ROOM WITH A VIEW of the blues..... Fifth Annual Memphis Bound Fundraiser The Bitter End 01/20/04 Each year the New York Blues and Jazz Society promotes The Battle of The Bands. This year it was held at The Mexicali Blues Café in Teaneck. From the five bands competing the judges choose a winner to represent the society at The International contest held in Memphis. This year’s winner was The Danny Draher Band and in order to raise money to send the band to Memphis another annual event is held. The 2004 Memphis Bound Fundraiser was held January 20th at The Bitter End in New York City and it was terrific. This year Bob Putignano, President of The New York Blues & Jazz Society chose Rob Paparozzi as musical director. Rob assembled a formidable house band which consisted of: himself, Rob Paparozzi (Harp, Vocals, and Keys); Kenny Soule (Drums); Tim Tindall (Bass); Chris Carter (Guitar); Dave Keyes (Organ); Glen McClelland (Keys); and Chris Eminizer (Sax). The night started with Rob Paparozzi opening, he sang “Too Many Drivers”, and “Money’s Getting’ Cheaper” to the delight of the crowd at The Bitter End. Then he introduced Ellis Hooks, Ellis is a young upcoming star in the “Wilson Pickett” tradition and he sang “Walking The Dog” and “Eight Months Ago Today”. The temperature continued to rise when our own Nikki Armstrong sang “You Can Leave Your Hat On” to Danny Draher, the crowd loved it. Nikki finished with “For You My Love”. The stage was then graced with our “favorite son” guitarist Jimmy Vivino. Jimmy has worked with and produced many blues albums helping established artists reignite their careers including Johnnie Johnson and Hubert Sumlin. He will soon be appearing with his brother Jerry Vivino at Birdland on May 4th. This “rare’ appearance of the Vivino Brothers together will be the next NYBJS presentation and surely not to be missed. Jimmy sang “Feedback on Highway 101” with Rob Paparozzi on harp, Walter Bascomb joining on bass, and Danny Draher on guitar. Other highlights of the evening included Felix Cabrera singing “Born in Havana”; Tommy Mitchell singing “Bring It On Home To Me; Sophia Ramos singing “Red House”; Tom Bowes singing “Steamroller Blues”; and The Danny Draher Band doing “Big Chief”, the New Orleans classic. The evening contined with Tom Dudley “Just a Little Bit”; Pat Cisarano singing “Muddy Waters Blues” and Melvin Sparks playing guitar “On Broadway” with Stanley Banks, George Benson’s bass player, Dave Keyes on organ , and Eric Kalb, drums. Jon Paris sang “Talk is Cheap”, Susan Dietrason sang “Come Together” and The Danny Draher Band closed with “Killing Floor”. Participating musicians included Ivan Bodley (Bass), Bernie Brausewetter (Guitar), Eric Udell (Bass), Baron Raymonde (Alto Sax), David Bennet Cohen from Country Joe and The Fish (Keys), Dave Fields (Drums), Gil Parris (Guitar), Jason Langley (Bass), Mike Torres(Guitar), Mark The Harper, Dean Zucchero (Bass), Frank Pagano (Drums), Arthur Neilson from Shemekia Copeland’s Band (Guitar), Bill Butler (Bass), Hero Suzuki (Guitar), Mike Santora (Bass), Sandro (Trombone) and Rich Cohen (Guitar). Richard Ludmerer ricdale2@yahoo.com