Cheryl and I really needed this tonight, in the wake of the events of the past ten days.
OMG! What a show!MOSAIC, Clint Holmes, Wayne Brady, Tommy Alvarado, and Dave Hart all sittin' in on the same night. The band had -- as Cheryl so aptly put it -- rich energy all night. They fed and fed off all of our guests. It was the best night I think I've seen during the two years I've been following Santa Fe.
The first show just blew the place apart. MOSAIC lit the fuse, after a few opening tunes by the band. These cats are in a class by themselves. They are difficult to shoot low speed / hand held / available light, too, 'cuz they are so kinetic. Wayne Brady then came on and tore things up first with Sam Cooke's venerable "A Change is Gonna Come."
Above two shots: during the second set we had MOSAIC plus Santa Fe vocals lightin' things up even more. It was all just too cool.
Ok, uh. it's 3:45 a.m., and now I'm gettin this repetitive blogger.com image upload error message:
Unable to upload image
We are aware of this problem and currently working on a fix.
Well, I guess I'll have to resume tomorrow. I've tried about 6 times now, with the same bug message. _____
TUESDAY, CONTINUING...
I dig Dave Hart. Good to see him last night, he's been busy and not been around lately.
Above, this was serendipitously cool, the Brothers Johnson & Johnson. Below, a few more of my "low-hanging fruit" shots.
THANK YOU, John, Troy, Sean, Josh, Corwyn, and Heath!! You cats are sick!!! Thank you Clint, thank you Dave, thank you Tommy, and thank you Wayne. Y'all are the best, all of you. Below, Wayne Brady (what a nice cat!) and Lorraine, and below that my honey and her baby sister Michelle.
More to come, Blogger.com is still actin' up all buggy and shit w/respect to photo uploads. But for now for y'all's viewing pleasure here's a Michael Brecker tribute YouTube clip my bro' Kurt Kolstad just sent me.
Our beautiful and talented Sistah Elisa Furr will be at NY/NY this week starting tonight with the all-femme rock group "Bandshe" in the Big Apple Lounge.
Tue, Wed, Sat, 9 pm - 2 am
Thu, Fri, Sun, 4 pm - 9 pm.
Check her out. Chick can really sing.
THURSDAY, MORE UPDATES
I love the fact that Ronnie is gettin' so much mileage outa that shot I did for him when he was over at The Artisan.
My friends, Monday night will be incredible! Guest artists MOSAIC! the incredible vocal band will join us! They are going to blow you away if you have never heard them before, and if you have heard them you know what you're in for! Also, MICHAEL GRIMM will be with us -- one of the best singers/songwriters I have ever heard in my life, and a Santa Fe alumnus! AND, -- (drum roll) -- WAYNE BRADY! Wayne is going to come in and sing 2 songs with the band, and he is bringing his band and singers from his show at the Venetian! Don't miss it!!!! - Jerry Lopez and the boys
UPDATE from BobbyG:
I'm hearin' that our homie Abe LaMarca, who filled in so awesomely for Jamie with Santa Fe at The Palms recently, just lost his Mom. Bro', I know I speak for the whole tribe in extending our individual and collective sorrow for your loss.
UPDATE II
Michael Grimm's uncle just died, so Michael is heading back east and will not be at the gig tonight. Michael, little Brother, we all extend our condolences to you and your family.
Dang! It's been a crappy 10 days. UPDATE III Damn, it gets worse. I just learned that while I was gone the retired Director of my UNLV graduate program, Dr. Craig Walton, died last Monday. Dr. Walton went on to found and head the Nevada Center for Public Ethics. Craig served on my Thesis Committee at the now-defunct UNLV Institute for Ethics & Policy Studies, and was a great friend and mentor. From the R-J article on his passing:
Craig Walton remembered as crusader
Retired ethics professor died at 72 By SEAN WHALEY REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU
Retired Las Vegas ethics professor Craig Walton was remembered Wednesday as a tireless crusader for good government, a popular educator and caring family man.
Walton, who taught at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for 33 years, died Monday from complications from surgery. He was 72.
