What happens when you cross high musicianship with serendipity? It could be mayhem. Or it could be magic.
Sunday night, October 17 at Dillon Roadhouse, outside of Palm Springs, California, it was magic.
Frank Orlando hosted an old-fashion jam session, inviting friends from around the valley and far, far beyond. Some of these musicians had not played together in thirty years. Many had never even met.
Under Frank’s artful direction, ensembles were configured and reconfigured. The excitement of artists intently working together to create something never heard before was palpable. They listened, they watched, discovering the unknown, striving to delight the crowd.
And it worked. Boy, did it work. More and more people filled the funky and intimate venue as the musicians plied their art. In fact, the Roadhouse put in desperate calls to off-shift employees, doubling their wait staff to handle the burgeoning crowd.
Among the artists and promoters contributing to the event were Don Hoeber, bass; Jimmy and Jerry Evaro (who, with Frank and Don constituted The Kind); Caesare Orlando; singer Savannah Rea; Larry Gutierrez, guitar; bassist Michael Menduno; Joan and Gary Gand, of Blue Road band out of Chicago; Ernie Orta, guitar; Terry Williams (Williams Entertainment); Russ Olden on harps; Alex Hoeber, drums; Mark Fry, bass and Tim McFall (drums, Eventertainment).
Was it just happy chance? Will subsequent sessions at the Dillon Roadhouse be magic or mayhem? When exploring the summits of the unknown, you never know. But I’ll be there.
Photo used with permission by Frank Orlando.
Left to right: Don Hoeber, Ceasare Orlando, Alex Hoeber, Frank Orlando