anthologysd.com

by David Moye

Sometimes your life can change in one moment – but you don’t recognize it’s happening until years later.

That’s how it worked for flutist Tim Weisberg, who has been recording albums since 1971.

He’s played classical, jazz, rock and R&B and worked with artists like Dan Fogelberg and David Benoit, but all this only happened because his name comes at the end of the alphabet.

“When I was in 7th grade, I joined the band hoping to play drums,” Weisberg said recently while discussing his August 21 gig at Anthology. “Instead of having students draw straws to see what instrument they wanted to play, he did it alphabetically. So Gary Abrams got to play what he wanted because his name was first.

“Since my last name is Weisberg, by the time they got to me, there were only two instruments left, the bassoon and the flute.”

Weisberg has joked in the past that he picked the flute because it was easier to carry than the bassoon and because all the other flute players were girls, but, the truth is, his music teacher twisted his arm.

“Luckily, I had a good flute teacher, somebody who was symphony quality,” Weisberg said. “Even when all the guys were laughing, he encouraged me. He said if I gave it a chance and didn’t like it, he’d figure out a way to get some percussion instruments.”

But Weisberg soon came to enjoy the flute. Not only is it easier to carry than the bassoon, but the sound mimics the human voice.

“I have a terrible singing voice, so this is the way I sing,” he laughed.

Weisberg has become a well-regarded improviser, but admits he discovered this ability later than other musicians.

“The realization that I could compose on the spot came later to me compared to my peers,” he said. “To improvise, you have to have command of the instrument first so I did classical music and I swam – which is great if you’re a flutist.”

Although Weisberg grew up in southern California, he admits that he was always more into soul and R&B than surf music and started sitting in with groups. I actually enjoyed it so much that I used to get withdrawal pains between gigs.”

The musical monkey on his back forced him to get his fix by trying to get his friends to book gigs at frat parties.

“Sadly, I had friends who liked getting paid for music,” he laughed. “But I remember one time I wanted to play so bad that I decided not to take money if I could get the band together.

“I organized a show and got them to show. After we set up, I waited around for an hour for the band to begin and finally asked them when we were going to begin. One of the guys said, ‘You tell me.’ I asked him why and he said, ‘You’re the boss.’”

After that, there was no turning back and Weisberg has had a 40 year career as a professional recording artist and smooth jazz pioneer.

He’s not one to look back. Most musicians aren’t, preferring to focus on the music they’re making now. Still, he admits that if he could speak to the younger version of himself, there are some things he would tell himself.

“I’d say, ‘Practice more, and be more selective about the music you play,’” he said.

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WHAT: Tim Weisberg
WHEN: Saturday, August 21st, 2010, 7:30pm
TICKETS: $11 - $32 BUY TICKETS
MORE INFO: Artist Profile

Virtuoso guitarist hitting the road with World Sinfonia

Virtuoso guitarist Al Di Meola will be performing at Anthology, February 3 as part of his national tour and new album release with his new project, Al Di Meola and World Sinfonia. Joining a handpicked group of master musicians for both the tour and album, Di Meola makes a surprising turn into the romantic, producing a collection of moving tango-flavored melodies. Their work is on display on ‘La Melodia Live In Milano,’ available in America for the first time and releases on January 8, 2009, just days before the tour starts. The album features two songs by tango master Astor Piazzolla, for whom Di Meola admits he has been “carrying a torch” his entire career, as well as one each from Ennio Morricone and Andrea Parodi, and four by Di Meola himself.

This shift in tone is perfectly natural for Di Meola. “Although the tango developed in Argentina, it was born in the region of Italy where my parents are from, Napoli,” he explains. “This music connects to my roots. As long as I’m playing music, it will be part of my repertoire.” No wonder, then, that World Sinfonia’s music sounds so effortless: it’s in his blood.

As a member of groundbreaking jazz-fusion group Return to Forever starting in the 1970s, and in his solo work since, Di Meola earned a reputation for being technically brilliant with unbelievable chops. For the past several years, however, he has been spent as much time composing for chamber orchestras in Europe as creating blazing guitar solos. With World Sinfonia, Di Meola moves his audience with the range of emotions in his music, rather than simply blowing them away with his technique.

