Above/Below at Coffee Grounds. Photo by Phil Fritzsche
Gabe Chandler, voice
John Harbel, trumpet
Patrick Murphy, trombone
Kevin Thornton, alto saxophone
David Dorfman, baritone saxophone
Chris Reilly, bass
Hollis Dunlap, guitar
Jonas Sanchez, drums
Genre: HipHop/Jazz
Above/Below was formed in 2007 and began as a three-piece rhythm section comprised of Jonas Sanchez on drums; Chris Reilly ‘07 on upright bass; and Kevin Gallagher on congas and percussion providing beats for the lyrics and rhymes of emcee Gabe Chandler (Assistant Professor of Mathematics). With its music drawing on strong jazz influences coupled with a lyrical vocal style, the group translated some of Chandler’s existing material into simpler, less-produced versions that maintained their rapid-fire, poignant lyricism and placed them over swinging back-beats. The results were satisfying enough for the musicians to reconvene after a short hiatus with a desire to work on new arrangements and to round out the sound.
It was Chandler’s desire to offset his rapping with sung vocals that led to the enlistment of two female vocalists – Jessie English and Cristin Gallagher. Between both singers they dominated both the high and low registers, their singing providing the perfect counterpoint to Chandler’s rapped verses. The melody was turned over to a full horn section with Adam Demorest on alto saxophone; Johnny ‘Ska’ Harbel on trumpet; and Patrick Murphy on trombone. This assemblage of musicians was highly desired for its versatility – each player more than capable of working together as a section or, when necessary, taking solos in turn. By year’s end, the demands of personal life and conflicting work schedules cost the band the talents of English, both Gallaghers and Demorest. Kevin Thornton, recently arrived from Baltimore, MD, filled the chair for alto saxophone and David Dorfman came in on baritone sax.
Before long the band sought to add a chordal instrument to help fill in the sound. In short time the jazzy guitar tone of Hollis Dunlap was heard and quickly recruited. As like attracts like, this collected group of musicians have created fertile ground for the collaborative exploration of musical ideas that draw from their many and varied influences. The result is, by nature, a hybrid yet something fresh. From either end of the genre spectrum their music is somewhere in the middle of everything – in between left and right; inside and out; above and below. (From their Facebook Fan Page)
Fan them on Facebook, listen to them on Myspace
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Rating: +6 (from 6 votes)
54 State Street
New London, CT 06320
(860) 437-8664
Website
ALVA is a fashion gallery with a mission; to present creative and distinctive designs fabricated by local and international artists and artisans at a wide range of prices. Our goal is to encourage everyone to dress with flair and live with style.
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13 Washington Street
New London, CT 06320
(860) 701-0000
Blog and upcoming events
Follow them on Twitter
Bean & Leaf offers quality fresh-roasted coffee beans, the finest teas, breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, soups, salads, and panini sandwiches and focuses on being good global citizens through fair trade coffee- and tea-buying practices, as well as fresh local produce and pastries, and environmentally-sound packaging. Enjoy live music, poetry readings, and free wireless Internet in an atmosphere that can’t be beat.
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140-B Green Street
New London, CT 06320
Check out their Website and Blog
Follow them on Twitter
Fashion, design, art, graffiti, accessories.
Popular local artist: Cristin Gallagher
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639 Bank Street
New London, CT 06320
(860) 444-1444
Website
The Bank Street Cafe is extremely well known for being “biker friendly” and its rockabilly and country/folk shows. However, it also houses local indie, punk, metal and rock acts on a regular basis.
The Bank Street Cafe hosts live music every weekend, and sometimes during the week as well. Friday nights The Bank Street Cafe famously hosts the “Blue Collar Happy Hour” with free live americana/country/folk/rockabilly music from 6 – 8 PM. There are pool tables and darts on the second floor, and an outside courtyard. The Bank Street Cafe is strictly a bar, 21+ only.
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36 Bank Street
New London, CT 06320
(860) 443-8280
Website
Occassionally hosts live bands.
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111 Bank Street
New London, CT 06320
860-444-7753
The Bulkeley House was built in 1790 as the home of Sea Captain Charles Bulkeley, who sailed with John Paul Jones. In the 1880’s, Charles Klink’s meat market opened here, with an icehouse in rear. Today you will find a decidedly modern gathering place, with a menu featuring American food with an Italian accent including fresh seafood, steaks, chicken, and pasta.
Recently opened in doors in the bar area is a new stage offering a wide variety of live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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23 Green Street
New London, CT 06320
(860) 442-3453
Website
A favorite of playwright Eugene O’Neill, The Dutch is New London’s oldest tavern and is is by far, the favorite watering hole for musicians and artists alike.
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19 Union Street
New London, CT 06320
(860) 440-2848
Website
“Selected Accepted Respected”
Eclectic Wear has a back room in addition to its retail front room, dubbed “The Community Room”, a fifty person room open to the community where it has hosted an array of live music acts, open mics, film premieres and more. Elcectic Wear has recently joined forces with W-CAST (Wailing City All-ages Scene Team), to host all-ages shows at the Community Room.
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86 Golden Street
New London, CT 06320
(860) 271-9159
Website with event listings
Open nights; 21+ on most nights, all ages shows are advertised per event
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