Dr. King had a dream.
Jo Sallins has… well, reached almost incomprehensible levels of proficiency on a multitude of instruments. And has become acquainted with several similarly skilled friends along the way.
On Friday, Jan. 23, the Valley music scene veteran and his handpicked dream team of special guests pay tribute to the good Dr. King in the form a free concert at Springfield Technical Community College.
"For me, the 'I have a dream' speech means achieving greatness and serving the community," says Sallins. "I personally know of no better way to honor that spirit than to showcase some great musical talent on Dr. King's birthday. And this program not only features some of the best performers in the world, but ones who literally travel the world over. So my feeling is, 'Hey, if we can do this, as we have, in Africa, why not in our own back yard?'"
Sallins adds that his Springfield-leaning sentiments were echoed—and staunchly supported—by all involved in the city's school system and local government. When he first pitched the idea and explained who he was and what he does, for example, the amiable maestro says that school officials immediately offered up the college's Scibelli Hall Theater for a venue. An invitation to attend the event—and be bused to it for free—was then extended to Springfield students system-wide. When more than 600 responded favorably, logistics mandated that the program, titled The Dream Continues, be moved to STCC's gymnasium.
The event will kick off with Sallins and his longtime collaborator Matthew Wolfgang Garstka, a 19-year-old percussionist wunderkind who currently attends the Berklee School of Music.
Together the duo bills itself as the Two Man Trio, with Sallins simultaneously playing bass and keys over Garstka's drumbeats. The stage will be then be turned over to renowned percussionist Tony Vacca, poet and teaching artist Magdalena Gomez and Senegalese artists Gokh-Bi System, that last of which will put both a hip-hop edge and some timely lyrical references to the reggae classic "Get Up, Stand Up."
"Their version is just amazing, and since it will be only a few days after the inauguration, they are adding in some Barack references," Sallins reveals. "Of course, at the time when I planned this, no one knew who the next president would be. But it turned out to be Barack, and I think this will really help bring the whole day full circle for everyone."
For more info on both the show and any and all things Jo, kindly point your browser to his official website, josallins.com. The Dream Continues concert will begin at 10:15 a.m.
In other news, it appears that father-son blues/Americana outfit Beaucoup Blue has quite literally come out of the woodwork to land an opening slot for the Brooks Williams Trio at the Iron Horse Jan. 22.
As the story goes, dad David Mowry was a solo performer with some promise along the East Coast in the early '70s. Although things were going well professionally, however, the lifestyle of the then 20-something artist on the verge of a record deal was not compatible with his new family.
"He split with us for a couple of years to pursue his musical career," son Adrian Mowry recalls. "But he realized he couldn't live without me and mom, so he dropped everything, moved home to Philadelphia and became a carpenter as he raised me."
While Pops was pounding nails, however, Adrian says that he was sneaking in to practice scales, chords, and more on his dad's guitars. Eventually the duo began performing at parties, then took up residency at a Philly club for a couple years.
Beaucoup Blue is currently on the road in support of its just released third album, Free To Fall."
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