He initiated the Ethics and Policies Studies Program at UNLV, and upon retiring from teaching, continued his work in ethics by founding the Nevada Center for Public Ethics. Walton and his colleagues sought to improve Nevada's ethics laws and worked at the Nevada Legislature.
"Nevada is losing a great friend," said William Frankell, a member of the board of the Nevada Center for Public Ethics. "I'm going to miss his friendship. He cared about the issues. With all the scandals involving elected officials, the issues he has been working on for years were finally getting attention from the powers that be."
The center will continue its work and seek to carry out his legacy, Frankell said.
Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, a colleague and friend of Walton, said his death is a great loss. Walton worked on Titus' campaign for governor, walking neighborhoods on her behalf.
"He has been the conscience of the state," Titus said. "He did it with no axe to grind and no personal agenda. That's what makes it so remarkable and outstanding.
"He not only studied ethics, he lived an ethical life," she said...
My Brother-in-Law Tony (April's dad, above with his future wife, my Sister Carole, back during 'nam), probably the nicest, most dedicated, and most affable person I ever met, was planning on retiring in December, after 31 years as the adult remedial education teacher for the maximum security state prison in Marquette, Michigan. We were busy planning goofy retirement parties for him, one of which was gonna be here in Vegas.
He died this morning. Probably a heart attack, or something related.
I am numb, crushed.
Needless to say, I will not be at the gig Monday night.
MONDAY UPDATE FROM MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN
April and I flew out to Milwaukee on the first plane we could book on Saturday, then drove up to Marquette, getting in about 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
My Brother-in-Law's obituary:
MARQUETTE - Tony Poggi, Jr., 59, of Marquette, died unexpectedly Saturday October 6, 2007, at Marquette General Hospital.
Tony was born February 24, 1948 in Hoboken, New Jersey, a son of Anthony and Marie (Grumbach) Poggi. He was raised in the Bridgewater and Hoboken, New Jersey areas and was a 1967 graduate of Bridgewater-Raritan West High School. After graduation from high school, Tony enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during the Vietnam War, and was stationed in the Mekong Delta area. Following his discharge from the U.S. Army, Tony married the former Carole Gladd in 1971 and the couple moved to Marquette where they set about establishing their home. Tony enrolled at Northern Michigan University, receiving his bachelor's degree in Biology Education and later receiving master's degrees in both Learning Disabilities and in Reading Specialties. Tony worked for thirty-one years with the State of Michigan as a teacher for the Marquette Branch Prison. In his spare time Tony enjoyed gardening, cooking, walking, biking, and loved sitting on his porch looking at Lake Superior. Tony's family was the center of his life, he truly cherished the time spent with his wonderful children and loving wife.
He is survived by his loving wife, Carole Poggi of Marquette; two daughters, April and Sarah Poggi both of Marquette; three sons, Dave Poggi of Minneapolis, MN, Mark (Meredith) Poggi of Atlanta, GA and Nathan Poggi of Marquette; three sisters, Marie Poggi of Florida, Sandra (Wayne) Lewis of Shelby, MI and Lilyan Poggi of Wilmington, DE; one brother, Danny Poggi of Wilmington, DE; brother and sister-in-law, Robert Gladd and Cheryl Prince of Las Vegas, NV; four nieces, Robin (Andy) Sitko, Tracy (Robert) Bush, Shannon (Aaron) Berlin and Danielle Gladd; nephew, Nicholas Gladd, and his faithful canine companion, Chewey. Tony was preceded in death by his parents and his niece, Cheryl Gladd.
Friends may call at the Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 9, beginning at 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 6:00 pm with Msgr. Jed Patrick officiating. Burial will be made in Park Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the City of Marquette Bike Path Fund, 850 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855. The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family. Condolences may be expressed online at www.swanson-lundquist.com
There are no words to describe our sadness.
