Gig Update Feb. 9, 2011

Hello Music Fans,

The next few days I'll be playing a number of fun gigs. Here's the info:

On Thursday, Feb. 10th, from 7:30-10:30pm: A brand new gig at a brand new restaurant. Yes, Greenpoint, Brooklyn has its own steakhouse! I'll be bringing in a jazz quartet to help you digest the generous portions of high-grade beef, delicious fish and wonderful salads at Amber Steak House. They also have a full bar so no one will go thirsty.

The Russ Spiegel Quartet:
Ian Rapien: tenor & soprano sax
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Fumi Tomita: bass
Brian Fishler: drums

Amber Steak House
119 Nassau Ave.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11222
(718) 389-3757
www.ambersteak.com

This and every Friday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with a bassist at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

Also - Valentine's Day, Monday, Feb. 14th I'll be performing at Il Porto in duo to celebrate the Day of Love 7-11pm. Make your reservations now!

And finally, on Thursday, Feb. 17th, 7-10pm I'll be performing with Swedish flautist Elsa Nilsson at Tutuma Social Club.

Elsa Nilsson Quartet:
Elsa Nilsson: flutes and compositions
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Yuka Tadano: bass
Cody Rahn: Drums

Tutuma Social Club
164 East 56th Street
New York, NY 10022
(646) 300-0305
www.tutumasocialclub.com

Stay tuned for more updates....

Gig Update Jan. 29. 2011

Monday, January 31st - The next performance of the 17-piece Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra will be at the Tea Lounge in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Show time is 9pm and 10:30pm. We will be playing two sets, finishing around 11:30pm or so. I have to give a shout-out to JC Sanford, who curates the "Size Matters" Monday night big band hit at the Tea Lounge. Thanks to him, you can hear some of the top young big bands in the city for the price of a cup of coffee. Oh yeah, bring some cash to tip the band - $5 is suggested, but no one will complain if that tenner jumps out of your pocket.

The Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra
Russ Spiegel - compositions, arrangements, guitar
Reeds - Alejandro Aviles, Justin Wood, Dan Pratt, Dave Noland, Paul Nedzela
Trumpets - Colin Brigstocke, David Smith, Duane Eubanks, Jason Colby
Trombones - John Knight, Sara Jacovino, Barry Cooper, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm - Art Hirahara (p), Yoshi Waki (b), Chris Benham (dr)

Tea Lounge
837 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215-1308
(718) 789-2762
www.tealoungeny.com/

This and every Friday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with a bassist at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

-Sunday, Feb. 5th, I'll be playing a jazz brunch from 12-3pm at the wonderful Cornerstone Restaurant in Ft. Greene Brooklyn with the Justin Wood quartet. Great American food with an African American touch.

Cornerstone Restaurant
271 Adelphi Street
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 643-4216
www.thebrooklyncornerstone.com

A brand new gig at a brand new restaurant. Yes, Greenpoint, Brooklyn has its own steakhouse! On Thursday, Feb. 10th, from 7:30-10:30pm I'll be bringing in a jazz quartet to help you digest the generous portions of high-grade beef, delicious fish and wonderful salads at Amber Steak House. They also have a full bar so no one will go thirsty.

The Russ Spiegel Quartet:
Ian Rapien: tenor & soprano sax
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Fumi Tomita: bass
Brian Fishler: drums

Amber Steak House
119 Nassau Ave.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11222
(718) 389-3757
www.ambersteak.com

Stay tuned for more news....

Happy New Year - New Gigs

A great big Happy New Year to all of you reading this. This year promises to bring some new projects, new concerts and new travels and of course I send out my wishes to all of you that you have a fulfilling and successful 2010.

Two more important dates:

-On Tuesday, Jan. 18th, 8:30-10:30pm I will be presenting the music of my new quintet at the wonderful Puppets Jazz Bar in Park Slope, Brooklyn. New Compositions and arrangements played by some of New York's finest musicians and all you have to do is show up and hopefully stick some nice green bills in the tip bucket.

