Pianist Miro Sprague divides his time between the bustling burgs of New York City and Los Angeles, but he has local roots, and he’s back in the Valley for a special four-night residency at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke, with each evening featuring a different ensemble and vibe.
The residency begins with a duo show of Sprague and vocalist Dominique Eade on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 7:30 p.m.
Sprague is joined by bassist Marty Jaffe and drummer Jimmy Macbride on Wednesday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m.
A quintet of Sprague, Jaffe, Macbride, guitarist Jason Ennis and Saxophonist Michael Zsoldos takes the stage on Thursday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m.
The residency wraps up with a celebration of the music of Stevie Wonder, featuring Sprague, vocalist Moonlight Davis, guitarist Jason Ennis, trumpeter Don Anderson, bassist Jon Suters, drummer Conor Meehan, and backing vocalists Morning Star Chenven, Lou Leelyn and Laurie Didonato, on Friday, April 5, at 8 p.m.
Sprague was contacted by Gateway City Arts and asked if he wanted to present a residency — he’d enjoyed performing at the venue with various groups over the years — and he jumped at the opportunity. “It’s pretty uncommon to be able to present a multiple night residency,” he said in an interview last week. “It gives me a space to perform with many of my favorite musicians and explore different sides of my musical creativity.”
Some of his guests are longtime collaborators (Jaffe, Ennis) and some are newer friends, like Eade, who he’s only performed a concert with once before (“she’s already on my short list of favorite musical collaborators”), and Macbride (“one of the best young drummers in New York City, and it’s a thrill to be able to bring him up to Western MA”).
Mark Sherry’s Valley Music Showcase, a juried live music competition celebrating original local talent, continues its 4th season of battling bands. This round features Electrio (instrumental fusion/prog from Hadley), The Greg Hall Band (alt-country/Americana from Easthampton), Hivebane (acoustic rock from Springfield), Cars Go West (Indie/psych/jam band from Palmer) and The Lost Tribe (afro-funk fusion from Middletown, CT) — all competing for prizes and the chance to come back in the finals — plus special guests Keepers of the Vibe, the Hartford funk/hip hop band that won January’s edition of the Showcase (they’ll play an opening and closing set). It all happens at New City Brewery in Easthampton on Friday, March 29, at 8 p.m.
The eleventh annual Beatles Open Mic, a benefit for the Northampton Community Music Center, is cheekily being called “This One Goes To Eleven,” and will happen at JJ’s Tavern in Florence on Saturday, March 30, at 7 p.m.
Saxophonist Joshua Redman brings his quartet (pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Gregory Hutchinson) to play two shows at the Iron Horse in Northampton on Saturday, March 30, at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Local Honey 2 is the latest compilation of local artists, put together by The Buzz, A Honey Pot Production. The CD collection features 14 local artists, some of whom (Eric Lee, Lush Honey, Mad Habits, Phenomena 256, Shantyman, Tidwell’s Treasure, Workman Song, and others) will play live at the release party at the Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Saturday, March 30, at 8 p.m. Admission price includes a copy of the CD (which features all of the above, plus Carinae, Mamma’s Marmalade, Old Flame, Snowhaus, Sun Parade and more).
Peter Newland of FAT and Norm Schell of Clean Living team up for a night of music and memories at the Iron Horse on Sunday, March 31, at 7 p.m. Eric Lee opens.
Look Park is the solo playground of Chris Collingwood (Fountains of Wayne). The band’s 2016 self-titled debut was an instant classic, full of hooky and lovely pop songs, and Collingwood and company return to The Parlor Room in Northampton on Tuesday, April 2, at 7 p.m. Very recommended!
Local guitar-based quartet The Electric Eyes celebrate the release of their debut album with a show at The Parlor Room on Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m.
Classically trained violinist Regina Carter, a recipient of the MacArthur “genius grant” and other awards, gets labeled as a jazz artist, but her searching music soars over any genre walls. Her latest album, “Ella: Accentuate the Positive,” is a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald’s voice and spirit, interpreting some of The First Lady of Song’s repertoire in uniquely funky and moody ways. Carter brings her quartet to the Iron Horse on Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m.
The Lucky Shots, Thane & Melissa, and The Big Why make up the local triple-bill at this week’s Reanimate the Bay State show at the Sierra Grille in Northampton on Thursday, April 4, at 10 p.m.
Ken Maiuri can be reached at tunedincolumn@gmail.com.