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