Wednesday, December 31, 2003
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Happy New Year!
Drop Trio would like to take this moment and say THANK YOU to all of our friends and supporters! We wouldn't be anywhere without you. In the past year, we've played over 80 shows, recorded and released a full length studio album, won awards from the Houston Press, and traveled all over Texas (and beyond) spreading the message of instrumental funk jazz.
The coming year holds plenty of surprises, celebrations, and most importantly, chances to play music for you all. We've got tons of new material in the wings, and we expect to start work on our next record sometime this spring. We're also expecting a new member of the family - Nino's daughter is due in May, so expect to hear plenty more about that (as well as shows with guest bassists, including Marc Reczek, Thomas Helton, Guy Schwartz, Adrian Zavala, and more ...)
Happy new year, we'll see you soon!
Drop Trio would like to take this moment and say THANK YOU to all of our friends and supporters! We wouldn't be anywhere without you. In the past year, we've played over 80 shows, recorded and released a full length studio album, won awards from the Houston Press, and traveled all over Texas (and beyond) spreading the message of instrumental funk jazz.
The coming year holds plenty of surprises, celebrations, and most importantly, chances to play music for you all. We've got tons of new material in the wings, and we expect to start work on our next record sometime this spring. We're also expecting a new member of the family - Nino's daughter is due in May, so expect to hear plenty more about that (as well as shows with guest bassists, including Marc Reczek, Thomas Helton, Guy Schwartz, Adrian Zavala, and more ...)
Happy new year, we'll see you soon!
Monday, December 29, 2003
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Ah, back in the swing. Hope you all had a great holiday season!
We're getting ready for a brand new thing that's starting in January. It's called Funk Jazz Fridays. Basically, Drop Trio will be hosting instrumental funk & jazz music at Brasil (2604 Dunlavy) every friday night. When we're not in town, we'll feature various friends of ours who also play instrumental funk & jazz, introducing you to some of the best new instrumental music from around the country.
Here's a full schedule for January and February. See you on Fridays at Brasil!
We're getting ready for a brand new thing that's starting in January. It's called Funk Jazz Fridays. Basically, Drop Trio will be hosting instrumental funk & jazz music at Brasil (2604 Dunlavy) every friday night. When we're not in town, we'll feature various friends of ours who also play instrumental funk & jazz, introducing you to some of the best new instrumental music from around the country.
Here's a full schedule for January and February. See you on Fridays at Brasil!
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
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Happy Holidays! (Or, happy HanaRamaQuansmas, as Mike would say.) We hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Be well!
Sunday, December 21, 2003
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For all of you iTunes fans out there, Big Dipper is now available through the iTunes music store! Just search on "Drop Trio" and you'll find it. You can download each song individually for 99 cents.
For those of you who have never used iTunes, it's an mp3 player (mainly) that was originally only available for Macintosh computers, but is now available on Windows as well. It's the player that I use for everything, including making out sampler CDs that we give out. It's really exciting to be able to sell our music through their online store as well.
For those of you who have never used iTunes, it's an mp3 player (mainly) that was originally only available for Macintosh computers, but is now available on Windows as well. It's the player that I use for everything, including making out sampler CDs that we give out. It's really exciting to be able to sell our music through their online store as well.
Saturday, December 20, 2003
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They won!! Bill and Cindy won House Rules! Thanks to all of you who voted for them - though we'll never know, it feels good to think that Houston's awesome music community might have helped push 'em over the edge. Thanks everybody!
And by the way, an update on the Mike Switzer trombone fund - we've collected close to $250 and a partial trombone so far. You can still give money if you would like to help out Mike (his trombone was stolen last week, for those of you just joining us ...)
And by the way, an update on the Mike Switzer trombone fund - we've collected close to $250 and a partial trombone so far. You can still give money if you would like to help out Mike (his trombone was stolen last week, for those of you just joining us ...)
Friday, December 19, 2003
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Thanks to all who came out to the 12 spot last night for our Holiday Party! The room was packed and we had a great time seeing everyone.
For those of you who couldn't make it by, we'll be at Brasil tomorrow night (Saturday, Dec. 20th) so come on down for some Holiday cheer, funk jazz style.
For those of you who couldn't make it by, we'll be at Brasil tomorrow night (Saturday, Dec. 20th) so come on down for some Holiday cheer, funk jazz style.
