Arts & Entertainment Archive - 5-3-2026
CONCERT NEWS & REVIEWS
by Bob Silvestri
Sue Foley
-Sportsmen’s Tavern-Buffalo, NY-April 11, 2026-
Where did you spend your Saturday night? On Saturday April 11, 2026 a full house of music devotees decided the best bet was to be at the Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo, NY to see tour de force blues artist Sue Foley entertain. You can always tell it’s a must see show when the house is full of local musicians on their night off and this was the case with nearly a dozen or so on hand to take in the show. And why not? Anyone who has followed the blues for any length of time is familiar with Foley and her potent form of the blues.
The Ottawa native and her band, longtime bassist Jon Penner and newly recruited drummer RJ Contreras, were a dazzling well-oiled unit and never felt the need to be flashy or over the top but instead let the music speak for itself. They seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as the crowd was as they performed over their promised ninety-minute set and stretched it to nearly two hours. Highlights from the night included “Hurricane Girl”, a slow and smoky “Say It’s Not So”, “Gaslight”, a version of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “The House is Rockin’” and a cover of Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown’s classic “Okie Dokie Stomp”. A mid show acoustic set allowed Foley to really show her guitar chops with a clinic in the art of Piedmont Style guitar playing. The Piedmont Style concept is when the guitar player plays the rhythm, bass and lead parts simultaneously, a one-man band if you will. Foley performed Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling”, Elizabeth Cotton’s “Freight Train” that turned into an audience sing-a-long, a new unreleased song “Jack of Diamonds” and her own song “Mediterranean Breakfast”. Foley and her band mates then headed for home with “Better” and a mighty fine run through The Blasters long lost classic “Barefoot Rock”. They closed out the evening with a scintillating “Ice Queen” on which Foley did show off a little bit by performing an extended guitar solo behind her head before thanking everyone for coming to the show.
Sue Foley is an extraordinary talent and a force to be reckoned with both her guitar playing and her singing. For more information about Sue Foley visit www.suefoley.com For information about upcoming shows at the Sportsmen’s Tavern check out www.sportsmensbuffalo.com
Where did you spend your Saturday night? On Saturday April 11, 2026 a full house of music devotees decided the best bet was to be at the Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo, NY to see tour de force blues artist Sue Foley entertain. You can always tell it’s a must see show when the house is full of local musicians on their night off and this was the case with nearly a dozen or so on hand to take in the show. And why not? Anyone who has followed the blues for any length of time is familiar with Foley and her potent form of the blues.
The Ottawa native and her band, longtime bassist Jon Penner and newly recruited drummer RJ Contreras, were a dazzling well-oiled unit and never felt the need to be flashy or over the top but instead let the music speak for itself. They seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as the crowd was as they performed over their promised ninety-minute set and stretched it to nearly two hours. Highlights from the night included “Hurricane Girl”, a slow and smoky “Say It’s Not So”, “Gaslight”, a version of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “The House is Rockin’” and a cover of Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown’s classic “Okie Dokie Stomp”. A mid show acoustic set allowed Foley to really show her guitar chops with a clinic in the art of Piedmont Style guitar playing. The Piedmont Style concept is when the guitar player plays the rhythm, bass and lead parts simultaneously, a one-man band if you will. Foley performed Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling”, Elizabeth Cotton’s “Freight Train” that turned into an audience sing-a-long, a new unreleased song “Jack of Diamonds” and her own song “Mediterranean Breakfast”. Foley and her band mates then headed for home with “Better” and a mighty fine run through The Blasters long lost classic “Barefoot Rock”. They closed out the evening with a scintillating “Ice Queen” on which Foley did show off a little bit by performing an extended guitar solo behind her head before thanking everyone for coming to the show.
Sue Foley is an extraordinary talent and a force to be reckoned with both her guitar playing and her singing. For more information about Sue Foley visit www.suefoley.com For information about upcoming shows at the Sportsmen’s Tavern check out www.sportsmensbuffalo.com
Buffalo State Performing Arts Ctr
Welcomes Killer Queen Award-Winning UK-Based Queen Tribute, Mon April 20
(Buffalo NY) - Killer Queen, award-winning UK-based Queen Tribute featuring the incredible Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury, launch their ambitious twelve-week 2026 US Tour, perform locally at Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Monday, April 20. Show: 8:00pm. Tickets: $46.75-%97.50. Info: (716) 878-3005 or visit buffalostatepac.org/event/killer-queen-a-tribute-to-queen-featuring-patrick-myers-as-freddie-mercury/buffalo-state-performing-arts-center/.
The group will perform all Spring and Summer throughout the US until their final show here October 23 in Baton Rouge.
"It's been an amazing journey," says Patrick Myers, Killer Queen front-man/lead singer. "That first show we did changed my life. We thought our band would last maybe a summer at the most, but it's a very addictive thing performing these songs. The concerts grew and grew, and we've ended up playing and selling out the same arenas that Queen played at their peak. It's been quite a surreal ride. Becoming regular performers at Red Rocks Arena in the US is another highlight. The Beatles, U2, Springsteen, and Dylan all played on that stage. It's really got its own kind of magic going on there." Killer Queen returns to perform at Red Rocks July 30, ten years after their first appearance at the famed outdoor amphitheater.
Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury
KILLER QUEEN - SOME BACKGROUND
Killer Queen's first public shows took place in 1993 at London University, following in the footsteps of the real Queen, who had played their first shows there decades earlier, in 1972. The band's UK popularity quickly grew to such an extent that they soon secured a residency in London's Strand Theatre, attracting nationwide BBC coverage – the first tribute to have a show in the West End. Killer Queen's reputation continued to grow both in the UK and abroad, leading to an awards ceremony in Leicester Square, hosted by Suggs from the group Madness, who presented them with the award for "Worldwide Best Tribute Band". They also scored a number one hit when they were asked to recreate Queen's harmonies for "The Real Life" with Fatboy Slim.By then they were in demand in European arenas, playing Ahoy and Forest National Arena where Queen filmed the concert set piece videos such as "Hammer To Fall" and "Don't Stop Me Now." Killer Queen then joined forces with Bjorn Again and The Bootleg Beatles for a Waverley Stadium show in Edinburgh. It was this performance that led to the band being selected to represent Queen in a re-staged tribute Live Aid concert held by Sir Bob Geldof in Malta. They performed with him at his arena charity concert to raise funds for the young homeless people.
Thu) - Killer Queen then set their sights on America, including the awe-inspiring Red Rocks Arena in Colorado – one of the country's most prestigious venues. The Beatles, Springsteen, U2 had all played there; the band was delighted it had become a regular fixture on Killer Queen's tour sheet that always sold out.
2023 saw the band play packed arenas across Europe: Stavangar in Norway and Cardiff, Nottingham, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Leeds in the UK. 2024 includes an arena tour of Lithuania, UK arena shows in Liverpool, Newcastle and Liverpool as we as more sell-out shows in Red Rocks and Austin City Limits. 2026 finds Killer Queen returning to Mainland Europe with sold-out dates in Sweden, Norway and Denmark as well as packed houses across the UK. It also marks an incredible ten-year anniversary of Killer Queen's first dates in America. They will be celebrating in style at Red Rocks, which has become a second home for the band.
