There Will Be Cake with Rob Rudin & The Rude 4 June 24, 2008

“There Will Be Cake” with Rob Rudin & The Rude 4, plus The Grass Gypsys. Tues., June 24, 7 pm. $10 suggested donation; includes dessert. Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Sq., Cambridge. For information log onto www.lily-pad.net or call 617-395-1393.

Drummer Rob Rudin brings his “whirled” jazz quartet The Rude 4, plus folk-jazz duo The Grass Gypsys, to the Lily Pad. What makes this different from any other night of original music at the venerable concert venue is that THERE WILL BE CAKE to celebrate Rudin’s birthday!

Rob Rudin & The Rude 4 plays original jazz, blues and funk, along with Celtic, Jewish and other traditional music in an improvisational context. Drummer / percussionist Rudin (www.myspace.com/robrudin) has played and recorded with artists ranging from Americana to Zydeco. Singer and pianist Vanessa Morris (www.newenglandconservatory.edu/yaStudies/faculty/morrisV.html) won't be pigeon-holed. A classical pianist turned contemporary improviser, she's equally at home playing jazz or improvising on southern U.S. folk songs, spirituals, lullabies and hollers. Bill McCormack (www.billmccormack.com) played with internationally renowned jazz guitarist Louis Stewart’s band (www.louisstewart.net) in their native Ireland. He taught U2's Adam Clayton bass before immigrating to Boston in 1991. Saxophonist and clarinetist Mark Chenevert's (www.stonelily.com/mark.html) résumé reads like a who's who of the Boston music scene. He's played rock with Willie "Loco" Alexander and The Del Fuegos and now works with the Chandler Travis Philharmonic and Hot Tamale Brass Band.

The Grass Gypsys (www.myspace.com/thegrassgypsys) are Colleen Rusconi, voice, and guitarist Justin Kleya. These two musician friends formed a duo, discovered their true love for one another, and traded in their day-to-day 9-5/music-at-night lifestyle for an “old school” motor-home and the open road. They travel from town to town like troubadours of old, spreading their tales laden with love, hope, adventure, excitement, and joy in the experience of life, opening hearts and minds along the way. The Grass Gypsys have been described as “…a joy to witness…” “…soul and serenity…” and “...consummate musicians, incorporating folk, jazz, blues, and world music.” They have just released their second album "Lessons from Eden."

Come for the cake, stay for the sounds!

Official Website: http://www.lily-pad.net