The Alex Skolnick Trio

[alitivity]

Last Night I went to see the Alex Skolnick Trio in Cleveland, OH. I can sum up the show in one word, Amazing. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I decided to take my entire family to see the famous guitarist from Testament and Tran Siberian Orchestra. I didn’t know much about the restaurant Wilbert’s Food and Music. I only knew that Alex had a Jazz Trio and was coming to town.

When I called to buy tickets , I found out I didn’t need tickets, only a reservation and a cover charge at the door. I asked the person on the phone to put my party at a table right in front of the stage, and that is exactly what they did. There wasn’t a better seat in the house. We got there a little early because of the weather forcast, as well as the traffic from the Cavaliers game. This was nice because it gave us time to order our dinner, and eat before the show. It also gave us the chance to see Alex during sound check, and just hanging out.

I introduced myself, and asked if he remembered me interrupting his breakfast New Years morning. We stayed at the same hotel as TSO when they played Cleveland. Alex did remember, and took a few minutes to chat. He was incredibly approachable. He took time to talk to everyone that wanted a minute of his time. He even had a few minutes to talk to my 12 yr old son while we searched for a sharpie, so he could sign a CD for him. Zack ( my son) is learning to play guitar, and this was a good experience for him to see that there is more to the guitar than Slipknot.

We ate dinner and the food was pretty good. It was traditional American bar food. Burgers and fries. We had fish and salads and fries, since it was good Friday. When we were finished the band got up on stage and started to play. That is where the magic really happened. I have never been a huge fan of Jazz. I always thought of it as music for old people. I was wrong, at least about Alex’s version of Jazz. When you are used to watching guitarist for bands, playing solos, you quickly notice that most wil stay in a comfort zone playing certain scales in every solo. With Alex this was not the case. Maybe its just the nature of Jazz, but he was all over the neck. Very rarely would you see him play anything that was similar to anything he had played before. Add the enthusiasm he showed while playing a type of music you could tell he truly loved, and you have just a great experience.

The band played some original compositions, as well as Jazz versions of classic songs by the Scorpions, Kiss, and Rush just to name a few. It was actually fun listening for the familiar part of a song that would clue you in on what they were playing. They played for almost two hours, and it just seemed to go by too fast. When they finished , and started to walk off stage, fans started cheering for War Pigs. So the band hopped back up and gave them what they wanted. This started off as another jazz version of a classic tune, but half way through changed, and we got a glimpse of the music that made Alex a famous guitarist. He threw in a little distortion and screaming guitar, and even the older folks in the audience seemed to be impressed by the sound.. Alex has put together a group that is truly entertaining to watch. Matt Zebroski on Drums and Nathan Peck on Bass are truly gifted musicians, and the groups continuity seemed unflawed. After the show they were all available to mingle with the crowd, sign autographs, and just talk. No big Rockstar attitudes, just some guys having a good time. I cant wait for the next show!

To learn more about Alex and his music check out his website www.alexskolnick.com

To learn more about how I interrupted his breakfast on New Years morning check out my website http://www.aldiamondphillips.com/AlexSkolnick.html
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Check out Al Diamond Phillips/Nevermet on the web
http://www.reverbnation.com/nevermet

[alitivity]

It is no secret to those who know me, that my favorite guitarist is Alex Skolnick. I am truly mesmerized by his talent and ability to play. He has a captivating style that makes you explore another side of music. What makes this funny is that I am not a guitar player, but a singer. However, his love for jazz and his passion for playing it has made me a true fan. As I watched the Alex Skolnick Trio tonight at Wilbert’s Food and Music, in Cleveland, I began to realize that this group is more than just Alex. He is certainly at the helm, but the Rhythm section is much more than just bit players in the Skolnick experience.

Nathan Peck is a master of the Bass. Most people like me look at the bass as strictly a Rhythm instrument. There have been a few exceptional Bass Players that have taken the instrument into a lead position, but seem to lose the qualities that make the Bass Guitar what it is. Nathan takes his ability to play, and leads you into a direction that you may not have imagined with the song. You sometimes find yourself wondering why his progression is heading a certain way. Then suddenly, it all makes sense. His artistic feel is different than any other Bass Player I am familiar with. That in itself makes him special.

Matt Zebroski is quickly becoming one of my favorite Drummers, in any genre. He has the perfect feel for jazz, with the ability to Rock it up at any moment. His technique is flawless. There were times tonight when his hands were moving so fast; they were just a blur, somehow keeping it all together in the grand scheme. The personality he shows when playing is reminiscent of the great drummers of days gone by. It is not hard to figure out how he got his job, and why he deserves the position.

As I sat and watched the show with excitement for every song played, I asked myself “how does a legitimate Guitar Hero go from Heavy Metal icon to Jazz Trio, and make it work”. The answer was right there in front of me, Nathan and Matt. It is the cohesiveness between the three that makes it all work. This band is not confined to jazz fans alone. They are creating jazz fans from other genres, and people from young to old. From seven to seventy, there were people from all age groups represented at the show. They all had one thing in common an appreciation of good music, and the Trio delivered.

Another thing that this group does well is its selection of venue. Wilbert’s is not a big place, but has an apparent history to it when you walk in. It just feels like this is the place you should see a band like this. They treat their customers well, and it shows. This is the second Skolnick Trio show that I have seen at Wilbert’s and both times I have had a wonderful experience. For anyone who is looking for a great way to spend an evening, I would suggest watching for the next Alex Skolnick Trio show at Wilbert’s, and take the whole family. You won’t be disappointed.
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Check out Al Diamond Phillips/Nevermet on the web
http://www.reverbnation.com/nevermet