Maine’s Novel Jazz Septet features the talents of musicians with over two centuries of collective musical experience performing swinging jazz from the Great American Songbook. They are celebrating their 21st year together this season, and bring the music of the great Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn to the historic Boothbay Harbor Opera House on Friday, Sept. 12.

Through regular trips to the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian Museum as well as the Strayhorn Collection at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., the members of the band have collected and arranged selected works from the several-thousand-composition repertoire of these two prolific composers. Concerts include both the music plus the rich history behind each piece.

Band members include trombonist Barney Balch (best know to Boothbay audiences from his many years as a senior scientist at Bigelow Laboratory), Bill Manning on drums, Herb Maine on bass, guitarist David Clarke, Mickey Felder on the piano, Nathaniel Johengen on reeds and Mike Mitchell juggling trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn. The band includes some of Maine’s most seasoned jazz musicians.

Audience members come for the music, but often find themselves up and out of their seats dancing when Novel Jazz comes to Boothbay Harbor. All ages are encouraged to come out to enjoy an evening of classic All-American jazz, in a perfect setting. Refreshments available for sale.

Advance discounted tickets are $20 and available directly from the box office at 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor, or by calling 207-633-5159. Regular tickets are $25 and available online at boothbayoperahouse.com and on the day of the show at the door. Doors for seating open at 7 p.m. and Novel Jazz goes on stage at 7:30.