The RLB at The Reverb
Saturday night was likely my last gig with The Russell Leon Band and the energy in The Reverb was incredible! The house was rocking, the rhythm section was dead-tight, and the soloists - as always - played delectable, delicious and inspirational melodies.The set was 13 songs and paced itself out with an elegant, dynamic flow that kept the audience interested as we crossed genres and mixed it up a bit. We debuted two new full-ensemble songs ("Nip 'n Tuck" and monster pop hit "The Coffee Song") and they both seemed to go over very well.
The Cast of Characters, from left to right: Noah Egelnick on congas, guerro, interpretive dance and auxilliary percussion; Dan Restivo on flute, penny whistle and backup vocals; Ansgar Schroer on harmonica, diatonic harmonica and percusssion; Larry Kline (hidden) on drums and percussion; Russell Leon on guitars, lead vocals and percussion; Brian Elkin on trumpet, flugelhorn and percussion; Jeffrey Haas on bass and percussion; and Keith Reid on tenor saxaphone.
We even got the babes (excuse me... Ladies) up and dancing to the Latin, Swing and Ska songs. There is NOTHING quite so inspirational musically as looking down at a crowd of appreciative womenfolk who are jumping about because your basslines make them wiggle like fish on a hook...
This is a pic from soundcheck, where the soundman was trying very hard (and quite successfully) to get a good mix for horns and flute (the most delicate of wind instruments) in a rock band setting at a large club.
This is another pic of the whole band rocking out:
And here we have the lovely and talented Brian "Big Lips" Elkin checking the levels on our recording gear for the show:
I have a collection of other pictures, too, and will review 'em later. If any stand out, I'll post them.
Reflections? You want reflections? I notice that I don't really put myself out there all that much on here, do I? Something to think about...
Well, I'll say I had a great time on Saturday, and am very thankful for the experience. I love sharing a stage with these incredible musicians, and am honoured that I was allowed to play with them for almost three years. Music is SUCH an important part of life, and I shouldn't let myself neglect that part of my soul's nourishment.
Other than that? Well, I think it's cool that the club's owner offered us a gig opening for Percy Sledge in the Fall. If the RLB doesn't have a new bassist by then and I can arrange to be in town, then maybe this wasn't really my last gig after all... and that would be perfectly fine with me!
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