Tunesmiths get their turn at Bay Street

Singer Songwriter Sundays: It’s a catchy title that captures the basics. Musicians performing their own tunes take the spotlight in a cabaret atmosphere in the lobby of Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. Music begins at 5 p.m. on alternating Sundays and continues until 7 p.m. Admission is free.

The “room” features tall black tables and matching tall chairs. A long bar presides over the side of the room. The musicians occupy a scooped out section of the audience arena. The long wall that backs the room and divides the lobby from the theater is dotted with photos of famous actors.

Taking a page from open mic nights, Singer Songwriter Sundays highlights original music performed by the musician who created it. Performers are typically solo acts, with some groups taking the stage. Each act performs some three or four songs. An MC keeps the action going between setups and breakdowns.

In a slightly unusual twist, the series differs in the way musical lineups are determined. Performers take the lobby stage by invitation only. Evenings often feature groups of musicians who have never performed together before. The lineup is a secret: only the musicians know if they’ve been selected.

As at many open mic nights, only original songs are allowed. The only exceptions are classic songs about songwriters or songwriting delivered with a unique twist, said Bryan Downey, who runs the mini music series with the other co-founder, John Monteleone.

Area musicians Alfredo Merat, Caroline Doctorow, Claude Culver, Gene Casey, Jim Turner and others have already performed in the series. The teenage bands In Circles and The Glazzies have also appeared. East Hampton musician Walter E. Noller sits in as the house piano player. The two series organizers have taken the stage as well.

Since the series started on January 17, attendance has grown from healthy numbers to standing-room-only crowds, Mr. Monteleone and Mr. Downey said. The musical gathering on alternating Sundays next meets on March 7 and will continue through March 21.

Singer Songerwriter Sundays was created to provide a chance for musicians to truly be heard, said Mr. Monteleone. The idea was born after Mr. Monteleone heard a number of talented musicians performing at open mics held at Regulars in North Sea and Blue Sky in Sag Harbor.

“There’s nothing wrong with playing in a restaurant or bar,” Mr. Monteleone said. “But it’s not the best situation when musicians have to play over the murmur of people talking and the clinking of glasses. I wanted to start a concert series where people came specifically to hear music and didn’t have to compete with anything else.”

Mr. Downey shared his friend’s vision and described the idea to Murphy Davis, one of the artistic directors at Bay Street. Within days, the theater’s lobby became the new home for the series. Singer Songwriter Sundays joins the Jam Session held Thursday nights at 7 p.m. at Bay Street, a collaboration between the theater and the seasonal Bay Burger in Sag Harbor, which holds its own improvisational music night when it’s open.

For Mr. Downey, the series is also a way to highlight the talent that records in his home studio. Mr. Downey selects each of the musicians performing at Singer Songwriter Sundays. Nearly all have recorded at Bull Dog Studios in Noyac, which began welcoming clients last year.

Besides requiring musicians to play their originals, Mr. Downey prods the players to experiment musically. He has grouped musicians who had never performed together. In some cases, he e-mailed clips of original songs so budding musicians could prepare before joining in with others.

“Singer Songwriter Sundays are a place where musicians can take chances and stretch out a bit,” Mr. Downey said. “It’s a place where even experienced musicians can try out new material and see how it goes. All musicians need that ... Everyone who plays here is on equal footing, whether they’re experienced musicians with a following or beginners just starting out.”

The series has featured a wide range of music from folk to rock to jazz to soundscapes. Performers range in age from teenagers to older adults. Some have multiple recordings; others have never performed live for an audience. Most have experience somewhere in between.

Singer Songwriter Sundays continues this Sunday, March 7, at Bay Street Theatre on Long Wharf in Sag Harbor. Musicians perform from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free, visit baystreet.org for more information. For song clips and information, visit www.bulldogstudiosny.com or www.johnmonteleone.com/music/.