Triple Play kicks off After Dark Music Series

Author: Will Mallett

Should you have been so lucky as to find parking around the United Methodist Church on Sunday night, you would have found seating in that building scarce. Jazz and blues enthusiasts from the extremities of the region were gathered for the commencement of this year's After Dark Music Series, featuring the dynamic and genre-transcending trio Triple Play. The group, whose music represents a type of melting pot of blues, jazz, classical and folk - predominantly American, but drawing on some international influences as well - were exemplary of the series as a whole, which draws diverse and prominent musical acts for the purpose of fostering a sense of community through the arts.

Now in its 13th season, the volunteer-driven series brings some of the country's top blues, folk, Celtic and Americana acts to Middlebury in a jovial and informal setting. "It's very community-oriented," said Annie Harlow, a long-time volunteer from Bristol. "You look forward to seeing people here that you only see here." This sense of community is exemplified by the dedication of the volunteers themselves. Harlow noted, "Volunteers are very loyal. You kind of just get in and you stay in." Dedication may not be altogether altruistic, however, as Harlow noted that "for only $5.50 you get killer homemade food."

This community to which the series is oriented is, however, geographically expansive, consisting of music aficionados from far beyond the borders of the town, or even the county. According to Carol Green, who runs the series with her husband Harvey, "We have people with season's passes from the extreme parts of the state. I'd say about one-third of the audience comes from Addison County."

The series is thus decidedly inclusive, as evidenced not only by the geographic diversity of attendees but by the range of the music itself. Next month will feature a Scottish traditional folk group by the name of Back of the Moon, to be followed in January by Elana James, a member of the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame.

Triple Play, fitting only uncomfortably into the category of "blues" or "jazz," seemed more to represent the theme of inclusiveness which characterizes the series as a whole. Although evading simplistic categorization, the essence of Sunday's featured band was aptly summed up in some passing remarks by group leader Chris Brubeck during the introduction to a hard-hitting blues tune in the first set: "Start with a some bass, add a little Memphis guitar, now a little Cajun harmonica. Alright, now turn up the heat."

A particularly practical-minded volunteer took the latter imperative literally and proceeded to get some water boiling downstairs, where the group's members retired after the first set to throw back cups of coffee and discuss their music, largely in terms of geographic symbolism.

"We say we're 'patrolling the borders' of blues, jazz, funk and soul," said Brubeck, emphasizing the diversity of influence the group embraces. Currently stationed in Wilton, Conn., Brubeck reports for metaphorical border-patrol duty either on the keyboard, electric bass, trombone or vocals. Peter "Madcat" Ruth of Ann Arbor, Mich., contributes on "Cajun" harmonica, guitar, jaw harp, percussion and vocals, while Joel Brown of Saratoga Springs, NY is responsible for the aforementioned "Memphis guitar" and further vocal.

The enormous breadth of those "borders" Triple Play seeks to patrol is further evident in the independent work of the three musicians, each of whom presents an impressive set of credentials in his own right. Brown, who teaches classical guitar at Skidmore College, has worked with Brubeck in composing orchestral pieces that have been performed by the London Symphony Orchestra as well as the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. Brubeck and Brown, who have been playing together in different groups since 1968, have also done work with Brubeck's father Dave - one of America's greatest jazz musicians. "Madcat" also worked with Dave Brubeck in the 1970s, touring nationally and internationally, before teaming up with Shari Kane to form the duo "Madcat and Kane" in the 80's. Regarded as one of the finest harmonica players in the world, Ruth has worked with harmonica orchestras in Singapore and Japan. But despite their achievements, the three virtuosos are equally proud of the esteem in which they are held in Vermont, where they return loyally every few years. Brown boasted, "We've actually been voted back several times to play in - what's that town? Chester?"

"We're big in Chester," chimed in "Madcat" Ruth, to the amusement of all present.

So setting aside community-building, as well as the plate full of "killer homemade food," the ongoing success of the series highlights the importance of its fundamental goal - to bring good music to town. Just as good music is apparently big in Chester, it's big in Middlebury too. Perhaps it's universal.