Opportunity for you Musical Types

Arts & Cultural Council
SPECIAL EVENT
Connect, converse, comprehend . . .


Resources & Opportunities for Musicians and the People Who Work with Them

Margaret Spoddig from ASCAP
Marc Brown from Hiscock & Barclay
Experts talk about industry issues of importance to performers, composers and venue operators—royalty, copyright, contracts and more.

Friday, December 7, 2007 from 1:30 – 5:00 pm
Registration, with light refreshments, begins at 1:00 pm
277 N. Goodman Street
$30 for students; $40 for Arts Council members; $50 all others
RSVP to Tracy Kroft at (585) 473-4000 X 210 or
tkroft@artsrochester.org

This workshop is sponsored by the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, Hiscock & Barclay LLP, and the New York State Music Fund, established by the New York Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

Something fun . . .

in case you didn't see it last year, here it is again.

http://badaboo.free.fr/merryxmas.swf

Enjoy!

And, yes, Charlie Curran was the percussionist . . .

The night I saw the Steve Green Trio at the Little Cafe, I mentioned that a Latin percussionist sat in, but I did not know his name. Now I do. It's Charlie Curran, and I hope I get to see him perform again.
T

A Most Unexpected and Exciting Meeting.

Well, I had something unexpected happen today when a gentleman came into the place where I work and needed to meet with someone regarding membership and its benefits. As we sat and talked, he looked at my card and, realizing that was the same name of the writer of this blog, said, "Hey, you have a blog!" or something like that. Then he went on to say how much he liked it (that alone was enough to make me smile) and that he had emailed me that very day (I didn't see my email until after the meeting) to ask me if I would consider being a volunteer DJ. I was floored! I think he said something like "have a show" which would imply that I'd have to talk. My speaking voice leaves a lot to be desired. My daughter said I'd have to work on talking slower, lower and smoother. That's a tall order!

People think I know a lot about music. I don't know why they think that. When I talk to musicians, record store owners, venue operators, music educators and others in the field, it reinforces (in my mind) how little I really do know. Now, I sure do love music--it's really the core of who I am and it always has been. I can't imagine life without music, without being able to sing (my singing voice is more pleasant--thank God--than my speaking voice). I wish I could play an instrument. I could. I have a beautiful guitar sitting up in my bedroom, and I have the world's best teacher ready to teach me, but I never have the time/make the time to practice. I can practice singing anywhere--in the shower, in the car, at work (when no one is listening), at church, at rehearsals. Well, you get the picture. My instrument is with me wherever I go, and sometimes I even think in song.

My point is that knowing that I know as little as I do, I'm kind of intimidated by the prospect of doing the DJ thing. However, I do have a passion for music. For music in general, for music in Rochester, for trying to get more live music venues in Rochester, for trying to get people off their LazyBoys and out to see the amazing musical talent we have right here in our city. So, if passion would be enough, then I just might do it. I'm going to think a little more about it.

Now for a music review. My son brought me a couple of cuts from an album of his. Rodrigo y Gabriela are a Mexican guitar duo who play fast, rhythmic acoustic guitars. Rodrigo Sánchez, lead guitar, and Gabriela Quintero, rhythm guitar, are from Mexico City, Mexico. They met there while playing in a thrash metal band called "Tierra Acida". (What the hell is "thrash metal," anyway? God, that makes me sound ancient. Forget I said that.) They got frustrated with the music scene there and moved to Europe where they have met with appreciable acclaim. I am ordering their self titled album--Rodrigo y Gabriela-- because I just love it. I believe their style would be considered "flamenco" style guitar. It is, in fact, impossible for me to sit still when I'm listening--dancing at my desk chair, dancing in my car seat--I just couldn't wait to get home, put it on the CD player and dance through the house. It's 7.99 or something on Amazon. How can you go wrong?

yours in music,
Tracy

A Musical Friday After Thanksgiving

So, last night was Joe Chiappone, Greg Wachala and Dave Arenius down at Stucko's, and they were very good as usual. The place was a little dead--must be everyone was home gorging themselves on leftovers--but I was there with the family and friends, and it was cool. There were some other people who trickled in throughout the night and got to hear good music with their traditional Day-After-Thanksgiving Fishfry.

After that, Joe and I went over to the Merchants Grill to "see" Chet Catallo and the Cats. That place is not set up for a band, that's for sure. Either you stand shoulder-to-shoulder with people up front and have your hearing permanently impaired, but you CAN see the band, or you can stand or sit in the back, never see the band, and have less bad stuff happen to your hearing. That was the choice we made.

Local guitar legend, Chet Catallo played hard and loud with his band, The Cats. Though I've only "seen" Chet play twice, I know most of the rest of the Cats--Jimmie Richmond, Ralph Ortiz, Andy Calabrese, Todd East and Steve Curry. I think that's everyone who was smashed into the corner. All of these guys are seasoned and talented musicians who support Chet well, and the band sounded good--if too loud.

It was a lively, drunkish crowd, and they were very much enjoying the band. But for $20 a ticket in a local bar, people should be able to see the band and not be deafened to do so. My opinion, anyway.

Where is the Clarissa Room when you need it?

Drew brought home some CDs for me to hear--Derek Trucks and the John Butler Trio. I am enjoying them. The kid gets to go see good shows, and he has good taste in music! Happy Post-Thanksgiving Shopping Weekend!

yours in music,
Tracy

Steve Greene Trio at the Little Cafe

After we left the Bistro, we went to see the "tres cool" (as Frank DeBlase says) Steve Greene Trio. The usual suspects were there--Steve, Tina Albright, Dave Arenius and Bill Ribas playing and enjoying great jazz standards (with the incomparable Steve Greene twist). Exemplary musicians having fun makes for a delightful evening. Though Tina did not sing my request, everything she did sing was rich and beautiful. Bill and Dave add spice to Steve's original takes on jazz standards. They invited my Friend, Joe, and another friend, Greg Wachala up for a tune, which was "tres cool," too. There was also a guy who was invited up to do some Latin percussion. Well, he was playing bongos, that's Latin, right? Anyway, I didn't get his name, and I'm hoping one of the Trio can let me know.

I just hate not having all the names of all the players when I write about a band.

The Trio is delicious fun to listen to and watch because you can tell they truly enjoy what they're doing and who they're doing it with. Go see them. I think next Saturday is the last one at the Little Cafe for a while.

yours in music,
Tracy

Sonic Duality at the new Bistro 135

So, we went to dinner at the new incarnation of Bistro 135 in East Rochester on Saturday night. We went, mainly, because Sonic Duality was playing. And these young guys (and girl) can play. Unfortunately, we came and left at times that the band was playing, and I couldn't talk to any of them. Perhaps Ben Britton can fill me in on the names of the other players.

Sonic Duality is comprised of Eastman students, I believe, and it shows in their level of musicianship. They are not a "pick-up" band; you can tell they have worked out all the tunes. They've rehearsed. What a concept! Their music is original and innovative. It might not be "dinner music" as much as it is "jazz club music." They deserve an audience that is there to listen to original jazz.

This was not the case at Bistro 135. People were eating and talking and there were three "charming" children running around the tables and squealing with joy at the freedom they had to annoy all of us trying to have a nice, quiet dinner and listen to some jazz.

I would enjoy seeing Ben's group at a place like Riff's (which I do believe has disappeared) or the Clarissa Room--is that back, yet--without the talkers, without the waiters bustling about, without the screaming, running children. And if you like cutting-edge jazz that's not too "out there," then you should find out where Sonic Duality is playing next, and go see them.

And hope that those three children are home in bed.

yours in music,
Tracy