Buffalo Live Jazz: Danny Hull Newsletter: Musically This Week Vol XII, No 21

Hello friends. We might just be turning the corner. No surprise last Tuesday, our new venue was packed for Bobby Militello. And Janice Mitchell had a full house and everyone's rapt attention Saturday night. We're still tweaking things, and we're considering another direction musically on Friday nights, but as of last week, things are looking up. Please accept our thanks for your loyal support. To express our gratitude, we will simply continue to present the elite musical artists that you have come to expect. To that end...

Tuesday, 2/2 at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Cindy Miller, vocals Lisa Hasselback, piano Wayne Moose, bass your host, drum set

It really says something about a singer's musical lineage when said singer is invited to do a jazz gig. The requirements are a bit more challenging than say, a dinner dance. In vocalist Cindy Miller, we have a creative improvising musician whose instrument is her voice. We were lucky to catch her between her travels and concert appearances, so we invite you to be in the audience for some hard swinging vocalise. The New Bobby McGee's, located in the Maple Ridge Plaza, Sweet Home & Maple Roads. Tina, Jyl, Magan, steady Billy & quiet Mike - good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and still a great hang.

Thursday, 2/4 at Bobby McGee's 7:30 - 10:30

Wendell Rivera's Latin Jazz Ensemble

Wendell, latin percussion Andy Weinzler, tenor saxophone Lisa Hasselback, piano John Curry, bass your correspondent, drum set

Here's the plan: Salsa dance lessons with Sarah Hooper and the Latin Jazz Project on the 4th Thursday of the month, followed by Wendell Rivera on the 1st Thursday. Come out on Thursday 4 and learn some salsa steps. (Hint: It's all in the hips. Am I right, Sarah?) Then explore what you learned from Sarah on Thursday 1 with Wendell. And Wendell is phenomenal. Chops. Confidence. Experience. It can't hurt your salsa pedigree when you're born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico. And to use a sports metaphor, he's like a coach on the floor. How else do you explain such an authentic salsa groove & feel, considering he's surrounded himself with a menagerie of Buffalo-born gringos? Bobby Militello welcomed his audience last week to the "only jazz club in Buffalo". The truth is we'd love some competition. We'd love to see a healthier scene in our home town. But if we are the standard bearer, we accept the responsibility. And we do so by presenting not only jazz in it's all-American virtue, but by recognizing the connection among all genres musical. Help us keep this treasure of a venue alive. Join us for the infectious rhythms of Wendell Rivera's Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Friday, 2/5 at Bobby McGee's 7:30 - 10:30

Blueprint

Kristin Parisi, vocals Steve Parisi, piano & arrangements Andy Weinzler, saxophone Nelson Starr III, trumpet Jim Kurzdorfer, bass yours truly, drum set

And now back to the Great American Songbook. On most weekends at Bobby McGee's you can treat yourself to the vocal stylings of a world-class singer accompanied by a piano trio. This Friday we raise the bar a little. Creative both in the kitchen and in the studio, pianist Steve Parisi orchestrated a book with the idea of featuring his lovely and gifted wife. The product of that effort is featured this weekend, and you are invited to dine, dance, and to enjoy the show as Kristin, accompanied by a horn section, makes her debut appearance at our newly conceived location.

Saturday, 2/6 at the Rapids Theatre 7:00 - 11:00

Jack Civiletto & the Pyramid Band

Civiletto sings Sinatra and all-things-standard with the Pyramid Band at the Rapids Theatre next Saturday. Is this a new venue I wonder? It appears that their web site is under construction. If your idea of a night out is dancing to the big band and vocal stylings of a forgotten era, here's your opportunity. The Rapids Theatre is located at 1171 Main St in Niagara Falls.

Mondays at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00

2/1 Justin Michaels

2/8 Civiletto & Michaels

2/15 Civiletto & Michaels

Tuesdays at Bobby McGee's 7:00 - 10:00

2/9 Russ Carere

2/16 Clay Jenkins

2/23 Three Brothers & a Distant Cousin

3/2 Chuck Buffamonte

3/16 Warren Stirtzinger & Mike Jones

4/20 Pat Bianchi

7/13 Don Menza