FAMOUS BEFORE WE'RE DEAD

In case you missed them in December, stop by for another opportunity to hear these original musicians. Famous Before We’re Dead, a mostly acoustic band of seasoned musicians who are also life-long friends, make original music and creative cover tunes for 21st century adults.  In a stressed-out era, our songs are filled with hope, compassion, challenge and humor.  Grounded in Americana, our roots also include singer-songwriters like Tom Waits, John Hiatt, Joni Mitchell, Bob Marley and the Grateful Dead.  FBWD is:  Hal Lefferts - guitar/vocals; James Lumsden - bass/vocals; John Burns - electric/acoustic guitar; Win Ridabock - flute.

live music: 10am-12pm

brunch specials 8am-2pm  

specialty beverages all day till 3

"The StringSmith", musician and guitar builder, Kevin Smith returns to Dotties this Sunday. Bringing you some "GypZbilly" music, a variety of genres, from Blues, to Rockabilly, to Reggae, to Folk, adapted to acoustic guitar, Joining Kevin will be Pete Toigo on string bass, laying down a groove as warm and dark as Dottie's coffee. This eclectic and offbeat selection is both stimulating, and soothing to the digestion. Kevin builds and repairs all manner of fretted instruments, and will be performing on one of his own guitars.”

www.stringsmith.com

live music: 10am-12pm                                                                                                             our usual sumptuous brunch till 2                                                                            outstanding beverages all day till 3

Come join us for some fine music with Banjo Blues, Paula Bradley & Marylou Ferraante.

A two-person music festival on banjo, guitar, mandolin, slide guitar, banjo ukulele, vocals and feet..maybe kazoo and harmonica too!

live music: 10am-12pm our delicious brunch specials till 2 outstanding beverages all day till 3

Eric and Francine met on stage and have been singing and playing together ever since! Locally, they have been seen at the Gypsy Joynt, the Gazebo behind the Great Barrington Town Hall, and Berkshire County Nursing Homes. In New York, they have sung downtown at an art opening and upstate at a fundraiser. They sing motown, classic folk, jazz, and Eric’s melodic and moving originals. They are an acoustic duo, with Eric on guitar and vocals, and Francine on vocals and bass. They shine on stage together as they lovingly create a beautiful sound. To see Eric and Francine live please contact Francine at ericandfrankieduo@gmail.com. To hear their music, go to sound cloud and search EricAndFrankieDuo. You can also visit their FB page at EricAndFrankieDuo.

live music: 10am-12pm

brunch specials 8am-2pm  

specialty beverages all day till 3

We never get enough Redshift....Sunday jazz with George Bisell on drums, Lonny Jarrett on guitar, Mitch Zimmer on bass and Zev Jarrett on sax.  Stop by and see why we love Redshift!  And, of course, our usual delicious brunch specials and fabulous beverages.

Live Music: 10am-12pmA

Brunch Specials: 8am - 2pm

beverages served till 3pm

Oakes and Smith are a musical match made in heaven. The harmonious blend of their voices creates an ethereal sound and unique quality not often heard in today’s popular music. Combining this with soulful songs that they call ‘lyrical and inspirational meditations,’ Oakes and Smith bring forth a sense of wonder, expressing themes of love, creativity, mystery and an appreciation of natural beauty.

Kylee Colvin of The Levity Ball remarked, “Oakes and Smith have the ability to bring a sense of calm and ease to the air...with songs so full of wisdom and true emotions.”

The duo has performed at The Guthrie Center in Great Barrington, MA; the NJ Folk Project in Morristown, NJ; Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk, CT; FloydFest in Floyd, VA; Andrea Clearfield’s Salon in Philadelphia; The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, MA; and has appeared weekly at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA since March 2014, among many other appearances near their home in Western Massachusetts and beyond.

At the heart of this project are a strong bond of love and a passion to pursue the creative calling. Oakes and Smith hope to inspire listeners and remind them that peace, sincerity and beauty are still very much alive in the world.

Joining them this Sunday are Justin Green on piano/percussion/vocals.

