Hullo friends. Sunday night, home after an exhilarating afternoon concert with Joe Gransden on Shakespeare Hill - fully in the sun... As you likely know, this summer's Buffalo News sponsored concerts have been moved to the stage used by Shakespeare in the Park while the Art Gallery steps are being repaired. And it's a great venue, except that there is no cover or canopy. I'm thinking about renting my forehead to a lighthouse somewhere... But Joey owned the crowd, playing to an audience that included friends from his high school days, and he's been invited back to co-appear with Don Rice on 7/31. We'll let you know...
And while we were able to celebrate life, music, and friends on a perfect July afternoon, we did so under the weight of another loss to our jazz community. It is with an abiding respect that we say goodbye and thank you to the legendary Dick Fadale. An era has ended. Of all the renown musicians who have given fame to our home town, it is the name Fadale that is known best as Buffalo's First Family of Jazz. And Dick was the patriarch. No musician was more complete. No one swung harder. Dick Fadale defined an era in Buffalo. He was the bandleader on Channel 7 in the 60's before the station made the dubious decision to go with Johnny & Jimmy. One of Dick's early quartets featured guitarist Ray Chamberlain, bassist Wally Schuman & drummer Mel Lewis. Dick's vocal arrangements gave rise to The Sedates in the 60's & Snow Angel in the 70's. Instrumentally, "Fadale" featured Bobby Militello & Paul Viapiano, along with sons Rick & Paul. There will never be another like him. Before Dick moved to Florida and while he was still working here at home, it was my honor to have been his first call sub if both his son Paul or his nephew Charlie were busy. I cherish memories and lessons. The good news is I have some recordings on mini disc that I'll both treasure and share with the family. So godspeed, Dick. Thank you for the swing, the humor. and the singular distinction of having shared your music. You are missed.
Tuesday, 7/12 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 10:30
Ron Corsaro & the Upstate Express
Ron Corsaro, piano & arrangements Dick Griffo & Kenny Kuriscak, saxophones John Hasselback, trombone Tim Clarke, trumpet Wayne Moose, bass your host, drum set
Our July hit with Ronnie & the Upstate Express is a tradition we started at our curiously lit location in 2004 as a way to play Ronnie's charts and preview his Thursday series at the Lewiston gazebo. So honor the tradition we do. Stop in if you can. The crowds have been great the last month of Tuesdays. Needless to say we'd like to keep filling the room as we grow under our new ownership. As always, our theme remains, only now in the Iris Restaurant at the Maple Entertainment Complex - good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and a great hang.
next Tuesday, 7/19 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 10:30
Michael Royal, piano Phil Sims, trombone Jim Colemon, bass your host, drum set
upcoming at the Iris Restaurant...
Tuesday, 7/26 3 Brothers & a Distant Cousin
Tuesday, 8/2 Barbara Jean
Tuesday, 8/9 Don Menza
Tuesday, 8/16 Laurie Bordonaro
Tuesday, 8/23 Pete Malinverni & Jody Sandhaus
links...
Dick Fadale 1928-2011
He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.
He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
and Peace.
dan
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