Our recent tour out east was filled with lots of special circumstances and events. We shared the stage with the Kingston Trio (if you think that's a reggae band, you're too young!), played at Caffe Lena, a legendary folk club in Saratoga Springs, NY, reprised our 2008 shows at Elana Byrd's jazz series in D.C and Annapolis, and made our debut at the Mainstay in Rockhall MD, a club that was a home to the late, great guitarist Charlie Byrd.

But it's Philadelphia that has become a favorite tour local for Harmonious Wail.  Philadelphia has become an anchor for Wail business and for our souls. Our record label, Range Records, is located there, and it’s always good to work with owner Rich Meyers and our Grammy Award-winning producer Aaron Luis Levinson. And we’re always welcomed to Philly with warm hospitality by a number of good friends, like Jon Cooper and his family. (Jon was the Wail’s OG—street talk for Original Guitarist, about ahemmmugh years ago.) Last year my sister Lori Waselchuk and her family relocated to Philly and it’s been fabulous spending more time with them. Lori and husband Shenid Bhayroo and kids Mira and Zahli treated us to a gourmet meal at their home in west Philly before our evening show at Chris’ Jazz Cafe. Stuff like that makes tours extra enjoyable.

It qualifies as an “event” that we shared the stage on the last five tour stops with the great gypsy rhythm guitarist Kevin Nolan (brother of  gypsy guitar legend Robin Nolan). Having Kevin chunking it out across the stage was a real kick. He manages to generate power and energy in his right hand while maintaining a light touch and amazing subtlety. It occurred to me that I know more about how the great gypsy lead guitarists do what they do (I’m not saying I can play like that!) than I do about how Kevin does what he does. (Kevin currently tours with John Jorgenson’s band—check them out.)

We’ve got great friends in all the places we visited out east: Sonny Ochs in Middleburgh NY, longstanding friends in Annapolis and D.C., Sellersville PA, and of course in Philly and everywhere else. I hope we can swing out there again soon. Till then.

Tom Waselchuk

 Hello from Wail World,
   Man what a week!  The sixth annual Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest was a smashing success - again!   Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who attended, performed, jammed , sponsored and volunteered.  It really is pretty emotional to be part of such a high energy and super appreciative crowd of folks -- and the talent all gathered in one beautiful place at the same perfect time is simply blissful.  Please come to the Midwinter fest and please come back to number 7 - plans are in the works.  
   Our official Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest photographer, Kerry Hill, has posted shots of the fest here - http://hottimesintheoldbarn.shutterfly.com/
the Gypsy fest kite flyers and Craig Wilson have put up a couple cool arial shots here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12505951@N00/
  and Dule has already put up a You Tube - simply search for Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest 2009. or check this one out  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIolB3uIHtM
Thank you guys - beautiful shots
    The 2010 Midwinter Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest is slated for Feb 12 and 13, 2010 at the Brink Lounge in Madison and the seventh annual Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest is a go for Aug 20 and 21, 2010

 Sims and Rick Tvedt, Madison Area Music Award's main mover & shaker and Madison Music wonder-dude,  having a coffee, talking music and proudly displaying Harmonious Wail's two 2009 MAMA Awards

- Resist Temptation - Jazz CD of 2009 and

Maggie's "I Like to Feel My Bones" - Jazz Song of the Year

Thank YOu Rick and the MAMA's