Israel Hagan
Posts Tagged ‘Bass’
Throwback Thursday
Thursday, August 3rd, 2017Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival (Day 2)
Sunday, July 30th, 2017
Jim Colemon (right) watches Bobby Jones pound away on the keys. They were part of the Bobby Militello Quartet.
Listen to the Bass
Wednesday, June 7th, 2017Listen to the Bass from Syracuse in Focus on Vimeo.
A View From the Last Pew
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016
Joe Arcuri at Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church
The inspirational Jazz Vespers series is a great way to check your spiritual pulse.
The Sunday Jazz Brunch
Sunday, October 2nd, 2016
Joey Arcuri got busy on the bass for Sunday’s Jazz Jam at Funk-n-Waffles.
When we first experienced Melissa Gardiner’s skills at the Jazz @ Sitrus series a few years ago, we saw her as the hardest working lady in Syracuse show business. Then we considered her numerous titles: bandleader, teacher, vocalist, all-around molder of musical consensus, working mother, and noticed how she always exceeded expectations. Now we are beginning think that maybe she is a superhero.
Today Gardiner played the role of host for the come as you are (especially with your instrument) event known as Jazz Jam at Funk-n-Waffles.
Jazz Jam may be the city music scene’s best kept weekend secret. The event is in a great perfect (Downtown), during a great time slot (3pm-5pm) and at a great venue (casual bistro) for the enjoyment of a long-time resident or first-time tourist. Imagine a music series that features the perfect blend of students, educators, and jazz aficionados, but where music is only half the story, because what goes better with hot jazz riffs than an abundant selection of sweet and savory waffles?
Today the house was packed, and the soiree featured horn players, singers, and at least one cajon drum.
The Jazz Jam/Funk-n-Waffles combo has a bright future.
Special shout-out to drummer Bryon Cage: Thanks for the invite and tip about the wonderful waffle fries.
Melissa Gardiner, reads the sign-up list at Jazz Jam
Stroke of Genius
Monday, September 19th, 2016
Israel Hagan (right) and John Kelsey pulled some serious strings at the the Festa Italiana on Saturday night.
J.A.M.S. Funk Fest 2k16
Monday, September 5th, 2016Week in Review
Sunday, September 4th, 2016
Gerald Veasley (left) and Walter Beasley jammed at the New York State Fair on Saturday night.
This was a week of returns here in Syracuse: The return of Nuf Said (Jazz in the City); the return football season; the return of Dr. Marc Lamont Hill to speak at SU, but maybe our favorite was the return of bassist Gerald Veasley. Veasley came to throw down for the FunkFest 2k16 (New York State Fair) with a band of musical titans, including Chuck Loeb and Walter Beasley.
Beasley came down from Boston, while Loeb made his way to Syracuse from Spain.
Veasley was last in town for the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival in Clinton Square in 2013.
Beasley will play the Howard Theater in DC next month, and Loeb played the Low Country Jazz Festival in SC today.
A Bugs Life (in Syracuse): The Sequel
Monday, August 1st, 2016
Scott Bugs Allen blasting the brass
Scott “Bugs” Allen is a one-man band of sorts. If you include vocals, he played about eight instruments during his evening set at Saturday’s Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival. He may be categorized as a jazz man, but at times his on-stage energy nearly reached Fishbone levels. He goes quickly, but seamlessly from horn to drums to bass, and despite some technical difficulties during the finale, he was able to send soulful shock waves thru Clinton Square with tributes to Prince and Stevie Wonder.
Allen wears many hats(literally had at least three buckets with him), but his sartorial splendor (fuchsia shirt, fuchsia loafers and patterned bow tie) never outshines his wonderful musicianship.
The vibes were the perfect precursor to the upcoming Jazz in the City series (Aug-Sept).
Allen told the crowd that Larry Luttinger and Joe Lee took care of his 3rd Scenario collective so well in 2014 that his return was imminent.
For the sake of our burgeoning music scene, we hope he comes back to the ‘Cuse again. And again. And again.
Bugs banged the drums during a tribute to Stevie Wonder
Allen really got the crowd involved when he did a Prince tribute during his set.
Allen and his wife posed for a photo with WAER FM-88 GM Joe Lee and his wife after the Saturday evening set.