Tonight is one of those really amazing nights where the forces of nature combine to give us an outstanding night. Okay, maybe a little heavy here, but follow along here. In Deep River at the town landing (just head down Kirtland Street or River Street) Ryan Hartt and the Blue Hearts, AND The Eric Ducoff  Band will be putting on one of the best shows of the summer. Little hint here, Eric’s band is basically the same as Ryan Hartt’s, just less Ryan. And considering the fact that these guys have won the Connecticut Blues challenge and represented the state 3 times, well that just attests to how good this show is going to be.

Now if that isn’t enough, our good friend Tiger Marion of The Shiny Lapel Trio is going to be bringing his BAB (big ass BBQ) and peddling his wares. Now many of you may know Tiger for his vocals and guitar work with the Trio, but what you may not know is that Tiger is from Kansas. So, they do a pretty eman BBQ out there, but what they are best known for is the sauce. So, between the BBQ and a KC style sauce, well show up hungry.

Now, if you are in a band, or you think that your town has the best concert series let me know. Matter of fact, I will pick the best concert or town and send the person who submitted it to me to dinner at the Bee and Thistle. How’s that for a finders fee?

As a songwriter, he has been influenced by many artists, including Michael Franks, Mose Allison and Bobby Caldwell.  You’ll hear those influences first hand as Walter Duda opens the 2010 Branford Jazz on the Green Series!

The band members, Eric Ducoff (guitar/vox), Jeff Berg (bass/vox) and Nick Toscano (drums) are also 3/4 of the nationally-acclaimed Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts. The Blue Hearts were voted CT’s “Best Blues Band” by the readers of the Hartford Advocate in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

In addition to the Eric Ducoff Band’s busy weekend schedule, you can also catch them as the Wednesday night house band at the renowned Griswold Inn in Essex, CT.

Learn more about the band at ericducoff.com

The Shiny Lapel Trio

If you need another boring top 40 cover band, there are plenty to be found, but if you want a band that’ll make your feet hurt from dancing and your voice hoarse from singing along, then you need to see what the Shiny Lapels are all about: Pure, sweaty, sinful swingin’ fun!

http://www.vimeo.com/11912773

Having sold out at their last appearance, A Tribute to the Grand Ole Opry, Matthew Male and the gang are back at The Kate with Folk City. Small Town Concert Series, based in Chester, CT,  presents a grass roots revival beckoning back to the heyday of American Folk featuring music from Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk, Peter, Paul & Mary, Judy Hensky, Judy Collins and the Kingston Trio.

In the early 60’s, several Greenwich Village clubs made their mark as “the” place to be for both performers and audience members. Gerde’s Folk City was one such place. It is this particular venue that is the cause for a night of celebration on April 9th at The Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Saybrook Connecticut. Musicians Joe Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult), Dave Rave (Teenage Head), Lauren Agnelli (Washington Squares), Ebin-Rose, Rodney Maxwell, Joan Levy Hepburn and Jill Bowen will bring the best of the American Folk to the stage.  But as I sit with Male and Hepburn, I learn that is not all Matthew Male’s Small Town Concert Series hopes to accomplish.

Having produced already 28 concerts since 2007, it is Male’s ambition to bring together and unite local musical talent.  He seeks to create a music community.  Male is not only the producer of STCS, but he also performs with them and is their chief officer of PR and poster distribution. “Once you have the community together, it becomes something really cool. It starts to sell itself, “ says Male. His big challenge is to bring musicians not only onto the stage but into the audience.  “It seems that they don’t want to go to something unless they are playing in it.”  While Male loves to play he loves to be a part of the audience as well. “I’ve learned so much from watching… the way someone picks a guitar, the way someone holds their instrument. These are  important lessons for me as I learn.”

Small Town Concert Series presents shows with themes such as Leonard Cohen, Joan Mitchell and Bob Dylan. These themes provide STCS with a steady variety of beloved music to offer their audiences. Joan Levy Hepburn explains to me her participation; “When Small Town asked me to join them, I thought ‘great’ because Dave Van Ronk was my teacher, my mentor and my best friend for 20 years. He was such a purist about music. So I’m basically doing this as an homage to Dave Van Ronk who passed away in 2002.  I’ll be doing some early blues and ragtime music… all that Van Ronk finger pickin’ stuff.”

