Bruce Markow: NewsBlog

Big thanks to all who made the Old Stone House concert on March 9 a well attended and uplifting success.

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I’m happy to announce that my set on March 9 at the Old Stone House is now part of the Song of Peace project. I will be be singing “Prayer for Peace” and “Let’s Be Honest” from my CD Demolicious4 (available at the show and the web site) and a new and lively one about finding inner/outer solace through music, called “Peace at the Piano,” inspired in part by the "cellist of Sarajevo." I hope you’ll be singing along.

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Here's a flier to click for Bruce's show at Old Stone House.


Dear friends,

I invite you to what may be my last big (or any) show in the New York City area for quite a while, and it should be a doosie!

New songs are rolling out of the chute lately and I’m hot to bring you a sampling of them as well the time-tested repertoire, some of which is getting nice notice, in this hour long set.

We’ll be in a beautiful, intimate and historic stone building on the site of a Revolutionary War battle. (The colonists got routed, but held off the British long enough to help tens of thousands of their comrades escape to New Jersey.)

Also performing their own set, for the same entry, is the lively old timey, Appalachian music group, the Chelsea String Band.

I’m probably on first, but not definitely, so come early and plan to stay for the whole, great show. Please remember that Daylight Savings Time begins 2 a.m. that morning. We can spring forward together.

If you had any doubts... please know I would be thrilled to see you!

Love and succulence,
Bruce


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Sunday, March 9, 2008
4 p.m. (spring forward)
BRUCE MARKOW
& The Chelsea String Band

OLD STONE HOUSE in J.J.Byrne Park
5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets
Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
www.theoldstonehouse.org • 718-768-3195
$10 for both acts

Easily reached by car, bus or subway
R train to Union St. or to 9th St. at 4th Ave.

This show is the first of the roughly monthly Zeemeuwsic III series curated by cellist Martha Siegel.

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The house was packed, thousands of dollars were raised for a terrific cause (see the Feb.1, 2008 entry) and fantastic music flowed like wine for four hours.

The house band, plus friends/singers Glen Roethel, Stuart Markus and Hilary Foxsong of Gathering Time, joined me on my set, which included the rarely performed band arrangement (found on my CD Demolicious4) of "Shine a Little Light," plus "Prayer for Peace" and "Mango." And I played guitar in the very tuneful and generous house band.

All in all, a great time for a great cause.

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Bruce played a three song set of his own, and guitars in the stellar house band at this venue in another benefit produced by Michael Sansonia last year, a rousing success for all. This year Bruce reprises a mini-set and rejoins an all star house band on guitar duties. Here is a light edit of Michael's invitation:

Have you ever had the thought, on a wintry Sunday afternoon, "Gee, I wish I could go someplace and hear a legendary folk performer, an award-winning cabaret singer, a couple of Grammy winners, some members of Bruce Springsteen's band, a long-running comedy troupe, a father/son poetry/rap duo, a world-class swing band, several other performers of various styles, AND support a great cause while I'm doing it?" Then, boy, do we have a show for you!

On Sunday, February 24, UUCCN will host a benefit concert in cabaret style for Doctors Without Borders, the world's leading medical relief organization, often operating in countries where there is no existing medical infrastructure.

Performers include Bill Vanaver, three time MAC Award winner Marcus Simeone, Bruce Markow, Henry Chapin, Marty Cutler, Chicago City Limits, Li'l Mo, Gathering Time, Phil Minissale, and many, many others. Backed by a band to include Larry Eagle and Art Baron (of Bruce Springsteen's Seeger Sessions Band), Frank London (of The Klezmatics), Jim Witherspoon, Kenny Kosek, Jim Whitney, Skip Krevins, Bruce Markow, Michael Sansonia, John Licitra, Martha Hyde, Tigger Benford and more.

Light supper and snacks will be available. 100% of the proceeds will go to DWB.

Sunday February 24, 2008
4 - 8 p.m.BRUCE MAROW in a solo set
(with house band back-up - which he also joins)
and Many Others in a
BENEFIT FOR DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

Universalist Unitarian Congregation Central Nassau
Stewart Ave. & Nassau Blvd
Garden City, Long Island, NY 11530

www.uuccn.org $15 donation

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Dear Ones,

As we emerge out of the darkest day of the year
and go about our activities,
I wish for you everything you'd wish yourself
in your heart of hearts
-- or even better!

And may your holidays and new year,
and those of your friends and loved ones,
-- in fact, of everyone everywhere --
be blissed and blessed,
replete with health and happiness,
with wonder and fulfillment,
with Peace and Harmony for all.

