Past Events

Memories of events gone by, with our thanks to everyone who joined in the fun and exploration!

Union Music Presents:
The 23rd Annual
Sawyer Saxophone Student Performance
At Point Breeze Restaurant, Webster, MA
Sunday, November 6th 7pm

Led by Ken Sawyer from 1988 to 2011, the long-standing tradition of student virtuosity backed by a rhythm section of seasoned pros returns to beautiful Point Breeze.

Union Music and Kala Brand Music Present:
Lil Rev
Appearing at the Union Music Performance Center
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 7 - 9:00 pm
Ukulele Workshop: Essential Strums, Strokes and Tricks for Ukulele!

Lil Rev is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music-historian who teaches and tours nationally, around the continental U.S.

Known as a "protector of old songs, poetry and stories," Rev has been called a "Wisconsin treasure," (-Ann Schmid-UWM Folk Center). His many awards and frequent travels have garnered him a loyal and growing fan base amongst lovers of all things Ukulele, Folk, Old Time, Harmonica, Jewish Music & Culture, American Labor History and Respect for our Elders!

Lil Rev calls his style of performance... edu-tain-ment!

This class is sponsored by Union Music & KALA Brand Ukulele Co. Learn all the basics from Lil Rev including, how to hold it, basic strums, a small cache of simple two and three chord songs and much more!

www.lilrev.com

Admission is FREE but seating is limited. Please call
Union Music to reserve a place at
(508) 753-3702...

Please bring a uke and sign up early. The workshop is for all levels and includes teaching "tunes, tricks and techniques" and runs from 7:00PM to 8:00PM. Lil Rev is the author of the Hal Leonard Ukulele Method Book Series and other uke books and was a Grade School Music Teacher and College Lecturer with extensive experience working with both kids and adults. His approach is fun, educational and enthusiastic. The workshop will be followed by a Lil Rev concert from 8:15-9:15. Call or email for either or both events.

Union Music and Samson Audio Present:
Recording and Sound Reinforcement Seminar
with Greg Ouzunoff
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 7 - 9:00 pm

Details:

•  Handheld digital recorders - audio and video
•  Wireless products to support both.
•  Microphone selection and placement
•  Gain Structure
•  Speaker design and selection
•  Mixing console features ( USB , monitors, etc)
•  Cabling and Accessories

Question and Answer period - 15 - 20 minutes
Autograph Session - 30 seconds

Admission is FREE but seating is limited. Please call
Union Music to reserve a place at
(508) 753-3702...

Union Music and co-sponsors
LaBella, Oasis and D'Addario Present:
The 2nd Annual Boston Classical Guitar Society
Performance Party
At the Union Music Performance Center
Saturday, December 3rd, 1 to 5 pm

Carl Kamp is hosting the November performance party at his wonderful store - Union Music - in Worcester MA. A free set of strings is being offered to attendees. Hope you can make it.

Admission is FREE. Please call
Union Music at
(508) 753-3702 for more info...

Union Music Hometown Hero Series Presents:
Big Jon Short
Appearing at the Union Music Performance Center
Wednesday, December7th, 7pm

Armed with foot percussion, National Reso-phonic Guitar, Lowebow cigar-box reso-hillharp, Reso-Ukulele and kazoo, Big Jon Short's high energy solo performances bring a foot-stomping show that taps into the heart of the songs, regional styles, and folklore of the Blues and its importance to American music.

Based in the Northeast US, he travels and performs between 150-200 shows per year in BBQ joints, blues rooms and festivals from Massachusetts to Mississippi while continuing his work as a public school teacher, running Blues in Schools programs and workshops. He was recently awarded the 2010 Worcester Cultural Commission Artist Fellowship and is currently supporting of his newest CD: "Big Shorty".

• Semi-finalist at the 2010 & 2008 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN

• 2010 Worcester Cultural Commission Artist Fellowship Award

• Winner of the 9th Annual Lyon/Pitchford Cigarbox Award - Memphis, TN 2010

• Voted "Best Blues Musician" by Worcester Magazine: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

More at www.jonshort.com

Space is limited. Please call Union Music at (508) 753-3702 for more info...

