Capital Swamp: The DC Resource Thread

The Smithsonian Folklife Fest always includes a Ralph Rinzler Tribute Concert that includes various artists not connected to their themes for the year (2016 themes are Basque country; and Traditional ethnic music based in California). So Sunday July 3rd on the mall will include:

The Chuck Brown Band; an Iraqi oud player; an Irish-American fiddler; dobro player Jerry Douglas; and Flaco Jimenez and Texmaniacs

http://www.festival.si.edu/2016-ralph-rinzler-memorial-concert/smithsonian

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2016/06/07/first-lady-michelle-obama-has-a-girls-night-out-at-the-howard-theatre/

I was there at the Gregory Porter gig, but didn't see her. Oh well. A great show.

Is Blues Alley facing a rising rent and thinking of moving somewhere?

Mr. Schnipper sought to purchase a space for Blues Alley and hoped the District would approve the Historic Music Cultural Institutions Expansion Tax Abatement Act of 2013.

The legislation would give a tax abatement to qualified D.C. historic music centers that want to lease or purchase sites to expand their clubs. Although the D.C. Council has approved the bill, neither Mayor Vincent C. Gray nor current Mayor Muriel Bowser has funded it, offering no tax relief for impresarios.

“After the loss of the bill I put out there for three years, I see no reason to remain,” Mr. Schnipper said.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/9/dc-jazz-musicians-fight-to-be-heard-as-once-lively/

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20782440/joes-record-paradise-to-reopen-soon

http://bandwidth.wamu.org/premiere-vivid-lyricism-and-bristling-guitars-define-thaylobleus-debut-album-oscars-jellyfish/

with bandcamp link

Anybody check any of the Fringe music fest acts last weekend?

https://www.capitalfringe.org/events/826-capital-fringe-music-festival

Nope, was out of town. Did you? I have seen locals Kino System once --Ethiopian meets Afrobeat...

Curious about the fingerpicking guitarist Daniel Bachman, and Juanita Cash-- Latino country or something...also Sal P from the legendary Liquid Liquid

As I was out of town I missed this old-school soul and disco tribute show and panel. Was pleased to see there were around 250 or so there, via pics and video i saw on facebook. Here was my preview with quotes from the late Billy Stewart's younger cousin, singer Calvin Ruffin (whose Dad was also a singer back in the '40s and 50s)

http://bandwidth.wamu.org/remembering-billy-stewart-and-van-mccoy-two-lesser-known-d-c-music-legends/

Stewart came from musicians on both parents’ sides, and he performed in family gospel and secular groups as a kid. These days, Ruffin looks back glowingly on his late cousin’s talents. But he acknowledges that Stewart had personal problems, too.

Discovered by Bo Diddley and signed to Chess Records, Stewart released a song in 1962 called “Fat Boy” that referred to his own large size. When others mocked him for his weight, it was a different matter.

“When I was with Billy he had an entourage, before we had even heard of the term ‘entourage,’” says Ruffin. “If someone called him ‘fat boy,’ he pulled out a gun on them. I was with him at that time. The only reason I know that is the gun’s barrel is about as big as I was. Real long. He would always get an attitude if someone called him that. He had a real complex when it came to his weight, as he was real heavy.”

While Stewart wrestled privately with his health, his fans seemed aware only of his multifaceted vocals. He harmonized with Marvin Gaye as fellow substitute members of The Rainbows, and developed a distinctive variation on jazz scatting, where he repeated words in a powerful yet sweet, church-developed manner.

I think Big Tony is gonna be back onstage with TroubleFunk Saturday at the 930. He recently had a kidney transplant

Title Tracks is on a Thursday July 7th bill at the first Fort Reno show of the summer

Fort Dupont and Carter Barron starting late-- July 30th.

Still getting used to Smithsonian Folklife Fest having to comply with NPS rules banning tents and such on main portions of the mall lawn. That means 1 big stage, and then smaller tents under the trees with less daytime performances. I did enjoy last night's afghan duo who were joined for a couple of songs by a Basque accordionist and percussionist/singer.

