Rochester Music Scene (And Heard)

Who are these kids, anyway?

2009-08-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

Co-Existence was playing tonight in the village at Towpath Cafe, and my daughter suggested I go down and catch their show. We have their CD, and I do like it, so I decided to go down. Ryan Johnson on guitar, Danny Nguyen on sax, Colin Fleming on bass, and Dan Knorr on drums - that's who those kids are, anyway. "Co-Existence is an original musical project, blending aspects of funk, jazz, rock, and soul. The band hails from Rochester NY, and is comprised of students from SUNY Fredonia and the University of Buffalo." That's what their MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/coexistence07 - says. Check them out; they're worth a listen. They could be big someday.

yours in music,
Tracy

Bad news . . . again.

2009-08-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

I found out late. Peter Grammatico died. At 40. With a wife and small child who is not even two years old. I didn't really even know him, but my heart breaks for him and for his family.

Peter reached out to me through my MySpace and asked me to come and listen to his band, Chasing Giants. I did. They were fun. I never even got the chance to have a conversation with him, though. He seemed like a warm and loving human being.

We are at a loss, again. My sympathies to his family and friends; may he be singing with the angels.

Tracy

A Little Sad to See RIJF 2009 End

2009-06-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

Though I didn't have a Club Pass, the weather was more cooperative this year than last, and I had a great time on Jazz Street. Last night, I enjoyed hearing the Campbell Brothers and was thrilled to learn that my friend Cinnamon Jones was singing with them. It was great to see her - it's been a long time. Campbell Brothers were excellent and filled with life.

We stayed for about half of Robert Randolph, but were tired of being pushed and shoved and rudely stepped into, so we headed out of that fray and up toward Tower of Power.

Robert Randolph was the powerhouse I expected them to be, and if they come anywhere near here, I will be first in line to buy tickets to see them in a better venue than the free stage at Alexander and East.

We stood in a fog of cigar smoke not even close enough to really hear Tower of Power well. What is Hip was the last tune I heard before we tried to beat the crowd to Matthews Pub to get a late dinner and rest our weary backs, legs and feet. Matthews was pretty good - food was fine and the service was quick, pleasant and thorough.

I don't know that we'll be going back down tonight; there's really no one on my list to see, though I heard that Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers is supposed to be good. Don't know if I want to fight the crowd, the smoke and the rain. We'll see.

I kept hearing people say how great these nine days are every year and how the city feels "alive" and how they don't want to see it end. Here's my thought: if we could just get the RIJF folks to promote and support the local jazz scene all year round with the expertise they show during the Jazz Fest, then we'd really have something going on in Rochester!

yours in music,
Tracy

Bill Tiberio Band at RIJF

2009-06-15T18:17:00.000-07:00

The boys were back in town! A year since their RIJF 2008 debut, the Bill Tiberio Band only gets better. With favorites they've been playing for a while - Watching the River Flow, Return of the King - and some new additions, BTB pleased the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. There was not a chair to be had, and the street was packed with appreciative fans - old and new! The Bill Tiberio Band - Bill Tiberio, Scott Bradley, Joe Chiappone, Phil Lake, and Geoff Smith - finished their set to a well-deserved standing ovation.

By the way, the sound guys at the Jazz Street Stage did a great job with the volume and the mix.

yours in music,
Tracy

Rain, rain, go away . . .

2009-06-15T04:41:00.001-07:00

Bill Tiberio Band on the Jazz Street Stage at 6:00 pm tonight - be there!

SMV THUNDER!!!!

2009-06-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

What an AMAZING show last night at Eastman Theatre - Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and the incredible Victor Wooten! I don't think one person left that building in anything less than amazement and appreciation for the talent of those three men. Two full hours of melodic bass, accompanied by drummer, Derico Watson, and keyboardist, Federico Pena, each holding his own beautifully.

