CHESTERTOWN — Traditional jazz fans will be excited to learn that Don Vappie is coming to the Eastern Shore for a short tour later this month with stops at Sumner Hall in Chestertown and The Mainstay in Rock Hall.
Also, with support of the Kent Cultural Alliance, Vappie will conduct a workshop for the Kent County High School jazz band on May 16.
Vappie has been described as a Creole jazz banjo legend, descended from a long line of jazz musicians from the river parishes of New Orleans.
He was inducted into the Banjo Hall of Fame in September 2022.
Vappie has received awards for his contributions to the preservation of New Orleans Creole culture through music and film. He has produced seven of his own albums, co-produced and starred in a PBS documentary, performed as a featured artist with orchestras on movie and television soundtracks, and at concerts and festivals around the world.
Vappie also teaches jazz guitar at Loyola University in New Orleans and is an expert on the history of Creole music.
Vappie’s last visit to the area was for the Chestertown Jazz Festival in 2022. Back then he brought a stellar band of New Orleans professionals, including vocalist Quiana Lynell.
This time he will be playing solo and backed by local musicians.
Facilitating Vappie’s mini-tour of the Shore is local musician Philip Dutton.
Dutton and Vappie met at the National Music Festival in Chestertown about 10 years ago when NMF Artistic Director Richard Rosenberg invited Vappie to the festival to play Harry Reser’s Suite for Banjo and Orchestra.
Vappie also led a traditional jazz band at the festival made up of apprentices and mentors. Dutton was given the opportunity to play with that band, and a friendship began.
On Dutton’s frequent visits to New Orleans he has continued his friendship with Vappie and attended his concerts at the French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Printed below is information about Vappie’s quick tour through the Shore.
• Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m. at Sumner Hall, Chestertown: Dutton will interview Vappie and discuss his Creole roots and how they have influenced his music. Vappie will share stories of his collaborations with jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis, Eric Clapton and Peggy Lee. He will play a song or two to demonstrate the roots of New Orleans jazz.
Sumner Hall is located at 206 S. Queen St.
The suggested donation is $10.
For more information, email info@sumnerhall.org.
For ticket information, see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-new-orleans-creole-music-legend-don-vappie-tickets-1302011213589?
• Saturday, May 17, 8 p.m. at The Mainstay in Rock Hall: For an evening of “trad jazz” at its best, Vappie will perform backed by local band leader and radio host Dave Robinson’s band, Conservatory Classic Jazz Band.
Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling 410-639-9133; tickets reserved by phone are $25 when paid at the door.
The Mainstay is located at 5753 N. Main St.
• Sunday, May 18, 2 p.m.: For those in the Washington, D.C. area, the Potomac River Jazz Club will host Vappie and the Conservatory Classic Jazz Band in concert at Rosensteel Knights of Columbus of Silver Spring, 9707 Rosensteel Ave. Click here for tickets, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/prjc-presents-don-vappie-with-the-conservatory-classic-jazz-band-tickets-1301611989499.