Conley going strong at Davis & Main

Guitarist John Conley begins his fourth year of his gig at the Davis & Main restaurant in the Fan. Beginning the fall season, a rotating cast of musicians will help him out every Tuesday evening.

September 15, 2009; 11:25 AM • by Dean Christesen

Ideally in the game of booking jazz, both sides win: the musicians get paid and the venue benefits by drawing more business with live music. When everything happens as planned, there’s no reason to make it stop. Going on its fourth year of Tuesday evening jazz at the Davis & Main restaurant, John Conley and his duos and trios of rotating members must be doing something for business. Add this one to the small but strong list of long-standing gigs in Richmond.

The space is an interesting one for live music, but Richmond is no stranger to squeezing bands in tight spots. (To illustrate, a photo of Kevin Gaines cornered by his drum kit would be fitting here) Conley and his bandmates make the most of the space every Tuesday night, giving the wood-paneled and table-clothed dining room a welcoming atmosphere with bossa novas and backbeats.

Each season sees Conley collaborating with a mixed bag of Richmond jazz musicians: at the base of it his JC3 with bassist Rusty Farmer and drummer Kevin Gaines and branching out to regularly occurring guests like pianist Skip Gailes, vocalist Terri Simpson, trumpeter Jonathan Greenberg, and guitarist Adam Larrabee.

Check the line-up for Conley’s fall season at Davis & Main and attend at your leisure (guests subject to change):

9/15 – Terri Simpson (vocals) John Conley (guitar) Rusty Farmer (bass)
9/22 – Skip Gailes (piano) & Wade Short (bass)
9/29 – JC3- John Conley (guitar), Rusty Farmer (bass) & Kevin Gaines (drums)
10/6 – Conley/Larrabee Duo (guitar duo)
10/13 – Kevin Simpson (sax) John Conley (guitar) Rusty Farmer (bass)
10/20 – Conley/Farmer duo (bass/guitar duo)
10/27 – JC3- John Conley (guitar), Rusty Farmer (bass) & Kevin Gaines (drums)
11/3 – Conley/Larrabee Duo (guitar duo)
11/10 – Terri Simpson (vocals) John Conley (guitar) Rusty Farmer (bass)
11/17 – Skip Gailes (piano) John Conley (guitar)
11/24 – JC3- John Conley (guitar), Rusty Farmer (bass) & Kevin Gaines (drums)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOygWDbQCE8[/youtube]

Davis & Main promotional video with JC3 and Jonathan Greenberg (trumpet)

Tuesdays, 7:30-10:30p: Hosted by John Conley (guitar) and special guests each week, at Davis & Main (2501 W. Main St.). No cover. Call 353-6641 or visit davisandmain.com for information.