Philly Big Band Featuring Matt Gallagher at Chris' Jazz Cafe

Hi Friends!

I hope everyone's week is going well so far, despite this crazy weather!

Although today is supposed to be messy out there, tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and above 30 degrees!  That said, assuming the roads are clear, you should have no excuse to miss tomorrow night's performance by the Philly Big Band featuring Matt Gallagher at Chris' Jazz Cafe! And if you live in the city, so long as public transit is running, you really have no excuse! :)

If you haven't heard the Philly Big Band before, you are in for a special treat.  I saw the band perform at Chris' in September of this year for the first time, and I was almost literally blown away by the sound!  They were incredible.  Even Mayor Nutter himself showed up to enjoy the show!!  The band features Matt Gallagher (if you didn't get that from earlier :) who is an absolutely remarkable trumpet player.  Matt also performs in the locally-popular, as well as awesome, club and wedding band, Chico's Vibe.  In all the times I have heard Matt play, I don't think I have ever once heard him crack on a high note.  And he can hit some high notes!  (See below video clip for proof!!)

Matt performing with Chico's Vibe

In addition to Matt being phenomenal on trumpet, the band is comprised of a number of other seriously talented Philadelphia musicians, like Victor North on sax.  If you're into the Philly jazz scene at all, you have likely caught one of his Tuesday night jazz jam sessions at Chris' (more on that in a future post). There are a few videos available on YouTube of the whole big band performing previously at Chris'.

The band will play two sets tomorrow night at Chris', from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm, and there is a $10 cover, which I believe can be paid at the door or simply added to your bill.  In case you haven't been there before, Chris' does have some yummy food and of course beverages to enjoy throughout the show.

For more details about the show, and to RSVP (this is an open event), visit the event's page on Facebook.  I hope to see lots of familiar faces tomorrow night!

Stay warm and be safe!
Tina

Pepper's Ghost is BACK!

Hi Friends and Happy New Year!

I hope everyone is enjoying 2011 so far. I personally knew it was going to be a good year when I heard Pepper's Ghost was "coming out of hiatus" to play together again... this weekend!

I have been a fan of Pepper's Ghost ("PG") for many years.  Not only did most of the members graduate from my alma mater, good old Springfield High School, and I love supporting local music, but they also are one of the most talented bands I have heard play rock music, local or otherwise.  PG sites influences such as The Beatles, Queen, David Bowie, and the Bee Gees, but they do have a distinctly original sound, and their music has continued to evolve over the years.

PG is playing two shows at The Grape Room this Saturday, January 22, first at 7:30 (doors at 7 pm) and then a second show at 10:30 (doors at 10 pm).  The 7 pm show will feature special guest, Smyth, an indie rock band also based in Philly.  PG puts on an incredible, high-energy live show, so I highly recommend you check it out if you are available on Saturday!

You can purchase tickets in advance for $8 on TicketWeb or $10 at the door.  Tickets purchased for the 10 pm show are good only for that show, not the 7 pm show, and vice versa.  I have heard the venue is small, and that advanced tickets are recommended.

For those of you who don't know anything about the band, I encourage to take a few minutes and read the bio on the band's Reverbnation profile.  You can (and should) also check them out and "Like" them on Facebook.  I have also included a video, below, so you can get a taste of the band performing live.

Pepper's Ghost performing "Everything and Anything" at The Trocadero Theater in July 2006

Here's a little more info about the venue:
The Grape Room
105 Grape Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127
215-930-0321
graperoom@gmail.com
21 years and over

I will be there and hope to see you there too!

Cheers!
Tina

What are you doing New Years, New Years Eve EVE?

Hi Friends!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and very happy holidays.  Of course, the holidays are not over yet!  There has already been some buzz about this event, but in case you haven't heard, Jump City Jazz Orchestra is going to be bringing down the house at Chris's Jazz Cafe this Thursday night, December 30th, for "Christmas at Chris's with the Jump City Jazz Orchestra"!

