Roxbury Arts Group Shakes the Rafters

Roxbury Arts Group Shakes the Rafters

Patricia Wadsley

      One of the great things about living in the Catskills is that you can find top-tier musicians, actual musical powerhouses who play all genres and grooves —  and are also your neighbors, postmasters, public schoolteachers,   yoga instructors and health aides .

     That was the scene last Saturday afternoon for “Homegrown Sounds” a musical fundraiser for the Roxbury Arts Group and local radio station WIOX.  The sounds ranged from swing to Indian influenced rock,  blues, Cuban music , folk and  dulcimer and guitar virtuosos.    Many of the players have held second jobs in these parts—but all of the players  are 100% pros.   Marilyn Kirby’s Bad Math Trio took the stage early.  Kirby, a  primo singer songwriter and guitarist, plays hard driving powerhouse rock. Her original “The Year of the Phoenix” taken from a catastrophic life experience is especially powerful. For this show, she updated and universalized this experience by placing it in the year 2020, the year of the Phoenix that we all had.  Joined by Jeff Entin on guitar,  Kirby’s rich, strong vocals struck forth even more power.

       Walter Dominici and his Cuban blues, featuring Rudi Echeverri on congas opened their set with a soulful and unusual rendition of “Guantanamera,” first explaining the origin of the song.  “Guantanamara”  was taken from the words of Cuban poet and philosopher Jose Marti, considered the founding father of Cuba.  “Guantanamera”  is considered a patriotic song, and its words first appeared in Marti’s “Versos Sencillos “ (Simple Verses) which the Cuban patriot wrote while staying in none other than the Catskills.  Dominici’s “Guantanamera” led into some propulsive Cuban rhythms, heightened by Echeverri’s congas.

   Jeff Entin  then went solo on his six string Epiphone guitar and somehow made it sound like 1000 strings at once.  Entin whose been playing since he was 14,   says the technique is called “finger style guitar,” meaning no picks, and by fast fingerpicking, an ability to plays bass, melody and harmony all at once.   Entin plays, rock, jazz, and blues and one particularly mesmerizing number, “Unbroken Wind,” opened with an Indian infused progression then went into straight rock.  With that, co host- and WIOX and Woodstock Radio dj  Jim Rauter noted  “he really knows how to melt your faces.”  Entin also knows how to make you laugh. His song, “Shameless Highway” uses the best phrases from every song we’ve every loved,  arranged into a driving train rhythm.   Music nerds unite! 

   Rauter’s own band Lali  and the Pops,  went on last; waiting around paid off.  With Rauter on guitar, Alexandra Martin on vocals, George Quinn on bass, Chris Stearns on trumpet and Vlad Smirnoff on drums, this lineup played spirited swing and low-down blues.  One sexy number was “Who Walks in When I Walk Out,” a simmering update of the 1934 classic by Al Goodhart since covered by Ella and  Louis.   Rauter’s original, “That’s What I Like About the North,”  is  a generous  riposte to the many paeans to southern life,

  Space  forbids going into the sweet dulcimer sounds and lyrics of  Bill Duke, and Dani Epstein’s ripping rendition of a cool blue Bessie Smith’ song.   As mentioned, the artists here are our neighbors and as well as working musicians, Dominici once was the postmaster at the Dimmick Mountain post office.  Kirby’s alternate occupation is death doula. Bill Duke teaches yoga (among many other things.)   Jeff Entin hosts the Open Mic music night at Print House -the newest music hub in the area–in Fleischmann’s –every other Thursday.   The next night will be June 11. 

The Print House is the latest hub for musicians in the area.  Before that many of these musicians hung out and worked on their chops at the late, lamented  Arkville Bowl. 

      In fact, this talent was lined up courtesy of Ted Hannan, former RAG board member, gifted “Homegrown Sounds” co-host who formerly frequented Arkville Bowl when it was the center of all this musical action.  When it came time for this second annual fundraiser, Hannan had these artists ready to go.    

     Funds raised through the entrance fees for this extravaganza of talent, go to the two non-profits—Roxbury Arts Group and WIOX radio—the little radio station that could.  WIOX is merging with Catskills Radio, a move that will extend its reach 1000%.   Both RAG and WIOX are dedicated to bringing the arts of all kinds to the community.  This was an example of just that.