Tim Froncek Subs for Randy Marsh in Organissimo

[Lazaro Vega]

That was different. Tim sitting in with Organissimo at the last minute under a big tent on a beautiful day in Grand Haven. I heard the band as my daughters and I were walking by and thought, Hey, Organissimo. But then I saw Tim behind the drums and thought, Oh, must be another band...but from where? Jim and Joe were just shadow outlines and unrecognizable. And because they played mostly familiar tunes, not the Organissimo book, I was completely fooled. "Helluva band, who are they?"

Good job guys.

Edited September 17, 2006 by Lazaro Vega

[Chuck Nessa]

Geez, if I'd known Randy wasn't playing I'd have made the gig.

Tim's a terrific drummer and I do wish I'd been there.

[Uncle Skid]

West Michigan is lucky to have two great jazz drummers in the area. Wish I could have been there, too.

[Jim Alfredson]

Lazaro, you should've came closer and you would've realized that wasn't Joe either. That was Greg Nagy (GregN here on the board). The Salmon Festival originally wanted organissimo, but Joe is on vacation in Colorado, so Greg booked us as "The James Brothers, featuring members of both organissimo and Root Doctor". Randy was suppposed to make the hit but forgot about it and so we called Tim at the last minute (actually we called about 6 drummers in the area, but Tim got back to us quickly and it was a joy playing with him).

We had lots of fun and I hope to play with Tim in the future. It was inspiring playing as "The James Brothers". I'm trying to branch out lately and play with different people, which always leads to new ideas and directions. Later this month I'll be doing a duo with drummer Jeff Shoup in Lansing. Joe and I played with Jeff for years before we met Randy, so it'll be great to play with my old friend again.

[randissimo]

Lazaro, you should've came closer and you would've realized that wasn't Joe either. That was Greg Nagy (GregN here on the board). The Salmon Festival originally wanted organissimo, but Joe is on vacation in Colorado, so Greg booked us as "The James Brothers, featuring members of both organissimo and Root Doctor". Randy was suppposed to make the hit but forgot about it and so we called Tim at the last minute (actually we called about 6 drummers in the area, but Tim got back to us quickly and it was a joy playing with him).

We had lots of fun and I hope to play with Tim in the future. It was inspiring playing as "The James Brothers". I'm trying to branch out lately and play with different people, which always leads to new ideas and directions. Later this month I'll be doing a duo with drummer Jeff Shoup in Lansing. Joe and I played with Jeff for years before we met Randy, so it'll be great to play with my old friend again.

Randy was suppposed to make the hit but forgot about it and so we called Tim at the last minute (actually we called about 6 drummers in the area, but Tim got back to us quickly and it was a joy playing with him).

Greg talked to me about the gig over a month ago and forgot to get back with me to confirm it and give me details..

[Lazaro Vega]

Ah -- it sounded so different. Truth be told I was looking at the display from the Holland Nature Center, their birds of prey -- a red tailed hawk and a barred (?) owl -- while preventing my daughters from offering up their fingers as part of the demonstration. Louise checked out a lampray they had in a bag on the table -- lots of Great Lakes info, including a stuffed version of this gigantic asian carp that's coming up the Mississippi toward Lake Michigan. Ellie eventually ran away and got lost in the crowd enough times what we hauled out the bright blue nylon leash with her name on it.

By the time we were in the wine tasting, gourmet salmon cook-off tent it was John Montgomery, tenor (still lovin' Mike Brecker), with Jim Cooper, vibes; Dave Hey, piano/bass keys; and Mike VanLente, drums. VanLente let Ellie up behind his drums, put sticks in her hands and indulged her. That was too much. As he's scooping her up towards the stand he says more than asks, "You're insured aren't you?"

Froncek said you guys called him about it at one o'clock and when he asked when's the hit you said one thirty and that sun of bitch made it from Muskegon, set up and played on time. Now there's a musician who wants it everyday. He's comin' ready.

Randy can build dynamic climaxes in the music, and plays funk and street rhythms across a style as eclectic as DeJohnette. This summer Tim went through something of a Tony Williams phase. That came out in his playing on three or four concerts he played at Blue Lake this summer, but towards the end of the season he was spending more time in the pocket. Between the two of them, with their individual strengths and personalities, West Michigan's jazz scene has legs. Like Edwin Moses.

Tim's doing a thing at Aquinas College early October. It's in The Jazz Datebook on the Blue Lake web site.

Chuck, you might have Ann check it out: there were artists booths with paintings, ceramics, some photography, jewelery. No "craft" shit. Jim, who runs the Salmon Festival?

[GregN]

Lazaro, you should've came closer and you would've realized that wasn't Joe either. That was Greg Nagy (GregN here on the board). The Salmon Festival originally wanted organissimo, but Joe is on vacation in Colorado, so Greg booked us as "The James Brothers, featuring members of both organissimo and Root Doctor". Randy was suppposed to make the hit but forgot about it and so we called Tim at the last minute (actually we called about 6 drummers in the area, but Tim got back to us quickly and it was a joy playing with him).

We had lots of fun and I hope to play with Tim in the future. It was inspiring playing as "The James Brothers". I'm trying to branch out lately and play with different people, which always leads to new ideas and directions. Later this month I'll be doing a duo with drummer Jeff Shoup in Lansing. Joe and I played with Jeff for years before we met Randy, so it'll be great to play with my old friend again.

Randy was suppposed to make the hit but forgot about it and so we called Tim at the last minute (actually we called about 6 drummers in the area, but Tim got back to us quickly and it was a joy playing with him).

Greg talked to me about the gig over a month ago and forgot to get back with me to confirm it and give me details..

Uh...Randy. You forgot. It is ok. You are getting older and these things happen.

[GregN]

Froncek said you guys called him about it at one o'clock and when he asked when's the hit you said one thirty and that sun of bitch made it from Muskegon, set up and played on time. Now there's a musician who wants it everyday. He's comin' ready.

Jim, who runs the Salmon Festival?

Tim sounded incredible and was a true trooper for coming on such short notice.

Marci Cisneros is the one in charge of the Salmon Festival I believe. It appears she pulled off a winner.

[Joe G]

Jim and Joe were just shadow outlines and unrecognizable.

Good job guys.

Greg's "outline" is recognizable from mine, I think.

[Jim Alfredson]

Jim, who runs the Salmon Festival?

I think the city puts it on. It reminds me a bit of the Festival of the Sun here in Lansing, although they pay the bands much better in Grand Haven! That's the first time I've gotten to play with Tim for any length of time and it was too much fun.

[GregN]

Jim and Joe were just shadow outlines and unrecognizable.

Good job guys.

Greg's "outline" is recognizable from mine, I think.

You know...,

we chubby guys (or men of substance as we prefer to be called) are sensitive...

[randissimo]

Jim and Joe were just shadow outlines and unrecognizable.

Good job guys.

Greg's "outline" is recognizable from mine, I think.

You know...,

we chubby guys (or men of substance as we prefer to be called) are sensitive...

[Joe G]

Don't sweat it, Greg. I was referring to the fact that you're a Strat man.

[GregN]

Don't sweat it, Greg. I was referring to the fact that you're a Strat man.

Hey wait...now you are makin fun of my guitar aren't you...

you dirty dog