Summer Music Associates presents two sensational concerts in July in New London: The Rastrelli Cello Quartet with guest violinist, Lindsay Deutsch, and Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play.

The Rastrelli Cello Quartet is a singularly unique ensemble that has been thrilling audiences with their renderings of non-traditional programming since 2002. Kira Kraftzoff, Timofeev, Misha Degtjareff and Sergio Drabkin formed the ensemble with a mission to perform music “between the genres,” and their widely varied programs comfortably mix works by Bach, Saint-Saens and Tchaikovsky with that of George Gershwin, Dave Brubeck and Leroy Anderson. The name of the Quartet is taken from the eighteenth-century architect Bartholomew Rastrelli, who designed the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the home city of three of the four Quartet members.

“These four players showed some of the best qualities of the venerated Russian cello tradition, namely lustrous tone combined with soulful expression.”

The Rastrelli Quartet will be joined by Lindsay Deutsch, “one of the most interesting, imaginative, and downright thrilling young violinists in America today.”

Later in the month, Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play brings its rollicking mix of blues, jazz, and Brubeck standards.

Triple Play is the name given to three outstanding and versatile musicians, Peter Madcat Ruth (on harmonica, guitar, jaw harp, percussion & vocals), Joel Brown, (folk and classical acoustic guitar and vocals) and Chris Brubeck (electric bass, bass trombone, piano & vocals).  Collectively they bring a rare level of joy, virtuosity, and American spirit to the folk, blues, jazz and classical music they perform.

“Triple Play is what jazz always was and always should be about:  good-time rhythm, unbridled joy and the sweet release but bittersweet aftertaste of the blues.  If there’s a better old-time blues and jazz harmonica player out there than Madcat Ruth, I’d sure love to know where he lives.”

The Rastrelli Cello Quartet with Lindsay Deutsch

Thursday, July 18    7:00 PM
First Baptist Church   461 Main Street
New London, NH

Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play
Saturday, July 27     7:00 PM
Sawyer Theater, Colby-Sawyer College
New London, NH

Tickets available online at www.summermusicassociates.org

By phone: 603-526-8234 or mail: SMA PO Box 603 New London, NH 03257

Or at the door the evening of the concert.

Adults:  $25 Students:  $5