Jimmy Jam at StingRays – The Birthday Party – 2/5/13

Another great Tuesday night at StingRays with Jimmy Griswold and company. This one was special because it was Jimmy’s and my birthday (those 2 handsome guys on the right). Ya we were both born on February 5th. Of course a few years apart… but it’s still a great excuse for a party.

And what a party it was.

Birthday Boy

London Phil, the owner at StingRays, pulled out all the stops. He had decorations, cake and jello shots for all. Really Phil is great and deserves all our support. A club owner like him is a blessing to all musicians. And everyone keeps raving about the food at StingRays. Go check it out!

But the highlight of StingRays, as my wife said, who was there for the first time…

“Everyone is so nice.”

Yes it’s a very comfortable place, with great servers and bartenders, and you can just tell everyone was having a great time.

And The Music

Anytime, Joe Renda sits in on drums it’s a special night. Joe is one of the best drummers in the Tampa Bay area, if not the southeast. So the music always cooks when he’s there. Catch him in the first and second videos.

But all the jammers were hot that night. And a big crowd showed up including…

Jay Goldman on bass
Tom Mignella on sax
Bob Milo on guitar
Joe Ish on guitar
Al Razz on bass
Steve King guitar
John Thomas drums
Lee Shivley on drums
Richie on guitar
Bill McLees on guitar
Greg Sabol on bass
Brian on sax
KSue Drumastay on percussion
Jerry Chase on drums
Larry McKinnon on congas
And lots of other great players who I didn’t get their names… sorry.

And many great players didn’t get to play. It was just too much of a night. Sorry guys and gals.

And thanks to the folks who just came out to enjoy the music and dance. You know who you are.

And a special thanks to Lee Stelling for some amazing pictures from the night. You can see his picts on his Facebook page here.

I got video from just about the whole night so…

Enjoy!

Set 1A – A shuffle with Rick, Griz, Joe, Jay, and Tom.

Set 1B – Rick, Griz, Joe, Jay, Tom and Larry on congas.

Set 2 – Bill McLees, Lee Shivley, Richie, unknown bass player and then Griz with Bob Milo, Rich on bass, Jeff on drums and KSue, and Larry banging the percussion

Set 3 – with Blue Lightning with Joe Ish, Al Raz, Steve King, John Thomas and then a group with Griz, Bob Milo, Jerry Chase, Greg Sabal, Tom, Brian, unknown trumpet

9 Comments

KSue on February 7, 2013 at 10:31 pm

It was such a great night Rick ! Everyone had a blast! But you did not give credit to yourself! Your music was awesome and you are awesome for capturing all the fun on the video’s! Thank You! ~ KSue

Honeyboy on February 7, 2013 at 10:57 pm

Thanks KSue you are very sweet!!

London Phil on February 7, 2013 at 11:37 pm

What a great night, I cant thank everyone enough for coming out and supporting what we are trying to do, great music, great people, great food and great beer.
Thanks Rick for doing so much, you and Jimmy G are superstars!!

Honeyboy on February 8, 2013 at 12:00 am

London Phil you are the star of the show. Thanks again for making me and everyone feel so welcome with your generosity!

Tom Mignella on February 8, 2013 at 2:38 am

Great Bar, Great Bar owner, Great Music, Food, Drink, Bar staff, and People !!!

KSue on February 8, 2013 at 7:48 pm

That was Larry McKinnon on congas.

Honeyboy on February 8, 2013 at 8:03 pm

Thanks KSue!
Marc on March 24, 2013 at 7:42 am

Hello,

I’m responding to this post with hopes that you can put me in touch with Larry.
Larry and I played and partied in Ann Arbor in ’80, and I like to say hello to him and find some old recordings of us.

Love the jams and thanks.

Marc C. Smith ( drums )
mcarmismith@hotmail.com

Lee on February 9, 2013 at 4:48 am

Re: your comments on Joe Renda, you hit the nail oln the head. His technique is flawless, his style is very musical. He was a joy to listen to.

KSue on February 7, 2013 at 10:31 pm

It was such a great night Rick ! Everyone had a blast! But you did not give credit to yourself! Your music was awesome and you are awesome for capturing all the fun on the video’s! Thank You! ~ KSue
- Honeyboy on February 7, 2013 at 10:57 pm
  
  Thanks KSue you are very sweet!!
London Phil on February 7, 2013 at 11:37 pm

What a great night, I cant thank everyone enough for coming out and supporting what we are trying to do, great music, great people, great food and great beer.
Thanks Rick for doing so much, you and Jimmy G are superstars!!
- Honeyboy on February 8, 2013 at 12:00 am
  
  London Phil you are the star of the show. Thanks again for making me and everyone feel so welcome with your generosity!
Tom Mignella on February 8, 2013 at 2:38 am

Great Bar, Great Bar owner, Great Music, Food, Drink, Bar staff, and People !!!
KSue on February 8, 2013 at 7:48 pm

That was Larry McKinnon on congas.
- Honeyboy on February 8, 2013 at 8:03 pm
  
  Thanks KSue!
- Marc on March 24, 2013 at 7:42 am
  
  Hello,
  
  I’m responding to this post with hopes that you can put me in touch with Larry.
  Larry and I played and partied in Ann Arbor in ’80, and I like to say hello to him and find some old recordings of us.
  
  Love the jams and thanks.
  
  Marc C. Smith ( drums )
  mcarmismith@hotmail.com
Lee on February 9, 2013 at 4:48 am

Re: your comments on Joe Renda, you hit the nail oln the head. His technique is flawless, his style is very musical. He was a joy to listen to.