Thursday, May 30, 2013

FREE Live MUSIC Summer Concert Series @ Levitt Pavilion in Arlington

While I love everything live music, and I would guess so would many of you, it truly is a pleasure when I get to bring music to others. By far, my favorite aspect of this whole thing is getting to tell you guys about FREE MUSIC. You read that correctly, FREE. A week or so ago I posted about the FREE music at Sundown at Granada, but today I will be sharing about the FREE summer MUSIC series put on by Levitt Pavilion Arlington.This is a really cool thing, I'd highly recommend to see as many of the free shows as you can!

The Levitt Pavilion Arlington, is located in Downtown Arlington. Families and friends of all ages are welcome to experience 50 nights of free music every year. The Levitt is a unique experience to see live performances, as well as the star-filled sky above in the heart of Arlington Texas!  Their concert calendar includes artists from all around the world as well as right in our own DFW backyard; from jazz to hot Latin rhythms, home-grown country to Indie rock, and culturally diverse world music, the list goes on and on.

 With that being said, there is one show in particular I would like to highlight. That show is Big Sam's Funky Nation on Friday June 7th, 2013. For those who are not familiar, Big Sam’s Funky Nation combines funk, rock and New Orleans jazz for a sound that makes you want to get up and dance.



Funky Nation has an established presence in the New Orleans music scene, with "Big" Sam Williams exploding onto stage as the trombone player and band leader. Big Sam, formerly of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, is said to be “the top man on the slide trombone in the birthplace of jazz” by the San Francisco Chronicle. Big Sam has played with the likes of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Dave Matthews, and Widespread Panic. He has also shared the stage with U2 and Green Day at the re-opening of the Superdome in New Orleans, which broadcasted Monday Night Football. Funky Nation also had a recurring role on the HBO series, Treme.

A full list of events can be found here, they've got something to suit every taste. So check it out, and keep on jammin' my friends!

SW

Monday, May 27, 2013

Mix Magyk @ Indie in the Big D 5/25/13

Saturday May 25th, located on some property east of Downtown Dallas, the "Indie in the Big D" was underway. It was a hot day, and while the event was well put together, there was not much variety. A small vendor village had been erected, but consisted of mainly local clothing designers who had shared the same screen printer (The Alexa Machine Company who coordinated the event), and not much else. The musical entertainment was stale, numerous computer loops and profanity-laden rap attempts. But amidst all this mediocrity, Mix Magyk, a Local jazz/funk band rocked the house with their short 3 song set.

It would be an understatement to say that these guys were the highlight of the event. Not that I have bad things to say about "Indie in the Big D", it is just new (1st annual) and trying to find it's groove. Needless to say, I needed to find out more about this fantastic Jazz group here in DFW.

Mix Magyk was started back in 2009, when friends Craig Kleinman, Matt Garcia, and Jullian Ayacannoo decided to make an attempt to create a hip-hop group. They were all acquainted through their Tarrant County College Jazz class, but were unsure how to start this new project. While striving for a hip-hop sound, their music transformed into an instrumental jazz combo, upon not being able to recruit a serious lead vocalist. Additional members would come along later including the other current members Marcus Ybarra, Marquise Jones, and Michael Daniels.

Self described as Neojazz/Jam/Funk/Fusion, Mix Magyk has been creating a name for themselves in DFW. They have played at many local venues including Trees and House of Blues, and are even nominated for best Jazz Band in Ft. Worth Weekly.

Entering their 4th year together, Mix Magyk is on the cusp of breaking into the next level. The plan is to release an EP sometime soon, expected this summer. With all this good fortune, and a groovin' contemporary jazz set-list, Mix Magyk is definitely an up-and-coming name in the DFW live music scene. If you have not had a chance to see them, I highly recommend it! It won't be difficult as I expect we'll be seeing a lot of them.

Keep jammin' my friends!
SW
(Left to Right) Marquise Jones - Tenor Sax, Matt Garcia - Bass, Marcus Ybarra - Tenor Sax, Julian Ayacannoo - Keyboard, Craig Kleinman - Drums. (Not Pictured) Michael Daniels - Guitar.