ALBUM REVIEWS
by Bob Silvestri
Handsome Jack
-Barnburners! -
The pride of Lockport, NY, Handsome Jack, are back with another album full of their inimitable roots rock style. The new album titled Barnburners!, is a ten-song cycle of nine originals songs and one cover tune. The band, Jamison Passuite (guitar/vocals), Joe Verdonselli (bass/vocals/harmonica), and Bennie Hayes (drums/vocals) wrote, produced, recorded and mixed the album themselves along with final mastering done by Neal Brodfuehrer, who is undisputably one of the best sound engineers on the planet. The album kicks off with the smoking hot greasy goodness of the track “Barnburner” followed by the steady Bo Diddley beat of “Tonight We Ride” and the swaggering “It’s Only Business”. The trio then turns in a fine raw and rootsy cover of the Tony Joe White classic “Polk Salad Annie” famously done by Elvis Presley, a steady rolling “Blue Falls Motel” with a nice harp solo from Verdonselli and the soul fried chugging rocker “Do It! To It!”. Further highlights from Barnburners! include the sonic and solid whack to the head track “I’m Hooked”, the blues moaner “Poly Molly” with ample Jamison slide guitar pyrotechnics, the rocking call to arms “Let’s Go Downtown” and the dark and heavy grinder “Ghost Woman”. For more information about Handsome Jack including tour dates and information on how you can get a copy of their mighty fine new album Barnburners! Head over to www.handsomejackmusic.com or you can go to www.facebook.com/handsomejackband
Rick Vito-Slidemaster
- The Instrumental Slide Guitar Collection-
Grammy nominated guitarist Rick Vito began his professional career in 1971. Soon he joined the ranks of Delany & Bonnie & Friends and was playing with the likes of Todd Rundgren and Bobby Whitlock post Derek and the Dominoes. In the 1980’s and 1990’s he joined Bonnie Raitt’s touring band and became the featured guitarist with Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band (that’s Vito’s slide guitar work on the iconic Seger tune “Like a Rock”) before taking his most well-known gig as Lindsey Buckingham’s replacement in Fleetwood Mac. His tasty fluid guitar style and unique tone (an under estimated attribute in a guitarist in my opinion) has made Vito an in-demand session ace as well. Yet during that busy schedule he still has found time to release a string of outstanding albums including his latest all slide guitar instrumentals aptly titled Slidemaster. The twelve tracks include a mix of originals and cover tunes and new and some remixed and updated tracks from Vito’s previous albums. Vito who handles guitars, bass, keys and percussion is backed on the tracks by Rick Reed, Lynn Williams and Charles Johnson on drums, Charlie Harrison on bass and Mark Horwitz and Kevin McKendree on the organ. Tracks of note off Slidemaster include “Vegas Jump”, the thunderous “The Big Beat”, the dark and mysterious blues moaner “The Danger Zone”, the shimmering “Soul Shadows” and the lazy rolling “River of Blues”. Vito also turns in two fine Peter Green covers with a searing run through “The Supernatural” and “Albatross’ on which Vito lays down some tasty slide riffs, a soulful cover of the Sam Cooke classic “A Change is Gonna Come” and a soft and gentle rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer’ to close the album. For more information about the slide master Rick Vito and his latest album Slidemaster visit his website www.rickvito.com or you can go to www.facebook.com/rickvitoguitar
Grammy nominated guitarist Rick Vito began his professional career in 1971. Soon he joined the ranks of Delany & Bonnie & Friends and was playing with the likes of Todd Rundgren and Bobby Whitlock post Derek and the Dominoes. In the 1980’s and 1990’s he joined Bonnie Raitt’s touring band and became the featured guitarist with Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band (that’s Vito’s slide guitar work on the iconic Seger tune “Like a Rock”) before taking his most well-known gig as Lindsey Buckingham’s replacement in Fleetwood Mac. His tasty fluid guitar style and unique tone (an under estimated attribute in a guitarist in my opinion) has made Vito an in-demand session ace as well. Yet during that busy schedule he still has found time to release a string of outstanding albums including his latest all slide guitar instrumentals aptly titled Slidemaster. The twelve tracks include a mix of originals and cover tunes and new and some remixed and updated tracks from Vito’s previous albums. Vito who handles guitars, bass, keys and percussion is backed on the tracks by Rick Reed, Lynn Williams and Charles Johnson on drums, Charlie Harrison on bass and Mark Horwitz and Kevin McKendree on the organ. Tracks of note off Slidemaster include “Vegas Jump”, the thunderous “The Big Beat”, the dark and mysterious blues moaner “The Danger Zone”, the shimmering “Soul Shadows” and the lazy rolling “River of Blues”. Vito also turns in two fine Peter Green covers with a searing run through “The Supernatural” and “Albatross’ on which Vito lays down some tasty slide riffs, a soulful cover of the Sam Cooke classic “A Change is Gonna Come” and a soft and gentle rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer’ to close the album. For more information about the slide master Rick Vito and his latest album Slidemaster visit his website www.rickvito.com or you can go to www.facebook.com/rickvitoguitar
Corey Harris-Alvin Youngblood Hart
-Guy Davis-Fight On! -True Blues Vol. 2-
Three of today’s most acclaimed and decorated acoustic bluesmen Corey Harris, Alvin Youngblood Hart and Guy Davis reunite nearly thirty years after their first release to record and release the follow up with Fight On! True Blues Vol. 2 a nine-song set of raw stripped down acoustic blues. The album is also a nod to the ancestral roots of the blues and how the hard scrabble life of African Americans birthed the music but with the contemporary voice of the artists. The songs alternate among the artists giving the album a song writer circle style feel. Harris kicks things off with a rendition of the traditional/Jimmy Strother tune “We Are Almost Down to the Shore (Fight On)” followed by Alvin Youngblood Hart’s version of the legendary Charley Patton’s “Screamin’ and Hollerin’ the Blues” and Guy Davis with “See Me When You Can” a song he wrote for his grandmother about the hardships of being on the road. Rounding out the album are Harris’ “What’s That Smell” about his time playing in a New Orleans juke joint and “I Belong to the Band” from the pen of the Rev. Gary Davis while Hart adds his original tune “If the Blues Was Money” and the traditional “Highway 61” and Davis turns in his original composition “Deep Sea Diver” and “Everything I Got Is Done in Pawn” a reworking of the Elizabeth Cotton classic “Shake Sugaree”. It’s a shame it took Corey Harris, Alvin Youngblood Hart and Guy Davis so long to record a follow up album. Let’s hope the next one doesn’t take as long. For more information about the trio’s new instant classic album Fight On! True Blues Vol. 2 head over to www.yellowdogrecords.com/trueblues