I'm sure some people were thinking, "Three bassists . . . all you're going to here is, well, bass." No, no. We heard melody, harmony, soul - MUSIC. It was a real treat and one of the all-time best shows I've ever seen.

yours in music,
Tracy

"Your love of music will be an important part of your life." Bo's Fortune Cookie Message

2009-06-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

There were three fortune cookies sitting on the dining room table. My daughter and I decided to share them and include the dog, Bo. She let him pick first. He got the fortune that was clearly meant for me. I got one about a distant relative calling me.

Jazz Fest Day One - For starters, I got to meet Kathy from the Rochester Music Hall of Fame planning committee, and I received some promotional cards to hand out along my Jazz Fest travels. If you see me there, you will get a card! This project is the brainchild of Karl LaPorta, and I'm delighted to be able to help him and his planning group in any way that I can. I posted a link to the site; check it out.

I saw Bill Frisell last night. I enjoyed the last 45 minutes. The first half-hour was, as I told Joe, complete "monkey-torture" for me. It sounded like a bunch of kids at Northfield Music Studio trying out all the effects pedals and "noodling" around. It made me very tense. I was not enjoying it at all, and the second piece went on forever. I was waiting for it to end so I could answer a text message I knew had come from my daughter. As the piece ended, I left the Kilbourn auditorium area so I wouldn't disturb anyone. I was followed by a herd of people who also were not enjoying the "music."

However, upon my return, Mr. Frisell found a melody. I think it was Danny Boy or something that sounded like it, but he made it his own. There were still plenty of effects, but there was melody. And it was beautiful. And each piece after it had a melodic base to it. Finally, the concert was enjoyable for me. Had the whole concert been like that, I would say I loved his playing. He is clearly a good player. Too bad for the herd of people who left, I think they would have enjoyed the last 45 minutes. I did.

Tonight, SMV Thunder Tour!!!!

yours in music,
Tracy

News!! Rochester Hall of Fame has a Website - Check it out!

2009-06-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.rochestermusic.org:80/

Rochester Music Hall of Fame!

2009-05-28T19:38:00.001-07:00

Stay tuned for more information.

April 26, 2009 - Remembering Ralph

2009-03-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

Rochester's Music Community Remembers Ralph Ortiz
April 26 event will feature more than 70 musicians

Rochester, NY – More than 70 area musicians will come together for a nine-hour benefit concert to honor Rochester bassist Rafael "Ralph" Ortiz, who passed away February 2, 2009 after a short battle with cancer. Remembering Ralph will take place at Water Street Music Hall (204 N. Water Street) on Sunday, April 26 from 1 to 10 p.m., and will feature 11 bands and many guest appearances on alternating main and club stages at Water Street Music Hall. Tickets are $20 and will be available this Friday, March 20 at: WSMH, Northfield Music, House of Guitars, Record Archive, The Bop Shop, Sound Source, Abilene Bar & Lounge, Murray Street Station (Newark, NY) and Irene's Coffee & Jazz House (Geneva).

The line-up for the April 26th event will feature the following bands and special guests
(subject to change):
· Chet Catallo & the Cats, with special guests Eli Konikoff and Peter Chwazik
· Prime Time Funk, with special guests Todd East, Jeff Cosco and Trevor Neumann
· Steve Greene
· Joe Brucato
· Atlas
· Don Maracle & Dave Hanlon
· The Buddahood
· Me & the Boyz
· Po Boys Brass Band
· The Legendary Dukes
· Dan Schmitt & the Shadows
· Mint Jam

"Incredibly, Ralph played with most of the musicians participating," says Prime Time Funk co-founder and best friend, Jim Richmond. "Some he taught, and the rest are fans who wanted to play with him but never got the chance."

