Sunday, March 31, 2013

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XV, No 28


Hello friends.  We're still trying to figure it out.  Can we sustain our Tuesday jazz experiment, both in a new time slot and at a new venue?  Last Tuesday was a raging success.  A good house, a surprise visit from a college a cappella group (The Potsdam Pitches -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMp36duFsW0&feature=youtu.be), and heartfelt performances from Joe Rozler and Bruce Johnstone...  But Bruce is the exception.  He will always draw.  How do we continue our guest artist concept and bring in enough of an audience to justify the cost to the owner?  Here's where I need your feedback.  Should we hang with our Tuesday tradition?  Or should we adapt?  What about a different day?  Would you support a Friday happy hour at Milkie's?  Maybe 5:00 - 8:00?  We're go for this Tuesday, but still in a holding pattern, we've got nothing booked for the week after.  I welcome your input.

Tuesday, 4/2 at Milkie's Elmwood 6:30 - 9:30
Rick Strauss, guitar.
Rick Strauss, guitar     Lisa Hasselback, piano     Buddy Fadale, bass     your host, drum set
We've got some genuine originality on the bandstand this week.  No wonder Rick's a school teacher.  Every performance is a lesson in his relaxed and unintimidated muse.  His choice of notes defines a lyrical concept, but the key to his style lies in that relaxed feel - a poised, unhurried melodic sense that is at once sparse and rhythmic.  Buddy?  There is no Buffalo bassist whose concept is more personal.  He's heard Miroslav Vitous, Scott LaFaro, and Eddie Gomez, but Buddy refuses to be defined by his influences.  His fearless concept is singular, and for bass players, fearless is a must.  And Lisa?  Lisa is not only a student of the piano, she's a student of the music.  She hears it all and brings that passion and wealth of experience to every playing opportunity.  All of which means that I'll be in a good place this Tuesday.  If you join us, you will be too.  Milkie's on Elmwood is at the intersection of West Utica & Elmwood Avenue.  882-5881

Upcoming at Milkie's Elmwood?
Tuesday, 4/30 Clay Jenkins
Tuesday, 5/14 Laurie Bordonaro
Tuesday, 6/18 Western New York Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, 10/15 Patty Flaherty & Craig Kastelnik

links...

easter_dog.jpg
So is Easter the festival of eggs or of bunnies bro?  I still can’t understand how the eggs and the bunnies are related.
 - Tewin Sham

Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
Friendships,
dan

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

PAUSA art house presents: resAUnance



https://www.facebook.com/events/447727305293757/?group_id=0


  • John Bacon, vibes and percussion
    Michael McNeill, piano
    Esin Gunduz, voice

    playing an exciting program made up of new graphic music, some originals from their Quintet project, improvisations, along with couple Turkish folk songs...
19 Wadsworth StreetBuffalo, New York 14201

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XV, No 26


Hello everyone.  This week...

Monday, 3/18 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 9:00
Western New York Jazz Orchestra open rehearsal
Big band rehearsal, everyone's welcome...

Tuesday, 3/19 at Milkie's on Elmwood 6:30 - 9:30
Randy Stirtzinger, vibraphone     Warren Stirtzinger, guitar     John Werick, bass     your host, drum set
Milkie's on Elmwood is the perfect venue for a vibraphonist.  The acoustics are surprisingly good, and because you're up-close-and-personal to the bandstand, the visual aspect completes the performance.  You really get to see what you're hearing.  Two Tuesdays ago we were packed.  Last week - not so good, and Cindy Miller was ridiculous!  How so much swing and commitment can come out of that diminutive frame is startling.  One of the traits I see consistently with the mature jazz artist, no matter the venue nor the size of the audience, is that the seasoned musician comes to play.  No dialing it in, no auto-pilot...  We had a predictable drop-off last week from an audience standpoint, but Cindy sang every note like it were her last.  Amazing.  This week we present the Brothers Stirtzinger - no strangers to a Buffalo audience.  The vibraphone is a sensual instrument, and in an intimate setting, every musical nuance is revealed.  Can you join us?  The truth is we're still feeling this out.  If we can draw, we'll have a home.  But remember, business is business.  Nobody wants to see our concept come to an untimely conclusion, but jazz is not on the pop culture radar anymore.  If we're to stay relevant and leave the next generation of improvisors a legacy to continue on their own, we need places to play.  Help me spread the word?  And maybe consider a meal and a beverage some Tuesday?  Mike has an agreement with the bank across the street from the club, so parking isn't an issue.  Food for thought...  Milkie's on Elmwood is at the intersection of West Utica & Elmwood Avenue.  882-5881

Friday, 3/22 at Wegman's Niagara Falls Blvd     5:00 - 7:00
Dave Scott, guitar
Dave Scott Trio
Dave Scott, guitar     Buddy Fadale, bass     your correspondent, drum set
Thanks to Dave Scott for the trio gig this week.  The Niagara Falls Blvd store (near E. Robinson) has an earlier start time.

next Tuesday, 3/26 at Milkie's Elmwood 6:30 - 9:30
Joe Rozler - piano, guitar & vocals     Bruce Johnstone - baritone saxophone     Wayne Moose, bass     your host, drum set

Upcoming at Milkie's Elmwood...
Tuesday, 4/2 Rick Strauss
Tuesday, 4/23 trioPAYAZZO Ainse que Deux
Tuesday, 4/30 Clay Jenkins
Tuesday, 5/14 Laurie Bordonaro
Tuesday, 6/18 Western New York Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, 10/15 Patty Flaherty & Craig Kastelnik

links...

An Irish Blessing...
Cheer up, the worst is yet to come!

Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
Friendships,
And may the road rise up to meet you.
dan

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XV, No 25


Hello everyone.  How do I thank you?  Last week's support for our continuing jazz experiment, now at Milkie's on Elmwood, was more than I could have asked for.  I'd name names were it not for fear of leaving someone out.  But you know who you are.  You drove up from Bradford.  From Jamestown.  You made the effort after a tiring work day.  Even your commute from East Aurora is 40 minutes.  So thank you.  We'll keep doing what we do, in the interest of our art form, and in the interest of the sharing and the camaraderie.  Milkie's isn't a cavernous space.  Mike seems to have (this time) put the stage in the right spot.  So whether you grab a table or a seat at the bar, you're in close enough to share in the energy, and send some back to the stand.  Here's what's up this week...

Monday, 3/11 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 9:00
Western New York Jazz Orchestra open rehearsal
Dave Kayne's big band is in the early stages of development, only a few rehearsals in.  But his arrangements are complete pieces of musical art, and you're invited to stop into the Iris and hear how Dave puts it all together.  No cover, just a good hang.

Tuesday, 3/12 at Milkie's on Elmwood 7:00 - 10:00
Cindy Miller, Vocalist

Cindy Miller, vocals     Pat Georger, piano     Wayne Moose, bass     your host, drum set
Did you feel the energy in the room last week?  Dave Schiavone played like a man possessed.  Bobby Jones was Bobby Jones - the most inspired rhythmic accompanist this side of Chick Corea.  And Cameron Kayne played time like he was angry.  But even with all of that musical testosterone competing for the listener's attention, it took Barbara Jean to bring the room to utter silence when she joined us during our second set.  People love singers.  And this week?  Yikes.  We have a singer.  And she can't wait.  Cindy Miller is a well-traveled pro.  Her bread & butter is her show work, which has her crisscrossing the country.  (She's had more frequent flyer miles expire than most of us will ever earn.)  And with a so demanding a schedule, her opportunities to sing in a quartet setting are few-and-far-between.  So she is psyched.  And needless to say, so are we.  At Milkie's on Elmwood you can catch Cindy up close and personal.  The stage is small, but at least it's in the same county as the bar.  So join us if you can?  We're only in our second week at our new venue, and we do need you.  We hit early, so you can come hungry, grab a bite, catch a set, relax and live your life, (you've earned it), and get home at a reasonable hour for someone your age ;)  Milkie's on Elmwood is at the intersection of West Utica & Elmwood Avenue.  882-5881

next Tuesday, 3/19 at Milkie's Elmwood 6:30 - 9:30
Randy Stirtzinger, vibraphone     Warren Stirtzinger, guitar     John Werick, bass     your host, drum set

Upcoming at Milkie's Elmwood...
Tuesday, 3/26 Joe Rozler & Bruce Johnstone
Tuesday, 4/2 Rick Strauss
Tuesday, 4/23 trioPAYAZZO Ainse que Deux
Tuesday, 4/30 Clay Jenkins
Tuesday, 5/14 Laurie Bordonaro
Tuesday, 6/18 Western New York Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, 10/15 Patty Flaherty & Craig Kastelnik

links...

It is Daylight Saving time...
Baseball player: "What time is it?"
Yogi Berra:
"You mean now?"

Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
and Friendships.
dan

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

George Caldwell Quintet plays Dave Brubeck Tribute



  • The George Caldwell Quintet will feature the music of Dave Brubeck with none other than the late great jazz artist’s touring saxophonist and flutist since 1983, Bobby Militello.

    Also playing this special evening of jazz will be heavy – hitters Tim Clarke (Trumpet), Cameron Kayne (Contrabass) and Darryl Washington (Drums) led by pianist George Caldwell.

    The band will play the iconic Brubeck tunes "Blue Rondo à la Turk,” “In Your Own Sweet Way,” and, of course, “Take Five" by Paul Desmond, among other popular favorites.

    Caldwell will also include his own originals and interpretations of standards in the mix .

    Only $5.00
326 Amherst StBuffalo, New York 14207


Sunday, March 3, 2013

Danny Hull: Musically This Week Vol XV, No 24


Hello everyone.

Tuesday, 3/5 at Milkie's on Elmwood     6:30 - 9:30
Dave Schiavone, saxophones & flute.

Dave Schiavone, saxophones & flute     Bobby Jones, piano     Cameron Kayne, bass     your humbled host, drum set
Not much to tell you, other than we're going to give it a try this week at Milkie's Elmwood Lounge.  Note the early start time.  The idea is to maybe draw in some of the people who work downtown who may want to have a bite before heading home for the evening.  My thanks to those of you who wrote last week to offer your support for the next phase of our continuing jazz experiment.  We'll only know by trying.  Hope to see you...  Milkie's is on the corner of West Utica & Elmwood Avenue.  882-5881

Wednesday, 3/6 at the Iris Restaurant 7:30 - 9:30
Buffalo Brass open rehearsal
The Tuesday thing at the Iris is done, but the big band rehearsals are ongoing.  You're welcome to stop in.  And being as that it is a rehearsal and not a performance, the no-cover charge policy remains.

next Tuesday, 3/12 at Milkie's Elmwood (we think) 6:30 - 9:30
Cindy Miller, vocals     Pat Georger, piano     Wayne Moose, bass     your host, drum wet

And maybe?
Tuesday, 4/2 Rick Strauss
Tuesday, 4/23 trioPAYAZZO Ainse que Deux
Tuesday, 4/30 Clay Jenkins
Tuesday, 5/14 Laurie Bordonaro
Tuesday, 6/18 Western New York Jazz Orchestra

links...

Besides, who'd listen?
Don’t complain; just work harder.
 - Randy Pausch

Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
and Friendships.
dan