MUSICWEST
May 2011
MAGAZINE
Connecting Artist with Audience COBBLE CREEK CONCERTS
M&IKE G WINN THE NORTH FORK FlYERS PAVILION COURTYARD SERIES
GOTTA BE GIRlS UNCOMPAHGRE VALLEY MUSES FESTIVAL
...CELEBRATING WOMEN IN MUSIC FROM THE WESTERN SLOPE
JEFF SOlON’S
SWING’N BIG BANd WITH VOCAlIST
dEB BARR
BLUESKY MUSIC PRESENTS | MONTROSE WINE&FOOD FESTIVAL | GJ ART & JAZZ FESTIVAL
MUSICWEST
MAY 2011
MAGAZINE
PUBLISHER’S PERSPECTIVE
CONTENTS MONTROSE LIVE ........................................... 2 SKYLARK CONCERTS ................................ 3 BIOS & BACKSTORIES ............................. 5 BLUESKY MUSIC .......................................... 6 REGIONAL EVENTS ..................................... 7 WOMEN IN MUSIC ....................................... 7
MUSICWEST
MAGAZINE
Connecting Artist with Audience
PUBLISHER/EDITOR/DESIGNER: Yvonne Y Meek
ADVERTISING SALES: music.west.mag@gmail.com
PHOTOS/STORIES: Courtesy of Artists & Venues
ABOUT: MusicWest Magazine is a monthly resource to “Connect Artist with Audience.” Discover the Bios & BackStories of regional musicians in their efforts to combine ’real’ jobs with their musical life. Find qualified Instructors who offer diverse and professional musical instruction in a variety of instruments and musical styles. MusicWest Magazine is a Networking Resource for musicians who are looking for other musicians to ‘jam’ with or find a musician/band for your Special Event or Party with a comprehensive Directory of local musicians.
SUBSCRIBE
TO:
Music.West.Mag@gmail.com
2 MusicWest Magazine ‐ May 2011
I’ve been singing since I can remember but admittedly, I have a classic love/hate relationship with music. In my youth, I made some pretty foolish choices which deterred me from pursuing music as a profession. Growing up in private Catholic school didn’t afford me the experience of a great school music program—no show choir, women’s choir, jazz band or trips to NYC for me. We were lucky to have a marching band and a drama club. Nor was I the leading lady type, no classic beauty here! But I did get to play a ‘Kahlua’ nun in my high school productions of “The Sound of Music”, and a hot, “older-than-25looking” chorus girl in “Anything Goes”. I also studied classical voice in high school (yes, I can sing like a DIVA or a church lady). As for college, I simply didn’t believe I had the opportunities available, which I regret. Eventually, I met a guy, got married and move to Maher, Colorado. Being a city-fied California-girl, that was culture shock ‘for sure’. In 1996, we moved to Montrose and the longing to perform returned. I’d never lost my voice and had even taught myself to play piano (at 30+ years old) by the time we moved into town. I joined a country rock band (The David Starr Band, singing and playing keyboard) after I turned 40 for which my kids were even proud. Over the years, I’ve watched venues come and go and I’m hoping “American Idol” will fade with the dawning of a new and better show, NBC’s “The Voice.” And though I continue to love/hate this music thing that is alive in me … I cannot quench it! A friend asked me the other day if I wanted to be famous. I thought to myself, “Well, of course, who hasn’t wanted to be, if we’re honest with ourselves.” Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. What I do know is this ... I have three uniquely creative children and we are living in Montrose. I have learned to enjoy this community and to fill the void when something cultural is missing. I recognize that the venues are few and Montrose is abuzz with musicians of all genres and skill levels. I want to build a community that acknowledges, encourages, nurtures, and supports the musicians who perform the live music that audiences want to hear. So in my “free” time, I host house concerts as Skylark Concerts (so musicians can get paid better), play with my band Whyld Honey (so I can get paid), and publish MusicWest Magazine which features regional musicians whom I prefer to call artists. Now that’s supporting live music in Montrose … supporting the artists who play the live music you enjoy!
