The Music Scene...

TJ WHEELER CELEBRATES NEW YEAR'S EVE. Wheeler will offer several performances at First Night in downtown Portsmouth, N.H. First, kids can have interactive musical fun with T.J. Wheeler's Good Time Jam Jug Band - a band that includes everything and the kitchen sink - from 8 to 9 p.m. at the Connie Bean Recreation Center. He will later perform with his Small World Band, a seven-piece ensemble that has performed on five continents, hailing originally from Seattle, Wash. The band consists of 83-year-old Muriel Havenstein from Ottawa, Canada, Flamenco/gypsy jazz guitarist James Cohen from Venezuela; Jose Duque on percussion, Maine swing drummer Dave Page, chromatic and blues/jazz harmonica player "Hatrack" Gallagher from Acton, Mass., and upright bassist Melvin Graham from Virginia. T.J. Wheeler and the Small World Band will play at the North Church, from 10:15 to 10:45 p.m. and from 11:15 to 11:45 p.m. First Night 2007 in Portsmouth includes lots of great music, dance and activities. For a schedule of events, visit www.proportsmouth.org. Courtesy photo