Double Header for the Boulevard Duo!
Check it out, we’ve got two big shows coming up that you won’t want to miss. Joe Timberlake and myself will be performing as the Boulevard Duo this Thursday, the 12th of April. We’ll be putting together an early opening set for the great Modern Groove Syndicate starting around 9 or so at Cary St. Cafe near the corner of Boulevard and Cary in the Fan.
Next Wednesday we’ll be playing throughout the evening at Cafe Diem, 600 N. Sheppard near Bandito’s. Kicking off around 9p.m., we’re scheduled to play till around midnight. If you haven’t heard this ensemble yet, you should definitely come check it out. Joe has played in a variety of bands throughout the years on bass and drums, and he brings a modern, subtle touch to the kit. At times break-beat, rock, funk and assorted other styles, he keeps us on our toes. You can download and print your own flyers from the gallery page to your right.
Modern Groove Syndicate has been raising the bar for the last 8 years, playing progressive instrumental jazz/funk around Richmond and the East Coast. I’ve had the honor of providing lighting and projections for their shows for the majority of their 2005-6 shows, many samples of which can also be seen in the much-lauded gallery space. The Cary St. gig will be a much-worth-it $5, Diem next Wednesday will be free. That’s right. Free. We’ll be accepting canned food donations for the “Diamond Joe Feeds the Starving College Students” Fund.
Modern Groove features Daniel Clarke on Roland A-90 synth, Roland VK-8 organ and Hohner melodica. The A-90 features excellent Rhodes and acoustic piano tones, the VK-8 is a thick and hearty B-3 organ simulator. The melodica is a wind-driven, piano based instrument not dissimilar to a harmonica. It has a piano-style keyboard generally spanning 3 octaves and provides a similar tone to a harmonica. You will occasionally see John Medeski and a number of other pianists break one out for some acoustic jamming, and it features prominently in the Modern Groove tune “Bunky Flues”, which is expected to be on their upcoming album “Miss Popular”.
Todd Herrington alternates between an Alembic bass and a Fender P-Bass, depending apparently on the flavor of the evening. He is hands-down one of the best bassists around, and plays regularly with the DJ Williams Project as well as Modern Groove.
JC Kuhl plays tenor and soprano saxophones with the band, teaches through VCU and elsewhere, and performs with John D’Earth’s band among numerous other ensembles throughout the area. Joel DeNunzio has kept the beat for the band for the past six or so years, played in the bands Buzby and Regan (I think) and keeps the cars on the road working for V-Dot.
I have great respect for these guys and have learned a lot about not only music, but the business itself and the long uphill climb that is making yourself heard throughout the region and beyond.
Tags: boulevard