On Stage: West Chester’s Jones looking to make break out

Also: Dark Blue’s Delco roots, and much more

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times

Westtown School has a long tradition of producing graduates who excel in their fields — from classical pianist/jazz vocalist Mindy Rhodes to hydropower engineer specialist Katie McKinstry. The list is long and stretches across a wide variety of fields.

The small Quaker school also has another top-flight musician on its list of talented alumnae — Eliza Hardy Jones.

Jones, a West Chester native who graduated from Westtown School and Vassar College, has been a member of a number of Philadelphia’s top bands. Currently, she sings and plays keyboards in Grace Potter’s band and, at the same time, is pursuing a solo career.

The versatile singer-songwriter-musician has just finished making her debut solo album “Because Become.” The CD will officially be released on January 15 but will also be available at her show on January 6 at Boot and Saddle (1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-639-4528, www.bootandsaddlephilly.com).

“I grew up in a musical family,” said Jones, during a phone interview last week from her home in West Philadelphia.

“We lived in Overbrook and then moved to West Chester because my dad is a professor at West Chester University. I played classical music in high school. I also studied classical music at Vassar where I was a major in Latin American Studies.

“I travelled to a lot of Latin American countries in Central and South America but there’s no Latin influence in my music. I love Latin American music but it’s not something that feels like me — like it comes from me.”

Jones’ music has its own vibe — fresh, smart and totally original.

“After I graduated, I moved to Philly and started making music,” said Jones. “I was in a band called Buried Beds for many years. I played in a few other bands and was a touring member of Strand of Oaks.”

When Jones decided to make her solo album, she called on her musical buddies from the Quaker City. The album was recorded and produced by Brian McTear, Nick Krill and David Hartley. The stellar group of musicians on the album included Jones on keyboard and guitar, Dave Hartley (Nightlands, The War On Drugs) on bass and guitar, Eric Slick (Dr. Dog) on drums, Patrick Berkery on drums, Brian McTear on guitar, and Nick Krill (Teen Men, Spinto Men) on guitar.

“It was important to know the musicians and what they would bring to the table — and to have musicians that I trusted,” said Jones. “I feel very lucky to have worked with these guys.

“I recorded half of the album at Brian McTear’s Miner Street Studio in Philly and half at Mount Slippery, which is Dr. Dog’s studio in Upper Darby. I made the album over the course of the last year-and-a-half — in between tours.”

Jones has been on the road a lot with Grace Potter.

“I finished the album when I was on tour with Grace Potter,” said Jones. “I played the album for Grace and she asked me to open for her on her last tour. I’m also in her band. With Grace, I play keyboards and sing backup vocals. Even though Jones’ music is quite different from Potter’s high-energy sound, she still has been a hit with Potter’s audiences.

“When people ask me what my music is like, I describe it as mystical pop music,” said Jones. “One of my biggest influences is Kate Bush. But, I have a lot of influences — from Debussy to Joni Mitchell…from Bowie to Pat Benatar.

“In January, I’m going out on another tour with Grace — opening with my band and then playing with hers. There is no Philly date on the tour. That’s why I booked the show at Boot and Saddle. I haven’t played the songs from the album live with a band yet. So, I’m really excited.”

Video link for Eliza Hardy Jones — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yF1qRDqisyk.

Jones’ January 6 show on Philadelphia will start at 8 p.m. with Jesse Hale Moore as the opening act. Tickets are $10.

Other shows at Boot and Saddle over the next week will feature NOTHING with Dark Blue and Problems on December 31, Drums Like Machine Guns with SPT, and Collar on January 1 and “Philly For Bernie Sanders Concert: Round 2!” with Son Step, Tutlie, Tinmouth on January 5).

For fans of Americana music, the opportunity to spend New Year’s Eve being entertained by David Bromberg is a real treat.

Bromberg’s fans can slide from 2015 into 2016 while being serenaded by the master singer-songwriter-guitarist when the World Café Live at the Queen (500 North Market Street, Wilmington, 302- 994-1400, www.queen.worldcafelive.com) presents “New Year’s Eve with David Bromberg” starting at 10 p.m. on December 31.

Many artists have gold albums but not many have albums approaching golden anniversaries. Bromberg is one of the few.

