Lee Ritenour at the Blue Note August 20, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Interviews, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Radio, Travel.Tags: Smooth Jazz Magazine
2 comments
Another month, another concert at the Blue Note in Greenwich Village. Friday night, I saw guitarist Lee Ritenour with special guest Dave Grusin.
My recap of the Spyro Gyra show I saw at Blue Note in May caught the attention of Art Jackson of Smooth Jazz Magazine. Art asked to put most of it in the July/August issue and I eagerly agreed. He also asked if there were any shows I’d like to attend as a photographer on behalf of the magazine. I told him I was interested in seeing Lee Ritenour the week he was at Blue Note. Like Earl Klugh last month, I had never seen him – or Dave Grusin, for that matter – live. However, I interviewed him twice for The Mike Chimeri Show on Webradio WCWP (now MyWCWP) a decade ago.
I had in mind Friday night at 8:00. Art came through.
I arrived outside at 5:00. I was second in line this time, behind a jazz concert regular named Celeste. We had a great conversation and time flew by. Before we knew it, it was 6:00 and we went in.
I sat in my usual spot right by the stage, but I wasn’t there for long. I felt cramped and closed in. So, I asked for a different table and the staff was very accommodating. Not many shots below were taken at the table. I mostly walked adjacent to the stage in brief spurts to avoid getting in the audience’s way.
Lee Ritenour was on guitar:
Dave Grusin was on piano, except on the first song:
…and briefly on keyboard:
Otherwise, Giorgi Mikadze played the keyboards:
Giorgi was a 2014 grand prize winner of Lee’s annual Six String Theory competition.
Tom Kennedy on acoustic and electric bass:
…and Lee’s son Wes – named after the late guitarist Wes Montgomery – on drums:
Wes is two weeks older than my cousin Steve.
Here was the 8:00 set on Friday night:
1. The Village
Originally heard on: Rhythm Sessions, 2012
2. Waltz for Carmen
Originally heard on: Stolen Moments, 1990; A Twist of Rit, 2015
3. Punta del Soul
Originally heard on: Migration (Dave Grusin), 1989; Rhythm Sessions, 2012
4. Stone Flower (Antonio Carlos Jobim cover)
Originally heard on: A Twist of Jobim, 1997
5. Wes Bound
Originally heard on: Wes Bound, 1993; Alive in L.A., 1997
6. Pearl
Originally heard on: A Twist of Rit, 2015
7. (Dave Grusin song I didn’t recognize; unidentified by Lee)
8. A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That
Originally heard on: First Course, 1976; Rio, 1979; A Twist of Rit, 2015
9 (Finale). Wild Rice
Originally heard on: First Course, 1976; A Twist of Rit, 2015
A few wide shots from my table:
Lee introduced the band one last time at the end:
This was the first Blue Note show I’ve been to with a meet-and-greet. I brought a copy of Lee’s 1998 album, This is Love, the first album of his I ever bought. Rit’s House, The Very Best of Lee Ritenour, and Overtime would follow. Then, I gradually filled my collection with every other album in his discography. After A Twist of Rit came out last summer, I completed the collection to date with First Course, Gentle Thoughts, and The Captain’s Journey. The title track from that last album came up in my iPod’s shuffle during my run earlier in the day.
I introduced myself, Lee signed the album, and he told me that his son Wes was on the cover. I never knew that was him. Before leaving the line, we posed for a picture.
Before gathering my belongings and taking the subway and LIRR back home, I ran into Wes downstairs. I complimented his performance and showed him the CD. Then, we posed with it. The picture took several tries, as the patron I lent the camera to initially shot above the CD, but Wes was patient.
I wished him luck with the second set, packed up, and headed for home.
Thank you to Lee, Wes, Dave, Giorgi, Tom, and the Blue Note staff for another great night at the legendary venue.
If you’d like to see Lee and the band perform, you have two more nights to do so.
SJFS 2016 Night 2 recap May 4, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Football, Internet, Interviews, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Radio, Sports, Travel, TV.13 comments
Other SJFS recaps: 2008, 2008 meet-and-greet, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Night 1, 2013 Night 2, 2014 Night 1, 2014 Night 2, 2015 Night 1, 2016 Night 1
Day 2 of my weekend in Milford, Connecticut, began at sunrise. I went right to sleep when I returned to the hotel the night before. So, the first thing I did when I woke up was move the pictures I shot from my camera to my laptop. After that, I took the elevator down to the lobby and helped myself to breakfast. The day progressed from there. To pass the time, I watched episodes of Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show while editing Friday’s Smooth Jazz for Scholars pictures. When the latter rounds of the NFL Draft were televised, I had that on with the TV muted as I continued to listen to (when editing) and watch (when not) the Chat Show.