OakesandSmith.net

Live Music: 10am-12pm

Brunch Specials: 8am-2pm

Signature Beverages all day til 3pm

Vita sings in several different languages - English, French, Portuguese, Russian - but the listener never wonders at the meaning of the words. Like a musical instrument the meaning is in the sound. A sound that wraps itself around and weaves itself through the accompanying guitar. Vita's "instrumentation" of her voice is more melodic than jazz but far more complex than a simple melody. The sound is evocative, playful, intelligent, simultaneously sophisticated and intimate'...vitakay.com..

Vita will be joined by Nico Wohl. Nico is a young jazz guitar player from Housatonic. He began playing at age 11, and sparked an interest in blues and rock music. It was not too long before  he heard the music of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie and began playing jazz as well. Over the next 2 years he gradually switched from playing only blues and rock to mostly jazz. In 2014 he began studying at the pre-college of the Manhattan School of Music. Since then he has been a regular on the Berkshire Jazz scene..last Summer saw him play Carnegie Hall & tour Europe with NYO Jazz collective which had Dianne Reeves and Wycliffe Gordon as guest performers.

live music: 10am-12pm our delicious brunch specials: 8am-2pm outstanding beverages all day till 3pm

CONFIRM MUSICIANS

It's always a treat to welcome back the Jeff Link Trio; a soulful mix of jazz. Jeff Link on bass, Dave Bartley on Piano, and Kirk Scott on Guitar.
live music: 10-12pm
our usual delicious brunch specials 8am-2pm    outstanding beverages til 3

We are excited to welcome back this amazing duo….They’ve been travelling around the country and, before they head south for the winter, are visiting us!

Genna & Jesse are defined by a unique alchemy born of the quirky chemistry, intricate vocal harmonies and ardent storytelling which infuse their songwriting and vibrant performances. With whispers (and sometimes roars) of folk, blue-eyed soul, jazz, blues, torch song, and popular music from the ‘60s and ‘70s, their self-chosen genre “retro soul pop” doesn’t fully encompass what they conjure up in their joyful live shows and sensual, deliberate albums. These two shrug off music industry conventions in favor of doing what feels good, and this genre-defying dedication to being current and free has an exciting and irresistible effect.

Drawing inspiration from their romantic nomadic lifestyle, Genna & Jesse might best be described as modern troubadours, generously offering listeners glimpses of their always-moving world with something fresh, true and genuinely independent.

Genna & Jesse are currently touring internationally to promote their newest release, "Asphalt Rhapsody.” Their ongoing tour, which includes club venues, house concerts, restaurants, cafes, and festivals, is being done with as small a carbon footprint as possible.

www.gennaandjesse.com
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G&J on Twitter

Live Music: 10-12PM                         

Our Always Delicious Brunch: 8am - 2pm

beverages served till 3

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Join us Sunday to welcome two women traveling from New York to play at Dottie's.

Lesley Barth is a NYC folk singer/songwriter.  Praised for her clever lyrics and craftswoman approach to songwriting, Barth performs frequently to large and intimate crowds in the NYC and regional songwriter scenes. 

Emily Frembgen is a Brooklyn-based singer and songwriter. Her songs are evocative, subtle and always well crafted. 

"Emily Frembgen's gentle, poetic songs have blood trickling out of them”-Steven Douglas Daly

live music:10am-12pm                                                                                                               brunch specials: 8am-2pm                                                                                        outstanding beverages all day till closing at 3pm

Heather and Tobias have been performing and working on music together for roughly 9 or 10 years now.  They  are very passionate about the music they play and  hope that shows to anyone who listens.  Their song selection is always eclectic and changing with only 2 rules:  any selection has to be a great song, regardless of the genre and it shouldn't be something that hundreds of other acoustic musicians cover.  They play anything from classic jazz to hip-hop an even country, with your typical rock and folk mixed in.  Their main goal is to play music that people would know, but not something you hear performed by other groups frequently.

"Music is a very personal experience.  It isn't about playing faster or better, but conveying a mood or atmosphere that connects with people.  That's what we try to do every time we play. If you can enjoy our music half as much as we do, you are going to have a great time whenever you see us."

