So You Want to be in a Band Part 36

Where did we leave off ... end of August.  Since then NJT (New Jazz Trio) has been playing fairly often.  2 gigs at Oryana a local "cafe" one of which was a wash out and we ended up inside with our outside pa system.  It was not good.  The next time we played went much better the weather co-operated and played for 2 hours.  Dave and I played played the Trio as a Duo we did not have a drummer.  After much discussion we decided not to use a drum machine turns out we didn't need one. As long as Dave gave me a solid "1" on each measure we were good to go. From that gig we also got a good paying private Party.   Dave and I did play Rollin' Hills as Duo. In addition to our Trio, that really was a Duo, was contacted by the Cancer Society and asked NJT to play at there event.  The first set we tried a drum machine that will be the last time.  I use to kid Pete Murphy(drummer with Blue Shadow) about replacing him with a drum machine.  A pretty hollow threat.     September came along and NJT was asked to play the Fall Festival in Acme Mi.  We still did not have a regular drummer so we thought we could bring a small kit an enlist a drummer from one of the other bands that were performing.  As luck would have Pete was playing keys for a trio and Mark (played a couple of gigs with us) was playing drums.  We were in good hands and played the set.
A Trio means 3 so we asked Fred Guetschow  to play drums for us as a regular member of the band.

  Fall turned to winter and with that a nice little gig at Espresso Bay. They were having a Ladies Night for  downtown Christmas Shoppers.  What made this different is that along with the regular sets there was to be Christmas Songs mixed in.  So picked up a Christmas song book.  Each song Dave (bassist) would ask what key do you want it in?   I would tell him a key and off we would go.  I suspect Dave wasn't looking at the music anyway. He sometimes  just amazes me.
Our next performance was the Traverse City Opera House.  OK we weren't headlining but we were the live music for the Starlets!   I have always wanted to play at the Opera House so needless to say how excited I was when asked.

In addition to playing our sets we also backed Scott Para on a few Blue Brother Tunes.  Someone in the balcony shot this on there phone.   This was a great time.  We held two practices and covered a bunch of songs that maybe done in the future.

We played Mr. Magic for the first time in a set it went well again a different friend in the crowd. Took this Video.  Really just being a live Band its nice to get Emails from people in the audience.

Until next time .....

   

So Want to be in a Band Part 35

PARTING WAYS

Being in a band means dedication.  Due to changes in my "day  job" I could no longer put the time and effort into the BlueShadow Band.  So with great sadness I contacted Jerry, Todd and Pete the original members to let the know of my decision to leave.  They told me to show up at gigs to sit in.  We will see.   This transpired February 2013.
July 17
Tonight is the first night that The BlueShadow Band is performing and I am not there.  It's a gig that the band has played before.  I sure it's going well.  Steve Weldon is playing tenor sax .  I had always thought I would return to BlueShadow but now I don't believe that will happen.
  I plan on playing a couple tunes sometime during the Summer season but that will be it.
It feels like a small part of me is going  to be missing.
Maybe I should join or create a small group like a trio/quartet .

March 12

Two weeks have passed and I have made a few inquires to other musicians, that I have played with in the past if they are interested in forming a Trio

May 10
With the New Jazz Trio (I will Call it that for now) I will move on.  A jazz trio does not take the type of time and effort that an 8 piece Motown band does.

JUNE 26

The Trio played at a coffee house it went pretty well for the first time out. No train wrecks. so we will continue on.

JULY 5

  NJT played last Friday

at the local Biggby's and played well.  We may even have stirred some  interest at the Elks club and a local restaurant. We will see what happens.

The gig at Biggby's did manage to stir interest in the Trio.  We were ask to play at private birthday party.  Our regular drummer was unable to play,  So I tapped Pete Murphy to fill in.  It was very comforting to have a familiar quality drummer laying down a path for the group to follow.  The night went well... We were payed a bonus and more importantly a promise of future gigs.
Things seem to moving right along with the NJT.  Dave was asked to have the Band perform at The Acme Fall Festival and the best part is that Joanie Stanley asked to sing a couple songs with the trio.
Just yesterday the American Cancer Society asked us to play for their fundrasier on the same day as the fall festival.  The performances are  far enough apart we will be able to pull it off.

