From left: Mike Guggino, Graham Sharp, Woody Platt,Nicky Sanders and Charles Humphrey III of Steep Canyon Rangers. By Bill MeredithMost bands don't become successful overnight, especially in a niche musical sub-genre like bluegrass.Take the Steep Canyon Rangers, for example, the quintet of guitarist Woody Platt, mandolinist Mike Guggino, banjo player Graham … [Read more...]
Music feature: Economic revival? Live-music clubs return to action in PBC
John Yurt has reopened The Back Room in Delray Beach.By Bill MeredithAs financial experts continue to look for indicators as to the status of the economic recession, a trend in Palm Beach County may hint that its grip is on the decline.It’s the opening, or reopening, of live music nightclubs, which historically attract people only if those people have money to … [Read more...]
Music review: Boca fest audience was wild about Jackie
Jackie Evancho.By Greg StepanichPerhaps some were thinking of their own daughters, pre-teen rebellion, and others of their granddaughters, out of touch in distant states.Doubtless most had happier ideas in mind, though one thing was clear: The appearance Saturday of Jackie Evancho on the final night of this year’s Festival of the Arts Boca turned an audience of … [Read more...]
Music review: Montero entertains in vivid style at Boca fest
Gabriela Montero. (Photo by Colin Bell)By Greg StepanichThe Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero has carved out a useful niche for herself as a musician who recalls an earlier tradition of performers who improvised in concert.Her recital Thursday night during the fifth Festival of the Arts Boca ended with four of her improvisations, but it was the rest of her program that … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Feb. 5-7
Imagining Elvis as My Daddy (2010), by Kathy Yancey.Art: Just installed at the Florida Atlantic University Galleries is the third iteration of SouthXeast: Contemporary Southeastern Art, a triennial show of works by artists from Southeastern states. This year’s exhibit, chosen from among more than 200 artists by curators and gallery owners from throughout the … [Read more...]
Music review: California Guitar Trio offers classic diversity at FAU-Jupiter
The California Guitar Trio played FAU’s Jupiter campus Saturday night.By Bill MeredithThe California Guitar Trio drew a near-capacity crowd to Florida Atlantic University's Lifelong Learning Society Auditorium in Jupiter on Saturday night, and entertained a diverse audience (with ages ranging from 20s to 80s) with an equally diverse song list.But diversity is a … [Read more...]
Music feature: Revered acoustic-guitar trio celebrates 20th on Jupiter stop
From left: Hideyo Moriya, Paul Richards and Bert Lams, the members of the California Guitar Trio.By Bill MeredithFor a group that named itself for the state where it formed -- doubting that it might ever get to play elsewhere -- the California Guitar Trio (www.cgtrio.com) has achieved stratospheric success.The CGT's three acoustic guitarists, Paul Richards, … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Dec. 24-26
Colin Firth in The King’s Speech. Film: With meticulous attention to period details and an engrossing history-based story that humanizes the struggle of a British king like no movie before it, The King’s Speech is great, albeit old-fashioned, filmmaking. Colin Firth stars as Bertie, a/k/a Prince Albert (Colin Firth), who unexpectedly becomes King George VI … [Read more...]
Music review: Jazz bassist Parrott, trio show creativity, surprise in JAMS show
Jazz bassist and singer Nicki Parrott. (Photo by Mary Jane Photography)By Bill MeredithSinging bassist Nicki Parrott’s trio walked on to the stage at the Harriet Himmel Theater in West Palm Beach on Tuesday while still getting used to dry land.Parrott, Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello and drummer Ed Metz Jr. had just exited a Crystal Cruise line ship earlier in the day … [Read more...]
Music feature: Aussie bassist Parrott masters American jazz
Nicki Parrott, who plays the JAMS seriestomorrow night at CityPlace.(Photo by Mary Jane Photography)By Bill MeredithFor every Jaco Pastorius or Charles Mingus, there are countless jazz bass players who never become household names, so most take up the workmanlike instrument for deeper reasons than attaining celebrity.In the case of Nicki Parrott, it was family.At age … [Read more...]