Detroit... Mike Stern with Tommy Kennedy

KJung · #1 08-20-2009, 07:24 AM

Hey guys,

Mike Stern is coming to the Jazz Cafe (a great, small venue off the lobby of the Music Hall in downtown Detroit) with my old buddy Tommy Kennedy on bass.

They are doing 4 shows, two a night (8 and 10) on Friday, September 18th and Saturday, the 19th.

I'm on the road gigging that Saturday, but will be at the shows on Friday. Tommy is looking forward to being here, and if some of you haven't heard him, it's really something (he's just become a Markbass endorser, so there will be plenty of yellow also

).

Hope to see some of you there, and I'm sure Tommy will hang between sets.

Just FYI for the Detroit area gang.

**Pacman** · #2 08-20-2009, 12:28 PM

To call Tommy Kennedy "really something" is like calling the Pacific Ocean "sorta big".

Wish I could go!

Kirk Bryant · #3 08-20-2009, 05:35 PM

I just went to you tube and watched the Vid of Tom playing with Dave Weckle doing the Chicken

I see no sense of ever playing again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLMyYToYwuQ&feature=fvw

I was going to practice but now *** where's the
anti depressants...

peace Capt Kirk

PS hey Kjung do you play like him ?!?!?!

KJung · #4 08-21-2009, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk Bryant

I just went to you tube and watched the Vid of Tom playing with Dave Weckle doing the Chicken

I see no sense of ever playing again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLMyYToYwuQ&feature=fvw

I was going to practice but now *** where's the
anti depressants...

peace Capt Kirk

PS hey Kjung do you play like him ?!?!?!

Hah! I'm not even in the same universe as Tommy (very few are). Funny thing though, I've subbed for Tommy and Tommy has subbed for me many times back in the day. He's a very 'down to earth' cat, and until very recently, was doing pickup gigs, weddings, etc., just like everybody else in between his more high profile gigs.

It was always a bit of a funny feeling to be on a gig with a band that Tommy had played the night before. Kind of makes you a bit more humble than usual.

And... most consider Tommy's main instrument the DB

His DB chops will really spin your head around. And, by the way, his brother is just as good as Tommy, but on piano!

Steve Clark · #5 08-21-2009, 07:33 AM

Thanks for the info Ken. Might have to make a trip to Detroit. Would I be able to bring in my 15 year old son? Would be cool for my young metal head to hear and see Stern close up

KJung · #6 08-21-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

Thanks for the info Ken. Might have to make a trip to Detroit. Would I be able to bring in my 15 year old son? Would be cool for my young metal head to hear and see Stern close up

I've seen some kids in the club before, so I'm pretty sure it is 'all ages'.

MCBass85 · #7 08-21-2009, 01:26 PM

I'll be there!

KJung · #8 08-25-2009, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCBass85

I'll be there!

Cool!

**Freddels** · #9 08-25-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

(he's just become a Markbass endorser, so there will be plenty of yellow also

).

Checking out his stuff on Youtube and I notice a big difference in tone with the markbass stuff. I think the amp he was using before sounded much better (was it Epifani?). From the vids on youtube, I don't like his tone with the MB amps.

KJung · #10 08-25-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

Checking out his stuff on Youtube and I notice a big difference in tone with the markbass stuff. I think the amp he was using before sounded much better (was it Epifani?). From the vids on youtube, I don't like his tone with the MB amps.

He was using that awful Ampeg Portabass stuff before. Of course, the type of gigs Tommy plays typically has front of house, so you would just be hearing the direct feed anyway.

That being said, youtube clips are not the best way to evaluate tone. I think that clip of him playing a solo through the MB rig was made with a camera phone, and I agree it sounds terrible.

caligula · #11 08-29-2009, 04:17 PM

Unfortunately Detroit is not really in my area....but I'm sure it's worth every penny. Tom Kennedy is just w-o-w!!!
I haven't heard a bassplayer so impressive since I discovered my man Gary Willis many years ago.
Whoever is going to see Mike Stern & Tom Kennedy is going to have a great time.
Someone take a few pics if possible and post them here.

RicPlaya · #12 09-01-2009, 07:00 PM

I've seen that clip many times, that guy is a MONSTER! I'll try to make it for that!

P. Aaron · #13 09-01-2009, 08:35 PM

That weekend is Yom Kippur I think. My band may end up getting a gig switched around that weekend but I will try to make it.

It's in my Palm Pilot.

KJung · #14 09-02-2009, 06:09 AM

Strange deal on that concert. The Music Hall box office is closed until September 14th, and the concert isn't listed for purchase on Ticketmaster either.

I'm sure it is happening (I talked to Tommy the other day), but that's some bad business practice on the Jazz Cafe/Music Hall's part.

I'll again be at the Friday, 8 o'clock show (and probably the 10 o'clock) if I can figure out how to buy a ticket

Here's the band:

Bob Franceschini, Tom Kennedy, Lionel Cordew

flyman · #15 09-02-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

And... most consider Tommy's main instrument the DB

His DB chops will really spin your head around. And, by the way, his brother is just as good as Tommy, but on piano!

Ken,

I'm sure there are better examples, but I see what you mean:

http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2009/06...oon-solo-bass/

Regards,
flyman

KJung · #16 09-02-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyman

Ken,

I'm sure there are better examples, but I see what you mean:

http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2009/06...oon-solo-bass/

Regards,
flyman

+1 Not the best example, but still very cool. I wish there was a better selection of Tommy's DB playing on the web. Hearing him swing up tempo in a trio with no drummer is really something... metronomic time and a 'push' to the swing, even at stupid up tempo's, that is just mind blowing.

chop_1992 · #17 09-02-2009, 12:25 PM

I just saw Tom Kennedy today with Weckl and Mike Stern rehearsing with the WDR Big Band (my regular gig). Tom was nailing things as usual—incredible player, and as Kjung says, a very down-to-earth guy.

KJung · #18 09-02-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chop_1992

I just saw Tom Kennedy today with Weckl and Mike Stern rehearsing with the WDR Big Band (my regular gig). Tom was nailing things as usual—incredible player, and as Kjung says, a very down-to-earth guy.

Very cool. I LOVE the tone of your DB (and of course the playing) that plays when you click on your website. Beautiful!

chop_1992 · #19 09-02-2009, 01:00 PM

Thanks for checking it out!

KJung · #20 09-18-2009, 11:50 AM

I'll be sitting at the bar by around 7:30 tonight for the 8 o'clock show. I have VERY short hair and glasses, and am 52, so pretty easy to spot (I'll the least 'hip/jazz' looking guy in the place

). So, you can't miss me! Hope to see at least somebody down there.