Rippingtons Smooth Cruise recap July 24, 2009
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Personal, Travel.add a comment
On Wednesday, I returned aboard the Spirit of New York for the 6:30 PM sunset cruise out of Chelsea Piers’ Pier 61 in New York, New York, to catch the weekly Smooth Cruise. Last year, I was on hand for Spyro Gyra. This time, it was the Rippingtons. It was the first time I had seen them since August 2007 at the since-closed IMAC.
My parents, sister, and I left for Chelsea Piers around 4:25. About 15 minutes in, as we were on the Long Island Expwy. (L.I.E., I-495), I started taking pictures from my seat in the back of the car. You may remember I did the same thing going to and from Smooth Jazz for Scholars in May.
Last exit in Nassau County:
Last exit before the tollbooth for the Queens-Midtown Tunnel:
In Manhattan:
Herald Square/Macy’s:
11th Ave.:
We turned at West 24th St. and again at 12th Ave.:
The Spirit’s cruise route took as down the Hudson River, through New York Harbor, up the East River, and back. Unlike last year, I didn’t spend much time on the Empire Deck bow, but I did take a few pictures when I was out there.
The Empire Deck (second floor) is where the concert took place.
The Rippingtons featured Russ Freeman on acoustic and electric guitars:
Dave Karasony on drums:
Bill Heller on the keyboard:
Rico Belled on bass:
And special guest Jeff Kashiwa on alto and soprano saxophones and EWI (“E-wee”; electronic wind instrument):
1. Faith
Originally heard on: “Brave New World,” 1996; Russ’ solo album “Holiday,” 1995
2. Welcome to the St. James’ Club
Originally heard on: “Welcome to the St. James’ Club,” 1990
Jeff switched back and forth from EWI and alto sax:
3. Modern Art
Originally heard on: “Modern Art,” 2009
I spent a few minutes on the bow during this song to take pictures.
Lower Manhattan:
Brooklyn Bridge:
The Brooklyn-Queens Expwy. (B.Q.E.; I-278):
Back inside, Bill Heller used a vocoder for the last few lines of “Modern Art”:
Ballad Medley:
4a. Victoria’s Secret
Originally heard on: “Welcome to the St. James’ Club,” 1990
Jeff was on soprano sax for this…
…and for…
4b. Pastels On Canvas
Originally heard on: “Modern Art,” 2009
4c. Vienna
Originally heard on: “Weekend In Monaco,” 1992
Here, Jeff returned to EWI:
5. Aspen
Originally heard on: “Curves Ahead,” 1991
These pictures were taken from my table:
Jeff was one deck above on soprano sax, but I had no idea until after the song was over when he came down the stairs, sax in hand. I looked away for a minute and he was gone. I heard him, but didn’t see him.
I returned to the stage for…
6. Spirits in the Canyon
Originally heard on: “Topaz,” 1999
Bill had an extended solo midway through:
7. Santa Fe Trail
Originally heard on: “Curves Ahead,” 1991
I looked out the window and noticed we were near the Statue of Liberty. So, I went outside to take two shots of that.
Picturesque, isn’t it?
Back inside…
A wild drum solo by Dave!
Wow!
Then, a break from Ripps tunes for one song by Jeff:
8. When It Feels Good
Originally heard on: “Back In The Day,” 2009
9. Body Art
Originally heard on: “Modern Art,” 2009
Bill returned to vocoder…
…for Rico’s funky bass solo:
That was the last song of the set…or was it?
ENCORE
10. Black Diamond
Originally heard on: “Black Diamond,” 1997
Jeff played EWI once more on this:
11. Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix cover)
12. Fire (Jimi Hendrix cover)
“Purple Haze” featured two lines of vocals from Rico and more vocoder from Bill.
On “Fire,” Rico sang the first few lines…
…and Jeff and Voco-Bill backed up the chorus:
And that was it.
There was a meet and greet one deck below.
