Library Arts Series: Western Swing

Blue Hill, Maine - As part of the ongoing “Art Adventures” series, local musicians Jay Peterson and Don Carmichael will present an interactive program about “Western Swing” at the Blue Hill Public Library on Thursday September 26th at 7:00 PM.  Western swing is a uniquely American blend of jazz, country, Dixieland, blues, traditional fiddle styles, and recently even bebop.

Western Swing arose in Texas and Oklahoma in the 1920’s and ‘30’s.  As dance music, often with up tempo beats, it packed dancehalls from Texas to California for decades. It features free improvisation, attracting musicians from diverse backgrounds and people who just want to dance.

 Jay Peterson of Sedgwick is nationally recognized as a leading authority on Western Swing, having lectured on it and performed at major universities, schools and libraries across the country.  He has played on Prairie Home Companion and the Grand Ole Opry and has been an instructor at the famous summertime Ashokan music camps in New York State for 20 years.  He now plays with his children, Bjorn and Ingrid, in the Blue Hill area, and hosts the Rhythm Ranch show on WERU on Tuesday afternoons, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

Joining him will be Don Carmichael of Deer Isle who has been a jazz bassist since the 1950’s. He has worked with several famous musicians and played with all jazz groups in this area since retiring here 16 years ago.  He has especially enjoyed playing Western Swing with Jay and his family and he and Jay promise to provide a fun-filled evening of music that’s sure to inform and entertain. The event is free and everyone is welcome.  For more information, call the Library at 374-5515.