Thank you for being such an important part of my world
and for supporting my music and who I am
and for being the amazing person you are.

Here are a couple of links you may find inspiring:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_humpback_whale.htm

http://www.makeeverydayaholiday.com/wp-content/uploads/medah.html

With love and gratitude,
Bruce

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Thanks to everyone who arrived at the Good Coffeehouse in Brooklyn last night for my solo "Yes-No Show", wherever your trip originated. I know some of you trekked in from remote corners.

I enjoyed the evening, most especially the unabashedly enthusiastic level of singing on the choruses by attendees. For those of you who are not performing singer/songwriters or have not yet been graced with such a gracious audience as mine last night: Can you imagine how good it feels to pause in the singing of a chorus (or to be free to harmonize or improvise on the melody) when your audience carries it, full voice, like an ocean of sound? And to have the energy you give reflected back by a roomful of people fully enjoying themselves? Ahhh... Stage Heaven. (Insert the sound of my heart melting here.) [Note to self: Must make an mp3 of that.]

Thanks also to Bev Grant and Ben Silver for sitting in on Let's Be Honest, Prayer for Peace and Mango; to Justin Stallard for doing a bonanza on the boards; to (friend and my occasional percussionist) Robin Burdulis for MC'ing so generously; to the volunteer staffs of the Good Coffeehouse and Park Slope Food Coop; and to Jean Rohe and her excellent band for an inspiring second set.

I'd love to see y'all at the next one.

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Here's a flier to click for Bruce's show at The Good Coffeehouse Music Parlor.

Bruce performs one full length set of his originals at this warm and cozy venue in a double bill with Jean Rohe's ensemble playing folk, jazz & traditional latino songs. Expect a few surprises from Bruce. He'll likely do parts of "The Yes-No Show."

Easy access by car, train or bus. Near Grand Army Plaza & 2, 3, B, Q, F trains.

Come on out for this great chance to get a full "dose of charisma and positive energy!” (so exclaims Kathy Moran, CT & NY concert promoter) and see for yourself what inspired renowned singer-songwriter Vance Gilbert to rave of Bruce’s music “Hot! Amazingly tasty!”

Some details: at BSEC, 53 Prospect Park West (between 1st & 2nd Sts)
(Park Slope) Brooklyn NY 11215. Info: (718) 768-2972. Price: $10/$6 kids.

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I don’t know how it is for those of you in other parts of the country. (We New Yorkers can get surprisingly provincial when it comes to being aware of other places.) But here in the City over the last year or two we’ve lost too many terrific venues that featured a great array of internationally known -- and unknown -- talented performers, most especially tuned-in singer-songwriters and traditional musicians of both American and other roots.

Thank you and we’ll miss you, Bottom Line, CBGB’s/CBGB’s Gallery, Satalla, C-Note, Cafe 111 (and more I’m sure I’ve omitted). I’ve listened at each of these settings and performed at most of them, with gratitude. Fortunately, I’m noticing that new and unusual venues do keep cropping up her and there. (For example, right in my corner of Brooklyn, check out theater/lounge/community center/music school/instrument shop, Jalopy, and two succesful singer-songwriter series at Lyceum and Catharsis at the Perch Cafe.)

There’s a wonderful little store called Tribal Soundz in Manhattan’s East Village that I’ve enjoyed for years, since they first set up shop, where you can browse and buy odd and not-so-odd musical instruments, recordings, and knickknacks from around the world. It has a funky, friendly vibe and time passes quickly shooting the breeze with musician/owner Nora Balaban and others in the constellation of frequenters. With an abiding interest in traditional world music, I’ve taken group lessons right there in the middle of the store, in unusual guitar and vocal styles, even sitar and kora, and have settled onto the rickety, wicker, African seats for some of the best and most intimate concerts I’ve experienced in New York.

Rents keep rising all over the City and Tribal Soundz is straining to keep its doors open. If you are local please help them stay afloat by attending their stellar benefit concert series, already underway, filled with outstanding musicians associated with the place. Out-of-towners, please tell your New York friends. I’ve suggested to Nora that she open up their Web site for PayPal donations. Please keep checking. There are just some gems in life we can hardly afford to lose. Thanks.
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Lightly edited from their e-list mailing:

T R I B A L    S O U N D Z
Bringing you the world’s music... and everything you need to play it

B E N E F I T    S C H E D U L E
Pleez support TRIBAL SOUNDZ and music in the neighborhood.
We really want to stick around.
Thanx to all the unbelievable musicians
performing at our benefit.... Its going to be great!

BENEFIT CONCERTS IN-STORE - 340 E. 6 Street
$10 minimum donation
Pleez give more if you can, we need six months rent!