The event will also feature a silent auction of special items including one of Ralph's basses, guitars donated by Northfield Music and House of Guitars, and two club passes donated by the Rochester International Jazz Festival. The sale of food and concessions will also benefit the Rafael Ortiz Memorial Fund, which will help to pay medical and other family expenses as well as fund two music scholarships in Ralph's name: one for a graduating senior pursuing music studies from Ralph's alma mater, Newark High School, and the other for bass lessons at Northfield Music in Pittsford, where Ralph taught for 20 years.

www.primetimefunk.com
www.thedrumcorner.com
www.myspace.com/hotsweetsmusic

See you later, Ralph.

2009-02-05T03:43:00.000-08:00

The rooms and hallways of Falvo Funeral Home were filled to capacity last night with people who had come to honor their friend, their teacher, their fellow musician - Rafael (Ralph) Ortiz. The shock and pain, the disbelief and sadness were palpable; but so, too, was the love, the light and the beautiful energy that Ralph brought with him everywhere.

I've been to many Hot Sweets and Prime Time Funk gigs, and I have seen and heard Ralph play dozens of times. It never gets old. He always has some way to amaze. His vocals, harmonizing with Jimmy on Sweet Baby James and others, were so sweet. At the last gig I went to, I mentioned to him how beautiful his voice was and that I hoped he'd start doing more singing. My favorite Ralph tune is Ain't No Sunshine (When She's Gone). Each time I heard it, it was better than the time before. And after the gigs, I would tell him how awesome he was, and he'd get that sheepish "aw shucks" look that was totally genuine. His humility, as he accepted my compliments (or anyone's compliments), only served to add his beauty as a person and as a musician.

The musical community, and the community as a whole, has suffered an incredible loss in the death of Ralph Ortiz. It might be that it could have been avoided if we, as a nation, honored our musicians and artists the way they should be - with a livable wage and health insurance. But that is fodder for another post.

I know that it is going to be hard for the guys who have been playing with Ralph for decades to get up on a stage and play without him. I know it will be a shock to look over to where he always stood and not find him there. And I know their hearts will be heavy for a long time. But Ralph has left a legacy of love and light and music in each of his bandmates, his students, his friends and family. He will be with us always.

Look out, angels; Rafael Ortiz is going to teach you about funk!

yours in music,
Tracy

For anyone who might still be reading . . .

2009-01-10T10:13:00.001-08:00

Joe and I are getting ready to head out to California next week for the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show. I now have a laptop, so I plan on doing some blogging from there should I be lucky enough to hear some good music. (If the past two years are any indication, I will!) After NAMM, we are heading to San Diego where we might do a little "clubbing" and hear some music there. I will blog about anything particularly interesting. Frank Gambale is scheduled to be at the Baked Potato in LA during NAMM and Robben Ford in San Diego when we are there. Hopefully, we will see them both.

yours in music,
Tracy

The Last "Christmas Concert"

2008-12-09T04:30:00.000-08:00

Last night I took my seat in the Fairport High School Auditorium for the last holiday concert one of my children will ever perform in, and it was a sad moment. As I listened to the groups before Caroline's, I thought back to every Christmas "concert" the kids had ever performed in going right back to their kindergarten performances. You haven't experienced the true joy of the holiday season until you've seen a multitude of five-year-olds "singing" to "Up on the Rooftop" all the while looking to teachers for word cues. The cutest thing ever.

Each year the choirs and bands/orchestras got better and better. There were a few clunkers in each concert, but that adds to the charm. Last night had some real high points - especially for me. The boys choir performed that Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters version of White Christmas that I find so much fun. And, I love the a cappella choir that my daughter has been in the last few years, and they did not disappoint - three really fun songs, done very well, including one with kazoos. It's not Christmas without kazoos, right? The Polyphonic Choir and the FHS Orchestra performed Shubert's Mass No. 2 in G Major. It was quite lovely and intricate and very well done. The Hallelujah Chorus was great--all alumni, teachers and anyone else who wanted to were invited up to sing along. It looked like many of the folks who went bravely forth had not performed that tune in many years. But somehow it was absolutely beautiful.

