Friday, May 23, 2008
Tonight we get to perform again at Lucchese's Italian restaurant. The place was packed again, as usual, through most of the evening. I just love that place because of the Lucchese family and their great staff (not to mention all the wonderful guests who express how much they enjoy our music). It's evident that many in the community also feel the same way as I do about Lucchese's! I simply cannot say enough good things about them.
I must admit, however, to an oversight from my last blog write up. I failed to mention one very helpful staff member who deserves special recognition, for sure. Her name is Tammy (with a "Y"). When we first played there back in May, she was kind enough to help orient me to where the power outlets are and showed me which room to store our instrument cases. She was so conscientious, too, of our need for an extension cord tucked away in the corner of the dining room. The only problem is, guests seated right where the cord was plugged in. We have to wait until they finish their meal and vacate the table before we can power up for our first set. The unique thing about all this is, I didn't have to worry about any of this one bit. Tammy takes care of all of it. Never mind that she already has her hands full serving guests and waiting on tables! She's going to handle this for us. And handle it she did! Thank-you Tammy (with a "Y")!
By the way... the next time you make reservations at Lucchese's, be sure to request Tammy as your server - she's a real professional at what she does and will make your dining experience a very special one, indeed!
The second staff member I want to mention is Stacy (also with a "Y"). I met Stacy during a break as I was visiting with a couple of dear friends. Stacy busses tables and is just a sweetheart. She thanked us for our music because, as she puts it, the music helps her to relax while she works! I'll take that as a compliment! Thank-you, Stacy!
All in all, the night was very special. Several groups of friends came specifically to hear us and a couple of them stayed right through the final set at 11pm. We are so grateful for your support!
The Luccheses are so kind and hospitable to us, too. (Did I mention this already?) Consistent with their tradition of great Italian hospitality, they make sure we've had something to eat. Now, I said this the last time I wrote about Luccheses that, typically, club and restaurant owners generally do not accommodate the band members. But like my Italian grandmother, they simply will not let us leave on empty stomachs! They are incredible people this way. In fact, it was big Zach (bartender, security enforcement and part-time lion tamer) who asks if we're hungry. Now, one never wants to offend an Italian by refusing an offer of hospitality. I'm not sure if Zach is even Italian. It really matters little, however, when one is dealing with a guy the size of Zach. Even if you've just had a four course meal complete with cheesecake and coffee for dessert. Perhaps you're barely breathing you've eaten so much. If Zach happens to ask if you're hungry, my advice is to reply with an enthusiastic, "Why yes - very!" (Fewer words make Italians happier). Again, Zach may not even be Italian - the issue at this point is about personal
security - you never want to offend a guy that big.
Finally, I'm often asked when we'll be performing next at Lucchese's. Since I now have someone who manages the performance schedule, my general response is usually to offer a smile and a impressively blank stare. I simply cannot remember from one day to the next where we're scheduled to be. There was a day, I suppose, when I was expected to apologize for such incompetence. However, the beauty in all this is that I no longer NEED to remember this stuff! It's now in very capable hands - handled by someone possessing an administrative skill set which I could only dream of.
So whenever I'm asked where we're scheduled play next, the only thing I need to remember anymore is that I have business cards in my pocket. I reach in, grab a card and hand it to the inquiring individual. Our business card directs you to our blogspot (which lists the trio's performance schedule). It's that easy.
Perhaps you're asking, "So, where are you guys playing next?" If so, then visit us at tomhilliker.blogspot.com. There you'll find our performance schedule. In case you're not asking the question, let me then simply tell you that we'll be at Lucchese's on the following dates:
June 14
July 11, 25
August 9, 23
September 6 and 20.
Don't forget to mark your calendar for a weekend of great jazz when the Elkhart Jazz Festival comes to downtown Elkhart, June 20-22. We'll also be performing for Lucchese's at their new
CR 17 location on the opening night of the festival, Friday, June 20th. It promises to be a wonderful time of great music, the best Italian food in town and fun-loving jazz lovers from all over the country.
Pick one of the dates above and come join us at Lucchese's. We look forward to seeing you!
Tom
(A word to the wise....with the exception of the Jazz Festival, don't forget to make dinner reservations or... you may wind up eating at Arby's or Dairy Queen :)
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Tom grew up in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. He began taking electric bass lessons at 11, and that same year landed his first gig with a band led by his jazz guitarist brother. At 15, he worked for almost a year with a popular country band on weekends. (His parents had the wonderful privilege of driving him to rehearsals and gigs, but never complained.)
Before his 16th birthday, he was asked to join the most in-demand cover band in central New York led by his bass teach (who was actually one of the busiest guitar instructors in the area). During the summer between his junior and senior years in high school, Tom enrolled in a summer program at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied arranging and jazz theory. He moved to Boston after graduating from high school, and toured for a year with the Craig Payton Band (jazz fusion) throughout much of New England.
As a young teen, Tom's dad surprised him one day with a brand new double bass. Unfortunately, it collected a lot of dust for a couple of years---he was simply too busy playing the electric bass in the high school jazz band as well as his weekend gigs. However, he seriously started pursuing this instrument when he was 18.
The person he credits for building a love for the acoustic bass was the great jazz organist, Jack MacDuff. Not many people realize that before taking up organ, MacDuff was a bassist himself. When Tom was 18, he joined MacDuff's band and traveled with him for almost a full year. It was a great privilege for Tom to record and tour with MacDuff throught Western Europe.
While on the road with MacDuff, Tom published a book for the jazz bass player entitled, "Ron Carter Bass Lines", a transcription of jazz bass lines featuring bassist Ron Carter. The book is available as part of the Jamey Abersold Jazz Play Along Series.