If such a thing existed, I would have teleported from my room to the Tilles Center Atrium for this year’s WCWP Hall of Fame Ceremony. Instead, this recap by 2014 inductee Frank D’Elia will have to do. Jeff Kroll, inducted last year, informed me that next year’s ceremony will probably be earlier in the year, eliminating a conflict with Smooth Jazz for Scholars.
Eventually, 5:15 came and it was time for dinner. My girlfriend and I ate at the Olive Garden in nearby Orange. It was the first time I had been to any location other than the one in East Massapequa. Since I ate waffles and muffins at breakfast, I avoided those delicious breadsticks, limiting myself to minestrone, lasagna, and a creme de menthe candy when the check came.
My girlfriend improvised on her alto saxophone again while we waited in the parking lot adjacent to the Parsons Complex Veterans Memorial Auditorium. This time, she even played in front of audience members waiting on the auditorium steps. They loved it.
In the auditorium lobby, I met Jay Rowe‘s mother, Mia DiStasi, as I preordered Jay’s upcoming album, Smooth Ride.
At 8:00, Kevin McCabe welcomed the audience:
There were plenty of people like me that also attended Friday’s show.
Once again, John Patterson, president and CEO of the Monroe County (Michigan) Convention and Tourism Bureau, promoted the River Raisin Jazz Festival:
After two songs from West Shore Middle School students Friday night, Saturday night saw two songs by the East Shore Middle School Jazz Band:
They played “Blues at Frog Bottom” and “Peter Gunn.”
After chairs were removed from the stage, Jay Rowe and his band came out.
Jay played keyboards:
Steve Scales on percussion:
Trever Somerville on drums:
…and Dave Anderson on bass:
The stars of night 2 were Eric Darius on alto saxophone:
Chieli Minucci (“key-ELLIE min-OO-chee”) on electric guitar:
…and acoustic guitar:
Nelson Rangell on alto sax…:
…flute…:
…and piccolo:
He also whistled a couple of bars:
Nick Colionne on electric guitar:
…and with Jay’s band on seven songs, including the finale, just like the night before, Rohn (“Ron”) Lawrence on electric guitar:
SET LIST
1. East Coast West Coast (Jay Rowe)
Originally heard on: Red Hot and Smooth (2006)
Featured musicians: Jay Rowe (keyboards), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
2. Goin’ All Out (Eric Darius)
Originally heard on: Goin’ All Out (2008)
Featured musicians: Eric Darius (alto sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
3. If I Ain’t Got You (Alicia Keys cover) (Eric Darius)
Originally heard on: Just Getting Started (2006)
Featured musicians: Eric Darius (alto sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
Eric worked his way through the audience in the middle of the song.
4. Uptown East (Chieli Minucci)
Originally heard on: Slice of Life (Special EFX) (1986)
Featured musician: Chieli Minucci (electric guitar)
5. Dance on the Delta (Chieli Minucci)
Originally heard on: Upcoming Special EFX album
Featured musicians: Chieli Minucci (acoustic guitar), Nelson Rangell (flute, alto sax)
6. From Here (Nelson Rangell)
Originally heard on: Red (2015)
Featured musicians: Nelson Rangell (alto sax, whistling), Chieli Minucci (electric guitar)
7. Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me) (The Brothers Johnson cover) (Nelson Rangell)
Originally heard on: Nelson Rangell (1990)
Featured musicians: Nelson Rangell (piccolo), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
8. Buckle Up (Nick Colionne)
Originally heard on: The Journey (2016)
Featured musicians: Nick Colionne (electric guitar), Nelson Rangell (alto sax)
9. Rainy Night in Georgia (Brook Benton cover) (Nick Colionne)
Originally heard on: It’s My Turn (1994), Keepin’ It Cool (2006)
Featured musicians: Nick Colionne (vocals, electric guitar), Eric Darius (alto sax)
10. Night on the Town (Eric Darius)
Originally heard on: Night on the Town (2004)
Featured musicians: Eric Darius (alto sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
11. Ballerina (Chieli Minucci)
Originally heard on: Just Like Magic (Special EFX) (1990)
Featured musician: Chieli Minucci (electric guitar)
12. The Road Ahead (Nelson Rangell)
Originally heard on: Destiny (1995)
Featured musicians: Nelson Rangell (alto sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
13 (Finale). James Brown tribute
Featured musicians: Everyone, led by Nick Colionne (vocals)
Nick went into the audience twice for his “Whatta ‘Bout You?” routine.
Now for various shots of each musician, starting with Jay Rowe:
Eric Darius:
Chieli Minucci on electric guitar:
Acoustic guitar:
Nelson Rangell on alto sax:
Flute:
Piccolo:
Whistling:
Tambourine break on “Buckle Up”:
I always love when Nelson joins Steve Scales on percussion.
