Boston - John Chacona writes

Ancient Traditions Are The Either/Orchestra’s Home Territory

Published 7 April, 2026 By John Chacona

When saxophonist Russ Gershon put his Either/Orchestra together 40 years ago, he had a concept in mind. “I wanted the band to feel like a territory band, or like a working band of the past,” Gershon said on a video call. The 11-piece band fully realized Gershon’s conception though he couldn’t have imagined that the band’s territory would one day include Ethiopia.

Today the Either/Orchestra is recognized globally for its advocacy of Ethiopian music, a project that has led to appearances at two of the nation’s most prestigious music festivals, and this weekend, to Cleveland for a pair of free concerts, Friday at Trinity Cathedral and Saturday at BOP STOP.

Countdown: Where To Go & What To Hear In NEO July 25 – Aug. 1

Published 25 July, 2024 By John Chacona

Friendly experiencers,

Has it really been this long? A few weeks ago, I announced a sort of summer vacation for let’s call this and the Thursday Countdown while we dealt with renovating and moving into a house and dealing with some family health issues. Those haven’t gone away, but the urgency around them has momentarily eased a bit, making room for . . . well, this. With the move postponed until the end of August, I could sneak in this preview of some notable events, two of which are at my favorite price point and yours: free. See you out there.

Countdown: Where To Go & What To Hear In NEO May 16-22

Published 16 May, 2024 By John Chacona

Friendly experiencers,

IMAGINE A WORLD . . . where Terence Blanchard at Severance Hall and a significant album release and anniversary are in the roundup column instead of the Tuesday feature slot.

If you heard a portentous announcer voice in your head as you read that, well, it’s that kind of Met Gala of a blockbuster week on the NEO scene. Throw in Cleveland Uncommon Sound Project’s not-jazz but jazz-adjacent Re:Sound festival and you have a week that will get your ears in shape for the peak summer music season.

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Countdown: Where To Go & What To Hear In NEO April 4-10

Published 4 April, 2024 By John Chacona

Friendly experiencers,

Remember this week well, NEO-phytes because you’ll likely never see an outdoor show with a bigger crowd as long as you live. Okay, it won’t be a music show, but who would want to fight a crowd of a quarter million people at an arena or a festival, right? And unlike Monday’s solar eclipse, you won’t need special glasses to enjoy the musical events below, though earplugs might be something to consider.

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Anthony Taddeo’s Jazz all’Italiana Band Alla Boara Sets Sail With A New Record And Tour

Published 18 January, 2024 By John Chacona

One of the highlights of a performance by Alla Boara, percussionist Anthony Taddeo’s jazz-meets-Italian-folk-music project, is “Mamma Mia Dammi Cento Lire.” It’s a musical setting of conversation between a young woman, wheedling 100 lire from her mother so that she can go to America to start a new life, and her mother who warns that if she leaves her village the feckless girl will drown when her ship sinks. All this is set to an earworm of a dancing melody. The words, brought to vivid life by Amanda Powell, a superb singing actress, have the sly worldliness and teasing insinuation of opera buffa.

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Tag: Boston

Ancient Traditions Are The Either/Orchestra’s Home Territory

Countdown: Where To Go & What To Hear In NEO July 25 – Aug. 1

Countdown: Where To Go & What To Hear In NEO May 16-22

Countdown: Where To Go & What To Hear In NEO April 4-10

Anthony Taddeo’s Jazz all’Italiana Band Alla Boara Sets Sail With A New Record And Tour