Chick Corea Elektric Band at Blue Note October 21, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Comedy, Internet, Interviews, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Radio, Travel.3 comments
After a month away from the Blue Note Jazz Club in Greenwich Village, I returned last night to see the Chick Corea Elektric Band. It was the first of two shows in two nights. Tonight, I’m going to see ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham in the Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. Pictures aren’t allowed, so that recap will be all words. (10/22 UPDATE: The recap of that show is now up. I was allowed to take pictures before and after, but I was still quite descriptive. Jeff’s YouTube videos and social media posts are also included in the recap.)
After the seating issue when I went to see Lee Ritenour in August, I opted for a seat further from the stage last night. It was still cramped, but my table seat was against the wall, which meant I was free to get up to take pictures without getting in anyone’s way. It was quite a workout, in addition to the 7.6 miles I ran in the afternoon. I was seated across from Phil, an avid Chick Corea fan from Vancouver, and his wife Kim. They made the time before the show worthwhile.
Now, the backstory: Pianist, keyboardist, and composer Chick Corea turned 75 back in June. In honor of this milestone, Blue Note arranged a two-month celebration/residency, which began Wednesday night with the first of five nights of the Chick Corea Elektric Band. The residency ends with Return to Forever meets Mahavishnu (Orchestra, I assume) from December 8 through 11. That show will combine half of Return to Forever, Chick and drummer Lenny White, along with Mahavishnu John McLaughlin on guitar. Victor Wooten will round out that band on bass.
The Elektric Band featured its definitive lineup, first heard on Light Years, the band’s second album, in 1987.
Chick Corea played keyboards:
…piano:
…and, during the encore, keytar:
Eric Marienthal was on alto sax:
…and soprano sax:
Frank Gambale on guitar:
John Patitucci on bass:
…and Dave Weckl on drums:
The 8:00 set consisted of six songs with extended solos. The songs were:
1. Trance Dance
Originally heard on: Eye of the Beholder, 1988
2. C.T.A. (Miles Davis cover)
Originally heard on: Paint the World, 1993
3. Jocelyn – The Commander
Originally heard on: To the Stars, 2004
4. Beneath the Mask
Originally heard on: Beneath the Mask, 1991
5. Silver Temple
Originally heard on: The Chick Corea Elektric Band, 1986
6 (Encore). Got a Match?
Originally heard on: The Chick Corea Elektric Band, 1986
The encore started with an audience call and response intro. Chick would play:
…and the audience would echo:
Then, “Got a Match”:
The last note:
After the set, I briefly caught up with drummer Dave Weckl and we posed for a picture:
I had a longer conversation with saxophonist Eric Marienthal, whom I’ve seen perform many times: with the Rippingtons in 2005, David Benoit in 2006, at Smooth Jazz for Scholars in 2008, solo in 2011, and with the Jeff Lorber Fusion in 2014, my first time at the Blue Note.
Just as we were posing for a picture, bassist John Patitucci walked by and I asked if he could get in, too. He did:
I interviewed both Eric and John on The Mike Chimeri Show over a decade ago. All interviews can be heard here. (Out of self-consciousness, I haven’t listened since editing them for air.)
The Chick Corea Elektric Band put on a thrilling show last night. If you’d like to see them and get the same thrill I did, they play at 8:00 and 10:30 tonight, tomorrow night, and Sunday night.