Nick Colionne:
Singing “Rainy Night in Georgia”:
Rohn Lawrence:
Steve Scales:
Trever Somerville:
Dave Anderson:
Next, two shots, starting with Rohn and Eric:
Nelson and Chieli:
Rohn and Nelson:
Nick and Nelson:
Nick and Eric:
Steve and Trever’s duet on “Night on the Town”:
The James Brown tribute finale begins with Nick channeling the Godfather of Soul:
The rest of the band was in on the seance:
“Fellas!”:
The response was inadequate:
Take 2: “Fellas!”:
After a “yeah!” response, Nick imitated James’s incoherence in a questioning tone, eliciting more “yeah!” responses.
Then, he laughed: “Ha-ha-ha!”:
“Can I count it off?”:
“1, 2, 3, 4!”:
And away we went.
The “Whatta ‘Bout You?” routine:
Back on stage:
The cape routine:
Jay can dance:
Time to bring it home:
That was it for night 2.
What a wild night and a fantastic weekend.
My girlfriend drove me to Bridgeport Station at around noon on Sunday and my journey home began. Until next year, Milford.
SJFS 2016 Night 1 recap May 4, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Interviews, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Radio, Travel.13 comments
Other SJFS recaps: 2008, 2008 meet-and-greet, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Night 1, 2013 Night 2, 2014 Night 1, 2014 Night 2, 2015 Night 1, 2016 Night 2
Ten years ago tomorrow, May 5, I met keyboardist Jay Rowe following a Special EFX concert at the since-defunct IMAC (Inter-Media Art Center) in Huntington. A friendship was born. (We posed for a picture that can be seen here.) About seven months later, he invited me to his annual Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert the following April in his hometown of Milford, Connecticut. I agreed to go. Last Friday, I made my tenth annual pilgrimage to Milford for the 14th annual Smooth Jazz for Scholars. This was the fourth year with two shows, and the third in which I went to both shows.
The journey began Friday morning in a cold wind on the platform at the Wantagh LIRR station. I took a westbound train to Penn Station. My next stop was Penn’s Amtrak terminal. I waited an hour, which included a quick nosh at Tim Horton’s, then boarded the Vermonter on track 8E. I was in coach, which resembled the commuter trains I’m used to riding. About 70 minutes later, I exited the train at Bridgeport. My girlfriend was waiting for me.
I met her on Facebook six years ago. She first discovered me four years before that through this website because of an interview I did with Brian Simpson at WCWP. (You can find that interview here.) She noticed me in the audience at the 2009 SJFS, but didn’t approach me. When we connected on Facebook, I assumed she was a fan of my stint as host of Evening Jazz, a WCWP format at the time. We shared a love of music, both for listening and playing. I’m a piano man, she was a sax woman.
We checked in at Hampton Inn in Milford around 2PM. After a few hours of settling in, we went out to dinner and dessert at Friendly’s. From there, we drove to the site of Smooth Jazz for Scholars: the Parsons Complex Veterans Memorial Auditorium. We were early, so we waited in the parking lot for a half hour.
While we waited, my girlfriend improvised on her alto saxophone to backing tracks on her MP3 player.
Shortly after 8:00, show #1 began with an introduction by Kevin McCabe:
Next to speak was John Patterson, president and CEO of the Monroe County (Michigan) Convention and Tourism Bureau:
John was promoting another annual jazz event: the River Raisin Jazz Festival.
Then, it was time to showcase Milford music students. First to perform were students from West Shore Middle School, who sang “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley…:
…and “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran:
From there, it was on to the Foran High School Jazz Ensemble, who performed Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon”:
The students then gave way to Jay Rowe and his band.
Jay was on keyboards:
Steve Scales played percussion:
Trever Somerville on drums:
…and Dave Anderson on bass:
The stars of night 1 were Matt Marshak on electric guitar:
The aforementioned Brian Simpson, who was briefly on keyboard…:
…but mostly on keytar:
Peter White on acoustic guitar:
Marion Meadows on soprano saxophone:
…and with Jay’s band on seven songs, including the finale, Rohn (“Ron”) Lawrence on electric guitar:
SET LIST
1. Red Hot and Smooth (Jay Rowe)
Originally heard on: Red Hot and Smooth (2006)
Featured musicians: Jay Rowe (keyboards), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
2. Cadillac Kid (Matt Marshak)
Originally heard on: Colors of Me (2012)
Featured musician: Matt Marshak (electric guitar)
3. Teddy P (Matt Marshak)
Originally heard on: Urban Folktales (2011)
Featured musician: Matt Marshak (electric guitar)
4. Just What You Need (Brian Simpson)*
Originally heard on: Just What You Need (2013)
Featured musicians: Brian Simpson (keyboard, keytar), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
5. Saturday Cool (Brian Simpson)*
Originally heard on: It’s All Good (2005)
Featured musicians: Brian Simpson (keytar), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
6. Promenade/Could It Be I’m Falling in Love (The Spinners cover) (Peter White)
Originally heard on: Promenade (1993), Reflections (1994)
Featured musicians: Peter White (acoustic guitar), Marion Meadows (soprano sax)
7. In Rainbows (Peter White)
Originally heard on: Smile (2014)
Featured musicians: Peter White (acoustic guitar), Marion Meadows (soprano sax)
8. What Cha Gonna Do? (Brian Simpson)*
Originally heard on: Above the Clouds (2007)
Featured musicians: Brian Simpson (keyboard, keytar), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
9. Lifestyle (Matt Marshak)
Originally heard on: Lifestyle (2014)
Featured musician: Matt Marshak (electric guitar)
10. Bueno Funk (Peter White)
Originally heard on: Glow (2001)
Featured musicians: Peter White (acoustic guitar), Marion Meadows (soprano sax)
11. Treasures (Marion Meadows)
Originally heard on: In Deep (2002)
Featured musicians: Marion Meadows (soprano sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
12. Humanity (Marion Meadows)
Originally heard on: Soul Traveler (2015)
Featured musicians: Marion Meadows (soprano sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
13 (Finale). Kiss (Prince cover)
Featured musicians: Everyone
*-Jay was not on stage during this song.