Bromberg released his first album “David Bromberg” in 1972 and has since performed and/or recorded with a long list of top-flight musical acts including George Harrison, Bob Dylan, the Eagles, Carly Simon, Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia, the Beastie Boys and Jorma Kaukonen.

His debut album included “The Holdup,” a song he co-wrote with the late, great George Harrison, and “Sammy’s Song,” which featured Bob Dylan on harmonica. His two most recent LPs are “Use Me,” which was released in 2011 and “Only Slightly Mad,” which was released in 2013 by West Chester-based Appleseed Records.

“Use Me” got its title from the all-star array of talent used in making the disc — including Vince Gill, Los Lobos, Levon Helm, John Hiatt, Dr. John, Keb’ Mo’, Widespread Panic and Linda Ronstadt.

“Only Slightly Mad” was recorded with producer Larry Campbell (three-time Grammy-winning producer for Levon Helm and multi-instrumentalist with Bob Dylan) and engineer Justin Guip at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, New York.

“The ‘Only Slightly Mad’ album came out of my previous album ‘Use Me,’” said Bromberg, during a phone interview from his violin shop in Wilmington where he is a luthier.

 “Making ‘Use Me’ was an awful lot to ask. I was humbled by the players who agreed to do it. Larry Campbell produced those sessions. So, when it was time for another album, I contacted Larry and said I wanted to do a Chicago blues style album.

“He said he wanted to do and old-style David Bromberg album — the kind that had everything and the kitchen sink. I had the tunes all ready. They were the things my band and I had been playing live. It was a switch from what I wanted to do with the new album which was a blues album. But, I wanted to record these songs sooner or later.

“I went in the studio with my band and the recording went pretty quickly — three weeks at the most. Then, we took about another week to mix the album. I was really pleased with how it turned out.”

Campbell and his wife Teresa Williams will be performing together in the area later in the month. The highly-talented duo will headline a show on January 21 at the Ardmore Music Hall.

Even though Bromberg began making records more than 40 years ago, he has not been making music on a steady basis ever since.

“I stopped playing in 1980,” said Bromberg. “I just simply got burned out. And, I had hand trouble for awhile — soft tissue problem in my left hand. But, it’s all better now.

Bromberg resumed his recording career in 2007 with the release of his “Try Me One More Time” album.

“I was with my friends Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen,” said Bromberg. “We were doing a gig together in Texas. We got talking about how we got started in music and we began playing some songs by Reverend Gary Davis. Chris and Herb said to me — you should be doing it not maybe doing it. I went got in the studio after that.”

When he performs onstage, Bromberg employs a variety of band configurations — especially the David Bromberg Big Band and the David Bromberg Quintet. He also occasionally does gigs as a solo artist. His show at the Queen will be with the David Bromberg Quintet.

Video link for David Bromberg’s “The Holdup” — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SVa6rT5Et6Y.

David Bromberg’s show on December 31 will start at 8 p.m. with The End of America as the opening act. Tickets are $45 standing and $57 seated.

Another option for a music-filled good time is a show at Boot and Saddle (1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-639-4528, www.bootandsaddlephilly.com) featuring Dark Blue, NOTHING and Problems.

Dark Blue, which features guitarist/vocalist John Sharkey III (Clockcleaner, Puerto Rico Flowers), bassist Andy Nelson (Ceremony, Paint it Black, Puerto Rico Flowers), guitarist Dave Walsh and drummer Mike Sneeringer (Strand of Oaks, formerly from Purling Hiss, Puerto Rico Flowers), released its debut album “Pure Reality” last year.

“’Dark Blue’ started in the fall of 2013,” said Sharkey, during a phone interview last week from his home in Philadelphia. “I was living in Australia with my family and moved back here. I came back and re-formed an old band I was in before. They were here so it was easy.”

Sharkey grew up in Delaware County and his love/hate relationship filters throughout Dark Blue’s music.

“My wife is Australian so we decided to have our kids there,” said Sharkey. “But, we also had a house in Delaware County. You always come back. I grew up in Darby Township and went to Academy Park High School.