Vonni Meek
MUSICWEST
MAY 2011
MAGAZINE
MONTROSE LIVE MUSIC SCENE WHOLE LIFE NETWORK
CAMP ROBBER CAFE
CANYON CREEK B&B
1515 Ogden Road, Montrose, Co 81401
820 E. Main Street, Montrose, Co 81401
970 240 1590
970 249 2886
Live Music Year-Round Wednesday, 6:00—8:00 pm
May 04 11 18 25
Gloria Palefsky Weather Folk Yvonne Meek & Whyld Honey Annie & Paul
Live Music during Main In Motion Thursday, 6:00—10:00 pm
Montrose Wine & Food Festival
Saturday, May 14, 2011 7:00—10:00 pm
Rock the Night Away with
HORSEFLY BREWING CO.
Pineapple Crackers
846 E. Main Street, Montrose, CO 81401
970 249 6889
$10 Donation or FREE to Wine Festival wrist bands
Live Music Year-Round Saturday, 7:00—10:00 pm
May 07 14 21 28
Carlos Danny Hernandez Lobo & Sheryl Bernie Nelson
Open Mic—7:00 p.m.
1st & 3rd Wednesday
RED BARN RESTAURANT 1413 E. Main Street, Montrose, CO 81401
970 249 9202 Live Music Year-Round Friday, 7:30—10:00 pm Open Mic—7:30 p.m.
L i f e S t y le s E x p o · 1 0 am - 4 p m Whole Life Fusion Event
Hope for Humanity Concert Saturday, May 28th, 7:00—9:00 pm
TURN
OF THE
Performing …
CENTURY
Friday, May 6 - Turn The Last Bus and Sons of the high energy rock locals The Last Denver, Sons of $10
Addicted. This and roll show Bus and now the Addicted
is a with from 9:00
Saturday, May 7 – Pickin’ & Dancin’ Benefit with Alternate Route Bluegrass 8:00 $20
Jandriel · Yvonne Meek David & Tamara Hauze Gotta Be Girls Tickets are $10 per person at the Pavilion
TRUE GRIT CAFE 123 N. Lena Street, Ridgway, CO 81423
970 626 5739 Open Mic—7:30 p.m.
2nd/4th Sunday w/John Randolph
Every Thursday w/Lobo & Sheryl
ADVERTISE in
MUSIC W EST M AGAZINE
Telluride ∙ Ridgway ∙ Ouray ∙ Durango
MONTROSE Delta ∙ Cedaredge ∙ Hotchkiss Paonia ∙ Grand Junction ∙ Gunnison
970.497.3230 MUSIC . WEST . MAG @ GMAIL . COM
May 2011 ‐ MusicWest Magazine 3
MUSICWEST
MAY 2011
MAGAZINE
MAY 20TH · 7:30PM
IN THE SPOTLIGHT MIKE GWINN
& THE
NORTH FORK FLYERS
came
together in the fertile musical ground of Paonia, CO in 2003 when Mike and his lovely wife, Patty, relocated to Colorado from Southern California. Mike started performing at one of the small venues in town; that solo journey continues, but soon the desire to collaborate with other musicians produced the first band "The Free Radicals", a loose and changing collective of talented musicians, which eventually evolved into the current lineup: Mike Gwinn, band leader, guitar and vocals; John White, alto sax, bass and flute; Willy Wright, tenor sax and flute; Tony Peters, trombone and bas; and Justin Hess, drums. The Flyers have performed all over Western Colorado and have been featured at the Telluride Jazz Celebration, Ride the Rockies, The Mountain Harvest Festival, KAFM Radio Room Live CD Recording Concert and many other club, concert and performance venues. The music has American Songbook Jazz Standards at its foundation, but goes way beyond that in many directions including: Rock, Pop, Reggae and Ballad featuring original songwriting by Mike
CONTACT INFO:
Gwinn and inventive arrangements, searing solo's and a lively mu-
Genre:
sical dialogue between all players. With an extensive song list that
Instruments:
ranges from Miles to Motown, Chuck Berry to Steely Dan, Rogers
Phone:
& Hart to Robin Ford The North Fork Flyers have something for
Website:
everyone! Mike Gwinn & the North Fork Flyers are one of Colo-
E-Mail: Location:
rado's great natural resources. Hear them soon!