Now for various shots of each musician, starting with Jay Rowe:
Matt Marshak:
Brian Simpson:
Peter White:
Leading the audience on “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love”:
The audience followed:
Marion Meadows:
Rohn Lawrence:
Steve Scales:
Trever Somerville:
Dave Anderson:
Next, two shots, starting with Rohn and Brian:
Rohn and Marion:
Peter and Marion:
The finale: “Kiss”:
The last note:
Night 1 was complete:
Before heading back to the hotel, my girlfriend and I caught up with Brian Simpson and I spoke with Peter White.
2015 LIU Post & WCWP Homecoming, 2016 Hall of Fame Announcement October 11, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Airchecks, Audio, Football, Interviews, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Radio, Sports, Video, Weather.7 comments
Earlier recaps: 2008, 2009, WCWP 50th Anniversary (2011), 2012, 2013, 2014
Earlier 2015 Homecoming Weekend posts: FM 50th Anniversary Celebration, First few hours of shows on Friday
Later in this recap, I share airchecks from my pre-recorded Homecoming Weekend show that aired early this morning. To see and hear my live show on Friday, click here.
Yesterday was my third day in row on the campus of LIU Post: Homecoming Day.
I arrived about an hour earlier than previous years. When I made my way to Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium, the LIU Post Pioneers and Merrimack College Warriors were in the second quarter of their game.
On the way to Bronko Piersall Field, I shot pictures from the carnival and signs in the parking lot:
The annual press box shots…
Jeff Kroll and Neil Marks were back in the lower booth calling the game. Jeff’s wife Pat is to his left (screen right) and Joel Feltman is to Neil’s right (screen left).
Pat photographed Jeff and Neil before kickoff:
Unfortunately, the Pioneers did not score while I was by the field:
They did, however, miss a field goal:
Disappointed, I walked to WCWP, where I spent the rest of the day.
The Pioneers would trail the Warriors 3-0 at halftime, but score 20 unanswered points in the second half. The Warriors got back within 3 twice and had two chances to regain the lead. They couldn’t, and the Pioneers hung on to win 27-24.
Now for the WCWP portion of the day…
The Studio 1 clock:
Maura “Bernie” Bernard’s show followed the football game:
Pete Bellotti announced the two 2016 inductees to the WCWP Hall of Fame: the late Ann Gaffney…:
…and Joe Honerkamp:
Bruce Leonard called in – speaking with Neil Marks, initially – and spoke with Bernie on the air following the announcement:
Jeff Kroll chimed in on Joe’s induction:
Jay Mirabile and me:
Pete Bellotti, me, Jay Mirabile:
Pete Bellotti, Bernie Bernard, Joe Honerkamp, Dan Cox, Bobby Guthenberg:
The inductees:
John Zoni in Studio 2:
Bernie made way for Mike Riccio and Bobby G.:
Back in Studio 2, Bill and Debbie Mozer:
Bernie Bernard and me:
It was a fun few days of Homecoming festivites for me. It’s always great to catch up with my fellow alumni. The compliments I received for my multimedia work – pictures, video, and audio – have made this year extra special.
Now, here’s video from some of Bernie’s show followed by the start of Mike and Bobby’s show:
There was one part of Bernie’s show that I missed: Ted David called in. Here’s how that sounded:
That’s what I meant by the compliments I received. Thank you very much, Ted.
At 2:00 this morning, the second of my Homecoming Weekend shows aired: a bonus edition of Instrumental Invasion with Mike Chimeri. I recorded the show two weeks ago. Naturally, I have pictures to show for it:
Here are airchecks from the show:
And the playlist:
I’ve been listening to the rest of the WCWP Homecoming Weekend throughout Sunday.
