NOVEMBER 2004
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Downtown LiveSerious Monkey Businessby Jamie Manser
“Jazz – the space isn’t really conducive to other stuff,” said co-owner/architect Bill Mackey. “I think the setting is cool for it too.” It’s a perfect, cozy setting that boasts Euro deli gourmet and extensive libation choices. The décor is simple elegant with retro, art deco and Japanese flairs and the requisite patio seating.
(Kuemmerle doesn’t own a piano, Mackey said.) The bistro’s piano seems to be suiting Kuemmerle. He’s played there consistently since the Pioneer Building’s nook started hosting live music six months ago, with two shows in November. Other regular performers include multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Carr, a stripped down version of The Fashionistas, the Rosano Brothers Virtual Quartet, Naim Amor, Jeff Grubic, and Matt Mitchell – among others. Not exclusively for jazz and “more about what music fits the space,” Mackey’s calendar also includes the poignant vocalist/guitarist Maggie Golston performing on Nov. 4 and 19. “It’s a good, mellow music place,” Mackey explained, as well as an “early music place.” With sets generally starting at 8:00pm Thursday through Saturday, The Monkey Box provides the intimate pre-show with light dinner and cocktails, and an ambiance created by eclectic sects of Tucsonans relaxing and chatting. “There has been a good mix of downtown business people, the kids in the neighborhood and the young professionals, the older professionals,” Mackey said of his clientele. A similar population of folk will also likely attend December 4 fundraiser, The Monkey Ball, benefiting the downtown non-profit organization RISE. “They provide jobs for the homeless and the job is to collect recycling,” Mackey explained. “We wanted to help support an organization and we think RISE is a good organization and does a good job.” As of press time, the event will include performances by The Fashionistas and Beautiful Bird. Chef Scott Wheeler, of Feed The Artists notoriety, will be whipping up a feast for the souls who monetarily donate what they can share for the non-profit. Call Rachel Yaseen at 623-3500 for more information about The Monkey Ball. The Monkey Box is located at 100 N. Stone Ave., in the Pioneer Building. Lunch is served from 11am until 2pm Monday-Friday. Open for dinner at 5pm Tuesday -Saturday, closing times vary. Happy hour is from 5pm to 7pm Tuesday-Saturday. KXCI Welcomes the Digital AgeCorporation for Public Broadcasting Awards Grant for TransitionLast month, community radio station KXCI, 91.3FM, was awarded $60,000 by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to purchase equipment necessary for digital broadcasting.
So what does this mean? Well, for those technophiles who pick up the first digital radios, it means compact disk quality sound being broadcasted from the station by late next summer. KXCI will become the first station in Tucson to do so. If you don’t pick up a digital radio right off the bat, no worries about missing out on your favorite KXCI shows. The digital and analog signals will be transmitted simultaneously. The grant will allow the station to upgrade its 30-year-old system, as well as upgrading their transmitter and related equipment to state of the art. This will not, however, improve the broadcasting signal to the city’s northwest area. “Although this will not resolve our signal issues on the Northwest side, it will improve KXCI in all other areas of the city,” said station General Manager Larry Bruce. “KXCI’s application for a second signal to cover the northwest has been held up by a court case against the FCC. That case has been resolved and we are hoping to get approval for our NW transmitter by the middle of 2005.” KXCI was one of 133 station grantees to receive the monies during CPB’s latest funding disbursement in October and 1 of only 3 in Arizona. The Great Cover-UpThe annual fundraiser for the Brewster Center, begun in 1998, is celebrating its 7th year at Hotel Congress on Nov. 10 and Nov. 12-13. The popularity of watching local musicians cover other acts necessitated the expansion of the event from one to three nights, and, by thus, generating more funds for the domestic violence shelter. Whispering has started regarding who is covering what and I wish I could share with you the ones I’ve already heard about – but I must honor the “off-the-record” requests. I can say, however, that I’m already getting giddy! Call Hotel Congress at 622-8848 for more information on tickets and times. The Wyatts
The Wyatts are saddlin’ up at Vaudeville Cabaret on Nov. 6, with an opening slot in front of Greyhound Soul. The four-piece sings the traditional anthems of love gained, love lost, and bailing town with twang, pop and rock sensibilities. Comprised of music veterans who are rooted in Tucson, and half of whom lived in LA, The Wyatts have been spending time in the studio with production work being done by Tim David Kelly. The debut CD is slated for completion this month, and finished tracks can be heard at their slick & stylin’ website, www.WyattsTheBand.com. |
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hat kind of live music would best complement a downtown bistro called The Monkey Box? 
The Monkey Box also features an in-house piano – the bait that lured in jazz pianist Jim Kuemmerle to approach Mackey about playing gigs there. 
In addition to the grant money, KXCI will need to generate upward of $20,000 to cover the costs of the transition, which includes construction aspects not covered by the CPB grant.
A new outfit will soon be kicking dirt in our dusty town, with the potential to fill the gap left behind by Fourkiller Flats.