Here I am with Russ, Rico, Jeff, Bill, and Dave:
Me with my friend Kat Sarracco and Dave:
Kat was aboard for both the 6:30 and 9:30 cruises.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable cruise and concert for me this year. Or as my friend Ryan Grabow would put it, it was a Ripping good time.
John Tesh Tilles Center concert recap July 13, 2009
Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Media, Music, Personal, Radio, Travel.6 comments
Last Saturday, I attended John Tesh: Music & Intelligence for Your Life, Live in Concert, at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at C.W. Post.
I left for the campus at 5:00, walking to the N73 (MTA Long Island Bus) bus stop bound for Hicksville. That bus arrived at the stop around 5:15 and at LIRR Hicksville Station 25 minutes later. I passed part of the time at the adjacent Dunkin’ Donuts. Then, it was off to N20 bus stop and on to C.W. Post.
I shot this picture of the Tilles Center north entrance and Atrium exterior as I arrived:
The concert was hosted by KJOY 98.3 (WKJY-FM) and sister station Love 96.1 (WLVG-FM), both of which air “The John Tesh Radio Show.”
As of today, both station’s websites still have a video from John promoting the concert.
The KJOY version:
The Love 96.1 version:
The south entrance, adjacent to the Abrams Communication Building home of WCWP 88.1 FM and myWCWP.
The KJOY van:
The view from my seat before the concert:
KJOY’s Bill Edwards, whose weekday radio show precedes John’s, welcomed us:
Next to welcome us, and by extension warm us up, was Gib Gerard, the Tesh.com web producer:
Gib also operated the graphics emanating from the monitor during the concert.
Gib and Betsy Chase, the Vice President of Programming and Executive Producer for the radio show, look for potential bidders for the robe John wore Friday night at the Garden City Hotel:
The winning bid was $450. The money will go to feed a child through World Vision.
The winning bidder later gave the robe back so it could be bid on again.
Betsy also does the “Did You Know?” tidbits for the radio show, as she demonstrated by saying “Did you know John Tesh is from Long Island and his birthday was Thursday?”
The audience erupted in cheers:
I think that’s a yes. 🙂 (I never put emoticons in my blog posts, but it was necessary here.)
Then, it was time to begin. I apologize for some of the washed out pictures.
John’s grand entrance:
SET 1
1. Barcelona
2. Garden City
Only John and Tim Landers, the music director and bass player, performed on this one:
3. Bastille Day
This began with a bass solo by Tim:
Chelsea Ward on vocals:
Gannin Arnold on guitar:
For the next song, John shared the story of the first time he met Breeze Lee, his daughter Prima’s hip-hop ballet instructor. Then, he invited Breeze on stage:
And Breeze was interpreting the beginning of…
4. Trading My Sorrows
John can sing, too:
Everybody had a hand on vocals throughout the show, except for Breeze and drummer Dave Hooper (he might have, but I couldn’t see him from my seat).
5. Draw Me Close
John tells the audience how the song “Roundball Rock,” NBC Sports’ NBA theme, came to be:
6. Roundball Rock
He stopped midway through and brought out an NBA regulation size basketball, signed by him and the band, for an audience member to dribble to the “Roundball Rock” beat:
A girl named Shannyn came on stage and hilarity ensued.
I won’t give details, but one of her responses to a question by John led him to say, “In the 20 years I’ve been doing that, that’s the best answer we’ve ever had!”
High five!
“How ’bout a hand for Shannyn?”
INTERMISSION
Gib dressed casual for the second set to illustrate how casual this set is:
SET 2
7. Open The Eyes of My Heart
8. Give Me Forever (I Do)
John wrote this with James Ingram and performed it at his wedding to Connie Sellecca.
9. I Can Only Imagine
10. The Breeze Lee Challenge
This is where John and the band individually challenge Breeze Lee with their instrumentation; or in Chelsea’s case, vocalization. In turn, Breeze challenges the band by interpreting what they play. It is left up to the audience to decide who whether the band member wins or Breeze wins.
