Blues singer and guitarist Jr. Mack resides at Terra Blues in the West Village when not frying bigger fish.

Recently I had the chance to interview Umphrey’s McGee – the Chicago stalwarts and ballsy newcomers Howler.  It was the same day – Friday, January 20, 2012 and UM turned up in the late morning before the first of their two gigs at Best Buy Theater. Unlike the usual sessions, these guys wanted to play all of their music without interruption as opposed to the regular play & chat, play & chat format. The reason was Studio A was getting crowded with their full 6 member compliment and gear set up. They played a very unhurried and compelling four song set of tunes from Death by Stereo released this past September. The very tough Domino Theory, the sexy Booth Love , Hajimemashite which dates back to Bayliss & Stasik’s pre UM band Tashi Station and Search 4 a pleasing template improvisation including blistering guitar work. I chatted the with three original members and confirmed that Rodney Dangerfield did indeed give them their name and suggested, based on their fondness for Zappa, that they cover Cozmik Debris and change the lyric to Who You Jivin’ with that Umphrey’s McGee.

Howler is a very young band out of Minneapolis and they impressed with their set of tunes from their debut America Give Up. They remind me of the Replacements and their frontman Jordan Gatesmith copped to them being his favorite band. Guitarist Ian Nygaard professed to being more of a Nirvana man. Those are two excellent cornerstone influences says I.

Also caught the private WFUV Nada Surf show at the intimate Rockwood Music Hall on the Lower East Side which was spectacularly great. If you’re not on the Nada Surf train, resign your New York rock credibility immediately. (He said provocatively…)

Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band seemed a misnomer as they played a fair amount of blues but with Junior Mack fronting, hardly complaining. They did get around to some tunes that could have been played by Al Di Meola and peaked the Gramercy Theater’s audience with Allmans material.

Lastly I witnessed Paquito D’Rivera holding court at the Mayo Performing Arts Center this past Friday, February 3rd. He regaled those intrepid enough to travel to Morristown, NJ from NYC and the locals with entertaining tales like one featuring Dizzy Gillespie dressed like a gaucho performing with a tuxedoed house band in Buenos Aires. His playing was characteristically fluid.

Catch the great session that Howler played as well as the interview on WFUV on Monday, February 20th at 9p. Get a taste of Howler on Friday of that same week (the 24th) in the Take Five segment at 7:40 AM and 4:45 PM. Later this week, I’ll interview Boston’s legendary Del Fuegos who are reunited and touring after 21 years of silence.

Brendan Bayliss, Ryan Stasik, Joel Cummins of UM

Jordan Gatesmith and Ian Nygaard of Howler – they grow ’em big in “Minnieapolis”

Nada Surf: Matthew Caws, Daniel Lorca, Ira Elliot w/ Doug Gillard

Juinor Mack & Jaimoes Jasssz Band

Paquito Rivera & pals