pianogonzology: songwriter

Showing posts with label songwriter. Show all posts

Friday, August 9, 2019

Reasons . . .

. . . to support local music . . .

(from https://puckermob.com/entertainment/top-5-reasons-you-should-support-local-music/)
". . . **That guy or girl sitting in their basements writing songs for nobody might just be one of your favorite artists, and you don’t even know it yet. Maybe their music will speak to you on a level that no one else has been able to reach. You’ll never know if you don’t get the opportunity to experience it!
**Wherever there are musicians sharing their love for creating, there is no doubt a community of people supporting them and befriending each other. My own experiences in music scenes have seen bands of all genres sharing the staging, supporting each other’s music, finding places to sleep while out on tour, and genuinely caring for each other. For fans and musicians alike, a thriving scene for local music provides a group of people that are welcoming to anyone.
**Entertainment. Obviously. Why go to the bar and listen to a DJ when you have the option to hear real life instruments and singers playing live? The passion you get from musicians performing provides an altogether different experience than just listen to popular music being played through speakers.
**It makes your city more interesting! In Annapolis, street performing musicians are encouraged to park themselves on a bench, or on a sidewalk, or really anywhere they can accommodate their craft, and provide music for anyone exploring the streets. Doing this creates a great atmosphere and helps people enjoy themselves, even if they are just there to shop.
**If you’re a musician, having an outlet and support can be the most important aspect of succeeding. Everyone feels anxious performing for the first time, or showing a new song off to a friend, so the encouragement can drive them to keep pursuing their passion. That’s one thing our current society needs more of: people happy with what they are doing and pursing something they love. We’d all be a little better off. . ."
***Brewers Alley [124 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701; (301) 631-0089; https://brewers-alley.com/]- Songwriter Showcase Concert 7:30PM
Piano Prelude - Ray Jozwiak
3 Songs - Jazlyn Sligh
Dual Features - Jeff Talmadge
- Jim Patton & Sherry Brokus

Parade
©2019 Raymond M. Jozwiak

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at
http://www.ohomusic.com pianogonzology

Other Ray Jozwiak Offerings

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

For all things "Gonzo Piano" please visit:
Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano on CD Baby.com
The Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano Website
The Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano You Tube Channel

For all things "OHO" please visit:
The OHO CD Baby.com Website
OHO Music Website
The 'More OHO Music' You Tube Website
The 'Original' OHO Music You Tube Website

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Monday, September 11, 2017

Brewer's . . .

(from Rod Deacy, Frederick MD musician, poet, master of ceremonies and local music promoter)
". . . This Monday, Sept 11, we are fortunate indeed! We welcome back to Brewer’s Alley Songwriters’ Showcase . . . "

124 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
Menu: brewers-alley.com
Hours: Open today · 11:30AM–11:30PM
Phone: (301) 631-0089

". . . one of the major stars in the singer-songwriter world, VICTORIA VOX, making her annual visit, to amaze us with her terrific songs and innovative ukulele playing! The cherries on the top of a Victoria Vox show are her powerful stage presence, her fierce intelligence and impish sense of humor – always on display! Don’t miss this show!

Monday’s piano prelude will be played by exceptional blues pianist and singer-songwriter ROGUE JOHNSEN, who we are pleased to see back at Brewer’s! Christian will be taking care of food and drinks for us, as usual. Come early to get good seats; the piano prelude starts at 7:30 pm.

Three-songs cameos are from Americana songwriter and frequent audience member DOMENIC CICALA, who I ran into briefly last night catching the excellent Willie Barry Band playing on Market Street, plus ROB HINKAL, solo for a change, without his band IlyAIMY. Expect more guitar notes played by Rob in three songs than most people play all evening! Poetry will be delivered Southern-preacher-style by our own JOHN HOLLY, and by English person ROD DEACEY. The percussion section will be fully loaded this week with the irrepressible RON GOAD, TIM BRADY and TOMY WRIGHT (Woo-Hoo!), and Tomy will also do a set at the end of the evening!

