Gathering of the Vibes 2010: Thursday (07.29.10)

August 6, 2010 by Karen Dugan (lightfire4)

Thanks Jerry!

I must immediately say THANK YOU GATHERING OF THE VIBES!!! WHAT A GREAT, WONDERFUL, CLEAN, HAPPY MUSIC FESTIVAL!!!! I don’t even know where to begin this weekend. So much happened!

My lil VibeTribe

It was a weekend of firsts for sure! I would be camping for the first time this year and we were taking the train with all our gear from Manhattan. HAHA!! I was stoked to see how we would make that happen. I was co-chaperoning a 15 year old rager this weekend so now I was responsible for another life other then my own for the first time. This was my first time with a VIP ticket and being able to utilize VIP amenities at a festival. First time seeing numerous bands like Primus and The Rhythm Devils…and so much more.

This was, however, my SECOND Gathering of the Vibes. My first one was a little bit of a train wreck. This go-round, it was heaven on earth and down as one of my top five festival experiences.

The people who we spend these magical weekends with are called our Tribe and effect our experiences considerably. I got off work around 5pm Thursday afternoon and immediately met up with my mini-Vibe Tribe at the 125th street Metro Station to catch the train to Seaside Park, Bridgeport, Ct..

The Lead Heads w/ Issac on the right!

Let me tell you a little something about our teenage charge for the weekend. Issac Slone. One of the most smart, well-mannered, self-aware, gorgeous young human beings you will ever meet. From a musical standpoint, he is the bass player for The Lead Heads, the Nation’s only teen-age Grateful Dead cover band. And they are no joke. Issac also writes his own blog and I will be sure to post his GOTV entries once they are posted……

(Check out The Lead Heads show this weekend @ B.B. Kings on Sunday, August 8, 2010 ~ JERRY GARCIA MEMORIAL TRIBUTE SHOW Featuring: REFLECTIONS – Celebrating and Jamming the music of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia)

Ready for Full rage!

I would be chaperoning our little rager with my favorite person on earth, Jay. The dear man had carted all the gear to the station by himself. God Bless him. I smiled as I saw Issac’s mother had come to see him off . I immediately felt an immense warmth and sense of maternal instinct kick in. I was not one to babysit when I was a kid, never one to seek children out. I was always the person who said they would adopt or just not have children.

Wook stop!

Recently, in the past year that has all changed. This was going to create an entirely different festival going experience for me. I was looking forward to finding that balance between raging and responsibility. I knew I would take the best care of her precious treasure. I would kill for that kid. And at the end of the day, Issac is possibly more mature and grown up at 15 then some of my friends in their 40’s. He’s simply a pure ray of wholesome sunshine.

Shuttle to Vibes

With two tents, bedding, bags and chairs, we did remarkable lugging the gear around. It’s also nice Jay is 6’2 and strong. Upon arriving in Bridgeport, we joined some wooks who were waiting for the shuttle bus and as we boarded it, we all got giddy. Everyone was fully charged. Issac’s excitement only fueled my own. I spent the 10 minute shuttle ride thinking back on my first music festival and how excited I was.

The Festival Grounds @ Seaside Park, Bridgeport, Ct. (Similar Set up this year)

Welcome To VIBES!

The festival was held on the University of Bridgeport‘s campus grounds. It was lovely but terribly run down with dilapidated buildings and trash that the earth had eaten over time of neglect. From the drop off point, we took a fun little ride on a golf cart through the camp grounds and past the stage to the VIP check-in. You can hear New Rider’s of the Purple Sage playing in the background as we pass the stage in the video below.

Pretty Lamanant!

VIP. Another first for me and absolutely worth every penny. One barely needs to spend a penny outside the ticket price. I will go into the amenities as they arise along our path but in the mean time The Vibes 2010 VIP Pass Includes:

•VIP Entrance
• VIP Camping Area conveniently located near the concert field
• Admittance to the park on Thursday, July 29th at no extra charge
• Hospitality Tent with plenty of room to spread out, relax and chill
• Your choice of water, soda, juices and snacks throughout the weekend
• Catered lunch on Friday and Saturday, with brunch served on Sunday
• VIP bathroom facilities and showers
• Commemorative 15th Annual Gathering of the Vibes Laminate
• Gathering of the Vibes 2010 Event Poster
• Gathering of the Vibes 2010 Event T-Shirt

VIP Check-in

Settin' up camp...

First thing we did was establish our camp. I am a Virginian tomboy who spent her summer youth in the mountains camping, spelunking, climbing, and hiking among other things. Then I moved to The Blue Ridge Mountains for college for 6 years. I may be a spoiled city girl now but I know how to get dirty, boi!! So, here I was with two New Yorkers from the Upper West/East who live in door man buildings and have relied on a superintendent when things needed fixing. Needless to say, it was amusing to say the least. Inside my head, I was dying hysterical. It was at this point we made friends with all our neighbors as many got involved when our “Hit-a-button-and-it’s-magically-a-tent” tent didn’t work. Whole damn thing was smack-you-in-the-head fantastic. I will just hope that Issac writes about his experience putting up the tents in his blog and you can read it there! It was hilarious and fun and in the end we all helped to get the two tents up in time for Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) to begin.

Dark Star Orchestra @ GOTV 2010

DARK STAR ORCHESTRA

Rob Barraco- keyboards, vocals
Rob Eaton – rhythm guitar, vocals
Dino English – drums, percussion
Rob Koritz – drums, percussion
Lisa Mackey – vocals
Jeff Mattson – lead guitar, vocals
Kevin Rosen – bass, vocals

Oh man, Oh man!! Right off the bat the music started with a fury. I have skipped over seeing DSO at every festival this year and I got smacked dead in the face by them tonight. They were on fire.

Celebrating Jerry Garcia’s Birthday week, I actually didn’t want to see anything but Dark Star at that moment. This week was all about Jerry and his music, his legacy. The thing I love about Dark Star, aside from my personal favorite Fake Jerry: Jeff Mattson, is how they present their shows. Picking a Grateful Dead show from their many decades of touring, DSO recreates the show song for song. They bring their own vibe, interpretation and sound to the sets and it’s truly the greatest cover band of all time IMO.

Dark Star Orchestra @ GOTV 2010

We made it to the field while Candyman was playing. Issac was hungry so we grubbed down some fries and pancakes. Dinner of festival champions. And the fries were miracled, haha. After the food, we made our way over to the Karma Wash to establish our base-camp for the rest of the weekend. The Karma Wash crew were our close friends and this was always our spot to meet between sets with whoever wanted to find us. Having Issac this weekend made this an even more crucial location then normal.

