Joe Negri has some awesome musicians performing with his Jazz Quartet - which showcased some jazz classics on a beautiful, Fall afternoon - on Sun. Sept 25 - 2011.
Paul Williams did some excellent jazz moves on a huge base - while Max Leake piano/keyboard mastery - definitely stands out.
The youthful drums player did a good job - to keep up with his experienced band mates - but of course - Joe Negri does a lot of fabulous moves on his acoustic guitar.
The quartet did a short tribute to the legendary Django Reinhart - the piece was a tad long - they could pick a more effervescent short from Django's varied repertoire.
The guest soloist - Jay Ashby - played a spectacular Brazilian Bossa Nova tune on his trumpet which was the only number he performed before "his son's baseball game".
Maureen Budway - a well-known, local vocalist - belted out a lot of excellent tunes in her low, controlled alto. She especially well demonstrated her scooting ability in a melodic standard called "Lullabies of the Leaves".
The two sound technicians who needed to be recognized by the band leader - did an outstanding job - which could be hard and tricky. The jazz sounds penetrated the open park area very well without being too loud.
Copyright@L.Hadley - 2026
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
July's 13th - 2011 - Tango concert/dance by the Tango band "Cuidado" - at the Fairmont Hotel - downtown Pittsburgh, Pa
The lobby of downtown Pittsburgh's premier hotel Fairmont - resembled a fine cafe evening in Buenos Aires - as the numerous Pittsburgh's Tango dancers took to the magnificent, marble looking floors of the lobby.
The Pittsburgh's Tango band - "Cuidado" has some fine musicians and their classic Tango tunes evolved into a more professional sounding mode since January of this year.
Julia Zukov - the main viola player of the band is also a well-known Argentine Tango teacher. Her partner - Koichiro Suzuki or Chewy - for short is also an Argentine Tango teacher in addition to being a main tuba player and a director of the band.
They demonstrated an Argentine Tango - Vals - similar to a regular Waltz. Their dance moves appear effortless, smooth, coordinated and polished.
Overall - the classic Piazzola tunes sounded flawlessly with a lot of maturity. "The Kiss of Fire" - on the other hand - Angel Villoldo's immortal classic - left some to be desired. The band needs to work on it some more. Also - a couple of pieces the band played - were entirely too long - close to ten minutes per piece.
In a nutshell - however - the band milongas - among them - the immortal classic - "Betty La Fea" - sounded lively with the beat kept well for the dancers.
On July 24 - 2011 - Sat. 8:30 pm - the band will play at Wightman Community Center - Squirrel Hill which has a magnificent dance floor and good acoustics.
See you there!
The Pittsburgh's Tango band - "Cuidado" has some fine musicians and their classic Tango tunes evolved into a more professional sounding mode since January of this year.
Julia Zukov - the main viola player of the band is also a well-known Argentine Tango teacher. Her partner - Koichiro Suzuki or Chewy - for short is also an Argentine Tango teacher in addition to being a main tuba player and a director of the band.
They demonstrated an Argentine Tango - Vals - similar to a regular Waltz. Their dance moves appear effortless, smooth, coordinated and polished.
Overall - the classic Piazzola tunes sounded flawlessly with a lot of maturity. "The Kiss of Fire" - on the other hand - Angel Villoldo's immortal classic - left some to be desired. The band needs to work on it some more. Also - a couple of pieces the band played - were entirely too long - close to ten minutes per piece.
In a nutshell - however - the band milongas - among them - the immortal classic - "Betty La Fea" - sounded lively with the beat kept well for the dancers.
On July 24 - 2011 - Sat. 8:30 pm - the band will play at Wightman Community Center - Squirrel Hill which has a magnificent dance floor and good acoustics.
See you there!
Copyright@L. Hadley and Associates 2024
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Brian Lee - a "hidden" Pittsburgh gem - a versatile dance teacher and a DJ - gives extraodinarily easy and useful dance lesson followed by the social dance!!!
