized during 1970. Though they were primarily a Southern rock band, they were also known as a hard rock act.

Known for an impressive list of classic hits including “Rattlesnake Rock & Roller”, “On the Run”, “Rollin’ & Tumblin’, “Train Train” and “Highway Song,” Blackfoot amassed a sobering 5 gold records in the ten years they were together.