Local Artist and Jazz series entertainment this October at THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin’s theater, music and event venue, kicks off its third season of Local Artist and Jazz series entertainment this October. A suburban hub for great music, THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street. 

On Saturday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m., THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series presents a double bill featuring The Chick Magnets and Ben Gardner’s Boat. Led by Massachusetts State Representative Jeff Roy, the acoustic rock band Ben Gardner’s Boat also features Don Larsen, Tom Grillo, Pat DeGregorio and Scott Mueller. The five have played together since the 1990s. The Chick Magnets showcases a lineup of veteran players and multi-instrumentalists, featuring bluesy keyboards, saxophone and trombone, plus a healthy commitment to vocal harmonies. The seven-piece group, including Barry Madden of Franklin Ford, performs Rhythm and Blues and older rock and roll, including what Madden calls “a lost jukebox selection.”

Mark Poniatowski Situation

The Mark Poniatowski Situation headlines a BLACK BOX Jazz concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 7. Led by bassist, composer and arranger Mark Poniatowski, the Situation also features Walter Platt on trumpet, Jon Garniss on trombone, Kenny Hadley on drums, Mark Shilansky on piano and Dino Govoni on saxophone. The Mark Poniatowski Situation released a self-titled CD of jazz instrumentals composed and arranged by Poniatowski in 2010. An associate professor in the Contemporary Writing and Production department at Berklee College of Music, Mark Poniatowski has performed with artists including the Bruce Katz Band, Toni Lynn Washington Band, Kenny Hadley Big Band, Soul Kitchen, Floyd Dixon, Sid Caesar, Rita Moreno, Bob Newhart, Junior Watson, Janiva Magness and Kid Ramos. Among his performances throughout the US and Europe are the Boston Globe Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz and Blues Festival, Boston Blues Festival, The River Festival, and The Natt Jazz Festival in Norway. Recordings include Two Sides with Joe Bargar and the Soul Providers, Mississippi Moan with the Bruce Katz Band, and The George Carlin Show soundtrack.

On Saturday, October 8, at 8 p.m., THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series presents The DayBreakers with Copilot. Blending folk-rock melodies with blues guitar muscle and rock and roll grit, the DayBreakers have crafted their own sound on the backs of bands like the Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, The Allman Brothers, and the Eagles. The music tells timeless stories of happiness, heartbreak, rejection and redemption with rhythm that keeps audiences dancing. Combining rock and roll, blues, country and funk, the band has worked tirelessly to craft a sound that is filled with hard riffs and soulful melodies. Copilot is an Americana Pop duo based in Norfolk, Massachusetts. As Copilot, Ry McDonald and Maggie Quealy explore their passion for unique, Americana music through their popular covers and original songs in a way that many listeners haven't heard before.

For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.