SUNDAY OCT 14TH UPDATE
Above, Tony with baby Sarah (I think; it mighta been Nathan, though). This would have been about 23 years ago (were it Sarah). Below, all of us last Thanksgiving, atop Sugarloaf Mountain overlooking Lake Superior. First time Cheryl and I had ever been to Marquette (we loved it). Left to right as you view the pic: BobbyG, David (1st Poggi child), Meredith (wife of Mark, Poggi son #2 just above to her left), Cheryl, April (#3), her sis Sarah (#4), my sis Carole, Nathan, Poggi #5, and Tony.
Got home late last night. Drove down from Marquette to Milwaukee, where I flew home via Atlanta. My head is still spinning from the surreality of it all. Below, a shot April had taken of her Dad for a photography class:
Cheryl and I will now have to do without our sweet April. She's gonna stay back home to be there for her Mom. We will miss her terribly. I don't know how I'd have accomplished moving Grandma to Vegas without April's loving, endlessly patient help. She's been a total joy to have here. All five of the Poggi kids are a blessing. If you ever need an exemplar of what a positive, constructive, and unshakable family should be like, you need look no further than the Poggis. Their mutual support and love, and stainless steel gracefulness through this past week has been humbling to behold. The recurrently wrenching tears were attenuated by repeated and sustained howls of loving laughter. I was sad to leave.
It seemed as though the entire town turned out for the funeral. The place was jammed shoulder-to-shoulder for hours, making it difficult to start the funeral service on time.
Couple of stories about Tony, to give you an idea of what a magnificent cat he was. First, after he got his Master's degree in Special Ed (he got two), he informed his class at the prison -- baddest perps in the state, 3/4 of them black -- that they would henceforth have to address him as "Massah Poggi." OMG! Yikes!
Amazing. Only Tony could get away with that. His students loved him. And, he always simply called them his "students," never "inmates" or "prisoners" or "cons." In fact, he uniformly insisted on not reading their jackets, he didn't want to know about their crimes, why they were incarcerated. To Tony, they were simply his students, and his job was to educate them.
Which leads to a second story, one recounted at the funeral by Tony's Sister Sandra. Tony had one student who was completely illiterate, an inmate who had suffered severe brain damage, and barely functioned intellectually. The other prisoners routinely harassed and mocked this cat. Tony first taught him the alphabet.
That took 18 months to accomplish. When the inmate could finally read his own name, he said "Mr. Poggi, this is the first time I've ever seen what my name looks like. It looks really nice."
This man is now fully literate, reads books, and can write.
Mr. Poggi did his job, without fail, for decades -- as a husband, father, friend, and teacher. Were that I could be half the man he was.
We have all suffered a great, great loss with Tony's passing.
The other day we took a walk around the neighborhood. April showed me the house they lived in when she was born 26 years ago (below, behind her).
Above and below: On Wednesday we had a relatively idle day between the Tuesday funeral and the Thursday burial, so a bunch of us went for a walk -- in 40'ish temperatures, gale force winds, and pelting rain. Below, the Marquette harbor seawall (after walking out several hundred yards, we thought the better of going out any further). Below the still photo is a YouTube upload of a short clip of the surf I shot in video mode from atop a big rock just down from the Marquette lighthouse.
Below, sunrise on Lake Michigan just south of Escanaba, as I drove back down U.S. 41 and State 35 to Milwaukee to return my rental car and fly home. Temperature was 33 degrees.
I have a indescribably heavy heart right now. I'll be glad to see y'all tomorrow night. Forgive me if I'm not hitting on all cylinders.
April loved it. A highlight for me (among many) last night at the Hot Club of Las Vegas gig (see prior post) was Gabriel playing the cajon. Wow, these Peruvian-originated percussion instruments are totally fine! And, in the hands of a master like Gabe, they sound like an entire trap set. Amazing.
Couldn't really shoot anything. No stage lighting, and no house lighting to speak of in the entertainment area (really dim area). Were it my place, I'd install a small riser for the performers' location, and throw up a few parcans. A bonus of doing so would be that passersby on Eastern would be able to see that there is entertainment.
We're talkin' an outlay of a few hundred bucks here, a riser and 3-4 500w pars.