Full Moon 4 DSO!

A really special thing happened during this set, during this time of setting up at the Karma Wash. First, a little back story….

During Mountain Jam, a lost soul had made his way to the Karma Wash and had been touched in a positive way through the entire vibe of the set up. He thought I was the one who “washed him” and finding me through facebook, we became friends. Over time I noticed that his status’s were dark, deeply sad and made me straight up nervous for his safety. Not really knowing him or what he was going through, I reached out to him anyway.

Dark Star Orchestra @ GOTV 2010

We began communication and over time I learned that he was suicidal, hurt, lonely, broken…all for the same reasons I had been in 2009. I knew all too well how he felt and I just hoped he would see light. Through our communications, I shared things with him I wouldn’t share with anyone and he thanked me for helping him see hope when even those closest to him were not able to reach him. We casually spoke about meeting up at Gathering of the Vibes but I didn’t know if I would really see him. And, so now, here we were.

Walking right up to the Karma Wash, I sw a few familiar faces and hugged it out and right off the bat, this person turns around and there was his face. Smiling SO bright. I wanted to cry but I kept it together. I was so happy to see him standing there…SMILING!!! There were no words, we just walked directly into each other’s arms and hugged for a long time. It was awkward and wonderful at the same time. How does one react in these moments? This entire fantasy world was surrounding me and here was this super intense, real moment…at least for me. There are no words for these kinds of moments. Later, he would tell me that “Your hug released my soul.” What a way to start off a weekend fueled by the power of music and kindness. You can’t make this stuff up…nor can you do it justice in words…not when emotion is such a huge player in the equation.

Dark Star Orchestra @ GOTV 2010

DSO really got the festival started off right. The dance party was bouncing and I knew it would seamlessly roll right into Big Sam’s arms, ready to RAGE late night…

Set One: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Franklin’s Tower > New Minglewood Blues, Candyman,Me And My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Althea, Man Smart (Woman Smarter, Ramble On Rose, Let It Grow > Deal

Set Two: Shakedown Street > Samson And Delilah, Never Trust A Woman, Estimated Prophet > He’s Gone > Drums > Space > Throwing Stones > Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > The Wheel > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Good Lovin’

Encore: Don’t Ease Me In

Big Sam's Funky Nation @ GOTV 2010

Big Sam’s Funky Nation

Danny Abel – Guitar
Eric Vogel – Bass
Drummer Boy Milk Williams – Drums
Da Phessah Drew Baham – Vocal/Trumpet

BSFN @ GOTV 2010

Big Sam…The King of the Party! This performance was our underlying reason to coming to Vibes Thursday night instead of Friday. I had told Jay about BSFN a while ago and prepared him for total late night domination by way of some contemporary, funky-ass, bass-filled, horn rage. Having seen Big Sam earlier in the year, I expected the same assortment of choices in set list and was eagerly awaiting to break my legs dancing.

Big Sam's Funky Nation @ GOTV 2010

Milk Williams @ GOTV 2010

Formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big Sam Williams, put on an indisputably raging dance party and I dare anyone to tell me they didn’t move during this performance. This New Orleans-based group is modern funk at it’s best combining today’s popular pop songs with an MC attitude and some nasty NOLA swagger. If you need more reason to go see them, in 2009, BSFN was awarded Best Funk Group at the Big Easy Music Awards. Look! An award…ohhh…ahhhh. Just go see them.

Danny Abel is one HELL of a guitar player, bringing a sense of rock to the group, shredding his guitar in between Big Sam and Baham‘s horn heavy funk plays. And Eric Vogel on bass is sharp and bumpy, standing out on his own throughout many of the songs during his solos. A few songs in particular had me transfixed on him completely. At times, the horns would leave the stage and allow the other three to jam out. Drummer Boy Milk Williams raging a vibrant drum solo, flanked by the guitars.

Big Sam's Funky Nation @ GOTV 2010

During the encore, Big Sam reiterated the importance of “family” and then he open the flood gates:

“Normally, we just want the ladies up here. But tonight…it’s family, right? We are family! So, let’s have the guys up here too. Bring it up here.”

Bum rushin' the stage...

I was probably the first girl on stage as I was directly up front on the railing for the show anyway. But by the time I even turned around it was full of dudes. Now, where some women are still crazy scrambling fanatics to get to the stage, knocking people over, they are still dainty right? Most times? Try telling a group of male ragers they should join the stage? When I turned around, after being helped on stage by security…it was as if a heard of spider monkeys were coming at me. By the time they cut off the surge, it was almost all men.

We raged the stage for the entire song. After the song I got off the stage and most people stayed on. I was now alone in the pit and danced around in circles until the end of the performance in front of the stage in my own little world.

Peace out Vibes...

(Check out Big Sam’s Funky Nation show this weekend on the Rocks Off Cruise Series this Wednesday, August 11, 2010)

We concluded the evening/early morning by hitting up the Casbah, a dope set up our friends had in Family camping. I immediately collapsed down on the mats in the middle of a group of my friends. The cuddle puddle had commenced and I was utterly raged. You wanna know how hard tonight raged??? I passed out before almost all my friends. That NEVER EVER happens.

Move on to Day II: Gathering of the Vibes: Friday (07.30.10)

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Posted in Festival Review, Music Festival | Tagged Assembly of Dust, Big Easy Music Awards, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Bridgeport Ct, Damian "jr. Going" Marley, Dark Star Orchestra, Deep Banana Blackout, Dino English, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Donna Jean Godchaux Band, Furthur, Galactic, Gathering Of The Vibes, GOTV 2010, Issac Slone, Jackie Greene, Jeff Mattson, Jerry Garcia, Jimmy Cliff, Kevin Rosen, Lisa Mackey, Little Feat, Martin Sexton, Max Creek, Mix Master Mike, NAS, New Rider of the Purple Sage, Primus, Reflections, Rhythm Devils, Rob Barraco, Rob Eaton, Rob Koritz, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Ryan Montbleau Band, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, Steve Kimock, The Blue Ridge Mountains, The Lead Heads, The Radiators, Umphrey's McGee, University of Bridgeport, VibeTribe, VIP, Zach Deputy | 1 Comment »

Furthur @ Nokia Theatre Times Square (07.28.10)

August 4, 2010 by Karen Dugan (lightfire4)

Furthur @ Nokia Theatre Times Square (07.28.10)

I Miss Jerry!!

I remember fighting and arguing and causing major melt downs in my house when my parents refused to let me go see The Grateful Dead shows when Jerry Garcia was alive. I never understood my obsessive draw to The Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia, nor did I understand why my parents refused to let me see them Live. I specifically recall my father asking me one day, “Why do you like all these musicians who died of some kind of overdose?” I just stared at him blankly as framed pictures of Janis and Jerry and Bonham stared back at me from my bedroom walls.

