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PRESS
Publication: The East
Hampton Press & The Southampton Press
By Jennett Meriden
Russell
There is only one thing John Brzoza and Jessie Haynes love more than
playing their original music: That would be using their talent to help
kids in need during the holidays.
“Who doesn’t want to do something to give back at Christmas time?”
Ms. Haynes, a professional guitarist from East Quogue, said in a recent
interview.
On Thursday, December 10, Ms. Haynes and Mr. Brzoza, who also hails
from East Quogue, will be headlining a special holiday edition of the
Patchogue Theatre’s “Live in the Lobby” series.
The “Live in the Lobby” concerts, which feature original music of
local songwriters and performers, have been running since 2005 in the
theater’s palatial lobby. The December 10 performance is being dubbed
“Love in the Lobby,” and is a fund-raiser for the U.S. Marine Corps
sponsored “Toys For Tots” program. The national, benevolent program has
collected roughly $500 million in toys for nearly 200 million
underprivileged children across the country since its inception in 1947.
Fellow original Long Island artists Jordan Hope and the band Satchel
Boogie are also on the “Love in the Lobby” bill. Mr. Brzoza and Ms.
Haynes are hoping people will not only attend the concert, but also
bring toys for Long Island children who otherwise might not be getting
any presents this year.
“It’s Christmas time and it’s about kids,” Ms. Haynes said. “That’s
all.”
“For a kid not to open a gift on Christmas is terrible,” added Mr.
Brzoza.
Six years ago, Ms. Haynes created a local fund-raising concert for
Toys For Tots, featuring local songwriters and performers. The concert
was previously presented at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in Riverhead.
Mr. Brzoza said Patchogue Theatre officials offered him the December
10 gig, and he decided to incorporate the Toys For Tots drive into the
pre-Christmas concert.
“We just thought it was a good way to help out the kids and at the
same time promote local, original artists,” he said.
Patchogue Theatre Director of Communications Christopher Capobianco
said that “Love in the Lobby” is a welcome addition to the “Live in the
Lobby” repertoire. This past October, the series presented “Lennon in
the Lobby,” which featured local musicians playing John Lennon tunes.
Mr. Capobianco said that the “Live in the Lobby” concert series has
gained a “well-earned” reputation among local musicians and music fans
as one of the best venues for original music on Long Island. He also
touts the talents of Ms. Haynes and Mr. Brzoza and their songwriting
skills.
“Jessie Haynes is a beautiful, talented and generous musician, who
writes fantastic songs, sings like an angel and is an excellent
guitarist,” Mr. Capobianco said. “I have become a big fan of her
recordings, but she very rarely performs live, so to have her appear at
a Live in the Lobby is a big thrill.”
Mr. Capobianco also praised Ms. Haynes for her benevolent spirit,
noting that he and the Patchogue Theatre board of directors hope the
Toys For Tots concert will become an annual event at the theater.
He extolled Mr. Brzoza’s generosity and his talents as a guitarist,
singer and songwriter, adding that the local musician is always
championing Long Island songwriters and performers.
“John has worked with all of the performers on the Love in the Lobby
bill,” Mr. Capobianco said. “So in addition to doing his songs, he and
his band will back up Jessie, Jordan Hope and Satchel Boogie, so this
will be a fantastic night of music.”
Jessie Haynes burst on the Long Island music scene in the 1990s as
lead guitarist and singer for the all-female band Sweet Little Sister.
Her searing guitar licks and sultry voice caught the attention of Richie
Blackmore, founder of the 1960s and ’70s rock band Deep Purple.
He asked her to join his latest partnership, Blackmore’s Night, a
band that also features his wife, singer Candice Night. In addition to
touring with the band, Ms. Haynes also played guitar and sang backup
vocals on Mr. Blackmore’s albums.
But Ms. Haynes said she eventually tired of enduring long, grueling
road tours and putting up with the attitudes of temperamental artists.
