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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Week of October 9-15, 2006
Contact: Helen Davidson
Marketing Committee, Maine Music Society Board
207-784-0159 ext. 324 (office)
207-441-3356 (cell)
BATTLE OF BLENDS XIII IN NEW VENUE
Lewiston—Battle of the Blends, a fund-raiser for the Maine Music Society that promises to be the best a cappella concert ever, will take place at the Franco-American Heritage Center for the first time on Saturday, October 28, at 7:30 p.m. The largest a cappella showcase in Northern New England, the performance will feature a range of styles from gospel to rock to jazz and old standards.
Three groups taking part have performed at Battle of the Blends before; three are brand new. Faith in Action, a higher-powered women’s a cappella group, returns having performed in the Boston community, in gospel concerts and with Bobby McFerrin on WGBH-TV. Referendum, a quartet since 1998, returns for its third Battle to sing jazz standards, rhythmic African folk songs, spirituals, world music and popular tunes that carry a message of love and inspiration. A group of 18 singers that was founded in the 1980’s, Boston Jazz Voices brings back to Lewiston an extended repertoire, with most songs from the American songbook, with jazz harmonies and swing rhythms.
The new groups on the Battle scene are Fretless, Tuckermans at 9, and the Colby Eight. Known for precision tuning and sophisticated arrangements, Fretless is a mixed group of five multi-talented singers who chose their name to represent the freedom and challenge of making music with a fretless instrument, the human voice. Seven singers mostly from southern New Hampshire make up Tuckermans at 9 who sing Billy Joel, James Taylor, Three Doog Night, The Kingston Trio, and Linda Ronstadt numbers to name a few. The Colby Eight has been a tradition since 1949, not always 8 in number, who blend barber-shop-style music with more contemporary a cappella and strives to include the audience in the fun.
Sponsors for the all a cappella event are Liberty Mutual, Maine Home Mortgage, and TD Banknorth. Tickets are available in advance ($17.50) or at the door ($20) through the Maine Music Society office at 782-1403 and through L/A Arts at 782-7228.
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