“Growing up in Delco was really bizarre. For 14 years, I didn’t realize how depressing it was. Then, I realized how to get out and that I needed to get out. When the ‘Berlin Wall’ came down, I enjoyed my freedom. But, growing up in Delaware County did toughen me up for anything I’ll encounter in life.”

Dark Blue’s new single features two songs about blue collar depression in the changing Delco socio-economic landscape, The A-side is titled “Vicious Romance” while the B-side is a song called “Delco Runts,” which is billed as “a love (or hate) letter to Delaware County.”

“So far, we’ve released three singles and one LP,” said Sharkey. “The album (“Pure Reality”) came out last year in October. The new single — ‘Vicious Romance/Delco Runts’ — will be out on January 15 on the 12XU label.

“When I came back from Australia, I wanted to have a band that incorporates late punk style with the post-punk style that I’ve been playing with Puerto Rico Flowers and the Clockcleaners — and marry it to U.K. ’82-style punk drums. The new single is the perfect melding of what I want to do in this project.”

Video link for Dark Blue — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rXyHdpczT1g.

The New Year’s Eve show at Boot and Saddle will begin at 10 p.m. Tickets are $15.

The Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, 302- 475-2313, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org) is hosting a New Year’s Eve Party featuring “Beatlemania Now!” on December 31 starting at 7:30 p.m.

Video link for Beatlemania Now — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6evNq22ataY.

Tickets, which include prime rib dinner buffet, house wine and beer open bar,

midnight champagne toast and dessert bar — and a show — are $110 per person.

“Disney on Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic” is running now through January 3 with an array of morning, afternoon and evening shows at the Wells Fargo Center (3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-336-3600, http://www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com).

The show, which has a huge cast and a lot of big production numbers, features many of Disney’s most popular characters — all the way from Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck to the main cast members from “Frozen.”

“Disney on Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic” has 51 skaters in a show that features 14 stories. The show’s theme is 100 years because Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse 100 years ago.

Video link for Disney on Ice — https://youtu.be/PZna16_ntqk.

Ticket prices range from $20-$100.

A good choice for a family activity is attending a performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which is running now through January 3 at the Merriam Theater (250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org) part of the Kimmel Center’s “Broadway Philadelphia” series.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which is a sung-through musical with very little dialogue, has a Biblical-based story from “Genesis” about Joseph’s “coat of many colors.” The show was created by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber — the same team that brought you “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita.”

Video link for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” — https://youtu.be/XYk7hJZ_H-o.

Tickets for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” range from $55-$95.

The Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) will host Arden Kind, The Subterraneans  and Route Seven on January 2, Open Mic with Sam Kwietniak, and Fabio Mittino & Bert Lams on January 5.

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389, www.ardmoremusic.com) will present Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and Swift Technique on January 2 and Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead Tribute) with Man About A Horse on January 7.

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com) will present RFA on January 2.

The Valley Forge Casino (1160 First Avenue, King Of Prussia, 610-354-8118, www.vfcasino.com) will present Third Eye Blind  with a special New Ywear’s Eve concert on December 31at 10 p.m.

Doc Watson’s Public House (150 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, 610-524-2424, docwatsonspublichouse.com) will present a “New Year’s Eve Party” with the Tommy Froelich Trio on December 31.

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) presents Lotus Land on January 2, Devon Allman Band with Stolen Rhodes on January 3 and Corey Harris with Toney Rocks on January 7.

World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, philly.worldcafelive.com) will have Start Making Sense on December 31 and In The Light on January 2.

Electric Factory (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, 215-627-1332, www.electricfactory.info) will feature the Dark Star Orchestra in a gala New Year’s Eve show on December 31.

Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http://www.lnphilly.com) will be rocking on New Year’s Eve with a concert featuring Jazmine Sullivan on December 31.

The Tower Theater (69th and Ludlow streets, Upper Darby, 215-922-1011, www.thetowerphilly.com) will present Govt. Mule on January 2.

The Tin Angel (20 South Second Street, Philadelphia, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com) will present Mary Fahl on December 31 and Shaun Ruymen with Juliette Reilly on January 2.

Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150, www.thefillmorephilly.com) will have Joe Russo’s Almost Dead on Decembre 31, MEGA featuring Flux Pavilion with Doctor P, LOUDPVCK & Rain Man on January 2 and “Awesomefest” on January 4.

