TURN OFF YOUR TV: This Week’s Live Music
Last Saturday I attended the Fort Garland Band Jam at the Fort Garland Museum Grounds, which featured many of our local musicians. It was a fun, relaxing event with great, diverse music. Some of the bands I’ll briefly mention, but the photos really tell the story.
We arrived in time to catch the last part of the Pagosa-based Big’ns first set, and they were in their usual top form. A shout out must go to the Buddha Boys who provided a sound system every performer fell in love with and the audience had the pleasure to experience.
The next band up was Frequency, a punk rock band from Durango comprised of high schoolers. Lead singer Crystal Douesnard knocked the vocals out of the park, reminiscent of Anne Wilson of Heart in “Magic Man”. And she’s only 16 years old! Dousenard did a respectable rendition of Adam Lambert’s “What Do You Want With Me?”, and that is not an easy task. Frequency is wrapping up a CD produced by Ian Falgout. I hope to see them at a Pagosa venue soon.
Groove Kitchen performed prior to the headliner band, The Brian Flynn All Stars. Thanks again to the Buddha Boys for making Lisa Saunders’ vocals the clearest I’ve ever heard them, and I was not alone in this observation. Groove Kitchen got the audience on their feet dancing, as usual.
Percussionist virtuoso Jose Rossy sat in with Groove Kitchen for a couple of numbers, and that was a real treat! Watching and listening to Rossy was a whole show in itself. Fascinating.
The All Stars (Brian Flynn, Jay Johnson, Dio Musquiz Jr, Jose Rossy, Buzzy Gruen, Ian Falgout) and guest Lisa Saunders rocked the ground. These musicians are professionals who have been around the block with many of the best bands in the business. It’s my understanding that they only get together once a year for the All Stars, yet they easily play with each other—primarily southern rock. Each had command of his piece of stage and instrument while at the same time connecting with the others. As an encore, Lisa Saunders and Jay Johnson sang “Don’t Misunderstand Me” from Rossington Collins Band. Saunders sang with rocker attitude, different from Groove Kitchen.
The Fort Garland Band Jam ended with the setting sun, but the good time will stay with us for a long while.
