Downtown Jazz: Soule Monde with EVNGwear

6 PM:
EVNGwear is an electric improvisational band rooted in the tradition of fusion jazz. The kinetic quartet was forged in the freak-fire of Family Night, a legendary open jam hosted by the band for over a decade in their hometown of Burlington, VT. Featuring members of Moon Hooch, Madalia, Seth Yacovone Band, and PURPLE: a tribute to Prince, EVNGwear plays with a spontaneity and power greater than the sum of its parts. EVNGwear features Walker Allen on guitar, Alex Budney on bass, Eric B. Maier on keyboard, and Ethan Snyder on drums
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7:30 PM:
Soule Monde is avant-funk — born of the syncopated minds of power drummer Russ Lawton and organ wizard Ray Paczkowski. This duo has merged into an indestructible unit, where bold improvisational leaps are interpreted telepathically and reciprocated effortlessly. Paczkowski has an intrepid ability to simultaneously tame the Hammond B3 and clavinet, filling Soule Monde’s sound with beautiful and dynamic melodies. Lawton is the consummate “pocket” drummer, driving the groove further without ever losing a step, or Ray. This is the jazz-duo your parents warned you about.
Their pedigree speaks for itself, much like Russ and Ray’s music. While Lawton has played alongside Vermont staples like Mike Gordon, Strangefolk, and The Grippo Funk Band, Paczkowski’s early acts Viperhouse and Vorcza gained notoriety in the 1990s, and he (Ray) toured with Dave Matthews and Friends for 3 years in the early 2000s. Notably, both members of Soule Monde have been in the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB) for more than 20 years.
Rhythm and groove come to the heart of the city from June 3-6 when Burlington City Arts (BCA) and the Church Street Marketplace team up to present Downtown Jazz as part of The Flynn’s Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. Enjoy four evenings of live, local music throughout Downtown Burlington. The bricks will be boppin’ on the Church Street Marketplace with the return of the Top Block Stage from 6–9 PM on Wednesday, June 3, through Friday, June 5, and an extended lineup from 4–9 PM on Saturday, June 6. Wander down the Marketplace and take in jazz on College Street, a more intimate setting that pairs perfectly with dinner—grab a table at Leunig’s, Sweetwaters, or Ri Ra and enjoy live tunes from 6–8 PM, Wednesday through Saturday.
Midday performances round out the experience in City Hall Park, where BCA’s Summer Concert Series returns to jazz up your lunch hour on Wednesday and Friday from 12:30–1:30 PM.
Whether you’re strolling Church Street, dining al fresco, or taking a midday break in the park, Downtown Jazz offers countless ways to get into the groove of summer in the city!