7/1 House Band at Sugar Bar (254 W. 72, NYC), R&B open mic hosted by Ashford & Simpson, 9:30 pm
7/8 House Band at Sugar Bar, R&B open mic hosted by Ashford & Simpson, 9:30 pm
7/15 House Band at Sugar Bar, R&B open mic hosted by Ashford & Simpson, 9:30 pm
7/16 Paris Troika at Rockwood Music Hall (196 Allen St, NYC), midnight
7/22 House Band at Sugar Bar, R&B open mic hosted by Ashford & Simpson, 9:30 pm
7/28 with Alyson Williams at Arthur's (57 Grove St, NYC), 10 pm
Appearances for June:
6/6 With Rubén Montoya at Federal Hill Jazz & Blues Festival, Baltimore, MD, 2pm
6/24 Paris Troika at Rockwood Music hall, NYC, midnight
6/25 With Anne Walsh at Ryles Jazz, Cambridge, MA, 9 pm
6/26 Paris Troika at Smoke Jazz Club, NYC, 11:30 AM
Not the usual voluble description of my recent exploits; keep reading below for recent news, links, and goodies!
It was an exciting March: Paris Troika toured Russia, giving us a chance to evolve our interplay on a daily basis, and in the rarefied environs realized only in philharmonic halls (where one doesn't hear glasses clinking as at a club gig). Also was our first chance to promote our album in any sustained way. It was very successful, in terms of audience enthusiasm, local press, and promoters - whose wheels are now turning in order to plan the next tour there. At some point, we might post a video diary, but in the meantime, PLEASE visit us on Facebook and become a fan. There are quite a few photos from the tour to be seen there.
If you want to see us in person (sans plane ticket or Iridium/Blue Note-level cover charge), we're playing Rockwood Music Hall on Sunday May 16 at midnight. Come see us before we get real famous and make everything political and then get loads of plastic surgery, etc. As it stands now, we're still just re-imagining classic rock tunes, punctuated by occasional toilet humor as well as original music.
And, our music is now available on iTunes, eMusic, etc. And at our gigs...
A bass track I did for Sean Altman will appear his next record. I also did another tune recently for Band Kamp, the folks behind a lot of interesting music that appears in various forms elsewhere on this website.
I played on a CD back in January by Aura Surey that has just been released. Using native American instrumentation and narratives (and a funk-rock rhythm section!), Ron Warren and Janice Torres honor their ancestry with some great original music.
First week of May, i'll be playing with Rubén Montoya in Baltimore. 5/5 at the Cat's Eye Pub and 5/6 at The Still (Timonium).
5/15 i'm with Misha Piatigorsky trio at Smoke
Hey, you can follow me on Twitter now. This is the only social networking platform i'm participating in, and for purely contrarian (read: no Facebook!) reasons.
I spent the last two months wrapping up the Paris Troika record, and i'm happy to say it's finally complete: pressed and ready for consumption! This album has been approved for omnivores and vegetarians alike, and has been certified both kosher and halal. It has other certifications whose names don't even have equivalents in the English language!
In order to put the nomenklatura of this thing to the test, Paris Troika embarks on a tour of Russia March 18 - April 1. Dates below. If you can't attend any of these shows and you were unable to attend our Iridium show LAST NIGHT, come see us at Rockwood Music Hall this Saturday afternoon at 4 pm. We didn't advertise this show and if you're one of the, um, select, readers of my website, consider this to be the ultimate insider tip. Though not one you need to keep to yourself...
Whatever you do, PLEASE visit Paris Troika online. We won't spam you, don't worry! It's a fun, interactive site. More news on some of my other musical adventures in a near-future update.
3/9 IRIDIUM Jazz Club, NYC
3/13 Rockwood Music Hall, NYC, 4 pm afternoon dee-lite set
3/20 Nicholina Hill, Moscow
3/21 Club Bijou, Moscow
3/22 RT Television, live performance and interview
3/24 Ishevsk, Russia
3/25 Perm, Russia
3/26 & 27 Ekaterinburg, Russia (concert on 26th and master class on 27th)
3/29 Vologda, Russia
3/30 Cherepovets, Russia
3/31 Igor Butman's, Moscow
Happy New Year!
I'll be ringing 2010 in at Sugar Bar (254 W. 72nd St), with the relentlessly funky house band, many guest vocalists, and Nick & Val on "certified legend" duty.
1/8/10 Delta's, New Brunswick, NJ
1/9/10 IRIDIUM (1650 Broadway, NYC) with Paris Troika, midnight. I could say lots about my new trio project, and plug our album (Feb. release date), but our hot new website does it so much better...HD video, full-length album previews, and pics of our ugly mugs. Check it out. Then get your butt to Iridium.