Jazz & Swing Full Band 970 527 3424 www.mikegwinnandthenorthforkflyers.com paoniamike@gmail.com Paonia, CO
ABOUT SKYLARK SKYLARK CONCERTS
COBBLE CREEK SERIES
P.O. Box 1922, Montrose, CO 81402 970 497 3230 www.skylarkconcerts.eventbrite.com
Third Friday Monthly, 7:30 pm Tix: $15 General, $10 CC Members
Hosted by Montrose singer/songwriter Yvonne Meek, Skylark Concerts features the best of local and regional performing songwriters in “House Concert” or “Listening Room” settings. Many Great Artists To Come … Skylark Concerts is working to bring the finest musical artists to the Western Slope …
“they may not always be famous but they definitely will be worthy of it.” Tickets are $12 Advance Online www.skylarkconcerts.eventbrite.com 4 MusicWest Magazine ‐ May 2011
May 20th
PAVILION COURTYARD
Mike Gwinn & the North Fork Flyers
June 17th Ashleigh Caudill
& Narrow Gauge
First Friday, June—September, 7:30 pm Tix: $15 General, $8 Students (with ID)
June 3rd
July 15th
Gotta Be Girls
Metamoocil Mountain Boys
July 1st
August 19th
Honey Don’t
Ellen Stapenhorst & Friends
August 5th
September 17th Chamber Music Series
Manuel Lopez & the Latin Jazz Project
October 21st
September 2nd
Whyld Honey
Whyld Honey
MUSICWEST
MAY 2011
BIOS & BACKSTORIES JEFF SOLON
enough was near impossible, so Mr. Rustad
is a self-taught musi-
cian, who plays saxophone, clarinet, flute, harmonica, and piano. He is immersed in the music of jazz as a soloist, composer, arranger, teacher, and bandleader.
condensed the arrangements to an 8 piece big band sound. This enabled him to work in this area for many years. I had the pleasure to work with him in his band, which gave me my first opportunity to play big band music.
He began his professional musical adventure as a street performer, playing his way through Central and South America (1980 – 1985), and has continually performed extensively throughout the southwest since 1985, with his duets, groups, and 8 piece swing band. He has been a yearly grant recipient (1993 –2010) from the Durango Friends of the Arts for his public school assemblies and workshops, and has won several awards from the Colorado Council
When Mr. Rustad passed away in 1993, his widow Pat, bequeathed the music to me. Over the years I have mixed in rock, boogie woogie, blues, tango, funk, latin, and more swing with Mr. Rustad’s original arrangements, giving us a larger variety of styles and sounds. I am thrilled to be leading this band, arranging the music, and keeping this great era of music alive for dancing and listening.
on the Arts. He has led three tours for the
SONGS IN OUR REPERTOIRE:
U.S. Embassy in Latin America, produced
In the Mood, Sing, Sing, Sing, Tuxedo Junction, Moonlight Serenade, Satin Doll, Sentimental Journey, String of Pearls, That Old Black Magic, Just in Time, In a Mellow Tone, Opus Number 1, Georgia, Brazil, I’m Beginning to See the Light, Take the A Train, Night and Day, Jive at Five, Begin The Beguine, Rock Around The Clock, Stompin at the Savoy, There Will Never Be Another You, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Our Love is Here to Stay, They
and released 14 recordings, and teaches jazz studies at Fort Lewis College.
THE SWING’N BIG BAND was
originally
conceived and arranged by Rollie Rustad, who came to Durango from Minneapolis in 1979.
MAGAZINE
In that era, finding 16 to 18 musi-
cians to play big band and a venue large
Can’t Take That Away From Me, Harlem Nocturne, Don’t Get Around Much, Corcovado, My Romance, Besame Mucho, Hernando’s Hideaway, C Jam Blues, Night and Day, Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, Always Harp’n, Blue Moon, Sweet Georgia Brown, Hey You, Girl From Ipanema, Summer Time, and many more.