Here's one from the DEEP archives!

Union Music and Dean Guitars Present:
Rock Guitar Performance
with Michael Batio
April 30, 2003

Awesome Guitar Shredding

From Wikipedia:
"Batio was voted the "No. 1 Shredder of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine in 2003.[2][3] He was also listed as one of the "Top 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time" by Guitar World Magazine, for which he wrote the column Time to Burn, and one of the "20 Greatest Shredders of All Time" by Total Guitar Magazine, both in April 2008. Batio also won the 2009 Guitar World Magazine Readers Choice award in the "Best Shredder" category.

In the shot at bottom (left to right):
Carl Kamp Union Music president
Michael Batio double neck guitar virtuoso
Dean Zalensky creator Dean Guitars
Jim Larivee Union Music manager

Union Music Presents:
Succeed at Fingerstyle Guitar!
with Mark Hanson
Thursday, May 19th, 7:00 pm

For fingerpickers at all levels.

Grammy-winning guitarist and author Mark Hanson explains the techniques and musicianship necessary for playing fingerstyle guitar successfully. First, Mark discusses essential picking-hand techniques, and teaches numerous technique- and speed-building exercises. For the fretting hand, Mark covers smooth chord changes, eliminating squeaks, timing essentials, independent voice movement, and fingerboard visualization.

Finally, Mark teaches two beautiful fingerstyle solo arrangements from his "Love Songs" CD: Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" and "Mercy Mercy Mercy."

Admission is $25
Pre-Registration is required for this event, and class size is limited, so please call Union Music at (508) 753-3702 to reserve YOUR place!

Union Music and Taylor Guitars
A Night of Fingerpickin'
with guitar virtuoso and Grand Ole Opry favorite Doyle Dykes
Tuesday, May 31, 7 pm

Doyle Dykes is a master of inspiring guitarists at all skill levels.

Come spend a couple of hours with one of the world's greatest guitarists and leave with a renewed vigor for playing!

"Doyle Dykes is not only one of my favorite guitar players - he's one of my favorite people."
   - Ricky Skaggs,
     Grammy-winning recording artist

$20 Admission.
Reservations are recommended.
Space is limited, so please call Union Music at (508) 753-3702 to reserve YOUR place!

Union Music Presents:
First Saturday Drum Circle
with Ed Oluokun at the Union Music Performance Center
Saturday, June 4th 2-4pm

Led by our newest addition to the Union Music teaching staff, Ed Oluokun.

Ed offers 20 years experience in drumming. He has taught basics of African drumming at the Community School at the University of Memphis.

All skill levels are encouraged to join in. Bring your instument and enjoy the grooves.

Donations appreciated
Bring your own drums, rentals available
Please call Union Music at(508) 753-3702 with questions...

Pictures of the February 5th Drum Circle!

Union Music Presents:
Two-Day Guitar Workshop
with Steve Kaufman
Friday April 29th, 7 to 9 pm
Saturday, April 30th, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

Steve Kaufman is the 3 Time Winner of the prestigious National Flatpicking Championships. Steve has over 100 award winning instructional books, CDs and DVDs to his credit and 19 CD recordings.

Steve will be conducting his "Award Winning" All Level - Two Day - Eight Hour - Hands On Flatpicking Guitar Workshop at Union Music.

Bring a guitar, recording device and Lots of Questions.

Pre-Registration is required for this event, and class size is limited, so please call Union Music at (508) 753-3702 to reserve YOUR place!

Union Music Presents:
Solo Concert
with Steve Kaufman
Saturday, April 30th, 8:00 pm

"Kaufman's great gift is the remarkable clarity of his guitar playing. Steve Kaufman's 'Breaking Out' is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys flatpicking guitar music." -- Bluegrass Unlimited

"Kaufman's playing is spectacular. His speed is astounding, more so because he never sacrifices tone, never lets his notes blur together. He makes his acoustic guitar a versatile, expressive lead instrument." -- Arkansas Gazette

Admission is $15. Please call
Union Music at
(508) 753-3702 for tickets or with questions...