You may notice a few changes here on the site: a lot more has been added to the Sounds page, and some of the other pages have gotten a fresh coat of paint. You can also now subscribe to these news updates in your RSS reader. Do it. Or at least admire the cool RSS icon at top right.
The Paris Troika project is steaming along. We had a run of gigs, and two days in the studio. Record's gonna be good. Keep watching this space for release date and some January live gigs.
11/8 Tampa, FL Performing Arts Center with Ogie Alcasid and Janno Gibbs
11/12 Brooklyn, NY, The Bell House with Metermaids. More info here. I'm told it's sponsored by Maker's Mark. Take that, atheists! I've said plenty here about how smokin' this duo is. I'm sayin' it again.
More gigs and news to come as it happens. Check back!
As always, check back for late additions. My calendar is, um, a fluid situation. Also, find information on some of the artists below by scrolling down through past updates (which contain links), or as the old folks say, "doing a Google". Or, you can contact me and ask. I mean it!
9/19 Zinc Bar (82 W. 3rd St), with the enchanting Marianni.
Classic, contemporary and original Brazilian music with a great trio fronted by my favorite Carioca. Come and get your jazz samba on.
10/2 The Living Room (154 Ludlow St) with Sean Altman.
Anybody who can sing "In the acapella world i am considered a god" without irony or exaggeration is worth hearing. But when he rhymes it with "That and a quarter might get me a corn on the cob," well, what are you waiting for?
10/7 The Freilach Orchestra with Lipa Schmeltzer. Brooklyn College, 7:30 pm
10/16 Sugar Bar (254 W. 72nd) Sets at 8 & 10 with Andre Henry
Andre is a promising young singer/songwriter and all-around great musician whose music leans towards R&B and gospel.
10/24 The Suffolk (107 Suffolk, NYC) with Metermaids 8 pm
10/27 Zinc Bar (82 W. 3rd St) with Misha Piatigorsky
10/31 Blue Note (131 W. 3rd) Late Night Groove series with PARIS TROIKA.
The debut of a new trio with Misha Piatigorsky and Chris Wabich, where we'll be radically de-constructing classic rock tunes. And re-constructing them. Like, with improvisation and new harmonies and rhythms and stuff. And hopefully with verve, élan, and yes, some stank, too. We'll be recording an album that same week, touring in Russia early next year, and who knows what else? Actually, this group has some interesting things in the works, and as we go public with it, i'll post here. But in the meantime, we NEED to see you at the Blue Note.
June 18th i'll be at the Sugar Bar, in the house band at the renowned weekly open mic featuring Ashford & Simpson and many surprise guests.
In the Light's appearances in the BVI went very well; our appearance at Music Fest featured Onajé Allan Gumbs and was met with lots of enthusiasm. We will be playing here in NYC on June 21 as part of the Make Music NY festival (I'll post details when i can), and at Chat 19 in Larchmont on July 19. A full length record is completed for this group; eventually it will see the light of day and i'll post links.
Metermaids absolutely killed at Arlene's Grocery the other night. They have released a live EP, featuring yours truly (available free here). We will be at Arlene's again on July 23, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, catch us opening the main stage at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival on June 20. This is our highest-profile gig yet and we're pumped to bring the noise to a larger crowd. Between the new EP, the Illinoise remix record, and the debut album Nightlife, the group is really generating some notices. Catch us on the way up, before Sacha Baron Cohen taints us with, well, his 'taint...
The debut of Ramon Taranco's live band situation will be July 31 at Cornelia St Cafe. It's been a long time coming. I've chronicled some of the process here in past entries, but for now i'll simply say: come check out this highly original expression of the blues, world music, latin music (new and old world), and balladry. Ramon's writing knows no boundaries and he surrounds himself with some of the finest musicians to be found anywhere. His album (yes, i'm on it), is getting great reviews and airplay on some internet radio stations. Visit his site to find out which ones!
I don't know when the next Sean Altman gig is, but last Thursday's set at Arlene's was a rousing success. By complete coincidence, it preceded a Metermaids gig in the same club on the same night, so i now officially have musical-multiple-personality-disorder. As for Sean, he continues to be prolific vocally and as a songwriter.
A session i did a few months back for a remake of R&B classic "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" has just been released. It's kinda fat. You can stream it in high-quality here. Look for it in their music player. It features Taborah, Darryl D'bonneau, percussionist Sammy Figueroa, and me on bass.
I'll continue to report on some other session work i've done recently as it's released or even posted on a site somewhere. I've probably forgotten some already, and as the haze clears, i'll link to them in future updates. If you're interested, you can always scroll down for PAST updates, many of which contain links to audio and video or news not mentioned above. As usual, you should also check out Stevvi Alexander, and Daphne Rubin-Vega. Both great records that i'm privileged to be part of.
