Hey band!
Signup Genius seems to be somewhat unreliable for delivering messages and
updates, so I thought I'd share the messages I've sent out already, and
will copy the list directly on messages going forward. I'm interested to
see how many of you have seen and read these already, so I can troubleshoot
for the future. (Just a quick "yes" or "me" reply will suffice if you've
rec'd these messages via Signup Genius)
*Friday 04/22*
Please read the following in your best "announcer voice"
TCMF 2022, día número uno!
Tonight we kick things off with opening band, Woot Talley with the Blues
Variants! Woot and the boys have been playing TCMF for, well, at least as
long as I’ve been co-hosting, and are bringing a set of blues originals and
crooning guitar solos. Often you’ll hear a classic blues cover or two that
Woot especially loves. You’ll dig it.
The headliners for Friday are Rhythm Congress!!! You’ll find festival
founder Herb Holland on the alto sax, nestled right into a tight, groovin’
horn section, playing classic soul, r&b, and dance favorites. With their
extensive song catalogue, you never know what you’re gonna get. Except out
of breath from hooting and dancing!
See you tonight at the TCMF!
----------------------
*Saturday 04/23*
11:00am -- First up, the weekend festival openers on Saturday 04/23...
it's US!!! Our first performance back since maybe Zilker?!?!? The grackles
are thrilled. I recommend a hat, or a baby wipe in your gig-bag. And watch
our conductors! It gives them the warm fuzzies.
12:15pm -- Followed by the Violet Crown Flute Choir... it's also US!!!
Well, not me. Or probably you. Unless you are the majority of the ACWE
flute section. Then, it's YOU! This crew has been putting together some
beautiful ensemble music for years now, and have really boosted the sound
of our highest winds to the highest performance quality. VCFC currently
includes Shawn Dennison, Kathie Goldsmith, Ashley Hilton, Karina Jakobeit,
Melody Richardson, Debbie Spurlock, Ellen Knapton... and maybe more???
Ladies? Gentleman?
1:30pm -- The next group, Not Past 11, boasts a catalog that includes
selections from the big band swing era, ’70’s and ’80’s funk, modern jazz,
and rock and roll. They were originally assembled to instruct and encourage
high school students in jazz techniques and repertoire. Since the students
had a “curfew”, and the “old guys” in the group had to wake up early for
work, the name *Not Past 11* was a fitting label for this mixed group of
music lovers. You'll hear hits from the likes of Maynard Ferguson, Stevie
Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, the Beatles, Chicago, Steely Dan, and more. ACWE
alumni have been in and out of this group over the years -- let's see if we
can spot any players in their post-COVID reformation!
2:45pm -- The Amboss Polka Band is a small but lively bunch. They wear
lederhosen! And those funny little hats! Do those hats have names? Come and
ask them! There is an adorable elderly couple from Austria who have come to
dance for every TCMF polka band for as long as I can remember, and I
really, really hope to see them back at it this year. Also, the last time
Amboss played TCMF there was a little kid who stood on stage uninvited, and
poked the tuba, and blew through a plastic harmonica the whole time. It was
the worst. This year, we will declare the largest volunteer on each shift
"security" and they will be charged with glowering menacingly as they scan
the crowd for neglectful parents.
4:00pm -- GASP!!! The Austin Brass Band??? Huzzah! This traditional
British brass band, directed by our pal John Caputo (who guest-conducted
ACWE once, and described us as "Like trying to drive a tank,") features a
number of ACWE players! You'll see the following players -- Percussion: Ed
Gonzales, Ronald Reed Trumpet: Marcy Graham, Cale Montgomery, Amber
Nepodal, Rob Wilson Tenor Horn: Terry Todd Trombone: Giuseppe
Maccagnan Euphonium: James Barnard Tuba: Mike Bell, Jimmy Bigham
Come and see if you can spot them all. (And if your name wasn't listed and
should be, you have my permission to give me a pinch.)
