This has been a great summer for hanging. Pam and I have been making a weekend or so of it whenever a gig involves a decent road trip, which has been quite often this summer. And when you’re on the road, and planning to hang, that means the hang is as important as the gig…as it should be. Too often, time constraints require packing up and getting on the road to get home, get to bed and get up and do it all over again. Without the extra pressure, hanging out with friends, or just each other, is a blessing we are often too rushed to enjoy. This pic is from a trip up to Boothbay, Maine for a concert at the Boothbay Opera House with Mark Tipton and his Quintet. What a wonderful audience and stunning venue and how wonderful for us to be able to drive 5 minutes down the street to our campsite for a night of hanging by the fire, eating slightly charred popcorn, quaffing a few brews and enjoying being in the woods…with the wild life, so to speak. Inspiring, indeed! The next morning we fired up some eggs, bacon, muffins and coffee on the campfire and then headed home but not before stopping at the Saco river in Buxton Maine to take a dip and watch the locals show off for their girlfriends by jumping off the bridge and doing flips off the rope swings. I have nothing to prove, my girlfriend knows I’m a chubby music geek and that’s good enough for her. Then, headed home but not before heading over to Biddeford Pool to plop into the ocean for a minute or two while Pammy took a snooze in the sand. Ahhh….that’s what I’m talking about, taking a minute and settin’ a spell. Oh, yeah…gigs, the whole reason for the post, and the website, and the great trips, and great friends, and wonderful music. Here’s a couple coming up:
Thursday, August 2nd – Combo Sabroso at the Tito Puente Latin Music Series – Mission Hill, 7PM – Matt Jenson’s Combo Sabroso is winding down a long run as one of the premier latin bands in the northeast. Catch this group before Alex Alvear moves back to Ecuador and Pablo Bencid moves to NYC! This is a great outdoor series and everyone shows up to groove and have a great time. Featuring Matt Jenson, Alex Alvear, Manolo Marena, Mondongo Jim Mussbauer, Matt Langley.
Friday, August 3rd – Jazz at the SKUNK! – Skunk Hollow Tavern, Hartland VT, 8PM – The Skunk is one of the hippest jazz clubs around. On 8/3 join host Tim Gilmore, Tom Robinson and Matt Langley for a rollicking night of great jazz. There’s wonderful food and grog on tap but get there early because this joint fills up quickly and people hang around to listen to the music! What a concept!
Sunday, August 5th – Mark Shilansky & Guitar Hero – The Press Room, Portsmouth, NH, 6PM – Mark Shilansky is one of Boston’s busiest piano players and teachers. This group came out of his realization that two of his teachers/colleagues who happen to be among the finest Jazz Musicians & Guitarists in the Northeast; David Tonkin & David Newsam, had never done a gig together before! So, add Phil McGowan on drums and the versatile Jim Clark on Bass & Trumpet and you get a group with two bass players (three with Mark’s left hand) two guitar players, two horns players, keys ad drums. Imagine the sonic possibilities!
Monday, August 6th – David Tonkin Quartet – The Barley House, Concord NH, 6PM – The Tonkin tour continues for me! This is David’s home gig and he treats the audience to everything under the musical sun. With Tim Gilmore at the tubs and dangerous Don Williams driving the bass bus, you never know what will be played, said or shared on the bandstand…or off it! Great food (award winning burgers & more), great beer and wine selection and plenty of room to relax and listen makes this a no brainer.
Wednesday, August 8th – Donkilo! – Blackstones, Laconia NH, 8PM – Dave Kobrenski’s Donkilo! afro funk orkestra is a rhythmic blast that makes you want to get up and GET DOWN. On this night we’ll be rocking NH Jazz Presents at the new Blackstones at the Margate location. C’mon out for a smoking Wednesday night hang. Special ticket prices for Margate guests and more!
Sunday, August 12th – Matt Langley Duo – Rudi’s, Portsmouth NH, 11AM – Join me and pianist Matt Jenson at Portsmouth’s intimate, understated jazz restaurant and wine bar. The food and drink take center stage while the music complements the perfect atmosphere for relaxing and being with friends. It’s about the hang!
And that’s where we started, eh?! Thanks for stopping by and thank you for supporting the arts with a visit to a live show of your choice. We’re here for YOU!!