Stay Tuned

So You Want to be in a Band Part 33

THREE OR FOUR OF A KIND

The last time BlueShadow played  "bumper" music for the Northern Starlets was the last time.  The founder of the Troupe still needed music to entertain the crowd between acts.  I proposed a jazz quartet made up of Keyboards, Drums, Bass and Sax.  I knew who the Sax player would be as for the rest I would ask around.  For a drummer I asked Fred of BlueShadow and Pete for the Keyboardist also of the current Blueshadow Band.   Dave North formally of Blueshadow was also available.  Dave and Pete were two guys that I  had played some jazz. Which really raised my comfort level with this endeavor. I went back to Roxa with the good news she was very pleased, as was I, that Pete agreed to play in the Quartet. 

 

FOUR OF KIND

The un-named quartet met for 2 practices that went surprisingly well We quickly went through 8 songs ( the number we were asked to play). Encouraged I added a few more songs thinking you cant have too many. Remember that last statement. By the end of the second practice I felt like we were in control of the situation.  First change, one of the Starlets would like to Sing with the Quartet.  I suggested Summer Time everyone knows that tune and  the changes are relatively simple.  Scarlet (stage name) would be joining us on that tune.  I called her we agreed on the key and would  run through it before dress rehearsal.  All was progressing toward Feb 9th.

In the mean time I talked with the coordinator at the venue and secured a short gig for BlueShadow as the after Mardi Gras party band.  It was only 2 hrs but it would give the owner a chance to see/ hear us as a dance band.  He ageed to pay us for half a gig.

Dress rehearsal had only 2 of the quartet available.  Dave on bass me on tenor we worked thru the practice taking lots of notes and working out the timing of playing between acts.

Mardi Gras show was ready to go.  Some last minute discussions with Pete, Dave and Fred.  We were also ready to go.

We opened with Girl From Impenema and followed with Basin Street Blues. When we finished the stage manager poked his head out and announced that the Band will be playing another number. It was a good  idea to have extra songs.  The show progressed we played tunes as planned plus a few extra when more time was needed.  By Intermission we had no more extra songs.  We needed more tunes.   So we had to repeat a few of them.  We tried to change up the style hoping no one would notice.

All in all it went OK, not great, but not bad.

The After Party with BlueShadow

BlueShadow took the Stage, with a fill in guitarist, working as quickly as could to setup (not to lose the crowd).  We kicked off the first set and never looked back.  Jeff the guitarist played the opening lick of Don't Dream Its Over just beautifully.  He continued to impress through-out the performance. When he asked if it would be OK if he came to our next practice we didn't hesitate to take him on.

THREE OF A KIND

This weekend Dave asked if I would be interested

 in playing at a Chili Cook-off.  I told I  would but we would need a different drummer (Fred had a prior commitment and Pete was not availiable for keyboards).  I would look into it to see what I could come up with.

Looking for keyboardist on short notice was not happening.  I did call Jerry Endres, a drummer that at one time played for the BlueShadow Band, he said he was interested in playing.  So with no practice we showed up at the Gig.

Since it was Dave Norths gig he selected the tunes, from a list I gave him.  He called them out and we played them for 2 1/2 hrs.  It went very well.  Of course there was a few hitches--- Dave is a free spirit and when he is soloing on one of the tunes, Jerry and I found ourselves looking at each other wondering where we were going.  Dave is a great bass player and worked his way out of mysterious chords and we kept on going, and Slow Boat to China almost didn't out of the dock.  Jerry just kept moving the tempo up until we got it right.

We had a  guest singer that performed Summer Time (no surprise there)

She really was good

All in all a good afternoon---the chili was very tasty

So You Want to be in a Band Part 32

LETS TALK TURN-OVER

In a band that's been around for almost 5 years (2008-2013). Your going to have changes in personnel.
There will be  conflicts of time, enthusiasm, other bands, or personalities.  BlueShadow has had them all.

Here is the current tally.

5 guitarist
4 drummers
3 vocalist
2 bass players
2 keyboard players

Maybe its because over the years we have practice every week and the commitment is just to much. It can be difficult to have 8 creative people trying to create music.

Most leave under amicable circumstances..... some not.  I really try not to burn bridges if at all possible- you never know when you will need someone to fill in.

In saying that I am sorry to say that A.J. is no longer with Band (amicable separation).  A great guitarist and a very knowledgeable musician he will be missed.

So can a band that plays 60's 70's and 80's rock play a gig with no guitarist ? We were about to find out.