Updated on March 18 - 2021
Attention all the Tango Maniacs - Brian Lee - shows some super fun and easy Tango steps - usually during the first Thursday of the month - for example - last night - on Thurs. July 7 - 2011 - Brian showed several Tango steps like the Tango rocks, the Tango Corte (hesitation), the Opening to the Promenade - all of those steps are fairly easy but they look attractive.
The Thursday - June 23 - 2011 - ballroom session at Wightman School - Squirrel Hill - was super good. Brian taught five excellent, universal Foxtrot - steps - which could - also be used in a Tango.
Pittsburgh has some good Ballroom dance events which include a number of good dance instructions that are easy and relatively inexpensive.
If you live near Pittsburgh's - Squirrel Hill - - once per month - on Thursdays - Wightman Community Center in Squirrel Hill - Pittsburgh, 15217 - offers a dynamite Ballroom Dance. All this for only - about - ten dollars. Check their schedule before you make the trip.
Moment from the past - During the second week of April - 2011 - Brian taught some good moves for Swing - followed by the "oldies" general dancing. As a DJ - he has a good sound system and fabulous selection of music - while the dance floor at Wightman is big and terrific.
You need to check out the ballroom dances events at Wightman Community Center - if you like good dance instructions and good sounding - music. The people who come there are - generally - friendly - at times - some superb dancers from whom you can learn - will show you some extra dance moves.
Don't forget that "life is a dance of sorts - so the better you dance on the dance floor - the better you live your life."
Copyright@L.Hadley - 2026
Attention all the Tango Maniacs - Brian Lee - shows some super fun and easy Tango steps - usually during the first Thursday of the month - for example - last night - on Thurs. July 7 - 2011 - Brian showed several Tango steps like the Tango rocks, the Tango Corte (hesitation), the Opening to the Promenade - all of those steps are fairly easy but they look attractive.
The Thursday - June 23 - 2011 - ballroom session at Wightman School - Squirrel Hill - was super good. Brian taught five excellent, universal Foxtrot - steps - which could - also be used in a Tango.
Pittsburgh has some good Ballroom dance events which include a number of good dance instructions that are easy and relatively inexpensive.
If you live near Pittsburgh's - Squirrel Hill - - once per month - on Thursdays - Wightman Community Center in Squirrel Hill - Pittsburgh, 15217 - offers a dynamite Ballroom Dance. All this for only - about - ten dollars. Check their schedule before you make the trip.
Moment from the past - During the second week of April - 2011 - Brian taught some good moves for Swing - followed by the "oldies" general dancing. As a DJ - he has a good sound system and fabulous selection of music - while the dance floor at Wightman is big and terrific.
You need to check out the ballroom dances events at Wightman Community Center - if you like good dance instructions and good sounding - music. The people who come there are - generally - friendly - at times - some superb dancers from whom you can learn - will show you some extra dance moves.
Don't forget that "life is a dance of sorts - so the better you dance on the dance floor - the better you live your life."
Copyright@L.Hadley - 2026
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday night - Jan. 28 - 2011 - Argentine Tango Heats up - a Winter night in Pittsburgh!!!
All the lovers of Argentine Tango - take notice immediately: A multi-talented, energetic and good looking dancer, musician, Argentine Tango Teacher - named Koichiro Suzuki or Chewy - to his numerous students and friends - in addition to teaching a lot of good Argentine Tango classes - also leads a super fun, fun, fun Argentine Tango band called Cuidado.
On Fri. January 29-2011 - at the very heart of Pittsburgh's downtown Cultural District - Chewy and his equally talented dance partner - Julia - demonstrated a lot of polished and intriguing Argentine Tango moves while the Cuidado band performed tons of awesome Tango classics like "La Cumparsita" as well as some Astor Piazzolla Tango masterpieces like "Onda Nueva".
The event happened on the fourth floor of a new loft structure - downtown Pittsburgh, Pa. and each floor presented a different cultural event. During the same evening the second floor had a rap performance with a demonstration of some sort - so several youthful rap afficionados came upstairs to try their hands or feet at Argentine Tango which they preferred for that evening.