Tom left MacDuff's band to return home to New York to learn to play the acoustic bass that MacDuff had taught him so much about! (MacDuff's music called for an electric bass only.) MacDuff also introduced Tom to his musical idol---the great jazz bassist, Ray Brown.
After leaving MacDuff's band, Tom began formal bass lessons with the principal bassist of the Buffalo Philharmonic, and later with the principals bassist of the Rochester Philharmonic. Later that same year, Tom was invited to join Barry Kiener's trio. (Barry was Buddy Rich's pianist for several years. Tom first heard him on the Tonight Show.)
In 1994, Tom performed with internationally known jazz pianist, Monty Alexander. Since then, he has worked as a freelance bassist. Currently, he leads the Tom Hilliker Jazz Trio, featuring pianist Jim Steele. The trio performs throughout north central Indiana and the Chicago area.
Laying the groove down, swinging hard, using space, all with an attitude to make the rest of the band sound better, is what drummer David Hilliker brings to the music. Hilliker was born into a very musical family in upstate New York, having two older brothers who toured and recorded with Jazz Organ Great, Brother Jack McDuff. He was very fortunate to get the feel, and sounds of blues and jazz music into his soul at a very tender age. He was performing in clubs, and sitting in with the elder brothers at the age of 12. He has studied with legendary drummers Ed Thigpen, and John Von Ohlen; performed at the Elkhart Jazz Festival, Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase and Andy's Jazz Club (both in Chicago), and many restaurants and clubs throughout the midwest. David has been very fortunate to perform with such jazz greats as Bill Heid, Ira Sullivan, Robert Irving III, Marlene Rosenberg, Willie Pickens, Larry Gray, Joe Beck, Ali Ryerson, Bill Watrous, Joey DeFrancesco, John Clayton, Benny Green, and the legendary tenor saxophonist George Coleman. For Hilliker, the music is never about him, or playing flashy. "Less is more.......it's all about the groove, and bringing joy to those who hear it".
Tom Hilliker's Bio
Tom grew up in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. He began taking electric bass lessons at 11, and that same year landed his first gig with a band led by his jazz guitarist brother. At 15, he worked for almost a year with a popular country band on weekends. (His parents had the wonderful privilege of driving him to rehearsals and gigs, but never complained.)
Before his 16th birthday, he was asked to join the most in-demand cover band in central New York led by his bass teach (who was actually one of the busiest guitar instructors in the area). During the summer between his junior and senior years in high school, Tom enrolled in a summer program at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied arranging and jazz theory. He moved to Boston after graduating from high school, and toured for a year with the Craig Payton Band (jazz fusion) throughout much of New England.
As a young teen, Tom's dad surprised him one day with a brand new double bass. Unfortunately, it collected a lot of dust for a couple of years---he was simply too busy playing the electric bass in the high school jazz band as well as his weekend gigs. However, he seriously started pursuing this instrument when he was 18.
The person he credits for building a love for the acoustic bass was the great jazz organist, Jack MacDuff. Not many people realize that before taking up organ, MacDuff was a bassist himself. When Tom was 18, he joined MacDuff's band and traveled with him for almost a full year. It was a great privilege for Tom to record and tour with MacDuff throught Western Europe.
While on the road with MacDuff, Tom published a book for the jazz bass player entitled, "Ron Carter Bass Lines", a transcription of jazz bass lines featuring bassist Ron Carter. The book is available as part of the Jamey Abersold Jazz Play Along Series.
Tom left MacDuff's band to return home to New York to learn to play the acoustic bass that MacDuff had taught him so much about! (MacDuff's music called for an electric bass only.) MacDuff also introduced Tom to his musical idol---the great jazz bassist, Ray Brown.
After leaving MacDuff's band, Tom began formal bass lessons with the principal bassist of the Buffalo Philharmonic, and later with the principals bassist of the Rochester Philharmonic. Later that same year, Tom was invited to join Barry Kiener's trio. (Barry was Buddy Rich's pianist for several years. Tom first heard him on the Tonight Show.)
In 1994, Tom performed with internationally known jazz pianist, Monty Alexander. Since then, he has worked as a freelance bassist. Currently, he leads the Tom Hilliker Jazz Trio, featuring pianist Jim Steele. The trio performs throughout north central Indiana and the Chicago area.
David Hilliker's Bio
Laying the groove down, swinging hard, using space, all with an attitude to make the rest of the band sound better, is what drummer David Hilliker brings to the music. Hilliker was born into a very musical family in upstate New York, having two older brothers who toured and recorded with Jazz Organ Great, Brother Jack McDuff. He was very fortunate to get the feel, and sounds of blues and jazz music into his soul at a very tender age. He was performing in clubs, and sitting in with the elder brothers at the age of 12. He has studied with legendary drummers Ed Thigpen, and John Von Ohlen; performed at the Elkhart Jazz Festival, Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase and Andy's Jazz Club (both in Chicago), and many restaurants and clubs throughout the midwest. David has been very fortunate to perform with such jazz greats as Bill Heid, Ira Sullivan, Robert Irving III, Marlene Rosenberg, Willie Pickens, Larry Gray, Joe Beck, Ali Ryerson, Bill Watrous, Joey DeFrancesco, John Clayton, Benny Green, and the legendary tenor saxophonist George Coleman. For Hilliker, the music is never about him, or playing flashy. "Less is more.......it's all about the groove, and bringing joy to those who hear it".
Tom Vaitsas' Bio
Tom Vaitsas is one of the most sought after pianists in Chicago, and his talent is held in high regard among his fellow musicians. Tom is also a favorite of some of Chicago's most veteran performers, including: Bob Perna (trumpeter), Frank D'Rone & Bobbi Wilsyn, Duke Payne, Red Holt (vocalists). He has also toured Europe with blues artist Lurie Bell.
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