“People like the music so we keep thinking up new themes to do,” says Male. This is not computer enhanced music. “I think what I’d like people to know is that this music is not music which is performed every night at several different locations. It’s not produced by a sound person. I want people to experience live impromptu music. It’s magic.” smiles Male. It’s not studio perfect, but it’s real and it’s honest and it even gives back to the community. Once again, the group will be offering Shoreline Kitchen Fundraising CDs produced by The Shoreline Acoustic Underground. “We give $10 back to the Soup Kitchen,” explains Male.

Join Small Town Concert Series, this Friday night at 8:00pm at The Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center for Folk City.

Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center

300 Main Street

Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Tickets: 877-503-1286

For  more information on Small Town Concert Series

contact Matthew Male at:

860-526-4777

malematthew@comcast.net

Most people would agree jazz is popularly regarded as purely an American Art form in its origin. I should note that it is not the only contribution – let’s not forget Rock & Roll, R&B, Blues, and Country. However, we are speaking about jazz here, how to understand it and where to find it. Having said that it is also important to note the difference between jazz and the other aforementioned styles of music. To that end it is quite simple. Aside from the overall sound the major difference is improvisation, how the music is played not necessarily the written music itself. It is one thing that sets jazz apart from all other music though many other styles borrow the art of improvisation.

The act of improvisation is to take what was originally written and impart a personal touch keeping the original structure (chord structure for the most part) but playing different notes than originally scored. Within this improvisation is the connection with everyone else playing and or listening. Now within this “structure” exists rules if you will. Certainly the notes must be in agreement with the other components of the song (not to mention the audience and other players), that is to say it must be in tune. Moreover, it should follow, though one can what?, improvise, the same or similar beat so as not to lose anyone.

To understand jazz and improvisation (bearing in mind we can’t cover it all here) it is my suggestion to get something that is appealing to your ear and listen to it, in a general sense. Get a feel for the song, its rhythm, changes in music etc. Then listen to it several times and each time focus on something different. Another approach is to get out and hear it live in CT. There are many places to achieve this, we’ll name a few later on.

A few friends came with me a few weeks back (Valentine’s Day) where I sat in with the band (played with the band) according to them (a couple of them were new to jazz), it brought new understanding. That understanding (I like to think) was helped by selecting an apt (for the day) and recognizable song. I sat down to play a couple tunes but it was the first tune “My Funny Valentine” that lends itself best to what we are talking about here, understanding jazz. We started with an intro by the pianist then I picked up the melody and as we progressed a quite fell over the room. Prior to that the place was abuzz with conversation and clinking glasses but now you could almost hear a pin drop. I took a few liberties soloing around the melody before a singer came in to anchor the melody, words, emotion, and translate for those maybe unclear on the solo concept or song. The guitarist came in to echo what the singer was saying and when we returned to the singer I added a little contrast to his voice. When the song ended peoples stood cheering and clapping, it was a very nice experience. Returning to my friends I could see in their eyes an attraction of this music and the environment. So much so that they called me two weeks later as they were going back and wanted to know if I would come with them!

So if you inclined, grab a few songs that you find interesting and listen to them. You can find many variations of most songs by many artists and you may find a different version you like better. Then get out there and go see it live and don’t be afraid to make a request whilst there. As my friends said to me when we were leaving that evening, their impression of the place, people, and jazz had changed greatly after spending the afternoon there. I submit yours too may change after spending some time listening to and discussing with other fans of this great American art form you can find fresh right here in CT. Some places you may want to visit are below.

If you have ideas on places to see jazz or particular interests in jazz let us know.

Szechuan Tokyo. 1245 New Britain Avenue. Hartford, CT Tel: 860 561 0180 A Chinese Restaurant featuring Szechuan Home Food, Japanese Food, and Sushi Bar. Currently offering top notch jazz performances on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 10:30, No Cover charge]

Firehouse 12. 45 Crown St. New Haven, CT Tel: 203-785-0468

The performance space at Firehouse 12 is the recording studio – and all performances happen in an acoustically balanced, soundproofed space with installed sound reinforcement and stage lighting systems.