We start with drummer Dave Hooper…
Next, Tim Landers…
Followed by Gannin Arnold…
Chelsea Ward…
After a few lines of “At Last,” she threw Breeze a kiss:
And then, it was John’s turn:
The big finish:
The audience erupted in wild cheers and applause.
Wow! I, Mike Chimeri, think it’s safe to say Breeze Lee was your big winner!
He gave a thank you wave to the audience:
After John recalled how he, Connie, and Prima got involved in volunteering, and recommend it to the audience, it was on to…
11. Rescue
I, too, recommend volunteering.
12 (Finale). Spanish Steps
Gannin had an extended guitar solo:
Breeze Lee returned…
…to interpret wild keyboard and organ solos by John:
Throwing in the modulation wheel:
Switching to the organ:
Doubling up on organ and keyboard:
And back to keyboard:
Dave Hooper soloed on drums:
Then, the final measure of the night:
The concert was quite an experience. Not only did I hear great music and singing, but I learned a thing or two along the way. Thank you very much to everyone involved, and thank you to Betsy Chase for helping me remember what I forgot or didn’t know. Appropriately enough, now I know, and you all know, too. Thanks for reading.
7/14, 1:25 AM UPDATE: My recap has been linked to on John’s concert calendar page and concert homepage.
U.S. Open 2009 recap June 25, 2009
Posted by Mike C. in Golf, Personal, Sports, Travel, TV, Weather.add a comment
Last week, Bethpage Black Golf Course hosted the 109th U.S. Open [Golf] Championship. The Black Course is one of five golf courses at Bethpage State Park. The other ones are Yellow, Red, Blue, and Green. Depending on where you are on the Black Course, you are in Old Bethpage, Melville, or Farmingdale, New York. The course also hosted the 102nd U.S. Open in 2002 won by Tiger Woods.
Heavy rains delayed the tournament on Thursday and Saturday. That pushed each round up a day. The first round was mostly played on Friday, the second round was played on Friday and Saturday, the third round was played on Saturday and Sunday, and the final round on Sunday and Monday. Needless to say, the suspension-of-play airhorns (or whatever they’re called) got quite a workout. Those rains, coupled with thousands (at least) of feet walking on the grounds created widespread mud puddles.
I was there three days during the week of the Open: Sunday, June 14, for the free pre-championship opening weekend; Tuesday, June 16, for the second Practice Round; and Sunday, June 21, for much of the third round and the start of the final round. (In 2002, I was there on June 9 and 15.)
In the days and weeks ahead, I will gradually add pictures taken on the 14th and 16th to this post.
Here are pics from June 14:
This was a special exit on the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expwy. (NY 135) northbound for U.S. Open shuttle buses coming from Jones Beach.
Heading for parking lot C:
Entering Lot C:
Getting on the spectator shuttle to the Black Course:
This is normally the parking lot for the golf courses, but during the Open, it was a pick-up/drop-off lot:
Entering the course…
Testing the jumbotron:
Fans watching players on the practice range:
The merchandise pavilion:
As people exited the pavilion, they were greeted by posters for future U.S. Open Championships:
The site for the 2016 Open was later revealed to be Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania:
One of many concession stands:
The back of the practice range grandstands:
Walking up to the grandstands:
A tee shot in mid-flight:
Another one:
Both pictures were cropped versions of larger ones.
The main gate for shuttles to and from Jones Beach:
Let’s look inside the American Express Championship Experience tent…
The history of the U.S. Open:
An Open timeline:
Back outside, this is the gate for shuttles to and from LIRR Farmingdale Station:
Me:
Pictures from my practice round trip on June 16 still to come.
After 72 holes had been completed, Lucas Glover had won. It was his first major championship, and only his second win on the PGA Tour.
8/18/12 UPDATE: In a major case of procrastination, I never got around to posting pictures from my practice round trip. With The Barclays coming to Bethpage Black next week, it’s time for me to finally post those pics. Since there are so many, I’m posting them in gallery form. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to limit what pictures to include in the gallery. So, scroll down until you see MC61609003 – a picture of buses.
