Randy Oxford Band, Michelle Carr and More Set for Blue Note, Now thru 7/23

The Blue Note announces its lineup for the Late Night Groove Series, Brunch and Monday nights, tonight, July 20-July 23, featuring the Randy Oxford Band, Dwight & Nicole, Ben Monder Trio and Michelle Carr. See full details below.

LATE NIGHT GROOVE SERIES

RANDY OXFORD BAND

Friday, July 20, 2012 • 12:30a.m. • $10

The Randy Oxford Band continues its East Coast tour with this late night show at The Blue Note. The seven-piece band features notorious wild man and award-winning Oxford on trombone. Essentially blues-based, the band prides itself on showcasing music that defies easy classification. From classics like Etta James’s “At Last,” to originals that crackle with jazz licks and funky rhythms, the band builds on each player’s creativity and talent. Randy and his band are looking forward to furthering their reputation for presenting high-energy shows, with well-crafted musical arrangements, inspired solos, and a spirited sense of fun.

The band is touring in support of their critically acclaimed Festival which has received extensive airplay throughout the country. The Randy Oxford Band earned a spot in the finals at the International Blues Challenge in 2011, resulting in appearances last year at Le Festival International de Tremblant, two successful tours of the Midwest, and upcoming shows at the San Diego Blues Festival, Bronze, Blues, and Brews Festival (Oregon), and the Big Sky Blues Festival (Montana).

For more information, see the band’s website at: www.randyoxford.com.

DWIGHT & NICOLE

Saturday, July 21, 2012 • 12:30a.m. • $15

American recording artists Dwight & Nicole (Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson) have inspired comparisons to some of the greats – Etta James & John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones & The Staple Singers – but it is their fresh blend of spirited blues, rock, and gospel that is landing them their own spot among the most celebrated music makers of our time. Riding a surge of accolades following their soulful 2010 release !Signs, they recently appeared on The Boston Globe's 25 Most Stylish list for 2011 and were nominated for five Boston Music Awards and three Boston Phoenix awards.

Dwight & Nicole have shared stages with Ray LaMontagne, Robert Randolph, Martin Sexton, Levon Helm, B.B. King, Norah Jones, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Dave Brubeck, Dr. Maya Angelou, Natalie Cole, Wynton Marsalis, Carly Simon, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

SUNDAY BRUNCH SERIES

BEN MONDER TRIO

Sunday, July 22, 2012 • 12:30 & 2:30p.m. • $29.50 includes show, meal & 1 drink

A musician in the New York area for 25 years, guitarist Ben Monder has performed with a variety of artists, including Jack McDuff, Marc Johnson, Lee Konitz, George Garzone, Tim Berne, and Kenny Wheeler. He has also been a regular member of the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra and the Paul Motian Octet. Monder continues to perform original music internationally in a variety of settings, including shows with his own quartet and trio and a duo project with vocalist Theo Bleckmann. He has appeared on over 100 albums as a sideman and has released several as a leader: Bloom (2009, with Bill McHenry), At Night (2007, with Theo Bleckmann), Oceana (2005), Excavation (2000), Dust (1997),No Boat (1997, with Theo Bleckmann), and Flux (1995).

MICHELLE CARR

Monday, July 23, 2012 • 8p.m. & 10:30p.m. • $20 table/$10 bar

Carr is a gracious singer whose rapport with the audience gives an air of familiarity and relaxation to her performances. She’s clear as a bell, hitting every note with a voice that sparkles. Her warmth and pleasure in being able to share her songs emanates from her radiant smile - singing is what she was meant to do.

Carr always knew she would be a singer. She loved every kind of music, looking to artists as diverse as Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Leontyne Price for inspiration. In 1992 she moved to New York City to attend The Juilliard School where she studied classical voice, graduating in 1994. She also studied jazz piano with Johnny “Hammond” Smith. She has worked with Nancy Wilson, Roy Hargrove, as a backup vocalist for Hiroshima and lent her smooth jazz vocals to bassist Christian McBride’s funk band Escape Route.

Michelle has appeared on BET NYC/LA for her role in Fangs and has also appeared on BET J for her own concert at Blue Note. Michelle’s wide range of vocal experience is complemented by her extensive background in theater. Her performances have included Hal Prince’s Tony Award-winning musicalShowboat, Lincoln Center’s Workshop of Carmen Jones, Goodspeed Opera House’s revival of The Man of La Mancha and Fangs II at Aaron Davis Hall.