Four Great Shows Coming To Fogartyville in Sarasota in Early January!

Gifted Vibraphonist Chris Dingman  

Chris Dingman is a vibraphonist and composer known for his distinctive approach: sonically rich and conceptually expansive, bringing listeners on a journey to a beautiful, transcendent place. Hailed by the New York Times as a “dazzling” soloist and composer with a “fondness for airtight logic and burnished lyricism,” his music has earned him praise as “an extremely gifted young composer, bandleader, and recording artist.” (Jon Weber, NPR).

In his captivating solo performances, Dingman casts an enveloping atmosphere, creating layers of simultaneous sound – soaring melodies, swirling textures, and undulating pedal tones. It’s an immersive listening experience that many have described as transportive and deeply healing.

Chris Dingman will perform a solo concert at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Thursday, January 5 at 7pm.  Tickets are $20 for WSLR+Fogartyville members and $22 for non-members.  Advance tickets are available at WSLR.

Ever growing and evolving, Dingman’s latest work is focused on music for solo vibraphone as well as his trio. His 2020 album with the trio, Embrace, was awarded the prestigious New Music USA project grant. The album features Linda May Han Oh on bass and Tim Keiper (David Byrne, Vieux Farka Toure) on drums, and is produced by Keith Witty (Thiefs, Somi).  Due out February 18, 2022, journeys vol. 1 is compiled from dozens of solo improvisations that Dingman has recorded throughout the pandemic, though it began before then. In 2019 he began sharing monthly tracks with his newsletter subscribers.

In recognition of his recent work, Dingman was among the five vibraphonists nominated for “Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year” in the 2021 Jazz Journalists Association Awards, and among the four vibraphonists recognized in the 2020 Jazz Times Critics Poll (released February 2021). From Fall 2020 to the present, Dingman has been releasing one new solo piece per week for subscribers to his series on Bandcamp, recording and releasing over 40 tracks and counting

Mary Gauthier  

“With songwriting as powerful as hers, there’s no need to go looking for qualifiers. She’s a unique, intrinsically valuable musical voice. And there’s never a surplus of those.” — Randy Lewis, Los Angeles Time

The Associated Press named Mary Gauthier as one of the best songwriters of her generation. Mary is also a published author; her first book Saved by a Song came out on St. Martin’s Press in 2021. Her most recent musical release, Rifles & Rosary Beads is a collection of songs co-written with wounded veterans was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Folk Album, and Record of the Year by the Americana Music Association. The UK Americana Association named Mary their 2019 International Artist of the Year, and Folk Alliance International named Rifles & Rosary Beads the 2019 Record of the Year.  Mary Gauthier will perform at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Friday, January 6 at 8pm.  Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members.  Students with a valid ID can purchase $15 tickets.

Mary’s songs have been recorded by dozens of artists, including Jimmy Buffett, Dolly Parton, Boy George, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Bettye Lavette, Mike Farris, Kathy Mattea, Bobby Bare, Amy Helm and Candi Staton and have appeared extensively in Film and Television, most recently on HBO TV’s Yellowstone. 

Jaimee Harris will open the show and perform with Gauthier.  Harris is poised to become the next queen of Americana-Folk, a slightly edgier Emmylou Harris for the younger generation. Her new album draws comparisons to Patty Griffin, Ryan Adams, and Kathleen Edwards – all writers who know how to craft a heartbreakingly beautiful song with just enough grit to keep you enthralled. Harris writes about the basic human experience, in a way that is simple, poetic, and often painfully relatable.

Susan Werner Brings Her Innovative Music to the Stage 

Over the course of her twenty five year career, Susan Werner has earned a reputation as “one of the most innovative songwriters working today” (Chicago Tribune). With formidable chops on guitar (she began playing at age 5) and piano (she was a guest on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz), along with a graduate degree in voice performance, her shows are a one-woman master class in musicianship. Werner will be bringing her talents to the Fogartyville stage on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 8 p.m.  Tickets are $25 for members, $28 for nonmembers.  Advance tickets are available at Fogartyville.

Although best known as an acoustic songwriter that came up through coffeehouses and folk festivals, the Chicago-based artist has written songs in the style of Gershwin and Cole Porter (I Can’t Be New, 2004), gospel music (The Gospel Truth, 2007), traditional Cuban “son” (An American In Havana, 2016), and New Orleans junk piano (NOLA, 2019). In 2014 she composed the music and lyrics to the musical theater score Bull Durham, The Musical (MGM). Her songs have been recorded by Tom Jones, Michael Feinstein, and Shemekia Copeland, and her latest recording of originals, The Birds of Florida, took flight in 2022.

Her most recent release, The Birds of Florida (produced by Erik Johnson), came about during a portion of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which Werner spent her time on Siesta Key. With the initial intent to take a break from writing while in Florida, Werner explains “despite my best efforts to relax, I somehow left with an album.” The resulting album explores the truest nature of the Sunshine State and incorporates notes of rumba, reggae, bolero ballads, and other Gulf and Western sounds familiar to native Floridians. Her ability to reinvent herself stylistically while maintaining wit, charm, and conciseness has impressed the likes of The New Yorker, The Washington Post, Performer Magazine and more.

Cuban Piano Master Chuchito Valdes  

Following in the footsteps of his famed father Chucho Valdés and grandfather Bebo Valdés, Chuchito Valdes continues the legacy of great piano players form Cuba.  With influences of Caribbean rhythms and jazz, Chuchito creates an exciting and energetic blend of spicy music that drives audiences wild.   This piano master captivates with his sensitivity and drives excitement with his dynamic band.   The Chuchito Valdes Trio will perform at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Tuesday, January 10 at 7pm.  Tickets are $28 for members and $32 for non-members.  Advance tickets are available at WSLR or by calling 1-941-894-6469.

Chuchito is recognized as a master of Cuban music including Son, Danzon, Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music including harmony and composition.  His original compositions and arrangements draw on classical harmonic and structural techniques. In his performances, Chuchito’s music draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha, Son Montuno and much more.  

Chuchito has recorded and performed piano with the world renown Cuban band, Irakere, which he led for 2 years. He has also performed at festivals, clubs and concerts throughout the world: from Cuba and the Caribbean to North America, South America, and Europe. 

Photos from Fogartyville