Metermaids is still going strong. Check out the Voice's review of their remix record here.
But absolutely check out the Nightlife record, their debut, which is what we are doing live. When, you ask? April 16 at Arlene's (95 Stanton).
I am hitting again with Sean Altman on June 4, also at Arlene's. Hey, do you guys have a locker I can leave my bass in? I'm happy that he's working with the full band again, after a 5-year hiatus. He is one funny, singin' songwritin' bad ass.
I hit the road (or the sand) May 13-26 with In The Light, featuring John Adams, Rona Allen, Bernard Davis, and Mike Torres. This will be kinda like version 2.0 of this group: we did a record last fall, and the group makes it's re-debut at the British Virgin Islands Music Fest and Jazz on the Hill. We are doing some local clubs in between the two festival hits. Anybody gwan be in de islands in May? Hit us up...
I've also had the opportunity in recent months to play with Misha Piatigorsky again, this time up at Smoke, with Freddie Bryant and Francisco Mela. Also interesting was a concert in Brooklyn last week with the inimitable Mordechai Ben-David. He has an amazing voice, limitless energy, and fans whose enthusiasm makes a British football club's fans seem tame by comparison.
As I said, i am making improvements and updates to the site; eventually some of my more recent record dates will show up on the Sounds page, but until then, you can access (or purchase) some of the more recently released stuff that is NOT included there at iTunes or on the following artists' websites/MySpace pages. And, there are still more that i'm trying to get around to linking to or posting. You can also keep scrolling through previous updates for links (video!) that have been left out of this one.
**Buy these records (all are available at iTunes, Amazon, etc):
Stevvi Alexander The East Side Psalmbook
Ramon Taranco The Adventures of Bo Segovia
Daphne Rubin-Vega Redemption Songs
Dear Readers:
Please forgive me for the recent lack of updates here. At least I have a good idea what my new year's resolution oughta be.
Lots of good stuff has been happening around here, namely a slew of Metermaids gigs. We did a weekly residency at Arlene's in October, plus a few gigs at other spots (S.O.B.'s, Mercury Lounge, etc). All were well received. Stay tuned to their website or MySpace page for more show dates. You can also watch video there. Whatever you do, check these cats out!
A long overdue reunion with the extremely tall (and talented) Sean Altman is set for Dec. 6 at The Cutting Room. If you're up for a barrage of clever, hilarious pop songs written and performed by that Jewmongous/Loser's Lounge/Groovebarbers guy, you need to be here! We're "getting the band back together" after 5 years; watch us fly without a net...
On Dec 12, I'm at Metrazur in Grand Central terminal, with Mel Davis & Mark Bowers
Dec 19 i'm at O'Flanagans on 1st Ave at 65th Street.
Word is, i'll be recording again with producer Ben Davis sometime this month too.
Watch this space for continued updates!
Reflecting the zeitgeist as always, i have the honor of performing this week with the hottest "lite-skinned" MC's and the hard rockin'-est sista. Now, what was that Chris Rock said about, "You know things have changed in America when..."? Please don't assume that this means Tiger Woods or Eminem will be at these gigs, But YOU should be.
9/2 Metermaids at Arlene Grocery, 95 Stanton St, 9pm
9/6 Chevy at The Delancey. 168 Delancey Street.
I don't have the time or details yet, but if you're at the spot that night, you won't miss us!
9/10 Maria Davis Artist Showcase at Sugar Bar (254 W. 72nd) 9pm. Playing in the house band led by Karl Browne
9/12 & 9/19 Live Radio at Brooklyn Exposure, 1401 Bedford Ave 10:30 pm
9/14 In the Light at Chat 19, Larchmont, NY 5-8 pm
9/25 Metermaids at Mercury Lounge, Houston St.WATCH METERMAIDS live band VIDEO HERE!
8/8 Mitch Matlock at Brooklyn Exposure (10:30 pm, 1401 Bedford Ave)
8/9 Lil' Bastaad (featuring Mark Bowers), (10 pm @ Prince Hall, Newark, NJ)
8/12 Camp Lo (Hot 97 "Who's Next" showcase @ SOB's, NYC). Check their new hotttt single "Lumdi"
8/13 Groove (125 Macdougal, NYC) with Scott Brown
...more to come, so stay tuned.
Every Friday in April and May I will be at Brooklyn Exposure (1401 Bedford Ave) with Mitch Matlock and Live Radio. If you're jonzin' for Friday night funk-scapades this where you need to be.
