2009 Summer Schedule
Sunday July 5th - Steve Burnside and the Marquis
Steve Burnside and the Marquis kick off our 2009 Waterfront Concert Series again this year. Last year they had the audience rockin and rollin in the park so we knew we had to bring back Steve and the Marquis to get our Waterfront Series off to another great start. So by popular demand "theeeeey arrrrrreeee baaaaaack". Steve Burnside is the “Real Deal” in Canadian Blues. His recordings go from vinyl 78s to mp3s played in 17 countries world wide ... He received “Entertainer of the Year” from NY's Blues Beat Magazine and was given the coveted "MUDDY" award ... 2008 is the groups 50th anniversary ... "The Real Deal"
Steve has performed shows with:
Mel Torme Robert Klien
Frankie Avalon The Flamingos
Billy Joe Royal Johnny Winter
Rich Little Johnny Johnston
Mel Brown Mighty Sam MacLain
Freddy “Boom Boom" Cannon
The Orlons Jimmy Ray
Marty Allen Tom Jones
Joan Rivers Vic Damone
Sunday July 19th - The Soul Committee
The Soul Committee
Hailing from Niagara Falls, New York, The Soul Committee performs an eclectic mix of classic R&B, Soul, Motown, Blues, and Reggae. The Soul Committee is comprised of lead singer Claude Kregg, who is a sensation. At the onset of each performance, he gently warms the crowd and once he has them hooked, he becomes a dynamo. Always the consummate performer who delights crowds with not only his wonderful voice, but also his dynamic footwork that is reminiscent of James Brown. On keyboards and background vocal is Brent Minet. On guitar, lead and backup vocals is Joe Webber. Brent and Joe are both at home providing either backup for a vocalist or tearing into a featured solo. Daniel Coats on bass and background vocals and Joe Brennen on drums round out the driving rhythm section. The Soul Committee has opened for national acts, played grand openings of both the Seneca Niagara Casino and the Seneca Allegany Casino. The group was featured in the Fall 2003 issue of "Blues Beat Magazine". The group was also the recipient of the coveted "Blues Beat Magazine's" Muddy Award for band of the year in 2005.
Sunday August 2nd - Patti Parks Blues Band
Patti and the band were "newcomers" to our Waterfront Concert Series last summer. Their unique blues sound together with their entertaining style had the audience clapping, cheering and asking for more. As a result we have brought Patti and the band back for another performance. Patti Parks won 5 nominations at the 2007 Buffalo Music Awards. Patti and the band gets steady airplay on Buffalo/Toronto Blues Radio. Patti and her band won the "2006 Memphis Bound Competition" earning them a trip to Memphis to represent New York State in this international competition. Ms. Parks has armed herself with some of the top musicians in the Buffalo/Toronto area. Patti and her band always deliver with high energy performances that leave the audience asking for more. The bands music is well known throughout the Buffalo/Toronto blues scene. Patti currently has two songs "Cheatin Man" and "Happy You're Mine" playing in regular rotation on Buffalo Blues radio WBFO 88.7 FM. You can check out Patti and her band at www.pattiparks.com.
Sunday August 16th- The Juliet Dunn Jazz Quintet
Recently nominated for "Jazz Group of the Year" by the Niagara Music Awards, the Juliet Dunn Quintet have been added to the 2009 Concert Series. They have performed at the"Willowbank Jazz Festival", the "Niagara Ice Wine Festival", the "Folk Arts Festival", the "Niagara Grape and Wine Festival", the "New Vintages Festival" and many more.
Juliet moved to the Niagara Region in 2002 when she was hired to perform for two seasons as an actress and singer for the Shaw Festival and has been residing here ever since. Prior to that Juliet has lived, worked and performed in the UK for 5 years, Vancouver for 15 years, and Paris, France for 13 years. Juliet recently returned from Marrakech, Morocco where she was performing with Peter Shea and Serge Dionne as a trio for 3 months. Her past overseas performances include Hong Kong, China, Brazil and the Caribbean. Come spring and summer, Juliet is always thrilled to be home in Niagara performing.
