Voices of Our Times featuring Nick Arne, Bill Buttner, John John Brown, Bernie Kaplan

Nick Arne is a Connecticut based singer-songwriter, guitarist, and music teacher. He graduated Western Connecticut State University in 2018 with a degree in Jazz Guitar. His own music combines elements of blues, folk, pop, and rock with honest, introspective lyricism. Nick is currently working on his second album, due this year, that will focus on love, youth, and life in a small town.

No Depression calls John John Brown’s debut album The Road “a supple and suggestive blend of astute Americana accompanied by a quiet, reflective glow”, while Americana UK said his newest release is “so well written that every song could be a short story”. Post to Wire noted that “John Prine is a clear influence in the way Brown rolls astute observations and a humorous slant into his lyrics”. Out on the road, John John was invited to perform at the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock at Bethel Woods, which is the original site of the legendary festival. Over the years, he has been chosen as a 2020 Kerrville New Folk winner, an Emerging Artist at the 2017 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and a winner of the 2016 South Florida Folk Fest singer/songwriter contest. Seeped in good storytelling and fingerpicking melodies, John John Brown seems to have discovered part of the mystery that surrounds the great singer/songwriter tradition.

Bill Buttner has traversed the tri-state area playing his original songs to any and all who will listen. He says “I’ve been fortunate enough to be recognized in American Songwriter Magazine. In 2012 I was the winner of the Lehigh Valley songwriting contest. I’ve played in the Huntington (NY) Folk Festival as well as Groove in the Grove Festival in Budd Lake, NJ and Old Songs Festival in Altamont, NY. I’m honored to have played on a bill with Pete Seeger.”
Bill is proud to be a songwriter and to follow in the great tradition of his songwriting heroes Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon.

Bernie Kaplan started writing songs when he got his first guitar over sixty years ago. Through high school and in and out of college, Bernie played his songs in coffee houses, colleges and bars.
After retirement, Bernie has returned to his roots as a songwriter. His songs cut across a wide range of genres, from Latin to pop, rock to folk, jazz to indie, reflecting his many life experiences and influences. All of his music is united by compassion, hope, and a bone marrow deep commitment to our better angels.
Bernie currently splits his time between Sherman, CT and NYC and serves as Chairperson of the Board of Samaritan Daytop Village and on the Board of the JCCS.

We are also pleased to share that our Open Mic Series at JCC on Thursday evenings restarted on January 27 with our musician friends finding a venue to help share their love of music since 2019. We welcome you to join us on a Thursday evening whether you sing, perform poetry, or just listen as some of our audience members look to get the weekend off to a fun start.

The JCC in Sherman invested in a high-quality air filtration system in 2021 to enable programs to move indoors and all guests feel safe and comfortable wearing masks. For 2022 we are also asking that our guests and performers be vaccinated.

We welcome everyone to the JCCS no matter your religious affiliation, we are a community center for all. As stated in the by-laws “the object of the JCC in Sherman is to enrich the life of our community by developing and implementing programs for the recreational, educational, and social needs of our community.”

We hope to see everyone in this beautiful part of Connecticut and our friends over the border in NY to join us for our outstanding programs.
For more information on all our programs please visit our website jccinsherman.org, or call our office 860-355-8050.