Website: www.AlDiMeola.com

Show details:

Al DiMeola will perform on Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39 and are available at the Anthology Box Office, by calling 619.595.0300 and at www.AnthologySD.com.

Anthology is located at 1337 India Street (between A and Ash Streets).

THE INFLUENTIAL, GRAMMY-NOMINATED JAZZ-FUSION BAND TO PERFORM A SPECIAL HOLIDAY SHOW – “A NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS”

SAN DIEGO, CALIF – Oct. 31 – Jazz-fusion masters Spyro Gyra will treat listeners to their highly influential sound at Anthology for two special holiday shows, “A Night Before Christmas” on Dec. 16 and 17.

As the seasons change and the end of the year draws near, even the most forward thinking and cutting-edge artists take a nostalgic moment to count their blessings.

Spyro Gyra has spent more than three decades pushing the boundaries and definitions of jazz beyond the commonly accepted parameters. In so doing, they continue to forge an edgy, enduring sound that incorporates some of the best elements of jazz and merges them with R&B, pop, Latin and various other styles.

But it isn’t always about breaking new ground. All five of these talented innovators – saxophonist Jay Beckenstein, pianist Tom Schuman, guitarist Julio Fernandez, bassist Scott Ambush and drummer Bonny B – agree that there’s a time and a place for reconnecting with tradition and celebrating the fundamental values at the core of their music and their lives.

This year, Spyro Gyra celebrates the holiday season with two holiday performances at Anthology inspired by their new CD: A Night Before Christmas, a collection of music that captures the yuletide spirit with a decidedly traditional jazz vibe.

“We’ve always had a yearning to do a record that was kind of a straightahead record – or at least something closer to a straightahead record than what we normally do,” says Beckenstein. “But it’s always been very difficult to make that work in the context of what we do on most of our records. But a Christmas record was sort of an opportunity to really go someplace a little more subtle, a little more acoustic and more traditional.”

Beckenstein brings his own perspective to the project. “Christmas has always been a huge part of my life,” he says. “There’s so much about it that’s universal, separate and apart from the religious aspects. It’s a celebration of all the things that are good and redeeming about humanity – compassion, hope, generosity, forgiveness, renewal, family, all those things.”

The traditional “O Tannenbaum” opens the set with an improvisational vibe. “It was set up as kind of a jam, and it went to some nice places,” says Beckenstein. “It sounds sort of contemporary, without really losing the acoustic feel of the song.”

If Christmas is about tradition, then Spyro Gyra has tied both together in a festive package. “There’s something about traditional jazz that harkens back to my childhood,” says Beckenstein. “On top of that, I have many nostalgic memories of Christmas. The holiday, and this kind of music, have created some of the fondest memories of my youth. These connections make this a very heartfelt record for me and for everyone in the band.”

Put another log on the fire. A Night Before Christmas might well be the best musical moment of this holiday season.

ABOUT SPYRO GYRA

Spyro Gyra’s jazz-fusion sound originated in the mid-1970s in Buffalo, New York. The band is one of the most prolific and commercially successful in the genre, with more than 25 albums and 10 million copies sold. Hit singles include “Shaker Song” and “Morning Dance,” which has enjoyed heavy rotation on popular music radio stations.

Their music has been influential in the development of smooth jazz, combining jazz with elements of R&B, funk and pop music. They have received a string of Grammy nominations, going back as far as 1980 and continuing up to 2008.

The band’s line-up includes well-rounded musician Jay Beckenstein on saxophones
(who contributed his sax playing to progressive-metal band Dream Theater’s song “Another Day”), Tom Schuman on piano/keyboards, Julio Fernandez on guitars, Scott Ambush on bass and Bonny Bonaparte on drums/percussion.

ABOUT ANTHOLOGY

Anthology is San Diego’s internationally acclaimed, award-winning music venue and fine dining restaurant. Anthology provides an intimate, up-close-and-personal live-music experience unlike any other venue in the world.

Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Little Italy in downtown San Diego, Anthology comes to life in the spirit of a 1940s supper club—with a decidedly swank and modern spin—to deliver a harmonious gathering of food, music and world-class ambience. On the stage, Anthology plays host to local, regional and international recording artists in jazz, rock, blues, Latin, singer-songwriter and world music in a performing space that boasts a state-of-the-art sound system and incomparable acoustics.

Anthology’s New American cuisine is crafted by Chef de Cuisine Kevin Ables, and inspired by consulting chef and award-winning culinary superstar Bradley Ogden. In just over a year, Anthology has garnered such acclaim as “Best New Jazz Club” by CityBeat, “Best Restaurant Design” by Riviera Magazine and “Best Live Music Venue” by CitySearch.

For a complete listing of upcoming events, with more details about and tickets and artists, and to find more information about private party events, visit www.AnthologySD.com.

Anthology is located at 1337 India Street (between A and Ash Streets).

Tickets are available at the Anthology Box Office, by calling 619.595.0300 and at www.AnthologySD.com.
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GRAMMY-NOMINATED SOUL/R&B SINGER-SONGWRITER, KEYBOARDIST

SAN DIEGO, CALIF., Oct. 12 – Grammy-nominated soul and R&B singer-songwriter and keyboardist Amel Larrieux will seduce listeners with her distinctive sound and virtuosic vocal style for two nights at Anthology: Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Amel’s collaboration with Stanley Clarke and Glenn Lewis, a cover of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway’s 1972 song “Where Is the Love”, was nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 2004 Grammy Awards.

Born and raised in New York, Amel honed her musical sensibilities in her diverse, artistic neighborhood of Greenwich Village. In the 1990s, she found fame as co-founder of the R&B/hip-hop duo Groove Theory with Bryce Wilson. The pair’s debut album, “Groove Theory,” included radio hits “Tell Me,” Keep Tryin’” and “Baby Luv.” In 1996, Amel was featured as a guest vocalist on the debut album of Sade’s band, Sweetback.

Amel released a solo album, “Infinite Possibilities,” in 2000. Her solo debut saw her expanding her musical horizons—it included a few tracks (such as the song “Down”) that could be described as “acid jazz”: a fusion of jazz, soul and funk.

She’s released three albums on her own independent label, Blisslife Records, which she founded in 2003. One of these releases, 2004’s “Bravebird,” includes the track “For Real,” which inspired Ebony magazine to rave about her “ethereal high-octave vocals that bring to mind Minnie Riperton.”

Her third solo record, 2006’s “Morning,” is Amel’s highest-charting album to date, peaking at #74 on the Billboard Hot Adult R&B Airplay chart.

In May 2007, Amel released her fourth solo album, “Lovely Standards,” an album of jazz covers, which made it into the Top 5 of Billboard’s Top Jazz Albums. Her single “No One Else” appears on the soundtrack to Tyler Perry’s 2007 film “Why Did I Get Married?”

ABOUT ANTHOLOGY
Anthology is San Diego’s premier, award-winning live music venue and fine dining restaurant, located in the vibrant neighborhood of Little Italy in downtown San Diego. Inside, Anthology comes to life in the spirit of a 1940s supper club—with a decidedly swank and modern spin—to deliver a harmonious gathering of food, music and world-class ambience. On the stage, Anthology plays host to local, regional and international recording artists in jazz, rock, blues, Latin, singer-songwriter and world music in a performing space that boasts a state-of-the-art sound system and immaculate acoustics.

Anthology’s New American cuisine is inspired by consulting chef and award-winning culinary superstar Bradley Ogden. In just over a year, Anthology has garnered such acclaim as “Best New Jazz Club” by CityBeat, “Best Restaurant Design” by Riviera Magazine and “Best Live Music Venue” by CitySearch.

For a complete listing of upcoming events, with more details about and tickets and artists, and to find more information about private party events, visit www.AnthologySD.com.

Anthology is located at 1337 India Street (between A and Ash Streets).

Tickets are available at the Anthology Box Office, by calling 619.595.0300 and at www.AnthologySD.com.

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