"Indie in the Big D" Setlist:
G.C.
Inevitable
Turismo





Thursday, May 23, 2013

FREE MUSIC 7 nights a week @ Sundown at Granada

Hey Music Peeps,
While I am sure a good amount of you are aware, I'd like to take this time to inform the unknowledgeable amongst our music-going friends. The Granada theater is on Lower Greenville. This is a music venue similar to others, where great acts come through and you buy tickets to go see them. However, go outside, and right next to the Granada, is Sundown baby! Sundown at Granada has live music performances 7 nights a week, from 11pm-2am. It is a fully functioning bar/grill, that just so happens to have the perk of having a $0 cover charge. That's right, you can have the same excellent caliber musicians performing at Sundown that you would have to pay for at their neighbor. I saw an awesome show at the Granada a few months ago, where A Live One played and you had to purchase a ticket. I went back several weeks later, and A Live One was playing a set at Sundown! It's hella cool guys, definitely check it out...it's free! Here is their lineup for this week (sorry it so late in the week):


Sundown's webpage is here. Keep jammin' my friends!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Live Music DFW Blog, Week of 5/19/13

Well, well, well, hello there internet. So I decided to combine two of my passions; writing and music. I like to tell stories in many ways, and share, so I went ahead and started this music blog. My goal here is to discuss upcoming shows and post events, and maybe even write reviews of live music that I am aware of going on in the DFW area. This was inspired by my Facebook Group DFW Deadheads, so feel free to join that group as well. Like that, I encourage others to contribute, write comments, what have you. Let's make this bad boy come alive! I'd like this to become a functioning Music Blog for everything music in DFW! My personal tastes are geared more towards blues, jam, jazz, and funk, but I will include as many different types of music as I can. Thanks for reading! Let's kick this off!

DFW Live Music Blog, Week of 5/19/13

Tuesday 5/21
For you county fans out there, we've got Gary Kyle and The No Standards Band. They are sort of a blend of soulful country, bluegrass and Americana. He reigns form Kingwood Texas, just outside Houston and will be playing at Flip's Patio in Ft. Worth Texas. The info for the event is here.


Also we have Paul Demer playing in Bedford. It's kind of an Indy Rock sound, and this is a kid guys. Like he is 20 and goes to UTA (University of Texas at Arlington). I took a listen, and he is very talented. Paul has a great sound as far as Indy Rock goes. Below is him doing a Neil Young Cover. Details here.


Wednesday 5/22
On Wednesday, you can go check out Ratt, a hard rock group based out of LA. Their sound reminds me a bit of Foreigner/Styx type of music. They will be playing at the House of Blues in Downtown Dallas. Information located here.


Also on Wednesday, there is a show at Filter's Smokeshop in North Richland Hills TX. This event is Sponsored by DFW NORML and will feature performances by The Effinays and The Nappy Roots. Nappy Roots is like Hip-hop/R&B/Reggae/Funk. I have never seen them live, but their recordings are bumpin. Now the Effinays I've seen twice. They are awesome; Funk/Reggae/Jam music, and they are based here in Dallas. These guys are the real deal, and will be going on their first tour soon, making a stop at Wakarusa 2013. Details can be found here.






Thursday 5/23
We've got Delta Rae playing at the Kessler in Deep Ellum TX. Their Facebook page describes them as being like "Mumford & Sons meets Fleetwood Mac -- an Alt-Pop band with four lead singers whose music incorporates all aspects of Americana." Very interesting to say the least. Check out the details here.


Friday 5/24
Down to the Green Elephant for a little MONTU and Dimitri's Ascent. MONTU is a Jamtronica/Trance/Rock group from Norman OK, and Dimitri's Ascent is out of Austin TX playing Jamtronica/Jazz. Here is the info.




Saturday 5/25
Checking out Schroomville in Richardson TX. They are an Allman Brothers Cover Band based here in Dallas. They will be playing at the Line Sport's Bar, info here.

      You can always find more shows I have not featured here at Jambase.com, as well as venue's websites. Keep checking back, I will update shows weekly. Keep jamming  my friends!

SW