New header June 15, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Personal.add a comment
After 2 1/2 years, I have finally changed the website header. Here it is:
The Jeff Lorber Fusion at Blue Note June 14, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel, Weather.add a comment
Monday evening marked my first trip to the famous Blue Note Jazz Club in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan.
Blue Note is not far from Zinc Bar, which I was at in June 2011 for Lisa Hilton.
The band I saw at Blue Note on Monday was the Jeff Lorber Fusion, who were originally scheduled to appear on April 7. It’s a good thing the show was moved because I would have had to deal with moderate to heavy rain on the original night. The sky was equally overcast on this rescheduled night, but it didn’t rain, at least not while I was outside.
My girlfriend and I arrived nearly two hours before showtime, 15 minutes after doors opened. Our early arrival paid off as we were seated at a table right next to center stage! It was great.
The Jeff Lorber Fusion was made up of Jeff on keyboard:

…and piano (seen here playing both):

Eric Marienthal on soprano sax:

There were two shows that night: 8PM and 10:30 PM. Kelly and I chose the early show. The set list was as follows:
8PM SET LIST
1. Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Originally heard on: “The Jeff Lorber Fusion,” 1977; “Now is the Time,” 2010
2. Hacienda
Originally heard on: “Hacienda,” 2013
3. He Had a Hat
Originally heard on: “He Had a Hat,” 2007
4. Singaraja
Originally heard on: “Galaxy,” 2012
5. Montserrat
Originally heard on: “Galaxy,” 2012
6. Horace
Originally heard on: “Galaxy,” 2012
7. Rain Dance
Originally heard on: “Water Sign,” 1979; “Now is the Time,” 2010
8. King Kong (Frank Zappa cover)
Originally heard on: “Hacienda,” 2013
9. Surreptitious
Originally heard on: “He Had a Hat,” 2007
NOTE: Eric Marienthal played soprano sax on #1, 4, and 7, but alto otherwise.
With flash photography disallowed, and fearing that my camera’s AF-Assist light would be mistaken for a flash, I didn’t take that many pictures. But it was an exhilarating show with wild solos by each member of the band. This was my first Jeff Lorber concert, and I doubt it will be my last. Thank you to Jeff, Eric, Jimmy, and Lionel.
I’ll leave you with pictures from two solos.
First, Lionel Cordew’s “Chinese Medicinal Herbs” solo:

I suggest a Triple Crown retool June 8, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Horse Racing, Media, Music, Personal, Sports, Thoroughbred, TV.add a comment
After what transpired at yesterday’s Belmont Stakes, next year will mark 37 years since the last Triple Crown winner – Affirmed. Since then, thoroughbred racing has had close call after close call after close call, as three-year-old horses will win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but fall short at Belmont. It doesn’t happen every year, but it’s still heartbreaking and frustrating. I suggest the Triple Crown format be retooled. Before I explain how, there is a backstory.
I first became aware of the Triple Crown races in 1997. That year, Silver Charm was the unlucky horse to lose at Belmont Park in Elmont. Then there was Real Quiet a year later. He barely lost to Victory Gallop. The year after that, Charismatic fell short. Three years later, there was another three-year stretch of horses to win the first two legs and fall short: War Emblem, Funny Cide, and Smarty Jones. In 2008, there was Big Brown. He came up far short at Belmont. In 2012, I’ll Have Another was scratched the day before the race!
That brings us to this year and California Chrome. I was at a second birthday party and watched the Kentucky Derby on TV, like I always do. His win gave me an opportunity to allude to the Mamas and the Papas hit, “California Dreamin’.” The announcers on TV did the same. Two weeks later, I was in an Italian restaurant as the Preakness Stakes was run. The sound was off on the TV ahead of my booth, but the closed-captioning was on. When California Chrome won that, I knew we were in for another three weeks of hype that would only be followed by heartbreak. When you see the same thing play out over many years, you know what to expect.
On Facebook, I floated a ridiculous idea:
If California Chrome wins the Belmont Stakes, thereby winning the Triple Crown, NBC should send a check for $36 to each Nielsen household tuned to them during the race. That would be one dollar for each year since the last Triple Crown winner: Affirmed in 1978.
In the comment thread, I amended that to $3.60, but perhaps 36 cents would have made even more sense.
I floated that idea because I knew California Chrome would lose. I would have loved for him to win, which turned into thinking he actually would win. So, as I watched the Belmont Stakes on my iPhone yesterday at another restaurant, I closed the NBC Sports Live Extra app in frustration after Larry Collmus said in the home stretch that there wouldn’t be a Triple Crown winner this year. I don’t even know who won and don’t care.
Now for my suggestion: Horses that win the Kentucky Derby should not be allowed to run the Preakness Stakes. That will avoid future heartbreaking Belmont Stakes. If they can’t run in the Preakness, they can’t possibly win it to set up Triple Crown talk.
It’s another ridiculous suggestion, I’m sure, and one that is born out of sour grapes, but I would love to see it happen. The days of Triple Crown winners ended in 1978. I don’t see it ever happening again.
6/9 UPDATE: A rebuttal by Jeff Kroll:
These ideas for change are generally coming from the generation that has not seen a “Triple Crown” win. Those of us who were around in the ’70s and saw 3 of them know it’s special, and that it can happen. It will take a very special horse and a lot of luck. The winning time yesterday on a fast track was still 4 1/2 seconds slower than Secratariat’s world-record 2.24 Flat in 1973. This group of horses is just not that “special.”
They’re certainly special enough to win two legs, but unfortunately not all three. I wish I was alive to see Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed win. Archived video is all I’ve had to go on, particularly of Secretariat’s dominant Belmont win that Jeff mentioned.
6/6/15 UPDATE: This year was finally the year! American Pharoah won the Triple Crown!
Ten years since commencement May 13, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Education, Health, Personal, Radio.add a comment
Last Friday marked ten years since the LIU Post (then C.W. Post) Class of 2004 commencement ceremony.
I was honored to be part of that ceremony:

