Rock of Ages

Joshua Stone's effervescent piano playing can bring any room to life. Last night, he rocked the staid 1804 South Canaan Meeting House when he kicked off the Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society's Tuesdays at Six series. The program was a musical revue of local talent, including a performance by the Village Voices, the community chorus; a powerful rendition of the Beatles' "In My Life" by Taylor Cannon; and jazzy trumpet solos by Louise Baranger (Mrs. Fred Tregaskis), who recently moved to town from Los Angeles and who has played with Harry James and Joe Cocker.
Josh reunited the ensemble of Housy students he'd recruited in the spring to play for the Falls Village Children's Theater Company (FVCT) production of "Cinderella.' It was clear that one of the unexpected fringe benefits of the FVCT production was the opportunity for high school students to play with a pro like Josh. And it was clear from Josh's tender words for the band--Russell Allyn on trumpet; Stephanie Kearns on winds, Kota Hidaka on bass and Rory Dolan on percussion--that he likes nothing more than nurturing, encouraging, and jamming with talented young musicians.
Rock on, Josh.