Come celebrate the holiday season with JCJO for their 4th annual holiday concert at Chris's, as they present an evening of "swinging holiday tunes!"  The band will feature vocalist Keith Spencer (I hear he does a mean "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch") and also this will be the public debut of JCJO's new female vocalist, Jessica Edwards!  

Last week's Philly Metro did a nice story on the upcoming event, "Swinging into the Holidays" that features a nice interview with JCJO's artistic director, Bob Wagner.  Check it out!!

I personally am very much looking forward to this show that is sure to be a fun one, filled with lots of our favorite big band holiday classics.  So come one, come all!  And if you'd like to sit with some cool cats, let me know soon as I will be reserving a table! 

More details below:

  

Christmas at Chris's with Jump City Jazz Orchestra!

Thursday, December 30th
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
$15 cover (can be added to your bill)

Chris’ Jazz Cafe 

1421 Sansom St.
215-568-3131

Hope to see you there on New Years Eve EVE!!  

~Tina

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!"

Hi Friends!

I wanted to write a short and sweet entry today to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season and that you have been listening to some fabulous Christmas tunes to get you in the holiday spirit -- I know I have :)

It really has been a great year, and I would like to take this opportunity to say a sincere "thank you" to all of my friends and family for making it so great.  I met a lot of great people, spent lots of quality time with good friends and family, played lots of music, ran a marathon, laughed a LOT, and cried a little too.  It was a bit of a roller coaster ride at times, but I like to think that if you didn't have tough times you might not appreciate the good times as much.  This past month of December was especially great -- full of many memorable nights performing with the POPS, enjoying some jazz jam sessions, dancing to the oldies, baking lots of cookies, sharing good meals with great friends, and just trying to spend as much time possible with the people I care about most.  I have posted some new pics to the "Photos" page of the blog, capturing some of the moments, so feel free to check 'em out!

Again, thank you all so much for your continued friendship, love, and support.  I couldn't imagine my life without any of you.  I am truly blessed.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!  May yours be filled with lots of beautiful music!

Cheers!

Tina

Holiday POPS Performances--NOW Through December 22nd!

Hi Friends!

So, this post is coming just a litttttle late, seeing as how the first Holiday POPS show is, well actually was, um, TODAY.   And you likely missed it.  Sorry about that.  Anyway, it was AWESOME!  So, you should plan on coming to one of the remaining NINE performances.  That's right, there are nine more!  The remaining show dates and times are as follows:

Sun. December 5, 2010 at 3:00pm

Fri. December 10, 2010 at 8:00pm

Sat. December 11, 2010 at 3:00pm

Sun. December 12, 2010 at 8:00pm

Wed. December 15, 2010 at 8:00pm

Sat. December 18, 2010 at 3:00pm

Sun. December 19, 2010 at 8:00pm

Tues. December 21, 2010 at 8:00pm

Wed. December 22, 2010 at 8:00pm

The shows are exactly two and a half hours long, and feature not only the "best orchestra of its kind in the entire cosmos"--the Philly POPS!--but also, the POPS Festival Chorus (that's ME and approximately 120-something other fantastic vocalists!), the Philadelphia Boys Choir, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir, organist Peter R. Conte, and special guest--Broadway star, Rachel York!

This is a fabulous holiday tradition and truly a fun show for the whole family.  If you are interested in tickets, please visit the website, or contact me directly ASAP!

Cheers!

Tina

Box Five Philly Record Release Party - THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!!

Hi Friends,

This is going to be an active week for "blogging," as a lot of exciting things are coming up.

First, I want to let you all know about an event happening this Friday night at Tritone:  Box Five's Philly Record Release Party!

If you aren't already familiar, BOX FIVE is the "brainchild" of Mary Bichner, who describes herself as a "quirky composer and performer."  The following has been said about Mary and Box Five:

"Combining Mozart-inspired chord progressions and bratty Brit-rock hooks into a musical succotash she likes to call classipop, the eccentric yet loveable redhead hopes to breathe new life into the calcified world of 'radio-friendly' contemporary music through her memorable melodies and solid songwriting."

