My 23-year run at VTSU/NVU/JSC has come to an end with this weekend’s final performance of the Funk Fusion Ensemble, as the performing arts have sunset at the Johnson campus. Many thanks to the incredible students, faculty, and staff that I crossed paths with along the way. A special shout out to Steve Blair for giving me the opportunity way back in 2002. It was a fun ride. On to new things.. aaaannd scene~
Johnson VT
It’s that time and the last time I’ll be directing the Vermont State University Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble – Friday 12/5/25 at 7pm, Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.vermontstate.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for VTSU students. Here’s our set:
Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel)
Hard Times (Paramore)
Die With A Smile (Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars)
Believe (The Bravery)
Barracuda (Heart)
with: Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, bass), Jared Bryce (guitar, bass), Abi Cote (trumpet, vocals), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals, drums, guitar, alto sax), Jill Pressman (vocals, keyboards, percussion), Brian Bray (drums, bass) ..
Johnson VT
Funk Fusion Program (Spring 2025)
Once again.. I’ll be directing the Vermont State University Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble on Friday 5/2/25 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.vermontstate.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for VTSU students. Here’s our set:
Sympathy for the Devil (Jagger-Richards)
Bennie And The Jets (Elton John-Bernie Taupin)
Please Forgive Me (MAN WITH A MISSION)
Back On 74 (Jungle)
The Show Must Go On (Queen)
Paint The Town Blue (Ashnikko, Arcane & League of Legends Music)
with: Elliot Urbina (drums, bass, trumpet), Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, bass, percussion), Taylor Michaud (keyboards, flute, vocals), Jared Bryce (guitar, bass), Abi Cote (trumpet), Heike Chaney (vocals, Maschine), James Kalbfleisch (Maschine, vocals, percussion, guitar), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals, drums, percussion, guitar), Sergey Vakhrouchev (tenor sax), Zib Miller (drums, percussion, vocals), Jill Pressman (vocals, percussion), Amelia Burger (vocals, percussion) ..
~ we look good .. but there is no sound ~
Johnson VT
Funk Fusion Program (Fall 2024)
It’s that time! I’ll be directing the Vermont State University Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble on Friday 12/6/24 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.vermontstate.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for VTSU students. Here’s our set:
Evil in your Eye (Church of the Cosmic Skull)
Pour Some Sugar on Me (Def Leppard)
Them Changes (Thundercat)
Got Me All Wrong (Mayday Parade)
Good Luck, Babe! (Chappell Roan)
with: Elliot Urbina (drums, bass), Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, bass), Taylor Michaud (keyboards, vocals, percussion), Abi Cote (trumpet), Heike Chaney (vocals), James Kalbfleisch (Maschine, vocals, bass), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals, drums, guitar), Sergey Vakhrouchev (tenor sax), Dayne Bell (violin, vocals), Jill Pressman (vocals, keyboards), Amelia Burger (vocals, percussion, keyboards) ..
.. in moving pictures ~
Johnson VT
Excited to be directing the Vermont State University Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble on Friday 5/10/24 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.vermontstate.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for VTSU students. Here’s our set:
Bang Bang (Sonny Bono)
Creep (Radiohead)
House of the Rising Sun (Traditional)
Mosquito Symphony #7 (Wilbur Hayes et al.)
Can’t Get You Out of My Head (Cathy Dennis & Rob Davis)
Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel)
with: Elliot Urbina (drums, bass), Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, percussion, bass), Taylor Michaud (flute, keyboards, vocals), Abi Cote (trumpet), Heike Chaney (vocals, keyboards), James Kalbfleisch (vocals, drums, guitar, percussion), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals, alto sax, drums), Sergey Vakhrouchev (tenor sax), Zib Miller (vocals, percussion) ..
livestreamed..
Johnson VT
Excited to be directing the Vermont State University Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble on Friday 12/8/23 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.vermontstate.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for VTSU students. Here’s our set:
The Mist on the Mountain (Traditional)
Cosmic Love (Florence + the Machine)
Fame (David Bowie, Carlos Alomar, John Lennon)
The Chain (Fleetwood Mac)
Nights on Broadway (Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb)
Riots (Stuck in the Sound)
with: Elliot Urbina (bass, drums), Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, percussion, bass), Taylor Michaud (vocals, flute, drums, keyboards), Arlie White (violin, vocals), Heike Chaney (vocals), James Kalbfleisch (vocals, drums, bass, percussion), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals, drums), Sergey Vakhrouchev (tenor sax) ..