Here is the rest of Chick’s residency schedule:
- October 26-30: For Miles
- November 2-6: Three Quartets, the Leprechaun Band
- November 9-10: Experiments in Electronica
- November 11-13: Flamenco Heart
- November 16-17: Chick Corea Big Band
- November 18-20: The Piano Duets
- November 22-23: Chick Corea & Gary Burton
- November 25-27: Origin II
- November 30-December 4: The Music of Return to Forever – Acoustic
- December 7: Chick Corea with John McLaughlin
- December 8-11: Return to Forever meets Mahavishnu
10/30 UPDATE: Highlights from all five nights of the Elektric Band at Blue Note were posted to Chick’s Facebook page:
2016 LIU Post & WCWP Homecoming, 2017 Hall of Fame Announcement October 10, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Airchecks, Audio, Comedy, Football, Interviews, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Radio, Sports, Travel, Video, Weather.add a comment
Other recaps: 2008, 2009, WCWP 50th Anniversary (2011), 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
Later in this recap, I share the aircheck from my pre-recorded Homecoming Weekend show that aired early yesterday morning. To see and hear my live show on Friday, click here.
After kicking off Homecoming Weekend on Friday, I returned to the campus of LIU Post for Homecoming itself.
On my way to campus, I put on WCWP, whose signal wasn’t entirely clear at first, and listened to the Post Pioneers‘ Homecoming game against the Saint Anselm Hawks. The game had begun moments earlier and it was already 14-0! As my mother turned toward the Abrams Communications Building, where WCWP is located, the Pioneers scored their third touchdown to go ahead 21-0.
When I made my way from WCWP to Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium, all part of my Homecoming Day routine, it was 35-14 with a minute to go in the first half.
Before standing by the gate adjacent to the field, I photographed the carnival rides in the parking lot:
Skies were cloudy and the air was mild and humid. There was spotty drizzle, but not enough to scare me away. (My camera isn’t weatherproof.)
Joe Szadok and Jeff Kroll, on the right end of the press box (their left), called the game for WCWP:
The series of pictures below are the touchdown to increase the Pioneers lead to 41-14, followed by the extra point that made the score 42-14:
The Pioneers would go on to rout the Hawks 63-20 (thanks to a missed extra point) and improved their record to 6-0.
On my way back to WCWP, I zoomed my camera lens to 300 mm lens as an Emirates airline jet flew low in its descent toward JFK International Airport:
The spotty drizzle intensified to a light rain shower, so I had to put my camera under my jacket for the rest of the walk back. Except for walks to and from Hillwood Commons for snacks from the vending machine, I didn’t leave WCWP until my dad picked me up an hour into Mike Riccio and Bobby G.’s radio show. More on that later.
I was pleasantly surprised to see faces from my early days at WCWP, especially Joe Manfredi, the former director of operations:
Also on hand were Billy Houst and Karen Fiorelli, who took this picture of Joe, him, me, and Jay Mirabile:
Jay is my biggest champion, always propping me up on Facebook, complimenting me and my talents.
John Zoni hosted the halftime and postgame shows:
Bernie Bernard, who once again had a show after the football game, spoke to Jeff and Joe, still in the press box, during the postgame show:
Here’s Bernie, moments into her show:
When she wasn’t playing music, she played host to a cavalcade of alumni, starting with Bobby Guthenberg, AKA Bobby G.:
Next were Jeff Kroll, fresh from the press box, and Pete Bellotti to announce the 2017 inductees to the WCWP Hall of Fame:
The 2017 inductees are Neil Marks, John LiBretto, and John March.
Jay Elzweig gathered by Jeff and Pete’s mic to discuss his history with WCWP and “The Original Hootenanny” show:
Jay resurrected “The Hootenanny” in a show that aired at 4AM yesterday following my show.
Bill Mozer, who had his camcorder and 4-channel portable recorder set up in Studio 2, also spoke briefly. I was diagonal from Bill’s setup and shot the pictures you’re seeing here from the same spot.
After a few songs, David Kaplan was next to speak:
He invited his daughter Alexa, a student at LIU Post, to join him at the mic.
David and Alexa gave way to more songs, then Roger Luce and Mike Schanzer (AKA Magick Mike Hendryx):
Mike had a solo segment, as well:
Unlike on Friday when he followed me, I followed him in the interview chair (via vidcaps):
Bernie’s last aircheck of the show included Jett Lightning and Wolf German, a former student of hers:
Wolf is enthusiastic and affable, and it was a pleasure to meet him. Jett agreed.
