Archive for the 'Music' Category
Funk It Up with Pittsburgh Band JAZZAM
And, once more, I have to write about my favorite Pittsburgh band, JAZZAM. After the loss of their lead singer a few months back, the future of JAZZAM was uncertain. I spent many a night listening to their “It’s About Time” album and praying to the music gods that the band could work it all out.
Needless to say, as you could tell from a prior post, New Year’s Eve brought this amazing funk jam band back to Pittsburgh. And, you could say that this past weekend has re-established their rank as one of the most popular regional bands in Pittsburgh. Music fans from around the city showed up to Thunderbird’s Cafe this Saturday to see JAZZAM, with Morgantown, WV opener, Symmetrical Kickboxing. In fact, the band was so missed that the Thunderbird sold out + 10 people!!
I’m just glad the band is back and touring again. Keep an eye out for them in the near future in Pittsburgh and other (relatively) local dates. AND, for you festival-goers - keep an eye out for this summer because JAZZAM will be out and about!
- Molly Brannigan’s - February 8, 2008
- Docksider’s (Erie, PA) - February 9, 2008
- The Shadow Lounge (with Ryat) - February 29, 2008
- The Empty Glass (Charleston, WV) - March 7, 2008
- The V Club (Huntingdon, WV) - March 8, 2008
- Agora Theater with Ekoostik Hookah (Cleveland, OH) - March 28, 2008
- Thunderbird Cafe - March 2, 2008
And stay tuned for more! This is my favorite band in the whole wide world and I want to share them with as many people as possible!
While I’m just about fully recovered from New Year’s Eve, my tapping feet will not recover for weeks after the amazing musical show put on by regional touring band, JAZZAM, at Molly Brannigan’s this Monday night.
I attempted to get some video on my new camera so I could post it here. While the picture was fantastic, the audio is horrible - and the most important part - so, yinz will have to wait until I get my new digital video camcorder to see these guys in action (PS: donations are welcome!) Until then, check the band out on Archive.org, YouTube, or Myspace!
Finally, if you’re looking to see JAZZAM again, they will be playing on January 26 at the awesome Thunderbird Cafe! Here’s a collection of pictures from New Year’s Eve so you can see the fun you missed!
Are you still debating what to do in Pittsburgh this New Year’s Eve? Well, stop worrying - I can tell you exactly where you SHOULD be!
The place to be is Molly Brannigan’s in the South Hills. This will be the first time in months that Pittsburgh’s most established funk jam band JAZZAM will be playing together and I can’t wait to see the most talented and amazing local band onstage in the area again!
Molly Brannigan’s is a great authentic Irish pub on Rte 19 in Mt. Lebanon. Molly’s has great drink prices, fantastic food, and a large enough establishment with plenty of room for people to sit and congregate at tables to talk; to sit at the bar for easy drink access; to dance on the floor; or to simply stare at the amazing talent on the stage in your very own backyard!
And, for those of you who have never seen JAZZAM - this is one show that is not to be missed. After their recent stint touring with Rusted Root (some of you may have seen them at the Homegrown Hoo-Ha with the Clarks and Rusted Root at the Post Gazette Pavilion this summer), JAZZAM had taken some time off to re-group. Luckily for all of its fans, this is their first show in months…and let me tell you again - you will be sorry for missing this band!
Anyone interested in listening to JAZZAM can go to their Myspace page (link above), listen to a live show on Archive.org, watch a video on YouTube, or simply purchase their CD online (if you haven’t heard it - it’s AMAZING). The duet with Liz Berlin of Rusted Root, who also does all background female vocals, will truly knock your socks off. Even if you can’t make it this time around, do keep an eye out for JAZZAM shows and other great Pittsburgh bands (more posts on them to come). Support live music!
I hope to see you all there, but even if not, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’s to all!
“As my career has progressed, I’ve had the pleasure of playing with the baddest jazz cats on the planet. But that doesn’t change my desire to entertain folks. That’s really who I am.”
George Benson, Famous Jazz Guitarist from Pittsburgh
“If It’s Magic - Then Why Can’t It Be Ever-lasting…
Like the Stevie Wonder Show (Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena, November 9 2007)
It’s amazing how fast a performance can change a person’s mood. Last night, I was honored and privileged to attend, what I consider to be the best concert that I will ever see in my entire life - by my all-time favorite musician. The night started out kind of crappy (keep reading) but, from the moments the first song (Love’s in Need of Love Today) began, Stevie’s moving performance and the message of unconditional love, peace and, well, some more looooove was enough to instantly turn my frown upside down. Because this is my only outlet to do this, I’d like to thank you, Stevie, for spreading your music and your message across the world. Please don’t let this be your last trip to Pittsburgh (PS: his first wife, Syreeta Wright, was from the Burgh) - and if it is the last, at least I was there to see it. Full Story »
STEVIE WONDER: SIR DUKE
Stevie in concert at the Mellon Arena: November 9, 2007
Normal English Usage:
Music is a world within itself
With a language we all understand
With an equal opportunity
For all to sing, dance and clap their hands
But just because a record has a groove
Dont make it in the groove
But you can tell right away at letter a
When the people start to move
They can feel it all over
They can feel it all over people
Da translation is:
Music is a world witin itself
wit a language we alls understand
wit an equal opportunity
fer alls to sing, dance and clap their hans
But jest cuz a record has a groove
Dont make it in da groove
But yinz can tell right away at letter a
whenever da people start to move
They can feel it alls over
They can feel it alls over people
This posting is in celebration of the Stevie Wonder concert tomorrow night at Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena, which is bound to be just about the greatest night of my entire life. All Hail Stevie! and Pittsburgh - Thank you so much for bringing Stevie to the city! November 9, 2007! Starting to hyperventilate…and, i’m out.
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Rant and Rave!
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