Russ Spiegel's "Uncommon Knowledge":
Russ Spiegel - guitar & compositions
Tim Armacost - tenor sax
Mike Eckroth - keys
Gary Wang - bass
Scott Neuman - drums

Puppets Jazz Bar
481 5th Avenue
NY 11215
(718) 499-2622

Monday, January 31st - The next performance of the 17-piece Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra will be at the Tea Lounge in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Show time is 9pm and we will be playing two sets, finishing around 11:30pm or so. I have to give a shout-out to JC Sanford, who curates the "Size Matters" Monday night big band hit at the Tea Lounge. Thanks to him, you can hear some of the top young big bands in the city for the price of a cup of coffee. Oh yeah, bring some cash to tip the band - $5 is suggested, but no one will complain if that tenner jumps out of your pocket.

The Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra
Russ Spiegel - comp, arr, guit
Reeds - Alejandro Aviles, Justin Wood, Dan Pratt, Dave Noland, Terry Goss
Trumpets - Colin Brigstocke, David Smith, Duane Eubanks, Jason Colby
Trombones - John Knight, Sara Jacovino, Barry Cooper, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm - Art Hirahara (p), Yoshi Waki (b), Chris Benham (dr)

Tea Lounge
837 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215-1308
(718) 789-2762
www.tealoungeny.com/

Also, as usual - -This and every Friday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

Stay tuned for more news....

Gigs, Gigs, Gigs, Gigs

This time I have four gigs in a row so I hope you can make it out to one or the other, or maybe two, or even three! Whoever makes all four will get a special prize!

___________________________________________________

-A brand new gig at a brand new restaurant. Yes, Greenpoint, Brooklyn has its own steakhouse! On Thursday, Dec. 2, from 7:30-10:30pm I'll be bringing in a jazz quartet to help you digest the generous portions of high-grade beef at Amber Steak House.

The Russ Spiegel Quartet:
Justin Wood: alto sax & flute
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Fumi Tomita: bass
Brian Fishler: drums

Amber Steak House
119 Nassau Ave.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11222
(718) 389-3757
www.ambersteak.com

-This and every Friday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

-Saturday, Dec. 4th, I'll be playing a jazz brunch from 12-3pm at the wonderful Cornerstone Restaurant in Ft. Greene Brooklyn with the Justin Wood trio. Great American food with an African American touch.
271 Adelphi Street
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 643-4216
www.thebrooklyncornerstone.com

And finally -

-On Sunday, Dec. 5th, 7-9pm I will be presenting the music of my new quintet at the wonderful Cafe Orwell in Bushwick. New Compositions played by some of New York's finest musicians and all you have to do is show up and hopefully stick some nice green bills in the tip bucket.

The Russ Spiegel Group:
Russ Spiegel - guitar & compositions
Tim Armacost - tenor sax
Mike Eckroth - keys
Gary Wang - bass
Scott Neuman - drums

Cafe Orwell

247 Varet St
(between White St & Bogart St)
Brooklyn, NY 11206

(347) 294-4759
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-orwell-brooklyn

Nearest Transit: Morgan Ave (L)

Hope to see you all there!
Russ

New Gigs!

Hello All,

First and foremost, I am very happy to report that Das Boots did exceptionally well at the Big Apple Film Festival. Lots of laughs and a great response at the end put my mind at ease as to whether this venture was worth it. My thanks again to all involved.

------------------------------------------

Latest Gigs:
-This and every Friday evening 7-10pm I am playing dinner jazz with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

-Saturday, Nov. 20th, I'll be playing a jazz brunch from 12-3pm at the wonderful Cornerstone Restaurant in Ft. Greene Brooklyn with Fumi Tomita on bass and Chris Benham on drums. Great American food with an African American touch.
271 Adelphi Street
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 643-4216
www.thebrooklyncornerstone.com

-Sunday, Nov. 28th, from 10pm-1am I'll be working off some of those pounds of turkey and stuffing along with bassist Fumi Tomita at drummer Brian Woodruff's Sunday night jam session at Blackbirds in Astoria, Queens. All you jazzbo's bring yer axes to this relaxed session.
Blackbirds

41-19 30th Ave
Astoria, NY 11103

(718) 943-6899

www.blackbirdsbar.com

-And finally, a brand new gig at a brand new restaurant. Yes, Greenpoint, Brooklyn has its own steakhouse! On Thursday, Dec. 2, from 7:30-10:30pm I'll be bringing in a jazz quartet to help you digest the generous portions of high-grade beef at Amber Steak House.