Jett stuck around for Mike Riccio and Bobby G., and Bill Mozer checked on his setup:
After the above picture, I packed up the camcorder and tripod and left Studio 2. I came back in for one final shot during Mike and Bobby’s phone interview with Chuck Taylor:
As you see, Jay Elzweig stopped by the studio before he left for the night.
When I got home, I edited pictures, selected which to post here and Facebook, and began mixing camcorder video with my recording from the FM tuner and studio board. All the while, I listened to the rest of Mike and Bobby’s show, and Bruce Leonard and John Commins after them. Here’s the final cut of the video, which I rendered and posted to YouTube yesterday afternoon:
While waiting in Studio 3 for my dad to pull into the parking lot, I had Jeff Kroll take pictures of me with Alana Leider:
…and John Zoni:
Then, I took pictures of Pat Kroll and Lew Scharfberg:
Alan Boritz and Pat Kroll:
Lew Scharfberg, Jeff Kroll, Bruce Leonard:
…and finally, Bill Mozer and Bernie Bernard:
Thus ended a busy day at LIU Post. It’s always great to catch up with alumni I know and meet alumni for the first time. It’s also great to hear the various shows throughout Homecoming Weekend. “I’m listening to the very end,” I wrote in the WCWP Alumni Association Facebook group during Jeff Kroll’s 10PM show last night. “You sound great, Jeff.”
Here’s how Jeff signed off just before midnight:
Until next year, I’ll leave you with the aircheck from the prerecorded Instrumental Invasion with Mike Chimeri that aired at 2AM yesterday:
…and the playlist.
As I noted last week, I recorded the show from home. It sounded great on the web stream, which I was awake to listen to.
2016 WCWP Homecoming Weekend, first few hours October 7, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Airchecks, Audio, Education, Internet, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Radio, Video.add a comment
For the second year in a row, I was the leadoff hitter, so to speak, for the WCWP Homecoming Weekend. Instrumental Invasion with Mike Chimeri kicked things off at noon today.
I left the house just before 9:00 and took the Hicksville-Wantagh Community Shuttle to Hicksville LIRR Station. Once I got there, I had to wait a half hour for the n20H to arrive. I was at LIU Post by 10:15.
Once I got to WCWP, LIU Post’s campus radio station, I set up in Studio 2 and took a few pictures:
Eventually, noon came and the show began. After my first aircheck, I had Jeff Kroll take a picture of me at the board:
Jeff and his wife Pat were in the building during my show, as were Bruce Leonard and Magick Mike Hendryx, whose show followed mine.
I took two more pictures during the show:
Overall, I had a great show. There were a few mistakes and flubs, but that always happens in a live broadcast. Here’s how I looked and sounded during talk breaks:
And here’s how the transitions between songs sounded:
Now that you’ve heard the airchecks, and seen their video equivalent, here’s the playlist.
I’ll be back at LIU Post and WCWP tomorrow for Homecoming and the announcement of the 2017 class of the WCWP Hall of Fame.
Before we go, here are two pictures from the start of Magick Mike Hendryx’s show, engineered by Bruce Leonard, and video of his opening aircheck:
15 years in radio; two shows on WCWP next weekend October 3, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Airchecks, Education, Internet, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Sports.add a comment
Wednesday marks 15 years since my first radio show on Webradio WCWP, now known as MyWCWP. The maiden voyage of The Mike Chimeri Show, a contemporary jazz instrumentals show (naturally), embarked at 7PM on Friday, October 5, 2001. The first song I played was “Mountain Dance” by Dave Grusin.
Unfortunately, I didn’t think of recording the show for posterity, which I’ve done for all but one show since, but I did save the playlist:
mcs001
88 shows followed, plus another 95 after 10 months at WGBB.
