CAMDEN — The Camden Rotary Club’s annual Music by the Sea celebration, Thursday, July 4, will bring four free concerts to the Camden Village Green and the Library Amphitheatre.

The entertainment will start at noon and continue into the evening:

Noon – 1:00 pm Bay Chamber Concerts Jazz Ensemble (Village Green)
2:00 – 3:15 pm Mondaynite Jazz Orchestra (MoJO)  (Library Amphitheatre)
4:00 – 5:15 pm Gawler Family Band (Library Amphitheatre)
6:00 – 7:15 pm The Right Track R&B/Soul/Funk (Library Amphitheatre)
 

The Bay Chamber Music School teaches jazz in a supportive environment by using simple jazz/blues tunes to learn the key components of jazz: rhythm, harmony, melody, improvisation, and group interplay. Music by the Sea’s opening performance by the Bay Chamber Jazz Ensemble features faculty members and students performing jazz favorites and original arrangements – a mellow start to an afternoon and evening of fine music. 

The Mondaynite Jazz Orchestra (MoJO) brings extraordinary modern and traditional big-band music to life. MoJO is an extraordinary 18-piece Midcoast Maine-based big band. They perform everything from modern and traditional jazz to Latin, swing, blues, and funk. Band members’ love of their music grabs enthusiastic audiences for unforgettable joy rides. MoJO has something for everyone, from Basie to Ellington and the latest jazz hits.

Gawler Family Band offers fun-loving folk singing and fiddle-playing at festivals, farms, concerts, and schools, delighting people of all ages. The band’s songs and tunes reflect the spirit of Maine and the Northeast with the sounds of the fiddle, banjo, guitar, cello, and bass, along with voices in perfect harmony. They share songs old and new, from work songs and ballads to playful numbers about everyday life, and their irresistible dance tunes bring listeners irresistibly to their feet.

The Right Track is a classic R&B/Soul/Funk band with a full horn section playing all dance music all the time. The band’s 11 members get the audience on the dance floor and keep them there with tight three-part harmonies, world-class percussionists, and the funkiest horn section north of Boston. David Butler (bass), Jen Feldman (vocals), John Gass (trombone), Justin Milliken (guitar), Kristi Kalajian (vocals), Lincoln Blake (keys), Pete Kalajian (live sound), Peter Stuart (trumpet), Scott Kessel (sax), Tom Gray (vocals), Tom Oldakowski (drums/percussion), and Tom Rodman (drums/percussion) will bring an energetic close to this year’s celebration.

Music by the Sea is a gift to the community made possible by generous sponsorships from local businesses and individuals. Sponsorships cover event costs and support the club’s annual grants to nonprofit organizations in Knox County and Lincolnville. This year, the club awarded grants to MCH Meals on Wheels, Wayfinder Schools, Knox County Homeless Coalition, Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership, St. George School Unit, Camden Area District Nursing, New Hope for Women, and Midcoast Recreation Center.

Audience members may bring picnic picnics, blankets, and beach or camp chairs to the concerts.

The Camden Rotary Club meets at noon on Tuesdays in person at the First Congregational Church in Camden or via Zoom. Complete details are available at www.camdenrotary.org.