Free Concert Preview

Free Concert Preview

The following bands are donating their time to play at the Community Parks Program free concerts on June 30 and July 7:

LIGHTNIN'

Al Jacquez, guitar and bass; Jeff Jones, lead guitar; Mark Gougeon, bass and flute; Tim McCoy, keyboards; Dave Morgan, drums.

The new Lightnin' band originated in Ann Arbor as Scott Morgan's Guardian Angel. Since changing their name to Lightnin', Al Jacquez has taken over most of the front-man stuff, with able relief from Mark Gougeon, madman McCoy, and Dave (Scott's younger brother) Morgan. When the combination clicks it can be quite interesting. (Appearing June 30)

THE SOULFUL SOULMATES (Personnel list not available at press time.)

Always only a recording contract away from big success on the black music scene, the Soulmates were formed 8 years ago by lead singer Keith Boon and have been a joy to the ears just about every time they've appeared since then. Based in dangerous Ypsilanti, Michigan, they've been backed by a variety of bands over the years, including Radio King and and His Court of Rhythm. The latest Soulmate musical unit should prove to be as sweet and mellow as ever. (Appearing June 30)

SHATTERING EFFECT Charles Moore, flugelhorn; Buz Jones, saxophone; Skeets Curry, guitar; Herman Curry, bass; Bud Spangler, drums; Ronny Johnson, drums; Vic Reeves, drums; Adam Rudolf, conga.

Cornetist Charles Moore (formerly with the Detroit Contemporary 5, now with The Motor City's mighty CJQ) switches to flugelhorn with the new Shattering Effect band, which debuted at Detroit's Strata Gallery only one month ago. Featured at Otis Spann park this June 30, the Effect smokes on over to the Rainbow Room in downtown-Motown next weekend. That's right, there's three drummers (including Bud Spangler, also with the CJQ)...

GEMINI

Las Slomovits, guitar; Sam Slomovits, guitar; Ilene Silverman, bass; Leo Kretzner, percussion.

The Slomovits brothers, Sam and Las, have been playing music together since "farther back than I can remember," says Sam. They first played together as Gemini in Rochester, New York; a year ago they moved to Ann Arbor and started growing into the local scene at places like The Ark and Flood's. Now electrified and definitely more than a duo, Gemini is June 30's opening treat.

LYMAN WOODARD TRIO

Ron English, guitar: Leonard King, drums; Lyman Woodard, organ.

Woodard's been playing keyboards since l he was a young lad in Flint, Michigan (remembered there as the fellow who could play "every Little Richard record note-for-note, including the mistakes). He's taken the state of the art a long way since then, and so does guitarist English (who is also a member of the exciting CJQ) and Leonard King, who can sing up almost as big a storm as he lays down on the drums. They enjoy a July 7th fresh-air respite from JJ's Lounge in D-town's Shelby Hotel, where they're seen five nights a week.

RABBITS

Martin Simmons, piano; Cheryl Loyd, flute; Mike Blanchard, saxophone and flute: Hank Skalka, bass; Nelson Bogart, guitar; Richie Morales, drums.

The name comes from a slang expression for "white rock and roll freek," but these Rabbits certainly are not of the "all-white" variety, in their music or otherwise. Born into an active Treetown rock and roll bar scene last winter, the Rabbits continue to hold forth funky at hall parties in Ann Arbor and Ypsi as well as at Otis Spann Field this July 7.

AMERIKANA

A blue grass band with Clinch on bongos, dabro and violin, Ears on Mandolin, Smiling Jack on bass. Gerald on guitar; in addition, Congo Phil from AA, Afro-American Dance Troupe, a bag piper from St. Andrew's Society, and the Subliminal Kid on piano, guitar. and dobro.

Support your local musicians!