Juliet and the band hope that you can make it out and our looking forward to the show. So come out, relax and enjoy their take on some of your favorite Jazz standards.
Juliet Dunn: Vocals Bryan Covey: Saxophone Jeff Lucianio: Drums Clark Johnston: Bass Doug Mundy: Piano
Sunday August 30th - Ladies First Big Band
Last year we had such a positive response from those in attendance at the Ladies First Big Band concert that we knew we had to try to bring them back again in 2009. We are pleased to announce that we have been able to do that. The beach is known for the top Big Bands both locally and nationally that would play on the boat and in the dance hall each summer. The Ladies First Big Band will continue the big band tradition of Crystal Beach by playing our concert series in Waterfront Park.
The Ladies First Big Band is a 16-pc. all-female group formed by bassist Jennifer May. The band has its roots in a six piece ensemble, started in 1994, by Jennifer, saxophonist Jennie Jones, and drummer Peggy Scalzo.
In March of 2003, Jennifer assembled a Big Band around this original septet for a show she was producing in celebration of Women's History Month. The show, "An All Female Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald," was performed at Allen Hall on the University of Buffalo South Campus and was very successful. Encouraged by this success, Jennifer and the other musicians decided to stay together as a big band.
Since that first appearance, the Ladies First Big Band has celebrated Women's History Month every year with a new production of "Women of Jazz by Women of Jazz", a tribute to female jazz performers. The band perfoms at area venues such as the Tralfamadore Music Hall and Riviera Theatre as well as events such as the M&T Noontime Summer Concert Series, Canal Fest, and Taste of Buffalo. You can check out the band at their website: www.ladiesfirstjazz.com
Our Waterfront Concerts are co-sponsored by:
and the
Crystal Beach Improvement Area
The Bay Beach Property Owner's Assn.
Concerts at Crystal Beach have been around for a long time as you can read in the 1899 and 1954 newspaper articles above.
This article appeared in the December 2006 "International Musicians Newspaper". It is a review of our final concert of 2006 featuring the Can-Am Big Band.
The Can-Am Big Band performing at Crystal Beach Amusement Park August 27.
The venue, long popular with big bands, is swinging again thanks to the efforts of The Friends of Crystal Beach.
Crystal Beach Keeps Memories Clear
Music, laughter, and applause can still be heard on the site of Crystal Beach Amusement Park, even though it was abandoned 17 years ago. The sounds aren't the echoes of ghosts haunting the deserted grounds along the shore of Lake Erie, but noise from an eager-to-please crowd listening to what hasn't been heard there in years--live music. "The park closed in 1989, but they had a ballroom there that was absolutely fantastic," says Robert Long of Local 298 (Niagara Falls, ON). "Every big band you can think of played there." But the ballroom and dance hall, like many of the parks other structures--the gaming booths and wooden roller coaster--were demolished years ago. Long says that this was a true shame. In 2002, a group called The Friends of Crystal Beach was started. The larger goal of the organization is to enrich the local community through various events ranging from arts shows to marathon runs. Another annual event, the Waterfront Park Concert Series, served as the perfect way for Long to remind folks about the area's rich musical history. "We tried to keep the nostalgia going and it seems to be working," he says. Long is one of the founders of the Can-Am Big Band, a group whose members are citizens of both the US and Canada. "The last time we played, in August, well over 1,000 people showed up," he adds. "It was the biggest crowd yet." Long also takes joy in knowing that his efforts have brought people together. "The idea behind the Can-Am Big Band is that the relations between the US and Canada are strong," he says, adding that a raised awareness of Crystal Beach's past enhances his joy. "The concerts are really catching on, with people coming from all over." And while proud of the efforts he has made to preserve the past and entertain the people, Long remains humble about his skills. "I'll be honest, we're not going to Vegas," he says of the band. "We're all older guys. But we love this."
Bob Long passed away this year doing what he loved so much, rehearsing for the "next gig". We will always remember Bob Long for his love of music, his dedication to the art, and his desire to get it out so all may enjoy it. We will miss you Bob.