2015 WCWP Hall of Fame Ceremony April 28, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Interviews, Media, Music, News, Personal, Photography, Radio, Sports, Technology, TV, Video.6 comments
Previous Hall of Fame ceremonies: 2012, 2013, 2014
Saturday afternoon, the WCWP Hall of Fame inducted four more alumni in a ceremony inside the Goldsmith Atrium at LIU Post’s Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. In order of induction, this year’s inductees were Jeff Kroll, Bruce Leonard, Bobby Guthenberg, and Mike Riccio.
It was the third year in a row where the ceremony coincided with bright sunshine outside, allowing for plenty of natural light to illuminate the atrium.
I arrived about 90 minutes early following a drive of the same length from the Hampton Inn in Milford, Connecticut, after attending the first night of Smooth Jazz for Scholars. Slowly but surely, the inductees, their families, and fellow alumni filled the atirum and the ceremony began.
You can watch the ceremony at the end of this post, but first, the pictures:
WCWP station manager Dan Cox welcomed everyone and tossed to an introductory video narrated by Jim Cutler:
2013 inductee Bernie Bernard was this year’s MC:
The first inductee of the day was Jeff Kroll, introduced by Bruce Leonard:
The view from my camcorder:
The same view from a different focal point:
Bruce and Jeff swapped places as Jeff introduced Bruce:
Neil Marks came up to say a few words:
Then came Bruce’s acceptance speech:
Joel Feltman was next a few words of his own:
Joe Honerkamp listened as Joel reflected on how they were introduced:
The third inductee of the day was Bobby Guthenberg, introduced by Bernie Bernard:
Finally, Bobby introduced Mike Riccio:
Bobby’s gift to Mike:
Mike’s acceptance speech:
2013 inductee Bill Mozer was repeatedly referenced throughout the ceremony. He came to the stage after Mike spoke:
2014 inductee Frank D’Elia’s turn at the mic:
Bill returned with a few more words:
Dan Cox returned to wrap of the ceremony, bringing along a copy of the Hall of Fame sign, as posted in the background, to be autographed by the four inductees:
Jeff’s wife Pat bought a cake for the ceremony:
The ceremonial cutting:
Now that you’ve seen the pictures, enjoy the video:
Congratulations to Jeff Kroll, Bruce Leonard, Bobby Guthenberg, and Mike Riccio, the 2015 WCWP Hall of Fame class!
Five days of scanning January 30, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Bowling, Education, Internet, Interviews, Jazz, Media, Music, News, Personal, Photography, Radio, Sports, Technology.add a comment
As snow fell outside Monday afternoon, I was going through a drawer in my room where I keep some personal mementos. Then, I was struck with inspiration. I had been using my Epson WF-3520 All-in-One Printer in the guest room to copy a few documents this month, via the printer’s sheet feeder. Why not use that sheet feeder to scan any personal mementos that were on letter-size paper? That’s what I did all this week.
I started with bowling scorecards between 1998 and 2006, plus a handful more between September 2007 and September 2014. Then, I moved on to my final college transcript, a paper I wrote for Introduction to Journalism, an e-mail reply from Tom Snyder, two e-mail replies from voice over talent Dan Chandler, a flyer promoting my Mike Chimeri Show interview with Colin Mochrie, and radio show and Live365 radio station playlists. I scanned anything that wasn’t letter-size on the traditional scanner platen. This included dot matrix score sheets from AMF Wantagh Lanes and two desk calendar pages that were dated September 11, 2001. Playlists that were handwritten on letter-size legal paper had to be scanned on my Canon CanoScan LiDE210 in my room. Since what I wrote on the other side could be seen, I had to scan in black and white – not grayscale – giving the scans an old photocopy or fax look.
The radio show playlists spanned my career to date: The Mike Chimeri Show, The Instrumental Invasion, MCJN (Live365 station), a few demos, the night I filled in for Martin Phillips on the defunct Thursday Night Jazz show, Evening Jazz, CJazzPlus (Live365 station), and all my homecoming weekend shows.
In addition to the copy of my Intro to Journalism paper, I also saved papers by two of my classmates. The paper had us write a profile of a few of our classmates, based on press conference-style interviews our professor, Bernard Bard, previously a reporter for the New York Post, had arranged one week in mid-semester. I remember little about my presser, but there was one quote each of the classmates that wrote about me used:
Broadcasting is my thing, my calling. I belong in that field.
This was in March 2001. Seven months later, I began at WCWP. While I may have had volunteer success, I’m still waiting and hoping for professional success. If “my thing, my calling” doesn’t pan out, at least I have photo and document scanning to make a career of.
Dharma All Stars recap 8 January 19, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Interviews, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Radio, Travel, Weather.1 comment so far
Previous Dharma All Stars recaps: July 2008, September 2008, June 2009, July 2009, April 2010, August 2010, September 2011
For me, last week began with Lisa Hilton at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. The week ended closer to home – at Suite 1828 in Merrick – for another favorite of mine: John Favicchia‘s Dharma All Stars.
