UMA’s Music Program Concert Week is fast approaching. Make plans now to join us! All concerts will be performed in Jewett Hall, 46 University Drive, Augusta and live-streamed on UMA’s YouTube channel youtube.com/user/UMaineAugusta. The concerts are free and open to the public.
Special guest portBOWIE, a professional David Bowie tribute band comprised of UMA alumni and faculty (formerly The Blackstar White Duke Band), will perform Wednesday night.
Concert Week Schedule
Tuesday, Dec. 10
7 p.m. Jazz and Rock Ensembles, Envok Vocal Ensemble
Wednesday, Dec. 11
4 p.m. Chamber Ensemble
7 p.m. Jazz and Rock Ensemble with a free performance by portBOWIE
Thursday, Dec. 12
7 p.m. Junior and Senior Concerts, Jazz Ensemble and Vintage Steel, UMA’s Community Steel Pan Band, pre-recorded only on UMA’s YouTube channel
About portBOWIE
portBOWIE is Maine’s premier homage to the music of David Bowie. It’s not a band that stresses the visuals and costumes; rather, this band focuses on Bowie’s MUSIC, diving deep and bringing out the essence of his songs, whether it’s a big hit or a deep cut.
In 2015, singer Mat Zaro was invited to assemble a group for a battle of the bands playing David Bowie’s music. It went so well that he approached drummer Luc Bergeron about forming a permanent group. In January of 2017, this new group, at the time named “The Blackstar White Duke Band,” played Bowie’s last album, “Blackstar,” in its entirety, gaining respect from YouTube commenters from around the world.
Zaro and Bergeron, both UMA alumni, co-lead the group, which was renamed portBOWIE in 2018; other members include UMA alumnus and faculty member Scott Hughes, UMA alumni Jerry Perron on guitars, Jim Goss on keyboards, and Stu Mahan on bass, and USM alumnus Andrew Doody on saxophones. They’ve performed themed shows through the years, and have done full performances of the albums “Ziggy Stardust,” “The Man Who Sold the World,’ “Liveandwell.com,” “Stage,” “Station to Station,” “Hunky Dory,” and “Blackstar.”
portBOWIE is really looking forward to performing at their old UMA stomping grounds, playing the music of the great David Bowie!