OCT 9TH OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION for ‘BIG MAN’S WEST’ EXHIBIT AT ASBURY PARK MUSICAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION: A REVIEW By Calvin Schwartz October 15th 2014

Thanks to Terry Camp for lighting my fire and bringing me along and extricating me from my post-surgical shoulder replacement doldrums to get back into the eclectic/electric scene of Asbury Park. I’ve been to the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation (“Where music lives”) on Cookman Avenue often, from its inception several years ago. It is a back to the future place of musical memories and precious history. The old ‘Upstage Club’ which opened in Asbury Park in 1968 and was a launching pad for Bruce Springsteen, members of the E Street Band and Southside Johnny closed in 1971 but its molecules are still upstairs.

The ‘Big Man’s West’ exhibit focuses on Clarence Clemon’s nightclub which opened in Red Bank in 1981 and helped to revive the Jersey shore music scene in its two short years. Rock royalty performed there. The walls of Musical Heritage Foundation are replete with pictures, artifacts and videos grasping those two magical years. Many pictures on display were taken by Bob Wilkinson from Big Man’s West. The work of iconic music photographer John Cavanaugh, who artfully captures the essence of the history of Jersey music, was also displayed. I had a chance to talk to Candy Brown who worked at Big Man’s West; she recalled the magic and energy within those walls, described as “The best kept secret in New Jersey.”

The reception was essential Asbury Park with its diversified guests. I had some quality time with Stephen Bumball, another iconic historian of the city. Tom Gilmour, from Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce continued our dialogue why the city is evolving into that international music destination; the journey towards that vision ever so apparent. And then with Jean Mikle, Asbury Park Press, we talked about the Light of Day Foundation for Parkinson’s research and awareness which takes place in January in Asbury Park with a nearly a week of non-stop music. In the meantime, Jean is soon hopping into a European van and doing the continent again with musicians performing in the international portion of Light of Day. And Jo Bonanno had me promote Rutgers University to his high school daughter. A huge multi-liter bottle of cabernet in the back mesmerized so I partook.

Terry Camp announced the 3rd Annual Birthday Celebration for the Big Man, Clarence Clemons is now scheduled for January 10th 2015 at Bar A in Belmar. It’s an all-day happening of amazing musicians paying homage to Clarence; NOT to be missed. Watch for updates from Terry Camp and Nick Clemons and get tickets early.

The night was still young. Terry and I descended on Langosta Lounge where Pat DiNizio from the ‘Smithereens’ is performing on Thursday nights. Arlan Feiles opened for Pat; the most expeditious way to describe the rest of our night with both Arlan and Pat is, “Wow!”

Grand Opening Press Conference  ‘Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation.’ An Amazing Historic Place!

January 14, 2013    By Calvin Schwartz

As a journalist who gravitates to music these days, there are events to cover and then every once in a while, I alight from my Conestoga wagon of discovery ( I wish I was around  when the first Conestoga wagons were coming off the assembly line in Detroit) and walk into a magic world of music history and relevance. Such was yesterday at the opening press conference for the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation headquarters on Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park’s hip business address. I started my love affair to remember with Asbury Park exactly a year ago when I hooked up with NJ Discover TV and some unknown universal energy dispatched me to Asbury and the rest is a personal history and words you’re reading now.

Asbury’s music past, present and future swirl around my soul; I know that Asbury Park will one day find itself as an international music presence and destination much like Memphis or Nashville. Asbury Park belongs on the global stage; so many of us who frequent the diverse, rich cultural heritage of this evolving city know this; the music is so good and plenty here.

At the beginning of last summer, I was walking down Cookman Avenue; the sun was setting surreally on a pastel blue house across the street. A young boy was standing in his backyard, with a guitar and an amp, playing incredibly well. He couldn’t have been more than twelve; I dream; maybe I found a way back to the future; it was Bruce Springsteen, no, Vini Lopez, no, Southside Johnny or Clarence Clemons or a hundred other angels who contributed to the rich history of this music town.

Tom Gilmour (director of Economic Development for Asbury Park) opened the press conference and introduced Susan Pellegrini  as the new Executive Director of Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation. “We were not ready to take the leap to open this yet for another year, but Sandy made us pick up the pace,” Susan said. They plan to have exhibitions, lectures, live broadcasts and to be that special international destination for people. She continued, “The focus is for us to be a connector for different aspects of music in Asbury Park.”  The inaugural exhibit will be a Light of Day retrospective tour with four photographer’s work.

Next Saturday (January 19^th) they’re showing a film ‘Asbury Park Musical Memories,’ with 1930’s through 1970’s dealing with what is was like to be in Asbury during that time. There’s a three year plan and the ultimate goal is to move to a 30,000 square foot “architecturally significant building, at the Crossroads on Lake Avenue.”

I like the notion that Asbury Park has a sister city in Italy, Casalgrande, giving it even more of an international flavor. The mayor of Casalgrande, Andrea Rossi was here in September and is coming back in May. Indeed the Asbury Park connections grow. So does the dream for global musical relevance and awareness.  John Cavanaugh, official photographer of the Stone Pony since 2000 and Light of Day since 1998 spoke about his contributions of photography and memorabilia on display which constitute phase one. The Heritage Foundation is looking for financial and materials donations and loans of art, photography and memorabilia.  More phase one activity includes an Asbury Park Musical Story Teller series where there are live performances as well. Soon Black History Month, Jazz month and a new artist’s series.

The hours are Friday 12-7  Saturday 12-8 (except 12-10pm during First Saturday events)  Sunday 12-6pm.

Of course during the summer they’ll expand to seven days.

And then Kimmee Masi, operator of Confections of a Rock Star, on Cookman Avenue  invited guests to a feast of cupcakes and confections. I grabbed (inconspicuously, I assumed) a chocolate cup cake.  She saw me. I exclaimed as I consumed in one festive satisfying bite, “wow, wow, wow.”  She said, “Only three wows?”  I brought one more “wow” to auditory channels.

I timed myself. I walked around gazing and reminiscing for 44.4 minutes. It was magic to be there. It was only the first day. Oh and the front door is only 44 feet away from the historic Upstage Club. I like that too.

Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation   708 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park   732-775-8900

http://asburyparkmusiclives.org/

Calvin Schwartz