I hope this finds you all well and thriving.

It’s been a fast, furious, and fantastic re-integration in to NYC musical life this week…

Mister Barrington….

On Thursday, I performed a really special Mister Barrington show at Rockwood Stage 2 on a shared bill with two fantastic groups: Mark Guiliana’s “Beat Music” and the Aaron Comess Group. The venue was packed, and it was a great occasion all round. Looking forward to the next time.

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Photos by Ken Micallef

On the subject of Mister Barrington, we have a great new website courtesy of Hayes Design Studios so do check it out when you have a chance. New videos from the last show will also be coming soon to our youtube page so stay tuned.

James Maddock….

On Friday I played with the James Maddock Band at NYC’s famed B.B Kings for Al Kooper’s 68th Birthday Celebration Concert! The great man himself played 3 songs with us which was quite a thrill as you can imagine – it was certainly a night I won’t forget. For those of you who missed it, the band will be playing this coming Friday Feb 17th at 7:30 PM back at our spiritual home, Rockwood Stage 2. Click here to buy tix.  Although I can’t promise you Al Kooper for this one, I can guarantee a great time…

Photo by Mary Ellen Matthews backstage at B.B Kings.

Upcoming shows with Quinten Hope, Randy Brecker, Oli Originals…

Other exciting upcoming shows include a performance with the great guitarist Quinten Hope at the Bitter End 10PM on Feb 21st alongside Will Lee and Sean McCurley while for those of you in Upstate New York, I’ll be peforming at The Syracuse Jazz Fesitval with Randy Brecker March 2nd.

In the meantime, do come out to the show on Sunday Rockwood 1 @ 10 PM to see my originals alongside John Shannon, Aaron Comess, and Jordan Scannella.…

Thanks as always for reading and for your support.

Oli

Hope this finds you all well.

I’ve just returned from a wonderful trip to Italy with James Maddock Band, featuring John Shannon (guitar), Drew Mortali (bass), Dave Immergluck (Mandolin), and Chris Farr (drums), who did a wonderful job filling the large shoes of regular drummer Aaron Comess, who was on tour with the Spindoctors at the same time.  As many of you know, I’ve been playing with James’s project for the last few years, over the course of his last few albums. At this point I’ve probably played several 100 shows with him in NY and beyond, and have seen with my own eyes the deep impact that his music has on people in the States. So there was something quite magical in seeing this same kind of visceral response from a European crowd, and to feel that what we’ve been building over the last few years is now translating overseas.

On stage with the guys

Almost as amazing as the gigs was the food in Italy. And I mean everywhere. For example, the pasta which I had in the Autogrill (the break spot off the motorway) puts most restaurants to shame. Sigh.

Rumor has it that we may be back again soon…boy do I hope so!!

Moving on, a few upcoming dates to remind you about:

Feb 9th Mister Barrington @ 9PM Rockwood Music Hall (Click here to buy tickets – shared bill with Comess and Giuliana!) We’re really looking forward to sharing the bill with two of our favorite bands in Beat Music led by Mark Giuliana,  and Aaron Comess Band . I’m sure it will be a night to remember!

Below is a recent Barrington video “Rawzz” from our forthcoming album “II” which I hope will help tempt you out :

Rawzz

Feb 10th Al Kooper’s 68th Birthday Show wi/James Maddock @ 8 PM BB King’s  (Click here to buy tickets).  Al Kooper is a bone fide keyboard & songwriting legend who worked with many of the greats including Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones.  He has has asked us to perform at his 68th Birthday show..and will be joining us on several songs!! Hope you can make it out for this special night.

Feb 19th Oli Originals @ 10PM Rockwood 1  wi/Aaron Comess, Jordan Scannella & John Shannon. I’ll be joined by a great lineup in my 2nd originals show of the year…hope to see you there.

Thanks for reading and for your support as always,

More soon,

Oli

I hope this finds you all well. NY is now officially bloody freezing…ugh. I really hope it’s warmer where you are.

Anyway – I wanted to write and fill you in on some recent happenings.

First off ,  I want to show you my new and improved website! A big thank-you to the guys at Hayes Design Studios . I’m delighted with it – do check it out.

Other stuff…

Just did a great show with James Maddock at Rockwood the other night. We were joined by guest Willie Nile!! What an incredible performer – we had an absolute blast! On the subject of James Maddock, we’re heading to Milan, Italy, on Sunday to do a week of dates with the band! For more info – visit James’s website

Here’s a few upcoming dates in Feb for the diary:

Feb 9th Mister Barrington @ 9PM Rockwood Music Hall (Click here to buy tickets – shared bill with Comess and Giuliana!)

Feb 10th Al Kooper’s 68th Birthday Show wi/James Maddock @ 8 PM BB King’s  (Click here to buy tickets)

Feb 19th Oli Originals @ 10PM Rockwood 1  wi/Josh Dion, Jordan Scannella & John Shannon

Feb 21st wi/Quentin Hope @ 10 PM Bitter end wi/Will Lee, Sean McCurley

Thanks as always for reading…more soon.

Best,

Oli

Happy New Year!!

Welcome to my new blog, where you can stop by for latest news on my various musical goings on in addition to my ramblings & observations.