Dec.29 at Streeters ( a local club)

1 hr. before we were supposed to start we get a call ---there will be no guitar player.

Lets not Panic!

First thing a couple of  tunes were cut.  Then on the strength of Jerry's on stage "Real Time" direction,  Pete's talent on keyboard (creating solo licks to covering guitar part) and Angie's voice and on stage presence the gig was pulled off to an enthusiastic crowd. It wasn't easy but can be done.

                                                           DEC 29th  at Streeters

So You Want to be in a Band Part 31

So Check this out-----Lately that's how all of the Band stories start.


I was checking out the BlueShadow facebook page and noticed a new message.  The message was from Roxa, the leader of a troupe of Vaudevillians who had seen/heard our show at Culvers.  She said nice things about the Band and wondered if we would be interested in performing with her troupe "the Northern Starlets".  After checking with the Band, I set up a meeting with Roxa and invited Jerry and AJ.

I was thinking that Jerry was going to be there to be sure I didn't over promise the Band.  AJ was there to ensure that rhythm section had a voice in this venture.  What really happened was Roxa has a personality like Jerry, always looking to bigger and better.  Jamie of the Starlets, AJ and I were trying to keep the ideas in check.  So after about an hour of discussion we had the basics, or at least enough to go to the rest of the Band.  I could see in Jerry's eyes it was a done deal.  I am not sure if promises were made, but here was definitely a "show must go on" feeling to this.

Jerry had to leave and so did Roxa and Jamie, so there AJ and I  sat ----"what just happened here?"  AJ said with a look of concern.  "I think we just booked a gig." I replied.  We sat for a few moments.  AJ then asked "What exactly  is Burlesque and what's a Fan Dance?" At this point I felt it my duty to also inform him about pasties, and I don't mean the pastry.

So we pitched the idea to the Band.  Everyone seemed to be on board and Jerry was willing to write arrangements for Steam Heat,  What ever Lola Wants, Dick Van Dyke Theme,  Mamma's Done Gone and Muppet Show. As we practiced and talked about the up-coming show that was a mere 3 weeks away, we couldn't help but ask ourselves,  "What were we thinking?"

BlueShadow Band invited Roxa and Jamie to the practice.  Here is a side note, everybody in a troupe has a stage name.  Until they arrived at the rehearsal I really wasn't sure who would be there. At this practice we checked the timing of the songs the Band would play against the dances the Starlets would perform.  We collaborated, made some changes and timed the whole show right up to Mid-night.  It was decided that the Band would show up for dress rehearsal and play the show that weekend....what could go wrong?

Dress Rehearsal ----lets just say it was rough.  The biggest issue was the timing of any CD backed songs and just having the players ready on stage between acts.  The Band tried to help by vamping a couple of songs to buy time for the performers.  Even with this, it became obvious by the end that  Roxa was clearly unhappy with the timing.  As we were packing up she drew me aside."I can't thank you enough for what the band is doing.  However, I need to ask for an additional favor."  What she needed was more time between acts and for the Band to play a song after each act to allow the troupe more time to get things set up.  I asked Jerry's opinion on adding songs and it was decided to be the perfect solution.

Show time--- BlueShadow played a few tunes to get the crowd warmed up.  Out came the Emcee and the rest of the show went on very well.  The Troupe was right on all night.  The Band was playing some of the best music to date.  This was with songs we had not rehearsed in weeks and a drummer that had only practiced with us 3 times.  We did however have the extra percussion talents of Mark Goike, always a plus.

Fan Dancers, knife jugglers, fire breathers, skits, tumblers and a hot Band made for one very entertaining night.  Thanks to Roxa for inviting the Blueshadow Band to perform with their talented troupe!

So You Want to be in a Band Part 30

September 7th was a very important gig for the Band.

BlueShadow was playing a very high end dinner dance/ fund raiser for a local Club. This was the second year for this event. We decided to set up and run the sound checks the night before to ensure that we not to disturb the guests during the cocktail hour.

The stage was an odd shape, so Jerry, AJ and I discussed the best lay-out for the Band. At the last minute, due to a difference in opinion, we needed to install a different drummer. Fortunately, earlier that week I had called Mark, a friend of Jerry's, to come play additional percussion. Last year he was with the Band and his work really filled out the sound. Jerry gave him a call, told him to bring his kit (drums) and leave the rest of his percussion tools at home. I could just imagine Mark's response to hauling all the percussion instruments out and loading his drum kit into his car.

