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Fall 2009 (so far) 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. 10/2 The Living Room (154 Ludlow St) with Sean Altman. 10/7 The Freilach Orchestra with Lipa Schmeltzer. Venue TBA 10/16 Sugar Bar (254 W. 72nd) Doubleheader! Sets at 8 & 10 with Andre Henry, and at 11:30 with Ramon Taranco. 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. 11/6 Washington, DC Dar Constitution Hall with Janno Gibbs & Ogie Alcasid 11/8 Tampa, FL Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center with Janno Gibbs & Ogie AlcasidJune/July 2009 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. April/May 2009 To the tens of you who check my site regularly to check every late-breaking development: you've noticed i'm not exactly updating this thing in a Twitter-ly fashion. I apologize. The good news is that there's tons of good news, the bad news is...i'm trying to upgrade the site, and well, i ain't done yet. The capsule version of my last couple of months: Metermaids
is still going strong. Check out the Voice's review of their remix record
here. 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 December 2008 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. Watch this space for continued updates! September 2008 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 9/10 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. August 2008 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. May 2008 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. March 2008 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 January/February 2008 Just cut some interesting tunes for producer William Berlind,
with drummer Aaron Thurston. 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! December 2007 Hey Ya'll: 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!! October/November 2007 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. August 2007 I have added a couple of links to new audio on the sounds page, with more to come... May 2007 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. 5/25 The Blue Note with Stevvi
Alexander, 12:30 am, West 3rd @ 6th Ave, NYC March 2007 Just added! Tuesday, March 27, at Minton's Playhouse (9pm, 118th and St. Nicholas Ave) with Marvel Allen. Greetings! 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. February 2007 2/20 MoBay Restaurant, Harlem, 7:30, with Everyday People 2/22 Baton Rouge, Harlem, 8:30, with Everyday People 3/16 The Blue Note, NYC, details here **a couple of tracks I recorded for vocalist Stevvi Alexander have been posted at her website, check 'em out here. December 2006/January 2007 Hi friends - 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 November 2006 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 October 2006 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! September 2006 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". August 2006 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... Check back often; other dates WILL be added for August. July 2006 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!! 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 June 2006 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 6/10 & 6/11 The Loft, 12:30 pm 6/15 Daphne
Rubin-Vega @ Cutting Room (19 W. 24th). 7:30 pm 6/19 Chavonne (of Broadway's "Wicked") @ Cutting
Room 7:00 pm MAY 2006 Hey Y'all - 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 APRIL 2006 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. 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 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005 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 Jay Collins Band, Sun Oct 23, The
Living Room (154 Ludlow St, 9 pm) &
Friday, Nov 4, 55 Bar (55 Christopher St, 10 pm) 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 Interfaith Concert of Remembrance w/Brooklyn
Philharmonic, Sat Nov 5, Cathedral of St John the Divine, 112 St &
Amsterdam Av, 8 pm SEPTEMBER 2005 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 JULY/AUGUST 2005 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). Monday July 25, 7:30 pm, Charlie Howard Big Band, Riggin
Field, E. Rutherford, NJ 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. MAY/JUNE 2005 BVI Music Fest Project Sunshine Benefit Concert feat. Freedom Bremner New York City Swing feat. Charlie Howard Felicia Collins (from Late Night w/ David Letterman)
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