CONTACT INFO: Genre: Instruments:
Jazz & Swing Sax, Clarinet, Harmonica, Flute & Piano
Phone: 970 247 0648 Website: www.jeffsolon.com E-Mail: jeffsolon@rmi.net Location:
Durango, CO
ADVERTISE in
Jeff Solon’s
with vocalist Deb Barr
MUSIC W EST M
Sat. May 7th 7:30—11:30 p.m.
Telluride ∙ Ridgway ∙ Ouray ∙ Durango
Montrose Pavilion Senior Center
MONTROSE
Come and Dance or Just Enjoy the Music! We Play Your Favorites!
Delta ∙ Cedaredge ∙ Hotchkiss Paonia ∙ Grand Junction ∙ Gunnison
Swing’n Big Band
AGAZINE
Swing · Fox Trot · Tango Rumba · ChaCha · Waltz
$
5 Per Person
970.497.3230 MUSIC . WEST . MAG @ GMAIL . COM
May 2011 ‐ MusicWest Magazine 5
MUSICWEST
MAY 2011
MAGAZINE
BIOS & BACKSTORIES DEB BARR,
SINGER / PIANIST moved from the blossoming Austin music scene to the hip young ski town of Telluride in 1981. With deep roots in country and gospel, Barr began performing folk and pop at the age of 15, in Abilene, Texas, before moving to Austin after high school. There she performed as a budding singer/songwriter in local nightspots such as Castle Creek and the Hole-in-the-Wall. She formed her first jazz quartet in 1978.
Once in Telluride Deb joined the Telluride Jazz Quintet. She began working around the mountains, both in bands and as a solo performer at music hotspots, including the infamous, and now defunct, Southwest Coffeehouse of Durango. She completed her first CD of original music, “Comets & Waves,” in 1997 and coproduced a second with Sally Whiting, “From the Mountaintop” (Songs of Praise & Inspiration), in 2000. In 1999 Barr joined Durango-based saxophonist Jeff Solon & His Swing’n Big Band
as a vocalist. Jeff and I met in Albuquerque through his wife Karen Gabaldon. He plays on my first CD, "Comets & Waves" (1997) She has been a regular performer at the Telluride Jazz Celebration and continues to play with Jeff Solon and with other regional musicians. In 2007 Barr produced a third CD, “All My Stories,” with David Hammond, with 11 new songs. She is currently working on a project with Tommy Dean. Barr lives in Montrose County, Colorado, in the adobe hills above the Uncompahgre River. She continues to perform and write songs and has recently collaborated with Jim Womeldorf on a new book, "Learning to Love the Wind," a collection of poems written by Barr and with photography by Womeldorf. In addition to her musical career, Barr is a published writer and is a regular contributor to MontroseStyle and TellurideStyle magazines.
DISCOGRAPHY: Comets & Waves (1997) Songs from the Mountaintop (2002) (with Sally Whiting)
All My Stories (2006)
CONTACT INFO: Genre: Instruments: Phone:
Jazz & Swing Piano 970 252 8477
Website:
www.debbarr.com
E-Mail:
deb@debbarr.net
Location:
Montrose, CO
BLUE SKY MUSIC PRESENTS Saturday, May 28, 8pm
Texas Singer Songwriter Night
Friday, June 10, 8pm
Jason Eady & Drew Kennedy Austin, Texas
Jimmie Dale Gilmore & The Wronglers
Turn of the Century Saloon
Turn of the Century Saloon with former Texan Rusty George w/Alan Vigil
Join us for an evening of stories, songs, and a little dancing. www.jasoneady.com www.drewkennedy.com $10 tickets
Yes, the legendary Jimmie Dale Gilmore is coming to Montrose CO. A member of the legendary Flatlanders and one of the finest singer songwriters to ever come out of Texas, he's bringing the six piece string band, The Wronglers, "Heirloom Music". The cd will be available May 10. Expect to hear it wherever try music is played. Jimmie Dale Gilmore has chosen Montrose as one of a Colorado towns to experience his latest project then off to: Philly, NYC, Cleveland, Detroit, Ann Arbor, & Chicago. Don't miss this opportunity to see
to present fine counhandful of Pittsburgh, Gilmore in
a bonifide honky-tonk before he splits for the big cities. www.thewronglers.com Tickets available at the door and at Riddled Raven, 24 S. Grand or Studio Ten Eleven Hair Designs See you on the radio at KVNF 89.1, 90.9, & www.kvnf.org every Monday Noon to 3 pm and Saturday May 14 2:30 - 5PM For more entertainment info see Blue Sky Music Presents on Facebook or call 970.275.4183.
