End of the Year News - New for 2013

The picture on the left was taken during my recent trip to Key West, Florida, where I was visiting my buddy and guitar master Larry Baeder. I played about six gigs and it's looking like I'll be back there again in March. Tough musician's life.

On another front, I have decided to do back and get a doctorate in music, as this will enable me to find work teaching. I'll be off at the end of the month for a auditions at USC and the University of Toronto. Wish me luck.

Upcoming Gigs:

Friday, Jan. 4: I'll be back at the Bar Next Door performing standards and originals with my trio. Sets are at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30. As this is a very small, intimate venue (seats about 30!!!), make sure to reserve a place. Musicians are encouraged to bring their axes to sit in and join us. $12 cover.

The Russ Spiegel Trio:
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Thomson Kneeland: bass
Scott Neumann: drums

About the Bar Next Door: Slightly larger than a nice sized efficiency apartment, lit by votive candles, and bedecked with dark wood, it would be an understatement to call this subterranean West Village bar intimate. Jazz trios, crammed into a corner of the room near the working fireplace, play seven nights a week, as snuggling couples and self-styled enthnomusicologists lounge on dark leather banquettes while sipping wine or martinis. (There's an exhaustive menu for the former.)
 
The Bar Next Door
129 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012
Tel: (212) 529-5945
www.lalanternacaffe.com

Wednesday, Jan. 23rd, 7-11pm: I'll be performing with bassist Mark Hagan's quintet at the '76 House in Tappan, NY.
  
The Mark Hagan Trio:
Joe Magnarelli: trumpet
Jon Gordon: sax
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Mark Hagan: bass
Scott Neumann: drums 

'76 House
110 Main St.
Tappan, NY 10983
(845) 359-5476
http://www.76house.com/

Wednesday, Jan. 30th, 7-9pm (one set only) it's the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra back at the Zinc Bar. We'll be featuring the exceptionally talented Israeli singer Tammy Scheffer.

The RSJO is:
Reeds: Craig Yaremko,Justin Wood, Tim Armacost, Dave Noland, Paul Nedzela
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, James Smith, Steve Smyth, David Smith
Trombones: Sara Jacovino, Chris Stover, Scott Reeves, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm: Mike Eckroth (piano); Yoshi Waki (bass); Scott Neumann (drums); Rogerio Boccato (perc)
Featuring Special Guest vocalist Tammy Scheffer
Russ Spiegel is the composer, arranger, and bandleader

Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

Fridays & Saturdays, 7-10pm: I am playing dinner jazz in duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at this wonderful Italian restaurant and wood burning, brick oven pizzeria:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Wishing you and yours a swinging 2013!
Russ

July Update

Producer (Me), Actor Gene Farber & Director David Capurso in L.A.

Greetings Friends and Fans,

June is now behind us, but July is promising to be another busy month. 

The screening of Das Boots at the New Media Film Festival in Los Angeles went extremely well. The movie got rave reviews and apart from that, David Capurso (the director) and I were able to hobnob with some of the movers and shakers in the Hollywood film scene. Next up:  Das Boots will be screening as part of the New York New Filmmakers Summer Series 2012 at the Anthology Film Archives Monday, July 9th starting at 7pm. Oh yeah, and you will soon be able to download Das Boots as we got a distribution deal via Indiefilmz.com!!! Check out our Facebook page and Bootsblog for more details.

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UPCOMING GIGS:

Wednesday, July 11th, 7-9pm (one set only) it's the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra celebrating Leap Day back at the Zinc Bar. We'll be featuring the exceptionally talented Israeli singer Tammy Scheffer.
Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

The RSJO is:
Reeds: Rob Wilkerson, Alejandro Aviles, Dave Noland, Matt Garrison, Carl Miraghi
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, James Smith, Jason Colby, Marty Bound
Trombones: Sara Jacovino, Chris Stover, Nick Finzer, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm: Mike Eckroth (piano); Yoshi Waki (bass); Scott Neumann (drums); Memo Acevedo (perc)
Featuring Special Guest vocalist Tammy Scheffer
Russ Spiegel is the composer, arranger, and bandleader