Chuck Brown Band is part of Sunday's special evening Ralph Rinzler memorial show there.

http://musicatthemonument.com/tc-event-category/carter-barron-amphitheatre-concerts/

So former football player and now promoter Darryl Haley may be well-intentioned, but I don't think people are gonna pay $25 a benefit show at Carter Barron to see the same obscure local acts he has been presenting at the Sylvan Theatre on the mall for free. He has 6 of these events planned.

that local rock series Fort R--- starts tonight. You might have heard about it...

https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/07/07/wamu-will-sell-or-close-bluegrass-country/

https://www.washingtonian.com/2015/12/16/wamu-diane-rehm-jj-yore-kojo-nnamdi-andi-mcdaniel-changes/

Team Familiar and some others go-go acts are on a special go-go vacation with gigs thing in Puerto Rico; and other go-go acts are doing the same down in Miami and South Beach right now.

WPFW benefit with a who's who of local jazz folks, out at Bethesda Blues and Jazz tonight

Fort Reno night of 1,000 cakes with Dot Dash and others

I went to Lubber Run Amphitheater in Arlington for the first time, and saw the great Nigerian sax player Orlando Julius and his band Saturday night. What a nice place to see free shows. 300 seat amphitheater under trees, with some room around the edges for standing or sittin on your own chair or blanket. The former Artisphere booking agent Josh is handling the booking, and he had Anthony Pirog the night before and they have Congolese electro-soukous act Mbongwana Star Saturday August 13th. Lots of locals-- I missed some of the international ones I like back in June--Elikeh, Feedel Band, Cissa Paz. Its getting no publicity, as area media folks only tout Fort Reno.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20828878/one-track-mind-fa-wouch-i-feel-something

Me writing up a new Md Haitian band

No stage covering anymore for Carter Barron, so they had to cancel their first of those $25 benefit gigs with the obscure local r'n'b bands. Can't imagine they sold many tickets and they have to be bought in advance. But we are supposed to feel bad for the NPS which spent 200 grand there last year while pleading poor.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/if-these-walls-could-talk-theyd-probably-scream/2016/08/01/86bbed62-5751-11e6-831d-0324760ca856_story.html

Above link is about the original Madam's Organ hippie house where punk and rockabilly bands played circa 79. Club elsewhere took the name.

In other news, does anyone think the planned 4,500 seat Wizards practices and Mystics games) basketball arena will get many concerts? DAR and Eaglebank are around that size and they don't have many gigs.

DAR has one performance scheduled for all of September.

What a racket these taxpayer-funded stadiums are.

http://bandwidth.wamu.org/mary-timony-joins-seth-meyers-late-night-band-temporarily/

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20830357/longtime-wpfw-dj-rick-da-gator-bolling-has-died

southern soul, blues and jazz dj from the late 90s to 2014.

rip

http://bandwidth.wamu.org/15-recent-d-c-records-you-dont-want-to-miss/

You might want to miss some of them, but maybe not

Didn't go to Chris Burns' final Petworth Jam with 1432 R djs and more, but did go to Chuck Brown Day. Openers Plunky and Oneness were a fun funk coverband--P.Funk, Maze, Chuck Brown, etc .....than the main attraction who brought up various guests from the Brown family plus James Jas Funk and D. Floyd. Around 2500 folks there I'd say in Chuck Brown Park in NE. Demographically the crowd skewed largelyover 30 (with about 10 white people and a few or three Asian folks). Fun show with go-go call and response action. The band is so tight -- love em all--the horn section, drummer Kenny Kwick Gross, the percussionist, the keyboardists including Sweet Cherie who also sings & raps, and singer/guitarist Frank Scooby Sirius. Chuck's daughter KeKe was rapping (and she's now a Muslim and had her head covered). Last year the Mayor was there but I didn't see her this year. Someone from DC Parks & Rec. But weirdly (or not) former Mayor Gray wandered onstage right before the Chuck Brown Band and grabbed a mic and I guess was doing an intro-- but the sound on it was turned down.

