Next Gig: Warming up Mandolin Orange on Oct. 1

There are two reasons why you should go to my friend Alan Kanner‘s for a house concert featuring the traditional acoustic folk/country group Mandolin Orange on Wed., Oct. 1, 7 p.m., at (the quaintly named) “Square in the Circle,” 6714 Poplar Ave., in Takoma Park, Md.

By an order of magnitude, the biggest reason you should go is that Mandolin Orange — the duo of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz (pictured below) — is extraordinary. As one reviewer put it, “They craft simple songs that go beyond chord progressions and vocal harmonies, leading somehow toward something pure. Using acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin and a hand-me-down fiddle, Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz allure with a heart-worn sensibility. Last year’s Haste Make/ Hard Hearted Stanger combines bluegrass, rock and country for lullabies that swoon.” I’ve listened to all three of their albums and have become a huge fan.

Check out these videos mandolin-ornage2if that’s not enough to convince you.

This is a chance to hear in an intimate venue (about 50 seats) and for the low-low price of only $20 a group that is already on its way to becoming a major force in their genre of music and well beyond. If you don’t know them now, eventually you will — and should.

The second, much less compelling reason for you to go is to hear me. Alan has generously offered me the opportunity to provide a brief warm up to Mandolin Orange, and I’m thrilled and humbled to do it.

This will be pretty far from my usual jazz act. With my guitar, I’ll be singing a few country, folk and blues selections. Though the featured act should be enough reason to go, I’m hoping my playing might push you over the edge and get you there.

If you do plan to go, it’s essential to email Alan at SquareintheCircle@gmail.com so that he can be sure there’s still room in what is a limited space.

I know it’s a school night, but, really, you owe it to yourself to come hear Mandolin Orange. You will be amazed by them. I hope to see you there.

Jeff Weintraub

Videos From My July 2014 Show

Here are videos of three tunes I performed this past July at the Carlyle Club in Alexandria, Va. They’re posted also on the WeintraubMusic YouTube Channel. Backing me up were: Wayne Wilentz – piano; James King – bass; Jim West – drums. The videography is by Bobby Spero. Let me know what you think.

LULLABY OF BIRDLAND – BY GEORGE SHEARING AND GEORGE DAVID WEISS

 

ILLUSION – BY GREGORY PORTER

 

 I WANNA BE LIKE YOU – BY ROBERT B. SHERMAN AND RICHARD M SHERMAN

 

Check Out My New Demo Tracks

I finally found some time to sit down and record six songs to share with others, and now they’re live and ready for your indulgence.

If you do check them out, you’ll hear me, Nick Lipkowski (on electric and acoustic guitars), George Oakley (alto saxophone, flute and clarinet), and Scott Giambusso (acoustic bass). We recorded at New Door Productions, where Scott is the proprietor and engineer.

To hear the tracks, click over to this page to find the links to the recordings on SoundCloud. Or click each of the songs right here:

I hope you enjoy them, and please share your feedback.

Jeff

Next Gig: Midsummer Night’s Swing, July 24, Carlyle Club

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The Carlyle Club

I’m thrilled to be one of several singers performing in “A Midsummer Night’s Swing” at the Carlyle Club in Alexandria, Va., on Thursday, July 24, starting at 7 p.m. It’s a singers’ showcase, featuring the lovely and talented: Anthony Compton, Kim Mills, Jeanine Greene, Kathy Farmer, Kiris Powell, Tacha Coleman Parr and Tim Gavagan, who will also emcee the event. Backing us up will be the Wayne Wilentz Trio.

I have to confess it’s my first time at the Carlyle, 411 John Carlyle Street in Alexandria, either as a performer or a listener, but I’ve heard it’s a terrific room and that the food — “classic American cuisine” — is mighty fine.

To get more information or to order tickets at $15 each, click here.

I hope you can join us.

Next Gig: May 29 at the Black Fox

I’ll be back at the Black Fox Lounge, Thursday, May 29, from 8 to 11 p.m. With me (vocals) will be Nick Lipkowski (guitar) and Eliot Seppa (bass), playing jazz standards and non-standards again.

We’ll be in the street-level window of the Black Fox, which is at 1723 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. There will be food and drink for you, but, as always, no cover charge.

See you then.

Jeff

Next Up: April 2 at the Black Fox

Hey, everyone, come on down to the Black Fox Lounge, Wednesday, April 2, 8 to 11 p.m., and you’ll see me singing music with the great help of Nick Lipkowski (guitar) and Shawn Simon (bass). We’ll be playing that jazz music again. I’m going to brush off a few new (to me) tunes — standards and, shall we say, non-standards. If you want to know what I mean, you must be present to win.

We’ll be in the street-level window of the Black Fox, which is at 1723 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. There will be food and drink for you, but, as always, no cover charge.

See you there.

Jeff

March 19 at Black Fox

Now that the snow days are (hopefully) receding in our memory, we can get on with the music. Our last show was cancelled in the aftermath of the snow, but we’re back on for Wednesday, March 19, 8 to 11 p.m., at the Black Fox Lounge. By “we” I mean Nick Lipkowski (guitar) and Nicole Saphos (bass and possibly a little singing, too).

We’ll be in the street-level window of the Black Fox, which is at 1723 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. There will be food and drink for you, but, as always, no cover charge.

See you there.

Performance Tonight at Black Fox

Just a reminder that I’ll be back at the Black Fox Lounge from 8 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, singing from the Great American Songbook jazz classics and more. Joining me this time will be Nick Lipkowski (guitar) and, in a late substitution, Nicole Saphos (bass and possibly a little singing, too).

We’ll be in the street-level window of the Black Fox, which is at 1723 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. There will be food and drink for you, but, as always, no cover charge.

Join Us at The Black Fox on March 5

bf phootI’ll be back at the Black Fox Lounge from 8 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, singing from the Great American Songbook jazz classics and more. Joining me this time will be Nick Lipkowski (guitar) and Eliot Seppa (bass). We’ll be in the street-level window of the Black Fox, which is at 1723 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. There will be food and drink for you, but, as always, no cover charge.

Please join us.