Soundman and MC duties tomorrow will be undertaken as always by the hard-working TODD C. WALKER; thanks go to him for endurance and enthusiasm! His quest for perfect sound never ceases! . . ."

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at
http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

Get your copy of OHO's Where Words Do Not Reach now!
The Ocean City Ditty Video is now on YouTube
Also, be sure to visit: www.rayjozwiak.com and www.ohomusic.com

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Thursday, May 4, 2017

Music . . .

. . . hath charms . . .

(from William Congreve's The Mourning Bride, 1697)
". . . Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform'd,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound. . ."

Brewer’s Alley Songwriters' Showcase (now in twelfth year!) is held on the second Monday evening (mostly!) in each month upstairs at Brewer's Alley, 124 N. Market St., in beautiful downtown Frederick, MD, except during December. The program starts at 7:30 pm with a piano prelude, followed by two songwriters doing three songs each. The featured songwriter for the evening goes on around 8:30 pm for 45 minutes or so, sometimes followed by two or three more three-song performers. Somewhere in the mix we throw in some poetry from John Holly and Rod Deacey. Our MCs are Ron Goad, Rod Deacey, Tomy Wright, and Todd C Walker, who runs the show. I am still booking the features and sharing the three-song spots with Todd Walker. Ron Goad books the pianists for piano preludes… which on May 8 will be . . .

. . . ME. . .

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at
http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

Follow me on Blogarama

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Spring . . .

(from Mr. Rod Deacey)
Spring flowers are blooming and little yellow flags have shown up in Carroll Creek in downtown Frederick, which means the waterlilies will not be far behind! It’s time for our monthly Songwriters Showcase at Brewer’s Alley in Frederick, Maryland, on the SECOND Monday in the month, April 10 (which is TOMORROW!) so please come out for a great evening! Don’t forget, we start at 7:30... You should arrive early to get good seats, as always, as we have our expected excellent line-up…

We are always delighted to present our featured songwriter this month – our long-time friend TONY DENIKOS, known for his combination of outstanding songs and terrific guitar skills… Plus he does this quirky raspy thing with his harmonica which no-one else can master! Tony’s songs are perfect slices of Americana, punctuated by his wry, self-deprecating delivery, and despite his apologies, they are not depressing so much as authentic… Come and check him out!

Monday’s Piano Prelude, will be played and sung by another authentic voice –
the incredibly talented KATY HYLTON! Katy is moving soon, but we hope she doesn’t move too far away to come back and play for us! During the prelude and beyond, we believe the multi-tasking Christian will be taking care of our food and drinks as usual…

Three-song cameos will be from Todd’s Pick, bluesmeister TOM DEWS, who plays the best rack-mounted blues harmonica you are ever likely to hear, and one of our favorite pianists, ROCKIN’ RAY JOZWIAK, doing a rare three-song spot because we miss him… Poet JOHN HOLLY will be reciting a couple of poems sometime in the evening. I have new poems, and a beat poem with whoever shows up from the Brewer’s BaBoom! Unit (that’s BaBoom, not baboon; you read it too fast…). RON GOAD is doing his best to be present although he has another commitment, so it may come down to TIM BRADY and maybe TOMY WRIGHT.

Soundman and MC duties tomorrow will be undertaken as usual by TODD C WALKER, who likes the spring because that’s when houses practically sell themselves – right, Todd?

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at
http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

Follow me on Blogarama

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Brewer's . . .

. . . Alley Songwriters Showcase . . .

OHO's Ray Jozwiak performs a three-song set at Brewer's Alley's mainstay showcase with a plethora of other talented singer/songwriter/musician/performers including the featured performer, WAMMIE Award Winning Tony Denikos
Monday, April 10th, 2017
BREWER'S ALLEY
Brewer's Alley Songwriters Showcase - 7:30PM
124 N Market St
Frederick, MD 21701

(301) 631-0089
Price: no cover

What do you think?
Contact me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at
http://www.ohomusic.com
My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

Follow me on Blogarama

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Join . . .

