By Mike Allen

Sunday 1/4/09

I have been spending Sunday evenings at Lovin’ Cup lately, as they put on a Jazz Night. This week, however, the Cup hosted a benefit for breast cancer. I got there at 7, only to learn that “Old School”, had just finished, and that the main attraction (a breast cancer survivor) sang songs of sadness, love, and hope, which she told us she had written while warding off the big C. Here is a case where music therapy marriaged with conventional, conserved a messenger with songs of life.

By Mike Allen

Session 5: January 7, 2009

Troup Street:

Dave Arenius (b), Nick Weiser (p), Mike Plouffe (d), Nate Coffey (g)

Musical Guests:

Sam Miller (sax), EMore (vocal), Mike Hoeschele (fiddle), Liza (vocal)

Session Highlights:

By Mike Allen

Wednesday 12/31/08  NEW YEARS EVE

  The owners of Lovin’ Cup are musicians, and have played as various groups of yesteryears.  A debut of the most current version of this group called “Old School” provided the music which brought in the New Year at Lovin’ Cup’s first New Years Eve celebration.  

By Mike Allen

Saturday 12/20/08

The Jazz Dawgs filled the room at Starry Nites with their polished versions of jazz tunes. John’s piano playing was featured in Meditations, then the spotlight switched to the Guitarist, who played his arrangement of Sunflower, which flowed well in E flat.

This time when I went to the Little, Madeline Forster was there. Madeline’s singing was pristine as usual. This was the first time I heard the group with a Guitarist versus a Pianist, and as usual, the music was complementary to the vocals.

By Mike Allen

Friday 12/12/08

I haven’t heard Phil Freeman since six or seven years back, when he made a guest appearance during Jeff Tyzik’s RPO Christmas Pops Concert, so I headed over to Pare. If you haven’t caught Phil, be sure to make a point of it. You are sure to appreciate the smooth clarity he delivers. One thing that gives Phil an edge over some is this smooth clarity even in his lowest register.

Session 4: December 17, 2008

By Mike Allen

Troup Street:

Greg Wachala (g), Dave Arenius (b), Nick Weiser (p), Bill Black (d)

Musical Guests:

Karl Stabnau (baritone sax), Sabrina Johnson (vocal), Garry Johnson (g)

Session Highlights:

Troup Street warmed up with Stella. Greg led a funked up version of All Blues, then Nick kicked off Lucky Southern.

By Mike Allen

Please note that the following show was performed at Clarissa’s:

Session 3: December 10, 2008

Troup Street: Greg Wachala (g), Dave Arenius (b), Nick Weiser (p), Mike Plouffe (d)

Musical Guests: Darryl Parker (vocals), Nate Coffey (g) (b)

Session Highlights: Troup Street started out with Cool Struttin’, and followed with four other standards. They shredded every tune.

By Mike Allen

Please note that the following show was performed at Clarissa’s:

By Mike Allen

Please note that the following show was performed at Clarissa’s:

BLUES LEGEND BUDDY GUY IN CONCERT