I miss the days of having a weekly show, which I haven’t had since Evening Jazz on 88.1 WCWP in 2010, but I’m proud to have a show each Homecoming Weekend. Like last year, however, I will have two shows on Homecoming Weekend, and at the same times. The shows will bear the name Instrumental Invasion with Mike Chimeri.
The first show kicks off the weekend, live on Friday, October 7, at noon Eastern. I pre-recorded the second show two weeks ago from home and it will air early Sunday, October 9, at 2AM Eastern.
The live show will consist of all but three songs from albums released this year. The other three songs are from last year. Among the artists you’ll hear are Chuck Loeb, Yellowjackets, Richard Elliot, and Gerald Albright.
The pre-recorded show is a 50-year music journey, running from 1966 through 2016. Expect to hear Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Chet Atkins, David Benoit, Acoustic Alchemy, and plenty more.
Both shows can be heard locally on 88.1 FM, and worldwide at WCWP.org and on the TuneIn app.
In between, I can be found at LIU Post on Homecoming Day itself – Saturday, October 8. I’ll mostly be at the Abrams Communications Building, home of WCWP, but I plan on dropping by the Pioneers’ football game against Saint Anselm College, their 2014 Homecoming opponent.
Later in the afternoon, the 2017 class of the WCWP Hall of Fame will be announced. I always look forward to the announcement, and then the ceremony itself each spring.
I hope you’ll be listening to WCWP all Homecoming Weekend long. I’m honored to get the ball rolling again this year. Jeff Kroll wraps the weekend up at 10PM on October 9.
Kerry Kearney Band, Special EFX at Long Beach Jazz Festival 2016 September 19, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.add a comment
On Friday, for the first time in four years, I came to the second day of the four-day Long Beach (NY) Jazz Festival. This was the festival’s 14th year and the sixth year I’ve attended.
I was there to see Chieli Minucci and Special EFX, but was treated to blues by the Kerry Kearney Band beforehand.
Despite running 7.6 miles earlier in the afternoon, I walked a mile and a half to the Wantagh LIRR station just before 4:00. I waited for the 4:27 westbound train, which I took to Lynbrook. Then, I switched platforms to board the Long Beach train. I took the same two trains four years ago.
After I arrived in Long Beach, I walked to Brixx & Barley for a pasta dinner. I had eaten there with my parents and sister on Mother’s Day after we walked the Long Beach Boardwalk.
Unfortunately, there was still a lot of time before the Long Beach Public Library was opened to patrons. So, I walked to the nearby Starbucks and treated myself to dessert. There were only a few people outside the library when I left, but a crowd had gathered when I returned. I was still able to get a front row seat when the doors opened at 6:45.
The Kerry Kearney Band went on just after 7:00.
Here’s Kerry in action:
The rest of Kerry’s band was David Cohen on piano:
Gerry Sorrento on bass:
Mario Stiano on drums:
…and Nydia “Liberty” Mata on percussion:
I saw Nydia perform with Alan Bates at the 2008 festival, and she played the steel drums during cocktail hour at my friends Jenni and Clemente’s wedding reception a few weeks after the 2011 festival.
The band was also joined by Victor Poretz on harmonica:
…and Charlie on trombone:
A few wide shots:
The last note:
The set lasted about an hour. A half hour later, it was time for Chieli Minucci and Special EFX.
As with the Kerry Kearney Band, Special EFX was introduced by Steve Adelson, Long Beach Jazz Festival founder and Chapman Stick player:
Chieli played electric guitar:
…and acoustic guitar:
Jay Rowe was on keyboards:
Jerry Brooks on bass:
Joel Rosenblatt on drums:
…and Antoine Silverman on violin:
As always the set list was a mix of Special EFX tunes and Chieli’s solo work. Here’s the list:
1. Courageous Cats
Originally heard on: Jewels (Chieli), 1995
2. Dance on the Delta
Originally heard on: Yet to be released album
3. Crazy Eights
Originally heard on: Genesis, 2013
4. Daybreak
Originally heard on: Global Village, 1992
5. Speak to Me
Originally heard on: Masterpiece, 1999
6. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (Allman Brothers Band cover)
7. Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers (Stevie Wonder cover; based on Jeff Beck version)
Originally heard on: Renaissance (Chieli), 1996
8. Kickin’ It Hard
Originally heard on: Night Grooves (Chieli), 2003
Antoine Silverman did not perform on #1 and #7.
