“Be-Bop Guitars Meet Maggie Scott” at the Arsenal Center

Music lovers can enjoy a unique Jazz experience on Monday, May 21 when the Be-Bop Guitars Meet Maggie Scott performs at the Arsenal Center for the Arts.  The performance is the final show of this year's JAZZ at the Arsenal series which includes some of the best Jazz ensembles in the Boston area, many headed by faculty members of the Berklee College of Music. 

John Baboian, artistic director for the JAZZ at the Arsenal series, has been involved since its inception four years ago.  He is also leader of the Be-Bop Guitars, which features five guitarists from the Berklee faculty.

"This gives an opportunity for audiences to hear these great teachers do what they do best, perform the music that they teach," Baboian says. "My band has performed at this series before at the very first concert of the series four years ago.  So, this is the first of the return engagements at the Jazz series."  

The concert will feature a mix of originals and standards, with specialized arrangements for five guitars. Baboian's group also will be joined by veteran jazz vocalist/pianist Maggie Scott, who has accompanied such greats as Cab Calloway, Eartha Kitt and others.  

"Maggie, professor of voice at Berklee, is the consummate professional," says Baboian.  "She has been performing in Boston area clubs and other venues for decades.  She recorded 2 songs with us on our first album [The Be-Bop Guitars.....And More! (2000)].  She will join us for this concert singing those 2 songs and a number of others that have been written for her and our group."

Baboian was born and raised in Watertown.  He has performed worldwide with his band and other musicians, including a performance with the Be-Bop Guitars at the Cape Town Jazz Festival in South Africa.  He has shared the stage with Frankie Avalon, Connie Francis, Al Martino, Ben Vereen and other celebrated musicians. He expects the May 21 show will be a unique experience for Jazz fans.

"I hope that they gain an enjoyment of multiple guitars in performance together, something that you don't see or hear very often in a Jazz setting.  And, of course, we always hope that we can open people's ears to the wonderful sounds of Jazz in its many creative genres," he says. 

Monday’s concert will be held in the Black Box Theater at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $18; $15 for students and Arsenal members, plus fees.  For tickets or for more information, call 617-923-8487 or visit the Arsenal Center for the Arts website.