I'm going to try very hard to make it to the annual jazz holiday concert that the FHS jazz band, directed by Bill Tiberio, puts on during the last day of classes before Christmas break. The kids work so hard to fill the auditorium with lights and decorations - it always looks fantastic and very Christmas-y, and the musicians are totally into the fun of the performance. It's fabulous! Hopefully, I'll be able to break away from work for a bit that day to enjoy it since this is my baby's last year there. Sniffle.

Also, the 12th of December is the Bill Welch Band's "Love Was Born" Christmas concert at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church at 7:30. Don't miss it.

yours in music,
Tracy

Christmastime . . . Music . . . Memories

2008-12-05T16:00:00.000-08:00

Christmastime is the part of the year where I can immerse myself in my "inner child" and really enjoy it. The lights, the music, the food, the mood - hell, I still believe in Santa. I mean, I know that some fat man in a red suit is not going to enter my house through my non-existent chimney (though it would be nice to find an unexpected surprise in the toe of my stocking), but I truly believe in "Christmas miracles." (Most) people get nicer - perhaps feeling remorse for their ill will or bad behavior of the past year, or they might feel compassion for people in any kind of need--emotional, physical, psychological, financial--and act on those feelings. That can truly be a miracle.

Anyway, music. I've been listening to my XM satellite radio in the car, and there are multiple holiday stations. So many of the songs put me in a different place. I find myself a child again listening to Burl Ives, Dean Martin, Frank, Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme (her squeals of pleasure? during "Sleigh Ride" occur after every crack of the whip - makes you think . . . but I digress), Bing Crosby, Gene Autry - I grew up listening to those songs on the "hi-fi" in the living room. Then there are the Carpenters and other voices from the '60s and '70s that I remember hearing in the background of every Christmas of my youth. Next, I hear the music of the late '80s, the '90s and beyond when "rock stars" started putting out Christmas albums or appearing on compilations. I worked at Barnes & Noble from 1996 to 2005, and I treated myself to at least two Christmas albums every year. The memories of loading all six slots in the van's disc changer with Christmas music right after Thanksgiving, and having the whole family sing along with Sting's version of "I Saw Three Ships" as we drove around town looking at Christmas light displays remains such a precious memory; putting a "holiday greeting" on our phone's answering machine either by recording a song from the stereo or by having the whole family sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is, sadly, something I haven't done for the past few Christmases; playing any one of my "Celtic Christmas" CDs softly Christmas morning is a tradition I continue and is the perfect way to ease into the beauty of December 25th; learning new songs each year to sing with the Spiritus Christi Gospel Choir at Christmas Eve Mass is something that I'm not doing this year for the first time since 2004. I miss that. I miss the family sing-alongs, too. Music is key to every part of my life, but no more important than it is at Christmastime.

Much of the music I listened to as a kid went along with the movies I watched, like "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "The Little Drummer Boy," "Charlie Brown's Christmas," Frosty the Snowman," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" every year. "Santa Claus is . . . " was my all time favorite; Charlie Brown made me sad, and Rudolph's trip to the "Island of Misfit Toys" had an impact on me that I didn't realize until much later in my life.

My first husband, Michael, introduced me to "It's a Wonderful Life" which I had (gasp!) never even heard of, but grew to love as well as "Miracle on 34th Street" (the original) which I still love so much. My second husband introduced me to all the schmaltzy 1940s and '50s Christmas movies like "Bells of St. Mary's," "Bishop's Wife, "Holiday Inn," "Christmas in Connecticut," " and "White Christmas." I did sleep through most of these every time we watched them, but there was tradition in that. And, I've loved almost every iteration of "A Christmas Carol," NOT just because it's one of my dad's favorites.

My radio dial, my iTunes, and my Pandora have been tuned to Christmas music since the weekend before Thanksgiving, and that's where they'll stay until New Year's Day. It's just part of who I am; part of the girl who still believes in Santa.