Every Thursday night in May and June I will be holding it down at Groove (West 3rd & Macdougal) in the heart of the Village. I'm honored to do a stint with this RIDICULOUSLY tight unit that includes one of my longtime favorites Dean James on drums, plus funky, prodigious guitar slinger Mark Bowers, the exceptional leadership, vocal and spoken word chops of Antwon Robinson, and Scott Brown on keys (i'm out of adjectives, but this cat is super-bad, too, do you hear me??). Fakers: school's in.
May 17 I'm with 'Lil Bastaad at Tierney's in Monclair, NJ.
** I am doing still more sessions for Ben Davis, and for David Joseph. Information and (sometimes) links can be found by scrolling down to recent updates.
*** here is another reminder: check out (buy!) Ramon Taranco's album. I'm on tracks 1,3,4, and 8.
Live appearances:
3/7, 3/28 & 4/4 with Mitch Matlock at Brooklyn Exposure. 3/28 features Antwon Robinson. (Bedford Ave. & St Mark's Ave, Brooklyn). Fun, loose funk-fest with two of my favorite cohorts! Gitcha freak on...
3/20 & 3/27 with Antonio Dangerfield Quintet (feat. Chanda Rule). St Nick's Pub (149th & St Nicholas Ave in Harlem). Bad-ass trumpeter, great vocalist, smokin' band on the nu-jazz, latin, neo-soul, free funk tip. Starts late and goes late
3/22 private event in Calistoga, Napa Valley, CA
4/4 with Johanna Stahley at Baruch Performing Arts Center (55 Lexington Ave/25th St), 8pm
Johanna has got one of the wittiest, craftiest pop albums i've heard in a looong time, and a dope voice to boot! And this band is a real family-affair of sorts. Come check it! I think you may be able to get discount tix at Theatermania.com.
Just cut some interesting tunes for producer William Berlind, with drummer Aaron Thurston.
Stay tuned and i'll post some artist info and results when i've got 'em.
I also did another track for David Joseph, produced by Hollins Steele. I've recorded for Benny and Dayna numerous times in the last couple of years, and they continue to amaze me with their writing, arranging, and refined productions.
Please stay tuned as I TRY to update my "Sounds" page, with all of the artists mentioned in recent News entries (currently, by clicking on their names you will be redirected to pages where the music can be heard). I hope to be able to add some visuals and links to other media, reviews, "buy" buttons, and the like.
Live Gigs:
12/31 with Everyday People at Baton Rouge (145th between Convent and Amsterdam)
2/1 with Mitch Matlock & Live Radio at Brooklyn Exposure (St Marks Ave. & Bedford Ave. in do-or-die Bed-Stuy!)
2/7 with Michael Lawson (violin) and Antonio Dangerfield (trumpet) at the St Nick's Pub (149th & St Nicholas Ave). 11 pm.
2/8 with Mitch Matlock at Brooklyn Exposure (details above). 10:30 pm
New live gigs pop up all the time, so check this space!
Hey Ya'll:
Please come out and say "'Z'up?!" to us on the following gigs:
12/5 with Frankie Paris, Mark Bowers, & Yayo Serka at Cachaça (35 W. 8th St). 9pm something of a reunion gig. If ya don't know who Mark and Yayo are, ax summbody!
12/13 with Misha Piatigorsky, Hector Martignon, Sofia Koutsovitis at Lime Leaf (128 West 72nd Street ). Drums, Upright, Rhodes, and vocals doing Brazilian, Jazz and whatever else comes to mind...7:30pm and 9:30 pm
I will also be recording this month with "The Kiss tried to Smack Me", featuring my homies Johanna Stahley and Owen O'Mahoney. Check their MySpace band and individual pages to see what they're up to...
**Don't forget to buy Ramon Taranco's new release, "The Adventures of Bo Segovia"
**Nor should you forget Stevvi Alexander, who songs are available on her MySpace page.
**Still reading? Check out DavidJosephMusic on MySpace. He's got downloadable songs, too...
I mention the preceding artists not only because their records are great, but because they are very good-looking as well. Seriously, all of the above are chockablok with great songs, great singing (*where applicable), and A-list musicians. Also, I played on these records. Start clicking, already, jeez!!
I've been very busy, both live and in the studio: Ramon Taranco's CD is finally out; I'll be linking to his site when it's up, but in the meantime click on his name to hear some samples. I've also cut some more bass on Stevvi Alexander's record, and something for Roy Ayers. Hopefully, that will end up somewhere on his next release. I've also recorded again recently with Frankie C. If you've visited my Sounds page you'll know that he produced the very funky remix of "Optimistic". And if you haven't, well, what are you waiting for??
