Viva la Zone

So Tony Levin, fresh off recent tours with Peter Gabriel and a European Stickmen tour, and brother, Peter Levin brought their pet project The Levin Brothers to Rochester, New York, part of a five night run that began on Saturday in Pa, and will conclude on the Thursday, in Syracuse. These shows will be my final attended shows in what has been a fairly diverse year of concert going.

Began in 2014 as a tribute to the bop era jazz they were raised on, the brothers, along with Jeff Siegel on drums and an annually rotating centerpiece “lead section.” This tour finds solid saxophonist, Ken Gioffre, of Smokey Robinsons touring band, as well as Blood Sweat and Tears, among others, in this rotating hot seat. A band of consummate professionals, Ken sounded as if he’s been playing with them for years and with their decades of combined experience, it allowed for a night of very interesting improv interwoven around the structured segment, “launch points.”

For a jazz band focused on the bop era, you wouldn’t know it from glancing at the setlist, taking on such material as Eleanor Rigby( they call their take Eleanor Funkby), and a very creative tribute to Paul Simon in Scarborough Fair; both Levin Brothers have toured with Paul.

The highlights of the night for me were a newly written piece by Tony called Brothers for a Ride, along with a gorgeous take on Steely Dan’s’ Aja, which featured Ken on tenor offering a soul filled interpretation of Wayne Shorters original. Another high point for me was a very inspired version of Little Wing, Ken focusing on the lyrical melodies with his lead, rather than the guitar that most covers of this song focus on.

Ken took some time with us afterward, giving my brother a generous behind the scenes peak at their binders, describing how they approach the music and creatively take on a solid setlist of classics alongside original compositions by each band member.

If the night wasn’t already special enough, we all took an opportunity to sing Happy Birthday to Pete at the end of the show, surprising everyone and confirming for all why we were in the audience and not on the stage…

Band of Bros (west coast!) and Stick Men returning in 2024 so do yourselves a favor and get to the show!!

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Druba

Noodler on Friday, December 22, 2023 – 01:40 am

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^ They're coming thru our

^ They're coming thru our area soon, tempted to go (planning on going to see Percy Jones, and maybe March Fourth), love talking w/ Tony, very approachable and sincere.

Happy Birthday Frank Zappa!

~~Louie Louie~~ Gloria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLk-tiQniRg

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fishcane

fishcane on Friday, December 22, 2023 – 07:43 am

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That's a wrap.... my live

That's a wrap.... my live show year finished up last night with the last night of the Levin Bros December tour...

couple pics from the cool new Syracuse venue... could stand a few less talkers but the band was on fire. The opener canceled at the last minute due to illness so the Bros went on early and played a bit extra. Great show...

highlight for me afterwards was Tony walking out of the green room, seeing my daughter and saying "hi, ... Johanna, right?" Wow what a memory. You can tell the caliber of an individual in how they behave towards children, he made our night...