For my first blog of the new year, I’ll fill you in on some cool upcoming goings on, as well as a little retrospective of what kept me busy in 2011.

First things first – some upcoming dates for the diary:

-Jan 12th Oli Originals @ 11pm Rockwood Stage 1 with Jordan Scannella, Jordan Perlson, + special guests Teddy Kumpel and James Maddock!

-Jan 20th wi/James Maddock Band @ 9:30PM Rockwood 2

-Jan 23-28th Italy Tour wi/James Maddock Band (…!!!)

-Feb 9th wi/Mister Barrington @ 9PM Rockwood Stage 2 on a shared bill with Aaron Comess, and Mark Giuliana (some might call a night which features Aaron Comess, Mark Giuliana and Zach Danziger “Drummer Heaven”…and I’d be inclined to agree….)

-Feb 10th wi/James Maddock Band @ BB King’s for Al Kooper’s Bday Celebration (…yes…we’re gonna play with him!).

Some albums to be released/in production 2012:

- Mister Barrington album creatively entitled, “II”. Soon to be released, but in the meantime, you can check it out at our soundcloud page

- Oli Rockberger album (yep..that’s me!) entitled “Old Habits”.  The album, which I Co-Produced alongside the amazing Chris Abell, is to be released later this year. In the meantime you can hear some clips at my website

-Randy Brecker’s forthcoming album featuring me as a writer/vocalist on two songs as well as some additional keys. The record, which is Produced by the amazing George Whitty, features Will Lee, Dave Weckl, Mike Stern and Dave Sanborn amongst others. It’s a great honor to be a part of it.

-Bob Reynolds forthcoming album, produced by Matt Pierson, featuring Eric Harland, John Shannon, Janek Gwizdala, Aaron Parks, and special guest John Mayer.

-Cariad Harmon’s forthcoming album which I am currently Producing alongside Chris Abell. This is a follow up to our 2009 release “Four Letters” which received a 3 star review in Rolling Stone. So far we’ve done the basic tracking and we’re so excited about the direction the album is taking.

More info on all of these great projects soon as the release dates beckon.

Album Highlights 2011:

-Nicole Henry’s “Embraceable” (Artist Share, Aug 2011), also produced by Matt Pierson.  I was delighted that Nicole decided to cover my song “Hush Now” on her record. She also recorded my arrangement of “Trouble In Mind” and I had the chance to play piano on both songs alongside some of my heroes in Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland, Bashiri Johnson, Shedrick Mitchell and Larry Campbell.

-James Maddock’s “Wake Up and Dream” (Casa Del Fuego, June 2011) produced by Iestyn Polson made #13 on WFUV’s listener’s poll for 2011. I play regularly in James’s band, both in NY, and on the road, so check back regularly to see where we’re playing next.

-Mocean Worker’s “Candygram for Mowo” (Mowo Inc, Sept 2011) I was delighted to lend some keys and a co-write to my good friend Adam Dorn aka: Mocean Worker’s new record, which also features performances by Charlie Hunter and Bill Frisell amongst others.

-Melissa Ferrick’s “Still Right Here” (MPress Records Sept 2011) I had the chance to record piano on 2 tracks on Melissa’s new album produced by the fantastic Alex Wong. The album also features guest performances by two of my favorites in Ani DiFranco and Kaki King.

Live Highlights from 2011:

- Levon Helm – back in April I had the opportunity to share the stage with the legendary Levon Helm at his Midnight Ramble. I was there performing with James Maddock Band, and after we played, Levon asked us to join him onstage during their rendition of “The Weight”. As if that wasn’t enough.. I got to take a solo on it!! Still in shock..

-Jesse Harris & Amanda Brecker – in August I went to Japan accompanying Jesse Harris & Amanda Brecker. Jesse produced Amanda’s latest album on Universal Japan, and I had the chance to play on both Jesse’s and Amanda’s material at some great venues such as The Blue Note Nagoya and The Cotton Club Tokyo.

-Blue Note wi/Randy Brecker’s “Brecker Brothers Reunion” – in September Randy Brecker invited me to join him over 6 nights at NYC’s Blue Note for his “Brecker Brothers Reunion” alongside Will Lee, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, George Whitty, and Ada Rovatti. I played and sang “Merry Go Town” with the band, which is a song I co-wrote with Ada to be featured on Randy’s forthcoming record. It was a very special week for me that I won’t ever forget.

-Maya Jazz Festival wi/Randy Brecker- in November I joined Randy as the keyboard player & vocalist in his band at the Maya Jazz Festival on a shared bill with the Yellowjackets & Richard Bona.

Throughout the course of 2011 I have had the chance to expand my musical horizons, sharing stages and/or recording with many amazing artists including; Robbie Dupree, Ari Hest, Donna Lewis, Freddie Stevenson, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Caleb Hawley, Doug Yowell, Drew Yowell, Jenny Block, Marci Geller, Alex Ligertwood, Chris Velan and Daisy Jopling.

It was a GREAT year…and I learned a ton.

Here’s to more good times ahead in 2012!!

Thanks as always for reading, and for your support….

love,

Oli