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#80556 - 02/21/08 05:08 AM
Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Light
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bassix
Member
Registered: 01/23/01
Posts: 3485
Loc: matthews, NC, USA
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Hello friends-
Out of respect for the recent change in the bbs for posting news on new releases, thought I'd start a new thread here on Ken's latest CD.
It has a name now, The Grace of Summer Light.
It has all the additional musicians recorded; Joel Rosenblatt, Tom Kennedy, Jay Rowe, and percussionist Kevin Prince.
According to his diary, Ken is in the process of re-recording all the guitar parts, which I can imagine is quite a task, based on the sophistication of the sample track he gave to us.
I'm really looking forward to it, and it sounds like Ken is really stoked now that everyone else has done their parts....that will probably inspire even more out of him.
Here's a link to his diary, and "the making of" page, and of course the link to the sample full length musician's demo tune. It only gets better from there, I'm sure, and this is a pretty polished tune for a demo. Anyway.....
Ken\'s new cd page
Don't forget to read his interview with Shannon at smoothviews, Shannon\'s interview of Ken Feb 08 there is also a link there to the same tune.
I know we are going to love this one....maybe Ken will toss us another bone, after he gets into the mixdown stage of production.
Later
Tony Y
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#80626 - 02/26/08 07:03 PM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Light
[Re: bassix]
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Mike Chimeri
Member
Registered: 05/13/05
Posts: 385
Loc: Wantagh, NY
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I pre-ordered the CD on Ken's website a couple of weeks ago. I can't wait to hear the finished product.
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#81608 - 04/15/08 05:13 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Ligh
[Re: Mike Chimeri]
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diduhearthat
Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 98
Loc: Baltimore, MD
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Hi all - man, it's been awhile since I visited the island - a lot of very nice changes. It looks really great!
The new CD if finished! I have been working 16 hour days for as long as I can remember. This CD was worth every minute of my time and all I can say is wait till you hear this! This album and this new music of mine is what happens when you spend a lifetime pursuing a goal and I wanted every single note to be right.
Edited by diduhearthat (04/15/08 05:15 AM)
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#81611 - 04/15/08 05:59 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Ligh
[Re: Kat]
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diduhearthat
Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 98
Loc: Baltimore, MD
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Thanks Kat - and I will be sure to brush up on my guitar part for "Elizabeth Reed" before the April 26 show with Chieli, Jay, Joyce, Eric, Kim and all!
"The Grace of Summer Light" CD will be released at national retail on June 17 as well as at all the online sites like amazon, itunes etc.
I also made a special arrangement with our national distributor which allows me to release it exclusively at my website (www.kennavarro.com) on May 4. In fact, it has been available for pre-ordering for a few months now and many folks have already placed their order.
Thanks for asking and it will be very good to see you again.
Ken
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#81612 - 04/15/08 08:13 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Ligh
[Re: diduhearthat]
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bassix
Member
Registered: 01/23/01
Posts: 3485
Loc: matthews, NC, USA
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Ken-
Just did the pre-order, looking forward to hearing this one....
While you're at it....could somebody PLEASE record/video cam or something, the ensemble playing Elizabeth Reed? I'd pay money for that too  always has been a favorite tune and I'm sure you and Chieli will tear it up! PLEASE? 
Yes, this is me begging.....
Glad you're "over the hump" on this now Ken, you can take a well deserved break.
By the way, any chance of the studio band being the touring one, and have plans begun on that aspect of promoting this CD? This could be a great chance to do a DVD too....I'm just full of ideas for ya, huh?
Later
TonyY
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#81613 - 04/15/08 08:50 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Ligh
[Re: bassix]
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Kat
Musical Technologist
Member
Registered: 12/24/00
Posts: 3522
Loc: Danbury, Connecticut
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#81614 - 04/15/08 09:47 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Ligh
[Re: Kat]
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Mike Chimeri
Member
Registered: 05/13/05
Posts: 385
Loc: Wantagh, NY
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I found myself going to Nelson Rangell's solos on "The Challenge" and "Guitarzzz." I'm bringing my new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 and tripod to SJFS. These videos tempted me to bring my camcorder, but I won't. I'll be a good boy (so to speak) and stick to stills.
Anyway, congrats on completing the CD, Ken. I can't wait to hear and for that matter can't wait to see you at this year's SJFS.
I'll continue my SJFS discussion to my SJFS thread.
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#81616 - 04/15/08 10:05 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Ligh
[Re: Mike Chimeri]
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Markus Michel
Member
Registered: 12/23/04
Posts: 1336
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Yeah...congrats, Ken! I am glad, that you are satisfied with the new CD and I am looking forward to its release.
