Quick reminder as this whirlwind week lurches forward – we have not one but two – count ’em two bands if your weekend needs some live music (I know mine does). The venerable, charitable, immutable (and dare I say adorable?) J Ryan Trio will be at the hospitable, delectable, remarkable and easy-as-pie-parkable Ally’s Bistro today – Friday, with every penny raised donated to the Waukesha Women’s Center – a great charity near and dear to the hearts of Ally’s.

Saturday we have you covered as our sister band the Milwaukee Blues Rock Collective debuts Rosco’s Bar in the heart of real Milwaukee – West Allis. Fun fact: ryan’s first apartment was a stone’s throw from Rosco’s. It may be on Beloit Road, but it’s memory lane for me.

Blessings to each and every one of you so kind to support us, see us, or simply not wish us any specific harm.

Ally’s Bistro
N72W13350 Lund Ln, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
allysbistro.com
262-251-972
Friday Feb 28
7:45pm – 10pm

Ally’s is fast becoming a favorite spot for JRT friends and family to re-connect sharing conversation, laughs, stories and music – with easy parking, convenient hours, great food, top notch staff and a full bar, we’d love for you to join us for a music-soaked respite from the world.

Rosco’s Bar
6711 W Beloit Rd, West Allis, WI 53219
414-336-7880
Saturday Feb 29
7pm – laaaate

Our sister band – the Milwaukee Blues Rock Collective will be debuting Rosco’s Bar this Saturday. For anyone with a need for a harder rockin sound, be sure to drop by and enjoy our fabulous Alissa wailin’ on tunes from Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse to Lady Gaga and Eric Clapton. Rosco’s is a friendly place perfect for real-milwaukee Saturday nite.

Groundhog’s Day, Leap Year, Fat Tuesday (who knew Tuesday had a body image?), the start of Lent and President’s Day (which somehow became associated with mattress sales – I dunno). Suffice it to say February has as much celebration and action as can be safely crammed into 28, er… 29 days. Let’s add a few blocks onto this Jenga tower with a Valentine show at the fabulous Story Hill Firehouse – see details below.

And please note – this is a ticketed event presented by Wisconsin Music Ventures – you gotta buy tickets in advance, no tickets at the door.

Story Hill Firehouse
407 N Hawley Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53213
262-477-5813
Thursday 13
doors open 6pm
Opening act 6pm to 7pm
JRT 7pm to 8:30 pm
Tickets $15 in advance – purchase at
wisconsinmusicventures.com

Tasty morsels from My Family Roots Catering, and a full bar. Yum. Valentine’s day JRT style. I’m… I’m not sure what that means.

If unable to join us on Thursday – fear not!. We’ll be back at Bugsy’s Backalley Speakeasy and Ally’s Bistro per the details below.

Bugsy’s Backalley Speakeasy
218 N Water St, Milwaukee
(but enter via the alley off Chicago Ave)
414-221-6565
www.bugsysbackalleysaloon.com
Saturday Feb 15
9pm – 1am

Oh Bugsy’s – soooooo fun. It’s located just about a million miles away from Monday – and that is aw-right.

Ally’s Bistro
N72W13350 Lund Ln, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
262-251-972
allysbistro.com
Friday Feb 28
8pm-10pm

We are proud to report that all money raised by the JRT at Ally’s benefits The Women’s Center of Waukesha County (twcwaukesha.org).

Variety (and Mrs Dash) are the spice-of-life. Thus the JRT back-half of January has on tap everything from Michael Jackson and the Beatles to Miles Davis and Sinatra. The common thread being the charities you help us support. For musical variety rely on the JRT, For Mrs Dash I’d try Metcalfe’s Market – they’ve got everything including live music from time to time.

Ally’s Bistro
N72W13350 Lund Ln, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
262-251-972
allysbistro.com
Friday Jan 24
8pm – 10pm

Ally’s combats winter cold and flurries with wildly convenient parking, legendary warm & friendly staff, hot dishes, and a full bar (consider Brandy when it’s cold outside – that’ll toast you up Wisconsin style).

Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
2220 N. Terrace Avenue, Milwaukee
414-271-3656
www.villaterrace.org/exhibitions_events/upcoming_events
Sunday Feb 2
10:30am – 12:30pm
(as in: the morning)

Tired of hearing ryan’s inane on-mic banter? So are most. Thus we offer you a morning of fresh coffee and instrumental jazz in a stunningly beautiful setting at Villa Terrace. Enjoy the exhibits and the music as the OJ’s (that’s the original J Ryan Trio) plumbs mid-century jazz and the Great American Songbook.

This being a full-service newsletter, ole ryan went ahead and included below a few gentle suggestions to help manage holiday stress.

• Egg nog makes a fine breakfast drink.
• Do not, under any circumstances, start a band.
• Do not, under any circumstances, book United.
• Keep reindeer (any livestock really) off the roof to prevent damage to shingles and tamp down on noise
• Vince Guaraldi
• Give tastefully wrapped can of WD40 to your Secret Santa. You’ll not be invited to participate again – huge time-saver there.
• Ask first before petting anyone’s emotional support animal – be it a dog, pony or pheasant.
• No need to roll the dice on 4+ hour un-refrigerated meat at the office pot luck – that’s just asking for trouble.
• Hang out with the J Ryan Trio at any of our upcoming sets – you know we’d love to see you!
• Lastly, remember why we do this Christmas thing every year – placing the real reason for Christmas front and center can be a good thing.

Ally’s Bistro
N72W13350 Lund Ln, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
262-251-972
allysbistro.com
Friday Dec 13
8pm-10pm

A special evening of Christmas tunes, Motown, Beatles all stitched together with jazz (and love) with every penny raised on this outing benefiting The Women’s Center of Waukesha County (twcwaukesha.org).

Von Maur
20111 Lord Street in Brookfield
(Bluemound just east of Barker)
262-599-7090
www.vonmaur.com
Saturday Dec 14
11am – 2pm

Beautifully decorated for the holidays, Von Maur offers an unparalleled Christmas shopping experience replete with the best brands, impeccable personal service, a JRT jazz Christmas set and a rollicking jolly Santa Claus. Who knew Santa could shake sleigh bells on the downbeat in 5:4 time? Hey I’m on record: Santa is very real – although once his shift is done at 5 we’re meeting him at Applebee’s for drinks.

The JRT will be on a brief hiatus around the Thanksgiving holiday – thus be sure to catch us at any of the fast-approaching dates below.

The Bay Restaurant
in Whitefish Bay
342 E Silver Spring Dr, Whitefish Bay
414-455-3045
www.thebayrestaurant.net
Friday Nov 8
8pm – 10pm

Remarkable food and a great atmosphere in the heart of charming Whitefish Bay – Baby It’s Cold Outside – stay warm and cozy at the Bay.

Westallion Brewery
1825 S 72nd St, West Allis, WI 53214
414-578-7998
www.westallionbrewing.com
Saturday Nov 9
3pm – 6pm

Join the good folks at Westallion in celebrating the 244’th birthday of the US Marine Corps this Saturday. Enjoy the taproom and outside tent while supporitng Sierra Delta: a charity training and providing support dogs to wounded vets – more info at www.sierradelta.com. Oorah!

Caroline’s Jazz Club
401 S 2nd Street
414-221-9444
www.facebook.com/CarolinesJazzClub
Wednesday Nov 13
7:30pm – 11:30pm

Did you miss ryan’s intimate solo jazz set at Carolines last week? No worries, he’s back with a full jazz-legit trio on Nov 13. Let’s get cookin.

Bugsy’s Backalley Speakeasy
218 N Water St, Milwaukee
(but enter via the alley off Chicago Ave)
414-221-6565
www.bugsysbackalleysaloon.com
Saturday Nov 16
9pm – 1am

The finale for our November is non other than Bugsy’s – it’s a party with good friends old and new and it wouldn’t be the same without you.

Also happy to bring you news of an ancillary JRT related project currently underway – mostly as an excuse to use the word ‘ancillary’.

