07/27/2023 @ 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm –

The O-Tones play Chicopee Council on Aging thanks to a MA Cultural grant. “Music for the Community” with Swing, Blues, Soul & Motown. Join Ben Kohn piano, Annie Patterson vocals, Joe Fitzpatrick drums, John Caban guitar, Jon Weeks sax, Mary Witt vocals & bass for a great mix of listening and dancing music!

Chicopee Council on Aging
, River Mills Center, 5 West Main St., Chicopee MA,

55 and older, reservation required, Contact Casey Conroy:, 413-534-3698 Ext. 118

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Chicopee Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

 

 

 

07/29/2023 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm –

The O-Tones Quartet at Forbes Library will swing with tunes from the 1920s!

Come join the commemoration of Calvin Coolidge’s ascension to the presidency and his swearing in, which occurred on August 3, 1923 with Mary Witt (Vocals & Bass), Ben Kohn (Piano & Vocals) Jon Weeks (Sax) and Jason Arnold (Drums).

Rain or shine! Hopefully weather will permit the event to be on Forbes Library lawn. In case of rain, we will move indoors to the Coolidge Room.

 

07/30/2023 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm –

The O-Tones Swing Sundays Hawks & Reed

Swing Sundays at Hawks & Reed is the last Sunday of every month.

The O-Tones alternate with Butterfly Swing Band. Swing dance lesson by Lindy League of Western MA at 3 pm. Live music for dancing and listening from 4 to 6 pm. Masks optional for now. No partner necessary. Lots of fun, no pressure atmosphere.

Ellen Cogen piano, Adam Scotera sax, Ann Percival vocals & guitar, Jason Arnold drums, Mary Witt vocals & bass

2023 dates:

The O-Tones:   Jan. 29, • March 26 • May 28 • July 30 • Sept. 24 • Nov. 26

Butterfly Swing: Feb. 26 • April 30 • June 25 • Aug 27 • Oct. 30 • Dec. 17

 

08/02/2023 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm –

Giving Voice gospel trio Porter Phelps Huntington House Museum.

Giving Voice, a powerful vocal trio, delivers an inspiring range of music showcasing composers in the gospel & spirituals traditions. Evelyn Harris (the powerhouse vocalist, former member of Sweet Honey In The Rock, and Grammy nominated composer, and vocal stylist of  spirituals, freedom songs, jazz, pop, rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, and blues) joins forces with Ellen Cogen (jazz vocalist, Professor of Music at Holyoke Community College, Visiting Lecturer of Voice at Westfield State College, and pianist/choir director at Unitarian Society of Northampton) and Mary Witt (of The O-Tones, Swing & Soul group) in the 11^th Horace Clarence Boyer Memorial Gospel Concert.

For the past 42 years, the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum has hosted an outdoor folk tradition concert series beginning in June and running through July.

All Wednesday Folk Traditions concerts begin at 6:30 pm in the Sunken Garden at the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum, 130 River Drive, Route 47, Hadley, MA 01035. General admission is $12, or $2 for children 16 and under. Tickets are available for purchase the day of the concert. Picnickers are also welcome on the museum grounds beginning at 5:00 pm. This is a smoke-free site. Please also note that pets are not allowed on the museum grounds.

In case of rain: concerts will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church at 98 N Maple St Hadley, MA 01035. If concerts are moved, information will be posted to the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Facebook page.

08/04/2023 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm –

Summer on Strong Dear Ella show will be filled with harmony and fun! Come to Strong Ave in Northampton for a choice of great food with tables, chairs, flowers and a pavilion for the musicians. Just show up or make a reservation at some of the restaurants. Some include Eastside Grill, Familiars, Local Burger, Homestead, and  Mulino’s.

DEAR ELLA:

Annie Patterson, Mary Witt, and Ann Percival are “Dear Ella”, a trio from Western Massachusetts whose repertoire includes songs from jazz standards to blues to Motown to folk favorites. The band’s name, inspired by Ella Fitzgerald, is a nod to the many women singers who have inspired them. Singing in harmony is something these three highly accomplished musicians have been doing their whole lives. Now, as “Dear Ella”, Ann, Mary & Annie bring their individual musicianship and talents together to form a dynamic trio. Come sing with them, dance to their songs, and enjoy their uplifting and beautiful harmonies with guitars, ukelele, bass, snare drum and banjo. Peace and social justice are strong themes throughout their repertoire and mission, bringing people together through harmony and understanding.

