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

For Any Musicians Who Read My Blog! An Event . . .

Best Practices for Musicians and the People Who Work with Them
Arts & Cultural Council Legal Workshop at 277 N. Goodman Street on
Friday, December 7, 2007 beginning at 1:00 pm

On Friday, December 7, 2007 at the Arts & Cultural Council’s offices at 277 N. Goodman Street, the Legal Workshop series continues with “Best Practices for Musicians and the People Who Work With Them" featuring speakers Margaret Spoddig from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Marc S. Brown from the Hiscock & Barclay law firm.

Light refreshments will be served. Registration begins at 1:00 pm and the program will run from 1:30 until 5:00. The cost is $30 for students, $40 for Arts Council members, and $50 for all others. Pre-register by calling Tracy Kroft at (585) 473-4000 X 210 or email her at tkroft@artsrochester.org. Payment at the time of registration is requested.

Margaret Spoddig will be discussing issues of importance to performers, composers and venue operators. Currently a Director of Membership in the genre of rock and pop at ASCAP, she recruits music writers and publishers by going out to see the latest bands and communicating with others in the industry. Ms. Spoddig has worked in the recording industry administration at Sony and Universal. Her career began with the inception of her own record label, Devour Records. Marc S. Brown, Esq. is an attorney with the law firm of Hiscock & Barclay, LLP in Rochester, New York. His practice is in the area of commercial litigation, with a particular focus on entertainment law, and he has represented a variety of local, regional and national musical artists, as well as entertainment, recording and publishing companies in contract and licensing matters. He will be talking about contract issues as they pertain to the business of music. Local musician, Greg Wachala, will speak about the challenges of working as a musician in Rochester. Arts Council staff will be speaking about the member benefits of the pro bono legal assistance program and the health insurance program.

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.
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The Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester is a nonprofit service organization for arts and culture in the 10-county greater Rochester region. Our mission is to strengthen and promote our region’s creative sector through our grant programs, constituent services, and special initiatives and to act as an advocate, planner, and funder to promote artistic vitality and cultural diversity throughout the region. For information about additional programs and services, visit us at www.artsrochester.org or call (585) 473-4000.

A "Spike" in Readership

I was wondering if I had any rise in the number of readers after the link to my blog was put in City Newspaper's Frank DeBlase column last week. Lo and behold, Google Analytics reports a "sharp spike" of one (yes, 1) new reader. (And I know who you are!) And I notice that people are spending a whopping 13 seconds on my blog, and I have an 83.3% "bounce rate." Which basically tells me that people are stumbling upon my blog, looking at it and saying, "Oh, this sucks." and then moving right along.

Now, I really don't believe that everything I write is interesting to everyone, but I also don't believe that everything I write sucks, either. So, I'm wondering how many people are turned off to reading the blog once they see they have to "sign in." The link leads them to the last posts, but to read anything beyond that, they have to have a Google account. I think some people don't want to bother or are concerned that they'll have yet another email account to maintain or that they'll have to put too much information out to Google just to read some lousy blog.

If I decide to continue this, I think I might look around and find a blog spot that does not require readers to sign in. Maybe that will boost my readership!

Or, maybe I should just write better.

yours in music,
Tracy

Invisible . . . Chinchillas

So, I had a lovely conversation today with one of the two, apparently invisible, members of the Steve Greene Trio. (Don't misunderstand--I'm glad that Frank DeBlase spoke so highly of both Steve, who is an amazing guitarist, and Tina Albright, who I think is a soulful and beautiful singer--I just think all four members of the "Trio" should have made the review.) Bill Ribas and Dave Arenius are two very gifted musicians who ought to be recognized and appreciated for their talent and versatility. I have seen Bill play with S.G.T., and I've seen Dave play with my Friend, Joe Chiappone, as well. These guys are cookin' and you should come out to see them at Bodhi's at 9:00 on Friday the 9th (9 on the 9th!) and The Little Cafe on Saturday, the 10th. If my sources are good, Dave will play first (on Friday) with Joe Chiappone and Greg Wachala at 6:30 at Stucko's on Clifford Ave. Check them out. You won't be sorry. I hear the fish fry is great, and I can attest to the fact that the music is first rate. Drinks are pretty cheap, too! There's popcorn.

I understand that Bill Ribas is also a Chinchilla. The Chinchillas are playing, along with the Beat Beggars, at the Cottage Hotel in "beautiful downtown Mendon" on the 17th of November at 9:00pm. I'm hoping to be there. I've never seen a real, live Chinchilla playing a guitar, and I have a friend who is a Beat Beggar. It should be most fun!

yours in music
Tracy

A Review by Frank DeBlase

I'm copy/pasting a review by Frank DeBlase from City Newspaper because I want to be sure that all the people who read my blog (what, are there three of you?) to see this review about the Steve Greene Trio, and specifically what he had to say about my friend, Tina Albright. My only criticism of the review is that he neglected to mention the names of the other two players and say anything about them.

So, here's what Frank DeBlase had to say:

"Me and the birthday girl spent last Saturday night at the Little Theatre Cafe. And man alive, this place has gone far and beyond the afterthought it once was. And I'll tell you why: it's jazz cats like The Steve Green Trio.

First of all, the trio has four members. That alone is tres cool. Greene comps and chops and trills and twangs as the band stirs the batter. Slithering seductively on top is Tina Albright, a statuesque blonde with a smoky contralto. This isn't a blues group, nor is Albright singing the blues, but the way she works the mic, stretching and playing with the lyrics (almost as casually as Greene) it draws upon some of the blues' simultaneous joy and despair.

The joint was jammed as folks hovered in a holding pattern waiting to swoop as soon as a seat opened up. The cappuccino machine hissed, cutlery clinked, people slurped, and a four-piece trio casually played some of the sweetest acoustified jazz you'll hear anywhere. There are moments like this all over town. I was lucky to stumble upon this one. I hope it happens again...soon."

Congratulations, "tres cool" Trio! I think they are playing at Bodhi's (Goodman Street in the Village Gate) on Friday night, November 9th--at least that's what it said under "Gigaroos" in Steve's website. Perhaps I'll see you there. By the way, come out and see Joe Chiappone and Greg Wachala along with Dave Arenius at Stucko's on Clifford Avenue (across from Savoia's) (from 6:30 to 8:30) first on Friday the 9th.

yours in music,
Tracy