September 2024 Program Guide

In addition to what's listed below, expect additional playlists, articles and more throughout the month...To stay on top of it all, click "Add to Calendar" after each entry to, well, add them to your calendar, check our latest posts page regularly, and sign up for our newsletter.

Monday, Sept 2 - Dancing About Architecture with Nick Kizirnis, the guitarist and songwriter covering ground from Americana to pop, rock’n’roll to experimental music. Nick's latest single “Everything” - from his May 2024 solo album Every Moment - dropped August 9th. A song about betrayal and trying too hard long after all hope is lost, the track features Tobin Sprout (Guided by Voices) on keyboards, Jim Macpherson (The Breeders, Guided by Voices) on drums, Daisy Caplan (Foxy Shazam, Lung) on bass, Tod Weidner on guitar and singer/cellist Kate Wakefield (Lung). Add to Calendar

Thursday, Sept 5 - Spotlight On Gordon Grdina, the JUNO Award-winning oud player and guitarist whose work defies limitations, be they geographical, distance, time, or genre. Gordon incorporates avant-garde jazz, free improvisation, indie rock and Arabic tradition into his music. He released two albums in 2024: Gordon Grdina's The Marrow with Fathieh Honari, a showcase for his oud work originally conceived as a means of bridging the worlds of Arabic, jazz and improvised music. In addition to Gordon, the band features Hank Roberts (cello), Mark Helias (bass and Spotlight On alum) and the Iranian-Canadian percussionist Hamin Honari. The new album adds an additional layer with the addition of Hamin’s mother, the Persian vocalist Fathieh Honari, delivering a mix of traditional songs, mid-20^th century Iranian popular music, and classic Rumi poems set to Grdina’s original compositions; Duo Work, is Gordon's project with drummer Christian Lillinger. The album features four of Gordon’s compositions along with a set of improvisations. Grdina is featured on guitar and MIDI guitar, an instrument that features synth pick-ups with MIDI controllers that allow him to transform the sound of the guitar into virtually any instrument – existent or otherwise. Add to Calendar

Monday, Sept 9 - Dancing About Architecture with Michael Sarian, the Toronto-born trunpeter and composer whose artistic output is as diverse as his background: he has released several records with his quartet, free improvised duet recordings with pianist Matthew Putman, electronic avant-garde music with pianist Olec Mün, several albums with his septet Michael Sarian & The Chabones, and recently joined the Jonas Brothers on their world tour, performing at Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium, and over 100 sold out stadiums and arenas around the globe. His new album, Live at Cliff Bell's, is out September 13. Add to Calendar

Thursday, Sept 12 - Spotlight On Andy McClusky, the singer, songwriter, musician and producer best known as the lead singer and bass guitarist of the band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD). McCluskey has been the group's sole constant member and joined guest host/Spotlight On producer Michael Donaldson to talk a bit about Kraftwerk, the political messages behind their latest work, and the Bauhaus art school. Add to Calendar

Monday, Sept 16 - Dancing About Architecture with Ed Neumeister, the trombonist, composer, arranger and educator operating at the forefront of creative music for more than forty years, including work with Jerry Garcia (in the band, Reconstruction), backing up the likes of Chuck Berry, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Frank Sinatra. Ed's new album, Covers, is available now. Add to Calendar

Thursday, Sept 19 - Spotlight On Brad Mindich, the life-long Bostonian and entrepreneur working with artists, athletes, brands, and franchises across music, culture, and sports to expand their legacies and create powerful connections with their fans. His deep (and academically-derived) understanding of fan psychology fuels Brad's innovative approach in archival practices. Brad is a true music industry “lifer”, as his father owned the New England rock station WFNX and was the longtime publisher of The Boston Phoenix, the 'underground' newspaper with roots stretching back to 1965. Add to Calendar

Monday, Sept 23 - Dancing About Architecture with Jeremy Sirota, CEO of Merlin (and Spotlight On alum), the global leader for independent labels and distributors around the world, representing 15% of the global market share in music. Merlin helps its members to own their independence by striking deals with services like Apple, Spotify, TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube. Jeremy started his career as a technology lawyer and went on to hold senior positions at Warner Music Group and on the Facebook music team. Add to Calendar

Thursday, Sept 26 - Spotlight On Devin Gray, the drummer, composer and bandleader who has worked with saxophonists David Liebman and Gary Thomas, and as a trio
with Ralph Alessi and Spotlight On alum, Angelica Sanchez, among many, many others. Devin's solo debut, Most Definitely, brought him to the show. Add to Calendar

Monday, Sept 30 - Dancing About Architecture with Holly Channell, the American drummer, musician, educator and composer who plays everything from Straight Jazz to Pop and Rock and is set to release the album Not Just a Standard on October 4. In 2023, Holly was Recognized and awarded as a Sister in Jazz with the Jazz Education Network. Holly teaches privately and in higher education while performing with musicians from around the world. Add to Calendar