Fridays and Saturdays
April 13 & 14 8pm
April 20 & 21 8pm
April 27 & 28 8pm

Special Gyil show Sun April 22 11am
with VALERIE NARANJO & BARRY OLSEN (West African xylophone music)

Some of the other musicians who are appearing:

Abdoulaye Alhassane & Banning Eyre (guitar duo), Will Calhoun (drummer for Living Colour), Dennis Driscoll (NYC stories), Felice Rosser (bass and soul), Anthony Coleman, Louisa Bradshaw, Anders Nilsson & Bill Buchen (guitar, tabla), Chris Berry (solo mbira), Gina Leishman (voice), Marco Capelli /Hayang Kim /Lukas Ligeti (guitar, cello, percussion), John Zorn, Cyro Baptista, Jim Pugliese, Christine Bard, Nora Balaban, Mark Stewart, Concious Reggae Duo, Laraaji (electric zither), Seaman & Queerfunkel, Consider the Source, Steve Gorn (bansuri flute), Timbila (afrodelic trance groove), Marco Cappelli/Jennifer Choi/Vong Pak (violin, guitar, Korean percussion)

Full detailed schedule posted at
http://www.tribalsoundz.com/events

340 East 6th Street
212.673.5992
http://www.tribalsoundz.com
tribalinfo@tribalsoundz.com
open daily 3ish until late
Sat 2 - midnite
Sun 2pm - 10 or so

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I’m thrilled to play a full length, solo show at one of my homes-away-from-home, the Peoples' Voice Cafe.

Opposite/after my set, singers Helene Williams & Gregory Mercer and pianist Leonard Lehrman perform Songs of Love & War.

PVC is in the Workmen’s Circle building at 45 East 33rd Street (between Park & Madison) in NYC, a mere 30 second walk from the #6 train (E. 33rd St. station) and near other subway lines.

I may call upon a guest or two -- we’ll see. I’m hoping to have time to prep an almost finished, brand new song called ”I’m Rich (Hole in my Pocket)” and a dusty, unperformed old one or two.

Please come (at 8 p.m. sharp) and say hello after the music!

Click on the flier above to enlarge it.

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The video documentary "Soy Andina” makes it’s US debut in New York City on Friday, February 16 (the day before my big concert a few blocks away at Peoples’ Voice Cafe).

For more info go to a previous newsblog entry and the first guest book entry for March 16, ‘06. I may be a bit biased, but it is a great film nonetheless and I recommend you go on the 16th. You can think of it as a practice run for getting to my concert on the 17th -- or make it part of a dazzling New York City full entertainment weekend!

Go to the film Web site (linked in the other entries I mentioned) to buy tix in advance. -- looks like it could sell out. It’s at CUNY Grad Center’s Proshansky Auditorium at 365 5th Ave (between 34th & 35th Streets) at 7 p.m.

I’m currently putting the finishing retouches on my song ”Estamos Muy Contentos” for the new US version of the film. There’s a rumor I may sing live at the debut. I will neither confirm nor dispel that at this time!

In the photo, cinematographer Raul Gallegos, producer-director Mitch Teplitsky, sound man and song lyric co-writer [with Bev Grant and me] Mario Vildésola and I [sporting my old, fuzzy, platinum mustache & a hat] take a break from a full day's shooting of the film's earliest scenes in Llamellin, Péru, December 2000.

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My featured TV concert/interview on Songs of Freedom runs tomorrow at 8 p.m. Check here for locations.

Joel Landy says, "Bruce Markow is a friend, fellow pilgrim and musical spirit. He is also a talented songwriter and performer. I taped two shows with Bruce recently where we swapped songs and I got to find out what he's been up to. This was the first one. Bruce's latest musical adventures have included hot air balloons and mangoes. Whatever can we mean? Tune in tonight and find out!"

Sorry I wasn't able to give you more notice.

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I played my second event, this time in Garden City, Long Island, to benefit the rebuilding of the UU Rock Tavern/Sanctuary Coffeehouse, which was destroyed in a recent fire. Kudos to organizers Joanne Melosh and Michael Sansonia for producing a quality show with a cast that included talented and tuneful friends Meg Braun and Sharon Goldman, vocalist Marcus Simeone, rapper Adam Sales, baroque dancer Rachel List, reggae artist Lyn Strong, the Irish Band 7s and 3s, poet Will Sales, singer-songwriter Lara Herscovitch (and possibly others to whom I apologize for leaving out their names). There were also good sound and good vibes from C1.