Three of today’s most acclaimed and decorated acoustic bluesmen Corey Harris, Alvin Youngblood Hart and Guy Davis reunite nearly thirty years after their first release to record and release the follow up with Fight On! True Blues Vol. 2 a nine-song set of raw stripped down acoustic blues. The album is also a nod to the ancestral roots of the blues and how the hard scrabble life of African Americans birthed the music but with the contemporary voice of the artists. The songs alternate among the artists giving the album a song writer circle style feel. Harris kicks things off with a rendition of the traditional/Jimmy Strother tune “We Are Almost Down to the Shore (Fight On)” followed by Alvin Youngblood Hart’s version of the legendary Charley Patton’s “Screamin’ and Hollerin’ the Blues” and Guy Davis with “See Me When You Can” a song he wrote for his grandmother about the hardships of being on the road. Rounding out the album are Harris’ “What’s That Smell” about his time playing in a New Orleans juke joint and “I Belong to the Band” from the pen of the Rev. Gary Davis while Hart adds his original tune “If the Blues Was Money” and the traditional “Highway 61” and Davis turns in his original composition “Deep Sea Diver” and “Everything I Got Is Done in Pawn” a reworking of the Elizabeth Cotton classic “Shake Sugaree”. It’s a shame it took Corey Harris, Alvin Youngblood Hart and Guy Davis so long to record a follow up album. Let’s hope the next one doesn’t take as long. For more information about the trio’s new instant classic album Fight On! True Blues Vol. 2 head over to www.yellowdogrecords.com/trueblues
Duke Robillard
-Blast Off! -
Guitarist extraordinaire, singer, song writer and band leader Duke Robillard has released his thirty eighth album titled Blast Off! and the twelve tracks are some of Duke’s finest recordings over his fifty plus year acclaimed and storied career. Robillard is the co-founder of Roomful of Blues one of the most exciting and dynamic blues outfits on the planet, replaced Jimmie Vaughan in The Fabulous Thunderbirds, did tours with Bob Dylan and Tom Waits and has appeared on numerous sessions with other artists in addition to his solo work. For the Blast Off! sessions Robillard (guitar/vocals) enlisted his usual coterie of musicians including Chris Cote (guitar/lead vocals), Bruce Bears (keyboards/backing vocals), Marty Ballou (bass/backing vocals), Mark Teixeira (drums/percussion/backing vocals), Doug James (baritone and tenor Saxophones), Mark Earley (tenor Saxophone), Billy Novick (clarinet) and Doc Chanonhouse (trumpet). The twelve tracks are a mix of the many styles Robillard is known for from blues, swing, jazz and rhythm and blues and are a mix of original compositions and cover tunes. Notable numbers from Blast Off! include the swinging kiss off number “When I Get Lucky”, a finger snapping cover of the Louis Armstrong classic “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead (You Rascal You)”, the smoky and blue original “Feel My Cares”, a snarling cover of Tom Waits’ “Lowdown”, the instrumental “Play Boy Bop”, a slick and funky cover of Allen Toussaint’s “Confusion”, a cover of Guitar Slim’s “Stand by Me”, a warm tribute to one of Duke’s favorite artists, Count Basie, with “The King”, the smooth soul ballad “Warm and Tender Love”, a nod to the overlooked blues pioneer Tampa Red with a cover of Red’s “Look a There Look a There” and two Duke original instrumentals including the title cut “Blast Off!” and the soul groove number “Galactic Grease” a nod to the late Steve Cropper and Booker T & The MG’s. Blast Off! the latest album from Duke Robillard is sure to get you dancing in a blues orbit. For more information about Duke Robillard and his latest album Blast Off! visit his website www.dukerobillard.com or you can go to www.facebook.com/duke.robillard.1
Guitarist extraordinaire, singer, song writer and band leader Duke Robillard has released his thirty eighth album titled Blast Off! and the twelve tracks are some of Duke’s finest recordings over his fifty plus year acclaimed and storied career. Robillard is the co-founder of Roomful of Blues one of the most exciting and dynamic blues outfits on the planet, replaced Jimmie Vaughan in The Fabulous Thunderbirds, did tours with Bob Dylan and Tom Waits and has appeared on numerous sessions with other artists in addition to his solo work. For the Blast Off! sessions Robillard (guitar/vocals) enlisted his usual coterie of musicians including Chris Cote (guitar/lead vocals), Bruce Bears (keyboards/backing vocals), Marty Ballou (bass/backing vocals), Mark Teixeira (drums/percussion/backing vocals), Doug James (baritone and tenor Saxophones), Mark Earley (tenor Saxophone), Billy Novick (clarinet) and Doc Chanonhouse (trumpet). The twelve tracks are a mix of the many styles Robillard is known for from blues, swing, jazz and rhythm and blues and are a mix of original compositions and cover tunes. Notable numbers from Blast Off! include the swinging kiss off number “When I Get Lucky”, a finger snapping cover of the Louis Armstrong classic “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead (You Rascal You)”, the smoky and blue original “Feel My Cares”, a snarling cover of Tom Waits’ “Lowdown”, the instrumental “Play Boy Bop”, a slick and funky cover of Allen Toussaint’s “Confusion”, a cover of Guitar Slim’s “Stand by Me”, a warm tribute to one of Duke’s favorite artists, Count Basie, with “The King”, the smooth soul ballad “Warm and Tender Love”, a nod to the overlooked blues pioneer Tampa Red with a cover of Red’s “Look a There Look a There” and two Duke original instrumentals including the title cut “Blast Off!” and the soul groove number “Galactic Grease” a nod to the late Steve Cropper and Booker T & The MG’s. Blast Off! the latest album from Duke Robillard is sure to get you dancing in a blues orbit. For more information about Duke Robillard and his latest album Blast Off! visit his website www.dukerobillard.com or you can go to www.facebook.com/duke.robillard.1
Maggie’s Journal
-Valerie Smith-
Wow. What an emotional wallop. I have not had a record in quite some time have the impact that the latest from renowned roots and bluegrass artist Valerie Smith and her record Maggie’s Journal did upon me listening. Maggie’s Journal is a deeply personal twelve-year story and project from Smith about the life of her great-grandmother Margaret Attebury Brooks-McCamis, a woman she had never met. Decades after Maggie’s passing, Smith’s cousins found a notebook in an attic trunk detailing a raw, unfiltered, gut-wrenching account of Maggie’s life in post-Civil War Missouri. Forced to marry young, Maggie’s life was filled with beatings at her older husband’s hand and forced to live a meager existence. Fleeing from that relationship the journal shows not only the hardships she faced but the resilience, spirit and hard scrabble details of her life that show a wisdom far beyond her fourth-grade education. The two disc set features thirty tracks, fourteen are bluegrass, roots and folk veined numbers entwined with spoken narratives in Maggie’s own words from the journal that preface each song. The songs alone would make a great album but the power of Maggie’s own words that preface the songs make them come alive. Accompanying Smith on the musical numbers are Cody Kilby, Stephen Burwell, Evan Winsor and Scott Vestal. Tracks of note among the many outstanding tracks include the haunting and heartbreaking “That Was A Long Time Ago”, “Started Wrong In This Life”, “Oh Dear Reader”, “Jim O’Dell. Straight From Hell” about her philandering husband and “Alva’s Lullaby” about her first born who died at six weeks old after being born with a sexual disease that was passed from his father. The set comes with extensive liner notes including photos of Maggie and the actual journal and the backstory to each song and spoken narrative. I would love to know if the journal was published and printed for the public to read. For more information about Valerie Smith and her latest album Maggie’s Journal visit www.thevaleriesmith.com or www.facebook.com/OFFICIALVALERIESMITHMUSIC
