Hey there <<First Name>>,
Wow! It’s been quite a while since I’ve written a newsletter and I have so much to tell you about. It feels like I’m finally waking up from a long bad dream, and it’s wonderful to once again see peoples’ smiling/scowling faces in public places. I hope you and yours are healthy and well, and if the winds ever stop, we can enjoy our soon-to-be springtime in Colorado!
ISLAND GRILL JAZZ JAM
Maybe the most exciting news is that trumpeter Ron Holleman and I have formed a new jazz jam at Island Grill Restaurant in Fort Collins. The Island Grill Jazz Jam kicks off next Wed Apr 20, 7-9:30 PM, and will continue regularly on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. The house quartet will be Ron on trumpets and myself on piano, joined by a rotation of northern Colorado’s finest players on bass and drums. Opening night we’ll feature Jo Asker on bass and Sean Macaulay on drums.
If you’ve never been to a jazz jam, we invite instrumental players to sit in and jam on jazz standards with the house quartet. We typically read from Real Book Vol 1-3. If you’d like to sit in but haven’t done anything like this before, we encourage you to come check it out and talk with us about it!
Join us at Island Grill for a meal and a drink, bring your horn if you’re a horn player and let’s have some fun. Wednesday nights are “All You Can Eat Catfish Dinner”, only $13 from 5-9 PM. Tell your server you came for the jazz jam!
w/ CUSTOM SHOP BAND
I have a couple of dates coming up with my friends in the Custom Shop Band, a 5-piece classic rock outfit from Erie featuring Michele Steele on vocals, Murat Iyigun on guitar, Thomas Scott on bass and David Brenowitz on drums. This is a fun band and I get to flex my 70s and 80s rock keyboard chops. Catch us at one of the shows below!
w/ ELMER FUNK
Elmer Funk, our partyin’ 10-pc dance band, will be funkin’ you up the second Saturday of every month from May thru September at Avogadro’s in Fort Collins. Saturday nights on the patio! The drum chair is superbly filled by our good friend John Olson, formerly of Ace Gillett’s - welcome John! We’ve worked up a grip of new tunes and we’re excited to play them for you. We kick things off Sat May 14 at 7 PM, so come check us out!
SOLO DATES
I’m excited to play at Mex O’Malley’s, Loveland’s newest downtown bar “Where Fiesta and Shenanigans Collide!” They had their grand opening in March and it’s a really nice, fun place, right on Lincoln and 5th. Owners David and Kat and Wayne and Annie and bartender Torri are awesome folks and the bar has a great vibe. You can catch me here Fri Apr 22, 7 PM!
I always have fun playing at West End Lounge in Loveland. Owner Chris, bartenders Kristin, Julie and Dom, mixmaster DJ TJ and chef Duane are a great crew and good friends, and they work hard to make your night memorable. Delish food and drinks. I’ll be here Fri Apr 15, 7:30 PM, then again Fri May 20, 7:30 PM!
I’m performing for a couple of events at Terry Bison Ranch in Cheyenne, just across the Wyoming state line at I-25. I’ll be providing music for their Easter Prime Rib Buffet this Sun, Apr 17 11-3:30, then again for their Mothers Day Buffet Sun May 8 11-3:30. Their food is incredible and the bison short ribs are a favorite! Seating is by reservation only, check out their website or Facebook pages for details.
IS THAT ENOUGH?
No, it’s not enough! I’ve redone my website at www.stevejohnsonmusic.com and I think it’s much better than the old version. Check it out to view my complete calendar of upcoming shows - use it as a last-minute check on show dates and times. I’m going to be adding a bunch of new videos (many thanks to my friend Kent Shove for tirelessly shooting and editing video!) as soon as I can get them uploaded. More content coming!
Whew - it’s a good thing I don’t get charged by the word. Thanks for sticking through to the end. I’m looking forward to seeing all my friends and meeting some new ones this spring and summer. Hope to see you soon!
Steve