Some people who accidentally walked in - to examine the art pieces on the fourth floor of that loft - immediatley got drown into the Argentine Tango sounds and couldn't take their eyes off the star dancers/teachers - Chewy and Julia.
Long story short - the band sounded good, Chewy and his partner - danced Argentine Tango very well and announced the places where they teach - beginning, intermediate and advanced classes. Overall - it was a fun evening, but we would like to make a small suggestion re: the distribution of the informational flyers - which appeared well designed but not widely distributed. The promotional materials need to be on the seats so when the public sits - they quickly put those in their pockets. That's how we do effective publicity campaigns in Chicago and in New York City.
Copyright@L.Hadley and Associates 2026
On Fri. January 29-2011 - at the very heart of Pittsburgh's downtown Cultural District - Chewy and his equally talented dance partner - Julia - demonstrated a lot of polished and intriguing Argentine Tango moves while the Cuidado band performed tons of awesome Tango classics like "La Cumparsita" as well as some Astor Piazzolla Tango masterpieces like "Onda Nueva".
The event happened on the fourth floor of a new loft structure - downtown Pittsburgh, Pa. and each floor presented a different cultural event. During the same evening the second floor had a rap performance with a demonstration of some sort - so several youthful rap afficionados came upstairs to try their hands or feet at Argentine Tango which they preferred for that evening.
Some people who accidentally walked in - to examine the art pieces on the fourth floor of that loft - immediatley got drown into the Argentine Tango sounds and couldn't take their eyes off the star dancers/teachers - Chewy and Julia.
Long story short - the band sounded good, Chewy and his partner - danced Argentine Tango very well and announced the places where they teach - beginning, intermediate and advanced classes. Overall - it was a fun evening, but we would like to make a small suggestion re: the distribution of the informational flyers - which appeared well designed but not widely distributed. The promotional materials need to be on the seats so when the public sits - they quickly put those in their pockets. That's how we do effective publicity campaigns in Chicago and in New York City.
Copyright@L.Hadley and Associates 2026
Monday, December 27, 2010
Miguel Sague - "Cha" - the third - the only son of "my" Miguel Sague continues his dad's fine Latin music tradition in Pittsburgh, Pa
I was totally "blown away" when I heard Miguel Sague's only son - "Cha" - Miguel Sague, Jr. - on the Congo drums and doing the vocals during the recital at the Main Branch of the Carnegie Library - designed like a huge mansion - by the Carnegie Museum in Oakland at the Pitt (University of Pittsburgh) campus last Sun. Dec. 26 - 2010. He sounds really good - like his - famous in Pittsburgh, Pa - dad - Miguel Sague, Sr. The New "Guaracha" Latin band the name of the band "Guaracha("Cuban Dance") - loosely translated from Cuban Spanish the name of this Latin band - has a steady gig at the Shadow Lounge - Baum Blvd - Pittsburgh, Pa - starting the second Wednsday in January 2011. Bring a can of food for the Pittsburgh Food Bank to get a discount on the "gate" fee.
Show up - for sure - "Cha" will teach a Salsa lesson - and he is truly fabulous Salsa dancer - I dance a good Salsa with him - ever since he was - literally - a baby - always a good dancer. Mark Custer - a fine trumpet player - continues with "Cha" just like he did with his famous in Pittsburgh, Pa - father. The first song performed - a charming Cuban ballad - showcased "Cha's" smooth voice - as he beats his conga with super energy and talent. We need to mention two other musicians in new "Guaracha's" band - under "Cha's" leadership. Base guitar handled efficiently by Justin Brown - has a smooth sound - however - the regular guitar sounds splendid - as Carlito Pena - the Colombian musician - handles it with mastery. "Cha" performs some popular hits from major South American Countries and Cuba.