Various shots of Chieli Minucci:
Jay Rowe:
Jerry Brooks:
Joel Rosenblatt:
Antoine Silverman:
Wide shots:
After the last note:
The bow:
With that, my night was complete. It was great to be back at the Long Beach Jazz Festival. I hope to be there again next year.
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
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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.
An afternoon at the Fire Island Lighthouse July 16, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in History, Jazz, Military, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel, Weather.5 comments
Two weeks ago, Lori Downing, a co-worker of my mother and sister, invited me to visit the Fire Island Lighthouse. Her father, Bill Laghezza, is among its volunteers. I agreed, not knowing what to expect.
Lori’s original plan for yesterday – a hot and humid day, even by the ocean – was to pick me up at 10:30. That became 11:30. We took the Wantagh Parkway to Ocean Parkway, planning on getting on the Robert Moses Causeway, proceeding to Robert Moses State Park, and walking to the lighthouse. We knew there would be a Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride until 1:00, but we thought it stopped at the State Boat Channel Bridge. It actually ended on the Ocean Parkway, which meant eastbound traffic was diverted back west at the finish line. So, we had to reverse course, taking the Ocean Parkway west, Wantagh Parkway north to Exit W4E, the Southern State Parkway east to Exit 40, then take the Robert Moses Causeway south to the park. By this time, the Soldier Ride was over.
Lori and I parked in Field 5 and walked the path to the Fire Island Lighthouse. I brought my Nikon D5500 and snapped away. Below is our photographic journey. Enjoy.
The lighthouse’s 15th Annual Benefit Art Show was in its third-to-last day. Here are the exhibits:
Time to climb to the top:
It was tougher than using a stairmaster.
The view from the top deck:
It was jarring at first being up so high, but I adjusted.
Lori took my picture:
Then, Bill joined us and I took a picture of him and Lori:
Here are a couple of videos I shot while on the top deck while Bill was with us.
“C.I.” is Central Islip.
Time to head back down:
It was easier going down than it was going up.
All visitors that climb to the top and come back down get a certificate of accomplishment. Another lighthouse volunteer, Angela, took my picture after filling out my certificate:
Angela and I had a brief conversation about Earl Klugh and I told her about the show I went to a few nights earlier.
One last piece of business: signing the guest log:
As a privacy precaution, I blurred out last names, locations, e-mail addresses, and the file location of the log.
I’m so glad I decided to join Lori on her trip to the lighthouse. As I wrote in the guest log, it was worth waiting in traffic to get there. I will never forget the sights, the sounds, or the volunteers I met.
Earl Klugh at the Blue Note July 13, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.2 comments
It took many years, but last night, I finally saw guitarist Earl Klugh (“clue”) perform live. It’s been 40 years since he made his solo debut with a pair of albums, Earl Klugh and Living Inside Your Love. Most of his early albums were released on Blue Note Records, and the show I saw was at the infamous Blue Note jazz club in Greenwich Village. It was my fourth time at the Blue Note, and won’t be the last.
The show I saw was the first of 12 over six nights. As usual, I opted for the 8:00 show over the 10:30 show.
My sister drove to the Wantagh LIRR station at 3:45 for the 4:02 train to Penn Station. As fate would have it, the 3:27 train was running a half hour late. So, I boarded that train a few minutes earlier than the train I planned on taking.
