UPCOMING EVENTS
ON THE KENNEBUNK SAVINGS STAGE
Jazz Casual: Lafayette Gilchrist
“Lafayette Gilchrist has dug deep into [jazz piano] history… he's tapping into jazz's spiritual, historical and cultural roots. He's an old soul at ease in the modern world.”– Kevin Whitehead, NPR’s Fresh Air
Lafayette Gilchrist’s music draws on the span of jazz history from stride to free improvisation, along with inspiration from hip-hop, funk, and Washington D.C.’s unique go-go sound. His work thrives on making surprising connections between styles and influences, boldly veering from piledriver funk to piquant stride, vigorous swing to hip-hop swagger, contemplative abstraction to deep-bottom grooves. Gilchrist is the pianist in the Sun Ra Arkestra, has toured extensively with David Murray, and his compositions have graced the soundtracks of David Simon’s acclaimed series The Wire, The Deuce, and Treme.
"New Orleans barrelhouse piano, the Impressionism of Ravel and Duke Ellington’s jaggy
solo-piano sound form the bedrock of Lafayette Gilchrist’s style at the keyboard. But if
there’s one big influence on the way he thinks about rhythm, it’s the deeply swinging 'pocket' of a classic go-go beat." - Giovanni Russonello, The New York Times
$18 advance | $24 day-of | $12 student
(*fees not included ($3 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)
About Jazz Casual
Jazz Casual is dedicated to the continuation of jazz and improvised music. Showcasing an eclectic array of local, national and international talent, the series supports the advancement of this art form by programming artists who are writing original works and uniquely arranging traditional music in progressive and imaginative ways.
Past seasons of Jazz Casual include performances by: Tony Malaby, Christine Correa, Frank Carlberg, Kim Cass, Ben Monder, Jeremy Udden, Alexa Tarantino, Steven Bernstein, Jason Palmer, Chet Doxas, Mike Effenberger, Taylor O’Donnell, Chris Klaxton, Ayan Imai-Hall, Clifford Cameron, Sharon Jenkins Jones, Maddoc Johnson, and more.
Jazz Casual: Marc Chillemi Quintet- Blue Note Tribute
The Marc Chillemi Quintet brings the sound and spirit of 1960s jazz to the stage with a tribute to the legendary Blue Note Records. Led by trumpeter Marc Chillemi (Primo Cubano/Raging Brass), the group celebrates the soulful sound, hard-swinging grooves, and adventurous improvisation that defined an era of modern jazz.
Inspired by the music of iconic Blue Note artists and bandleaders like Horace Silver, Blue Mitchell, Lee Morgan and Art Blakey, the quintet blends tight arrangements with energetic interplay and spontaneous expression. Joining Marc are Jesse Beckett- Herbert (Future Mailmen) on tenor saxophone, Clifford Cameron (Rot on the Vine/Vinyl Quartet) on piano, Duane Edwards (Primo Cubano/Bess Jacques and the Strays) on bass, and veteran drummer Jan van Voorst van Beest (The Fiasco Brothers/Bess Jacques and the Strays).
Following a year-long residency at The Henry in Portland’s Old Port, the band is excited to make its debut at The Dance Hall. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz listener or simply curious to experience this timeless music live, expect an evening of rhythm, soul, and the unmistakable Blue Note sound—alive, expressive, and deeply human.
$18 advance | $24 day-of | $12 student
*fees not included ($3 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)
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About Jazz Casual
Jazz Casual is dedicated to the continuation of jazz and improvised music. Showcasing an eclectic array of local, national and international talent, the series supports the advancement of this art form by programming artists who are writing original works and uniquely arranging traditional music in progressive and imaginative ways.
Past seasons of Jazz Casual include performances by: Tony Malaby, Christine Correa, Frank Carlberg, Kim Cass, Ben Monder, Jeremy Udden, Alexa Tarantino, Steven Bernstein, Jason Palmer, Chet Doxas, Mike Effenberger, Taylor O’Donnell, Chris Klaxton, Ayan Imai-Hall, Clifford Cameron, Sharon Jenkins Jones, Maddoc Johnson, and more.
Jazz Casual: Robben Harris and the Free Thinkers
The Dance Hall is excited to presen Robben Harris and the Free Thinkers as part of the 2026 Jazz Casual Season.
Robben Harris is a musician from Portland, Maine, bringing with him a sense of joy, creativity and humor that is authentic as well as captivating. His band, Robben Harris and the Free Thinkers, consists of a cast of wonderful musicians and human beings, all bringing their own voices and experiences to the music. Playing a combination of original compositions, soulful arrangements of early American songs as well as some American folk music blended with groove-based rhythms, Robben Harris and the Free Thinkers is an entertaining and comforting experience.
$18 advance | $24 day-of | $12 student
*fees not included ($3 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)
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About Jazz Casual:
The Dance Hall’s Jazz Casual is a series dedicated to the preservation of a distinctly American art form. We believe in and support the advancement of jazz and related improvised musics, showcasing artists who write original works and uniquely arrange traditional music in progressive and imaginative ways. Across the season you can expect an exciting lineup of local and national talent, which we believe is imperative to the health, and continued growth of an art form that has long been a pillar of this community’s live music ecosystem. Jazz Casual carries the torch.
