Music Layman Out and About on another Thursday Night



Fred Cantu

Last Thursday the 20th of March, I had the joy of seeing Fred Cantu's Big Band down on the south side of the city (Chicago).  The band plays once a month at Redmond's 5730 S. Archer Ave. What a lineup of musicians he has playing with him!  WOW! 

Let's start with Fred Cantu, the leader of the band.  I'll start off by telling you he's a great guy!  You can't find a better person to lead a band of this size.  He's respected by the musicians that play with him and he blows a  great trumpet. If you're a fan of Maynard Ferguson,

 

Maynard

 Fred has that range. He does it in a way that makes you go DANG!  Man, he gets up there -- what range he has!  Again I write in layman terms. Everyone should have an opportunity to see this band. Horns, horns, horns.  You can't leave out the drummer, Frank Alongi -- he smokes! Bass man Alex Feldman, Keys, Jose Sandoval.

Let me tell you about the trumpet section. You have players like Terry Connell, Mark Roller, Pat Epley. The Bone players, John Mose and Tim Madden -- hit it hard! Tenor Sax, Joel Moore, Michael Hesiak, Alto Dave Creighton and the best dressed and one hell of a Bari player, Mr. Kevin Gawthorp.  Also can't leave out the guys that were off that night. Steve Gaugel and Dave Creighton -- also great players.  What a group of players!  You must see these guys! 

Fred Cantu's Big Band

So....TELL A FRIEND, TO TELL A FRIEND, TO TELL A FRIEND about the Fred Cantu Big Band.
COME OUT AND  SEE THE BAND APRIL 17TH AT REDMOND'S 5730 S ARCHER AVE. CHICAGO, IL. ONLY $5.00 COVER FOR A GREAT NIGHT OF MUSIC. FOR MORE INFO GO TO  WWW.CUHABO.ORG 

Music Layman Out and about on a Thursday Night

The last two Thursday's I've been out and about.  On the 13th my night started off with a quick stop at Parker's Restaurant and Bar in Downers Grove.  There I had a chance to see Larry Brown Jr on guitar, a great player, Eric Brink on Sax and clarinet . Mike  on the upright. They were smooth. My music road dawg JoeT and I had one of Tim's (the bartender) Long Island Ice Tea.  You want a treat, have a LIIT at Parker's. The Best!!!!

 Larry, Eric, Mike and the Long Island Ice Tea put us in music mood.  We headed for the City, next stop the Tonic Room to see the Humble Organisms.  It was their CD release show.  It was a great night of music. The Organisms played music from their CD and rocked the Tonic Room.  Maxx Popp as smooth as butter on the drums keeping it all under control. Dan Chase had a great night.  Hans Luchs was great, he played like the pro he is. Andrew Vogt had a Andrew Vogt great evening.

The opening act Liz Chidester

followed by

Corbin Andrick, really played well. Liz played songs from her CD People

Pumping Pedals which is a great CD. You can purchase her CD on itunes. My wife loves it. Like my Facebook page for a Chance to Win a copy of People Pumping Pedals.

I also met Corbin Andrick for the first time and the Bonzo Squad. I purchased Corbins CD ACCIDENTLYONPURPOSE. Been in my cd player everyday this week. If you have a chance to see Corbin do it. Oh yeah can't forget the guitar player, Brandon Hunt, love his sound.  So tell a friend to tell a friend to tell a friend about these folk and look for them when you want to hear good music.  You can also see and hear more about these musicians and others on my Musicians Listing's website  www.cuhabo.org or Facebook page CUHABO AKA

A Great New Voice

Ms Alyssa Allgood

A great voice, that's what you hear when you hear Ms. Alyssa Allgood.

I've had the pleasure of being around new talent in this past year, 2013. One of the first young singers I met was Ms Alyssa Allgood.  What a voice!  Living in the west suburbs, I've been able to see and hear her sing.  Performing with Dan Chase, Andrew Vogt, and Maxx Popp, this 4-piece is always a nice listen.

Alyssa has the ability to pull you in with her strong, graceful voice. Oh yeah, the sister can sing.  Alyssa scats like Ella or Sarah. Now, I'm just an old musician who only listens now days.  I only write what I feel.   I know good . . . and this young woman is better than good!  Take a listen, hear what I hear when this young woman sings.  

Wednesday Feb 26 2014 at the Even Flow in Geneva IL.  It was a cold night. If you made it to the Even Flow it was not a waste of time. I met this group of young musicians a year ago for the first time.  I can tell you I had a good feeling about them.  They are all accomplished musicians.  

Humble Organisms

 This group of young talented musicians play their own arrangements of jazz.  They also play covers which they arrange and let me tell you.....ROCK!!!  

HANS LUCHS

• Hans Luchs on guitar is no less than fantastic.  His skill with his guitar is second to none.  He's a songwriter and loves music. When he plays his guitar, you see in his face and movements, this is why he's on this earth -- to entertain.

DAN CHASE

• Dan Chase on keys, a songwriter is so, so smooth.  The feel he plays with can be felt in the room.  He has skills, oh yeah. The organ was made for Dan and after what I heard Feb. 26,  you'll hear from him for a long, long time to come.

ANDREW VOGT

• Andrew Vogt on bass, songwriter.  This young man rocks.  Before it's all over he will be known as one of the best.  When he performs he performs!!!  His love and feel for the music will touch you, if watching him live or listening to their new CD.

MAXX POPP

• Last but not least, the straw that stirs the drink. Maxx Popp, drummer.  Folks, this young man is smooth.  In my 40 plus years in the music business,  I've seen many drummers. This man is BUTTER!!! (because he's so smooth!)  The voice of the band with leadership that can't be denied.  You have drummers that play loud and louder.  Maxx -- when he needs to step out, he does.  What he does best is respect his fellow musicians.

Humble Organisms a great jazz group with nothing but upside.