Category: Music

Music

  • Where are my Patriots? Rolando Morales and Carlos Reyes Saturday at The Vine and more

    Republican Patriots: Where are you???
    Republican Patriots: Where are you???
    “Republican Patriots: Where are you???”  

    Former CIA Director John Brennan’s tweet after watching Trump’s Helsinki news conference where Trump chose not to condemn Russia for it’s cyber operation to meddle in our elections, and  chose instead to condemn the FBI for investigating it.

    ¡Hola, Mi Gente!

    Well, America voted for a man who would shake things up.  Mission accomplished!

    Now seasoned veterans on both sides of the aisle seem equally enraged by his actions and words.  We’ve known for some time now that the democrats have been short of spine, voice and message.  Concurrently, the republicans have been scrambling to “explain” his words and actions and remained in lock step support with his actions and increasingly questionable policies.  Party first, country second.

    Where are the real patriots?  Isn’t it time we all say enough is enough?  Isn’t it time we all acknowledge he doesn’t really care about putting America first?  He really only values himself.  Even when confronted with undeniable evidence of Russian interference, he perceives only that it threatens the legitimacy of his own election win, despite the report saying there was insufficient evidence that the meddling affected the election outcome.  There’s a big, black hole in him that he just can’t fill.

    The world was replete with memes and cartoons that touched on the events of the last couple days.  Pretty good ones, too!  The one I posted here is comparatively tame and artful against so many of the angrier, bawdier ones that are so prevalent.

    Through it all, I’ll keep pushing forward with my music, bringing what I hope is an uplifting, personal experience we can share together.  I won’t be doing as many public shows the rest of this month, but I do have a great one happening this Saturday July 21st from 8-11pm at The Vine in Danville, when I’ll be playing with the great violinist Carlos Reyes.  We don’t do this often at this venue, so don’t miss it!  Details below.

    There are a few more things happening, including my rare duet with Latin rock guitarist from Carlos Santana, Carlos Hernandez, making his debut at Havana in Walnut Creek on Friday July 27.   Details below.

    See you at the show!

    Ciao,

    Rolando

    Carlos Reyes joins Rolando Morales at the Vine at Bridges, July 21 2018
    Carlos Reyes joins Rolando Morales at the Vine at Bridges, July 21 2018

    PUBLIC PERFORMANCES FOR JULY 2018

    Saturday July 21, Vine at Bridges, 480 Hartz Avenue, Danville, 8-11pm.  The Rolando Morales Duet returns to this cool winery and nightspot.  Enjoy a wonderful selection of wines, superb dinners and tapas while grooving to this powerful duet.  This time Rolando welcomes the astounding Paraguayan violinist who plays with Arturo Sandoval and Steve Miller, Carlos Reyes; and on guitar, voice and his pedal board of magic, the passionate Rolando Morales.  Together they’ll create an exciting and unique musical alchemy.  Don’t miss it!  www.thevineatbridges.com, (925) 820-7210.

    Tuesday July 24, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 6-9pm.  Rolando returns to Carlos Santana’s Walnut Creek restaurant for Taco Tuesday.  $1 tacos, baby!  Enjoy Rolando on solo guitar and voice with his huge repertoire and big sound out on the front patio.  He may be joined by a special musical guest.  www.mariamariarestaurants.com, (925) 946-1010.

    Rolando Morales- Carlos Hernandez joins Rolando Morales -July 2018
    Rolando Morales- Carlos Hernandez joins Rolando Morales -July 2018

     

    Friday July 27, Havana Cuban Cuisine, 1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek, approx 8:30-11pm. Rolando returns to this fine Cuban restaurant and live music venue.  Tonight will feature the electric rock guitarist from Carlos Santana, the exciting Carlos Hernandez; and on guitar, vocals and his pedal board of magic, Rolando Morales.  Together they’ll rock Havana through the night.   www.havanarestaurant.net,   (925) 939-4555.

  • Rolando Morales Calendar for July 2018 at Maria, Maria WC, San Carlos Thurs, Havana WC with Janice Maxie-Reid and more

    Janice Maxine-Reid joins Rolando Morales at Havana, Walnut Creek on July 13
    Janice Maxine-Reid joins Rolando Morales at Havana, Walnut Creek Friday

    ¡Hola, Mi Gente!

    What a whirlwind of a week!

    After doing my last gigs of June, I flew down to So Cal for a few days to see my mom and visiting brother and family from Michigan.  There I closed some last-minute gig offers.

    Last Thursday I flew back in time for The Vine.  The following morning I said goodbye to my friend at her funeral who I wrote you about last week.  It was a beautiful, heart-felt service.