I especially enjoyed a ballad "Llorona" - a Mexican masterpiece - performed sensitively and with much control by a relatively young - "Cha". It was a star musical piece in a famous movie about Frieda Kahlo - a famous Mexican painter - whose gruesome works relate to her turbulent life with a well known Mexican painter/muralist - Diego Rivera. A Mexican American movie star - Selma Hayek - was totally brilliant/gorgeous as a main character as well as a producer of the excellent movie about Frieda Kalho's life - called "Frieda".
Copyright@L.Hadley and Associates 2026
Show up - for sure - "Cha" will teach a Salsa lesson - and he is truly fabulous Salsa dancer - I dance a good Salsa with him - ever since he was - literally - a baby - always a good dancer. Mark Custer - a fine trumpet player - continues with "Cha" just like he did with his famous in Pittsburgh, Pa - father. The first song performed - a charming Cuban ballad - showcased "Cha's" smooth voice - as he beats his conga with super energy and talent. We need to mention two other musicians in new "Guaracha's" band - under "Cha's" leadership. Base guitar handled efficiently by Justin Brown - has a smooth sound - however - the regular guitar sounds splendid - as Carlito Pena - the Colombian musician - handles it with mastery. "Cha" performs some popular hits from major South American Countries and Cuba.
I especially enjoyed a ballad "Llorona" - a Mexican masterpiece - performed sensitively and with much control by a relatively young - "Cha". It was a star musical piece in a famous movie about Frieda Kahlo - a famous Mexican painter - whose gruesome works relate to her turbulent life with a well known Mexican painter/muralist - Diego Rivera. A Mexican American movie star - Selma Hayek - was totally brilliant/gorgeous as a main character as well as a producer of the excellent movie about Frieda Kalho's life - called "Frieda".
Copyright@L.Hadley and Associates 2026
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Ravinia Park is glorious towards the end of the summer.
It needs to be noted that the next Thursday Aug. 19 - 2013 - Ravinia Park will present a super "two fer". At 5:30 pm there will be a Chopin Recital performed by the National Chopin Competition Winner - then at 7:30 - the Jazz Virtuoso Artists will dazzle the audience with a Jazz concert. The performers will be real giants of the American Jazz Scene - Lee Ritenour, George Benson and Dave Grusin.
The smell of the grass and the lush plants of Ravinia Park has always reminded me of a lot of carefree summers in Chicago. The sound system has always been superb and in the event of the rain - there are areas to hide - especially if you bring your umbrella.
I alwys prefer to go to Ravinia during the week. For me - it's a real pleasure - not to fight the crowds and not to smile a fake grin at the screaming children heavily attending the early shows during the weekend concerts. I have nothing against little kids listening to music but some parents sport a mistaken notion that their screaming kids sound like the finest opera to the strangers who are also entitled to enjoy some outdoors concerts in the summer.
At any rate - the Ravinia concerts organizers have something for everybody this season - which has only about five weeks left.
When you come out - unless you "got money to burn" in those hard economic times - do bring some food and drinks with you since the Ravinia's food and beverages venues - are very pricey - and not that extraordinarily great tasting.
Copyright@L. Hadley and Associates 2026
The smell of the grass and the lush plants of Ravinia Park has always reminded me of a lot of carefree summers in Chicago. The sound system has always been superb and in the event of the rain - there are areas to hide - especially if you bring your umbrella.
I alwys prefer to go to Ravinia during the week. For me - it's a real pleasure - not to fight the crowds and not to smile a fake grin at the screaming children heavily attending the early shows during the weekend concerts. I have nothing against little kids listening to music but some parents sport a mistaken notion that their screaming kids sound like the finest opera to the strangers who are also entitled to enjoy some outdoors concerts in the summer.
At any rate - the Ravinia concerts organizers have something for everybody this season - which has only about five weeks left.
When you come out - unless you "got money to burn" in those hard economic times - do bring some food and drinks with you since the Ravinia's food and beverages venues - are very pricey - and not that extraordinarily great tasting.
Copyright@L. Hadley and Associates 2026
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