Friends,
I have sad news. My friend Stacy Phillips, a man who was many, many things, including a Grammy award winner, a Bluegrass legend and a founding member of the Afro-Semitic Experience, died on Tuesday, June 5 around 9:30 p.m. He was 74 years old. He experienced a massive heart attack on Sunday and from then on it was just a matter of time. He was surrounded by his family, his sister and his niece and nephew. Stacy was his own person and that was reflected in the life he led as a musician. If this news seems like a surprise or a blow, I agree. I have spent the past two days in a state of disbelief as the life of someone who was a colleague, a mentor, a friend, and a genuine world class grump slipped away. I would say more about Stacy, but others have already said it better. There is a great obituary about Stacy in the New Haven Independent.
On Sunday, June 10, we participated in a musical memorial for Stacy at Café 9 in New Haven. We were joined by so many other musicians, bands, students, and fans who all paid tribute to him. There’s a great article about that event in the New Haven Independent.
Zichronoh l’vrachah May his memory be a blessing
Here's a link to my Facebook page
Colin McEnroe Show podcast
This past August Warren Byrd, my long-time music partner and Afro-Semitic Experience co-founder and I participated in the recording of a special live Colin McEnroe show about musicians making spirituality into art. That two-hour event was pared down to a little less than an hour and aired on Colin’s WNPR show.
The show was taped at the Copper Beech Institute Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center. Warren and I were joined by three other Connecticut musicians whose art is informed by their spiritual lives, Tina Colon, Arunan Arulampalam, and Noah Baerman.
Interested? The show is now a podcast that you can listen to. Here’s the link:
The Afro-Semitic Experience in concert
Dickinson College Student Center, 20 South College Street , Carlisle
A free event at Dickinson College featuring The Afro-Semitic Experience. We're participating in an interfaith celebration of nature followed by a concert set by the band. Hope you can make it!
Klezmer night at the Rough Draft with the Nu Haven Kapelye
Klezmer night returns to the Rough Draft in Hamden as the Nu Haven Kapelye take the stage for a night of Yiddish song and Klezmer freylekhs and more. Come dance, sing and be a part of the festivities as the areas largest and most raucous Klez group makes some noise!!
Bassology comes to Hamden for a night of smoky blues and swinging standards at Mickey's. Joining me for the evening will be Danielle Valentin on vocals and Chris Casey on keys. Musicians and singers are invited to sit in during the second set.
Bassology returns to our favorite BBQ joint in CT for a night of swinging standards and smokin' blues with David Chevan bass Chris Casey piano Jocelyn Pleasant drums Samantha Feliciano vocals
The Afro-Semitic Experience: A Martin Luther King Celebration
Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom, 555 Warwick Drive, Wyomissing
An evening of Unity in the Community featuring the Afro-Semitic Experience performing music dedicated to the legacy and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
MLK and Shabbat Shira service with The Afro-Semitic Experience
Woodlands Community Temple, 50 Worthington Avenue, White Plains
Please join us for a Sabbath Service where we celebrate freedom--the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the crossing of the Red Sea. A musical night like no other. For more information please visit: http://www.wct.org/index.php
Klezmer night at the Rough Draft with the Nu Haven Kapelye
Klezmer night returns to the Rough Draft in Hamden as the Nu Haven Kapelye take the stage for a night of Yiddish song and Klezmer freylekhs and more. Come dance, sing and be a part of the festivities as the areas largest and most raucous Klez group makes some noise!!
Please join me and my fellow musicians for some swinging standards and smoky blues at Elm City Market's jazz brunch featuring: Danielle Valentin vocals Jocelyn Pleasant drums Mike Carabello keyboards
Please join me and my fellow musicians for some swinging standards and smoky blues at Solun Tapas in Woodbridge featuring: Danielle Valentin vocals; Jocelyn Pleasant drums; and Mike Carabello keyboards
Nu Haven Kapelye December 25 Family Concert
Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Road, Hamden, CT 06517
Our annual December 25 concert. An alternative to the so called tradition of Chinese food and a movie. Come join us for a concert of Klezmer, Yiddish song and more.
Friday night services with The Afro-Semitic Experience
Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb Street, NW, Washington, DC
Please join us for a Friday night service at the Washington Hebrew Congregation. A special sabbath service with a message: Unity in the Community. For more information please visit: https://www.whctemple.org/calendar/all/display/5584/index
The Afro-Semitic Experience in concert
The Cultural Center at the Opera House, 121 N. Union Avenue, Havre de Grace
Please join us for a concert at the historic Opera House in Havre de Grace. We are looking forward to sharing a retrospective of over 20 years of friendship and music in this incredible space. For tickets and more info please visit: https://hdgoperahouse.org/event/the-afro-semitic-experience/
Please join me and my fellow musicians for some swinging standards and smoky blues at Elm City Market's jazz brunch featuring: Danielle Valentin vocals Jocelyn Pleasant drums Mike Carabello keyboards
Nu Haven Kapelye Hanukkah Extravaganza at the Rough Draft
My annual Hanukkah extravaganza with the Nu Haven Kapelye. Come spin the dreidel. Latkes. Hanukkah songs and Yiddish melodies. What could be better?
Bassology makes its debut at MICKEY'S Restaurant in Hamden, Connecticut. Great food and atmosphere. We provide the sounds of blues and swing. Our last set will be an open jam. Fellow musicians are welcome to sit in and jam.
Bassology returns to Solun Tapas for an evening of swinging jazz standards and smoky blues. Featuring Jocelyn Pleasant on drums Danielle Valentin on vocals
On Sunday, October 21, a swinging configuration of Bassology will be playing for the jazz brunch at the Elm City Market, 777 Chapel Street at the corner of State Street. Music begins at 10:30 am and runs till 1:30 pm. Joining in the conflagration that is this configuration will be Jocelyn Pleasant on drums Danielle Valentin on vocals and a mysterious fourthe person to be named soon!! Tune back for the answer to this question! As always, I invite local musicians and singers to come by and sit in with us for a tune or two. I find it’s a great way to say hello.
Afro-Semitic Experience Unity in the Community Concert
It’s been a while since the Afro-Semitic Experience has been anywhere on the East Coast, but that is about to change on Sunday October 14. We’ve been asked to give a Unity in the Community Concert and it seem like now is a very good time for a unity concert. We are inviting people of all backgrounds and communities to come together for music, dance and all that happens when we share our cultures and find our commonalities. The event is going to be at Shelter Rock Jewish Center, 272 Shelter Rock Road, Roslyn, NY, Time? It’s a 4:30 concert. The congregation has very high hopes for this event. If you are looking for more information please visit their website.
This Friday, October 5, I will be playing a swinging aggregation of Bassology at Smokin’ with Chris, 59 West Center Street in Southington, and the hottest BBQ shack in CT. I’ll be accompanying and be accompanied by Chris Casey on the piano, Jocelyn Pleasant on the drums, and Danielle Valentin on the vocals. Music begins at 8:00, please make your reservations and join us on Friday. Last set will be open for friends to come by and sit in. You never know who will show up and join us!!
The Art of Trio
Garner Recital Hall; Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven
An ongoing chamber jazz series at Southern Connecticut State University. Pianist Rex Cadwallader, bassist David Chevan, and drummer Anthony DeQuattro play a relaxing and musically exciting set of chamber jazz.