• live music: 10am-12pm our usual sumptuous brunch till 2              outstanding beverages all day till 3

The Kozinski Simon  2 guitar duo, blends Larry Simon’s background in North Indian music studying under Pandit Pran Nath, his experience in minimalist ensembles and love of old songs with John Kozinski’s fondness of and grounding in the jazz tradition of West Montgomery, and John Coltrane with a shared affection of rhapsodic music from all genres. Together, they create a jazzy mix of swirling sounds, and an uplifting blend of soul, blues, jam music and psychedelia.

John Kozinski began his guitar adventures at 12 after hearing the Beatles and then Cream and Jimi Hendrix. His part time job in high school was playing in a power rock trio for junior high school and high schools. He discovered jazz while attending Hofstra University in New York for a Music Education Degree where he was part of the jazz band .Weddings and jazz gigs around New York City followed. John has experience teaching all levels of guitar. After a long hiatus away from music, John returned to his passion about a dozen years ago. He has performed at the Red Lion Inn, the Pittsfield Jazz Festival and with guitarist, John Stowell from Portland, Oregon. He has studied jazz guitar with John Stowell, Bob DeVos, Barry Gailbrath, Joe Diorio and Steve Khan.

He performs around western Massachusetts in Trio KDP, Inneraction, The Berkshire Jazz Underground and other jazz groups. You can find about these musical groups at www.simmermusic.com.

Larry Simon

Larry Simon is a guitarist and composer, from Brooklyn, NY has recorded and toured with many of today’s leading jazz and blues artists including John Zorn, LaMonte Young, David Sanborn, Big Jay McNeely, Lester Bowie, Rosco Gordon, George Coleman, Julius Hemphill, the Skatalites, David Amram, Ed Sanders, Leon Thomas, Eric Mingus, Gamelan Son of Lion (NYC) and many others.  As a composer he has written extensively for dance, film, and theatre.

While living in Portsmouth NH, Simon formed his ensemble "Larry Simon and Groove Bacteria" (2003 Spotlight Award for "Best Jazz Act").  He also created the popular "Beat Night" series, featuring music and spoken word, and at The Cornelia St Cafe in New York City. In 2004 Simon founded "Jazzmouth, The Seacoast poetry and Jazz Festival" of which he is the Artistic director and producer. Larry is the recipient of The 2005 Spotlight Special Achievement Award.

Additionally Larry has just completed his Book, “Portraits in Blues, NYC” a history of the New York City blues scene from the late 1940’s until the late 1970’s. His collaborator on the book is award winning blues scholar John Broven and photographer Robert Schaffer.

Simon's most recent CD's are: “The Dream Keeper” (2017-With David Amram, Eric Mingus and Groove Bacteria),  "Old School Jams and Drones" (2004, with Groove Bacteria), "Beat Nights at the Electric Cave" (2002) and "Live Free or Groove" (2001, with Groove Bacteria). He can also be heard on Harvey Reid's compilation CD  "Seacoast Guitarists Vol. 2"

Larry’s newest cd “The Dream keeper” has received much critical acclaim and was on the 2017 Top Five list of Jazz vocal releases in the prestigious publication “The NYC Jazz Record”

Live music: 10am-12PM delicious brunch specials till 2 outstanding beverages all day till 3

Welcome back to Dottie's!  Tumo-Kohrs, a musical duo that performs Sarah Kohrs's original songs to Mark Tuomenoksa's original arrangements, meld the harmonies of jazz music with the lyrics and rhythmic drive of roots music to create a sound that is all their own.

The two met at an open mic in Great Barrington three years ago, and have been fast friends ever since. 

In some ways, the two are opposites.  Sarah is a classically trained pianist who attended the Eastman School.  Mark is a jazz cat who attended the Berklee College of Music in its heyday.  But their shared ability to glimpse the beauty and mystery in every day experiences, as well as their shared love of the structure of song and sound allow them to exponentially exceed what one would expect from a pairing of such different personalities.