. . . us, won't you?

MONDAY, Sept 21

Brewers Alley - Monday Songwriters Showcase Concert 7:15pm
Piano: Ray Jozwiak
Feature: Andrew McKnight
3-Songs: Tom Dews
Katy Hylton
Poetry: John Holly & Rod Deacey

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at
http://www.ohomusic.com

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music is now available at - Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Monday . . .

(from Mr. Ron Goad, DC area musician and supporter/promoter of local arts and talent NONPAREIL!)
A WELCOME ADDITION -Brewer's Alley Songwriters' Showcase -- Monday Feb 23 -- FREDERICK, MD -- The show starts at 7:15 w/ Patrick Post on piano -- Also enjoy Cousin John Mobley -- Pianist Ray Jozwiak in a rare mid-show set -- Featuring the mesmerizing Nicole Belanus -- Violin monster Bruce Lebovitz will perform too! -- 124 North Market Street -- At this location since May 2007 -- Ride elevator to the 2nd floor -- Show info -- Roderick Deacey -- Todd Walker -- Ron Goad -- Enjoy poetry by John Holly and Service-with-a-smile thanks to Katherine Miller -- In lieu of cover charge, your donations go to the feature.

What do you think?

Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at
http://www.ohomusic.com

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music will be released April 7, 2015 Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

Friday, November 14, 2014

On With The Show . . .

"Awesome!" says Mr. Ron Goad. "The show on Monday Nov 17 starts at 7:15 w/ Ray Jozwiak --also enjoy Adrienne Smith -- Linda Nelson -- and an extended set from Kipyn Martin."

Monday Night Songwriters' Showcase (now in its seventh year!) is held every Monday evening upstairs at Brewer's Alley, 124 N. Market St., in beautiful downtown Frederick, MD. The program starts at 7:15 pm with a piano prelude, followed by three or four songwriters doing three songs each (so you can't get bored). The featured songwriter for the evening goes on around 8:30 pm or so for an extended set, followed by three more three-song performers. Somewhere in the mix we throw in some poetry from our resident poet John Holly and songs and/or poems by founder and local music promoter Rod Deacey. Our MCs are Ron Goad and Todd C. Walker. Our featured songwriters are a mix of national and regional touring performers, with many award winners from all genres.

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

My latest solo release, '2014' of original, instrumental piano music, can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Sunday, October 19, 2014

MORE???!!! . . .

. . . about the showcase . . .

This Monday evening, Oct 20, we are delighted to welcome, all the way from Nashville, BUDDY MONDLOCK! Buddy is a SONGWRITER – his songs have been recorded by people like Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith, Janis Ian, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, Garth Brooks, David Wilcox and more… He has co-written with Janis Ian, Garth Brooks, and others. He co-wrote and played and sang on an album with Art Garfunkel and Maia Sharp. He is a Kerrville New Folk winner, and also has a Kerrville award for Song of the Year… What does all this tell you? He is an A-List touring singer-songwriter and we are lucky to have him drop by to feature for us on Monday! This is a show you do not want to miss! When people whose names you recognize record someone’s songs, and they are songwriters themselves, it usually means the songs are EXCEPTIONAL! They are! Come and listen! www.buddymondlock.com

      The piano prelude this week is from ROCKIN’ RAY JOZWIAK, who for many years has visited us every month to demonstrate how to get out of corners he seems to have painted himself into. Just when you think he has finally trapped himself – a deft flurry of the cape and he has escaped again! If you have never heard Ray before, he has often been compared to Keith Jarrett. He is also part of our ad hoc house band at the end of the evening, when he lets his rock’n’roll out… Come early to be sure of good seats (don't forget we start at 7:15 pm now); you may come up after 7:00 pm so long as Katherine is ready, and performers may come upstairs as soon as they arrive.