Thursday, December 18, 2003
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Tuesday, December 16, 2003
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Drop Trio tunes are now available through a new online record label called Magnatune. Their slogan is "We are not evil", and they mean it:
We call it "try before you buy." It's the shareware model applied to music. Listen to hundreds of MP3'd albums from our artists. Or try our genre-based radio stations.You can listen to our tracks from Big Dipper and buy the tracks digitally online. Also check out some of the "Customers who bought ..." picks on our page - I'm listening to some now, and they're awesome!
If you like what you hear, buy our music online for as little as $5 an album or license our music for commercial use. Artists get a full 50% of the purchase price. And unlike most record labels, our artists keep the rights to their music.
Founded by musicians, for musicians. No major label connections. We are not evil.
Monday, December 15, 2003
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Generosity.
There's lots of that in the air this weekend in Houston. Thanks to all who took part. The Alejandro Escovedo benefit was a big success - no final numbers yet, but I know there were at least 180 people at the door, plus a few large sum donations. We had a great time playing, and all the other bands sounded fantastic. (Update: the final number raised was $4,920!!)
For Mike Switzer, we have raised over $200 already, plus offers of donations of several trombones (not to mention a trombone joke or two). Mike was able to play his show on Saturday on another horn, but he's still a ways away from being able to replace his trombone, so donate now if you can.
And we flooded the House Rules station with votes - lots of people told me they were voting. We'll find out if Cindy won next Friday night.
Till then, please accept our thanks and the thanks of our friends, for helping out in a big way this weekend.
There's lots of that in the air this weekend in Houston. Thanks to all who took part. The Alejandro Escovedo benefit was a big success - no final numbers yet, but I know there were at least 180 people at the door, plus a few large sum donations. We had a great time playing, and all the other bands sounded fantastic. (Update: the final number raised was $4,920!!)
For Mike Switzer, we have raised over $200 already, plus offers of donations of several trombones (not to mention a trombone joke or two). Mike was able to play his show on Saturday on another horn, but he's still a ways away from being able to replace his trombone, so donate now if you can.
And we flooded the House Rules station with votes - lots of people told me they were voting. We'll find out if Cindy won next Friday night.
Till then, please accept our thanks and the thanks of our friends, for helping out in a big way this weekend.
Friday, December 12, 2003
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Today we have 2 important requests for friends of ours. Please take a moment and help out!
1. Mike Switzer, our friendly neighborhood trombone player, KTRU DJ, and all around wacky guy, had his trombone stolen out of his car last night. If we all pitch in a couple bucks, he'll have a new horn in no time. You can donate with paypal:
2. Cindy Scott, one of Houston's finest jazz singers, is competing on the TV reality show "House Rules". It's kind of like "Survivor" meets "Trading Spaces." Bill and Cindy are the Blue Team, and if they win, they keep the house and $50,000. Starting tonight at 8pm, you can vote for them this weekend, as many times as you want. Click here for the full scoop!
1. Mike Switzer, our friendly neighborhood trombone player, KTRU DJ, and all around wacky guy, had his trombone stolen out of his car last night. If we all pitch in a couple bucks, he'll have a new horn in no time. You can donate with paypal:
2. Cindy Scott, one of Houston's finest jazz singers, is competing on the TV reality show "House Rules". It's kind of like "Survivor" meets "Trading Spaces." Bill and Cindy are the Blue Team, and if they win, they keep the house and $50,000. Starting tonight at 8pm, you can vote for them this weekend, as many times as you want. Click here for the full scoop!
Thursday, December 11, 2003
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Big show this weekend: With These Hands: A Benefit For Alejandro Escovedo at the Continental Club on Saturday night. There will be some big names there for sure, like Joe Ely, as well as some big local names like John Evans and Hayes Carl. Drop Trio will be crunching some prog funk at around 10pm, and our friends Clouseaux, The Defenestration Unit, and the Waxploitation DJs are on the bill as well. See our showdates page for more info; here's the flyer:
As for other stuff, there's no dearth of music this weekend in Houston! Here are some shows by friends of ours:
Thursday
Get out there and see some live music!
As for other stuff, there's no dearth of music this weekend in Houston! Here are some shows by friends of ours:
Thursday
- Dana Rogers @ River Cafe - Great Jazz singer with killer band (Ken Ward & more) ... it's her birthday, go show her some love!