5:15pm -- Bubba Coletrane and the Trainwrecks. Hey, I'm gonna make this
writeup all about me. You know how they say that musicians in Austin are a
tight-knit bunch? I played with half of these guys in one band. I play with
the other half of these guys currently. And will be replacing the last guy
when joining a new-to-me project. I have to say, they're kinda good. By
"kinda," I mean, "really." They describe their music as FUNK-JUNK-ROCK on
their slick new website: bubbacoltrane.com Really, the website is
awesome! Check it out. And come and hear great tunes with a great horn
section -- including ACWE's own Warren Gill on trombone and percussion, and
"Fun Bobby" Russin on drums. Bubba, however, will not make it. I've yet to
meet the guy despite attending their gigs often. Hmm.
6:45pm -- LAST, but not LEAST we'll see Blue Vibe feat. Timeca Sereti! Blue
Vibe performs powerful blues, rock, soul and funk classics. Timeca Seretti
is a teeny-tiny woman with a big, BIG voice, and an even bigger stage
presence! Her career achievements include professional acting (Friday Night
Lights, NCIS: New Orleans et al), comedian (Esther’s Follies), producer and
performer. She also has great taste in trombonists, as we'll get to see
Warren Gill play back-to-back performances in these last two groups!
I'll see you at the ACWE performance today (or have seen you, depending on
whether you're a first-thing email checker, or a when-I-get-around-to-it
email checker). Happy Weekend, and Happy TCMF!
--------------------------------------------------
*Sunday 04/24*
Hello, friends and bandmates!
What a great performance by ACWE yesterday! Even playing outside for the
first time in ages, with all of its challenges, we sounded really, really
good. The Cowboys sure did get precarious there for a second though, huh?
But we all listened VERY closely to the sections around us, proceeded with
caution, and BAM! Robert saved the day hitting that rehearsal mark! If we
weren't so busy finishing the song, I'd have started going around giving
hi-fives.
Sunday is another big weekend day, with performances from 11am - 8pm. All
of our groups are somewhat small, with the exception of the Hill Country
Community Band of Marble Falls. They're about 30ish. There won't really be
any big morning set up, so volunteers (Bob/Caroline), feel free to arrive
shortly before 11.
Who's coming?
11:00am -- The ACWE Quintet. Five ACWE players, hence the name "quintet."
But which five? I'll tell you! Trumpet: Cale Montgomery, Amber
Nepodal Horn: Melissa Kunkel Trombone: Jarred Prejean Tuba:
Mike Bell I can't wait to hear what they've put together for us!
12:15pm -- The Chaparral Dixielanders! They play jazz! Guess what kind!
Dixieland jazz!
Their Facebook photo has Cale Montgomery in it, so even if Cale isn't
playing with the band, he likes them well enough to play with them
sometimes. Or at least to stand in their group shot holding a trumpet. Who
else will we see? Bill Troiano on sousaphone. Bill was the absolute *star*
of ACWE the year he read (and we played) "The Night Before Christmas" in
his heavy New Yawk accent. Many of the others I recognize from the annual
ATJA (Austin Traditional Jazz Society) jazz jam. Some really, really good
players here!
1:30pm -- The Armadillo Swing Band! They play jazz! Guess what kind! Swing
jazz!
This is a traditional 17-piece big band setup. Our ACWE pals in this group
include; Trumpet: Amber Nepodal, Alan Westwick Bari: Warrick Wilson
...and hold up. Robert Laguna? I think I heard that somewhere (shrug). He's
been known to hold a trumpet when he's not holding a baton. Swing bands
draw crowds. So if you dance, or know someone who does, please come on out!
2:45pm -- The Hill Country Community Band of Marble Falls. A 30-piece
Community Band, from the Hill Country, more specifically from Marble Falls.
Jeez, guys, there's definitely a theme with all of these band names. I feel
like explaining them would be much more challenging if they had creative
names like "The Purple Nectarines."
Is anyone even still reading this?
4:00pm -- The Austin Jazz Workshop! Duuuude -- Mike Mellinger was hanging
out Friday night, so I asked him who this year's "artist" was? Herbie.
Hancock. Their program has nine players this year, including Shawn Ellison,
Michael Stevens, Glenn Rexach, Masumi Jones, Terrance McDaniel, Lee
‘Sparky’ Thomason, Brian Swartz, Paulo Santos, and Gil Del Bosque. Must
see!!! It's gonna be gooood.