Christmas love and wishes to you in music and beyond,
Tracy

Parents' Weekend . . .

2008-11-03T16:59:00.000-08:00

Gone to Parents' Weekend at my son's school this past weekend. There was no music. There were, of course, plenty of adult video stores along the way, but I've already explored that in a previous post. Anyway, good times with Drew . . . including a huge hike with small boulder scrambling, crossing creeks on logs (and I was never good at balance beam), and thorns. All in all, though, it was a beautiful day and a lovely workout. I thought my knees were "broken," but they are working fine today! I realized how good I felt all the while (and after) I was able to spread my wings in the "great outdoors." I realized how much more of that I need in my daily life. In fact, I think I might go and take the dog for a short walk right now.

Music next weekend . . .

yours,
Tracy

Strathallan Last Night.

2008-10-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

Met Mike Melito in person last night - he's been a MySpace friend for a while now. That's weird thing, I guess, being "friends" with someone you've never met. Anyway, he was very nice, and I enjoyed his playing. The group was good - Bill Dobbins, Mike Kaupa, Mike Melito and others. Sadly, I was wiped out from the week, and the lovely wine I had earlier at Rooney's didn't help to keep me alert. Otherwise, we would have stayed for another set. The Strath was crowded, and what a diverse crowd it was! Good for them; I hope they keep that up. Rochester needs that.

Tonight is that gig in Fairport with the Bill Tiberio Band. Hope to see some of you there.

yours in music,
Tracy

No one comments anymore . . .

2008-10-21T19:40:00.001-07:00

Is it because I hadn't written in forever, and no one is reading it anymore? Could be.

Trying to think if I have anything interesting to say . . . Oh, yes, I do. Joe and Bill are playing this weekend! On Saturday night at Minerva DeLand School in Fairport will be the annual Fairport High School Jazz Charity Concert. Since Bill has ceased to involve me in the press releases, (since I'm so busy in my new position at work, and I don't have the time to give it the attention it warrants) I don't know all the details, but the school jazz bands start at 6:00 pm and the featured guests (Bill Tiberio Band - Bill, Joe, Phil Lake, Geoff Smith, Scott Bradley) might be on as early at 7:00 or so. Be there. It'll be cool.

All for now . . .

yours in music,
Tracy

Now here's the job for me! Check out the link.

2008-10-16T03:58:00.000-07:00

http://jobview.monster.com/GetJob.aspx?JobID=76616761&aid=51533415-14108&WT.mc_n=MKT000351

Unfortunately, it's in Las Vegas. So, I guess I'm going to have to pass. But how COOL would that be? Now if it were a couple of years from now and the location was Nashville or NYC, well, I'd be applying for that one.

There's been boatloads of music around here lately, and I am happy to say that I was able to see and hear some of it. Joe and I took Caroline and a couple of her friends - Loreal and Melanie - to the Rochester Indie Fest. They loved it, and they are just about the right demographic. It was an interesting and diverse crowd age-wise. There weren't as many kids as I thought there would be, and there were more people my age or even, (gasp!), older. Local artists, Mint Jam rocked the house (as expected) and Julia Nunes delighted the crowd with her voice talents and her ukelele. Gregory Paul was interesting in a dark and morose kind of way. Jodie Shaw was kind of cool. My daughter was one of the throng at the merchandise table where she purchased several CDs and a Julia Nunes t-shirt. All-in-all, RiF 2008 was a successful launch, I would say.

And I have to pat myself on the back just a little bit because I was the one who suggested Mint Jam and Julia Nunes to the three gentlemen producing this festival-Ned Corman, George Daddis and Steven Gates. Just a little pat; I mean, if you don't pat yourself on the back every once in a while, who's going to do it?

Sorry it's been so long. Oh well.

yours in music,
Tracy

Po' Boys Brass Band at Hi Fidelity was great!