2011 marked the first time I saw Lisa Hilton, but it was the last time until last Friday that I had seen Dharma All Stars. I first saw them live a decade ago in Rockville Centre. I interviewed guitarist Chieli Minucci for my WCWP radio show – all interviews can be found here – and after we finished recording, he invited me to Dharma’s show, which was two weeks later, where he would be on guitar. I’m so glad I did. The People I’ve Met page includes pictures from some of the Dharma gigs I attended between July 2005 and March 2007. (Yes, I was much heavier back then.)
On Friday night, Dharma All Stars was led by John Favicchia on drums:
Steve Briody (“BRY-dee”) on guitar:
Brad Mason on trumpet…:
…and flugelhorn:
Coincidentally, Brad was at the first Dharma gig I attended.
Misha Tsiganov on keyboard:
…and Nick Lazarev on bass:
My interviews with John and Steve can also be found at the interviews page I linked to earlier.
The set list featured all my favorites:
1. Horizons
2. Coincidence
3. Sing a Song of Song (Kenny Garrett cover)
4. Black (Cedar Walton cover)
5. April Fools
6. Kukuc
John’s “Kukuc” solo:
When “Kukuc” ended, the crowd at the Suite stood up and cheered. Another spectacular show was in the books.
Afterward, my girlfriend took this picture of the Dharma All Stars along with Jeff Krasner and me:
Dharma will be back at Suite 1828 on Friday, March 13.
2014 LIU Post & WCWP Homecoming, 2015 Hall of Fame Announcement October 21, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Airchecks, Audio, Interviews, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Radio, Sports, Technology, Video, Weather.9 comments
Earlier recaps: 2008, 2009, WCWP 50th Anniversary (2011), 2012, 2013
Later recap: 2015
Later in this recap, I share airchecks from my Homecoming Weekend show and behind-the-scenes pictures from the prerecord.
I was at LIU Post on Saturday for their annual Homecoming Day. Most of my time was spent at WCWP’s barbecue and the announcement of 2015 inductees to their Hall of Fame.
I arrived at WCWP at about 2:30 PM. After setting my equipment down in Studio 3, I walked to Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium to watch part of the 3rd quarter of the LIU Post Pioneers’ Homecoming game against the Saint Anselm Hawks.
Before taking pics by Bronko Pearsall Field, I grabbed a few shots of the carnival:
The press box:
WCWP alumni Jeff Kroll and Neil Marks called the game from the lower booth. Included to their right (screen left) were, from left to right, Joel Feltman, Zach Parker (facing away), and Phil Lebowitz.
Last year was going to be the press box’s last year, but it turned out not to be.
Unlike last year, I didn’t capture a Pioneers touchdown, but I did capture a kickoff return for Saint Anselm…
..
…and a run by Pioneers quarterback Steven Laurino:
The Pioneers went on to beat the Hawks by the score of 49-21.
I took the scenic route back to WCWP, which began at Post Hall:
It is home to ARP, or the Academic Resource Program, located on the lower level. It was the Academic Resource Center (ARC) while I was a student, from Fall 1999 to Fall 2003, and was one level higher.
My 35mm photo rescanning project recently included pictures from ARC events. And as I work my way through pics between the rest of 2000 and 2003, there will be many more. Without ARC/ARP, I would have had a tougher road to graduation.
The opposite side of Post Hall:
Riggs Hall:
Humanities Hall:
Humanities was home to many of my Media Arts classes. I also took English Composition, Philosophy, Political Science, Spanish, and Math for Elementary Education there.
The Winnick House:
The combined building of Life Science and Pell Hall:
I took Study Strategies on the Life Science side, and Human Geography and Earth Science on the Pell side.
Eventually, I made my way back to WCWP.
With the Homecoming game ending early, Maura “Bernie” Bernard had to start her show a half hour earlier than expected:
The same thing happened to me in 2008.
Let the show begin:
Steven Acevedo was one of many guests to drop in on Bernie’s show:
David Kaplan was another:
Moments before the 2015 WCWP Hall of Fame announcement, I video recorded the following aircheck from Bernie’s show, synced to my recording of the Internet stream:
As Ted David noted above, at 5PM, he announced the 2015 inductees to the WCWP Hall of Fame. Ted is himself an inductee, part of the 2014 HOF class.
The 2015 inductees are Jeff Kroll, Bruce Leonard, Bobby Guthenberg, and Mike Riccio. Yesterday was not only the 53rd anniversary of WCWP, but Bobby’s “53rd” birthday, as well. What better birthday present than induction into the WCWP Hall of Fame?
Here is the announcement:
After that, it was time to pose for pictures.