The next evening before the guests arrived Mark set up is kit and with that we were ready. I cannot express enough my thanks to Mark for his expert playing of the drums. He is one of the finest drummer/percussionist I have ever played with.

Now I am going to say what I could not say before the gig. This crowd was expecting Joanie Stanley to front the BlueShadow Band. Angie had an up hill battle to win this crowd over.

I was a little nervous, not that Angie wasn't every bit the singer, but of the reception she would receive. I need not have worried. Two songs into the first set, Angie left no doubt that she now fronted the BlueShadow Band. She proceeded to blow them away the rest of the night.

As for the rest of the gig, people were dancing right up to 11pm. I had to laugh though, it was late in the evening and a few couples were putting their coats on to leave. Angie then started singing At this Moment and quickly the coats came off and onto the dance floor the couples went.

What a night! AJ, Pete, Dave and Mark did an exceptional job as Lite Blue, Angie won over the crowd, & the horn section never sounded better.

Here is a link to Youtube to see part of the peformance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDqZu-HZCL4&feature=plcp

The gentleman that hired the Band and I discussed next year as we broke down the stage.

As reward for a very successful night, the band members went to an all night diner for something to eat at 1am.

As I sat there among the rest of the Band laughing and reminiscing about gig, I wondered how did I get here from part 1 of this saga to now playing in a very good band. I am indeed fortunate to have met Jerry Byville and jumped on board with his idea to start a Band.

A footnote

Mark agreed to play our next scheduled gig---that's a relief!

So You Want to be in a Band Part 29

August --a very busy time for the BlueShadow Band.

Classic Car Shows, Church events, Street Dances, and Concerts in the Park are the order for Summer gigs.

The first of 3 Classic Car Shows took place in Traverse City at Culvers'. These gigs are a great time for the Band. The Minor League Ball Club sends their Mascots over to clown around with the

car owners and of course the Band.

JERRY ARM WRESTLING SUN TAN

OF THE BEACH BUMS BASEBALL CLUB

SUN BURN THE OTHER MASCOT WORKING OVER MICKEY

The BlueShadow Band played like a Band. I was very pleased when one of the local Jazz Trio's leader (a musician I have a lot of respect for) came up to me between sets to tell me that the band sounded great and he really was enjoying the performance. I was just glad he remembered my name!

2 Days later we were at a small ampitheater in the woods playing for a Church. We did not get payed much, however they did arrange for Angie and me to appear on a local news cast.

We arrived at the station about an hour before we were to go on. While sitting in the waiting room we chatted about the next performance, which songs to cut and which to keep, among other band topics. Quietly, Angie and I were ushered on to the set, as the news cast was still in progress.

Once on the set, we sat in chairs off to the side. I found it interesting that the actual set was no more than a large cinder block room with motorized cameras mounted in the center and three of the four walls looking like the scenes you see on the broadcast. A news desk with network logo behind, a wall that was completely green, and the leather chairs with a Traverse City back drop. The latter being the scene for our interview. During the news cast the I observed that the hardest working player is the weatherman. He's bobbing and weaving between cameras as he walks from one set to another telling about the weather. He then arrives at the big green wall to pantomime the weather patterns across the State by looking at a small monitor for reference. Just before they went to break the anchor pitched the "Northwest Michigan Fair" which included a jingle. With that we were lead to the leather chairs and fitted with microphones.

Erica Erickson (the news anchor) sat down and quickly went over the talking points. "Oh by the way" she asked, "would you mind singing the Northwest Michigan Fair jingle?" I quickly pointed out that I played saxophone in the Band and do not sing. Now I felt a little bad a

bout throwing Angie under the bus like that, but I don't get sing on gigs I was certainly not going to sing a goofy jingle on on T.V. Well, the interview went fine and of course Angie sang beautifully. What a fun experience.

Mid Month we had a gig Labeled as a Concert in the Park. The group sponsoring thus event had hired us the previous fall for a private party. I was surprised by the number of people at the concert. Nearly 300 people enthusiastically listening and some dancing. When the Band started to play Barefootin' I kicked off my sandals and a group in the front row did the same.

How about some pictures

Here I came out to Dance and play with my Sister Nancy