By Courtney Young

Harmony is defined as “the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole” and was exhibited as such on Saturday afternoon at Nathan Tufts Park as attendees of Joe’s Jazz and Blues Fest embraced the harmonious atmosphere.

One may think that after the highlights of Porchfest nothing could come close, but the most recent free Jazz Fest in Powder House Square brought the community together to enjoy the sultry, soulful tunes of regional artists stretching from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Featured in the line-up were the talents of the Somerville High School Jazz Band, Sugar & The Essential Spice, Jan Marie and the Mean Reds, The David Arteaga Quartet, The Coffee Grinders, and Erin Harpe and the Delta Swingers.

Presented by both Mayor Joseph A. Curatone and the Somerville Arts Council, SAC’s Gregory Jenkins hosted the six-hour jam-fest to support local artists and the community of Somerville’s interest in the arts. “Somerville has a lot of diversity. Ethnic, socioeconomic, and anything pertaining to the arts,” he stated about the unique community that Somerville is.

Charlie McLaren of Somerville High School certainly does his part to support the arts and the community, as well as the youth in the area. As the guitar teacher and jazz band director at the high school, he reiterates that “music brings people together and more.”

Chris Botelho, the band manager and drummer of Sugar and the Essential Spice, relays that their band is known for its great cover renditions of lesser known classic artists, but is working on writing and releasing their own original music within the next year. “Playing the music we love with fellow musicians we admire and respect and performing for people who love what we do and respond positively to us … that’s fulfillment,” Botelho said on behalf of the band, composed of Todd Michael Smith (guitar/vocals), Shanell “Sugar” (lead vocals), Andrew Jones (bass), and Anthony C. Grant (keyboard/sax/vocals).

And just as Somerville supported their beloved musicians and incredible talent, the artists enjoyed giving back as well. Jan Marie of Jan Marie and the Mean Reds highlights her dazzling look. “I think of myself as a community member before anything else, so I always love to adorn myself in locally-obtained garments and stylings, so that if I get noticed, other great artists and businesses I support do too. My dress was from Raspberry Beret, and my hair was styled by Shereen Salem,” said Marie. She believes that the most important part of music is truth. And for her, one of her truths is jazz and blues. “Jazz isn’t about blending, or finding a pure sound; it’s about finding a true sound, and a deep connection with very emotional music,” according to Marie. “People want to like jazz but they don’t know how to relate to it. My goal is to make it relatable.”

The crowd could certainly relate to the group as the dancing continued from the time that they got on stage, to the time they got off. With Mark Shilansky on piano, Greg Toro on bass, Benny Benson on drums, Scott Aruda on trumpet, and Jan Marie as the lead vocalist, children, families, and couples swayed and swung with each other as the artists did on stage.

David Arteaga of the David Arteaga Quartet boasts upwards of 40 years playing music. When posed with the question that asks what the most important part of getting exposure as a band is, he states: “An opportunity to share love” is what David believes is the most important part of exposure for any band. “Huge thanks to everyone who came out to partake in the Festival. Down through the ages art and especially music has been an incredibly important means of cultivating and promoting the essential humanistic values of truthfulness and compassion. It is my belief that at this extremely pathological moment in our nation, and in the world, to make and share and enjoy art has never been more important.”

The Coffee Grinders, all the way from Connecticut, brought a unique sound with Jim Choqquette’s vocals and harp, and the compliments of Frank Breen’s guitar and vocals. Affiliated with the Connecticut Blues Society and Central CT Acoustic Musicians Society, Choqquette and Breen furnished the festival with just the right amount of twang and soul to keep the crowd begging for “just one more.”

Erin Harpe and the Delta Swingers out of Boston played once before in Somerville on May 20 at the ONCE Lounge, and have another show coming up on the 25th of August all the way in Indiana. From their website, “The Delta Swingers pull out all the stops with a decidedly old-school, raw-edged core and confidence that make this album easily an essential release. If you’ve yet to try this lady, you’re in for a treat with ‘Big Road’. – Blues Magazine (NL).” With Erin Harpe on Guitars and lead vocals, Jim Countryman on bass guitar, and Bob Nisi on the drums, the group presents an electrifying show leaving the crowd satiated and excited for more jazz in Somerville.

“The ArtBeat festival is up and coming on July 14 in Davis Square, and we hope to see a lot of our friends and neighbors there as well,” concluded Jenkins. “Somerville is a great arts community and it’s a privilege to be able to support it.”

-Photos by Courtney Young