On March 1, 2006, after seeing the Dharma All Stars' monthly performance at the
Funky Munky Lounge in Oceanside, New York, I had my picture taken with
keyboardist Bill Heller. Bill is also the keyboardist for the Rippingtons, and has
produced and performed on guitarist Steve Briody's two albums, including the latest,
"Keep On Talkin'."
On April 29, 2006, at IMAC, the Dharma All Stars and the Matt Marshak Band played
one after the other. However, they are tied together by the fact that most of them
know each other. In particular, saxophonist Mario Cruz has a band called Natural
Selection ("Original Music for an Evolved Species"). Bill Heller of Dharma All Stars is
in that band. I am pictured here with Mario Cruz.
On May 5, 2006, following a performance by Special EFX at IMAC, I got to meet
keyboardist Jay Rowe. Along with Special EFX, Jay has performed with Chieli
Minucci (Special EFX lead guitarist), Marion Meadows, Nelson Rangell, Ken Navarro,
and many more. He also has a handful of solo albums, the latest being "Red, Hot &
Smooth." I recorded an interview with Jay on August 7, 2006, and it aired August
16. On October 6, 2006, Jay returned to IMAC as part of Nelson Rangell's band.
The pictures of myself with Jay and Nelson, and just Nelson, are on this page.
On May 27, 2006, I played a very important role in WCWP 88.1 FM's live broadcast
from Bar Beach Park in Port Washington, New York. I provided the music for the
show, I co-hosted two of the four hours of the broadcast with DJ Eli W. Sen, and in
the third hour, I conducted an interview with North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon
Kaiman. Here we are following the interview. This picture was taken by one of the
Producers of the broadcast (I'm also among the Producers) Joe Manfredi, WCWP's
then Director of Operations.
On May 31, 2006, I went to Il Piatto in Oyster Bay, New York, to see Mario Cruz's
band Natural Selection ("Original Music for an Evolved Species"). In between sets,
Mario and his bandmates stood (and I crouched down) for a group picture. From
left to right, you have Bill Heller on the keyboard, Mario Cruz himself on the tenor
and soprano saxophones, Lee Finkelstein on drums, Jack Knight on bass, and
Steve Briody (BRY-dee) on guitar. Thanks for a great night of music, guys.
On July 14, 2006, as you can see above, I saw David Benoit for the fifth time, the
second time at IMAC. He had quite a group backing him up: Eric Marienthal on
saxophones, David Hughes on bass, and Dave Karasony of the Rippingtons on
drums. I unofficially dubbed it "Too Many Davids." My picture with Eric leads off
page five.
