Music on the Park Stage

ArtBeat: Sat., July 16th

12pm — Banda Jiló
Banda Jiló plays forró, a popular music style from the Northeast of Brazil. Often descried as the “country music” of Brazil, this music style is hugely popular in Brazil, thanks to artists like Luiz Gonzaga and Gilberto Gil. Banda Jiló, formed by a group of Brazilian students at the Berklee School of Music, features a zabumba (a large hand-held drum) player and an accordianist, along with a guitarist, bass player, percussionists and vocalists. The infectious grooves of forró inspire even the most reluctant audiences to dance.

1pm — Brass Roots
Imagine the passionate rhythms of Latin music—mambo, cha cha, Bachata and merengue—paired with exciting jazz improv and exceptional compositions, played by a combination of instruments you’ll never find anywhere else, and you have Brass Roots. Led by trombone veteran Russell Jewell, the group features two trombonists, with talented Venezuelan Ana Norgaard on congas.

2pm — Andrea Gillis
This Somervillian has been making waves ever since her new album, “Want Another?” came out earlier this year. It’s a raucous mix of R&B, soul, and gritty garage-rock that defies categorization and suggests Gillis’ far-ranging influences, which include Etta James, Motown artists and the Stones. Live, Gillis churns out her primal, no-holds-barred vocals, backed by a star-studded band.

3pm — Alto Reform School
Put on your wigs mamas, and get ready to soul strut! Alto Reform School is a 9-piece soul revue, fronted by the amazing Miss Chantal Ambroise and her two Ambroisettes, Gabrielle Riley and Betsy Nichols. Aided by a relentless rhythm section, smokin’ horns and wailing organ, they perform lesser-known funk and soul music...from the days when Ike and Tina still thought it was gonna work out fine. Come and dance!

4pm — Jimmy Ryan
Jimmy Ryan transcends traditional bluegrass mandolin playing by weaving a tapestry of traditional, world and rock musicianship into an amazing blend of hillbilly roots rock. He dares to defy boundaries by using the mandolin as the lead instrument in an electrified band. His latest album “Gospel Shirt” was recorded at Hi-N-Dry studios in Cambridge, where Jimmy enlisted the usual cast of locals to flavor his latest creation of roots rock.

5pm — Emergency Music
With a contagious beat that demands you clap your hands and choruses that you can’t help but sing-a-long, Emergency Music knock you off your feet with a clever one-two combo. Hailing from Boston Mass, this up-and-coming band describes itself as “simple, fun, but effective.” Their influences include the Beatles, Velvet Underground and Belle and Sebastian. The songs are timeless and make you nostalgic for no good reason.