It was a whirlwind morning and early afternoon. My sleep pattern (and eating pattern) was screwed up at the time and I was unable to sleep the night before the ceremony. But it was still a thrill. I was excited to hear my name called, but a bit too excited. That’s why I didn’t share the other pics that my father took of me at that moment.
After late lunch at Domenico’s in Levittown, my parents, sister, and I headed home where I promptly went to bed.
I haven’t strayed too far from the LIU Post campus since the ceremony, returning often to visit faculty and attend WCWP events. I also had a couple of regular on-air stints at WCWP in addition to my time at the station as an undergrad.
One year with Nike Running iPhone app May 13, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Health, Personal, Phone, Technology.add a comment
Today marks one year since I first used the Nike Running app on my iPhone 5. My first run was 2.91 miles outdoors. Since then, I’ve run as far as 5.74 miles indoors, and that was just last week. So far this month, I’ve run more miles than I did in the rest of May last year.
By a month and a half after I started using the app, I had lost five pounds. Unfortunately, I gained it back in the two months that followed, due in part to junk food indulgence and less running (due to high heat and humidity). Since then, I’ve run farther and more often each month, and I’ve had more days of healthy eating. As a result, I’ve lost 20 pounds.
SJFS 2014 Night 2 recap April 24, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.3 comments
Jay Rowe‘s twelfth annual Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert resumed on Saturday night with a packed house. They were in for a wild night.
Kevin McCabe welcomed the house, or audience, at approximately 8PM:

The first song of the night was by select members of the West Shore Middle School Band. Twelve hours earlier on Facebook, the band’s teacher, Bob Nunno, let me know that some of his students would be opening the show. I told him that was great and I looked forward to seeing them. Pictures from their song can be found in the set list below.
The band for the rest of the night consisted of Jay Rowe on keyboards:

…and Steve Scales on percussion:

SET LIST
1. Clocks (Coldplay cover)
Musicians: Select members of the West Shore Middle School Band, under the direction of Mr. Bob Nunno (who also played keyboard)
Like the previous night, Kevin returned to the stage to introduce Jay and his band. Jay welcomed the audience…:

…then played the first song of the main show, the second song overall:
2. Pleasure Island (Jay Rowe)
Originally heard on: “Laugh Out Loud,” 2001
Featured musician: Jay Rowe (keyboards)
3. George Can’t Dance (Chieli Minucci)
Originally heard on: “Catwalk,” 1994 (Special EFX album)
Featured musicians: Chieli Minucci (electric guitar), Nelson Rangell (alto sax)
4. Till the End of Time (Chieli Minucci)
Originally heard on: “Genesis,” 2013 (Chieli Minucci & Special EFX album)
Featured musicians: Chieli Minucci (electric guitar), Nelson Rangell (alto sax)
5. Point of Departure (Nelson Rangell)
Originally heard on: “Red” and “Blue” (upcoming albums) (1/30/15 UPDATE: “Red” and “Blue” are available for download this Sunday, February 1.)
Featured musician: Nelson Rangell (alto sax)
6. Speak Softly Love (Love Theme from The Godfather)*/Slammin’ (Nick Colionne)
Originally heard on: “Influences,” 2014
Featured musician: Nick Colionne (electric guitar)
*-Jay’s intro tune for Nick
7. Melting Into You (Nick Colionne)
Originally heard on: “No Limits,” 2008
Featured musicians: Nick Colionne (vocals/electric guitar), Marion Meadows (soprano sax) (walked on mid-song)
8. The Lift (Marion Meadows)
Originally heard on: “Body Rhythm,” 1995
Featured musician: Marion Meadows (soprano sax)
Marion and Jay co-wrote this song, the last track on “Body Rhythm,” which featured both them and Dave Anderson.
9. My Cherie Amour (Marion Meadows; Stevie Wonder cover)
Originally heard on: “Body Rhythm,” 1995
Featured musicians: Timmy Maia (vocals), Marion Meadows (soprano sax), Chieli Minucci (electric guitar)
10. Blue Lagoon (Chieli Minucci)
Originally heard on: “Genesis,” 2013 (Chieli Minucci & Special EFX album)
Featured musician: Chieli Minucci (electric guitar)
11. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (The Allman Brothers Band cover)
Featured musicians: Caitlin Kalafus (drums), Chieli Minucci (electric guitar)
12. Children’s Games (Nelson Rangell; Antonio Carlos Jobim cover)
Originally heard on: “Red” and “Blue” (upcoming albums) (1/30/15 UPDATE: “Red” and “Blue” are available for download this Sunday, February 1.)
Featured musicians: Nelson Rangell (whistling/piccolo/vocals/claps), Musician (acoustic guitar)
When I spoke to Jay in February, I wondered what Nelson’s whistle song would be this year. This was a pleasant surprise, and the second year in a row where Nelson covered a Jobim tune.
13. Rainbow Seeker (Nelson Rangell; Joe Sample cover)
Originally heard on: “Far Away Day,” 2000
Featured musician: Nelson Rangell (flute)
14 (Finale). James Brown Tribute
Featured musicians: Everyone, led by Nick Colionne (vocals)
Now for various pictures of each musician, beginning with Jay Rowe:

Chieli Minucci:
Electric guitar:

Acoustic guitar on “Children’s Games”:

Percussion via Steve’s chimes:

“Nelson Rangell, ladies and gentlemen!”:

This was Caitlin’s first appearance at SJFS in six years.
To be blunt, she rocked!
The audience agreed.
On to wide shots. First up, “George Can’t Dance”:

“In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”:

Steve and Trever’s “Rainbow Seeker” duet:

The wild finale (isn’t it always?): Nick’s tribute to James Brown:

Nick: “Here we go! Can I count it off?!” Nelson: “Count it off!”

“1, 2, 3, ‘ey!”
(singing): “What about you?!”: (4/27 UPDATE: Or as it’s spelled on “Influences,” “Whatta ‘Bout You?”)

What about Jay’s mother-in-law?:

Caitlin briefly returned to drums…:

…and Timmy took over percussion:

No tribute to James Brown would be complete without the cape routine:

“See you all next year!”
Bob Nunno was sitting near where I set up. So, we spoke for a few minutes after the show. Then, I had my girlfriend take our picture:

Putting together these recaps is a labor of love. From capturing to editing to uploading to writing, it’s a long and trying process. When I left the Parsons Complex on Saturday night, I contemplated not going again. But that would be crazy. I love Smooth Jazz for Scholars. For two days out of the year, Milford is my home. I am grateful to Jay and everyone involved each year for putting on what I consider the Super Bowl of contemporary jazz.
I’ll be back, and I hope you, the reader (if you’re into this genre), make plans to come, too. Thank you for reading, and to quote Jay, see you all next year!
SJFS 2014 Night 1 recap April 23, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.add a comment
For eight years, I’ve traveled to Milford, Connecticut, for Jay Rowe‘s Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert. This is the first year that has taken place on Easter weekend. My original plan was to only come to this first night – Friday, April 18. But when I spoke to Jay between sets at Jeff Kashiwa’s Houndstooth Pub show in February, he convinced me to come to both nights. I’m glad I did. I’ll recap the second night in a separate post, but let’s focus on the first night.
The night began just after 8PM with an introduction from Kevin McCabe:

The first song of the night was by select members of the Foran High School Jazz Ensemble. Pictures from that song can be found in the set list below.
As for the main band, you had SJFS founder Jay Rowe on keyboards:

…and for nine songs, Rohn Lawrence on guitar:

SET LIST
1. Pick Up the Pieces (Average White Band cover)
Featured musicians: Foran “Average High School Ensemble,” as they called themselves

After the ensemble performed, Kevin McCabe returned to the stage to resume his introduction, then he tossed to Jay Rowe:

2. Rosemary’s Tune (Jay Rowe)
Originally heard on: “Live at Daniel Street,” 2011
Featured musicians: Jay Rowe (keyboards), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)
3. Just a Natural Thang (Steve Cole)
Originally heard on: “True,” 2006
Featured musicians: Steve Cole (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)
4. Going in Circles (Steve Cole; The Friends of Distinction cover)
Originally heard on: “Pulse,” 2013
Featured musicians: Steve Cole (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)
5. The Music Inside (Chuck Loeb)
Originally heard on: “The Music Inside,” 1996
Featured musicians: Chuck Loeb (guitar)
6. Hacienda (Jeff Lorber)
Originally heard on: “Hacienda,” 2013 (Jeff Lorber Fusion album)
Featured musicians: Jeff Lorber (keyboard), Steve Cole (tenor sax), Chuck Loeb (guitar)
7. Tune 88 (Jeff Lorber)
Originally heard on: “Water Sign,” 1979 (Jeff Lorber Fusion album)
Featured musicians: Jeff Lorber (keyboard), Chuck Loeb (guitar), Rohn Lawrence (guitar), Kim Waters (alto sax)
8. Waterfall (Kim Waters)
Originally heard on: “Someone to Love You,” 2002
Featured musicians: Kim Waters (alto sax), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)
9. In the House (Kim Waters)
Originally heard on: “From the Heart,” 2001
Featured musicians: Kim Waters (alto sax), Chuck Loeb (guitar), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)
10. With You All the Way/All ‘n All (Steve Cole)
Originally heard on: “Pulse,” 2013
Featured musicians: Steve Cole (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)
11. Silver Lining (Chuck Loeb)
Originally heard on: “Silhouette,” 2013
Featured musicians: Chuck Loeb (guitar), Jeff Lorber (keyboard)
12. Silhouette (Chuck Loeb)
Originally heard on: “Silhouette,” 2013
Featured musicians: Chuck Loeb (guitar), Jeff Lorber (keyboard)
13. Red Wine and You (Kim Waters)
Originally heard on: “My Loves,” 2013
Featured musicians: Kim Waters (alto sax), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)
14. Confirmation (Charlie Parker cover)
Keyboard duet: Jay Rowe, Jeff Lorber
15 (Finale). Toad’s Place (Jeff Lorber)
Originally heard on: “Water Sign,” 1979 (Jeff Lorber Fusion album)
Featured musicians: Everyone
Let’s move on to various pictures of each musician.
A call and response with Chuck Loeb on “The Music Inside”:

Prompting the audience to clap during “Waterfall”:

I love when he creeps up the fingerboard.
Chuck worked scat into his “In the House” solo:

Kim briefly switched to keyboard – Jeff Lorber’s keyboard – during his “In the House” solo:

On to wide shots, beginning with “Rosemary’s Tune”:

“Confirmation,” a duet by Jay and Jeff:

The first night of Smooth Jazz for Scholars was in the books. Jay gave it up one more time for all performers.
Afterward, I had brief conversations with Steve Cole, Chuck Loeb, Kim Waters, and Jeff Lorber. I also got pictures with three of them, starting with Jeff:

There were more musical thrills on the second night. Click here to see.
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.add a comment
Other Hall of Fame ceremony recaps: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020-21, 2022, 2023
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 and Jeff posed with Rita’s plaque:

The second inductee of the day was Frank D’Elia:

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:

Roberta Epperhart O’Neil, widow of Bill’s brother Mike:

The last stroll down memory was provided by Jay Elzweig:

The only thing left to do was pose for pictures:

