East Branch releases this season’s features

KEENE — In 1996, trustees Linda Fisher, Sam Fisk, Ruth Kuhfahl, Mary Lawrence, Lelia Matthews, Peter Proud and Barbara Strowger, with Lulu Brown as honorary chairman, began East Branch Friends of the Arts. Proud suggested the name for the organization and Fisher created the logo.

Based in the town of Keene, East Branch Friends of the Arts is a community-based, non-profit group dedicated to supporting and promoting the visual and performing arts; expanding opportunities of involvement in arts events for residents and visitors; developing and showcasing the community’s rich musical, artistic, literary heritage; and instilling a love of the arts and learning in children.

Past and current activities include play readings, poetry readings, chamber music concerts, artists studio tours, dramatic presentations, snow sculpture contests, photography contests and jazz concerts. Visit www.EastBranchFriendsOfTheArts.com for more information.

In its 2023 season, East Branch has a variety featured events between June and October, including:

Saturday, June 17

Paul Meyers World on a String Trio Brazilian Jazz with a New York twist — 7:30 p.m., Keene Arts. Suggested donation $10-$20.

Wednesday, July 12

Larry Ham-Woody Witt Quartet

Pianist Larry Ham returns to the North Country with Texas Jazz sax giant Woody Witt — 6:30 p.m., Holt House, Marcy Field. Free.

Pianist, composer and arranger Larry Ham is a veteran New York sideman, performing, touring and recording with many great jazz artists. His own recordings have also received international critical acclaim: “Presence” a recent collaboration with saxophonist Woody

Witt, and an acclaimed trio recording. A graduate of the Crane School of Music, Ham began his professional career in the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and has worked extensively with countless other jazz legends. He has appeared at jazz festivals, concerts and nightclubs throughout the United States, Europe, West Africa and Japan. His New York appearances include Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Blue Note,

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