The Frontroom

RioFlow with Carlos Odria comes to the Frontroom. Rooted in Worcester, Rioflow is an instrumental trio that blends Latin American grooves with improvisational flair, delivering a bold and original take on global musical traditions. The trio’s musicianship is world-class, and each song is a moving experience. Hear this band in a truly intimate listening room environment to really take it all in. Showtime: Sunday, April 19, 5 pm. Doors open at 4:30. $15 cash or Venmo at the door. Light refreshment

Some of the finest jazz musicians of Central Mass return to the Frontroom to grace WCUW for another concert! Jazz Streams features an accomplished lineup of musicians who have made significant contributions to the New England jazz scene. Trombonist Rich Ardizzone is a classically trained performer with experience in Latin jazz, big bands, and a variety of ensembles. Guitarist Rich Falco is a seasoned performer, educator, and jazz historian with a career spanning international tours, concert prod

Think of a song by Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers or the Beatles… and that smile on your face is the same smile you’ll be wearing when The Kennedys hit the stage! The Kennedys are vocalists/guitarists Pete and Maura Kennedy. A husband and wife duo, they set out on the road together in the early 90s as members of Nanci Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra. Since striking out on their own, they have traveled the US, Canada and Europe for three decades as a two-person band. Higher energy than a folk ac

Songwriters in the Round happens the first Sunday of the month, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Each Songwriters session features original music, storytelling, and Q&A. In addition, there is a monthly workshop discussion topic and open circle sharing time. Hosted by Serena May Kilsmith. The session runs from 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Sunday, May 3. More info at mamakilsmith.com. The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the street.

Get your tickets early for a night of original Crockett tunes from the past to the future. With Walter will be the Standouts: Bill MacGillivray on drums, Jon Webster on bass and vocals, Bob Dick on acoustic things and vocals, Jim Heffernan on keys, and Chuck and Mud on vocals and guitars and singing some songs too. Oh yeah, and Walter on lead acoustic guitar and vocals. Walter’s bands span 55 years and include the Prairie Oysters, Zonkaraz, Crockett, Valerie & Walter Crockett and the Oxymorons,

(credit: Milton Glaser) Come celebrate Bob Dylan- the electric version! Join Jim Perry and friends in a musical tribute to electric Bob Dylan. Showtime: Saturday, May 23, 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets $20 cash or Venmo at the door. Light refreshments will be served. Or, visit Fantastic Pizza/Grub Guru next door for pizza, Indian food, and more, to eat-in or to bring back. The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or

(credit: Larry Butterworth) Come celebrate Bob Dylan- the acoustic version! Join host Chuck Demers and many friends in a musical tribute to acoustic Bob Dylan. Showtime: Sunday, May 24, 4:30 pm. Doors open at 4:00 Suggested donation $20 cash or Venmo at the door. Light refreshments will be served. Or, visit Fantastic Pizza/Grub Guru next door for pizza, Indian food, and more, to eat-in or to bring back. The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University

WCUW is so excited to have Johnny Blue Horn and The Caretakers return to the FrontRoom! Johnny Blue Horn is a musician known for his soulful and eclectic sound, which blends elements of blues, jazz, rock and R&B. His vocal style has been compared to artists like Van Morrison, Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen, and his music often has a rootsy Americana feel to it. With his band the Caretakers, he’s also known for his high-energy live performances and his strong connection with the audience. Joi

Boston’s Diane Blue is a “multi-talented performer who’s equally at home belting out a blues standard or cutting loose with a ferocious harmonica solo.” (Bill Van Siclen, Providence Journal). Her performances are captivating, charismatic and heartfelt, whether fronting her own world-class band or singing alongside master Bluesman Ronnie Earl. Ms. Blue, the first female member of Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, is prominently featured on the band’s most recent six celebrated records, including

Songwriters in the Round happens the first Sunday of the month, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Each Songwriters session features original music, storytelling, and Q&A. In addition, there is a monthly workshop discussion topic and open circle sharing time. Hosted by Serena May Kilsmith. The session runs from 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Sunday, June 7. More info at mamakilsmith.com. The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the street.

A killer night of rock ‘n roll comes to the WCUW Frontroom with three rockin’ Wormtown bands! Musclecah: Dual Les Paul-powered, high-volume original SpeedRock! Ballbusters: The band your mother’s been warning you about, since 1991! Swamp Roots: Bluesy garage rock and originals inspired by Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed, the Yardbirds, and early Stones! With Artie Sneiderman, Steve Aquino, Dave Szczepaniak, Jay Holdash, and Tim Smith. Showtime: Saturday, June 6, 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets $20

WCUW is so excited to have Sugar Ray Norcia and the Bluetones return to the FrontRoom! They have been playing their unique style of blues the world over for almost forty years. Not limited to one style, but able to play Chicago Blues in the style of Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Billy Boy Arnold; Kansas City Swing in the style of “Big” Joe Turner; Texas Blues like “T” Bone Walker and Freddie King; and the swampy Louisiana sounds of “Lazy” Lester – all played with distinctive originality. All o

