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The Village Spot 

Finally, a Naples gig! The disruption caused by Hurricane Ian, particularly in downtown Naples, definitely muddied the waters this season. The gig is Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 6:30 to 8:30 on the patio at The Village Spot, the restaurant of the Village Walk community on the south side of Vanderbilt Beach Road, just to the west of I-75. Hopefully it will be after any rainy season popup storms and getting into the cool of the evening.

When you come, tell them at the gate you are going to the restaurant, they wave you right through. The Village Spot is then just ahead and to the right. 

The menu looks interesting, Italian-ish, and not too pricey. I think I'm going to try the seafood risotto.

Here's the flyer for the event.

Great Place! 

I had great fun playing Cracklin' Jack's for the 1st time Friday, April 22, 2022, 5:30-8:30.

Nice place, very folksy, very comfortable interior; large, mostly covered patio out back. Great people, and thanks to my minder Marty & bartender David! Always a pleasure to work with professionals.

I set up in a rear corner of the patio facing towards the building. The sound was good, I could keep the volume fairly low.

Thanks to my Canadian friends Owen & Sheila Evans for coming out & taking some pix.

I was in the setting sun for quite a while, but there were breezes & fans blowing, so I was not uncomfortable.

I worked from a new set list, 1/3 Jaz Dumoz, 1/3 Jim Dumas, 1/3 Steve & Chris. After the 1st set, my minder Marty told me to play faster stuff, which I did - I just started skipping the slow songs. Then on my 2nd break, I pulled up some more faster tunes. I played a total of 44 songs.

I asked Marty why she wanted faster songs, she said that the slow songs made people sad. She'd rather they be upbeat, both the songs & the patrons. Interesting, playing in dance bands, it was usually like 3-4 fast songs to 1 slow. I had thought dinner music would be maybe more 50-50, but, apparently not.

When I played all Jaz Dumoz music in Lexington, I was told by a couple of people that I should not play so many slows. Not what I was expecting. I really don't notice slow songs "bringing me down" - I just enjoy when they are pretty songs, regardless of tempo. So maybe I'm different from most in that. I will keep evolving the set lists towards more fast songs.

The songs that do "bring me down" are generally in a minor key. I deprecated "i love paris" & "let's face the music and dance" because both struck me as ominous & foreboding, i.e., anxiety-producing, & NOT romantic, my goal. ;->

I had requests for:

  • Eagles. Did "lyin' eyes", "desperado", & "tequila sunrise". I think better would be "take it easy" and "peaceful, easy feeling".
  • Willie Nelson. Did "you were always on my mind" & "without a song".
  • "sweet caroline". The audience did their standard parts, I always love audience participation.

Several patrons wanted to know how often I played there & when I'd be back, that was appreciated. Hopefully it will be soon, although "soon" at this point is probably next season. Looking forward to it!

What Fun! 

We had great fun playing for Wine @ Five! My visiting oldest daughter, Erica, totally stole the show. She did:

  1. dream a little dream of me
  2. walkin' after midnight
  3. i say a little prayer for you - I got to sing harmony and call/answer.
  4. they can't take that away from me - lots of fun trading off vocals & harmonizing!

The only train wreck of the gig was the 1st time I tried to use the looper. I hit the pedal to start replay, dead air. Indeed a train wreck. The output knob was turned to 0 :-0 Now added to the pre-gig checklist.

 

1st Florida Jaz Dumoz Gig! 

Mark your calendar! 1 week from tonight, Wednesday, February 9, 2022, I will be playing at Wine at Five at the resort pool at IslandWalk town center, 5-6:30. There is a window from the resort pool to the restaurant for drinks and food.

There are rumors of a special guest performer ...

What a Fun Gig! 

I greatly enjoyed playing Sedona Taphouse. Started out in the direct sun on an 86° evening, but it really wasn't bad. Material was well received, yay! Management asked me back, yay! Here is a fine pic from this evening.