2003 Midsummer Lakeside Concert Series offers jazz, classical, world music

A jazz accordionist, a Maine master of the Middle Eastern oud and a favorite folk band from Québec are among the attractions in this summer’s Midsummer Lakeside Concert Series. This string of five concerts in the intimate amphitheater overlooking the college’s Lake Andrews opens at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 17, with Dr. Jeff Grosser and the Razcals Swing Jazz Band.

All held on Thursdays at 6 p.m., the concerts cover a variety of family-friendly musical styles. Concerts are held in the Florence Keigwin Amphitheater, behind the Olin Arts Center, 75 Russell Street, and are open to the public at no cost. (In case of rain, concerts are moved inside to the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall.)

The other artists in this summer’s series are Downeast Brass (July 24), Le Vent du Nord (July 31), the Alan Shavarsh Bardezbanian Middle East Ensemble (Aug. 7) and the Saccarappa Boys (Aug. 14).

Dr. Jeff Grosser and the Razcals Swing Jazz Band play tunes from the ’20s to the present, reflecting the tradition of jazz accordionist Art Van Damme.

Downeast Brass, featuring Bates applied music faculty member John Furman on trumpet, is a popular Maine quintet that offers a wide range of styles, from classical to Dixieland.

Le Vent du Nord is a Montreal quartet performing traditional Québécois songs and dances. It features the lively Benoit Bourque, well-known in the Lewiston-Auburn thanks to his many performances and workshops.

The Alan Shavarsh Bardezbanian Middle Eastern Ensemble is led by one of Maine’s outstanding world-music players. Also known as Al Gardner, Bardezbanian ’72 is a virtuoso on the ancient stringed instrument called the oud, as well as on clarinet. His band, which also features accordion, violin, guitar, bass and hand drum, performs Armenian, Arabic, Greek and Turkish music from folk and classical traditions.

The Saccarappa Boys, another Maine band, plays folk, country, bluegrass and sing-alongs.

The Florence Keigwin Amphitheater, overlooking Lake Andrews, a pond near Russell Street, is encircled by a tree-shaded path. Concertgoers should bring blankets or lawn chairs and are welcome to carry in non-alcoholic beverages and picnic suppers.

For more information, please call the Office of Special Projects and Summer Programs at (207) 786-6400.