I'll be appearing with Three 'Mo Tenors from October 21-Nov 11, doing 8 shows a week for part of their acclaimed off-Broadway special engagment. There may be some spot dates in December, as well, so watch this space for those listings! This is an incredible show that needs no further hype from me. Click to access their website for ticketing.
10/12 & 26 10:30 pm. Brooklyn Exposure (Bedford Ave & St Marks Ave). R&B with Mitch Matlock and "Live Radio"
10/18 9:30pm. Beckett's (81 Pearl St, Manhattan). With the ever-funky Frankie Paris
10/21 - 11/11 Three 'Mo Tenors at the Little Shubert Theatre, 422 W. 42nd St. See their site for details and performance schedule.
I have added a couple of links to new audio on the sounds pageSounds, with more to come...
My apologies for being incommunicado during April, but be assured that I was busy preparing a whole new batch of musical goodies. I reunited with Ramon Taranco after a couple of years to finish bass tracks on his album. It's a very interesting set of original music that can only be called "world-blues". Also on the project is drummer extrordinaire Ernesto Simpson.
Stay tuned...my quintet will play St Nick's Pub on June 14, featuring Vaneese Thomas, sister of Stax legend Carla Thomas and daughter of Rufus. She continues the family legend with her own incredible voice.
In the meantime...
5/7 Groove, west 3rd & MacDougal, NYC. Kind of an improvised hip-hop thang that is always off the chain!
5/10 The Shrine, 7th Ave, betwn 131 & 132. with Shel Riser/Sonnyboy
5/22 The Shrine, with Gigolosis
5/25 The Blue Note with Stevvi Alexander, 12:30 am, West 3rd @ 6th Ave, NYC
5/31 Baton Rouge (the Harlem nightspot, not the town!), 145th btwn Convent
and Amsterdam Ave, with Everyday People
...and as always, keep coming back for the inevitable last minute additions.
Just added! Tuesday, March 27, at Minton's Playhouse (9pm, 118th and St. Nicholas Ave) with Marvel Allen.
Greetings!
Please don't miss the following exciting shows...
I'll be conducting an all-star salute to the legendary Quincy Jones at the Blue Note Jazz club here in NYC, on Friday, March 16. I'm honored to be joined by the excellent cast of Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Ralph Rolle, Monte Croft, Xavier Perez, and Jim Seeley. Bebop to Hip-Hop, ya dig?. more info here.
I will also be appearing with Elisabeth Withers, star of The Color Purple, and more importantly, Blue Note Records most exciting new artist. She has an absolutely top-notch record that just hit the shelves. It's already on the rise on the R&B charts. This show is in Norfolk, VA on the afternoon of March 16.
Finally, i'm back with Everyday People at Baton Rouge (145th btwn Convent & Amsterdam) on March 29.
Hi friends -
I'll be traveling alot during December & January, but before I go, i must remind you, beseech you, implore you, compel you to check out the new album from Daphne Rubin-Vega, "Redemption Songs". Sample (then buy!) it at itunes, or any major online retailer. (hint: "Mental Tenant" and "Angel Now" are where your fave four-stringer truly brings the noise!).
Appearances:
12/12, Empire State Building, (34th & 5th), Buster Hemphill Funky Quartet, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
12/13, QVC Network (with KIDZ BOP). Airs 5pm EST.
JANUARY
1/15/2007: Daphne Rubin-Vega at Joe's Pub (NYC), 9:30 pm. Tix available online.
1/16/2007: MoBay Restaurant (Harlem, NYC) with Everyday People. 7:30 pm
gigs! (more to be added; check back often)
11/3 Porter Block @ Fifth Ward Pub, Milwaukee, WI 10:30pm
11/7 Porter Block @ Red & Black, Washington, DC
11/8 Porter Block @ The Loft, Fredricksburg, VA
11/14 Orleck @ MoPitkins, NYC (Avenue A), 10pm
where i'll be...
10/15, 22, & 29 My Brazilian/jazz trio returns to The Loft (505 Columbus Ave @ 84th). 12:30pm - 2:30 pm.
10/18 Porter Block celebrates the release of "Suburban Sprawl" at Pianos on the lower east side., 7 pm. I hear rumors of an open bar...
10/30 Daphne Rubin-Vega "Redemption Songs" release party at The Cutting Room (W. 24th between B'way & 6th Ave). This is the place to be: it will be packed and we're celebrating the release of a new record that we're all proud of!
What's up y'all!
At last, i've added a new tune to the Sounds page!
Please pardon my (dis)appearance while the site undergoes a needed upgrade. I'm building a video page; it should be posted here within a week, so stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy the new photo at right. This was taken last month at East River Park bandshell, at a concert by Shel Riser, aka "Sonny Boy"A big thank you to those who attended my salute to Quincy Jones last week. It was a great success, a fulfillment of an idea hatched long ago, and only the first of many more to come. Stay tuned to this site!
