Hello from the J Ryan Trio. It’s January and you know what that means… No? you don’t? Well I haven’t a clue what it means. Hey if we can’t figure it out this correspondence devolves from relevant and newsworthy to spam-filter fodder.
Let’s see, January is:
- National Book Month – Pretty sure I read that somewhere.
- National Get Organized Month – Now I think I had that jotted on a post-it, maybe under this coaster? …wait why is that sticky? eww that’s nasty.
- National Thyroid Awareness Month – Are you aware of your thyroid? Good, just checkin’.
- International Creativity Month – This reminder brought to you by our stale and formulaic newsletter.
- National Hobby Month – Music is a hobby. In Wisconsin drinking is a hobby, enjoy both with the JRT.
- High Tech Month – you are receiving this via email, which was pretty high tech circa 1998.
- Reference Book Month – In the same month as High Tech month? Maybe it’s National Irony Month.
- Jan week 2 – National Folic Acid Awareness Week – just be aware, it’s one of our nation’s most beloved acids.
- Jan 5 was National Bird Day – If you forgot to flip someone the bird on Jan 5, you’ll have to wait a whole ‘nuther year. Gal next to me in traffic today is apparently working ahead.
Bottom line is although we don’t have anything booked for Peculiar People Day on Jan 10, we’d love to see you at any or all of the fine venues below – swing by and have a listen.
Bugsy’s Backalley Speakeasy
218 N Water St, Milwaukee
(but enter via the alley off Chicago Ave)
414-221-6565
www.bugsysbackalleysaloon.com
Saturday Jan 12
9pm – 1am
It’s a quintet with three, count ’em three part harmony. A rockin time is assured.
The Bay Restaurant in Whitefish Bay
342 E Silver Spring Dr, Whitefish Bay
414-455-3045
www.thebayrestaurant.net
Friday Jan 18
8pm – 10pm
Remarkable food and a great atmosphere in the heart of charming Whitefish Bay – stay warm and cozy at the Bay.
Caroline’s Jazz Club
401 S 2nd Street
414-221-9444
www.facebook.com/CarolinesJazzClub
Thursday Jan 31
8:30pm – 11:30pm
We’ll play almost right up to February as the clock strikes midnight – would love to see you there.
Until February (what’s with that ‘ru’?) – be well, stay warm and blessings on your start to 2019.
And for cryin out loud, find us on Facebook / Instagram.
We are obviously very excited to bring Christmas jazz back to Von Maur. I recall fondly my meeting Santa Claus during last year’s outing. Being a lifetime member of the ‘coal society’ I hadn’t had the pleasure of greeting him face-to-face during my formative years. Anyhoo, as we laid into our first set, ‘ole St Nick descended the escalator while shaking sleigh bells on 2 and 4 in perfect time. Sauntering past the line of kids and leaning over the piano he says to me, and I kid you not, “Hey man, can y’all play some Art Blakey?”. That’s right, Santa was a true blue jazz cat that knew. his. stuff. At that moment, in my mind, he was indeed the real Santa. Voice 2 octaves higher than intended and rife with child-like excitement I heard myself exclaim “Sure thing Santa!”. Well we busted out ‘Moanin’ from the Jazz Messengers and had ourselves a merry little time. So maybe pop on by this Saturday, Dec 15 at Von Maur and say hi to Santa’s groovin’est elves, Or catch us at any of the other superb venues listed above.
Candy Corn – What flavor is it supposed to be? If brainstorming new candy ideas, best to start with something good and make it better – make it candy-er. Corn is not a starting point. Any vegetable really, no-one wants candy asparagus or candy spinach either. Plus they seem perfectly shaped to choke on – was that intentional?
OK
Moving that gear. Keyboards – big ones. And drums – lots of ’em. And stairs. It’s excellent resistance training – with cardio. I save on gym membership; you’d think I’d be in better shape after all that hauling, and I’da thought toting a keyboard down the sidewalk would raise my coolness quotient. Not the case. I’m uncool for, um… other reasons. Many… many other reasons. It’s even changed the way I enjoy watching other live bands. I watch folks play and mentally tally up the gross tonnage of gear on stage – then smile knowing I don’t have to load it out once the set wraps. heeeee he.
Musicians. The musicians themselves. They (and me included) are an absolutely interesting bunch of cats. Yup. Interesting, that’s the adjective we’re going with. Sharing music is a great way to learn the real ins and outs of the people who play it. I’m blessed to share music with some fantastic people, and to have grown to know them so well is one of life’s best treasures.
Our very own Kristi and family returned recently from touring the venerable RCA Studio B in Nashville – part of the Country Music Hall of Fame. I can only imagine what tunes she’ll be adding to our set list.
A reminder to check all drum cases before the gig.
credit: The Onion
I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Owners Paul (as in the Paul Spencer Band) and Caroline (as in the Caroline) are national treasures and the staff is the best you’ll find. It’s comfy, casual, classy and cocktail delicious. Stop in to hear the J Ryan Trio’ s musical jambalaya on Thursday and have a truly remarkable experience supporting a truly remarkable venue. For a peek behind the scenes, I don’t have video of the JRT at Carolines (yet) but I do have a clip of ole Ryan messin’ round with Paul’s crew – 
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. Interestingly Mike, Andy and I convened the first ever live JRT session at the fabulous Tusa Italian restaurant on April 28, 2012. Vocalists were shorter back then.
With snow to shovel and holes in my glove – what to do? Almost too obvious, this slathering of duct tape is for the beginner ‘fix-ished’ aficionado. More advanced learners will graduate to caulk, bailing wire and eventually JB Weld.
A musical entry – this keyboard pedal suffered a broken housing due to, um… unbridled enthusiasm during a Stevie Wonder song. The giant washer and Herman Munster looking bolt have held this hot mess together for several years now.
Aaaah – an automotive entry. My beloved ride is 20 years young – far too tender an age to consider recycling into soup cans. Concerned that crafty thieves might steel groceries from the trunk through the holes in the fenders (and having lost a case of Dr Pepper through the same rusty egress) a meticulously crafted patch-panel was unceremoniously caulked and screwed to the vehicle. Both classy AND functional? Yes you can have it all once embracing the “Fix-ished” lifestyle.