Nine Friday nights.

July 07, 2023 6:00pm The John Baboian Ensemble with vocalist Sandi Bedrosian. Well known as an accomplished guitarist and composer in jazz and swing circles, John Baboian is equally at home in the classical, blues, rock, R&B, Latin, and world music traditions. He has performed all over the world and has shared the stage with a who’s who of music industry legends. His work has been featured on a number of popular television series and more than 20 recordings. As an educator for more than 40 years, Baboian has inspired and trained a generation of aspiring musicians. An audience favorite, Baboian and his ensemble, several of whom are fellow faculty members from the Berklee College of Music, have traditionally opened the Music on Meetinghouse Green series. Sandi Bedrosian is well known as a lead vocalist and director in a wide range of musical styles and has opened for some of today’s hottest stars. She has performed coast to coast and throughout Europe and her repertoire includes musical productions, theater, and opera.

July 14, 2023 6:00pm Gloucester’s own Goddesses light up the night with an evening of classic rock ‘n roll. Dust off your best dance moves and get ready for a spectacular musical evening featuring the high-powered Goddesses rocking out the best-of-the-best classic rock ‘n roll tunes. Their repertoire spans the roots of rock to its pinnacle and beyond and the Goddesses deliver a non-stop performance that will have you on your feet, singing along, and wanting more. Headlined by powerhouse couple Tony and Samantha Goddess on vocals and electric guitar, the Goddesses features Dave Sag on bass, Steve Chaggaris on drums, and John Cameron on keys.

July 21, 2023 6:00pm Alex Minasian, acclaimed jazz pianist and impresario, brings his quartet to Music on Meetinghouse Green. Alex Minasian quickly earned the attention of the music world for his performances at the country’s most famous jazz venues including the Blue Note, Birdland, Village Vanguard, and The Apollo Theater. His brilliant career has found him sharing the stage with jazz legends James Ingram, Arturo Sandoval, Marilyn McCoo, Joe Pesci, Hank Jones, Clark Terry, and many others. He has also headlined important jazz celebrations including the Rochester Jazz Festival and performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Istanbul Jazz Festival. New York City audiences will find him performing weekly at the iconic Tavern on the Green restaurant. He has been featured in Yerevan Magazine, a Los Angeles-based publication promoting Armenian news and culture. Minasian teams up with bassist Brandi Disterheft, drummer Joe Farnsworth, and saxophonist Bill Pierce for their return appearance at the Music on Meetinghouse Green summer music concerts.

July 28, 2023 6:00pm Cape Ann couldn’t be more proud of these rising stars who share their exceptional talent in an evening of unforgettable jazz. Rhiannon Hurst earned some serious respect in the jazz world even before she graduated high school. She won 2^nd place in the Berklee International High School Jazz Singer’s Showcase and was one of four graduating seniors to receive the Excellence in Music Award from the Massachusetts Music Educators Association. She was the recipient of a prestigious 2021 National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) award in jazz voice for her caliber of artistic achievement. Her professional engagements have ranged from Boston’s Symphony Hall and the State Room to the North Shore’s favorite restaurants.

August 04, 2023 6:00pm Singer/songwriter 3rian King and the musicians of What Time Is It Mr. Fox? deliver an electrifying performance with an evening of smoky cabaret, neo-soul, and acoustic noir. Well known in Boston’s underground cabaret scene, What Time Is It Mr. Fox? has earned a loyal following with frequent performances in New York City and tours across the United States. Their original songs feature rich lyrical imagery that explore love, spirituality, sexuality, and identity, and their performances are infused with energy, honesty, and emotional authenticity. Their unique brand of music and performance art has been adopted by popular singers, filmmakers, and repertory theaters. Band members include: 3rian King, voice, piano, and acoustic guitar; Nathan Cohen, violin, trumpet, voice; Dennis Monagle, drums; Renee Dupuis, voice, keys, and melodica; and Joe Cardoza, upright bass.

August 11, 2023 6:00pm Praised by critics both individually and collectively for their virtuosity and passion for Klezmer music, the five musicians of Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band return for the eighth season of Music on Meetinghouse Green. Their repertoire includes traditional instrumental renditions and original compositions of Klezmer-inspired music as well as songs in Yiddish and English. A favorite of local audiences, they have played at the Kennedy Center and Yidstock, and continue to build an international following with their performance at the Third Biennial International Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam where they received the Audience Pick Award. The five performers feature Abigale Reisman on violin and vocals; Jonathan Cannon on violin; Kristen Lamb on double bass and vocals; Nat Seelen on clarinet, and Pete Fanelli on trombone. An accomplished violinist and composer, Abigale Reisman is the music director at Temple Ahavat Achim in Gloucester.

August 18, 2023 4:00pm Willie Alexander, punk music legend, musical innovator, and artistic icon, returns to Music on Meetinghouse Green with his band for a rocking evening. Gloucester’s own Willie ‘Loco’ Alexander shares his legendary talent as a singer, songwriter and keyboardist. With his roots in Boston’s punk rock scene of the 70’s and 80’s, Willie’s musical career has flourished for more than 50 years. Whether as a band member with the Lost, Bagatelle, Grass Menagerie and the post-Lou Reed Velvet Underground, or as front man for his own series of bands, Willie’s enduring popularity is a reflection of his unique musical voice and artistic vision. A true artist, Willie has expanded his work to other mediums including soundtracks for local filmmaker Henry Ferrini, collage and painting.

August 25, 2023 4:00pm This trio of classically trained musicians blends Western jazz favorites with the irresistible rhythms and melodies of their Middle Eastern backgrounds for a thrilling evening of East-meets-West fusion. Get ready for an unforgettable evening as these three virtuoso musicians take you on a unique musical journey that will have you dancing in the aisles. Mal Barsamian is a multi-talented instrumentalist equally skilled on classical and rhythm guitars, clarinet, saxophone, and the traditional Middle Eastern oud. Harry Bedrossian is a classically trained concert pianist who has embraced the Jazz tradition through the work of Oscar Petersen and Bill Evans. He is also an accomplished oud player. Charles Dermenjian is a talented percussionist who has shared the stage with a number of jazz greats and performed extensively both nationally and internationally. He plays the doumbek, a traditional percussion instrument common throughout Middle Eastern cultures.

September 08, 2023 4:00pm The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation welcomes Alek Razdan and Ensemble bringing their unique style of cool jazz to our music festival’s final concert. Local Rockport tenor saxophonist Alek Razdan started his musical career at the age of 6. Not only is he the lead saxophonist with his own jazz ensemble, Razdan plays with the five-time Grammy-nominated group Roomful of Blues. He also performs with the American Symphony of Soul and the A-Train Orchestra. With a full schedule of concert performances, he has found the time to self-produce three albums.