The Russ Spiegel Quartet:
Justin Wood: alto sax & flute
Russ Spiegel: guitar
Fumi Tomita: bass
Brian Fishler: drums

Amber Steak House
119 Nassau Ave.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 11222
(718) 389-3757
www.ambersteak.com

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Keep swinging,
Russ

Latest Gigs

The next performance of the RSJO will be at the Tea Lounge in Park Slope, Brooklyn, on Monday, October 11th. Show time is 9pm and we will be playing two sets, finishing around 11:30pm or so. I have to give a shout-out to JC Sanford, who curates the "Size Matters" Monday night big band hit at the Tea Lounge. Thanks to him, you can hear some of the top young big bands in the city for the price of a cup of coffee. Oh yeah, bring some cash to tip the band - $5 is suggested, but no one will complain if that tenner jumps out of your pocket.

The Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra
Russ Spiegel - comp, arr, guit
Reeds - Alejandro Aviles, Justin Wood, Dan Pratt, Dave Noland, Terry Goss
Trumpets - Colin Brigstocke, James Smith, Duane Eubanks, Jason Colby
Trombones - Scott Reeves, Sara Jacovino, Alex Asher, Barry Cooper
Rhythm - Art Hirahara (p), Yoshi Waki (b), Chris Benham (dr)

Tea Lounge
837 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215-1308
(718) 789-2762
www.tealoungeny.com/

I will be making a rare small band appearance this coming Sunday, Oct. 17th at the Brooklyn Lyceum. Featuring some of the top musicians around, there will be plenty of musical fireworks as we play through originals and arrangements from yours truly.

The Russ Spiegel Group
Dan Pratt - reeds
Russ Spiegel - guit, comp
Mike Eckroth - keys
Gary Wang - bass
Scott Neuman - drums

Tix are $10, sets at 9pm & 10:30pm

Brooklyn Lyceum
227 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 857-4816
www.brooklynlyceum.com/

Also up: This and every Friday evening 7-10pm I am playing dinner jazz at
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

_____________

Also of note - my short film, "Das Boots" was accepted into the Big Apple Film Festival and will be showing at the Tribeca Cinemas Thursday evening, Nov. 4th as part of the program starting at 8:30pm. Come out & show your support (& wish us luck, too!).

Hope to see you!

Upcoming Performances

Hello Music Lovers,

First of all, I would like to report that the concert of the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra at the Iridium jazz club here in NYC was one of the smokingest shows I have ever played. The band was ridiculously tight and everyone played with energy and verve. I received a lot of compliments on our performance. Which brings me to:

The next performance of the RSJO will be at the Tea Lounge in Park Slope, Brooklyn, on Monday, October 11th. Show time is 9pm and we will be playing two sets, finishing around 11:30pm or so. I have to give a shout-out to JC Sanford, who curates the "Size Matters" Monday night big band hit at the Tea Lounge. Thanks to him, you can hear some of the top young big bands in the city for the price of a cup of coffee. Oh yeah, bring some cash to tip the band.

Tea Lounge
837 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215-1308
(718) 789-2762
www.tealoungeny.com/

I will also be doing a rare trio hit at the lovely LIC Bar in Long Island City this coming Wednesday, September 15th. It's only one set from 8pm-8:45 so get there early if you want to catch us. I'll be playing with the inimitable Sam Minaya on bass (we first played together when I was doing a show out in Pasadena, CA, a while back) and Brian Fishler on drums.

LIC Bar
45-58 Vernon Blvd
Queens, New York 11101
(718) 786-5400
www.licbar.com/

Also up: This and every Friday evening 7-10pm I am playing dinner jazz at
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

Don't forget to keep up with my latest column over at Earbits.com:
Notes of a Jazz Survivor

Be well, everyone.