Past seasons of Jazz Casual include performances by: Tony Malaby, Christine Correa, Frank Carlberg, Kim Cass, Ben Monder, Jeremy Udden, Alexa Tarantino, Steven Bernstein, Jason Palmer, Chet Doxas, Mike Effenberger, Taylor O’Donnell, Chris Klaxton, Ayan Imai-Hall, Clifford Cameron, Sharon Jenkins Jones, Maddoc Johnson, and more.
Mr Sun plays Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite
Mr. Sun brings their new interpretation of Ellington's legendary Nutcracker Suite to The Dance Hall.
Mr Sun comprises some of the most original musicians to apply themselves to the American String Band.
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite contains some of the most beloved and familiar melodies in the Western world. Mr Sun has seized upon the inspiration of Duke Ellington’s brilliant, sly, & urbane re-interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Suite as an opportunity to salute and re-invent this wildly multi-faceted work anew through the lens of the American String Band, a musical form which contains myriad styles and is presently engaged in a marathon upheaval of innovation and expansion.
Legendary fiddler Darol Anger is at home in a number of musical genres, some of which he helped to invent, and is a member of the original "nuclear" generation of pickers who extended Bluegrass, Jazz, and Classical music to find their common ground; Mr Sun is the latest iteration in that legacy. Joe K. Walsh is one of the foremost contemporary mandolinists, with 4 award-winning years in the Gibson Brothers, 3 solo recordings, and a Berklee professorship. Grant Gordy is a standout in the crowded field of Acoustic Guitar Wunderkinds. Grant's work was quickly recognized for its kaleidoscopic excellence and startling emotion, fusing Jazz, R&B, and Bluegrass concepts to an unprecedented degree. The group recently added the masterful bassist Aidan O'Donnell, a Brooklyn, New York (by way of Scotland) jazz veteran.
The 4 musical personalities of Mr Sun are so strong that one might imagine the group could explode if not for the palpable love and humor that emanate from every note they play together. The group means to take a relaxed approach to writing its own chapter in the American Music Saga.
***LIMITED: Early Bird Special $25 ***
$30 advance | $38 day-of | $18 student
*fees not included ($3 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)
Jazz Casual: Nondualism Trio
The Dance Hall is excited to present Mark Tipton's Nondualism Trio as part of the 2026 Jazz Casual Season.
Nondualism Trio is a Boston-based progressive jazz trio that includes Mark Tiptonon trumpet and flugelhorn,James Heazlewood Daleon upright and electric bass, and Paul July Josephon drums and percussion. Mark is originally from Maine, James is originally from Australia, and Paul is from Haiti. The trio was formed in 2025 and in late February 2026 they recorded their first album at Q Division Studios in Cambridge, MA, featuring Mark’s original compositions. The ensemble blends motivic, harmonic, and rhythmic complexity with deep grooves and fascinating textures.
The ensemble’s name, Nondualism Trio, is derived from the Indian philosophy of nondualism, which views reality as an interconnected whole, devoid of dualistic thinking, whereby awareness can be experienced beyond conceptual thought. It is this state of mind that our trio seeks to embody when we are performing together: collectively open-minded in our improvisations to carry the music wherever it wants to go, and free from judgements and intuited mental road-blocks (such as the stymying effects of genre categorizations and other conventional “restrictions”).
The three members of Nondualism Trio are all rising talents in jazz, and are all active musicians on the Boston scene, seasoned touring musicians, and devoted teachers (Mark at NEC and Walnut Hill, James at Brandeis, and Paul through his private studio). James and Mark have recently toured Turkey, Cypress, and the Northeastern US with Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol and both his jazz quintet and classical Turkish music ensemble, DÜNYA, while Paul and Mark have recently toured New England. They all enjoy connecting with diverse audiences and inspiring young musicians.
$18 advance | $24 day-of | $12 student
(*fees not included ($3 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)
ABOUT THE SERIES
Jazz Casual is dedicated to the continuation of jazz and improvised music. Showcasing an eclectic array of local, national and international talent, the series supports the advancement of this art form by programming artists who are writing original works and uniquely arranging traditional music in progressive and imaginative ways.
Jazz Casual artists include: Tony Malaby, Christine Correa, Frank Carlberg, Kim Cass, Ben Monder, Jeremy Udden, Alexa Tarantino, Steven Bernstein, Jason Palmer, Chet Doxas, Mike Effenberger, Taylor O’Donnell,Chris Klaxton, Ayan Imai-Hall, Clifford Cameron, Sharon Jenkins Jones, and more.