- The Buddhacrush @ Sherlock's (West Gray) - Jazzy funk pop rock
- The Psychodillos & Groovin Ground @ Rhythm Room - Two awesome jam bands
- James Garcia @ Vintage Bar - Great original folk blues tunes
- 14er @ Mary Jane's Fat Cat - Virtuosic prog punk
- Tru Sol @ SRO Sports Bar (Northwest Mall) - Smooth mellow funky soul rock music, and that boy can sing
- Mandy Smith Group @ 12 Spot - Mandy's Holiday Party, make sure to go by!
- Hilary Sloan @ Mary Jane's Fat Cat - The best Honky Tonk country in H-town
- Clouseaux @ Rhythm Room - Eclectic mystery tiki music? Yes, and also voted best new band in Houston, 2003 HPMA.
- Brian Kalinec @ Market Square Bar & Grill - Finely crafted folk songs
- Mekka @ Woodlake Pub - Stronger, Louder, and Packed Full of Energy. She kicks butt.
- Shannon Cutts, Brent Adair & Jim Kam (Chapman stick player) @ Harmony Coffee House - Shannon and Brent are great, and they'll be trading songs on stage. And if you've never seen a Chapman stick player, go check it out, it's amazing to watch.
- Alejandro Escovedo Benefit @ Continental Club - The main event, of course. :)
- (1pm show) Wayside Drive @ St. Arnold's Brewery - Up and coming Houston jam band - word on the street is, they'll have a real M3 organ on stage with 'em, being played by Mr. Alan Cunningham.
- Blendt & Vibe Committee @ Last Concert Cafe
- Brian Kalinec, Lisa Novak & Melinda Mones @ The Harp
- Us & Them @ Pennison's #2 (Copperfield)
- Lights In The Heights
- Thomas Helton & Friends @ Super Happy Fun Land - Playing some of Thomas' original compositions! This will be a truly cool show.
- Bruce James @ Rhythm Room - Old school soul sounds, original tunes by Bruce, with the legendary Teri Greene on guitar and the Moses Guest rhythm section backing 'em up.
- Richard Cholakian's Jam @ Dean's Credit Clothing - The jam that keeps growing! Go see for yourself.
- Jane Vandiver Singers @ Ovations - One of Houston's finest jazz singers and her crew.
- Harry Sheppard @ River Cafe - Vibraphone fireworks by the Free Radicals' front man.
- Max G. Arnold Xmas Party @ The Proletariat
Get out there and see some live music!
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
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Just added a new show for January, our first time at a new venue. We're going to be playing at the Cotton Exchange Bar on the 15th or January (a Thursday), right before our Lubbock-Dallas tour. It's a good spot to hang out, they've got interesting specialty drinks and good food, too. I hear it's a hang out for lawyers - can any of our lawer friends confirm this?
Speaking of lawers, any of you involved in the arts should check out TALA - Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts. It's a non profit group devoted to helping connect artists with lawers and accountants who volunteer their time. Useful for general legal & accounting stuff, but incredibly helpful in any real legal situations (lawsuits, etc.).
Speaking of lawers, any of you involved in the arts should check out TALA - Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts. It's a non profit group devoted to helping connect artists with lawers and accountants who volunteer their time. Useful for general legal & accounting stuff, but incredibly helpful in any real legal situations (lawsuits, etc.).
Monday, December 08, 2003
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Saturday, December 06, 2003
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Big thank you to everyone, and especially to Shake Kabibo, for making last night's show at Brasil a big success. It was standing room only in there! Wow.
Now, today's big show is our friends Righteous Buddha, a monster Hammond B3 Organ trio from Baton Rouge, LA. They'll be playing at Brasil tonight (Saturday, Dec. 6). If you want to hear a little bit of what they sound like, here's a sample, from their new album:
Now, today's big show is our friends Righteous Buddha, a monster Hammond B3 Organ trio from Baton Rouge, LA. They'll be playing at Brasil tonight (Saturday, Dec. 6). If you want to hear a little bit of what they sound like, here's a sample, from their new album:
Righteous Buddha - Get Right (mp3, 5.7 MB)This album will be for sale at their show tonight, don't miss it!
Friday, December 05, 2003
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Doh - sorry, we got the dates wrong in our email today. Tonight (Friday) is the 5th, and we will be playing at Brasil tonight. Tomorrow (Saturday) is the 6th and Righteous Buddha will be playing at Brasil. Sorry about that. To err is human, to forgive, divine ...
