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Bobo Lavorgna and Eric Rabasca at The Buttonwood Tree on July 27, 2024

Arts and Entertainment

July 26, 2024

From: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center

Middletown, CT -- The Buttonwood Tree presents the improvisatory musical showcase of local musicians Bobo Lavorgna and Eric Rabasca.

This concert and other TBT events are brought to you by our generous donors and patrons, as well as the following organizations: Middletown Commission on the Arts, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Department of Community and Economic Development.

Bobo Lavorgna was introduced to live music at the age of two at a performance of the Stony Creek Ancient Fife and Drum Corps in Branford, CT and hasn't been the same since. This may explain his love and appreciation of martial music. His Uncle Don brought him and his siblings to a performance of The Nutcracker in New York City when he was four. Not realizing that he was extremely near-sighted until tested in the Second Grade (WHAT chart?!...) the amazing ballet performance was lost on him; however, the incredible musical performance was not lost on him, and it served as a foundation for his love of classical music… expanded greatly by the background music heard while watching the black and white “cat and mouse” cartoons from two feet away on a small television screen early on Saturday mornings.

Bobo has performed and recorded with regional and national folk, rock, blues and jazz groups for fifty years, most recently with Brian Larney, The Bargain, 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mark Naftalin, Jake & the Family Jewels, Ebin-Rose Trio, The Modeans, Robert Silverman, Tommy Cosmo, and Bobo and the Unusuals. He toured the U.S. in the mid-1970s as a member of the Stormin’ Norman and Suzy Band when they opened for Manhattan Transfer at Carnegie Hall. The ability to listen, actively listen, to other artists is the essential component of a successful performance, whether it be a rehearsal, live concert or studio recording. 

Erik Rabasca is a recording and performing artist, producer and founder of the independent label, Highest Frequency Records. He currently leads or co-leads a variety of projects (Light Warriors, Ecstatica, Lions Gate, Human Tribes Collective, among others). A musical chameleon with a wide range of performing experiences from nearly 700 shows in his performing life, he plays a fusion of styles as an acoustic soloist from folk, roots, jazz to reggae, indie and country. His lyrics and songwriting have been compared to legends…Dylan, Marley, Simon and more but has uniquely and soulfully his own sound without imitation. Erik has toured the country, performed internationally (Ethiopia, Jamaica, Canada, Thailand), was selected by multiple-Grammy winner Jon Batiste to open Batiste’s appearance at Stamford CT’s Alive At Five concert series, opened for Grammy winner Mike Farris (Screaming Cheetah Wheelies), collaborated and toured with reggae legend Mad Professor, and shared the stage with notable reggae artists Sugar Minott, Culture, Easy Star All Stars, Grammy winners SOJA, among many other regional acts at clubs and festivals throughout the years. In 2016, Rabasca founded the independent record label, Highest Frequency Records to create music that “serves universal language.” He has since released over a dozen albums and EPs in multiple projects.

After years of solo explorations, Bobo and Erik join forces to strive for flow state improvisations.

Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024

Time: 7:00PM - 9:00PM

Location:The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457
 
Admission is $10

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