Concerts at the Cadillac: Wilbur Rehmann Quartet

Last Friday, I joined one of the "Deans of Montana jazz", saxophonist Wilbur Rehmann, and two of my UFQ bandmates, Sam Peoples on piano, and bassist Ariane Cap at the Cadillac Hotel for their monthly “Concerts at the Cadillac” series. Bought in 1977 by the late Leroy Looper, the Cadillac became the first non-profit “supportive housing” SRO on the West Coast – a national model, and which shaped Leroy’s contribution to San Francisco. Since 2007, the Cadillac has also been home to the Patricia Walkup Memorial Piano – a fully restored, 1884 Steinway Concert Grand. Leroy, who passed away last month, greatly enjoyed these concerts – and I'll always miss not seeing him in the front row each Friday, tapping his feet along to the music.

It's been awhile since I trotted out the beloved Gretsch kit for live jazz, however having recently obtained a brand new 8"x 8" Rosewood tom, I decided it was time go all acoustic, especially with Wilbur back in town for what would be our 6th annual gig, and Sam playing the gorgeous Walkup Steinway. Goodness, Ariane even brought her acoustic bass out for this one!

My earlier experimentations with Bruford's symmetrical, timpani set-up was fun, however, the extra tom now gave me an opportunity to go back to my roots with my mentor, teacher and friend, Paul Sears, and reacquaint myself with the music of Billy Cobham, Lenny White and Rayford Griffin; like Sears, all masters of left-handed drumming technique. It also didn't hurt recall the melodic drumming of another mentor, Jack DeJohnette and his recordings with Sonny Rollins.

It's no secret that Wilbur is also a huge Sonny Rollins fan and longtime friend, (we both love playing Sonny's "St. Thomas"). Combined with his knowledge of some of the greatest tunes ever written for jazz, and his rich history with longtime guitarist Blackie Nelson, Wilbur has also become a very good composer as well. His latest album, "Old Friends and New", is among his best ever.

On a personal note, this was my first performance at the Cadillac since Leroy's passing, so we wanted to do something special. Wilbur also dedicated our performance of "Sunny", to the late Bobby Hebb, the composer of that famed tune who also passed away recently.

This was also the first concert at the Cadillac to employ their new multi-track, digital recorder, so we were also something akin to musical "guinea pigs". Here is a flip video of the Wilbur Rehmann Quartet, performing an excerpt from Bobby Hebb's "Sunny"...

McCabe & Mrs. Miller perform Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska"

For those who missed McCabe & Mrs. Miller's performance of Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska" at the Pegasus in Berkeley last July, or "were left standing outside because the room was full", are in for a treat. Those rockin' troubadours, Alison Faith Levy & Victor Krummenacher are thankfully, "at it again". The Pegasus event was presented by Joe Christiano, the enjoyable and thoughtful scribe of "First Person Singular", and whom, as the duo puts it,"will be so eloquently introducing" them for this Friday's show at the Make Out Room in San Francisco. This will be the duo's last and only performance of some of Springteen's best loved tunes.

McCabe & Mrs. Miller is a collaboration between singer, guitarist Krummenacher (Camper Van Beethoven, Monks of Doom) and singer and pianist Levy (The Sippy Cups, The Loud Family), who in this incarnation plays guitar. McCabe & Mrs. Miller have been rocking shows in San Francisco, as either a duo, or a killer six piece band. A peek at he group's website, aptly sums up their happy origins. "...Having worked together on and off for many years, Levy and Krummenacher have finally realized their dream of writing and performing as a duo. Although it seems an unlikely pairing, their voices blend together in the tradition of classic duets, and their songwriting styles mesh into a fine mix of blues, folk, and country. Digging at the roots of their rootlessness, these songs sweep out the dark corners of longing, regret, and desire with the intimate wit and wisdom of old friends.