Just before 5:00, I arrived at Penn and proceeded to the 34th Street subway station for the downtown A train to West Fourth Street. Just like my previous trip to Blue Note for Spyro Gyra, I was so early that I was the first in line outside the club. After 5:30, a line began to form behind me. At exactly 6:00, the door opened and I was let in. I chose my center stage table seat and ordered dinner. A father and daughter from Japan sat to my left, which made me wish I spoke enough Japanese to carry a conversation. I was rewarded a half hour later when a man from Ottawa, in town for his daughter’s dance competition, took the seat across from mine. We had a nice, prolonged conversation. It was great.
The show I was about to see was even greater.
Earl Klugh, as he has throughout his 40-year career, played acoustic guitar:
David Lee was on keyboards:
Tom Braxton played alto sax (seen below), soprano sax, and flute:
Al Turner, the Bass Burner, on electric bass:
…and Ron Otis on drums:
There were also two special guests, as you’ll see in the set list below:
1. Brazilian Stomp
Originally heard on: Collaboration (with George Benson), 1987
2. Midnight in San Juan
Originally heard on: Midnight in San Juan, 1991
3. Last Song
Originally heard on: The Journey, 1997
4. Across the Sand
Originally heard on: Move, 1994
5. Cabo Frio
Originally heard on: Finger Paintings, 1977
6. Wishful Thinking
Originally heard on: Wishful Thinking, 1984
Special guest: Barry Eastmond, keyboard
7. Vonetta
Originally heard on: Earl Klugh, 1976
8. Living Inside Your Love
Originally heard on: Living Inside Your Love, 1976
9. Dr. Macumba
Originally heard on: Finger Paintings, 1977
10 (Encore). Twinkle
Originally heard on: Crazy for You, 1981
Special guest: Michael Lington, alto sax
Here are various shots of each musician, including the special guests, starting with Earl Klugh:
David Lee in emcee mode:
…and at the keys:
Hearing him on the Kurzweil synthesizer reminded me of Bill Heller, who also uses that model:
David was quite the character. I loved his antics.
Tom Braxton on alto sax:
…on soprano sax:
…and on flute:
Al Turner:
Ron Otis:
Barry Eastmond appeared on “Wishful Thinking,” just as he did on the original in 1984:
Michael Lington joined the band for the encore, “Twinkle”:
Wide shots:
The last note:
With that, the 8:00 set was complete.
I complimented Al Turner and Michael Lington as they left the stage, and let Earl know that this was my first time seeing him live. “Really?” Yes, and I hope it isn’t the last time. I spoke to Tom Braxton before the show, but didn’t have a chance to talk to him again afterward.
I got a picture with Al before I left:
If you’d like to see Earl and the band at Blue Note, you have five more nights to do so. Come on down to the Village and see them play. You won’t be disappointed. I was enthralled. Thank you to Earl, David, Tom, Al, Ron, Barry, and Michael.
Dharma 2.0 recap June 25, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Media, Music, Personal.add a comment
A new era began last night at Suite 1828 in Merrick. Drummer John Favicchia upgraded his band from Dharma All Stars to Dharma 2.0.
The set now features mainstream covers while retaining Dharma classics, as you’ll notice in the set list.
I was last at the Suite last January for Dharma 1.0. I had planned on returning two months later, but came down with bronchitis and had to stay home. I felt redeemed last night.
I sat in a chair in front of the stage. Behind me, a packed house gathered. We were all in for a wild set.