Wow. What an emotional wallop. I have not had a record in quite some time have the impact that the latest from renowned roots and bluegrass artist Valerie Smith and her record Maggie’s Journal did upon me listening. Maggie’s Journal is a deeply personal twelve-year story and project from Smith about the life of her great-grandmother Margaret Attebury Brooks-McCamis, a woman she had never met. Decades after Maggie’s passing, Smith’s cousins found a notebook in an attic trunk detailing a raw, unfiltered, gut-wrenching account of Maggie’s life in post-Civil War Missouri. Forced to marry young, Maggie’s life was filled with beatings at her older husband’s hand and forced to live a meager existence. Fleeing from that relationship the journal shows not only the hardships she faced but the resilience, spirit and hard scrabble details of her life that show a wisdom far beyond her fourth-grade education. The two disc set features thirty tracks, fourteen are bluegrass, roots and folk veined numbers entwined with spoken narratives in Maggie’s own words from the journal that preface each song. The songs alone would make a great album but the power of Maggie’s own words that preface the songs make them come alive. Accompanying Smith on the musical numbers are Cody Kilby, Stephen Burwell, Evan Winsor and Scott Vestal. Tracks of note among the many outstanding tracks include the haunting and heartbreaking “That Was A Long Time Ago”, “Started Wrong In This Life”, “Oh Dear Reader”, “Jim O’Dell. Straight From Hell” about her philandering husband and “Alva’s Lullaby” about her first born who died at six weeks old after being born with a sexual disease that was passed from his father. The set comes with extensive liner notes including photos of Maggie and the actual journal and the backstory to each song and spoken narrative. I would love to know if the journal was published and printed for the public to read. For more information about Valerie Smith and her latest album Maggie’s Journal visit www.thevaleriesmith.com or www.facebook.com/OFFICIALVALERIESMITHMUSIC
Paul Filipowicz
After nearly fifty-five years of playing the blues in Chicago’s finest and not so finest juke joints in town Paul Filipowicz is not about to lay down his axe. As a matter of fact, he has released a new album titled Breakwater a twelve-song selection of down-home Chicago blues. Filipowicz (guitar/vocals/harp) is backed by Steven Doughtery (drums), Martin Lang (harp), E.G. McDaniel (bass), Jimmy Voegeli (organ/piano), Erik Beraud (Saxophones) and Maggie “Blues Chic” Aliotta (vocals) making her recording debut. Highlights from Breakwater include the gritty “Tuff Girl”, the slow blues moaner “Conversations with JB”, a trio of original instrumental that show off Filipowicz’s guitar prowess the shimmering title cut “Breakwater”, “Lefty Philips” and the top down rocker “Rollcage”, the blues grinder “That’s Why I’m Crying” featuring Aliotta on vocals and a nice run through Howlin’ Wolf’s “I’m Leaving You” and a hell bent for leather cover of JB Hutto’s “That’s the Truth”. For more information about Chicago blues vet Paul Filipowicz and his latest release Breakwater go to www.paulfilipowicz.com or go to www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063627247596
-Breakwater-
After nearly fifty-five years of playing the blues in Chicago’s finest and not so finest juke joints in town Paul Filipowicz is not about to lay down his axe. As a matter of fact, he has released a new album titled Breakwater a twelve-song selection of down-home Chicago blues. Filipowicz (guitar/vocals/harp) is backed by Steven Doughtery (drums), Martin Lang (harp), E.G. McDaniel (bass), Jimmy Voegeli (organ/piano), Erik Beraud (Saxophones) and Maggie “Blues Chic” Aliotta (vocals) making her recording debut. Highlights from Breakwater include the gritty “Tuff Girl”, the slow blues moaner “Conversations with JB”, a trio of original instrumental that show off Filipowicz’s guitar prowess the shimmering title cut “Breakwater”, “Lefty Philips” and the top down rocker “Rollcage”, the blues grinder “That’s Why I’m Crying” featuring Aliotta on vocals and a nice run through Howlin’ Wolf’s “I’m Leaving You” and a hell bent for leather cover of JB Hutto’s “That’s the Truth”. For more information about Chicago blues vet Paul Filipowicz and his latest release Breakwater go to www.paulfilipowicz.com or go to www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063627247596
Greg Nagy
-Just A Little More Time-
Singer songwriter and guitarist Greg Nagy has returned with a new LP titled Just A Little More Time an eleven song mix of originals and cover songs. Nagy is joined by a large ensemble cast of musicians for these sessions most notably by Josh Ford (guitar/percussion and co-producer), John Barron (bass) and Todd Glass (drums). Tracks of note from Just A Little More Time include the sweet horn-soaked title cut “Just a Little More Time”, the soulful blues number “Breaking Me (but making me a better man)”, the tight and funky “Between the Darkness and the Light”, the percolating instrumental “My Buddy”, and the thumping “Big City”. All of the afore mentioned written or co-written by Nagy. Keepers among the cover tunes are the blues stroll “It Hurts to Love Someone” from the pen of Eddie James, the sentimental “Love Letter”, the Alice Cooper classic “Only Women Bleed”, the Tony Joe White penned “Rainy Night in Georgia” which was a massive hit for Brook Benton, “Sugaree” from the Grateful Dead catalog and a smokin’ live version of John Lee Hooker’s “I’m in the Mood”. To find out more about Greg Nagy and his latest album Just A Little More Time go to www.gregnagy.com or you can go to www.facebook.com/gregnagymusic
Singer songwriter and guitarist Greg Nagy has returned with a new LP titled Just A Little More Time an eleven song mix of originals and cover songs. Nagy is joined by a large ensemble cast of musicians for these sessions most notably by Josh Ford (guitar/percussion and co-producer), John Barron (bass) and Todd Glass (drums). Tracks of note from Just A Little More Time include the sweet horn-soaked title cut “Just a Little More Time”, the soulful blues number “Breaking Me (but making me a better man)”, the tight and funky “Between the Darkness and the Light”, the percolating instrumental “My Buddy”, and the thumping “Big City”. All of the afore mentioned written or co-written by Nagy. Keepers among the cover tunes are the blues stroll “It Hurts to Love Someone” from the pen of Eddie James, the sentimental “Love Letter”, the Alice Cooper classic “Only Women Bleed”, the Tony Joe White penned “Rainy Night in Georgia” which was a massive hit for Brook Benton, “Sugaree” from the Grateful Dead catalog and a smokin’ live version of John Lee Hooker’s “I’m in the Mood”. To find out more about Greg Nagy and his latest album Just A Little More Time go to www.gregnagy.com or you can go to www.facebook.com/gregnagymusic
Irving Flores Afro-Cuban Jazz Sextet-Armando Mi Conga-
Irving Flores is a master of Latin and Afro-Cuban Jazz. He was raised with the rhythms while listening with his grandmother to her records and the sounds of Cuba and Latin America. His father,” El Maestro” was founder of Tampico Orchestra and leader of his own big band. Flores childhood toys were toy instruments and his books music charts his father would bring home after going on world tours. After studying and mentoring with the best Irving started his own career. Which brings us to his latest record Armando Mi Conga a lifelong culmination of wisdom, love, loss, sacrifice, dedication and discipline. The nine tracks on the album are filled with energy, passion and emotion. The album was recorded over two ten hour day sessions and featured along with Flores (piano) are Brian Lynch (trumpet), Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez (drums), Giovanni Hidalgo (congas), Norbert Stachel (Saxophone, flute, clarinet) and John Benitez (bass). The tracks are all live off the floor with most only needing one take. To say these cats were dialed in is an understatement. Highlights include the exhilarating title track “Armando Mi Conga”, the rhythmic “Gary en Nanchital”, an exuberant “With Amanda in Favignana”, the gentle and luxurious “Tramonto A Massa Lubrense”, the percolating “Samba Con Sabor” and the tasty “Recuerdos”. For more information about Irving Flores and his latest release Armando Mi Conga go to www.irvingflores.com or you can visit www.facebook.com/irvingfloresjazz
