I have this kindergarten piano student that has a a great answer to my weekly questions leading up to his lesson. “Benson, what’s up? What’d you do this weekend?”…”Fun Stuff!”…”Like WHAT?!”…”FUN STUFF!”. “Did you practice?”. “FUN STUFF!”. Okay, man. Fun Stuff!
I’ll tell you what’s fun stuff. Having a kid that knows nothing about piano climb up on the piano bench and start playing whatever comes to mind. It’s just another toy that’s BIG, and NOISY! YEAH! That’s fun stuff. Play the low ones, play the middle ones, play the high ones. Two at a time, three at a time, get a little elbow in there, drop a fist or two. YEAH, MAN! If I can keep that kind of joy going for a lifetime, I’ll be a HAPPY MAN! Fun STUFF!
There’s a lot of FUN STUFF on the horizon. I hope you find some joy in this STUFF or any STUFF you love. FUN!
Sunday, April 6th, JOSA with Tiger Okoshi, Eastman, Grantham, NH 4-7PM – The season finale of the JOSA series featuring trumpet master Tiger Okoshi. This is always a treat1 Tiger is an incredible musician but, talk about FUN STUFF, he’s an uncanny communicator with a knack for making everyone in the audience feel like he’s playing directly to, and just for, them! I LOVE being on the bandstand when Tiger is telling stories with his horn. It’s a blast. Join host, pianist Bill Wightman on piano, Tim Gilmore on Drums and Don Williams on bass for a the JOSA season finale!
Monday, April 7th, David Tonkin Quartet, The Barley House, Concord, NH, 6-10PM – Speaking of gifted communicators, David Tonkin is one who brings FUN STUFF to every gig. Recently back from a trip to Puerto Rico, David’s feeling the latin vibe so there will a slight latin tinge to the proceedings this monday night. Rumor has it Tom Robinson will be visiting on keys and possibly Randy Roos will drop by. Tim Gilmore and Don Williams are sure to bring the FUN STUFF in great supply.
Friday, April 11th, Beck’s Songreader with Stu Dias, The Press Room, Portsmouth NH, 9-11 – Stu Dias is making a point this year to let folks know that one time events are ONE TIME EVENTS! If you miss them, they won’t happen again. Seems simple, right? You’d think! This will be a stunning night of music with Stu on Vocals, Greg Glasson on Bass, Mike Effenberger on Keys, Chris Klaxton on Trumpet, Nick Mainella on Saxes and Matt Langley on Saxes doing arrangements of Beck’s Songreader. ONE TIME, ONLY!
Sunday, April 13th, Sunday Jazz Service, 2nd Christian Congregational Church, Kittery, ME, 10-11AM – Join Pastor Brad Hirst, music Director Mike Effenberger, the 2CCUCC choir featuring Dawn Boyer, the entire congregation, Jim Rudolf and myself, Matt Langley, for a thought provoking, moving service on this Palm Sunday.
Friday, April 18th, Good Friday Service, 2nd Christian Congregational Church, Kittery, ME, 7PM – WHOA, a 2CCUCC TWO-FER!! This is indeed RARE and must be witnessed! I’m sure Brad AND Mike will be inspired for this one.
Friday, April 18th, Federator No1, PA’s Lounge, Somerville, MA – 9:30PM – Federator No1 is an Afro Pop band from Boston featuring some incredible musicians doing some POWERFUL music. This will be a great time when I’ll get a chance to play with Bob Pilkington again. We played together on Matt Jenson’s Combo Sabroso gig at the VFW in Portsmouth a few weeks ago and had a BLAST. C’mon out to see this incredible band.
Saturday, April 19th, Federator No1, The Press Room, Portsmouth, NH, 9PM – Whoa a TOUR! Federator heads north for the stop at the WORLD FAMOUS Press Room. This will be a powerful night of music not to be missed!
Sunday, April 20th, Easter Service, Grace Episcopal Church, Concord, NH 10AM – I’m really happy to be going back to Grace Episcopal church in Concord to play with Justine Paul . We had a lot of fun last Easter and I’m honored that she asked me to return! Please join Reverend Jason Wells and the entire congregation for a moving Easter Service.
FUN STUFF, eh? I hope your days, nights, weekends, minutes, seconds, lifetimes, naps and yawns are filled with FUN STUFF. Thanks for keeping my life loaded with FUN STUFF by supporting live art, music, dance, theater and plain old human interaction. FUN STUFFFF!!!