Greetings from Germany
Edited by Markus Michel (04/15/08 10:06 AM)
_________________________
Markus
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#81665 - 04/18/08 06:48 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Ligh
[Re: Markus Michel]
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diduhearthat
Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 98
Loc: Baltimore, MD
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Just wanted to say Thank You for the congrats and also to Tony and Mike and the hundreds of other folks who have already pre-orderd the new CD at my website. It has meant a lot to me as I labored away on this new music. And see you next weekend Mike and Kat! (Mike, I may be able to hand deliver your "The Grace of Summer Light" CD to you when I see you at the April 26 show in CT)
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#81673 - 04/18/08 01:03 PM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Ligh
[Re: diduhearthat]
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Bonnie S.
Member
Registered: 07/15/03
Posts: 823
Loc: Centreville, VA (just outside ...
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Hey, Ken...can you bring mine, too?!!! See you there!
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#81693 - 04/21/08 08:08 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Lght
[Re: Mike Chimeri]
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Bonnie S.
Member
Registered: 07/15/03
Posts: 823
Loc: Centreville, VA (just outside ...
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I am sure Mary and I will see you at some point, Mike.
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#81798 - 04/27/08 05:34 PM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Ligh
[Re: bassix]
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Shannon West
Zumbafied
Member
Registered: 02/23/99
Posts: 4061
Loc: Jacksonville, FL
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From Ken's Blog
"This new music opens up a whole new world for me and as my friend and musical compatriot Jay Rowe said - "this is a life changing album".
He's not exaggerating. Order this CD now. Just Click here and do it. You're not gonna believe this and you're not going to be able to stop listening to it once you start. Can't cherry pick songs of iTunes either, because 1. you won't want to and 2. Theres a continuity here. There just isn't anything else like this out there. Get it and spread the word. It's time to see if a CJazz CD can go viral on the internet and this one has the quality and the intangible vibe. A lot of us grew up with discovering music via word of mouth. It's baaaaacccck.
Edited by Shannon West (04/27/08 05:40 PM)
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#81813 - 04/28/08 05:51 PM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Ligh
[Re: Shannon West]
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bassix
Member
Registered: 01/23/01
Posts: 3485
Loc: matthews, NC, USA
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Shannon-
Hey girl, you got a liner note mention, that's very cool!
Good for you-
Can't say yet what I think of it, because I've been too stinkin busy to sit down and enjoy it, but I did get it in the mail Friday, cracked the wrapper open, and sampled several of the tunes.
Thanks, Ken, for the quick shipment!
I'm trying to listen to it now, so hopefully in a couple days I can say I've digested it enough to comment. Maybe after that, then I can go back and listen to the demo cd of all the songs, just to see what changes were made and how much the "live" players added. You can tell it's the real thing, a very warm and natural recording sound. Wonderful production qualities, to my ear at least. Track 5 (Perfect Circle Sun) is a very emotional song, to only be guitars multi-tracked....haunting and beautiful.
Track 9 (We Might As Well Dance) has Joel Rosenblatt going at it hard- this may be the high energy point of the cd, but not sure about that until I get to hear it all in one seating.
First impression is, fantastic. This is pretty involved stuff, but it flows very naturally from passage to passage without jarring the senses. I seriously doubt we'll hear much of it in the elevator, unless it's through an iPod....
So far, Ken, you've amazed me again. More later.
Tonyy
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#81816 - 04/28/08 07:28 PM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Lght
[Re: bassix]
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Mike Chimeri
Member
Registered: 05/13/05
Posts: 385
Loc: Wantagh, NY
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I got my copy from Ken in the lobby at Hampton Inn Saturday afternoon and I started listening 20 minutes later. I listened to tracks 1 through 7 there and listened to the rest yesterday. You're right, Tony. I can't get enough of it.
You've created a masterpiece, Ken. Thank you very much.
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#81817 - 04/28/08 09:08 PM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Lght
[Re: Mike Chimeri]
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bassix
Member
Registered: 01/23/01
Posts: 3485
Loc: matthews, NC, USA
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been listening while working late, it's usually the least interrupted part of my working day...on my fourth time through the whole cd. Each time I hear something familiar, then something new; yet another little bell or triangle or ride cymbal or guitar riff etc.
And new sounds, like the synth voices in On My Way To Somewhere; new but familiar, I think Metheny used a similar effect, but this sounds very modern and fits perfectly in the tune, giving a shot of pure joy and playfulness. That tune has gotten a few extra plays, may be the unsuspected favorite. Gotta be Jay on the keys/synth, right? Or is it a guitar synth? Both, maybe...and it seems to be in 7/4, but changes up in the chorus, I think...and the sounds of thunder etc....really sets the mind stage, like passing through a storm then the blast of fresh air and clear skies after the rain.
