Upcoming Concerts

Novel Jazz Septet Concerts, 2025-2026 

Dear Jazz Lovers,

     Happy October!  Happy Fall!  We have just a few public jazz events to tell you about as the busy Maine music season winds down. 

     In keeping with the season, the Novel Jazz Septet will be returning to the Skidompha Public Library (184 Main Street, Damariscotta) for what we are calling, “The Great Pumpkin Jam”, on Saturday, 11 October, 2025, at 7:00PM, during the Pumpkin Fest Weekend.    We will be playing an evening of jazz out of the Great American Songbook, of course including tunes befitting the fall season.  Proceeds will benefit Skidompha and its Little Food Pantry.  The band will be welcoming the very-talented guest percussionist, Rusty Quinn, that evening.  Admission is free and all are welcome to this special concert, but in lieu of purchasing a ticket, the library requests that attendees bring either a financial donation (suggested $20/person) for the library, food or personal hygiene items for Skidompha’s Little Food Pantry, to support other community members in need.  Pantry items must not be expired and must be unopened. Admission is otherwise free of charge and a donation is not required for attendance.  For more information, call 207-887-0919 during business hours or point your web browser to Skidompha’s web site.  Join NJS for an evening of swinging jazz for the “Great Pumpkin Jam” during the Damariscotta Pumpkin Fest weekend, to benefit Skidompha Library and their Little Food Pantry!

On Sunday, 19 October, 2025, 4-7 PM, I’ll be joining Bess Jacques again in our new duo collaboration, “Bone & Ivory,” at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford (17 Lincoln St., Biddeford, ME; tel. 207-815-3977). We’ll be playing a mix of rich, timeless, classic jazz from the Great American Songbook. Bess Jacques is a Maine-based pianist, singer, and songwriter, performing regularly in the greater Portland area. Her music spans jazz, singer-songwriter, and pop styles, combining vintage standards with fresh originals. Her band, “Bess Jacques and the Strays” has just released a new album, “Anthems for Lily Briscoe”.   Bess and I began collaborating this summer and realized that the combination of her beautiful, alto voice, and superb piano voicings, along with the smooth, mellow sound of the tenor trombone was entirely unique. The setting for this performance, The Lincoln Hotel, has a lively and elegant lobby bar, replete with grand piano, plus plenty of room to relax and unwind to the sounds of classic jazz. It is situated in a beautifully re-imagined mill in downtown Biddeford. There is also a restaurant in the hotel for your dining pleasure.

     Finally, looking ahead a little, “Bone & Ivory” will be appearing at Cadenza (5 Depot Street, Freeport, Maine -info@cadenzafreeport.com - 207.560.5300) on Saturday, 29 November 2025 at 7PM.  More about that next month but just to note, tickets are on sale now for this show during the busy Thanksgiving weekend, so get them early!

Hope to see you this Fall!

Best,
Barney Balch