      Three-song cameos this week are from REID SCHOENFELDER, whose rock background occasionally pokes through his excellent singer-songwriter material, show promoter and Alt-Country/Americana fiend DOMENIC CICALA, and Todd’s Pick this week, BRIAN KEITH. As usual, poet JOHN HOLLY will be reciting a couple of poems and I'll throw in a poem and some songs later on. TOMY WRIGHT was supposed to be with us this week but was unfortunately called away again, so we hope he'll be able to make it next week.

     MISTER RON GOAD will be filling the drum and percussion chair as usual, so performers please feel free to call on him. He is beautifully trained and extremely intuitive, so he won't trample all over your songs – well, he usually doesn't, anyway. Please don't say the word “Toad” when asking him to play, or you may have to wait 11 minutes before you can continue…

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery
124 North Market Street Frederick, MD 21701 Telephone: 301-631-0089 Fax: 301-631-1874

http://www.brewers-alley.com

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Spooks. . .

. . . come in all shapes, sizes and degrees of 'scariness'. But this Monday
at the Brewer’s Alley Songwriters’, one Spook is appearing that you'll be glad you came to hear: SPOOK HANDY

Show opens 7:15 with
Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano opening the January 13th show @ 7:30PM

Also on the bill, 3 songs each from Patrick Post, Tim Kirkner and Mary Shapiro w/Jeff Wolf with poetry by Rod Deacey

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery
124 North Market Street Frederick, MD 21701 Telephone: 301-631-0089 Fax: 301-631-1874
http://www.brewers-alley.com/

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Sunday, May 4, 2014

The Latest . . .

. . . from Doug Alan Wilcox; articulate, evocative and engaging singer songwriter
and good friend. . .

(from http://www.dawilcox.com/doug_alan_wilcox_true.html)
On the making of “True”

I had been through a particularly crappy Winter - bouts of depression and malaise had kept me fairly off-kilter for months. Fortunately, I was able to use that pain to write a couple of new songs and had yet a few more tunes that were in the live show rotation but hadn't been recorded so figured it was time to get into the studio. In hindsight, the activity of recording probably saved me many more weeks of ugly mood. Things do happen for a reason.

Along about this same time, my friend and fellow singer/songwriter Rick Windon asked if I would be willing to to take a lyric he had rattling around and try to put my spin on things. The result, "It Only Feels Like Love", while not at all a happy song, is still perhaps my favorite on "True" (btw, this IS a mostly POSITIVE album, really..........).

Now, I've never spoken to other artists to see if their experience is the same but the recording process always takes on a life of it's own for me. I invariably go in with a plan that disintegrates into dust within days. However SOMETHING GOOD always happens in place of that plan.

In this case, the two brand-new songs that I was sure were going to be on this record ended up being set aside for another day - they just didn't fit the flow that was taking shape for "True". I got the idea to write a couple of instrumental, sound-scape-type pieces - not quite songs but bits to tie other songs together.

Another great friend, pianist Ray Jozwiak, had offered his services earlier on and I threw two of the instrumentals his way. One gained lyrics in the meantime and became the title track and first cut on the CD. These "sounds-capes" really mark a departure for me and I think lend a whole different tone to the collection.

This is what I mean by a project "taking on a life of it's own". Things tend to happen very organically and it's always an intriguing and surprising adventure (for me at least) to see what I end up with.

So in the end, it all came along well in the course of just over two months. My lovely wife helped with production duties (a woman with a very good ear!)
and didn't fuss when I was locked up in the studio or spending time glued to the computer with headphones - listening over and over to mixes.

As you can see other places on this site, all my current recorded work is posted at BandCamp.com. Everything there streams for free so please feel free to drop by - no commitment. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making this, and all, my records - and if you like what you hear, you know what to do............. :)

Of "True", Betsy Burnam says: "......... It's beautiful; almost Zen-like lyrics and feeling but with humor and gentle passion. Doug opens his heart........."

True
from the album True
by Doug Alan Wilcox
released 09 April 2014
© all rights reserved

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com