On the tune Ken shared with us, the 26/4 tune, the title track, Joel (and primarily his cymbal work, very crisp and natural) brings that track to life for me...and Jay's keyboard work is spot on. I think Ken may have added a few phrases in there, also...can't put my finger on it yet, but something sounded a bit, well, more structured. Not sure how to describe it, it's like a frame around a riff that makes it jump out at me more.
Interestingly, I know it's Joel R on drums, but for the most part I wouldn't guess it- it's different from a Spyro Gyra type setting where I was used to picking him out, hearing something distinctly Joel; this is more Metheny/Yellow Jackets-like territory. His playing is impeccable, the recording of his various parts of the drum kit is great...I'm learning just how hard that can be, since I'm the drum tech newbie now too, for our drummer...clearly Joel gave Ken his atmosphere he was looking for here.
As for Tom Kennedy, his acoustic bass work is excellent- I don't usually expect it to be as rocking as he can do it. Clearly a master of the bass. Again, I am so used to hearing him with Weckl, that it's different...not bad by any means, just a different setting. He and Joel are seamless together.
Of course, what would all this be without Ken...his guitar phrasing and riffs seem effortless, but I know they are the result of months of work and craftsmanship. Amazing.
And something else...it's not all noodle-y and wandering, like so many guitar driven instrumental albums can get, especially c-jazz. Everything seems to be there for a purpose, and the melodies are accessible while still being more musically advanced.
As much as I loved Meeting Place, this has raised the bar, and taken a turn in style, more jazz less pop. I think that's a great thing. It has more of a jazz club feel to it to me.
I also think Ken may have put together a band the equal of a Metheny or Yellow Jackets here, and I can only imagine what these guys could sound like live....I hope they tour!!
Oh yeah- another thing for you sharped eared folks out there; I'm not noticing a lot of compression, the volume levels are reasonable and not enhanced....doesn't seem to have that overproduced, lack of dynamic range issue. There's plenty of dynamic range here, and more things going on in the background than you can catch in the first few listens.
Sheesh, a bucket full of first impressions, huh...and all through a set of earbuds.
Obviously will have to try it out on the variety of sound systems around here, and with my UE in-ear monitors.
The true test will be a month from now, will I still be listening to it regularly; at this point, there's no doubt about that.
TonyY
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#81825 - 04/29/08 10:33 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Lght
[Re: bassix]
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bassix
Member
Registered: 01/23/01
Posts: 3485
Loc: matthews, NC, USA
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ATTENTION ALL LURKERS, MEMBERS, AND BOARDERS....
just got this from Ken, now you have NO EXCUSE to not listen to this new cd! This is a very brave and unusual way to market this music, here's hoping it's the beginning of a new era!
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Hi All,
I have been working on a way to spread the word about my new, ground breaking CD "The Grace Of Summer Light". The official retail release date is not until June 17 but it is already available at my website and we have already sold over 500 to fans who simply could not wait.
This is a very special CD, with stunning compositions and ground
breaking performances from myself, Joel Rosenblatt (Spyro Gyra) on drums, Tom Kennedy on acoustic and electric bass (Michael Brecker, Al DiMeola) and Jay Rowe (Special EFX, Marion Meadows) on keyboards. It is already being called a masterpiece by critics and fans alike.
I want this new music of mine to reach new listeners for contemporary jazz and as many people as possible. So, I have decided to take an unprecedented step for contemporary and smooth jazz and make a page at my website where folks can hear a stream of the CD IN ITS ENTIRETY before they purchase it. Here is the link - Hear the FULL LENGTH CD, start to finish, streaming here
---------------------------------------------------------
I know you'll like it, so go ahead...listen to it for free! It doesn't get any better than this...
TonyY
Edited by bassix (04/29/08 11:09 AM)
Edit Reason: typos
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#81847 - 04/29/08 09:39 PM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Lght
[Re: DWBass]
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Shannon West
Zumbafied
Member
Registered: 02/23/99
Posts: 4061
Loc: Jacksonville, FL
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I also think Ken may have put together a band the equal of a Metheny or Yellow Jackets here, and I can only imagine what these guys could sound like live....I hope they tour!!
I'm with you. I want to hear this live. I got to experience the "The Way Up" tour standing about 3 feet from the stage with a bunch of other hardcore fans. No cell phone talkers, dates who would rather be elsewhre and walk back and forth or talk..just people and music. That's how I want to hear this.