Not only did I do my own set, but I had the extreme pleasure of being in the house band, on electric and acoustic guitars, with ace players and friends Michael Sansonia on piano and the wonderfully comical and theatrical Ritt Henn on double bass, as well as solid-as-a-rock drummer, who I met for the first time, Len Weinstein.

We raised a lot of dough and smiles.

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Happy New Year! May your 2007 be healthy, peaceful, fulfilling and everything you truly want it to be in your heart of hearts.

I took an end of year vacation in my old haunts in the Western Massachusetts Berkshire Mountains, where I was based in the mid-80’s. I visited friends and some of my favorite old places like Kripalu Center and Dudley Levenson’s Inspired Planet, both in Lenox.

A highlight -- you can call it a “working vacation” -- was doing a live-in-studio concert/interview at Great Barrington’s WBCR-LP (97.7 FM) for Common Sense Songs, masterfully hosted by Barbara & Graham Dean. The Deans are wonderful musicians themselves and facilitated a terrific hour long show, plus a separate hour with Bev Grant. Bev and I did a little back up for each other.

Stay tuned: I’m hoping to stream part of the show right here on this Web site.

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Yesterday I backed up both hip hop ambassador Toni Blackman and folk-rockin’ old friend Rene Collins on my previously under-romanced electric guitar. The eve brought out the Good in Brooklyn, NY’s The Good Coffeehouse and I had a ball playing with some fine musicians as well as stretching out on my Stratocaster for the first time in awhile. Both bandleaders gave the concert a decidedly positive vibration.

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I forgot how freezing-cold studio TV production houses are usually kept until this past Tuesday! It had been a few years since my last experience. The first cold snap has just hit New York and I’m feeling it. Veteran “Songs of Freedom” host, Joel Landy, all decked out in a Hawaiian shirt, was used to the frigid studio temperature; whereas all my muscles -- and vocal cords -- were contracting despite my heavy-duty layered look in contrast to Joel’s.

Still, he is a fine host and we had a good time shooting a couple of spirited half hour segments with interviews and several of my songs.

I’ll do my best to keep you informed of air dates.

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I played at a benefit concert for New York Hudson Valley’s Rock Tavern Unitarian Universalist Congregation, the home of The Sanctuary Coffeehouse, among other things. It burned to a crisp recently.

The show, organized by Tom Boyd and Kathy Moran, featured too many friends to mention from one of my favorite songwriting communities, SummerSongs, and was a nonstop parade of talent and good will. We raised a lot of money for the church and raised a lot of spirits, too.

One big highlight was driving home boogying to the brand new CD from friends Holland, Thompson & Tooch, beautifully produced by another friend, Vito Pettrocitto. You guys are total rock stars. Highly recommended.

Check out Tom Ryan, left, a dashing looking guy under normal circumstances (See proof here, Oct 6, '06), visually interpreting a Jane March song onstage and Vito cracking himself up during his set. Think we had a slightly good time?

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The Prayer for Peace Balloon launch was a hoot. After a surprisingly fascinating dinner-presentation from the folks at Hand Papermaking magazine -- including one inspired speaker who hushed the room by exploring the variations of sounds made by different fibered papers rustled in front of her microphone (She’s a woman after my own heart and in the tradition of the Healing Power of Sound workshops I run.) -- it was time for the evening’s featured activity: The Launch.

Well, the gods spared us the predicted rain, but gave us a pretty cold, blustery wind. We had to make last minute adjustments to stretch power lines for the music’s sound reinforcement, the video camera and Helen Hiebert’s rig for her balloon. We also had to find an alternate location where the balloon could be seen by the crowd, but wouldn’t blow over! Pretty hysterical, but we pulled it off. All in all it was a great, effective experience.

Helen’s balloon was beautiful, I enjoyed singing a long impromptu extension to ”Prayer for Peace” and Tom Bannister of the magazine & his wife Lourene Miovski were fine hosts (later placing an order for a stack of my new CD-EPs, Demolicious 4 [available at gigs and right here at the Bazaar]).

The afterstory: Helen’s balloon is now exhibited at the Aerospace Museum at the College Park, MD airport, accompanied by references to the song. The video evidently didn’t come out and I’ve yet to see a less-than-fuzzy picture of the event. I’ve included pics of the paper sounding experience (which reminds me: The backdrop during my pre-dinner concert was a giant paper chicken!!!), Helen making the balloon and a fuzzy shot of the lit balloon almost full. I’ll share more if it manifests.

I enjoyed strolling around Washington the next day. Here’s my "beauty shot" of the reflecting pool at the Mall and a self portrait while hangin’ with Abe L.

Meanwhile, please keep envisioning, working for and praying for peace.

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