The mother of two settled in East Quogue in the early part of the new
century and quickly started up a family as well as a solo musical
career.
“I’ve been a hired gun for different bands over the years,” she said.
“But now I just like to do my own thing, on my own terms, and I don’t
have to be at the mercy of someone on a tour bus.”
Ms. Haynes met Mr. Brzoza in 2005, while he was hosting an open mic
at a local watering hole. The two found their musical styles
complemented one another and they went on to collaborate on several
songs and headlined various live performances, including Patchogue Jam 2
at the Patchogue Theatre in 2006.
Ms. Haynes said that Mr. Brzoza has an uncanny knack for
accompanying, and bringing the best out of, any
musician. For nearly two decades, Mr. Brzoza has played
host for open mic nights across Long Island, providing
many local artists their first opportunity to gain wide
exposure in the region.
He is widely recognized by
fellow musicians and music critics as one of the premier
musical talents on Long Island. Michael Lucci of Island
Voice magazine described Mr. Brzoza’s musical style as
“fluid and textural.”
“Mr. Brzoza’s playing is wholly expressive,” Mr.
Lucci wrote, “in his use of both traditional techniques
and innovative effects, creating mesmerizing aural
soundscapes.”
Mr. Brzoza has recorded two solo albums and is
currently working on a third as yet untitled release. He
has also been featured with various other Long Island
bands and recently played at two separate birthday
parties for pop legends Prince and Sly Stone.
“It was a real thrill to play with Music Hall of Fame
players like Vic Wooten and Steve Jordan,” Mr. Brzoza
said. “There were just some killer players up there.”
Mr. Brzoza’s open mic band will be backing up Ms.
Haynes, as well as accompanying Jordan Hope of Medford,
billed as an “experimental” guitarist, and Arkansas
native Steven Meadors. Both Ms. Hope and Mr. Meadors
also met Mr. Brzoza at local open mics he was hosting.
Mr. Brzoza is currently working in four bands that
include his own band mates, Long Island musicians Keyth
Strauss on keyboards, guitarist Phil “Killer Philler”
Bland, bassist Paul Cruz and drummer Rodney Harris.
He has also performed with such Long Island bands as
The Love Junkies, Crayon Harmony, Folk Fiction, Shredds,
Europa and The John Brzoza Band.
Mr. Strauss noted that he and other musicians
scheduled for next Thursday’s performance are not drawn
to the event solely out of altruism. He explained that
there are dozens of songwriters on Long Island who are
itching to have Mr. Brzoza back up their original tunes.
“John is one of the few guys that can actually
command a following of musicians,” Mr. Sarkis said.
“We’ll even play with John for free—which we often
do—because he’s that dynamic a musician to play with.”
“Love in The Lobby,” featuring Jessie Haynes and John
Brzoza, begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, at
the Patchogue Theatre at 71 East Main Street in
Patchogue. Tickets are $10 each. Each audience member
who brings an unwrapped toy will receive a $5 beverage
voucher that can be used that night at the Patchogue
Theatre bar, located in the lobby. For more information,
call 207-1313 or visit
www.PatchogueTheatre.com.
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Publication: The East Hampton Press & The
Southampton Press
Looking for something different to do this
Halloween? Then garb up as your favorite monster, ghoul or temptress
and get ready for a full night of live music and horror movies. It
all happens when the Musicians Masquerade takes over the entire
Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in Riverhead on Halloween.
The doors open at 7 p.m. and close when the last
ghoul goes home. There will be continuous live music from Long
Island bands in the upstairs theater. Monster movies and cult
favorites like Rocky Horror Picture Show will be screened starting
at 8 p.m. in the first floor cabaret room.
There will be a cash bar and prizes for best
costumes. The event is for 21 and over since there will be a cash
bar. All in all, event organizer John Brzoza believes there will be
enough zaniness and music to make for a great night worth
remembering.
“There will be stories to tell, when it’s all over,”
Mr. Brzoza said. “With all the bands playing and all the characters
who are bound to show up, it’s guaranteed to be a fun time.”