Both are overcomers.  Sarah returned to her native Berkshires as a result of a parasitic infection.  And, growing up, Mark dealt with the symptoms of Aspergers Syndrome and other learning challenges.  But both continue to vitally experience and express deep joy in life.  And it shows. 

Lauded by one local critic as “emotional hardball in the big leagues,” the duo’s act has touched audiences since they started performing earlier this year.  And they are just getting started. 

http://www.tumo-kohrs.com/index.php?pge=vids

live music: 10am-12pm

brunch specials 8am-2pm  

specialty beverages all day till 3

Welcome back to Dotties Cassandr and Jake. Cassandra Redd on vocals, and Jake Roach on guitar delivering "soulful vocals and expressive guitar playing along with influences of Indie-folk, classic rock, and jazzy blues combine to create this acoustic duo." 

awespme sketch: Carlizard McGurn

Come welcome them back while you enjoy our usual delicious brunch specials and outstanding beverages.

live music: 10-12   kitchen open: 8-2, beverages till 3    

New to Dottie’s, but not new to the Berkshires! Chris Vecchia on keys and vocals, joined by Eamonn Barry on drums. A mix of originals and covers to compliment your Sunday morning brunch!!

Chris Vecchia is a Berkshire based singer/songwriter and actor.  His sound is somewhere between Ben Folds and John Legend. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music where he focused on piano and voice.  You can hear more at www.soundcloud.com/chrisvecchia

live music: 10AM-12PM brunch served all day till 2:00PM outstanding beverages till 3

"The StringSmith", musician and guitar builder, Kevin Smith returns to Dotties this Sunday. Bringing you some "GypZbilly" music, a variety of genres, from Blues, to Rockabilly, to Reggae, to Folk, adapted to acoustic guitar, Joining Kevin will be Pete Toigo on string bass, laying down a groove as warm and dark as Dottie's coffee. This eclectic and offbeat selection is both stimulating, and soothing to the digestion. Kevin builds and repairs all manner of fretted instruments, and will be performing on one of his own guitars.”

www.stringsmith.com

live music: 10am-12pm                                                                                                             our usual sumptuous brunch till 2                                                                            outstanding beverages all day till 3

Welcome back to Dottie's the very talented Luke Tobin.  Here's what Luke has to say about himself.

"I’m a singer-songwriter currently living in North Adams Massachusetts with original music that is based generally around a variation of folk music. Some of my influences are Ray Lamontagne, the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers Band, the Eagles, Jackson Brown, Jose Gonzalez, and countless others."

live music 10-12pm

brunch specials till 2

outstanding beverages all day till 3

We never get enough Redshift....Sunday jazz with Darryl Kniffen on drums, Lonny Jarrett on guitar, Mitch Zimmer on bass and Zev Jarrett on sax.  Stop by and see why we love Redshift!  And, of course, our usual delicious brunch specials and fabulous beverages.

Live Music: 10am-12pmA

Brunch Specials: 8am - 2pm

beverages served till 3pm

We’re so excited to welcome Fannie Pack to Dottie’s.

Fannie Pack is a four piece band that plays originals and covers. Their original music is a blend of different styles and they cover tunes from 50s pop to the hits of the 60's and 70's. Melissa Brinton is on rhythm guitar and vocals, Elaine Morel is on Bass and vocals, Sam Rosen is on electric guitar and creates ambience, and Paul Armstrong is on drums.

http://www.melissabrinton.com/bio.html

live music, 10-12pm

brunch specials 8-2

outstanding beverages all day

Create your own! We supply the gingerbread house, the icing and all the decorations.5 Reservations absolutely required, space is limited. Please call 413-443-1792

or

Home Gingerbread Houses for $25. Pick up your very own Gingerbread house, candy and and royal icing and decorate your house at home. Must pre-orer by December 2nd. 413-443-1792

Rob (piano, trumpet) and Mike (bass) have been performing together and with other groups around the Berkshires and NY's Capital District for over 25 years.  We're proud to bring them to Pittsfield for our famous Sunday morning Domingo Brunch.