I don’t have to describe the feelings we all get when we listen to Jerry…his music, his lyrics, his sound. The shine we feel when we see his smiling picture. Such a tragic loss who had a giant impact on human nature and music. A worldly symbol of peace and love. Strike me down with lightening and hellfire but personally, Jerry has been my religion since I was 12 years old and discovered American Beauty. To this day Ripple and Attics of My Life are in my top five favorite GD tunes. Music = God.

I Love you Jerry!

I remember exactly where I was when I found out he had passed away. I was 15, climbing Seneca Rocks in West Virginia and remember being devastated. This was the only guitar player I had ever wanted to see Live. Even now, I don’t itch for a musician the way I itched to see him before he died. He’s always held that place in my heart as my favorite guitar player and Derek Trucks follows right behind. To this day, I equate the fact that I am fully addicted to Live music and seeing my favorite musicians religiously because one day these talented guys will be gone. Some girls have Daddy issues, I have Jerry issues.

Nokia Times Square sign 🙂

So anyway, Futhur to me is not The Grateful Dead. Once Jerry died, I lost interest in really seeing The Dead. It’s not the same. It never will be. Fake Jerry is the most dedicated Jerry clone ever but still…he ain’t no Jerry. And so, I only saw my first Futhur show at Coney Island a few weeks ago and here I was at Nokia Theatre in Times Square to see them for the second time. It wasn’t a bad show but it wasn’t great either.

The chaotic scene before the show!

As we approached the blocks surrounding the theater, the sidewalks became thick with Deadheads and other hippe folk…and all hunting for tickets. Oddly, I never saw anyone selling a single ticket. Just lots of fingers up in the air. I didn’t have a ticket till earlier that day. Might I suggest ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS checking Craigslist for your ticket. They are almost always offered at face value or under face. Certainly not in this case, as people were willing to pay HUNDREDS for tonight’s tickets. I was miracled again so that was nice.

The scene out front of Nokia was rather gross. Wooks were everywhere, many with their dogs. To me this just seemed ridiculous. Dreaded wookies and their pit-bulls. WTF? This was Times Square and it was just awkward and menacing. I know they are nice dogs, but in masses smashed into Times Square, you never know if one of them is going to snap or feel uncomfortable. I was feeling uncomfortable under the cramped, stinky, wooked-out circumstances and I wanted to bite people….shoot.

Eagerly waiting to be played...

For the first set, I had spectacular views of Bobby and Phil. So yummy. I had maneuvered my way up to the railing on the raised platform directly to the right of the stage. Perfect view. The only negative being that I couldn’t see anyone to Bobby’s right. I couldn’t see Fake Jerry, the backup singers, and I could barely see Joe. I’d deal with this later, I just wanted to dance right now. I got terribly excited right before the show. I again questioned myself as to why I had waited this long to come hear my favorite music and songs played live. I should have been more loyal to Jerry’s legacy with the passion I had for his music. Alas….

Let's get this party started...

Futhur consists of:

Phil Lesh – Bass
Bob Weir – Rhythm Guitar
Joe Russo – Drums
Jeff Chimenti – Keys, Organ
John Kadlecik – Guitar

They started the first set with Shakedown Street and Bown Eyed Woman. It sounded good overall but still kind of like they were warming up. I didn’t think anything of it. I was setteling into my show groove as well. John Kadlecik immediately brought it out on the guitar. Bobby was alert and throwing signals all over the stage. Singing was on point and the audience joined in on every word. Bob started forgetting the lyrics during Brown Eyed Woman.

Phil and Bobby @ Nokia

So, we are three songs in and I am dancing with my eyes closed to the beginning of El Paso. It’s clear something is going on on stage, as Bobby disappeared from my ears all together. As I look on stage, his strumming had softly slowed, his swaying slowly stopped and it was as if he was passing out while standing up for just a few seconds. Pure black out stance. And IMMEDIATELY he would come back to us and get back into the song. It was weird and I was standing in a position to take in every single moment. I turned to my friends screaming, “Do you see this?” But they had been talking.

Phil and Bobby @ Nokia Theater

Attempting to start El Paso again, it happens again. Bobby zones completely out. Fazing back in, Phil is looking at Bobby with a very confused look. That look in particular made me nervous and I turned around, shouting at my friends again, “DO YOU SEE THIS?” Still talking, they hadn’t. Later, it registered with them why I was in such a weird freak out mood with a worried look on my face. In the moment, they were so confused. A few minutes in & Bobby approaches the mic saying “I am going to try this again.” And he did try it again. They got through the song but without any lyrics. It didn’t suck, it wasn’t particularly great and almost completely instrumental. That is the thing about live music, you never know what your going to get 🙂

Crazy Hippies 🙂

Apparently, there was a ton of fighting was occurring outside. As I went to the ladies room there were numerous security guards discussing the occurrences that were taking place outside. I just heard them say there were tons of fights and kept walking. The scene inside was just as hectic but in a more fun way. There were colorful characters walking the hall ways and dancing in the isles. The over ragers had found spots along the walls to gather themselves. Security was everywhere. It was much more intense then I am used to for other shows.

Furthur @ Nokia Theater

By the time we were given Bertha, Bobby was back on his toes. How strange that he fazed out for such a short time. If he was dosed, as it was rumored, it would have lasted much longer then just those few minutes, right? The Ambian theory is good too but he would have passed completely out, right? Even though he didn’t appear drunk, that will be the theory I am sticking with. They ended the set with a HYPED UP Good Lovin’, bringing the heat and gaining a huge cheer from the audience at the end. Phil was clearly upset as he walked off stage. All I could think about was what was about to take place behind the scenes during set break! Oh, to be a fly on the wall back there.

Furthur @ Nokia Theater

Seeing Joe Russo up there behind the drums was unreal. How wonderful for him. How wonderful for us. I am a big Joe Russo fan. He is a New Yorker and one half of the Benevento-Russo Duo. He is obscure and off the handle when he plays and plays around here often. He is an innovator with energy and I thoroughly enjoyed his sound behind Bobby and Phil.

(Check out a Free rare performance of A BIG YES and a small no (A Joe Russo Project) @ Lakeside Lounge on August 19th.)

Furthur @ Nokia Theater

Because of my lacking view from my pretty great location, I chose to move for the second set. Some friends of ours had gotten some great seats in the middle behind the soundboard so for the second set, that is where I spent most of my time, taking off to the stairs from time to time to catch closer shoots of the stage.

