June 26th, 2023

Hello friends,

     I am not a musician; I am not a music critic…In fact I don’t know much about the intricacies of music and I am certainly not an expert of Jazz. I don’t know what “JAZZ" really is….but we are in the middle of the 20th annual Rochester International Jazz Festival and we are surrounded by what people think is Jazz. Certainly "jazz" is an integral part of everyday life in America. It evolved from the very essence of what America has claimed to be….overcoming struggle and oppression through cooperation and collaboration. It has its basis in the "call and response" found in African music as well as the innovation that has always existed in the American spirit. That spirit is the one that knows how to instantly interpret and react to situations…it is thinking on your feet and is called "improvisation". You compose, react and respond instantaneously. Yeah, BUT improvisation is not just limited to music. It is the very fabric of life for people who are creative. 

    Sam Snyder has been working for us for over 10 years. People tend to stay at Bernunzio’s for a while…that’s comforting. He is known in the community as "Overhand Sam" due to his unorthodox playing style (the result of a broken arm as a youngster the same year he took up guitar). He has added an unexpected dimension to our business since he has a real passion for and expertise in, vintage electric guitars and amplifiers.  We would be lost without him. Of course Sam lives an "improvisational" lifestyle. He has toured the country with acclaimed rock bands, he is a recognized expert in mixing and recording and just an all around likable artist. Well, after closing on Saturday night, an aggregate of musicians, including a few who work in our store, planned on performing their amazing music outside the store. As they were setting up outside, "Nova", the 11 year old daughter of Sam’s steady girl, was tinkling away on an Indian "hand-pan" that we just got obtained. As I observed her, I could see such unique talent in her rhythm and her musicality that I knew she was an "improvisational" person. I whispered to Sam that he should have her sitting with the band. He smiled and of course she, not only sat in, but she rocked the crowd. It was the quintessential, improvisational moment at the jazz festival, and I was proud to be there.

Julie and I will be back in the store Tuesday-Saturday. Stop by…

Sincerely,
John Bernunzio

Jazz stage….

Across the street from Bernunzio Uptown Music is "Havana Moe’s Cigar Bar". Moe Alaimo and I graduated together from different high schools. Our paths were so different yet so similar….and then he tries to steal this "improvising guy" for his entertainment!

Overhand Sam and ‘Bad Weapon"….quintessential improvisation…musically and in life.

Julie and I caught our breath for a day in Penn Yan before returning to Rochester today for a special tribute to our friend Charles Jaffe on what would have been his 76th birthday….his spirit is in this waterfalls….oh, could Charles improvise…

I was asked whether I will be playing an instrument or reading something in honor of Jaffe. I replied that I would simply be sitting in the crying section. Oh man, do I miss this guy.