Bain Beakley at Marina Jack's in Sarasota FL

Anywhere else, Sunday would be an off-night for live music. But here in Sarasota, Sunday evenings can be magical: At the open-air bar on the ground floor of Marina Jack's restaurant, along the Sarasota bayfront, you can take in the shimmering colors of a Gulf sunset and be treated to the resonant vocals and guitar of local singer-songwriter Bain Beakley.

 
There are plenty of impressive singers and lead guitarists in this town, but the ones that get my attention, that pull me toward them, combine unique vocal qualities with instrumental stylings that create a special world inside each song they play. The other key ingredient is a warm stage presence that picks up the energies in the room and makes audience members feel included and appreciated.

Bain Beakley does all of the above. He generously offers both his artistry and his personality as an entertainer to whatever "room" he plays. His song mix includes familiar covers and some originals. Word on the street is that he's working on a CD. 

But for now, you have to step out and listen to him live. Next Sunday, make a date with yourself and check out Bain at Marina Jack's. You're in for a treat.

Buddy Gibson's Echo River Project at JR's Old Packinghouse Cafe in Sarasota

Buddy Gibson's usual powerful versatility was bumped up a notch last Wednesday night at JR's Old Packinghouse Cafe in Sarasota where he performed as the Echo River Project with Zach Yoder (guitar and vocals) and Dave Townsend (drums). Virtuoso doesn't even come close to conveying the deep and soulful wall of sound that emanated from that tiny stage.

Memorable numbers included Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower", in a percussive, punchy version mellowed-up by Zach Yoder's Hendrix-flavored lead breaks.

On Marley's "So Much Trouble in the World", Gibson and Yoder duked it out with call-and-response guitar-neck wizardry. Here's a taste from a previous Gibson/Yoder gig:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X49pBwp3OE

Echo River Project tributes to Jimmy Buffet's "A Pirate Looks at Forty", Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl" and Crosby Stills & Nash's "Helplessly Hoping" gave listeners a sweet and moody break from the higher-octane numbers. Dire Strait's "Calling Elvis"pumped it up with a danceable beat that got this listener out of her seat to work off a delish OPC dinner.

Buddy Gibson's Echo River Project -- with a changing cast of characters -- can be heard every 4rd Wednesday night at the OPC. Well worth the night out.

Andres Colin at The Hub Baja Grill on Siesta Key in Sarasota

My previous post only touched on the vocal, stylistic and instrumental versatility of Andres Colin, who plays regularly for the tourist crowd enjoying dinner at The Hub Baja Grill on Siesta Key. Tonight's performance featured an astounding musical arrangement of Andrea Bocelli's "Partido", courtesy of Colin's complex looper capabilities and orchestral imagination. His vocals were truly operatic, dancing melodically through the emotional eddies of that beautiful composition. One could only be transported from earthly reality into another sphere, and wonder how this multilingual, multi-instrumental, and warmly engaging performer has landed in our midst.


Later in the evening, Colin demonstrated that, contrary to popular opinion, men can multi-task, too. On "Blanco Y Negro," an original composition from his eponymous CD, "Andres Colin: Universal Universe", he simultaneously sang densely packed Spanish lyrics while busily tapping his feet among various buttons and pedals to pull forward and drop out the various instrumental parts he'd entered into the looper at the beginning of the song. 




Lots of local solo performers use loopers these days -- a necessary device to create a sound larger than the restaurants want to pay for. But Colin's fluidity with programming, playing, singing, and audience-antics is prodigious.

You can find Andres Colin's CD online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/andrescolin2

Better yet, find him playing in person. No matter what your mood when you get there, he'll have you smiling, tapping, and enjoying yourself in the space of a few songs.

Live Music on Siesta Key, in Sarasota

The skies were threatening, but I needed a beach walk, so I headed over to Siesta Key. Walking through the Village on my way to Siesta Beach, I heard the unmistakeable, fast-moving guitar leads of Frankie Lombardi, who was serenading the outdoor tables at Blase Cafe. Deciding against the beach walk, since the wind was picking up and clouds moving in, I sat for awhile listening to Lombardi sing and riff. He extends and gives depth to familiar songs, adding stylistic licks that make them his own. Lucky Siesta Village would have a double-bill of Lombardi tonight, since he was slated to play drums with Kettle of Fish later in the evening at the Beach Club on Ocean Boulevard.