    From there, I went to the Mission in San Francisco to play with old and new friends at Cafe La Taza.  It was a wild scene and our quartet blew the walls out of the packed house.  They were watching from the sidewalk through the windows because they couldn’t get in.

    Then on Saturday I learned of more life-threatening issues impacting more close family in Southern Cal.  Then that night I kicked it strong with saxophonist Sonya Jason at Havana.  By the end of that day, I was emotionally drained.

    Sunday I slept.  I could finally go to the store and then did a challenging, healing hike at Lake Chabot, where I confirmed yet another last-minute gig.

    And that one is today, Monday.  I’m off to play with Carlos Reyes and the band for a great private concert in Moraga.

    And two more last-minute shows happen on Tuesday July 10 at Maria, Maria in Walnut Creek, and then my surprise return to Piacere in San Carlos on Thursday July 12.  All the details are below in the Calendar.

    And remember I’m finally reuniting with the amazing keyboardist-vocalist Janice Maxie-Reid who makes her debut on Saturday July 13 at  Havana in Walnut Creek as I continue my new duet series at that venue.  All details below.

    Plenty more coming up in the month including a duet appearance featuring the great violinist Carlos Reyes at The Vine at Bridges on Saturday July 21 from 8-11pm in Danville.  Details below.

    Please join me as we continue to celebrate our journey  together.

    Ciao,

    Rolando

    PUBLIC PERFORMANCES FOR JULY 2018

    Tuesday July 10, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 6-9pm.  After over a year, Rolando finally returns to Carlos Santana’s Walnut Creek restaurant for Taco Tuesday.  $1 tacos, baby!  Enjoy Rolando on solo guitar and voice with his huge repertoire and big sound out on the front patio.  He may be joined by a special musical guest.  www.mariamariarestaurants.com, (925) 946-1010.

    Thursday July 12, Piacere, 727 Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA 94070, 8-11 pm.  After more than 1½ years away, Rolando finally returns to this fine Peninsula restaurant that takes you on a culinary tour of Italy.  Rolando will take you on a sensory tour of the Americas and beyond on solo guitar and voice in the fun, lively bar area.  www.piacererestaurant.com, (650) 592-2040.

    Friday July 13, Havana Cuban Cuisine, 1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek, approx 8:30-11pm. Rolando returns to this fine Cuban restaurant and live music venue.  Tonight will feature the delightful keyboardist and chanteuse Janice Maxie-Reid, who has shared the stage with Sting and Stevie Wonder; and on guitar, voice and his pedal board of magic, Rolando Morales.  Together they create irresistible blends of Latin, classic R&B and soulful jazz for the first time at this venue.  Don’t miss it!  www.havanarestaurant.net,   (925) 939-4555.

    Carlos Reyes joins Rolando Morales at the Vine at Bridges, July 21 2018
    Carlos Reyes joins Rolando Morales at the Vine at Bridges, July 21 2018

    Saturday July 21, Vine at Bridges, 480 Hartz Avenue, Danville, 8-11pm.  The Rolando Morales Duet returns to this cool winery and nightspot.  Enjoy a wonderful selection of wines, superb dinners and tapas while grooving to this powerful duet.  This time Rolando welcomes the astounding Paraguayan violinist who plays with Arturo Sandoval and Steve Miller, Carlos Reyes; and on guitar, voice and his pedal board of magic, the passionate Rolando Morales.  Together they’ll create an exciting and unique musical alchemy.  Don’t miss it!  www.thevineatbridges.com, (925) 820-7210.

    Rolando Morales with fans by the hot fire at Maria, Maria
    Rolando Morales with fans by the hot fire at Maria, Maria

    Tuesday July 24, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 6-9pm.  Rolando returns to Carlos Santana’s Walnut Creek restaurant for Taco Tuesday.  $1 tacos, baby!  Enjoy Rolando on solo guitar and voice with his huge repertoire and big sound out on the front patio.  He may be joined by a special musical guest.  www.mariamariarestaurants.com, (925) 946-1010.


    Friday July 27, Havana Cuban Cuisine, 1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek, approx 8:30-11pm. Rolando returns to this fine Cuban restaurant and live music venue.  Tonight will feature the electric rock guitarist from Carlos Santana, the exciting Carlos Hernandez; and on guitar, vocals and his pedal board of magic, Rolando Morales.  Together they’ll rock Havana through the night.   www.havanarestaurant.net,   (925) 939-4555.

