Nashville-based Jazz Band Plays Backstage Pass at WKCTC's Clemens Fine Arts Center February 9

Paducah, KY (01/27/2019) — When the market crashed in the 1930s, one of the ways people dealt with the depression was to find solace in peppy musical numbers and quick-witted dialogue of the movies. Today, there's Poly, an eclectic, three person band that will play on West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Clemens Fine Arts Center stage February 9.

Drawing heavily from the rich tradition of American jazz and pop standards of the early 20th century, the Nashville-based Poly seeks nothing more than to entertain their listeners and engage them in a musically nostalgic conversation about inanimate objects, animals and old movie stars. The trio of oft-sidemen, consisting of members Dan Sommers, Eleonore Denig and Larissa Maestro, began writing together in late fall of 2011. Very quickly, they established the following confines for their repertoire: the arrangements must be played by just the three of them on acoustic instruments only. No guitar allowed.

Somehow, they are making do with the very limited selection of three-part vocal harmonies, violin, cello, melodica, banduria, trumpet, trombone, mandocello, suitcase kick drum, kazoos, upright bass, toy piano, ukulele, glockenspiel, xylophone, bird calls, tiny bongos, sandpaper, stomp box, triangle, ratchet, hi hat, foot tambourine, and a host of other underestimated or little-known instruments.

"Poly will really impress our Backstage Pass audience," said Todd Birdsong, Clemens Fine Arts Center director. "The intimate, coffeehouse setting of Backstage Pass is perfect for their style of music. "They are old souls in modern times creating unique and shared music all at the same time. Simply wonderful!"

Coffee, desserts, drinks and popcorn are sold throughout the evening as the audience enjoys the music of the Backstage Pass performers. The series is supported by WKMS-FM in Murray and Paducah's ETC Coffeehouse.

Tickets for Backstage Pass are $8 in advance at artsinfocus.org or by calling Julie Moore at 270-534-3212. Tickets can also be purchased for $10 at the door.

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