8/2/16 UPDATE: I figured out how to limit the pictures. Forget what I said in the previous update. All pictures in the gallery below are now from the practice round.
SJFS 2009 recap May 22, 2009
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal, Travel.add a comment
As I wrote in my previous post, I was in Milford and West Haven, Connecticut, last weekend for the seventh annual Smooth Jazz for Scholars concert. The concert is hosted by Jay Rowe and benefits the Milford Public Schools Music Department. Unlike last year’s recap, we will go far beyond what happened immediately before, during, and after the concert. I’m also including pictures I took hours before and after.
We begin at Exit 10 of I-295 (Cross Bronx Expwy. Extension): I-695 (Throgs Neck Expwy.), which links to I-95 North.
It was here where I decided to start taking pictures of the different exits I passed on the ride to the West Haven Hampton Inn. Some of the pictures were slanted because it was hard to take all good pictures from the back seat. Any originally slanted pictures have been fixed for this post. You won’t even know they were slanted. Here we go.
Entering Westchester County:
The first exit in Connecticut:
The spelling is different, but the street name – Delavan Ave. – makes me think of “Delevans” by Jeff Lorber (1982).
WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) headquarters in Stamford:
The exit for the Hampton Inn I stayed at for the previous two Smooth Jazz for Scholars:
And this year’s exit:
Waiting outside while my dad checked in:
The view from my fourth floor room…
…which was immediately adjacent to the elevator and ice/vending room.
Inside the room:
I didn’t know this until I arrived, my dad reserved our two rooms (he and my mom stayed one room away), but there were two beds. So, one was for my luggage and the other was for sleeping, eating candy (an off weekend for me), and watching TV.
The TV was HD, but didn’t get any HD channels.
The Hampton Inn was next door to Texas Roadhouse:
So, there was no argument where we were going for dinner.
While waiting for a table, we sat in the entrance way:
The floors throughout the restaurant were crawling with empty peanut shells:
I’m not complaining; just observing.
A final shot walking to our table:
The food was excellent. Our waiter told us that a Texas Roadhouse is scheduled to open here on Long Island, in East Meadow, in September. I can’t wait.
Dense fog developed as the evening progressed:
I couldn’t go back inside after dinner without taking this:
After a 45-minute break, we headed for the Joseph A. Foran High School Auditorium for Smooth Jazz for Scholars. First we took I-95 south to Exit 41, Marsh Hill Rd.
I shot this after turning onto Marsh Hill Rd.:
Turning onto Merwin Ave. from Oxford Rd.
We drove with a navigation system. And while we were on Edgefield Ave. waiting to turn at Foran Rd., the computer voice told us to “turn right on Foran Rd.”…just as we passed Foran Rd. So, we made a quick U-Turn and turned onto Foran the opposite way.
Arriving at Foran High:
Walking from our parking spot to the auditorium:
Jay Rowe giving Kat Sarracco CDs to sell at the merchandise table:
After saying hello to Kat and wishing Jay good luck, I walked in to the auditorium and took my seat. We sat on the left end, next to the aisle, three rows from the stage.
Kevin McCabe of JumpstartJazz Productions welcomed Jay and invited Dr. Harvey Polansky, the superintendent of Milford Public Schools, to the stage:
Dr. Polansky presented Jay with a proclamation from the state of Connecticut in recognition of his fundraising efforts with Smooth Jazz for Scholars:
Then, Jay welcomed the audience introduced the house band, along with Chieli Minucci and Ken Navarro, and we were underway.
The house band was comprised of Dave Livolsi on bass…
Trever Somerville on drums and percussion…
…and, of course, Jay Rowe on keyboards.