Irving Flores is a master of Latin and Afro-Cuban Jazz. He was raised with the rhythms while listening with his grandmother to her records and the sounds of Cuba and Latin America. His father,” El Maestro” was founder of Tampico Orchestra and leader of his own big band. Flores childhood toys were toy instruments and his books music charts his father would bring home after going on world tours. After studying and mentoring with the best Irving started his own career. Which brings us to his latest record Armando Mi Conga a lifelong culmination of wisdom, love, loss, sacrifice, dedication and discipline. The nine tracks on the album are filled with energy, passion and emotion. The album was recorded over two ten hour day sessions and featured along with Flores (piano) are Brian Lynch (trumpet), Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez (drums), Giovanni Hidalgo (congas), Norbert Stachel (Saxophone, flute, clarinet) and John Benitez (bass). The tracks are all live off the floor with most only needing one take. To say these cats were dialed in is an understatement. Highlights include the exhilarating title track “Armando Mi Conga”, the rhythmic “Gary en Nanchital”, an exuberant “With Amanda in Favignana”, the gentle and luxurious “Tramonto A Massa Lubrense”, the percolating “Samba Con Sabor” and the tasty “Recuerdos”. For more information about Irving Flores and his latest release Armando Mi Conga go to www.irvingflores.com or you can visit www.facebook.com/irvingfloresjazz
Paul Kaplan
-King of Hearts-
Iconic folk singer Paul Kaplan was a founding member of the fledging Greenwich Village folk scene in the early 1980’s often performing at the Speakeasy in the Village. In 1985 Kaplan decided to record his second album at the Speakeasy, a live album no less. He recruited some musician friends to rehearse including Mark Dann, Robin Greenstein, Kenny Kosek, Ed Baker, Larry Cole and Lisa Roth and on February 8, 1985 recorded his album King of Hearts. Forty years later Kaplan has rereleased the album and the material and lyrics are as relevant and topical as they were back when the album was first recorded. Back in 1985 Kaplan sang about war and the threat of nuclear destruction “Just Another War”, the pervasiveness of greed “Money”, the drifting state of our country “Orphans of the Storm”, the heart break over the tragic death of Phil Ochs (now fifty years since his passing) “Phil (for Phil Ochs)”, about reuse and saving our planet “I Had An Old Coat” which has been recorded by numerous artists including Sharon, Lois & Bram and of course the greatest of all subject matter, love, with the songs “I Will Keep You Warm”, “Blow, Winds, Blow”, “I’m Feeling Blue”, the title track “King of Hearts”, “Wedding in the Village” and “Take Out The Garbage When You Go”. A couple of traditional Irish folk songs shine as well with “Heather on the Moor” and “The Greenwood Lassie”. You can find out more information about Paul Kaplan and his album King of Hearts by going to www.paulkaplanmusic.com or you can go to www.facebook.com/paul.kaplan.902
Iconic folk singer Paul Kaplan was a founding member of the fledging Greenwich Village folk scene in the early 1980’s often performing at the Speakeasy in the Village. In 1985 Kaplan decided to record his second album at the Speakeasy, a live album no less. He recruited some musician friends to rehearse including Mark Dann, Robin Greenstein, Kenny Kosek, Ed Baker, Larry Cole and Lisa Roth and on February 8, 1985 recorded his album King of Hearts. Forty years later Kaplan has rereleased the album and the material and lyrics are as relevant and topical as they were back when the album was first recorded. Back in 1985 Kaplan sang about war and the threat of nuclear destruction “Just Another War”, the pervasiveness of greed “Money”, the drifting state of our country “Orphans of the Storm”, the heart break over the tragic death of Phil Ochs (now fifty years since his passing) “Phil (for Phil Ochs)”, about reuse and saving our planet “I Had An Old Coat” which has been recorded by numerous artists including Sharon, Lois & Bram and of course the greatest of all subject matter, love, with the songs “I Will Keep You Warm”, “Blow, Winds, Blow”, “I’m Feeling Blue”, the title track “King of Hearts”, “Wedding in the Village” and “Take Out The Garbage When You Go”. A couple of traditional Irish folk songs shine as well with “Heather on the Moor” and “The Greenwood Lassie”. You can find out more information about Paul Kaplan and his album King of Hearts by going to www.paulkaplanmusic.com or you can go to www.facebook.com/paul.kaplan.902
Paula Boggs Band
-Sumatra-
We have all seen the advertisement for the fictional “most interesting man in the world”. But in real life you could say that Paula Boggs is the most interesting woman in the world. You see before she became a successful musician she led a long standing history of activism, is a former member of the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities, had a fourteen year career as a federal prosecutor, attorney for the U.S. Army and the White House, spent years as a top lawyer for Starbucks and as a VP at Dell Corporation and is an Army Airborne veteran and received a Congressional appointment to the US Naval Academy. All before she decided to pursue her true love music. Her latest album with her Paula Boggs Band and titled Sumatra features ten tracks in her unique style of soul, jazz and bluegrass or Soulgrass if you will. Boggs (lead vocals/guitar/ukulele) is backed by band mates David Salonen (bass/fiddle/guitar/vocal), Tor Dietrichson (percussion/vocals), Paul Matthew Moore (keyboards/accordion/vocals), Jacob Evans (drums) and Darren Loucas (muti instrumentalist) on the album. Highlights off Sumatra include the ambitious title track “Sumatra” that starts with a Gregorian chant sung in Latin before heading in a World Beat direction, the country style tale of a Vietnam vet “Bard of Vietnam”, a very lyrically personal country tune “Route 66”, the heartfelt tale of love “Still Grateful”, the funky ode to a departed friend “Note to Quinn”, the instrumental “Traces of You”, the funky and anxiety filled tale of flying (and a metaphor on life) “Airline Boogie”, the powerful traditional English folk song modernized by Boggs “The Snow It Melts The Soonest” and the album closer “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round” another traditional number with the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama and Valerie June on co lead vocals. The latest from the Paula Boggs Band, Sumatra, is a commentary on our times with deeply personal lyrics that we all can understand and relate to ourselves. To find out more information about the Paula Boggs Band visit their website www.paulaboggsband.net or go to www.facebook.com/thepaulaboggsband
