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The Niagara University 2008-2009
Live Music Series features 9 great shows.


All shows are from 8-11 PM  in the “Under the Taps” Club- Lower Level  Gallagher Center( with the exception of the 10/17/08 & 3/20/09 shows, which take place in the Castellani Museum). Admission is $5.00 at the door and includes free pizza..

September 26, 2008- The Skiffle Minstrels plus special guest Stone Row

With their energetic blend of hillbilly, honky-tonk, and rockabilly, the Skiffle Minstrels have become Western New York favorites—and winners of three consecutive ArtVoice Best of Buffalo Awards. At every show, the band tears through classics by Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Bill Monroe, Louis Jordan, and more - but don't be surprised if you also hear a few Beatles tunes, a favorite from Cole Porter, a Zydeco number, or even a little Kurt Weil. The Skiffles, who adopt on-stage personas like "Skeet Willie" and "Pinky Rez," are also known for their crowd-pleasing banter and audience interaction - what the Buffalo News calls "heckle-licious." The minstrels feature Niagara University Alum- Paul Todaro. www.skiffleminstrels.com

Inspired by cultural diversity and a deep artistic passion, Stone Row weaves a rich tapestry of Celtic and World music by creating a seamless fusion of traditional and contemporary genres and presenting it in their own inimitable style. Fresh arrangements of old classics and captivating originals help make Stone Row a unique and exciting group with a loyal and ever-expanding following. Long-time fans and first time listeners concur that this multi-talented, highly motivated group of professionals knows how to thrill an audience. www.stonerow.com

October 3, 2008 - Switch

Founded in 1973 by lead vocalist John Connelly, Switch has evolved into the area’s preeminent cover band while also intertwining original material to their sets.The band has been named as one of Western New York’s top 3 show bands over the last 20 years. Switch’s set includes favorites by Chicago, The Beatles, Blood, Sweat and Tears, The Kinks and The 4 Seasons …. to name a few. The group features, John Connelly, Steve Connelly, Tom Lorentz, Ken Kaufman plus a 3 piece horn section.

www.switchbandmusic.com 

October 17, 2008( at The Castellani Museum, 5:00 to 8:00 PM)

The BBC Band

The BBC is a group of talented New York musicians dedicated to capturing the original sound of The Beatles. A common bond shared by each member is that they have spent their lives as keen musical enthusiasts meticulously studying Beatle recordings in order to provide the most accurate musical presentation possible. The BBC’s focus is on the music, meaning that they don't dress the part or try to create the illusion of acting like The Fab Four. This group attacks each song with fire and enthusiasm and radiates fun and a positive energy. The BBC has a warm, sociable stage presence and prides itself in its powerful vocal harmonies and musical sound, which makes each performance a fresh and exhilarating experience. The BBC delivers great music that sparks raw emotions in all generations.
You may recognize some of the popular BBC band mates; Russ Thomas - BeatleMagic (vocals & rhythm guitar), John Connelly - Switch (vocals, harmonica & bass), Ned Wood - Weekend (vocals, keyboards, guitar, percussion), Frank Grizanti – The Falls Street Rockers, Frank Grizanti Band, Weekend (vocals, lead guitar & keyboards), Gary Astridge – "Big Wheelie" & The Be Bops (vocals, drums & percussion).
"If you love The Beatles, you'll love The BBC." http://www.thebbcband.com/home.html

The BBC Band

November 14, 2008- KLEAR plus special guest Zak Ward

KLEAR returns to Niagara University with a rare appearance of it’s original line-up (Fred Shafer, Bruce Wojick, Leo McDonald and Denny Pelczynski).

With crushing guitars, as well as incredibly hooky arrangements and a no-nonsense lyrical sensibility, KLEAR once again explodes onto the scene with an ""all killer - no filler" collection of songs, and the next phase of what will prove to be a knockout career. www.klearband.com

 

 

Zak Ward  is no stranger to the Niagara University stage. An NU alum, Zak Ward has made his mark on stages in Boston, NYC and Los Angeles. Zak will definitely impress you with his voice, guitar and stage presence. www.zakward.com

January 23, 2009 Abominable Killer Snowmen plus Robots Are Thieves.

Abominable Killer Snowmen is an 8 piece ska band from
Western New York. Alec, Jake, Eric ,Jason, Ricky, Seamus,
and Eric (the red), hail from the streets of Wheatfield and Niagara
Falls. Joe on the other hand, hails from Lockport.

This band consists of many Jazz players, so there are no limits
to what they might play next. Upon listening to A.K.S., you'll
hear some ska, some Jazz, some Metal, some Funk, and a
lot of other things, all working together to make the definitive
sound that is, A.K.S.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user
.viewprofile&friendID=39944890

Abominable Killer Snowmen

Robots Are Thieves , based out of Niagara Falls, consists of ,
Mike Smith (guitar/vocals) , Peter Heuer (guitar/vocals/sounds),
Brent Feuz (bass/vocals) and Tom Filosofos (drums). They blend
a mix of original rock music with classic rock covers. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile
&friendid=398946867

 

February 13, 2009- BeatleMagic

BeatleMagic is without a doubt the most musically satisfying Beatles tribute band on the scene today. Boasting the high visibility of strong vocals, music and a commitment to the accurate reproduction of the Beatles, this is the band to see if you want to know what it might have been like had the Beatles toured today. BeatleMagic painstakingly recreates the aura and sound of the Fab Four through numerous phases of The Beatles' phenomenal career.

http://www.beatlemagic.com/index.html

March 13, 2009 – Music Is Art Fest

As part of the Music Is Art program , Niagara University will host its first annual Music Is Art Fest featuring some of the best bands and artists from WNY and the east coast. All proceeds from this show will benefit Music Is Art- a foundation( founded by Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac) based on the belief that everyone should be able to find their musical voice. Bands will be announced during Fall, 2008.

www.musicisart.org

March 20, 2009- Jon Seiger and His All-Stars

(at The Castellani Museum, 5:00 to 8:00 PM).

An evening with Jon Seiger and the All-Stars is something you won’t soon forget. Their authentic renditions of songs by Louis Armstrong (and some by Ella Fitzgerald) will leave you feeling as if you were hearing Louis and his band performing live. The band is made up of seasoned jazz musicians, all of whom "swing hard." The band has performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Oakville Jazz Fest (Oakville, Ontario, Canada), the Festival de Jazz en Abril (Mar del Plata, Argentina), the Dublin Music and Art Festival, and many others, and has opened for Jimmy Smith and Curtis Fuller at the Ocho Rios Jamaica Jazz Festival. They are scheduled to play this year in many places, including festivals in Argentina, Canada, and Spain.

www.jonseigerallstars.net

April 3, 2009- 4th Annual High School Rockband Showcase

(Sponsored by Generations Music)

Five of the area’s best high school rock bands are featured in this old fashion “Battle of the Bands”. Winners of the competition will receive a $300.00 gift certificate from Generations Music (Niagara Falls, NY) plus 2 hours of studio time a GB Audio. Interested bands can apply by contacting Fred Heuer at fjh@niagara.edu.

Generations Music Trademark

If you need photos of these bands – please let me know- or photos can be downloaded from their websites.