Had a great time hosting the Open Mic at the Java Good last night. Wonderful performances, originals and covers, by Bob Grover, Alyssa D., Ike from KU (shown here on the left), Phil Stahl ... A couple of spontaneous duos - A fun jazzy spontaneous duo with myself and Ike on "Moondance", scat included! ... and myself and a customer on the beautiful "Ooh Ooh Child" ... Nice conversation and stories with Bob, Alyssa, Ike, Cathy Sweeney, Sue, Phil ... An evening of good music, spirit, and warmth. We're looking for another venue to continue the "All Ages, Original Compositions and Live Collaboration Encouraged, Music and Spoken Word Open Mic Extravaganza!" Heartfelt thanks to all the performers, especially the songwriters and the young performers, listeners, and the Java Good for a nice and successful run there. Peace, Tom
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Sorry to report that the Java Good has decided to end their open mic. The last night is Friday Jan 9th. Same time: 7:00p with 6:30p sign-up. Thanks to all the performers, songwriters, and listeners for helping to resurrect the Open Mic while I was host. Our time together was fun, artistic, and successful! Keep Playing & Writing! We'll look for another venue to continue the ...
" Great, Original Compositions & Live Collaboration Encouraged, Music & Spoken Word, All Ages Open Mic " With heartfelt thanks, Tom. It was another wonderful FIRST FRIDAY OPEN MIC at the Java Good Day Cafe in East Greenville, PA on Dec 5th! Our performers and audience braved a cold rain to warm up the Java Good! Thanks again to Ann Campbell and her staff for a great space, cool menu, and support!
(Clockwise from the upper left ...) I opened the night with a brisk new original instrumental "The Winter Chase". I followed with John Gorka's subtle and profound "What Was That" (sung here live by John). John has some roots here in the area, and his music career blossomed from Bethlehem, PA. What a songwriter! I closed with with a jazzy holiday song, "Christmas Time is Here", a Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi tune ... and, yes, it's from 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'! Chris T. was back again and he wowed as usual. He delivered some great originals and some driving guitar work. Powerful stuff. It was good to hear some of Chris' originals. Chris also hosts the monthly open mic on the second Tuesday of the month at the Casa Toro Grill in Coopersburg, PA. Bob Grover up next and he is just such a good performer. He played two original songs, including a very moving song about no miracles left on 34th Street tonight. He also did a great version of Chris Smither's "No Love Today". Bob is also host of the Open Mic at Listen LIve Music! in Macungie, PA, on the second Saturday of the month. John Connelly was up next on uke. His original songs and improvs are great. He has a nice way of phrasing, and creating loops and spacing in his songs. Very creative always. Alyssa Dodge was up next. She is a young performer who's starting out. She was confident and sounded very good on guitar and vocals. She shared Cindy Lauper's "True Colors" and a One Direction song. It's awesome to see young performers at our Open Mics. Two members of the band Eunoia (yes, the term from our friend Aristotle!), James McMaster and Logan Freund, were up up next. The duo played originals with great guitar work and harmonies, including a nice tune about Empathy. A great sound and good guitar skills, including simulated bass work by Logan! The night closed with two young performers who traveled up from Phillly, Tarik & Otis. They went big with the sound, playing live guitar, piano and vocals over recorded rhythm tracks. Tarik can really play the guitar, and confidently tackled Jimi Hendrix' "Little Wing" and "Hey Joe", including some nice shredding and some deep blues sounds. Thanks to all for a good evening of music! Join me as I host the Open Mic at Java Good Day Cafe. First Friday of the month, 7:00-10:00p, 6:30p sign-up. First come first serve. Music & Spoken Word. All Ages, All Genres. Original compositions encouraged! Live collaboration encouraged! Small PA provided, mics, cables. (No full drum kits, please, smaller percussion OK.) Location: 231 Main St. / Rte. 29, East Greenville, PA 18041. (267) 923-5575. Thanks to Owner-Operator Ann Campbell and her staff for their great space, and for their fantastic food and beverage menu! Please Note: No comedy or karaoke, No explicit lyrics/words, This is a smoke-free and alcohol-free environment.
Wow! What a great open mic at the Java Good Day Cafe! What a slew of great singer-songwriters and players! And what a great deal of public performance experience was on the stage this night! I opened the night with two songs I've just learned, Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", followed by Buddy Mondlock's magical song "The Kid", sung here by Buddy, Maya Sharp and Art Garfunkel. I closed with my own "The Prodigal Friend".
Bob Grover gave an awesome original again. Remember, Bob's the monthly open mic host up at Listen Live Music! in Macungie. Don Cogan gave a great original song along with his country covers, including Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down", with a surprise sit-in on accordion by the very talented keyboard pro Gene Galligan, I always love hearing Don's big voice. Next up was the very good local ukelele player John Connelly, whose richly harmonic original uke improvs had everyone fascinated. Scott France, who has played out in the area for many years delivered some awesome songs, including John Denver's "Back Home Again" that had everyone singing along. Scott's a great performer. Gene Galligan accompanied Scott on all of his songs with his tasteful accordion playing. Fran Hanney, another local performer, was up next and played some great music. Fran usually plays in a duo, and said he was a bit nervous, but he played really well. Local young singer-songwriter Taylor Kearney sang all originals. Everyone was rapt with attention and appreciation. Taylor is wise and insightful beyond her years, and a confident performer. Everyone hopes that Taylor will continue to use the great gift of songwriting she has. Keep an eye on this musician! As the crowd dwindled, the evening closed with an impromptu jam session with myself on guitar, Gene on accordion, and surprise guest bass player Bill Keane. A little "Moondance", some blues with "Blue is Just a Bad Dream", some jazz with "Night and Day", etc. What a blast. 'HOPE TO SEE NEXT FIRST FRIDAY! A great first night hosting the Open Mic at Java Good Day Cafe in East Greenville, PA! Thanks to the owner Ann and her staff for their great space, coffee, tea, food, and warmth. It's a nice space and a good place for anyone to play and/or listen.
Wonderful performances by Veloie M., Angelo M., Christopher T., and Bob Grover! Veloie M. is a young singer-songwriter and her vocal, guitar and songwriting skills are wonderful for such a young performer. Her dad, Angelo M., played many instrumentals and really knows his way all around the guitar fingerboard. Christopher T. shared many songs, including an awesome version of Mark Knopfler's "Romeo and Juliette". (He's also a host of the open mic at Casa Toro in Coopersburg, PA the 2nd Tue of the month.) And Bob G. played a great mix of country and alt-country songs, including a good original song. I was able to share an original song, "Crown Vic", and a few covers including "All the Diamonds" by Bruce Cockburn. Hope to see you there next First Friday, Nov 7th!!! |
About the Open Mic Host
Tom Cooney is a talented singer-songwriter, guitarist, vocalist and music instructor from Southeast Pennsylvania, USA. He performs original and cover music in roots genres, including Folk, Blues, Jazz, Rock, and Gospel. He teaches guitar, and music theory and composition. He performs in public, private party, and worship and social justice / environmental settings. Archives
January 2015
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