We have all seen the advertisement for the fictional “most interesting man in the world”. But in real life you could say that Paula Boggs is the most interesting woman in the world. You see before she became a successful musician she led a long standing history of activism, is a former member of the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities, had a fourteen year career as a federal prosecutor, attorney for the U.S. Army and the White House, spent years as a top lawyer for Starbucks and as a VP at Dell Corporation and is an Army Airborne veteran and received a Congressional appointment to the US Naval Academy. All before she decided to pursue her true love music. Her latest album with her Paula Boggs Band and titled Sumatra features ten tracks in her unique style of soul, jazz and bluegrass or Soulgrass if you will. Boggs (lead vocals/guitar/ukulele) is backed by band mates David Salonen (bass/fiddle/guitar/vocal), Tor Dietrichson (percussion/vocals), Paul Matthew Moore (keyboards/accordion/vocals), Jacob Evans (drums) and Darren Loucas (muti instrumentalist) on the album. Highlights off Sumatra include the ambitious title track “Sumatra” that starts with a Gregorian chant sung in Latin before heading in a World Beat direction, the country style tale of a Vietnam vet “Bard of Vietnam”, a very lyrically personal country tune “Route 66”, the heartfelt tale of love “Still Grateful”, the funky ode to a departed friend “Note to Quinn”, the instrumental “Traces of You”, the funky and anxiety filled tale of flying (and a metaphor on life) “Airline Boogie”, the powerful traditional English folk song modernized by Boggs “The Snow It Melts The Soonest” and the album closer “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round” another traditional number with the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama and Valerie June on co lead vocals. The latest from the Paula Boggs Band, Sumatra, is a commentary on our times with deeply personal lyrics that we all can understand and relate to ourselves. To find out more information about the Paula Boggs Band visit their website www.paulaboggsband.net or go to www.facebook.com/thepaulaboggsband
Afton Wolfe
-Ophiuchus-
The latest release from acclaimed singer songwriter Afton Wolfe titled Ophiuchus is an ambitious and cinematic tale aligned with the heavens and constellations. Each of the thirteen tracks are related to one of the twelve astrological signs and one more for the constellation Ophiuchus aka The Serpent Bearer that completes the path through the heavens. The songs unfold like individual mini movie segments but are closely intertwined in content. Wolfe who handles guitar and vocals is surrounded by a stellar cast of too long to list fellow musicians on the album. Highlights off Ophiuchus include the big sound of the title opus “Ophiuchus”, the whiskey soaked country roots number “I Deserve to be Forgiven”, the mysterious sounding cha cha cha Tango “Rules of War”, the heartfelt “Crooked Roads” with accordions and keyboards lifting the song along, the gently rolling “Ascetic Sleep Song No. 4”, the instrumental “Sphere Shift”, the laid back “Rushing Back”, the filled with fire and brimstone “One Million Children”, the bluesy “Last King of the Blues”, the Sax soaked funky strutting soul workout “Forgive Yourself” and the cold and dark dirge “Winter Comes for Mary”. For more information about Afton Wolfe and his latest album Ophiuchus head over to www.aftonwolfe.com or go to www.facebook.com/aftonwolfemusic
The latest release from acclaimed singer songwriter Afton Wolfe titled Ophiuchus is an ambitious and cinematic tale aligned with the heavens and constellations. Each of the thirteen tracks are related to one of the twelve astrological signs and one more for the constellation Ophiuchus aka The Serpent Bearer that completes the path through the heavens. The songs unfold like individual mini movie segments but are closely intertwined in content. Wolfe who handles guitar and vocals is surrounded by a stellar cast of too long to list fellow musicians on the album. Highlights off Ophiuchus include the big sound of the title opus “Ophiuchus”, the whiskey soaked country roots number “I Deserve to be Forgiven”, the mysterious sounding cha cha cha Tango “Rules of War”, the heartfelt “Crooked Roads” with accordions and keyboards lifting the song along, the gently rolling “Ascetic Sleep Song No. 4”, the instrumental “Sphere Shift”, the laid back “Rushing Back”, the filled with fire and brimstone “One Million Children”, the bluesy “Last King of the Blues”, the Sax soaked funky strutting soul workout “Forgive Yourself” and the cold and dark dirge “Winter Comes for Mary”. For more information about Afton Wolfe and his latest album Ophiuchus head over to www.aftonwolfe.com or go to www.facebook.com/aftonwolfemusic
Grant Lyle
-And Now-
Toronto based singer songwriter and guitarist Grant Lyle has released his eighth album this one titled And Now a mix of eight original compositions and one cover tune. For this album Lyle (guitar/vocals) is helped out by Scott Brammer (bass), Michael Sioski (drums), Al Cross and Owen Tennyson (percussion), Roly Platt (harmonica) and Jenna Harding and Pat Dickinson (backing vocals). Lots of good stuff off And Now including the punchy rocker “Won’t Let You Go”, the laid back “Thank You”, the sly and slinky “Lose It”, the churchy and blue “We’ll Carry On”, the slow rocking blues howler “Asylum”, the galloping rocker “One Desire”, the title track “And Now”, the funky “Givin’ Away” and a smoking cover of The Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimmie Some Lovin’”. For more information about Grant Lyle and his latest album And Now head to www.grantlyle.com or visit www.facebook.com/Grant.Lyle.Music
Toronto based singer songwriter and guitarist Grant Lyle has released his eighth album this one titled And Now a mix of eight original compositions and one cover tune. For this album Lyle (guitar/vocals) is helped out by Scott Brammer (bass), Michael Sioski (drums), Al Cross and Owen Tennyson (percussion), Roly Platt (harmonica) and Jenna Harding and Pat Dickinson (backing vocals). Lots of good stuff off And Now including the punchy rocker “Won’t Let You Go”, the laid back “Thank You”, the sly and slinky “Lose It”, the churchy and blue “We’ll Carry On”, the slow rocking blues howler “Asylum”, the galloping rocker “One Desire”, the title track “And Now”, the funky “Givin’ Away” and a smoking cover of The Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimmie Some Lovin’”. For more information about Grant Lyle and his latest album And Now head to www.grantlyle.com or visit www.facebook.com/Grant.Lyle.Music
The Whispering Tree
After a seven-year hiatus The Whispering Tree have returned with a new album titled Bones of Better Days. The Franco-American duo of El Kleiner and Ellie Brangbour comprise The Whispering Tree and are assisted on these sessions by Will Bryant, Nate Barnes, Luke Cyrus Goetze and a four-person string section. The eight songs on Bones of Better Days are rooted in Folk and Americana with shades of blues and country. The most remarkable thing is the voice of Kleiner. I swear she could sing the phonebook and I’d be enthralled. Highlights off Bones of Better Days include the churchy and mournful “Atlantic City” not the Springsteen song but equally haunting as it too deals with loss and the passage of time and things, the outstanding title cut “Bones of Better Days” a timely take on how idolizing the past can cost you the future, the dreamy piano ballad “Be My Side”, the bouncy country blues number “Find a Man” and the rollicking revival style toe tapper “Born Again” challenge outdated gender and religious roles respectively, while “Bleeding Out in Hollywood” another country style rocker is a biting satire about the American Dream. With evocative lyrics, great arrangements and that voice, The Whispering Tree’s latest Bones of Better Days hits all the right chords. For more information about The Whispering tree and their latest album Bones of Better Days visit them at www.thewhisperingtree.com or go to www.facebook.com/thewhisperingtree
- Bones of Better Days-
After a seven-year hiatus The Whispering Tree have returned with a new album titled Bones of Better Days. The Franco-American duo of El Kleiner and Ellie Brangbour comprise The Whispering Tree and are assisted on these sessions by Will Bryant, Nate Barnes, Luke Cyrus Goetze and a four-person string section. The eight songs on Bones of Better Days are rooted in Folk and Americana with shades of blues and country. The most remarkable thing is the voice of Kleiner. I swear she could sing the phonebook and I’d be enthralled. Highlights off Bones of Better Days include the churchy and mournful “Atlantic City” not the Springsteen song but equally haunting as it too deals with loss and the passage of time and things, the outstanding title cut “Bones of Better Days” a timely take on how idolizing the past can cost you the future, the dreamy piano ballad “Be My Side”, the bouncy country blues number “Find a Man” and the rollicking revival style toe tapper “Born Again” challenge outdated gender and religious roles respectively, while “Bleeding Out in Hollywood” another country style rocker is a biting satire about the American Dream. With evocative lyrics, great arrangements and that voice, The Whispering Tree’s latest Bones of Better Days hits all the right chords. For more information about The Whispering tree and their latest album Bones of Better Days visit them at www.thewhisperingtree.com or go to www.facebook.com/thewhisperingtree
