Quarantine Concert Series_#209: Rodney Kelley Sr. - Night of Guitars

An die Musik Live!

409 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201

Rodney Kelly Sr/Michael Raitzyk/Michael J Harris

This is a recording of their live performance on our stage on March 4, 2021

Rodney Kelley Sr. presents A Night of Guitars with Michael J. Harris and Michael Raitzyk

The first-time collaboration between these three artists, in a concept borrowed from earlier times when guitar greats Herb Ellis, Grant Green, Barney Kessell came together to play standards. This time, three guitarists with completely different styles and approaches will come together to play music from multiple genres and styles -- songs spanning from Wes Montgomery to Stevie Wonder. 

“Music is a passion of mine. Picking up the guitar and just letting your mind be free is something that I enjoy,” Rodney Kelley said. “When I got into this music, it was something I truly enjoyed doing. I love to entertain, but more importantly, I want to show people HOW to entertain, how to be a professional, and when given the opportunity, be able to mentor or share my experiences and teach others who also want to be in this business.”

“I just want people to know, there are good quality shows and artists who truly do care about how they look, how they sound, and how they perform. I just want to set the example, educate and do my thing, the only way I know how,” said Kelley.

In 2012, after years of performing mostly Brazilian and Latin influenced original music, guitarist Michael Joseph Harris began studying and playing the music of legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt which led to the creation of The Hot Club of Baltimore later that same year. After a surge of Django-inspired composing in 2013, Harris formed the band Ultrafaux in 2014 to perform his original songs in the style of Gypsy Jazz.

Baltimore Style Magazine named Michael one of the city’s top musicians and he was featured in a full-spread article in The Baltimore Sun newspaper. He has quickly become one of the most prolific composers of Gypsy Jazz-inspired songs in the world, releasing eight full-length Reinhardt-inspired recordings by both groups since 2014. Michael’s most recent album Tangent introduces a larger Ultrafaux ensemble, adding top guest artists from the jazz, folk, and bluegrass scene

Michael Raitzyk was born and raised in Baltimore. By the time he was in high school, his family moved to Portland, Oregon, where he attended Thomas Jefferson High, a performing arts school that specialized in jazz studies. In 1982 he moved back to Baltimore and finished his jazz performance studies at Towson University. There he played in Hank Levy’s band, who is best known as a big band composer for Stan Kenton and the Don Ellis Orchestra.

Since 1985, Raitzyk has been active on the local music scene in a wide range of music genres, including his band, Charm City Klezmer. Raitzyk has released three CD’ as a leader: Blues For Jake (2003), Live @ Café Hon (2006) & Michael Raitzyk’s Organic Trio (2011). Raitzyk’s guitar style is a mix of traditional & modern jazz.

Streaming cost is $10
Donations are welcomed.

Visit Website

Upcoming Events

Mon, June 16, 7:30 PM

FREE Cuban Jazz Concert: Ernán López-Nussa Lekszycki & Ernesto Vega

In-person Attendance →

Mon, June 16, 7:30 PM

FREE Cuban Jazz Concert: Ernán López-Nussa Lekszycki & Ernesto Vega(stream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Wed, June 18, 7:00 PM

Eli Lev, singer-songwriter & international touring artist

In-person Attendance →

Wed, June 18, 7:00 PM

Eli Lev, singer-songwriter & international touring artist (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Wed, June 18, 8:00 PM

Gene Perla's Tiger Quartet

In-person Attendance →

Wed, June 18, 8:00 PM

Gene Perla's Tiger Quartet (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Thu, June 19, 8:00 PM

Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra

In-person Attendance →

Thu, June 19, 8:00 PM

Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Fri, June 20, 7:30 PM

Brandon Woody/Craig Alston Quintet

In-person Attendance →

Fri, June 20, 7:30 PM

Brandon Woody/Craig Alston Quintet (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Sat, June 21, 7:00 PM

Blackman Murray Russo Trio

In-person Attendance →

Sat, June 21, 7:00 PM

Blackman Murray Russo Trio (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Sun, June 22, 3:00 PM

Roots Cafe Singer-Songwriters Series: Karen Collins & Geoffrey Himes

In-person Attendance →

Sun, June 22, 3:00 PM

Roots Cafe Singer-Songwriters Series: Karen Collins & Geoffrey Himes (strm)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Thu, June 26, 7:30 PM

Claudio Silva & Friends

In-person Attendance →

Thu, June 26, 7:30 PM

Claudio Silva & Friends (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Fri, June 27, 8:00 PM

Marco Quartet

In-person Attendance →

Fri, June 27, 8:00 PM

Marco Quartet (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Sun, June 29, 7:00 PM

Artist-in-Residence Justin Taylor w/ Charles Brown & Curtis Gorham, Jr.

In-person Attendance →

Sun, June 29, 7:00 PM

Artist-in-Residence Justin Taylor w/ Charles Brown & Curtis Gorham, Jr. (s)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Thu, July 10, 7:30 PM

The Clara Campbell Collective

In-person Attendance →

Thu, July 10, 7:30 PM

The Clara Campbell Collective (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Thu, July 24, 7:00 PM

Justin Lees Trio Annual Summer Concert

In-person Attendance →

Thu, July 24, 7:00 PM

Justin Lees Trio Annual Summer Concert (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Sat, September 6, 7:00 PM

Ana Vidovic - annual solo classical guitar concert

In-person Attendance →

Sat, September 6, 7:00 PM

Ana Vidovic - annual solo classical guitar concert

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Fri, September 19, 7:00 PM

Todd Marcus Quintet featuring Virginia MacDonald

In-person Attendance - select for both sets option →

Fri, September 19, 7:00 PM

Todd Marcus Quintet featuring Virginia MacDonald

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Fri, September 19, 9:00 PM

Todd Marcus Quintet featuring Virginia MacDonald

In-person Attendance →

Quarantine Concert Series_#115: Carl Cornwell Quartet

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#116: Bill Heid Trio Three-peat

Get Web Access to the Video →