5:15pm -- The Numbers are a New Orleans style jazz band, and we'll see ACWE
friends and relations among them as well! Sousaphone: Mike Bell
Trumpet: Don Levigne Trombone: Jennifer Levigne
This group was originally made up of mathematics professors who all banded
together to play music. (Finally, I get to explain a fun band name!) The
Numbers have become a HONK!TX favorite.
6:45pm -- Our first weekend wraps up with The Presley Project! Sadly, there
will be no rhinestone jumpsuits, or sideburns, or blue-haired ladies
sobbing with joy as they pull a satin scarf from a sweaty neck. But there
will be a pretty spot-on aural impersonation of Mr. Elvis Aaron Presley
(January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) the King of Rock and Roll. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Oh, and this band has Warrick Wilson on bari as well!
TCMF is a blast. I've enjoyed the half-conversations I've been able to
have with each of you before I get dragged away to have half a conversation
with somebody else. Punctuated by a frequent need for Herbterpreting and
figuring out where in the heck Todd wandered off to... I'm off to wash my
volunteer t-shirt. See you at Central Market!
---------------------------------------------------
*Monday 04/25*
A quick Google search turned up a song called "Rainy Monday" by a band
called Shiny Toy Guns*. It's pretty awful. Just like today's weather!
Some music that's NOT awful are tonight's artists:
5:30pm -- Geoff Bradford has been with us for a couple of years now. If he
looks familiar to you, that's because he was on the electric bass with
yesterday's Armadillo Swing Band! Geoff will be bringing a traditional rock
setup tonight; guitars, keys, bass, and drums, and will be playing his
original songs and compositions.
6:45pm -- Ben Broussard is a former professional baseball first baseman.He
played from 2002 to 2008 for the Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, and
the Texas Rangers. He is now a full-time musician. Two of his songs were
featured in 2005 episodes of A&E's series Dog The Bounty Hunter. Say no
more. I'm sold!!!
In addition to the unfortunate -- but inevitable -- inclement weather, we
have had our first COVID-related cancellation. The Inside Out Steel Band
sadly had to cancel their performance next Saturday at 2:45, so that slot's
status is currently TBA.
I was just telling some of our volunteers about their incredible load-in
and load-out: they pull up a box truck, empty it, set up about two dozen
huge steel drums, and play their set. All within the allotted 15-minute
changeover time! I wonder if they rehearse that as much as their music?
I also wonder if that band Shiny Toy Guns* has plans for Saturday? Maybe
they could fill in?
* I apologize to any Shiny Toy Guns groupies that I might have
inadvertently offended. You can be the plumpest, fuzziest, juiciest peach
in the world -- some people just don't like peaches.
See you at CM!
---------------------------------------------
*Tuesday 04/26*
Just a super-quick update for tonight (and I know that most of you can't
make it with ACWE rehearsal).
Well, you missed it. Except not. The show went on last night, largely
unattended. It was really a public rehearsal for our groups, except...
Geoff Bradford will be back! He is going to return on Saturday to fill the
vacancy left by the Inside Out Steel Band! He absolutely deserves a big
audience -- his group is fantastic!
As for today:
5:30pm -- Therapy Pets is a just-for-fun electric rock band who have been
playing together under various names for a few decades. They'll play some
familiar covers along with some originals written by members of the group.
This iteration of the group fell together as a sanity (therapy?) project
during COVID.
6:45pm -- The Mopac Traffic Jams are a bluegrassy Americana group. Players
in this set have appeared in a number of other TCMF bands in this genre.
They always sound great, are always a good time, and will always getcha
doin' that hokey little bluegrass dance (you know the one!) at least for a
few minutes!
I'm off to tend my neglected gardens. Despite last night's washout, hooray
for rain!
---------------------------------------------
*...to be continued...*
Kat Brotherton
*ACWE / TCMF Liaison, Herbterpreter*
Austin Civic Wind Ensemble (ACWE) --------- www.ACWE.org
<http://www.acwe.org>
Texas Community Music Festival (TCMF) --- www.TCMFestival.com
www.MsKatsMusic.com