Gordon Open Mic Night with Special Guest Michael Joseph Harris and The Hot Club of Baltimore

On Tuesday evening, August 13 at 7pm in the lobby of the Gordon Center for the Performing Arts, at 3506 Gwynnbrook  Avenue, Owings Mills, “Open Mic Nights at the Gordon” takes place with special guest Michael Joseph Harris and the Hot Club of Baltimore who are bringing Jazz Manouche to the Gordon!

Michael Joseph Harris, guitarist for an original Jazz group Bossalingo, is leader of The Hot Club of Baltimore, which was created because of Harris’ love for Manouche Jazz. This type of jazz features the challenging style of maestro guitarist Django Reinhardt from the 30s and 40s in France.  The group continues to evolve, always performing songs skillfully with intense improvisational elements. Manouche, also known as gypsy Jazz or Django Jazz, consists of a fresh approach to performing the skillful repertoire of Django Reinhardt, while remaining true to an original Romani spirit and tradition.   Sami Arefin will join the group as will Nora Leighton on rhythm guitar.  Cuban pianist Cesar Orozco contributes stride piano, a jazz style piano method,  to the band, and the addition of award-winning clarinetist Seth Kibel escalates the music to an even greater intensity,  bringing to mind the hot jazz of Louis Armstrong. The music of The Hot Club takes us back to the 1930s from nightclubs of Montmartre to the Cotton Club of Harlem.  

The band will be recording their first CD this year and will be featured monthly at An die Muzik with various special guests from all over the world.

This FREE event is an opportunity for performers to showcase their talents to friends, family, or neighbors.   A P.A. system is provided so artists can come prepared with their acoustic instruments, whether they are guitars, voices, verses, or a djembe. Only hand drums can be accommodated (no drum set provided). Come one, come all! Spread the word about this to your music-loving friends.

Sign-up for the event starts at 6:30pm. First come, first served. Music begins at 7pm. Each artist will be limited to three songs. Refreshments will available for sale.

For more information, please contact Randi Benesch, Managing Director of Arts & Culture, rbenesch@jcc.org or 410-559-3609 and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmorearts

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