Speakeasy Jazz: Thanks For The Memories

The Speakeasy Jazz club in Winston-Salem has closed down for good. Six years is a pretty good run for a Jazz club in Winston-Salem. I have to say I think I win the prize for the most gigs played there. I played the weekly Wednesday open mic jazz jam night for 5 years, I think. Might have been four. The house band had a lot of different people in it over the years. Roberto OrihueIa-vibes host, Ken Rhodes-piano, Colin Tribby -drums and me on bass was the last group. Some others that I played there with in the house band were: Jim Hoyle-drums,Herb Stephens-guitar host, Wayne Smith-piano, Bill Jordan-guitar, Dave Fox-piano, Mike Collins-guitar, John Wilson-drums, Shirazette Tinnin-drums, Abdullah Rahman-drums, Max Wood-drums, Bob Sanger-piano, Melva Houston-Vocals host, Reggie Buie-piano, Steve Bowers-Sax/host, John Mochnick-piano, Everett Funch-drums, and more but I can't remember who. I saw all kinds of stuff come through that night. Great musicians and all other types. Sometimes I find it amazing what people will get up on stage and do. We never had butt-bongo night like we did at Leon's (r.i.p.) but that's probably all for the best. I think I did open mic there for 7 years. I played Speakeasy Jazz with my group the Matt Kendrick Unit quite a few times, 8 Upfront, Four For One , Ken Rhodes Trio, Roberto Oriheula, Melva Houston, Cle Thompson and many others. I will miss having a jazz club here in the Twin City. The Speakeasy was a very nice, good looking club with a good PA and a good piano (a rarity for sure). Over the years Connie And Heidi (the owners) worked tirelessly to make the place a success. The sound of the club improved yearly thanks to Connie's care and diligence. The food was good and the drinks strong. Heidi makes exceptional martinis. I don't how or why but she has the magic martini touch. Good beer was on tap also. Gaelic Ale and Oatmeal Porter plus Foothills brews.

The people that hung out there were very nice and I will miss seeing them on a regular basis. Love to all from this time in history. Thanks Connie and Heidi for the memories. Thanks for the work too. Clubs come and clubs go but the musicians always remember them even from way back when.

Video of Open Mic Night

Melva Houston-vocals Sammy Anflick-drums Dave Fox-piano Roberto Orihuelia-vibes Matt Kendrick-bass

Obama's "Yes we can" section of his speech in NH

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no
matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can withstand the
power of millions of voices calling for change.
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will
only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We've been
asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against
offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been
anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible
odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't
try, or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a
simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people.
Yes we can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the
destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail
toward freedom through the darkest of nights.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and
pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the
ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and
prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this
world. Yes we can.
And so tomorrow, as we take this campaign South and West; as we learn
that the struggles of the textile worker in Spartanburg are not so
different than the plight of the dishwasher in Las Vegas; that the
hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are
the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we
will remember that there is something happening in America; that we
are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people;
we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter
in America's story with three words that will ring from coast to
coast; from sea to shining sea - Yes. We. Can.
Barack Obama 2008