John Jorgensen is a true musician who does not copy anybody, but leaves his mark with a highly distinctive esthetic. Playing at the new Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, Friday, May 22 at 7:00 pm, The John Jorgensen Quintet features guitarist John Jorgensen, a founding member of the Desert Rose Band, the Hellecasters, and a six-year member of Elton John's band. Artists ranging from Barbra Streisand to Bonnie Raitt to Earl Scruggs have sought out Jorgensen's guitar work. Recently, John Jorgensen was chosen to portray Django Reinhardt in the feature film Head in the Clouds.

At a John Jorgensen Quintet performance, audiences are amazed by John's dazzling guitar work as well as his mastery as a clarinet player and vocalist. Whether playing his own accessible compositions or classic standards, John and his band make music that is equally romantic and ecstatic, played with virtuosity and soul.

The Seacoast Wind Ensemble will be performing a concert on Saturday, May 23 at 7:30 pm in honor of Memorial Day.  This concert is free and open to the public!  The Ensemble, founded in 1984 by David E. Phinney, is dedicated to adult music education and the tradition of performing bands which characterized the John Philip Sousa era.  The all volunteer ensemble includes over 60 adult members who create the distinct and robust “wind ensemble”.  Our instruments included bassoon, clarinet, euphonium, flute, French horn, harp, oboe, percussion, piccolo, saxophone, trombone, trumpet and tuba.

Like the traditional concert band, the ensemble also reflects a diverse population.  The band members represent 15 communities in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.  Our age range is from young adults in high school to senior citizens.  The members come from all backgrounds including nurses, engineers, homemakers, teachers, professors, physicians and more.  Many of the members perform professionally, but most are former high school or college musicians who now pursue their musical interests through the ensemble.