View from the stairs - mid floor

The second set started off much better with Music Never Stopped. Bobby had apparently gotten over what was bothering him and he was extremely coherent. Phil was in good spirits and they got the dance party started immediately. Overall the second set was very good. Some great jams.

Furthur @ Nokia Theater

They covered Ryan Adam’s “Bartering Lines” half way through the set. Phil really let us have it with his bass on this one. Great song. The back up singers were soulful and when I finally recognized them in my head, I wondered why they didn’t pick up the slack on El Paso? Hmmmm? LOL……

Closing the second set with I Know You Rider, everyone sang along and danced. The lyrics: Gonna miss me when I’m gone resonated with me as I stared at the stage and missed Jerry. As I type this, I feel it must look and sound rather strange. There is such a deep emotional and nostalgic pull to that man, that even though I have never met him, never seen him live, it’s as if I have known him forever through his music. So, I miss this ghost of a man who left his soul on earth through his music.

Furthur @ Nokia Theater

I was actually pretty nervous that they might not come out for an encore considering what had transpired with Bobby earlier in the show. But, I was worried for nothing. They played Phil’s Donor Rap and capped off the night with Uncle John’s Band. Always a crowd pleaser.

Furthur @ Nokia Theatre

At the end of the show, Phil went up to Bobby and gave him a huge hug. The audience went crazy for a good long while. How wonderful. Love in Jerry’s spirit. There must have been some kind of explanation that had been realized behind the scene during set break.

As the venue empties....

They pulled off a good show. I remember being happy and confused at the same time as I left the venue, overhearing all the buzz about what had occurred in the first set. We hung outside for some time and meet up with tour buddies who spent the concert looking for tickets. Everyone wanted to know what we saw. The dogs and wooks were still behaving and I saw no evidence of fights. Again, I thought that I had worried for nothing. It was a splendid night but I still knew it was nothing without Jerry. I look forward to meeting him in the afterlife. We are going to RAGE HEAVEN and HELL into the ground!!!

Furthur
Wed. July 28, 2010
Nokia Theatre Times Square
New York, NY

Set 1: Shakedown Street >, Brown Eyed Women, El Paso (2x 1st verse, instrumental)>, Dire Wolf, Row Jimmy, I Need a Miracle >, Bertha >, Good Lovin’

Set II: Music Never Stopped, Colors of the Rain>, Cassidy, Cold Rain and Snow, Bartering Lines, Space, Born Cross-eyed, Stella Blue, I Know You Rider

Encore: Donor Rap & Uncle John’s Band

Download: Furthur @ The Nokia Theatre Times Square (07.28.10)

Posted in Show Review, Tour | Tagged Benevento-Russo Duo, Bob Weir, Coney Island, Derek Trucks, Furthur, Grateful Dead, Jeff Chementi, Jerry Garcia, Joe Russo, Nokia Theater, Phil Lesh, Seneca Rocks, West Virginia | 6 Comments »

Brandford Marsalis’s New York Philharmonic Debut (07.14.10)

August 3, 2010 by Karen Dugan (lightfire4)

It was pouring rain all day. Working for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, my office is situated near the Special Events office whose phones were ringing off the hook from patrons wondering if the evening’s New York Philharmonic perfromance had been canceled. “We are on the phone with the National Weather Service but it won’t be called until the last minute.”

Having been raised on Broadway, Jazz, and Classical music, I fall into these events easily and willingly. Tonight we were getting a wonderful treat in the history of music and the New York Philharmonic (NYP). Branford Marsalis, a Louisiana saxophonist, would be making his New York Philharmonic debut. Seriously, this was a ridiculous treat.

The happenings behind NY Phil stage...

Loving my Parkie perks, we entered in through the back of the stage area. It’s fun to see the happenings behind the stage before the performances. Musicians are stuffing their faces with food, sipping on drinks and mingling while they mess with their instruments.

View of side stage...walking in

My tribe of 14 had dwindled to 7 as the rainy day progressed. Honestly, I had my own doubts on how the night would turn out but I was trying to stay positive. However, just like the previous night, the rain stopped around 3pm and the 55-acre center of Central Park, called The Great Lawn, was littered with people who knew a little water was worth what we might get to experience.

Our seats...with view of Great Lawn behind

Parkies get wonderful accommodations for Central Park performances. Where as all other patrons in the park must get there insanely early to beat the 30,000 other people expected to occupy the lawn that night, Parkies get special seating in chairs while the New York Phil guests get even closer seats. We also get the option of having plenty of space to lay out blankets and have a picnic style lounge for the evening. There were so many free seats that we took over an edge of seats and placed the blanket along side. A few laid down on the grass while the rest of us utilized the seats.

View from our seats of Stage

A long time New Yorker and my guest for that evening explained to me how in the past he would arrived early in the morning and leaves his blankets and bikes in the spot he wanted to reserve only to come back hours later to occupy his spot. Apparently, no one ever messed with his belongings. I am glad I didn’t have to take those kind of risks. My advice is to do just that if you do not have an “in” for these performances.

Where there is normally 61,000 there was only 20,000

Where there is normally 30,000 there was only 11,000

Right before the show began, a NYP staff member came around to the Parks attendees and told us that the they would love for us to move forward to use their seating as so many people had not shown. We decided we were close enough and didn’t move.

Check out this video of the musicians preparing for a night of gorgeous music!

The concert was conducted by Andrey Boreyko, a Russian conductor, and featured the following pieces:

Anatoly Lyadov‘s “Baba-Yaga”

Alexander Glazunov‘s “Concerto for Alto Saxophone”

Erwin Schuhoff‘s “Hot Sonate for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra”

Selections from Sergei Profokiev‘s Romeo & Juliet

Encore: Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Medley

I am not going to break this night up by song. I totally just sat back and enjoyed myself choosing only to recall whatever ends up in this article. When it comes to Classical music, I just want to sink into it. I don’t want to think about writing or taking pictures. In fact, I don’t think I took a single picture with my camera, these are all from my Droid.

The first half of the program consisted of the first three pieces with Marsalis coming out on the second. Marsalis was spectacular, blowing his alto saxophone with technical perfection. These songs were rather obscure and I didn’t know them. It was nice to hear Russian interpretations though. The only piece that wasn’t Russian was Schuhoff‘s.

Walked into the Park for a nice set break 🙂

My good friend, and constant Philharmonic companion, James M., made a nice little video recap of the evening. The classical music starts somewhere in the middle and the fireworks display is great! (He had a rough time getting the music to play on other outlets so enjoy Alicia Keys dubbed over for a bit in the beginning!)

