In the past week or two I made an effort to get to some different places and consequently I met quite a few people and bands I have not seen or heard in a while. I'm glad I made the effort(s).
   Last weekend (2/11 - 2/12) I got out to Long Beach for a few shows. I missed a good amount of most of them but I had fun seeing and hearing it all.
   I caught a set of King Cobras at Nicks Tuscan Grill. That's a nice stretch of Long Beach and Nicks is a nice room.  The King Cobras always entertain me with their distinct "Rollin and Ramblin" jump blues sound. The three piece is an upbeat act and always leave me feeling me good.
   Part of the plan was to also catch some of the Folk 2 Funk festival which was going on so we walked over to Lola's Kitchen for Breakaway. In fact we caught one or two numbers but enough to be reminded of the chops these guys have. I caught Lou Carollo in the heat of the moment on one of the Breakaway originals. They're a rock n roll band with blues influence and mostly originals. The numbers are all good and the guys are tight. I wish I caught more but it was a late start and a long road.
   Saturday I headed east at a late hour and caught a number or two at Big Daddy's Sizzlin Jam which is held a few times a month at Kapplers Inn in Patchogue. Being a late owl I was pretty sure I'd miss a lot of what was happening in Patchogue but Kapplers is a fun room and Karl Reamer's (Big Daddy) crowd is always a fun bunch... and with a roster of numerous acts I figured it would still be going on.
   I had tried to catch some of Sweet Suzi at Bobbique's but I got there in time for a good-bye hug from Suzi and that was some consolation.
   The time will come soon when my teenager will be heading to college and my time for musc will expand. In the meantime I get out for music when I can and hope for the best. It's a busy time in a busy life. I'm grateful for the music and even more for the time with my child which is becoming more bittersweet as college age approaches. I may need my blues even more come September.
   For my weekly Wednesday escapade I headed up to Huntington for Rich Rivkin's Live Art Fusion at 841 East Lounge in Jericho Tpke.
   One of Rich's bands, Fusion Collective with Mike Ernst and Sly Geralds plays the Live Art show every other week with other bands filling in the other two weeks. It's an interesting dynamic with 10 or so artists standing at their easels, painting at various locations around the room as the jazz fusion band lays out some funky jazz. The room was busy with patrons and artists and there is entertainment all around. It's a collection of talented painters and the show of art at the end of the night is impressive.
   That was a fairly early finish so I stopped at a local spot, Grizzly's in Bay Shore for a nightcap where they have a Wednesday night jam also. That was over but host Brendan O'Bryan stuck around and played a few tunes on his hybrid dobro. I used to post that jam every week but after a while I lost track of it when I stopped getting information about it.
   Don't forget Jazz on the Vine is taking place at the vineyards and that is for a few weekends more. Check the link for the schedule and take a ride one of these weekends.
   Thanks for stopping bye and thanks again for the information you are sending. It helps a lot.
bill

   It's not so often I post these days. I have a slate full of work and child and home and it overflows every day. For that I am grateful... and overcome at times.
   Thankfully I have some really nice friends and I got to enjoy some music with them.
   On a recent Thursday night I took in Kane Daily at Grillfire Restaurant in Merrick. It was my first time at that Grillfire. It's a nice and cozy space for music. The stage, as it were, was set up in a table booth at the head of the bar. The dining room is set apart and it's an inviting room also. There was a nice crowd when I arrived; an attractive selection of 40 and over's enjoying Mr. Daily and their private conversations. I jumped into a table booth as a couple was leaving. My friend arrived soon after. 
   Kane Daily was a solo act that night. He played an assortment of guitars. His repetoire included originals, classic rock and blues. His playing was sharp and lively. Kane was a nice host entertaining some requests and engaging his audience with some music discussion and conversation. and excellent music!
   I usually do Wednesdays but it is nice to see what goes on the other nights.
   This past weekend, 1/27-1/28 I went along with the gang and headed to Callahans in East Meadow for SmokinGun. It's not often this group of friends get to hang together and thanks to SGB it was a good time had by all. The cast of Bill Marino, Rich Thiel, Ralph Santiago and Jeannie B had it goin on. They were joined by Ms. Chrissie O'Dell for some riveting numbers and Brother Dave who joined Bill Marino for some smokin guitar duets. The place was packed and everyone was high on rock and blues and some good vibes. I needed a night like that.
   There is no better way for adults to spend a night than good music with friends who appreciate it. There's a huge assortment of quality live music around here. I wish I could get to all of it but every time out is fun lately. Let's keep it goin. Thankyou to those who send me info and appreciate the calendar as much as I do.
   This began because I wanted a source for music on any given night (for myself and friends) and at first it was not easy to find show information, Now, with my pages of resources, social media, people sending me stuff and friends who steer me to acts it has become quite do-able.
   There's so much more I would do if I had more time but it serves my original purpose and traffic continues to grow. Any music interests are welcome to put ads on this page. I have a few but there's room for plenty more and the money will help me promote the site.
   Let me know. Enjoy the coming week. There's some amazing music.
   Thanks for stopping by.
bill