** video kicks in at ~ 2 minutes ..
Johnson VT
Excited to be directing the Northern Vermont University – Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble on Friday 4/28/23 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Northern Vermont University – Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.northernvermont.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for NVU students. And, we’re happy to be having B.O.K. featuring Brittney Malik and Kolin Shaw open the show~! Here’s our set:
Crazy (Scary Pockets – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo Green)
In the Middle (dodie)
Fever (Elvis Presley – Peggy Lee, Eddie Coolie, John Davenport)
Locked Out of Heaven (Bruno Mars)
Bang Bang (Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj)
with: Amelia Burger (vocals, keyboards, percussion), Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, percussion), Taylor Michaud (vocals, flute, drums), Matthew Parker (vocals, keyboards), Korrina Cummings (flute), James Kalbfleisch (vocals, percussion), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals), Kolin Shaw (alto & tenor sax, vocals, guitar), Brittney Malik (trumpet, vocals, drums), Patricia Rivera (vocals, percussion) ..
live stream .. (B.O.K. @ 5:30; Funk Fusion @ 28:25)
Johnson VT
Excited to be directing the Northern Vermont University – Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble on Friday 12/9/22 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Northern Vermont University – Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.northernvermont.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for NVU students. Here’s our set:
777 (Silk Sonic)
Rapture (Blondie – Chris Stein & Debbie Harry)
Mango (Kamauu)
Is This Love (Bob Marley)
Sweet Dreams / Seven Nation Army mashup (Pomplamoose – Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Jack White)
with: Zoe Avent (vocals), Wilbur Hayes (vocals), Spencer Perry (drums), Matthew Parker (vocals, keyboards), Sergey Vakhrouchev (tenor sax), Ethan Kile (guitar), Arlie White (violin, vocals), Katelyn Shaw (alto & tenor sax, vocals, guitar, melodica), Brittney Malik (trumpet, vocals, keyboards), Makayla Jones (alto & bari sax, vocals) ..
live streamed (and a bit distorted)..
Johnson VT
Looking forward to be directing the Northern Vermont University – Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 5/4/22 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Northern Vermont University – Johnson .. Open to all.. info at www.northernvermont.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for NVU students .. here’s our set:
Devil Was an Angel (The Main Squeeze)
Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder)
I’m a Good Woman (Barbara Lynn Ozen)
Nine in the Afternoon (Panic at the Disco)
Fly As Me (Silk Sonic)
with: Makenzi Edwards (vocals, keyboards), Austin White (vocals, keyboards), Jay Stanton (drums), Matthew Parker (vocals), Taylor Michaud (flute, vocals), Timothy Pinckney (bass, cello, vocals), Addie White (violin), Katelyn Shaw (alto & tenor sax, vocals), Randall Ingalls (trumpet), Makayla Jones (alto & bari sax) ..
captured on film..!
Johnson VT
We’re back! After a two-year Corona-break (the virus, not the beer), I’m excited to be directing the Northern Vermont University – Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 12/8/21 at 8pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Northern Vermont University – Johnson .. Open to all.. info at www.northernvermont.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for NVU students .. here’s our set:
I Don’t Wanna Go to Bed (Simple Plan)
If I We’re You (Nothing But Thieves)
River (Bishop Briggs)
Electric Feel (MGMT – Andrew VanWyngarden/Ben Goldwasser)
You Haven’t Done Nothin’ (Stevie Wonder)
with: Makenzi Edwards (vocals), Austin White (vocals, keyboards), Elijah Berry (drums, percussion), Garrett Stanley (vocals, drums, percussion), Taylor Michaud (flute), Timothy Pinckney (bass, vocals), Luke Melamede (tenor sax, keyboards), Katelyn Shaw (tenor sax, vocals, guitar), Makayla Jones (bari & alto sax) ..
and in color..
Dibden Center For the Arts, Johnson VT
from the second All-Star Jamboree at Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson (VT) State College on 3/13/14 ~ a wicked Nor’easter, a shuttered campus, and stranded cars & gear couldn’t keep us down..!
Ray Paczkowski (keys) … Jon Fishman (drums)
Gabe Jarrett (drums) … Rob Morse (bass) … Greg Matses (guitar)
“Steep” by Greg Matses
Johnson VT
I’m excited to be directing the Northern Vermont University – Johnson Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 12/4/19 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Northern Vermont University – Johnson .. Open to all.. info at www.northernvermont.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for NVU students .. here’s our set:
Knock On Wood (Seal – Eddie Floyd/Steve Cropper)
Location (Khalid)
Short Skirt/Long Jacket (Cake – John McCrea)
Long Distance Runaround (Yes – Jon Anderson)
Lady Marmalade (Labelle – Bob Crewe/Kenny Nolan)
with: Harrison Abramsohn (alto sax, keyboards), Angelina Beckett (vocals, percussion), Anna Sargent (vocals), Elijah Berry (drums), James Douglas (drums, percussion), Rebecca Flieder (vocals), Janea Hudson (keyboards, vocals), Nicholas Sharratt (guitar), Katelyn Shaw (tenor sax, vocals), Gabriella Colby-George (vocals), Katelynn Snow (alto sax), and special guest bassist Chris Doncaster ..
