My Writings. My Thoughts.
A Story Of Hope: Landfill Harmonic
Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Commentary, News
April 19th, 2013 No Comments »
A closeup of the improvised bridge on this violin made of recycled trash reveals that it’s a cleverly repurposed fork.
It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention and by the looks of the Recycled Orchestra, they are right. In an impoverished area of the Cateura slum of Paraguay, South America, the fact that a violin costs more than a house hasn’t stopped the children from making music, culminating in the formation of a traveling musical group they call The Recycled Orchestra.
Interactive Jazz Fun at Rockn’ Joe Cafe
Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Jazz Events, Recaps & Reviews
April 7th, 2013 No Comments »
Rockn’ Joe Cafe in Union hosts an Open Jazz Jam on the First Friday of every month.
The sounds of jazz can be heard at Rock’n’ Joe Coffeehouse in Union on the first Friday of every month. As a venue without a liquor license, this comfy shop makes for an unconventional jazz venue, though BYOB is allowed and encouraged.
As the brainchild of Rock’n’ Joe owner, Ted Kwok, the jam taps into the Kean University student musician community for what’s officially known as the Friday Evening Open Jazz Jam at Rockn’ Joe, although it would be more appropriate to call it The Dan Hutchinson Show. Continue Reading
Free Jazz Appreciation Month Events – April 2013 Edition
Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Jazz Events, News
March 31st, 2013 No Comments »
Stan Myers, Host of the Tuesday night Open Jazz Jam at Crossroads in Garwood, NJ gestures to make a point as he announces the next tune.
Just a quick announcement about some free events going on for Jazz Appreciation Month:
Gas House Gorillas Mix It Up At Roxy & Dukes
Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Gas House Gorillas, Jazz Events, Recaps & Reviews, Roxy & Dukes, Dunellen, NJ
March 2nd, 2013 No Comments »
The Gas House Gorillas perform at Roxy & Dukes in Dunellen on March 1, 2013.
Last night we recently made our first trip to a venue we’ve been clamoring to visit. Having opened a few years ago to much fanfare, Roxy & Dukes caught our attention with word of their unique style and dance floor — a feature missing from many jazz venues these days.
Jazz-Age Lawn Party Is The Cat’s Pajamas
Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in History, Jazz Events, News, Recaps & Reviews
June 27th, 2011 1 Comment »
This past weekend we attended the Jazz-age Lawn Party on Governors Island which, for the last few years, has injected a bit of Roaring 20′s-style class and sophistication into NYC two weekends each summer. As usual, the event is nothing if not a great place to people-watch. It’s striking how over 85% of the revelers (not an official statistic) are decked out in full 1920′s regalia. Continue Reading
Lou Pallo And The Gibson Bus
Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Crossroads, Garwood, NJ, Jazz Events, News
May 22nd, 2011 4 Comments »
A bus similar to this, and no doubt loaded with musical goodies, will be at the Crossroads in Garwood on Tuesday, May 22.
Just got an email from organist Radam Schwartz, who runs the Tuesday Night Jazz Jam at the Crossroads in Garwood. Check it out and consider attending. Sounds like a fun time! Here’s Radam’s original email with full details:
Lou Pallo and friends pull up in the decked-out Gibson bus on Tuesday, May 24th to hang at the Crossroads weekly jazz jam. Continue ReadingFull Details For Point Pleasant Beach Jazz & Blues Fest 2011 (Address, Schedule, Etc)
Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Blues Events, Jazz Events, News
May 2nd, 2011 No Comments »
Well, this certainly is a rarity. Usually I find out what’s going on in the jazz & blues scenes around NJ and blog about it here, ultimately pointing you, faithful reader, to the official website for any given event.
NJ Grindy Jazz Metal – Oh My!
Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in News
April 7th, 2011 No Comments »
NJ grindy jazz metal quartet, Mothguts PHOTO CREDIT: RobotMojo
In my never-ending quest to bring you, my faithful Jazzville, NJ readers, all I can about the NJ jazz scene, I’ve come across a very interesting jazz band, mixing equal parts Sun-Ra, Ornette Coleman and Voodoo Glow Skulls. The NJ quartet bills itself as Mothguts and has launched a Kickstarter project seeking funding to cover recording & touring costs.
From Dawn Till Dusk: Fill Your Day With Jazz
Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Jazz Events, News, Robin's Nest, Linden, NJ
April 2nd, 2011 2 Comments »
Pat Metheny redefines the term "solo concert" with his Orchestrion Tour. Here, he stands surrounded by the mechanized instruments that share the stage with him.
Sunday April 3rd is set to be a windfall for NJ jazz fans:
First, wake up to the sounds of Pat Metheny and his Orchestrion (a show we attended this past October) at 9am on Channel 2′s “CBS News Sunday Morning.” Full details for this interview & performance can be found here.
Tearing Down The Nest With Gas House Gorillas
Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Blues Events, Gas House Gorillas, Recaps & Reviews, Robin's Nest, Linden, NJ
March 20th, 2011 2 Comments »
Gas House Gorillas lead singer Rick Fink cuts an imposing silhouette in his fedora, A-shirt and suspenders.
Wow. Talk about a band that does not disappoint! It’s Saturday night and Jazzville, NJ Meetup Group is in attendance at the Gas House Gorillas show at the Robin’s Nest in Linden. It’s a friendly, if cozy, little juke joint that specializes in blues acts. But if you’re here to sit back and take in a quiet, relaxing evening, you are at the wrong show. Early in the night, the crowd’s energy boils over into spontaneous dancing as couples -and even singles- writhe and twist rhythmically among the tables.
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