Union Music and FleaMarketMusic.com Present:
Ukulele Workshop: "Strummin' With Jumpin' Jim"
with Jim Beloff
Saturday April 9th, 2011, 2 to 4 pm

Jim Beloff (Jumpin' Jim songbooks; The Joy Of Uke DVDs)introduces you to the pleasures of playing the ukulele. We will cover all the basics including holding, tuning, strumming and making the chords and then play through a dozen well-known songs learning new chords, strums, tips and performance techniques along the way. Bring a GCEA tuned uke and be ready to have a lot of fun. At the end of the workshop you will have made a new life-long friend - your ukulele! See uke there!

Admission is $25
Save $10 with your Uke purchase!
Seating is limited.
Please call Union Music for advance reservations at (508) 753-3702.

Union Music and Martin Guitars Present:
Martin Guitar Workshop
with Craig Thatcher
Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 7 pm to 9 pm

Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Craig Thatcher has been entertaining audiences with his exciting brand of blues/rock music for over 35 years. He's been a featured performer at Bethlehem's Musikfest for many years and has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and most recently in the Far East, performing mainly in theatres and outdoor festivals. Craig has led his own band since 1993 and is also the guitarist for Simone, daughter of jazz legend Nina Simone. Craig has released five CDs under his own name and is currently in the studio with Simone working on her second major label release.

While best known for his blistering electric blues style, Craig also has a well-earned reputation as an outstanding acoustic guitarist, having won many regional awards in that category. He is the Martin Guitar Company's 'on-call' artist, performing at Company functions throughout the year. Craig has opened for many international touring artists including Derek Trucks, John Hammond, Buddy Guy, Robin Trower, Kim Simmonds, Chris Smither, Jonny Lang, Jorma Kaukonen and others.

Space is limited, so please call Union Music at
(508) 753-3702 to reserve YOUR place!

photo credit: Sean Jyringi

Union Music and Martin Guitars Present:
Free Martin Strings Installed on Your Guitar
with Richard Starkey
Friday, February 18, 2011, 11 am to 2 pm

Martin Guitar performer and authorized Martin guitar repair technician, Richard Starkey, will put on a new set of the new long lasting Martin Lifespan SP strings on your acoustic guitar. Limit one per customer only on 6-string, steel string acoustic guitars.

While supply lasts, please come early!

Union Music Presents a
Drum Circle
with Ed Oluokun at the Union Music Performance Center
Saturday, November 6th, 1 to 3 pm

Led by our newest addition to the Union Music teaching staff, Ed Oluokun.

Ed offers 20 years experience in drumming. He has taught basics of African drumming at the Community School at the University of Memphis.

All skill levels are encouraged to join in. Bring your instument and enjoy the grooves.

Admission is FREE. Please call
Union Music at
(508) 753-3702 with questions...

Union Music Presents:
The 22nd Annual
Sawyer Saxophone Student Performance
At Point Breeze Restaurant, Webster, MA
Monday, November 8th

Led by Ken Sawyer from 1988 to 2010, the long-standing tradition of student virtuosity backed by a rhythm section of seasoned pros returns to beautiful Point Breeze.

Union Music and Kala Brand Music Present:
Lil Rev
Appearing at the Union Music Performance Center
Tuesday, November 9th
Uke Can Too Workshop: 6 - 7:30pm
Concert: 8 - 8:45pm

Lil Rev is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music-historian who teaches and tours nationally, around the continental U.S.

Known as a "protector of old songs, poetry and stories," Rev has been called a "Wisconsin treasure," (-Ann Schmid-UWM Folk Center). His many awards and frequent travels have garnered him a loyal and growing fan base amongst lovers of all things Ukulele, Folk, Old Time, Harmonica, Jewish Music & Culture, American Labor History and Respect for our Elders!

