I’ve been told the Sundown is one of the finest restaurants in the area and has only gotten better under the ownership of Fred Johnson of Fred’s Southern Kitchen fame.

Come out tonight between 6:30 and 9:30 or on the weekend between 7:00 and 10:00 and make sure to tell the manager you came to hear live jazz in Central Florida.

john rodriguez | ts
john o’leary | p
matthew wengerd | b

 

Keel and Curley is at 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road  in Plant City.  Come say hello and stay a while!

 

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You can hear the Wengerd|VanVoorst duo at the Tarpon Springs Winn-Dixie from 3-6 pm today

It’s at 955 S Pinellas Ave in Tarpon Springs

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Then, you can drive to Lakeland and here me as a sideman at Black and Brew from 8-10.

Paul Butcher | p

Josh Fry | d

Matthew Wengerd | b

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Whether you just want to check out a newly remodeled Winn-Dixie or want to celebrate Valentine’s Day one day early, come join the fun. What better way is there to spend Friday the 13th?

Things are picking up as Autumn is now upon us (noth quite the same to an Ohio boy living in Florida).  While there are several exciting gigs on the horizon, Platform Florida‘s Art Party #12, titled Connecting Flights, is bound to be a highlight.  The matthewwengerd trio will be playing throughout the night for this multi-faceted celebration of Art.  There will be several musical acts, but we will be featured thoughout the night.

September 27, 2008
6-10 pm
Sun ‘n Fun
(4175 Medulla Rd. Lakeland, FL 33811)

b|matthew wengerd 
d|paul keesling
p|paul butcher 

Mayfaire is coming! Produced by the Polk Museum of Art, Mayfaire is a gathering of local, regional and national artists and craftspeople to share their wares. Like last year, I’ll be playing Mayfaire – one of my favorite gigs and it’s just blocks from my apartment!

Friday 9 May, I’ll be playing with tenor saxophonist Rich Van Voorst for the kickoff party (I’m pretty certain this is not a public event) and will be playing with a not-yet-finalized group Saturday 10 May at 11 am. That’s right.

The Matthew Wengerd Group

Live at Mayfaire

Saturday 10 May 2008 at 11:00 am

Be there or be square.

Jason’s post, while speaking specifically about classical playing, hits the nail on the head for jazzers of all ilk. What to do when a small restaurant steady (maybe $60 a night) goes up against a $300 one-off? My inclination is that, in the jazzosphere, the scales a bit towards taking the bigger gig. Especially if it’s a chance to play with new players. Unlike an orchestral setting, almost everyone you play with at a jazz gig will have some opportunity to call on a bass player for a gig. This is unlike most orchestras, where personnel managers or contractors are the ones doing all the hiring.As Jason explains, though, there are times when taking the bigger gig can do serious damage to a sure thing for a one-time high. If you do decide to sub out a gig, then there’s the problem of finding a sub who is more than capable of playing the gig, but won’t woo the bandleader into replacing you (something I experienced with a very good friend of mine). Oh! what a tangled web we weave.

Here’s the low-down:
1_This website is MatthewWengerd.net. Bass.AllMyHeroes.org will get you here, so it’s really fine either way. Until I get new business cards, I’ve made sure the information on the one you’ve received will get you in touch with me.

2_You can find audio samples and photographs on the Pictures and Sounds page. If you’re concerned that these examples don’t fit your event, please feel free to contact me; if I’m not the right person for your event, I will help you find someone who is.

3_To contact me, you can email me or go to the “Booking” page to send me information about your even.

4_Please feel free to browse the blog portion of this site. You can click on any of the categories to the right or any of the keywords below that. You’ll get to know me a little better (than you want) that way!

5_You can leave a comment on any post – in fact, I would appreciate if you do! I love hearing what my readers think.

6_Speaking of readers, if you have an RSS reader, click the orange icon under the word “feed.” If you want to know more about RSS, click here.