LI-Based Acoustic Artists Mark Milestones in January

by Michael Kornfeld

Several Long Island-based acoustic musicians marked important milestones in January.  Phil Minissale, the Long Island Blues Boy, turned 21.  Denise Romas, who has been part of the local acoustic music scene for years, released her debut album.  And Gathering Time – an acoustic trio featuring Glen Roethel, Stuart Markus and Hillary Foxsong – performed live in the studio at WFDU in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Phil Minissale, a LI native who lived in Pennsylvania for many years, has played most of the major coffeehouses and other acoustic venues on LI since returning home less than two years ago and has been generating some well-deserved positive buzz.  The finger-pickin’ good Long Island Blues Boy can now legally be served in some of the bars at which he’s been plying his craft. 

Minissale celebrated turning 21 with a Jan. 24 “birthday bash” at Bobbique in Patchogue.  Joined by Ken “The Rocket” Korb on harmonica and washboard, with Mike DeGeronimo keeping the beat and other special guests accompanying him at times, Minissale treated folks to a number of songs from his forthcoming debut release, Home to Me, during what proved to be an enjoyable evening of tasty blues, brews and barbecue. 

Minissale shares a Feb. 16 bill with  Danielle Miraglia, a soulful and raspy-voiced Boston area singer-songwriter and delta blues-influenced guitarist, during the Folk Music Society of Huntington’s Hard Luck Café in Centerport (See the AcoustiCalendar).  The two were part of a song swap during the Huntington Folk Festival last summer.

Denise Romas, whose beautiful voice and guitar accompaniment bring a special sound to well-known songs and her own well-written and poignant originals, released her first full-length CD, Inspired, late last year.  A CD release party took place at Soul Growth Café in Lindenhurst on Jan. 26, during which she was joined by friends and fellow musicians.   Romas has been touching people for years with her inspiring original songs and nice stylings of choice covers sung in a clear voice, so the title of her debut release is apt.  

On Inspired, she shares her views on life and love on such self-penned numbers as  “A Healing Angel” (a touching song previously released as a single), “Teacher” (inspired by her day job as an elementary school music teacher) and “Passing the Torch” ( inspired by her role as a mom).  Engineered by Long Islanders Patrick O’Rourke and Larry Moser, the album also features the musical talents of Lora Kendall, Robert Langley, Charlie Minoia, Bill Davis, Moser and Matt Zebrowski.  Its 10 songs include several other original compositions and her interpretations of the traditional “The Water is Wide” and The Zombies’ classic “She’s Not There.”  

A bonus track on the self-released CD, taken from a family home recording session many years ago, features Romas singing at age 9 — two years before she acquired her first guitar.  In the years since, she has been performing at coffeehouses, libraries and other venues on LI both solo and as part of Lonesome Traveler, a musical narrative about Lee Hays and The Weavers, in which she is teamed with Ira Perlman (president of the Folk Music Society of Huntington).   An active member of the Island Songwriters Showcase, Romas will be one of its six showcasing artists during the Folk Music Society’s Hard Luck Café in Centerport on March 15. 

As solo performers, Glen Roethel and Stuart Markus have developed devoted fan bases on Long Island over the past several years.  Now, joined by local singer and songwriter Hillary Foxsong, as the trio Gathering Time, they are poised for even more success on and off the Island with their spirited blend of folk and acoustic originals and covers with wonderful harmonies.  

Although the three have been performing together for a little more than a year, they didn’t adopt their moniker, Gathering Time, until after wowing folks – including WFUV’s John Platt — during last November’s Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference.   Commenting on the conference, Platt said: “One of my favorite moments was hearing local singer-songwriters Glen, Stuart and Hillary jamming in the lobby before dinner on Saturday with a host of folks joining in on their killer version of “Suite Judy Blue Eyes.” 

Since that time, Gathering Time has been capturing attention and winning fans with its spirited blend of folk and acoustic originals, stylistic interpretations of choice covers, and wonderful three-part vocal harmonies.  Platt and folk DJs across the country and beyond have spun their cover of Peter, Paul & Mary’s “Light One Candle,” which was sent to select radio stations in time for the holidays, while Bill Hahn, co-host of “Traditions” on WFDU at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Teaneck, New Jersey campus invited them to do a live, in-studio interview and performance that aired Jan. 13. 

Although Gathering Time continues to gig frequently at Fiddleheads in Oyster Bay and The Inn at New Hyde Park (See the AcoustiCalendar for dates), the trio also is now being invited to play venues at which the music is the focus of attention.  The group, which drew a large audience and raves for its Jan. 12 performance at The Eclectic Café in Bay Shore will play the Song Box in Seaford on March 22 and Garden Stage in Garden City on June 6, while also seeking out gigs elsewhere in the New York metropolitan area and beyond.