Originally from Philadelphia, Mary currently resides in Boston, but does return for the occasional Box Five show (like this one!!) Box Five is primarily a rock band, featuring Mary of course on keyboard and vocals; however, Mary frequently asks string and woodwind quartets to perform with the band.  That's where I come in, playing clarinet as part of the woodwind quartet for the shows in Philly!  (And sometimes randomly in other places like Brooklyn, NY! ;)

Performing with Box Five at L'etage, July 2009

Anyway, the band is definitely worth checking out, so if you happen to be free this Friday night, please do come out to support the release of Box Five's new album, "Leave the Earth Behind." Goli, another awesome band, will also be performing, along with a band called This Way to the Egress, who I haven't yet seen perform.  The Tritone is located at 1508 South Street, only moments away from where I myself reside, so if anyone is interested in meeting up before or after, get in touch with me!

The doors open at 8:30, there is a $6 cover at the door, and you must be at least 21 years old to attend.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.  I look forward to seeing lots of familiar faces out at the show!

Musically yours,
Tina

Run a Marathon... Check!

Hi Friends!

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend!  I know this is a little delayed, but I wanted to take a minute to post a quick entry as a follow-up to my last post about last Sunday's Philadelphia Marathon.

So... I did it!  :)  I successfully completed the race, and ran for all 26.2 miles, only slowing to a trot at each water station.  I was fortunate the start off the race with many of my friends from the South Philly Striders and Fishtown Beer Runners, and to run almost the entire first half with one of the gals from the Striders, Ms. Kristin Harkins, who pushed my pace and was an awesome motivator (thanks, Kristin!!).

Extra special thanks have to go out to Ms. Darcy Borden and Ms. Dawn Mitchell for meeting up with my at Lloyd Hall (just after the half-way point), and running most of the rest of the way with me.  This was obviously the tougher half of the race to get through, and from miles 20-24 or so, trust me when I tell you I was miserable, haha.  I was not wanting to hear the positivity, nor did I feel like responding to anyone who was talking to me at that point, but I am proud to report I did not smack anyone.  :)

Mile 25 was when I came alive again and decided to turn up the heat!  The 4:15 pace person was now again within sight, and I realized at that moment that if I pushed myself I could still pass her, and finish the race in under four hours and 15 minutes.  My initial goal was, aside from just finishing, to finish in 4:30, so I was already on track to beat that goal.... but if I could finish in under 4:15... wow!  So I managed to use whatever energy I had left to actually race the last half-mile or so, blowing past the 4:15 pace person, with the cheers from the crowd carrying me.

Those who say finishing your first marathon is an emotional experience are right.  Not that it takes much for me... haha.  For me, it was the moment that I passed the 4:15 pace person, that I suddenly felt a rush of emotion.  I almost burst into tears (tears of joy, people), but then realized that my chest was tightening up and it was becoming hard to breath -- if I started crying I would likely have an asthma attack, so I managed to reign it in!  

Crossing the finish line was SO AWESOME.  Just the fact that I had just run a marathon, and then looking up at the clock and seeing 4:26:00, and knowing my chip time was much less than that... wow, what a feeling!!

Post-Race Photo with Darcy

I'd also like to thank Ms. Kathy O'Neill for being the "marathon taxi," picking up me and others bright and early to take us to the marathon, and also for creating and posting along Front Street some awesome signs!  Also, special Congratulations go out to Ms. Donna Searer for also completing her first marathon, despite fighting a knee injury!  So awesome!  Finally, thanks to Ms. Melissa Franklin for having Gatorade waiting for me at the finish line!!  

And everyone else who came out and cheered and supported me throughout this journey -- THANK YOU!!!   

Cheers!
Tina

P.S. If you'd like to see more photos from the day, click here.