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There were two complementary signs of critical import in Eastport last Friday night.
The first was a paper flyer posted on the door of the Eastport Luncheonette: “Until Further Notice, the music has moved to the Art & Soul Gallery.” The second was a black and white banner proclamation stretched street-side in front of the art gallery three stores away: “Live Music.”
Friday night music at the luncheonette in Eastport has felt like an insider’s secret for decades. For now, the music has moved to Art & Soul Gallery while the luncheonette completes the process of obtaining its liquor license.
The switch to the art gallery is apropos. For one thing, it has allowed the musical tradition to continue.
The Mojos played at Patty’s Eastport Luncheonette for around a decade. The band was fronted by Paul Glazer, who also owned the eatery. The music began as an informal rehearsal and developed a devoted fan base of listeners and musicians that packed the slim diner to its capacity.
When the ownership of the luncheonette switched to Noreen Glynn around three years ago, bluesman Frank Latorre filled the void left by The Mojos. Mr. Latorre found a weekly home within the blue-sponged walls, a place where his harmonica and guitar could wail with a changing lineup of guitarists and drummers.
Friends turned into fans. Former fans rediscovered Mr. Latorre’s music. Mr. Latorre found a new lineup for his band, the King Bees. November proved to be a big month for Mr. Latorre. He completed the recording, “King Bee Boogie,” with his new band. He also bought the Art & Soul Gallery in Eastport from artist Mary Samuels
The band has played occasional Sunday afternoons when art openings are not being held at the gallery. In January, Frank Latorre and the King Bees were chosen by the Long Island Blues Society to represent Long Island at the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, Tennessee. Next month, the band will perform at the Great South Bay Music Festival in Patchogue, held from July 9 to 11.
With Friday night music at the Eastport Luncheonette on hold for the next 12 weeks, Mr. Latorre and the King Bees have moved the jam to the Art & Soul Gallery, playing from 7 to 10 p.m. Suggested donation is $10 and includes coffee and cake. Folding chairs are welcome. So is a crowd.
Last Friday night, two dozen people caught a stadium-worthy show by Mr. Latorre and his band. Listening to original blues music surrounded by art—much of it painted by Mr. Latorre—is a winning combination, said everyone interviewed between sets. The larger space and the wooden floors, which help to balance the acoustics, were also appreciated.
“I always like the vibe of music playing in a gallery,” said King Bees guitarist John “JP Blues” Pagano. “It brings a whole new perspective. It’s art on top of art and there’s something cool about that.”
Separately, Delia Fasano from Nesconset agreed. “The luncheonette has a bohemian feel to it. This has an artistic feel. It’s a more hip atmosphere. Both are fun—they’re just different.”
Most listeners interviewed became acquainted with Mr. Latorre’s music from his evenings at the Eastport Luncheonette. Others have been fans since Mr. Latorre formed the King Bees in 1985.
Performance credits include a Blues series at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, annual Halloween and Valentine’s Day concert parties at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, playing the Riverhead Blues Festival and more. As a soloist, Mr. Latorre, who is mostly known for his harmonica playing, has performed with Greg Allman, Johnny Winter, Roy Buchanan, Savoy Brown and others.
The performance on Friday revealed some of the group’s experience in performing for large venues. Through three sets, the playing slowly gathered intensity until there wasn’t a person in the place who wasn’t totally engaged with the music.
Mr. Latorre saved most of his harmonica playing for the later sets, improvising with Mr. Pagano, who recently formed his own group, the JP Blues Band. After releasing their first recording, the band has been playing gigs in Maine, Georgia and other states.
King Bees bassist Mike Porter and drummer Lou “The Juice” Guisto played an important part in “shaping the music” to fit Mr. Latorre’s vision, said Mr. Guisto.
Both Mr. Porter and Mr. Guisto are established musicians. Mr. Porter grew up in East Hampton before heading onto the road. He toured Europe with the Hitman Blues Band and performed with Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, John Hammond and others.
Mr. Guisto played the Las Vegas club scene for years before moving back to Long Island. He heard Mr. Latorre was looking for a drummer and showed up at the luncheonette. The rest of the band also came together while playing Friday nights there.
Playing with Mr. Latorre is different than with most blues bands as the music has a healthy dose of jazz, rock and jam band improvisation, Mr. Guisto said. This kind of fusion makes every performance different, the drummer said, as the group strives to create a satisfying night of music.
Music will be offered Friday nights through the summer from 7 to 10 p.m. at Art & Soul Gallery, 495-A Montauk Highway in Eastport. For information, call 631-325-1504 or visit www.artandsoul-gallery.com. Information about Mr. Latorre and the King Bees can be found at www.kingbeesny.com.
on Jun 22, 2010