They will be performing jazz standards dating back to the 1920s through generations of well known selections and genres including blues, swing, bebop, straight ahead, jazz-rock and contemporary jazz.

live music: 10am-12pm                                                                                                              delicious brunch specials: 8am-2pm                                                                                          outstanding beverages: all day till 3

About Rob Fisch

https://www.RobFisch.com

Rob began studies at the piano at the age of 6. His early jazz influences growing up were listening to his dad’s old “78’s” of Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, and later, listening to Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Freddie Hubbard.

During his early twenties, Rob studied jazz at City College (NY), where there was an extensive jazz program. After gaining his BA in music, Rob started playing out in the local jazz community in Northern New Jersey, Rockland and Westchester Counties.

In his thirties, Rob settled in upstate NY in an area centrally located between the Berkshires, the Catskills and the Capital District (Albany). In the late 80s, Rob hosted a jazz radio show at a local station, featuring both recorded music (from his own collection...the radio station had none at all) and live artists from the area. Ten years later, (1996-1999) he started a short-lived, but well received online website called the Jazz Friends Review, which featured CD reviews and articles written by himself and other jazz enthusiasts around the United States.

Rob continues to live and perform in upstate NY and western Massachusetts. More recently, Rob has launched Taconic Brass, a boutique brass instrument repair business out of his home in Spencertown.

About Mike Dimin

http://www.michaeldimin.com/

Mike has dedicated the past 25 years to expanding the role of the bass and educating a legion of bassists to the possibilities that lie within. Mike began playing solo bass, as  a student at the Berklee College of Music, in 1979. The arrangement that started it all was “Misty”. Mike then spent the next 10 years hidden away in a cave in Vermont (it was actually a rather nice house) working on the techniques and arrangements that would, later become “The Chordal Approach” and lead to his recurring solo bass lesson columns in Bass Frontiers, Bassics, Bass Guitar and other magazines. Mike was also one of the original “Ask The Pros” on Talkbass.com as well as a contributor to Bass Player Magazine, Global Bass Magazine, Bass Player Magazine and on internet sites such as For Bass Players Only, No Treble and The International Institute of Bass. He has conducted workshops and master classes from Los Angeles to Istanbul and has been featured at some of the most prestigious bass events such as Gerald Veasley’s Bass BootCamp, The Anaheim Bass Bash, BassQuake 2003, The Detroit Bass Festival, The Bass Collective and more.  Mike’s lessons have been featured in Bass Player Magazine, Bassics Magazine, Global Bass Magazine, Bass Guitar Magazine as well on internet sites such as Talkbass, For Bass Players Only, No Treble and The International Institute of Bass.

We are excited to welcome this amazing duo….They’ve been travelling around the country and, before they head south for the winter, are visiting us!

Genna & Jesse are defined by a unique alchemy born of the quirky chemistry, intricate vocal harmonies and ardent storytelling which infuse their songwriting and vibrant performances. With whispers (and sometimes roars) of folk, blue-eyed soul, jazz, blues, torch song, and popular music from the ‘60s and ‘70s, their self-chosen genre “retro soul pop” doesn’t fully encompass what they conjure up in their joyful live shows and sensual, deliberate albums. These two shrug off music industry conventions in favor of doing what feels good, and this genre-defying dedication to being current and free has an exciting and irresistible effect.

Drawing inspiration from their romantic nomadic lifestyle, Genna & Jesse might best be described as modern troubadours, generously offering listeners glimpses of their always-moving world with something fresh, true and genuinely independent.

