BAAMS Grand Opening to Feature Allman Brothers Band Drummer

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Photo credit: Jonathan Bayer
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies Inc. will celebrate its grand opening with a live concert at Heritage State Park on Sunday, July 17, from 1 to 5 p.m.
 
The event will feature performances from BAAMS faculty, students and friends including John Lee Johnson, also known as Jaimoe. Jaimoe is a drummer and founding member of the Allman Brothers Band.
 
"I believe this will be my first time ever playing in North Adams, and I'm looking forward to playing for BAAMS grand opening with Richard [Boulger] and the BAAMS Faculty, students and friends," Jaimoe said in a statement. "And asking Berkshire County folks to please come out and join us to celebrate and support BAAMS Fundraiser and music education."
 
BAAMS, a music academy for students ages 12 to 18,  announced in June that it would be moving into Building 6 in Heritage State Park after primarily only existing virtually through the pandemic.
 
"What makes BAAMS so special and important is BAAMS students learn from faculty who can share what they learned and experienced playing with Miles Davis or Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney or Duke Ellington, Prince, and many others We are building a community of generations of musicians and friends," said Richard Boulger, BAAMS founder, professional trumpet player, and North Adams native.
 
Proceeds from the July 17 fundraiser concert will go to support BAAMS' 4th Berkshires' Summer Jazz Band Day Camp as well as new instruments, and necessary start-up costs for the music academy's new facility at Building 6.
 
In addition to Jaimoe on drums and Boulger on trumpet, the concert will feature BAAMS faculty: drummer Victor Jones, guitarist  David Gilmore, bassist Alex Blake, and keyboardist Dario Boente. 
 
Other special guests include saxophonist Kris Jensen, Jim Taft, member of Danny Klein's Full House and North Adams native, and Gina Coleman of the Misty Blues.
 
Student performers will include drummer Braden Collins, saxophonist Luke Seto, and bassist Errol Bates.
 
"In all my years of drumming, I never could have imagined playing with a drummer like Jaimoe or any of the other incredible musicians in the BAAMS faculty," Collins said.
 
"We will also be featuring some of our outstanding students. We believe it is paramount for young musicians and older generations to play together and share ideas. We work hard to impart knowledge and glean important memories from iconic musicians we have worked with," Boulger added.
 
The stage will be set up in front of Building 4, and attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair. Free parking is available in downtown North Adams, with handicapped parking on site. The event is rain or shine.
 
Food and drink will be available for sale by the Freight Yard Pub.
 
Tickets can be purchased here or from BAAMS staff and volunteers. For more information, email info@berkshiresacademyams.org, or call 413-663-4424.
 
The Western Gateway Urban Heritage State Park is located at 115 State St.
 

Tags: music school,   musical performance,   

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

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