Dharma 2.0 is led by John Fav on drums:
Tim Regusis on keyboard:
Benny Reid on tenor sax:
…and alto sax:
Brandon Dove on guitar:
…and Thomas Velsor on bass:
SET LIST
1. Apocalypso (Dave Weckl cover)
2. Spies (Coldplay cover)
3. Coincidence
4. Sing a Song of Song (Kenny Garrett cover)
5. In My Place (Coldplay cover)
6. Kukuc
Here are various shots of each band member, starting with John Favicchia:
Tim Regusis:
Benny Reid:
Brandon Dove:
Thomas Velsor:
Wide shots:
The last note of the set:
Until the next show, I’ll leave you with a pair of group pictures taken by me…
…and mutual friend Jeff Krasner:
Spyro Gyra at the Blue Note May 28, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Basketball, Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Sports, Travel.2 comments
I was back at Blue Note on Thursday night to see Spyro Gyra‘s 8:00 show. This is a recurring expression in these recaps, but it was Spyro Gyra’s third night of a six-night engagement at the famous jazz club in Greenwich Village. It was also the first time I’d seen the band in nearly three years. This was the first time seeing them on land since June 2007 at the YMCA Boulton Center in Bay Shore.
My original plan on Thursday afternoon was to take the 4:27 westbound train from LIRR’s Wantagh Station (currently in the first phase of renovations) to Penn Station. But I was bored at home, so I left the house an hour and a half early. I walked 20 minutes to the train station and boarded the 3:09 train. I use a backpack, so I must have looked like a high school student to some fellow adults I passed. (Wantagh High School lets out at 2:19.) Wantagh Elementary School had a fire drill as I walked past it on Beech Street. I was glad to hear it was a whooping siren and buzzer instead of a ding-ding-ding bell. That’s why I dreaded fire drills as a kid. I don’t like surprises and I like those big bells even less.
The train ride was longer than scheduled due to a delay at Jamaica, but I still got to Penn Station within an hour of boarding. My girlfriend took Metro-North and the S and 1 trains, and we met at Penn 15 minutes after I arrived. We then took the A train to West Fourth Street. We walked up the stairs at West Third and killed time by watching basketball games at the West Fourth Street Courts. At 5:20, we decided walk up the block to Blue Note and wait for the doors to open. There was no line at first, but about 15 minutes, a line began to form.
Shortly after 6:00, the doors opened and my girlfriend and I chose our usual table at center stage. Our seats were the last before the stage.
Through dinner and dessert, 8:00 came, Spyro Gyra walked on stage, and the show began.
As he has been for all 40 years, Jay Beckenstein was on saxophone. He mostly played alto:
…but was briefly on soprano:
Tom Schuman, also with the band for all 40 years, played keyboards:
Julio Fernandez, with the band for 29 of the last 31 years, was on guitar:
Scott Ambush, in his 25th year, was on bass:
…and newcomer Lionel Cordew on drums:
Each night’s shows were at 8:00 and 10:30. Here is the set list from Thursday’s 8:00 show:
1. Catching the Sun
Originally heard on: Catching the Sun, 1980
2. Stolen Moments (Oliver Nelson cover)
3. Havana Moonlight
Originally heard on: Got the Magic, 1999
4. Morning Dance
Originally heard on: Morning Dance, 1979; Access All Areas, 1984; Road Scholars, 1998
5. Cape Town Love
Originally heard on: Original Cinema, 2003
6. Harbor Nights
Originally heard on: Incognito, 1982; Access All Areas, 1984
7. Good to Go-Go
Originally heard on: Good to Go-Go, 2007
8. Funkyard Dog
Originally heard on: Good to Go-Go, 2007
We’ve reached the part of the recap with various shots of each musician. We start with Jay Beckenstein:
Playing alto and soprano simultaneously on “Funkyard Dog”:
Tom Schuman:
Julio Fernandez:
Julio’s vocal intro to “Havana Moonlight”:
Julio was born in Havana.
Scott Ambush:
Lionel Cordew’s drum solo before “Funkyard Dog”:
Scott and Tom:
Julio and Lionel:
Scott, Jay, and Tom:
My girlfriend and I had a wonderful time. We couldn’t have asked for a better show. I can only imagine what the 10:30 crowd saw.
Spyro Gyra are still at Blue Note tonight and tomorrow night. So, if you haven’t seen them yet and you’re free either night, come on down to the Village and see them live.
MikeChimeri.com 