By Ethan McAlpin | gargoyle@flagler.edu
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- Frank Reed (Acoustic Rock): Perhaps the unique combination of being half Welsh and half Apache Native American, raised on an Apache reserve in southeast New Mexico, explains Frank Reed’s wide range of musical talents. Teaching himself to play over ten instruments, ranging from the saxophone to the guitar to the piano, throughout his life since he was a young boy, proves his passion and effort, which can easily be noticed while watching him perform. Performing both originals and covers (most anything from 1940-1975), his favorites include “Freakin’ at the Freaker’s Ball” by Dr. Hook and “Heartbreaker” by Grand Funk Railroad. Though he’s also in a group called Frank N’ Girls, Frank mostly performs solo at various venues all over St. Augustine.
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- Josh Ward and Lee (Country): It’s interesting how musicians can meet, forming a group sometimes. A pair of friends who used to work together recently decided to start performing music together, add their own unique sound to everything they perform. Josh is from Palm Coast, Fla. playing solely country, while Lee hails from Jackonsillve Beach, Fla. and plays a mix of country along with other varieties. They perform covers and originals, putting their own spin on covers, adding some of their own style and rhythm. Their favorite song to perform is “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak because it is a different style from what people would typically expect from them, so it’s fun to switch things up. Stay tuned to Josh’s Facebook page “Open Mic Road Show with Josh Ward” to follow their next moves, as they travel throughout the Southeast performing and sharing other performers from open-mics, restaurants, and bars. Catch their upcoming performances at Breakaways in Palm Coast Oct. 8 from 8-9 p.m. and at The Green Turtle in Fernandina from 3-6 p.m.
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- Jazzy Blue (Blues, Soul, R&B, Classic Rock/Pop): His travels encapsulate his style. Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Jazzy was never in one place for too long, moving to Washington, D.C. in his twenties, and then on to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, where Jazzy quit his day job for the second time in his life to devote all of his time to performing and playing music, after a stint throughout Europe touring with Big Jack Johnson & the Oilers. After performing in St. Croix for some time, he decided that it was time for a scenery change again, resulting in his current life by the beach, in St. Augustine, Fla. Not only has he toured with Big Jack Johnson & the Oilers, but Jazzy has worked with Andrew Woolfold of Earth, Wind, & Fire, as well as Star Paroadi-Fair, the female keyboardist from “The Arsenio Hall Show.” Though he seems as if he’s been performing with the best his entire life, Jazzy never actually sang publicly until he had a “spiritual experience” at age 23, telling him that it was his calling to sing. Normally performing solo, when asked what his favorite song to perform is, he couldn’t even collate a “Top 5 List,” but he instantly knew his favorite artist to cover: Van Morrison. Influenced by underground blues/rock guitarist Bobby Parker, it isn’t too hard to hear the resemblances of his music, in addition to the culmination of places Jazzy has lived, visited, and various artists he’s performed with. Wanna see him for yourself? You can catch this man at Tempo Bar every Saturday night and at Centro Restaurant and Bar on the grand piano every Sunday night in St. Augustine.
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- Flagged Van (Funk/Jam): College dorm stories typically include the likes of Ramen Noodles, leftover pizza, and the possibility of a large dent in the wall that no one really knows how it got there. Rarely do you get a group of seven guys who found a common bond in music who actually have the dedication to form a band and perform regularly. Though a new band, Flagged Van pours a great deal of passion and enthusiasm into each performance, engulfing the crowd with energy and chill vibes, possessing chemistry as tight as if they’ve been together performing for years. This Flagler College band consists of two guitars, two percussion, one keyboard, and one main vocalist. The names behind those instruments are band members: Erick Villalobos (New Jersey), Bernard Austin (North Carolina), Patrick Conklin (Florida), Dan Suero (Illinois), Evan Ulsh (Delaware), Sam Sayward (Maine), and Alex Biel (New Jersey). Flagged Van’s favorite song to perform is Shakedown Street by Grateful Dead, and trust me, it’s tight live. I’ll let their music do the talking. You’ve gotta hear these guys at their next live performance, Oct. 21 at Planet Sarbez in St. Augustine with a full hour long set.
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