SONG #1: Bryan’s Song (Jay Rowe)
Originally heard on: “Red, Hot & Smooth,” 2006
Featured musicians: Ken Navarro, Chieli Minucci
Jay introducing Nelson Rangell:
SONG #2: Uptown East (Special EFX)
Originally heard on: “Slice of Life,” 1986
Featured musicians: Chieli Minucci, Nelson Rangell
Nelson was on soprano saxophone for this song:
Ken Navarro returned for the next song. Before that, he spoke to the audience:
SONG #3: Daddy-O (Ken Navarro)
Originally heard on: “The Grace of Summer Light,” 2008
Featured musician: Ken Navarro
One year after I first heard “Daddy-O” on CD from my first floor room at the Milford Hampton Inn, I got to hear it live at SJFS.
After lighting problems were worked out, we moved on to…
SONG #4: America (Nelson Rangell; written by Leonard Bernstein for West Side Story)
Originally heard on: “My American Songbook, Vol. 1,” 2005
Featured musician: Nelson Rangell
As you can see, Nelson was on flute for this.
SONG #5: Street Life (The Crusaders cover)
Featured musicians: Lamone Andrews, Rohn Lawrence
Jay introducing Marion Meadows:
SONG #6: Treasures (Marion Meadows)
Originally heard on: “In Deep,” 2002
Featured musicians: Marion Meadows, Rohn Lawrence
Rohn had a wild guitar solo during “Treasures.”
Following the solo, Marion said hello to the audience, announced that a song later in the set would be dedicated to bass player and NCAA Men’s Basketball and NBA legend Wayman Tisdale. Then, he equaled Rohn’s solo with an enjoyable solo of his own.
SONG #7: Ascension (Chieli Minucci & Special EFX)
Originally heard on: “Sweet Surrender,” 2007
Featured musicians: Chieli Minucci, Nelson Rangell
Nelson returned to soprano sax for this song.
Jay introducing the Foran High School Select Ensemble Chorus…
…under the direction of Ms. Theresa Voss.
SONG #8: The Warmth of the Sun (Jay Rowe; Beach Boys cover)
Originally heard on: “Jay Walking,” 1997
Featured musicians: Nelson Rangell, Rohn Lawrence, the aforementioned chorus
Nelson switched to alto sax for this one.
Afterward, the chorus got a standing ovation from the audience:
Ms. Voss helped working the concession table. As I bought a bottle of water following the concert, I complimented her on the chorus. She was appreciative.
SONG #9: Can’t Hide Love (Earth, Wind & Fire cover)
Featured musicians: Nelson Rangell, Rohn Lawrence, Chieli Minucci
Nelson and Chieli had thrilling solos on this one.
Next, “the whistling song,” otherwise known as…
SONG #10: Sonora (Nelson Rangell; Hampton Hawes cover)
Originally heard on: “Destiny,” 1995 (alto sax); “My American Songbook, Vol. 1,” 2005 (whistling and piccolo)
Featured musicians: Nelson Rangell, Ken Navarro
It’s always a treat to hear Nelson whistle. I’ve been fortune enough to hear him whistle live four times: July 2003 opening for David Benoit at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, October 2006 at IMAC (Inter-Media Art Center) in Huntington, the 2007 Smooth Jazz for Scholars, and this performance. The first, second, and fourth times were all “Sonora.” The third was “Always and Forever,” a cover from Pat Metheny’s “Secret Story” solo album in 1992 (no relation to the R&B hit).
Ken wrote a great guitar solo for the SJFS performance:
During Ken’s solo, Nelson went off stage to get his piccolo for a solo of his own…
…before whistling once more:
As the song wound down, the audience was so captivated, they were silent. You could hear a pin drop as Nelson whistled without accompaniment before the band kicked back in for the final measures.
He got a standing ovation. After acknowledging Ken Navarro, he modestly said “anyone can whistle.” That may be true, but nobody whistles like Nelson Rangell. He then gave up thumbs up (seen below) and thanked the audience.