Here are Pete Bellotti, Dan Cox, Jeff Kroll, Bruce Leonard, Bobby Guthenberg, Mike Riccio, and Ted David:
Next is all the Hall of Famers that were present at Homecoming:
Frank D’Elia (2014), Ted (2014), Bobby G. (2015), Mike (2015), Bernie Bernard (2013), Jeff (2015), Bruce (2015):
One of two pictures of Ted and me:
Joel Feltman and Ted David:
The barbecue outside WCWP wouldn’t have been possible without Ryan Attard, Director of Alumni Relations and the LIU Post Alumni Association. After the HOF announcement, Ryan spoke with Bernie:
Here is how that looked and sounded:
Phil Lebowitz (center) with two current students: Deandre Wilson and Mike Nicosia:
After the above picture, I was Bernie’s next guest:
Two comments:
1) I probably shouldn’t have bitten the smooth jazz hand that could potentially feed me in the future.
2) I was nervously playing with one of the WCWP bracelets that Bernie’s sister Melissa made.
Steven Acevedo and Jett Lightning took turns reading the WCWP Rock Show concert calendar:
Here’s how that sounded:
Hearing Bernie play “Fire” by Arthur Brown in previous years made that song one of my favorites. When she played it this year, as heard above, after “I am the god of hellfire, and I bring you…!,” I jumped up and down excitedly for the first few bars before composing myself.
6PM marked the middle of WCWP’s Homecoming Weekend:
It began Friday at noon and ended Sunday night (yesterday morning) at midnight.
Thanks to Pat Kroll for bringing over this personalized Waldbaum’s sheet cake:
Pat cut the first slice:
The WCWP 53rd anniversary/birthday cake was acknowledged on the air:
John Zoni, Pat Kroll, Jeff Kroll, Zach Parker:
Bernie’s last aircheck of the night:
…looked and sounded like this:
Next up was Rev. John Commins:
It was his first Homecoming show in a decade.
Bruce and Jeff ran the board:
Steven Acevedo stuck around for John’s show:
Here are select airchecks from John’s show:
Mike Phillips, Frank D’Elia, and Phil Lebowitz:
After becoming friends with Joe Honerkamp on Facebook, we finally met in person Saturday night:
Ted David took this picture of me:
Then, we posed for our second pic of the day:
I took one last shot before I left:
I had to take it from Studio 2 because it was too crowded in Studio 1 and at the door to Studio 1.
I had such a blast at Homecoming. It was great to catch up with alumni I’ve met before and with those I met in person for the first time.
Hours later, at 2AM, it was time for my Homecoming show, CJazzPlus with Mike Chimeri. As I noted two weeks ago, I prerecorded the show. Here are pictures from that session in Studio 2:
Direct from the Studio 2 console are my airchecks from that show:
And here is the playlist with a retroactive correction I added in Photoshop on Sunday night:
Some of the notes I wrote on the playlist didn’t make it to the final cut.
I loved Ted David’s liners so much that I made a compilation of how those liners sounded between songs:
The first transition was from the console while the rest were from the Internet stream.
My experience at Day 1 of 2014 New York Comic Con October 10, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Animation, Art, Books, Comedy, Internet, Interviews, Media, Personal, Photography, Radio, Technology, Travel, TV, Video, Video Games, Weather.add a comment
Previous New York Comic Con recap: 2012 Day 2
Yesterday marked my second trip to New York Comic Con, held annually at the Javits Center in the Midtown West portion of Manhattan. This time, I went with my girlfriend. We met each other at Penn Station, going our own ways to get there. I came from Wantagh, she came from Wallingford, Connecticut.
My way to her began at around 12:15 when I walked two blocks to a bus stop for the southbound NICE (Nassau Inter-County Express) n73. The bus arrived at 12:28, two minutes ahead of schedule. That ensured I would arrive at the Wantagh LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) station in time to board a 12:32 train, an earlier train than I had planned for. If I hadn’t bought my round trip ticket the day before, I’d have to wait for the 12:57. 50 minutes later, I was at Penn Station. I met up with my girlfriend and we began the half-hour walk to the Javits Center.
We entered at West 38th Street, tapping our badges before going inside. Conventioneers were greeted by giant inflated Teen Titans – and, by extension, Teen Titans Go! – characters.
Beast Boy and Starfire:
Cyborg and Robin:
And, of course, Raven:
Time to head inside…
My first plan was to meet voice actor Billy West, whom I interviewed back in 2005 at WCWP. Since autographing was involved, and not knowing offhand where Booth 1280 was, despite going to NYCC two years ago, I headed downstairs.
A fellow conventioneer informed me that Booth 1280 was on the show floor. So, my girlfriend and I headed there.
On the floor…
We searched the aisle numbers and headed for the 1200s. It was there that we found Billy West.