The ambiance alone is worth going. There was gorgeous music with a backdrop of a gorgeous skyline while sitting on a lush green carpet of grass. We had wines, cheeses, dips, conversation, fireworks, seats if our backs hurt or it got wet. The sound is incredible. If you are seated in the back of the Lawn then you had screens to see the performance. Just the entire event, from start to end, with all its little elements really makes it a stand out summer performance from a music festival or a show held indoors. I am constantly looking forward to it coming around every summer.

Brandford Marsali's NY Phil Debut 🙂

During this entire time, we had been experiencing a lovely vibe. There were couples around us laying on blankets, snuggling. In the middle of a particularly quiet moment in the music, we hear this ripping blast from the guy on the blanket to our right. I don’t think I can emphasize the power it took for all of us to not bust a gut laughing. He immediately sat up and tried to mask it with a cough while I almost choked. Angie, who was closest, didn’t know what to do with herself. I mean, just hilarious. The guys were not as good at hiding their giggles. A lovely classy moment brought back to our gross reality.

Brandford Marsali's NYPhil Debut 🙂

The encore was not mentioned in the pamphlet but I recognized the music almost immediately. They performed a medley of songs from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, which draws as much from Tchaikovsky’s ballet. It was gorgeous and gave us another 20 minutes of classical music. I always love hearing nostalgic tunes covered in interesting ways. Classical Disney music? Totally my thing.

Fireworks over CP South

They ended the night with a lovely fireworks display over the south end of the Central Park. The display lasted over 10 minutes and solidified everyone’s smile for the evening. All we could think about is what the people in midtown were thinking about when these explosions went off near them.

As always, my tribe was one of the last to leave the lawn, or rather, be asked to leave. We strolled out of the park in our various directions home feeling sorry for those who had chickened out of the concert. They missed a phenomenal night where some history was made 🙂

Posted in Broadway, Show Review | Tagged Alexander Glazunov, Anatoly Lyadov, Andrey Boreyko, Central Park, Disney, Erwin Schuhoff, National Weather Service, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York Philharmonic, Romeo & Juliet, Sergei Profokiev, Sleeping Beauty, The Great Lawn | 1 Comment »

August 2010 Potential Show Run Down!

August 2, 2010 by Karen Dugan (lightfire4)

August 2010 Potential Show Run Down

Calendar updated daily!

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

Gathering Of The Vibes Music Festival, Bridgeport, CT
($20) Hot Buttered Rum @ Rocks Off Cruise
($30) Larry Coryell Power Trio w/ Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts @ The Iridum Jazz Club

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

($8) Jim Campilongo@ The Living Room (W/ Charlie Hunter)
($25) The Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($35-$65) Dr. John & The Lower 911 @ City Winery

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

(Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall
($5) Talib Kweli & Friends w/ Live Band @ Brooklyn Bowl
($8) Caravan of Thieves @ The Living Room
($30) Los Lobos @ Bowery Ballroom
($35-$65) Dr. John and The Lower 911 @ City Winery
($37.50) The Dead Weather @ Prospect Park Bandshell
($50-$100) Heart @ Hammerstein Ballroom

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

(1 Drink Min,) American Babies @ Rockwood Music Hall
($8) Devi @ Bowery Electric
($18) Jemimah Puddleduck ft. Mark Karan of Ratdog @ Sullivan Hall
($50) Arcade Fire @ Madison Square Garden

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Royal Family Ball @ Sullivan Hall (Private party)
($5-$7) ?uestlove (DJ Set) @ Brooklyn Bowl
($8 + 1 drink) Will Bernard Trio @ The Bar Next Door
($45-$65) Steve Earle & Allison Moorer @ City Winery
($50) Arcade Fire @ Madison Square Garden

Friday, August 6th, 2010

(Free) House of Usher: Marco Benevento Trio @ Prospect Park Bandshell
- Marco Benevento to write a new original score to this cult B-movie study in creeping, diabolical menace.
($10) Mark Guiliana & Jason Lindner Trio @ The Jazz Gallery
($10) Sonya Kitchell @ Le Poisson Rouge
($15) Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 w/ special guests Ryan Zoidis and Maurice Brown
- w/Billy Iuso & Restless Natives @ Sullivan Hall
($21 – $70+) Paramore @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
($25) Buster Williams @ The Iridium Jazz Club
($20-$35) Pat McGee Band @ City Winery
($40) Keane w/ Ingrid Michaelson @ East River State Park (Williamsburg Waterfront)
($40) Corrine Bailey Rae @ Governors Island

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

(Free) West African Band @ St. Nicks, Harlem
(Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall
(Free) Sharon Jones + Budos Band at Prospect Park bandshell (Funk Live)
- The Budos Band @ Prospect Park Bandshell
($15-$22) Simone Felice w/ Nicole Atkins @ City Winery
($80 – $300+) Anthony Hamilton, Kem & Jaheim & Raheem Devaughn @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

(Free) Soul Rebels Brass Band @ Lincoln Center (Outdoor Concert Series)
(Free) Justin Townes Earle @ The Beach @ Governors Island
($15) Reckoning @ B.B. Kings
- The Lead Heads (opening @ 7pm)

Monday, August 9th, 2010

($5) Deadcenter Presents…Jerry Garcis: A Restrospective – The Jam Stampede (feat. members of the Zen Tricksters)
- With: Jason Crosby, Michael Falzarano, Johnny Markowski, Barry Mitterhof
($20-$25) Jimmie’s Chicken Shack @ Rocks Off Cruise
($25) Empire of the Sun @ Terminal 5
($25) The Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($35) Leo Nocentelli w/ Les Paul Trio @ City Winery

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

(Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall
($5) The Infamous Stringdusters @ The Brooklyn Bowl
($8) Caravan of Thieves @ The Living Room
($25) The Felice Brothers @ Rocks Off Cruise
($30-$40) Lee Ritenour w/ Dave Grusin @ The Blue Note

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

(Free) American Babies @ Rockwood Music Hall
(Free) Jackie Green & Gov’t Mule @ Central Park Summerstage
($10) Melvin Seals & JGB @ The Brooklyn Bowl
($15) Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves @ Le Poisson Rouge
($25) Big Sam’s Funky Nation @ Rocks Off Cruise
($30-$40) Lee Ritenour With Dave Grusin @ The Blue Note
($35) STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) @ The Gramercy Theater

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

($12) Break Science @ Sullivan Hall
($30-$40) Lee Ritenour With Dave Grusin @ The Blue Note
($35) STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) @ Roseland Ballroom
- Lotus @ Roseland Ballroom
- AFTER PARTY: ($??) Big Gigantic @ Irving Plaza
($50 – $300+) Aerosmith @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