Jazz Casual: Man On Land ft. Lihi Haruvi
“Man on Land displays not only individual virtuosity but a kind of group composure that comes from deference to form, narrative, and a warm ensemble sound.” --Jon Garelick, Arts Fuse
Man On Land is a jazz collective formed in 2009 by longtime musical cohorts Greg Loughman, Austin McMahon and Brian Friedland. For their new album, Echo The Hills, they have teamed up with Lihi Haruvi on sopranino and soprano saxophone for a collection of engaging and melodic modern jazz featuring compositions from each band member.
“For the last 15 years Man On Land has been demonstrating that the musical whole can be even greater than the sum of the parts. All three write beautifully and their rapport is uncanny. Adding a new melodic voice to this rich ecosystem, Lihi Haruvi's dextrous sopranino sounds like it belongs, in the best way. The delight the four share in playing together is its own lively presence on the bandstand. I can't wait to hear more.”
––Mark Redmond, Presenter, Mandorla Music
About Jazz Casual:
Jazz Casual is dedicated to the preservation of a distinctly American art form and related improvised musics. Showcasing an eclectic array of local, national and international talent, the series supports the advancement of this art form by programming artists who are writing original works and uniquely arranging traditional music in progressive and imaginative ways.
$15 advance | $18 day-of | $10 student
*fees not included ($3 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)
Jazz Casual: Miles Ahlstrom's "DCA"
Miles Ahlstrom's "DCA"
DCA is a modern electric jazz trio. It began with the spark of instantaneous chemistry through a shared love of listening and bold communication. Each member inhibits a deep sense of supportive musicianship that grants the confidence to walk on their own musical tightrope. Based in New Hampshire and New York, the group blends original compositions with explorations of tunes by artists ranging from Steve Swallow and Pat Metheny, to Death Cab for Cutie and Radiohead. Their sound is energetic, fearless, and conversational, with a focus on dynamic interplay. DCA is committed to displaying the arc of composition through the playfulness of improvisation.
About Jazz Casual:
Jazz Casual is dedicated to the preservation of a distinctly American art form and related improvised musics. Showcasing an eclectic array of local, national and international talent, the series supports the advancement of this art form by programming artists who are writing original works and uniquely arranging traditional music in progressive and imaginative ways.
$15 advance | $18 day-of | $10 student
*fees not included ($3 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)
Jazz Casual: Sad Bastards / Loose Standards
Sad Bastards / Loose Standards Record Release Concert!
”A killer record. A deep, moving, swinging hybrid of sacred music, blues, and jazz, that at times verges into something akin to gospel noir. "We Pass for What We Are" echoes the Charlie Haden / Hank Jones masterpiece "Spirituals," but also brings listeners back to Albert Ayler, in its acknowledgement of suffering and promise of a joyful transcendance. Time and Mercy offers an uncommonly cathartic musical experience well suited to hard times like these.”
- Joe Keohane, music journalist for the Boston Globe
The trumpet and piano duo Sad Bastards / Loose Standars ( Chris Klaxton & Mike Effenberger) are proud to release their sophomore album "We Pass for What we Are" to the world this Fall. The record is a celebration of the unlikely intersection of Spirituals, grunge and indie rock, hymnody, and avant-garde jazz. Equally featuring the music of Nirvana and Big Thief alongside early Christian chant and Appalachian sacred melodies, the duo brings the listener along for the joyride of their constant pursuit of a musical grand unification theory.
$15 advance | $18 day-of | $10 student
*fees not included ($2 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)
About Jazz Casual:
Jazz Casual is dedicated to the preservation of a distinctly American art form and related improvised musics. Showcasing an eclectic array of local, national and international talent, the series supports the advancement of this art form by programming artists who are writing original works and uniquely arranging traditional music in progressive and imaginative ways.
Jazz Casual: Jamie Saft Trio
Jamie Saft has collaborated with the greatest masters of music including Iggy Pop, Bad Brains, Roswell Rudd, Hamid Drake, Wadada Leo Smith, Steve Swallow, and Bobby Previte. The Jamie Saft Trio has performed at legendary venues in the US including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Village Vanguard. Saft’s trios have been featured at major festivals worldwide including in San Sebastián, Spain, Moscow, all over Europe, South America, Australia, Canada, and Japan. Saft was the pianist for the John Adams opera “Ceiling/ Sky” and has been featured on recordings by a diverse array of artists including the B52s, Beastie Boys, Marshall Allen, and Cyro Baptista.
For this special concert at The Dance Hall, Saft’s trio will feature a diverse array of music from the Great American Songbook including compositions by Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, and John and Alice Coltrane. This formation of the trio first played together in 1990!!! A rare opportunity to see the Jamie Saft Trio right here in Maine!
Jamie Saft- Fender Rhodes
Tim Kelly- bass guitar
John Mettam- drums
About Jazz Casual:
Jazz Casual is dedicated to the preservation of a distinctly American art form and related improvised musics. Showcasing an eclectic array of local, national and international talent, the series supports the advancement of this art form by programming artists who are writing original works and uniquely arranging traditional music in progressive and imaginative ways.
$15 advance | $18 day-of | $10 student
*fees not included ($3 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)