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N Front St, Philadelphia, 215-291-4919, www.kungfunecktie.com) will host “Fame Lust’s NYE 2016 Party!” on December 31; Willam and Haus of Ham on January 1; First of Autumn, Socko, Wade In The Water and Dan Fahy on January 2; Killer Escape, RIPS, TV TRAMPS and Atomic Sky on January 2; and Liz de Lise, Thought Culture, Darlington and Andy McLeod on January 3.

Bourbon and Branch (705 North Second Street, Philadelphia, 215-238-0660, bourbonandbranchphilly.com) will present Upstate Rubdown and Sweetbriar Rose on January 3) and Dry Reef, The Big Takeover and Major Front on January 5.

The Voltage Lounge (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, 215- 964-9602, www.facebook.com/Voltagelounge) will present Blackwater and 38 Snub with Guttersnipe, Vicious Embrace, Depreciator and Mercy  Blow on January 5.

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-739-9684,

www.johnnybrendas.com) will host A Sunny Day In Glasgow, EZTV, Mercury Girls and DJ Jeff Zeigle on December 31); Frog Holler, Brad Hinton Band, and Caroline Reese & The Drifting Fifth on January 2; and Girl Germs with DJs Ayne Pain and Whitknee on January 3.

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215- 925-6455, www.milkboyphilly.com) will have a special NYE show on December 31 featuring Red Alert.

Fire (412 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, 267-671-9298, thefirephilly.com) will have a show with Noble Giants, Dirty Purple and King Kong and The Bleeding Hearts on January 3 and a show on January 5 featuring Keep.

Ortlieb’s (847 North Third Street, Philadelphia, 267- 324-3348, www.ticketfly.com) will present Joy Riding, Sleep In, and Night Windows on January 2, Lord Narf on January 3, and The Retinas, Old Scratch and Mud Guppies on January 6.

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, http://undergroundarts.org) will host West Philadelphia Orchestra’s NYE Blowout and Balkan Feast with special guests Johnny Showcase & the Mystic Ticket and Ill Doots on December 31.

The American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, 800-0 648-4102, www.AMTshows.com) will host a “New Year’s Eve Celebration” with “Cirque Musica: Presented by Lancaster Symphony Orchestra:” featuring musical selections from Saint-Saens, Tchaokovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky, Liszt, Beethoven and Strauss.

Chameleon Club (223 North Water Street, Lancaster, 717-299-9684, http://www.chameleonclub.net) will have Medusas Disco, The Stonewall Vessels, The Skiffs, Moonstriker and Flower Garden on January 2.

Tellus 360 (24 East King Street, Lancaster, 717-393-1660, www.tellus360.com) will host Temple Avenue on January 1), The Fortunatos on January 2, and Willie Marble Xperience on January 3.

SteelStacks (101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, 610-332-1300, http://www.steelstacks.org) will present “PEEPSFEST® Family Disco Lounge” on December 31, The Red Elvises New Year’s Eve Spectacular on December 31, Craig Thatcher Band on January 2, and Three Kings Celebration on January 3.

PhilaMOCA (531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, 267-519-9651, www.philamoca.org) will present Eric Slick, Lily, Old Maybe and Lucy on January 6.

The Walnut Street Theatre (825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-574-3550, www.walnutstreettheatre.org) is presenting “A Christmas Story, The Musical” now through January 10.

“A Christmas Story, The Musical” is a Broadway musical comedy based on the classic 1983 movie. Set in Indiana in the 1940’s, it features a bespectacled boy named Ralphie who has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas –a Red Ryder BB Gun.

Video link for “A Christmas Story” — https://youtu.be/8ibc4ubYe9E.

Ticket prices range from $20-$95.

The Prince Music Theater (1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 267-239-2941, princetheater.org) is presenting a new show titled “The Three Maries  — A Philadelphia Phable” that will run through January 10.

“The Three Maries” is a musical comedy inspired by an historical event — Queen Marie of Romania’s visit to the city of Philadelphia in October of 1926. The original score is infused with 1920’s jazz, vaudeville, Tin Pan Alley and the famous sound of the Mummer’s string bands.

Ticket prices range from $27-$52.