Two shows, two venues

Aug 9, 7 PM – Edwards Opera House. $10, $5 for ages 6 -12, under 12 are free

Aug 10, 2 PM – Robin McClellan’s House near Sanfordville. $10 at the door.

A little nostalgia…

Back in the day when the Wild Oat was young, these three young guitarists were just starting their careers in music here in Potsdam. It was a heady time for music in the North Country: David Danks was singing, “Eyes Like Cherries” with the St. Regis River Valley String Band (their fiddle player CW would go on to be first violin in the Baltimore Symphony), Double Axel and Wally Seibel’s All Star Big Band were starting on their long incarnations, Dave van Ronk played the Oat, Roy Bookbinder graced Giant Steps (Joel Ray’s little bookstore at 1 Market St.), Little Feat played at least once a year at SLU, Fairport Convention was an end-of-year headliner at Clarkson (who knew the Clarkson/British Folk Revival connection?!), James Cotton, and Eddy Shaw and the Wolfpack rocked Django’s, and Rene Fleming was singing jazz in Alger’s. But the clearest and sweetest memories I have are of Paul and Danny as a duo and John, Danny and Michael Hadfield as the Raquette River Rounders.

When it was suggested that we borrow Joe Liotta’s name for Paul, Danny and Dick Stephan’s show on Norwood Green—Guitar Legends of the North Country—Danny said, “I’d say just call it ‘three good guys and their music’ or something like that. I sure as hell am no ‘guitar legend,’ I’m just a regular Joe. Sheez.” Well maybe not in his own eyes, but in mine and many others, these guys are the stuff of legends and their music has brought great joy to my life and many others. I am deeply honored to call them friends and honored that they have agreed play here.

There is no reserved seating but no one will be turned away. Please do try to arrive before the show starts, though.

I hope to see you here or there, or better yet, here and there.
Robin

For more about these fine fellows, click on the links below:
John Kribs
Paul Meyers
Danny Gotham

Sunday, Feb. 16th, at 2PM

Robin McClellan’s home
465 Old Market Road,
Sandfordville, NY.

It was decades in the making but Mary Ann Casale’s new album Running Out of Time, an eclectic mix of original folk and blues, is now available on CD Baby, iTunes, and Amazon as well as the Brewer Bookstore, St. Lawrence University.

After an almost thirty year hiatus from traveling the country and performing as a solo artist and with a number of bands, she has started writing and performing again. From sultry blues to folk and Americana, always soulful, Mary Ann always delivers a true, honest performance and her new album is sure to please.

To celebrate the release of this new album, she will be holding a release party along with bluesman Tas Cru and perhaps a guest musician or two. This concert is open to the public.

Admission is free but either monetary donations or donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted and will go to thePotsdam food pantry. Anyone bringing a donation will receive a CD. Come on out for a fun afternoon of music and merry-making!

For more information you may call 315-262-5989 or email maryann@maryanncasale.com.

A Sultry, Tropical December Night of Brazilian Music

with Paul Meyers

 Thursday, December 26, 7 PM

Forget the cold by wrapping yourself in the sensuous rhythms of Brazil – Paul will play many of the great Bossa Novas and Sambas of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luis Bonfa and others, as well as some original compositions and American standards in Brazilian style. Let these tropical rhythms and melodies warm you up for the 2nd day of Christmas (if anyone has two turtle doves, bring them along too, maybe they can dance a little), Boxing Day, or the end of pre-Christmas sales and the onset of post-Christmas sales. Whatever your persuasion, be persuaded to come hear Paul on Thursday, December 26, 7 PM at Robin’s.

If you haven’t been here before, it’s 465 Old Market Rd.. Your GPS (or map) will find the driveway, but please read the  directions at: https://robinmcclellan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/directions-to-robins.pdf so you don’t make the mistake that everyone makes: not going far enough down the driveway!
Why free? For several years I have been holding a New Years’ Eve party at my house and this year I decided to give it a break. But I still want to show my appreciation for the community that means so much to me. When Paul approached me about doing this concert, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. I also know that people sometimes get uncomfortable when they don’t have an opportunity to give themselves, so donations to the Local Living Venture will be gratefully accepted.

Questions? Call me, Robin, at 315-261-2502

Idan Raichel Project

October 30, 2013, 7:30
Maxcy Hall, SUNY Potsdam

Click here for Ticket Information

Community Performance Series will be presenting The Idan Raichel Project on October 30 in SUNY Potsdam’s Maxcy Hall.  Idan is an Israeli pop star, who has formed a collective of 12 musicians from countries including Israel, Ethiopia, Brazil, France, and Sudan.  His mission through this project is to celebrate diversity and rise above differences through the power of music.  In addition to the important social themes that Idan’s work illuminates, his concerts are very lively and entertaining.  We are likening him to the Israeli Dave Matthews.