The musical lineup is a cross section of the Long
Island music scene. There will be hard rock, country rock, rock,
alternative, music with a gothic penchant, punk, and Latin jazz
fusion with a lot of jamming. Taking the stage (in no particular
order) will be Blue Wild Angel from Hampton Bays, Europa from Sag
Harbor, Jessie Haynes and the Aqua Girls from East Quogue and Tom
Hood & The Trailmen of Eastport.
Hailing from farther afield are Folk Fiction, Jordan
Hope, Steve Meaders, Seanamole, Frank Dimino, and Stevenmark. Each
band will play for 15 minutes before the next band immediately takes
the stage.
Mr. Brzoza, who hails from East Quogue, will play
with several bands. He will appear with The John Brzoza Band, which
has multiple recordings, and the group Noisy Boy. Mr. Brzoza is also
a member of Plan B, who will perform at 75 Main in Southampton on
Saturday, November 1.
When Mr. Brzoza’s not gigging with one the bands, he
hosts open mic nights on Thursdays at Molly’s Irish Pub in
Brookhaven and at the Brickhouse Brewery in Patchogue on Tuesday
nights. Many of the bands in the Halloween lineup have played at his
open mic nights. Mr. Brzoza said the Musicians Masquerade wouldn’t
be possible if it weren’t for many of the musicians pitching in to
make the night possible.
In the end, the evening is a great opportunity for
Long Island bands to perform on a historic stage in front of a large
crowd of people who are interested in original music and being part
of the live music scene.
“We are out there doing our music,” Mr. Brzoza said.
“We’re trying to make an impact, trying to make a scene. This is one
of those opportunities.”
Mr. Brzoza has staged similar musical gatherings in
the past. Two years ago, he organized Jambalaya at the Vail-Leavitt
Music Hall. He’s also one of the co-hosts with Ms. Haynes of
Original Voices at the Vail, which is held the third Thursday of
every month. The Vail-Leavitt is a historic theater for rent run by
a non-profit organization.
Musicians Masquerade will be held on Halloween at
the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, Peconic Avenue, Riverhead. The doors
open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door and $15 in advance.
Tickets can be purchased at East Enders Coffee House and the East
End Arts Council in Riverhead, as well as at Vail-Leavitt. A 50/50
raffle will be held to raise money for the event and for the Best
Costume prize. For information, visit www.vail-leavitt.org or
www.myspace.com/johnbrzoza.
Publication:
The East Hampton Press & The Southampton Press
Article & Photos By
Pat Rogers
Fans of live music, take
heart: original tunes can still be found on stage. Once a month,
music lovers and musicians can hear what their peers are up to and
even play a few songs of their own during “A Night of Original
Voices at the Vail.” It all happens at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall
in Riverhead on the third Thursday of every month.
The format is similar to
open mic nights in bars or coffeehouses: walk-in musicians can
sign-up to perform when the doors open at 7 p.m. Groups are
announced by the hosts, who also play a song or two or three. A
featured guest takes the stage for 30 minutes, sandwiched between
performances by walk-ins.
What differs about
Original Voices is that only original music is welcome on the stage.
Unlike many venues, there is no bar or food service, so audience
attention is placed front and center on the musicians performing.
“This is more of an
original music-friendly place,” said Eva Adalai of East Moriches, a
guitarist and singer/songwriter who performed last week. “There’s no
clinking of glasses or screams about football in the bar. People are
here for the music.”
Original Voices takes
place in the black box theater on the first floor of the
Vail-Leavitt Music Hall. The room is cozy and has space to seat 50
people. Microphones, a drum kit, electronic equipment, technical
assistance and even sound checks are provided by the hosts. If a
solo musician wants an instant back-up band, most likely one will
materialize on the spot.
The effort is led by
Original Voices founder Jessie Haynes, an East Quogue musician. The
singer/songwriter/guitarist has led open mic nights in venues across
Long Island. Her co-hosts are all musicians as well. They include
Chris Bruschi of Hampton Bays, who is a Vail-Leavitt board member.