Annie Patterson (vocals, guitar, banjo, & snare drum) co-created the world renowned songbook Rise Up Singing with her life partner Peter Blood. She sings with the swing band Girls From Mars and is a vocalist and rhythm instrumentalist with the Joni Mitchell tribute band, Big Yellow Taxi. She is a music educator, artist, and premiere song leader, and has led singing with communities around the world for over 3 decades. https://www.riseupandsing.org/annie/music-bio

Mary Witt (vocals & bass) is a critically acclaimed singer and bass player for the Swing and Motown band The O-Tones. She is also a music producer, painter, and art educator. Inspired by multi-discipline artists like Joni Mitchell, Mary enjoys the conversation between music and visual art. Her German parents, early activists and social justice advocates, exposed her to both all her life. Her passion for music and social justice shines through her work. https://theotones.com/ 

Ann Percival (guitar, piano, rhythm & vocals) is a member of the iconic contra dance band Wild Asparagus. She also sings and plays guitar with the New England Swing and Motown band, The O-Tones. She is an artist, visionary, and educator. Music is in her blood. Ann used to spend time with her Norwegian grandparents including trips to the local Sons of Norway hall where everyone danced to and played traditional music. http://band.wildasparagus.com/about-us/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/DearEllaTrio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearellatrio/

YouTube short promo video: https://youtu.be/Tg_M_pba-Xw

Website: https://www.riseupandsing.org/annie/dear-ella

08/06/2023 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm –

Zonta scholarship fundraiser for Women in STEM

at Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley Street.

Zonta-Palooza. Music and Dancing! Local Musicians! Food & Raffles!

Suggested donation: $20 – 100.

For tickets, please click here  Zonta-Palooza

The O-Tones trio will be Mary Witt vocals and bass, Mark Applegate guitar (of Blackbird & Applegate photo below), and Coleman Hovey piano

08/11/2023 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm –

Public Barn Dance with advance ticket. Come to a fun barn dance in Goshen!

For ticket purchase:

Tickets:$20 cash or check to Hammond Acres Association.

Contact: Jane Hillman 413-455-6583 to purchase.

Hire The O-Tones for your next party, dance, wedding, anniversary or any celebration! The group offers a great mix of Swing, Blues, Soul, Jazz Standards, Motown, Latin and R&R for listening and dancing!

 

08/30/2023 @ All Day –

Fundraiser with The O-Tones Quartet

Book your next fundraiser with The O-Tones! We can supply any size from duo to 6-piece. With our mailing list and social media and long history in the area, we can help promote your cause to bring in more $!

 

09/03/2023 @ All Day –

Private Party with Dear Ella. Book yours now!

Dear Ella trio loves playing house parties and lawn parties and studio parties!

This 3-part harmony group brings a wonderful mix of Folk, Blues, Gospel, Swing and Motown with guitar, ukelele, banjo, bass and snare drum.

Listen to 3 songs here: Bandcamp: https://dearella.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/DearEllaTrio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearellatrio/

YouTube short promo video: https://youtu.be/Tg_M_pba-Xw

Website: https://www.riseupandsing.org/annie/dear-ella

Annie Patterson, Mary Witt, and Ann Percival are “Dear Ella”, a trio from Western Massachusetts whose repertoire includes songs from jazz standards to blues to Motown to folk favorites. The band’s name, inspired by Ella Fitzgerald, is a nod to the many women singers who have inspired them. Singing in harmony is something these three highly accomplished musicians have been doing their whole lives. Now, as “Dear Ella”, Ann, Mary & Annie bring their individual musicianship and talents together to form a dynamic trio. Come sing with them, dance to their songs, and enjoy their uplifting and beautiful harmonies with guitars, ukelele, bass, snare drum and banjo. Peace and social justice are strong themes throughout their repertoire and mission, bringing people together through harmony and understanding.

09/04/2023 @ All Day –

Private BBQ cookout with music. The O-Tones love playing private parties, any size audience, any size band. Always a fun mix of Swing, Soul, Blues, Motown, Latin and R&R. We can learn some special requests too!