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#81849 - 04/29/08 10:22 PM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Lght
[Re: Shannon West]
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bassix
Member
Registered: 01/23/01
Posts: 3485
Loc: matthews, NC, USA
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Heck yeah, Shannon- although Ken has so much going on in here, he'd need a couple extra players, like, oh Chieli Minucci to play the second lead and harmony parts, maybe another Keyboard to handle all the background synth (I think it'd be humanly impossible for Jay to pull all that off, but maybe it could be done...)and of course a percussionist, like Kevin Prince- he's really impressed me here.
I'd travel for this stuff.
BTW- the Daddy-O track,(#6) man... Joel R is going WILD in that one, it's like a marathon run all in 6 or 7 minutes, with all the energy he's exerting, sheesh- what a drummer. A very deceptively rocking tune, it you focus on the guitars and keys it seems more mid tempo, but when you focus on JR's drum kit, it's like he's on afterburners.
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#81870 - 04/30/08 12:08 PM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Lght
[Re: bassix]
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diduhearthat
Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 98
Loc: Baltimore, MD
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I apologize for not replying sooner to all of the wonderful posts here about "The Grace of Summer Light". You make me feel sooooo good and all of the long days (and nights!) composing, recording and mixing the music were worth it just to hear and feel all of your responses. Some updates...
In the 24 hours since I gave folks the ability to hear the entire CD from start to finish, my website traffic has tripled and it's almost all going to the streaming page. Very cool! Ands the orders continue to roll in.
New Concert dates are coming in and Joel Rosenblatt, Tom Kennedy and Jay Rowe will be the band for the majority of them. We all can't wait to play this music together live and it's going to be terrific to have a band of this caliber playing my music.
Tony - I have to comment back on a couple of interesting things you said. Regarding Joel sounding like, well, Joel plus even more... while I certainly knew Joel's playing from Spyro, I also knew of his incredible latin chops and also his ability to play delicately and his ability to create a broad palette of textures with dynamics. That's why I hired him. He is simply a consumate musician. What I didn't know was what a perfectionist he is and just how dedicated he is to the music. Tom Kennedy, as amazing as he is on electric bass, is even better on the acoustic. I worked very hard to make sure you can hear the detail in his playing, even when many other things are happening above him. I urge you to listen to the CD, just following his lines. And of course Jay Rowe, my right hand man, I can't even remember anymore which keyboard parts I played and which ones he played. We are so in sync with each other and of course Jay's acoustic piano work is superb. And how about that retro synth solo on Daddy-O?!
Also, you are right, I bucked this terrible trend to master CDs as loud as possible. It was such a pleasure to retain all of the dynamics and all of the natural qualities of these instruments. The CD is full and plenty loud but without any of the squashed qualities that are so prevalent in the majority of commercial recordings these days, especially so-called "smooth" jazz.
Well, back to work here. I have my hands full now preparing for the upcoming live shows, the distribution, marketing and publicity for the new CD. It's funny, I just got a proposal from a publicist. They wanted a bundle of money to do over 12 weeks what I do in 3 days. That's the beauty of having your own label - you can make the music exactly the way you want it and make sure that it is represented out in the world properly as well. But you do have to work 12 hours a day - not complaining, as my Dad says, "it's a good problem to have".
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#81875 - 04/30/08 01:59 PM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Lght
[Re: diduhearthat]
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Bruce Royal
Member
Registered: 08/10/06
Posts: 1417
Loc: Jacksonville, Florida
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Hey Ken. The CD's fabulous, and I'm really lookin' forward to seein' you cats hit live. Please let me know when you're comin' through Jacksonville, or hopefully I can run into you cats somewhere while I'm on the road.
_________________________
Bruce Anthony Royal
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#82039 - Yesterday at 05:00 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Lght
[Re: Bruce Royal]
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diduhearthat
Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 98
Loc: Baltimore, MD
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Hey Bruce - thank you! Hope to get to Jacksonville before the end of 2008 with Joel, Tom and Jay and play the new CD live there. Ane finally meet you in person!
Ken
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#82042 - Yesterday at 08:24 AM
Re: Ken Navarro's new CD, The Grace of Summer Lght
[Re: diduhearthat]
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Mike Chimeri
Member
Registered: 05/13/05
Posts: 385
Loc: Wantagh, NY
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I'm hoping you can book IMAC, the Boulton Center, or the North Fork Theatre at Westbury at some point this year.
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Moderator: Shannon West, webmistress, Kat
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Is it still around May 1st?