and then

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/dc-rapper-swipey-shot-and-killed-in-prince-georges-county/2016/08/21/42b92de4-67d4-11e6-99bf-f0cf3a6449a6_story.html

18 years old, lots of Instagram followers for his rapping, and now he's gone. I never heard of him I must admit, as I don't keep up with all the young DC area rappers. I don't think the W. Post, City Paper or Bandwidth ever wrote about his music.

https://spinrilla.com/mixtapes/swipeyy-best-of-swipey

video on the web page includes lyrics with lots of nsfw expletives

bump.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20831013/catch-a-rising-rap-star

A whole bunch of DC area rappers gigged Sunday night in Md. Big Flock, Lightshow, Shabazz, TopDolla Sweizy, Too Easy Black, Lazy Da Kid, Tino Loud, Yung Cezz, and Bali Baby

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summerstage-goldlink-backyard-band-dj-spicoli-tickets-25957138500

DC in Central Park NYC Sunday afternoon. Then Backyard are coming back to town for a gig later that night at Club Xo. They're doing a special bus trip up there and back for DC fans too.

Colombia, MD r'n'b singer Gallant has a sold out gig at U Hall tonight

https://societeanonymeinc.wordpress.com/2016/08/23/aint-no-punk-addendum/

That's a Tex Rubinowitz comment to Lux Interior of the Cramps..."You ain't no punk, you punk..."

Crossrhodes (Raheem DeVaughn and Wes felton and band) were on ABC's local Good Morning Washington program

Crossrhodes are at the Millennium Stage for free tomorrow

http://local.washingtoncitypaper.com/event/kennedy-center-millennium-stage/the-crossrhodes

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20831724/art-of-noise-andras-fekete

last year's show at mlk was enjoyable; maybe only a half a dozen guitars at that one, though.

Missed 70 guitars Friday, and Trillelectro, Arcangel and Maren Morris gigs at various locations Saturday, but did go to Midnight Star free gig at Ft. Dupont Park Saturday night. Final of 3 summer shows there was fun-- "No Parking on the Dance Floor" was one of a number of keyboards and guitar 80s & 90s ish electro funk numbers they did. Crowd was much bigger than Fort Reno, but not as big as at Ft Dupont shows I've been to in the past. Around 1,000 to 2,000 max this time. The place used to be packed up the grassy lawn hill with crowds of 5,000 or more.

Joe's Record Paradise finally opening at new location Tuesday August 30th...

Not all of DC is becoming condos-- this hand-dancing joint on Benning Road NE is going to survive, after death of longtime owner back in April. New mgmt...

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20832296/chateau-nightclub-reopens

The "Celebration of Life" for recently deceased local rapper Swipey (Douglas Myron Brooks) was today in DC. Haven't seen any updates re possible arrests for the killer of this 18 year old

RIP from cancer, keyboardist (and bass player and backing vocalist and songwriter and producer) Byron BJ Jackson who was in Rare Essence for years and more recently in Team Familiar. He also sang backup for and cowrote a song with Meshelle Ndgeocello, and backed Debarge and a gospel go-go group and others. He was 51.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20833396/funk-up-the-grass-on-chip-pys-locally-grown-music-series

Some funk players and some bluegrass ones playing together on a locally recorded Youtube show

http://www.afro.com/go-go-community-mourns-byron-bj-jackson/

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20833846/gogo-musician-byron-bj-jackson-dies-at-52

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/09/09/live-nation-will-book-shows-at-mgm-national-harbors-3000-seat-theater/

So am curious how that DC taxpayer paid for Mystics games/Wizards practices arena in SE will get any concerts, when there's gonna be this one, along with DAR, Eaglebank, Echostage and that planned IMP one on SW