Recent Sundays have been further blessed as I lend piano and arranging work to a remarkable local gospel recording artist. I’ll be sure to steer you to her album upon completion as you won’t want to miss out.

Now see that’s what’s known in the business as a ‘teaser’ (did it stave off any ‘unsubscribe’ requests? no? oh it’s my inane blather and grammatically deformed copy that’s the problem? But I’m doing the best I can with this… what’s that? Oh – that’s what makes it so sad – that this is the best I can do? No I’m not saying you’re wrong, just that it’s hurtful. Say again?… Oh that I sometimes lose focus and spin off tangentially? I mean I guess sometimes I get distracted – like that one time when that dude dressed as Captain America showed up and I… oh I’m, I’m doing it again? yeah… Righto – ok so what were we talking about? – microwave cookery or something to do with vitamins?)

Baseball season may be drawing to a close, but the JRT has a double-header not-to-be-missed. We have two, count ’em two fundraisers slated both supporting absolutely great local charities right here in Mil-Town. Details below and attached

Much love to you all as we close in on Halloween. I’ll be handing out Tic-Tacs to the costumed wee ones that visit my house this year with thinly veiled threats of ‘trick-or-treat’. It’s my small way of making the world a better smelling place one fresh breath at a time. Now in winto-green flavor.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
Feed your Soul 2019
at Flux Design
3775 N. Richards St. 53212
www.feedingamericawi.org/fysmke
Friday Nov 1
Live Jazz with the JRT: 5:45 – 6:45
Event runs until 11pm

As you know, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin does tremendous work up and down Wisconsin’s ‘Eastern seaboard’ and remains one of the J Ryan Trio flagship charities – we are blessed to support them through our music. This Friday is no exception as we lend jazz to kickoff the Feed Your Soul 2019 event – held at Flux Design. Crafting high quality, creative interiors (think Bugsy’s), the Flux Design warehouse and shop is a cross between American Pickers and Orange County Choppers. Simply one of the most intriguing spaces in the city. Information on the event at www.feedingamericawi.org/fysmke

MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary Fundraising Event at:
The Coffee House
2717 E Hampshire Street, Milwaukee
414-534-4612
Saturday Nov 2
Doors open 7:30
Music from 8pm to 10pm

Working tirelessly to improve the lives of those in our city, Sister MacCanon Brown and her many supporters-in-mission are creating the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary – a multi-resource life-line for those in need. Details on this event and her visionary project are in the attached – or visit www.mbsanctuary.org to learn more. (scroll down as there is also a coffee-related event on Nov 1). Groove along with high-energy, coffee fueled music for a great cause.

The coffee house Nov2 2019 flyer – MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary fundraiser

Enjoy great views of the city and JRT music atop the Rockwell Automation Clock Tower during the Open Doors Milwaukee event on Sept 28. Open Doors provides a unique peek inside historic and significant Milwaukee buildings normally not open to the public.

Speaking of clock towers – how about that Daniel in the Clock Tower from Mr Roger’s Neighborhood of Make Believe? I gotta believe Daniel says it best when he tells us it’s ‹meow› going to be straight up groovy ‹meow› at any of the ‹meow› JRT outings listed ‹meow› below ‹meow›.

Caroline’s Jazz Club
401 S 2nd Street
414-221-9444
www.facebook.com/CarolinesJazzClub
Wednesday Sept 11
8:30pm – 11:30pm

Midweek is goodweek at Carolines. Stop in for libations and jazz both cooled out and cookin. Take that, hump day!

Bugsy’s Backalley Speakeasy
218 N Water St, Milwaukee
(but enter via the alley off Chicago Ave)
414-221-6565
www.bugsysbackalleysaloon.com
Saturday Sept 21
9pm – 1am

Don’t miss Andy’s drum solo as he tees it up Phil Collins style. Crockett and Tubbs would approve.