Friday, August 13th, 2010

($7) Afro Funky Party w/ Zongo Junction, Top Shotta & DJ Offbeat @ Cameo Gallery (Funk Live)
($25) Lenny White & Jimmy Herring @ Iridium Jazz Club
($30-$40) Lee Ritenour With Dave Grusin @ The Blue Note

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

(Free) West African Band @ St. Nicks, Harlem
($5) Rubblebucket @ Brooklyn Bowl
($) Jason Crosby w/Common Rotation @ The Library
($10) Grizzly Adamz (John Medeski, Saft, Perwosky and Blume) @ Littlefield
($25) Lenny White & Jimmy Herring @ Iridium Jazz Club
($30-$40) Lee Ritenour With Dave Grusin @ The Blue Note
($40 – $150) Kiss @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

(Free) Dr. Dog & Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves @ The Beach @ Governor’s Island
($13) Daedelus with Mux Mool, Sepalcure and Beautiful Bells @ Santos House Party
($25) Lenny White & Jimmy Herring @ Iridium Jazz Club
($25) Deep Banana Blackout @ Rocks Off Cruise
($30-$40) Lee Ritenour With Dave Grusin @ The Blue Note

Monday, August 16th, 2010

(Free) John Kimock w/ Mike Gamble, Daniel Carter and Marc Freidman @ Bar 4
(Free) Jason Crosby & Dark Loft @ Rockwood Music Hall
($25) The Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($30) Jimmy Herring @ Iridium Jazz Club

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

(Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall
($8) Caravan of Thieves @ The Living Room
($50-$150+) Phish @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
($40) MGMT @ Radio City Music Hall

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Sushioke #17
($40) MGMT @ Radio City Music Hall
($50-$150+) Phish @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

CAMP BAREFOOT ~ Bartow, West Virginia
(Free) A BIG YES and a small no (Joe Russo Project) @ Lakeside Lounge
($10) Jason Lindner Trio @ Smalls
($33-$100) Ray Lamontagne & David Gray @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
($99) Henry Butler with Gent Treadly @ Rocks Off Cruise

Friday, August 20th, 2010

CAMP BAREFOOT ~ Bartow, West Virginia
($10) O’Death @ The Rock Shop
($25) Bonerama @ The Rocks Off Boat Cruise – The Jewel (Funk Live)
($25) Joe Krown, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Russel Batiste @ The Rocks Off Boat Cruise – Half Moon
($17-$100+) Crosby, Stills & Nash @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
($50) Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds – @ B.B. Kings
(not sure) Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears @ Maxwells, Hoboken, NJ

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

CAMP BAREFOOT ~ Bartow, West Virginia
(Free) West African Band @ St. Nicks, Harlem
($20) Urban Sun @ Rocks Off Cruise
($25) Some Cat From Japan @ Rocks Off Cruise
- w/ Will Bernard & Nigel Hall

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

CAMP BAREFOOT ~ Bartow, West Virginia
(Free) Black Joe Lewis and The Honey bears @ Summerstage (Funk Live)

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
($20-$25) Dylan Different: Ben Sidran with Amy Helm, Will Bernard, Tim Luntzel, Leo Sidran @ Highline Ballroom
($25) The Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

(Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall
($8) Caravan of Thieves @ The Living Room
($35) Paul Motian, Mark Turner, Tony Malaby & Bill Frisell @ Village Vanguard

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

($22.50) Xavier Rudd & Izintaba @ Irving Plaza
($35) Paul Motian, Mark Turner, Tony Malaby & Bill Frisell @ Village Vanguard

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

($20-$25) Hudson River Live! A concert series by Affairs Afloat aboard the Queen of Hearts
($25) American Babies & Big Light @ Rocks Off Cruise (unknown)
($25) Ryan Montbluea Band @ Rocks Off Cruise (The Jewel)
($35) Paul Motian, Mark Turner, Tony Malaby & Bill Frisell @ Village Vanguard
($40) Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave feat. Jon Cleary @ South Street Seaport
- W/ High and Mighty Brass Band

Friday, August 27th, 2010

($??) DJ Nutrious @ Southpaw
($20) Benevento Russo Duo Acoustic @ The Highline Ballroom
($25) Donna The Buffalo @ Rocks Off Cruise
($25) Future Rock @ Rocks Off Cruise
($35) Paul Motian, Mark Turner, Tony Malaby & Bill Frisell @ Village Vanguard

Saturday, August 28th, 2010

($6-$8) Pimps of Joytime @ Brooklyn Bowl
($99-$400) Rock the Bells Festival 2010: Governors Island
- Wu-Tang Clan @ The Beach @ Governor’s Island
($10) Reckoning @ Sullivan Hall
($18) New Rider’s Of The Purple Sage @ Highline Ballroom
($35) Bill Frisell @ Village Vanguard
($39-$65) The Rhythm Devils, feat Bill Kreutzmann & Mickey Hart @ Tarrytown Music Hall

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

($35) Bill Frisell @ Village Vanguard

Monday, August 30th, 2010

($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
($25) The Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($25) Roots & Dub on the River for Ethiopa @ Rocks Off Cruises
($30) Eric Krasno w/ Les Paul Trio @ Iridium Jazz Club

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

(Free + 1 drink ) Nigel Hall @ Rockwood Music Hall #2 @ 10:15
(Free + 1 drink) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall @ midnight
($8) Caravan of Thieves @ The Living Room
($35) Bill Frisell @ Village Vanguard
($60-$150+) Jimmy Buffet @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

