Complete the sentence:
A Theremin is:
a. a furry animal
b. a medicinal plan
c. a musical instrument
d. a mathematical term
If you answered "c., a musical instrument", you are right!
Russian engineer Louis Theremin (born 1896) invented the electric, console-like musical instrument. Pitch and volume are controlled by manipulating the air surrounding its two antennal oscillators.
Those attending the Belleville National Strawberry Festival will get to see a Theremin in action when the band "Mr. Largebeat" takes the Main Stage at 5 p.m. Sunday.
The Ann Arbor-based band plays an all-ages rock 'n' roll show with a science fiction content. Listeners will be treated to the original works of James Largebeat Gertz and his band. Gertz, a lead vocalist, percussionist and master Theremin player, is joined by Mat Brzezinski on drums and vocals, M.J. Hill on guitar, Oliver Blades on bass, Patrick Little on keys and synthesizer, and Van Buren Township resident Lianne Clair on clarinet, saxophone, percussion and vocals.
The group has a variety of experience, as all members have previously played with other bands.
Concurrent band involvements include Brzezinski in the Six Foot Poles; Blades in Busy Signal and Quatro Veda; and Clair in Quatro Veda and Belleville Community Band.
Members are also skilled in a number of different instruments.
Lead guitarist Hill is an accomplished concert pianist and plays multiple other instruments. Bassist Blades plays lead guitar and does acoustical work in other bands. Keyboardist Little also plays guitar. Instrumentalist Clair plays recorders and drums in another band. Gertz's popularity as a local musician is evident, as music from his CD "Blastoff-Best Of" can be heard on Ann Arbor's campus radio station.
If you miss Mr. Largebeat at the National Strawberry Festival, you can see them at The Heidelberg's "Club Above" in Ann Arbor at 9 p.m. June 26.
For more information about the band, or to be placed on their mailing list, contact Lianne Clair at 1-734-697-4229.
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