We're fortunate to have Kirk around town here in Providence. You can hear him with The Mac Chrupcala Orchestra, as well as his own Kirk Feather Trio, and he is involved in a very interesting "retro" project involving music and poetry, called  "Jazz & The Beat Poets: A Celebration."  Don't stay at home watching TV if there's a chance to hear him perform live. Thanks, Kirk, for your talent, know-how, and friendship through the years. We should do projects like this more often.

   Dave Bolender is a relative newcomer on the local scene and a player to be reckoned with. Anyone who can do what I asked Dave to do on my song "Helping Hand" is not to be taken lightly, believe me! First Dave recorded a solo in one key for the original United Way promotional version with Marchelle Jacques on vocals. That was an incredible track, just as gorgeous as can be. A few months later, I called him and asked if he wouldn't mind doing it again, only this time, in a different key for my own vocal. Well, it's a downright hellish key to play this kind of solo in, but Dave didn't think twice about it. At the end of the session, he had done what no one would have expected - he had outdone his earlier solo and laid down a track that is guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes of the most thickly calloused lumberjacks in the North Woods. Nice work, Dave.

   Dave has worked locally with Hot Peanut Machine, Powerhouse, Big Cat Blues, and has shared the stage with me in Blueswagon and Wayz & Means. He currently works with Loaded Dice, K.D. Bell, and Acme Trucking Co. Dave says, "I'm just nurturing my style, and coming into my place of joy...And that's what music is all about, it's my joy, my truth, no hiding, just laying it out there.  I'm so grateful that there are (and were) so many great cats out there to learn from." 

  Catch these great players live when you can.