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Book Signing by featured Milford Music Festival Performer David Amram

MILFORD—David Amram is a national treasure in the world of music and a published author. He represents the kind of quality performer that the Milford Music Festival tries to bring to the stage each year. Amram will be making an appearance in Milford on May 22 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Mill Run Booksellers to read and sign copies of his books and promote his free Festival appearance June 12.

Amram and Jack Kerouac gave the first-ever jazz/poetry reading in NYC in 1957, recounted in Amram's two books, Vibrations, and Offbeat: Collaborating With Kerouac.

Amram says he never dreamed these collaborations would become something viewed today as one of the foundations for Spoken word, Hip Hop and a resurgence of musical and literary collaborations of all kinds around the World.

This year is also the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of, On the Road, Kerouac’s famous tale of his life on the road during the 50s.

At age 74 Amram continues to innovate, perform, compose and write. He has composed more than 100 orchestral and chamber music works, written many scores for Broadway theater and film including the classic scores Splendor in The Grass and The Manchurian Candidate.

As a musician, Amram has had a distinguished career that includes being appointed first composer-in-residence with the New York Philharmonic in 1966-67, under Leonard Bernstein. He plays French horn, piano, guitar, numerous flutes and whistles, percussion, and a variety of folk instruments.

Amram has appeared with Willy Nelson at Farm Aid seven times, recorded with Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie and jammed with legendary jazz saxophonist, Charlie Parker. He will be performing at this year’s Milford Music Festival June 12 at 4 p.m. on the main stage.

The Milford Music Festival is presented by Altec Lansing and other sponsors for the third year and will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 10, 11, and 12. All the headline performances are held on the main stage in Milford’s Ann Street Park. These performances are free and are held under a big tent. Performances at Grey Towers National Historic Site are also free throughout the weekend.

On Friday the music begins on the main stage at 6 p.m. with the Dixie Devils playing in the Gazebo. At 7 p.m. Zydecoal takes the stage, playing the Cajun/Zydeco music of Louisiana. At 8 p.m., the Burr Johnson Trio performs, with their instrumental-only blend of jazz, blues, rock and funk.

On Saturday, music begins at noon with the Enso String Quartet. This foursome plays classical music and has won many international competitions. They are followed at 1 p.m. by the Big Boss Bossa Nova Band, playing Latin jazz. At 2 p.m., in the Gazebo, Patti Gessner will hold a young children's music workshop, children are encouraged to participate in this hands-on event.

Saturday evening performances start with the Enso String Quartet playing at 5:30 p.m. outdoors at Grey Towers National Historic Site. Back on the main stage at 6 p.m., the Tremblay Ensemble performs playing classical and jazz. They are followed by Crooked Still, a neo-bluegrass quartet at 6:30 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m., headlining act, Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul perform their blend of Celtic, Afro, Cuban and world music.

On Sunday afternoon, starting at 1 p.m. on the main stage, there will be performances by the Delaware Valley High School band, chorus and orchestra. At 3 p.m., Big Ska will perform and at 4 p.m. David Amram & Company. At 5 p.m. Grey Towers National Historic Site will host Magpie, a traditional folk duo, known for their work in the environmental movement. Closing the Festival at 5:30 p.m. on the main stage will be the popular Bobby Kyle Band, playing the blues.

In addition to the main stage music schedule there will also be a variety of free, open air performances at key locations throughout Milford. These performances will take place between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Restaurants and taverns will also feature live music indoors both Friday and Saturday night.

A printed Festival map and schedule, identifying what performances will occur and where will be included in the show program that will be available at the main stage as well as Festival merchandise.

Details of performances, the main stage schedule and the map will also be posted on the Festival Web site, www.milfordmusic.org. Check here for the latest updates to our music schedule. We are still looking for sponsors and a few volunteers to help during the three days of the Festival, if interested, call (570) 296-1232.

The Milford Music Festival is made possible by the generosity of Altec Lansing, the Presenting Sponsor. Altec Lansing is an international company, with corporate headquarters located in Milford. The company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality computer and home entertainment sound systems. Also, a line of headsets and headphones for personal digital media that are sold at major retailer’s worldwide.