6 MusicWest Magazine ‐ May 2011
MAY 2011
MUSICWEST
MAGAZINE
UNCOMPAHGRE VALLEY MUSES FESTIVAL Skylark Concerts & the Skylark Muses Project present the first estroenergized, female-focused, music festival to the Western Slope. Con-
Skylark Concerts & Skylark Muses Project Present
tinuous live music on two stages from nine of the best femalefronted bands from the Western Slope. Talk about ‘supporting live music in Montrose’ … here’s your chance! Fun for the Whole Family … No need to leave Montrose for Labor Day Weekend, the festival will have something for everyone … not “just us girls”. The “KidZone” will be filled with fun activities. Craft and retail vendors, food and beverage vendors, and a Wine & Beer Garden for the “big kids”. Before you leave be sure to pick up a commemorative festival T-Shirt and a CD of your favorite musician. Full-day passes are available June 1st online at www.skylarkconcerts.com or at the Montrose Pavilion. Advance purchase passes are $25 (through 8/3), $35 (8/4 through 8/30), and $45 at the gate. Family Passes (2adults/3+kids) are $60 (through 8/30) and $75 at the gate. Proceeds will support the performers and benefit the Skylark Muses Foundation which will provide annual educational scholarships to women and girls pursuing music-related careers. Sponsorship Opportunities … Skylark Concerts wants to create an annual ‘signature’ event for Montrose. Your sponsorship will allow SC to reach a state-wide audience and not only support the local musicians with performance opportunities and educational scholarships, but also help bring revenue to the local economy through increased end-of-summer holiday weekend tourism. Vendor Booths Available … What a great end-of-summer opportunity to enjoy one last outdoor celebration with fantastic regional musicians, plenty of sunshine and exceptional sales. Vendor spaces are 10x10 and include two festival passes and a commemorative festival T-shirt. Non-Profit Booths Available … Skylark Concerts is looking for nonprofit groups who focus their services to the needs of women and children. Please contact us for special non-profit booth pricing which includes two festival passes and a commemorative festival T-shirts. Food Vendors Needed … BBQ, Burgers & Dogs, Pizza, Salads, Ice Cream, Lemonade, Watermelon, Churros … what do you like to serve on a hot summer day? Interested? Space is limited and exclusive so give us a call for great pricing.
Muses Festival “some UV rays are good for you!”
Labor day weekend Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 9 Female-fronted Western Slope Bands Blues Jazz Bluegrass Rock Soul Country Alternate Route Deb Barr
Ms Emily & Project Groove
Dee Harthan
Susan Walton & 3 A.M.
Gotta Be Girls
Yvonne Meek &
Opal Moon
Whyld Honey
Beer & Wine Garden—Merchant & Food Vendors Nonprofit Groups—Family-friendly Kids Zone Tickets—$25 in advance available online at Www.uvmusesfest2011.eventbrite.com Our Partners …
Volunteers Needed … Why not exchange a few hours of work for an afternoon of fantastic music? Skylark Concerts needs event staff to assist with parking, ticketing, security, merchandise sales, stage hands and a variety of other tasks. Opportunities are limited so contact us immediately. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, vendor spaces or volunteering in the UV Muses Festival, please contact Yvonne Meek of Skylark Concerts via email at skylark.concerts@gmail.com. Help us make this a fantastic end-of-summer ‘Signature’ event!
The Monitor, Mavis Bennett The Montrose Mirror, Caite Switzer Corbell • Switzer • Meek • Segal Old School House Emporium Caroline Lescroat, Deb Barr … May 2011 ‐ MusicWest Magazine 7
REGIONAL EVENTS
Friday May 6, 6pm
Miss Emily & Project Grove
Saturday May 7, 8pm
Hazel Miller
Sunday May 8, 12noon
Jeff Solon’s
Swing’n Big Band
MUSICWEST
MAGAZINE
Connecting Artist with Audience