Mr. Bruschi typically mans the theater during the event and makes
sure the $5 door donations and tips for the musicians get where they
need to go.
John Brzoza handles the
sound and is there to lend a hand when an extra guitarist is needed.
Robb Patterson of Riverhead emcees the evening and Gregg Gennari
records all the music and brings CDs to the next session, held the
following month. Volunteers are always sought to help the event run
more smoothly.
Volunteers may also help
the open mic night to grow so the musicians might be able to use the
main theater upstairs. This shared hope was echoed by nearly all the
musicians interviewed last week. So was the hope that getting the
word out will bring musicians out in droves. A typical evening
features about 10 to 15 soloists or groups that want to play. When
the crowd outgrows the 50-person room, a request can be placed to
the board of the Vail-Leavitt to use the main theater.
“I hope that a lot of
people spread the word about the scene there,” said Ms. Adalai. “It
would be a great experience for people starting out to play a big
stage like those in the city. It would be amazing.”
Mr. Patterson was
optimistic that Original Voices will take off and that Riverhead is
on the cusp of burgeoning musical scene. The open mic night began in
March and has been held once a month ever since. Photos, feedback
and future events are posted at
www.myspace.com/orginialvoicesatthevail .
“There’s really no reason
why it can’t grow,” said Mr. Patterson. “There’s no shortage of
talent and there’s a lot going on in Riverhead right now. The East
End Arts Council has a new recording studio and they’re trying to
get things going. East Enders Coffee House has live music a few
times a week. There’s a little scene here in Riverhead.”
For now, there are plenty
of accolades for the scene already playing out. Each month draws a
new crop of musicians plus some returning ones. A broad range of
music has been taking the black box stage. Among other acts, there
has been an experimental jam set to a backdrop of projected surf
images, an a cappella group, gospel singers and lots of
singer-songwriters who appear solo or with a band.
Acoustic and electric are
equally welcome. So are all ages. Performers range from the
occasional teenager to those in their 20s right up to those in their
50s. New music by established performers is encouraged.
“No one is going to judge
you here,” Ms. Haynes said to the crowd that gathered last week.
“You’ve got a supportive group of musicians who want to hear what
you want to play. Use this place as a way to try out new material
and take chances.”
Some of the players did
exactly that last Thursday, while others performed songs from
upcoming releases. Some of the musicians took the stage solo for the
first time in many years, because they are now playing with bands.
Others don’t play professionally but enjoy performing a song or two
at this open mic night and others on Long Island.
In all cases, playing for an
audience offered a welcome opportunity to hone their chops and
experience the joy of playing their original music. Return performers
have the chance to apply to be the featured act of the night. Last week
featured John Brzoza & Friends. Next month puts Jeremy Sears center
stage. November’s headliner is Last Charge of the Light Horse. December
has the fifth annual Toys for Tots benefit that brings a slew of talent
together for a good cause.
Tom Hood and The Trailmen of
Eastport took the stage as a walk-in last week but the band has been the
featured act before. After performing, Mr. Hood passed around copies of
his latest recording, “Riding Into Town.” Musicians are encouraged to
bring their cds along. Their website or myspace accounts are announced
by the emcee so more of their music can be heard. All in all, Original
Voices at the Vail is a special combination, Mr. Hood said.
“This is a venue totally
devoted to music,” he said. “After a few times, you have the chance to
become the featured performer. It’s a real showcase for musicians. Plus,
people are here because they want to hear the music. There’s really not
another place like this on Long Island.”
Separately, Ms. Adalai
agreed. “There’s really no place like this where original music is
welcomed at open mics. At other open mics there’s a lot of covers
because that’s what the audience likes to hear.”
