This summer has been good to the local r&b/funk music scene. We have seen several acts prominently featured at many local events. We have also seen one of our own get picked up by a major national tour. They give a sense of validation to a scene which for many years, struggled to gain mainstream acceptance locally. Now that the veil has been lifted, so to speak, we find that it is a scene with a rich history of producing great professional musicians. Just look up people like Grover Washington, Jr., or Rick James, you’ll find a bunch of Buffalo…
Author: Elias Benavides
If you have spent any time checking out live music throughout the area’s club scene, chances are you have seen bass player Zuri Appleby perform. I first worked with Zuri maybe 6 years ago, and since then we have worked together countless of times, and many have watched her perform another countless amount of times. From the beginning, there was no mistake she was going somewhere. Putting in the work will always be rewarded in some form. She was on the road with David Michael Miller when she received a message on Instagram to check her email. It was from…
While conversing with a musician friend a couple of Wednesdays ago, the topic of outdoor music options arose. Specifically, the number of weekly, fun outdoor events, hosting live music, with food options and also a great family friendly vibe. My friend then mentioned an event that he had played the week before – it was the first event held at this unique waterfront venue. I told him that I wasn’t familiar with it, and I wanted to check it out. That same day, I found myself at the Waterfront Village, on a gorgeous early summer afternoon. I wasn’t sure what…
Though I haven’t had the opportunity to work with Hayden one on one, his story grabbed me from the time I first heard of him. Hayden turned 15 a couple of months ago. And in his relatively short music career, he has managed to turn the heads of some of the most well known blues players of our time. I happened to catch his birthday show at Dino BBQ recently on one of my off nights, and wanted to see how real the buzz was. While there, I ran into radio personality Anita West and she shared the most delightful…
A common observation from a number of people I’ve talked to over the years is that Niagara Falls produces a number of really good musicians. I thought it to be true for a long time, and it never ceases to amaze me at how many cats in the Buffalo music scene have Niagara Falls roots. Young up and comers, veteran players, you name it. A guy in-between those groupings is Zak Ward. The 33 year old musician/actor has been playing professionally since 2004, and is maturing into a formidable player in the scene. Zak was born and raised in the…
I’m going to break some of my rules with this feature. Writing about local bands was not necessarily on my radar, and a cover band at that. But this one was much too interesting and fun to pass up. It’s not even an interview with the musicians, it’s more like a testimonial. My friend Chris texted me early last week, and asked if I would be available for production work for his new band’s debut show at Foley’s in Niagara Falls. I checked the calendar, and the date was available. I’ve heard some buzz about the group on social media,…
Rappel (verb) rap·pel \rə-ˈpel, ra-\ : to move down a steep cliff, rock, etc., by pushing your feet against its surface and sliding down a rope. On June 13, 2015, the steep cliff, or rock in question will be at The Larkin Center of Commerce. On that day, the building will play host to a dramatic fundraiser for Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo called Over The Edge. The all-day event will feature a repelling descent from the roof of the building, 125 feet down to Van Rensselaer Street. The rappelling event will be coordinated by Over The Edge USA,…
Like most careers, whether it is military, political, medical, tech, or any host of professions, reaching the highest levels of the entertainment business would require a move to the center of the industry. Such is the case for Carmen Intorre, Jr., a native of Buffalo’s west side. A career which has taken the 34 year old from playing the violin at Waterfront Elementary School, to performing at concert halls all over the world. He knew as soon as he started playing music, that violin was not for him, and soon chose to study the drums. Carmen was a natural talent.…
There are plenty of professional musicians who have maintained a successful career well into their later years. For 70 year old jazz guitarist Pat Martino, his career is nothing short of miraculous. An aneurysm in 1980 almost killed him. Emergency surgery saved his life, though it left Pat with memory loss, including not being able to play the guitar, or to connect with the player he once was. 1987 marked his return to performing. Having to relearn how to play the guitar has transformed Pat into a different style of player than his former self. He continues to tour the…
My friend, and vocalist Cory Gallagher called me one day and asked if I can give him input on lighting for a Christmas concert he was having at a local South Buffalo church. I accepted, and met him the day before the show, during rehearsals. I arrived and was quickly introduced to pianist Frank Scinta, and vocalist Emily Helenbrook. Cory and I went about our business as the two musicians began rehearsing. As we spoke about lighting ideas towards the back of the church, I hear this beautiful operatic voice coming from the stage. I found it difficult to focus,…