Neil Alexander's Performances, Workshops and other bits...
AUGUST IS HERE Hope everyone's summer is going well!
July was literally and figuratively a scorcher, with more than the usual share of multiple musical styles, including my yearly summer stint at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center (playing for the summer ballet program). August goes into overdrive for the first 2 weeks with shows at the 55 Bar in NYC, The Bean Runner in Peekskill, Quinn's in Beacon, Maureen's in Nyack (2 shows),The Dusklit Art Festival in Sugarloaf, and a live in studio radio appearance by the Thunderhead Organ Trio. Whew!! Plus a few other tidbits like the Monroe Quinn Trio's Bird Bash in NYC on August 24th....
Once again: at all upcoming shows I will have voter registration forms. Please come talk to me if you would like to register.
It's always fun to play with drummer Ray Levier - whether we're playing duo as "Red Slider" or in various trio formats, the groove is always on. This thursday we'll be at the 55 Bar in NYC with my good friend bassist Brian Mooney for some good old fashioned funky jazzy goodness. The 55 Bar is well known among musicians in NYC as one of those super hip spots to hear world class music, in the heart of Greenwich Village. No cover.
I'm super excited to bring a primarily Acoustic version of my 19 year contemporary jazz project NAIL to the wonderful Maureen's Jazz Cellar in Nyack for 2 sets of originals, re-imagined standards and blistering improvisations. Featuring longtime drummer Nadav Snir-Zelniker & bassist Dave Anderson. Maureen's is one of the premiere listening rooms in the entire trio-state area. There are 2 shows, 8 & 9:30. Tickets $15 - call ahead for reservations, it sells out quickly! 845.535.3143
Once again I've been invited to perform with one of my closest musician friends, Premik Russel Tubbs, at his annual birthday celebration. Premik is an internationally acclaimed performer and composer who's worked with the likes of John McLaughlin, Carlos Santana & Narada Michael Walden (among many others), has scored numerous film and video projects, and...well, the list is astoundingly long. For this show there'll be plenty of amazing music & players, including the stellar house band which includes bassist Gary Kelly & drummer Todd Isler. Tix are $15, reservations strongly recommended! 914-737-1701
Electronic and Experimental Music every second Wednesday at Quinn’s in Beacon. This month it's myself along with Huron and Errant Space. I'll be performing some new material and perhaps a classic or 2... No Cover.
Saxophonist Peter Furlan has always been pushing the envelope, and we've been involved in more than a few projects together, including Mr Gone & "Le Jazz Electronique". This is the second gig in a series of shows as Peter gets ready to hit the studio this fall to record his latest CD. In the group for this gig is Andrew Beals (Alto Sax), Nadav Snir-Zelniker (dms), Vinnie Cutro (tpt) and Charlie Dougherty (bass). Maureen's is one of the premiere listening rooms in the entire trio-state area. There are 2 shows, 8 & 9:30. Tickets $20 - call for reservations. 845.535.3143
The X Ensemble returns this month for a very unique performance titled “Sunset Variation”, a new Site & Event specific work composed for the 2018 Dusklit Interactive Art Festival at the Seligmann Homestead in Sugarloaf NY.
The piece features 7 musicians - 1 representing each season, with the 5th, 6th & 7th representing the Earth, Sun and moon, while collectively representing the days of the week. It begins with 3 musicians in a central location (the “stage”), with another 4 scattered around the extensive grounds of the festival. The wandering musicians roam among the festival attendees, improvising on various themes and the energy they encounter, gradually approaching the stage to coincide with the moment of Sunset. As the music builds in intensity the entire ensemble joins together for the climax of the work which coincides precisely with the setting sun at 8:05 pm. The intensity of the music then begins to unwind and as darkness falls the musicians weave a musical web to match the cloak of approaching darkness. The entire piece is projected to take approx. 45 minutes.
The players for this performance are: Carlo Nicolau, Violin - Daniel Frankhuizen, Cello - Brad Hubbard, Flute - Steven Frieder, Clarinet - Rhema Mangus, horn - Todd Isler, percussion - Neil Alexander, keyboards & synthesizers.
DUSKLIT is the East Coast's one night interactive art festival. With twilight as a backdrop, DUSKLIT 2018 features 38 immersive installations, performances, and site-specific environments by 64 artists from Canada and across the United States.
Featuring performance art, new media, music, dance, poetry, and interdisciplinary collaborations, DUSKLIT projects include elaborate environments, interactive sound installations, roving dance performances, and other experiential offerings. By engaging in these installations, visitors join the festival as an essential collaborative element, bringing DUSKLIT to life. The festival takes place outdoors on the Seligmann Homestead. The interdisciplinary, multisensory nature of DUSKLIT projects makes the festival accessible to visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
Tickets are $15 (less for students and children) and are available here.
Thursday August 16th the Thunderhead Organ Trio takes over the airwaves! We'll be making a very special LIVE in-studio appearance on Pawling Public Radio's PPR LIVE program, which airs between 8 & 10 pm. You can tune in at 103.7 FM in Duchess county (eastern end) or online at http://www.pawlingpublicradio.org If you're in the area you can join us in the studio, and for all those who've wanted to check us out Live now's your chance! Drummer Ray Levier makes his debut Thunderhead performance.
Tune in on Thursday August 16th at 8 pm Eastern.
PLEASE NOTE: This month's Thursday gig is on
FRIDAY AUGUST 17th
This month Joe Gil & I will be joined again by Ray Levier, and the amazing bassist Sam Smith joins us for some funky-groovy bass-driven madness. Join us for some serious sonic explorations and partake of the fine food & drink at the Wherehouse while having your mind blown by the sounds. And never a cover. :)
Join The Monroe Quinn Trio as we pay tribute to Charlie Parker with the first annual Bird Bash, featuring three sets of the music of Charlie "Bird" Parker. A great hang - the Indian food is wonderful and there's no cover charge. With Monroe, myself & Brian Mooney on bass.
From May 2017:
My performance in Cascais Portugal last month was recorded for "Antenna 2", one of the local radio stations. They sent a crew and captured a stellar audio recording. I have obtained permission to release this a live CD and...well, it's not out yet but I'm still working on it. Here's a prerelease track:
Previous CDs: "SOFT INVADERS" - Physical CD's Still available! - Go To Music.nailmusic.com to order this limited edition CD in "ecologically neutral" packaging (a simple cardboard sleeve) for only $7.
Recorded live on "Music With Space" on WPRB radio in October of 2015. As always, pay what you want - even free to download or order the disc!