SONG #11: Some Other Time (written by Leonard Bernstein)
Musicians: Ken Navarro and Jay Rowe only
Ahead of SJFS, Ken announced on his blog that he would be playing this song. In the May 9 entry, a general promotion of his SJFS appearance and two other concerts, he wrote:
I’m looking forward to my upcoming shows in CT, Canada and FL in the next few weeks. Jay Rowe’s annual Smooth Jazz For Scholars show is up next on May 16. If you are anywhere near Milford, CT you gotta check out me with Chieli Minucci, Nelson Rangell and Marion Meadows and of course the man himself, Jay Rowe. The rhythm section ain’t nothing to sneeze at either – the amazing Dave Livolsi on bass and the fantastic Trever Somerville on drums. Gonna be another great one. I am going to play “Daddy-O” and “Try Again” with the band and Jay and I are going to do an acoustic duo version of “Some Other Time”. Hope to see you there supporting this great cause for the public school music departments of Milford, CT.
And a great one it was.
SONG #12: Nature Boy (Special EFX)
Originally heard on: “Confidential,” 1989
Musician: Chieli Minucci only
The infamous Dancing Eric, with glow sticks:
SONG #13: I Want You Back (The Jackson 5 cover)
Featured musicians: Nelson Rangell, Rohn Lawrence
SONG #14: Try Again (Ken Navarro)
Originally heard on: “The River Flows,” 1990; “Island Life,” 2000
Featured musician: Ken Navarro
Like last year, Ken walked through the audience for the first few minutes…
Before returning to the stage:
Dave Livolsi had an extended bass solo:
Another standing ovation:
SONG #15: No Rhyme No Reason (Marion Meadows; George Duke cover; dedicated to Wayman Tisdale earlier in the show)
Originally heard on: “Next To You,” 2000
Featured musicians: Marion Meadows, Rohn Lawrence
It was Marion’s turn to go into the audience.
He got a standing ovation, too.
For the finale, Jay invited all the musicians back to the stage:
SONG #16, Finale: Fantasy (Earth, Wind & Fire cover)
Featured musicians: Lamone Andrews, Chieli Minucci, Rohn Lawrence, Nelson Rangell, Marion Meadows, Ken Navarro
The audience remained on their feet:
Then, a final bow:
Next, the meet-and-greet in the hallway. First, Chieli Minucci:
Ken Navarro:
And Nelson Rangell:
The last time I saw Nelson, two years ago, I was only three months into my weight loss. According to my second weight loss journal, which I just took out, I weighed 177.6. I had lost 55.8 pounds since January 2, 2007, when I weighed 233.4. On this day, I weighed 137. Nelson admitted he didn’t recognize me at first, then he complimented me on my additional loss. I’ve been in maintenance since September 2007.
After Nelson met my parents, they and I drove back to the West Haven Hampton Inn. This was close to midnight. I was asleep within an hour and a half.
I got up Sunday at 6AM when I couldn’t fall back asleep. I took the opportunity to write the first draft of this recap:
The view from my window as the sky began to clear following overnight rain (and a brief thunderstorm):
After an 11:30 breakfast at Denny’s, we headed for home.
I-95 south through Bridgeport after crossing the Pequonnock River:
Exit 15 in Norwalk:
Exit 7 in Stamford:
Last exit before New York:
Almost back in New York:
A few exits into New York:
The first exit in the Bronx:
The Throgs Neck Expwy. to the Cross Bronx Expwy. Ext.:
The last exit before the Throgs Neck Bridge:
Entering Queens and staying on I-295, Clearview Expwy.:
Getting onto the Grand Central Pkwy.:
The first exit in Nassau County, on the Northern State Pkwy.:
Exit 33, Wantagh Pkwy. south:
Exit W4E, Southern State Pkwy. east:
Our last exit:
I hope you’ve enjoyed this extensive 24-hour journey to and from Southwestern Connecticut, including a recap of this year’s Smooth Jazz for Scholars. I had another great time. And like last year, writing this recap was a labor of love. Thanks for reading.
MikeChimeri.com 