By the way ... if you're saying "What email?", you're not on our mailing list! Just enter your email address below and we'll email you (about once a week) to let you know what we're up to:
By the way ... if you're saying "What email?", you're not on our mailing list! Just enter your email address below and we'll email you (about once a week) to let you know what we're up to:
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Lots of fun at 12 spot last night, thanks to everybody who came out to see us. Don't forget to come hang with us there in 2 weeks, on Dec. 18th, for our big holiday party! "O Christmas Trio, O Christmas Trio ..." Check out the evite, and if you're planning on coming, RSVP so we get enough food!
Tonight we're at Brasil, and we've got some special guests - a new Houston band called Shake Kabibo. Come for dinner & drinks, hang out for the funk jazz, and get some bonus eclectic jazz rock too.
Tonight we're at Brasil, and we've got some special guests - a new Houston band called Shake Kabibo. Come for dinner & drinks, hang out for the funk jazz, and get some bonus eclectic jazz rock too.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
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Big news - our first studio album, Big Dipper, was just chosen by music news site Done Waiting as the #1 local album of the year in Houston!
If you haven't read Houston Calling, by David Cobb, it's a great source for all local music here in Houston - give it a read! Recent interviews have included lemonenemy and the Fondue Monks, and they've always got a great listing of music events coming up. Check them out!
If you would like to purchase a copy of Big Dipper, you can order it here.
If you haven't read Houston Calling, by David Cobb, it's a great source for all local music here in Houston - give it a read! Recent interviews have included lemonenemy and the Fondue Monks, and they've always got a great listing of music events coming up. Check them out!
If you would like to purchase a copy of Big Dipper, you can order it here.
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
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Some friends of ours are doing a show at Helios (411 Westheimer @ Taft) tonight. Check it out:
The Secret Beat Society is fantastic - an interdisciplinary neo-beat collective, part poetry and part music, with poets and musicians spanning a spectrum of styles - classical to slam - hip-hop to jazz. Conspirators include Mike McGuire, Kool B, Lyric, and Ragah El ... definitely some of the coolest stuff going on in Houston these days, so go check it out!
Secret Beat Society presents the NEW BEATNIK REVUE - Poetry and hip-hop deep fried and spiced with the flavor of the south. Hosted by Lyric Osiris with DJ MR.E.Drop Trio has yet to do a show at Helios (not sure why!) but it's a great venue for checking out Houston's best new jazz, groove, hip hop, etc. There is always great stuff going on there, and tonight is no exception. The Last Soul Descendents have some of the most creative and deep downtempo / dub beats, and the most beautiful singing. You can always catch Darren & Leah, the core of the group; and if you're lucky, you can also hear Dionne Banks and Diva Karina.
This week the Secret Beat Society will feature a perfomance by The Last Soul Descendents (acid jazz, hip-hop, dub, drum-n-bass). Starts at 11pm. $3 cover.
The Secret Beat Society is fantastic - an interdisciplinary neo-beat collective, part poetry and part music, with poets and musicians spanning a spectrum of styles - classical to slam - hip-hop to jazz. Conspirators include Mike McGuire, Kool B, Lyric, and Ragah El ... definitely some of the coolest stuff going on in Houston these days, so go check it out!
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
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We've been getting some radio play recently on a show out of Fairfield, Connecticut, The Upper Room w/ Joe Kelley. They broadcast on the air waves (88.5 in Fairfield), as well as 24 hours a day over the internet, through Live365. Give it a listen online (free registration required) and let us know if you hear any Drop Trio being spun!
BTW, fairfield is also the home of some other friends of ours. Check them out too!
BTW, fairfield is also the home of some other friends of ours. Check them out too!
Monday, December 01, 2003
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What a great party! Wilspace and the folks at Texas House Concerts really know how to throw a house concert party. We had a great time playing with Guy Schwartz (as one partygoer said, "he really knows how to tear it up!") and the Psychodillos (Brad, Richard, Eric, Dan and their percussive guest Wavy Dave). All around good time. Plus really good BBQ and kind hosts. We'll be back there before long, no doubt.
This week we're at 12 spot on Thursday night and Brasil on Friday. Come on by!
This week we're at 12 spot on Thursday night and Brasil on Friday. Come on by!
