This week at "The Ank" - Maria Aurigema (Saturday, June 16)


Niagara Rhythm Section's Saturday Night "MUSICAL IMPROV" Series

This week's featured guest:

Sat. JUNE 16th, MARIA AURIGEMA

Where: The Anchorage, 186 Ricardo St. Niagara-on-the-Lake, 905-468-2141
When: every Saturday night 10:00 pm - 12:30 am- no cover

We are pleased to welcome back the amazing Maria Aurigema.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you play like a man" said Jimmy Thackery the last time he heard her play. She has music and entertainment in her blood. Maria grew up in North Tonawanda, New York, with her home being the stop-over to many traveling entertainers who played Melody Fair in the late 60's, early 70's and who visited her singer/dancer/entertainer father, Jay Aurigema. She went on to graduate from The State University of New York at Fredonia with a degree in instrumental music, received her master's degree in creative studies from Buffalo State College and currently works as an instrumental music instructor in Kenmore, NY. Maria studied guitar at SUNY Fredonia for four years with Jim Piorkowski, formerly of the Buffalo Guitar Quartet, and with Buffalo jazz guitarist Stu Weissman for four years. She was formerly a core member of Wild in Blue, Fitzhugh and the Fanatics, and an Emile Latimer project which spanned a total of almost 10 years. Maria's combined influences of world beat, roots rock, jazz, blues and soul have developed such a style that once you hear her it certainly suggests big things to come! Maria has traced the roots of rock players such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page back to the immortal sounds of players like Albert and BB King and has drawn upon these influences. Along with singing and playing with passion and abandon she warmly chats to the crowd and creates a genuine atmosphere.

"The time has come to devote more time to my own project", says Maria, and that is just what she has done. Maria has just released her debut C.D. entitled "Take Me", which contains mostly original music and hosts Downchild Blues Band members: Gary Kendall (bass), Mike Fitzpatrick (drums), Mike Fonfara (keyboards) and Pat Carey (sax). Also rounding out the line-up are: Larry Goodhand (guitar), Wayne St. John (percussion) and Toronto's own Jeff Healey appears as "special guest" guitarist on three tracks. It's hard to imagine anyone not being impressed with Maria and her music! She's like a freight train picking up speed!

Please visit www.mariaaurigema.com for more information, photos, sound clips, etc...

Other upcoming dates of note:

June 22nd - NRS' final summer date @ the Sports BarMore musical improv coming up @ The Anchorage, 186 Ricardo St., 905-468-2141

Now in our 3rd year, The Niagara Rhythm Section (Goldberger, Grisbrook, Norris & MacKay) with special guests:

June 23 - John Dickie (another great singer/personality)
June 30 - Gayle Ackroyd & Ed Kopala (country soul & blues)
July 7 - Steve Grisbrook's birthday bash with Herb Nelson on keys
July 14 - Bruce Longman (eclectic roots & roll)
July 21 - James Brown & Terry Walsh (local legends)
July 28 - Chuck Jackson (Downchild's lead vocalist)
Aug 4 - "Guitars that ate your momma" with Eric Mahar, Steve Grisbrook & Herb Nelson
Aug 11- Denis Keldie (legendary keyboardist and personality)
Aug 18 - Espanola Slim (amazing harmonica player)
Aug 25 - John Mays (wonderful singer - frontman for Fathead)
Sept 1 - Scott & Simon (local popsters with great vocals)
Sept 15 - Neil Chapman (amazing rockin' guitarist and personality)
Sept 22- Lance Anderson on the B3 (organ wizard)

Aug 5th - NRS @ Canal Days, Pt. Colborne
Aug 6th - The Drummin' Fools @ the Shaw Fair & Fete
Sept 8th- NRS at the South Side Shuffle - www.southsideshuffle.com
Sept 15th - Drums Along the Niagara - www.drumsalongtheniagara.com


Load up your ipod with our music at: www.stevegoldberger.com/downloads.html