BRATTLEBORO — On Saturday, July 16, at 8 p.m., the Open Music Collective (OMC) will celebrate its seventh year with a special guitar summit featuring Mike Baggetta and David Goodrich, with Claire Arenius on drums and Jamie MacDonald on bass.
They will play a mix of originals plus better-known songs presented in new and creative ways, according to a news release.
Originally from Western Massachusetts, Baggetta has been living in New York for long enough to cement his status as a top and up-and-coming musician, according to the release. A guitarist, composer, and improvisor, he is known for seamlessly and organically incorporating live sampling in his music, along with many seemingly disparate elements from all genres of music.
Goodrich, a longtime OMC supporter and faculty member, moved to Austin, Texas, a few years ago and still retains some connections back home. He is a veteran touring and session musician, producer, composer, and teacher specializing in guitar and other stringed instruments, improvisation, accompaniment, and arrangement. He is fluent in a wide range of idioms, from rock, pop, and country to jazz, experimental, and new music.
A drummer, composer, and educator, Arenius has been performing in jazz and improvisational music for more than 30 years. Her formative years were spent studying music at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where Archie Shepp and Max Roach were on faculty. She has performed and/or recorded with many jazz greats.
MacDonald is known in the New England area as a professional, musical, and eclectic bassist. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Open Music Collective, as well as Director of Jazz at The Putney School. He has performed in concert with James Williams, Sheila Jordan, Claire Arenius, Jay Clayton, Jay Messer, Pete Yellin, Helmut Kagerer, Gene Rush, Carlos Averhoff, Melissa Shetler, and many others.
In its seven years. OMC has put on a multitude of concerts and workshops, including ensemble classes covering vocal, jazz, classical guitar, kids' composition, rock camps, and bluegrass. It continues its mission to be a “place for musicians” by being available as a space for rehearsals, projects, ensemble classes in jazz and singing, community jams, and private lessons.