The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Black SwanP” from the EP “Dark Sparks” (pictured), released earlier this year. ART BY MARY MEHALICK
Makin Waves 2023 Bassist of the Year Mike Noordzy is just about as busy as can be. When not backing other musicians, he focuses on his own jazzy instrumentals, the latest of which are collected on the five-song EP, “Dark Sparks.”
The Nacht Records outing includes "Black SwanP,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Black SwanP” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on May 17 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
About the tune, Mike said, “What starts as a mysterious Burt Bacharach-on-acid type of vibe soon devolves into a perverse bossa nova, concluding with a distorted contra alto clarinet and trombone noise orgy.”
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
The EP is a second serving of Mike’s instrumental alt-noir following the 2023 four-song effort, “Sleaze Greaze.”
The same melodic intoxicants and hypnotic rhythms as its swampy predecessor feature a soft rip of romance lurking in the shadows. Mike, who also plays clarinet on “Dark Sparks,” again works with vibraphonist Mary Mehalick (who also again designed the album artwork), resonator guitarist Josh Siegel, and trombonist Ian Young. They are joined by accordionist Frankie Midnight and drummer-percussionist Jem Seidel. Several of them played in the New Brunswick jazz-funk ensemble Rugburn, who were friends with Mike’s band El Noordzo.
Upcoming gigs include June 1 at Prototype 247 in Paterson with Joy on Fire and June 15 as part of the return of Asbury Underground during the North2Shore Festival, where Mike and his band will be playing the Joe Harvard stage at Parlor Gallery.
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
"Yes sir," laughed Stephen Dees of Novo Combo. "The name of the record is "45 West 55th" and that's the address of Michael's apartment in New York City where I first met him and it all started from there. So, that's why we named it that; the album is kind of an anthology not unlike what the Beatles did; in fact, I kind of nicked the idea from them. We have songs that were unreleased demo songs from the first record and of course we recorded new songs as well. We've got five new recordings on the record and we decided that it was a nice way to reclaim our legacy."
(NEWTON, NJ) -- Country music artist Easton Corbin will perform at The Newton Theatre on Thurday, April 24, 2025 at 8:00pm. Easton has been gracing stages with his memorable baritone and unique blend of traditional and modern country music for more than a decade.
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Start the New Year with Centenary Stage Company's Winter Thaw Music Festival. This year, the music festival will feature concert performances by Good Co., Judy Carmichael, TAKE3: Where Rock Meets Bach, and Gangstagrass throughout the next few weeks.
Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.
![Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Black SwanP" by Mike Noordzy](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2024/Waves-May17.jpg "Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Black SwanP" by Mike Noordzy")
