Bob Villwock

TONIGHT! I’m playing with Project MOSS on 6th Street, Austin, TX at Darwin’s Pub Austin at 9 pm.

It’s Mardi Gras…Don’t forget your beads!!!

Project Moss at Darwin's Pub

I’m really looking forward to this next big show with Lorraine and company.  We packed the place solid last time for the Bonnie Raitt show, so this time there will be two shows, Saturday and Sunday.  Don’t miss it… it will be one of my last hurrahs before I move away this summer.

Saturday & Sunday, June 13 & 14

Sierra Sirens presents
Rhapsody in Blue
The Music of George & Ira Gershwin
Saturday at 8:00PM, Sunday at 7:00PM
$20 in advance, $25 at the door

Featuring:
Lorraine Gervais
Brielle Morgan
Jackie Landrum

With:
Bob Villwock & Kris Landrum – grand piano
Steve Wall – guitar
Joe Dolister – stand-up bass
Mike McMullen – sax
Lew Langworthy – drums

Following their The Great American Music Series, this will be another of the vintage themed shows that Lorraine & Brielle have produced featuring wonderfully talented local and regional performers. The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley will be turned into a 1930’s nightclub with martinis, twinkly lights and funky elegance!

I loved the irony of playing “Do It Again, ” a song about addictions, particularly to gambling, at a casino earlier this month.  It was on a Friday the thirteenth no less.  What a great show this was – lots of lights and sound and fog machines and a room full of Dan fans.  A few fan videos have surfaced on youtube.  Here’s one.

OK, who’s coming to the big show on Feb. 21?  I’m very excited about it.  The seven-piece band is smokin’, the singers are fabulous, and the material is just fun to hear and dance to.

Here’s some homework for you to get you even more psyched up for the show.  First of all, check out Bonnie Raitt’s bio on her web site, and explore the rest of her site from there.  Second, theres some more great stuff with a couple of videos at All About Jazz.  Third, I just watched this interview with her on Charlie Rose back in 1995.  Kinda bizarre that she was on the show with historian Robert Massie, and Mr. Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy.  She’s sort of the sweet filling between two much drier guests.  Her 20-minute segment starts at about 22 minutes into the show.

I like it, but I’ve never been a huge fan of reggae music.  Even so, that some of my most fun travel memories from all over the world have had Bob Marley for a soundtrack has not escaped my attention.  Last weekend I found myself in Jamaica with the bachelor party gang.  By the way, we’re all married now – so next year we need a new excuse to go somewhere.

I met a fantastic trumpet player named Frank on the beach in Negril.  He just goes up and down the beach all day with his horn, hustling tips from tourists and sitting in whereever there is music.  His horn was barely held together — some of the spit valves were sealed shut, so he had to repeatedly remove a valve to empty out the condensation.  The braces were cracked, so he had the thing taped together in places.  The finish was corroded a bit from hanging out at the beach all day, but no matter though.  Somehow he managed to keep the sand out of the thing and free of dents, probably because he almost always has it in his hands.  It’s like an extension of him.  When he played it, his tone was rich and confident and clear, and the horn sounded amazing.

Frank called me up to sit in with the band on Sunday night at Alfred’s Ocean Palace, and we played some Bob Marley.  Yeah, mon.  The band was great, I had a blast, and it must have been a spectacle for the gang to see yours truly making some music with guys that had dreads to the floor.  I have had that “reggae shuffle” stuck in my head now for four days.  Kinda enjoying it actually.

On the heels of a really successful Cole Porter revue back in September, Lorraine and Brielle from Sierra Sirens Productions have cooked up the next big show.  Mark your calendars for February 21 in Grass Valley for a tribute to Bonnie Raitt with a great band and some fantastic singers.  Details to follow in a month or so…

Hey… thanks to all our friends who helped us finish in the top 5 this month!  That was fun (especially that day we spent at #1!).  We’ll have to “Do It Again” sometime.

You can check out the song and some great comments on it here.

Also check out these guys – they’re a spot-on Journey tribute band from Fresno – maybe we can play a double-bill someday?

This weekend’s show is going to be a great one – music, art, food, wine – swanky and for a good cause too.  Here are the details: The 6th Annual “Evening In Art”  This is Steelin’ Dan’s 2nd year in a row performing at this important fundraising event, presented by the EL DORADO ARTS COUNCIL… in their continuing effort to “KEEP THE ARTS ALIVE”!For those that attended last year’s Evening In Art, you already know what a special event this is! For those that haven’t had the experience, here is a brief introduction:

Mercedes-Benz of El Dorado Hills is the perfect backdrop for this elegant evening. Your admission ticket includes food and wine provided by more than 20 of the regions finest restaurants, caterers and wineries. You will be entertained by local dance and theatre groups, as well as KCRA’s own Mark Finan once again serving as the emcee!

The evening is capped off with a full one hour + 40 minute show, with the band supported by a super-pro sound system, stage and lighting! The event starts at 6:30 pm and lasts until 10:30.

Ticket Price: $60 in advance $80 at door

So put on that fancy outfit and come dance the night away at the 2008 Evening In Art, and join with us as we support a wonderful cause!

Tickets are on sale now… and we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in-advance.

Advance tickets here.

One of the things I really enjoy is when I get to play keyboards for Steelin’ Dan.  Sacramento Magazine hit the newsstand today with it’s “Best of Sacramento 2008″ issue, and Steelin’ Dan was voted a Best of Sacramento award in the Entertainment category for Best Show Stealers. Here’s what the magazine had to say:

Heads up, Steely Dan fans: Instead of waiting for their next tour, get your fix with local tribute band Steelin’ Dan. From the straightforward pop/rock of “Reelin’ in the Years” to the quirky, jazz-infected “Green Earrings,” even the most discriminating Dan fans will be hard-pressed to find flaws in Steelin’ Dan’s amazingly accurate arrangements and marksmanlike musicianship.

The award will be given out officially at the annual party, which is also a benefit for March of Dimes.  It’s an amazing event — they fill up the convention center with restaurants and exhibits, plus live entertainment, and it’s a for a great cause.

Sacramento Magazine’s Best of Sacramento Party – March of Dimes Benefit.
Thursday, 12/4/08, 4:30PM PST
21 or older
Sacramento Convention Center Exhibit Hall

Get tickets here

Here is a useful pie chart that I found.