On Saturday, November 12th at The Dance Hall in Kittery, The Soggy Po Boys present their 3rd and final installment of 2016’s thrice-annual Honoring a Tradition music series, this time focusing on legendary New Orleans clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer Sidney Bechet. A pre-concert talk begins at 7:15pm, with music starting at 8:00pm. 

The series, which grew out of an exploration of the life, culture, and historical context of the music of Louis Armstrong will continue its mission to explore and share the roots of New Orleans music. The show will feature a lecture about the life and music of Bechet followed by a performance of Bechet's music by the Soggy Po Boys. While less of a household name, Bechet deserves to be revered with Armstrong as the greatest of the New Orleans Jazz players. Rather than simply play an instrument, Bechet's sound was so expressive that his audience often felt a wide range of emotions over the course of a single performance. The Soggy Po Boys own saxophonist/clarinetist/composer extraordinaire, Eric Klaxton said of Bechet: "One note could really tell a story."  Though always inspiring to his peers, Bechet's incendiary playing influenced artists of many disciplines, prompting famed English poet Phillip Larkin to write of his music: 'On me your voice falls as they say love should, Like an enormous yes. My Crescent City Is where your speech alone is understood, And greeted as the natural noise of good, Scattering long-haired grief and scored pity.' "The Dance Hall sits at the heart of downtown Kittery and has historically been a bastion for Seacoast creativity and cross-cultural exchange. At the hands of Drika Overton, the old art space has undergone a renaissance of sorts in recent years, now offering classes in jazz tap, West African drumming and dance, belly-dancing among a growing list of other traditions. As a non-profit organization that strongly advocates for arts outreach, entertainment, and education, The Dance Hall has become a pillar in the contemporary Seacoast arts scene. The Soggy Po Boys are thrilled to partner with an organization that continues to support local music, and they hope you’ll join them in adding to the history The Dance Hall embodies.” Soggy Po Boys The Soggy Po Boys are: Eric Klaxton-Saxophone Zach Lange-Trumpet Nick Mainella-Saxophone Mike Effenberger-Piano Stu Dias-Guitar and Vocals Brett Gallo-Drums Nicholas Phaneuf-Bass

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased at TheDanceHallkittery.org and Brownpapertickets.com.