Sugarloaf Music Series to host Jazz Mandolin Project on Dec. 9

Sugar Loaf — It was nearly thirty years ago that a group of actors and a film crew settled into Vernon and Warwick locales to shoot “King of the Gypsies.” Actually, Susan Sarandon, Shelley Winters, Judd Hirsch, and Erik Roberts were portraying a group of people who, for some time, called this region “home,” for whatever limited time gypsies could call anywhere home. The sound track for the film was performed by one of America’s most recognized jazz mandolin artists, David Grisman. It was only a matter of time before this exuberant music would return to our region. And this time, the musicians will be Warwick’s own native son, Jaimie Masefield, and Warwick’s acclaimed guitarist, Frank Vignola. Jaime Masefield, founder of the group, The Jazz Mandolin Project, was raised in Warwick. He has toured internationally with this Django Reinhardt-style group, and has recorded for major jazz labels. Frank Vignola, who has lived for five years in Warwick, performs nationally. He was crowned the Grand National Banjo Champion of Canada at the age of 13 and has recorded on a number of major record labels, as a sideman. Joining Masefield and Vignola will be bassist Gary Mazzaroppi, a graduate of the Berklee School of Music. Massaroppi has recorded and performed with a myriad of jazz superstars. This event will take place at the Pavilion of the Lycian Performing Arts Center, Kings Highway, Sugarloaf, for one performance only on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 8 p.m. Seating is very limited. Call 845-258-3019 for reservations. Tickets may also be purchased at The Village Music Center in Warwick. For more information, call 845-986-6463.