I just want to see this be successful, for the house and for The Hot Club peeps. They're gonna be there every Thursday now if it works out. Let's help make it a success. Spread the word.
I reported on these fine peeps last November, click here.
You gotta check it out. For those of you not in the know, Hot Club leader Mundo is Jerry Lopez's brother-in-law, and is Principal Guitarist in the Mamma Mia show at Mandalay Bay. Hot Club guitarist Kasey Carmody is a stunning classical guitarist in his own right. Bassist Chris Davis is the Conductor for the College of Southern Nevada Orchestra. Vocalist Carol Linnea Johnson performs the role of Donna in Mamma Mia.
I know my Niece April is gonna insist we be there once I tell her about this, LOL. We'll be there.
ALSO ON THURSDAY, MOSAIC RETURNS FROM THE LATEST CRUISE SHIP GIG
Our homeboys MOSAIC are back at the Flamingo on the 4th.
BELOW: SAVE THE DATE (Oct 28th)
Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns will be featured. This annual event is in support of the First Tee of Southern Nevada non-profit youth golf organization. Click the images to enlarge.
[ Full disclosure: The Executive Director of First Tee is my daughter Danielle. -BG ]
WEDNESDAY UPDATES
I went and shot some pics at Michito'sSalsero gig last night, will be posting them shortly. Great band (Phil Wigfall is in the horn section, BTW).
NEW BASS CAT IN TOWN
Jozef Bobula. Just moved here from Texas. Yet another Bad Boy. Audio samples here and here (mp3). Nice stuff, 'eh?
Originally from Slovakia, Jozef moved to the States in 1999 where he studied Jazz in Dallas/Fort Worth area until May 2007. After completing master's degree in jazz performace at University of Texas in Arlington, TX Jozef is now living and performing in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jozef teaches bass and guitar, performs all over the U.S, and does a lot of recording with various artists...during past years Jozef played bass with DK Band, Kaleidoscope Trio, Saint Frinatra, CBT Project.....list goes on, and on... Song Samples on this site are from Jozef's solo CD "Letters from the Virtual Universe"......Jozef is currently recording his second album, which will be available in December 2007. Peace and Love, Jozef
I wish him well here. Master's in Jazz, cat gotta be a good reader. Anybody know of a spot for him, get in touch. His website is www.jozefbobula.com.
UPDATE: SALSERO PICS
Tuesday night the Fever showroom at South Point was about full. They held the finals of their salsa dance competition, and the couples competing were all fine. Afterward Michito and his excellent latin band came on (Phil Wigfall in the lineup, BTW, playing tenor). Really, really nice.
Security busted me while I was crawling around up above the stage in the wings by the lighting grid, LOL, so I quit snapping shots. Wasn't about to argue that that big hoss of a Fife.
The first show just blew the place apart. MOSAIC lit the fuse, after a few opening tunes by the band. These cats are in a class by themselves. They are difficult to shoot low speed / hand held / available light, too, 'cuz they are so kinetic. Wayne Brady then came on and tore things up first with Sam Cooke's venerable "A Change is Gonna Come."
Above two shots: during the second set we had MOSAIC plus Santa Fe vocals lightin' things up even more. It was all just too cool.
Above, this was serendipitously cool, the Brothers Johnson & Johnson. Below, a few more of my "low-hanging fruit" shots.
THANK YOU, John, Troy, Sean, Josh, Corwyn, and Heath!! You cats are sick!!! Thank you Clint, thank you Dave, thank you Tommy, and thank you Wayne. Y'all are the best, all of you.
More to come, Blogger.com is still actin' up all buggy and shit w/respect to photo uploads. But for now for y'all's viewing pleasure here's a Michael Brecker tribute YouTube clip my bro' Kurt Kolstad just sent me.
Our beautiful and talented Sistah Elisa Furr will be at NY/NY this week starting tonight with the all-femme rock group "Bandshe" in the Big Apple Lounge.
I love the fact that Ronnie is gettin' so much mileage outa that shot I did for him when he was over at The Artisan.