Genna & Jesse are currently touring internationally to promote their newest release, "Asphalt Rhapsody.” Their ongoing tour, which includes club venues, house concerts, restaurants, cafes, and festivals, is being done with as small a carbon footprint as possible.

www.gennaandjesse.com
G&J on Facebook
G&J on Instagram
G&J on Twitter

Live Music: 10-12PM                         

Our Always Delicious Brunch: 8am - 2pm

beverages served till 3

It's always a treat to welcome back the Jeff Link trio; a soulful mix of jazz and R&B. Aaron Dean on Sax, Dave Bartley on piano and Jeff Link on Bass.
live music: 10-12pm
our usual delicious brunch specials 8am-2pm                                                                           and outstanding beverages til 3

Welcome back Melissa Brinton to Dottie's for Domingo Brunch.
Melissa, a native of Pittsfield Massachusetts, is a singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist. As a solo performing musician she sings and plays finger-style acoustic guitar and piano. Her solo performances include a blend of originals and cover songs. She has a particular interest in Irish ballads and jigs. Her musical inspirations include Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Jewel and The Beatles, among many others.
http://www.melissabrinton.com/bio.html

live music, 10-12pm
brunch specials 8-2, beverages all day

Welcome back the Ryan Leddick Trio.

Rooted in soulful vocal nuances, and rhythmic acoustic rock; The Ryan Leddick Trio showcases numerous foot tapping fusions that peak ears and turn heads with their new age power trio set up.   

Formed in the fall of 2015 as a side project of Ryan Leddick, the acoustic power trio has grown into a well established group in Upstate New York.  Having played many stages, most notable LarkFest, and Move Music Festival -  the group is growing followers left and right all over New York State.  Not your average power trio set up, pulling from a Dave Matthews style of guitar playing, Ryan Leddick heads the group with his vocal prowess which is echoed with the swooping sound of the Trombone played by Dave Paul.  Together both are bound by the momentum and driving nature of the hand drumming of Ryan Szablewski.   

As a group, they pull from the eclectic to the rock sides of history to create a sound unlike any.   Whether recording or performing at favorite venues across the capital district and beyond, their acoustic live sound is always in the forefront and evident.  Pulling from the likes of Dave Matthews, The Police, Bernhoft, Trevor Hall, John Mayer, Bob Marley, Damien Rice, Blink 182, and Martin Sextion, the trio’s sound is new and refreshing.  They are an act you do not want to miss.  

Live Music: 10-12PM                                                                                                                  Brunch: 8am - 2pm                                                                                                              beverages served till 3

Two of our favorite performers, Jeanne Laurin and John Sauer return for your listening pleasure!. Join them to hear some great musical melodies and arrangements from an assorted mix of genres.

live music: 10am-12pm

brunch specials: 8am-2pm

signature beverages served all day til 3pm

Dottie’s is thrilled to kick off the Jazz Crawl, as part of the 14 th annual Pittsfield CityJAZZ Festival, Oct. 5-14 with local guitarist Nico Wohl.

A recent participant in Carnegie Hall's new national youth jazz orchestra, NYO Jazz, we can’t wait to hear what Nico brings back from this prestigious collaboration.

This is guaranteed to be an outstanding treat…please join us in welcoming Nico and while you’re here…enjoy our usual brunch specials and outstanding beverages.

live music 10-12pm

brunch specials till 2

beverages till 3

Heather and Tobias have been performing and working on music together for roughly 9 or 10 years now.  They  are very passionate about the music they play and  hope that shows to anyone who listens.  Their song selection is always eclectic and changing with only 2 rules:  any selection has to be a great song, regardless of the genre and it shouldn't be something that hundreds of other acoustic musicians cover.  They play anything from classic jazz to hip-hop an even country, with your typical rock and folk mixed in.  Their main goal is to play music that people would know, but not something you hear performed by other groups frequently.

"Music is a very personal experience.  It isn't about playing faster or better, but conveying a mood or atmosphere that connects with people.  That's what we try to do every time we play. If you can enjoy our music half as much as we do, you are going to have a great time whenever you see us."

live music: 10am-12pm                                                                                                              our usual sumptuous brunch till 2                                                                          outstanding beverages all day till 3

Welcome new to Dottie's and very talented Luke Tobin.  Here's what Luke has to say about himself.

"I’m a singer-songwriter currently living in North Adams Massachusetts with original music that is based generally around a variation of folk music. Some of my influences are Ray Lamontagne, the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers Band, the Eagles, Jackson Brown, Jose Gonzalez, and countless others."

live music 10-12pm

brunch specials till 2

outstanding beverages all day till 3