The Ed Melikian Ensemble will present works from the repertoire of Armenian, Greek, Turkish and Arabic music. Ed Melikian plays the oud, a pear-shaped string instrument that was first discovered in the 7th century in ancient Persia, and is featured in the music of Armenia, Turkey, Greece, Israel and the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East. It is considered the forerunner of all stringed instruments. Over the years Ed has appeared in countless supper clubs and concert venues, and has rec

JC Smith performing at the FrontRoom is a not-to-be missed show! JC Smith channels blues masters such as Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Albert King, and T-Bone Walker. He is praised for his charisma and “ghetto fabulous” style, creating an immersive experience. A highly-respected blues artist based in San Jose, California, JC Smith is a recipient of numerous achievement awards throughout his career. including the 2024 Bay Area Black Music Awards Male Blues Performer of the Year, the 2024 Bay Area Jazz

Songwriters in the Round happens the first Sunday of the month, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Each Songwriters session features original music, storytelling, and Q&A. In addition, there is a monthly workshop discussion topic and open circle sharing time. Hosted by Serena May Kilsmith. The session runs from 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Sunday, July 5. More info at mamakilsmith.com. The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the street.

Peter Hi-Fi Ward and friends returns to the Frontroom with top-notch blues! Peter “Hi-Fi” Ward grew up in Lewiston, Maine, and later moved to Boston, where he worked in various bands and sat in with Sugar Ray & the Bluetones, who then featured Ronnie Earl on guitar and Peter’s brother Mudcat on bass. He backed artists such as Jimmy Rogers, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Sunnyland Slim and Lowell Fulson when they appeared locally. Peter will be joined by friends to be announced soon. Showtime: Saturda

Join us for an evening of great harmony! Woodshed performs some of the best good ol’ down-home country and folk music that will be sure to gain your ears’ attention. The stripped down nature of the music intertwined with the soulful and spot-on three-part harmonies of this group will leave you wanting more. Ben Bullock opens. Ben Bullock Showtime: Saturday, July 18, 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets $20 cash or Venmo at the door. A limited number of tickets are available in advance at Eventbrite

It isn’t surprising that Kerri Powers landed the #1 spot on the Roots Music Report’s “Top 50 Folk Albums of 2014” with zero publicity. She has charted on the Folk Music Radio charts as well as the RMR charts. Over the years Kerri has appeared at numerous prestigious venues and musical gatherings including The Boston Folk Festival, The Philadelphia Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and Telluride Bluegrass Festival. She has toured throughout The United States as well as overseas. Her song

Lisa Marie & Johnny Juxo return to the Frontroom! We are so excited to have this duo back! Their last show with us was truly a night of musical magic! Lisa Marie is not only a blues shouter in the tradition of Big Joe Turner and Wynonie Harris, this Boston native carries on the sweet gospel soul of Sam Cooke, the yearning of Hank Williams, and the boisterous, cartoonish fun of Louis Jordan. From jump-swing to swamp boogie, country blues to funky New Orleans grooves, her deep husky vocals express

Songwriters in the Round happens the first Sunday of the month, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Each Songwriters session features original music, storytelling, and Q&A. In addition, there is a monthly workshop discussion topic and open circle sharing time. Hosted by Serena May Kilsmith. The session runs from 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Sunday, August 2. More info at mamakilsmith.com. The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the street

Winner of the 2024/25 Boston Blues Challenge: Troy Mercy returns to the WCUW Frontroom, with Harrison Foti on drums.! Troy Mercy is an electrifying Blues power-duo with a Rock & Roll heart. He has toured as guitarist with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Booker T. Jones. Troy recently signed with Gitcha Records of Nashville. The first single will be released March 4, and the entire album, Let The Night Begin, will be out in May. “Expect songs you’ll be singing in your head later. This is raw and w

Photo credit: John Solaperto The Russo Brothers- the areas most amazing, funky, top notch jazz band– come to the Frontroom. Join us for a fantastic night of being blown away by these brothers and their band. When you hear the Russo Brothers play, it is immediately apparent they are not a paint-by-number jazz group. The band’s music contains traces of all the music they grew up with, including blues and funk. “The word jazz kind of puts you in a box,” says Jim Russo. “We’re not in that box.” Thes

The Metrons killed it the last time they played in the Frontroom! What a great band- they cover songs with such skills, you can’t sit still! The Metrons are a seasoned four-piece Rock R&B band including Bob Palermo (bass and vocals), John Bianchi (B3 organ, keys and vocals), Todd Dufault (guitar and vocals) and Bart McCracken (drums). These people are best known as members of some noted area bands including Albatross, The Heartbeats, The Mighty Bel-Mars, Sweet Tooth, Kim Page, Silverbacks, Mitch

2Slick Jazz – with double trombones- comes to the Frontroom! The captivating sound of trombones takes center stage in this extraordinary jazz ensemble. Featuring the talents of trombonists Steve Piermarini and Wayne Branco, their repertoire showcases the timeless compositions of jazz legends JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, whose innovative trombone duets revolutionized the genre. Through their own original arrangements, the band pays homage to these iconic figures while infusing their music with a f