Walking back through the Village, I remembered that singer-songwriter Tommy D (Doerr) has a dinnertime Tuesday evening gig at Blu Que Island Grill on Avenida de Messina. So I stopped by there in time to enjoy a triple-bill of some of my fave original songs from his CDs, including "Funky Time", "Every Day is Friday", and "Bud Light Bob." Tommy D's smooth vocals and interesting guitar rhythms draw me in every time I see him play.

Seeing Lombardi and Doerr had more than made up for my missed beach walk, and I was happily headed towards my car, when I heard yet another familiar voice and guitar. It was Andres Colin, singing a beautiful, complex Spanish tune in his mellifluous, almost-operatic style. Truly, he has the sweetest voice, in whatever language he slides into, and draws from one of the most versatile songbooks around. Colin has a winning performance personality full of smiles and happiness that he transmits generously to the dinner crowd in front of him.

Would love to have listened longer, but the wind picked up, swirling sand and palm fronds, so I counted myself lucky for the treat of seeing three wonderful performers on one visit to Siesta Key, and headed home just as the raindrops fell.

John Howard at JR's Old Packinghouse Cafe in Sarasota

Prolific songwriter and Sarasota live music scene performer John Howard was joined by Johnny LaLa on lead guitar and vocals for a night of covers and featured songs from Howard's newly-released CD, "Sunlight", which they debuted last night at JR's Old Packinghouse Cafe in Sarasota.

The new CD contains several memorable and danceable numbers, such as "She's Gone" and "Bridges are Burning". "Julianne" and "If I Could Stay Asleep" are sweet, dreamy romantic reveries. "Sunlight (Cindy's Song)" brings Howard's memories of his late sister, Cynthia, into present-focus as he notices all the natural beauty of everyday life that he wishes he could still share with her.

At last night's show, Johnny LaLa's acoustic guitar leads were impressive for their smooth progress up and down the frets. Other players tend to create a more labored, staccato sound as they bend the strings to their purposes, admittedly always more challenging on an acoustic instrument. But LaLa's style was more fluid, enhancing the overall sound of  John Howard's arrangements, rather than punching out to the foreground.

You can find John Howard's new CD, "Sunlight", online at I-Tunes, Amazon, Spotify and other outlets:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sunlight/id920644078

Taylor Opie with Dan Dembicki Trio TONIGHT at Ziti

The nights are starting to get a little cooler, which is a reminder that high season will soon return to Sarasota. All the more reason to savor an evening out at Ziti restaurant at Southgate Plaza, to hear Taylor Opie sing with the Dan Dembicki Trio. Tonight, Tuesday, September 9, 2014, from 6 - 10PM.

This is a rare opportunity to see a young singer whose range of material and vocal inflection spans generations of musical genres. And you don't have to make your way through a noisy club scene to see her perform. Ziti is an upscale, relaxed fusion restaurant that brings nightlife (finally!) to a mall that's quiet at night. Translation: Lots of easy, free parking, an interesting menu, attentive service, and a musical program that will move you and make you rock and smile.



I don't want to say, "I told you so", when Taylor Opie advances beyond the confines of the Sarasota live music scene, and you find yourself scratching your head and wondering why you didn't go out to hear her tonight!

UPDATE: A special night of music got even richer when Taylor Opie was joined onstage by Dmitri Theodorides on lead guitar, and later by her sister, Sarasota actor and musical songstress Alana Opie on harmony vocals. A real cabaret event.

Taylor Opie with Dan Dembicki Band at Ziti in Sarasota

Making up somewhat for the surprise news of the sudden closing of Ocean Blues last week is the good news that Taylor Opie and the Dan Dembicki Trio will be playing every Tuesday night from 6 - 9PM at Ziti restaurant, in the food court (near Talbot's entrance on Siesta Drive) at the Southgate Mall, Tamiami Trail at Siesta Drive, in Sarasota.

