(May 4, 2017) For the third consecutive year, the popular jazz fusion group, The Larks, will close out the Berlin Jazz and Blues Bash with a performance from 5-6 p.m. on Saturday.
The Larks, regulars at Berlin venues such as The Globe and Burley Oak Brewing Company, have played the festival for the last four years.
Pete Bozick, the lead guitarist of the group, said Berlin audiences are among the band’s favorite.
“The crowds in Berlin seem to be far more appreciative than other areas of the Eastern Shore,” he said. “They are loyal music aficionados who really enjoy live music and appreciate the musicians. We feel the love on stage, which leads us to play some of our best shows, knowing how much the crowd is enjoying what we are doing. We love it here.”
Bozick promised a few new surprises during the festival, including several new songs. For the first time, about a quarter of the music will feature vocals.
“[Drummer] Curtis [Krams] handles most of the main vocals and I cover most of the backing parts, though we do have a couple songs where I take the lead,” Bozick said. “We also have some new personnel. Rob Barbarita has become a staple on tenor sax and fresh to the group is Matt Haelig on alto sax and trombone. Matt is fairly new to the area, so we were lucky to meet him and add him to the group.”
Krams will play double duty this year. He also will perform with the New York Connection at the festival and at a post-festival performance at the Globe.
Along with playing and taking in a full day of music, he said he’s looking forward to patronizing some of the vendors.
“I can’t wait to hear the other groups perform and smell the wonderful food,” Krams said. “I’m also excited to hear New York Connection this year at the festival. My wife and I enjoyed their top-notch musical performance at the Globe while eating a superior dinner and I am looking forward to joining them on stage at the festival this year for the first time.”
Bozick is also excited to see what the other acts will take one of the two stages set up in downtown Berlin. Along with the Larks and New York Connection, the festival schedule includes seven other ensembles.
“The lineup is stellar this year. It has to be one of the best so far,” Bozick said. “I love all the groups playing. I know almost all of the local performers personally and hope to see and hear each and every one of them this year. I think the main group of interest is the Navy Commodores, simply because of the level of professionalism, but all the performers can really throw it down.
“I would like to extend a huge thank you to the organizers, sponsors and volunteers for their vision to create this event and the perseverance to keep it going, and of course for inviting us back once again,” he added. “This is easily the best outdoor jazz and/or blues festival around.”
Along with playing shows virtually every weekend throughout the year, Bozick said the group has been working on an online video archive of concert footage. Dave Roberts, a longtime Larks fan, helped the band compile a large amount of footage from various concerts that is gradually being transferred to YouTube.
To view the footage, visit www.larksjazz.com.
The Larks, regulars at Berlin venues such as The Globe and Burley Oak Brewing Company, have played the festival for the last four years.
Pete Bozick, the lead guitarist of the group, said Berlin audiences are among the band’s favorite.
“The crowds in Berlin seem to be far more appreciative than other areas of the Eastern Shore,” he said. “They are loyal music aficionados who really enjoy live music and appreciate the musicians. We feel the love on stage, which leads us to play some of our best shows, knowing how much the crowd is enjoying what we are doing. We love it here.”
Bozick promised a few new surprises during the festival, including several new songs. For the first time, about a quarter of the music will feature vocals.
“[Drummer] Curtis [Krams] handles most of the main vocals and I cover most of the backing parts, though we do have a couple songs where I take the lead,” Bozick said. “We also have some new personnel. Rob Barbarita has become a staple on tenor sax and fresh to the group is Matt Haelig on alto sax and trombone. Matt is fairly new to the area, so we were lucky to meet him and add him to the group.”
Krams will play double duty this year. He also will perform with the New York Connection at the festival and at a post-festival performance at the Globe.
Along with playing and taking in a full day of music, he said he’s looking forward to patronizing some of the vendors.
“I can’t wait to hear the other groups perform and smell the wonderful food,” Krams said. “I’m also excited to hear New York Connection this year at the festival. My wife and I enjoyed their top-notch musical performance at the Globe while eating a superior dinner and I am looking forward to joining them on stage at the festival this year for the first time.”
Bozick is also excited to see what the other acts will take one of the two stages set up in downtown Berlin. Along with the Larks and New York Connection, the festival schedule includes seven other ensembles.
“The lineup is stellar this year. It has to be one of the best so far,” Bozick said. “I love all the groups playing. I know almost all of the local performers personally and hope to see and hear each and every one of them this year. I think the main group of interest is the Navy Commodores, simply because of the level of professionalism, but all the performers can really throw it down.
“I would like to extend a huge thank you to the organizers, sponsors and volunteers for their vision to create this event and the perseverance to keep it going, and of course for inviting us back once again,” he added. “This is easily the best outdoor jazz and/or blues festival around.”
Along with playing shows virtually every weekend throughout the year, Bozick said the group has been working on an online video archive of concert footage. Dave Roberts, a longtime Larks fan, helped the band compile a large amount of footage from various concerts that is gradually being transferred to YouTube.
To view the footage, visit www.larksjazz.com.