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What a full plate we devoured this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday, reinforcing the notion that Richmond has arrived as great place to enjoy a wide-ranging menu of music.

Friday's sold-out reunion concert featuring the  Neighborliness Jazz Quartet at In Your Ear (co-sponsored by JAMinc and WCVE-FM) was a sweet treat for players and audience alike and although I missed most of it because of a prior commitment, what I heard was solid verification that these guys are world class...look out Vladivostok!  Some new tunes included the John Winn/Daniel Clarke composition "Center Ring", a picture-filled metaphorical trip to the circus.  Better than being there.  And wait 'til you hear John's vocal take on Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You"...just elegant.  The boys have a new CD out, just in time for their ten-day trek back to Russia.  It's called Let Be The Realists, and I'd watch the Winn Website for details on how you can get one.  Travel safe young Americans...and don't miss our next IYE show on March 5th with Tony Furtado...tickets are selling fast. 

Saturday we were enthralled with the life stories and reflections on fifty years of Motown from musical pioneer William "Smokey" Robinson at the Richmond Forum.  Daphne Reid was the perfect choice to conduct the two-hour conversation which revealed his immeasurable contributions as singer, songwriter and producer.  Huge talent with a heart and humility to match.  And who's on Smokey's iPod?  Mantovani, Muddy Waters, Nat King Cole, Nelly and Justin Timberlake, to name five.  Deep thanks to Ken & Dianne for an inspiring evening.

Having missed his first appearance at The National last year, I was jazzed in anticipation of Sunday's return of c.g.p. Tommy Emmanuel.  Tommy's star is ascending rapidly in this country, and it's about time.  It's so much fun to hear the astonishment in the voices of those who've heard him for the first time.  In a quick pre-show visit, Tommy showed me his new "baby"...a 1934 Kalamazoo sunburst guitar that someone had just given him...it was light as a feather with rich tone and beautiful action that he played acoustically without pickups or internal mikes like his other Australian Matons...a timeless new friend.  Fellow Aussie Rick Price won some new fans as a great opener and later duet partner with Tommy, who also had a ringer in the house:  late in his generous set, Tommy welcomed Django disciple Frank Vignola to the stage for an incredible swap meet.  Good news is they're recording together in Yorktown as we speak...now that will be something to behold!  (thanks to Charlie Reilly for the Tommy shots)

It's good to see Kay & Co. at Ashland Coffee and Tea still filling the calendar with folks we like to see, like Gypsy Roots this Friday, Page Wilson with Reckless Abandon this Saturday, and an evening with George Turman & Billy Lux on March 13.  Our beloved bearded balladeer also opens for longtime friend and inspiration David Mallett at the Shady Grove Coffee House in Glen Allen this coming Friday. (Charles Dunton photo)

Before any of that...tomorrow (Wednesday) night at Capital Ale House downtown, the River City Blues Society will pay tribute to Piedmont blues legend John Cephas with help from John's longtime partner Phil Wiggins and Rick Franklin, Mike Baytop, and Gregg Kimball. Cephas is being honored as part of the Library of Virginia's 2009 African-American Trailblazers in Virginia History.  Should be a heart-rending evening. 

I'm off in search of snow...enjoy the rest of the short month.

TT