7/9/23 UPDATE: I originally split the ceremony video into two parts, but posted a complete version today.
6/7/24 UPDATE: I don’t know how to embed the video in WordPress classic mode. So, click on the link below to watch.
2014 WCWP Hall of Fame Ceremony (2023 repost in full)
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.
One year with iPhone April 11, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Audio, Health, Internet, Media, News, Personal, Phone, Photography, Radio, Sports, Technology, Travel, TV.add a comment
A year ago yesterday, I boarded the iPhone bandwagon by switching from an LG enV3, which I had for 3 1/2 years, to an iPhone 5. When I’m not texting or making a phone call, it’s a great alternative for internet access. My workouts with the Nike Running app have gone further than I was going in my first iPhone post last July. I’ve gone as far as 5.35 miles in one workout and broke 100 miles for the month of March.
When I need to comparison shop, I use shopping apps. When I want to listen to the radio, I have the TuneIn app. I’ve downloaded apps for several networks, network affiliates, and cable channels.
But I still wish the internal hard drive was bigger; maybe with the next iPhone.
Winter 2013-2014 recap March 28, 2014
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Technology, Weather.add a comment
3/31 UPDATE: Pictures of this morning’s wet snow added at the end of this post.
4/16 UPDATE: Post revised to reflect earlier snow than I previously remembered and a coating early this morning.
The winter of 2013-14 didn’t begin and end at the official times. Winter weather bled into mid-fall and early spring. The first snow came over a month before winter and the last came a month after winter. The first storm to produce an inch or more of snow came two weeks before winter and the last storm to do that came a week and a half after winter.
This post serves as a photo recap of most of the snow to affect my neck of the woods – Western Long Island.
Unlike the previous two winters, there were a handful of storms that left six or more inches of snow. Luckily, February 13 was the last storm of that kind. The rest of the season featured minor storms with little to no accumulation.
As I went outside to shovel, the snow switched to rain and the air temperature approached 50 degrees, about 25 degrees warmer than when snow began.
January 2-3: See separate post
January 21-22: See separate post
January’s snow was powdery and lightweight because temperatures were well below freezing. As you’ll see below, most of February’s snow was wet and heavyweight as temperatures were near or above freezing when it fell.
A couple of inches fell on February 9, but were powdery and light. It was nonetheless hard to shovel because of the frozen slush in the driveway from the previous two storms.
As I noted at the top, this was the last big snowstorm of the season. A smaller storm dropped a couple of inches on February 15, which didn’t stop me from going to Manhattan to see saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa perform.
After this quick coating of snow, we were treated to six days of above normal temperatures; perfect melting weather.
Snow showers came through on the afternoon of February 26, also leaving a coating, which quickly melted in the sun, despite temperatures in the 20s.
March was a month of near misses and close calls. It began with this storm. Nearly a foot of snow was initially forecast, but in the 48 hours leading up to the storm, computer models kept suppressing it further and further south. Thus, the snowfall forecast dropped all the way down to an inch at most. We ended up with less than that, but I still shoveled it.
The next near miss came on March 17. Once again, a lot of snow was expected initially, but that threat went away quicker. Again, up to an inch was the final forecast and we didn’t get a thing. I woke up on St. Patrick’s Day to a dry driveway.
The ultimate near miss came on March 26, a week into spring. This would be a blizzard, like the one on January 2, but with wet snow, like the three storms in February. Up to nine inches was expected for a while, but the storm was suppressed to the south and east, making it a bigger threat for eastern New England and Atlantic Canada. For them, it was a monster with tropical storm-force gusts on land and hurricane-force gusts at sea. For us, only a coating fell, which quickly melted. And wind gusts behind the storm were no higher than 50 miles per hour.
As pretty as snow is when it falls, it is a pain to shovel. So, as of now, I won’t miss winter completely. Luckily, as we move deeper into spring, milder temperatures are ahead.
Before long, the three Hs – hazy, hot, and humid – will return, and the pesky Bermuda High will keep humidity-breaking cold fronts from coming through. By then, cold air and snow will be a refreshing thought.
3/31 UPDATE: Earlier this morning, around sunrise, rain began to mix with sleet and wet snow, and then it changed to all wet snow. About an inch fell over two hours and is already melting, as of 11AM. Here is how it looked:

This should be the last snow of the season. If I don’t post anymore updates, you’ll know it was.
4/16 UPDATE: It wasn’t. A shot of unseasonably cold air behind a cold front turned any precipitation to sleet or wet snow overnight. Temperatures were near freezing at the time. It dropped a quick coating, which I found on my sister’s car and the backyard deck when I woke up after sunrise:

The coating will melt fast in the warm April sun, even though it’s only 35 degrees as I type at 9:30 AM. Since it’s spring, a freeze warning was issued for this morning. Temperatures will return to normal by the weekend.











































































































































































































































































































































































