  • Brandi Carlile echoes Joan Baez in more ways than one

    Brandi Carlile echoes Joan Baez in more ways than one

    Brandi Carlile has a most amazing voice with perfect elocution. Her voice is beautiful and haunting. It stays with you after you heard it. A bit of a siren call like Joan Baez. You can’t unhear their voices. Once you did you know that voice.

    Another way that Brandi is impactful like Joan Baez use to be is that she sings ballads that actually talk about things that we care about. Feelings and issues. Relationships gone wrong and the feelings we may experience as we work them out.

    When you are depressed, get help. People care! Many more people than you may realize, care about you.
    When you are depressed, get help. People care! Many more people than you may realize, care about you. (Official version… click on photo to play)

    “By the way, I forgive you.” is related to a friend of Brandi’s who committed suicide when they were in High School. “Hold out your hand” is about gun violence. Brandi supports the effort by Seattle school children who don’t want to get shot. The students behind “March For Our Lives” in Seattle made a video and Brandi decided to support their effort with her song “Hold out your Hand.”

    On facebook Brandi exclaims:

    “These young people are asking for a change – are you listening?

    Responsible gun laws are on a spectrum and as much as we’d like it to be, it isn’t black and white. Some of these kids hunt with their parents, some of them are enlisting into service and will carry a weapon in defense of your way of life. Don’t make the mistake of broad brushing what they’re asking for.

    We can’t allow ourselves to be divided and conquered any longer by organizations that profit from our division. There can be and there IS a way that we can create change from the center of the debate.”

    A singer songwriter activist who is also amazingly talented like Brandi, doesn’t come along very often.  Let’s support her by purchasing her new album.

    http://bytheway.brandicarlile.com/

    Or, even better go see her live.  It surely will be an experience that stays with you. You can catch her at the Mondavi Winery in Napa, CA on July 14th, and at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA on August 22nd, 2018.   She is actively touring the entire country.  Check her website for dates near you.

    You may also enjoy her YouTube channel.  Or say hello to her on facebook.

  • “Sony Hall” with new and exciting technology to Open in New York City Spring 2018

    B.B. King Blues Club & Grill - GUITAR PASSIONS feat. Sharon Isbin, Stanley Jordan & Romero Lubambo - Nov 20, 2014
    B.B. King Blues Club & Grill – GUITAR PASSIONS feat. Sharon Isbin, Stanley Jordan & Romero Lubambo  – Nov 20, 2014
    New Multi-Genre Music Venue “Sony Hall” Open in New York City Spring 2018

    Midori Tomita  from Sony announced: “We are thrilled to be teaming up with Blue Note on this new music venue set to open this spring and honored to have it be known as ‘Sony Hall.’ It will serve as a staging ground for recording content, testing new and exciting technology, promoting emerging artists, and more. We look forward to engaging with young music fans and those of all ages and continuing to deliver unique and high quality music experiences through this newest venue.”

    It is rumored that Sony Hall will feature technology like for instance the “Interactive CUBE” which is an entertainment experience that invigorates the senses by incorporating projected images, sounds, lights, and vibrations on a giant cube. By forming two screens, one of which is transparent, into the shape of a cube and projecting images on them, guests inside the cube will feel as if the images are floating in midair. The settings are changed for the performances to allow the audiences enjoy a vast variety of interactive games and experiences while enjoying the music.

    Located in the heart of New York’s Theatre District (235 W. 46th St at the Paramount Hotel, in the space previously known as Diamond Horseshoe), Sony Hall is scheduled to open in Spring 2018.

    The venue is owned, operated and programmed by Blue Note. Sony Hall will present world renowned performing artists across all music genres at capacities of 1,000 standing and 500 seated, with a full-service restaurant and bar.  Sony Hall will be equipped with Sony’s technologies, integrated throughout the 12,000 square-foot venue to deliver enhanced entertainment experiences to fans. Grand opening plans, headliners, and additional venue details will be announced in the coming weeks.

    In addition to the opening of Sony Hall, Sony will sponsor the annual Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York City, scheduled for June 1-30, 2018. Established in 2011 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club New York, Blue Note Jazz Festival has annually grown into one of the largest music events in New York City, featuring over 100 events in 10 venues over the course of 30 days (June 1 through 30 annually). With nightly events at BNEG venues such as Blue Note Jazz Club, Highline Ballroom, BB King Blues Club, among other locations throughout the city, past festival headliners include Aretha Franklin, The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Natalie Cole, Brian Wilson, and Stanley Jordan.

    Sony innovations paired with Blue Notes’ experience operating entertainment properties around the world is a truly unique partnership that will be the ultimate experience for fans, young and older.  Just imagine Stanley Jordan in an AR environment.  Wow!