The Red Door. 675 Main St. Tel: 860-945-6688 Watertown, CT

Every Wednesday at the Red Door means Jazz and Sushi. With some of the top New York players Sushi is served from 6 pm until it runs out, usually around midnight. Music starts at 9:00 and goes to Midnight.

The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly American country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has an illustrious history. It has presented the biggest stars of the genre for nearly 85 years. Broadcast by WSM-AM, it is also the longest-running live radio program in history since its beginnings in 1925 as a one-hour showcase for rural music. Considered an American icon, the Grand Ole Opry show attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world and millions of radio and Internet listeners. Today part of the American landscape, it is “the show that made country music famous.”

At Old Saybrook’s premier music and arts showcase venue, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, the Small Town Concert Series is presenting two and a half hours of great American music (with an intermission) on Friday, March 5th, 2010.  All this for only $20 a ticket!  Fans of music and music history will surely jump at this amazing offer. The performers are some of the area’s best singers and musicians: Lauren Agnelli, Rodney Maxwell, Clayton Allen, Joell Jacob, Rose Bengston, Brian Wolfe. . . producer Matthew Male is rightly proud of this upcoming event, stellar by virtue of the pedigree of the music:

Real country, real songs, real emotion: March 5, 2010. Don’t you dare miss it!  (This is their 26th production since the inception of Small Town Concert Series in 2007. . . )

The engaging sound, stage presence and performance quality of this edge-of-your-seat band have received rave reviews from fans and industry professionals alike, who have seen their live shows across the United States, from California’s Pacific coast to the Connecticut shoreline.

Borrowed Toys can next be seen in concert locally on Saturday night, April 24, 2010 at The Brown Derby Lounge in Uncasville, CT. For regular updates on their touring schedule, please visit www.borrowedtoys.com

Diversity is the Borrowed Toys hallmark and, through their memorable live appearances, they have become known for performing a wide-variety of music, with a repertoire spanning the genres of rock, soul, classic rock, dance and pop.

True to their motto of “Non-Stop Rock and Roll,” Borrowed Toys have also become known for taking the stage and playing 3 and 4-hour sets, without break or intermission, just to keep their audience moving.

Formed in 2006, the band is comprised of 4 members: Joe Ciaudelli, Nancy Johnson, Cris Palmer and Christopher Kent, also known as “CK.” Much of the group’s unique sound can be attributed to a seamless blend of each band member’s individual style.

Joe Ciaudelli (Lead Guitar, Vocals) has been playing guitar and writing songs since his childhood in Ramsey, New Jersey. He made his first recordings as a teenager with renowned engineers Bill and Rave Tesar. He’s had guitar lessons from Rick Derringer, and is a five year alumnus of the National Guitar Workshop. As the band’s lead guitarist, Joe has composed many of the songs performed by Borrowed Toys in concert and on CD.

Nancy Johnson (Vocals, Percussion) was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Mystic. CT. She sang with her school chorus and chamber choir each year, and was a performing member of the high school drama club. Nancy also soloed in various variety and fashion shows while attending high school, and was selected to perform with the Championship All State Choir during her senior year. For many years, she has also been a soloist in her local church choir. Nancy began singing professionally while in college, and has recently found acclaim as a budding songwriter. Her first song, entitled “Better,” is an inspirational anthem to be released on the next Borrowed Toys album.

Cris Palmer (Bass, Vocals) is a native of Mystic, CT. He began singing in musical theater productions and church choirs during his school years, and has continued to do so as an adult. In addition, Cris has

taught himself to play a wide variety of musical instruments, and has been writing songs since childhood. He has written over 500 songs to date, in a variety of styles, many of which have been performed by Borrowed Toys or covered by other artists, bands and choirs.

Christopher J. Kent (Drums, Vocals, Percussion) received his Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Western Connecticut State University, graduating Cum Laude, and has taught percussion professionally since 1996. His career as a freelance percussionist has included a period of working residency in Nashville, TN and performances with choirs, symphony orchestras and bands throughout the United States.

