Somerville Songwriter Sessions at The Armory Cafe, Saturday, December 5

Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe presents a concert with Watertown (by way of Somerville) singer-songwriter Lisa Bastoni, Northboro/Nashua-based jazz-acoustic-folk duo Lori Diamond & Fred Abatelli, and Worcester singer-songwriter Kim Jennings on Saturday, December 5. The concert will feature a solo set by each artist, followed by a round robin song swap. The show begins at 8 pm and there is a suggested donation of $10. The Armory Cafe is at 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville. For more information, call 617-718-2191 or visit artsatthearmory.org or www.facebook.com/SomervilleSongwriterSessions.

Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe presents contemporary folk singer/songwriters in concert on the first Saturday of each month. The Armory Cafe features live music in an intimate setting, a menu featuring sandwiches, soups, desserts and coffees, and plenty of free parking.

Lisa Bastoni sings with a quiet confidence that draws the listener in; her vivid story songs are richly told – achingly honest, literate and lean without being spare. A popular Boston street performer and traveling singer-songwriter, Lisa was on the verge of greater success when she stepped away from music back in 2005. In timed carved out from her life as a busy stay-at-home mom of two very small children, Lisa has recently kick-started her return to music with a stunning new batch of songs. Lisa lives with her family in Watertown, but admits that part of her heart still resides in Somerville. More about Lisa at www.lisabastoni.com.

Lori Diamond, an award winning singer/songwriter, combines alluring, soulful vocals and seasoned piano playing with Fred Abatelli’s solid finger work and clever phrasing on both bass and guitar. Their songs explore the many facets of the human condition with hope and an esoteric sensibility. Fans of Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan and Joni Mitchell, quickly become fans of Lori & Fred as they explore Jazz, Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Gospel and blues influences and gently infuse them into their own fresh and original style. Lori & Fred have been showcased on the main stage of the legendary Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and have also headlined at many prominent music festivals. Sometimes as openers and other times as accompanists, Lori & Fred have performed alongside John Gorka, Peter Yarrow, Joan Osborne, Amy Ray, David Wilcox, Michael Johnson, Susan Werner, Vance Gilbert, Ellis Paul, Tracy Grammer, Brother Sun, Brooks Williams, Jimmy Lafave, Mary Gauthier and many others. Lori & Fred are from Northborough, MA (by way of the North Shore) and Nashua, NH (by way of New York). More at www.lfdamusic.com.

Award-winning singer-songwriter Kim Jennings celebrated 2014 with a nod as a Finalist in the Eventide Arts (Cape Cod) Songfest 2014 Songwriting Competition, and an honorable mention in the Solarfest (VT) 2014 Songwriter Showcase Competition. Comfortable fronting a band or playing an intimate solo set, she’s been described as a “compelling independent folk musician” (Worcester Magazine) whose sound is part Dar Williams, part Tori Amos, and a whole lot of folk-songstress-meets-indie-rock. Her sophomore album Here Now blends the full band treatment with her folk sensibility, and was nominated for Best CD in the 2014 Worcester Music Awards. More at www.kimjenningsmusic.com.