Music, you say? First Night Morris promises to hit all the right notes on New Year’s Eve

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Video: ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’ performed by Greg Giannascoli

 

From classical to classic rock, from world-class to out-of-this-world, it’s all coming to Morristown on New Year’s Eve.

Music junkies — and people who are just plain curious — will find a vast array of performers and genres awaiting them at First Night Morris 2015, thanks to über-talent scout Dr. Lynn Siebert of Morris Arts.

The way the evening is blocked out, you can see at least four of these acts between 7 pm and midnight, more if you bop in and out.

More than 80 shows — from art and comedy to dance, drama, magic and music– are scheduled for 24 venues within easy walking distance or a free shuttle ride. Admission badges are $25, or $90 for four. Children aged four and under are free. Buy badges online, or at the Mayo Performing Arts Center at 100 South St.  More details follow this story.

Now, back to the music…

Please click icon below for captions.

For starters, Svetlana Smolina is a dazzling classical pianist.  The Harmonium Choral Society  and New Jersey Festival Orchestra are perennial favorites. The Early Music Players will dust off some Renaissance hits. (The original Renaissance.) Dennis Kobray can explain all these classics, in the role of Johannes Brahms.

Video: Harmonium sings ‘I Believe’

The British Invasion Tribute returns to the Mayo Performing Arts Center for healthy helpings of Beatles and Beyond.

Jazz aficionados can groove with guitar gods Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo; and with piano prince Rio Clemente Solid Brass Lite really is solid, brassy and light — quite a combination.

Video: Frank and Vinny dive into Swan Lake

Carla Ulbrich will keep you in stitches with songs about medical misadventures and other absurdities. The Zaitsev Piano Duo promises a wry journey from Bach to Rock. Folksinger Mike Agranoff has more ditties in his gig bag than a salty sailor on shore leave.

The Cobra Brothers will serve up some New Year’s blues. Silk City and Reckon So join forces for two sets of bluegrass, honky tonk and roots country. For country music lovers, the Tequila Rose Band turns up the twang-and-bang.

Like a little thunder with your fireworks?  Gordon Turk will take the 4,000-pipe Austin organ for a spin at the Presbyterian Church, between the 9 pm and midnight pyrotechnics above the Morristown Green.

World Music is well represented, too. Matuto bills itself as “Brazil Meets Bluegrass.”  Colombian Salsa is covered by Armando Son Jimenez y Orquesta Sabor.  The Kleztraphobix dish up… what else?  Klezmer, with some Macedonian appetizers.  Fans of the erhu and pipa should be entranced by the Music from China Duo.

Video: Armando Son Jimenez y Orquesta Sabor

Michela Musolino brings songs from Sicily. Guess what the Random Test Reggae Band specializes in?

Video: Random Roots Reggae Band

And the out-of-this-World Music is courtesy of Tuvan throat-singer Alex Glenfield, theremin virtuoso Michael Durek and mallet-master Greg Giannascoli.  They would make quite a trio, don’t you think?

 


FIRST NIGHT MORRIS 2015

“Morristown Becomes a Stage”

New Year’s Eve: 80 performances at 24 venues

Admission Badges:  $25/ $90 for four

Purchase at Mayo Performing Arts Center

Call 973-539-8008

COMPLETE FIRST NIGHT MORRIS 2015 COVERAGE

ROSTER OF FIRST NIGHT PERFORMERS

FIRST NIGHT 2015 SCHEDULE

COVERAGE OF LAST YEAR’S FIRST NIGHT

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