Make time for music

Some’tet to play at VCA

Vashon Island’s jazz/post-jazz ensemble, Some’tet, will play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Vashon Center for the Arts.

The group came together in the summer of 2015, forming out of the Sunday Night Music series at the Snapdragon Café. Since then, Some’tet has been gigging around the Puget Sound area, playing in venues such as the Sorrento, Tim’s Tavern and the Vermillion. They recently finished a summer-long residency at the Musicquarium/Triple Door. Last year they were one of four bands chosen for the annual Earshot 2nd Century Jazz Series. And still most every Sunday night at 7 p.m., Some’tet can be found playing at the Snapdragon Café/Home Sweet Home the Bar.

The music is both composed and improvised. The overall sound tends to be mellow, almost West Coast cool, but with moments of intense invention. Add clusters of South American rhythms, the occasional art song, a dollop of free jazz, a torch song, a hook, some very soulful vocals and you get the picture.

Their EP “Steps” was released last year. Later this winter, the band will be heading back into the studio to record their first full-length release. Stay tuned.

The free concert is part of the Local Music Series and is offered by a partnership between Vashon Events and Vashon Center for the Arts.

Briget Boyle at the Roasterie

Making her Vashon Island debut, Oakland, California’s Briget Boyle will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 11, at the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie as part of her Next Line album release tour. She will be performing with Tim Silva (drums and vocals) and Suzanne Yada, aka Little Spiral (piano, vocals). Tickets cost $10 and are available at the Vashon Bookshop or at the door at the event.

Boyle’s creative approach to songwriting is partially inspired by her experience performing in the renowned Eastern European folk groups Kitka and Brass Menažeri, according to a recent press release. The subtle complexities that define these folk music styles find themselves re-purposed in Boyle’s songwriting: in the melodic embellishments, the shifting chord progressions and intimately tight harmonies.

The Next Line is the culmination of three years of songwriting and self-exploration. At the end of 2017, Boyle left her day job as the production manager of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir to pursue her music career and to record and release this album. The Next Line, full of energetic and vibey tunes, features some of the Bay Area’s finest players, including Kyle Caprista, Geneva Harrison, Kimiko Joy, Ben Misterka, Jon Monahan and James DePrato, according to the press release.

The album’s official release is set for Sept. 21 via record label Waxsimile. The album will be available for purchase at the show.