The first week of August will be positively Buster-saturated here on the East coast. There will be 2 TV appearances, plus a handful of tour dates. Also, a Daphne Rubin-Vega concert to close the Sono Arts festival. Last but not least, Porter Block hits the road for a couple of gigs. Check the calendar below for complete details!
On the studio tip, I recently recorded 2 tracks on an upcoming release from Stevi Alexander, vocalist nonpareil, who has sung with some of the biggest names in the biz. She's getting ready to drop her own thing...ya better watch out!
I'll be at...
8/2 Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ, 7:30 pm (Porter Block)
8/4 Joe's Pub, NYC
8/5 TV: CBS Teacup Cafe, 8am!, check local listings
8/6 Veteran's Park, Norwalk, CT, 5:30 pm (Daphne Rubin-Vega)
8/6 FTC Stage One, Fairfield, CT, 7:30 pm
8/7 TV: Good Morning NY!, check local listings - may be NY metro only
8/7 Joe's Pub, NYC
8/8 Grog & Tankard, Washington, DC (Porter Block)
8/12 & 13 The Loft, NYC, 84th & Columbus, 12:30 pm (Brazilian Jazz/Samba trio)
8/13 Rockwood Music Hall, NYC, 7pm (Porter Block)
Check back often; other dates WILL be added for August.
I have a slew of great projects and groups performing in July, all in need of enthusiastic ears! The long awaited (for me, at least) initial (I hope!) performance of my Tribute to Quincy Jones (see below), more Crisco Kids gigs, dates with Porter Block, and the continued weekend Brazilian music series with the trio. I've also recently recorded a tune with Marcos Sainz' Satya Project.
July 5 Crisco Kids, 9:30 pm, Prohibition (84th & Columbus). Tonight we feature the very soulful vocals and keyboard work of Monte Croft.
July 6 Porter Block, 8 pm, Parkside Lounge (225 E. Houston). www.myspace.com/porterblock
July 7 Crisco Kids, 10:30 pm, Prohibition (84th & Columbus). The return of the devastatingly funky crew that turned this mutha out back in June. If you were there, you know what I mean...
July 8 & 9 Brazilian Trio, 12:30pm, The Loft (505 Columbus). Come check the ever mutating, samba-fied interplay between myself, Dan Garcia (nylon gtr) and Chris Michael (drums). Muito legal...
July 10 Porter Block, 9:00 pm, Hamilton Stage (Bound Brook, NJ). Info at: www.myspace.com/porterblock
July 15 &16 Brazilian Trio, 12:30pm, The Loft (505 Columbus). I know, i need a better name than "Brazilian Trio"!
July 19 The Music of Quincy Jones, 8 pm Sugar Bar (254 W. 72nd). Don't miss it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Was that subtle enough?? Join me and a cast of jazz-funk all stars as we pay tribute to the esteemed musical legacy of "Q". We need your support on this one! As almost everyone knows, Q's midas touch has graced well, just about everything. So, we'll draw on an infinite body of music and musical associations. But, this will not be some type of sterile cover-song retrospective!!
At Ashford & Simspson's Sugar Bar...where, if we're funky enough, perhaps we'll be able to persuade Nick and Val to join us on a tune, just as they famously have with Quincy.
July 20 You mean you didn't go to my Quincy tribute last night? Shame on you!
July 22 & 23 Brazilian Trio, 12:30pm, The Loft (505 Columbus)
July 24 Porter Block, 9:00 pm, Wheel House Tavern (Naragansett, RI). Info at: www.myspace.com/porterblock
July 27 Porter Block, 9:00 pm, Kirkland Cafe (Somerville, MA). Info at: www.myspace.com/porterblock
I know, I know, the arctic ice ice sheet ain't what it used to be. It's a thought that more readily springs to mind this time of year (unless you're south of the equator). So, maybe you're shopping for the canoe you'll need just to go downtown, or perhaps you're cramming for when you're eventually named FEMA director. Whatever the case, you need a break! Check out the calendar below for a diverse list of stimulating options (all venues have a/c and a bar!):
Check back often; other dates may be added
6/3 The Loft, 12:30 pm (505 Columbus Ave). I've been doing a weekend series here, with a trio playing Brazilian music. It's great fun, and unpredictable in the best kind of way. With Dan Garcia, guitar, and Chris Michael, drums. These guys are burning!
6/4 The Loft, 12:30 pm
6/5 Porter Block @ the Pussycatt Lounge, 8:00pm
6/9 Crisco Kids @ Prohibition, (503 Columbus Ave). 10:30 pm
We love the funk and it shows. Featuring my longtime partner-in-crime, M. Angelo
6/10 & 6/11 The Loft, 12:30 pm
6/15 Daphne Rubin-Vega @ Cutting Room (19 W. 24th). 7:30 pm
details at her website! stay tuned to my "sounds" page for new CD excerpts!
