Photos/Writer: Rudy Lu
Chris Sule has reactivated the 2nd floor of La Stella Pasta Bar as the Van Dyck Music Club. Last month Chris, had a local all star band open the 2nd floor. The Brighton Beat is what will be the first of many national acts that will grace the stage on the 2nd floor.
The key difference between this performance and previous performances is that the tables were arranged to make room for dancing. And the audience did dance and sway to the music. After all that’s what Party Horns are supposed to do.
From the opening, all band members were in motion. Particularly fun to watch was tenor saxophonist Drew Vanderwinckel. He lifted his head and swayed to the music like Snoopy when he was wasn’t playing.
The rhythm section of Sammy Waggs (drums), Ryan Nava (percussion) and Derek Van Wormer (bass) were truly in the pocket.
Michael Iaciofano and Ryan Datino traded leads and rhythms with ease. Jazz octaves, Afrobeat guitar, classic rock lead guitar was heard coming out of their amps.
The horn section though was key to the band. Whether it was staccato unisons, screaming solos, sliding duets or conversations with the other instruments in the band, it all sounded so right.
As to the band’s sound, it was all over the map. The frenzy of Fela Kuti was clearly there, snippets of Led Zeppelin, EWF and even a cover of the Beatles “Got to Get You Into My Life”(more EWF than Beatles). To be straight, it was their own sound.
It took a while for the crowd to get up and dance, but once they did it was infectious. Club owner Chris Sule was among the dancers,
A truly spirited debut of national acts at the Van Dyck. A direction not taken in prior lives of the club. Encouraged dancing.
Per Chris, he’s planning to use the word more loosely than those that are genre loyalists. The Brighton Beat is a prime example of the genre defying acts that are now touring.
The local jazz acts will continue to anchor the ongoing live music at the Van Dyck.
Keith Pray’s 3 Bass Hit will play on 7/21.
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Setlist
Changing Elevators, Fancy Beast, Fortune Teller, Genghis Khan, Giraffe, Hit the Bricks, Hot Sand Cold Feet, Into The Thick Of It, Jungle Robots, Money & Time, Off We Go, Serengeti Waltz, Stand With the Herd, Sweet Bay Chazz, Take the Higher Ground, Time Marches On, Victory at Last, Got to Get You Into My Life ( Beatles)
Gallery:
Band Members:
- Sammy Wags-Drums
- Ryan Nava-Percussion
- Derek Van Wormer-bass
- Michael Iaciofano-Guitar
- Ryan Datino- Guitar
- Nat Ranson- Trombone
- Dan Glaude-Alto Sax
- Nick Benitez-Trumpet