ROOM WITH A VIEW of the blues..... Tommy Mitchell Band Hudson House Nyack, NY 03/12/04 Musical influences, likes and dislikes are sounds heard early in one’s youth. In those early years I came across an album which included Beatle songs re-arranged, it was called Glass Onion by Arif Mardin. Arif Mardin was a producer for Atlantic Records, and I was impressed that he should re-arrange this song and others and how they sounded. This was not Percy Faith or 101 Strings, not subdued, but rather bold. Tommy Mitchell’s dad was a band leader. Tommy began re-arranging songs that Tommy liked for his dad’s band. Tommy is a singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and now band leader. I’ve often said that musicians want to sound good, and Tommy makes them sound good together. On Friday night March 12th, The Tommy Mitchell Band played The Hudson House at 134 Main Street in Nyack, New York. Tommy’s band played familiar songs such as “Drift Away”, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “Knock On Wood”, and original compositions “Bittersweet” and “Fortress of Solitude”. The arrangements on these and others were fresh and exciting. Hearing new arrangements of classic material made for a wonderful evening which I spent sitting with old friends. Also present were The New York Blues and Jazz Society who were there in support of this fine band. The band was comprised of Eric Udel, bass; Tony Cruz, drums; Birch Johnson, trombone; Baron Raymonde, alto sax; Larry Etkin, trumpet; Dave Riekenberg, baritone sax; John Tennyson, Hammond B3; Dave Phelps, guitar; and Tommy Mitchell, vocals. If your planning an event better contact Tommy Mitchell or visit him at his website http://thetmband.com. His newest album is available there and is “Just A Dream”. Richard Ludmerer ricdale2@yahoo.com