PHOTO CREDIT: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thunderchild5/
Every summer, Martha’s Vineyard rocks to most beautiful sounds
Here’s something you may not know: in the 1980s, there was an Australian rock band called Martha’s Vineyard, whose name was inspired by — you guessed it – our beautiful island.
However, as all of us who live here know, Martha’s Vineyard has a vibrant music scene of its own.
We can’t say with any certainty when great music was introduced here, but according to historical accounts, its beginnings can be traced back to the early 17th century, when the island was first discovered.
As author Henry Franklin Norton noted in his 1923 book, “Martha’s Vineyard,” in 1607 Captain Martin Pring arrived in what is now Edgartown harbor. He traded with the local Indians and, as the story relates, “amused them with music, but enjoyed terrifying them with the sound of the cannon.”
We are happy to report that nowadays there is not much need for cannons on Martha’s Vineyard, but all genres of music –classical, rock, jazz, blues, and rockabilly – are resonating loud and clear throughout the island.
American bandstand
No, we are not referring to the once-popular TV show. We are talking about the real bandstand in Oak Bluffs’ Ocean Park, a great example of Martha’s Vineyard’s musical tradition.
The old wooden structure was originally built for President Ulysses S. Grant’s visit in 1874. It was intended be a fitting showcase for another island tradition: Vineyard Haven Band. Created in 1868 by a group of Civil War veterans, both Confederate and Union, the brass band played mostly marches, which were all the rage in the post-Civil War years.
More recently, the late newspaper columnist Art Buchwald, who spent most summers in his Martha’s Vineyard house, commented that the islanders “are very proud of their town band, which is as good as the National Symphony if they don’t have to play in the rain.”
To this day, Vineyard Haven Band plays Sunday concerts (a wide variety of music, not just the marches) and its members are music lovers from all walks of life – though admittedly not Civil War veterans.
Hail to the chief
James Taylor and Carly Simon – who once owned a music club in Edgartown called “Hot Tin Roof” – are among Martha’s Vineyard most prominent residents, but they are not the only ones whose music can rock he crowd.
While he was President, Bill Clinton played his saxophone here numerous times, including once for this 65th birthday celebrated at the Martha’s Vineyard home of a friend.
As the Chicago Tribune reported this event, Clinton played the sax “for no less than 45 minutes, jamming and doing riffs with a ‘lite’ rock band and no less a singing megastar than Carly Simon for the entertainment of all present.”
On another occasion, the “little rusty but still enthusiastic” (according to press reports) Clinton “grabbed a saxophone and joined Carly Simon in a rendition of ‘My Funny Valentine.’”
All in all, the former President played his sax here many times, in private homes and in Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs, contributing his own sound to the island’s eclectic music scene.
Summertime and the livin is easy
Can you imagine a summer day or night without beautiful music? It’s difficult, because summer and outdoor concerts are…in tune with each other! Fortunately, every summer Martha’s Vineyard is – to borrow a line from the famous song – alive with the sound of music.
Whether you vacation in Edgartown, West Tisbury, Aquinnah, Chilmark, East Chop, Chappaquiddick or Oak Bluffs, you will have no problem finding great musicians, bands, and venues.
We at Martha’s Vineyard Live Music have many favorite haunts where we perform or just go to listen to other bands. Here are a few examples of venues where we enjoyed playing:
- The Ritz Café, 4 Circuit Ave, Oak Bluffs. Okay, so this haunt is not exactly the Ritz, more like a hole-in-the-wall. However, it features great live music every night in the summer and on weekends year-round.
- The Sand Bar & Grill, 6 Circuit Ave. in Oak Bluffs, is a great place to hang out and listen to local bands – including our group.
- Live music is on every night at Offshore Ale Co., 30 Kennebec Ave. in Oak Bluffs.
Live from Martha’s Vineyard!
If you are looking for a jazz duo or trio, a guitarist, or rock and /or dance band, we’ll be happy to provide any type of music your heart desires.
We are a group of versatile musicians who spend each summer (from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends) on the island, playing at weddings and other events. The rest of the year we tour worldwide, teach music, and record in our studios.
Want to listen to some great music? Don’t hesitate to contact us. As you can see, Martha’s Vineyard boasts a long musical history, and we are proud to be a part of it!