Ross Neilsen
-Within Tension-
The seventh studio album from Ross Neilsen, titled Within Tension is a ten-song collection of soulful yet gritty blues numbers all written or cowritten by Neilsen sans one. Neilsen is joined on these sessions recorded at the historic Sam Phillips Recording Services in Memphis by a host of Memphis heavyweight session cats including John C. Stubblefield on bass who also co-produced the album, Lucero keyboardist Rick Steff and Jay Sheffield III on drums. Lots of nuggets to choose from Within Tension including the rafter shaking “Rock Ranger”, the percolating “Best For You”, the top down traveling blues rocker “Road to Memphis”, the acoustic ballad “Come to Me”, the razor sharp rocker “Devil’s Picasso”, the hillbilly rocker “Troubled Mind”, the introspective acoustic ballad “Bold & Beaten”, the heartfelt meets heartbreak number “Good Enough” featuring a sweet Sax solo from Art Edmaiston and a hypnotic cover of Eddie Hinton’s “Something Heavy”. You can find out more about Ross Neilsen and his latest album Within Tension by heading over to his website www.rossneilsen.com
The seventh studio album from Ross Neilsen, titled Within Tension is a ten-song collection of soulful yet gritty blues numbers all written or cowritten by Neilsen sans one. Neilsen is joined on these sessions recorded at the historic Sam Phillips Recording Services in Memphis by a host of Memphis heavyweight session cats including John C. Stubblefield on bass who also co-produced the album, Lucero keyboardist Rick Steff and Jay Sheffield III on drums. Lots of nuggets to choose from Within Tension including the rafter shaking “Rock Ranger”, the percolating “Best For You”, the top down traveling blues rocker “Road to Memphis”, the acoustic ballad “Come to Me”, the razor sharp rocker “Devil’s Picasso”, the hillbilly rocker “Troubled Mind”, the introspective acoustic ballad “Bold & Beaten”, the heartfelt meets heartbreak number “Good Enough” featuring a sweet Sax solo from Art Edmaiston and a hypnotic cover of Eddie Hinton’s “Something Heavy”. You can find out more about Ross Neilsen and his latest album Within Tension by heading over to his website www.rossneilsen.com
Dave Keller
-La Brea-
Singer songwriter Dave Keller is a hard guy to pin down. While he is most known as a soulful blues artist, he often dips his toes in folk, Americana or even country. Often some of those out of left field songs are left off an album for whatever reason. But Keller often visits as he calls it “the song orphanage” to find some left over chestnuts that needs to see the light of day. So, for his latest album titled La Brea he uncovered eleven brilliant and beautiful songs that he had in his song orphanage. Keller handles vocals, guitar and vibraphone here and is backed by Kevin Barry on guitars, Jesse Williams on the bass, Marco Williams on drums and percussion and Tom West on keyboards. Keepers among the eleven tracks on La Brea include the heartfelt “I Could Fall” which kicks off the album perfectly, the rootsy southern soul of “Different Than I Planned”, the tender “Your Touch”, the laid back rocker “Singin’ in the Shower”, the brooding “Shiny Things”, the sweet and soulful sounds of “Onions”, the outstanding “If You Don’t Mind Me Asking” and equally as good “The Promise’ on which Keller pours out his heart and the bare bones love song “I’m Telling You Now”. For more information about Dave Keller and his latest album La Brea visit his website www.davekeller.com or head over to www.facebook.com/davekellerband
Singer songwriter Dave Keller is a hard guy to pin down. While he is most known as a soulful blues artist, he often dips his toes in folk, Americana or even country. Often some of those out of left field songs are left off an album for whatever reason. But Keller often visits as he calls it “the song orphanage” to find some left over chestnuts that needs to see the light of day. So, for his latest album titled La Brea he uncovered eleven brilliant and beautiful songs that he had in his song orphanage. Keller handles vocals, guitar and vibraphone here and is backed by Kevin Barry on guitars, Jesse Williams on the bass, Marco Williams on drums and percussion and Tom West on keyboards. Keepers among the eleven tracks on La Brea include the heartfelt “I Could Fall” which kicks off the album perfectly, the rootsy southern soul of “Different Than I Planned”, the tender “Your Touch”, the laid back rocker “Singin’ in the Shower”, the brooding “Shiny Things”, the sweet and soulful sounds of “Onions”, the outstanding “If You Don’t Mind Me Asking” and equally as good “The Promise’ on which Keller pours out his heart and the bare bones love song “I’m Telling You Now”. For more information about Dave Keller and his latest album La Brea visit his website www.davekeller.com or head over to www.facebook.com/davekellerband
Robert Top Thomas
Acclaimed and longtime blues artist Robert Top Thomas has released a new album of acoustic country blues titled One Morning Soon. The thirteen track album features Thomas originals and a host of covers from some of the blues masters who came before him. Thomas handles most of the guitar and vocal duties with some help from Billy Dean on drums, percussion and vocals, Dan Walters on the piano and bass, Stephen Kampa on the harp and Gavin Jorgenson on the clarinet and soprano Saxophone. Nuggets to choose from off One Morning Soon include the feel good upbeat opening track “Hey Mattie”, the haunting blues number “Haints in My House”, a trio of mighty fine acoustic tunes “Gator Jig”, the traveling style “Long Long Gone” and the lazy wandering “Stop, Smell the Blossoms” chockfull of clarinet, the infectious “Shake Shake Mama”, and the foot stomping “Texas Blues”. Among the standout covers give a listen to the Rev. Gary Davis’s “Children of Zion”, the finger picked traditional “Sugarbabe”, a fine run through the classic “Bye Bye Black Bird”, Blind Willie McTell’s “Georgia Rag” and another Rev. Gary Davis cover with “I Heard the Angels Sing”. To find out more information about Robert Top Thomas and his latest album One Morning Soon head over to www.facebook.com/robertopthomas
-One Morning Soon-
Acclaimed and longtime blues artist Robert Top Thomas has released a new album of acoustic country blues titled One Morning Soon. The thirteen track album features Thomas originals and a host of covers from some of the blues masters who came before him. Thomas handles most of the guitar and vocal duties with some help from Billy Dean on drums, percussion and vocals, Dan Walters on the piano and bass, Stephen Kampa on the harp and Gavin Jorgenson on the clarinet and soprano Saxophone. Nuggets to choose from off One Morning Soon include the feel good upbeat opening track “Hey Mattie”, the haunting blues number “Haints in My House”, a trio of mighty fine acoustic tunes “Gator Jig”, the traveling style “Long Long Gone” and the lazy wandering “Stop, Smell the Blossoms” chockfull of clarinet, the infectious “Shake Shake Mama”, and the foot stomping “Texas Blues”. Among the standout covers give a listen to the Rev. Gary Davis’s “Children of Zion”, the finger picked traditional “Sugarbabe”, a fine run through the classic “Bye Bye Black Bird”, Blind Willie McTell’s “Georgia Rag” and another Rev. Gary Davis cover with “I Heard the Angels Sing”. To find out more information about Robert Top Thomas and his latest album One Morning Soon head over to www.facebook.com/robertopthomas
