SATURDAY NIGHT!!!

JAZZ FUSION comes to Mt. Vernon…

The Convivial Society sounds more like a pomp and circumstance literary group, but when they get together to play Jazz Fusion, the sound is anything but. Forget pipe smoke, political renderings, or dull debatable topics and expect experimental sound coming from musicians who love what they do. They will perform in the Cultural Arts Center Courtyard just one block west of the Mt. Vernon town square Saturday evening at the DRIVEN Film Festival, a local venue celebrating film and the one-hundredth anniversary of the Bankhead Highway.

James Peters plays bass and guitar; he is the founder of the “Freakfase Presents” organization in the Los Angles arts community. I did spell Freakfase correctly. Did I say this group is anything but common? A composer and performance artist, Peters also founded the “Invanquishable DJs” of San Francisco Bay pirate radio fame. 

Then there is “Dr. Intoxication” Kaiser Knox on guitar and vocals. A performing artist in the Dallas area, Knox’s sharp wit is as polished as his guitar playing.

Matt Shaw beats out the strings with his percussion skills. Based in Dallas, Shaw was classically trained in orchestra percussion and rudimental snare drum and now focuses on jazz and improvisation electronics. He’s the man that keeps your foot tapping. 

James Gaskin comes in on violin and bass guitar and is the leader of a popular classical chamber group, the First Desk Quartet. From college days on an electric violin, his rock and roll has morphed into classical creativity peppered with spirit. 

The Convivial Society is bound to set new boundaries for musical lovers and the whole evening event is set around the speakeasy days of prohibition. Chairs will be available, but your favorite lawn chair might be more comfortable. The music follows an afternoon of film including the Texas Historical Commission Bankhead Highway videos. The 2016 featured film director, Brad Maule of Dr. Tony/General Hospital fame, will finish out the wrap-up party.

The Franklin County Arts Alliance has been promoting the arts for over twenty years. For information call Jean at 903-305-8023 or email Christian at franklincountyarts@gmail.com. Our website is in the process of being revamped as soon as a creative web-master ends up on our steps, sorry for any inconvenience. 

*Photos courtesy of The Convivial Society