Lil Rev calls his style of performance... edu-tain-ment!

Uke Can Too: Did you ever take a notion to play the Ukulele? Well now is your chance!

This class is sponsored by Union Music & KALA Brand Ukulele Co. It is geared towards the absolute beginner. Just show up! You needn't even have a ukulele, we will provide one. Learn all the basics from Lil Rev including, how to hold it, basic strums, a small cache of simple two and three chord songs and much more! For Complete Beginners.

www.lilrev.com

Admission is FREE. Please call
Union Music at
(508) 753-3702 with questions...

Union Music Hometown Hero(ine) Series Presents:
Marylou Ferrante
Appearing at the Union Music Performance Center
Wednesday, November 17th, 7pm

Guitarist and singer Marylou Ferrante has been described by Boston Herald music critic Daniel Gewertz as "the Bay State's finest female acoustic blues interpreter." Performing pre-war blues from the twenties and thirties, Ferrante covers major artists from the Mississippi delta to the East Coast piedmont-style players such as Robert Johnson, Charlie Patton, Blind Boy Fuller and Memphis Minnie.

Her passionate expression of these old songs comes from a love of the music and the arrangements themselves, as well as an appreciation for "the history of these folks and the difficult circumstances they endured." Marylou honed her craft listening to old recordings and learning from some of today's great blues players, including as Paul Rishell, Guy Davis, Robert Jones and mandolin great Rich DelGrosso. Besides playing and singing the blues, Marylou has also passed on her knowledge by teaching at The Cellar Studio in Salem.

Marylou on MySpace

Admission is FREE. Please call
Union Music at
(508) 753-3702 for more info...

Union Music and co-sponsors
LaBella, Oasis and D'Addario Present:
The Boston Classical Guitar Society
Performance Party
At the Union Music Performance Center
Saturday, November 20th, 2 to 5 pm

Carl Kamp is hosting the November performance party at his wonderful store - Union Music - in Worcester MA. A free set of strings is being offered to attendees. Hope you can make it.

Admission is FREE. Please call
Union Music at
(508) 753-3702 for more info...

Union Music Presents:
Home Town Hero:
Cliff Goodwin
Thursday, November 12th, 7pm

15-year member of the Mohegan Sun All-Stars, Cliff Goodwin brings his own brand of high energy, "gin mill" blues to the stage. Lead guitarist with New England's "American Standard Band" through 1974, he joined forces with Joe Cocker in 1976 and later became Joe's musical director. For the next 12 years, Goodwin toured the globe with Cocker, performing on many of his famous recordings. Cliff has some amazing stories to tell of his days travelling with Joe across Europe to massively attended outdoor concerts in Milan, Munich, and many other cities worldwide. Goodwin also played on Robert Palmer's "Secrets" L.P. featuring the smash hit single, "Bad Case of Lovin' You", and has shared the stage with such legendary icons as Steve Miller, John Mayall, and famous British pianist Nicky Hopkins. Today, Cliff Goodwin enjoys a successful career not only as a dynamic performer, but also as a record producer. In concert, his version of "Watching The River Flow" is 100% his own, and anyone who's ever seen him tear the walls apart with that song on any stage in the world will likely never forget it.

Admission is FREE. Please call Union Music For advance reservations at (508) 753-3702.

Union Music Presents a Drum Circle with
Dave Curry
Saturday, November 14th, 2-4pm

Dave Curry began experimenting with drum circles shortly after graduating from college. In the seven years since then, he has led drum circles every single month, often more than one. He has led many drumming-related Sunday services in various churches across New England, and has facilitated drumming events in youth centers, community colleges and in the public schools. Dave has been interviewed by several local papers, including the Boston Globe, and has appeared on the RI public access TV network.

Please bring your own drum or use one of ours and please reserve your space for this fun and educational afternoon session.

Admission is FREE. Please call Union Music For advance reservations at (508) 753-3702.

union music
142 Southbridge Street
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 753-3702