2008-09-14T06:45:00.001-07:00

Take four trombones, one sousaphone, a guitar and drums; mix them together, and you get some amazing, monster trombone sound. Well, actually you get Po' Boys Brass Band, and they are amazing! It's rock, funk, blues--electric trombone???--and always a powerhouse sound.

Check them out on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/poboysbrassband and check them out live at a gig. You'll love it.

On another note, next Saturday, the 27th, be at Starry Nights Cafe for the Bill Welch Band. It's a nice, intimate setting to hear some beautiful music played with heart and soul. From 8 - 11, come enjoy the tunes, coffee, wine, and yummy food--especially the chocolate chip cookies!

October 3rd at the Landing in Fairport--come out and hear five hugely talented musicians--Bill Tiberio, Joe Chiappone, Phil Lake, Geoff Smith and Scott Bradley playing their kind of jazz. The Landing is not known for its jazz shows--The New Bill Tiberio Band will show them what they've been missing. Let's be there in big numbers to show them some love and support.

Yours in music,
Tracy

Saturday Night at Abilene

2008-09-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

Abilene Bar and Lounge on Liberty Pole Way is a place that I have been wanting to try out for a while! I loved it! Here's the link: http://www.abilenebarandlounge.com/Home.html

It was slammin' on a Saturday night. In Rochester!!! That's a big deal as far as I'm concerned. Carol and the Impalas were playing--Alex Cestra was on guitar. They sounded good. It was a little country for me; but I WAS in a place called Abilene, after all!

So I had a delicious chocolate martini, and then later I had part of a straight-up Tito's Handmade Vodka which I had been wanting to try and oh, so very smooooooooth. http://www.titos-vodka.com/titos.html

Abilene . . . I can't wait to come back. You need to have Hot Sweets play at your place, for sure!

yours in music,
Tracy

The Boys

2008-08-24T11:19:00.001-07:00

The group shot is not the greatest because I don't have a wide-angle lens and they were so far apart, but here are the boys (Bill Tiberio Band) at the Fairport Music & Food Fest yesterday. I'll post some more of the photos when I get around to cropping and editing, but in the meantime, there is one good shot of my favorite guitarist of all time.

Yours in music,
Tracy

Here's what it says on the Glenora website . . .

2008-08-15T22:13:00.000-07:00

August 17, 2008
JAZZ GREATS AT GLENORA - KEN NAVARRO
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Cost: 25.00
Location: 5435 Route 14, Dundee, NY 14837
Award winning contemporary jazz guitarist and composer Ken Navarro comes to Glenora along with The Bill Tiberio Group.

Of course, it's really the new Bill Tiberio Band, and the D&C blog got it all screwed up and called the Bill Tiberio Group a trio who "just released their CD, Promise Street, in February." Well, it was in February . . . of 2005. Though, what a CD it was! It has one of my all-time favorite songs on it--Why Don't You Ask. But regardless of that, this is a different group. Five awesome guys with amazing chops. You'll love them. Be there.

yours in music,
Tracy

I've heard of this happening, but . . .

2008-08-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

never thought it would happen to me . . .

So, I heard my cell phone ring at work, and saw that I had a voice message, so I grabbed it and took it with me into the bathroom. I had to go anyway, so I though I'd kill two birds with one stone. I listened to the message on the way in, saved it, clicked "end" and then put the phone on the back of the toilet so that I could take care of the matters at hand. As I stood at the sink washing my hands, the phone rang/vibrated. Before I could get my hands dry enough to safely answer the phone, it had vibrated itself right into the freshly flushed pool that awaited below.

I could not believe how fast I had my hand in a public toilet. (Not that I put my hand in non-public toilets on a regular basis. Actually, I don't think I've ever put my hand in a toilet, public or otherwise.) Anyway, I had the phone out, dripping, and it wouldn't stop ringing and vibrating. I wiped it and "Purelled" it. I couldn't get the back off to get the battery out to make it stop ringing and vibrating. So I brought it in to my trusty, high-tech colleague Michael (who is an incredibly good sport, by the way), and he got the back off and the battery out.

