One of the things Moose Mountain Jazz Band Leader Lance Maclean enjoys most about playing Dixieland Jazz is the way the music connects with audiences.

“It is not a mainstream type of music, but when people hear it they just come alive,” said Maclean. “It gets people out of their seats.”

Born in New Orleans in the early 20th century – the first Jazz record was the “Livery Stable Blues” in 1917 – Dixieland Jazz is a uniquely American style of music that can trace its heritage to a diverse group of influences, both European and African.

It has an upbeat, toe-tapping rhythm, but its defining characteristic is improvisation, with members of the seven piece band (trumpet, clarinet, trombone, keyboards, string bass and banjo) taking turns improvising within the melody and chord structure of the tune, creating a musical experience that is new regardless of how many times the audience has heard a particular song.

A traditional Dixieland band, Moose Mountain’s repertoire includes many traditional favorites, such as the “Tiger Rag,” “Basin Street Blues,” “Bourbon Street Parade” and “Yellow Dog Blues” but the band also readily plays requests.

Apart from playing great music, one of the hallmarks of Moose Mountain’s annual performances at the Village has been a warm interaction with the audience, including singalongs some years. On occasion, Barbara Marr, the Village’s supervisor of Resident Services, has also played spoons with the band.

That also is part of Dixieland’s heritage, said Maclean - upbeat happy music meant for celebration and dancing.

“When we do a concert, people always leave with a heightened sense of enjoyment,” said Maclean.

The show on July 15 at 2 p.m. at St. Andrews Village, Boothbay Harbor is free and open to the public, but please RSVP for the Village to plan accurately for space and refreshments.