Vi Wickam
-The Thanksgiving Album-
Vi Wickam is a world class fiddle player and along with his wife Christina unabashed admirers of the red headed stepchild of American holidays, Thanksgiving. A while back over some kitchen table conversations they decided the world needed some proper Thanksgiving music. They enlisted nine of their favorite songwriters to come up with songs about what Thanksgiving means to them. The result is a multi-artist album that celebrates Thanksgiving titled The Thanksgiving Album with eight originals and one cover tune. Fellow artists along for Wickam’s musical journey include Luke Bella, Daniel Whittington, Joe O’Keefe, Zee Crain, Jessie Andra Smith, Matt Bell, Nathan Rivera, Dave Beegle, Dick Gimble, Christian Teele, Nathan Townley, Cole Sipe, Max Francis, Andy May and Todd Howard. The album kicks off with the Celtic Pub charm of “Another Fine Day for Thanksgiving” and sets the pace for the albums theme. Other highlights from The Thanksgiving Album include the gentle strains of “Each New Day”, the reflective “Grateful”, the nostalgic “Sitting at the Table”, the soothing folk rock number “My Kind of November”, the carefree folk jazz sound of “I’m At Home”, the anthemic tale of inclusion and kindness “Welcome At The Table”, the light hearted and humorous “Billy Bob-Radio Edit” and the triple fiddle attack on the traditional “Turkey in the Straw”. Vi Wickam’s The Thanksgiving Album is a nice ode to the traditional aspects of the holiday with family, food, fun and fiddles. To find out more about Vi Wickam and his latest release The Thanksgiving Album go to www.vithefiddler.com or you can visit www.facebook.com/vi.wickam
Vi Wickam is a world class fiddle player and along with his wife Christina unabashed admirers of the red headed stepchild of American holidays, Thanksgiving. A while back over some kitchen table conversations they decided the world needed some proper Thanksgiving music. They enlisted nine of their favorite songwriters to come up with songs about what Thanksgiving means to them. The result is a multi-artist album that celebrates Thanksgiving titled The Thanksgiving Album with eight originals and one cover tune. Fellow artists along for Wickam’s musical journey include Luke Bella, Daniel Whittington, Joe O’Keefe, Zee Crain, Jessie Andra Smith, Matt Bell, Nathan Rivera, Dave Beegle, Dick Gimble, Christian Teele, Nathan Townley, Cole Sipe, Max Francis, Andy May and Todd Howard. The album kicks off with the Celtic Pub charm of “Another Fine Day for Thanksgiving” and sets the pace for the albums theme. Other highlights from The Thanksgiving Album include the gentle strains of “Each New Day”, the reflective “Grateful”, the nostalgic “Sitting at the Table”, the soothing folk rock number “My Kind of November”, the carefree folk jazz sound of “I’m At Home”, the anthemic tale of inclusion and kindness “Welcome At The Table”, the light hearted and humorous “Billy Bob-Radio Edit” and the triple fiddle attack on the traditional “Turkey in the Straw”. Vi Wickam’s The Thanksgiving Album is a nice ode to the traditional aspects of the holiday with family, food, fun and fiddles. To find out more about Vi Wickam and his latest release The Thanksgiving Album go to www.vithefiddler.com or you can visit www.facebook.com/vi.wickam
The Lewis & Klark Guitar Duo is a premier jazz‑influenced instrumental guitar act specializing in wedding and corporate event entertainment throughout Western New York. Known for their warm, melodic interplay and refined musicianship, they create an atmosphere that elevates any occasion—whether it’s an intimate wedding ceremony, an elegant cocktail hour, or a sophisticated corporate gathering. Their sound blends elements of jazz, Latin, pop, and contemporary acoustic styles, resulting in a musical experience that is both versatile and deeply engaging.
With an extensive repertoire that includes classic love songs, contemporary favorites, and a strong catalog of original compositions, Lewis & Klark tailor each performance to the unique mood and flow of the event. Their arrangements are thoughtful and expressive, often adding a fresh creative spin to familiar songs. Clients consistently praise their professionalism, musicality, and ability to read the room—qualities that make them a standout choice for live event entertainment. Reviews highlight their enchanting sound, seamless performance style, and the memorable ambiance they bring to every setting.
Beyond their live performances, the duo showcases a rich collection of original music that reflects their signature blend of genres and artistic chemistry. Their compositions range from smooth, lyrical pieces to lively Latin‑inspired tracks, demonstrating both technical skill and emotional depth. Whether performing covers or originals, Lewis & Klark deliver a polished, immersive musical experience that leaves a lasting impression on audiences and event hosts alike. Find out more at https://www.lewisandklark.com/
Buffalo Niagara PERFORMING ARTS
Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
Broadway shows, concerts, children shows and more...
Shea’s 710 Theatre
Formerly home to the acclaimed Studio Arena
Irish Classical Theatre Co.
Plays by the world's finest playwrights.
Alleyway Theatre
Innovative plays and musicals.
Artpark
Theatre, concerts, cultural festivals and children activities.
Kavinoky Theatre
Located at D'youville College.
MusicalFare
Daemen College
Professional year round musical theatre company.
UB Center for the Arts
The highest quality entertainment in WNY
Shaw Festival
In the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Lancaster Opera House
An artistic palate even more exciting than the year before!
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
World renowned performers in acoustically acclaimed Kleinhans Music Hall.
Buffalo Chamber Music Society
Second oldest chamber music series in the U.S.
WNY Attractions
- Artpark Lewiston,NY
- Buffalo Historical Society
- Buffalo Science Museum
- Buffalo Zoo
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- Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
- Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park
- Buffalo Raceway
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- Graycliff Estate - Frank Lloyd Wright
- Herschell Carousel Factory Museum
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- Buffalo Harbor Cruises
- NY Power Authority Niagara Power Project Visitors Center
- Niagara Falls
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EVENTS, FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Allentown Art Festival
Historic Allentown Preservation District
Historic Allentown Preservation District
Cheektowaga Town Park
Italy comes to Buffalo!
Hertel Ave. Buffalo
Hertel Ave. Buffalo
Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games
Niagara County Fairgrounds, 4487 Lake Ave. Lockport, NY
National Buffalo Wing Festival
Come Hungry!
Orchard Park Festival of the Arts
Orchard Park Middle School
Orchard Park Middle School
Shakespeare in Delaware Park
Delaware Park, Buffalo
Delaware Park, Buffalo
WNY ART GALLERIES
Quick Links
- Lewis & Klark Guitar Duo
- Guitar Lessons in Buffalo NY
- JR Entertainment Agency
- All Coast Talent - Voice Actors
- Margo Davis Voice Actor
- Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
- Buffalo Music History
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- NY Rockin Revue Band
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- Larwerence Kinney Sculpture
- Mary Ouimette Kinney
- Sculptures and Form
- University Heights Art Group
- Artist Robert John Holland
- Artist Robert Schulman
