Author Archives: parker

Jammin’ for Joey  –  The Boardy Barn  –  October 21, 2018 Our dear friend Joey DiBenedetto has been battling the degenerative condition ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Joey served for many years as the friendly face of the … Continue reading →

Celebrate Mexico Now!  – Rubenstein Atrium  –   October 18, 2018 Despite not understanding Spanish, I can appreciate the pipes and axes of these two, the passion overwhelming the language barrier.  Goust and Gameros are prime examples of the cultural … Continue reading →

Busking New York City  –  October 12, 2018 Special treat of the day: as I was sketching Ajamu, another sketcher was sketching ME at work.  And not too shabby a job, Martin Williams!  I’m always looking for instruments I haven’t … Continue reading →

Busking New York City  –  October 4, 2018 Here I witnessed (in Washington Square Park) one of the most astounding musical performances in quite some time.  Talk about a different drummer!  Percussionist Reggie Pison plays on a collection of buckets, pots and … Continue reading →

Youssra El Hawary   –  Rubenstein Atrium  –  October 4, 2018 There’s a bit of Arab Spring vibe in El Hawary, but she seems to be more documenting the social fallout of modern Egypt rather than sounding a call to … Continue reading →

Irish Trad  –  Knox’s Tavern, Ennis  –  September 19, 2018 One of my goals while holidaying (it gets used as a verb there) in Ireland was to sit in with some trad players, and Ennis is a center keeping the … Continue reading →

C.J. Chenier  –  CHIRP Ballard Park, Ridgefield  –  August 30, 2018 Scion of the Chenier zydeco squeezebox family.  When you’ve got one guy on washboard and another on tambourines, you know there’s gonna be rhythm splashing all over!

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real  –  Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center  –  August 12, 2018 The headliner for this gig was Margo Price, but darkness descends on Damrosch too early to portray the late act.  At least there was … Continue reading →

Bill Saxton   –   Grant’s Tomb  –  August 8, 2018 Saxton also runs his own salon-style live jazz joint in Harlem; he’s an institution!

Busking Seattle           July 26-27, 2018 Best quote of the month (from Grossnicklaus): Q – What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle?  A – You can’t spill beer on a violin!  Schindler & Nason perform as “Bob and Weaver”.