Original Voices at the Vail
is held the third Thursday of every month at the Vail-Leavitt Music
Hall, 18 Peconic Avenue in Riverhead. Doors open and sign-up begins at 7
p.m. The evening runs through 10 p.m. For information, visit
The people
who help make Original Voices at the Vail work each month relax for a
moment while performers claimed audience attention on September 18.
Clockwise from top left are John Brzoza, Gregg Gennari, Robb Patterson
and Jessie Haynes. PAT ROGERS
www.myspace.com/originalvoicesatthevail . Basic information can be
found at www.vail-leavitt.org.
Issue #18 - July 25, 2008
Back Beat
Hot Music Scene Develops in Riverhead - Yes, Riverhead
By Tiffany Razzano
Nestled between the North and South Forks, on the Peconic Bay
waterfront, downtown Riverhead is poised to become a new music and arts
center for the East End.
Sure, there are a number of empty storefronts - including the abandoned
900-seat Suffolk Theatre - giving the area a semi-rundown vibe, but
there are clear signs of a burgeoning original music scene that's
struggling to grow. Eastenders Coffee House schedules an original music
act - covering all genres, from blues to indie folk - every Friday,
Saturday and Sunday. And though they recently cancelled their weekly
open mic night, owner Diane Reeve has hinted that it might come back in
the fall.
Across the street from Eastenders is the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, an
intimate and historic 220-seat theater, which also has a smaller, black
box theater - the home of the new open mic series, "Original Voices at
the Vail." It's held the third Thursday of every month and includes a
different featured performer each time. "We're really looking to create
a scene," said Jessie Haynes, a singer-songwriter and one of the
organizers of the series. "We're not cliquey. This isn't a club house."
She said they're always looking for new musicians - of all genres - to
join the open mic. Though it just began five months ago, the series
usually attracts between 30 and 35 musicians and listeners from east of
Patchogue, predominantly coming from the two forks.
The waterfront is also home of the annual Riverhead Blues Festival, and
the East End Arts Council, though it focuses mainly on visual arts,
holds occasional music programs, including a weekly outdoor drumming
class, and the Mosaic Street Painting Festival, which melds together all
of the arts and features performances by local musicians.
Riverhead was an artistic powerhouse as little as 10 to 15 years ago. In
fact, at a point, Town legislation maintained that the apartments above
the shops that lined Main Street were for artists and musicians only.
This legislation was altered about eight years ago, when the artistic
population began to dwindle, said Vincent Tria, who sits on Vail's Board
of Directors.
Reeve thinks the main reason for the lack of a cohesive arts scene in
recent years is because of the development of the Tanger Outlet Center
and other big box stores along County Road 58, which forced the mom and
pop shops in downtown Riverhead to shut down because they couldn't
compete. In order for there to be a vibrant music and arts scene, most
of the storefronts need to be occupied. "There's a tremendous,
tremendous amount of potential," Reeve said. "I've been waiting for
Riverhead to come to life and I think it will in its own time. There's a
whole lot of potential here."
"I really feel like it's going to happen. It has that artsy in the
making kind of vibe," Haynes added.
And a lot of things are scheduled that will transform Riverhead -
Riverhead Resorts will be built on the old Grumman site, Atlantis Marine
World is planning a hotel of its own and, next week, a local developer
will raze a dilapidated building on Peconic Avenue to make way for brand
new shops and a restaurant facing the waterfront. The Town also recently
took over control of the Suffolk Theatre - which Tria, Haynes and Reeve
think could become a Stephen Talkhouse for the area.
These changes could bring in the foot traffic needed to transform the
downtown from merely a handful of single destination attractions into a
destination unto itself, much like Port Jefferson or Greenport Village.
"Riverhead will eventually become a tourist attraction," Tria said. "In
not too many years, we'll be able to offer people a lot."
And when this happens, the local music scene will be in a place where it
has everything it needs to grow.
For more information about what's going on at the Vail or Eastenders, go
to vail-leavitt.org and eastenderscoffeehouse.com.
If you're a band or musician interested in being featured in our new
music column, email
tiffany@danspapers.com.
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