Thursday July 5, 2012

BRATTLEBORO -- Sam’s Sunday Set & Shed features tenor saxophone powerhouse Scott Mullett in concert with his protege, trumpeter Dustin Beardsley, at 4 p.m., on July 8.

The relationship between Mullett and Beardsley goes back more than four years to when Beardsley was a student a Keene High School. Mullett says he was immediately struck by the young man’s energy and ear for the music.

"He’s a little rascal; tenacious and very courageous. He’ll sit in on any song and have no idea what the changes are and still play his butt off," Mullett says of Beardsley.

Beardsley is doing just that at New York University, where he is in his second year of jazz studies. In addition to his schoolwork, Beardsley has secured a regular gig at Toshi’s Living Room in the Flat Iron Hotel. During the one-hour set, Mullett and Beardsley will be backed by a trio consisting of Draa Hobbs (guitar), Steve Cady (bass) and Jon Fisher (drums).

Following a break to share potluck food, the band will invite aspiring vocalists and musicians, as well as seasoned pros, to join them onstage for a "jazz woodshed" session to work on their improvisational skills.

Admission is by a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for students ages 18 and under, with proceeds going to the scheduled musicians. Guests are also encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share.The Elliot Street Café is located at 134 Elliot St.

After

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attending Berklee School of Music, Mullett toured with Woody Herman, Artie Shaw and Mel Torme, and joined the national tours of "Cats" and "42nd Street." He has performed with Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Stan Getz, Lou Rawls, Ben Vereen, Cab Calloway and many other notable performers. After serving as musical director for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in the ‘90s, he came back to the Monadnock Region and continues to play jazz and teach.

"Sam’s Sunday Set and Shed" was conceived by Silktone Productions’ founder Samirah Evans. The monthly music series is based on her own experience as an up-and-coming vocalist in New Orleans, where it was customary for seasoned artists to invite young musicians and singers onstage. She hopes that the casual, family-friendly atmosphere of the Elliot Street Café on a Sunday afternoon will encourage young musicians to come and practice their craft.

Silktone Productions acknowledges the Vermont Jazz Center, the Open Music Collective and Lotus Graphics for support of this program. For more information, contact Silktone Productions at 802-365-1234 or e-mail silktone@samirahevans.com.