| People I've Met: 2007 |
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On March 1, 2007 (they played on the exact same date in 2006), the Dharma All Stars
returned after three months away from D.J. Rider's (then the Funky Munky Lounge) in
Oceanside, New York. I am pictured with Jack Knight (bass), Bill Heller (keyboard), Don
Harris (trumpet/flugelhorn), John Favicchia (drums/percussion), and Chieli Minucci (guitar).
Not pictured is John Scarpulla (tenor sax).
returned after three months away from D.J. Rider's (then the Funky Munky Lounge) in
Oceanside, New York. I am pictured with Jack Knight (bass), Bill Heller (keyboard), Don
Harris (trumpet/flugelhorn), John Favicchia (drums/percussion), and Chieli Minucci (guitar).
Not pictured is John Scarpulla (tenor sax).
On April 28, 2007, my parents and I traveled to Milford, Connecticut, to attend Jay Rowe's 5th
annual Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert at the Parsons Complex Auditorium. It was
quite a night. Jay was on keyboards, Trever Somerville was on drums, Dave Livolsi was on
bass, and Steve Scales provided percussion. Ken Navarro, Chieli Minucci, and Rohn
(pronounced "Ron") Lawrence were on their respective guitars; Nelson Rangell was on alto
and tenor saxophone, flute, piccolo, and he whistled for one song; Marion Meadows was on
soprano sax; and Timmy Maia sang a few of the songs.
I am pictured above with Ken Navarro and below with Nelson Rangell. The picture with Nelson
makes up for the one in October when I was 50 pounds heavier.
annual Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert at the Parsons Complex Auditorium. It was
quite a night. Jay was on keyboards, Trever Somerville was on drums, Dave Livolsi was on
bass, and Steve Scales provided percussion. Ken Navarro, Chieli Minucci, and Rohn
(pronounced "Ron") Lawrence were on their respective guitars; Nelson Rangell was on alto
and tenor saxophone, flute, piccolo, and he whistled for one song; Marion Meadows was on
soprano sax; and Timmy Maia sang a few of the songs.
I am pictured above with Ken Navarro and below with Nelson Rangell. The picture with Nelson
makes up for the one in October when I was 50 pounds heavier.
On May 5, 2007, I returned to IMAC for the first time in five months. I saw Bob James and the
Angels of Shanghai, five very talented Chinese classical musicians playing traditional Chinese
instruments. "The Devils"--as Bob called them during the concert--were Jack Lee (from Korea)
on guitar, Lewis Pragasam (from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on drums, and Al Turner (from
Philadelphia; he traveled the least) on bass. Al has been part of Bob's regular live band in the
past, including May 2006 when they were also at IMAC. That time, Bob and the band did not
come out to meet with the fans. This year, they did. I am pictured above with Bob James.
The concert was wonderful. Thank you to everyone, including Marion Orr, Bob's long-time
Production Coordinator and General Manager at Tappan Zee Records. She took this picture
shortly after the meet and greet ended.
Angels of Shanghai, five very talented Chinese classical musicians playing traditional Chinese
instruments. "The Devils"--as Bob called them during the concert--were Jack Lee (from Korea)
on guitar, Lewis Pragasam (from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on drums, and Al Turner (from
Philadelphia; he traveled the least) on bass. Al has been part of Bob's regular live band in the
past, including May 2006 when they were also at IMAC. That time, Bob and the band did not
come out to meet with the fans. This year, they did. I am pictured above with Bob James.
The concert was wonderful. Thank you to everyone, including Marion Orr, Bob's long-time
Production Coordinator and General Manager at Tappan Zee Records. She took this picture
shortly after the meet and greet ended.
On June 15, 2007, I returned to the Boulton Center in Bay Shore, New York, to see Spyro Gyra.
I am pictured with Jay Beckenstein (above left), Scott Ambush (above right), Julio Fernandez
(below left), and Tom Schuman (below right). Not pictured was drummer Bonny B., who was a
great addition and very exciting. The band as a whole was also exciting and their performance
was exceptional...as it always is. Thank you again, Jay, Tom, Julio, Scott, and Bonny.
I am pictured with Jay Beckenstein (above left), Scott Ambush (above right), Julio Fernandez
(below left), and Tom Schuman (below right). Not pictured was drummer Bonny B., who was a
great addition and very exciting. The band as a whole was also exciting and their performance
was exceptional...as it always is. Thank you again, Jay, Tom, Julio, Scott, and Bonny.
On August 4, 2007, I saw the Rippingtons for the third year in a row at IMAC. Once again, Russ
Freeman was on guitars, Kim Stone on bass, Bill Heller on the keyboard, Dave Karasony on
drums, and special guest Jeff Kashiwa on saxophone and EWI (electronic wind instrument).
I am pictured below with Bill and Jeff. As with Nelson Rangell earlier in this page, my pictures
with them make up for the ones where I was much heavier.
Freeman was on guitars, Kim Stone on bass, Bill Heller on the keyboard, Dave Karasony on
drums, and special guest Jeff Kashiwa on saxophone and EWI (electronic wind instrument).
I am pictured below with Bill and Jeff. As with Nelson Rangell earlier in this page, my pictures
with them make up for the ones where I was much heavier.
On November 30, 2007, also for the third year in a row, I saw a Peter White Christmas at IMAC.
And for the third year in a row, I was not disappointed. Besides Peter on guitars, Rick Braun on
trumpet and flugelhorn (and occasional percussion), and Mindi Abair on alto and soprano
saxophones, I will actually identify the rest of the band. Ron Reinhardt was on keyboards,
Rayford Griffin on drums, and Nate Phillips on bass. Mindi, Rick, and Peter handled most of the
vocals. Rayford was the lead for "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night," and he and Nate were
background vocals for "Happy Christmas."
I am pictured below with Mindi, then Peter, and Rick and Peter.
And for the third year in a row, I was not disappointed. Besides Peter on guitars, Rick Braun on
trumpet and flugelhorn (and occasional percussion), and Mindi Abair on alto and soprano
saxophones, I will actually identify the rest of the band. Ron Reinhardt was on keyboards,
Rayford Griffin on drums, and Nate Phillips on bass. Mindi, Rick, and Peter handled most of the
vocals. Rayford was the lead for "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night," and he and Nate were
background vocals for "Happy Christmas."
I am pictured below with Mindi, then Peter, and Rick and Peter.
This concludes the "People I've Met" journey on this site. To see
whom I've met in 2008 and beyond, and anything else going on in
my life, check out my blog, which was created on April 15, 2008.
whom I've met in 2008 and beyond, and anything else going on in
my life, check out my blog, which was created on April 15, 2008.