Yeah! Great music and a much needed celebration.

---------- Original Message ---------- From: ken@kenfield.org To: Friends-Local <kenfield-local@two.pairlist.net> Date: 02/14/2022 2:53 PM Subject: [Kenfield-local] Long Time Coming! Mardi Gras Party Tue 3/1 !!

We are way more than super excited to announce that Revolutionary Snake Ensemble will be hosting our Mardi Gras party this year on Fat Tuesday March 1st at 8pm (doors 7pm) at the amazing new Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Sq, Somerville, MA!! https://www.crystalballroomboston.com/events/mardi-gras-party http://RevolutionarySnakeEnsemble.org

After a 2-year hiatus due to... well, I don't need to tell you why... WE ARE BACK!! And we'll be joined by New Orleans native Henri Smith on vocals, and other special surprise guests!!

And if that's not all, there will also be a visit from Royalty! - the Carnival Society of Boston's King & Queen of Carnival, and maybe even costumed members of their Court, are scheduled to stop by to party with us!

We've always had a total and absolute BLAST playing these annual gigs, and we've missed joining you for Mardi Gras, but it seems that as things get safer, NOW IS THE TIME! That's not to say that we are ignoring the ongoing situation: proof of vax will be required, and masking is encouraged - but make them fun, sequined, and colorful!

The room is newly renovated from its recent use as smaller movie screening spaces (https://www.crystalballroomboston.com/about), and advanced air circulation is in place. Normal room capacity will be cut in half to allow for distancing. But that means that this show will fill up sooner, so purchase tix in advance to be sure you can get in (you'll also get a discount on at-the-door admission). https://www.crystalballroomboston.com/events/mardi-gras-party

The full band will be: Phil Neighbors - drums Blake Newman - bass Tom Hall - tenor sax Ken Field - alto sax & flute Dave Harris - trombone & tuba Jerry Sabatini - trumpet Henri Smith - vocals & MC

Do you need more convincing? Happy to oblige:

Labeled “explosive” by the Boston Globe, two-time New England Music Award nominees Revolutionary Snake Ensemble’s most recent release “I Want That Sound!” was labeled a “life-enhancing treat” by Fanfare Magazine and “one of the hottest sounds ever” by El Paso (TX) NPR station KTEP.

NYC Jazz Record writes that “Revolutionary Snake Ensemble has been putting its unique and somewhat twisted twist on the New Orleans brass band tradition for more than 25 years…hard-partying avant-funk, with boisterous soloing…I Want That Sound! is a strong example of how Ken Field and the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble continue to push the brass band tradition forward in an entirely original way, all the while making music that’s a heck of a lot of fun.”

KBCS Seattle Public Radio says that RSE “continues to mine the vein of New Orleans – with post-bop, and touches of Avant – this band cooks; edgy, raucous, fun, and first rate!”

And the Boston Herald adds that “People tend to think of second line bands – brass bands steeped in New Orleans traditions – as instant party starters. It’s a great compliment, maybe the best compliment ever, but it limits the sonic and emotional range of these bands. Revolutionary Snake Ensemble can absolutely get a party started. But on the local horn collective’s fourth album, “I Want That Sound!,” the players also explore the wild outerlands of jazz.”

Vocalist HENRI SMITH has been thrilling New Orleans audiences for years with his sophisticated swing and dramatic delivery of jazz, blues, and Cajun flavored music. He relocated to Massachusetts in 2005 after losing his home to Katrina. New Orleans born and bred, Smith has long been a radio personality on the legendary WWOZ, where his radio show featured the contemporary jazz that he loves and now sings professionally. With many connections in the music world, he frequently served as emcee and vocalist at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for artists such as Kermit Ruffins and Ellis Marsalis.

https://www.crystalballroomboston.com/events/mardi-gras-party

Hope to see you there!!! -Ken ------ Ken Field * ken@kenfield.org mailto:ken@kenfield.org * http://kenfield.org http://kenfield.org

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