Fridays & Saturdays, 7-10pm: I am playing dinner jazz in duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at this wonderful Italian restaurant and wood burning, brick oven pizzeria:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Sunday, July 8th & 22nd, 8:30-11pm: I'll be playing Latin jazz with some compatriots down in Park Slope.
The Russ Spiegel/Tommy Mattioli Latin Thang
Tommy Mattioli: vibes
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Carlos Velasquez: bass
Gabo Tomassini: congas & percussion

t.b.a.: timbales 

Fifth Estate

506 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tel. (718) 840-0089
http://www.fifthestatebar.com/

Keep swinging.
Russ

Off to L.A. & June Gigs

Greetings All,

I've been lax in my reporting but the first part of May was marred by a rather scary physical setback. Around the first first week I woke up in extreme pain that continued to get worse as the day went on. The next day it was impossible to do anything and I finally went in to the emergency room to find out I had a pinched nerve in my neck. As I went to physical therapy it turned out this was accompanied by a bad case of tendonitis probably brought on by too much piano playing. 

I am happy to report I am almost completely mended, just some more long-term effects of numbness in the first finger of my right hand. Luckily, this doesn't affect my playing and so I have plenty of gigs and projects to keep me going.

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Off to L.A....

My short film, Das Boots will be having it's West Coast premiere at the the New Media Film Festival in L.A. on Wednesday, June 13th. I'll be heading out early Saturday morning June 9th to join my director David Capurso and actors Gene Farber and Sarah Ahlgren to attend the festival, walk the red carpet, schmooze, and see our movie screened. Oh yeah, and enjoy the beach & sunshine as well as sample some great Mexican food and go to a Dodgers game. Let's call it a working vacation.

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Gigs:

NEW GIG JUST IN: 

Thursday, June 28th, 8-10:30pm:

The Russ Spiegel Quartet:
Russ Spiegel: guitar, comp
Mike Eckroth: keys
Yoshi Waki: bass
Ronen Itzik: drums
Inkwell Cafe
408 Rogers Ave
Brooklyn,NY 11225
http://plgarts.org/ai1ec_event/jazz-at-the-inkwell-thursday-june-14-8-1030-pm/?instance_id=42
The band will be playing music from my “The Deep Brooklyn Suite”: a series of musical impressions about Brooklyn. Stylistically, the music features elements of Jazz, Rock, and Brazilian music, and showcases some of Brooklyn’s finest musical talent.

Sunday, June 24th, 8:30-11pm: I'll be playing Latin jazz with some compatriots down in Park Slope.
The Russ Spiegel/Tommy Mattioli Latin Thang
Tommy Mattioli: vibes
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Carlos Velasquez: bass
Glenn Lowe: drums
Gabo Tomassini: percussion

Fifth Estate

506 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tel. (718) 840-0089
http://www.fifthestatebar.com/

Fridays & Saturdays, 7-10pm (except June 9 & 15): I am playing dinner jazz in duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at this wonderful Italian restaurant and wood burning, brick oven pizzeria:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/
 

Sundays 12-3pm (except June 10): it's brunch time at Wyne a Bit. Awesome sweet & savory crepes (not mention scrumptious breakfast crepes) and a fantastic wine & beer selection. I'll be playing solo jazz guitar but musicians are encouraged to drop by & sit in.

Wyne a Bit Wine Bar & Creperie
200 Franklin St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11122
(718) 389-7171
www.brooklynwinebar.com/

Keep Swinging,

Russ

May Update

Hard to believe, it's already May! Time flies and I've been keeping busy with various projects, more on that in future posts.

In the meantime, lots of music going on. I have, among other things, a new Latin Jazz group. Take a look at the gigs below....