Billy and I had a brief conversation, he signed my copy of Futurama, Volume 7 – which has Zoidberg on the cover – and my girlfriend took our picture:
He signed the cover this way:
To Mike!
…Zoidberg could eat…
Billy West
It was the highlight of my afternoon. But there was more to do. My girlfriend and I walked the floor back to a downward escalator.
Along the way, this is what we saw:
We finally reached a downward escalator:
There were a few panels I was interested in attending, but the one we settled on was here in Room 1A21:
It was for the latest (and upcoming) Transformers TV series, Transformers: Robots in Disguise. The panel began at 4:00, but we got in line at 3:00.
The line was small when we arrived and we ended up near the front. It pays to show up early. After 50 minutes in line, the door was opened. We ended up sitting front row center. It was fantastic.
The panel was moderated by Mike Vogel, the Vice President of Development for Hasbro Studios:
From right to left on the dais, there was Jeff Kline, executive producer:
Jose Lopez, director:
Adam Beecher, producer and writer:
And the voice talent:
Will Friedle (Bumblebee):
Khary Payton (Grimlock):
Constance Zimmer (Strongarm):
…and Mitchell Whitfield (Fixit):
Now that you know the stars, here are random panel wide shots:
Khary set up the clip about to be shown:
Q&A:
After 45 minutes, the panel came to an end:
Constance and Khary stuck around to sign autographs:
Transformers: Robots in Disguise premieres in early 2015 on Cartoon Network. I can’t wait. I’m so glad I chose this panel.
After a few fun hours at New York Comic Con, my girlfriend and I called it a day:
We didn’t go right home, though. We walked down 11th Avenue to West 35th Street, taking that to 8th. We stopped in Trattoria Bianca for an early dinner. An hour later, we boarded an express LIRR train back to Wantagh, which also took an hour.
As I did for my 2012 Day 2 recap, I’ll leave you with a picture of the lanyard I wore and the badge it carried:
10/11 UPDATE: There is an in-depth recap of the Transformers: Robots in Disguise panel at Newsarama.
And unbeknownst to me, because I didn’t look at the NYCC schedule beyond Thursday, there was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles panel yesterday. Bam! Smack! Pow! has a recap of that, while IGN’s Scott Collura interviewed Rob Paulsen (Donatello), Greg Cipes (Michelangelo), and executive producers Ciro Nieli and Brandon Auman.
If tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday hadn’t sold out so fast, I would have gone either of those days. But I’m glad I went when I did. As I noted in the original recap, I got to meet Billy West in person and to whet my appetite for Transformers: Robots in Disguise, sitting front row center for their panel in the process.
2014 WCWP Hall of Fame Ceremony April 12, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in DVD, Interviews, Media, Music, News, Personal, Photography, Radio, Sports, Technology, TV, Video.4 comments
Previous Hall of Fame ceremonies: 2012, 2013
Later Hall of Fame ceremony: 2015
Last Saturday, the WCWP Hall of Fame welcomed four new inductees in a ceremony in the Goldsmith Atrium at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. This year’s inductees were Rita Sands, Frank D’Elia, Ted David, and the late Bill Epperhart.
You can see videos of the ceremony at the end, but first, the pictures:
Pete Bellotti welcomed the audience shortly after 1PM:
Images from the intro video, voiced by Jim Cutler:
The ceremony was hosted by Jeff Kroll:
Bill Mozer assumed the co-host position:
Rita Sands could not make it to the ceremony, and instead pre-recorded an interview with Bernie Bernard:
Bernie:
Bernie and Jeff posed with Rita’s plaque:
The second inductee of the day was Frank D’Elia:
The view from my camcorder:
Frank receives his plaque:
Like Rita, Ted David was unable to attend the ceremony. But he did record an acceptance speech:
Dan Cox, WCWP station manager, spoke next:
Dan brought up ceremony audio engineer Zach Parker to share the news of a generous donation to WCWP by Zach’s father:
Then, reflections of Bill Epperhart began. Dan shared his memories first, then Frank, Bill Mozer, and Jeff joined in.
Dan Epperhart, Bill’s son, accepted his father’s plaque:
And gave an eloquent, emotional speech:
Then, Jeff Kroll and Bill Mozer tossed to other alumni in the audience to share their memories:
Phil Lebowitz was first:
Then, Mike Phillips:
Neil Marks:
Bruce Leonard:
Roberta Epperhart O’Neil, widow of Bill’s brother Mike:
Pete Vogel, Bill’s cousin:
The last stroll down memory was provided by Jay Elzweig:
Jeff wrapped it up:
The only thing left to do was pose for pictures:
Ceremony Part 1:
Ceremony Part 2:
As you can see, this year’s WCWP Hall of Fame Ceremony ended up running for a little over two hours. Memories were shared and praise was heaped. It was a day I won’t soon forget. Congratulations to Rita Sands, Frank D’Elia, Ted David, and Bill Epperhart.
