Posts Tagged ‘Melissa Gardiner’

Week in Review: Fungiere

Sunday, March 15th, 2015
Gregory Collins

Gregory Collins: The Mr. Please, Please, Please of the local Funk Scene

We wish you knew what it was like to experience something this funky. We’re not talking uptown, but strictly some downtown, alleyway, outside of Armory Square, dumpster funk. Emanuel “never miss a beat” Washington organized “Doin It to Death,” a tribute to James Brown and the show had people nearly climbing the walls inside Funk-n-Waffles (downtown) on Thursday. We don’t know if the band (including a killer horn section) rehearsed or had a previous gig, but on this night the force (of funk) was with them indeed. The only thing that would have made this a better outing is if they had been scheduled during the NCAA Regional Finals weekend.

Making short cameo appearances during the two-hour plus show were Washington’s band mates from Sophistafunk, Adam Gold and Jack Brown.

Mike Spadaro: All about the bass

Mike Spadaro: All about the bass

Eman Washington, drummer and now concert producer

E. Washington, drummer, and a crowd jammin’ on the one.

The multi-generational crowd also roared when Washington announced that he would be putting together a Beastie Boys Tribute in June.

This was a first show at the new Funk-n-Waffles location and the place definitely has the potential to make some noise on the Downtown music scene.

The horn section for the show, featuring trombonist Melissa Gardiner (right) was tight.

The tight horn section was a Fields sandwich (Dan on trumpet and Nick on tenor sax) punctuated by the  book ends of  Melissa Gardiner (trombone) and 17-year old Dunham Hall (alto sax).

Here We Go Again

Monday, January 26th, 2015
Ralph Lalama played January JAZZfest in the Mohegan Manor Ballroom

Ralph Lalama played January JAZZfest in the Mohegan Manor Ballroom. He was later joined by vocalist Nancy Kelly.

Another January JAZZfest is in the books and it was a great show. Here are a few photographs from yesterday afternoon’s action.

The sounds of the Donna Alford Jass Band kept the Green Room dance floor packed.

The sounds of the Donna Alford Jass Band kept the Green Room dance floor packed.

WAER-FM 88's Eric Cohen and vocalist Nancy Kelly relaxed and listened to the Jazz Police jam session.

WAER-FM 88’s Eric Cohen and vocalist Nancy Kelly relaxed and listened to the Jazz Police jam session.

Melissa Gardiner & Friends held court in the Basta yesterday afternoon.

Melissa Gardiner & Friends held court in the Basta yesterday afternoon.

Jazz appreciation in the Mohegan Manor Ballroom.

A little jazz appreciation in the Mohegan Manor Ballroom.

Direct Flight

Sunday, December 21st, 2014
Sketches of Tokyo-Seoul with Melissa Gardiner (top left)

Sketches of Tokyo-Seoul with Melissa Gardiner (top left)

The Melissa Gardiner Group: Gardiner on trombone and vocals, Byron Cage on drums, Will Gorman on keys, and August Cook on tenor sax, took Christmas music deep into the shed during the inaugural performance for the Tokyo-Seoul music series Saturday night. They added some spice to standards to the delight of a packed dining room that featured musicians, educators and jazz fans.

Guest vocalists for the kick-off included the sassy duo, Angky & Mary Rose, and the sophisticated/sentimental sounds of Gabrielle Gorman (a Nancy Kelly protégé)

Melissa Gardiner Group

Melissa Gardiner Group cooking at the Sushi Bar

The series is scheduled to continue every fourth Thursday thru May.

Salute to a Funky Drummer

Thursday, April 10th, 2014

Congratulations to the Syracuse New Times for the redesign, re-org, and also for recognizing the story behind the music of our friend Drummer Byron Cage. We particularly enjoyed the local connections column (Melissa Gardiner, Alex Boatman and Jesse Collins) that accompanied the article.

FOJ (Friends of Jesse)

Tuesday, February 11th, 2014
Jesse Collins Trio & Friends

Jesse Collins Trio & Friends

We caught the live show from Jesse Collins at Al’s Whiskey and Wine Bar on Sunday night, and they played everything from New Orleans Jazz to Parliament Funkadelic.

It was good to see familiar faces from the pages of SIF such as Byron Cage and Melissa Gardiner; but it was equally fun to experience for the first time Collins (on alto sax), John Delia (clarinet and tenor sax) and the steady bass licks of  Dickie Bureau. At one point during the show, the groove got so intense that Delia blew his clarinet apart (true story).

The crowd seemed to also enjoy the vibe from several of Collins’ original compositions, including his “hula hoop” anthem.

“Free to be Free” is the title of Collins’ new album.

Groove Collective, a roll call

Sunday, January 26th, 2014
Dino Losito on keys.

Dino Losito played keys for Joe Magnarelli and Nancy Kelly on Sunday.

Here’s a short list of musicians we saw in the audience during a few of the performances at the January Jazz Fest: JT Hall, John Dancks, George Feltman, John Spillett, Kirsten Tegtmeyer, Jeff Stockham, John Michael Heagerty (aka Tots), TK Howard, Tom Witkowski, Phil Flanagan, Dave Solazzo, Joe Carello and many more. Great to see musicians support each other at the Mohegan Manor, which we didn’t know was designed by Ward Wellington Ward.

And we can’t forget to give a shout out to graceful CNY dancers such as Mike Colabufo and Margaret Luttinger, who were also in attendance.

Kicking Some Brass

Friday, October 25th, 2013
Melissa Gardiner, Live at Phoebes

Melissa Gardiner, Live at Phoebes

Year in Review (Music, part 2)

Friday, December 28th, 2012
J.T. Hall and Friends (featuring Colleen Prossner)

J.T. Hall and Friends (featuring Colleen Prossner)

Another bright spot in the Syracuse music scene was the return of the Jazz at Sitrus series, which is held at the Sheraton Hotel, along the Connective Corridor.  Here are some of the performers from 2012.

Sitrus Lounge (Sheraton Hotel)

Sitrus Lounge (Sheraton Hotel)

Melissa Gardiner

Melissa Gardiner

Michael and Anjela Lynn

Michael and Anjela Lynn

Larry Luttinger, aka Lorenzo

Larry Luttinger, aka Lorenzo

Ronnie Leigh

Ronnie Leigh

Nancy Kelly

Nancy Kelly

John Leroy

John Leroy

Mike Dubaniewic

Mike Dubaniewic

Jeff Houston

Jeff Houston

(CNY) Trombone Shorty

Friday, October 26th, 2012
Melissa Gardiner, who took up the trombone at age 9, played and sang as the headliner for tonight's Jazz @ Sitrus concert at the Sheraton Hotel.