I wiped it out. I actually "Purelled" the whole damned thing, inside and out. Michael suggested I leave it near my space heater to dry out. So I did. I'll leave it open all night and all day tomorrow; I'll put it in the sun somewhere. We do have sun, don't we? And hopefully it will dry out and all will be well.

This is not the first time one of my phones has gone for a swim. The phone I had prior to this one took two dips into glasses of water and lived to ring again, but then finally met its death in a cup of tea. I think it was the cream. But this phone has definitely "gone to new depths," that's for sure.

Yes, this post has had nothing to do with music. Sorry. We were in Niagara Falls from last Wednesday until last night. There is, apparently, no live music there.

This weekend, however, at Glenora there is definitely music. The New Bill Tiberio Band will be opening for Ken Navarro. Go to the Glenora website for details. I'll post more if and when I know them. Hope to see you there.

yours in music (and cell phone adventures),
Tracy

A Unexpected Jem at the Park Ave.

2008-08-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

I was at the Park Ave. Fest yesterday, and as my heels were being clipped by one of the abundance of strollers, and later as I got my third face-full of second-hand smoke, I wondered why I even come to these festivals. I really wonder what these parents are thinking that their babies and screaming toddlers are getting out of these festivals. The single, double-wide, three-long, sport-jogger models and the wagons really clog up the streets and are hazardous to those on foot. Meanwhile, none of the kids look like they're having any fun. In fact, most just look hot and miserable.

Okay, that's my rant. But the question I kept asking myself, "Why do I keep coming to these things?" found an answer in the Po’ Boys Brass Band, of whose set I managed to catch the last three or four songs.

I saw the name on the artist list for this event, and not knowing who was in the band, I didn’t really think much about it. I did not plan to seek them out. Luckily, I happened upon them by chance. They were amazing. As soon as I saw Evan Dobbins and Nick Finzer, I realized this was not your average “New Orleans” jazz band. These are top-notch musicians playing New Orleans-style brass/funk/ROCK! Nick plays electric trombone. With a large array of effects pedals in front of him, he turned that trombone into Hendrix’ guitar. Unbelievable!

You have got to hear this band! Find them on the web at http://www.poboysbrassband.com/ and on MySpace and Facebook as well.

I am a bad bloggist.

2008-07-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

Bloggist. Though it may not be a word, I like it better than "blogger" which sounds too much like logger (or lager--not that there's anything wrong with that--depending upon how you say it). "Bloggist" or "Blogger." It really doesn't matter as I am not much of either, lately. Work . . . life . . . stuff . . . All of it equals not much time to sit in front of my computer and subject you to my random thoughts and music musings.

As far as this past weekend goes, I do regret not getting my butt over to Corn Hill Landing to see the Mambo Kings with the RPO and, I heard, fireworks. It was a beautiful night for that. I should have been there. Also, I completely missed Boulder Fest. Though some of that music is out of my age range, I should have been there to post about it in my Insider blog. I can't believe the D&C hasn't kicked me off the Insider yet. I haven't had much to say there either. And I hate to admit it, but I might just be too old to be blogging for them.

I did get to see a few of my favorite musicians on Sunday at the Perinton Summer Fest at Perinton Park. The Bill Welch Band performed two great sets. These guys should be gigging out more often. I love them--the incomparable Bill Welch on lead vocals, keyboard and acoustic guitar; Gene Rogalski ripping it up on electric guitar; the sweet and soulful Bill Tiberio on sax; Mike Keefe keeping it real on bass; Fred Welch killing on the drum set while Tony Padilla was equally amazing on Latin percussion. What a group! And they played my all-time favorite song, Why Don't You Ask. It was a day well spent in the park. If I don't have a link for them on my blog, I will in a minute, so check them out. If they have something on their schedule you can get to, I highly recommend it.

yours in music,
Tracy