SALEM — The 19th Salem Jazz and Soul Festival, set for Saturday, Aug. 15 at Salem Willows, has just released its band lineup.
It’s an offering bound to appeal to a wide and eclectic array of musical tastes, from local high school artists to national talent.
Among the performers this year are:
Dwayne Dopsie and Zydeco Hellraisers: This nationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated act is transporting their high-energy Zydeco sound from New Orleans to the North Shore. Front man Dwayne (Dopsie) Rubin offers a unique, fast-paced style of music and hails from one of the most influential Zydeco families in the world.
Festival Executive Director Larry Claflin said Dopsie was the headliner two years in a row, in 2015 and 2016, and thatg “when we learned our supporters love Zydeco, we thought it was high time to have him back.”
The Nth Power: Another nationally celebrated act, The Nth Power, is a genre-defying trio that blends soulful funk, reggae, and jazz into a powerful sonic tapestry. The band is known for their energetic live shows and their ability to seamlessly blend genres and styles.
Claflin noted that Nth Power is also a return act, having played the festival more than a decade ago.
“The Nth Power is a killer trio of that plays funk, soul, and some gospel,” he said.
Lydia Harrell: Harrell is a Boston-based Folk, Jazz, R&B/Soul artist and professor at Berklee College of Music. She won the 2015 Duke Ellington Jazz Vocal Competition and the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Voice Competition. She has also performed at Harlem’s Apollo Theater and with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Harrell, a Berklee College of Music professor, is a “gifted vocalist” who used to live in Salem, Claflin said.
Wood & Bone: Hometown heroes, Wood & Bone are an American roots band originating from Massachusetts and led by Jesse Ciarmataro of Salem. They delight audiences with their ever-changing mix of Americana, Soul and Blues.
Claflin said the group “blends soul, blues, bluegrass and Americana to perfection,” adding that Ciarmataro will open the festival with a rendition of “America The Beautiful,” accompanied by two horn players – Festival Cofounder Henley Douglas Jr. and former Education Director Brian Cogger.
Salem High School Jazz Band: Kicking off the day’s music at 11:00 a.m., is the Salem High School Jazz Band. The ensemble recently received several accolades from the Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education Festival and has played the festival every year since 2007.
DJ Skotvoid: Rounding out the sound and keeping the beat going, DJ Skotvoid (Rockport’s Scott Buchanan) is a local vinyl DJ, skweee producer, and label producer based on the North Shore. Skot Void is deeply embedded in the local music scene and frequently spins genres like Northern Soul, rare funk, and deep disco.
In the Education Tent, there will be opportunities to engage with some of the musicians from the main stage.
Workshops will feature:
Lydia Harrell and the magic of improvisation from 12 to 12:30 p.m.
The world of rhythm with bassist Nate Edgar from 1:30 to 2 p.m.
Zydeco music and culture with Dwayne Dopsie from 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Percussion and flute with Moss, Tapper and members of the Salem Boys and Girls Club from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
The festival also boasts a unique artisans market, with over 25 vendors representing handcrafts from around New England. This year, in honor of Salem’s 400+ commemoration, attendees will be presented with a unique tour through the history of jazz at the Willows starting with Duke Ellington who once performed at this historic location.