Their debut album, Time for Leaving, produced by Bruce Kaphan (American Music Club) is out now on Magnetic Motorworks. Between the touring schedules of both of their high-profile bands, they have found the time to tour and perform with the likes of Rosanne Cash, Built to Spill, Cracker, The Black Crowes, Drive-By Truckers, and The Knitters. Their live show has evolved into a formidable, dramatic force, building from a slow burn into a full-on electric blues throwdown. The band also includes Jonathan Segel (CVB) on violin and mandolin, John Hanes on drums, Doug Hilsinger on guitar and Paul Olguin on bass. The band is based in San Francisco..."

Fans of McCabe & Mrs. Miller may want get to the Make Out for Nebraska by 7:30 pm, because afterwards, they'll return with the full on McCabe & Mrs. Miller band at 8:30 for a what promises to be, a true "freight train, blues blowout." I've seen them, trust me, they know how to roll. If you want more info McCabe & Mrs. Miller, they can be found at www.mccabeandmrsmillerband.com, as well as their cohort, the amazing world of First Person Singular, at http://www.1stpersonsingular.com/.

McCabe & Mrs. Miller
Make-Out Room, San Francisco
Friday, October 21st 2011
Encore performance of Nebraska @7:30 Only
McCabe & Mrs. Miller Band @8:30

"2 of a Perfect Trio" Comes to the Regency

Guitarist Adrian Belew, bassist Tony Levin and drummer Pat Mastelotto, members of Robert Fripp's King Crimson, have combined the forces of their trios, the Adrian Belew Power Trio and Stick Men, for the "Two of a Perfect Trio" tour. This double trio is touring the United States this fall, with select Canadian dates."It's a rare treat, both for us in the band, and for the audience, for three King Crimson members to be together onstage", says Levin. And the supporting cast are excellent players in their own right. They will be in full force next Tuesday, October 18th at the Regency Ballroom on Van Ness.

The performance will feature two sets with an extended encore of music all featuring King Crimson material. The show will kick off with sets by Stick Men, featuring Mastelotto on electronic and acoustic percussion, Markus Reuter on his self-designed Touch Guitar, and Levin on Chapman Stick; and the Adrian Belew Power Trio with Belew on guitar and vocals, bassist Julie Slick, and NYC drummer Tobias Ralph.

For the extended Crim-centric encore, fans will be treated to the three Crimson members Belew, Levin and Mastelotto, covering some of their favorite pieces from their work in King Crimson. "King Crimson is an elite club", says Belew. "There have only been seven members in the last 30 years. Having Tony, Pat and myself onstage, three legitimate Crimson players, will make this as close as currently possible to the actual thing."

To make this concert even more colossal, the trios will combine to close out the show. Then the others will come out to join us as a double trio, fairly well covering what Crimson had in the 90's lineup, says Levin. It should be a big challenge, wild music, and great fun. "Im very excited at the sound I hear in my head of this particular double trio," says Belew. Its monstrous.

Adrian Belew's resume reads like a who's who of innovative rock music: Zappa, Bowie, Talking Heads, Graceland, Downward Spiral, add in a 30-year stint as frontman/writer/guitarist/singer for King Crimson, 5 records with the avante-garde pop band the bears, and 20 critically acclaimed solo records and, well, you get the picture.

Tony Levin, a master of the 10-stringed "Chapman Stick", was also a long time bassist with Peter Gabriel and has played with many rock artists, including John Lennon and Pink Floyd. He's had 6 solo releases, as well as 3 Stick Men CD's. His website, tonylevin.com, has one of the longest running musician blogs on the web.

Pat Mastelotto, perhaps best known for pop hits with his 80's band Mr Mister and others like the Rembrandts, XTC, Jude Cole, Michael Penn, etc. After a 1993 world tour with David Sylvian and Robert Fripp, Fripp invited Mastelotto into King Crimson in 1994, where he has remained - contributing to dozens KC releases , two official DVDs and countless live shows.

2 of a Perfect Trio
Adrian Belew Power Trio
Stick Men featuring Tony Levin and Pat Mastellotto
Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA @ 8:00pm
Tuesday October 18, 2011