In the past four years, Raichel has co-written numerous songs and toured with GRAMMY winner India.Arie, performed at the Nobel Peace Prize awards ceremony in Oslo, Norway, co-written a song calling for racial harmony with Israeli President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shimon Peres, performed for President Obama and family at the Kennedy Center on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, performed at the ceremony inaugurating the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington DC, sold out shows at Radio City Music Hall and other major venues worldwide, toured India, South America and Africa and released the highly praised Tel Aviv Session album with Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré. This year, Idan joined pop star Alicia Keys on stage as a special guest during her July concert in Tel Aviv. In August, Patrick Bruel met Idan during his visit in Israel. The instant chemistry between them has created a moving performance on stage.

We also recently learned that Idan’s October tour has been designated as a Daniel Pearl World Music Days event.  The Daniel Pearl Foundation is based in the United States. The organization was formed by his parents Ruth and Judea Pearl after musician and Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in 2002. The organization’s mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding through journalism, music, and innovative communications.

Daniel Pearl was a violinist in addition to being a journalist. To honor his musical spirit and promote tolerance, Daniel Pearl World Music Days is a network of global concerts celebrated each year in October. Daniel Pearl World Music Days uses “the power of music to promote tolerance and inspire respect for differences”. The first Daniel Pearl World Music Days was held on October 10, 2002, and now yearly includes more than 8,900 performances in 119 countries. More information available here: http://www.danielpearlmusicdays.org/about.php

More information about the Idan Raichel Proejct and to hear their music, visit  http://www.idanraichelproject.com/en/  and, I’ve attached a word document that explains Idan’s story and how he developed the project.  Potsdam is one of only 16 cities to be visted by the Idan Raichel Project during this year’s tour.  This is an amazing opportunity for our community.  I hope you might be able to help us spread the word about this extraordinary event.  Please let me know if you need further info.  Tickets can be purchased through our box office by calling 267-2277 or online at CPSPotsdam.org.

“RE-stock” Concert Series to

Benefit Local Food Pantries

Featuring music by Rick Bates (aka Tas Cru) & Mary Ann Casale along with special guests.

October 18, 7PM

Mary Ann and Rick are doing another RE-stock concert series to benefit local food pantries and the opening date is here at my house. It’s the most beautiful time of the year here with the maples that surround the place turning color and I hope you can come and join us! Suggested donation is $10 and/or non-perishable food items. We face a lot of first world problems even here in the North Country, but hunger is a problem we share with the rest of the world. Please come and give what you can.

Rick Bates is a blues artist and songwriter, whose latest album, Tired of Bluesmen Cryin’ has made its way on to the international/national roots music charts. Recent appearances include BB King’s and the Rum Boogie Cafe in Memphis, TN. Mary Ann Casale is a singer/songwriter with a strong influence from her roots in the New York City folk scene in the mid-seventies. She started playing the coffeehouse circuit in New York State and Colorado as a solo performer and a vocalist in a number of bands. Their unique blend of folk/blues Americana was born out of their shared experiences as young musicians when they met in Potsdam nearly 30 years ago. They have been waiting these 30 years to perform together again!

Admission is a $10 donation or non-perishable food items.

Other Concert Dates to be Announced

Benefit for Local Living Venture

Sunday, October 6, 2013

7 PM

Donation $10
Ticket Ordering Information below.
Seating is limited to 50, so ticketed reservations are necessary.

Many thanks to Paul for his generosity in helping us further the work of the Local Living Project!

If you have any questions, please call Chelle Lindahl at 315-347-4223.

Click for directions to Robin McClellan’s house in Sanfordville.

Paul Meyers – “one of the most eloquent jazz guitarists since Kenny Burrell”  –  James Gavin, NY Times – Paul is already familiar to many  music fans in the North Country through many performances there over the years. He has gained a reputation as one of the top jazz guitarists of our time. Paul has performed and recorded with an ever growing list af jazz greats – Geri Allen, Karrin Allyson, Kenny Barron, Bruce Barth, Ron Carter, Eliane Elias, Eddie Gomez, Jovino Santos Neto, Rufus Reid, Claudio Roditi, Annie Ross and David Sanchez to name a few. He’s also toured worldwide for many years with two of the greatest jazz singers ever – Jon Hendricks (since 1993) and Andy Bey (from 1997 to 2008). Paul performed in Argentina and the US with vibraphonist Gary Burton, who recorded Paul’s tune Panama on his “Reunion” CD with Pat Metheny. He has a number of critically acclaimed CDs including World on a String, a quintet with rising stars Donny McCaslin and Helio Alves, featuring Paul’s original compositions and arrangements, and Paul Meyers Quartet featuring Frank Wess, a relaxed straight ahead session with the legendary tenor and flute master. He has also recorded 4 solo guitar CDs including Welcome Home  (2011), a highly acclaimed CD of all original music. Paul teaches jazz guitar, improvisation and coaches jazz and Brazilian ensembles at William Patterson University and at New Jersey City University and he also taught at the first year of the Jazz for Teens program at NJPAC in Newark.

Paul’s web site has more about him and you can listen to some of his music at www.paulmeyers.info/live/