On December 11, the legendary jazz pianist McCoy Tyner turned 80 years old. A few months earlier, I received an album by the trio of pianist Benito Gonzalez, drummer Gerry Gibbs and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet that was conceived and recorded as a tribute to Tyner’s musical genius and legacy, and released on Whaling City Sound […]
Three years ago we lost one of jazz’s popular cabaret singers. Eighty-five year old Bonnie Mann (Boncorsi Wotherspoon) was born in Pawtucket. Known for her big-band style singing she regularly could be found throughout Rhode Island with many of the great performing jazz and dance groups. Bonnie sang at the old King & Queens’ Restaurant […]
Much like the extra dry champagne served on the holiday, New Year’s Eve traditions can be a bit stale. Interested in switching it up? Then head to Platforms Dance Club in Providence on December 31 to ring in the new year at Tight Crew (TC)’s Neon Masquerade Ball! You may want to buy your tickets now, […]
At the end of the year it is natural to look back on what transpired, but here at The Motif, we keep on moving forward. At first I was a little apprehensive about offering predictions for music in 2019 considering the differences in genres. To say music is going to be more political, electronic or whatever […]
Okee dokee folks… When I was a teenager going to concerts, I took a lot of photos with a cheap, pocket-sized Kodak camera that I borrowed from my grandparents. I used to take some halfway decent concert photos with that camera. I took a photo of Steven Tyler at the Civic Center, had it blown up […]
Okee dokee folks… At age 77, David Crosby seems to be at the top of his game. It’s almost as if he has captured his third wind (maybe even his fourth or fifth at this point). David Crosby, best known as a member of two iconic bands, The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, […]
Exactly a month removed from VanJess and Masego setting The Met ablaze with some R&B tunes, I found myself back at the venue again, this time for a hip-hop showcase. On the ninth stop of his Milky Way tour, Bas brought his Dreamville talents to Pawtucket’s The Met to turn up with fans for the night, […]
Okee dokee folks… Singer-songwriter Edwin McCain may not be a name that is at the forefront of your brain, but you definitely know his music. His songs “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More” are mainstays of “lite” radio, have become classic wedding songs and are often sung on “The Voice.” McCain has […]
Okee dokee folks… I was fortunate to attend the Lindsey Buckingham show at the Garde Arts Center in New London last week. First of all, for those of you who think the Garde Arts Center is too far, you are wrong. It is a VERY easy drive and about 50 miles from Providence. It’s the […]
Okee dokee folks… It is that time of year once again. People whine about not hearing “Merry Christmas.” Well, guess what? You won’t hear it from me either! I have been in the trenches of the War On Christmas for more than 30 years since I realized how foolish the whole concept is. Also, there are a […]