Ziti, which replaced the previous popular Cosimo's restaurant, has received good reviews for its fusion Italian, American, Asian food and service. Great to see that owner Dustin Guimond recognizes how important excellent live music is to the Sarasota dining experience, even in a mall.
Here's a sample of Taylor Opie's moving vocals from tonight's gig. Backing her up were Dan Dembicki on keyboard and Michael Dempsey on bass.



In addition seeing her at Ziti on Tuesday nights, you can also catch Taylor Opie with the Collaboration Band at venues such as Cortez Clam Factory, and Swordfish Grill, in Bradenton; and Englewoods on Dearborn and Lock 'n Key in Englewood.

Brenda Kay Benefit Bash #2 - Friday, July 11, 2014, at The Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill in Sarasota

Clear your Friday afternoon and evening calendar for the second Brenda Kay Benefit Bash. This one will be held this Friday, July 11th (in 2 days!), 4PM - 10PM,  at The Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill, 1500 Stickney Pt Rd, Sarasota FL 34231.

The music promises to be outstanding once again. Here's a partial lineup of the amazing local talent donating their chops to help Brenda Kay through her medical challenges:

Chris Otto, Mike Tozier, Zach Yoder, Callie Chappell-Nicholas, Martha Smith, and more. You've just got to show up for the inevitable surprise guest appearances.

A few more details: 

1. Silent auction closes at 8:45 pm.
2. There will also be a live auction.
3. Must be present to win on Chinese auction items.
4. Expansive buffet available - compliments of The Boatyard
5. $5 Donation for entry / $15 entry fee if eating

As more information becomes available - we will continue update here.

Taylor Opie & Dan Dembicki Trio at Ocean Blues

Move over, Bonnie, because tonight I stumbled upon a young soulful blues singer named Taylor Opie who will give you a run for your money! Well, of course, no one can top Ms. Raitt, but keep your eyes and ears open for sightings of Taylor Opie in the Venice - Sarasota - Bradenton live music scene.

Where do I begin? Husky undertones with sweet overlayerings, and she's just got her own deeply flavored and movingly delivered way of bringing the best out of songs we thought we'd heard done best by their original cover artists.

The Dan Dembicki Trio -- drums, bass, and keyboards - provided well-punctuated instrumental backup for Opie's lead vocals. Look for Opie and her band, Dreadnot, playing in the Bradenton area, and hopefully soon a lot more in Sarasota.



Taylor Opie joins the Dan Dembicki Trio every Tuesday in July, 7:30 - 10:30PM at Ocean Blues, on Hillview Street in Sarasota. Let's catch her while she's still local!

SoulRCoaster at Ocean Blues in Sarasota FL

Last night turned out to be double-fun with cover bands around town in Sarasota FL. A sudden downpour that soaked the edges of the dance floor at Marina Jack, at the Sarasota Bayfront, didn't deter couples and families from stepping to the enthusiastic sounds of Lisa Ridings & Vertigo, now a staple dance band in the Marina Jack weekly lineup. A surprise guest appearance by an energetic sax player added interesting visual energy and reed dynamics to the performance.

The night was young,  the dark sky clear and sparkling with pre-4th of July spirit, so I headed over to Ocean Blues, on Hillview Street, to check out SoulRCoaster, another cover band -- new to me, and to the Sarasota live music scene -- this one led by powerful vocalist Sheri Nadelman, backed up by competent lead and bass guitar, drums, keyboards, and harmony vocals by several members of the group. Sheri had definitely gotten the word out to her fans, because the room was pulsing with happy dancers.

SoulRCoaster fit a lot of equipment on that little stage, so the sound was huge and complex. Perhaps a bit overproduced, but it was fun to hear, and dance to, a set list that contained more of a disco-pop mix than we hear locally. For instance, the "Happy" song made internationally legendary by Pharrell Williams. Coincidentally, SoulRCoaster also welcomed a guest sax player onto the stage for a few songs.

Will look forward to more local appearances by SoulRCoaster, now that I know they can dependably deliver a memorable few hours of high-energy fun.