There was something so comforting about how much everyone hated 2020. It's like when there's a villain so loathsome, so despised, that everyone agrees they're.
JACK Quartet Around these parts, the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival is known as the gateway to summer. Normally, the annual 10-day event reaches nearly every square inch of downtown, with scores of nightclubs, bars and restaurants hosting music under the BDJF banner, not to mention venues such as the Flynn, Flynn Space, Waterfront Park and Church Street Marketplace. The jazz fest took a pandemic-induced hiatus last year and was replaced by a fully online alternative, the Burlington ReDiscover Jazz Festival. The virtual fest was a valiant effort under dismal circumstances, but there s nothing like the real thing. So Tuesday s announcement of the BDJF s return has us all doing the Snoopy dance.
Tony Markellis Tony Markellis, one of our community’s most talented, respected and beloved musicians, passed away in his sleep on April 29, at the all-too-early age of 68. Tony’s talent on the bass was eclipsed only by his heart, wry wit, soulfulness and generosity of spirit, which deeply touched everyone who was lucky enough to have him as a part of their lives. In addition to being a mainstay on the Burlington music scene for more than 45 years, Tony was omnipresent and equally beloved in his adopted hometown of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. For the past 18 years, Tony also gained national prominence playing bass in Phish front man Trey Anastasio’s eponymous sideline band.