Two Fridays.

It's a crazy-busy time of year for me at work and at home. I did take a little "abuse" for not having posted in a while. So, a quick recap of December 7 and December 14, musically.

December 7th found me at Stucko's, once again, to check out Joe Chiappone and Greg Wachala. Greg had, earlier in the day, performed at the Arts & Cultural Council's legal workshop for musicians and was very well received. It was lovely to hear such good live music in our gallery.

My stay at Stucko's was short because I was headed over to the Immanuel Baptist Church for the Bill Welch Band's annual Advent Concert. The church was packed--standing room only upstairs and down--and the music was just phenomenal. Joe joined me after his Stucko's gig was over, and he was so impressed with their sound. This concert is always a great way to get into the spirit of what Christmas really is. I hope this is a tradition without end. That night, the Bill Welch Band included Bill on keyboard, guitar, percussion and vocals, Bill Tiberio on sax (multiple) , Gene Rogalski on guitar, Fred Welch on drums, Mike Keefe on bass, and Tina Albright, Damaris Rivera and Kathy Welch on vocals. Damaris and Tina sang some beautiful solos with a special request for Tina to sing her rich and soulful rendition of Silent Night. It was hard not to float out of that concert.

On the 14th, I was at Stucko's to hear Joe and Greg and was joined by Tina Albright and Dave Charneski (guitarist for Shinbone Alley) as well as many other friends. The guys played some Christmas music mixed in with their usual jazz standards, and it was great. Greg even had his Santa hat on. Joe, you know what's coming, right? Then Joe and I followed Tina and Dave to the Landing in Fairport to catch Shinbone Alley doing their bluesy-rocky thang. I haven't seen them in a while, and they were rocking the house, for sure. Dave broke out a new (for SBA) Hendrix tune, and the band was tight as usual.

Now, I know where I'm going to try to be next Saturday, the 22nd--the Baird Road Pub to see Northside Johnny with special guest, Bill Tiberio. And then on the 28th, the Bill Tiberio Group plays at Hi Fidelity. I haven't been there since I was so sadly disappointed in the renovations during the Jazz Fest. I mean, the place looks nicer on the inside, but as I said before, the bathrooms got nothing except paint over the graffiti and a bathroom attendant which, honestly, is unnecessary and downright intrusive in a bathroom of that size. Maybe they've improved that since June. I'll let you know!

Check out my cute little seasonal link at the top right of this blog. It was sent to me last year by Tina Albright and is my favorite holiday e-greeting, ever!

yours in music,
Tracy