Dig the return of the always thrilling Daphne...alot more going on than the rent :)
6/19 Chavonne (of Broadway's "Wicked") @ Cutting Room 7:00 pm
"Wicked" fans know her as Elphaba; I know her as the future of R&B. You can learn
more at www.myspace.com/chavonneworld
Hey Y'all -
Over the next few weeks there are some great shows to check out. Look for me: i'll be the guy in front of the drummer, but behind the singer... The release of Daphne Rubin-Vega's new album is imminent (for real this time!), and we'll be playing a couple of shows to spread the word. It's a real "band record", and we feel great about it! Also, Porter Block gears up for some East Coast dates with an NYC show. If you took Elvis Costello, the Eagles, Steely Dan, Cracker, Smash Mouth (ok, already!) and bombarded them with atoms at high speed, the byproduct might be something like this.
Feet don't fail me now! Please join me and some of my funkiest associates Wednesday May 10 as we break apart and recombine jazz, r&b, and funk of the last 50 years into something that must be felt and heard to be believed. And bring your friends!
5/10 Crisco Kids @ Prohibition (503 Columbus Ave/84th St) 10 pm. free!
5/27 brazilian trio @ The Loft (505 Columbus Ave, NYC) 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
5/28 brazilian trio @ The Loft (505 Columbus Ave, NYC) 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
6/5 Porter Block @ The Pussycat Lounge, NYC
6/15 Daphne Rubin-Vega @ The Cutting Room, (24th btn 5&6 Aves.) 7:30 pm
The new year has been thumpin' along steadily so far, with both new projects and old ones. The newest is Rathbone, a radio-friendly little pop vehicle that is just beginning to get its wings. Check their site for dates, and to hear some great music.
Also continuing to grow and generate interest is Penelope Lawson. We're at Crash Mansion April 20.
And look out for the debut of Kidz Bop Live!, coming soon to your town. Check the calendar below for cities and dates.
4/7 Prohibition (84th & Columbus, NYC). The last time I made a guest appearance with the VERY funky Friday house band here was a serious booty-shake affair, and this night should be no different.
4/19 York, PA
4/20 Crash Mansion, NYC
4/21 Prohibition (84th & Columbus, NYC)
4/23 Albany, NY
4/28 Green Bay, WI
4/30 Wilkes-Barre, PA
Howdy folks -
It's been a while since i've brought you up to speed on the musical happenings here in Buster-dom, And I have been a busy boy indeed! I've been working with several fine new musicians as well as some of the old favorites. And as is often the case, the last 5 or 6 weeks of work will culminate in somewhat of a gig marathon...on top of an already kinda full plate of offerings. So, if you see me, don't hesitate to offer a shoulder massage or Red Bull! But hey, multiplicity in music-making is good stuff.
In other news, i'm proud to announce a new endorsement of Aguilar, manufacturers of the finest bass amplifiers, cabinets, and preamps. I've been in thrall to the lush tone and solid engineering of these components since I first encountered them. These are thoughtfully designed, precisely executed, thoroughly tested amps that ultimately yield a warm-generous-but-not-annoyingly-bristly-hi-fi sound. For proof, you only need to check mine out at any of the following upcoming shows: (how's that for a segue?)
Penelope Lawson, Sat. Oct 22, Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery, NYC
A very talented young singer/songwriter/pianist plays her biggest and most highly anticipated show to date.
Jay Collins Band, Sun Oct 23, The Living Room (154 Ludlow St, 9 pm) & Friday, Nov 4, 55 Bar (55 Christopher St, 10 pm)
Jay is an extremely well-regarded songwriter, singer, and reedman (that means saxophones, ya'll) whose band has garnered some very good notices and who just returned from some West Coast dates. His sound is a self-described gumbo of "jazz, blues, roots, and poetry".www.jaycollins.com
Pay attention. This is Britain's hottest new export, with tons of attitude and a HUGE voice. She's been collaborating with producers The Qube, and has a slew of great songs. Check this out while you can still get in! You'll want to hear these songs over and over, and you'll get your chance (we're playing Wednesday, too!)
www.jemcooke.com
Buster Hemphill Group, Tues Oct 25, Sugar Bar, 254 W 72nd St, 8 pm
I'm back at Ashford & Simpson's spot with Misha Piatigorsky on piano and Willard Dyson on drums. Last month's show here was a great success (thanks to those who supported!). We're back with more funky surprises, Misha's award-winning compositions, sinuous grooves. DON'T MISS THIS ONE!