Johnson VT
I’m excited to be directing the Northern Vermont University – Johnson Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 5/1/19 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Northern Vermont University – Johnson .. Open to all.. info at www.northernvermont.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for NVU students .. here’s our set:
Jolene (Scary Pockets – Dolly Parton)
Nowhere to Run (Martha and the Vandellas – Holland/Dozier/Holland)
Stronger Than Me (Amy Winehouse – Salaam Remi)
Cissy Strut (The Meters)
Mama Knows (Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds)
Use Me (Bill Withers)
with: Harrison Abramsohn (alto sax), Angelina Beckett (vocals), Anna Sargent (vocals), Elijah Berry (drums), Julia Simons (vibes, tenor sax, vocals), Timothy Pinckney (bass, vocals), Rebecca Flieder (vocals), Janea Hudson (keyboards, vocals), Nicholas Sharratt (guitar), Katelyn Shaw (tenor sax, vocals), Ashley Jaramillo (guitar) ..
Johnson VT
I will once again be directing the Northern Vermont University – Johnson Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 12/12/18 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Northern Vermont University – Johnson .. Open to all.. info at www.northernvermont.edu .. here’s our set:
Superstition (Stevie Wonder)
Colorful Midst (The Main Squeeze)
Watering Hole (Missy Higgins)
Hollow (Stacked Like Pancakes)
Valerie (Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse – The Zutons)
The Holdup (Ikebe Shakedown)
Chain of Fools (Aretha Franklin – Don Covay)
with: Harrison Abramsohn (alto sax, keyboards), James Douglas (drums, percussion), Anna Sargent (vocals), Elijah Berry (drums, percussion), Julia Simons (vibes, tenor sax, vocals), Timothy Pinckney (bass, vocals, harmonica), Rebecca Flieder (vocals), Makayla Jones (baritone sax, alto sax), Nicholas Sharratt (guitar, vocals)..
Johnson VT
I will once again be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 5/2/18 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu .. Here’s our set:
I Feel the Earth Move (Carole King)
Ex’s & Oh’s (Elle King – Dave Bassett)
Geek in the Pink (Jason Mraz/Ian Sheridan/Kevin Kadish)
Try (Janis Joplin – Jerry Ragovoy/Chip Taylor)
Gone Under (Snarky Puppy – Shayna Steele/David Cook)
#W W C (The Main Squeeze)
with: Michaela Dube (vocals, tenor sax), James Isaac (guitar, vocals), Gwendolyn Campus (vocals), James Douglas (drums, percussion), Anna Sargent (vocals), Brittney Malik (trumpet, vocals), Travis Bruyette (drums, percussion), Julia Simons (vibes, tenor sax, vocals), Timothy Pinckney (bass), Rebecca Flieder (vocals), Makayla Jones (baritone sax, alto sax), Spencer Perry (drums, guitar, keyboards)..
Johnson VT
I will once again be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 12/13/17 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Free and open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu .. here’s the set:
Doo Wop (That Thing) (Lauryn Hill)
Bang Bang (Monophonics – Sonny Bono)
How Good It Feels (Lake Street Dive – Bridget Kearney)
Jungle Boogie (Kool & the Gang)
Dr. Funk (The Main Squeeze)
with: Spencer Perry (drums, vocals, guitar), Lucas Holmes (trumpet, vocals), Janea Hudson (vocals, keyboards), James Douglas (drums), Timothy Pinckney (bass), Brittney Malik (trumpet, vocals, keyboards), Makayla Jones (alto sax, baritone sax), Katelyn Shaw (alto sax, vocals) ..
Johnson VT
I’ll be performing 21st Century Schizoid Man (King Crimson) and Whipping Post (Allman Brothers Band) as part of Spencer Perry’s senior recital on Sunday 12/10/17 @ 5pm, Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson VT .. Free & open to the public ..
Johnson VT
I will once again be directing the Johnson State College Funk/Fusion Ensemble for the Jazz/Contemporary concert on Wednesday 4/26/17 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson Vermont .. Free and open to all.. info at www.jsc.edu .. here’s the set:
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – Nickolas Ashford/Valerie Simpson)
Right Place Wrong Time (Dr. John – Mac Rebennack)
Respect (Aretha Franklin – Otis Redding)
Scatterbrain (Jeff Beck – Max Middleton)
Borderline (Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds – Arleigh Kincheloe)
with: Spencer Perry (drums, percussion), Nathaniel Garland (guitar), Jack Snow (guitar), Michaela Dube (vocals), Randall Ingalls (vocals), Janea Hudson (vocals), Brandon Stevens (drums), Justin Burgess (bass), Brittney Malik (trumpet, vocals), Makayla Jones (alto sax, baritone sax), Julia Simons (tenor sax, vocals) ..
Johnson VT
I’ll be performing two tunes as part of Brandon Stevens‘ senior recital on Thursday 4/13 @ 8pm, Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, Johnson VT .. Free & open to the public ..
Peaches en Regalia (Frank Zappa)
Indiscipline (King Crimson)
with: Justin Burgess (bass), Tim Melville (guitar), and Brandon Stevens (drums).
I need to practice.. now!~
