Mohegan Sun All Stars

[stratovani]

Last night my wife, daughter, and myself went to the Ecotarium in Worcester, MA, to see the Mohegan Sun All Stars, as part of their Jazz at Sunset series they have on Friday nights during the summer. My daughter works at the Ecotarium so she was able to get free tickets. They are basically a cover band who play Memphis-style R&B - Booker T, Blues Brothers, Rascals, that kind of music. They were absolutely rocking the house down! I especially paid attention to their bass player, a gentleman named Wolf Ginandes. Outstanding player, slamming tone, pocket playing at its finest! He played a Fender Precision into a Mesa Boogie head/cab, no effects. I couldn't help but to notice the back of the neck on his P, brown/black from years and years of playing. After the show they had a little meet and greet, so I got a chance to say hello. I didn't have much time to talk to him, and a bunch of people wanted to talk to him as well, but I told him about TB, that it's a community of bass players from all over the world and that we'd be honored to have him as a member. He told me he's check it out, schedule permitting. So if he happens to be reading this - Wolf, you played great, and we really enjoyed the concert!

[Mojo-Man]

I'm a friend of Wolf.
He is one bad ass groove monster.
Also, he is one of the best repair tecs, around.
He works out of Berkley College of music in Boston.
His work is as good as there is in the USA.
A players player, and a real pro.

[JimmyM]

i've met david foster a few times because his backline company always provides backline for us when we play there. nice guy, and though i haven't got to see them yet, i have heard a bunch of their studio stuff and it smokes. never met this wolf guy but he sounds killer if that's him playing on the albums.

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by stratovani

Last night my wife, daughter, and myself went to the Ecotarium in Worcester, MA, ... as part of their Jazz at Sunset series ... basically a cover band who play Memphis-style R&B - Booker T, Blues Brothers, Rascals, that kind of music.

I'm sure they're fine musicians, I'm just wondering why they named the series what they did....

[dougjwray]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I'm sure they're fine musicians, I'm just wondering why they named the series what they did....

Especially since Wolf isn't using a Fender Jazz Bass.

[DaZombieWoof]

Mike Finnegan often is a vocalist and B3 player for them. Scary good player.

[corinpills]

Having been involved in promoting several jazz festivals as well as all the scheduling at a big local jazz club, I can tell you that when you actually put jazz players on the gig, about 6 people show up (all musicians who expect to be on the guest list). If you have the band start off with a few standards and then play some recognizable dance music, you start to be able to pay the door guy. I no longer promote or book jazz festivals.

[Ed Fuqua]

The point is, Corin, why even CALL it a "Jazz" anything?

[corinpills]

Oh, that's easy. Older caucasians like the idea of going to a jazz event because they like to talk over the music. It's a positioning thing, has connotations of sophistication. For a couple of years, my company did all the music at a nice local jazz club that was also a restaurant catering to a slightly upscale crowd. Nobody wants to have dinner at a place advertising "R&B that's probably a little too loud for you to talk over", so you call it jazz and , as I said, start off with some standards. However, if you want to make any money at the bar, 2nd set better get some toes tapping or they are outta there. One white wine spritzer isn't going to result in any tips for the waitresses.

[RickC]

Originally Posted by corinpills

Oh, that's easy. Older caucasians like the idea of going to a jazz event because they like to talk over the music. It's a positioning thing, has connotations of sophistication. For a couple of years, my company did all the music at a nice local jazz club that was also a restaurant catering to a slightly upscale crowd. Nobody wants to have dinner at a place advertising "R&B that's probably a little too loud for you to talk over", so you call it jazz and , as I said, start off with some standards. However, if you want to make any money at the bar, 2nd set better get some toes tapping or they are outta there. One white wine spritzer isn't going to result in any tips for the waitresses.

Hilarious, and true!

[Ed Fuqua]

and that's just one more reason I live where I do.

[stratovani]

The Jazz at Sunset series at the Ecotarium does have jazz musicians and bands in their lineup. It's an eight-week series with shows every Friday night. I can't say why they booked an R&B group for last Friday's slot, but the audience sure were glad they did!

As a quick aside, about a half-hour or so in a little 2 or 3-year-old girl, as cute as can be, went up to the area in front of the stage and started dancing. You musicians know this, no matter who you are or how good you are you just can't compete with a little kid! She got a standing O! Next thing you know everybody is up dancing, and David Foster grabs her and puts her on his shoulders! She's got a big smile and is having the time of her short life! Hope she remembers some of it in the years to come!

[stratovani]

Oh, and one more thing. One of the sponsors of the Jazz at Sunset series is our local Public Radio station, WICN 90.5FM. They're an excellent folk and jazz station, with the main emphasis on jazz. While at the show I got to talk to one of their DJs, a gentleman named Joe Zupan. A really nice guy, we talked for a few minutes about music until my wife dragged me away. I did put in a plug for TB, I'm trying to do that as much as I can nowadays.

http://www.wicn.org/

[jerry]

Originally Posted by DaZombieWoof

Mike Finnegan often is a vocalist and B3 player for them. Scary good player.

+1, one of true journeyman B-3 players.

[doktorfeelgood]

Originally Posted by jerry

+1, one of true journeyman B-3 players.

He played on the Jimi Hendrix album "Electric Ladyland".
The man has been around and it's good to see he's still kickin' it. )-(

[Ed Fuqua]

JAZZ CLUB n. - an establishment where people pay too much money, little of which goes to the musicians, to talk over the jazz being played.

JAZZ FESTIVAL n. - an event, usually outdoors, where people pay too much money not to listen to music that's not jazz to begin with.

Ronan Guilfoyle's got some interesting things to say about it, check out his blog.

Specifically, here.

[jerry]

I've been to a few jazz-fests where people in the high priced "golden circle" seats near the stage actually turned their seats around so they could talk and not really listen to the bands, and of course were appalled when me and the wife lit up a joint.

[stratovani]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

JAZZ CLUB n. - an establishment where people pay too much money, little of which goes to the musicians, to talk over the jazz being played.

JAZZ FESTIVAL n. - an event, usually outdoors, where people pay too much money not to listen to music that's not jazz to begin with.

Ronan Guilfoyle's got some interesting things to say about it, check out his blog.

Specifically, here.

That's an excellent piece Ronan Guilfoyle wrote in his blog. Thanks for sharing that with us, Ed.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by stratovani

I especially paid attention to their bass player, a gentleman named Wolf Ginandes.

Hey, I know Wolf Ginandes! He has (had?) a guitar repair shop on Mass Ave in Boston.

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by stratovani

That's an excellent piece Ronan Guilfoyle wrote in his blog. Thanks for sharing that with us, Ed.

He's got some pretty interesting things to say about the interwebs, too...