Borrowed Toys’ self-titled first EP single, released independently by the band in 2007, includes four songs and has received airplay on WCNI 90.9FM in New London, CT and WEHM 92.9/96.9FM Long Island, New York. Featured on the debut disc are the original songs “I Know You Know” and “Why Do Girls Cut Their Hair,” both written by guitarist Joe Ciaudelli. The disc, produced by band members Joe Ciaudelli and Cris Palmer, may be purchased at Mystic Disc in Mystic CT, Borders Books in Waterford CT, and She’s Back in Stonington CT. Copies may also be obtained via the band’s website www.borrowedtoys.com or by emailing toys@rayvel.com

The band is currently recording their first full-length CD, which will feature a variety of songs written by the band members themselves. The forthcoming Borrowed Toys album will be produced by Tom Young of TYSound Design LLC. Mr. Young spent over 12 years as the front-of-house engineer for Frank Sinatra and, for the past 14 years, has had the distinction of mixing all live concerts and recording projects for Tony Bennett. Copies of the next Borrowed Toys CD, to be released in 2010, may be reserved by emailing toys@rayvel.com

Please visit the Borrowed Toys official website for more information about the band, at www.borrowedtoys.com

Fans may also follow the band online, via facebook, at www.facebook.com/pages/Borrowed-Toys/131568545477

and on MySpace at www.myspace.com/borrowedtoys

Saturday night, February 13th, you can find us a little further north up I-95 at the USS Chowder Pot III, located at 560 East Main St. (Rt. 1), Branford, CT, their phone: (203) 481-2356.  Another favorite for all of our fans, the Chowder Pot is the  most popular dance club and live music venue on the greater New Haven area shoreline…we always have a rockin’ good time at this place!!!  The Chowder Pot is also well known for their great seafood dishes so feel free to arrive hungry.  Showtime kicks off at 9:00 PM, again, reservations or an early arrival suggested as seating goes quick here…if making reservations, make sure to specify that you are there to see the band and would like seating in the lounge area.  For directions and info, visit the Chowder Pot website at: http://www.chowderpot.com/

Have to thank all of our Stamford area friends and fans for coming out Friday night to our show at Monster B’s...yeah we certainly dodged the bullet with that threatened snowstorm Friday night!  A special shout out to the singles meet up group for coming out…as always we always appreciate ya’ll organizing your events at our shows!!!  We had a nice crowd, though they started thinning out around midnite due to the erroneous forecast about snow arriving around that time…not a flake to be seen when we pulled out of there around 2 AM!  We’ll be back at Monster B’s on Sat., March 20…see ya then!

Saturday night saw a good turnout at our show at the Stonebridge…it had been several years since we were last there, we forgot how nice of a venue it is!  We appreciate you all coming out…we enjoyed a packed dance floor all night!  Fun crowd and a great vibe.  We return not to the Stonebridge, but their sister venue across the street, Daniel Street on Sat., April 3.

Upcoming shows: next weekend…Fri., Feb. 19 at Two Boots in Bridgeport, CT...Sat., Feb. 20 at Park City Pride Holiday Party in Trumbull, CT.
Side projects: this Tue. night, Feb. 9, Bernadettes harmonica man, Don D. will be sitting in as a special guest with the Greg Sherrod Blues Band at the Owl Shop located at 268 College St. in downtown New Haven, CT, phone: (203) 624-3250.  The Owl Shop is New Haven’s finest cigar lounge, featuring a full bar and the area’s best selection of cigars.  Showtime is from 9:00 PM till midnight.  Greg Sherrod is one of the area’s finest blues and soul singers and is a long time friend of The Bernadettes…also featured on this show is former Bernadettes drummer Mike D’Amico and guitarist Ed Jones who has subbed for Jimmy on a couple gigs with The Bernadettes…a night of great blues and soul…hey what else do you have to do on a Tuesday night?!?

Parties, weddings, corporate events…yeah you name it, we do them all!!!  If you’re interested in having The Bernadettes perform at your big shindig or special event, please feel free to contact us at: bernadettes@snet.net  If you see that we’re already booked for a date that you have in mind, don’t fret…we can usually re-schedule a nightclub gig to perform at your event if we have ample notice!

Have great weekend and hope to share it with you…
The Bernadettes
www.thebernadettes.com
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