Several weeks ago, when local musician John Zaskoda opened Sessions Music, a boutique guitar store on White Settlement Road near downtown, he had grand, good intentions: Offer intense private instruction, sell affordable gear and gadgets, and actually care about the instruments he repaired.
When Zaskoda went into work on Sunday, Nov. 5, he discovered that his store had been broken into and, according to reports, completely wiped out. Many regularly gigging, professional local musicians, including Zaskoda, now don’t have any equipment or instruments. The estimated damage is $12,000, of which about only a third will be covered by Zaskoda’s insurance company. Zaskoda, a new father of twins, is putting out an all points bulletin: Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. If you or anyone you know comes across any suspicious musical gear, contact the police immediately. Zaskoda plans to re-open within a week. … Some local jazzbos are also putting out an APB: They’re planning a tribute to Fort Worth native and legendary saxophonist Dewey Redman and are inviting local jazzbos to the party, either as performers onstage or diners in the seats of Sardine’s Italian Ristorante, where the event will be held in mid-February. The event will be from 5 to 10 p.m. and will conclude with a jazz jam. For more information, contact Jhon Kahsen, one of the event’s organizers and a local jazz great who’s been bringing straight-ahead and avant-garde jazz to Sardine’s patrons for more than 20 years as the house performer. He can be reached at jcasemusic@netscape.net. …. You may (or may not) recall that I recently wrote about Will Rogers Auditorium’s getting some decent rock shows over the past few months (“Will Rogers, Sludge Metal, and You,” Nov. 1). Well, apparently, most of those shows are just spillover from Nokia Theater. The Grand Prairie venue has been commandeered by the Radio City Christmas Spectacular through Dec. 3.
After The Rockettes high-kick their way back to New York City, cool bands coming through town will be steered away from the Will and back to where they belong, Nokia. Though crowd response has been good at the Will’s shows, there’s nothing to indicate that the bands that have been re-routed to the Cultural District space care whether they play there again. Sorry for passing along half-baked info and possibly getting y’all’s hopes up for somewhat exciting possibilities in our backyard. … As a trained Jedi, I say that you will attend two upcoming can’t-miss shows and enjoy the hell out of yourself.
On Fri. at The Wreck Room (3208 W. 7th St., 817-348-8303), Kingfish and The Hourly Radio perform (not at the same time, of course), with Black Tie Dynasty, who just got back from playing a major label A&R showcase in Los Angeles. (You will keep your fingers crossed and join me in helping sway The Force in BTD’s direction, hopefully not to someplace other than here. They’re good people, and we like them.) The other gig you will attend is Thu., Nov. 23, at The Aardvark (2905 W. Berry St.; 817-926-7814), with Calhoun, The February Chorus, Holy Moly, and High School Assembly. Now go call your mother and tell her you love her. And make a $50 check out to “HearSay” and mail it immediately.
Contact HearSay at hearsay@fwweekly.com.