Posted in Monthly Show Rundown | Tagged A BIG YES and a small no, Afro Funky Party, American Babies, Amy Helm, Anthony Hamilton, Arcade Fire, B. B. Kings, Bar 4, Bar Next Door, Barry Mitterhof, Beautiful Bells, Ben Sidran, Benevento-Russo Duo, Big Gigantic, Big Lights, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Bill Iuso & Restless Natives, Bill Kreutzmann, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Bonerama, Bowery Ballroom, Bowery Electric, Brooklyn Bowl, Buster Williams, Cameo Gallery, Caravan of Thieves, Central Park SummerStage, Chapter 2, City Winery, Common Rotation, Corrine Bailey Rae, Crosby, Daedelus, Daniel Carter, Dap Kings, Dave Grusin, David Gray, Deep Banana Blackout, Devi, DJ Nutritious, DJ Offbeat, Donna The Buffalo, Dr. Dog, Dr. John & The Lower 911, Eli "Paperboy" Reed & True Loves, Empire of the Sun, Eric Krasno, Future Rock, Gathering Of The Vibes, Gent Treadly, Gov't Mule, Governor's Island, Grizzly Adamz, Hammerstein Ballroom, Heart, Henry Butler, Highline Ballroom, Hot Buttered Rum, House Of Usher, Ingrid Michaelson, Iridium Jazz Club, Irving Plaza, Izintaba, Jason Crosby, Jason Lindner Trio, Jemimah Puddleduck, Jim Campilongo, Jimmie's Chicken Shack, Jimmy Herring, Joe Krown, Joe Russo, John Medeski, John Morgan Kimock, Johnny Markowski, Jones Beach, Justin Townes Earle, Keane, Kem & Jaheim, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Lakeside Lounge, Le Poisson Rouge, Lee Ritenour, Lenny White, Leo Nocentelli, Leo Sidran, Lincoln Center, Littlefield, Los Lobos, Lotus, Madison Square Garden, Marc Friedman, Marco Benevento, Mark Guiliana, Mark Turner, Maurice Brown, Maxwell's, Michael Falzarano, Mike Gamble, Mikey Hart, Mux Mool, Nicole Atkins, Nikon Theater, NYC Funk Live, O'Death, Paramore, Paul Motian, Phish, Pimps of Joytime, Prospect Park Bandshell, Raheem Devaughn, Ray Lamontague, Reckoning, Rhythm Devils, Rock the Bells Festival, Rocks Off Concert Cruise Series, Rocks Off Cruise, Rockwood Music Hall, Roseland Ballroom, Russell Batiste, Ryan Zoidis, Santos Party House, Sepalcure, Sharon Jones, Simone Felice, Smalls, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Sound Tribe Sector Nine, South Street Seaport, Southpaw, St. Nick's Pub, Stills & Nash, Stockholm Syndrome, STS9, Sullivan Hall, Summer Stage, Talib Kweli, Tarrytown Music Hall, Terminal 5, The Blue Note, The Brooklyn Bowl, The Budos Band, The Dead Weather, The Gramercy Theater, The High & Mighty Brass Band, The Highline, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Jazz Gallery, The Jazz Standard, The Lead Heads, The Les Paul Trio, The Living Room, The Mingus Big Band, The Rock Shop, Tim Luntzel, Tony Malaby, Top Shotta, Trombone Shorty, Urban Sun, Village Vanguard, Walter Wolfman Washington, West African Band, Will Bernard, Wu-Tang Clan, Xavier Rudd, Zongo Junction | 6 Comments »

McCoy Tyner Quarter and The Stanley Clarke Band ft. Hiromi @ Central Park Summerstage (06.23.10)

July 22, 2010 by Karen Dugan (lightfire4)

Central Park's Summer Stage: Check it out!

When I first found out that Stanley Clarke would be performing for FREE in Central Park’s Summer Stage, I immediately thought two things. One, I must get into that show. Two, I knew exactly who would be my plus one.

McCoy Tyner (Photo by: Dino Perrucci)

Working for the Parks Department, our partnership with the Central Park Conservancy allows for some really nice perks regarding Summer Stage performances. So long as they are not benefits, I am able to plop onto the guest list of any show and bring a friend. The cost of these perks are priceless to me. (After this article I am moving onto the New York Philharmonic in Central Park….god, I love my job!)

Once I got on the list, I immediately invited my good friend, Nigel Hall. Nigel’s first concert as a little boy was to see Stanley Clarke with his father. My past connections to Stanley was strictly through my love for Fusion, which Nigel also shares. Tonight was a lovely extension of memories for both of us. Those kind of moments are magical and it’s lovely to build on them.

The venue was set up with chairs in the front and blocked off sections for the “VIPs.” I was rather early and I still didn’t have the ability to snag two seats. I only got one for myself and I hoped I could grab one later for Nigel. The commotion over people Bogarting the seats and saving 10 seats at a time for people who hadn’t showed up was rather annoying. If I had needed a seat immediately for a friend, I would have been in that commotion. Luckily, I was alone and accommodated haha.

Return to Forever

I have never hidden the fact that I have a passionate connection to Fusion Jazz. I have mentioned it numerous times in past articles. Specifically, the group Return To Forever. A group that defined Fusion and showcased some of the genre’s greatest talent. Stanley Clarke is the bass player from that group. Having seen Chick Corea at the Blue Note a few weeks earlier and having Al di Meola in town a few days later, the players of Return To Forever were spread out all over Manhattan and I was soaking it all up little by little.

On this semi-humid, sunny evening in Central Park, the Stanley Clarke Trio, featuring Hiromi, melted my brains. However, not before McCoy Tyner Quarter, featuring Ravi Coltrane & Esperanza Spalding, geared us up! OH MAN!!!

Francisco Mela (Photo by: Dino Perrucci)

The McCoy Tyner Quartet featured:

McCoy Tyner – Piano
Esperanza Spalding – Stand Up bass
Francisco Mela – Drums
Ravi Coltrane – Saxophone

Seriously, the McCoy’s set could and SHOULD be an article all it’s own. However, I just wanted to sit back and relax for McCoy’s set. I knew I would be all over the place mentally when Stanley came on stage. So, I sat back, relaxed, didn’t take notes and just absorbed what was taking place on stage. I actually am seated directly behind the female taking the below video!

Esperanza Spalding (Photo by: Dino Perrucci)

The talent that was mind-blowing and the sounds were so eclectic and wonderfully brought together. You had Afro-Cuban jazz composer and drummer Francisco Mela who was superb, locking down his drum solos each and every time and providing a wonderful session of beats for this insane jazz performance to groove too. I can’t begin to describe his energy and talent.

I had never seen Esperanza Spalding before and I just wanted to BECOME her. Commanding the center of the stage with all these great male musicians surrounding her, with this giant upright bass between her legs, biting her lower lip as she flew over the strings…IT WAS HOT!! And it was almost impossible for me to not focus on her completely. At 26 years old, her fingers move with the grace of an old soul and her sound parallels that. I mean come on…

Then we had Ravi Coltrane, son of John Coltrane, ripping apart the saxophone when his time came. And this was just the opener…

Ravi Coltrane and Esperanza Spalding (Photo by: Dino Perrucci)

The opening band consisted of the second son of luminaries John and Alice Coltrane on saxophone, a bass player hand-picked by President Barack Obama to play in Oslo Hall at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, a drummer hailed as “one of the most important Cuban drummers in jazz” by Jazz Times, and the bluesy stylings of McCoy Tyner. UNREAL!!!! I am almost always a hater on opening bands. But this was a real treat. This was talent opening for talent and this is the kind of music and performance I prefer to see. HOT DAMN!!!

