Club Boheme at Wine Down the Music Trail festival in Floyd, Va. - July 08
In late 2005, Shelley Higgins was looking for a new vehicle for her jazz inspired vocals. Drawn to the classic mid-century style of Peggy Lee, Mildred Bailey, and Billie Holiday, she wanted to combine their smooth sass with the mood of 1930s Paris café music. In a lucky conversation with guitarist Dave Smith, he confessed an obsession with the legendary gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt. Another shared soft spot emerged for the quirky 1970s records of Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks.
When the two finally got together in Dave’s rustic Chatham
County studio, a fascinating groove was quickly established. Shelley knew
string bassist Fred Levine from impromptu jams with the Brown Mountain
Lights and he added his rock solid bottom and distinctive bowed solos.
Pro drummer Kevin Brock, (he of the Enigmatic Smile), has the "rhythm
bone" all right, always relaxed, in the pocket, and making it look
easy. The group vowed never to play a standard tune if they couldn’t
make it sound new.
The musical chemistry and effortless harmonies attracted the attention
of other outstanding players. Classically trained road warrior Gabriel
Pelli often appears on fiddle, bringing his European flair and intuitive
fills. You might hear gifted improviser Tony
Galfano on mandolin and fiddle,
gypsy jazz guitarist John Scott, or other
talented friends.
Although this music respects the past, it is not devoted to “upholding traditions”. The focus is strictly on the fun of performing. Audiences are quick to get on board and tap their feet to the upbeat exchange of guitar and fiddle… or slide sideways into a bluesy ballad.
Many of the compositions are familiar, but Dave has composed original tunes like Drop the Charge, Rhythm Bone, and My New Friend, (listen to the lyrics!) that sound straight out of Tin Pan Alley. Oh yeah, that alley is right downtown, behind Club Boheme.
Why don’t you come up and see us sometime?