Hello friends.
Ray Watkins...
If there was ever born a kindlier, gentler, or wiser man, I haven't met him. The greater music community lost a vintage soul last March 13, and every piano he touched lost a friend. Ray lived a full, long life, devoted to his beloved Diane. So we should not so much grieve our loss, but celebrate that those of us who knew him were so privileged. But in these times, when insult, antagonism, vulgarity, and privacy invasion are the way of pop culture, losing the true, the kind, the wise, the learned, and the good, diminishes us all. Thank you, Ray, for the immaculate tunings, for the good humor, for happily playing my piano after restoring its voice, and for your words of wisdom and friendship. You are missed, and ever shall be.
Tuesday, 4/3/2012 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 10:30
Russ D'Alba, saxophone Ronnie Corsaro, piano Wayne Moose, bass your host, drum set
Another new quartet! Three seasoned Buffalo musicians on the stand this week, and I don't recall a time we've ever worked together as a unit. That's another thing I love about this gig. Just when you think you know who likes to work with who, a really smart guy comes up with another idea. Russ D'Alba is the feature this week and it was his idea to invite Ronald & Wayne. Perfect. Ronnie, we all know and love, as not only a pianist but as a sterling arranger, composer and unparalleled contractor for the Lewiston Jazz Festival. (How he does that job I'll never know...) And Wayne, besides being among the first call bassists in town, is the conductor of the esteemed Williamsville East High School Orchestra. And that is a high profile, high pressure responsibility. And Russell? A beloved veteran of both the music and business communities in our home town... And that's what's so special about this gig. On some Tuesdays we feature the future of the music: student musicians from the Eastman school, Fredonia, or SUNY Purchase. The next week it's their teachers: Bruce Johnstone, Clay Jenkins, Bob Sneider, Jeff Campbell, Pete Malinverni. And then there's weeks like this one, with Buffalo veterans who represent the very vitality of the jazz community here at home. So come out if you can? Say hello to Russ, to Ronnie, and to Wayne. And as always, help us keep the scene alive and the music in the air. The Iris Restaurant, in the plaza at the intersection of Maple & Sweet Home Roads in Amherst. Good music, good food, good people, chilled spirits, and a great hang.
next Tuesday, 4/10/2012 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 10:30
Rick Strauss, guitar Bobby Jones, piano Danny Ziemann, bass your host, drum set
upcoming at the Iris Restaurant...
Tuesday, 4/17 Phil DiRe' & Buffalo Bop
Tuesday, 4/24 Clay Jenkins
Tuesday, 5/1 Dr. Dick Judelsohn Memorial Jazz Tribute
Tuesday, 5/8 Jeff Hackworth
Friday, 5/11 Bill Dobbins
Tuesday, 5/15 Bob Sneider
Tuesday, 5/22 Steve Davis
Tuesday, 5/29 John Whitney
Tuesday, 6/5 Fred Stone
Tuesday, 6/19 Barbara Jean
Tuesday, 7/31 Bill Todd
Tuesday, 8/14 Don Menza
links...
It's April Fools Day. Don't buy the left handed screwdriver...
A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.
- Bill Cosby
Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
and Friendships.
dan
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