INTERMISSION

And then, after all that energy had been put into us, preparing us for the INSANITY that was about to take place…we were put on hold. There was now a change of plans. The show had attracted such enormous response that the outside of the venue had been swarmed with people. A gentleman got on stage and said:

“I have good news and better news. ” The good news is that there are hundreds of people at the bottom of the hill who want to be part of this lovely evening of music. The better news is that we are going to stop for about 20 minutes and ask that you utilize the space around you so that we can provide entrance to more viewers.”

Stanley Clarke (Photo by: Dino Perrucci)

The venue was not even closed to being packed and I was in a chair so I wasn’t to worried. At this point, Nigel was still in transit. He had spent the day performing on free pianos all over the city. Sadly, he missed one hell of a opener but his performances were well worth his delay getting to the show and you should check it out by clicking the link above.

Nigel arrived in plenty of time for Stanley’s set. Perfect timing. Two lovely gentlemen were sitting behind us wearing their Return To Forever shirts. Nigel took their pictures on his phone! We spoke of the coming Al Di Meola show at Highline Ballroom the following night and they already had their tickets. Unfortunately, I was giving free tickets away through the Tiny Rager site but was unable to make it as I was heading to Phish that weekend.

After about half an hour delay, the stage started to buzz again and we were handed 2 1/2 hours of pure Jazz. HELLZ YEAH!!!

The Stanley Clarke Trio:

Stanley Clarke – Bass
Ruslan Sirota – Keyboards
Ronald Bruner Jr. – Drums
Featuring: Hiromi Uehara – Piano

Hiromi (Photo by: Dino Perrucci)

Stanley started the show off with Lopsy Lou. Hitting us right in the face with the slaps of his bass and the snare drum tapping off the beat. A great showcase of the bass and immediately I learned who the hell this Hiromi character was and what she was all about. Some could say rager and some ragers might say showboat. Personally, I just have my jaw on the ground.

The words I want to use to describe her actions are as plain as SHE FREAKS THE F#@K OUT!!! Her entire body was involved, her entire mind was probably in outer space or in the keys…inside the piano…it is clearly an out of body experience for her when she plays. There are no words strong enough to describe the insanity that is Hiromi when she plays for us. Just take a look…and this doesn’t even scratch the surface of her raging…

At only 23 year old, Ronald Bruner Jr. blows my mind. Beginning his professional career at the age of 15 at the Theolonius Monk Institute of Jazz, he has already played with huge Jazz legends. His diverse drumming styles could be heard throughout the performance.

And then you had Stanley Clarke. The man of the hour. If you closed your eyes, you felt as if you were listening to Stanley Clarke from 20 years ago. He still has it. Boy, does he still have it. With his electric bass in hand, the group performed Charles Mingus‘s jazz standard, Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. Hiromi once again let loose and RIPPED OPEN her solo with the power and ferocity of an attack dog. Check it out…

Stanley moved to the stand up has for a Return To Forever song called No Mystery. I believe this song was originally written by Chick Corea so Hiromi started off the song with her plinking keys. Initially, there was no bass. During this song, Stanley had some technical difficulties. You heard people in the audience shouting that we couldn’t hear the bass. Nigel and I picked up on it immediately and just watched Stanley handle it in his smooth nature. He sat there looking a bit frustrated but sitting calmly, smoothly, smiling at us, letting Hiromi fill in his blanks.

Stanley Clarke - Bass!

After some commotion on stage, Stanley throws his hands up and then we heard it. The bass was fixed and Stanley was projected out to us once again. Ronald Jr. wiped his face as Stanley thanked the Tech and proceeds to take his solo. And man did he make up for those lost minutes.

While no one else was shouting or jumping out of their chair, Nigel and I proceeded to be moved by the music numerous times bringing us out of our seats and hollering like wild kids at the stage. Sure, this was a jazz show. We were surrounded by people who would have preferred silence and a nice seated audience but that is NOT what was going to be happening with us tonight. This was powerful shit. This is the stuff that made us move and you can forget the manners and civility that is supposed to come with these shows. After the third time jumping up out of our seats Nigel shouts: “Go head Stanley.” Man, this was such a change of pace from the FUNK.

Ronald Bruner Jr. - Drums

The drums held it down while mic was changed on Stanley’s bass. Hiromi continued to rage the keys. Nigel and I bickered over the antics Hiromi threw at us while playing. The way that girl raged, she would most certainly knock over that wine on the Temperpedic commercials. Nigel is from the old school of playing the keys and feel that those kind of shenanigans while playing are not necessary. On the other hand, I felt that her playing was modern, new, fresh and would entice and energize the younger parts of the crowd who might be sitting there bored because their parents drug them to this show.

Ruslan Sirota - Keyboards

The next song was fast jazz with a Broadway bounce. Our real first taste of Ruslan on his Yamaha Motif. He raged some insane fusion keyboards for a few min and Stanley cooly crushed it in the backdrop. Such an unusual sound.

Nigel loved Ruslan so much more thne Hiromi but Ruslan truly didn’t bring the heat that Hiromi did and we both verbally voiced that wish. We were both out of our seats for part of his solo while the whole placed sat quietly.

Hiromi's kicks...

Stanley felt it and we felt it in him. So many faces while Stanley raged slap acoustic bass and then Ruslan FINALLY brought the heat but not moving even half as much as Hiromi. There was absolutely no flair with this guy but he was clearly talented and GREAT!

Stanley switched to using a bow on the bass for Paradigm Shift. A nice slow, slow start to the song. A shifty song that bounced back and forth between chaos and sanity. Pleasent vs wild. Nigel points out: “He’s had that same part in his hair for 30 yrs.” Ruslan’s legs shook so hard and Stanley plucked the bass so deep. I loved this song. Ronald was fast and chaotic.

This song made me think of lights. I imagined the lift show if there was one. Oh Stanley. As we watched him pluck those strings soooo very fast, we joked about how we bet his wife loves the way he plucks those strings. The slow inclinations were impeccable.

Set list…Lopsy Lou, Goodbye Park, No Mystery, Black Narcisuss, Good Bye Pork Pie, Paradigm Shift

Our View of Stage!

The Stanley Clarke Trio performance featuring Hiromi might just have to be one of my top 5 performances of 2010. It is a style of music that resonates with me harder then Funk, harder then anything. I was watching the show with someone who I knew was appreciating every single drop of sound that was coming from the stage and I loved that. The weather had turned cool and lovely. It was just lovely. At the end of the performance Nigel and I just stared at each other and smiled. What a perfect night of music.

City Parks Foundation’s Summer Stage

CareFusion Jazz Series