Russ's Upcoming Gigs:

Wednesday, May 9th, 7-9pm: I'll be performing with my fantastic quintet, Uncommon Knowledge, with special guest Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica. We will be performing pieces from my Deep Brooklyn Suite, which is a series of musical impressions about Brooklyn. Stylistically, the music features elements of Jazz, Rock, and Brazilian music, and showcases some of New York’s finest musicians:

Russ Spiegel's "Uncommon Knowledge"

Special Guest: Hendrik Meurkens - chromatic harmonica
Russ Spiegel - guitar/ comp 
Tim Armacost - reeds
Mike Eckroth - piano
Gary Wang - bass
Scott Neuman - drums

Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

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Sunday, May 13 & May 27th, 8:30-11pm: I'll be playing Latin jazz with some compatriots down in Park Slope.
The Russ Spiegel/Tommy Mattioli Latin Thang
Tommy Mattioli: vibes
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Steve Wood: bass
Glenn: drums
Gabo: percussion

Fifth Estate

506 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tel. (718) 840-0089
http://www.fifthestatebar.com/ 

Wednesday, May 23, 8-11pm: The wonderful guitarist Tosh Sheridan and I will be performing in duo at:

Claret Wine Bar

4602 Skillman Avenue  

Sunnyside (Queens), NY 11104 

Tel. (718) 937-7411

www.claretwinebar.com

Fridays & Saturdays, 7-10pm: I am playing dinner jazz in duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at this wonderful Italian restaurant and wood burning, brick oven pizzeria:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Sundays 12-3pm it's brunch time at Wyne a Bit. Awesome sweet & savory crepes (not mention scrumptious breakfast crepes) and a fantastic wine & beer selection. I'll be playing solo jazz guitar but musicians are encouraged to drop by & sit in.

Wyne a Bit Wine Bar & Creperie
200 Franklin St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11122
(718) 389-7171
www.brooklynwinebar.com/

Keep Swinging,

Russ

Milestone

Greetings All,

Hard to believe it, but I've been in New York over ten years now. So many things have happened - lots of good, some...uh, not so. In any case, this month I will be celebrating my birthday for the tenth time in New York at a nice, intimate club in Manhattan. More info below.

Our Kickstarter fundraiser for the band Uncommon Knowledge (see our attached video, which is still being edited) unfortunately did not do so well. It seems to be getting harder and harder to get projects off the ground. Nevertheless, through the agencies of music supporter extraordinaire Stu Deutsch, we will be going in to the studio on March 20th to record some songs and hopefully have enough usable tracks to put out on a new CD. More on this in the next Calendar update.

__________________________________

Russ's Birthday Gig/Jam:
Friday, March 30th, shows at 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30:
Come hang with me and my band at the Bar Next Door to celebrate my birthday. As this is a very small, intimate venue (seats about 30!!!), make sure to reserve a place. Musicians are encouraged to bring their axes to sit in and join us. $12 cover.

The Russ Spiegel Trio:
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Gary Wang: bass
Scott Neumann: drums

About the Bar Next Door: Slightly larger than a nice sized efficiency apartment, lit by votive candles, and bedecked with dark wood, it would be an understatement to call this subterranean West Village bar intimate. Jazz trios, crammed into a corner of the room near the working fireplace, play seven nights a week, as snuggling couples and self-styled enthnomusicologists lounge on dark leather banquettes while sipping wine or martinis. (There's an exhaustive menu for the former.)

The Bar Next Door
129 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012
Tel: (212) 529-5945
www.lalanternacaffe.com

Fridays & Saturdays (except March 30), 7-10pm: I am playing dinner jazz in duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Sundays 12-3pm it's brunch time again at Wyne a Bit. Awesome sweet & savory crepes (not mention ridiculous breakfast crepes) and a fantastic wine & beer selection. I'll be playing solo jazz guitar but musicians are encouraged to drop by & sit in.

Wyne a Bit Wine Bar & Creperie
200 Franklin St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11122
(718) 389-7171
www.brooklynwinebar.com/

Keep Swingin'
Russ

Big News!

Hello Friends and Music Fans!

The Big News is: It's official! We have just launched our Kickstarter project, Russ Spiegel's "Uncommon Knowledge" plays the music of the Deep Brooklyn Suite. Whether you want to contribute or not, please take a look. Comments happily accepted!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/RuzzToneProductions/russ-spiegels-uncommon-knowledge-the-deep-brooklyn-0
We are planning on recording in March. Stay tuned.....

