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Hi Everyone -
We have another good week for you coming up. But you especially have to pay attention to
David
Wilcox - his show is TONIGHT. David, in case you don't know, is an excellent, nationally known singer/songwriter. If
you are one of those folks who won't try a new Asian restaurant unless you see a lot of Asians at the tables, then you might want to know that some of David's biggest fans are other singer/songwriters. (And no, I am not at all sure that that comparison makes
sense, but I am leaving it in, because I think you know what I mean). Also, he's a really nice, down to earth guy, which comes across in his songs.
That last line could also be applied to Justin Farren, who is opening for David and has been here three times before, and always
gets a good response.
On Friday, we welcome back the
Adrian
West Band. Adrian is a solid singer, guitarist, and violinist, but besides that he is quite the songwriter,
and has assembled a very good six-piece band that allows him to flesh these songs out into some very effective arrangements. He takes a lot of care with his music, and folks seem to appreciate it.
On Saturday, we have a very unusual night called
Body
Love Open Mic. Hosted by Talia Cooper and Eli Conley, it is primarily for vocalists. But unlike the vocal
jam that Pamela Rose facilitates most months (the next one is April 12), this one also includes poetry, stories, and performance art. And this night has a theme, which is body awareness, and why we should not accept the premise that our bodies, in all of their
variety, are not "good enough." Also, there is no band to back up the singers. Many of them will be bringing some kind of recording to sing to. Like I said, an unusual night.
I really don't know what to expect, but I have reason to believe it will be fun and worthwhile. And some folks are intrigued, because
we have already sold a fair amount of tickets.
Sunday afternoon will see the return of the
Berkeley
Jazz Workshop, where, for a minimum price, you can listen in as student musicians who were shaped into
bands by their teacher/coach play for their friends. Important note: these are not high school or college students. They are mature adults who wanted to improve their musical skills and play in a band! The different bands range in skill level from intermediate
to very advanced. But their enthusiasm level is uniformly high.
And on Sunday night, Eliyahu
Sills (a master of ancient Middle-Eastern music) and
Mamadou
Sidibe (a master of African music) join forces with a wonderful and versatile percussionist, as they answer
the question, "What would it have sounded like if three musicians from two different continents had met and jammed together in the 18th century?"
Okay, that sounds a little flippant, but it is not meant that way... the fact is, the musical flavor of the n'goni that Mamadou plays
merges quite nicely with the oud and ancient flutes from Eliyahu. And yes, the percussion brings it all together! And, oh yeah, audiences love them and they often sell out.
So that's it for this week - but before I close, I have to tell you about the next
Sam's
Corner, coming up on March 29. We have another special guest, and this time it is the great blues guitarist,
Steve Freund!
Steve is widely considered to be one of the very best at what he does. Like his friend Mark Hummel, Steve has spent years absorbing
classic Chicago Blues. And in fact, Steve plays on most of Mark's gigs. But Steve is also a strong bandleader, and for years his first call bassist was Joe Kyle Jr. - and so I am very pleased to report that Joe Kyle will be there! And of course I'll be there,
with Jeremy Steinkoler on the drums. It's going to be a great night!
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