Interfaith Concert of Remembrance w/Brooklyn Philharmonic, Sat Nov 5, Cathedral of St John the Divine, 112 St & Amsterdam Av, 8 pm
I'll be appearing here with the Brooklyn Philharmonic (plus rhythm section).Guests too numerous to mention, this will be a VERY special evening featuring some outstanding performances.
More info at www.stjohndivine.org
A new trio featuring Keith Carlock, Misha Piatigorsky, and myself will DEBUT Tuesday night, September 6 at Sugar Bar, 8 pm. (254 W. 72nd, between B'way and West End).
In addition to being two of my closest friends, these guys are some of the most innovative and exciting musicians to be found ANYWHERE. A pretty grandiose statement, to be sure, so put my words to the test and come watch us tear the roof off the sucka. Ahem, I mean, please attend as we deftly and dexterously offer up a variety of stimulating rhythmic scenarios. Read about Misha and Keith here: www.mishamusic.com, www.keithcarlock.com
Hi everyone -
So far, the summer has been packed with a variety of music that I feel truly fortunate to have been a part of. And the fun(k) continues: over the next couple of weeks i'll be appearing with a number of great performers. Hope to see you there!
SOME DETAILS REGARDING SHOWS BY Felicia Collins and Daphne Rubin-Vega have changed. Felicia's next gig at the Sugar Bar will be July 29. There will not be a show in June, but July now promises 3 NY shows by this great band, 2 of which are free (see below).
DRV's appearance at Joe's Pub has been indefinitely postponed. Word is, we'll play there sometime early fall.
Stay tuned to this site or to www.daphnerubinvega.com for updates.
Monday July 25, 7:30 pm, Charlie Howard Big Band, Riggin Field, E. Rutherford, NJ
Thursday July 26, 12pm, Felicia Collins and the Life, Equity Worldwide Plaza, 50th & 8th Ave, NYC
Thursday July 26, 7pm, Ladell McLin (CD Release), The Knitting Factory (Main Space), 74 Leonard St, NYC
Thursday July 26, 9pm, Penelope Lawson, 13 Little Devils, 120 Orchard St, NYC
Friday July 29, 9pm, Felicia Collins (w/special guest D-Train), Sugar Bar, 254 W. 72nd, NYC (see earlier updates for details)
Wednesday August 3, 12:30pm, Felicia Collins and the Life, McGraw-Hill Plaza, 48th & 6th Ave, NYC
Wednesday August 3, 7pm, Charlie Howard Big Band, Civic Square, Verona, NJ
Wednesday August 10, 7:30pm Charlie Howard Big Band, Freedom Park, Riverdale, NJ
Wednesday August 10, 10pm Felicia Collins and the Life, Smoke Jazz Club, B'way @ 105 St, NYC
Thursday August 11, 7pm Penelope Lawson, Rockwood Music Hall, Lower East Side, NYC
And, stay tuned for releases from Daphne Rubin-Vega and Felicia Collins.
RAIN DATE FOR FELICIA COLLINS' CONCERT AT McGraw-Hill PLAZA IS THIS FRIDAY (TOMORROW), JULY 15, 12:30-1:30, 48th Street & 6th Ave.
If you tried to attend you already know that we were rained out. Come by tomorrow!
BVI Music Fest
May 29 @ Cane Garden Bay Beach, Tortola, BVI
I'll be performing here with a group called "In The Light", led by jazz/funk maestro John F. Adams. Also featuring Rona Allen, Regis Branson, and my frequent rhythm-section mate Steve Williams.
www.bvimusicfest.net
Project Sunshine Benefit Concert feat. Freedom Bremner
June 21 @ B.B. King's, NYC
To learn more about this immensely talented singer/songwriter, visit www.freedombremner.com
He's the real deal, kids!
New York City Swing feat. Charlie Howard
June 22, Ft. Lee, NJ
It was always a dream of mine to play in a hard-swinging big band that combined the best of Ellington, Basie, Benny Goodman, and other giants of the era. This group, comprised of some of the finest musicians in the tri-state area, will begin a summer concert series in conjunction with the New Jersey parks commission. And, it's absolutely free! This is the first of 18-20 concerts. I'll post a complete schedule of those in a future update.
Felicia Collins (from Late Night w/ David Letterman)
June 24 @ Sugar Bar, NYC
We continue a monthly run here at Ashford & Simpson's Upper West side mecca for all things SOUL. Music luminaries and assorted funkateers have been turning this gig into a real hang, and Felicia is singing, playing, and writing better than ever. Ya never know who will join us onstage.
www.feliciacollins.com or www.sugarbarnyc.com
Also stay tuned for detail on a March concert.