Also not-so-little news: I am now am somebody! See my new listing on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russ_Spiegel

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Gigs this Month:

Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7-9pm (one set only) it's the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra celebrating Leap Day back at the Zinc Bar. We'll be featuring the great Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica and the exceptionally talented Israeli singer Tammy Scheffer:
Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

The RSJO is:
Reeds: Rob Wilkerson, Alejandro Aviles, Tim Armacost, Dave Noland, Paul Nedzela
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, Steve Smythe, Miki Hirose, Andy Gravish
Trombones: Scott Reeves, Sara Jacovino, Chris Stover Brandon Moodie
Rhythm: Art Hirahara (piano); Yoshi Waki (bass); Scott Neumann (drums); Rogerio Boccato (perc)
Featuring Special Guests Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica and vocalist Tammy Scheffer .
Russ Spiegel is the composer, arranger, and guitarist.

Fridays & Saturdays, 7-10pm I am playing dinner jazz in duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Sundays 12-3pm it's solo jazz guitar at a wonderful new wine bar/creperie in Greenpoint:
Wyne a Bit Wine Bar & Creperie
200 Franklin St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11122
(718) 389-7171
www.brooklynwinebar.com/

Keep Swingin'
Russ

Happy New Ears - 2012!

Greetings Friends and Fans,

It's a new year and and I hope you all have great prospects and projects ahead of you for 2012. For me, there are lots of promising developments - just waiting for some things to come together. If you will indulge me, here is what is on the table (in no particular order):
- The publisher of Jazzwise http://jazzwise.com/ (Britain's largest jazz publisher) wants to make my original big band charts available for sale and distribution in Europe. I have also submitted a proposal for a guitar book to them. More on that later.
- Speaking of Europe: I am waiting to hear if I will be doing more big band and jazz guitar workshops in Germany. A tour there is also pending.
- My goal for this year is to record (and hopefully release) at least two original recordings: one of my quintet, "Uncommon Knowledge" (performing Jan. 18th at the Zinc bar - see below) the songs of my Deep Brooklyn Suite, and the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra, with new songs and arrangements and featuring the great Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica as well as the fantastic vocalist Tammy Scheffer. Anyone interested in helping get either of these projects off the ground, I would love to hear from you.
- The documentary film which I did the music for, "Building Bridges" by filmmaker Anand Kamalakar, will be screening this month at the Beacon School in Manhattan. I am still waiting for the date and time. I am waiting to hear about more film scoring projects for this year, including at least one feature.
- My essay, "First Takes on a Musical Life" will be released as part of anthology by Dan Thompson. Expected release date is this fall. More on this when I have more information.
- I have cleared the first hurdle to begin my DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in Jazz Studies at the Manhattan School of Music. The audition process continues in March. Depending on the results of my audition, I hope to get funding to get a further degree. And I'll need it - MSM costs $35,000 a year. No money, no study.
- Also at the same time I have sent out applications for music professorships to a number of universities across the country. Right now waiting to hear back with hopefully good news.

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Upcoming Gigs:

Wednesday, Jan. 18th, 7-9pm: I'll be performing with my fantastic quintet, Uncommon Knowledge, performing pieces from my Deep Brooklyn Suite, which is a series of musical impressions about Brooklyn. Stylistically, the music features elements of Jazz, Rock, and Brazilian music, and showcases some of New York’s finest musicians:
Russ Spiegel's "Uncommon Knowledge"
Russ Spiegel - guitar/ comp
Tim Amacost - reeds
Mike Eckroth - piano
Gary Wang - bass
Scott Neuman - drums
Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

Fridays & Saturdays, 7-10pm I am playing dinner jazz in duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Sundays 12-3pm it's solo jazz guitar at a wonderful new wine bar/creperie in Greenpoint:
Wyne a Bit Wine Bar & Creperie
200 Franklin St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11122
(718) 389-7171
www.brooklynwinebar.com/

Wishing all of you all the best for this new year,
Russ