Trio Paradis performing a musical menagerie on Sunday 26 March to rapt audience.

‘It was absolutely delightful and reminded me of all that is good about Sunday afternoon music.’ JM

The next free concert is on Sunday 26 March 2023 at 3.00 pm with Trio Paradis performing a light-hearted programme, Birds and Beasts.

Trio Paradis (Jacquelyn Bevan – piano, Lisa Betteridge – violin and Linda Stocks – cello) presents a musical menagerie: cats, dogs, birds, fish … and even an elephant, including numbers from Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals and well-known songs from Disney films.

‘The concert is suitable for all ages’, says Jacquelyn, ‘so bring the family!’

Don’t forget- refreshments served from 2.15 pm.

Trio Paradis formed in 2008 and is based in Somerset. The performers are founder members of Musicians South West CIC, a not-for-profit company that brings music events to new audiences, particularly those who have limited access to live performance.  The trio now plays over 120 concerts each year, including 10 monthly series of informal daytime Café Concerts in community venues across Somerset and Wiltshire, from South Petherton to Malmesbury. Audience reactions include: ‘Excellent musicianship…and highly entertaining too. We loved the introductions and humour!’

Sophie Green’s marvelous voice and Devon Salinas’s wonderful technique on the guitar delighted the audience at last Sunday’s concert.

Sophie and Devon chatting to members of the audience after the concert.

Our free concert on Sunday 26 February 2023 at 3.00 pm in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP features guitarist Devon Salinas and singer Sophie Green.

Sophie and Devon will be putting their own stamp on covers of popular standards. Both are in their final year at Leeds Conservatoire and are already in demand at festivals and to perform with other solo artists and bands.

Sophie is a very passionate singer born in Wales. Her favourite genres include blues and rock but she can easily adapt to most other styles.

‘I aspire to write music with my band and gig more with my own material to continue my journey as a musician,’ says Sophie, ‘I’ve already had the great opportunity to play at many festivals over the summer which has helped build up my musicianship.’

Devon is a dedicated musician from America and is studying jazz guitar. He has worked with many solo artists and bands in diverse genres such as jazz, funk and neo-soul helping them push their own individual sound while giving him many opportunities to travel and perform. He aspires to continue to work with different artists to play at more venues such as festivals and shows like BBC Introducing.

‘We are going to do a set list of covers’, says Devon when asked specifically about the concert in Westonzoyland. ‘to name a few, we will be performing songs like Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder, American Boy, September, Stand By Me and so on.

‘It will be all in that genre of pop tunes. And we will be playing together. So Sophie will be singing and I will be accompanying her with guitar!’

Devon also has a local connection in that he studied at Bridgwater and Taunton College completing the Performance pathway on the level 3 Music Technology and Performance Extended Diploma in 2019 before gaining a place at the prestigious Leeds Conservatoire.

There are currently no statutory requirements with regard to Covid and we are being more relaxed about numbers but Music on the Levels is retaining the informal booking system to help provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone and give an indication of how many cakes to bake! However, if you have not booked by the time of the concert, there will almost certainly be room for you.

Refreshments (tea, coffee, choice of cakes) are available at a modest charge from 2.15 pm until the start of the concert.

In order to help with the artists’ and other costs a raffle is held. In addition donations are encouraged. It costs over £400 to put on a concert.

If you wish to come to the concert, please contact Frank Challenger on 01278 699071 or email f.challenger@icloud.com  .

Over 120 people were in St Mary’s for the first concert of 2023.

Gillian and Carol from Aller sent in this comment: The Concert with the ‘Jazz Stompers’ on Sunday, and it was the VERY BEST concert ever at WZ, as far as we are concerned – and you may know that we come to most of the performances you organise.  Thank you so much and our thanks to them as well.

Sunset Café Stompers performing on 29 January.