Doors Open Milwaukee at the Rockwell Automation Clock Tower
1201 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
www.travelwisconsin.com/events/tours/doors-open-milwaukee-43438
Saturday Sept 28

What many don’t know is that the Neighborhood of Make Believe was rife with zoning and building code violations. Indeed only with sizable kickbacks from King Friday were the permits eventually signed. JRT investigators recently uncovered documents from Picture Picture showing a complete disregard for even rudimentary construction standards and basic city planning:

• The tree occupied by Owl and Henrietta Pussycat was not only never zoned duplex, but was a tinderbox of a fire hazard (what with all the leaves and such).
• Originally built as a strip mall, Lady Elaine repurposed the merry-go-round as her primary residence. Heck the signs for ‘Dollar General’ and ‘Checks Cashed’ still clutter the basement.
• How the Platypus house ever received an occupancy permit remains a mystery. I gotta believe lack of opposable thumbs contributed mightily to the shoddy construction.
• King Friday’s castle? An architectural abomination so poorly built the third floor is virtually uninhabitable due to mold. I cannot over-stress the importance of properly installed vapor barrier.

But, in all fairness – they do have a trolley.

Riddle me this: what’s the only thing better than an outing at Ally’s Bistro?

Answer: Two outings at Ally’s Bistro.

Please enjoy the easy parking, family friendly atmosphere, good food fine drinks at Ally’s both this Friday AND next Friday – details below. We’ve got a pair of trio’s (I did the math) revved up and ready to go with fresh songs for both dates. My tired jokes between the songs? Those will remain groan-ily stale (and mostly lifted from old Steve Allen bits).

Ally’s Bistro
N72W13350 Lund Ln, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
262-251-972
allysbistro.com
Friday Aug 30
8pm-10pm

AND

Ally’s Bistro
N72W13350 Lund Ln, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
262-251-972
allysbistro.com
Friday Sept 6
8pm-10pm

Anyone else have a hankerin’ for some doublemint gum?

A friendly reminder for those who love Sunday mornings, coffee and maybe a little jazz::

Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum’s Renaissance Garden – Café Sopra Mare
2220 N. Terrace Avenue, Milwaukee
414-271-3656
www.villaterrace.org/exhibitions_events/upcoming_events
Sunday Aug 25
10:30am – 12:30pm (as in: the morning)

Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum hosts the original trio – Mike, Andy and little-ole-me – laying down instrumental morning jazz in the best Tuscan courtyard garden this side of Florence. Make it a summer morning of art and sound at a venue that is truly one of Milwaukee’s shining gems.

I am extremely excited to announce a Shrimp Boil at the historic Story Hill Firehouse featuring the J Ryan Trio this Friday Aug 16 (5:30-8:30pm). For tickets and details please see the link and info below. The Story Hill Firehouse is one of Milwaukee’s newest and finest venues for weddings, special events and live music.  Originally constructed in 1927, the now refurbished space retains many original architectural details while lending a thoroughly chic and modern scene to any event or evening. And the food? Magnifique!

In the spirit of any good New Orleans shrimp boil, we’ll ‘laissez les bon temps rouler’. That is: ‘Let the Good Times Roll’. The JRT will cover both the song and the sentiment.

Story Hill Firehouse
407 N Hawley Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53213
262-477-5813
facebook:  www.facebook.com/407Hawley/
website:  www.storyhillfirehouse.com
Friday Aug 16
5:30pm – 8:30pm
Information and tickets available at the below link
www.facebook.com/events/1082877085237617/

Bugsy’s Backalley Speakeasy
218 N Water St, Milwaukee
(but enter via the alley off Chicago Ave)
414-221-6565
www.bugsysbackalleysaloon.com
Saturday Aug 17
9pm – 1am

But wait – there’s more: There’s Bugsy’s Backalley Speakeasy on Saturday Aug 17. Woohoo. We’ll play a perpetual plethora of poppin’ tunes while also including a copious compliment of camaraderie and comedy. Oh we can be pretty funny – although not always in a ‘ha ha’ way.

And all of the above after helping out friends in music at the State Fair. Indeed the photo below shows our very own Alissa wailing on a Janis Joplin tune while ensconced in the mighty tendrils of not 1, not 2, but count ’em 3 smoke machines. I think the vapor looked extremely cool under the lights, and helped Alissa develop an even smokier tone by the third set.